Tag: 000

Video: BMW goes unscripted with 413,000-mile 2800 CS

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Videos, BMW

1969 BMW 2800 CS

Murray Fowler’s 1969 BMW 2800 CS – Click above to watch video after the jump

As much as we adore vintage iron, we love the people responsible for keeping them around even more. You’ll never find a more dedicated sample of humanity than those prowling local swap meets and cruise-ins, each nearly guaranteed to boast a tale or two of how they came to be infatuated with the make or model of their choice. BMW has recently decided to tap into that wealth of unparalleled brand loyalty with a new video series that the company is calling “BMW Unscripted.” The episode after the jump focuses on one very smitten owner and the immaculate 1969 2800 CS he bought new over 40 years ago.

Murray Fowler was 40 years old when he drove his 2800 CS for the first time, and over the years, the guy has racked up a dizzying number of miles on the clock – a total of about 413,000 at the time that the video was recorded. This isn’t some garage queen locked away from the temptation of beautiful Southern California roads. Oh, no – this is the real deal. Hit the jump to take a look at the flick for yourself.

[Source: YouTube via WebRidesTV]

Continue reading Video: BMW goes unscripted with 413,000-mile 2800 CS

Video: BMW goes unscripted with 413,000-mile 2800 CS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota’s Daihatsu recalls over 500,000 minicars over… fading taillamps?

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota, Daihatsu

Daihatsu MiraDaihatsu has announced plans to recalling over 500,000 vehicles in Japan due to taillight lenses that can fade over time. The lenses, originally orange, will bleach white with exposure to the sun, leading to a potential safety risk. As a result, Daihatsu is recalling a total of 435,423 Move hatchbacks built between 1995 and 2000, as well as 145,769 Mira models manufactured from 1998 to 2000. Both vehicles fall into Japans micro-car category and are powered by fuel-thrifty .66-liter engines.

The company plans to fix the issue by installing orange bulbs in the vehicles instead of the white ones that came from the factory.

Daihatsu is owned by Toyota, and the company produces a number of small vehicles for the manufacturing giant. While not as crippling as some of the other issues Toyota has had this year, the Daihatsu does add to the 11 million recalled Toyota and Lexus vehicles recalled since fall of last year.

[Source: Automotive News]

Report: Toyota’s Daihatsu recalls over 500,000 minicars over… fading taillamps? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Fiat wants to sell 50,000 500s in the U.S. through 165 dealers

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat 500

Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is set to debut its American-spec Fiat 500 at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show with the first examples being sold near the end of 2010. During the 2011 calendar year, Chrysler hopes to sell 50,000 of the Mini Cooper fighters, including the 500 Cabrio, which goes on sale sometime in 2011.

Built in Toluca, Mexico, the 500 will be sold through a network of 165 dealers across the United States, mostly in cities that have the largest small car markets. Will Chrysler be able to move 50,000 of the new Fiats? That’s mildly ambitious, since the Mini brand only moves about 50,000 Coopers annually. Still, consider our fingers crossed.

Gallery: Fiat 500

[Source: Associated Press via Google]

Report: Fiat wants to sell 50,000 500s in the U.S. through 165 dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Edge Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

It goes without saying, but we’re going to go ahead and say it anyway: Crossovers are so hot right now. According to data compiled by Ford, the CUV industry has expanded 220 percent since 2006, which is the year the Blue Oval introduced the world to the Edge, its main player in the hotly contested market.

Ford also contends that the over 400,000 Edge CUVs have sold since late 2006, making it the best-selling mid-size crossover over that period of time. Don’t expect that growth to slow down any time soon, either, as Ford projects the CUV segment will increase another few percentage points in 2011. In fact, the market for CUVs will grow to be as large as that of full-size pickup trucks.

In order to meet the increased demand it expects for CUVs, Ford has sharpened its Edge (sorry, couldn’t resist) for the 2011 model year. Of special note are the two new drivetrain choices that join the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 285 horsepower and a 3.5-horsepower 3.7 Ti-VCT V6 in the newly beefed-up Edge Sport.

