Category: Auto Industry

Report: Subaru celebrates 4-millionth vehicle built in Indiana

Filed under: Wagon, Plants/Manufacturing, Subaru, Toyota

First and four-millionth Subaru built at Subaru Indiana Assembly

Subaru has produced its four-millionth vehicle at its Lafayette, Indiana factory. The Deep Indigo Blue 2014 Outback is pictured above, alongside the very first Subaru to leave the Lafayette facility, a first-generation Legacy. Formally known as Subaru of Indiana Automotive, SIA opened its doors in 1989 and currently produces the Outback, Legacy and Tribeca for Subaru, in addition to the Toyota Camry.

The plant, which was originally a joint venture between Subaru and Isuzu, has produced nine different models for four different manufacturers over the years, and is getting ready to add a tenth as Impreza production will be coming to SIA. Subaru announced plans to move Impreza production to Indiana when it made a $400-million investment in the facility earlier this year. As production continues, the Lafayette Journal-Courier reports that SIA will produce another million units by the end of 2017.

Subaru celebrates 4-millionth vehicle built in Indiana originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Subaru celebrates 4-millionth vehicle built in Indiana

Filed under: Wagon, Plants/Manufacturing, Subaru, Toyota

First and four-millionth Subaru built at Subaru Indiana Assembly

Subaru has produced its four-millionth vehicle at its Lafayette, Indiana factory. The Deep Indigo Blue 2014 Outback is pictured above, alongside the very first Subaru to leave the Lafayette facility, a first-generation Legacy. Formally known as Subaru of Indiana Automotive, SIA opened its doors in 1989 and currently produces the Outback, Legacy and Tribeca for Subaru, in addition to the Toyota Camry.

The plant, which was originally a joint venture between Subaru and Isuzu, has produced nine different models for four different manufacturers over the years, and is getting ready to add a tenth as Impreza production will be coming to SIA. Subaru announced plans to move Impreza production to Indiana when it made a $400-million investment in the facility earlier this year. As production continues, the Lafayette Journal-Courier reports that SIA will produce another million units by the end of 2017.

Subaru celebrates 4-millionth vehicle built in Indiana originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teased: Jaguar C-X17 Concept teased before Frankfurt

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Jaguar, Design/Style

Jaguar teaser image for C-X17 concept

Just ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show, which begins September 10, Jaguar is teasing the reveal of a design study to introduce its new advanced vehicle architecture. Dubbed the C-X17, the mysterious concept “illustrates the diversity of vehicles that could be produced using this architecture, which underpins the innovative future of the Jaguar brand.”

While it’s not entirely clear what this architecture involves or what type of vehicle the C-X17 may be, this reveal is reminiscent of Jaguar’s decision to unveil the C-X16 concept, a hybrid electric sports car, in Frankfurt in 2011. From the looks of the teaser image Jaguar released (click above to enlarge), we’re guessing the C-X17 will be something between a low-slung crossover and a sporty wagon. But we won’t have to wait too long to find out – Jaguar is streaming the live pre-show reveal to invited guests on its Facebook page on Monday, Sept. 9.

In addition to the C-X17, Jaguar be showing off the performance-oriented XJR and XFR-S, and, of course, the F-Type convertible. Scroll down for the official press release.

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Jaguar C-X17 Concept teased before Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Mini, UK

1998 Rover Mini Paul Smith Special Edition

Ask anyone that’s driven a classic Mini, and they’ll probably tell you that their first reaction to driving it was a lot like the start of this video – whooping, shouting, laughing and a whole lot of smiling. This video, from Jon Quirk, editor-in-chief at Auto Trader UK, highlights the connection between him and his Rover Mini Paul Smith. He really nails the man-machine interface that makes owning a great car so much fun. Besides that, Quirk does a good job of enumerating what is so enjoyable about driving a fun car on a twisting road.

For our British readers, this video is also meant to test the waters for a new format from Auto Trader UK, called “I Bought One.” With Quirk’s Mini, the car-buying site is looking at telling the story of people and their interesting cars. We think this video is a great start, with high production value and solid content. Head on over to the YouTube channel, and let them know what you think. But first, scroll on down for the entire video on this awesome Rover Mini.

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Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Mini, UK

1998 Rover Mini Paul Smith Special Edition

Ask anyone that’s driven a classic Mini, and they’ll probably tell you that their first reaction to driving it was a lot like the start of this video – whooping, shouting, laughing and a whole lot of smiling. This video, from Jon Quirk, editor-in-chief at Auto Trader UK, highlights the connection between him and his Rover Mini Paul Smith. He really nails the man-machine interface that makes owning a great car so much fun. Besides that, Quirk does a good job of enumerating what is so enjoyable about driving a fun car on a twisting road.

For our British readers, this video is also meant to test the waters for a new format from Auto Trader UK, called “I Bought One.” With Quirk’s Mini, the car-buying site is looking at telling the story of people and their interesting cars. We think this video is a great start, with high production value and solid content. Head on over to the YouTube channel, and let them know what you think. But first, scroll on down for the entire video on this awesome Rover Mini.

