|
First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport Filed under: Economy, Hatchbacks, Honda, First Drive 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Fit Sport
When Honda introduced the first generation Fit to the North American market in mid-2006, its timing couldn't have been better. The entry level hatchback appeared just as fuel prices in the U.S. were heading skyward. Ever since then, the Fit has been selling as fast as Honda can bring them in from Japan. The Fit (or Jazz as its known in some markets) debuted in 2001 and the second-generation model went on sale in Japan last fall. Honda showed the new U.S.-spec Fit at the New York Auto Show last spring and we had our first opportunity to drive it on the roads north of Ann Arbor, MI last week.
As is typically the case with new models, the updated Fit has grown a bit (about 4 inches in overall length), but it's only about 44 pounds heavier than the outgoing model. Also in the usual fashion, Honda strove to increase the refinement of the Fit while not losing any of the fun-loving qualities of the original. In the process, it has had to deal with rising raw material and shipping costs while keeping the price from getting out of hand. Read on to find out if the spiritual descendants of Soichiro Honda have succeeded.
Gallery: 2009 Honda Fit Sport
    
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport Permalink | Email this | Comments
Gilles: Chrysler done with 'Edge' look, going 'Organic' Filed under: Time Warp, Trends, Chrysler, LLC.  We're already encouraged by the fact that Ralph Gilles has ascended to the top of Chrysler's design department, as the past vehicles penned under his supervision have all been some of Chrysler's best. Say what you want about the reborn 300 now, but when it was first introduced, it's styling set in motion a major tidal wave of accolades and was a fresh direction for Detroit's number 3. The 'Edge' look, as Gilles calls it, though, is getting a bit stale these days and Chrysler needs a new direction -- Sebring anyone? According to the new design chief, ChryCo's new look will be 'Organic', which Gilles says will get "our cars to be sexy again." Remember "cab forward"? That moniker could make a comeback along with the more stylish interiors that Chrysler so desperately needs.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
IIHS crashes eight SUVs, four earn Top Safety Picks Filed under: SUVs, Safety 
Click above for high-res gallery of each crash test
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released complete crash test scores today for eight SUVs including the 2009 Ford Escape, 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2008 Nissan Rogue, 2009 VW Tiguan, 2008 Chevy Equinox/Pontiac Torrent, 2008 Jeep Wrangler 2-door, the Jeep Patriot and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. When we say complete crash tests, we mean the IIHS performed front, side and rear crash tests on all eight SUVs.
Each vehicle was given an overall rating of good, acceptable, marginal or poor, and the Escape, Outlander, Rogue and Tiguan earned good ratings in all three tests and, since they each come with electronic stability control as standard equipment, were also named Top Safety Picks by the IIHS. The rest of the group received either acceptable or marginal ratings in some tests, though the worst performing was the Jeep Wrangler 2-door. While the Jeep did earn a good rating in the frontal crash test, its side crash test was rated as poor, the lowest rating possible.
Automakers with SUVs that earned Top Safety Pick awards will now be touting their achievements from the rooftops. Ford has already started, noting in a press release that the Escape tops Toyota and Honda in combined safety and fuel efficiency ratings. Other automakers, meanwhile, are trying to explain away why their vehicles didn't perform as well in the IIHS tests. General Motors issued a press release noting that the Equinox and Torrent earned 5-stars in the NHTSA tests and that the IIHS side crash test is a "single and very sever test."
Follow the jump for the press release from the IIHS that explains their testing procedures and goes further into why each vehicle earned the ratings it did.
[Source: IIHS]Continue reading IIHS crashes eight SUVs, four earn Top Safety Picks Permalink | Email this | Comments
Fiat 500 hybrid to debut at 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Misc. Auto Shows, FIAT 
Click above to view the Fiat 500 Aria concept in hi-res
Having already had to increase production several times over, the Fiat 500 continues to win the hearts and minds of consumers around the world... tree-huggers included. But that isn't about to stop Fiat from seeking out even more buyers, especially those of environmental conscience. And so reports indicate that the Italian automaker is preparing a hybrid version of the popular retro-mini.
