autoinsane

Mazda 3, Chevy Camaro and Equinox win big in Internet Car and Truck of the year awards

Awards handed out in the automotive industry are as easy to come by as penny on the sidewalk. Some, such as Car and Driver’s “10-Best” and Motor Trends “Car and Truck of the Year” are merely automaker sponsored advertising packages passed off as reputable achievements. That’s why when an actual honest award comes around, we think you should know about it.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition” to debut at Geneva

It might be hard to wonder how you can top the building of a Maserati Quattroporte … unless you produce a “special edition” that features even more bells and whistles.

Thus, Maserati will show off the Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, at the prestigious Geneva Auto Show.

Fisker Karma to makes its Windy City debut at Chicago Auto Show Feb. 12-21

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.

2010 NAIAS: The booth babes of Detroit

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.

2010 NAIAS: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe doesn’t replace Scirocco in our hearts

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.

2010 NAIAS: Lexus shows LFA, no you can’t touch it

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.

2010 NAIAS: Hyundai Brings Blue-Will Concept to Cobo

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

2010 NAIAS: GMC Granite Concept previews future small utility vehicle

“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.

2010 NAIAS: Ford Bumps up Power, MPG’s in Next-Gen 2012 Focus

Ford was able to satisfy both the power hungry and fuel-misers in the next generation Focus. Getting a bump of 20 horsepower to 155 horsepower and a mileage increase of 10%. This is accomplished from a 2.0-liter DOHC I-4 engine with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) and direct injection (DI). This isn’t an update to the North American Focus, nope this is the European-Spec model that we’ve been asking for. In fact, Ford says that the new Focus will use 80% common parts all around the world.

Buick Unveils the Regal GS, Checks Almost All the Right Boxes

6 speed manual, 255 horsepower, 0-60 in under 6 seconds and a whole lot of extras. The Regal GS has a promising laundry list. The turbocharged 2.0 Ecotec will route those 255 ponies through an adaptive AWD system. Stopping power comes from 4 piston 14-inch Brembos.

Holding the drive in place is a set of Recaro seats, which should come in handy with the trick suspension that GM has put in place. GM is using its HiPerStrust technology which helps to reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering.

However, we have a few questions and speculations. If you’re familiar with the Opel Insignia OPC (That Opel Performance Center for those stateside) it packs a 2.8 V6 Turbo that puts out 325 horsepower, a whopping 70 more ponies. Don’t get us wrong, as-is the new GS looks very promising but we are wondering what is going on. Could the General be holding a GNX or maybe a GSX up its sleeve? Maybe the General doesn’t want to put the Buick up against the Caddy CTS….