2011 Archives | Page 42 of 57

2011 Ducati Superbikes gain features, keep prices in check

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 Ducati 1198 SP

2011 Ducati 1198 SP – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ducati’s range-topping sportbike gets a pretty substantial upgrade for the 2011 model year, gaining a bunch of new standard equipment and seeing the introduction of an SP model as a replacement for the discontinued 1198 R. Perhaps the best news of all, though, is that pricing has pretty much held the line, even with the new features.

At the low end, not that any Ducati 1198 is exactly a stripper, is the standard 1198 for $16,495. For 2011, Ducati graces its superbike with Traction Control, a Ducati Data Analysis computer and a new quick-shifter. Stepping up to the next rung will get you the $21,995 1198 SP, which boasts the same updates as the standard model plus a sexy aluminum tank that weighs less and holds a gallon more fuel than the old steel unit, seven-spoke Marchesini wheels, slipper clutch and finally an Ohlins front fork and TTX rear shock.

Though the SP seems expensive, it’s actually a pretty good deal considering it comes in at just a $100 premium over last year’s S model. Still, if you want to save some coin, we doubt you’ll be disappointed by the new 2011 848 EVO and its 140-horsepower engine for $13,995. See more details on the 848 EVO here, and be sure to check out our high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: 2011 Ducati 1198 and 1198 SP

2011 Ducati 1198 SP

Gallery: 2011 Ducati 848 EVO

[Source: Ducati]

2011 Ducati Superbikes gain features, keep prices in check originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Infiniti G25

Filed under: Sedan, Infiniti, First Drive, Luxury

The Infiniti For Those Afraid Of Fast

2011 Infiniti G25

2011 Infiniti G25 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Thanks to years of dedicated work and impressive engineering, Infiniti has earned a reputation for being the “Japanese BMW.” Like the German automaker, Infiniti’s U.S. entries are decidedly more performance oriented, but the brand’s decision to install the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter V6 in its G Sedan had us wondering if things were changing… and not for the better.

Follow the jump to find out if our suspicions have been confirmed.

Gallery: 2011 Infiniti G25: First Drive

2011 Infiniti G25

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First Drive: 2011 Infiniti G25 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru launches 2011 Mediocrity marketing campaign [w/video]

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Subaru

2011 Mediocrity

2011 Mediocrity – Click above to watch videos after the jump

Looks like Subaru is giving the mid-sized sedan segment a good ribbing. The company has unleashed a new viral marketing campaign promoting the 2011 Mediocrity – a four-door that has “figured out a way to blend in more.” Funny, we think we’ve driven a few of those over the past year or two. The company has even gone so far as to rework an aging Kia Optima to stand in as the unfortunate Mediocrity. There are even spy shots, promo videos and complete interviews with designers to try to capture the heart and soul of the world’s most boring personal conveyance.

The whole stunt is aimed at setting the lovely Legacy apart from the rest of the four-door crowd. Is it successful? We’ll leave that for you to decide. We will say that the whole project is plenty funny and embodies the kind of lightheartedness we’ve come to enjoy from Subaru. And, fortunately for Kia, the next-generation Optima looks to be about as far from the Mediocrity as possible. Hit the jump to see the videos for yourself.

[Source: Subaru]

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Subaru launches 2011 Mediocrity marketing campaign [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW shows off 2011 K1600GT and K1600GTL

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 BMW K1600GTL

2011 BMW K1600GTL – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’ve ever looked at the current 3 Series and thought, “Yeah, but what it really needs is two fewer wheels,” BMW has your number. The company has dropped all of the juicy details on both the K1600GT and K1600GTL onto the interwebs, and the bikes are pretty much what we expected – a tech-loaded rolling testament to German engineering. Tricks like adaptive headlights, traction control, iPod connectivity controlled by iDrive and a full-color display are all part of the package. That’s cool and all, but the biggest news comes from down below.

