Zenvo ST1 gets a U.S. distributor and a price: $1,225,000

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, SUV, Specialty, Diesel, Luxury

Zenvo ST1 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Zenvo ST1 and Dartz Kombat are coming the to U.S., both brought to you by Indiana importer Red Sea Distribution. The Danish-made coupe will set you back $1,225,000. That price might seem steep for a dressed-up Corvette – even down to the 7.0-liter V8 – however, underneath that fiendishly gorgeous body the engine has been upgraded to a twin-charged, 1,104-horsepower monster that’ll get you to 60 miles per hour in under three seconds. And they’re only making 15 of them per year.

The Dartz Kombat comes in at a much more palatable $225,000, and while you can’t get that whale foreskin interior anymore, you can get all kinds of amour and perhaps even armament that will protect you from, well, everything bar a direct asteroid hit. You can check them both out in the gallery of high-res photos below, and figure out your ordering preferences after reading the press releases post-jump. Hat tip to Alexis

Gallery: Zenvo ST1 and Dartz Kombat come to America

[Source: Red Sea Distribution]

Continue reading Zenvo ST1 gets a U.S. distributor and a price: $1,225,000

Zenvo ST1 gets a U.S. distributor and a price: $1,225,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Hyundai Equus starts at $58,000

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Hyundai, Luxury

2011 Hyundai Equus

2011 Hyundai Equus – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai has released pricing information for the all-new 2011 Equus, and the full-size luxury sedan we drove earlier this year, will start at $58,000 in Signature form. Option up for the top-tier Equus Ultimate and the sticker swells to $64,500. So what does the extra $6,500 nets you?

  • 50/50 split rear seats (four-passenger seating) with reclining function
  • First-Class passenger-side rear seat with leg support and a massage system
  • Cooled rear seats, a rear-seat entertainment system with an eight-inch monitor
  • Thermoelectric rear center console refrigerator
  • Rear-seat power up/down head rests
  • Rear-seat illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Forward-view cornering camera
  • Power trunk lid

All 2011 Hyundai Equus’ features Hyundai’s new “At Your Service” ownership experience, which includes a plethora of service options ranging from valet pick up and drop off to the use of a Hyundai Genesis while the Equus is in for service, not to mention no-cost maintenance for five years or 60,000 miles. Every authorized Hyundai dealership will play host to an Equus Champion; a product expert who is available to answer any questions about the car. New Equus owners also get to enjoy an Apple iPad in place of the traditional owner’s manual.

The 2011 Hyundai Equus will begin arriving at select dealerships this December and you can get all the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Equus: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Damon Lavrinc / AOL [Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading 2011 Hyundai Equus starts at $58,000

2011 Hyundai Equus starts at $58,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM exec says 60,000 Chevy Volts may be built in 2012

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve known all along that General Motors planned to ramp up production of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, with 10,000 to 15,000 sales in the first year of production. But what of 2012? The Detroit News is reporting that Doug Parks, GM’s electric vehicle executive, said at the Business of Plugging In conference that in 2012 the Volt will “be in this max rate of 60,000.” Parks insists that The General can move that many Volts in 2012, and possibly more. Given the fact that the Volt’s 2012 production was moved from 30,000 to 45,000, we’re thinking there’s a solid chance GM hasn’t stopped adjusting it’s production figures.

In other Volt news, GM is hoping to get official efficiency figures from the Environmental Protection Administration within the next month. Parks said at the conference that the company expects the Volt will fall somewhere in the 25-50 mile range in electric-only mode. GM has said since the Volt concept was unveiled in 2007 that it was shooting for 40 miles in EV mode, though Parks is hoping the Volt will over-deliver. As far as miles per gallon go, Parks says the Volt is hitting mid to high 30s combined while the gasoline engine is charging the batteries.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Detroit News]

Report: GM exec says 60,000 Chevy Volts may be built in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2011 Audi R8 GT priced from $198,000

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Audi

Paris 2010: Audi R8 GT

Paris 2010: Audi R8 GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

Only 333 will be produced, so if you want a 2011 Audi R8 GT you’d better act fast. In fact, only a third of that number are slated to hit US soil. Audi has announced pricing for the R8 GT, and the limited-production sports coupe will cost you $198,000.

