Category: Auto Industry

Volkswagen Jetta price quietly increases by $500

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen

2011 volkswagen jetta

2011 Volkswagen Jetta – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen has made a big deal about the 2011 Jetta’s $15,995 starting price. After all, how many times have you seen those commercials that show a guy working hard to afford the new Jetta, only to find out that it’s starting price had been lowered. And then there’s the baby-holding dad that drops his cup as the baby drops his bottle after checking out the German sedan’s bargain-basement MSRP.

At any rate, you can pick up your cup and get back to work, because the starting price of the Jetta has now been increased by $500. The VW website clearly shows that the S model, which comes equipped with an anemic 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a scant 115 horsepower, now starts at $16,495.

This isn’t exactly great news for Jetta-loving budget shoppers, but we hear rising commodity costs is making it more expensive to build vehicles these days, so it isn’t totally unexpected. On the bright side, only the entry S model has been given a price bump. The rest of the Jetta lineup is unchanged.

Volkswagen Jetta price quietly increases by $500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pagani Huayra clears its pipes on the track

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, MISC

Pagani Huayra on track

Pagani Huayra on track at Adria International Raceway – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Like a child has two parents, so does a Pagani. One is the niche automaker based in Modena whose name it bears. The other is Mercedes AMG. The latter develops and manufactures the engine, while the former does just about everything else. In the case of the new Huayra, you might say that Pagani disappointed in the styling department (though having seen it up close, we’d beg to differ) and threw us a curveball with the nameplate it chose. But there’s no arguing with the work those German engineers have undertaken at Affalterbach.

Don’t believe us? You don’t have to take us at our word. The videographers over at Marchettino, who regularly supply us with a stream of footage depicting Italy’s finest running at full bore, have sent us a clip of the new Huayra doing its thing at the Adria International Raceway, one of eight FIA-certified circuits in Italy. The footage is all shot attached to the rear bumper so you get the full aural sensation. Check it out after the jump. And for a more comprehensive perspective on the symbiotic relationship between Pagani and AMG that has produced the Huayra, head on over to the dedicated microsite.

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Pagani Huayra clears its pipes on the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Washington State Troopers remind motorists that the left lane is for passing

Filed under: Etc.

police in side view mirror

The percentage of motorists who really understand the basic tenets of driving vary from state to state. In some areas of the country, hogging the left lane is a vile offense, yet drivers in other parts of the country use it as they see fit. This is incorrect, and it’s also quite frustrating to the other motorists that understand the rules of the road. In an effort to remind drivers that the left lane is for passing, Washington state troopers pulled over 223 left-lane ignorati for ignoring the law.

The police ended up letting 199 drivers off with just a warning. We hope that warning serves as a lesson to make the driver more aware of the rules of the road. Now, if they could just start enforcing this more stringently throughout the rest of the country…

Washington State Troopers remind motorists that the left lane is for passing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoline After Hours welcomes auto show models in the studio tonight

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising

Lamborghini Product Specialists

If you have some time this evening, we highly recommend checking out Autoline After Hours. The crew will be hanging out with Margery Krevsky, the author of Sirens of Chrome. Krevsky painstakingly researched the 100-year history of the auto show model for the book and will be sharing some of her insights with hosts John McElroy and Peter Delorenzo for your enjoyment. If that’s not enough to drag you to the computer at 7 p.m. Eastern this evening, the news that Krevsky will bring along a few of her product specialist friends as well should have you patiently waiting at the keyboard.

The booth professionals will model dresses from the last 50 years of the car show circuit as a living, breathing supplement to the discussion on the book. Sound like a good time? You can see all the action by heading over to the Autoline After Hours site or by checking out the uStream feed after the jump.

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Autoline After Hours welcomes auto show models in the studio tonight originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai drops new i40 sedan in Barcelona

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows

2012 Hyundai i40 sedan

2012 Hyundai i40 sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite some automakers continue to integrate their product strategies around the globe, Hyundai is sticking to a somewhat more localized lineup. While the Accent, for example is the smallest Hyundai in North America, overseas, it’s the slightly smaller i20 (previously known as the Getz). Towards the upper end of the company’s mainstream spectrum (before you get into Genesis and Equus territory) we get the Sonata, which is sold in Australia as the i45. And just below that sits the new i40.

Hyundai unveiled the i40 wagon in Geneva a couple of months ago, and as promised, it’s just now pulled the wraps off the i40 sedan ahead of its global debut at the Barcelona Motor Show. Like its extended-roof counterpart, the D-segment sedan was designed and developed specifically for the European market at Hyundai’s R&D facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany, but there’s an awful lot of Sonata at work both with and under the sheetmetal.

Four engines are on offer, each with four cylinders. There are a pair of 1.7-liter diesels with 113 horsepower and 134 hp, respectively. If petrol is more your thing, there are a duo of direct-injection gasoline engines at 1.6 liters with 133 hp and 2.0 liters with 175 horses. All come mated to a six-speed manual, with a six-speed automatic available only with the more powerful of the diesels. The 2.0 is the only one that drops its 0-62 time down below the 10-second mark. Scope out all the details in the press release after the jump and the trio of initial images in the high-res gallery.