Continue reading Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything

Classic Rover Mini is a passion-inspiring plaything originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Technology, Nissan, UK, Electric, Racing

Nissan ZEOD RC Electric Race Car Assembly

Nissan is working away on its ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) which is still on pace for a Le Mans arrival in 2014. As of right now, the DeltaWing-shaped car’s carbon-fiber tub and chassis have been completed. The next step will be installing the twin electric motors and fitting the seat of driver and GT Academy winner Lucas Ordóñez. If the current schedule sticks, the zero-emissions racer will hit a UK track for test laps in September.

But while those initial shakedown laps will be under full electric power, it’s unclear whether the setup fielded in the UK will survive until Le Mans. Nissan itself says that it will be testing a number of “electrified” drivetrains ahead of the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is a significant departure from race car design – usually, the teams know what’s powering their car before they start building it.

“Just developing a single powertrain option in only 12 months would be a mammoth task but we’re looking to carefully examine a number of options to ascertain which will be best suited for Le Mans,” said Darren Cox, Nissan’s global motorsport director. Take a look below for a video and press release from Nissan documenting the ZEOD RC’s build process.

Continue reading Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Technology, Nissan, UK, Electric, Racing

Nissan ZEOD RC Electric Race Car Assembly

Nissan is working away on its ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) which is still on pace for a Le Mans arrival in 2014. As of right now, the DeltaWing-shaped car’s carbon-fiber tub and chassis have been completed. The next step will be installing the twin electric motors and fitting the seat of driver and GT Academy winner Lucas Ordóñez. If the current schedule sticks, the zero-emissions racer will hit a UK track for test laps in September.

But while those initial shakedown laps will be under full electric power, it’s unclear whether the setup fielded in the UK will survive until Le Mans. Nissan itself says that it will be testing a number of “electrified” drivetrains ahead of the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is a significant departure from race car design – usually, the teams know what’s powering their car before they start building it.

“Just developing a single powertrain option in only 12 months would be a mammoth task but we’re looking to carefully examine a number of options to ascertain which will be best suited for Le Mans,” said Darren Cox, Nissan’s global motorsport director. Take a look below for a video and press release from Nissan documenting the ZEOD RC’s build process.

Continue reading Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video]

Nissan’s Le Mans-bound ZEOD RC electric racecar nearing completion [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The importance of Angel Eyes, Ventiports and four round taillights

Filed under: Videos, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Design/Style

BMW Angel Eyes

Just the other day, we told you about how Lincoln isn’t really a luxury brand, according to Ford’s head design man, J Mays. His argument was that Lincoln lacked the unique DNA to differentiate it from the rest of the market, although the arrival of the MKZ is beginning to change that. Now, we have this video from Autoline Detroit, where Jim Hall, an analyst for 2953 Analytics who was quoted in yesterday’s Lincoln story, explains the influence of certain styling cues and how they impact the brands.

Using BMW (Angel Eyes) and Buick (Ventiports) as examples for small, simple touches that serve to distinguish the brand’s vehicles on the road, Hall then points out how changing trademark styling features, as Chevrolet has done on the new Corvette Stingray, can hurt the vehicle’s public perception. Take a look at the full video below for an interesting dive into what these styling features mean to their individual brands.

Continue reading The importance of Angel Eyes, Ventiports and four round taillights

The importance of Angel Eyes, Ventiports and four round taillights originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The importance of Angel Eyes, Ventiports and four round taillights

Filed under: Videos, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Design/Style

BMW Angel Eyes

Just the other day, we told you about how Lincoln isn’t really a luxury brand, according to Ford’s head design man, J Mays. His argument was that Lincoln lacked the unique DNA to differentiate it from the rest of the market, although the arrival of the MKZ is beginning to change that. Now, we have this video from Autoline Detroit, where Jim Hall, an analyst for 2953 Analytics who was quoted in yesterday’s Lincoln story, explains the influence of certain styling cues and how they impact the brands.

Using BMW (Angel Eyes) and Buick (Ventiports) as examples for small, simple touches that serve to distinguish the brand’s vehicles on the road, Hall then points out how changing trademark styling features, as Chevrolet has done on the new Corvette Stingray, can hurt the vehicle’s public perception. Take a look at the full video below for an interesting dive into what these styling features mean to their individual brands.

Continue reading The importance of Angel Eyes, Ventiports and four round taillights

The importance of Angel Eyes, Ventiports and four round taillights originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Connected vehicle test granted another six months

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

Vehicles equipped with dedicated short range communication systems, which features vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications.

The Department of Transportation and eight major automakers have spent a year testing vehicles equipped with dedicated short range communication (DSRC) systems in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but they have decided to extend the test for another six months, Automotive News reports.

With a focus on safety, DSRC is meant to reduce collisions using wifi-based vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication systems, which can alert drivers to red-light runners, blind intersections, vehicles in their blind spots, etc. DSRC-equipped vehicles have a multitude of alarms to alert drivers to danger, such as sirens, flashing lights or vibrating steering wheels or seats. The tests will help the DOT determine if the technology is ready for production, or if more research needs to be done.

As part of the test extension, the DOT and automakers will focus more heavily on DSRC with motorcycles and V2I communication. It is not mentioned which, if any, motorcycle manufacturers will be involved in the test. The DOT says that the six-month extension does not affect its plan to decide on the technology for light vehicles by the end of 2013, and heavy duty vehicles in 2014.

The test started last August with a fleet of nearly 3,000 vehicles from Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. The automakers came together to develop a standardized DSRC system through a group called the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership.

Connected vehicle test granted another six months originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Sep 2013 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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