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Rumormill: Special Mini Clubman Hampton Edition coming to Geneva

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Mini, Rumormill

2011 Mini Clubman

Mini is rumored to be cooking up a special-edition version of the company’s Clubman for this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The hatch will be called the Hampton, and will come slathered in a new Reef Blue Metallic paint with Damson Red hood stripes and mirror caps. Mini is also said to be throwing in a slew of special badges and Bi-Xenon headlights, and the whole package is set to ride on 17-inch twin-spoke alloy rollers. Inside, there’s plenty of black leather with red accents, and the same color scheme gets carried over onto the floor mats and dash.

At this point, Mini hasn’t said a word about the Clubman Hampton, so we don’t know what the company has planned in terms of price, market availability or production figures. Likewise, the whispers kicking around the internets haven’t said a word about whether or not there will be any bumps in horsepower or if the car will boast a massaged suspension. We’ll just have to wait until March to find out.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Rumormill: Special Mini Clubman Hampton Edition coming to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Alfa Romeo 4C GTA concept coming to Geneva

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, Rumormill

Pininfarina 2uettottanta

The Fiat Group has got big plans for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The Italian automaker will, first of all, be unveiling rebadged versions of existing Chrysler group products for the European market, with a Dodge rebadged as a Fiat and several Chryslers anticipated to debut with Lancia nameplates as well. But what of Alfa Romeo? According to reports, the hottest of Fiat’s core family will roll in with an all-new concept car.

Tentatively dubbeed the 4C GTA, the show car is tipped to pack a 265-horsepower 1.7-liter turbo four into a svelte coupe package. Like the MiTo and Giulietta, the 4C will likely take its design cues after the 8C Competizione (and hopefully a little from the Pininfarina 2uettotanta pictured above) only slotting in below the eight-cylinder supercar in the company’s line-up.

Of course it would have to be approved for production first, and right now all we’ve got are rumors from our unrelated Hellenic compatriots, so stay tuned.

[Source: Autoblog.gr]

Rumormill: Alfa Romeo 4C GTA concept coming to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Ultimate Factories episodes coming for Challenger, Viper, Bentley and more

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Bentley, Chrysler, Dodge, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz

Dodge Viper assembly

Ultimate Factories shows how the Dodge Viper gets its heart – Click above to watch video after the jump

Ultimate Factories is coming back to the National Geographic channel, and the newest season is chalk-full of more automotive action. Upcoming shows have camera crews venturing into Dodge, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz and Bentley factories to show how they paint a Dodge Challenger, what it takes to build a Maserati engine and how Dodge builds (or is that built?) the Viper chassis and its 8.4-liter heart.

Ultimate Factories airs Thursday nights at 10pm and the Dodge Challenger episode is set to run on February 3rd. But before then, get a preview in the video after the jump.

[Source: National Geographic]

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New Ultimate Factories episodes coming for Challenger, Viper, Bentley and more originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2012 Honda Civic coming in April, all variants to launch in quick succession

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Honda

Honda Civic Si coupe concept

Honda Civic Si coupe concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

A Civic for everyone. That was Soichiro Honda’s motto when rolling out the original Civic, and it’s one to which his company intends to stick with the launch of the next-generation model. When the all-new 2012 Civic is launched in April, Honda will roll out a whole variety of body and propulsion configurations within mere weeks of each other, instead of letting months pass between the debut of one model to the next.

Among those variants, we can expect both a sedan and a coupe, with several conventional gasoline engines on offer – including natural gas and hybrid versions – as well as the sporty Civic Si.

The new Civic, previewed recently at the Detroit Auto Show, was slated to debut in 2009. But when the global economy started going south, Honda sent the design back to the drawing board for a nearly complete overhaul before it ever saw the light of day. The result is expected to be much roomier than the current model, though the exterior design hasn’t changed all that much.

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Coupe

2012 Honda Civic Coupe

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Sedan

2012 Honda Civic Sedan

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: 2012 Honda Civic coming in April, all variants to launch in quick succession originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi A6 Hybrid not coming until 2015?

Filed under: Car Buying, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Audi, Luxury

2012 Audi A6 Hybrid

201? Audi A6 Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

At last week’s Detroit Auto Show, Audi unveiled the 2012 A6, and trotted out a hybrid variant capable of achieving 38 miles per gallon and running up to 62 miles per hour on electricity alone. So when can we buy one? Audi isn’t sure.

According to Autoweek, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen says the timetable for the A6 hybrid is still to be determined. In fact, we may not see the gas- and electron-powered luxury sedan until 2015. In the meantime, we’ll be quite happy to spend some seat time with the 300 horsepower supercharged version.

Gallery: Audi A6 Hybrid: Detroit 2011

Audi A6 Hybrid

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Audi A6 Hybrid not coming until 2015? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: First batch of U.S.-bound Fiat 500s coming with manuals

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

Fiat 500

2011 Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Fiat dealerships are just about ready to swap your money for the keys to a brand-new 500. If you are planning on being one of the first to park one in your driveway, we hope that you know how to drive a manual transmission – the first units being shipped to dealers in February will all be equipped with manual transmissions.