The House that Henry Built is also quick to point out that its next-gen Edge will come with a full suite of technology options, including Sync and MyFord Touch. So, will all of this added goodness equal a worthwhile improvement to the hot-selling previous-generation Edge? Stay tuned for a First Ride report, and feel free to click past the break for Ford’s official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Edge Sport

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units

2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Jay Leno rolls like a million bucks on $80,000 BlackTrail BT-01

Filed under: Videos, Motorcycle, Specialty, Electric

BlackTrail BT-01 – Click above to watch video after the jump

You know who you are. You care deeply about the environment and know the importance of looking cool. Also, you’ve got buckets of cash. You’ve been waiting to throw down $80 grand on a Fisker Karma but you’re tired of the seemingly endless delays. Well, here’s another eco-friendly vehicle on which to spend that stack o’ cash – the BlackTrail BT-01.

Yes, it’s a bicycle. But it’s not just any bicycle. This, my affluent amigo, is an avant-garde, hybrid-electric piece of rolling retro art. It’s got a classic leather saddle with matching handlebar grips, power pack cover and valve stem covers. We repeat, leather-wrapped valve stem covers! Oh yes, it also comes with its own theft deterrent device in the form of a set of leather-padded handcuffs. You heard us.

What, you want more? Okay. It’s got integrated LED lights front and rear. OLED display with speed indicator and battery status. At its 30-50 km/h (20-30 miles per hour) cruising speed it will carry you 160 – 200km (100 – 120 miles). If that’s too pokey, you can travel 25 – 30 miles at its maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)!

While it’s not yet offered for sale in America, we expect it soon will be. Production is limited to 667 units with at least 41 already being sold at €59,500 ($75,930 U.S. at today’s exchange rate). Throw in the airfare to go get it and you’re looking at $80,000.

Hit the jump for a better look at this breakthrough bicycle with someone who could actually afford to buy one if he wanted to, Jay Leno. Scroll a little further down for bonus video of an on-sidewalk presentation.

[Source: PG-Bikes via Engadget]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno rolls like a million bucks on $80,000 BlackTrail BT-01

Video: Jay Leno rolls like a million bucks on $80,000 BlackTrail BT-01 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lifetime membership to Skip Barber available for $295,000

Filed under: Etc.

You can buy a lot of sports car for $295,000. A fully loaded Lamborghini Gallardo; an Audi R8 and matching R8 V10; three Nissan GT-Rs and a Mustang GT; a 911 Turbo, a Cayman and a Boxster… we can play that game all day. But buying a great car (or cars) is just part of the equation. Insurance, storage, fuel and track time can add up quickly, even for the well-off among us, but the folks over at Skip Barber have a different idea.

The world-famous driving school is offering a lifetime pass for a not so affordable $295,000, but that lofty figure includes just about all the learning and racing your heart desires. Lifetime Fast Fast Pass owners can register for an entire season in advance, race at one of the school’s 10 tracks or show up at any event and fill any open spots. One thing lifetime pass owners can’t do is bump another driver from a purchased spot; a damn good rule if you ask us.

The latest offer from Skip Barber comes after the driving school offered a $150,000 unlimited pass, $100,000 national pass or a $75,000 regional pass. School officials are gauging interest in the passes, and if too many die-hard drivers purchase a lifetime pass a cap may be placed on the amount of available spots. If you’ve got the means, get in quick.

[Source: Skip Barber]

Lifetime membership to Skip Barber available for $295,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, By the Numbers

Honda has announced plans to recall 383,000 Civics, Accords and Elements built in 2003 and 2004. Due to a fault with the ignition interlock system that normally prevents the key from being removed until the transmission lever is in Park, the affected Hondas could roll away on their own accord.

