Auto Industry Archives | Page 83 of 592

Video: Trans Am Depot teases 2014 GTO

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Pontiac

2014 GTO by Trans Am Depot - video screencap

Here comes the Judge. Court is in session. The verdict is in. How many more tired clichés can we come up with? It hardly seems to matter, because it’s happening: Trans Am Depot has announced via the teaser video below that it is launching a 2014 GTO, complete with Carousel Red (bright orange, really) paint and full Judge badging.

The car is based on Trans Am Depot’s 6T9 Goat, which, in case you don’t get the reverential references, is meant to mimic the look of the 1969 Pontiac GTO. As with the company’s other cars -including the 2013 Hurst Edition Trans Am we recently drove – the GTO will be based on the current Chevy Camaro, which means two doors, V8 engines and rear-wheel drive, just like the muscle cars of days past.

As for actual details of what’s under the 2014 GTO’s hood, we’re completely left hanging. We’d expect some sort of power adder (turbo, supercharger or possibly some other form of a highly massaged version of the Camaro’s V8), and we certainly know that GM has any number of hi-po crate engines to choose from.

We’re looking forward to seeing the finished product up close and personal, though we think our money would more likely be spent on a nice original ’69 GTO if we had the choice. In any case, scroll down to watch the video and make the call for yourself.

Continue reading Trans Am Depot teases 2014 GTO

Trans Am Depot teases 2014 GTO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Trans Am Depot teases 2014 GTO”

Report: Chevy Spark tops sales projections in first 12 months

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet

2013 Chevy Spark - front three-quarter view, green paint

For a company that profits heavily from fullsize trucks and SUVs, Chevrolet has a surprisingly big hit on its hands with its smallest offering, the Spark. Automotive News is reporting that in its first 12 months in the US, the microcar has amassed 26,869 sales, which is 35 percent higher than the automaker originally estimated for the hatchback. The Spark has been on sale in other global markets since 2009, and Chevy has sold more than 720,000 units worldwide since its introduction.

Through May, the Korean-built Spark has sold a little more than 14,000 units putting it closer to the success of the Fiat 500 (17,562) rather than the low numbers from the Smart Fortwo (3,678) and Scion iQ (1,919). More importantly, its transaction price is the lowest in its segment (and presumably, the industry) with cars going for $14,563 on average, helping to bring new, younger customers to the Chevy brand. As for its sophomore year here in the US, there are a couple notable changes in store. First, the all-electric Spark EV will be joining the lineup, while Techno Pink paint will be dropped in favor of a new purple hue called Grape Ice.

Chevy Spark tops sales projections in first 12 months originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Chevy Spark tops sales projections in first 12 months”

Tesla loan payoff opens up takeover scenario, is Google interested? [w/video]

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors

‘Tesla needs to prove success is sustainable and that it is based on a solid financial foundation. If they do, they should be an appealing takeover target.’

Buried in the loan agreement text between Tesla Motors and the US Department of Energy were restrictions on the automaker’s ability to offer itself for sale. Now that the loan has been paid back early, speculation is ramping up that the company will get snagged by a bigger fish through a sale or a takeover. Bloomberg, in fact, is wondering aloud if Google will take the bait.

Now, before anyone gets all excited that the giant touchscreen in the Model S will get a clever logo redesign every holiday, we’ve heard unlikely rumors about other companies buying Tesla before (for example, Google’s competition, Apple) and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said repeatedly that he isn’t going to step down any time soon. In fact, he told Bloomberg last month, “I’ve said from the very beginning, from the creation of Tesla, that our goal is to create a compelling mass-market car. I would not consider stepping away from Tesla until we’re there. We’re several years away obviously.”

Right now might be a bad time to buy the company anyway, given TSLA stock’s high value (over $100 today). In fact, Bloomberg has calculated that Tesla is trading for 816 times(!) its estimated 2013 earnings. If things continue to go well, money-laden companies like Google or another automaker might be interested in the EV builder. The former deputy CEO of Chrysler and onetime Toyota dealer body guru, Jim Press, told Bloomberg that, “Tesla has developed an appealing and credible product with game-changing technology. They need to prove their success is sustainable for the long term and that it is based on a solid financial foundation. If they do, they should be an appealing takeover target.”

Currently, Musk controls about 24-percent of Tesla shares. There are more details in the Bloomberg article here and there’s a video bit of speculation below.

