2011 Archives | Page 48 of 57

Video: 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit police car leaks out

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Dodge, Police/Emergency

Dodge Charger police pursuit vehicle revealed

Dodge Charger police pursuit vehicle revealed – Click above to watch the video after the jump

This all seems a bit backwards. Chrysler has yet to release the official details and images about the 2011 Dodge Charger, but we already have the skinny on the Charger Pursuit, Dodge’s work-ready police car set to hit the streets in just a few months. And while only one official image of the Charger cop car has been revealed, a new video gives us a walk-around of Chrysler’s latest pursuit vehicle.

Recorded at what appears to be some sort of police fleet convention, this poorly-lit amateur video gives us a nearly complete view of what the 2011 Charger’s exterior will look like when gussied up for police duty. Furthermore, it shows off the new lines of the Charger sedan, including that Challenger-inspired rear end.

Can’t wait for Chrysler to unload a high-res image gallery of 2011 Charger photos? Feed your impatience by watching the video after the jump. Hat tips to Edgardo and Dave W!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit police car leaks out

Video: 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit police car leaks out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Lexus IS lives out Keith Moon fantasies

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

2011 Lexus IS sport sedan

2011 Lexus IS sport sedan in “Music Track” – Click above to watch the video after the jump

For 2011, the Lexus IS sport sedan is getting a mild exterior styling update. Up front, the grille and bumper are all new, while a new taillamp cover and tailpipe design update the posterior. Not one to be left out of a trend, the Lexus IS is also adding HID headlamps paired with LED daytime running lights. The upgraded lights are standard on the 2011 IS350 and are an option on the IS250. New color choices and wheel styles round out the exterior changes, but the most interesting update happens under the skin with the availability of all-wheel drive on the IS350. Thirty percent of customers opt for the all-wheel drive IS250, but now they can get the added traction along with an extra 102 horsepower.

Enthused about the updates, Lexus created a video of the IS sport sedan performing… a drum solo? In an apparent bid to highlight the precision handling of their IS sedan, fitted with F-sport parts, they pulled together a team which includes composers, a mathematician and a stunt driver. Music and driving go hand in hand and the beat this Ultrasonic Blue Lexus IS lays down is surprisingly good. See (and hear) for yourself after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Lexus IS

2011 Lexus IS

Continue reading Video: 2011 Lexus IS lives out Keith Moon fantasies

Video: 2011 Lexus IS lives out Keith Moon fantasies originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Equus

Filed under: Sedan, Hyundai, First Drive, Luxury

The Ultimate Four-Wheeled Value Proposition

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

If the Genesis sedan was Hyundai’s opening salvo to bring the pain to Lexus, the Equus is a set of leather-covered brass knuckles flying towards the jaws of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It’s a bold move by an automaker riding high on the intoxicating fumes of increased marketshare and boosted brand awareness. But here’s one thing the Equus is not: Phaeton Part Deux.

Click to continue…

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Equus: First Drive

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First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Equus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011

Filed under: Truck, Ford, Off-Road

2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew

2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford’s off-road beast, the F-150 SVT Raptor, has only been on sale for a year, but it’s already getting a few upgrades for the 2011 model year.

Many reports and a few spy shots indicated that Ford had been prepping a four-door SuperCrew version of the Raptor (you know, for when the family wants to do the Baja run with you), and the automaker has officially confirmed the details (again). The SuperCrew’s wheelbase is a full 12 inches longer than the standard Raptor, meaning it should provide a more comfortable ride along the way, and the 5.5-foot box can still haul everything you need when you get there.

Speaking of capability, all Raptors now come standard with more power on tap – the 6.2-liter V8 will be the only available powertrain for 2011 (sad trombone for the people who rushed out to get the 5.4). As we reported earlier, it stands to reason that the 2011 Raptor will get a price increase to account for the larger mill, but it’s a small price to pay for an extra 101 horsepower and 69 pound-feet of torque over the 5.4-liter V8.

From there, the other enhancements for 2011 are purely cosmetic. Raptors can now be had in a new color – Ingot Silver Metallic (pictured) – and matte black accent graphics are available on the hood. These new graphics can be ordered separately from the box side decals, too. Inside the cabin, Ford now offers a standard 4.2-inch LCD display (called the “productivity screen”) in the center of the revised instrument gauges, similar to what was introduced on the 2011 Super Duty.

Dealers will start taking orders for 2011 Raptors as you read this with the first examples hitting dealerships later this year. Ford’s detailed press release is available after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011

Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Poll: 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango – What’s your pick?

Filed under: Crossover, Dodge, Ford

Ford Explorer vs. Dodge Durango

The SUV is dead. Long live the SUV!

The 2011 Dodge Durango and Ford Explorer are big departures from the models that they replace. Aside from the usual styling and refinement differences, the biggest changes for these vehicle are that they both ditch the traditional body-on-frame sport-utility vehicle DNA in favor of unibody constructions. By our definition, these once-SUVs are now CUVs, though their respective parent companies continue to brand them as being traditional sport-utes through and through.

Both the Durango and Explorer offer available seating for seven and all-wheel drive, but that’s where the similarities start to taper off. Each vehicle offers a choice of two different powertrains, but while Dodge has opted to go a more traditional route with by fielding the Durango with both 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 engines, Ford has gone in the opposite direction by equipping the Explorer with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-four and a 3.5-liter V6. There are pros and cons for each – the Explorer may prove to be more fuel-efficient, but the Durango ought to tow more.

Each of these new crossovers tries to stay true to the traditional SUV mindset, just in different directions. Ford’s Terrain Management system will surely come in handy for people who need more off-road prowess, though the end result remains that the Explorer is arguably more of a tall wagon than an honest SUV. The Durango keeps things a bit more and has a strong, presence that we suspect will still be well-received by people who prefer honest-to-goodness sport-utility vehicles.

