Category: Auto Industry

GM discovers flaw with HD pickup hill-hold assist, fast-tracks fix

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Technology, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Last week, PickupTrucks.com held one of its periodic load lugger shootouts where it brings together the heavy haulers from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler to see which pickup truck is the top dog. After running acceleration tests at Milan dragway, editor Mike Levine and the crew moved the fleet of nine trucks to the GM Proving Ground in Milford, MI. During towing evaluations on the 7.2 percent hill, Levine discovered an issue on the Chevy Silverado 2500 while the gas-engined 3/4 ton truck was towing 10,000 pound trailers up the hill.

The GM trucks incorporate a hill-hold feature into the stability control system. Hill-hold is supposed to detect when the vehicle is on an incline with the brakes applied. When the driver releases the brake pedal, the valves in the stability control unit retain the pressure in the brake lines for up to 1.5 seconds. Once the timer expires or the driver applies the accelerator, the valves release the brake pressure.

During testing, Levine discovered that the system was not holding the pressure on the 7.2 percent hill for any of the GM trucks and notified the engineers on hand. Oddly, a later test found that the system was working properly on the steeper 16 percent grade. GM engineers investigated the issue with engineers from system supplier TRW and found an incorrect calibration value in the control software for the accelerometer used to detect inclines. This prevented the system from correctly detecting the smaller hill.

The code was corrected and updated software began rolling out to the production line this past Monday, July 19. The same software update is also going out to dealers so that trucks in stock on lots and in for service can also be updated. GM is still considering whether to issue a recall or a technical service bulletin for trucks that have already been delivered to customers.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com, TRW]

GM discovers flaw with HD pickup hill-hold assist, fast-tracks fix originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Korean-spec Hyundai Avante interior gives sneak peek inside 2011 Elantra

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hyundai, South Korea

2011 Hyundai Avante (Elantra) interior – Click above for high-res image

Even though we have yet to see official images of the U.S.-spec 2011 Hyundai Elantra, we have a pretty good idea of what will be heading our way in the coming months. Hyundai debuted the new Avante sedan (the Elantra’s Korean market equivalent) at the Busan Motor Show this past April, and now the first interior snapshot of the Avante has been leaked out.

If you’ve been in the new 2011 Sonata, you know that the family sedan’s cabin is a giant leap forward in the right direction. The center stack is awash with curves and angles that pay homage to the automaker’s new “fluidic sculpture” exterior design. And styling aside, we’re willing to bet that Hyundai hasn’t skimped out on high-quality materials for the less-expensive Elantra’s innards, either.

This more attractive, better-tailored interior will do well when matched with the swoopier lines of the new Elantra’s exterior. That – combined with Hyundai’s new 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder – will mean that other new cars in the budget sedan segment (this means you, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze) will need to watch their backs. If the new Elantra is being positioned as a baby Sonata, the competition should indeed be stiff. Top tip, Monkaroo!

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Elantra / Avante

[Source: Hyundai Blog]

Korean-spec Hyundai Avante interior gives sneak peek inside 2011 Elantra originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #187 – Lamborghini rumors, Explorer economy, media plants, a sporty Leaf and premium Germans

Filed under: Podcasts, Ford, GM, GMC, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Toyota, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth are the crew for Episode #187 of the Autoblog Podcast. We cover Lamborghini rumors, the new Ford Explorer’s fuel economy with its rumored EcoBoost powertrain, the rumors swirling around the possibility that the Wall Street Journal printed an article that was a plant from Toyota, a sports car based on the Nissan Leaf, and the seemingly insatiable appetite for German premium cars. We hit your feedback and questions before throwing in the towel at the hour and a half mark. Thanks for listening, see you next time!

Autoblog Podcast #187 – Lamborghini rumors, Explorer economy, media plants, a sporty Leaf and premium Germans

In the Autoblog Garage:

Mitsubishi Outlander
Jaguar XJL
GMC Sierra 3500HD
Volkswagen Golf TDI

News:

  • Rumormill: Lamborghini developing Touareg-based SUV, V8 Gallardo [w/poll]
  • 2011 Ford Explorer with EcoBoost 2.0-liter delivers 30% better fuel economy than V6
  • Followup: Toyota ‘strongly objects’ to NHTSA allegations it planted story in WSJ
  • Rumormill: Nissan considering Leaf-based EV sportscar
  • Report: German mfgs cleaning up as appetite for luxury cars is ‘bottomless’

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert, Chris Shunk

Runtime: 86:17

 Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #187 – Lamborghini rumors, Explorer economy, media plants, a sporty Leaf and premium Germans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BBC: 1M pedestrians party at banquet held on German Autobahn

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Humor

German pedestrians flood the Autobahn – click above to watch the video

The Germans certainly know how to do a block party. According to the BBC, residents between Duisburg and Dortmund have closed 40 miles of the famous Autobahn for one massive street festival. Organizers of the event handed out 20,000 tables in order to help create the longest table in the world as part of the celebration. At some point, the road was even closed to cyclists due to congestion.

