Tag: official

Official: Mitsubishi Outlander, Evo to keep things safe at Pikes Peak

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Crossover, Mitsubishi, Racing

Mitsubishi has already announced that it will be returning as a competitor to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a pair of all-electric MiEV Evolution II racecars. In addition to these entrants, the automaker will also be the presenting sponsor of the race as well as providing the official safety vehicles to the event using specially prepped versions of the 2014 Outlander and Lancer Evolution.

While it isn’t clear what exactly will be demanded of the safety vehicles, this isn’t going to your run-of-the-mill pace car duty. To get the Outlander and Evo ready for the 156-turn, 12.42-mile course, Mitsubishi teamed up with companies such as BBS, Cobb Tuning, AEM and Muellerized Suspension Systems as well as DC Sports and Kenwood to create these one-off safety cars. These vehicles, and all the racecars, will be at Pikes Peak later this month for the 91st running of America’s second-oldest racing event. Scroll down for the official press release.

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Mitsubishi Outlander, Evo to keep things safe at Pikes Peak originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Suzuki back in MotoGP for 2015

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki, Motorcycle, Racing

It had been planned for 2014 but it’s going to be 2015 instead – that’s when Suzuki returns to the manufacturer ranks of MotoGP after quitting the series at the end of 2011 because of The Great Recession. When Suzuki stopped after 37 continuous years of racing, it said it intended to return three years later and it has been in talks with MotoGP’s rights holder, Dorna Sports, since last year. No doubt, though, that fan anticipation of the team’s return outdoes any dismay at the delay. It will join Yamaha, Honda and Ducati in the premiere league.

Its bike has already been testing in Japan and was with the official MotoGP tribe in Barcelona, Spain on Monday when Suzuki announced its return. It’s said the development bike is called the XRH-1, being ridden by official tester Randy de Puniet (who currently races in MotoGP on an Aprilia-based bike with TeamAspar). and after a day of testing de Puniet got the new Suzuki to within seven-tenths of a second of the top time posted by other MotoGP teams. Davide Brivio, who once ran the Fiat-Yamaha team and has been close with Valentino Rossi, will be the team manager.

Speaking of Rossi, The Doctor is back with Fiat-Yamaha after a bad run with Ducati but is only contracted to the end of 2014. Brivio is the man who got Rossi to join Fiat-Yamaha, then got him to Ducati. Until he took the head of Suzuki’s works effort, Brivio was working with Rossi’s VR46 management company, heading areas like merchandising. The rumormill has already begun its work, with folks wondering if Rossi will head to Suzuki in 2015 if his second stint at Yamaha doesn’t prove fruitful before then. Scroll down below for the official press release from Suzuki.

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Suzuki back in MotoGP for 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Volvo joins Australia’s V8 Supercars series [w/video]

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Videos, Volvo, Australia, Racing

Volvo S60 Polestar V8 Supercars teaser - video screencap

It was just a rumor, but now it’s official, mates: Volvo will be joining the V8 Supercars series in Australia with an official team for 2014. Volvo is partnering with Garry Rogers Motorsport and its own Polestar tuning firm to create Volvo Polestar Racing.

A V8 engine will be produced by the Swedish arm of the racing effort, and will be supplied to the Garry Rogers team, which will get the whole shebang ready for the track. The outfit will be running two V8 Supercars “based on the production S60 road car.” Considering that the S60 uses a range of transversely mounted engines with four, five or six cylinders (powering either the front or all four wheels) while the new race car will employ a V8 sending about 650 horsepower to the rear wheels, make that very loosely based on the production S60…

Volvo claims this is the first factory-backed entry in the V8 Supercars series from a luxury brand. We should note, though, that Mercedes-Benz is represented in the series with an E-Class sedan, but that outfit isn’t quite an official entry from the car’s German parents. In any case, you’re encouraged to watch the teaser video and read the press release below for all the details.

Continue reading Volvo joins Australia’s V8 Supercars series [w/video]

Volvo joins Australia’s V8 Supercars series [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Audi SQ5 priced from $51,900* [w/video]

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Videos, Crossover, Audi, Luxury

2014 Audi SQ5 - front three-quarter view

Despite the fact that the 2014 Audi SQ5 you see here is quite a bit different than the one offered in Europe, we’re still plenty glad that the folks from Ingolstadt have decided to offer a hotted-up version of its compact Q5 crossover here in the States. Now, Audi has announced that its US-spec SQ5 will be priced from $51,900 when it hits dealerships later this summer (*not including $895 for destination). That strikes us as a pretty favorable price – while the base Q5 in 2.0-liter TFSI trim starts at $35,900, the 3.0-liter Prestige model commands a full $51,400, and somehow manages to feel worth it.

