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Spy Shots: Opel Zafira looks ready to move the people

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Opel

spy photos opel zafira

Spy Shots: Opel Zafira – Click above for high-res image gallery

This time, you are not looking at a hologram. Our spy photographers have caught this camo-clad Opel Zafira out moving people. Vauxhall has already hinted at its version of the Zafira via the Tourer Concept, and a production version is expected to hit dealer showrooms in the first half of 2012.

The seven-passenger people mover is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Inside, the Zafira will feature reconfigurable seating so that four can ride in spacious comfort, five can go on a journey together, or seven can be shuttled around.

Though the camouflage is covering them up, we can see the bottom-half of the aggressively stylish boomerang headlights peeking out. The overall package of this European staple appears to have stayed true to the concept shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Given how production-ready the car appears, we expect it to break cover very soon.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Opel Zafira

Spy Shots: Opel Zafira

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Opel Zafira looks ready to move the people originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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“World’s biggest dating site for married people” offers Clarkson £1m to be spokesperson?

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, UK, Celebrities

It seems there aren’t many news cycles that go by without a celebrity being accused of cheating on their spouse. But for some reason, when Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson is alleged to have been caught making out with a production assistant on the Top Gear World Tour, he gets a £1 million ($1.64M U.S.) offer to be the spokesperson for an adultery website.

The Guardian reports that dating site Ashley Madison (motto: “Life is short, have an affair”) has placed the bounty on Clarkson’s head in hopes that the Top Gear host will work as the site’s public face. The Guardian feels Clarkson would be a lousy spokesperson for the site given the fact that his alleged affair was anything but discreet, but the site doesn’t seem to feel that way.

An Ashley Madison spokesperson reportedly told the paper “what he has or hasn’t allegedly done isn’t important, he has made discreet adultery a major talking point.” We’d add that if Ashley Madison were looking for a more discreet cheater that hasn’t been caught, he or she certainly wouldn’t be a spokesperson for the site… unless they wanted to be caught.

Further, we’re guessing the £1 million offer has a lot more to do with the website trying to gain some publicity for itself, as the chances of Clarkson taking them up on the offer are slim to none. And for the record, Clarkson and his assistant both claim the alleged affair never happened.

[Source: Guardian]

“World’s biggest dating site for married people” offers Clarkson £1m to be spokesperson? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AdSpotting: Porsches For Everyday People

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Porsche

Porsche 911 as School Bus

Porsche’s latest commercial – Click above to watch after the jump

Company: Porsche Cars North America

Brand: Porsche

Medium: TV

Ad Agency: Cramer/Krasselt, Chiacgo.

Product: 911, Cayman

Campaign: Engineered For Magic. Everyday.

What We Like: The soundtrack, and the depiction of people using their Porsche sports cars for everyday driving and living is a nice change of pace for the brand and the ad work. We especially like the scene of the 911 trudging through snow, which it does with great aplomb thanks to a superior all-wheel-drive system. Porsches are seen as indulgences for men mostly that are often kept in garages under tarps when the snow falls. I’m not sure I would ever load mulch into a Cayman, but we do like the idea of the kids getting picked up from school. The yellow paint job for that 911 was a lovely touch by the ad creatives.

What We Don’t Like: Not too much, though there is a bit of the strategy showing. The economy is still about as zippy as a Smart Fortwo and there’s much talk about the lines and definition of luxury changing to more value and sensibility, all of which makes this campaign seem a little defensive to us.

Strategy: Porsches is not as impractical as you think. They can be great in the snow. You can get enough mulch in one to fill one of those upside-down tomato growers that hangs on your condo patio. A 911 can carry two small kids in the backseat, provided they are not part of the national obesity problem. We think Porsches, especially the 911, are fabulous sets of wheels that anyone would be proud to own for maximum driving excitement and brand appeal. But practical? Not on your Nellie.

Grade: B+

Watch the commercial after the jump and give it your own grade below.

View Poll

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AdSpotting: Porsches For Everyday People originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept brings Italdesign to the people

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen, Design/Style

$Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept$

Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year, famed design house Italdesign Giugiaro became part of the Volkswagen Group, and the longtime collaborators are are presenting their first joint concepts at the Geneva Motor Show this week.

