2012 Archives | Page 12 of 30

Geneva 2011: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid delivers 380 hp of green(ish) speed

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche, Luxury

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

At last year’s Geneva Motor Show, Porsche stole the show with the unveiling of the 918 Spyder. For 2011, Porsche has taken the wraps off another gas-electric hybrid in Switzerland, but in a decidedly less sexy shape.

The 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is just the latest alt-powered vehicle from Porsche, joining the Cayenne Hybrid and the aforementioned 918 that’s expected to hit the market late next year. Power is supplied by VAG’s supercharged 3.0-liter V6 putting out 333 horsepower, with another 47 ponies delivered via an electric motor. Equipped with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, Porsche claims a 0-60 mph run of six seconds flat with a top speed of 168 mph, all while returning an average of around 34 mpg.

The Panamera Hybrid will be hitting U.S. shores later this year with a price tag of $95,000, and you get can all the pertinent details in the press blast after the break.

Gallery: Porsche Panamera S Hybrid: Geneva 2011

Gallery: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid delivers 380 hp of green(ish) speed

Geneva 2011: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid delivers 380 hp of green(ish) speed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: In Depth

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini

Everything You Need To Know About Italy’s New Raging Bull

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Before the Geneva Motor Show press conference on Tuesday, Lamborghini let us in on a private Bologna-area photography studio so that we could get our own sex-machine shots of their raging new V12 firestarter, the 691-horsepower Aventador LP700-4.

First off, we’re glad they didn’t call it ‘Jota’ as some were peas-and-carroting about because it’s just a silly and unpronounceable name. It probably belonged to some wimpy minor league bull, too. Only one true Jota was ever built in 1970, and it was a just an amped-up and flared Miura (we prefer not to think about the mid-90s Diablo anniversary upgrade kits).

“Aventador” was, according to the best detective work we can muster, a bull whose career peaked in 1993 in the town of Saragozza, Spain, when he and the torero had a particularly spirited encounter prior to ol’ Aventador’s inevitable skewering. This particular beastie belonged to the breeding stables of the sons of Don Celestino Cuadri Vides and, for unknown reasons surely banal, he bore the number 32 singed on his hide. And now he gets the strongest Lamborghini ever built named after him. And about damned time! The British were getting tired of mispronouncing “Murcièlago” over the past ten years and now they have a new proper name to mutilate.

Continue reading 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: Deep Dive…

Gallery: 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Continue reading 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: In Depth

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4: In Depth originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford Focus – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has confirmed that the 2012 Focus achieves an EPA-rated 40 miles per gallon on the highway, besting many of the competitors in its class. Only the 2011 Hyundai Elantra and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco manage to reach the much-heralded 40-mpg mark. The Focus is also rated at 28 mpg in the city.

Not to rain on Ford’s parade here, but we must make something perfectly clear: The 40-mpg rating only applies to the Focus SE sedan with SFE (super fuel economy) package and the six-speed automatic transmission. In order to achieve 40 mpg, the SFE package adds unique 16-inch steel wheels with aero-enhanced wheel covers, active grille shutters, a rear spoiler and high-efficiency tires.

That might not seem like a big deal, especially when a car as stylish and well-built as the Focus puts down 40 mpg highway. However, we can’t overlook the fact that Hyundai’s Elantra nets that 40-mpg figure on all models with either transmission, and if you spec a Cruze Eco with a manual box, you’ll be running at 42 mpg on the highway. Still, keep in mind that the Focus, at 160 horsepower, is the most powerful car in the group – besting the Elantra by 12 hp and the Cruze Eco by 22 hp – which is something that enthusiasts must consider.

In any case, by adding the 2012 Focus SE SFE to its portfolio, Ford is only further expanding its lineup of vehicles that achieve 40 mpg or better. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus: First Drive

2012 Ford Focus

[Source: Ford]

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2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: 2012 Brabus CLS adds dose of sport, economy

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Brabus CLS

2012 Brabus CLS – Click above for high-res image gallery

Brabus has released its tuning package for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS range ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show. As with all things Brabus, the package for the CLS leaves no stone unturned, from an aero and appearance package to the suspension and, finally, the engine.