We already enjoy driving the Q5 in its standard tune, and this SQ5 looks to be quite an entertaining thing. Audi has tuned its 3.0-liter supercharged V6 to produce 354 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque – gains of 82 hp and 52 lb-ft over the standard 3.0L Q5. No, it’s not the awesome 313 hp and 479 lb-ft of the twin-turbo-diesel engine used in Europe, but our American SQ5 will certainly be a quick little thing. Audi is estimating a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds, on its way to a limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.

Like all S models, the SQ5 will be a bit different visually than its basic Q5 kin. Aluminum roof rails are standard, as are 20-inch wheels (21s are available). There are revised bumpers at the front and rear, with Audi’s usual gray grille and diffuser, as well as aluminum mirror caps. Inside, leather- and Alcantara-clad sport seats are standard, though buyers can opt for a fine Nappa leather setup. Audi says that new aluminum/black wood inlays are also available, as is a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Have a look below to check out an official walkaround video from the model’s Detroit Auto Show reveal, and to see the official press release.

Continue reading 2014 Audi SQ5 priced from $51,900* [w/video]

2014 Audi SQ5 priced from $51,900* [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mosler acquired by Rossion, name being retired

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials

Mosler is one of the most interesting upstart automakers to have survived the 1980s and ’90s. Its Consulier GTP was ugly, but effective, and able to out-lap more powerful cars with its tiny turbocharged 2.2-liter engine from Chrysler. The company, founded by its namesake Warren Mosler, has persevered for 28 years since its founding in 1985, its latest and last vehicle being the MT900 supercar. We have news, however, that its independent streak has ended: Mosler has been acquired by RP High Performance, the private entity that also owns Rossion.

You may remember Rossion as the company formerly named 1G Racing, which got its start as the sole importer and distributor of British-built Noble supercars. It eventually bought the rights to produce its own version of the Noble M400 and M12, which it called the Rossion Q1.

The announcement of Mosler’s acquisition on Rossion’s website doesn’t give many details, but does confirm that the latter’s co-owner, Ian Grunes, will be President of the new company, and that all assets of both companies will be combined. Henceforth, however, the Mosler name will no longer be used and all new cars will carry the Rossion name. As to which new cars are on their way, Rossion only says they will be in 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder configurations, and make extensive use of Mosler’s expertise in lightweight composites.

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Mosler acquired by Rossion, name being retired originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mercedes ready to offer Car-to-X communications by end of year

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Mercedes-Benz

Although Mercedes-Benz isn’t the first automaker to develop a Car-to-X system, it sounds like it will be the first to get this automated safety technology into a production vehicle. Car-to-X allows a car to transmit and receive data in order to warn the driver of impending danger or traffic problems.

Using a mobile communication platform, the car would be sent alerts for approaching concerns including a broken down car, dangerous weather conditions or a car being driven the wrong way. In addition to automatic alerts, this system will have the ability to allow users to warn other motorists of road dangers, such as animals or debris on the road.

Mercedes says that it will not only have this technology as a standard feature in its vehicles by year’s end, but will also offer a kit that can be retrofitted to older models. It sounds like this technology will likely be limited to Germany or Europe for now, and the automaker it is also working with other automakers to get such a system implemented quicker. Scroll down for a press release.

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Mercedes ready to offer Car-to-X communications by end of year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video]

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Safety, Technology, Work, Ford

In testing the durability of its upcoming fullsize Transit vans, Ford has begun using autonomous robotic technology to pilot vehicles through the punishing courses of its Michigan Proving Grounds test facility. The autonomous tech allows Ford to run more durability tests in a single day than it could with human drivers, as well as create even more challenging tests that wouldn’t be safe to run with a human behind the wheel.

The technology being used was developed by Utah-based Autonomous Solutions, and isn’t quite like the totally autonomous vehicles being developed by companies like Google and Audi for use out in the real world. Rather, Ford’s autonomous test vehicles follow a pre-programmed course and their position is tracked via GPS and cameras that are being monitored from a central control room. Though the route is predetermined, the robotic control module operates the steering, acceleration and braking to keep the vehicle on course as it drives over broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversize speed bumps.

Scroll down to watch the robotic drivers in action, though be warned that you’re headed for disappointment if you expect to see a Centurion behind the wheel (nerd alert!). The setup looks more like a Mythbusters experiment than a scene from Battlestar Galactica.

