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Videos: Jay Leno spends time with Ford’s new Police Interceptor, Automoblox

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Videos, Ford, Toys/Games, Police/Emergency, Celebrities

Jay Leno and the Ford Police Interceptor

Jay Leno and the Ford Police Interceptor – Click above to watch video after the jump

Jay Leno has been a busy little denim-clad bee lately. The late-night host and car aficionado managed to get up close and personal with what Ford is hoping will become law enforcement’s vehicles of choice in the near future – the Ford Police Interceptor and its Utility counterpart. Leno was lucky enough to get a full walk around both bruisers as well as a stint behind the wheel in the rain. The man with the chin managed to run down the current-generation Crown Victoria-based interceptor during a lead follow, so the footage from the track is a little more entertaining than your run-of-the-mill hot lap.

But that’s not the only vehicle that Leno’s been playing with recently. The comedian also took the time to get familiar with the latest new toy by the guys at Automoblox. The wooden racers are modular in design, allowing kids (and grown-ups, too) to build their own custom model from the available pieces. Think of it as Legos meets Hot Wheels. The pieces are made of German Beachwood, and the latest line of hot rods are right up our alley.

Hit the jump to see both videos.

[Source: Jay Leno’s Garage]

Continue reading Videos: Jay Leno spends time with Ford’s new Police Interceptor, Automoblox

Videos: Jay Leno spends time with Ford’s new Police Interceptor, Automoblox originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Democrats and Republicans agree on higher gas taxes, just not in public all the time

Filed under: Government/Legal

Senator Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles

Senator Alan Simpson (left) and Erskine Bowles (right), Co-Chairman of the Deficit Reduction Commission

There is a sport in Washington D.C. that comes around like deer season every year: the gas tax debate. And stepping into the clearing this week with brown overcoats and deer antler hats are some former legislators and government officials – none of whom have to run for office – who are recommending a 15-cent additional federal gas tax starting in 2013 to help trim the federal budget deficit.

This measure has about as much chance of getting through the new Congress as a proclamation that would make Earth Day a national bank holiday. Still, given the fact that the Feds have laid a claim to my nine-year old son’s unborn children’s piggybanks, it’s worth a few minutes to air out the subject.

The co-chairman of the bipartisan deficit reduction commission, former Clinton Administration official Erskine Bowles and former Republican Senator Alan Simpson, have called for a sweeping set of reforms in the way of taxes, spending cuts and elimination of a myriad of tax credits and deductions to which we have grown accustomed – mortgage interest for one.
The 15-cent per gallon hike in Federal gas taxes is paltry by European standards, but would be used specifically for transportation infrastructure improvement: roads, bridges, etc.

Continue reading Democrats and Republicans agree on higher gas taxes, just not in public all the time

Democrats and Republicans agree on higher gas taxes, just not in public all the time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chevy Camaro poised to outsell Ford Mustang for first time in 25 years

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Ford

Chevy Camaro - Ford Mustang split view

It’s been a quarter-century since the last time it happened, but Chevrolet’s reborn Camaro appears set to steal away the yearly pony car sales crown from the Ford Mustang.

According to AutoWeek, the Bowtie Brigade has cleared 75,685 Camaro sales through the end of November, while the Blue Oval has shifted 68,264 units. Extrapolating the monthly sales totals to the end of December, AW estimates that Chevrolet will finish 2010 with around 82,500 sales, besting the Ford’s estimate of 74,500. Trailing the muscle car pack in sales is Dodge’s Challenger lineup, trending at around 36,000 units.

There has certainly been pent-up demand for the Camaro among consumers after its prolonged absence, but what’s even more impressive about its yearly sales total is that if the lead holds, the Chevy will have outsold the Ford and the Dodge with far fewer special editions and no convertible bodystyle like the Mustang. (A droptop Camaro is slated to go on sale next year, and a high-performance Z28 variant is also expected).