The Italian design firm calls the Tex an “interpretation of tomorrow’s sporty Volkswagen,” incorporating coupe-like lines into a hatchback shape. In execution, it looks a bit like the current Euro-spec Honda Civic hatch to our eyes – especially up front. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if we’re honest, we expected something a little bolder from the company that has penned some of the most gorgeous designs of all time.

The Tex Concept is powered by Volkswagen’s Twin Drive plug-in hybrid system, which we’re told has a range of 35 kilometers (about 21 miles) with just the battery driving the wheels.

Inside, the Tex uses a driver-focused cockpit, and unlike the vast majority of concept cars that we’ll be seeing in Geneva, the Giugiaro interior looks nearly production-ready. We like the implementation of the flat-bottomed steering wheel, supportive seats and funky new shift knob.

While the Tex is merely a concept right now, there’s no telling if Volkswagen will use this as a basis for a future sports car, perhaps even a Golf or GTI far along down the road. Hit the jump to read the full details in Volkswagen’s press release, and see the Italdesign Giugiaro Tex Concept for yourself in both of our high-res image galleries below.

Gallery: Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept

Gallery: Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept

[Source: Volkswagen]

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Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept brings Italdesign to the people originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The people of Detroit want a RoboCop statue [w/poll]

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

RoboCop

What do you think Detroit is best known for? Cars? Motown music? Or RoboCop? A growing grassroots movement is insisting the latter, as support grows for erecting a statue in honor of the 80’s cult movie icon.

Supporters have reportedly taken to Facebook and Twitter to drum up support for the potential landmark, but have received little support in return. According to reports, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing is against the idea. And little wonder: the futuristic vision of Detroit, where the RoboCop movies are set, is hardly complimentary, depicting a crime-ridden metropolis run by corrupt officials and a privatized security force.

As The Detroit News points out, a similar initiative to honor Motown’s greatest in Detroit with another statue never materialized, although the effort is not without precendent: just one state over, a statue of the Fonz from Happy Days was erected in 2008, much to everyone’s “ayyyy!”

So… do you think Detroit should get a RoboCop statue? Place your vote in our online poll:

View Poll

[Source: The Detroit News]

The people of Detroit want a RoboCop statue [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura

Filed under: Car Buying, Acura, Design/Style, Luxury

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD at sunset

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s no secret that the corporate schnoz adopted in recent years by Acura is, shall we say… controversial. But whether or not it’s helping or hurting sales is up for debate. On one hand, the brand’s 24-percent increase in sales in 2010 over the previous year has Honda’s luxury division outpacing the gains of its rivals. On the other hand, nearly everyone’s 2009 sales figures went down the economic toilet, and J.D. Power reports that exterior styling is the number one reason new car shoppers are rejecting the marque, followed closely by Acura’s interior styling.

Perhaps tellingly, Acura’s two most successful models in sales gains are the MDX and RDX utility vehicles, models competing in burgeoning segments (and the former of which features a somewhat muted faces compared to the rest of the company’s lineup). But hope may be on the way, and soon. According to Automotive News, Dave Conant, who owns an Acura store in Mission Viejo, California and has gotten an early look at the next-gen TL, Acura’s middle child is getting a major nose job.

And more new models are reportedly on the horizon as well, including hybrids and a likely return to the entry-level compact luxury class. What’s more, the automaker has promised dealers that future models will be better differentiated from one another, both styling-wise and in size. All that sounds good, just so long as no giant polished cow-catcher grilles get in the way.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford makes version of Transit Connect for the people

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Ford

2011 Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon

2011 Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rejoice, America! The Ford Transit Connect is no longer just for plumbers and electricians. The Blue Oval has announced it will produce a civilian version of its hardcore work van. Called the Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon, the vehicle will boast roomy seating for five and massive amounts of cargo area. Out back, those hefty panes of glass actually pop open for easy-breathing ventilation, and tricks like blind-spot awareness and a rear-view camera make piloting this machine a cinch. Other visual changes like larger alloy wheels, a painted grille and front foglamps give this Transit Connect a bit more personality, as well.