According to Honda, the interlock system can wear prematurely, allowing the key to be pulled regardless of the shifter position. If the parking pawl isn’t engaged, the vehicle can roll away if parked on a slope.

While this has nothing to do with the sort of problems that Toyota has experienced, there is an interesting parallel regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s defect database. Toyota complained that there was insufficient detail in the database categories, resulting in the appearance that there were more incidents of unintended acceleration than there actually were. This Honda issue is purely a mechanical failure of the locking system and yet it is grouped under Electrical System:Ignition problems. This lack of detail makes it much more difficult and time consuming for engineers to sift through the data to find and prioritize issues to fix. As part of the follow-up to its recalls, Toyota has been talking to NHTSA about revising the database to make it easier to mine relevant information other automakers will likely be following suit.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda]

Continue reading Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk

Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Post-bankruptcy GM has added nearly 7,000 jobs

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

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that General Motors has added a total of 6,900 jobs since the automaker emerged from bankruptcy in 2009. The news came out of a radio interview with Steve Girsky, GM vice president. Girsky said that a portion of that figure is made up of workers who were originally laid off as part of the restructuring process and then later recalled as manufacturing picked back up. Of the nearly 7,000 jobs, 1,100 are situated in Michigan. GM has recently increased its workforce at its Delta Township and Brownstown Township facilities, amongst others.

The company has also hired around 2,800 workers at its Canadian operations as well. GM is set to release its financial statement for the most recent business quarter later this month, and Girsky says that the numbers continue to demonstrate a company on the mend. Last quarter, the company posted a $865 million profit.

While the addition of nearly 7,000 jobs is a good milestone for GM, it’s important to bear in mind that the figure marks a little more than a sixth of the workers laid off during restructuring.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Report: Post-bankruptcy GM has added nearly 7,000 jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari: Is it worth $47,000?

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat, UK

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari – Click above for high-res image gallery

How much would you be willing to pay for a Fiat 500? Fifteen grand? Twenty? Thirty? How about nearly $50,000. That’s how much the crème-de-la-crème Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is going for now that it’s reaching the market.

For a quick refresher, the special-edition 500 was unveiled almost a year ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It packs a 180-horsepower 1.4-liter 16-valve turbocharged four-pot, beefed-up suspension, wheels and brakes and a special paint scheme inspired by its big brother, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. A scant 152 examples are being produced in right-hand drive for the British market, and each is carrying a whopping price tag of £29,600, or about $47k in American greenbacks.

Now the 695 Tributo Ferrari may be the ultimate manifestation of the Fiat 500 to date. It may even be the next best thing to a Ferrari, though we doubt it. But is it worth $47,000? Fiat will surely sell the entire production run, but then “value” isn’t the objective value it once was. Check out the press release after the jump, images in the twin galleries below and weigh in with your own thoughts.

Gallery: Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari: Is it worth $47,000?

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari: Is it worth $47,000? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Helio Castroneves reportedly fined $60,000 for Edmonton tirade

Filed under: Motorsports


The Indy Racing League has handed down its punishment in the case of the race winner who was robbed. Following the controversial end of the IndyCar race in Edmonton last week, apparent winner Helio Castroneves drove into the pits, hopped out of his car and went after anyone wearing IRL gear. We showed you the video of the incident (now removed) a few days ago and most of you seemed to think Helio was in the right. He may have had a good reason to be upset, but the IRL stood by its decision after giving it some extra thought.

Now that they’ve had more than a week to mull things over, they’ve decided that Helio’s reaction was too aggressive to go unpunished. They’ve slapped the charismatic driver with a $60,000 fine and put him on probation for the rest of the season. The monetary fines always hurt at some level, but it’s the principle behind it that matters more here. The IRL is standing up for their decision – and their employees – and saying that if a driver has a problem with a race decision they need to use the proper channels to appeal it.

[Source: The Indianapolis Star]

Helio Castroneves reportedly fined $60,000 for Edmonton tirade originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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