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2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists shortlisted

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Electric

2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists – Click above for high-res image gallery

Predictable, yet worthy. That’s how we’re feeling about this year’s crop of choices for the 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists. Without further ado, here they are (in alphabetical order, all 2011 models):

Car:

Chevrolet Volt
Hyundai Sonata
Nissan Leaf

Truck:

Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer
Jeep Grand Cherokee

See? Predictable, yet worthy. There was little doubt that the 2011 Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf would make the list, and the Hyundai Sonata has done an admirable job of shaking up the established midsize sedan hierarchy. On the truck side of the equation, it’s none too surprising to see a trio of people-moving ‘utes, seeing as though the category has just be reinvigorated by a number of substantially reworked and worthy players. Click past the break for the official press release.

But, as usual, it’s your opinions we’re most interested in. While our completely unscientific polls will have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the actual results of the official voting, we urge you to make your voice heard anyway. Now, get to voting!

View Poll

Gallery: 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

2011 Chevrolet Volt 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2011 Nissan Leaf 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel 2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: North American Car and Truck of the Year]

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2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists shortlisted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man says he lost consciousness at the wheel due to Benz’s ‘new car smell’

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

new car scent

Numerous studies have shown that the so-called new car smell – which is actually a potent outgassing of volatile organic chemicals and heavy metals – can be potentially dangerous to breathe in, and that some people are more bothered by these VOCs than others.

But could that new car smell be so insidious that it could cause you to lose consciousness long enough that you get into an accident? And if so, could an attorney use such a new car smell defense to ease a client’s legal woes? Sounds a bit odd, but just such a case is currently taking place in Colorado.

Here are the facts: Martin Erzinger, owner of a 2010 Mercedes-Benz sedan (model unknown), fell asleep at the wheel, drifted off the road and struck a bicyclist named Dr. Steven Milo before colliding with a concrete barrier. The unresolved questions are whether Erzinger’s sleep apnea was compounded by his car’s odors, as suggested by a forensic specialist, and if he was aware that he had struck a pedestrian.

Of course, it’s not up to us to decide how guilty or innocent Erzinger may be… we’ll leave that up to the court. But we are curious what you think. Could a particularly noxious new car smell be a contributing factor in an accident?

[Source: VailDaily.com | Image: Dyanna – CC 2.0]

Man says he lost consciousness at the wheel due to Benz’s ‘new car smell’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car Gifts for Christmas: The Big Gifts

Our second list of car gifts for Christmas focuses on those big gifts you get from Santa, or the one present that breaks the bank of the gift giver. Too rich for your blood? No problem, check out some less expensive gift ideas here.

See the list…

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Car Gifts for Christmas: The Big Gifts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TN Court: Person who left keys in car responsible when it gets stolen

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

Police at the scene of a car accident

Do you occasionally leave your keys in the car? We all have at one point, be it just running in to the ATM or stopping by a friend’s house to drop off a borrowed tool. In that short time you are out of the vehicle, it’s quite possible that someone could be watching and take off with your wheels. Since the new “owner” probably doesn’t care too much about your vehicle and may be trying to escape from the authorities, it isn’t too hard to see how the stolen vehicle could end up in a collision or as the focal point of a tragic accident. If all of the above happens and you live in Tennessee, then prepare to have your cash reserves depleted.

A suit was brought against a man who left his keys in his car, which was promptly stolen and then collided with another vehicle causing injuries to three passengers. Initially, the lawsuit was filed against the city of Murfreesboro and its police department- however, that suit was dismissed by the Tennessee Court of Appeals. But the court is allowing the suit against the owners of the vehicle to continue.

“Negligence” is the Word of the Day for Rubye Jarrell, the registered owner of the car and grandmother to Joseph D. Ash Jr., who apparently left the keys inside. According to the appeals court, it does not matter if the keys were in the ignition or somewhere in plain sight, Jarrell is still liable.

What do you think – should Jarrell be deemed negligent and face legal consequences? Have your say in Comments.

[Source: The Associated Press via Tennessean | Image: fourbyfourblazer | CC 2.0]

TN Court: Person who left keys in car responsible when it gets stolen originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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National Automotive History Collection dubs Chevy Camaro ‘Collectible Car of the Future’

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’re looking for the most collectible American-made vehicle on sale right now, you might want to stop by your local Chevrolet dealer. According to the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro is the most collectible car on sale right now. Each year, members of the organization get together to vote for the single domestically produced car or truck that’s bound to be a good return on investment later down the line. There’s no arguing that the 2010 Camaro is a hot piece of metal, but we could think of a few other vehicles that could have nabbed the honor.

Such as? We’re glad you asked.