Previewed by the unveiling of the 500 Aria concept at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the 500 hybrid is tipped to join an electric motor and battery pack to Fiat's 0.9-liter two-cylinder gasoline engine. The diminutive yet stylish hybrid is also expected to employ start-stop technology and a dual-clutch transmission to further reduce emissions and increase fuel economy, which promises to increase the green factor for the entire Fiat group. Intriguingly, however, Fiat is reportedly planning to unveil the 500 hybrid at Goodwood Festival of Speed next summer.
[Source: Auto Express via AutoblogGreen] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Paris '08 Preview: Peugeot teases with RC... hybrid concept Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Euro, Peugeot 
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Peugeot RC...
With the semi-annual auto salon returning to Paris this fall, you can expect France's major automakers to make a big splash this year. Peugeot is preparing to unveil a new concept car, and has given us a bit of a heads-up in the form of a few images and some teasingly cryptic details.
With the name of the actual car not yet released, Peugeot is referring to the show car as the RC, adopting the same thematic nomenclature as the RC Spade and RC Diamond concepts from 2002 and the 908RC concept sedan from the last Paris Motor Show in 2006. Like those concepts, this one is not meant to directly preview a production car in the pipeline. However, it does foreshadow Peugeot's new design direction. The four-door concept's styling melds smooth flowing lines and sharp creases to make for a stunning shape, and moves the huge lion emblem farther south, not unlike the Audi R8's grille. The echoes of Ingolstadt aren't new for Peugeot, with many asserting that the 308 RC Z borrowed too heavily from the Audi TT. As for propulsion, Peugeot insists that "respect for the environment and driving pleasure can be compatible", and so have fitted the RC with an unspecified hybrid powertrain producing a maximum of 313 hp and emitting only 109 g/km of CO2 in gasoline mode and, of course, zero in electric.
Check out the press release after the jump and the gallery below to view the teaser shots of the upcoming Peugeot hybrid concept, and stay tuned as we close in on the Paris show for more details.
[Source: Peugeot]Continue reading Paris '08 Preview: Peugeot teases with RC... hybrid concept Permalink | Email this | Comments
Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Filed under: Time Warp, Misc. Auto Shows 
Click above for a high-res gallery.
By the time Sunday rolls around during Monterey Week, we're pretty exhausted. Too many cars and so little time. Still, that doesn't stop us from getting to the 18th fairway before the sun comes up to see the cars drive onto the grass. Duesenbergs, Bentleys, Cadillacs, Ferraris, Bugattis, and more come rolling into the show, causing us to scurry back and forth to photograph as many of them as possible. There was so much to look at this year -- the Lamborghinis, Lancias, V16 Cadillacs, 250 GT California Spyders, GM's Motorama, and Leno's tank car -- before we knew it, the Best of Show had been crowned and the day was over. We can't go through all of the class winners and special awards, but if you are interested, you can view them on the Pebble Beach Concours web site. We've put together a comprehensive gallery of high resolution photos for you, many with captions in case you aren't familiar with the cars. Enjoy!
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Craiglist Find of the Day: Collection of Cadillac Cimarrons... oh, yeah Filed under: Time Warp, Sedans/Saloons, Cadillac 
The Cadillac Cimarron from the '80s is perhaps the very best (or worst) example of rebranding gone awry. Based on the never-meant-for-a-Caddy J Platform, which underpinned the Pontiac Sunfire through 2005, the Cimarron marked the lowest point in Cadillac's illustrious history. The Caddy-that-wasn't is so bad, in fact, that it's claimed iconic status way earlier than most of Detroit's past iron, as evidenced by our reader-submitted Future Classics post from last year.
Those of you wanting to get in on the Cimarron action before all of them are crushed the prices skyrocket should check out this posting on Craigslist. Here we have three Cimarron's from the late '80s all needing to be saved from that great crusher in the sky, and each equipped with the General's 130-horsepower 60-degree 2.8-liter boat anchor V6 engine. But wait, there's more! Act now and the seller will throw in a fourth car for parts. All this for the low, low price of just $6,000. Act now! Thanks for the tip, Matt!
