Tag: official

Official: Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Chrysler, Dodge

mopar ram runner

Mopar Ram Runner Kit – Click above for high-res image gallery

Are you a Ram Truck owner? Are you tired of watching Ford SVT Raptor drivers effortlessly fly across desert sand dunes and mall parking-lot curbs? Well, it’s payback time. Mopar is ready to sell you the Ram Runner Kit.

Designed for installation on 2009-2011 Ram trucks, seven component sets compose the full Mopar Ram Runner Kit (they can also be purchased separately if you want to do the build in stages). The largest and most expensive item on the list is the Pre-Runner Stage II Lift Kit. Priced at $13,270, it includes a five-link coil-spring rear suspension, 4130 chromoly lower control arms, upper control arms, rebuildable high-angle ball joints, and forged steel, high-angle tie rods. Couple that with three-inch internal bypass shocks from Fox, and you now have fourteen inches of suspension travel.

All those suspension components can be dressed up with a variety of Mopar exterior upgrades. An off-road bumper, front and rear fenders and a Mopar sport performance hood are offered as individual add-ons. Mopar also offers a rear tire carrier and a cat-back exhaust system to let your 5.7-liter HEMI breathe a little easier.

Click past the jump for full details and more pricing information.

Continue reading Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details

Mopar confirms full Ram Runner kit details originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Dacia unleashes 850-hp GT-R-powered Duster “No Limit” Pikes Peak challenger

Filed under: Motorsports, Crossover, Renault, Off-Road, Racing

Dacia Duster

Dacia Duster “No Limit” – Click above for high-res image gallery

Dacia sends its racing team out in winters to drift across ice and snow for the Andros Trophy. But when the summer rolls around, even the snow on the French Alps begins to thaw. What’s an ice racing team to do? Why, head to Pikes Peak, of course.

The international hill climb event is coming around again next month, and when it does, the likes of Monster Tajima and Rhys Millen will have an interesting new challenger on its hands. And after months of reports and teasers, you’re looking at the finish product.

A joint effort between Dacia, Renaultsport, a number of independent firms and driver Jean-Phillipe Dayraut who brought them all together, the Dacia Duster “No Limit” was built for the Unlimited class at Pikes Peak, where (contrary to just about any other form of motorsport) there are essentially no restrictions placed on a car’s specifications. As a result, the purpose-built racer packs the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 from a Nissan GT-R (tuned to 850 horsepower), which is mounted amidships behind the cabin and mated to a six-speed sequential racing gearbox. All of that mechanical chutzpah is kept down by the most aggressive aerodynamics package this side of an F-35 Lightning.

It’s a beast of a car, and we can’t wait to see Dayraut – the reigning three-time Andros Trophy champion – take its wheel at the Peak on June 26. In the meantime, check out the extensive high-res image gallery for a closer look and follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Dacia unleashes 850-hp GT-R-powered Duster “No Limit” Pikes Peak challenger

Dacia unleashes 850-hp GT-R-powered Duster “No Limit” Pikes Peak challenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Kia prices 2011 Soul Hamstar special edition at $20,295*

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Kia

2011 kia soul hamstar special edition

2011 Kia Soul Hamstar special edition – Click above for high-res image

You can get with this… for $20,295. Kia has officially announced that you’ll need that much dough (*plus $695 for delivery) if you want to purchase a 2011 Soul Hamstar special edition. An ode to the award-winning hip-hop hamsters seen in Kia commercials, the four-speed auto-equipped Hamstar becomes the sixth special edition Soul that Kia has offered up for sale.

The limited-production box on wheels wears Molten Red pain, which is offset with a pair of black stripes across the front doors and black trim. Black is also the color of choice for the 18-inch wheels, fender vents and fuel-filler cap. A Hamstar logo sits on the hood, and can also be seen throughout the interior.

That interior space can be filled with music thanks to the Audio Upgrade Package. A 315-watt amp pumps sound out through the speakers, but it’s kicked up a notch thanks to the center speaker and subwoofer.

The full press release on the Soul Hamstar is posted after the jump. You can check out the concept version shown off at the 2010 SEMA show, by clicking through the gallery below.

Continue reading Kia prices 2011 Soul Hamstar special edition at $20,295*

Kia prices 2011 Soul Hamstar special edition at $20,295* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: GM invests $331 million, adds 110 jobs at Arlington plant

Filed under: GM, Earnings/Financials

GM Arlington Assembly

General Motors has committed to investing a total of $2 billion in 17 of its facilities here in the United States, and the latest to receive monitory support is the Arlington Assembly Plant in Texas. $331 million is being pumped into the Arlington facility for tooling and equipment in an effort to expand the plant. 110 jobs will also be added to the facility’s existing 2,400-person workforce.

