By now we pretty much know what the 2006 9-5 facelift looks like, but these are the first pics we've seen of the wagon and the dashboard center stack. Inside, it look much like the 9-3. It must look better with a DVD-Nav screen since the corp-GM radio does not seem to fill out the space very well. The uneven taillights are still a little unsettling. There are also clean front pictures of the 9-5 here. The progression of the two side grills into the headlights was seen in the Saab concepts and is an interesting new trait. Thanks for the tips Swade.

More Saab 9-5 spy shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Jul 2005 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Congrats to Devin Lussier for a review of his 2005 Hyundai Elantra GT Hatchback winning the last runner up spot.

My parents and I were shopping for my first car about three months ago. We had many choices, including the Suzuki Reno, Scion tC, Toyota Matrix, and Hyundai Elantra. A few insurance quotes and weeks of online research later we narrowed it down to the Suzuki Reno and the Hyundai Elantra. The two Toyota choices (tC and Matrix) were left out because they are more expensive, and don't come with attractive warranties like the Suzuki and Hyundai or options like leather seating.

Continue reading Autoblog Take the Wheel Contest - Runner up

Autoblog Take the Wheel Contest - Runner up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2005 16:42:37 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Congrats to Steven Geiger for a review of his 2005 Honda Odyssey EX-L getting a runner up win.

One night, my wife and I bumped into each other in the closet and nine months later, we had twins. We thought we had the car situation worked out, but this was not to be the
case. The dual stroller was the size of a Mini and fitting three cars seats (we already had one child) in the back was quite a squeeze. So began our search for a replacement
vehicle.

Continue reading Autoblog Take the Wheel Contest - Runner up

Autoblog Take the Wheel Contest - Runner up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2005 14:34:17 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Congrats to Steven J. Denfeld for his review of his 2005 Subaru Legacy Outback XT Limited getting voted a runner up! I love the Subaru WRX Sti. The mighty warrior from Subaru has all the right ingredients with which to light this enthusiast's fire. Problem, this enthusiast has been blessed (cursed) with a wife and two very fine children. Yes, the dreaded Family Life once again shows it's handiness at shunting a Driver's dreams smack into the hedge.

Continue reading Autoblog Take the Wheel Contest - Runner up

Autoblog Take the Wheel Contest - Runner up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2005 11:27:54 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

These packages appear to be just for the European folks (the Mini is not suffering any downturn in sales in the U.S. that would lead to the creation of new packages) and conjure up some names from Mini's past. The Mini One Seven will be painted Solar Red and Seven decals, the Mini Cooper Park Lane gets Royal Grey paint, leather trim and silver roof and stripes and the Cooper S Checkmate gets 17-inch wheels, LSD and Xenon headlights.

New packages for Mini originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2005 11:10:06 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last month pictures of the undisguised 2007 Toyota Camry leaked around the internet, so these pictures are not a big deal. Edmunds is predicting the new Camry to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October and U.S. sales should start second quarter of next year.

2007 Camry spy pictures originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2005 08:30:02 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The press was all over GM during the rough times the past couple of months and now that GM has given analysts and certain members of the press a preview of 18 new models coming in the next 30 months. It's weird to hear journalists "gush" over GM's designs, but the new Malibu and CTS are getting a great reaction, as well as the next Escalade. There was mixed reviews for the new line of sport wagons, some loving the new Buick and others not too impressed. Interiors have also received a huge boost from GM. Reviews can be read from Edmunds, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Sun and The Wall Street Journal.

GM's future plans all over the place originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Jun 2005 10:02:14 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It seems like Toyota wants to have it both ways. They tout that Scion is its own brand and sold differently than the Toyota brand, but in their final numbers (and in the monthly numbers where the Scion brand adds huge to the Toyota brand) Scion sales get lumped in with the Toyota brand, almost adding 100,000 units to Toyota's bottom line. Problem is Toyota and Chevy both broadcast commercials proclaiming that they sold the most cars in 2004. Toyota is if they add Scion. Chevy is if they don't. Personally, this is like saying Pontiac/Buick/GMC sales should be counted all as one brand since they are sold at the same dealership. Ah, the PR games.

Chevy or Toyota? Who sold the most cars in 2004? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2005 13:41:28 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A piece of history went up in smoke yesterday as the Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit burnt to the ground. A once mighty plant that was home to Ford's historic Model T and Studebaker's plant before they moved to their South Bend home in 1928. The fire was more devastating for the few businesses that were located in the big brick warehouse including a local family meat wholesaler. Detroit is in the midst of trying to preserve the remnants of "The Motor City" and this is one more blow to that effort.

Model T, Studebaker plant up in flames originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2005 12:00:05 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The exterior shots are computer generated, but these interior mock-up pictures looks like they were taken right in the studio. There isn't too much of a departure from the current Mini, keeping the center mounted speedometer/info center and tach in front of the driver. The pictures also show both color combos and door panels.

2007 Mini interior pictures originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2005 10:40:24 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A six car race at the U.S. Grand Prix does not win fans over, especially when spectators were fleeing for the exits after 10 laps and demanding their money back. The 14 teams that were on Michelin tires boycotted the race after the tire manufacturer informed the teams that the tires were not safe in the final banked corner of IMS. Teams asked the FIA to either change tires or to place a chicane in the final turn. When the requests were refused, 14 teams parked their cars leaving only 6 drivers riding on Bridgestone tires. At least Schumey got the win, but the amount of damage that F1 has done to the sport in the U.S. (and all around the word) is going to be hard to repair.