For more details on the pony car sales race, check out the link below.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

Gallery: Review: 2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium

2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Chevy Camaro poised to outsell Ford Mustang for first time in 25 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series caught testing, interior revealed for first time

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW

BMW 3 Series spy shots

BMW 3 Series spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot about BMW’s plans to expand its model line with more niche models like the X6 and 5 Series Gran Turismo. We’ve heard talks of a new X4 crossover, a 3 Series GT and even a hatchback M3. It’s all a bit maddening, yes, but never fear – BMW has not forgotten about its core models, especially the all-important 3 Series sedan. After all, the four-door 3er is quite possibly the most important benchmark vehicle in the automotive marketplace. We do talk about it quite a bit.

BMW 3 Series interior spy shot Our sneaky spy photographers have just snapped this 3 Series prototype out testing on public roads, and while the exterior hasn’t been altered too much from other development cars we’ve seen, our photogs managed to snap the 3er’s reworked interior for the first time. Breathe easy, folks – it isn’t too far removed from what we’ve come to know in the current E90 car. The dash has more sculpted lines, the steering wheel is beefier and has some more functional buttons and the center console features BMW’s new remote-sized shifter.

We’re still unsure as to what BMW has lurking under the hood, but we can expect the usual host of six-cylinder powertrains, both turbocharged and naturally aspirated. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a four-cylinder option, too. Until we get the official word, we’ll hug our current E90s and wait patiently. See the latest set of spy shots for yourself in the gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series caught testing, interior revealed for first time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA says E15 is ready for prime time… and your new-ish car

Filed under: Government/Legal

oil in a corn field

A little number on your friendly local gas station pump might be about to change. Instead of 10 percent (E10), America’s national gasoline supply can now contain a blend of fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) following an announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency today. The caveat, for now, is that this fuel is only to be used in cars built since 2007.

So, that means that there could easily be five liquid fuels at a single gas station: ethanol-free gasoline, E10, E15, E85 and diesel – and this isn’t counting different octane blends of “standard” gas. It also means that some gas station owners are saying they’re not too interested in adding E15 pumps right now. USA Today says it is likely the EPA will approve E15 for older vehicles after more tests are conducted this month. The USDA – which cares because so much domestically grown corn is used to make the ethanol – and the ethanol industry support the EPA’s decision. The CEO of ethanol company Poet, Jeff Broin, said in a statement that:

The arguments being made right now against E15 are the same as those made about E10 back in the late 1980s, when I entered the ethanol industry. Seventy billion gallons later, we have proven those arguments false, just as research on E15 is proving critics wrong today.

For the past 18 months or so, the E10/E15 story has been hard-fought on both sides, with supporters for the increased biofuel content saying that the fuel will be fine in most any vehicles on the road today and opponents saying there needs to be more testing because of warranty concerns. The Renewable Fuels Association took a particularly strong stand. Feel free to read more from some of the parties involved after the break.

[Source: USA Today, USDA | | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images]

Continue reading EPA says E15 is ready for prime time… and your new-ish car

EPA says E15 is ready for prime time… and your new-ish car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scion releases yet another special edition, this time xD Release Series 3.0

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Scion

2011 Scion xD Release Series 3.0

2011 Scion xD Release Series 3.0 – Click above for high-res image gallery

In an effort to keep its aging xD hatchback a little fresher, Scion has created the limited-edition xD Release Series 3.0 for the 2011 model year. Only 1,500 examples of the RS 3.0 will be built with pricing set at $17,625 (including the $720 destination charge) for cars equipped with a five-speed manual transmission. Opting for the four-speed automatic will set you back an additional $800.

The new brown paint color – xPRESSO – isn’t available on any other model in the Scion lineup, and the diminutive xD wears it quite well. From there, Scion adds a four-piece body kit encompassing chunky front and rear lower lips, side skirts and B-pillar appliques finished in a carbon fiber material. Because of the limited production, Scion has also added an individually numbered stainless steel badge, telling owners which of the 1,500 cars they have.

With hot new B-segment offerings like the Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 on the market, Scion’s attempt to jazz up the xD is a necessary move, but with a fully loaded price of $18,425, it may prove to be a rather tough sell. Cars will hit dealerships later this month, and you can read the full details in Scion’s official press blast after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Scion xD Release Series 3.0

2011 Scion xD Release Series 3.0

[Source: Scion]

Continue reading Scion releases yet another special edition, this time xD Release Series 3.0

Scion releases yet another special edition, this time xD Release Series 3.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ariel Atom 3 gets the time-lapse build treatment

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Videos, Racing

Ariel Atom time-lapse build

Ariel Atom time-lapse build – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Are time-lapse build videos the new trend in online automotive clips? It sure seems that way as more and more of them keep squeezing out of the ‘tubes. If you go back to 2008, you can see a Corvette ZR1 go from frame to furious in less than five minutes.