Continue reading Tesla loan payoff opens up takeover scenario, is Google interested? [w/video]

Tesla loan payoff opens up takeover scenario, is Google interested? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Tesla loan payoff opens up takeover scenario, is Google interested? [w/video]”

Official: 2014 BMW X5 priced from $53,725*

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Crossover, BMW, Diesel, Luxury

2014 BMW X5

A month after the official curtain was dropped, BMW has seen fit to release pricing information on its new 2014 X5 crossover. The X5 sDrive35i, which is the first rear-wheel-drive version of the X5, will begin at $53,725 (*including $925 for destination and handling) while the traditional all-wheel-drive X5 xDrive35i will begin at $56,025. Both feature BMW’s well-regarded 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo N55 engine with 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

The 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35d (Have these convoluted names confused you yet?) is priced at $57,525 with its 3.0-liter diesel engine (255 hp and 413 lb-ft), and, finally, the TwinPower Turbo V8-powered X5 xDrive50i (445 hp and 480 lb-ft) will start at $69,125. Buyers looking to customize their X5 experience can choose from the Luxury Line, xLine or M Sport packages, plus Ivory White and Mocha Interior Design Packages. Regardless of which engine is chosen, the X5 will come equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

For comparison, the 2013 X5 xDrive35i started at $48,425. That means the price has increased by over $5,000 despite not including standard all-wheel drive or by $7,600 when comparing apples to apples with similar six-cylinder engines and power to all four wheels. The V8 model increased by $4,000 and the diesel, interestingly enough, dropped by $100.

The gas-powered models are set to debut in the fourth quarter of this year, while the diesel model is slated for an introduction early in 2014. For all the details on the available packages, options and improvements for 2014, we suggest you check out the excruciatingly long-winded press release below.

Continue reading 2014 BMW X5 priced from $53,725*

2014 BMW X5 priced from $53,725* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: 2014 BMW X5 priced from $53,725*”

Report: Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson rides off into the sunset

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Motorcycle

2013 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition with motorcycle

In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of talk about high-margin fullsize pickup sales driving the market toward higher-content branded editions – models like the Chevrolet Silverado High Country, Ford F-150 King Ranch and even the Ram 1500 Red Wings Edition. Often mentioned in that same breath has been the F-150 Harley Davidson Edition, a co-branding partnership between the Blue Oval and America’s most famous motorcycle builder that started back in 2009. But now, it appears that the tie-up has drawn to a close, with Automotive News reporting that Ford has axed the F-150 Harley-Davidson.

No reason has been cited for shuffling this F-150 model off to hog heaven, but AN quotes Doug Scott, Ford’s manager of truck marketing as saying, “We don’t have plans for one at the moment… we’ve got 10 models including a brand-new Limited Model, which was new for 2013. We feel like we’ve got the market really well covered.” Other sources in Ford’s dealer body quoted by AN say they don’t mind that the F-Series HD is gone from their order guides, as it was a low-volume model.

Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson rides off into the sunset originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson rides off into the sunset”

Video: 2014 Acura MDX ad campaign the most expensive in brand’s history

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Acura, Luxury

Realizing that it must spend more marketing dollars to compete with the more established luxury automakers, Acura is preparing to launch its most expensive ad campaign ever for its redesigned 2014 MDX. At $78 million, according to Advertising Age, the new “Made for Mankind” campaign that kicks off next month is exactly double what Acura spent on the 2013 RDX launch last year. It’s also the brand’s first cooperation with its new agency, Boston- and Los-Angeles-based Mullen Advertising. Thanks to its bigger budget, we’ll be seeing ads for the MDX pop up just about everywhere from television commercials, cinemas and billboards to videos focused on computers and mobile devices.

The first such video is entitled “Human Race,” and it enunciates Acura’s recent tagline highlight, the synergy between man and machine. More interestingly, the 2014 MDX, which went on sale this month, doesn’t make an appearance in the 60-second spot until close to the end. This video is posted below as well as a press release from Acura along with images of various ads we should start soon.

Continue reading 2014 Acura MDX ad campaign the most expensive in brand’s history

2014 Acura MDX ad campaign the most expensive in brand’s history originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: 2014 Acura MDX ad campaign the most expensive in brand’s history”

Official: VW Passat TDI sets 77.9 mpg fuel economy record through Lower 48 states

Filed under: Sedan, Volkswagen, Diesel

Volkswagen Passat TDI Mileage Record holders - award ceremony

Volkswagen has announced the company’s Passat TDI has set a new world record for the category of “lowest fuel consumption-48 US states for a non-hybrid car.” Drivers Wayne Gerdes and Bob Winger managed an impressive 77.99 miles per gallon over 8,122 miles, trouncing the previous record of 67.9 mpg. The duo also sailed past the hybrid record of 64.5 mpg, another record set by Gerdes. As the founder of CleanMPG.com, Gerdes spends his time squeezing the best fuel economy possible out of passenger cars and trucks, and he’s personally set records in over 100 vehicles.

For this particular world record, Gerdes and Winger visited all 48 contiguous states in 17 days, and Guinness World Records has certified the endeavor. You can read the full press release below for more information, including a few tips to pull the best fuel economy possible out of your personal vehicle.

