2012 Archives | Page 8 of 30

Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Buick, GM, Quick Spin

The TriShield’s Big Sedan Does The Electric Slide

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s hard to talk about all of the good things General Motors is doing these days without referencing the Chevrolet Volt – it is perhaps the most talked-about car on the scene, green or otherwise. In showing the world that highly efficient, practical cars aren’t so far out of our reach, GM is preparing to launch a slew of fuel-sipping vehicles in the near term.

We’ve already spent time with the honest-to-goodness 42-mile-per-gallon Chevrolet Cruze Eco, but the next chapter of GM’s efficiency story lies in Buick’s eAssist mild hybrid system, coming to both its LaCrosse and Regal sedans later this year.

We recently had the chance to drive the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist on the roads near GM’s proving grounds in Milford, Michigan, and while some hybrid systems vastly change a car’s overall driving experience, we walked away from our time in the Buick feeling as good as we ever have in a LaCrosse. The beauty of eAssist is that it functions in an almost entirely transparent manner, and that’s a very, very good thing.

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist…

Gallery: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist: Quick Spin

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Kia Rio sedan confirmed for New York Auto Show

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Kia

2012 Kia Rio

2012 Kia Rio – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our man Jeremy Korzeniewski is attending a Kia event in Phoenix, Arizona this week, and during a press briefing this morning, JK learned that the Korean automaker will be unveiling its 2012 Rio sedan at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The four-door Rio will complement the hatchback bodystyle that bowed at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Four powertrains will be available on the Rio overseas – two gas and two diesel – and while mum’s the word on which engine(s) will be available here in the United States, we’re putting our money on the 1.4-liter gasoline four. This mill produces 108 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed(!) automatic transmission.

In other news, Kia also let slip that the KV7 concept from this year’s Detroit Auto Show previews what’s in store for the next-generation Sedona minivan. We hinted at this after a conversation with Michael Sprague, Kia’s vice president of marketing, though it’s still unclear exactly what elements from the KV7 will be incorporated into the next-gen Sedona. The concept focused on a more traditional conversion van setup rather than the family-centric Sedona that currently graces our streets.

Gallery: 2012 Kia Rio

2012 Kia Rio

2012 Kia Rio sedan confirmed for New York Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video]

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Shanghai Motor Show

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teaser

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teaser – Click above for high-res image

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu will officially be revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show on April 19, and General Motors has released this official teaser shot of its new ‘Bu, showing off its new Camaro-inspired LED taillamps. GM will also be bringing the Malibu to the New York Auto Show, which officially starts on April 20, where we’ll get our first glimpse of the new Chevrolet family sedan in the flesh.

We’ve seen quite a few spy shots of the new Malibu, and we know that it will ride on GM’s smaller Epsilon II platform that currently underpins the Buick Regal. Still, GM tells us that the new Malibu will be wider than the model it replaces, and we can expect a more rakish exterior design. The Malibu will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six different continents, and thus, a global design that would appeal to all markets is necessary in order for it to be a success.

Expect the Malibu to only be available with four-cylinder engines, including GM’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Ecotec four and its turbocharged 2.0-liter powerplant. Rumor has it that a hybrid version is also in the works, as is an all-wheel-drive model.

You can watch the official Chevrolet Malibu reveal on the automaker’s Facebook page on Monday, April 18 at 8:30 PM EST – right when the sheets are pulled back in Shanghai. For the full details, hit the jump for GM’s official press release, as well as a short video detailing some of the Malibu’s overall design elements.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video]

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar debuts new 2.2-liter diesel engine under hood of 2012 XF prototype

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Technology, Jaguar, Diesel

Jaguar XF Spy Photo

2012 Jaguar XF Spy Shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Jaguar has announced a new 2.2-liter diesel engine capable of 187 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque that can also travel 52.3 miles per gallon in the combined European cycle as fitted to a prototype of its 2012 XF sedan. The engine will also have little trouble meeting Europe’s stringent CO2 regulations, as The Leaping Cat claims the engine only emits 149 g/km of CO2.

