Category: Auto Industry

Video: F1 driver underestimates talent needed for wet-weather burnout

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ferrari, Humor, Russia, Racing

Whoops. That’s a word nobody wants to hear in racing, and that’s especially true in Formula 1, where the cars cost untold millions to design, develop, build and operate. In other words, just about any ‘whoops’ is an expensive ‘whoops.’

Kamui Kobayashi, who made his F1 debut in 2009 driving for Toyota, has always been known as a bit of a wild card in the sport. He is notoriously difficult to pass, driving as he does with seemingly reckless abandon, and he’s not afraid to get tangled up with the world’s best drivers in the world’s fastest race cars.

That brash attitude sometimes serves him well. Other times… well, not so much. See what happens with Kobayashi tries to show off in a Ferrari F1 car for fans on a wet track in Moscow in the twin videos below.

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F1 driver underestimates talent needed for wet-weather burnout originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jul 2013 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mini shows how to camp in style

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Mini, Specialty, Design/Style, Luxury

If you’re the type of person who loves spontaneous road trips and camping, and Volkswagen’s Camper Vans aren’t your style (or you can’t find one for sale in the US), then Mini has what you’re looking for: the Clubvan Camper, Cowley caravan or Countryman ALL4 Camp. Unfortunately, Mini says there are no plans to offer any of them for sale. And no, this doesn’t seem to be a recycled April fools joke, in which Mini touted the Swindon Roof Top Tent and Cowley.

Let’s start with the Clubvan camper, a curious prototype that has a sleeping area for one and an extendable kitchenette featuring a stove and chest fridge. And we say curious because, in addition to not being offered for sale anywhere at this point, the Camper is based on the Clubvan, which was just pulled from US dealerships due to low sales volume. This thing definitely isn’t coming to the US.

The Cowley caravan, named after Mini’s historic factory in England (known today as Plant Oxford), can be towed behind a Mini vehicle and features a sleeping area for two, a twin-burner gas stove and a water tank complete with pump and sink facility. It looks quite comfortable in there. The Cowley uses a solar panel to charge its onboard battery, and it has a 230-volt connection to power the fridge and entertainment equipment.

In this writer’s opinion, the coolest thing here is the Countryman ALL4 Camper, which is a Countryman with a specialized tent mounted on top. The tent’s upper portion unfolds from its box and becomes a second-story mobile living area whenever it’s needed. And, a Countryman isn’t needed to mount it to the top of a Mini; the tent can be mounted to any Mini model and wouldn’t take much effort to produce and sell as an accessory at a dealership.

Be sure to check out the photo galleries to see some staged fun, Mini-style, and scroll down for the press release.

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Mini shows how to camp in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jul 2013 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mini shows how to camp in style

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Mini, Specialty, Design/Style, Luxury

If you’re the type of person who loves spontaneous road trips and camping, and Volkswagen’s Camper Vans aren’t your style (or you can’t find one for sale in the US), then Mini has what you’re looking for: the Clubvan Camper, Cowley caravan or Countryman ALL4 Camp. Unfortunately, Mini says there are no plans to offer any of them for sale. And no, this doesn’t seem to be a recycled April fools joke, in which Mini touted the Swindon Roof Top Tent and Cowley.

Let’s start with the Clubvan camper, a curious prototype that has a sleeping area for one and an extendable kitchenette featuring a stove and chest fridge. And we say curious because, in addition to not being offered for sale anywhere at this point, the Camper is based on the Clubvan, which was just pulled from US dealerships due to low sales volume. This thing definitely isn’t coming to the US.

The Cowley caravan, named after Mini’s historic factory in England (known today as Plant Oxford), can be towed behind a Mini vehicle and features a sleeping area for two, a twin-burner gas stove and a water tank complete with pump and sink facility. It looks quite comfortable in there. The Cowley uses a solar panel to charge its onboard battery, and it has a 230-volt connection to power the fridge and entertainment equipment.

In this writer’s opinion, the coolest thing here is the Countryman ALL4 Camper, which is a Countryman with a specialized tent mounted on top. The tent’s upper portion unfolds from its box and becomes a second-story mobile living area whenever it’s needed. And, a Countryman isn’t needed to mount it to the top of a Mini; the tent can be mounted to any Mini model and wouldn’t take much effort to produce and sell as an accessory at a dealership.

