Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rumormill: Infiniti still considering version of Nissan GT-R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/infiniti-still-considering-version-of-nissan-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/infiniti-still-considering-version-of-nissan-gt-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/infiniti-still-considering-version-of-nissan-gt-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan GT-R Egoist

The rumor is back: Infiniti is considering a top-dog model based on the Nissan GT-R. The GT-R running gear is impressive with its 500-plus turbocharged horsepower and sophisticated all-wheel drive system, but anyone who's driven Nissan's supercar will tell you that it lacks the finesse you'd expect from an Infiniti.

"We have three or four proposals we are looking at right now." Infiniti Advanced Planning chief Francois Bancon told CAR. Of course, automakers create lots of internal proof-of-concept models that never see the light of day, so having proposals doesn't necessarily have any bearing on what might make production. "It would have to be softer than the GT-R," continued Bancon, acknowledging, "You can't easily tweak the GT-R to deliver the sophisticated, more refined performance we would need on an Infiniti." Whether an Infiniti version of the GT-R is mere rumor or eventual reality, there's going to be a wait. For now, Infiniti is focused on launching a smaller model for 2015, and a GT-R-based halo car would come after that program is successfully under way.

Infiniti still considering version of Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>infiniti gt-rinfiniti gtrinfiniti nissan gt-rnissan gt-rnissan gtrThu, 09 Feb 2012 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Mitsubishi ceases production in Western Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mitsubishi-ceases-production-in-western-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mitsubishi-ceases-production-in-western-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/09/mitsubishi-ceases-production-in-western-europe/#commentsFiled under: , ,

nedcar sign

The problems for Mitsubishi and its Dutch factory, NedCar, began with that common bogeyman, the Smart ForFour. At the end of ForFour production, there was no vehicle in the pipeline for Mitsubishi or then-partner DaimlerChrysler that could be built in the Dutch factory and put its 180,000 cars-per-year capacity to use. Now that the European economy is teetering on the edge of implosion, Mitsubishi is pulling its Colt and Outlander models from Born and putting the plant up for sale. The latest production figures report that NedCar is building just 50,000 cars per year, and since Mitsubishi has a factory under construction in Thailand, located closer to more robust emerging markets, it makes more sense to move where the food is. NedCar workers are naturally unhappy, with about 1,000 recently protesting the decision to move production.

The plant, which started life in the 1960s building both the DAF 44 and 55, was partly underwritten by the government of Holland to provide employment to a regional workforce that had lost a lot of jobs when the mines in Limburg closed. Volvo bought DAF and kept the plant busy with the 66 and 343 through the 1980s. Mitsubishi and the Dutch Government joined Volvo as joint stakeholders in the plant in 1991 as a way to keep it humming at capacity, since Volvo could only manage 120,000 cars per year on its own. Ten years later, Mitsubishi bought out the other two-thirds of the plant and now the Outlander and Colt are going to be out by December 2012.

You can pick up the NedCar facility for a mere dollar, but Mitsubishi Motors President Osamu Masuko will want to see your plan for the 1,500 workers before selling the factory so cheaply. All hope is not lost for the workforce just yet, there are rumors of a potential new owner looking to swoop in and start building a new car in the plant by 2015, creating about 800 jobs in the process. The logical money is on that automaker being Volvo, though Gothenburg has been mum so far.

Mitsubishi ceases production in Western Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mitsubishi coltmitsubishi netherlandsmitsubishi netherlands closingmitsubishi outlandernedcarnedcar closingThu, 09 Feb 2012 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #268]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/autoblog-podcast-268/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/autoblog-podcast-268/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/autoblog-podcast-268/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Superbowl commercials, Fiat 500L preview, Honda loses Civic Hybrid lawsuit, driverless LeMons cars

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Episode #268 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, and Zach. Topics include our favorite automotive Superbowl commercials, the pre-Geneva preview of the Fiat 500L, Honda losing a small-claims lawsuit over Civic Hybrid fuel economy numbers, and self-driving LeMons cars. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #268:
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Jeep Compass Latitude
2012 Nissan Maxima

