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First Saab 9-4X rolls off the assembly line

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Saab, Luxury

GM's Raymond J Chess and Saab CEO Jan ÅkeJonsson with the first Saab 9-4X

GM’s Raymond J Chess and Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson w/Saab 9-4X No. 1 – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s been little over a year since Saab unveiled the 9-4X at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, and now the first production example has left the assembly line.

Envisioned when Saab was still under the General Motors umbrella, the 9-4X is based on the same Theta platform as the Cadillac SRX. As such, it’s being built not in Trollhättan, Sweden, like other Saabs, but in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

This first example – an Aero model in Ice Pearl metallic with the 2.8-liter turbo V6 and XWD – carries the chassis number 00001, and will be displayed at Saab’s museum in Sweden – after it makes the media rounds, of course. While you’re waiting for the 9-4X to hit U.S. dealers in May, check out our galleries below along with the official production announcement after the jump.

Gallery: Saab 9-4X chassis #00001

Gallery: 2012 Saab 9-4X

2012 Saab 9-4X

[Source: Saab]

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First Saab 9-4X rolls off the assembly line originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2011: 2012 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Sedan rolls with a 5.0

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Hyundai

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

The current Hyundai Genesis 4.6 sedan, with its 385 horsepower V8, is hardly a slouch. In fact, according to most road tests, the luxury four-door reportedly hits 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. In an effort to raise the vehicle’s performance bar and snuff out those who have complained about the four-door’s lack of “sport,” Hyundai has pulled the covers of its new 2012 Genesis R-Spec sedan.

Under the hood is a new 5.0-liter V8. The engine – the most powerful Hyundai has ever fitted to a street vehicle – is rated at 429 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a standard eight-speed automatic (with manual shift mode), the new powertrain should shave more than a few tenths off its sprint… and go some way toward adding the ‘sport’ prefix in front of ‘sedan.’

Other performance goodies backing up the new engine include unique R-Spec transmission tuning, suspension upgrades, larger brakes and recalibrated sport steering. Wheels have been bumped up to 19-inch alloys wearing 235/45R19 tires (sticky Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Summer Tires are optional). Cosmetically, the sport sedan is differentiated by dark chrome headlight inserts, and new badging inside and out. The Genesis R-Spec sedan will be offered in Black Noir, Titanium Gray, and Platinum Metallic exterior paint, with black leather inside as standard-fit.

Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan R-Spec: Chicago 2011

Chicago 2011: 2012 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Sedan rolls with a 5.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault rolls out its own line of tires

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Renault

Renault Motrio tires

Automakers outsource a variety of components to OEM suppliers. The parts could be as small as a screw or as large as the entire car itself, contracting the entire assembly process to outside bidders. But while some automakers make more or less of the parts in-house, one component is always outsourced: the tires.

Renault, however, takes exception to that rule, and in characteristic French defiance is rolling out its own line of tires. Rather than equipping new vehicles with its own rubber, however, the tires are being marketed to existing Renault owners as replacement rubber.

Called the Motrio line, the Renault tires are focused on cutting costs, while maintaining optimal performance and minimal road noise. Now we have but to assume that, even though they’re not saying who is, Renault didn’t start farming their own rubber and actually building the tires themselves. They’re likely made by an existing rubber company to Renault’s specifications and under their license. Still, the French automaker is claiming this as an industry first, and we can’t help but wonder if they won’t extend the project to include sister company Nissan as well.

[Source: Renault]

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Renault rolls out its own line of tires originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce honors the Spirit of Ecstasy with special run of Phantoms

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Rolls-Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection

Rolls-Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection – Click above for high-res images

It’s lonely at the top. And by that we mean that, if you’re shopping at the very pinnacle of the automotive market, you’ve really only got a few choices. Looking for a stately saloon? Then you’re looking at a Rolls-Royce, a Bentley or maybe a Maybach, but that’s about it. So you can be sure your friends, neighbors and fellow captains of industry will already have whatever you’re looking at. What’s an elitist to do?