Be sure to check out the photo galleries to see some staged fun, Mini-style, and scroll down for the press release.

Continue reading Mini shows how to camp in style

Mini shows how to camp in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jul 2013 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM reportedly recalling select 2014 Silverado, Sierra pickups over airbag issue

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2014 Chevy Silverado front three-quarter

2014 GMC Sierra front three-quarterGeneral Motors is recalling 843 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Crew Cab pickups, due to a fault with the vehicle’s airbags. According to GM, the airbags may not inflate properly in the event of a crash. There haven’t been any crashes or injuries associated with this recall, which is always good. Naturally, repairs will be free of charge, and GM will begin contacting affected owners soon.

GM has a lot hanging on the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Not only is it banking over $12,000 per vehicle on these trucks, as reported by Automotive News, but GM is counting on the Sierra and Silverado to take the fight to cross-town rivals Ford and Ram. The F-150 and Ram 1500 have been on a tear over the past few years, with fresh updates, advanced powertrains, and plenty of solid press while the GM trucks have been waiting for the 2014-model-year upgrades.

It’s still entirely too early to judge the Sierra and Silverado, particularly as those 843 recalled trucks make up barely two percent of the over 40,000 units moved so far. But, as AN rightly states, these trucks are the most important vehicles to come out of GM since bankruptcy, with about 60 percent of global profits relating to pickups and SUVs. Starting an introduction of such a big product with a recall, however small, is not the preferred way to do things.

GM reportedly recalling select 2014 Silverado, Sierra pickups over airbag issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jul 2013 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Alfa Romeo dumping FWD Mito, Giulietta hatches in favor of RWD sedans

Filed under: Europe, Alfa Romeo

Europeans should be dancing in their nearest piazza, as Alfa Romeo is ditching its front-drive MiTo and Giulietta to return to its rear-drive roots, according to a report from the UK’s Car. The switch is expected to happen in 2015, and is meant to bring Alfa Romeo closer to Maserati.

Car is claiming that a 3 Series-fighting Alfa will hit the streets first, followed by a larger model to contend with the 5 Series. After that, Alfa will field a pair of SUVs, its first models of that body style. We sincerely hope all of these cars come with sweet-sounding, high-revving six-cylinder engines.

While we’re quite happy for European gearheads, the shift in logic has us wondering, once again, what this means for Alfa Romeo’s long-promised return to the US of A. Both the MiTo and Giulietta were slated for the US market at some point in 2013, according our most recent report. We’re half way through the year now, and there hasn’t been so much as a whimper indicating that timetable would work.

Based on remarks Sergio Marchionne made at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, bringing Alfa back properly is more important than bringing it back quickly. That logic could explain this latest possible delay. Getting American Alfa Romeos right for Americans could also explain things, which is perhaps a lesson learned from the Dart’s rushed launch.

In any case, with this news that two of the core models of Alfa’s US return are being ditched within the next 30 or so months, we’re left wondering (again) when the legendary Italian brand will return to our shores.

Alfa Romeo dumping FWD Mito, Giulietta hatches in favor of RWD sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jul 2013 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Audi builds 3-millionth A3

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

About a month after Volkswagen celebrated building its 30-millionth example of the Golf, Audi has announced that it has produced three million versions of its small hatchback, the closely related Audi A3. Probably more surprising than the fact that the A3 has moved in such big numbers since its global debut in 1996 is the fact that it has done so with relatively little support in the US, seeing marginal sales in the States since 2005.

The three-millionth A3 was a Sportback TDI model, but the lineup has grown this year to include a new sedan and S3 model, and the hybrid A3 E-tron is on the way. With these new models – especially the sedan in the US – we expect the A3 to continue to be a popular entrant in the premium small segment. Scroll down for Audi’s official press release.

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Audi builds 3-millionth A3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jul 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Cadillac sales chief fired over policy violation

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Cadillac, GM

Cadillac US sales chief Chase Hawkins fired over policy violation.Amidst a good year for Cadillac, which is experiencing higher sales gains than any other US brand this year, the US sales chief has been fired over a policy violation, Automotive News reports.