Last fall, the Patron Highcroft Acura prototype racecar came to life in under three minutes. Earlier this year we got to see the Chevrolet Cruze make the transformation from production vehicle to World Touring Car Championship contender in under two minutes.

Earlier in the month a BMW Z4 GT3 received the time-lapse treatment and now a new vehicle is ready to show you how its made. Top Gear has footage of an Ariel Atom moving quickly from inert to insanely-capable. The actual build took 24 hours but you can see the action unfold in under two minutes.

Make the leap to see the video after the jump.

Gallery: Quick Spin: Ariel Atom 3

Photos by Jeremy Korzeniewski / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading Video: Ariel Atom 3 gets the time-lapse build treatment

Video: Ariel Atom 3 gets the time-lapse build treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FBI reports car thefts at all-time low, but so are recoveries

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that car thefts in 2009 were at their lowest level in 20 years. Last year, a total of 794,616 vehicles were stolen from their owners – a 17 percent drop compared to 2008. Without a doubt, those numbers are good news for car owners across the country, but the FBI report isn’t all roses and sunshine. The government agency also says that while theft numbers are down, so is the number of vehicles recovered after they’re stolen.

Last year, authorities were able to return just 42 percent of all stolen vehicles. That number marks a 25 percent decline compared to 2008. The reason? Law enforcement says that thieves are getting smarter all the time, and that most acts of vehicle theft are perpetrated by professionals who are skilled at their trade. Experts recommend following the usual tricks to make sure you’re not a victim, including locking your vehicle, keeping valuables out of sight and parking it well-lit areas to make sure your vehicle doesn’t wind up on the short list of those stolen in 2010.

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Peter Dazeley/Getty]

FBI reports car thefts at all-time low, but so are recoveries originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Translogic tests Chevy Volt, reveals Mountain Mode and 0-60 time

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Videos, Chevrolet, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Translogic Episode 5.4 – Click above to watch video after the jump

Our brothers from another mother over at Translogic just released their latest episode yesterday, episode 5.4 for whoever’s counting. Host Bradley Hasemeyer spent a day with General Motors at the automaker’s Milford Proving Ground driving the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and came away with some heretofore unknown tidbits of information about the series hybrid.

For one, in addition to Eco, Normal and Sport modes, the Volt will have what’s called Mountain Mode that allows it to climb any grade in the country. A GM engineer says they checked to be sure its Mountain Mode was adequate for any grade in the States and we have proof of at least one major mountain the Volt can climb. When Mountain Mode is selected, ideally about ten miles out from any big hills you want to climb, the Volt will kick on its on-board generator and create extra energy for the batteries. This allows the Volt’s drive system to draw more power than normal from the battery packs while climbing a grade. If the battery packs are drained and the generator’s already on, Mountain Mode will then increase the engine’s RPM to make up the difference.

Bradley also performed an impromptu 0-60 miles per hour test in the Volt, completing the run to highway speeds in 8.53 seconds while the car was in Sport mode. Not earth shatteringly quick, but plenty spry to feel normal in everyday driving conditions. Over the course of the day, Bradley drove the Volt a total of 59.7 miles, 16.1 of which occurred with the gas-powered range-extending on. During that time, 0.59 gallons of gas were consumed, which means the Volt achieved about 100 mpg for the day and 27.3 mpg while the engine was operating.

The rest of the video is full of Volt information of which we’re already aware, including how it interacts with mobile devices, charging options and the like, though we can’t say we’ve seen anybody throw around the Volt yet like Bradley did. Follow the jump to view episode 5.4 for yourself and visit the Translogic blog here.

[Source: Translogic]

Continue reading Video: Translogic tests Chevy Volt, reveals Mountain Mode and 0-60 time

Video: Translogic tests Chevy Volt, reveals Mountain Mode and 0-60 time originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:59:00 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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