Near as we can tell, the whole event was held to celebrate the Ruhr region as part of the area’s nomination as the Cultural Capital of Europe, 2010. Residents came out in droves to participate in everything from singing and dancing to street shows to mark the occasion. We’re guessing there was plenty of good food on hand, too. Sounds like a pretty good time to us, but we have a hard time believing that anyone on this side of The Pond would be okay with shutting down the 405 for a similar summer shindig. Check out some video footage of the big party on the Trans Europe Express – complete with appropriate Kraftwerk soundtrack – after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Gary!

[Sources: BBC, YouTube]]

Continue reading BBC: 1M pedestrians party at banquet held on German Autobahn

BBC: 1M pedestrians party at banquet held on German Autobahn originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Followup: Toyota and Severinsky settle hybrid patent dispute ahead of ITC hearing; Ford also settles

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Technology, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

Following on the heels of our earlier report about yesterday’s scheduled hearing between Toyota and Alex Severinsky at the International Trade Commission came word that the parties have settled. Neither side has released any details about the agreement – and they probably won’t. Toyota had previously been found guilty of infringing upon Severinsky’s patent, which centers around getting power to a vehicle’s wheels with a gasoline-electric vehicle using both high- and low current.

In all likelihood, Toyota agreed to pay royalties to PAICE (Severinsky’s company) for all of the hybrids it has sold and will sell in the United States until the patent expires in 2012. This means that the threat of a ban on imports of Toyota hybrids has been lifted – at least until the next case.

In related news, Ford has also settled with PAICE over hybrid patent issues. The details are confidential, but there’s a bit more information after the jump.

[Sources: Bloomberg, PAICE]

Continue reading Followup: Toyota and Severinsky settle hybrid patent dispute ahead of ITC hearing; Ford also settles

Followup: Toyota and Severinsky settle hybrid patent dispute ahead of ITC hearing; Ford also settles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz’s all-conquering E63 AMG gets power bump, interior upgrades

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has released the skinny on the upgrades the company has planned for next year’s E63 AMG, at least for European buyers. According to the German automaker, the four-door will come from the factory with an extra 11 horsepower, thanks largely to new tuning. That bumps the final figure to 525 ponies, though the Silver Arrow claims that it has managed to increase the mill’s efficiency as well – cutting consumption by a full 12 percent. Of course, that’s assuming that you can keep from bumping the redline on that big 6.3-liter V8 every time you leave a stoplight, something you’re sure to want to do.

We’re not sure whether buyers will actually be able to feel that 11 horsepower bump, either, but odds are that they will notice some key changes to the interior. Mercedes-Benz is offering the 2011 E63 AMG with a slew of interior niceties as standard equipment. The company has skinned the dash and door panels in Artico leather, and the center console will henceforth be dipped in a piano black lacquer finish for good measure – both of which used to be optional. We can’t speak for the power and efficiency updates, but we have confirmed with Benz reps in the States that the interior upgrades are headed to U.S. showrooms, so chances are this is a good look at what we can expect when the 2011 E63 AMG hits our shores. Hit the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz’s all-conquering E63 AMG gets power bump, interior upgrades

Mercedes-Benz’s all-conquering E63 AMG gets power bump, interior upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi renders its attractions

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Ferrari, Toys/Games, Middle East, Luxury

Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World – Click above for high-res image gallery

The world’s first one-make auto theme park has officially dished the goods on what we can expect behind its walls. According to the powers that be in Maranello, Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World amusement park will boast a passel of attractions designed to turn just about anyone into a fan of the Prancing Horse. You’ve likely already heard all about the Fiorano GT Challenge by now – the roller coaster that pits two F430 cars against each other on parallel tracks, but rides like the G-Force are news to us. Think of it as a typical tower ride designed to replicate the g forces that an Enzo can produce under acceleration. Supposedly the ride even comes stocked with seats modeled after the thrones in the supercar.

