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Video: Drifting BMW i3 proves rear-wheel drive cars have more fun

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Hatchback, BMW, Electric

2013 BMW i3

2013 BMW i3 – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Footage from cold-weather testing of the BMW i3 in Sweden has surfaced, showcasing the all-electric city car’s rear-wheel-drive platform and penchant for getting sideways. These are still early tests, as the full production i3 isn’t expected to be ready until 2013.

Still, with 150 horsepower on tap from a rear-mounted electric lump, the little BMW could well be a barrel of laughs, as well as an environmentally-responsible mode of transportation. Of course, we wouldn’t expect much range with these kinds of antics…

The BMW i3 sports an aluminum body around a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic passenger compartment, and will be considered a premium micro car when it hits showrooms. How premium? Expect the price tag to creep past $40,000. See how much fun electric drifting can be in the video after the break.

[Source: YouTube via GMotors]

Continue reading Video: Drifting BMW i3 proves rear-wheel drive cars have more fun

Video: Drifting BMW i3 proves rear-wheel drive cars have more fun originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports calls out six cars it says are worse than their predecessors

Filed under: Car Buying, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Six cars that CR says are worse than their predecessors – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s nothing like being told you aren’t as good as you used to be. “You’ve changed, man. You’ve really changed.”

In its annual automotive issue, Consumer Reports awards scores to each new car available on the market, and though you’d think that a new model would score higher than the one it replaces, that isn’t always the case. In fact, CR points out six 2011 model year vehicles that received substantially lower scores under its methodology than their predecessors.

At the top of CR‘s list is the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta – a car that has come in for a raft of criticism from the media since its redesign launched in mid-2010 (criticism that has been summarily ignored if the Jetta’s rising sales figures are anything to go by). Rounding off the rest of the list are the Honda Odyssey, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Sienna, Mercedes-Benz E350 and BMW X5.

Consumer Reports does raise an important point, though: Earning a lower score doesn’t automatically mean the car should be written off completely. In its story, CR states:

Some models, such as the Honda Odyssey, Mercedes-Benz E350, and Toyota Sienna, are still very good vehicles that we recommend. But they don’t quite measure up to the standards set by their previous generation models. Others, such as the current BMW X5, Toyota 4Runner, and Volkswagen Jetta sedan, are clear disappointments.

Clear disappointments? Ouch. Head over to Consumer Reports for the full story.

Gallery: 2011 Consumer Reports Disappointments

2011 Volkswagen Jetta 2011 Honda Odyssey 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports calls out six cars it says are worse than their predecessors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports picks best used cars for teens [w/video]

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Safety, Videos, Acura, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda, Volkswagen

2007 Acura TSX, one of Consumer Reports best cars for teens

2011 Consumer Reports best cars for teens – Click above for high-res image gallery of the picks

Letting a 16-year-old loose on the world behind the wheel of a couple of tons of metal is a terrifying thought. Statistically, teens are more likely to die in a car accident than by any other means, and, most of the time, those accidents are avoidable.

To make picking a car for your teen easier, Consumer Reports has come up with a list of relatively new, relatively cheap options to keep your kids safe while they ~~bomb around with five of their friends~~ make the commute between school, work and home.

As you may imagine, CR recommends a family sedan that packs in as many modern safety features as you can afford, including stability control, ABS, traction control and side curtain air bags. They eschew trucks and SUVs due to their comparatively poor handling, high centers of gravity and bad gas mileage. Don’t even go there with sports cars.

Consumer Reports prime choices are as follows: the Acura TSX, the 2009 and up Ford Focus, the 2007 and up Hyundai Sonata or Hyundai Elantra, 2007 and up Mazda3, 2008 and on Scion xB, and both the 2007 and up Volkswagen Jetta and Rabbit/Golf. Click past the jump for a video of CR’s choices.

Gallery: 2011 Consumer Reports best cars for teens

2007 Acura TSX 2009 Ford Focus 2007 Hyundai Sonata 2011 Hyundai Elantra 2010 Mazda3 Touring

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports picks best used cars for teens [w/video]

Consumer Reports picks best used cars for teens [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tsunami in Japan destroys fleet of cars ready for shipping *Updated with video

Filed under: Japan

Earthquake and tsunami in Japan levels auto shipping yard

Earthquake and tsunami in Japan levels auto shipping yard – Click above to enlarge

It’s difficult to comprehend, let alone describe, the massive amount of damage an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and closely following tsunami could incur on a densely packed island nation such as Japan. While we struggle to wrap our minds around such catastrophic levels of destruction, one particular image strikes a chord with us auto-obsessive types.