The sales chief, Chase Hawkins, “has left effective immediately,” GM spokesman David Caldwell told Automotive News. Caldwell went on to say that Hawkins’ replacement would be chosen soon.

Hawkins became the US sales chief in June 2012, and before that was the regional sales director for Cadillac in the Northeast US, overseeing 168 dealerships.

In a brief phone interview, Hawkins told Automotive News that his firing had more to do with a personal issue than a company violation, and he left it at that.

Cadillac sales chief fired over policy violation originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jul 2013 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW shows off 435i Coupe with M Performance parts

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, Luxury

2014 BMW 435i Coupe with M Performance parts

Greetings from the famous Circuito do Estoril racetrack in Portugal. We’re here to put the 2014 BMW 4 Series coupe through its paces, and we’ll have the chance to sample the updated 2014 BMW M5 with its new Competition Pack, as well. But before going out for some hot laps, we took a few minutes to check out this 435i Coupe that’s been fitted with a full suite of goodies from the BMW M Performance parts catalog.

Starting with the exterior, carbon fiber bits are the most noticeable additions, with the lightweight material added in the form of a massive front splitter, mirror caps and a rear spoiler. Other visual changes include lightweight 20-inch wheels, a blacked-out grille, and unique M Performance side stripes. No, that’s not a shadow you see under the 435i’s strong side character line – that’s a stripe. Yes, we’re serious.

Inside (we couldn’t get photos of the interior, sorry!), BMW has added its sport steering wheel with race display, unique M floormats, steel pedals, and a whole mess of carbon fiber and Alcantara trim.

But the M catalog isn’t just about added flair. Legitimate performance parts can be had, and for starters, this 435i is fitted with a power kit that increases engine output from 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to 334 and 332, respectively. Building upon that, there’s a limited-slip differential, performance suspension, upgraded brakes with red calipers and a rear apron diffuser finished in carbon.

BMW hasn’t announced official pricing for the 4 Series goodies as of this writing, but we should have a clearer idea of how much coin each option will warrant closer to the kit’s debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. Until then, have a glance through our gallery of live photos to take it all in for yourself.

BMW shows off 435i Coupe with M Performance parts originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jul 2013 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mazda on sales upswing in Europe but won’t build there

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Mazda, Earnings/Financials

Auto sales in Europe have been a tricky proposition for some years, but Mazda has seen some success on the backs of the CX-5 and new Mazda6. According to a report form Automotive News Europe, though, that doesn’t mean we should be looking for the Japanese manufacturer to set up production operations there.

Mazda’s European CEO, Jeff Guyton, explained to AN that “Our intention is to have manufacturing scale. That gives you scale economy and quality through repeatability.” In other words, a big honking plant in one part of the world is preferable to a half dozen small factories building the same vehicles.

European sales for Mazda are up 5.4 percent in the first half of 2013, with 74,000 units sold. That kicked the Zoom-Zoom brand’s market share up from one to 1.2 percent. Small gains, but gains nonetheless. According to Guyton, Mazda would need to sell 200,000 units of just one model in Europe for local production to make sense. Mazda’s best European year saw 320,000 units sold across the entire range.

Mazda on sales upswing in Europe but won’t build there originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jul 2013 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota’s $1.6B unintended acceleration settlement approved

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota is now one step closer to putting its unintended acceleration woes behind it as it has received approval from the US District Court for the Central District of California to settle loss-of-value claims to vehicles associated with the 2009-2010 recalls.

As we reported back in May, the Toyota settlement is worth $1.63 billion, which, according to Bloomberg, includes a payout of $757 million to affected owners, $227 million to attorneys and an additional $875 million for vehicle upgrades. (We did the math, too, and that totals $1.859 billion, but there is no justification for the discrepancy. Fuzzy math, eh?)

Based on the estimated 22.6 million vehicles said to be included in this suit, that would make the average payment about $33.49 per vehicle, but the article says that owners, lessees and even renters will receive varying amounts ranging from $9.74 up to as much as $10,000. This settlement does not affect suits filed for personal injury or wrongful death.

Toyota’s $1.6B unintended acceleration settlement approved originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jul 2013 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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