Tag: daily

Review: 2011 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

Unlike so many hardened off-roaders that have evolved into unibody crossovers, the Xterra has soldiered on nearly unchanged since its refresh in 2005.

Opinion: Time to raise the speed limit, how does 150 MPH sound?

Speed itself is not a safety hazard. It’s the difference in speeds between cars that lead to accidents. How about they all travel at 150 miles per hour?

Quick Spin: Toyota RAV4 EV

We take a spin in Toyota’s Tesla-fied electric CUV.

Also of interest:

• Spy Shots: Ford Focus ST caught cold-weather testing and track tuning
• Audi teases hard-core R8 GT Spyder
• Audi previews next-generation A3 hatchback
• Shanghai Preview: Subaru XV
• DiRT 3 hidden games and party mode revealed

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.11.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World Class Driving offers pieces to the 200-MPH puzzle. We assemble them

Driving 200 miles per hour has always been at the top of my bucket list. By the end of the afternoon, my bucket list is finally one item lighter.

Video: 1963 Chrysler Turbine whirs into Jay Leno’s Garage

This video of Leno’s own Chrysler Turbine Car is nearly 25 minutes long, and after watching it you’ll ascend to Chrysler Turbine expert.

Spy Shots: 2012 Subaru Impreza shows its face

It looks to be a pretty drastic departure from the decidedly hot concept car..

Also of interest:

• AdSpotting: Jeep Compass “Bloodlines” has a steep hill to climb
• Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives
• 2013 Chevrolet Malibu gives us a glimpse of its interior
• Report: Hyundai Veloster Turbo to produce 208 horsepower

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.8.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage SX

Kia is working hard to change its hard-earned image of offering low-cost, basic transportation to something more like the sportier side of a dual-headed Korean conglomerate that also includes Hyundai.

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series so hot we’d like to bag it up

The hallmark of a Black Series Mercedes is two-fold in its simplicity: more power and better dynamics. We’re counting on more than 500 horsepower.

Jeep JK-8 Independence kit finally turns your Wrangler into a pickup truck

Jeep finally unveils a pickup, available only in kit form for the Wrangler Unlimited.

Also of interest:

• Video: BMW Concept M5 smiles for the camera
• Texas House approves nation’s fastest speed limit at 85 mph
• 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette is all about racing history [w/video]
• Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut
• First look at Adam Carolla’s The Car Show

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.7.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring

Dancing on the fringes of the CUV segment and selling in low numbers, Honda also offers the nearly gone Element and Accord Crosstour, but it’s still the boxier CR-V and Pilot doing the heavy lifting for the brand.

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster hits the track and the town

Spy photographers have caught the drop-top Merc pushing around the Nürburgring then taking in the sights around town. Sporting only a dash of camo, this shows us that Mercedes is close to showing the world a production version of the SLS AMG Roadster.

2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe gets early unveiling ahead of Shanghai

BMW has just given us an early preview of the 2012 6 Series Coupe in Munich ahead of its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show, and as you’d expect, the all-new hardtop 6er simply adds a fixed roof and a Hofmeister Kink to the cabrio we sampled earlier this year.

Also of interest:

• Suzuki bringing two Kizashi concepts to New York Auto Show
• Volkswagen Jetta ranked last among small sedans by Consumer Reports
• Video: Driver of shocking road debris accident interviewed by NBC’s Today Show
• Lexus teases LF-Gh concept ahead of New York debut
• Dodge offers sneak peek at 2011 Mopar Charger

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.5.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Airstream Avenue

The open road is always calling and, when a friend is ready to join in, it means the stars have aligned for a road trip. Thankfully, a brief call from Airstream put my name on the keys of a 2011 Avenue slumbering in a Los Angeles parking lot.

Ford delivers 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet racers, lays claim to quickest production car [w/video]

Ford recently threw a party at the Auto Alliance Mustang factory in Flat Rock, MI to celebrate the official delivery of its new 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet, a vehicle that the company proudly maintains is quickest accelerating production vehicle ever made.

Officially Official: BMW M5 Concept bound for Shanghai [w/video]

From our discussions with BMW engineers and spokespeople here in Germany, the automaker has taken the (hard) lessons learned from its last M5, gone back to the drawing board and injected this newest M with the best it has to offer. And we should know if they’ve succeeded well before you’re ready to place your down payment early next year.

