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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura

Acura TL

Acura has announced that it will debut the newly refreshed 2012 TL at the Chicago Auto Show next month. Details are slim as of this writing, but the automaker says that the 2012 model “further enhances its position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance.”

In its current form, the TL has been praised for its high-quality and tech-friendly interior, not to mention the relatively impressive driving dynamics of the SH-AWD 6MT model. However, the biggest deal-breaker for the current TL has been its styling, which has garnered a whole slew of negative praise – especially the angular front fascia. We’ll have the full details on the 2012 TL closer to its official debut on February 9, so stay tuned.

[Source: Acura]

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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS uses NHTSA data to show its crash test results are right on

Filed under: Safety, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hyundai

Jeep Wrangler Side Impact IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has been testing side-impact crashes since 2003. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been collecting traffic fatality information a lot longer than that. Yet it took until 2011 for IIHS to compare its considerable crash data against NHTSA’s crash mortality data.

As a result, IIHS can now underscore the importance of its crash test scores with credible outside data. Bloomberg reports that the Institute found that drivers of vehicles with an IIHS rating of “Good” for side-impact crashes were 70 percent less likely to die in an accident. That’s the exact type of statistic that can sway shoppers’ purchasing decisions. Further bolstering IIHS’s findings is this nugget: 27 percent of all fatal accidents involved a side-impact collision. For 2011, the Hyundai Accent, two-door Jeep Wrangler and Chevy Colorado all receive “Poor” side impact ratings.

Meanwhile, NHTSA will further regulate vehicle standards beginning in 2018 to include more protection against side impacts as well as occupant ejection in the event of a rollover. Stronger side glass and side-impact airbags are among the available solutions.

[Source: Bloomberg]

IIHS uses NHTSA data to show its crash test results are right on originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Torture-tested Ford EcoBoost V6 engine torn down at Detroit Auto Show

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Ford

Exactly as promised, Ford sent a couple of technicians to the show floor at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in front of a live audience to disassemble the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that was torture-tested for the equivalent of a few hundred thousand miles of rigorous duty on the dyno and in the engine bay of various F-Series trucks.

How’d it fair? Rather well, we’d say, and it managed to churn out 364 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque on the dyno after all the abuse it took. That matches up rather well with the factory ratings of 365 horses and 420 lb-ft.

As you might expect, there was a good amount of carbon build-up on the piston crowns and the valves – think of how much dust was surely ingested over the course of 1,062 miles of the Baja 1000 race, which this engine took part in, finishing first overall in its class – along with a 13-percent loss on one cylinder during the leak-down test. All other initial measurements were well within factory tolerances, and Ford will continue testing each individual piece from this engine to ensure its durability.

No doubt about it, this is an impressive showing for the EcoBoost engine. See plenty more pictures and a first-hand recounting of the tear-down process at PickupTrucks.com.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Torture-tested Ford EcoBoost V6 engine torn down at Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota and Lexus show off at Tokyo Auto Salon

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Sedan, Hatchback, Lexus, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon, Design/Style

Lexus F-Sport CT200h

Lexus F-Sport CT200h – Click above for high-res image gallery

You’ve seen the Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept (lucky you!), and now it’s time to divert your attention towards the rest of the Japanese automaker’s wares being shown off at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

First up is the Toyota Prius G Sports Concept, which features the kind of gaping maw only the Mama Cylon could love. Rounding out Toyota’s offerings is the TRD Auris GT Concept, which we think actually looks kinda nifty with its subdued body kit and blindingly bright yellow paint.

Lexus wasn’t left out of the proceedings either, and its machines are arguably more interesting than its mothership’s. There’s the F-Sport CT 200h (a future production model) taking center stage with its unique alloy wheels, body kit and Recaro seats, which is joined by the IS F Club Circuit Sports Racer and a set of Club Performance Accessories for the IS F that include front and rear spoilers and a carbon fiber hood.

Last but certainly not least is the Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA supercar that raced at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race. See both sets of vehicular craziness in our high-res image galleries below, then check out all the details in the press releases after the break.

Gallery: Toyota at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota TRD Auris GT Concept Toyota Prius G Sports Concept Toyota GRMN iQ Racing Concept

Gallery: Lexus at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Lexus F-Sport CT 200h Lexus IS F Club Circuit Sports Racer Lexus IS F Club Performance Accessories Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA

[Source: Toyota]

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Toyota and Lexus show off at Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Volt coming soon to a reality show near you; also, Transformers 3

Apparently, there isn’t enough yelling, screaming and drama surrounding the Chevrolet Volt. GM wants more. This time, though, the ruckus will be slightly staged and filmed for our entertainment. At least, that’s the plan if General Motors finds a partner in its quest to bring the Volt to a reality show. Public details are non-existent, but talks have apparently already begun for “a show under development,” Reuters reports. The car will also be promoted digitally when the third Transformers movie comes out this summer. Money well spent, GM, because who can forget the impact the Chevy Jolt had in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen?

GM told Reuters it is looking to increase its TV entertainment spending in the coming year, in part because of a “growing interest in reaching more women.” In 2009 and 2010, GM spent an estimated $185 million on sponsorships, down from around $230-250 million in 2006 to 2008.

[Source: Reuters | Source Image: Scott Gries/Picture Group]

Continue reading Chevy Volt coming soon to a reality show near you; also, Transformers 3

Chevy Volt coming soon to a reality show near you; also, Transformers 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show

2010 BMW 760Li – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Detroit Auto Show is proving to be more eventful for BMW than the automaker had originally intended. As workers were preparing to load a BMW 7 Series onto a transport truck near Detroit’s Westin Book Cadillac hotel, a pair of thieves jumped in and drove off with the German luxury sedan. The car is said to be worth $140,000, and as of this writing, local police have had no luck tracking down the stolen vehicle. Thankfully, this 7 Series is equipped with BMW Assist, which locates a vehicle if it’s stolen, so it’s only a matter of time before cops close in on the BMW bandits.

If some brand new 7 Series parts wind up on Craigslist’s Detroit-area ‘for sale’ section, we’re willing to bet the sale price is too-good-to-be-true for a reason.

Gallery: 2010 BMW 760Li: Quick Spin

2010 BMW 760Li

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Report: Thieves swipe $140K BMW 7 Series in Detroit during auto show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #212: Detroit Auto Show recap

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Podcasts, Audi, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan

Autoblog podcast logo

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #212 of the Autoblog Podcast is the remedy to our post-Detroit Show hangover, with Chris Shunk, Dan Roth and Chris Paukert all weighing in. We start with the Autoblog Garage and then cover some of our personal impressions of the goings-on at Cobo. It’s a wide-ranging discussion that covers the Buick Verano, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius V, Ford C-Max, Volkswagen Passat, Ford Vertrek, Hyundai Veloster and Chevrolet Sonic, among other highlights. We prattle on for an hour and twenty-two minutes before we run out of steam and call it a night. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #212: Detroit Auto Show recap

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Lexus GX 460
2011 Audi TTS
2012 Mazda5

News Topics:

Autoblog’s complete coverage of the 2011 North American International Auto Show

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:21:53

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #212: Detroit Auto Show recap originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Detroit Auto Show: Editors’ Choice for Top Five Vehicles

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

It’s never easy to reach a unanimous decision when it comes time for our group of auto-obsessive bloggers to choose any sort of list that involves automobiles. In the case of the Top Five Introductions from the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, the process was especially difficult.

Somewhat surprisingly, most everyone agreed rather quickly on positions one and two, but from there, the waters were much murkier. In the end, though, we made our arguments for and against, considered each others’ viewpoints and, after much weeping and gnashing of teeth, had ourselves a workable list.

Follow the jump to see the fruits of our labor.

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2011 Detroit Auto Show: Editors’ Choice for Top Five Vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obsessively covering the 2011 Detroit Auto Show: Day 1

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

Production Cars

2012 Audi A6	2012 Audi A6 Hybrid	2012 Buick Verano
2012 BMW 650i Convertible	2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe	2012 Chevrolet Sonic
2011 Chrysler 300	2012 Ford C-Max	2012 Hyundai Veloster
2012 Toyota Prius V	2012 Volkswagen Passat	Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA

Concept Cars

Ford Vertrek	Ford C-Max Energi	Honda Civic
Kia KV7	Mini Paceman	Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell
Porsche 918 RSR	Toyota Prius C

Obsessively covering the 2011 Detroit Auto Show: Day 1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Porsche teases Detroit-bound show car

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Videos, Porsche, Racing

Porsche’s show car en route to Cobo Hall – Click above to watch after the jump

Automakers typically try to keep prying eyes away from the show cars that they wheel into convention centers for major auto shows. Porsche, however, made a video of the process and posted it online.

With only hours to go until the German automaker marks its return to the Detroit Auto Show after a four-year absence, speculation has been running wild as to what Porsche has in store for us. Earlier reports pointed towards a racing car based on the 918 Spyder concept from Geneva, then Stuttgart announced it was bringing a concept car.

From watching the video after the jump, it seems both could be right. The camouflaged shell seems to blend elements of the 918 with the tail of the all-conquering 956, and has the precise effect of revving up our anticipation even more. Whatever it is, we’ll be finding out very shortly, 6:30AM EST to be exact. But in the meantime, we invite you to check out the footage after the jump.

[Source: Porsche]

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Video: Porsche teases Detroit-bound show car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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