The most super of the R8 supercar family, the R8 GT drops weight and adds power. Audi has managed to shed 220 pounds from the standard R8 while pushing the output of the 5.2-liter V10 engine up from 525 to 560 horsepower. The car will only be offered with the single-clutch R-Tronic semi-automatic transmission. It’s a shame we won’t see an R8 GT fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox, but it’s nice to see hi-po versions of popular cars arriving on our shores.

The Audi R8 GT is slated to hit dealer showrooms next summer.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Audi R8 GT

Paris 2010: Audi R8 GTParis 2010: Audi R8 GTParis 2010: Audi R8 GTParis 2010: Audi R8 GTParis 2010: Audi R8 GT

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: 2011 Audi R8 GT priced from $198,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lexus may offer $3,000 rebate to beat Mercedes

Filed under: Car Buying, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Earnings/Financials

Lexus badge

Though the first eight months of 2010, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz were in a dead heat in the race to be crowned the top-selling luxury brand in the States. But big-time September sales at Mercedes-Benz pulled the German marque ahead of Lexus by a substantial 3,000 units, really putting the heat on Toyota’s luxury arm. Could Mercedes pull off the upset to unseat Lexus for the first time since 2000? Not if Lexus can help it.

USA Today reports that Lexus announced during dealer meetings this week that it will slap up to $3,000 in incentives on the hood of its vehicles in an effort to entice buyers to shell out for a new L-branded car, crossover or SUV. In some cases, Lexus will reportedly also resort to cut-rate financing rate in an effort to spur sales.

The move is a bit surprising given Lexus’s penchant for asking for and receiving full retail for its products, though 2010 hasn’t been the best year for the Japanese premium marque. Given the fact that Lexus has earned its success on the heels of a terrific reputation for quality, the recall of millions of Toyota and Lexus models for unintended acceleration issues has likely hurt sales and certainly dinged its reputation. Add in the fact that the high-volume ES350 and top-of-the-line LS are a bit long-in-the-tooth, and it adds up to a possibility that Lexus may lose its hard-earned sales crown.

[Source: USA Today]

Report: Lexus may offer $3,000 rebate to beat Mercedes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus edition commands $75,000

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus edition

Neiman Marcus Edition Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s a big day for the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible. General Motors has pulled back the curtains on a low-volume special edition version of the drop-top muscle car set to go on sale next year. The vehicle is slated to be featured in the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book – a catalog of high-end goodies for the ruling class. Only 100 examples of the Neiman Marcus Camaro Convertible will be sold through the catalog, each wearing special Deep Bordeaux paint and boasting drivetrain components borrowed from the mighty Camaro SS. That means there’s a full 426 horsepower on tap. Inside, GM has slathered the cockpit in leather touches only available on this special edition.

Want one? You better have been one very, very good boy or girl this year. The price tag for the beast you see above is a heady $75,000.

The General also showed off a handful of additional photos of the standard Camaro Convertible on Facebook. This time, we get a closer look at the vehicle’s interior as well as a view from the front of the car. It looks good, sure, but we don’t know if its $75,000 good. Fortunately, the base Camaro drop head should come at a more tolerable $30,000. Hit the jump for the press release. Thanks for the tip, Jason!

Gallery: Neiman Marcus Edition Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

[Source: GM]

Continue reading Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus edition commands $75,000

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus edition commands $75,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Barrett-Jackson buyer reneges on $700,000 Bugatti Veyron purchase

Filed under: Performance, Auctions, Videos, Bugatti, Luxury

2008 Bugatti Veyron at Barrett-Jackson
2008 Bugatti Veyron at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas – Click above to watch the video

It’s not very often you see a Bugatti Veyron going up for auction…especially at Barrett-Jackson. Perhaps better known for their muscle cars and classics, the occasional late-model sportscar will sometimes pop up, but we can’t ever remember a Veyron crossing the block. Well, on Saturday night, a 2008 Bugatti Veyron with 11,800 miles on the clock did indeed cross the block at B-J…but things didn’t go quite as planned.

The one-time fastest production car on the planet (it’s been trumped by Bugatti’s own Super Sport) might have sold for over $1.8 million new, but was struggling to break the 1 mil mark in Vegas. Heck, it barely got to $700,000. Now, that’s still a lot of money for a car, but it should have brought much more – we’ve never heard of a non-wrecked example going for anywhere near that little. In the end, the Bug went to a guy seated near the stage who outbid a couple of phone bidders – but that’s when it got weird.

