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Official: VW launches Car-Net telematics system with brace of safety features

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Safety, Technology, Crossover, Volkswagen, Infotainment

Volkswagen will offer Car-Net assistance system for select 2014 models.

Starting with select 2014 models, Volkswagen will offer an in-car assistance system called Car-Net, which comes with safety features such as location-based roadside assistance, automatic crash notification, remote vehicle unlock, destination assistance and more. The system is very similar to General Motors’ OnStar, but VW is quick to point out that a subscription to Car-Net gives the owner access to all of its features. OnStar requires that subscribers pay extra for its navigation function.

A mobile application will be available to accompany the in-car system as well, and working together they allow owners to check vehicle status or even find where they last parked.

The 2014 VWs that are compatible with the system are Jetta, Passat, Tiguan, CC, Beetle and Eos models. One year will cost $199; two years is $378, three years is $540; or $17.99 for a month-to-month subscription. Feel free to read the press release we included below.

Continue reading VW launches Car-Net telematics system with brace of safety features

VW launches Car-Net telematics system with brace of safety features originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Aug 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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9-eyes.com features Google Street View’s most beautiful and disturbing images

Filed under: Etc.

Tumblr is a collection of personal fetishes, with homemade sites focused on everything from cats to cars to freckles. The site 9-eyes.com, on the other hand, doesn’t look through the two eyes of Jon Rafman, but rather through the numerous and far-flung eyes of Google Street View; the site is nothing but the “best” pics from Google’s roving army, like the one above.

We have no idea how the suited man (or is it a mannequin?) ended up on a lonely, rural lane. Nor do we have any idea why the boy is hiding behind the garbage can, why the reindeer is running down the road, or why Rafman – who blurs every person’s face – decided to blur the face of an elephant, as if we would have recognized it otherwise. But you’ll find that and much more in the museum-worthy collection.

Be warned: 9-eyes contains many flipped birds and shiny moons of a decidedly non-lunar variety. If you’re all right with that and you have time to kill, you know where to head.

9-eyes.com features Google Street View’s most beautiful and disturbing images originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 May 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Second Camaro Super Bowl commercial features blondes, red heads and brunettes

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Camaro Super Bowl Ad

Chevrolet Camaro Super Bowl Ad – Click above to watch the video after the jump

A long-standing favorite past-time of beer-drinking buddies everywhere is coming up with absurd movie and commercial plots. With the unfortunate exception of The Love Guru, none of these ill-conceived scripts have ever made it past the six pack and into the harsh, unforgiving light of reality. That is, until now. General Motors has just dropped the longest of its Super Bowl commercials for the Chevrolet Camaro, and thanks to the hilarious navigation and off-the-wall sequence of events, the clip is an absolute winner. The one-minute commercial covers nearly all of the bases without breaking a sweat.

There are beautiful women blasting through the open desert, hay bales, helicopter chases, mirrors and death-defying feats. In fact, this ad is one explosion away from being the next Michael Bay Transformers flick. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Hit the jump to check out the full-length spot for yourself, and keep an eye out on Super Bowl Sunday for the real deal.

[Source: Camaro5]

Continue reading Video: Second Camaro Super Bowl commercial features blondes, red heads and brunettes

Video: Second Camaro Super Bowl commercial features blondes, red heads and brunettes originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Audi Super Bowl ad features Kenny G as prison warden

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising

Kenny G Audi ad

Kenny G is Head of Riot Supression – Click above to watch the videos after the break

Audi today announced that Grammy-winning saxophonist Kenny G will make a “humorous” appearance (we could assume it would try to be humorous…) in the brand’s 60-second spot during Super Bowl XLV.

The ad, set to air in the first break after kick-off on February 6, 2011, will feature an adventurous prison escape scene that culminates with a comical cameo by Kenny G as the luxury prison Riot Suppressor.

The german automaker launched a couple of online long-form teaser videos – neither of which actually features an automobile – for the commercial that you can find after the break, along with details on how you could win prizes from Audi, including the chance to drive an R8 at a racetrack.

Click here to continue reading…

Continue reading Video: Audi Super Bowl ad features Kenny G as prison warden

Video: Audi Super Bowl ad features Kenny G as prison warden originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog 2010: Some of our favorite features

Filed under: Etc.

Some of our favorite features from 2010

We’re like the proud parents of a newborn bundle of joy. We published about 6,800 individual posts in 2010, which is itself a pretty staggering statistic, but there are always a few that we’re especially fond of. Whether we’re making ill-informed buying decisions, traveling at triple-digit speeds in a supercar through Mexico with an official police escort, nearly careening off the side of a cliff on a motorcycle or driving the fastest production car in the world, we’ve had ourselves some good times in 2010.

Now, without further ado, click here to read some of the stories we’re most proud of from 2010.

Continue reading Autoblog 2010: Some of our favorite features

Autoblog 2010: Some of our favorite features originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mustang 5.0 comes with lower price, new features

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2011 Ford Mustang GT

2011 Ford Mustang GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

For those of you desperate to get your hands on Ford’s new 5.0-liter Mustang GT, it just got a little easier. Pricing has dropped for the base model of the 412-horsepower pony car by $500 for the 2012 model year, edging back under the 30k mark to $29,995. In contrast, the Premium GT model sees a price increase of $200 while the Premium GT Convertible is $700 more than last year.