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:32:17
Get the podcast
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #268

Autoblog Podcast #268 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcast 268driverless carfeaturedfiat 500lhonda civic lawsuitsuperbowl commercialsTue, 07 Feb 2012 16:45:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #268Autoblog01:32:17<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #268 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/autoblog-podcast-268-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/autoblog-podcast-268-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/autoblog-podcast-268-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/#commentsFiled under:

Autoblog Podcast Live

We're almost ready to record Episode #268 of the Autoblog Podcast. Check out the topics below and you can join us live via UStream, as well, and we've embedded our UStream player after the jump. Thanks for listening!

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #268

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #268 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

Autoblog Podcast #268 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcast topicsMon, 06 Feb 2012 21:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Canada's Shaw creates a Super Bowl commercial, Canadian-style]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/canadas-shaw-creates-a-super-bowl-commercial-canadian-style/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/canadas-shaw-creates-a-super-bowl-commercial-canadian-style/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/canadas-shaw-creates-a-super-bowl-commercial-canadian-style/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Cadillac CTS-V and Ford Crown Victoria car chase

Here's a Super Bowl commercial that most of us probably missed, even those of you who stayed on the couch for all four quarters and didn't even get up during halftime.

It's a fantastic car-chase commercial that features a first-generation Cadillac CTS-V and a pair of iconic Panther-platform Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. The ad is promoting high-speed Exo service for Canadian cable provider Shaw, which explains the couch potatoes and flatscreens riding atop each car.

Check it out after the jump, and get another chuckle now that the newness of the U.S.-market spots has worn off.

Continue reading Canada's Shaw creates a Super Bowl commercial, Canadian-style

Canada's Shaw creates a Super Bowl commercial, Canadian-style originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cadillaccrown victoriacts-vfordsuper bowlsuper bowl adssuper bowl commercialsuperbowlMon, 06 Feb 2012 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #268 LIVE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-268-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-268-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/06/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-268-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast

We record Episode #268 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #268

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #268 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcastautoblog podcast topicschrysler profit sharingfiat 500lhonda civic hybrid lawsuitsuperbowl commercialsMon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BMWism.com chronicles BMW designers through the eras]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/bmwism-com-chronicles-bmw-designers-through-the-eras/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/bmwism-com-chronicles-bmw-designers-through-the-eras/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/bmwism-com-chronicles-bmw-designers-through-the-eras/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

bmw designer sketching a car

Chris Bangle may be the name most recently associated with BMW design, but he's just one of many men and women who have sketched and sculpted automobiles for Bayerische Motoren Werke. BMW enthusiast website BMWism.com has gone all the way back to the beginning of the brand, when a BMW was a knockoff of an Austin 7. The names we all know show up in the chronology; giants of post-World War II automotive design world like Michelotti, Bertone, Gandini, Bracq, and of course, Hofmeister.

In addition to the Italian hired guns who sketched for BMW at one time or another, a few surprising names dot BMW's history. Josef Ganz, the largely unsung automotive engineer responsible for much of the original Volkswagen Beetle, also did contract work for BMW. Aerodynamicist Wunibald Kamm based his Kamm-Coupe on BMW 328 mechanicals. Raymond Loewy's mid-century lines were wrought upon at least one BMW 507, and Albrecht von Goertz was a colleague of Loewy's before he designed the 507.

In more recent years, it's intriguing to note the diversity of backgrounds. You've got Bangle, Henrik Fisker, current design chief Adrian van Hooydonk (the man actually responsible for the "Bangle Butt"), and Z4 designer Juliane Blasi. Perhaps the most understated of all BMW designers is Jojii Nagashima, the man responsible for the outgoing E90 3 Series, the iconic E39 5 Series, and, along with Boyke Boyer, the E36 3 Series. Taken as a whole, BMW has a pantheon of automotive design big-thinkers, a trend that doesn't look to be slowing anytime soon.