Continue reading VW Passat TDI sets 77.9 mpg fuel economy record through Lower 48 states

VW Passat TDI sets 77.9 mpg fuel economy record through Lower 48 states originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Official: VW Passat TDI sets 77.9 mpg fuel economy record through Lower 48 states”

Report: Honda Civic poised to get new Earth Dreams engines

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Honda

2013 Honda Civic - front three-quarter view with mountains

When Honda executed its emergency refresh of the Civic for 2013, it didn’t do any massive powertrain reworking. But that doesn’t mean new things aren’t already in the works for Honda’s compact. According to Automotive News, Honda has confirmed that it will offer the Civic with a new Earth Dreams powerplant sometime in the future, though details on timing and exactly what sort of engine are unclear as of this writing.

The confirmation comes from Honda’s executive vice president and regional director for North America, Tetsuo Iwamura, who says that the Earth Dreams engine will come when the Civic is re-engineered or redesigned, not during a refresh. There is also no mention of whether these changes will apply to just the standard Civic, or if the Si and Hybrid models will receive some Dreamy new tech, as well.

The entire Earth Dreams group of technologies encompasses more than just naturally aspirated engines with direct injection. A turbo-diesel engine is also part of this suite, as are new continuously variable transmissions and new gasoline-electric hybrid powerplants. Honda launched its 2.4-liter and 3.5-liter Earth Dreams engines in the redesigned 2013 Accord.

“The Civic has to evolve,” Iwamura told Automotive News. “But we have to consider what timing works best.” AN suggests that the Earth Dreams-powered Civic could arrive as early as the 2015 model year.

Honda Civic poised to get new Earth Dreams engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Honda Civic poised to get new Earth Dreams engines”

Report: GM CEO Akerson wishes Opel Cascada, Adam were sold in Buick showrooms [w/poll]

Filed under: Convertible, Etc., Hatchback, Buick, Opel

2013 Opel Cascada - dynamic top-down motoring shot

2013 Opel Adam - front three-quarter view, maroon According to Automotive News, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has his eye on a couple of overseas models for Buick. The General’s funky Opel Adam subcompact and Cascada four-place convertible are apparently on the executive’s wish list, as he openly expressed regret that they weren’t developed for the US during an investor conference earlier this month.

The distribution plans for both models were decided ahead of GM’s 2009 bankruptcy (prior to Akerson’s tenure), and they were apparently not designed with North America in mind. Whether Akerson and Co. are still looking to pursue versions for our market with the TriShield brand isn’t clear, in part because it isn’t known what modifications would need to be executed to make them suitable for sale. Automotive News cites GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky as having previously stated that the “expensive” Cascada “would have to be amalgamated for the US, which adds cost and complexity,” but it also quotes GM North America boss Mark Reuss as saying that Buick “is ready for ‘something special,’ citing a convertible, a coupe or a flagship sedan as possibilities.”

By our reckoning, the rakish Cascada droptop would seem to be the most natural fit for the Buick brand, as the idea of a comfortable four-place convertible doesn’t seem as boundary-stretching as a Fiat 500-sized supermini. Then again, the new Encore crossover is tiny and seems to be receiving a warm welcome from buyers in its first months on sale, and GM is looking to redefine Buick and court younger buyers. Stylistically, though, the Cascada would probably be the easier conversion to Buick branding, and the biggest factor in its favor would seem to be that it rides atop GM’s Delta II architecture, as does the Verano sedan, a North American model. At present, GM only has one four-seat convertible in its entire US lineup, the Chevrolet Camaro, and today’s Buick/GMC sales channel does not offer any droptops at all.

View Poll

GM CEO Akerson wishes Opel Cascada, Adam were sold in Buick showrooms [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: GM CEO Akerson wishes Opel Cascada, Adam were sold in Buick showrooms [w/poll]”

Video: Top Gear caught filming Best of British near Buckingham Palace

Filed under: Videos, Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Mini, Rolls-Royce, UK, Celebrities, McLaren, TV/Movies

Top Gear readies Best of British special outside of Buckingham Palace
YouTuber and car-fan extraordinaire Shmee probably had very little trouble tracking down the Top Gear film crew recently, as the group was putting together an episode that could accurately be described as “excessive.” With its flag-waving (literally) Best of British theme, the TG guys gathered a jaw-dropping array of British cars, and parked them all right in front of Buckingham Palace to make extra sure that the point was driven home.

Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May were outfitted with a trio of Jaguar F-Types festooned with gigantic Union Jacks, with which to survey the landscape of British motoring glory. In the video below, you’ll see that this includes any number of Mini, Aston Martin, Lotus, McLaren, Land Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce models (just to name a few), as well as a healthy dose of weird stuff that most people would never guess at being built in the UK. The lawnmowers and military vehicles are especially cool.

Continue reading Top Gear caught filming Best of British near Buckingham Palace

Top Gear caught filming Best of British near Buckingham Palace originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Top Gear caught filming Best of British near Buckingham Palace”