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Hyundai drops new i40 sedan in Barcelona originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ken Block battles Tanner Foust in DiRT 3 Gymkhana battle

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Toys/Games

Dirt 3 Gymkhana multiplayer Ken Block Tanner Foust

DiRT 3 pits Foust and Block in a Gymkhana showdown – Click above to watch video after the jump

The launch of DiRT 3 is nearly here. You can pick up a copy of the Gymkhana-friendly game on May 24th, but since we’re not quite there yet, Codemasters is more than happy to show off this new video, tantalizing us until the day we can finally plunk down cash for our very own copy.

Like we’ve seen in the past, this latest clip features a virtual Ken Block sliding his perfectly pixelated Ford Fiesta through a make-shift course. This time around, however, Block is joined by Tanner Foust and his equally impressive Rallycross-ready Fiesta.

The last time these two met in real life, Foust wound up beating Block at his own game. Now he’s in Block’s game, and we can’t wait to take each car out for a few (thousand) laps of virtual tire destruction. Click past the jump to watch the clip.

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Ken Block battles Tanner Foust in DiRT 3 Gymkhana battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab on the money hunt, still in discussions with Great Wall Motor?

Filed under: China, Europe, Government/Legal, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

Saab factory sign in Trollhatten, Sweden

Earlier this morning came word that Saab’s deal with Chinese automaker Hawtai had fallen apart. While in discussions with Hawtai, parent company Spyker was evidently also talking with another automaker located in China – Great Wall Motors. According to Reuters, those talks have apparently never ended, and, in light of today’s news, we’re going to speculate that it’s time to escalate the discussion or officially turn off the lights at Saab assembly plants.

Great Wall has cash and Saab has cars, technology and a dealer network. The two companies could be mutually beneficial, but there are hurdles to overcome before anything can actually happen. The Chinese government must approve a foreign joint venture before it moves forward. Still, it’s a good sign that companies are still interested in working with Spyker, and that could keep Saab alive.

Spyker isn’t simply pinning all of its hopes on Great Wall, as other Chinese companies are also on its radar. Besides a potential Chinese investor, however, Spyker and Saab are still hoping to see their European Investment Bank drawdown approved. Once either scenario plays out favorably, Saab can resume producing automobiles.

Saab on the money hunt, still in discussions with Great Wall Motor? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar brings a custom touch to the Chrysler 300 with grilles and wheels

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Etc., Chrysler, Design/Style

mopar brings new grilles and wheels to the 2011 chrysler 300

Mopar offers line of grilles and wheels for the 2011 Chrysler 300 – Click above for to watch video after the jump

The 2011 Chrysler 300 is a stylish full-size sedan, but there are always folks out there looking for an extra dash of “different.” Mopar is ready to offer just that, with a new line of grilles and wheels for the new Chrysler sedan. In total, Mopar has produced eight custom grilles and six new wheel designs.

Designed to mimic the exact fit-and-finish found on the factory unit, the Mopar grilles are offered in a variety of styles, including two billet aluminum versions. Price tags on the grilles range from $310 to $750. The Mopar wheels are available in 18, 19 and 20-inch sizes, and range in price from $265 to $610.

These Mopar units are a relatively affordable way to punch up the exterior look of your Chrysler 300. Check out the grilles in the gallery below, and click past the jump for a walk-through of the various styles offered along with the official press release.

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Mopar brings a custom touch to the Chrysler 300 with grilles and wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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P 4/5 Competizione captured in full race livery

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ferrari, Racing

p 4/5 competizione

P 4/5 Competizione – Click above for image gallery

Born from the mad mind of James Glickenhaus, the P 4/5 Competizione is the racing version of Glickenhaus’ road-going P 4/5. A rendered image has been transformed into a carbon fiber-bodied track racer, which is set to tackle race tracks across the globe. Captured in a variety of videos, the P 4/5 has been missing that last little bit to turn it into a full-fledged race car – sponsorship stickers. That is, until now.

The P 4/5 Competizione has been officially tarted up with a variety of sponsor signage. While we hate to see that glorious carbon fiber body hiding behind vinyl, we still think the car looks pretty amazing. Check it out from all angles by clicking through the gallery below.

P 4/5 Competizione captured in full race livery originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texans irked about lawmakers spending $25M to woo F1 while teachers are dismissed

Filed under: Motorsports

circuit of the americas

Texas motorsports enthusiasts are no doubt excited about the Circuit of the Americas. Formula One racing, along with MotoGP, will have a new home in Austin, and the United States Grand Prix is sure to attract fans and fan money. Some, however, are not thrilled at the spending decisions being made by Texan lawmakers, as they apparently feel though the money being spent to bring racing to the state could otherwise be used to help teachers keep their jobs.

How much has Texas pledged to bring F1 racing to Austin? According to Bloomberg, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has signed off to shell out $25 million per year through 2022. That’s a massive chunk of change, and some are not too thrilled at this idea as at the same time, 100,000 teachers could be losing their jobs.

That $25 million per year figure would not be enough to save 100,000 jobs. However, it could save the jobs of 500 teachers earning $48,000 per year. While CotA is bound to bring serious tourist and racing-fan money to the Austin area, should Texas be spending $25 million when teachers across the state are likely to find themselves out of work soon? Have your say in Comments.

Texans irked about lawmakers spending $25M to woo F1 while teachers are dismissed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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