BMWism.com chronicles BMW designers through the eras originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw designbmw designerbmw historychris banglechris bangle bmwSun, 05 Feb 2012 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #267]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/autoblog-podcast-267/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/autoblog-podcast-267/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/autoblog-podcast-267/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

BMW M goes Diesel, Ford Focus fleet sales numbers, California 2025 green car mandate

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Episode #267 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Zach and Chris Paukert this week. Topics include the addition of diesel-powered BMW M models overseas, the surprisingly high fleet sales figure for the Ford Focus, and a new green car mandate coming out of California. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #267:
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Mazda3 Skyactiv
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
2012 Audi A4
2012 Dodge Durango Citadel

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:15:33
Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
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Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #267

Autoblog Podcast #267 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a4autoblog podcast 267bmw mfeaturedfocusford focusmazda3silveradoTue, 31 Jan 2012 16:45:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #267Autoblog01:15:33<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #267 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/autoblog-podcast-267-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/autoblog-podcast-267-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/autoblog-podcast-267-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/#commentsFiled under:

Autoblog Podcast Live

We're almost ready to record Episode #267 of the Autoblog Podcast. Check out the topics below and you can join us live via UStream, as well, and we've embedded our UStream player after the jump. Thanks for listening!

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #267

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #267 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

Autoblog Podcast #267 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcast 267 liveautolog podcast topicsMon, 30 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #267 LIVE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-267-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-267-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/30/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-267-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast

We record Episode #267 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #267

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #267 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcast 267autoblog podcast topicspodcastMon, 30 Jan 2012 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Volvo S60 becomes second car to ace all NHTSA safety tests [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/volvo-s60-becomes-second-car-to-ace-all-nhtsa-safety-tests-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/volvo-s60-becomes-second-car-to-ace-all-nhtsa-safety-tests-w-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/volvo-s60-becomes-second-car-to-ace-all-nhtsa-safety-tests-w-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

post crash test 2012 Volvo S60

The 2012 Volvo S60 isn't likely to be mentioned in the same breath as the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, but these two cars share a unique distinction. No, Volvo has not made a mid-year change to rear-wheel drive and V8 power, but it is joining the Camaro as a crash test ace. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cranked up its crash-test rigor in 2011, and the Camaro has been the only car to completely ace all of the revised tests' categories. Until now.

The 2012 Volvo S60 demonstrates the brand's long held reputation for safety by becoming the second car to return perfect ratings in every category of NHTSA crash testing. That means this premium Swedish sedan stands up to a 35 mph frontal collision, 38.5 mph side-impact, and 20 mph simulation of a side crash into a pole better than other vehicles NHTSA has run through its gauntlet. There are a lot of vehicles out there with five-star ratings for this test or that, but only the Camaro and S60 have registered five stars in every evaluation, so far. Check out the videos of the tests, posted after the jump.

Continue reading Volvo S60 becomes second car to ace all NHTSA safety tests [w/video]

Volvo S60 becomes second car to ace all NHTSA safety tests [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 volvo s602012 volvo s60 crash testcrash testcrash test videonational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsas60volvoThu, 26 Jan 2012 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Fusion couldn't outsell Toyota Camry even if Ford wanted it to, which it apparently doesn't]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/fusion-couldnt-outsell-toyota-camry-even-if-ford-wanted-it-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/fusion-couldnt-outsell-toyota-camry-even-if-ford-wanted-it-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/fusion-couldnt-outsell-toyota-camry-even-if-ford-wanted-it-to/#commentsFiled under: , ,

red 2013 Ford Fusion

"I don't think we're very enamored with being Number One just to be Number One," Ford Global Marketing Vice President Jim Farley says of his expectations for the 2013 Ford Fusion. Interest in the Fusion spiked after the 2013 model's premium-look sheetmetal made a splash at this month's Detroit Auto Show, so it's natural to expect that Ford wants to grab the sales volume brass ring. After all, the Ford Taurus was the best-selling car in the U.S. for nearly half of the 1990s, but Farley points out that Ford is "much more enamored with getting the right price point and the right kind of people to buy the car."