If you can’t handle the three-pedal setup, you’ll be forced to wait a bit longer for your Fiat 500. Examples equipped with the six-speed automatic will begin arriving in March and April. Then again, you may have to wait that long regardless of your transmission preference, since currently, only 20 percent of the 130 Fiat dealerships are ready to open. The first one, Motor Village in Los Angeles, is set to open its doors later this month.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Colors

Fiat 500 Fiat 500 in Bianco Fiat 500 in Grigio

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: First batch of U.S.-bound Fiat 500s coming with manuals originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chrysler 300 hybrid coming in 2013

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chrysler, Luxury

2011 Chrysler 300

2011 Chrysler 300 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hybrids have been a mixed bag at Chrylser (remember the short-lived Durango and Aspen hybrids or the on-again-off-again Ram hybrid?), but a new report from Automotive News indicates that a gasoline-electric drivetrain is back on the table for the Pentastar automaker.

During this year’s Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne reportedly confirmed that hybrid power will be making its way under the hood of the updated 2011 Chrysler 300. This hybrid powertrain is expected to be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and is earmarked for roll-out in 2013.

Hybrids are slowly becoming more and more popular amongst luxury automakers. Lexus already has an electrified version of its GS sedan – the GS 450h – and both Audi and BMW are working to bring hybrids to market in the mid-range luxury segment, too, via the 5 Series ActiveHybrid and A6 Hybrid.

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 300

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Chrysler 300 hybrid coming in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt coming soon to a reality show near you; also, Transformers 3

Apparently, there isn’t enough yelling, screaming and drama surrounding the Chevrolet Volt. GM wants more. This time, though, the ruckus will be slightly staged and filmed for our entertainment. At least, that’s the plan if General Motors finds a partner in its quest to bring the Volt to a reality show. Public details are non-existent, but talks have apparently already begun for “a show under development,” Reuters reports. The car will also be promoted digitally when the third Transformers movie comes out this summer. Money well spent, GM, because who can forget the impact the Chevy Jolt had in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?

GM told Reuters it is looking to increase its TV entertainment spending in the coming year, in part because of a “growing interest in reaching more women.” In 2009 and 2010, GM spent an estimated $185 million on sponsorships, down from around $230-250 million in 2006 to 2008.

[Source: Reuters | Source Image: Scott Gries/Picture Group]

Continue reading Chevy Volt coming soon to a reality show near you; also, Transformers 3

Chevy Volt coming soon to a reality show near you; also, Transformers 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM CEO Akerson says Chevy Volt tech coming to minivan

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt charging port – Click above for high-res image gallery

The more vehicles General Motors is able to build using the battery technology pioneered in its 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the better chance the automaker has of earning a return on its significant investment into the electrically driven automobile. It’s the classic economies of scale issue… but what is the next logical vehicle application?

While many of the early prognostications pointed to a Voltec-powered Cadillac, a report from AutoWeek says GM CEO Dan Akerson is suggesting a minivan may come first. There’s also some talk that an unknown hatchback is in the works (yes, the Volt is indeed a hatchback that’s shaped to look more like a sedan, but whatever).

Also notable are Akerson’s expectations that at least 10-percent of all GM production will be hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles within 10 to 15 years. Akerson wants each of the automaker’s four core divisions – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet (check) and GMC – to have a vehicle using Volt technology, though no timeframe for that expansion has been given.

In other Volt news, Akerson told reporters at the 2011 Automotive News World Congress that the General is on track to sell 25,000 Chevrolet Volts for the 2011 model year, which is a sizeable increase from the 10,000-20,000 units expected as production began.

Moving past the ever-present greenery, Akerson and GM North American President Mark Reuss both stated that the company is putting some of its next-generation truck programs on the fast-track. We’d imagine that means we’ll see new fullsize pickups from Chevy and GMC sooner rather than later.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Report: GM CEO Akerson says Chevy Volt tech coming to minivan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZF developed nine-speed transmission is coming

Filed under: Technology

ZF Nine-speed transmission

Did your favorite brand just move to six-speed automatics? Are you already cruising along happily in seventh gear or perhaps you’re enjoying the scenery with your transmission lazily churning in eighth. Well move over because ZF is getting ready to produce a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Marking a first for front-wheel drive passenger vehicles, the ZF nine-speed will help automakers generate greater fuel-economy gains while also providing a smoother driving experience. The shift times are said to be quite short and the resulting gear changes are nearly imperceptible to passengers.

The nine-speed automatic will be produced in a brand-new manufacturing facility located near Greenville, South Carolina, and there’s talk that one of its first homes will be under the hood of something from Chrysler.

[Source: ZF]

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ZF developed nine-speed transmission is coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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