[Source: Craigslist] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
MINI and ABF build the world's fastest Cooper S Filed under: Motorsports, Tuners, Hatchbacks, MINI 
Click above for a few more shots of the ABF Performance MINI
MINIs have a long history of racing, though most of the iconic hatch's focus has been on its slot car-like handling than its prowess down the 1320. That's set to change with the collaboration between MINI and ABF Performance to create the world's quickest Cooper. How quick? In a taped performance for an upcoming episode of the show Pinks on Speed TV, the Cooper in question, which is an S model from 2002, scored a 10.48 second quarter-mile time while reaching a trap speed of 135 miles per hour. That's seriously quick, especially for a car driven by the wrong wheels. Powering the beast is a 1.6-liter engine that's had its stock supercharger thrown out in favor of one very large Garret turbocharger. A new computer from Motec keeps things running smoothly and allows the 650 horses to be unleashed to the front wheels.
Look for more coming in the near future from ABF, including some cool mods and parts at the SEMA Show in November. For some extra fun, watch this MINI run down a couple of hard-charging classic muscle cars on its way down the track after the break.
Gallery: ABF MINI  
[Source: MINI]Continue reading MINI and ABF build the world's fastest Cooper S Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: 2009 Honda City? Filed under: Spy Photos, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, China, Honda, India  Honda is set to release the fourth-generation of its City subcompact and these newest spy shots show that development is well underway. The previous generation had been based on the Honda Jazz, known in the U.S. as the Fit, but the new model moves away from that platform and grows slightly larger in the process. Expect to see either a 1.3- or 1.5-liter i-VTEC SOHC engine underhood, along with either a standard manual tranny or a CVT automatic with seven preset ratios controlled through steering wheel-mounted paddles. Although Honda has no plans -- as far as we know -- to bring the City to the States, the Fit model has managed to post a huge 73% increase in sales this year. Considering how hot fuel-sipping little cars are these days in the U.S. market, Honda could certainly do worse than to offer this attractive new subcompact car in the States.
[Source: paultan.org]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Automakers using more plastic to reduce weight and emissions Filed under: Trends, Green 
Plastics make things possible, or so say the major plastic manufacturing companies in their ads. It turns out that there's some truth to the tagline, as automakers are increasing the amount of plastic parts in vehicles in an attempt to reduce weight and emissions. While many consider steel to be the most desirable material to pound out automobiles, the use of plastic is outgunning metals pound for pound on new cars. Even luxury brands like BMW and Porsche are using more plastics in their vehicles than ever before, and both see the trend continuing. Composites such as carbon fiber and kevlar prove that plastics can perform just as well as steel when properly designed and engineered.
Despite the overall goal of reducing weight and cutting vehicle emissions, most plastics still trace their roots to petroleum. Automakers such as Mazda and Mitsubishi are experimenting with bioplastics, which are made from natural ingredients such as sugars.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
AutoblogGreen for 08.20.08 Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green 
click to visit AutoblogGreen
AutoblogGreen got a chance to take the new Honda Fit Sport out for a few miles recents, and we like what we saw and felt. There will be a full-on review of this stylish, high-mileage vehicle coming soon, but for now we understand what all the fuss is about. What we don't quite understand is what Newt was thinking. Or FOSH, for that matter.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1 [w/VIDEO] Filed under: Supercars, Chevrolet, First Drive 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Last week, General Motors' Bowling Green, KY assembly plant began manufacturing the fastest, most powerful production Corvette in its 55-year history. We got our first official look at the 2009 Corvette ZR1 at the Detroit Auto Show in January and, at that time, Chevrolet officials hadn't finalized the numbers. Over the intervening months, GM continued to tease us with bits of information, including the ZR1's 205 mph top speed, 638 horsepower, 605 lb.-ft. of torque, and 7:26.4 lap time at the Nurburgring. Throughout all of this, we've been waiting patiently for one of the most anticipated invitations of 2008: the ZR1 First Drive.