Currently, the plant builds The General’s GMT900 sport-utility vehicles: the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade. GM likely has no plans to abandon this segment anytime soon, so it only makes sense that the plant will be updated in order to support the next generation of these full-size SUVs.

The Arlington Assembly investment comes after GM made efforts to expand its Detroit-Hamtramck, Bowling Green, Flint and Bay City facilities. Follow the jump for the official press blast.

Continue reading GM invests $331 million, adds 110 jobs at Arlington plant

GM invests $331 million, adds 110 jobs at Arlington plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: IIHS tests brace of new small cars, many earn Top Safety Pick status [w/video]

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos

2011 nissan juke crash test

Small cars score big in latest IIHS crash tests – Click above to watch video after the jump

Thirteen enter, six leave … with Top Safety Pick awards. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety spent some time driving (and smashing) a big group of small cars. Six of those cars received top honors from the IIHS by scoring a rating of “Good” across the board. The 2012 Ford Focus, 2012 Honda Civic sedan, 2011 Hyunda Elantra, 2011 Lexus CT200h, 2011 Nissan Juke and 2011 Toyota Prius are all the small-car place to be in the event of an accident.

This crop of small cars are also quite fuel efficient. All vehicles in the top six offer a version that gets at least 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

The rest of the vehicles tested faired well. Only the older Suzuki SX4 and Dodge Caliber received “Mediocre” ratings in some categories. Every car tested, however, received multiple “Good” ratings. Click past the jump to watch the IIHS talk about about the small car crash tests. Also, be sure to check out the breakdown of the ratings by vehicle (pdf file).

Continue reading IIHS tests brace of new small cars, many earn Top Safety Pick status [w/video]

IIHS tests brace of new small cars, many earn Top Safety Pick status [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Oscar Mayer takes on food truck craze with new Wienermobile

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Truck, Etc., Marketing/Advertising

oscar mayer weinermobile food truck

Oscar Mayer Weinermobile Foord Truck – Click above for high-res image gallery

Food trucks are everywhere right now. We’re not talking about the metal boxes that slog from business to business hawking puddles of grease, but rather the burgeoning genre of mobile kitchens stocked with culinary treats. From Kogi to Baconmania and the OC Food Truck, many are packing up kitchens, and bringing food to waiting, hungry masses. One major food icon has taken notice of this trend and decided to jump into the food truck game.

Oscar Mayer has just added a 30-foot Wienermobile food truck to its fleet of vehicles. This newest Wienermobile was revealed in New York City, where celebrity chef Tyler Florence was on hand to dish out Oscar Mayer hot dogs.

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Food Truck has a lot to live up to. This Ford E-Series wiener-delivery system joins a fleet filled with six iconic 27-foot-long Wienermobiles, and one mini 15-footer. The food truck is longer, and has hot dogs on hand to feed hungry folks, so it might not have to work too hard to become a welcome part of the family. A full press release is waiting for you after the jump, but sadly there are no hot dogs over there.

Continue reading Oscar Mayer takes on food truck craze with new Wienermobile

Oscar Mayer takes on food truck craze with new Wienermobile originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2012 Hyundai Genesis priced from $34,200; new 5.0 R-Spec to start at $46,500

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec

2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan is hitting dealer lots as you read this, and pricing has officially been set at $34,200, not including $850 for destination and delivery. The facelifted Genesis four-door was unveiled at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, and though it received a minor facelift and some other small interior changes, the big news for the 2012 model year is what’s under the hood.

That $34,200 price point corresponds to the base Genesis 3.8 sedan, which now uses a direct-injected 3.8-liter V6, rated at 333 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque – gains of 43 and 27, respectively, versus the 2011 model. A new eight-speed automatic transmission is also on tap, meaning the Genesis 3.8 will achieve up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

Moving up in the range, the Genesis 4.6 – $44,500 – also gets an eight-speed automatic transmission, though its V8 engine remains largely unchanged. Power ratings carry over from 2011 – 385 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque.