Visitors will find a stash of other Italian-flavored takes on the typical theme-park fair, including a log-flume type ride that allows riders to experience the thrill of going through a V12 engine. That sounds fun and all, but we’re more interested in an exhibit that the company is calling “Galleria Ferrari.” Think of it as a walk through the pages of Ferrari history, one classic model at the time. Ferrari says that the galleria is the largest collection of Ferrari models outside of Maranello, Sign us up. Feel free to click past the jump for the full list of attractions after checking out the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari World Renderings

[Source: Ferrari]

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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi renders its attractions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep to offer Trail Edition Camper as official Mopar accessory

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Chrysler, Jeep, Specialty, Off-Road

Jeep Extreme Trail Edition Camper – Click above for high-res image gallery

We know what you’re thinking. What good is a vehicle capable of overlanding to the remotest parts of the planet if there’s no place to lay your head when you arrive at your for-the-night destination? Here’s a bit of good news for you world travelers: Jeep has just announced a new Trail Edition Camper that will be available as an official Mopar accessory from any Jeep dealership. And it looks just about perfect hooked up behind a new Wrangler.

From what we can see in the high-res image gallery below, these trailers are pop-ups that fold down to a manageable size for towing. Each trailer will sport sleeping arrangements for four with one dedicated queen-size bed (the other sleeping quarters are converted from the table and couch), built-in aluminum cabinet, 110-volt power supply and a “premium canvas enclosure.”

Two models will be available, the standard Trail Edition Camper and the (*cue monster-truck-announcer voice*) Extreme Trail Edition Camper. While the basic model gets 32-inch tires and 12 incles of ground clearance, the Extreme Edition ups the ante with 35-inch BFGs and a whopping 15 inches of clearance. Other suitably extreme upgrades include a beefed-up frame and full underbody skid plates.

Pricing starts at $9,995 for the regular model and $11,995 for the Extreme. Full details and specifications can be found after the break, and we highly suggest you check out our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Jeep Trail Edition Campers

[Source: Jeep]

Continue reading Jeep to offer Trail Edition Camper as official Mopar accessory

Jeep to offer Trail Edition Camper as official Mopar accessory originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michigan and Ohio senators demand Obama gets tough on South Korean auto importing

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hyundai, Kia, South Korea

Talk to most analysts in the auto world, and they’ll say that the recent rise of South Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia have been an absolute blessing to the industry as a whole. Consumers now have an array of quality, inexpensive products, extra jobs have landed in rural areas of the deep south thanks to American-based manufacturing facilities and the competition from low-priced models have forced domestic manufacturers to up their game.

But not everyone’s thrilled about the balance of automotive trade between the two nations. According to The Detroit News, senators Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, recently wrote to the Obama administration in order to urge the President to take a hard line on the South Korean Free Trade Agreement.

The two senators aren’t taking issue with Korean products here in the U.S., they simply think it’s unfair that South Korea has made it economically difficult to import vehicles into the country. The senators want American companies to have the opportunity to do business on the peninsula – something that most automakers, with the exception of General Motors, have been pushing for since before the second President Bush was in office. GM, meanwhile, owns Korean automaker Daewoo, so it has no problem dealing with the current ban on auto imports.

For its part, Obama administration has said that it will once again open talks about the free trade agreement in hopes of making more American goods available in the global market.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images]

Michigan and Ohio senators demand Obama gets tough on South Korean auto importing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: New Land Rover 4.4L diesel not U.S.-bound, but next one probably will be

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, Diesel

2011 Land Rover Range Rover – Click above for high-res image gallery

It really is too bad, at least for us Americans, that U.S. and European emission standards aren’t in sync. The misaligned standards prevent many automakers from offering us Yanks the latest and greatest in fuel efficient diesel engines already available overseas. The disappointing trend continues with the 2011 Range Rover, as Land Rover rather predictably tuned its new oil burning 4.4-liter V8 for Euro-only duty.

But while we won’t be able to experience a diesel Land Rover that can hit 30 miles per gallon in the European combined cycle, Autocar reports that the next generation of the engine will in fact be ready for U.S. duty. Insiders at the Tata Motors-owned automaker reportedly told the UK site that the next-gen diesel will “very likely to come to the U.S.” Our friends overseas are just now getting their hands on the first 4.4-liter diesel Range Rovers, so the next diesel isn’t likely to surface until 2014 or 2015.

Gallery: 2011 Land Rover Range Rover

[Source: Autocar]

Report: New Land Rover 4.4L diesel not U.S.-bound, but next one probably will be originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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