On the technology front, this new 16 valve common-rail diesel features a water-cooled turbocharger, low friction pistons, a fresh crankshaft and new injectors. Jaguar engineers also fitted a new oil pan and new electronic systems to allow for an intelligent Stop-Start system that operates more efficiently. The efficient little motor will work in concert with an also new eight-speed ZF transmission. Jaguar claims the diminutive diesel will propel the XF to 60 miles per hour in 8.5, while promising a top speed of 140 miles per hour.

As an added bonus, the folks at Jaguar were kind enough to pass us high-resolution photos of the refreshed XF undergoing testing. The camo is quite good, though we can see some alterations to the lower air dams, and we’re guessing tail lamps, headlamps and the grille have also been given a once-over.

Jaguar says in the post-jump press release that the 2.2 diesel will make its way under the bonnet of a future XF production car, with “an estimated on-sale date being announced at the New York Auto Show.” Keep in mind that the Big Apple show is international in scope, so assuming that a U.S. announcement means it will be sold here probably isn’t a good idea. Hit the jump to read over the Jaguar press release.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Jaguar XF

Spy Shots: 2012 Jaguar XF

[Source: Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar debuts new 2.2-liter diesel engine under hood of 2012 XF prototype

Jaguar debuts new 2.2-liter diesel engine under hood of 2012 XF prototype originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 30 minutes of raw 2012 BMW M5 footage

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Videos, BMW, Luxury

2012 BMW M5

2012 BMW M5 – Click above to watch the video after the jump

As of now, we’ve seen plenty of photos and footage of the upcoming 2012 BMW M5, and now the grandaddy of videos has just been released. This time, BMW has leaked nearly 30 minutes of the M5 undergoing cold weather testing in the Alps. There’s plenty of everything here, from nice stills to rolling footage of the upcoming M car bounding through the snow.

The F10 M5 is rapidly approaching its debut, first at a private BMW press conference at the end of this week, then at the Shanghai Motor Show in mid-April. We already know that the car will have a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 replacing the outgoing car’s V10, and Americans will still be able to get a traditional stick shift. We’re ready, BMW. Hop the jump for the video.

Gallery: 2012 BMW M5 Spy Shots

[Source: YouTube via World Car Fans]

Continue reading Video: 30 minutes of raw 2012 BMW M5 footage

Video: 30 minutes of raw 2012 BMW M5 footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Volvo S60 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Volvo, Luxury

2012 Volvo S60 IIHS Crash Tests

2012 Volvo S60 IIHS crash tests – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo can stick another feather in its safety cap. The 2012 S60 has officially been awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick judgement by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That means the sedan managed to net top ratings in all IIHS crash tests, including front, side, rollover and rear evaluations. Vehicles awarded the Top Safety Pick designation must also come standard with electronic stability control.

According to the IIHS, it’s been a while since the S60 has carried the institute’s highest honor. The vehicle’s previous generation had no problem netting good ratings in both front and rear tests, but was only rated as acceptable in side impact evaluations. Additionally, the new roof strength tests weren’t in place for the vehicle’s last iteration. IIHS says that Volvo improved the design of the S60 enough to net higher side impact ratings and pass the new rollover tests with flying colors.

IIHS says that the roof of the S60 stood up to 4.95 times the weight of the vehicle. Currently, the federal standard is only requires a vehicle to withstand a force equivalent to 1.5 times its weight. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2012 Volvo S60 IIHS Crash Tests

[Source: IIHS]

Continue reading 2012 Volvo S60 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award

2012 Volvo S60 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Triumph Street Triple goes bug-eyed

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Motorcycle

2012 Triumph Street Triple

2012 Triumph Street Triple – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’ve been waiting to see Triumph translate some of the more impressive changes the company made to its Speed Triple this year to the more modest Street Triple and Street Triple R, wait no more. The bike maker has dropped a few photos and details on the 2012 model-year and it should come packing updates borrowed from its bigger brother. Those include a startling pair of new headlights, aluminum handle bars and engine case cover. Speaking of the mighty three cylinder nestled between the frame, Triumph has dialed up the power to 106 ponies and 50 pound-feet of torque.