Clearly, the leveling of a couple hundred automobiles pales in comparison to the actual loss of lives caused by Japan’s most recent natural disaster, but, in automotive terms at least, this is the kind of image that can make a big impression on our often one-track minds.

The image seen above (click to enlarge) was taken above Hitachinaka city in Ibaraki prefecture, and we don’t have any information as to which manufacturer’s cars were located here. Thanks to all who sent this in!

*Update: Video of the shipping yard catching fire after tsunami damage after the break.

[Source: STR/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading Tsunami in Japan destroys fleet of cars ready for shipping *Updated with video

Tsunami in Japan destroys fleet of cars ready for shipping *Updated with video originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Disney releases new Cars 2 trailer, pics

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Cars 2

Cars 2 goes international – Click above for high-res image gallery

Disney has dropped the latest trailer for Cars 2, and along with the two-minute clip past the break, they’ve released a slew of new images that make a nice addition to our gallery of Cars 2 characters.

In the second installment of our favorite car-related, Pixar-animated feature, the crew from Radiator Springs goes global, racing in the World Grand Prix and getting caught up in an international espionage ring. Naturally, Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) once again take center stage, and judging by the trailer, the Pixar people continue to one-up their own efforts.

Hit the jump to see the action and check out the new gallery of pics below.

Gallery: Cars 2

Gallery: CARS 2 Characters

Grem Acer Shu Todoroki Raoul ÇaRoule Carla Veloso

[Source: Pixar]

Continue reading Video: Disney releases new Cars 2 trailer, pics

Video: Disney releases new Cars 2 trailer, pics originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: ‘Yesterday’s Cars of Tomorrow’ makes us nostalgic for a future that never was

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Videos

Yesterday's Cars of Tomorrow

Going back to the future in automotive design – Click above to watch the video after the break

Think today’s concept cars – like the ones recently unveiled at the currently ongoing Geneva Motor Show – are off the wall? They ain’t got nothin’ on what American automakers and independent engineers alike were coming up with circa the 1950s.

With the jet age throttling up to full speed, the concept cars of yesteryear embodied the unbridled optimism of post-war America. Today, of course, they seem as kitschy as an old Disneyland ride, but you can take that step back into the future that never was in the brief video after the jump. Just don’t forget where you parked the DeLorean there, Marty.

[Source: Retro Thing]

Continue reading Video: ‘Yesterday’s Cars of Tomorrow’ makes us nostalgic for a future that never was

Video: ‘Yesterday’s Cars of Tomorrow’ makes us nostalgic for a future that never was originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CARS 2 cast adds a plane, a Reliant Robin and a Zundapp Janus

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Celebrities

Siddeley from Pixar's CARS 2 Professor Z from Pixar's CARS 2 Tomber from Pixar's CARS 2

New characters from Pixar’s CARS 2 – Click above to view high-res

The cast of characters for CARS 2, opening in theaters on June 24, continues to grow this week with three new additions… three very unlikely, odd and interesting additions.

The first isn’t a car at all, but a plane named Siddeley, voiced by Jason Issacs. Described as a state-of-the-art supersonic British twin-engine spy jet by the folks at Pixar, Siddeley is a partner to Finn McMissile.

Next up is a Zündapp Janus named Professor Z, voiced by Thomas Kretschmann. Professor Z is an internationally wanted weapons designer who plans to sabotage the World Grand Prix.

And finally, we have Tomber, voiced by Michael Michelis, whose name means “to fall” in French. A fitting moniker if ever there were one because Tomber is a Reliant Robin, the British three-wheeler that the boys on Top Gear UK like to play with so much.

Check out the official character descriptions from Pixar and a turntable video of Professor Z after the jump, and click here to read about all of the new characters in CARS 2.

Gallery: CARS 2 Characters

Grem Acer Shu Todoroki Raoul ÇaRoule Carla Veloso

Continue reading CARS 2 cast adds a plane, a Reliant Robin and a Zundapp Janus

CARS 2 cast adds a plane, a Reliant Robin and a Zundapp Janus originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Lotus flashes the black and gold with new racing cars

Filed under: Motorsports, Geneva Motor Show, Lotus, Racing

2011 Lotus Race Cars at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

2011 Lotus Renault GP R31 and Evora GT4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Picking a color scheme for a race car is usually a straightforward matter, but when Lotus opted to revive the black-and-gold combination of the classic John Player Special livery for its new Formula One car, things got a bit complicated. Not because it was once associated with a tobacco brand, but because of the still-unsettled dispute with the other Lotus team.

