Automotive News (Page 1136)

While attending the press preview of the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, I had a chance to sit down with Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles and during our discussion, he confirmed a few key points on the next generation of the Dodge Viper. While Gilles didn’t dish the dirt on items like power or performance numbers, he confirmed that the design phase of the new Dodge Viper is complete and this new supercar is expected to be introduced in the summer of 2012 as a 2013 model.

Ford has announced a contest to win a two-year Mustang lease on Facebook by coming up with a name the V-6 performance package. My how things have changed that the words Mustang, V-6 and performance package can be used in the same sentence without derisive peals of laughter. Then again, compared to the old four-bangers once offered in Mustangs, a V-6 isn't a bad alternative.

The moment some automotive fans have been dreading and others have been gleefully anticipating happens Sunday night at 10 p.m. when Top Gear America premieres on the History Channel. It's a USA version of the immensely popular BBC's Top Gear and the Yank version (as the Brits might say) stars drifting champion Tanner Foust, comedian Adam and Rutledge Wood, who does Speed Channel’s NASCAR coverage.

While Ford heralds its Police Interceptor performance against the competition from Dodge and Chevrolet, criminals everywhere are gnashing their teeth (as are the lawyers who fear the liability caused by high-speed police chases). Ford's replacement for the ubiquitous Crown Victoria is racking up the performance numbers police officers like to see in their mobile offices.

The designers of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios surprised everyone at the 2010 Los Angeles Design challenge by presenting the 2035 Mercedes-Benz Biome. The car simply mimics the nature is fully integrated into the ecosystem following nature's example.

Edmunds.com has released its list of the cheapest cars and trucks to insure. The list is broken down by categories like top trucks and top coupes, among others. Rankings are based on five-year projections for all models in each class generated by the Edmunds.com data team as a part of their development of Edmunds.com’s True Cost to Own values. Each model's costs were determined based on the trim level that is the least expensive to insure.

Ford has announced it is decreasing its stake in Mazda but says it is committed to working with the Japanese manufacturer on strategic partnerships. The Dearborn, Mich., automaker is going to reduce its stake in Mazda from 11 percent to 3.5 percent by Nov. 19, according to a Ford statement. Ford will transfer part of its shares in Mazda to several of Mazda’s business partners.

Two of the great beauties in motorized transport, Mercedes AMG and Ducatti, have come together to work closely in the future. Ducati, the maker of beautiful, fast Italian motorcycles, will join with AMG, the performance enhancement division of Mercedes, to develop common marketing activities. Members of AMG Private Lounge, in which more than 13,000 AMG customers worldwide are registered, will be among the first beneficiaries of joint events.

For two model years, Mazda denied U.S. buyers of its Mazda5 a standard transmission, but for the 2012 model year it once again comes in a manual transmission. Forget all the hoopla about it having elements of the Nagare design in its DNA. A mini-minivan with a six-speed manual transmission is going to be a hoot to drive.

As part of the Los Angeles Design Challenge, which typically produces some futuristic automobiles, Maybach - the über-luxury brand - has made a luxury rickshaw. Maybach explains it best: "The Maybach DRS – “Den-Riki-Sha” (electrically driven rickshaw) – blends the very latest automotive technology, luxurious comfort, and the highest safety levels with the needs of an environmentally aware world and the traditional values of the classic “Jin-Riki-Sha” (human-powered rickshaw)."

Wondering when the best and worst day to buy a car is going to be? Well, TrueCar.com claims to have the answer for the rest of November and December. In its monthly TrueTrends report, which also offers information on best and worst manufacturers when it comes to customer performance among other topics, the website says the best and worst day to buy a car is largely based on when the discounts will be greatest.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched the Distracted Driving Videos series, which is a chilling reminder of how one second of driver distraction can have life-altering consequences. The new online video series features people from across the country who have been injured or lost loved ones to distracted driving. The government is launching the series with three videos, and will add a new one every few weeks.

At the L.A. Auto Show, Ford is introducing the Focus Race Car Concept, its next global track car. Unlike other concepts debuting at the show, this has to be considered practically production ready with the technology it embraces including the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost turbo engine. The first race appearance for the car is anticipated to be in the 2011 British Touring Car Championship.