No way to promote F1 in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2005 11:21:24 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spring Hill is the Woodstock for Saturn fans. It was the revolutionary (and expensive) auto plant for GM's Saturn brand. But as Saturn looks for a new voice that does not include plastic body panels and GM looks to shutter a few more North American plants, word is the completely redesigned 2007 Saturn ION will move production to the Lordstown plant where the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit/G4 (Canada/Mexico) are assembled. That leaves Spring Hill with the VUE, which could easily be assembled in Canada with the Equinox and Torrent if it loses the plastic panels. Now the question is if Spring Hill will take in new models from other plants or if the target is on them. The 2007 ION will take a lot of its look from the Opel Astra (shown).

Is Spring Hill a goner? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2005 09:42:38 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With this much horsepower and torque going through the front wheels of the Grand Prix GXP, is there any way that Pontiac could control torque steer? They did a pretty good job. With traction control active, the tires eagerly chirp, soon to be controlled by the electronic nannies keeping the steering wheel from jerking in your hands. Without traction control, a little pulling is evident, though chances are, unless your dragging from stoplight to stoplight, the traction control will be on.

Continue reading 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP: In the Autoblog Garage day 3 and 4

2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP: In the Autoblog Garage day 3 and 4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Jun 2005 15:00:15 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Saturn Vue gets substantial visual updates for 2006 including a completely new nose and tail section. It's good to see those black bumpers go away. The interior gets a much needed refresh with all new center stack, door trim, center console and more storage areas. The Vue also is equipped with standard OnStar and benefits with GM's new line of audio systems with an AUX jack for iPODs or any other external source. Engine choices stay the same with a 250 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 as the top engine and the only engine choice in the Red Line. A 5-speed automatic is standard on all V-6 powered trucks. I'm still getting used to the little bitty grille. A gallery of pictures are at the link. (The Red Line is in blue, the standard Vue in silver)

Continue reading 2006 Saturn Vue

2006 Saturn Vue originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Jun 2005 13:44:40 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Maybe I know too much about cars and history. Maybe Dodge Aspen rolls off the tongue better than Chrysler Aspen. Maybe when I hear the name Aspen, I think like a down-to-earth car guy and first envision this monstrosity on the right, then a tree, then Lloyd Christmas, then the trendy, rich town. Yes, I'm not the target demographic of Chrysler's first SUV, a be-dazzeled Durango with a big winged logo, but Aspen sits about as well with me as last night's chalupa. I'll repeat it like a mantra: Chrysler Aspen, Chrysler Aspen. Volaré, whoa-oh!

So it's the Chrysler Aspen, is it? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Jun 2005 08:56:38 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The contest winner everyone was waiting for (sarcasm) has been announced and it is a Hemi-powered Big Wheels. Other finalists are at the link. There is a Hemi snow blower, paper shredder, Zamboni machine and merry-go-round. If they built the merry-go-round life sized with little classic Mopar cars you can sit in, that would have taken the cake. Instead, they half-heartedly built a little one without mcuh inspiration. 

Continue reading "What can you Hemi?" contest winner

"What can you Hemi?" contest winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Jun 2005 07:30:51 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Thanks to all that participated in the Take the Wheel contest. We apologize for the length of time that it has take to come up with a winner, but if you are an avid reader of Autoblog, you may have witnessed some changes and four new bloggers that have been tearing up our pages. Today we will announce the $100 grand prize winner, and in the next three days we will print the three $50 runners-up. Congratulations to Jordi Weinstock with a review of the 2005 Volvo S40 T5. The winning review can be read at the link. Stayed tuned tomorrow for the first runner-up winner.

Continue reading Autoblog Take the Wheel contest winner

Autoblog Take the Wheel contest winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2005 12:00:58 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lincoln needs help and hopes the new FWD Zephyr is their Florence Nightingale. For five bucks under $30,000 the Zephyr will be pretty loaded with only six options available. Standard equipment includes the 221 horsepower V-6 with a six-speed automatic, 17-inch rims, ABS, side air bags and curtain bags, choice of dark ebony or maple wood accents, six-disc CD/MP3 player with six speakers, dual-zone HVAC, power everything and LED taillights. Options at the link.

Continue reading 2006 Lincoln Zephyr starts at $29,995

2006 Lincoln Zephyr starts at $29,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2005 18:59:11 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A few weeks ago we highlighted a camera phone picture of what was assumed to be the slightly reworked 2006 Accord. These spy pictures confirm the Acura-ization of the Accord's rear end with new LED taillights. Minor tweaks are seen on the rest of the car, but nothing as drastic as the rear, which in our opinion was the weakest link of the Accord design. Is this enough to stop the Accord sales slide, especially with a totally new Camry and Impala for 2006/07?

2006 Honda Accord spied originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2005 18:27:36 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Outside the changes are not too earth shattering, but the 2006 Ram is getting more updates underneath than we had expected. The Ram 1500 gets a new frame, suspension, sheetmetal and interior and will gain a few mpg with the use of the 5.7-liter, 345 horsepower, 375 lb ft Hemi V-8 with the Multiple Displacement System (MDS). Thisis the first use of the Hemi with MDS in the Ram truck. There is another picture of the new face of the Ram at the link, but most of the changes we already previewed with the 2006 Mega Cab. It looks more like a Durango now.

Continue reading 2006 Dodge Ram Pickup

2006 Dodge Ram Pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2005 17:52:12 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.