BMW says that the inline six-cylinder engine at the heart of both the GT and GTL is the world’s narrowest such beating heart in any production motorcycle. At 1,649 cc, the mill churns out 160 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque at 7,500 and 5,000 rpm, respectively. All of that punch comes from an engine that’s a mere 22 inches wide.

Additionally, BMW says that it has kept the weight of both bikes amazingly low. The K1600GT tips the scales at a skinny 703 pounds with all of its fluids in place while the K1600GTL comes in at 767 pounds. The biggest competitor to these big Bavarian cruisers, the Honda Goldwing, weighs a comparatively portly 895 pounds.

How much are you going to pay for the bikes? BMW hasn’t said just yet, but the stars point north of $21,500.

Gallery: 2011 BMW K1600GT and K1600GTL

[Source: Hell For Leather]

BMW shows off 2011 K1600GT and K1600GTL originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R: More power + less weight = more speed

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R

2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R – Click above for high-res image gallery

Kawasaki has just officially pulled the wraps off its 2011 ZX-10R literbike, and the specifications are impressive. According to the Japanese company, the 2011 ZX10R will put out 197 horsepower (207 with ram air in full effect) and weigh just 436 pounds. That means it just barely has a better power-to-weight ratio than the previously all-conquering BMW S 1000 RR, which makes 193 horses and weighs about 450 pounds. Sadly, the American version of the bike, while still impressive, is expected to put out roughly 10 fewer ponies… dang the EPA!

Equally as important as those raw figures are the high-tech components and electronic bits and pieces that are intended to keep everything in line when the going gets tough. First on that list are an Ohlins steering damper and Showa’s Big Piston Forks up front. At the aft end, a new horizontally mounted rear shock is said to improve mass-centralization and smooth out damper’s rear action. As with most modern bikes, there are three power modes (Full, Middle and Low) intended to match horsepower requirements with riding condition realities.

On the gee-whiz front, Sport Kawasaki TRaction Control, or S-KTRC, is standard on the $13,799 2011 ZX-10R and promises to make the bike both faster and safer by monitoring both the front and rear ends every five milliseconds and allowing some amount of tire slippage and even power-on wheelies. If that weren’t enough, there will also be an optional Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS, seriously, for an extra $1,000) that keeps the tires from locking and also minimizes the rear wheel’s tendency to lift off the pavement.

Now that all the techy bits are covered, take a look at the new Ninja’s styling. Naturally, everything is painted up in Kawasaki’s trademark neon green and black motif, but the overall look is sharper and more aggressive than before. Note the pointy snout with ram-air duct and integrated LED light that matches the new LED-equipped mirror/turn signal assemblies. It’s a pretty slick looking package, we’d say.

See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below and be sure to check out the full press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R

2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R

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2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R: More power + less weight = more speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Infiniti, First Drive, Luxury

Increases Performance Little, but also Increases Price Little

2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe

2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our waiting Infiniti IPL G Coupe idles curbside. Exiting its enormous Thermos-sized chrome exhaust tips, the invisible waveforms invite a closer listen. The baritone note suggests power, with a cadence that is is lumpy, sounding closer to a V8 with a heavy cam than any V6 we’ve ever heard. A harbinger of things to come, or just an evil audible tease? We had flown to California’s Napa Valley to find out, but first we needed some context.

Gallery: 2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe: First Drive

2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe

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First Drive: 2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon priced from $62,990

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Wagon, Cadillac, GM

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon – Click above for high-res image gallery

This is sort of like a dream come true. We’re already madly in love with the Cadillac CTS-V in both its sedan and sexy coupe forms, and in just a few months, we’ll have a five-door station wagon version that still packs the V’s 556-horsepower supercharged V8, rear-wheel drive and a proper manual transmission. It’s like General Motors made this one just for us (we aren’t complaining). Want one? $62,990, including destination charges.