That could explain the seemingly endless array of special editions a company like Rolls-Royce announces out on an annual basis. But this year is a special year for the iconic motor company, as it celebrates 100 years of its legendary mascot – the Spirit of Ecstasy. And to mark the occasion, Rolls has announced a special run of commemorative Phantoms.

The special edition is differentiated from the rest of the Phantoms you’ll see at the country club with a series of unique touches. For one, the hood ornament is plated in silver, and buyers get a replica statuette to put on their desks as well. For another, four exclusive paint options are offered, including Rhapsody Black, Maiden Blue, Ethereal White Pearl and Wildflower, complimented by black chrome badges.

The interior also features a number of special accents, from the unique instruments and Britannia Silver clock to the commemorative plaque and a special inscription on the glovebox lid, which you can read all about in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection

Gallery: Review: 2007 Rolls-Royce Phantom

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Continue reading Rolls-Royce honors the Spirit of Ecstasy with special run of Phantoms

Rolls-Royce honors the Spirit of Ecstasy with special run of Phantoms originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce Apparition concept messes with our heads

Filed under: Concept Cars, Rolls-Royce, Design/Style, Luxury

Rolls-Royce Apparition concept by Jeremy Westerlund – Click above for high-res image gallery

To say that we see a lot of student car designs here at Autoblog would be a gross understatement. We see hundreds of ’em. Some are more interesting than others, but every once in a while, a design comes across our desks that takes our impression of what a car can look like and completely turns it on its head. This is one such example.

Dreamt up by one Jeremy Westerlund while studying at the Art Center school of design, the Rolls-Royce Apparition is a rolling trompe-l’œil that at once both reaches back into the automaker’s history and extends into the future.

The design is based around the old motor carriages that had a chauffeur sitting up front, exposed to the elements, with the passengers coddled inside. Like most contemporary Rolls models, the front is utterly dominated by the prominent grille and hood ornament. It features unique touches like real mahogany inserts in the wheels, and the imposing overall shape is long and low: the designer took his cues from sailing yachts, and even though the model is built to 1:4 scale, it’s still nearly six feet long. If such an extreme example of fantasy ever became reality, it would measure 279 inches overall – that’s over 23 feet, or about four feet longer than the Phantom. See if you can wrap your head around it in our extensive high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Apparition by Jeremy Westerlund

[Source: Jeremy Westerlund]

Rolls-Royce Apparition concept messes with our heads originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy celebrates 100

Filed under: Etc., Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Rolls-Royce is celebrating a birthday for an important company icon this year. The Spirit of Ecstasy, otherwise known as The Flying Lady, has appeared at the forefront of Rolls-Royce motor cars since 1911. This year marks its 100th birthday.

To honor this milestone, Rolls-Royce is marking all 2011 models with the words “Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary – 2011.” It will be etched into the base of the ornament.

In addition, Rolls has planned various celebrations throughout the year to honor specific dates relevant to the Spirit of Ecstasy. For example, February 6th marks the date when the design was first trademarked and Rolls-Royce will host a drive through London to commemorate the occasion. More events are to be revealed as the year progresses.

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

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Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy celebrates 100 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne rolls into Jay Leno’s Garage

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Bentley, Celebrities, Luxury

Jay Leno and the Bentley Mulsanne

Jay Leno examines the Bentley Mulsanne – Click above to watch video after the jump

Do you have a “Bentley Section” in your garage? You probably have an “Oil Stain Wing” and possibly a “Random Pile of Parts Vestibule” but we’re willing to bet the majority of you don’t have a whole portion of your garage dedicated to one specific marque. Among many things, that’s what separates Jay Leno from the rest of us peons and he’s also utilizing his Bentley Section to play host to a new member from the First Family of Crewe: the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne.

Leno looks the luxosedan over in the confines of his Big Dog Garage before hitting the surrounding Southern California streets, and the video is waiting for you just past the jump.

