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Breaking: 2014 Mazda3 breaks cover early, in Euro-spec at least [UPDATE]

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Europe, Hatchback, Mazda, Diesel

2014 Mazda3 - front three-quarter dynamic view

We’re set to get a closer look at the US-spec 2014 Mazda3 later today, but AutoExpress has the first peek at the machine’s European cousin (after initial leaks reportedly came from a Czech outlet). The photos show a compact that’s taken plenty of design inspiration from its older sister, the Mazda6. That’s excellent news, as the larger car’s dynamic front fascia, accentuated fender arches and long nose translate well to the Mazda3. Inside, there are are new and improved material choices, and the longer wheelbase means occupants get to enjoy more room than before. There’s also a larger trunk with 12.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Buyers in the EU can get their hands on a 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine with 99 horsepower, though the old 2.0-liter four-cylinder will still be available in either 118 hp or 163 hp configuration. A 2.2-liter diesel tops out the engine choices.

The 2014 Mazda3 is lighter than its predecessor and boasts disc brakes and a multi-link rear suspension on every trim. That means this thing should be fun to shuffle around. Stay tuned for details on the US-spec variant later today, including a lot more images of the good-looking hatch.

UPDATE: We’ve just received word from Mazda that the photos seen here do, in fact, show the global Mazda3, and not merely a European version. So the good-looking hatch in our gallery is one that you can look forward to in your dealership before too long. Expect to see full US specs, and even more images of the 3, later today.

2014 Mazda3 breaks cover early, in Euro-spec at least [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Viper ACR breaks Miller Motorsports Park production car lap record [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Dodge

Dodge Viper ACR at Miller Motorsports Park

Dodge Viper ACR at Miller Motorsports Park – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Dodge Viper ACR is no longer in production, but it remains one of the most impressive sports cars ever built as evidenced by a recent trip to Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. Dodge Motorsports brought a 2010 Viper ACR to the track along with road racer Kuno Wittmer, and the result was a record-smashing lap time of 1:59.995 – nearly four seconds faster than the previous record of 2:03.86 held by a Corvette ZR1 driven by Jan Magnussen.

This isn’t the first time the Viper ACR has broken a track record for a production car. In 2008, Dutch driver Tom Coronel piloted a Viper ACR to a record 7:22.1 lap time around the Nürburgring, and one year later, an SRT vehicle dynamics engineer broke the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca lap record with a time of 1:33.92.

You can read more about the Dodge Viper ACR’s lap record at Miller Motorsports Park as well as watch video footage of the car on track after the jump.

Gallery: Dodge Viper ACR at Miller Motorsports Park

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Dodge Viper ACR breaks Miller Motorsports Park production car lap record [w/video]

Dodge Viper ACR breaks Miller Motorsports Park production car lap record [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Buick “brand anthem” ad breaks during NCAA Final Four

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Buick, Luxury

Buick “What Matters” TV spot – Click above to watch video after the jump

This weekend, Buick is introducing a new ad the company calls its “brand anthem.” Car companies do this once in a while. It’s almost always a 60-second TV spot meant to illustrate a new idea of what the brand represents.

In Buick’s case, its new anthem, to paraphrase, is “luxury for regular folks.” The actual message the ad carries is, “Your Kind of Luxury.” Buick says this is not a permanent tagline or slogan, but that it is dropping “The New Class of World Class,” which it’s been using as a tag for more than a year. The brand will go without a consistent slogan in future.

Buick is the brand that, more than any other, is trying to tell the public that times have changed. “Quiet” luxury is in, the marketers say. Buick ad chief Craig Bierley says that Buick is going back to its image roots established in the 1950s and 60s. He describes Buick in those years as the perfect car for the doctor who made house calls. If the doc drove a Cadillac, he would be saying that his rates were to high, Bierley explained. If he drove a Chevy or Dodge, he wasn’t successful enough. Buick conveys authority and taste without showing off.

Buick is a big sponsor of the NCAA Men’ Basketball Tournament. In many ways, it’s the perfect marketing vehicle for Buick, reaching young sports fans as well as the older ones who are watching their alma maters compete in the Final Four. If they have alma maters, they’re college educated. If they’re college educated, it figures they have money to spend.

Buick buyers’ average age is in the low 60s, a nice drop from 70s, which it was in 2009.

Cadillac, the Buick marketers tell us, is for people who like to show off their success. Buick is for the successful person with a more understated lifestyle. In other words, Caddy is the brand for the college hoops stars who are going pro. Buick is for the people who buy the tickets. Check out the new spot after the jump.

[Source: Buick via YouTube]

Continue reading New Buick “brand anthem” ad breaks during NCAA Final Four

New Buick “brand anthem” ad breaks during NCAA Final Four originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: PickupTrucks.com breaks down the 2012 Ram Cargo Van

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Videos, Work, Chrysler, Dodge

2012 Ram Cargo Van

PickupTrucks.com details the 2012 Ram Cargo Van – Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2012 Ram Cargo Van may be based on the more pedestrian Dodge Grand Caravan, but make no mistake, this van is ready to work. The minivan’s seats have been removed, meaning there’s 144 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, and with tie-down hooks integrated into the flat load floor, the Cargo Van is capable of hauling up to 1,800 pounds.

Our friends at PickupTrucks.com were on hand at the NTEA Work Truck Show this week to see the 2012 Ram Cargo Van make its official debut. Senior editor Mike Levine gets in front of the video camera to show us the C/V’s features, so follow the jump to get an up-close look at Chrysler’s new work van.

Gallery: 2012 Ram Cargo Van

2012 Ram Cargo Van

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Video: PickupTrucks.com breaks down the 2012 Ram Cargo Van

Video: PickupTrucks.com breaks down the 2012 Ram Cargo Van originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: U.S. breaks even if GM stock hits $133.78

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

According to Neil Barofsky, the treasury department’s inspector general, in order for the U.S. government to break even on its investment in General Motors, the company’s stock will have to hit at least $133.78 a share. Thanks to the massive auto industry bailout, the government currently holds a total of 304 million shares of common stock and $2.1 billion in preferred stock in the automaker. According to The Detroit News, Barofsky has said that he will keep a close eye on the GM IPO in order to get the best return on the tax payer’s investment possible.

But will GM stock hit the magic number? Some analysts seem to think so. There’s some buzz that when GM goes public, its stock will be worth well over $100 per share. The company has already begun to make noise indicating that soon after the November 2 elections, it will begin a campaign to build interest in its IPO, so anything’s possible.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: AP/Al Goldis/Getty]

Report: U.S. breaks even if GM stock hits $133.78 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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