Simply put, that means that while Ford is bringing additional Fusion production to the AutoAlliance International facility in Flat Rock, MI, success won't be measured just by total units sold. Besides, even with the added capacity, Ford's 400,000 per year full-tilt capability still trails the 500,000 Camry models Toyota can assemble in Kentucky and Indiana. Ford apparently thinks it's smarter to focus on the technology, style, and efficiency that customers will pay more for, rather than forcing dealers to take more cars than they want and dumping the rest into fleets just to get the sales crown.

Instead of crowing about a short-term metric that ultimately cheapens the brand image and drives down resale values, Ford's posture suggests they want to drive continued profitability by getting more money per sale than the competiton. Finding tech savvy buyers will mean spending heavy dollars on digital marketing campaigns, including social media, and for a change, that may mean strong Fusion sales in markets that don't traditionally embrace the Blue Oval as strongly as the stalwart support of the midwest.

We have to agree that profit-per-vehicle and a good reputation strikes us as a better strategy to long-term health than a strategy based on volume dominance, but we're guessing that Farley and company would still be pleased as punch if the Fusion managed to outsell the competition.

Fusion couldn't outsell Toyota Camry even if Ford wanted it to, which it apparently doesn't originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford fusionauto alliancefordford fusion productionford fusion salesfusionjim farleyThu, 26 Jan 2012 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #266]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/autoblog-podcast-266/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/autoblog-podcast-266/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/autoblog-podcast-266/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Barrett-Jackson 2012, Camaro ZL1 vs Shelby GT500, Volkswagen says it's really #1, C7 Chevrolet Corvette

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Episode #266 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, Zach and Drew Phillips this week. Topics include the Barrett-Jackson auction, smack talk from the Camaro ZL1 chief, Volkswagen disputing GM's claim of #1 in the world, and a C7 Corvette sighting. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #266:
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2012 Nissan Rogue
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Drew Phillips, Zach Bowman
Runtime: 01:07:43
Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #266

Autoblog Podcast #266 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcast 266barrett-jacksoncadillac cts-v wagonchevrolet camaro zl1featuredford mustang shelby gt500jeep wranglernissan roguevolkswagen tiguanTue, 24 Jan 2012 17:30:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #266Autoblog01:07:43<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #266 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/autoblog-podcast-266-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/autoblog-podcast-266-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/autoblog-podcast-266-goes-live-at-10pm-eastern/#commentsFiled under:

Autoblog Podcast Live

We're almost ready to record Episode #266 of the Autoblog Podcast. Check out the topics below and you can join us live via UStream, as well, and we've embedded our UStream player after the jump. Thanks for listening!

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #266

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #266 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern

Autoblog Podcast #266 goes LIVE at 10PM Eastern originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcastautoblog podcast topicsMon, 23 Jan 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #266 LIVE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-266-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-266-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-266-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast

We record Episode #266 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #266
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #266 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog podcast topicsbarrett-jacksonc7c7 corvettecamarocamaro zl1chevroletcorvettegeneral motors salesgm salesshelby gt500shelby nurburgringvolkswagenvolkswagen salesvw salesMon, 23 Jan 2012 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Confirmed: <i>Racing Dreams</i> documentary premiering on PBS in February [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/racing-dreams-documentary-premiering-on-pbs-in-february/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/racing-dreams-documentary-premiering-on-pbs-in-february/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/23/racing-dreams-documentary-premiering-on-pbs-in-february/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Racing Dreams is an award-winning documentary that follows the racing exploits of three go-kart racing youths chasing an entry into the world of NASCAR. As we reported before, when Racing Dreams took the podium at the Tribeca Film Festival, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson got behind this project as executive producer, and now this documentary is making its broadcast premiere on Thursday, February 23 at 9 PM on Public Television. The PBS documentary series POV (Point Of View) will also stream the movie on its website for a month following the debut.

