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Honda CR-Z Mugen show car to pack 197 horsepower for Goodwood debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Performance, Hatchback, Honda, Misc. Auto Shows, UK

Mugen Honda CR-Z sketch

Honda CR-Z Mugen – Click above for high-res image gallery

Call it anticipation or call it wishful thinking, but reports of a hotter version of the Honda CR-Z have been circulating pretty much ever since the hybrid hatchback hit the market. The CR-Z may be sportier than most hybrids, but when the faithful were expecting a spiritual successor to the iconic CRX with an added jolt of electricity, many were left disappointed.

Along those lines, we have good news, and we have bad news. The good news is that some new details on the hotly anticipated Mugen version of the CR-Z have dropped. The bad news is that it’s still strictly a one-off show car, at least for the time being.

Honda CR-Z Mugen engine The concept car will be revealed in July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. And when it is, it won’t be turbocharged as earlier speculated, but it will be supercharged. With the added benefit of forced induction, the output from the 1.5-liter i-VTEC four that forms the internal combustion part of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system will be increased by 50 percent, and when coupled with the electric component will serve up 200 metric horsepower (197 on our scale) and 181 pound-feet of torque.

To go with the added power, the pseudo-works Honda tuner is also fitting adjustable dampers, a wider track, upgraded brakes and rolling stock, an enhanced aero kit and a weight-reduction regimen. Although Mugen insists it holds no plans for producing its breathed-on hybrid, there’s no telling what sufficient demand might yield. Follow the jump for the press release and check out the two engine shots released to join the renderings released previously in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mugen Honda CR-Z Sketches

Mugen Honda CR-Z Sketch

Continue reading Honda CR-Z Mugen show car to pack 197 horsepower for Goodwood debut

Honda CR-Z Mugen show car to pack 197 horsepower for Goodwood debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford joins GM, Chrysler in sitting out Tokyo Motor Show

Filed under: Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Tokyo Motor Show

An American auto show wouldn’t be the same without the participation of Japanese automakers. But the inverse could hardly be said, as all three of Detroit’s automakers are set to be no-shows at the Tokyo Motor Show once again.

News of General Motors and Chrysler passing on the semi-annual Japanese auto expo came back in February, with word of Ford’s plan to pass just now being released. It will be the second time that the Big Three are staying back in Detroit, after having sat out the last show in 2009. Tokyo Motor Show organizers tried to attract more exhibitors by changing its venue and timeframe – a necessary move, as Tokyo is quickly losing ground to the auto shows in Shanghai and Beijing.

A slew of European automakers are set to be on hand in Tokyo, as the list of exhibitors has been released to include Volkswagen and several of its brands, as well as Daimler and BMW, along with Saab, Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, Jaguar and Land Rover. However, like its American counterpart, Fiat and its brand portfolio are notably absent from the list.

[Source: Tokyo Motor Show via Automotive News – sub. req.]

Ford joins GM, Chrysler in sitting out Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can’t make the New York Auto Show? Take a virtual tour with a hot model

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Videos

serene hosting new york auto show after dark

Serene brings us the 2011 New York Auto Show After Dark – Click above to watch video after the jump

The public portion of the 2011 New York Auto Show is in full swing, but not everyone can (or wants) to make the trip to the Big Apple. The producers of the show have come up with a solution, which allows you to check out the action from the comfort of your favorite computin’ chair.

Your host for New York Auto Show After Dark is an attractive lass named Serene. She and her crew have put together a few videos, giving you a look at a few select vehicles and events at the 2011 NYIAS. Click past the jump to view the clips and take in a bit more of the New York Auto Show.