The 4.6 used to be the range-topping Genesis, but for 2012, Hyundai has introduced the new 5.0 R-Spec model, which, as its name suggests, is fitted with the automaker’s brand new 5.0-liter direct-injected V8. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Tau 5.0 is good for 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, while still returning 16/25 mpg city/highway. The R-Spec model also features unique 19-inch wheels, sportier suspension tuning and more aggressive appearance updates. The top-shelf Genesis retails for $46,500.

Follow the jump for the full details in Hyundai’s press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Hyundai Genesis priced from $34,200; new 5.0 R-Spec to start at $46,500

2012 Hyundai Genesis priced from $34,200; new 5.0 R-Spec to start at $46,500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Aston Martin V12 Zagato heads from Villa d’Este to the race track

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Misc. Auto Shows, Racing

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin V12 Zagato – Click above for high-res image gallery

Some concepts debut at an auto show and are never heard from again. Some make the rounds of minor local car shows. A small number make it into production. But it’s full speed ahead for the Aston Martin V12 Zagato.

The collaborative effort between Aston Martin and Zagato was unveiled at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original DB4GT Zagato. A stunning creation, the show car handily won the award for concepts at the Italian lakeside concours. The next step? Racing.

Right from the start, Aston announced that the V12 Zagato would be hitting the race track in no less rigorous a test than Germany’s Nürburgring. And so it will, starting this weekend and returning in tandem next month for a second outing. But before it does, Aston’s released these images of the car.

The car that debuted in Villa d’Este ditched the diamond-finish wheels from the advance pictures for blacked-out ones, but it has kept the front splitter, full roll cage and sliding plastic driver’s-side window. The image above shows an even larger splitter, along with a giant rear wing. Otherwise, the racecar looks essentially the same as the coupe that won the Concorso D’Eleganza Design Award at Villa d’Este, but it’ll likely feature a full competition livery when it makes its race debut this weekend. Check out the updated image gallery and the award announcement after the jump.

Continue reading Aston Martin V12 Zagato heads from Villa d’Este to the race track

Aston Martin V12 Zagato heads from Villa d’Este to the race track originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: EPA, DOT unveil updated window stickers [w/video]

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

Electric vehicle label

Electric vehicle label – Click above for more labels

Updated United States fuel economy labeling, unveiled on Wednesday, includes additional information on plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, and highlights other advanced technologies aimed at reducing gasoline consumption and tailpipe emissions.

The redesigned window stickers, required on all 2013 models, enables consumers to quickly compare fuel savings for different types of vehicles, whether they rely on gasoline or some type of alternative fuel. For example, the labels display estimates of how much fuel or electricity would be required to drive 100 miles and how much time is needed to charge a plug-in vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.

Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says the reason for the redesigned labels is to give consumers, “the best possible information about which cars on the lot offer the greatest fuel economy and the best environmental performance.” The EPA developed the updated labels with assistance from the Department of Transportation.

Click here (pdf) for a detailed look at all of the revised fuel economy labels and follow the jump to view video on the labels’ Smartphone “QR Code.” Let us know your thoughts on the updated labels by voicing your opinion in the Comments, as well.

Continue reading EPA, DOT unveil updated window stickers [w/video]

EPA, DOT unveil updated window stickers [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Spyker to be renamed Swedish Automobile N.V. as Pang Da talks with Chinese gov’t.

Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker

saab badge

Spyker is on a Chinese money hunt, and it appears the automaker may have found a partner willing to pony up the cash. Pang Da, a Chinese automobile distribution company, had recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Spyker. Now, Spyker is set to rename itself Swedish Automobile N.V., and the Saab-owner believes Chinese authorities will give the green light for this deal to proceed.

According to Saab CEO Victor Muller, a very important portion of the deal has already gone through; a cash infusion of €30 million ($42M USD). Muller states that “Pang Da’s advance payment and sales of imported Saab cars are not subject to approval from the NDRC. The first advance payment of EUR 30 million was received last Tuesday.”

Bloomberg reports that the rest of the deal may not move forward so easily. According to analysts in China, the country’s government is unlikely to allow Pang Da’s purchase of a stake in Swedish Automobile N.V. because the nation is working to consolidate its auto industry, not expand it.

If approved, however, Pang Da will spend $91 million and receive a 23 percent share of the automaker’s business. Despite the negative view of Chinese analysts, Pang Da says it remains confident the transaction will be approved.

Continue reading Spyker to be renamed Swedish Automobile N.V. as Pang Da talks with Chinese gov’t.

Spyker to be renamed Swedish Automobile N.V. as Pang Da talks with Chinese gov’t. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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