Autoblog

With products like its now-defunct Corrado sports coupe, Volkswagen has proven that they understand the benefits of active aerodynamics – but a new recall in conjunction with the National HIghway Traffic Safety Administration centers on the potential for some completely unintentional and undesired active aero with the company's products.

According to NHTSA, VW will recall 14,416 2007-2009 Touareg SUVs because the vehicle's roof spoiler can jettison itself from the vehicle, potentially striking pedestrians or other vehicles. Apparently, the problem stems from the fastening struts on the spoiler which can crack, leading to the loosening or outright detachment of the aerodynamic element.

Owners of Touaregs covered under the recall can bring their vehicles to their local dealer, which will install reinforcement wedges to the assembly for free. Official recall information posted after the jump. Top tip, Jeff!

[Source: NHTSA]

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In this week's episode of Autoline After Hours, John McElroy, newly minted Christian publishing mogul Jason Vines and Peter "The Autoextremist" DeLorenzo gather for another unusually frank discussion about the motoring industry's ups and downs.

You can even join in by submitting questions to the panel at viewermail -at- autolinedetroit.tv (put "AAH QUESTION" in the subject line) to be answered on-air tonight during the show's Rapid Fire segment. Follow the jump to watch it live beginning at 7 PM EST.

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For a long time, worrying about Jaguar was the only sensible thing to do. While it was never exactly clear if the marque had (ever) achieved profitability, we enthusiasts were only too happy to give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, the English automaker serially gifted us with watershed designs. Sublime mechanical creatures like the E- and D-Type sports cars, as well as the curvacious Mark II and original XJ. How could we not be totally and utterly smitten? Yet somehow, the once proud automaker eventually found itself adrift in mediocrity, turning out maligned and slow-selling products with an unpleasant odor of unreliability as the money began to run dry. When the then Ford-owned brand launched headlong into its "democratization of luxury" strategy that resulted in the lamentable 2001 X-Type and serious talk of an SUV, well, we couldn't help but grow gravely concerned.

After all, how could a company like Jaguar – a firm that prided itself not only on voluptuous design and sporty handling but also sybaritic appointments and a refined, aristocratic manor speak with a straight face about "the democratization of luxury?" The very concept was oxymoronic to the point of absurdity: when a given commodity is within easy reach of the masses, it ceases to be a luxury good. Simple as that. Predictably, it didn't take long for consumers to cotton on to this revelation, and the savior X-Type was broadly lambasted and narrowly purchased.

Thankfully, the lanky Leaping Cat is at last in proud form once again, and under the new leadership of India's Tata Motors, they are building on the success of the massively impressive Jaguar XF of 2008. By our reckoning, that car was the first clear indication from chief designer Ian Callum and Company that not only did Jaguar understand that it had a past – it might have the blueprint for a bright future as well. As it reasserts its claim to the flagship slot in Coventry's lineup, the new XJ finds itself with big shoes to fill. Is it up to the task? Follow the jump to learn more.

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Yesterday, not long after we posted a story about a gay-centered General Motors marketing video for Chevrolet's new Camaro, the video was mysteriously pulled from YouTube. As it turns out, GM itself has copped to the disappearing act, as it reportedly ordered the popular video hosting site to yank the footage.

According to a USA Today article, GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss felt that the video – which featured a pair of so-called 'go go boys in Camaro-branded underwear washing a new 2010 model – was "not appropriate and not in good taste." The footage was filmed as part of a Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen gay day promotion at a Hollywood movie theater.

Despite pulling the video, GM has reportedly launched a more concerted campaign to broaden the scope of its marketing efforts as it applies to the Camaro, with more overt efforts to target gays, bisexuals and the transgendered. It is not immediately clear what (if any) effect pulling the footage will have on the rest of the automaker's p.r. efforts.

[Sources: USA Today; Mlive]

Autoblog road test editor Damon Lavrinc is in Spartanburg, South Carolina to drive BMW's new all-conquering X6M, and in between bouts with the monster-motor'd crossover, he has had a chance to bend the ear of Martin Berkmann, manager of product planning for BMW North America, about another new capacious Bimmer – the 5 Series Gran Turismo.

Given the Bayern brand's increasingly crowded stable, it should come as no surprise that the boundary-blurring 5GT may result in the death of the sole 5 Series Sports Wagon model offered here in the States (a 530i model is shown). While the company's Touring variants carry a lot of water for BMW in other markets, the 535i xDrive SW makes up but a sliver of U.S. sales, and apparently BMW officials reckon the 5GT could just about extinguish what little demand there is.

By our measure, that's something of a shame, as the 535i xDrive wagon is a nice package all the way around. Further, the 4,100-pound wagon's more compact form, coupled with what figures to be a lower center of gravity ought to make for significantly better handling than the 4,800-pound 5GT. That said, our man Lavrinc is about to get a bonus preview ride on the company's test track in the Gran Turismo, so perhaps we'll learn otherwise very soon.

In any case, the official word hasn't come down yet, but judging by the fact that top officials are even willing to engage in discussions with us, this strikes us as a likely move.

One of our loyal readers was vacationing in Dubai when he happened upon this nearly undisguised and totally unattended 2011 Hyundai Sonata mule. Sammy_R-Gti of assayarat.com explains that he was driving around on vacation and stopped to observe mid-day prayer at a mosque. When he emerged from said house of prayer, he spied the car parked outside of a neighboring spa resort (perhaps some engineers were taking a much-deserved break?), and our man was able to rattle off the photos seen here. Because Sammy_R-Gti (correctly) figured that whoever was with the car probably wouldn't want him photographing their quarry, our man didn't have time to take it all in, but he did gain perhaps the best look yet at Hyundai's pivotal new sedan.