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Ford using robot drivers to test durability [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Volvo makes the XC60 disappear into art

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Volvo, Design/Style

For the last few years, Volvo has set up an art display in the Zurich, Switzerland central train station called the Volvo Art Session, allowing select artists – both established and up-and-coming – to create temporary exhibits with one of Volvo’s products acting as the centerpiece. This year, six artists from across Europe converged in Zurich to turn a 2014 Volvo XC60 into a work of art.

Each started with a blank white canvas, creating a massive display in what Volvo says is one of the busiest covered public places in Europe, and after each was done, it was all erased for the next artists to come in and do his or her thing. While some made the XC60 a focal point in the art, others made the crossover seemingly disappear. We have a gallery of all six finished pieces, but if you want to see background of the artists or time-lapse videos of their works, head over to VolvoArtSessions.com. This site also shows the exhibits from the prior two years, and a press release can be found below.

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Volvo makes the XC60 disappear into art originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra full configurators truck in

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Work, Chevrolet, GMC

You can now put prices to your wildest option-sheet dreams of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. A microsite for the full-size pickup truck twins has been up since January, and now the full-blown configurator is live and ready to take your virtual orders. The only two chassis configurations available at the moment are the Crew Cab with either a short or standard bed – Regular and Double Cab versions will come later. In Silverado flavors that will run you $32,710 for the short box, $33,010 for the standard box, while the Sierra adds a $1,500 premium to both of those prices, and destination and handling for both models adds another $995.

Since these are American pickups the list of modifications is lengthy, but we added $11,450 in just two steps by starting with the Silverado Crew Cab and standard bed, then checking four-wheel drive and the LTZ Z71 package. Our final truck, resplendent in Brownstone Metallic paint, heated and cooled Cocoa/Dune perforated leather seating and tasty details like chrome recovery hooks, and engine block heater and LED cargo box lighting, rang up $57,285 at the candy store.

They’ll be on dealer lots sometime this summer, so now’s a good time to start practicing your box-checking.

2014 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra full configurators truck in originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe officially debuts, priced from $41,425*

Filed under: Coupe, BMW, Luxury

2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe

Well, that didn’t take long. Less than two hours after the first images of the 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe leaked onto the Internet, we’ve been given the go-ahead to publish the whole kit and caboodle. And while we won’t say we told you so, it looks as though the car’s official details are standing true to our earlier predictions.

In other words, BMW will offer the 4 Series in 428i and 435i models, both of which can be had with xDrive all-wheel drive. Just like in the 3 Series, the 428i is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, good for 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, and the 435i gets BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six making 300 hp and 300 lb-ft. In three of the four models, both a six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission are available; the 428i xDrive can only be had with the auto ‘box. The 428i (with rear-wheel drive, we assume) can hit 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds (though BMW doesn’t specify with which transmission), and the 435i will do that same sprint in 5.3 seconds with the manual and five seconds flat with the eight-speed auto.

2014 BMW 4 Series InteriorWe’ve already dissected the 4 Series’ visuals, but the numbers show just how different it is from the 3 Series sedan. The 4 Coupe is one-tenth of an inch longer overall, while riding on the same 110.6-inch wheelbase, is 0.6 inches wider, and has a roofline that’s a full 2.7 inches closer to the ground. It looks sleek, incorporating BMW’s new design language from the 3 Series with an overall profile that’s similar to the larger 6 Series coupe.

BMW will offer the 4 Series Coupe in three different trim lines – Luxury, Sport and M Sport. Much like the 3 Series range, the Luxury line focuses more on overall amenities and upscale appearance, while the Sport and M Sport models are meant to offer the most driver-focused set of equipment with slightly more aggression outside. 18- and 19-inch wheels are available on all models, and M Sport models get a whole raft of equipment including better suspension tuning and upgraded brakes to make the whole package more exciting on the road. The cabin doesn’t look all that different from the 3 Series, incorporating the same suite of technological goodies and creature comforts, and is offered in a variety of hues.

The new 4 Series goes on sale later this summer, and BMW has already confirmed that pricing will start at $41,425 (*including destination) for the 428i Coupe – an increase of $1,650 versus a 328i sedan. From there, the 428i xDrive rolls in at $46,925, the 435i starts at $43,425, and the range-topping 435i xDrive will set you back $48,925. Have a look through our huge gallery above to see the new 4 Series from all angles, and scroll down for BMW’s lengthy press release with all the nitty-gritty details.

Continue reading 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe officially debuts, priced from $41,425*

2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe officially debuts, priced from $41,425* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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