Also of interest:

• Nissan Altima outsells Camry, Accord in March, named best-selling sedan in America for first time
• Current generation BMW M3 to be last naturally aspirated M car
• 2012 Audi A7 to start at $59,250,* configurator live
• Kentucky reportedly approves incentives for next Chevrolet Corvette – but will GM bite?
• BMW’s i Ventures gets new president, board

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.4.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

While some hybrid systems vastly change a car’s overall driving experience, we walked away from our time in the Buick feeling as good as we ever have in a LaCrosse. The beauty of eAssist is that it functions in an almost entirely transparent manner, and that’s a very, very good thing.

Confirmed: BMW i3 to be RWD, mid-“engine”

As if the spy video we featured previously wasn’t enough proof, today we’ve confirmed that the smallest BMW i family offering, the i3, will be coming to market in 2013 with a rear-wheel-drive powertrain, and the electric motor powering those wheels will be mounted amidships.

Honda Accord Crosstour Cabriolet coming to take on Nissan’s topless Murano

Historically averse to convertibles (small-volume jobs like the S2000 excluded), Honda now plans to offer a soft-top CUV of its own, and the unlikely choice for a roofectomy is the slow-selling Honda Accord Crosstour.

Also of interest:

• Officially Official: 420-HP BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds
• Jeep offers sneak peak at Moab Easter Safari vehicles
• Report: Bugatti gets green light to build Galibier sedan
• Report: 2012 Audi A6 to be offered with 2.0T, RS4 not in the cards for U.S.
• BMW bringing lightweight M3 sedan to Nürburgring M Festival

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.1.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD

The entry-level luxury sedan category is chock full of viable options and the 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD is a perfectly acceptable (if run-of-the-mill) choice. The styling is conservative, the driving dynamics are a mixed bag of sport and luxury, but the engine is better than we anticipated.

2012 Kia Rio sedan confirmed for New York Auto Show

Kia will be unveiling its 2012 Rio sedan at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The four-door Rio will complement the hatchback bodystyle that bowed at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video]

General Motors has released this official teaser shot of its new Malibu, showing off its new Camaro-inspired LED taillamps.

Also of interest:

• Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul
• Buick Envision crossover concept teased ahead of Shanghai reveal
• Video: Kobe Bryant uses Smart Fortwo Brabus to catch art thief
• Chevrolet Mi-ray Concept to wow Seoul Motor Show
• Kia Naimo EV concept ready for Seoul Motor Show debut

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.31.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2012 Ford Focus Titanium

We’re happy to report that the 2012 Ford Focus is several orders of magnitude superior to the model it replaces. Read on to find out why.

Spy Shots: Audi RS4 Avant caught on the right track

Despite the rumors of its demise, the next-generation Audi RS4 appears to be on track (literally) based on this Avant mule that our spy shooters have just spied on Germany’s Nürburgring.

Ford’s second-gen SYNC system off to a buggy start

“SYNC generation 2” has been plagued by more than a few bugs. And part of the problem is due to its design.

Also of interest:

• Video: Moab’s Hells Canyon conquered… in a Ford Crown Victoria?!
• Is Jeep planning a Hemi V8 Wrangler?
• Ford SVT Raptor RV created by Phoenix Campers
• Tesla sues BBC for libel over rigged Top Gear test
• Saab production temporarily halted by unpaid suppliers *UPDATE

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.30.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Jeep Compass

The Compass has finally received a more thorough overhaul for the 2011 model year, with some additional upgrades including a new steering wheel, a new front fascia and grille with a revised hood to match, along with a new four-wheel-drive package that confers a “Trail Rated” label to this least illustrious Jeep.

Review: Shift 2 Unleashed [w/videos]

We’re quite confident in saying that this is certainly the most realistic Need for Speed game yet. Still, not everyone will enjoy the punishment this game can offer.

Autoblog Podcast #223: Ford Focus quality, Japan’s quick road fix, long-term Hyundai Equus, David E. Davis, Jr. passing

Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert and Zach Bowman take a look inside the Autoblog Garage and discuss the past week’s top stories.

Also of interest:

• BMW shopping for a new ad agency. Oh, Joy!
• Video: Camaro ZL1 gets seen, heard by Motor Trend
• Rumormill: Porsche Panamera Turbo S in the works?
• First U.S.-bound Lotus Evora S batch heads to U.K. port
• Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz planning slew of debuts for New York

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.29.11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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