So, what does $63K get you other than some family haulin’ lunacy on wheels? Leather, heated seats, navigation, HID headlamps, a premium Bose sound system and Cadillac’s premium care maintenance service for four years or 50,000 miles. Optional goodies include the $3,400 Recaro heated and ventilated front chairs (you want these – trust us), $800 19-inch polished aluminum alloys, $600 for slightly fancier wood trim and $300 for suede on the steering wheel and shifter.

Realistically, you can get a perfect CTS-V Wagon with a six-speed manual and the Recaro seats for $66,390. That, folks, is one heck of a bargain. As great as it is, we’re thinking that GM won’t manage to sell a whole bunch of this very niche product, so we’re thinking it’s an easy pick for a future collectible. Hit the jump to read GM’s official press blast.

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

[Source: General Motors]

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2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon priced from $62,990 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep shows off 2011 Grand Cherokee decked out with Mopar bits

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Technology, Jeep

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Mopar accessories

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Mopar parts – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is already earning high praise in its standard form, and now Chrysler’s Mopar division has released a host of accessories to beef up the new sport-ute’s style and functionality.

Grand Cherokees can now be fitted with the usual collection of exterior bolt-ons, including a range of new wheel options, skid plates, and side steps. What’s more interesting, however, is the stuff available for the Grand Cherokee’s interior. Mopar is offering FLO TV, a live, mobile television streaming service, making the big Jeep the first SUV available with this feature. That sure beats listening to the same episode of Yo Gabba Gabba over and over. Additionally, the latest version of Chrysler’s UConnect infotainment software is available, which can turn the SUV into a mobile wi-fi hotspot.

See the full list of available Mopar goodies in the press release after the jump, and scroll through our attached gallery to see high-res shots of Grand Cherokees fitted with these add-ons.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Mopar parts

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Mopar parts

[Source: Chrysler]

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Jeep shows off 2011 Grand Cherokee decked out with Mopar bits originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo priced at $24,145

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai’s ever-expanding Sonata lineup will soon include the delectable 2.0T model, packing a turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter (Theta II) four-cylinder. You’ve probably already memorized the most important figures – 274 horsepower, 269 pound-feet of torque, 33 mpg on the highway, all on 87 octane fuel – but here’s a new one for you: $24,145. That’s what the 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T will set you back, and there’s a lot more on offer than just a hot engine.

Mated to the blown 2.0 is a six-speed automatic that can be manipulated through a set of steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, while a (modestly) sport-tuned suspension holds up 18-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance summer rubber. A host of standard features are included in the kit, while two packages – Navigation and Sunroof and Limited – are available when sales begin later this year. Get all the details in the press blast after the jump and read our impressions from behind the wheel.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

[Source: Hyundai]

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo priced at $24,145 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, South America

2011 Chevrolet Montana

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

Say hullo to this little truck: It’s the 2011 Chevrolet Montana and it might just make its way up from South America into U.S. dealer showrooms. It’s a small two-door, two-passenger ute that rides on the same platform as the Brazilian Chevy Agile, a hatchback city car.

According to Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com, General Motors has no successor planned for the U.S.-version of the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins. This car-based, front-wheel-drive trucklet could provide a nice stepping stone into its family of larger pickups. The engine would likely have to be beefed up for this market, since potential truck shoppers might be scared off by the Montana’s 1.4-liter four-cylinder (it’s good for 97 horsepower, 95 pound-feet of torque, and 30 miles per gallon on the highway). Despite its modest power numbers, the Chevy Montana is capable of hauling 1,671 pounds in the rear cargo area – a number comparable to the payload ratings of several full-size pickups.

Is North America ready for a pint-sized, front-wheel drive truck? That’s a tough call, especially one with such ~~Aveo-like~~ unique styling. The 2011 Chevrolet Montana might not arrive in the form you see above (and in the gallery), but it could provide a glimpse at what’s waiting down the road.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Montana

2011 Chevrolet Montana

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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