Neil Young's classic 1959 Lincoln has been heavily damaged in a warehouse fire. The legendary rock star had converted a 1959 Lincoln Continental to run on electricity. Called the LincVolt now, it is the world's first Micro-Turbine powered Bio-Electro-Cruiser. Designed in 1959 to travel in style and grace, this timeless, beautiful and spacious Electro-Turbine Series-Hybrid now draws its power from a multi-fueled Capstone Micro-turbine generator, a UQM 150KW prime mover and Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries.

Dodge has managed to extend the sports car design DNA of its now iconic Dodge Challenger across its entire 2011 lineup with major changes to the Charger, Grand Caravan and Journey. At the same time it delivers an air of refinement to its interiors that had long been lacking. Models such as the Charger and the Grand Caravan are no longer just beautiful on the outside. They have become complete packages – something that the brand has been lacking for years. Dodge is no longer the ugly duckling at Chrysler.

The New York Taxi and Livery Commission along with The Design Trust for Public Space are sponsoring a contest where you can win a year of free taxi rides in New York City. It's actually an easy contest to enter. All you have to do is take a survey, answer a few questions, and you're going to be cruising the five boroughs for free for 2011. Say goodbye to the Metro and hello to a bouncy ride in a beatup Crown Victoria.

If you are planning on shopping for a new Kia, you might just want to practice saying that. No, Australia's Holden hasn't become part of Kia. Instead, customers in 24 countries will be selected through local test drives & special showroom visit events to enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open Jan. 17-30, 2011.

Motor Trend has selected the Chevy Volt as its 2011 Car of the Year. Keeping with a trend common in automotive awards, the magazine has selected a car not yet available to the public for purchase. And, it has managed to select a car that has limited availability, too. When it rolls out in December, Chevrolet will only launch Volt in seven markets, in limited quantities: California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Washington D.C.

Lots of vintage BMW owners consider their cars to be works of art but 17 really are. The latest is a classic BMW 521i that has been turned into a piece of art by South African artist Esther Mahlangu at the Museum of Art and Design. Over the 35 years of the BMW Art Car program, 17 art cars have been added to the collection, the most recent is the BMW M3 GT2 by Jeff Koons that was unveiled earlier this year. Mahlangu was the first female and first African BMW Art Car artist to join the program.

GM IPO, scheduled for Thursday is already cult. The company raises stock price range and adds preferred shares to sale.

Audi plans to launch its first hybrid car next year. It will be based on the automaker's sport utility vehicle, the Q5.

Remember those diamond engagement ring commercials that claimed you should spend three month’s salary for a ring? Well, that’s nothing compared to the fact that you will spend, on average, almost six months of salary to purchase your next new car (then again most marriages don't last as long as a car loan). A study by Comerica Bank of Dallas claims cars are slightly more affordable in the third quarter of 2010.

Pirelli Tire North America has announced a major investment in its manufacturing facility in Rome, Georgia. Alabama and Georgia are quickly becoming major manufacturing hubs with Kia, Honda and Hyundai plants located there. The $12 million investment announced by Pirelli is going towards a compound mixing facility at the Rome, Georgia facility that has received from more than $92 million in investments since its inception in 2001.

Forday today announced 19 cities and markets where it plans to sell its electric car Ford EV, which is based on 2012 Ford Ford Focus. The list of those markets shows the automaker will target the major metro areas for its electric car's introduction.

Mercedes has tapped into the burgeoning Chinese automotive market by offering a Mercedes race-car school in China. The AMG Driving Academy in China takes place from Nov. 19 to Nov. 24 at the Shanghai International Circuit, a 3.5-mile F1 track. They’ll have some great vehicles at their disposal, including the SLS AMG, the SL 63 AMG, the C 63 AMG with Performance Package Plus, and the SLK 55 AMG.

Just like there are three major domestic manufacturers in the U.S., there are three major auto shows: Detroit, New York and Los Angeles. The Los Angeles show opens Friday, Nov. 19, after two jam-packed media days, with major debuts coming.

The 2010 Nissan Cube – by all measures a vehicle that should make sub-compact driving fun and practical. Don’t let the hype fool you. The Nissan Cube is the rare Nissan that does not have much going for it.

Judging from the images, posted on Toyota's Japanese website, the new Ractis may be a left hand drive. It does not seem surprising for the American and most of the European drivers, but this version of Ractis is for the Japan, where the drivers run their cars on the right side.

Porsche is taking a new mid-engine sized sports car to Los Angeles Auto Show. The company is keeping it secret, but experts have some ideas.

According to the Russian language car magazine Za Rulem BMW has the biggest stand at the Moscow Auto Show and is featuring this new concept car BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics.