Tag: shows

Video: Jeep accidently shows off Fiat-based CUV *UPDATE

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Videos, Jeep, Design/Style, Off-Road

Jeep shows off Fiat-based CUV – Click above to watch video after the jump

There have been plenty of murmurings about how Fiat’s partnership with Chrysler will impact the Jeep brand. Exactly how much platform sharing will occur between the Italian automaker and the Pentastar’s globe-roaming purveyor of SUVs has been a hot topic amongst the Jeep faithful for some time. Now it appears that a video posted on YouTube by user thejeepchannel has given the world its first glance at a new Fiat-based crossover set to wear the famous seven-slot grille. In the video, a Jeep intern learns a bit about the company’s design process, all while hovering around a clay model of one very CUV-looking creation.

Chrysler has made no qualms about the fact that it will produce an SUV on the C-Evo platform, and has even made noise about which of the company’s manufacturing facilities will build the vehicle.

Our guess is that the clay model in the video is none other than that very high-rider. Judging by the clay, the CUV will wear a host of typical Jeep design cues, including squared-off fender arches and overhangs. Follow the jump to see for yourself.

*Update: Chrysler has released the following statement concerning the vehicle in the video:

“While we certainly appreciate the interest, the clay model and sketches in the YouTube video represent past design studies, not the future of Jeep design. This and similar videos are targeted toward college students and the youth market in general, to build excitement about the Jeep brand, and to provide a glimpse into some of the processes we go through to create iconic Jeep vehicles.”

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Jeep accidently shows off Fiat-based CUV *UPDATE

Video: Jeep accidently shows off Fiat-based CUV *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Traffic jam puppet shows an interesting way to pass the time, All Things Considered [w/videos]

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Superclogger – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you’re on an LA freeway and traffic is especially miserable, look for a white Mazda pickup – the one with the yellow dudes in the back. What you’ve got is a mobile puppet show led by Joel Kyack, a Southern California artist who wants to explore themes like chaos, control, individual will and “negotiations of agency and resignation.” With puppets. In the back of truck. During rush hour.

There’s an FM transmitter in the bed, so anyone within 200 feet can tune in to the dialogues of Alexi the Eastern European iron worker or the unnamed Party Girls. You can find a sample show in the video after the jump, or if you want the real thing and you can’t get on the 405, there’ll be a closing exhibition at LA’s Hammer Museum on September 21.

[Sources: NPR, KTLA]

Continue reading Traffic jam puppet shows an interesting way to pass the time, All Things Considered [w/videos]

Traffic jam puppet shows an interesting way to pass the time, All Things Considered [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You’re Doing it Wrong: UK survey shows favorite summer driving song is… Sweet Home Alabama?!

Filed under: Etc., UK

Lynyrd Skynyrd concert

UK firm HPI has some of the most intriguing customers in the business. The firm, akin to CarFax, provides a vetted history of a used car so buyers know what they’re really getting. It has just concluded a survey of its customers to find out what they like most for road trip jams, and out of all the classic rock tracks being laid down in 1974, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s distinctly non-British Sweet Home Alabama took the top spot.

Right behind Skynyrd came hometown favorite Katrina and the Waves with Walking on Sunshine, one of only three English acts on a list that zooms through genres and has only one song from the last twenty years: The Killers’ Mr. Brightsides. Follow the jump for the rest of the songs, and if you take a trip with an HPI user, get ready for anything…

[Source: HPI | Image: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty]

Continue reading You’re Doing it Wrong: UK survey shows favorite summer driving song is… Sweet Home Alabama?!

You’re Doing it Wrong: UK survey shows favorite summer driving song is… Sweet Home Alabama?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall shows off street legal (!) 3000-horsepower Red Victor 3

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Vauxhall, UK, Specialty, Racing

Red Victor 3 – Click above for high-res image

The drag racing world is a scary, scary place. It’s a realm where engines are built to hold together just long enough to scoot down the quarter mile before they’re torn apart and rebuilt for the next run. It’s a world where if your vehicle is turning anything close to double-digit fuel mileage, it’s not producing enough horsepower.