[Source: Jay Leno’s Garage]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne rolls into Jay Leno’s Garage

Video: 2011 Bentley Mulsanne rolls into Jay Leno’s Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce reportedly planning to expand Ghost family with coupe, cabrio, LWB sedan

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Rolls-Royce Ghost – Click above for high-res image gallery

The new Ghost has been a runaway success for Rolls-Royce, the (relatively) more accessible saloon more than doubling its sales figures and outselling the larger Phantom by order of magnitude. And as might be expected, the BMW subsidiary has every intention of cashing in its success with a family of new models.

Much as it has with the Phantom, Rolls-Royce is reportedly planning on spinning the Ghost sedan into a full range, including a long-wheelbase version, a coupe and convertible. The stretched limousine is expected to come first, with about half a foot of extra length added between the B and C pillars for more rear-seat space. The coupe and convertible versions are expected to follow.

Reports also indicate that Rolls-Royce is planning a green push by implementing more environmentally-friendly drivetrain options, although it has not yet decided exactly what form they’ll take. With sister-brands BMW and Mini taking the pressure of carbon emissions regulations off its back, the Spirit of Ecstasy is more concerned with pinpointing just what its customers want, and delivering it in a finely-crafted, leather-lined burlwood box.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Rolls-Royce reportedly planning to expand Ghost family with coupe, cabrio, LWB sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Lotus Renault GP rolls up its sleeves

Filed under: Motorsports, Lotus, Renault

Lotus Renault GP livery – Click above for high-res image

In the highly competitive environment that is Formula One racing, things can get a bit messy. Rivalries. Crashes. Underhanded maneuvers. Team orders. Scandals. But identity crises? This is a new one. But that’s just what we’re looking at with Lotus. Because you see as we head into the 2011 championship, two teams are on the docket that both claim the same name and plan to fly the same colors.

We’re talking about Lotus-Renault, a legendary pairing but one with a serious split-personality disorder. For the past several months Group Lotus and its Malaysian parent company Proton have been embroiled in a naming rights dispute with Tony Fernandes, owner of what’s until now been called the Lotus Racing team. After licensing the name from Proton (and having nothing to do with the engineering firm and automaker we know as Lotus), Fernandes decided he didn’t need Proton’s permission anymore and renamed his outfit Team Lotus, commensurately switching from Cosworth to Renault engines and pledging to bring back the iconic Lotus black and gold livery.

After a brief exchange in the press, negotiations between the two Lotus parties went behind closed doors. Then reports surfaced that Group Lotus (the automaker) was considering buying Renault out of its stake in its own F1 team, reports that have now been confirmed by official announcement. Renault (the French automaker) has sold its stake in its F1 team to its investment partner Genii Capital, which has in turn sold part to Group Lotus. Retaining Renault engines, the team is therefor being rebranded Lotus Renault GP, and has released the image above showing what their car could look like under the new livery next season.

Thing is, Fernandes’ Team Lotus is contracted to use those same engines, and was planning on resurrecting that same iconic livery. Neither seems eager to relent, but there can only be one Lotus-Renault team, so something’s got to give before the season kicks off in Bahrain on March 13, so stay tuned and check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Renault]

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Officially Official: Lotus Renault GP rolls up its sleeves originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce and Bijan team up for custom Phantom line

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Design/Style, Luxury

Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce has announced a partnership with Beverly Hills-based designer Bijan Pakzad. Bijan will work closely with the super-luxury automaker to turn out a handful of special edition Phantoms, complete with the designer’s own personal touches. So far, we’ve been left in the dark about exactly what kinds of changes to expect, though Rolls-Royce says that Bijan will lay out a host of specifications for the company’s craftsmen to meet. Considering that the designer’s personal car is a bright yellow Phantom Drophead Coupe, we can bet that the new Phantoms will be anything but subdued.

Rolls-Royce and Bijan made the announcement at the Bijan Boutique in Beverly Hills – nicknamed the most expensive store in the world – just before this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show got underway.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Rolls-Royce and Bijan team up for custom Phantom line originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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