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Production Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback says hello before big show

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet, UK

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery

Meet the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback. This five-door Cruze will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, which officially kicks off on Tuesday, March 1st. The Cruze Hatchback concept that generated excitement at last year’s Paris Motor Show is the inspiration for this production model, which has a sloping roofline that’s more sleek than geek. Cargo space is improved, of course, and doubly weep-inducing for North American hatchback fans, this one will only be available in Europe, with a delicious 161-horsepower diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission available.

The Cruze Hatchback will be in UK Chevrolet showrooms next to the latest Orlando, Captiva and Aveo models starting in the summer. With the Cruze recently winning the British Touring Car Championship and the World Touring Car Drivers and Constructors Championship, there’s a possibility that a Cruze Hatchback could be campaigned in motorsport, as well. Check the press release after the jump for the official Chevy announcement.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Production Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback says hello before big show

Production Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback says hello before big show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Mini Coupe nears production

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Mini

2012 Mini Coupe

2012 Mini Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mini Coupe is set to go on sale this Fall and that means testing of the hatchless Cooper has begun in earnest. Caught by our spies running around outside BMW headquarters in Germany, the 2012 Mini Coupe uses the Bavarians’ standard psychedelic camo, but it wasn’t able to hide a new retractable spoiler nestled within the trunk – something that wasn’t fitted to concept shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009.

2012 Mini Cooper Coupe spy shot Power should come from Mini’s entire range of naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder mills, although our spies contend that the prototype you see here is a Works model, evidenced by the upgraded brakes that barely fit inside the wheels and red calipers fore and aft. We suspect the production version will make an appearance in Frankfurt this autumn, with sales beginning in Europe and the U.S. before the end of the year.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Mini Coupe

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Mini Coupe nears production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Production started on Top Gear China

Filed under: China, Etc., Rumormill

This didn’t take long. Word on the web is that the minds behind Top Gear are moving to produce a version of the show just for The People’s Republic. The report comes courtesy of TheTycho, and apparently an insider at the country’s CCTV has confirmed that Top Gear China has been given the go-ahead. Hosts have already been selected and filming is underway right now in Beijing. The show is supposed to be broadcast from the nation’s capital, as well. If accurate, the newest addition to the Top Gear family will join the ranks of TG U.S., Australia and Russia as well as the genesis of all this mayhem, Top Gear UK.

With our own iteration of the show on shaky ground, some of us can’t help but wonder why the BBC doesn’t simply stick to making one very excellent version of the show and disseminate it to the rest of the globe instead of cranking out multiple watered-down iterations. Maybe it’s easier to get local ad revenue. Still, we can’t wait to see what Top Gear China is all about. There’s no word on a set broadcast date as of yet.

[Source: TheTycho]

Rumormill: Production started on Top Gear China originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi moving Outlander Sport production from Japan to Normal, IL

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi has confirmed rumors that it will transfer production of at least one of its models from Japan to its American manufacturing site in Normal, IL. At this time, the only vehicle the automaker has officially confirmed for U.S. production is the Outlander Sport.

It’s worth noting that the Outlander Sport shares a platform with the slightly larger Outlander and the Lancer sedan, so it certainly wouldn’t be surprising if production of these models were moved Stateside as well. Mitsubishi estimates that about half of the models it builds in the States will be exported.

At present, the plant in Normal assembles the Galant, Endeavor and Eclipse, but these vehicles are scheduled to be phased out by 2013. About 1,000 of the automaker’s 1,300 employees in North America are members of the United Auto Workers Union.

If you’re interested in reading all the details straight from the source, you know where to look.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Mitsubishi moving Outlander Sport production from Japan to Normal, IL

Mitsubishi moving Outlander Sport production from Japan to Normal, IL originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren MP4-12C enters production, Hamilton and Button celebrate [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos

McLaren MP4-12C at Goodwood – Click above to watch the video after the break

The very first McLaren MP4-12C built for public consumption has begun to make its way through the production process. Chassis 01 isn’t quite finished yet, as you can see by our high-res image gallery below, but it will be soon enough and McLaren plans to build up to 999 more in 2011.

Starting at $229,000, the MP4-12C is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 that produces 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Prototype versions have been out running at various locations and events, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed and a very snowy Top Gear Test Track.

To celebrate Chassis 01 entering production, McLaren has put together a short clip that highlights its past year of testing. Click past the jump to watch Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button put the McLaren MP4-12C through a set of workouts.

Gallery: McLaren MP4-12C enters production

McLaren MP4-12C enters production

[Source: McLaren, YouTube]

Continue reading McLaren MP4-12C enters production, Hamilton and Button celebrate [w/video]

McLaren MP4-12C enters production, Hamilton and Button celebrate [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback coming to Geneva

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has confirmed that it will debut the final production version of the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The original design was previewed by the five-door Cruze show car we saw in Paris last year, but we expect the completed car to look more like the design renderings that were filed at the European patent office in December, complete with front-end fittings more closely related to what we see on the Cruze sedan.

