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Video: Behind the scenes at the Consumer Reports auto test facility

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Videos

Consumer Reports behind-the-scenes

Consumer Reports Behind the Scenes – Click above to watch video after the jump

Admittedly, the crew from Consumer Reports hangs out in a different slice of the automotive spectrum than we do. While we can’t seem to wrap our minds around why every driver doesn’t want rear-wheel drive, diesel-powered wagon with a manual cogbox and roll-up windows, CR knows the Hows and Whys of what people actually look for in a vehicle. They spend hours upon hours testing every make and model of vehicle imaginable – all of which are bought from dealers instead of borrowed from press fleets. If you want the bare-bones, honest take on what a car, truck or SUV is like to live with, these guys have the answers.

Consumer Reports has gone through the trouble of releasing a video that shows off exactly what goes into their testing process, including some antics on the organization’s sprawling test track. The quick clip even lends a glimpse into some of the high-tech data acquisition devices used to churn out the publication’s braking numbers – too cool.

Hit the jump to take a look at the video for yourself.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Video: Behind the scenes at the Consumer Reports auto test facility

Video: Behind the scenes at the Consumer Reports auto test facility originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How being fat and old is the newest threat to auto safety

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology

Erwin Wurm 'Fat Car'

There’s no easy way to say this, America: You’re getting fatter and older every year. Over a quarter of the population is obese, and the rate of obesity increases 0.5 percent each year. The amount of folks aged 65 and up currently stands at 40 million, but that number will increase to nearly 90 million by 2050. What does any of this have to do with automobiles? A lot – if you’re a safety engineer.

The systems that help keep us safe during a crash will need to be redesigned to cope with our ever-increasing mass and aging bodies. Seatbelts and airbags are being developed that can work with the larger, older occupants of future vehicles. Adaptive airbags and load-limited seatbelts will better conform to the person sitting in the seat.

As we travel down the road to our Wall-E style future, it’s comforting to know that today’s engineers are working to protect tomorrow’s driving population. The solution to our weight problem is, of course, to battle the ever-expanding waistlines found throughout our nation. That, however, is easier said than done. Let’s just hope that the four-wheeled products that result don’t resemble sculptor Erwin Wurm’s ‘fat car’ series, as shown above.

Now if you’ll excuse us, a 20-piece Chicken McNugget meal is calling from the kitchen. Oof, that’s an awfully far walk for our aging bones, though.

[Source: Ward’s Auto | Image: Dorotheum]

How being fat and old is the newest threat to auto safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports reveals details of 2011 Auto Issue

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc.

consumer reports 2011 The 2011 edition of Consumer Reports‘ annual Auto Issue will hit newstands on March 8, but we have a sneak peek at what you’ll find inside.

First up is are CR’s Automaker Report Cards, and Honda, Toyota and Subaru continue to enjoy their three-year run at the head of the class. General Motors and Ford, however, are playing catch up fast. In fact, the Blue Oval now has a Recommended rating for 71 percent of its fleet. Chrysler, however, is sitting near the bottom of the pack, though it’s kept company by former classmate Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The Consumer Reports 2011 Auto Issue also examines the best and worst values across eight vehicle segments. Hyundai and Kia both earned a couple of “bests” while General Motors was given a few “worsts.” Beyond the value of a vehicle, CR also names its Top Picks for 2011. For the first time ever, the Ford Mustang has made this list thanks to its multitude of engine choices, fuel economy and price.

If used cars are more your speed, Consumer Reports has even compiled a list of its top choices for 2001-2010 model year vehicles. Awards for best-in-class were chosen based on the results of road tests when the vehicle was new combined with ongoing reliability data.

We have a hefty dose of information for you to digest. The Top Picks, Best and Worst Values and Best of the Best Used Cars are all waiting for you after the jump.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

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Consumer Reports reveals details of 2011 Auto Issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three men caught vandalizing seven Toyota cars at Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Etc., Government/Legal, Toyota

Edmund Grzeszkiewicz (Left), Richard Data (Top Right), Bryan Kjellman (Bottom Right) Three men have been arrested in connection with $30,000 worth of vandalism to Toyota vehicles at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. According to the Chicago Sun Times, Bryan Kjellman (bottom right), Richard Data (top right) and Edmund Grzeszkiewicz (left), aged 22, 20 and 27 respectively, were taken into custody by show security for using razor blades and screwdrivers to damage the interiors of seven of vehicles. When questioned by authorities, the trio said that they were angry at Toyota the company’s role in taking U.S. jobs overseas.

They must have missed the memo about Toyota operating nine manufacturing facilities in the States with over 28,000 employees. All told, of the seven vehicles that Kjellman, Data and Grzeszkiewicz damaged, three were built right here in the Land of the Free. The casualties included a Camry, a Rav4, a Land Cruiser, a Prius and two Tundra models in addition to a Lexus ES350.

The damage ranged from slashed seat cushions and dashboards to broken doorhandles and turning indicator stalks. The trio even set about scratching the windshields of certain vehicles. At the last report, the vandals were set to appear in bond court on February 18, and each have been charged with one felony count each of criminal damage to property. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Sources: Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, Jalopnik]

Three men caught vandalizing seven Toyota cars at Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chicago Auto Show: Editors’ Choice for Top Five Vehicles

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Etc., Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hyundai, Design/Style

The Chicago Auto Show may be the smallest of the major North American auto shows, but this year proved to be surprisingly bountiful in terms of the number of new cars that were revealed. Sure, many of these new products were merely trim level upgrades, but we saw quite a few big introductions that sparked lengthy discussions amongst the Autoblog staff.