The idea of a karting documentary may not sound immediately captivating to anyone but the most hardcore of racing fans, but the story of Annabeth Barnes, Josh Hobson and Brandon Warren (11, 12, and 13 years old, respectively), has a track record of surprising viewers. It's more than just the story of how entry into professional auto racing of any sort increasingly starts even before adolescence, it talks about how the experience of fierce on-track competition colors the already-bewildering arrival of adolescence. Indeed, racing isn't the kind of subject matter you'd expect to find on PBS, but director and producer Marshall Curry has woven a story that's been rewarded with honors at many film festivals around the United States. Racing Dreams is a story about life that happens to have racing figure into the plot. Check your local listings to catch the documentary on your PBS station, and after checking out our gallery, you can watch the trailer and read the official press release, both posted after the jump.

Continue reading Racing Dreams documentary premiering on PBS in February [w/video]

Racing Dreams documentary premiering on PBS in February [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dwayne johnsongo kartgo-kartkartkartingmarshall currynascarpbsracingracing dreamsvideoMon, 23 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: The Bark Side: Volkswagen hounds bring back <i>Star Wars</i> in Super Bowl teaser]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/the-bark-side-volkswagen-hounds-bring-back-star-wars-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/the-bark-side-volkswagen-hounds-bring-back-star-wars-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/the-bark-side-volkswagen-hounds-bring-back-star-wars-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,

dog dressed up like an ewok from a volkswagen commercial

Volkswagen knows how to get attention through advertising, as its latest teaser spot shows. Start with the Star Wars Imperial March to make the tighty-whities of every 40-year-old geek just a little bit tighter, and add dogs for the rest of the nation. That's how you get the undivided attention of the United States of America.

Building on the success of last year's "Tiny Vader" commercial, Volkswagen has begun the buildup to a full minute-long commercial featuring the Beetle that will debut during next month's Super Bowl. Which Beetle is the question, and Volkswagen says that on February 5th, 2012, something will be "back and better than ever."

The car that's coming back is likely to be the diesel-powered Beetle TDI, especially since the timing lines up with the Chicago Auto Show that runs from February 8th. What, you're still here? Who cares about conjecture, go watch the teaser. There are dogs dressed up like Ewoks, and there's even a little Wookie singing in there. See it after the jump.

Continue reading The Bark Side: Volkswagen hounds bring back Star Wars in Super Bowl teaser

The Bark Side: Volkswagen hounds bring back Star Wars in Super Bowl teaser originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emperial marchimperial marchstar warsstar wars dogssuper bowlsuper bowl commercialvideovolkswagenvolkswagen dog commercialvolkswagen star wars dog commercialvolkswagen superbowl commercialvwThu, 19 Jan 2012 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: National Academy of Sciences: Electronic glitches in cars untraceable, more oversight needed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/national-academy-of-sciences-electronic-glitches-in-cars-untrac/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/national-academy-of-sciences-electronic-glitches-in-cars-untrac/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/19/national-academy-of-sciences-electronic-glitches-in-cars-untrac/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

crashed Toyota Camry

"We couldn't find anything, but we're still blaming the car." That's the gist of the statement from a National Academy of Sciences panel headed by New Jersey Institute of Technology physics professor Louis Lanzerotti. The NAS supports U.S. regulators shutting down investigation of Toyota unintended acceleration incidents without finding electronic faults that would cause the behavior. However, at the same time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is planning to call for further oversight and more study to attempt to rule out electronic causes.

About the only thing that's concrete is that crashes happened. To be fair, electronic faults can be tricky to pin down, even with far simpler systems than the networked-computing setups that modern cars universally employ. That's why event data recording is already part of many automotive systems, along with a high degree of redundancy and fault tolerance. Many carmakers also already program engine management to douse the throttle with brake application in certain situations. Few are more interested in catching intermittent, potentially catastrophic problems than the companies building the cars, and most have already implemented the systems these organs of the state are calling for. Even so, the NAS and NHTSA appear keen to write these tendencies into law. Read the NAS' press release after the jump.