We could debate the pros and cons of each vehicle all day, and indeed, we’re still waiting for the Full Monty-worth of details and specifications, but we still want to know: What do you think? If you had to choose either the Explorer or Durango, which would get your pick? Cast your vote in the poll below and be sure to sound off with your thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango

2011 Dodge Durango

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer

Poll: 2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango – What’s your pick? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima

Filed under: Sedan, Kia, First Drive

You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby

2011 Kia Optima

2011 Kia Optima – Click above for high-res image gallery

We admit it – we’re genetically preprogrammed to be shallow creatures. Despite our moms’ best efforts, recognizing inner beauty is all well and good, but it’s physical beauty that first puts both people and consumables on our radar.

Exhibit A? The 2011 Kia Optima. You see, while exactly nobody was paying attention, the outgoing Optima actually became a reasonably competitive mid-size sedan. But with the lackluster reputation of its predecessor compounded by styling so banal that it might as well have had “John Doe” as a model designation, the Optima was seemingly forgotten by everyone but fleet managers.

That’s not going to be a problem any more.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Optima: First Drive

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First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Ford Fiesta is so pimping, so sexy

Filed under: Budget, Videos, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Fiesta Film Riot video

Ford Fiesta “You so Pimping, You so Sexy” ad by Film Riot – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Ford may have its own ad campaign for the Fiesta, but we’re mildly amused by this one-off, three-minute-long ad created by the folks at Film Riot, an online how-to show about filmmaking. The Blue Oval currently sponsors the Film Riot crew, so it makes sense that the funky new Fiesta hatch (in Lime Squeeze, of course) would be the star of their ad spoof.

One part Swagger Wagon rap and one part Sprockets, the Euro-inspired dance track fits the Fiesta perfectly. Note to Ford: Edit this down to a 30-second television spot posthaste, or keep it in its entirety for next year’s Super Bowl. Follow the jump to see Film Riot’s ad for yourself.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Ford Fiesta SES

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Ford Fiesta is so pimping, so sexy

Video: 2011 Ford Fiesta is so pimping, so sexy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: NHTSA investigating steering issues on 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata

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

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has only been on sale for a few months, but it’s already winning over many American mid-size sedan buyers, and we’ve been every impressed by what we’ve found in our first drive and review. However, the rakish new Sonata could face a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into about 16,300 Sonatas due to potential steering issues.

NHTSA has received reports that cite problems with either a separation of the upper universal joint in the intermediate steering shaft assembly. The result is a complete loss of steering capability, though the universal joint was not completely separated.

Hyundai says that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries connected to this issue and that it is fully cooperating with NHTSA on the investigation. The automaker also says that it had received reports of two vehicles with a steering problem linked to the upper universal joint, but that both were repaired without issue. Expect the results of NHTSA’s investigation to be released in the coming weeks.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS

Report: NHTSA investigating steering issues on 2011 Hyundai Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia

Filed under: GM, Holden, Australia

Holden Series II family

2011 Holden Series II family – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ll admit it – we miss the Pontiac G8. A lot. General Motors’ Americanized version of the rear-wheel-drive Holden Commodore met its death with the demise of Pontiac last year, and of all the GM products that we’ve lost in the past twelve months, the G8 is the one we’d immediately rebirth if we could (especially the GXP). Holden, however, is still alive and well in its native Australia, and the automaker has just released its Series II family, which offers up a host of small changes to nearly the full line of products.

There isn’t anything drastically different about the Series II versions of the Commodore, Calais, Caprice, Berlina or Omega – just the typical new model year additions. Most notably, the 3.0-liter V6 and 6.0-liter V8 engines are now capable of running on bio-ethanol fuel, and slight improvements to fuel economy have been made across the range. In addition, small visual tweaks have been made to the fascias of all models and new paint colors have been added.

A similar story can be told about these cars’ interiors – minute tweaks to fit and finish have been made, though the big news is the addition of GM’s new Holden-iQ infotainment system, available on all Series II models. Holden-iQ incorporates audio, Bluetooth and navigation functions into one 6.5-inch touchscreen interface, as well as a back-up camera (not available on the Ute).

For the full list of changes, browse through Holden’s press release, available after the jump, and see the full 2011 Series II range for yourself in the high-res image gallery below. Hat tip to Neil!

Gallery: 2011 Holden Series II Family

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia

GM releases 2011 Holden Series II family for Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda, Reviews

Take off your rose-colored glasses, CRX fans

2011 Honda CR-Z

2011 Honda CR-Z – Click above for high-res image gallery

Okay, so the 2011 Honda CR-Z isn’t exactly the modern-day CRX redux that we were all hoping for. Mildly upsetting, yes, but perhaps this disappointment tarnished our initial impression of this newest hybrid offering from Honda. We still have many questions about its form and function, but need to accept the fact that times have changed, Honda’s product strategies have been realigned to the times and the CRX shall remain a modern classic – especially the Si. Besides, this little two-seat hybrid isn’t really all that bad. Really.

What we have here is an inherently good vehicle that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It only has two seats and its EPA fuel economy numbers are underwhelming. A Ford Fiesta, for example, is more functional, less expensive and gets nearly the same combined fuel economy – at least compared to a manual-equipped CR-Z like our tester.

But don’t write off the CR-Z completely. It may be a tough sell when looked at from a big picture perspective, but on its own, it’s a pretty good little whip. Follow the jump to find out why.

Gallery: 2011 Honda CR-Z: Review

Continue reading Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z

Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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