Thus, we’ve looked through the lot of Autoblog’s show coverage and the staffers on-hand in Chicago have picked their favorite vehicles that debuted in the Windy City. Much like our Detroit Auto Show picks, our editors had no problem picking our first and second place winners, but when it came to numbers three, four and five, that’s when the arguing began.

Still, we’ve come to a final consensus, and you can read our Top Five Editors’ Choice debuts after the jump.

Continue reading 2011 Chicago Auto Show: Editors’ Choice for Top Five Vehicles

2011 Chicago Auto Show: Editors’ Choice for Top Five Vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chicago Auto Show: Day One (obsessively covered)

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show

Day one of the 2011 Chicago Auto Show has come and gone, and we can’t help but have a positive overall feeling of the day’s events. Chrysler managed to surprise all of us in a very welcome way with the unveiling of the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, and the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – the fastest, most powerful Camaro in history – is sitting pretty as the current King of the Show.

And the best part? There’s plenty more where this came from. Come back tomorrow for another full day of obsessive coverage from The Windy City, and let us know if you have any early favorites from the vehicles listed below.

2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1	2012 Dodge Charger SRT8	2011 Ram 1500 Tradesman
2012 Acura TL	2012 Hyundai Genesis R	2012 VW Jetta GLI
2012 Buick Regal eAssist	2012 Shelby GT350	Hyundai Veloster Rally
2011 Mazda MX5 SE	Lexus CT200h by Five Axis	Challenger Green with Envy

2011 Chicago Auto Show: Day One (obsessively covered) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Auto industry second most-trusted behind Tech

Filed under: Etc.

Edelman 2011 Trust Barometer

According to The Car Connection, a new study has found that the automotive industry is the second most trusted business in the world just behind technology. The research was conducted as part of the Edelman 2011 Trust Barometer and included results from 5,075 people in 23 countries. Each of the respondents were between 25 and 64 years old, held a college degree and were also in the top 25 percent of household income for their age group. Each participant was asked a series of questions concerning businesses, government and the media, especially concerning whether or not individuals trusted those entities to “do what’s right.”

Around 81 percent of those surveyed said that they trusted the technology sector to do the right thing (whatever that may be), compared to the automotive industry’s 69 percent. In fact, carmakers beat out 14 other industries including food and beverage, energy, pharmaceuticals, media and biotech. Why? The Car Connection seems to think the findings are coupled to the automotive industry’s underdog presence thanks to bankruptcies and massive recalls around the globe, while the greater push for green technologies and a rampant social media presence likely play a part as well.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Study: Auto industry second most-trusted behind Tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Buick Regal Hybrid coming to Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Buick, GM

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from Ward’s Auto, General Motors will be debuting a hybrid version of the Buick Regal sedan at the Chicago Auto Show next week. The electrified Regal will use the same eAssist architecture that debuted in the LaCrosse late last year.

In the LaCrosse, eAssist accounts for a 25 percent increase in fuel economy, and we can expect similar numbers for the Regal. Currently rated at 19/30 miles per gallon city/highway with the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic, adding eAssist should help the Regal reach fuel economy numbers above 35 mpg.

Unlike the LaCrosse, it’s likely that the eAssist powertrain will not be the base engine in the Regal. For the 2012 model year, all LaCrosses come standard with eAssist, but we expect the Regal to use this system in a more upmarket (read: more expensive) configuration. We’ll have the full details live from Chicago next week, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal CXL: Review

2011 Buick Regal CXL

[Source: Ward’s Auto]

Report: Buick Regal Hybrid coming to Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Numbers: 2011 Detroit Auto Show was bigger than 2010 in every way

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

Detroit Auto Show

The 2011 North American International Auto Show wasn’t exactly chock-full of game-changing new product, but that didn’t keep the media and public from making it a much bigger success than the 2010 show. Crain’s Detroit Business reports that the 2011 Detroit Auto Show held 5,000 members of the international media during press days and 21,000 guests (5,000 more than in 2010) during the two-day industry preview. The annual charity preview saw another 10,500 guests, raising $2.6 million for charity.

That’s good news, but the top headlines for the struggling Detroit area are reserved for the $325 to $350 million in total estimated economic impact – about $25 million more than in 2010. A grand total of 735,370 members of the general public purchased tickets to NAIAS; up 20,000 from the 2010 show. Now that’s certainly a step in the right direction.

[Source: Crain’s Detroit Business | Image: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images]

Final Numbers: 2011 Detroit Auto Show was bigger than 2010 in every way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura

Acura TL

Acura has announced that it will debut the newly refreshed 2012 TL at the Chicago Auto Show next month. Details are slim as of this writing, but the automaker says that the 2012 model “further enhances its position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance.”

In its current form, the TL has been praised for its high-quality and tech-friendly interior, not to mention the relatively impressive driving dynamics of the SH-AWD 6MT model. However, the biggest deal-breaker for the current TL has been its styling, which has garnered a whole slew of negative praise – especially the angular front fascia. We’ll have the full details on the 2012 TL closer to its official debut on February 9, so stay tuned.

[Source: Acura]

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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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