Despite ardent preparations, one might never truly be ready for the chilled winds blowing and the drop in temperatures that quickly cool you to the core.
Ford, responding to customer inquires and demands, is now offering items often laughed at in other makes.
A factory remote starter will initially be offered in its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands after it launches on the 2011 Ford Super Duty while a heated steering wheel option will first be seen on the 2011 Lincoln MKX.
Published February 2, 2010 by Gerry Miles
One of the world’s most electrifying cars, the Fisker Karma, also known as the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, will make its Chicago debut at the Chicago Auto Show, February 12-21.
It’ll be a boon for two area dealers – Fields Auto Group and Patrick Dealer Group, as well as auto aficionados who may be eager to view the $87,900 base MSRP vehicle up close and personally. Fisker notes that Illinois buyers will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, plus additional state incentives of up to $4,000 under the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program.
You’ll need to be belted-in after it’s been plugged in at take-off. Fisker lists a 0-to-60 mph time of 6 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph that its generated from the 403-horsepower engine. On top of all this heart-pounding excitement are the economics of scale: 100 miles per gallon and zero emissions are sent through the tailpipe.
Published February 2, 2010 by Zane Merva
The big game is still a few days away but we’ve got copies of the two commercials that Hyundai plans to run during the 2010 Superbowl.
Published January 14, 2010 by Zane Merva
You didn’t think we were going to go and let NAIAS coverage pass without a good old-fashioned booth babes article, did you?
By the way, we resisted adding a picture of Nancy Pelosi just for kicks. You can thank us later.
Published January 14, 2010 by Zane Merva
Ever wondered how the supercharged LS9 engine from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 looks while running and assembling itself- from the inside out? Here’s your chance to get a pretty damn cool view of just that.
Published January 13, 2010 by Zane Merva
Chevy is on a roll with the Camaro and it’s currently outselling Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. That makes it just about the right time to introduce a limited edition run, wouldn’t you think? So, starting in February and ending in May, Chevy will allow customers to order the lime green “Synergy Special Edition” Package in limited quantities.
The Synergy Edition Camaro will run based on the 1LT package, featuring the 304-horsepower V-6 engine. Buyers can choose between a manual or automatic and the car also features a standard rear spoiler, Cyber Grey rally stripes, and 19-inch sterling silver painted wheels. The interior hue is also updated with Synergy Green trim.
“Synergy Green continues a long tradition of dramatic Camaro colors,” says Camaro historian Scott Settlemire. “Some of the most sought-after Camaros are first generation cars – those from 1967 to 1969 – in Hugger Orange, Daytona Yellow, and Rallye Green. Just as those colors helped make the first generation Camaro an icon, modern colors like Inferno Orange, Rallye Yellow Transformers Edition and Synergy Green will define the 2010 Camaro.” Read on for more pictures and the full release.
Published January 13, 2010 by Eric Moretti
Call us spoiled, but we’ll just take the Scirocco. Not that the Concept Coupe (props on the creative name guys) is a terribly ugly vehicle, but it’s like putting ground chuck in a steak mold if you are a performance person. That being said, next to the Volt this is one of the better looking hybrids out there.
Going with the unofficial theme of concept cars for NAIAS this year, this is another hybrid. Fire power comes from a turbocharged 1.4L inline four with 150 horsepower, which is backed up by 27 horsepower electric backed up bu lithium-ion batteries. The grand total of 177 means this car scoots to 60 in 8.1 seconds which is not to bad considering it should get around 56 mpg or so. Great figures, but we know you guys can put this tech in the Scirocco. Aiding in those high mpg’s is VW’s ‘coast down’ technology that automatically disengages the transmission after the driver lets off the throttle and allows the car to coast for longer periods of time, as well as regenerative braking.
Although it’s still in the concept stages it looks far too polished to stay there. We wouldn’t be surprised if the Concept Coupe showed up in your local Volkswagen dealerships.
Published January 13, 2010 by Eric Moretti
Poised on a pedestal and behind it’s own security guard sat Lexus’ super coupe. Powered by a 552 horsepower V10 the LFA leaps to 60 in 3.6 seconds and keeps going to 202 mph. The mostly carbon fiber car was off limits, we’d imagine that Lexus isn’t ready to let the $350,000 rocket into the hands of just “any” automotive journalist just yet.
Published January 13, 2010 by Eric Moretti
This odd looking duck is a look into what Hyundai is doing with hybrids. Powered by a direct-injected 1.6L that puts out 152 HP and a 100kw electric motor and a CVT transmission. Hyundai says this combination is good for 50-55 mpg in hybrid mode and 106 mpg in plug-in mode. Operating on electric only mode the plug-in hybrid is expected to do 40 miles, which is the same as the Chevy Volt.
This is Hyundai’s test bed for a lot of tech. Dubbing the design ‘eco-sleek’ it packs organic LED displays for the gauges and touch screen HVAC controls. Other tech goodies aid in fuel economy, with an exhaust manifold mounted thermo-electric generator, roof-mounted solar cells and regenerative braking. The thermo-electric generator converts heat to electricity to power auxiliary device. Hyundai has coupled this with low-resistance tires and brake pads to reduce friction.
Even more interesting tech is packed into the Blue-Will, including an integrated bike rack. To save weight, carbon-fiber reinforced plastics and nano composites have been applied to the side sills, moldings and fenders.
Press Release After the Jump
Published January 11, 2010 by Zane Merva
“If brought to market…” That’s all you need to read to know that General Motors is seriously considering building what would be the smallest GMC ever. A full 2 feet shorter than the already compact GMC Terrain, the Granite concept vehicle, which will be introduced during the 2010 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS), would be a great addition to brand notoriously known for large trucks and SUVs.
The Granite Concept features a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder engine matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and plenty of brushed aluminum and metal. There is no chrome on the exterior Granite whatsoever. GMC calls it a Urban Utility Vehicle. We call it pretty sexy looking.
Here’s some photos of the concept and the full press release follows. Check back tomorrow for some real like impressions and more photos of the GMC Granite.
Published February 2, 2010 by Gerry Miles
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