officially Archives | Page 2 of 6

Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show

Filed under: Crossover, Audi, Shanghai Motor Show, Diesel, Luxury

2012 Audi Q3

2012 Audi Q3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi is apparently done teasing us with rendering after rendering of its new Q3 crossover. Instead, the German automaker has gone ahead and let the cat completely out of the bag ahead of the cute ‘ute’s official unveiling at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show.

As you’re likely already aware, the Q3 is Audi’s take on how to make a Volkswagen Tiguan into an entry-level luxury model. Naturally, that means entirely new sheetmetal with Audi’s well-known gaping grille along with LED lighting all around and a steeply sloping rear hatch. Add it all up and Audi says you get an impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.32.

That shapely rear hatch means there are a few concessions inside. There’s 16.24 cubic feet of storage capacity with the rear seats in place, and 48.2 with them folded down. The Tiguan, by way of comparison, offers 18.6 and 56.1, respectively, and even that is about 25 percent smaller than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Judging by the shape of the hind quarters, large and bulky items may be a bit tough to fit inside as well.

You won’t be asked to skimp on options, though. Adaptive light technology that points the way forward, electronic parking assistance and Audi’s hard drive-based MMI infotainment and navigation system will all be available at launch, and an option to turn the Q3 into a wireless hotspot will come in the near future.

Two gasoline and one diesel engine, all with direct injection, will be offered at launch, offering between 140 and 211 horsepower. The two most powerful engines will be mated to Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. A 170-horsepower gasoline engine will also be offered with front-wheel drive. We’ll have to play a game of wait-and-see to find out which of these powertrains make their way Stateside.

Base price in Germany for the 2012 Audi Q3 will be 29,900 euros when it goes on sale in June. For those keeping track, that’s about $43,000 at the current exchange rate, though we wouldn’t go by that figure when estimating its cost when it eventually hits the U.S. Want to know more? Find all the details in the exhaustive press blast after the break.

Gallery: 2012 Audi Q3

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show

Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show”

Austin U.S. F1 track to officially be called Circuit of the Americas, also play host to MotoGP

Filed under: Motorsports

We’ve all known that Formula One racing is coming to Austin, Texas. Now we know what to call the track that will play host to the 2012 U.S. Grand Prix. Called the Circuit of the Americas, this 3.4-mile racetrack features 20 turns, 133 feet of elevation change and a 10-year F1 contract.

Circuit of the Americas won’t simply play host to four-wheeled machines, though. The two-wheeled action of MotoGP will also be coming to the Texas track. Beginning in 2013, CotA starts a 10-year contract with the motorcycle racing series.

[Source: Autoweek]

Austin U.S. F1 track to officially be called Circuit of the Americas, also play host to MotoGP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Austin U.S. F1 track to officially be called Circuit of the Americas, also play host to MotoGP”

Officially Official: 420-hp BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds

Filed under: Performance, Truck, BMW

BMW M3 Pickup

BMW M3 Pickup – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s the First of April and the fun has officially begun here in Munich. BMW has officially taken the wraps off the M3 pickup after our spy shooters caught it running the ‘Ring late last month. And as we exclusively revealed, it’s the Bavarian’s idea of an April Fools prank.

However, that doesn’t mean that the uteified M3 isn’t a full-fledged performer. It’s packing the same 420-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 as its sedan, coupe and convertible brethren, but despite lopping off the back, BMW discovered during wind-tunnel testing that it’s coefficient of drag is close to that of the M3 coupe. It comes complete with a with a removable targa top, weighs some 110 pounds less than its drop-top sibling and topped out at the Nurburgring at 186 mph. Pop the removal roof and the M3 pickup sheds another 44 pounds, and in keeping with every automaker’s standard measurement of trunk capacity – the golf bag – the pickup can tote 20 bags of irons. Oh, and there’s a trailer hitch to boot.

Naturally, serial production isn’t going to happen, but the M3 pickup will serve as the workshop transport vehicle for BMW’s M division. Full details in the press blast after the break.

Gallery: BMW M3 Pickup – Live

Gallery: BMW M3 Pickup

Continue reading Officially Official: 420-hp BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds

Officially Official: 420-hp BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Officially Official: 420-hp BMW M3 Pickup hauls ass, nearly 1,000 pounds”

Porsche officially unveils the Panamera Turbo S ahead of New York debut

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Performance, Wagon, Porsche

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Porsche Panamera Turbo S – Click above for high-res image gallery

We reported yesterday that a Panamera Turbo S could be in the works with an official debut coming at the New York Auto Show in April. We didn’t have to wait long to find out, as Porsche has released the first details about its new flagship four-door.