Oh, and just in case you forgot, the Cruze Hatchback has not been given the green light here in North America. A shame, since Ford’s new five-door Focus is just about to hit dealerships and Hyundai has promised us a hatchback version of its swoopy new Elantra. What gives, GM?

We’ll have the complete details live from Geneva in just a few weeks. For now, follow the jump for The General’s official press release.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Production Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback coming to Geneva

Production Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback coming to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Noble M600 supercar finally enters production

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, UK

Noble M600

Noble M600 – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve been talking about the Noble M600 since roughly 2008. It was officially unveiled in 2009 and the crew at Top Gear UK even got to test one before the clock ticked 2010. So where’d it go? We don’t know, but Noble has finally popped its head up again with the very first M600 off the factory production line.

Considering its absence, a quick refresher course on the M600’s credentials is in order. This British-built supercar sports a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter Yamaha V8 with three power levels: Road, Track and Race. An Adaptable Performance Control switch will vary the V8’s output between each level, letting the engine produce 450 brake horsepower, 550 bhp or an absolutely silly 650 bhp. Couple that with a curb weight of just 2,775 pounds, and you’ve a great recipe for 0-60 times around three seconds or less and an estimated top speed of 225 miles per hour. Only one’s been built so far, but Noble claims it has orders for a full 50. At £200,000 a pop, the M600 should make the company a pretty penny assuming it doesn’t take them a decade to deliver.

For more fun, follow the jump to rewatch Jeremy Clarkson’s review of the M600 prototype from 2009 and check out new high-res images of the car in our gallery below

Gallery: Noble M600

[Source: Noble, Top Gear]

Continue reading Noble M600 supercar finally enters production

Noble M600 supercar finally enters production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 261-mpg Volkswagen XL1 to enter limited production

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Electric, Diesel

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, what do you know? When Volkswagen decided to show off the latest version of its so-called one-liter car, the Formula XL1, at the Qatar Motor Show, we wondered out loud whether or not the German automaker would actually manage to put it into production. As it turns out, that’s the plan, albeit at a very small scale.

According to Automobilwoche (sub. req’d, via The Truth About Cars), Volkswagen will build 100 XL1s as a small batch of regular production machines… meaning they’ll actually be offered for sale to the general populace. No word on what will power the production models, but the concept features a two-cylinder TDI engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All that fuel-sipping goodness is enough to achieve an astonishing 0.9L/100 km – just over 261 mpg.

Germany will reportedly get first crack at the XL1, followed by the United States and China. Color us surprised that VW actually plans to produce a nearly 300-mpg machine, going to the trouble of putting it through safety and emissions tests and all that goes along with making it legal, for such a small batch of vehicles. Surprised, but pleased, while also a bit skeptical it will ultimately happen. Projects like these are usually the first to get cut when the global economy forces belts to be tightened.

Gallery: Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Report: 261-mpg Volkswagen XL1 to enter limited production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM to double Chevy Volt production capacity in 2012

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery

With fuel prices anticipated to rise, General Motors anticipates increased demand for the Chevrolet Volt. To stay ahead of the game, the automaker reportedly plans to double production capacity for the plug-in hybrid.

Production was originally pegged at 10,000 this year and 60,000 next year, but if the increased capacity comes to pass, those figures could increase to 25,000 this year and 120,000 units next year. This strategy depends on parts availability, however, and if the outsourced parts necessary to build more Volts can’t be ramped up by OEM suppliers, the plans could be cut short.

As has been reported, in addition to the Volt itself, GM is evaluating possibilities to apply the car’s gasoline-electric drivetrain to a range of additional products across different GM brands.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt: First Drive

2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: GM to double Chevy Volt production capacity in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan NV commercial truck production gets underway

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Nissan

2012 Nissan NV

Nissan NV work trucks – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan has kicked off production of its all-new 2012 NV commercial truck. Scheduled to go on sale this spring, the NV will be available in three variants; NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD. Two different configurations will also be offered: a standard roof or high roof that offers more interior work and/or cargo space.

Power comes from a choice of familiar six or eight-cylinder engines. The 4.0-liter V6 produces 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque while the 5.6-liter V8 delivers 317 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. Both engines drive the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission.

Body-on-frame construction should help the NV go a long way in the rugged work truck category. Inside, a few trick features will help further set it apart from competitors like the Ford Transit Connect. The passenger seat folds flat to offer up its backside as a workspace. The large, lockable center console offers plenty of storage and 120V outlets are installed front and rear.

The 2012 Nissan NV starts at an MSRP of $24,950. Once the NV configurator comes online, we (and tradesmen in need of a new ride) should be able to elevate that sticker price significantly.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan NV

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan NV commercial truck production gets underway

Nissan NV commercial truck production gets underway originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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