Of course, you can also see high-res image galleries of all the new vehicles from the show right here.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Can’t make the New York Auto Show? Take a virtual tour with a hot model

Can’t make the New York Auto Show? Take a virtual tour with a hot model originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Ford, Electric

Ford CEO Alan Mulally

Alan Mulally on The Engadget Show – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you aren’t already an avid follower of The Engadget Show, we highly recommend checking out the video series. The editors of our favorite tech site (disclosure: Engadget and Autoblog are both owned by AOL) routinely sit down with the movers and shakers of the electronics and gadget world for a look into what’s new and what’s next. The latest episode delves into everything from a hybrid version of the Shredder to the BlackBerry PlayBook. Of course, we’re a little more interested in the show’s interview with Ford CEO Alan Mulally. Engadget caught up with Mulally while he was in New York for the 2011 New York Auto Show and picked his brain on the future of the electric car and Ford’s vision for the automobile moving forward.

Like most manufacturers, Ford is currently working to develop new battery technologies that will allow for quicker charge times, though Mulally says that his company also hopes to see the electric car become a more integral part of the electrical grid as a whole in the near future. As battery technology advances, Ford wants EVs to be able to charge on off-peak hours, store energy and feed it back to homes and businesses when not in use.

Pretty clever.

Hit the jump to see the full episode of The Engadget Show after the jump.

[Source: Engadget]

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Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Repo Games reality show gives debtors chance to win their pink slips

Filed under: Videos

repo games trailer

Repo Games trailer – Click above to watch the video after the jump

We’ve never had a car repossessed, but we imagine it’s a painful ordeal. That doesn’t mean that it won’t make a great game show, however, as the producers of Jersey Shore have created Repo Games. The premise is simple; real repo guys are taking real cars, but with a twist. If a vehicle owner/contestant answers three out of five questions correctly, the vehicle isn’t towed, and the winner gets to keep the vehicle outright.

Spike TV, which will air the show, says that people from all walks of life sometimes have trouble making their car payments. Still, we’re guessing that many of the show’s contestants will be hard-luck types. Hit the jump to watch the three-minute promo video. Many of the questions from the clip appear to be absurdly simple, though the answers aren’t always that easy to come by.

[Source: EW via YouTube]

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Video: Repo Games reality show gives debtors chance to win their pink slips originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 New York Auto Show Round Up

Filed under: New York Auto Show

It’s official. Our coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show has come to an end. Take a look at every significant automobile that we covered from The Big Apple. There’s something here for everyone, from sports cars to budget rides to mainstream machines. That’s a total of 33 vehicles, for those keeping track. Got any favorites? Let us hear about them in the Comments. See ya in New York next year!

2012 Fiat 500c	2012 Shelby GTS	2012 Honda Civic
2012 Kia Rio	2011 Chrysler 200S	2012 Mazda3
2012 Jaguar XF	Suzuki EcoCharge Concept	2012 Kia Soul
Suzuki Apex Concept	2012 Honda Civic Hybrid	2012 Dodge Avenger R/T
Facebook 911 GT3 R	2013 Chevy Malibu Eco	2012 300C Executive
Nissan Leaf NISMO RC	MB SLS AMG Gulf Livery	Scion FR-S Concept
2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8	2011 Jeep Wrangler Mojave	2012 VW Beetle
2012MB C63 AMG	2012 Nissan Versa	2011 Subaru Impreza
2012 Ford Taurus SHO	2012 Chrysler 300S	2012 Jeep SRT8
2011 Panamera Turbo S	2012 Hyundai Accent	Lexus LF-Gh Concept
MB Concept A-Class	2012 MB E63 AMG	2013 Chevrolet Malibu

2011 New York Auto Show Round Up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 New York Auto Show: Day 1 Round Up

Filed under: New York Auto Show

Day One of the 2011 New York Auto Show has come and gone, bringing with it a whole slew of new cars, trucks and concept vehicles for us to obsess over. We’ve gone ahead and sorted through the day’s unveilings and put them all together in one handy-dandy spot. And of course, tomorrow will be more of the same. Stay tuned!