Typically, these types of monstrosities are little more than trailer queens that are rolled onto the strip and then back into their awaiting shuttles home. That’s not the case with the new Vauxhall Red Victor 3 – a custom-built racer that has a twin-turbocharged 8.8-liter General Motors V8 under the hood good for 3,000 horsepower.

The car uses 1967 Victor FD sheet metal, though the company says that the whole contraption is entirely street legal. How’s about them apples? The car was built specifically for the Power Festival at Silverstone (how appropriate…), which kicks off August 28. Vauxhall predicts that the car should run 240 miles per hour in the quarter at 6.5 seconds. Yup. That’s pretty quick. Hit the jump for a look at the full press blast.

[Source: Vauxhall]

Continue reading Vauxhall shows off street legal (!) 3000-horsepower Red Victor 3

Vauxhall shows off street legal (!) 3000-horsepower Red Victor 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Nissan Rogue shows up at 2010 Z Car Convention

Filed under: Budget, SUV, Hatchback, Nissan, Design/Style

2011 Nissan Rogue

2011 Nissan Rogue – Click above for high-res image gallery

We managed to make our way to the 23rd annual Z Car Convention at the Nissan North America headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee this weekend. Aside from a slew of Zed-related goodness of unmatched acclaim, the 2011 Nissan Rogue was also rolled out as part of the celebration. Overall, the little crossover sticks close to last year’s recipe, though some subtle visual updates help the ute better stand out from the rest of the mall parking lot crowd.

The tweaked front fascia now has a more angular look aimed at giving the nose of the Rogue some definition. Likewise, the grille has been massaged to incorporate a larger Nissan badge, and the optional fog lights now reside in sculpted inserts. A chrome strip spans the 2011 Rogue’s flanks, and a similar piece of brightwork now glams up the rear liftgate. Lastly, buyers who opt for the 2011 Nissan Rogue Krom or Rogue SL will get new 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, too. Otherwise, it’s much of the same from Nissan’s compact people hauler. Hit the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Rogue

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Rogue

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading 2011 Nissan Rogue shows up at 2010 Z Car Convention

2011 Nissan Rogue shows up at 2010 Z Car Convention originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: 2011 Ford Explorer shows off its tech

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Videos, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer Terrain Management System – Click above to watch this video after the jump

Unless you’ve been in seclusion for the past 24 hours, you know Ford officially unveiled the 2011 Explorer yesterday. (Be sure to read Part One and Part Two of our deep dive for the full details.) The new Explorer is a pretty drastic departure from the generations preceding it – Ford has opted to use a unibody construction and a car-based platform rather than a traditional body-on-frame SUV, and naturally aspirated V8 power has been ditched in favor of more fuel-efficient four- and six-cylinder powerplants.

So while the Explorer seems to fit better in the crossover classification, Ford is confident that traditional SUV shoppers will still be pleased with what the new Expy has to offer. There are a host of new technology features on the 2011 model, including things like blind spot monitoring, trailer sway control and a terrain management system (similar to what you might find on a Land Rover). These features will be attractive selling points to SUV-oriented customers, and they get detailed in the videos after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: Ford]

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Videos: 2011 Ford Explorer shows off its tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Audi, Design/Style, Luxury

2011 Audi A7 Sportback – Click above for high-res image gallery

There’s a new automotive segment being born as we speak. Previewed by the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, modern four-door sportback sedans combine the functionality of a hatchback with seating for four or five, all wrapped in a shapely, sleek package. Audi previewed its own offering at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show by way of the Sportback concept, and now the production model has officially been unveiled in Munich.

From a design standpoint, it’s obvious that the A7 Sportback was penned alongside the all-new flagship A8 sedan. Audi’s signature LED running lamps are intact up front, in a more angular shape than what you’d see on the A4 or R8, and the chopped rear deck is not only a throwback to fastback sedans from many decades ago, but its design mimics that of the larger A8, as well. The most striking view, however, is the side profile, which looks to be one part shooting brake and one part coupe, though if we’re honest, we wish the A7’s front overhang were reduced just a bit. Interestingly, at one point, Audi refers to the A7 has having a boattail, which initially made us cringe, but staring at it a bit more, this notion makes a degree of sense.