Outside, the car gets a revised front bumper with bigger air intakes, new LED daytime running lights and a front splitter. There’s also a set of gilled fenders sporting the Brabus logo and side skirts that give the car the appearance of an even lower stance and helpful entry lights so you don’t bash a shin at night.

Keeping things stuck to the ground is a Bilstein suspension supporting your choice of six styles of Brabus rollers, ranging from 8.5x17s to monster 10.5×20-inch trash-can lids. In a bid for the eco vote, Brabus has focused its tuning efforts on the Mercedes-Benz BlueEfficiency diesel engines. The CLS 250 CDI BlueEfficiency gets a 31-horsepower bump and an astonishing 413 pound feet of torque.

On the higher-spec CLS 350 CDI, the engine mods are dual-mode. In eco mode, the car gets pushed to 509 lb-ft from 457, while horsepower stays the same. Hit the sport mode button, and you’re looking at climbing to 309 hp from 261. That translates into a 5.9-second 0-60 sprint and the inevitable 155 mile per hour top speed. Want more? See the complete press release after the break and be sure to peruse our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Brabus CLS

2012 Brabus CLS front three quarter 2012 Brabus CLS rear three quarter 2012 Brabus CLS profile 2012 Brabus CLS front close 2012 Brabus CLS fender

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: 2012 Brabus CLS adds dose of sport, economy

Geneva Preview: 2012 Brabus CLS adds dose of sport, economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 650i Convertible configurator comes online

Filed under: Convertible, BMW

BMW 650i configurator

The new-for-2012 BMW 650i Convertible is still bigger and heavier than most of the competition, but there are still a whole slew of notable new features about the updated car. Designers filed off some of the more audacious curves in favor of a bit more subtlety. Power from the 650i’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 now sits at 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque – up 40 hp and a whopping 90 lb-ft from the last-gen 6 Series – and the six-speed gearbox has been replaced with a slick eight-speed unit. All good stuff, and judging by the fact that BMW has launched the online 650i Convertible configurator, it appears this big droptop is ready for prime time.

The price tag begins at $92,375 once $875 is added for destination and the dreaded $1,000 gas guzzler tax is applied. The price only goes up from there, with packages like Driver Assistance ($3,900) and premium sound ($1,800) bringing things over the $100,000 mark. Check off all the options and you’re looking at a MSRP of $110,375, or enough money for a loaded 550i and a nicely optioned Mazda Miata. Click here to head over to the 650i configurator to price out some high-zoot open-air motoring for yourself.

[Source: BMW]

2012 BMW 650i Convertible configurator comes online originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, First Drive

America’s Answer To The BMW M3

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Trans-Am series of the late 1960s and early 1970s could be considered the golden era of American motorsports. Not only did it showcase the most desirable American cars of the time, but it featured some of the world’s greatest racing drivers engaging in this country’s own brand of fender-banging racing.

It’s why Ford is so proud of the Boss 302, winner of the 1970 Trans-Am season with legendary driver Parnelli Jones behind the wheel, and why the street car has become a legend. But ask Jim Farley, Ford’s head honcho of marketing, about the 2012 Mustang Boss 302, and he’ll tell you that it’s not just about building a remake of the original. “This is not a nostalgia project,” he told us. “This is not in any way trying to bring back the Boss. This project is so much more than that. If we wanted to do that we could take a 5.0-liter, put some stripes and spoilers and other upgrades on it and that would be it. It was not a means to an end. The Boss 302 was originally a means to an end. It was a production car to go racing. This is a completely different project. We were not going to do this project unless we could beat an M3 at this track.” This track being the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

With Bavaria’s best sportscar in it sights, did Ford achieve its goal of building a modern day legend, or is the 2012 Boss 302 simply another one of the infinite variations of the Ford Mustang? Ford invited us out to Monterey for a full day with the car, including some track time at Laguna Seca, and we have the answer.

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302…

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: First Drive

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca: First Drive

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

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First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Infiniti M Hybrid priced from $53,700

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Infiniti, Luxury

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Infiniti is touting its 2012 M Hybrid as the “only vehicle in America to offer more than 350 horsepower and 30-plus miles per gallon.” If that sounds like an excellent combination, the Japanese automaker has just announced that the cost of entry is $53,700.