The Malaysian outfit at the back of the field originally planned on adopting the black and gold for this season, but opted to stick with its existing green and yellow livery shortly after Lotus Cars assumed part ownership of the newly rechristened Lotus Renault GP team.

The naming rights may still be in dispute, but the livery issue is settled. And Lotus isn’t just applying it to the grand prix racer you see here. (Though Renault, incidentally, displayed the team’s car from last year in the new livery on its stand, and Pirelli a selection of last year’s cars as well, Lotus appears to have brought the new 2011 challenger…or at least a mockup.) The British outfit also brought along an Evora GT4 decked out in the same scheme. And it looks positively dynamite on both cars. But don’t take our word for it: check it out for yourself in the high-resolution image gallery below and see for yourself.

Gallery: 2011 Lotus Race Cars: Geneva 2011

Geneva 2011: Lotus flashes the black and gold with new racing cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Geneva Motor Show: Day 2 – 62 cars and counting

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show

We’re up to 62. That’s 62 cars we’ve covered at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. And no, we’re not done. Our all time record is 72 vehicles covered in one auto show, thanks to a bountiful Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. Will we beat our record tomorrow? Um… absolutely, because we’ve still got a lot more cool cars from Switzerland to show you. See you tomorrow morning when the fun continues. Until then, check out our updated batch of Geneva cars below.

Production Cars

Lamborghini Aventador	2012 Ferrari FF	Pagani Huayra
2012 Jaguar XKR-S	2012 MB C-Class Coupe	Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
MB C63 AMG Estate	Saab 9-5 SportCombi	Alpina B5 BiTurbo Touring
Koenigsegg Agera R	Aston Martin Virage	Gumpert Tornante
Toyota Prius+	Chevy Cruze Hatchback	Lancia Ypsilon
De Tomaso Deauville	Morgan Threewheeler	Porsche Boxster S Black
Maserati GranCabrio Sport	Ford B-Max	Ford Ranger Wildtrak
VW Golf Cabriolet	VW Tiguan	Hyundai i40 Wagon
Opel Ampera	Mansory Cormeum	Fab Design SLS AMG
ABT R8 GTS	MTM R8 Biturbo	Lexus LFA Nurburgring
Audi RS3 Sportback	GTA Spano	Bentley Supersports ICR
2012 Kia Rio	Fiat 500 by Gucci

Concept Cars

Toyota FT-86 II	Alfa Romeo 4C	Volkswagen Bulli
Audi A3 Sedan	Wiesmann Spyder	Fiat 500 Zagato Coupe
Saab PhoeniX	Volkswagen Giugiaro Go	Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex
Mitsubishi Global Small	BMW Vision ConnectedDrive	Mazda Minagi
Nissan Esflow	Renault R-Space	Smart ForSpeed
Rinspeed BamBoo	Infiniti Etherea	Mini Rocketman
Renault Captur	RR Sport diesel PHEV	Rolls-Royce 102EX
Bertone Jaguar B99	Suzuki Swift S-Concept	Tata Pixel
IED Abarth Scorp-ion	Ssangyong SUT-1	SEAT IBX

Race Cars

Peugeot 908 Hyrbrid4

2011 Geneva Motor Show: Day 2 – 62 cars and counting originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Rental companies drag heels repairing recalled cars

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

General Motors and Chrysler have informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that cars sold to rental companies aren’t getting repairs done on recall for months at a time. NHTSA then started monitoring three million units from the two manufacturers in rental fleets to see how long they went unrepaired.

One month after a recall, NHTSA says that between 10 and 30 percent of cars had been repaired. By 90 days, the average was just 30 percent. According to the administration, it takes a year or more for rental companies to get more than 50 percent of their cars repaired.

According to The Detroit News, there aren’t any laws on the books that say a rental company has to get a car repaired before it rents it to a customer. What’s more, hundreds of recall notices go out a year, and rental cars move around a lot, making it difficult to nail them down for repairs.

According to Bob Barton, president of the American Car Rental Association, most companies place a hold on models that have been recalled, preventing them from being rented until repairs are made. The hitch, according to Barton, is that it can take months for the company to realize a recall has been issued.

NHTSA says its investigation is ongoing, and the administration noted a statement that dealerships aren’t allowed to sell a recalled vehicle until repairs have been made. That said, NHTSA also doesn’t have the authority to legally require that customers – including rental companies – have recall repairs made.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Hertz Rent-a-Car]

Report: Rental companies drag heels repairing recalled cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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