If it were us picking, we’d lay a finger on the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. With the amount of abuse those trucks are designed to take, we can imagine that the future won’t exactly be littered with operational examples, much less show-room quality trucks. Throw the simple fact that Ford will only build a small number of the desert pounders compared to the fleets of Camaro models rolling out of Canada, and you’ve got an even better case for a future moneymaker. But hey, who are we to argue with the group that picked the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as a winner in 1996? Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

[Source: Detroit Public Library]

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National Automotive History Collection dubs Chevy Camaro ‘Collectible Car of the Future’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car Gifts for Christmas: Stuff For Under the Tree

‘Tis the season once again. We were scratching our heads wondering what to get the car-obsessed men and women in our lives, so we made some lists. This first list contains ideas for stuff that goes under the tree, the kind of car gifts that don’t cost an arm and a leg but go over well with the auto lovers in your family.

See the list…

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Car Gifts for Christmas: Stuff For Under the Tree originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aveo No More: New Chevrolet small car to officially be called ‘Sonic’

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has officially announced that its all-new B-segment car will be called Sonic, marking the end of the Aveo nameplate here in the United States. We first saw the 2012 Aveo at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year, and the vehicle will officially start production sometime in 2011 at GM’s Orion Assembly Center in Michigan.

The Sonic nameplate will only be used in the United States, Canada and Mexico; the car destined for other markets will retain the Aveo name. Chris Perry, GM’s vice president for Chevrolet U.S. marketing explains the reason for the name change here in North America:

“The Sonic represents a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment and so we felt it was time to give it a new name. The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle is about.”

If GM really wants to capture some youth, we suggest offering the Sonic in “Hedgehog Blue.” Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Aveo No More: New Chevrolet small car to officially be called ‘Sonic’

Aveo No More: New Chevrolet small car to officially be called ‘Sonic’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW teams up with Fender for in-car audio systems

Filed under: Volkswagen

Four years ago Volkswagen came up with the V-Dub Rocks promotion, giving away a free guitar with nearly every new 2007 model. So it came with the slightest sense of deja vu when VW announced a partnership with Fender. This time, however, a guitar isn’t part of the package, and instead, VW will be offering select 2012 models with an all-new Fender Premium Audio System, featuring nine speakers equipped with proprietary Panasonic tech, dual voice coil speakers and extended range tweeters. The first model to get the new system is the hotted-up 2012 Jetta GLI, followed by the all-new mid-size sedan and soon-to-be unveiled 2012 Beetle. Hit the jump for all the details.

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VW teams up with Fender for in-car audio systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Racing unveils Mustang Boss 302S race car

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Ford, Racing

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S

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

Today at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in Orlando, FL, Ford Racing took the wraps off its latest Mustang race car, the Boss 302S. Serving as a replacement for the now defunct FR500S race car that was used for the Mustang Challenge race series, the Boss 302S is intended for the serious track day enthusiast as well as racing series like the SCCA’s World Challenge and NASA’s American Iron.

Fitting in between the Boss 302 Laguna Seca and the Boss 302R race car that competes in Grand-Am, the Boss 302S will feature the stock transmission, clutch and flywheel mated to the Boss 302 5.0-liter engine putting out 440 horsepower. Race-spec items like a six-point roll cage and Recaro HANS Pro Racer seat will be standard, as well as a fully adjustable suspension system, Brembo race brake system, massive front splitter and an adjustable carbon fiber rear wing. Pricing is set at $79,000, identical to the FR500S, and just 50 will be available from the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog. Hit the jump for a full list of Mustang Boss 302S features and specs.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302S

[Source: Ford]

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Ford Racing unveils Mustang Boss 302S race car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World’s Most Popular Car Color: Silver under threat from Black

Filed under: Etc.

2010 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Study

2010 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Study – Click above for high-res image gallery

DuPont has rolled out its annual Automotive Color Popularity Report, and it looks like the long-reigning king may be under threat from a new foe. Silver held the most popular color title for seven years until 2007, when it was dethroned by the likes of white and white metallic. That trend carried over for 2008, but in 2009, silver took its place in the spotlight once again. Now it looks like black may be staging a comeback. This year, of all the cars sold around the world, 26 percent went home with a silver paint job, but 24 percent rolled out of the factory with a black coat of shiny.

Meanwhile, white, white pearl and grey soaked up just 16 percent of all cars sold in 2010. Dupont says that black’s popularity is largely propelled by the color’s success in markets outside of the U.S., where noir doesn’t quite have the same swagger as elsewhere. In fact, here in North America, white retained its popularity with a three percent lead over black and a four-percent jump over silver.

And what about the least popular color of the year? That one goes to yellow and gold, with just 1 percent of all new vehicles swaddled in the color of sunshine and the 70’s. Hit the jump for the full press release. Hat tip to Brent!

Gallery: 2010 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Study

[Source: Dupont]

Continue reading World’s Most Popular Car Color: Silver under threat from Black

World’s Most Popular Car Color: Silver under threat from Black originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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