The 30-plus mpg figure is, of course, on the highway, with an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 32 mpg. The M Hybrid is rated at 27 mpg in the city and has a combined rating of 29 – not too shabby for a car with 360-horsepower on tap, courtesy of the 3.5-liter V6 mounted under the hood. $53,700 is a lot of scratch, but there’s not a lot of luxury sedans on the market that offer that much power while retuning that type of fuel economy. Hit the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: LA 2010: Infiniti M Hybrid

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid priced from $53,700

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid priced from $53,700 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin releases details on 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin

2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin has taken the wraps of its new Virage Coupe and Virage Volante. Both models are based on the automaker’s VH architecture – so they’re “all-new”… kinda – and are meant to slot in between the DB9 and the DBS in the lineup. The bonded aluminum chassis, with aluminum, magnesium and composite body panels, receives the familiar 6.0-liter V12 rated at 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission (a rear transaxle) is a six-speed automatic “Touchtronic 2” gearbox, helping to deliver a 0-60 time of about 4.5 seconds and maxing out at a top speed of 186 miles per hour.

The suspension is double-wishbone on all four corners, with Aston Martin’s Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Sport mode as standard equipment. Wheels are 20-inch alloys, mounted over carbon ceramic disc brakes at all four corners (six-piston calipers up front, four-piston units in the rear), with Pirelli P Zero tires standard.

No word yet on pricing or availablity (feel free to read through the press release after the break), but we’ll be getting all the details on the new Virage at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. Expect driving impressions to come… soon.

Gallery: 2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

2012 Aston Martin Virage Coupe

Gallery: 2012 Aston Martin Virage Volante

2012 Aston Martin Virage Volante

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin releases details on 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante

Aston Martin releases details on 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW “i”, Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite

Filed under: Podcasts, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, GMC, Honda, Rumormill

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Autoblog Podcast #218 is here, and Chris, Dan, Chris Paukert and Zach return to talk about Chevrolet MyLink, the GMC Granite’s rumored re-greenlighting, the 2012 Honda Civic and BMW’s new “i” sub-brand. Questions and feedback wrap it up, and it’s an hour and thirty-three minutes of fun this week. Thanks for listening, we’ll see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW “i”, Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite

Chevrolet MyLink
2012 Civic
GMC Granite Confirmed again
BMW’s new “i” sub-brand

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Ram 1500
2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ RS
2011 Dodge Durango Crew AWD
2011 Audi A6

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:33:00

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Autoblog Podcast #218: 2012 Honda Civic, BMW “i”, Chevy MyLink, and GMC Granite originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2012 Fisker Karma

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, First Drive, Electric, Luxury, MISC

Hollywood, Your Plug-In Hybrid Electric Has Arrived

2012 Fisker Karma

2012 Fisker Karma – Click above for high-res image gallery

Business partners Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler are visibly on edge. While they want to dedicate every ounce of their focus on this all-important launch of their first baby, the 2012 Fisker Karma, their attentions are being constantly pulled away from it by big conference calls regarding the money and logistics of launching the whole Fisker Automotive franchise. Are they really and truly answering a $95,900-$108,900 question with this bold effort that enough people are asking? It’s clear they just want us to fall in love with their lux’d up plug-in extended-range electric sedan.

We’ve been helicoptered into the infield handling circuit at California Speedway in Fontana to have a brisk go at one of Fisker Automotive’s first completed verification prototypes of the Karma, built by Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland. We are already assuming that the build quality and finish of all the pretty parts will be fine, as Valmet has learned a lot about these things while building cars for Porsche to strict Stuttgart standards. We also already know that the car is indeed pretty inside and out, albeit particular to some out there, seeing as Fisker has designed such lovely lady lumps as the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, not to mention the BMW Z8 roadster.

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Gallery: 2012 Fisker Karma: First Drive

2012 Fisker Karma

Photos courtesy Fisker Automotive

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First Drive: 2012 Fisker Karma originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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