There’s no word on whether Triumph was able to shave any weight from the bike, but the three-pot should have no problem moving both rider and machine down the road in a hurry. Asphalt & Rubber reports that prices for the 2012 model are the same in France, which means the company may keep the MSRP flat for American buyers as well.

Gallery: 2012 Triumph Street Triple

2012 Triumph Street Triple

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

2012 Triumph Street Triple goes bug-eyed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW shows off Death Valley testing, 2012 3 Series on display?

Filed under: Videos, BMW

bmw testing vehicles in death valley

BMW tests its vehicles in the heat of Death Valley – Click above to watch video after the jump

BMW runs its vehicles through some extreme environments, and it’s all in the name of research. One of its (and nearly every other automaker’s) favorite stomping grounds is, quite literally, a hot spot. Death Valley, California is one of the hottest places on the planet, and the German automaker comes here to subject its vehicles to temperatures that can exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

This year, the BMW team has decided to capture their efforts on video. In the process, it seems they’ve also beat U.S.-based spy photographers to the punch by showing glimpses of what appears to be a 2012 3 Series wearing blacked-out camouflage. Click past the jump to see BMW’s newest development cars out testing in the scorching heat.

[Source: YouTube via BMW Blog]

Continue reading Video: BMW shows off Death Valley testing, 2012 3 Series on display?

Video: BMW shows off Death Valley testing, 2012 3 Series on display? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: 2012 BMW M5 to get manual tranny in U.S.

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, BMW, Rumormill, Luxury

2012 BMW M5

2012 BMW M5 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Contradictory to earlier rumblings, the upcoming F10 BMW M5 will reportedly be available with the option of a traditional manual transmission here in the United States. As with the E60 M5, we’d expect the stick-shift-equipped F10 to be slower than its automated sister, but we doubt it will amount to anything noticeable. Buyers will still be able to opt for the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission here in the States, if they so desire.

There’s one option, however, that BMW won’t be offering in our market. In Germany, buyers can opt to have the car’s top speed raised to 189 miles per hour, provided they agree to enter an M5-specific driver training program. This will likely be a costly option – in addition to the price of the training program, buyers will have to shell out for upgraded engine management software, as well as a set of ZR-rated tires.

Gallery: 2012 BMW M5 Spy Shots

[Source: BMWBlog | Images: CarPix]

Rumormill: 2012 BMW M5 to get manual tranny in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Buick LaCrosse dropping trim levels, V6 available as no-cost option

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Buick, GM

2010 Buick LaCrosse

Buick LaCrosse – Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to having eAssist added to its four-cylinder powertrain, the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is undergoing a few other changes. We aren’t talking about styling or content tweaks – instead, General Motors is revising its packaging strategy for the LaCrosse. Buick will be ditching the CX, CXL and CXS trim level designations and simply offer large option packages that encompass all of the available amenities.

For 2012, the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with eAssist technology will be offered as the “standard” powertrain. We recently had some very limited drive time with an eAssist-equipped LaCrosse (stay tuned for our full impressions), and found the four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque to be pleasantly adequate and its highway rating of 37 miles per gallon downright remarkable. eAssist-equipped cars will look no different than other LaCrosses, save the addition of model-specific 17-inch wheels on efficiency-optimized tires and other fuel-saving upgrades not visible from outside the car.

The General’s 280-horsepower direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 will still be made available, complete with the new HiPer Strut front suspension that helps keep torque steer to a minimum, but buyers can now select it as a no-cost option, and also opt for all-wheel drive.

Final pricing information has not been released, but Buick tells us that the entry level LaCrosse will start around $30,000. Currently, the LaCrosse has a base MSRP of $26,995, which suggests the addition of eAssist and its associated fuel-saving parts isn’t cheap. What Buick has effectively done is ditched the “base” LaCrosse model and left two identically priced models for buyers to choose from: one focused on exceptional fuel economy and the other on power.

Production on the 2012 LaCrosse will start this summer with the first round of cars hitting dealerships this Fall.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Buick LaCrosse

2012 Buick LaCrosse dropping trim levels, V6 available as no-cost option originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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