As expected, the Turbo S gets a power increase up to 550 horsepower, 50 more than the standard Turbo model, thanks to new twin turbochargers with enhanced turbines and modified engine programming. Torque is also up, 553 lb-ft compared to 516 lb-ft. Porsche says that the Panamera Turbo S is capable of reaching 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds as well as a top speed of 190 mph, all while returning an estimated 15/23 mpg. The car will reach showrooms later this Spring, with pricing in the U.S. starting at $173,200. You can read full details about the Porsche Panamera Turbo S in the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche officially unveils the Panamera Turbo S ahead of New York debut

Porsche officially unveils the Panamera Turbo S ahead of New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Porsche officially unveils the Panamera Turbo S ahead of New York debut”

2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford Focus – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has confirmed that the 2012 Focus achieves an EPA-rated 40 miles per gallon on the highway, besting many of the competitors in its class. Only the 2011 Hyundai Elantra and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco manage to reach the much-heralded 40-mpg mark. The Focus is also rated at 28 mpg in the city.

Not to rain on Ford’s parade here, but we must make something perfectly clear: The 40-mpg rating only applies to the Focus SE sedan with SFE (super fuel economy) package and the six-speed automatic transmission. In order to achieve 40 mpg, the SFE package adds unique 16-inch steel wheels with aero-enhanced wheel covers, active grille shutters, a rear spoiler and high-efficiency tires.

That might not seem like a big deal, especially when a car as stylish and well-built as the Focus puts down 40 mpg highway. However, we can’t overlook the fact that Hyundai’s Elantra nets that 40-mpg figure on all models with either transmission, and if you spec a Cruze Eco with a manual box, you’ll be running at 42 mpg on the highway. Still, keep in mind that the Focus, at 160 horsepower, is the most powerful car in the group – besting the Elantra by 12 hp and the Cruze Eco by 22 hp – which is something that enthusiasts must consider.

In any case, by adding the 2012 Focus SE SFE to its portfolio, Ford is only further expanding its lineup of vehicles that achieve 40 mpg or better. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus: First Drive

2012 Ford Focus

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway

2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway”

Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition officially revealed prior to Geneva debut

Filed under: Convertible, Saab

Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition

Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

A couple of days after reports of a special edition Saab 9-3 surfaced in celebration of the company’s independence from General Motors, the automaker has confirmed its particulars and corrected a few details along the way.

The 9-3 Independence Edition celebrates not only Saab’s liberation out from under the GM umbrella, but also the 25th anniversary of the company’s first convertible. It’s based on the Aero trim model, but while earlier reports suggested it could get the 220-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo from the 9-5, the special edition is actually driven by a 1.9-liter diesel four with 180 horses and a six-speed automatic.

Amber Orange metallic is the dominant color, coating the exterior and highlighting the cabin with trim on the parchment leather sport seats and stitching on the steering wheel. There’s also grey piping on the floor mats and carbon-look leather on the instrument panel, levers and handles. And while those special 18-inch wheels may look like they’ve got five spokes, but actually have twenty.

Only 366 examples of the Independence Edition will be made in all – one for each day of this year and another to kick off the next. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the pair of images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition

[Source: Saab]

Continue reading Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition officially revealed prior to Geneva debut

Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition officially revealed prior to Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition officially revealed prior to Geneva debut”

Officially Official: Heidfeld to fill Kubica’s seat at Lotus Renault GP

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lotus, Renault

Nick Heidfeld

Filling the proverbial shoes of Robert Kubica is no easy task. The grand prix winner – one of only 102 in history – is the first Polish driver to make it in Formula One, and he is rated as one of the best in the business. Fill his space, though, is exactly what Renault has had to do after Kubica’s unfortunate crash in an Italian rally left him severely – if not critically – injured. But if anyone’s up to the task, it’s Nick Heidfeld.

The two were former teammates for several years at Sauber, and for his part, Heidfeld has finished more races than any other driver on or off the grid. He’s also become the de facto go-to guy for outfits who need an experienced driver to step in post-haste, having been selected by Pirelli to test their new F1 tires and then brought back to Sauber when Pedro de la Rosa wasn’t working out last season.