Continue reading National Academy of Sciences: Electronic glitches in cars untraceable, more oversight needed

National Academy of Sciences: Electronic glitches in cars untraceable, more oversight needed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>national academy of sciencesnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsasudden accelerationtoyotatoyota recalltoyota recall acceleratortoyota safetytoyota sudden accelerationtoyota unintended acceleratonunintended accelerationThu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: UAW President Bob King pumped about new CAFE standards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/uaw-president-bob-king-pumped-about-new-cafe-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/uaw-president-bob-king-pumped-about-new-cafe-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/uaw-president-bob-king-pumped-about-new-cafe-standards/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bob King, United Auto Workers president

Bob King, President of the United Auto Workers, is adding his voice to those who have already chimed in with support for the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. In what might be a historic break from the union's contentious past, King is throwing in for the new fuel efficiency rules because he thinks it will mean jobs for his members as the auto industry reacts to the mandate.

In the past, such a decree could have meant much wailing and gnashing of teeth from both the automakers and labor unions. Instead, The Detroit News reports King told a meeting of representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and Nathional Highway Traffic Safety Administration "We are excited about the new green technologies that are being developed in the United states and produced in UAW-represented facilities." King went on to praise the rules as a change that will save people money at the gas pump and reduce pollution.

The proceedings in Detroit weren't all smiles, however. Don Chalmers of the National Automobile Dealers Association expressed worry that the technology to make the fuel efficiency goal possible will tack on between $3,500 to $5,000 to the price of new vehicles, squeezing buyers with low cashflow or difficult credit inordinately. Still, the surprising bout of rainbows and puppy dogs that this latest CAFE requirement has engendered may be a harbinger of a new attitude all-around, as long as dealers can figure out how to put buyers into the newly efficient cars that automakers and labor leaders are so pleased to be creating.

UAW President Bob King pumped about new CAFE standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2025 cafe targetbob kingbob king cafecafecafe 2025corporate average fuel economydon chalmersfuel economympgnational automobile dealers associationuawWed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: L.L. Bean celebrates century of mucking about with Bootmobile [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/l-l-bean-celebrates-century-of-mucking-about-with-bootmobile-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/l-l-bean-celebrates-century-of-mucking-about-with-bootmobile-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/l-l-bean-celebrates-century-of-mucking-about-with-bootmobile-w/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The L.L.Bean Bootmobile is perhaps the diametric opposite of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, promoting outdoor activity instead of consumption of sodium and saturated-fat-laden sausages. The well-known maker of high quality outdoor goods is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the Bootmobile has been created as a way to celebrate the product that helped start it all.

After being unveiled to L.L. Bean employees at the Brunswick, Maine facility where the boots are made, the wheeled boot tribute is headed to Times Square to kick off a nationwide anniversary tour. The tour is intended to inspire people to frolic outdoors and L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery School guides will be traveling with the Bootmobile to help people learn how to do so.

Most important to auto enthusiasts might be what's underneath it all. The underlying truck is a Ford F-250 Super Duty Diesel, and piled atop that base is a fiberglass body that stands 13 feet tall. Das Boot equates to a Size 747 bit of footwear - that's the perfect size for a 143-foot tall person, but they are too big for the Statue of Liberty. Echo Artz of Florida handled the design and build process, first sculpting the body in foam and then laying the fiberglass and paying obsessive attention to the details along the way. L.L. Bean officials declined to tell us how much the unique build cost them, calling the Bootmobile "priceless."

It's a big way to celebrate a company that started as the result of cold, wet feet after a hunting trip. Check out a neat video and the official press release after the jump.

Continue reading L.L. Bean celebrates century of mucking about with Bootmobile [w/video]

L.L. Bean celebrates century of mucking about with Bootmobile [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bootbootmobilebootsecho artsecho artzfootwearl.l. beanllbeanllbean bootmobilemobile advertisingoutdoor gearvideoWed, 18 Jan 2012 14:57:00 EST