That wait finally ended a few weeks ago when we got the call to arrive at GM's Milford Proving Grounds. All we needed was cooperative weather. As the sun crested the horizon on the appointed day, the darkened skies threatened to put the kibosh on our time with the King. But a few hours later, the clouds dissipated and the fun was officially underway.
UPDATE: Video of Corvette ZR1 on the Lutz Ring added after the jump.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Corvette ZR1 [w/VIDEO] Permalink | Email this | Comments
C&D dreams up future Mustangs they haven't made yet Filed under: Coupes, Ford, Humor 
Click the Smokey and the Bandit Mustang for more
We hear it from the peanut gallery every time we post about another new Mustang variation. It doesn't matter if the car comes from a small niche manufacturer, SALEEN, ROUSH or even Ford itself - people have gotten sick of Mustang mania. CARandDRIVER.com decided that beyond the Bullit, Warriors in Pink, Black Jack, Parnelli Jones and Dan Gurney Special Editions, as well as various examples from Hertz, there are a few more Mustang models that have yet to be explored. According to C&D, the market's ripe for a return of the four-cylinder Mustang, and there are plenty of other worthy causes around which you could market a Mustang besides breast cancer. Plus, if KITT could go from being a Trans Am to a Mustang, why can't Smokey's famous winged muscle car do the same? If you couldn't tell by now, the C&D folk are just exercising their funny bone here. There's a couple more we haven't mentioned, so check 'em out in the gallery below and click the source link to read their funny background stories.
[Source: CARandDRIVER.com] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
GM adds 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on certified used vehicles Filed under: Car Buying, Maintenance, GM  Now that leasing seems to be going through a slow phase-out, shoppers looking for a good deal on a newish vehicle may take a harder gander at certified pre-owned models. GM realizes this and has responded by ambushing customers increasing the warranty coverage on the CPO models for all of its brands, minus Cadillac which has its own program. The new warranty stands at 12-months or 12,000 miles and begins when the CPO purchase is made -- an increase of up to nine-months over the previous guarantee. Being a "bumper-to-bumper" warranty, everything excluding wear items like tires and brakes are covered for manufacturing defects. The powertrain warranty remains: five years or 100,000 miles from when it was sold as new.
GM hopes that this increased coverage has a corresponding effect on its CPO sales. What's more, the automaker also believes that this action will have a desirable effect on its vehicle's residual values.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]Continue reading GM adds 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on certified used vehicles Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mechanic arrested for not giving up vehicle to angry customer Filed under: Maintenance, Carsumer Advocacy, Humor  Remember last week when we told you about a tuner shop in Florida that got stuck holding a $16,000 bill after customizing some broke guy's Toyota Celica? That shop is resolving its dispute through the courts and will likely end up selling the car to make its money back, but a mechanic in the U.K. named Darren Tandy recently found himself in a similar situation with a very different outcome. A customer came to pick up his Land Rover recently and refused to pay the agreed upon price of £1127 for the service work that Darren had done. At first the owner offered £950, then £850, and when Darren still refused to release his vehicle, the Rover owner called the local constabulary. Shockingly, the policeman who arrived on the scene actually told Darren he had to lower the price, and when he refused to accept £550 for the job, which didn't even cover the parts, he was arrested and thrown in jail. He spent three hours behind bars and promptly filed a complaint against the Northumbria Police, who performed a full investigation and found themselves free of any wrongdoing. Convenient, eh?
[Source: The Sun] Permalink | Email this | Comments
HP War, Battle of the Tuners: B&B gets 715hp from Audi RS6 Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Audi 
Click above to view a hi-res gallery of the B&B Audi RS6
A 580hp station wagon (or sedan, for that matter) seems like sheer lunacy in its own right, but it appears that the twin-turbo V10 in the Audi RS6 is capable of a great deal more. Following the release of the 702hp MTM-tuned RS6 M, fellow German tuning house B&B Automobiltechnik has an even more potent tuning package, boosting power up to a whopping 715.