Having tested Heidfeld at its recent Jerez session, the Lotus Renault GP team has announced that they’ve selected the German driver to take Kubica’s place until he’s able to return to racing. Heidfeld’s selection wins out over Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean, both of which also have race experience (albeit considerably less) and are contracted members of the team’s test-driver roster.

After stints at Prost, Sauber, Jordan and Williams – to say nothing of McLaren and Mercedes GP where he’s served as a test driver – Renault will make the fifth team for which Heidfeld will now have driven over the course of the eleven consecutive years he’s now been on the grid since his debut at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix. His best result to date was the fifth place finish he scored at Sauber in the 2007 Championship and his eight second-place grand prix finishes. Follow the jump for the official announcement.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Officially Official: Heidfeld to fill Kubica’s seat at Lotus Renault GP

Officially Official: Heidfeld to fill Kubica’s seat at Lotus Renault GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Officially Official: Heidfeld to fill Kubica’s seat at Lotus Renault GP”

Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

Pagani Huayra

Pagani Huayra – Click above for high-res image gallery

Pagani will bring its new Huayra supercar to the United States later this year, marking the first time the Italian car maker has officially sold vehicles in the country. Pagani’s first vehicle, the Zonda, was never retailed in the U.S. throughout its decade-long production run, although a handful of examples exist in private collections.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to represent the Pagani brand in the United States and we look forward to the successful launch of the Huayra,” said Horacio Pagani regarding the announcement.

The Huayra, named after an ancient god of wind, is a stylistic departure from the Zonda with a much more curvacous shape and gullwing doors, but performance should be even more impressive with a twin-turbo V12 putting out 700 horsepower and a curb weight of under 3,000 pounds.

Pagani will announce plans to unveil the Huayra in the United States as well as more information regarding its dealer network and availability at a later date. Hit the jump for the press release from Pagani and be sure to browse through the high-res gallery of images below.

Gallery: Pagani Huayra

[Source: Pagani Automobili]

Continue reading Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year

Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Pagani Huayra officially coming to U.S. market later this year”

Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Buick, GM

2012 Buick Regal eAssist

2012 Buick Regal eAssist – Click above for high-res image gallery

When General Motors debuted the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist technology at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, the automaker told us that this new fuel-saving feature would quickly spread across many other models in its portfolio. Now, GM has taken the wraps off of the eAssist-equipped 2012 Buick Regal, which makes its official public debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week.

Most significantly, the addition of eAssist to the Regal’s 2.4-liter inline-four powertrain means that the sedan is now capable of achieving 26 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Like the LaCrosse, the Regal eAssist uses a small, 15-horsepower electric motor to give assistance during acceleration, and when combined with things like regenerative braking and automatic start/stop, it means a substantial increase in fuel economy. It’s not exactly Ford Fusion Hybrid impressive, but still quite good when you consider that the standard Regal only musters up 19/30 mpg ratings.

Unlike the larger LaCrosse, eAssist will not be the base powertrain for 2012 Regals. Buick has positioned the Regal eAssist to be part of larger family, which includes the Regal Turbo and upcoming GS. Model-specific changes over the base Regal include things like lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels (smaller than the standard Regal’s 18-inch set), an eco mode for the air conditioning system, an eco gauge on the instrument panel and a powerflow readout in the seven-inch infotainment screen.

We’ll be seeing the 2012 Regal eAssist live in Chicago this week, so stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, follow the jump to read GM’s official press release, and see the new electrified Regal for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist

2012 Buick Regal eAssist

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg

Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg”

Honda officially previews Fit Shuttle, including hybrid model

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Fit Shuttle Site

Honda has fired up a website for its new Fit Shuttle. The B-segment fighter’s larger twin is set to use the same center-tank design as the smaller of the duo, which means that buyers can look forward to a surprising amount of interior room. While the extended hatch will come with a gasoline drivetrain, the engineers have also cooked up a hybrid variant for squeezing the most out of every last whisper of fuel.

Word from Honda is that the Fit Shuttle will get an official unveil in March, which leads us to believe that the new creation will show its face at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month. That said, don’t expect to see the Fit Shuttle on our shores. This machine is likely to keep itself tucked away as a JDM-only model, though there is some chance that the car will show up in Europe as well. You can check out the Japanese site here.

[Source: Honda]

Honda officially previews Fit Shuttle, including hybrid model originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Honda officially previews Fit Shuttle, including hybrid model”