Ford showed off the Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon at this year’s LA Auto Show, but so far, we don’t know exactly how much the van will cost when it shows up next year. We do know that buyers will be able to expect the same 26 mpg highway as the bare bones models on sale right now. Follow the jump to have a look at the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon

[Source: Ford]

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Ford makes version of Transit Connect for the people originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Philly suburb ponders fining people who don’t lock their cars

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos

Locked Door screencap

Upper Moreland Township moves to make unlocked cars illegal – Click above to watch video after the jump

A suburb of Philadelphia is looking into making it a criminal offense to leave your vehicle unlocked. According to NBC Philadelphia, Upper Moreland Township wants to curb a recent rash of personal property thefts from unlocked vehicles by setting up a system of warnings and citations for those that forget to secure their car or truck on the street. Vehicles parked on personal property wouldn’t be subject to the ordinance, but the proposal would have police do spot checks in neighborhoods. Owners of unlocked vehicle would be given a warning by the police on first offense, and if the same vehicle was found to be unlocked within a year, the owner could expect a $25 fine and a citation.

So why are local lawmakers targeting vehicle owners instead of the criminals breaking laws that are already in place? NBC Philadelphia reports that Police Chief Thomas Nestel says that each year, more than 75 percent of thefts are from unlocked vehicles, which in turn means a lot more man hours and paperwork for the authorities than might otherwise be necessary. Meanwhile, local residents are having predictably mixed reactions to the idea of being fined for failing to lock their vehicles. Hit the jump to see the local news spot on the issue, and then weigh in with your own thoughts in Comments.

[Source: NBC Philadelphia]

Continue reading Video: Philly suburb ponders fining people who don’t lock their cars

Video: Philly suburb ponders fining people who don’t lock their cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford letting 20,000 people drive EcoBoost F-150 before truck lands in showrooms

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Test drive the 2011 Ford EcoBoost F-150

Test drive the 2011 Ford F-150 – Click above to enlarge

Ford is ready to show off the 2011 F-150… in fact it’s so excited about it that it wants you to drive one (or four) before the truck arrives in dealer showrooms. The F-150 is receiving a slew of new powertrain options, including the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost unit. The twin-turbocharged. direct-injection V6 mill is capable of great power numbers and is rumored to come in around the 400 mark for both horsepower and torque. Also making their debut in the 2011 F-150 are the 3.7-liter V6 base engine, the 5.0-liter V8 and the top-of-the-line 6.2-liter V8 for the Platinum edition truck.

Ford is taking a fleet of trucks on a whirlwind tour around the country and expects to put 20,000 butts in the driver’s seats. The Built Ford Tough Roundup is going to kick off in Texas on Saturday, September 25th, 2010. It will then make a great big convoy across the USA as Texas gives way to Maryland, Georgia, Florida and finally California. All those stops will be hit before the 2011 Ford F-150 checks its on-sale date off the calendar.

If you are interested in checking out these updated trucks for yourself, you can register online at DriveF150.com. If you are on Facebook (at this point, who isn’t on Facebook?), you can sign up by going to Facebook.com/FordTrucks.

This is a great way to give consumers a sneak peak at a new product before it’s for sale. If you plan on going, make sure you get in line early for the EcoBoost, 5-point-0 and the big ‘ol 6.2 because those waits are bound to be just a bit longer than the those for the 3.7-liter.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford letting 20,000 people drive EcoBoost F-150 before truck lands in showrooms

Ford letting 20,000 people drive EcoBoost F-150 before truck lands in showrooms originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car Town turns Facebook gamers into car people

Filed under: Etc.

Car Town Facebook game by Cie Games – Click above for high-res image gallery

For those of you who partake in the world of Facebook games, you’ve probably noticed a dearth of auto-related fun. That’s about to change with the introduction of Car Town, a new Facebook app set to launch this week.

Since the bulk of the truly entertaining Facebook games focus on mobster training or channeling your inner Old McDonald, it’s about time that gearheads had their own way to get lost in the social media gaming space. Then again, we already ~~waste~~ spend entirely too much time in the online auto world, so the release of Car Town will inevitably lead to more late nights and sleep deprived mornings. Find out why after the jump.

Gallery: Car Town Facebook App

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Car Town turns Facebook gamers into car people originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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