Nissan Leaf NISMO RC	MB SLS AMG Gulf Livery	Scion FR-S Concept
2012 Chrysler 300C SRT8	2011 Jeep Wrangler Mojave	2012 VW Beetle
2012MB C63 AMG	2012 Nissan Versa	2011 Subaru Impreza
2012 Ford Taurus SHO	2012 Chrysler 300S	2012 Jeep SRT8
2011 Panamera Turbo S	2012 Hyundai Accent	Lexus LF-Gh Concept
MB Concept A-Class	2012 MB E63 AMG	2013 Chevrolet Malibu

2011 New York Auto Show: Day 1 Round Up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu unveiled ahead of Shanghai Motor Show

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Shanghai Motor Show

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ

2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has officially debuted the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu ahead of its global introduction at the Shanghai Motor Show. The model boasts a completely fresh design inside and out along with more efficient drivetrain options. GM says the new Malibu will compete in over 100 markets, though we have to imagine the vehicle will also be integral to the company’s plan to more than double its sales in China by 2015.

As a result, GM has shortened the Malibu overall, though the vehicle is both wider and offers more trunk space and more rear legroom than the previous-generation vehicle. That said, we’re told that those back thrones may be a tight fit head-room-wise for taller people.

Additionally, we understand that in the flesh, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu wears more than a passing resemblance to the Lexus GS bloodline, though the squared-off taillamps are likely intended to draw parallels to the muscular Chevrolet Camaro. Unfortunately, those fancy LED pieces will only show up on higher-level LTZ trims. Up front, designers adapted some of the successful features of the last-generation car into a more aggressive aerodynamic shape.

Under the hood, buyers can look forward to a more-efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The direct-injection mill delivers 190 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, though GM hasn’t released any mileage estimates at this point. Hit the jump to check out the full press blast.

Gallery: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

[Source: General Motors]

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu unveiled ahead of Shanghai Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opinion: Shanghai Motor Show threatens to make New York redundant

Filed under: New York Auto Show, China, Shanghai Motor Show

Shanghai Struts its Stuff – Challenging the Big Apple
2011 Shanghai Motor Show entrance

Barely two decades ago, China’s roads were ruled by bicycles, motorbikes and buses.

It wasn’t all that long ago that the Shanghai Convention Center was little more than a rice paddy, but this week, the sprawling facility will play host to what has rapidly become one of the world’s most important auto shows.

By a quirk of the calendar, this year’s big Chinese car show not only overlaps but threatens to overwhelm the New York Auto Show and its ability to garner valuable media time – a development that echoes the rapidly transformation occurring in the global automotive business.

Michael Dunne, the founder of Automotive Resources Asia – today a part of J.D. Power and Associates – recalls his first trip to China, barely two decades ago, when the roads were ruled by bicycles, motorbikes and buses, and the sight of an automobile was enough to draw everyone’s attention. Today, the most populous nation on Earth is also the biggest automotive market, having surpassed the U.S. two years ago, never to look back.

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

[Image: Philippe Lopez/Getty]

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Opinion: Shanghai Motor Show threatens to make New York redundant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refreshed 2012 Kia Soul to bow at New York Auto Show

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Kia

Kia Soul spy shots

2012 Kia Soul spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a newsletter sent out by the New York Auto Show organizers, Kia will debut its refreshed 2012 Soul hatchback as part of next week’s festivities. In addition to a slightly revised front fascia complete with LED running lamps, the funky hatch will receive a number of powertrain enhancements for the 2012 model year.

Most significantly, the Soul will benefit from the addition of new six-speed transmissions, likely in both manual and automatic forms. According to Kia, this means the 2012 Soul will achieve nearly 35 miles per gallon on the highway – a healthy boost over the current car’s fuel economy rating of 24/30 mpg city/highway when equipped with the 2.0-liter engine and five-speed manual shifter.

As we reported earlier, Kia will also debut the 2012 Rio in New York, boasting new direct-injection technology and fuel economy ratings of over 40 mpg. Stay tuned for the full details next week.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-generation Kia Soul

Spy Shots: Next-generation Kia Soul

[Source: New York Auto Show | Images: CarPix]

Refreshed 2012 Kia Soul to bow at New York Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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