While the 2012 Mustang lineup carries over relatively unchanged, there are a few updates to keep the cars fresh. Ford will be offering a new color, Lava Red Metallic, available on both the exterior and interior, while Sterling Gray Metallic will no longer be available. Ford has also added a few minor features like a universal garage door opener and sun visors with a storage system and illuminated vanity mirrors, and the EPAS steering system will now also come with three modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0

[Source: TheMustangSource.com, Edmunds]

2012 Mustang 5.0 comes with lower price, new features originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Honda

2011 Honda Insight

2011 Honda Insight – Click above for high-res image gallery

The slow-selling Honda Insight hasn’t exactly stolen any of the Toyota Prius’ thunder since its introduction last year, and with new green cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf ready to join the battle, the future of Honda’s hybrid hatch doesn’t look too bright. Still, the Japanese automaker has given the Insight a host of improvements for the 2011 model year, including a new base model that retails for $18,950 (including the $750 destination charge).

So, what do you ~~lose~~ gain with the base Insight? For starters, a downgraded stereo system is on hand, with a single CD player and two – yes, two – speakers. Audiophiles need not apply. Remote entry is standard on the base Insight, but if you want amenities like cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest and floor mats, you’ll need to opt for the mid-grade LX trim. In other words, the new price leader is something of a municipal and fleet special. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the pricier EX now comes standard with steering wheel-mounted audio controls and can be optioned with navigation.

The Insight’s 1.3-liter inline-four with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist carries over largely unchanged, with fuel economy rated at 40/43 miles per gallon, city/highway. 2011 Insight models are arriving at Honda dealers as you read this, and for the full details on what’s new, follow the jump for Honda’s press release.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Insight

2011 Honda Insight

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011

Honda Insight gets much cheaper base model, new features for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor hangs on for another year with bundled features

Filed under: Crossover, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor SE – Click above for high-res image gallery

Initially introduced back in 2004, the Mitsubishi Endeavor is growing a little long-in-the-tooth. And despite facelifts carried out for the 2006 and 2010 model years, the mid-size crossover never really managed to meet Mitsubishi’s sales targets, and it wasn’t even produced in 2009 while the Japanese automaker tried to sell off remaining stock. Yet the Endeavor is set to soldier on for at least one more model year, carrying a few updates to help it along.

For the 2011 model year, the Endeavor SE gains satellite navigation, a sunroof and a backup camera, previously offered as optional equipment but now included as standard on the uplevel model. Pricing jumps up by about two grand with the inclusion of the equipment and buyers can still choose between two- or four-wheel drive. Full details to be found in the press release after the jump, along with a fresh gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor hangs on for another year with bundled features

2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor hangs on for another year with bundled features originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ducati Superbikes gain features, keep prices in check

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 Ducati 1198 SP

2011 Ducati 1198 SP – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ducati’s range-topping sportbike gets a pretty substantial upgrade for the 2011 model year, gaining a bunch of new standard equipment and seeing the introduction of an SP model as a replacement for the discontinued 1198 R. Perhaps the best news of all, though, is that pricing has pretty much held the line, even with the new features.

At the low end, not that any Ducati 1198 is exactly a stripper, is the standard 1198 for $16,495. For 2011, Ducati graces its superbike with Traction Control, a Ducati Data Analysis computer and a new quick-shifter. Stepping up to the next rung will get you the $21,995 1198 SP, which boasts the same updates as the standard model plus a sexy aluminum tank that weighs less and holds a gallon more fuel than the old steel unit, seven-spoke Marchesini wheels, slipper clutch and finally an Ohlins front fork and TTX rear shock.

Though the SP seems expensive, it’s actually a pretty good deal considering it comes in at just a $100 premium over last year’s S model. Still, if you want to save some coin, we doubt you’ll be disappointed by the new 2011 848 EVO and its 140-horsepower engine for $13,995. See more details on the 848 EVO here, and be sure to check out our high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: 2011 Ducati 1198 and 1198 SP

2011 Ducati 1198 SP

Gallery: 2011 Ducati 848 EVO

[Source: Ducati]

2011 Ducati Superbikes gain features, keep prices in check originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2011 Toyota Verso-S is a small MPV with big features

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Paris Motor Show, Toyota

Toyota Verso-S

2011 Toyota Verso-S – Click above for high-res image gallery

The mini-MPV segment is quite popular outside of the United States, and Toyota has just unveiled its newest member of that market – the 2011 Toyota Verso-S. We didn’t know much about it earlier in the year, but the secrets have been spilled at the Paris Motor Show.

The Toyota Verso-S takes the stage as the shortest entrant into the B-MPV segment. However, the interior volume is on par with that of rivaling C-segment vehicles. It is the first car in this category to offer a multimedia, touchscreen system in the center stack. Down the line, an optional Navi-Box feature will be made available which boosts the multimedia capability but it also greatly enhances the navigation system features. The system can display speed camera warnings, sign posts on roadways and allows users to access numerous Google-based connected services. Points of Interest can be downloaded from the internet and entered as destinations. Also, the Navi-Box can display fuel prices, news and weather reports.

The 2011 Toyota Verso-S will go on sale in February 2011. Two engines will be made available; one diesel and one standard gasoline-burner. The diesel unit is a 1.4-liter diesel engine that produces 90 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 and 2,800 rpm. The 1.3-liter gasoline engine produces 99 hp and 93 lb-ft of torque. The gasoline engine is rated at nearly 43 miles per gallon while the diesel unit can hit 55 mpg. Both engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission however the 1.3-liter can be paired with a seven-speed sequential unit and the 1.4-liter can be fitted with a six-speed automated manual. Click through our gallery of live shots to see the funky little MPV for yourself.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Toyota Verso-S

Paris 2010: Toyota Verso-S

Paris 2010: 2011 Toyota Verso-S is a small MPV with big features originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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