Saying that he hadn’t actually bid and then that he was only trying to help, the would-be buyer rescinded his bid… and was promptly escorted from the premises. Barrett-Jackson didn’t want to lose any credibility – so CEO Craig Jackson stepped up and bought the car himself. Just as he was announcing what had happened, he got a phone call from one of the other phone bidders who was saying he’d take the car off Craig’s hands. Quite the little soap opera, but good theater nonetheless. Follow the jump to see the video and take a look at the gallery below as well. Hat tip to Larry!

Gallery: 2008 Bugatti Veyron at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

[Sources: Speed TV, Barrett-Jackson]

Continue reading Video: Barrett-Jackson buyer reneges on $700,000 Bugatti Veyron purchase

Video: Barrett-Jackson buyer reneges on $700,000 Bugatti Veyron purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai recalling nearly 140,000 new Sonatas

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Hyundai

Hyundai Sonata

2011 Hyundai Sonata being recalled for steering issues – Click above for high-res image gallery

It looks like the Hyundai Sonata is officially taking its place near the top of the midsize car category. We already told you how it has moved into third place in the sales race, and now it moves up the charts again… but on a much less desirable list. Hyundai has issued a recall of 139,500 Sonatas over steering issues.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report at safercar.gov identifies the issue says “the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.” The consequence could be “a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.”

The recall affects MY 2011 Hyundai Sonata sedans built between December 11, 2009 and September 10, 2010. Dealers should begin sending out recall notices in October. They will inspect and re-torque the assembly, and update the steering software too, at no charge.

In the meantime, owners can contact the Hyundai Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-633-5151, or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153). Hat tip to Ralph!

Gallery: Review: 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS

Photos by Steven J. Ewing / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Hyundai recalling nearly 140,000 new Sonatas

Hyundai recalling nearly 140,000 new Sonatas originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Retriever lets you tow 5,000 pounds… with a Honda Goldwing

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Motorcycle

The Retriever – Click above for high-res image gallery

We don’t know why you’d want to haul a car with a Honda Goldwing, but a Swedish company called Coming Through hasn’t constrained themselves to our tiny imaginations. That’s why they’ve created The Retriever, a stowable towing unit you can have installed on the back of a Goldwing 1800 that’s good for pulling up to 5,500 pounds. If you want a little more help doing a dirty job, you can get a winch added to the package. The only drawback: maximum speed while towing is 20 miles per hour. That wouldn’t stop us from wanting it, though, even though we never imagined… Hat tip to Alexis!

Gallery: The Retriever

[Source Coming Through]

The Retriever lets you tow 5,000 pounds… with a Honda Goldwing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford letting 20,000 people drive EcoBoost F-150 before truck lands in showrooms

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Test drive the 2011 Ford EcoBoost F-150

Test drive the 2011 Ford F-150 – Click above to enlarge

Ford is ready to show off the 2011 F-150… in fact it’s so excited about it that it wants you to drive one (or four) before the truck arrives in dealer showrooms. The F-150 is receiving a slew of new powertrain options, including the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost unit. The twin-turbocharged. direct-injection V6 mill is capable of great power numbers and is rumored to come in around the 400 mark for both horsepower and torque. Also making their debut in the 2011 F-150 are the 3.7-liter V6 base engine, the 5.0-liter V8 and the top-of-the-line 6.2-liter V8 for the Platinum edition truck.

Ford is taking a fleet of trucks on a whirlwind tour around the country and expects to put 20,000 butts in the driver’s seats. The Built Ford Tough Roundup is going to kick off in Texas on Saturday, September 25th, 2010. It will then make a great big convoy across the USA as Texas gives way to Maryland, Georgia, Florida and finally California. All those stops will be hit before the 2011 Ford F-150 checks its on-sale date off the calendar.

If you are interested in checking out these updated trucks for yourself, you can register online at DriveF150.com. If you are on Facebook (at this point, who isn’t on Facebook?), you can sign up by going to Facebook.com/FordTrucks.

This is a great way to give consumers a sneak peak at a new product before it’s for sale. If you plan on going, make sure you get in line early for the EcoBoost, 5-point-0 and the big ‘ol 6.2 because those waits are bound to be just a bit longer than the those for the 3.7-liter.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford letting 20,000 people drive EcoBoost F-150 before truck lands in showrooms

Ford letting 20,000 people drive EcoBoost F-150 before truck lands in showrooms originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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