So what did the power-hungry gearheads at B&B do to get a 120 horsepower boost out of the Gallardo-derived FSI? They didn't replace the turbos or fit a new supercharger, nor did they bore out the cylinder block for bigger displacement. They simply fitted a new intake, catalyst, exhaust and cooling system, and tinkered with the ECU. B&B are also offering an adjustable suspension and new springs that drop the ride height by 25mm. The result? A claimed 0-60 run in a scant 3.6 seconds. That's well into supercar territory, as many a Porsche and Ferrari driver are bound to discover when baited into an impromptu red-light drag race. Nice work if you can get it.
[Source: B&B via World Car Fans] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: Maserati Gran Turismo Spyder Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Paris Motor Show, Maserati  Never underestimate a car guy on holiday. That's the lesson to be learned by Maserati, which apparently left a Gran Turismo Spyder mule in a lot somewhere in Modena.
An eagle-eyed tourist snapped off a handful of pics showing the two-piece roof and articulating trunk in its earliest stages of development. Expect the Gran Turismo Spyder to make its debut in Paris later this year, with sales beginning in early 2009.
[Source: AutoGespot] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Katech unveils track-oriented Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ClubSport Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sports/GTs, Chevrolet 
Click above for a high resolution image
An American supercar with lightweight components, sport suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, aerodynamic body kit, and menacing black wheels. No, we're not talking about the Dodge Viper ACR. It's Katech's new ClubSport package for the Corvette Z06. The Detroit-based company has the credentials to build a 'Vette for the track. After all, it's responsible for building the race engines that go into the Le Mans-winning Corvette C6R race cars and the SCCA SPEED World Challenge cars. For the ClubSport, Katech adds a 14-inch, six-piston Brembo brake system, Moton ClubSport suspension, 15-spoke wheels, sticky Michelin tires, Katech appearance package, carbon fiber air intake, lightweight exhaust system and more. Also on the options list are leather race seats, A/C and radio delete, roll bar, and six-point harnesses. Add one of Katech's fully built motors, and the ClubSport will surely put down some pretty impressive numbers at the track. Full details on the ClubSport can be found in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Katech via CorvetteForum.com] Continue reading Katech unveils track-oriented Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ClubSport Permalink | Email this | Comments
Monterey 2008: Pebble Beach concept car lawn Filed under: Concept Cars, Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows, Special/Limited Editions 
Click image above for a high-res gallery of concepts from Pebble Beach
The Pebble Beach Concours has something for every car enthusiast, even if classic cars aren't your thing. Every year we take the time to tear ourselves away from the fairway and head up to the front of the lodge where the concept car lawn showcases some of the latest show cars. Many of the cars made their debut at the Detroit Auto Show this year including Chrysler's green concepts, the Jeep Renegade, Dodge ZEO, and Chrysler ecoVoyager. GM brought out the Cadillac CTS Coupe and the Buick Invicta, Lexus showed off the LF-A Roadster, and Mercedes-Benz displayed the F700 that debuted in Frankfurt. Other featured cars included the Pininfarina Hyperion, Lamborghini Reventon and Gallardo LP560-4, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport and Spyker C8 Aileron. Enjoy the high resolution gallery below.
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Monterey 2008: First Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport auctioned for $3.19 million Filed under: Auction Action, Supercars, Bugatti 
Click above for high-res gallery of Bugatti Grand Sport in Monterey
Just a day after the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport was unveiled on the Pebble Beach lawn, the Gooding & Company auctioned off the rights to chassis #1 and the opportunity to work with the Bugatti factory to build the car to their exact specifications. With the Grand Sport prototype up on the auction block, bidding started at $1.7 million and finally rested with a final offer of $2.9 million. The auction premium of 10 percent then brought the total to $3.19 million. In case you were wondering what it's like to witness the sale of a multi-million dollar car, you can watch a video of the auction after the jump as well as read more about the Gooding & Company auction highlights in the press release.
Continue reading Monterey 2008: First Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport auctioned for $3.19 million Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