As expected, the roofline and short rear deck indicates that the Korean automaker is going for a much more rakish look, adopting the 'four-door coupe' aesthetic that is so in vogue these days. Unlike earlier spy shots, Sammy has managed to score an almost completely undisguised look at the car's Lexus ES350-like headlamps and its simple three-bar front grille, as well as new details about the sheetmetal's contouring. Judging by the fact that this prototype was fitted with relatively high-profile tires and modestly sized steel wheels with covers, we're guessing that it is a base model.

Check out the gallery of images below. Thanks for the shots, Sammy!



[Source: Sammy_R-Gti of assayyarat.com]

In what is doubtlessly the briefest press release we'll read today, Honda has finally officially confirmed what we've known for some time now – the Japanese automaker will gain a new genre-crossing model called Accord Crosstour, with sales earmarked to begin this fall as a 2010 model.

Presumably, by calling it an "Accord Crosstour," Honda will also be able to neatly fold in the rakish new crossover/wagon/hatchback model's sales figures into that of the Accord upon which it is based – all the better to take on Toyota's Camry at the top of the sales charts. Check out Honda's official press release after the jump.



[Source: Honda | Images: M. Balisky]

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Back when we gave you our first drive impressions of Ford's new Taurus and Taurus SHO, we expressed a measure of concern that it wasn't immediately clear as to which competitors Dearborn's new offerings might square off against. While carving out a new niche can sometimes mean that you can coerce buyers from all segments of the market (Chrysler's PT Cruiser was a good example of this when it launched, as was the Mini Cooper), we openly questioned whether that will be the case with the Blue Oval's big new sedan:

"The Taurus name has never been extended upmarket like this before (let alone in such a waterlogged economy), and it isn't immediately clear who the model's competitors are – a detail that could prove problematic when trying to target customers."

Judging by their new comparison test which pits the SHO against a Journey-spec Infiniti G37 sedan, the folks over at Inside Line share our quandary. After all, given that the rear-drive Infiniti is significantly smaller and lighter, driven by half-as-many wheels (and seemingly from a different end of the market), this seems like a questionable matchup. And yet, there really aren't many cars that are better comparisons – the Chrysler 300C AWD, perhaps, or the front-drive Chevrolet Impala SS, but both are older propositions that are massively outclassed by the spanking new Ford. We might have suggested the Acura TL, but Inside Line already tested that car in a comparison and found it wanting.

Given that the Blue Oval itself appears to be targeting upmarket brands with some of its benchmarks, perhaps the G isn't an unreasonable choice, especially given that its as-tested price ended up being cheaper than the Ford. In any case, the SHO vs. G37 comparison makes for interesting reading, so check it out by clicking on the link below.

[Source: Inside Line; Image: Kurt Niebuhr]

From the "You knew it was coming" file is word that Volvo is readying an R-Design variant of their new XC60 crossover. With the company's sporty trim designation finding its way into nearly every product in the fold (C30, S40, V50, S80, V70, and XC90), the move may be an expected one, but it is pleasant nonetheless.

Given that it features stiffer damping (Volvo doesn't specify how much firmer), a more robust chassis (Volvo doesn't specify how it's reinforced) and improved steering (thanks to a new, "direct steering gear") than its more prosaic counterparts, the R-Design isn't purely an appearance package, but with no underhood work, it isn't far off. That's in keeping with the brand, though, as Volvos aren't traditionally the most sporting offerings in their segment.

In the case of the XC60, the R-Design is distinguished by its color-keyed lower body (standard XC60s are matte black), "matte silk metal finish" flourishes (grille, mirror caps, trim moldings), unique 18-inch "Cratus" pattern alloys (20-inch pieces are optional) as well as skid plates and a pair of chromed exhaust outlets.

The interior also gets some new trimmings, including aluminum steering wheel inserts, door moldings, and a darker finish floating center stack that features "a circular pattern that expands outwards in a dynamic way" – a pattern that is replicated in the striping of the two-toned seating surfaces. The pedals gain aluminum surfaces with grippy rubber inserts, and there's the requisite complement of R-Design badges as well.

As shown in the images, Passion Red is an R-Design-specific available color, but there are six other colors to choose from.

No word yet on model cost or availability, but we expect to see the the XC60 R-Design hitting dealers soon. For now, however, check out the gallery of high-res exterior photos below and the press release after the jump.

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Ford's rakish S-Max people mover may yet come to the States, but we almost certainly won't see it before the facelift seen here takes effect. Caught by long-lensed spy shots for EVO Magazine, this next-generation S-Max mule was caught pulling caravan duty in the Swiss mountains.

According to the U.K. publication, the S-Max's interior is likely to stay the same, meaning that buyers will once again get a choice of five- or seven-seat configurations. The exterior is clearly being tweaked with a new front fascia and grille, as well as reconfigured taillamps featuring LED illumination. Given that the production S-Max first debuted at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2006, this seems like as opportune a time as any to refresh the award-winning MPV.

The engine lineup is expected to remain unaltered, meaning buyers can expect a range of gas and diesel four- and five-cylinder engines as well as manual and automatic transmission choices.

We've been hearing for years now that the sporty S-Max might cross the Pond... is it finally our turn? And if so, would Americans consider it? Have your say in 'Comments.'

[Source: EVO]