Powertrain details are slim as of this writing, but Audi says that the A7 Sportback will debut with four different V6 offerings, two petrol and two diesel. Expect the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 from the S4, S5 and A6 to be on hand, as well as the 3.0-liter TDI V6 found in the Q7 SUV. Audi will offer the A7 in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, with the Multitronic CVT and seven-speed S-tronic transmissions being used, respectively. Interestingly, unlike the A8, the A7 will make use of electric power steering, so we hope Audi’s boffins have done their homework on dialing in feel and linearity.

Inside, we expect the standard raft of Audi amenities, including the automaker’s new MMI Touch infotainment interface. From there, the latest in Audi technology will be on hand, including wireless internet connectivity. The interior is very much akin to that in the new A8, and we fully expect that it will offer premium creature comforts while still being driver-focused.

No official confirmation for North American consumers just yet, but we expect an all-wheel drive model to make it to these shores – presumably with a gasoline and S-tronic gearbox only configuration.

Hit the jump to read the full details in Audi’s press release, and click through the attached gallery for high-res shots. We fully anticipate that Audi will open the floodgates on further information and images in the near future, so stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A7 Sportback

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich

2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW shows off hotted-up 2011 Jetta at Waterfest

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Volkswagen, Design/Style

2011 Volkswagen Jetta wearing factory accessories

Oh so tasty. Few things on this planet push our buttons like a cleanly modified car, which is exactly why we’re still drooling over the shots of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta that VW Vortex spotted at this year’s Waterfest. Ze People’s automaker graced the crowd with one squeaky example of its new four-door, complete with a host of new look-faster parts, presumably pulled straight from the Volkswagen Accessories Catalog. Look closely and you’ll spot a smattering of aero additions, including a reworked front bumper, sculpted side skirts and similarly sexy rear fascia. The company also threw a lip spoiler on the rear deck and bolted up a set of blacked-out wheels.

As far as we know, VW didn’t lay a finger on the car’s engine bay, which means that even if the Jetta is packed with the company’s most potent turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, we’re still looking at around 200 horsepower. If it were us, we’d be hunting up an ECU reflash to eek out a few extra ponies to match the menacing looks. If you want to put your eyes on a few extra shots of the car, head on over to VW Vortex for the full monty.

[Source: VW Vortex]

VW shows off hotted-up 2011 Jetta at Waterfest originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked sketch shows upcoming power cruiser from Ducati

Ducati Power Cruiser sketch – Click above to enlarge

Close your eyes and think of a Ducati motorcycle. Got it? Good. What’s in your head? We’d guess something fast, beautiful and… red. That about right? Despite having roots firmly in the sportbike minefield, clearly the Italian motorcycle maker has its sights set on expanding its market share by entering into new and previously untapped markets. Evidence? We’ll call the Multistrada Exhibit A.

And this sketch is about as strong an Exhibit B as you’ll ever lay your eyes upon. Sometimes dubbed the Mega Monster by the motoring press, this sketch gives us an indication of what Ducati has up its corporate sleeves for the upcoming EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

As you can see, a liquid-cooled Testastretta V-twin engine with the Multistrada 1200’s 11-degree valve overlap angle, which smooths out power and improves fuel efficiency. We’re expecting something over 150 horsepower in this application, and ride-by-wire and traction control will also be present. There’s also a single-sided swingarm holding an absolutely massive rear tire (spy shots indicate it’ll be a 240, but we’ll see), USD front forks and monobloc calipers up front.

Naturally, Ducati’s trademark trellis chassis is in full effect, in this case used for style and not really for substance. Ducati does indicate that the power cruiser will sport a reasonable 40-degree lean angle, but we have to wonder about the potential handling characteristics of a bike with a raked-out front end and wide-for-the-sake-of-style rear tire.

For what it’s worth, assuming this bike is what we think it is, this is not the first time a European motorcycle maker has decided to dip a toe in the cruiser market. Way back in 1998, BMW released its R 1200 C range, and while the bike was much more technologically advanced than anything else on the market at the time (fuel injection, ABS brakes, telelever front suspension, single-sided shaft drive, etc.), it failed to reach the kind of sales figures hoped for by the German marque. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out for Ducati in November.

[Source: Ducati.ms via Asphalt & Rubber]

Leaked sketch shows upcoming power cruiser from Ducati originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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