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[What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/26/what-supercars-would-look-like-if-they-were-designed-by-engineer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/26/what-supercars-would-look-like-if-they-were-designed-by-engineer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/26/what-supercars-would-look-like-if-they-were-designed-by-engineer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

GrabCAD 500 Group Supercar Body Challenge street winner

Often, engineers are forced to sit and watch as accountants and stylists wreak havoc on a vehicle's design. GrabCAD recently decided to turn the tables by giving engineers the chance to pen a body for a ready-made chassis by 500 Group. The site was flooded with 200 unique designs completed in just 40 days. The top quarter of those went on for final judging in two categories: street and track. 500 Group will then actually produce one or more of the designs through a General Motors Special Projects agreement.

The chassis makes use of a number of GM Performance parts, and is set up to make use of the E-Rod LS3, LS7 or supercharged LS9 V8 engines. One skinless chassis has already been completed for testing.

Each concept body has plenty of renderings as well as full description. Be sure to check out the full press release below, as well as a video of the chassis on track. Then, head over to the GrabCAD site for a deeper dive.

Continue reading What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video]

What supercars would look like if they were designed by engineers [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 May 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500 groupbodychassisconceptdesigne-rodgeneral motorsgeneral motors special projectsgmgrabcadSat, 26 May 2012 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: VW readying Jetta Alltrack for America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/vw-readying-jetta-alltrack-for-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/vw-readying-jetta-alltrack-for-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/vw-readying-jetta-alltrack-for-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack - front three-quarter studio image

It looks as if Volkswagen aims to spread the Alltrack love around. Autocar reports the German manufacturer is currently mulling a lifted version of its next Golf and Jetta. European buyers would be able to sink their teeth into the smaller of those two creations, while Americans would be left to enjoy the larger Jetta Alltrack. Like the Passat Alltrack shown above, the vehicles would enjoy a taller ride height, black plastic cladding on the wheel arches and unique front and rear fascias. Why would Volkswagen look to add another crossover to its ranks when it already has the Tiguan?

The next-generation Tiguan will likely be larger and offer third-row seating, leaving a compact crossover-sized void in the company's lineup. An all-wheel drive high-riding Jetta could be just the answer. There are no solid details on what the driveline could offer, but we'd be surprised if anything other than the current spate of gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines showed up under the hood.

VW readying Jetta Alltrack for America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alltrackgolfgolf alltrackjettajetta alltrackjetta wagonpassat alltrackvolkswagenvolkswagen jetta alltrackvolkswagen passat alltrackvwFri, 25 May 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: America, these are your top 10 most expensive cars to own]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/america-these-are-your-top-10-most-expensive-cars-to-own/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/america-these-are-your-top-10-most-expensive-cars-to-own/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/america-these-are-your-top-10-most-expensive-cars-to-own/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - red - at speed in a forest

Picking up a used luxury car is a great way to save some coin. Letting the previous owner take the fall on depreciation is a smart move, but it's worth remembering that high-end autos carry with them high-end maintenance and repair costs. Using Edmunds.com data, 24/7 Wall Street has compiled what it says are the 10 most expensive vehicles to own, and the list is populated by some not-so-surprising names. BMW and Mercedes-Benz soak up the lion's share of the offenders, though other manufactures make a showing as well. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG takes top honors as the most expensive of them all with a "true cost of ownership" of $245,469. That's in addition to the gullwing supercar's $210,875 MSRP.

The calculations not only factor in deprecation, but also things like fuel, maintenance and insurance costs.

All told, Mercedes-Benz models takes four of the 10 spots on the list. That's twice as many as BMW, and the rest are split between makes like Land Rover, Audi and Nissan. If that last one seems a bit out of place, keep in mind Nissan makes the mighty (and mighty complex) GT-R. Check out our gallery below for a full list of the biggest offenders.

America, these are your top 10 most expensive cars to own originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7 seriesactivehybrid 7alpina b7audibmwclcl-classcost of ownershipg-classgt-rland roverlsls600hmercedes-benzmost expensive carnissanownershipr8range roverslsl-classsls amgFri, 25 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-does-its-papa-proud/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-does-its-papa-proud/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-does-its-papa-proud/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



Renault has officially released details on its Alpine A110-50 Concept. Designed to pay homage to the original Alpine A110, the machine wears a body crafted from carbon fiber and dipped in a shade of the same iconic Alpine Blue we all know and love. Up front, designers worked in a set of half-ring yellow LED lights reminiscent of the hood-mounted fog lights found on the original. That's pretty much where the similarities end, however. Based loosely on the crushingly-sexy Renault Dezir Concept, the new machine boasts proud fender arches, a wild split-wing rear spoiler and scissor doors.

As we'd heard before, the A110-50 Concept rolls on the same chassis as the Megane Trophy, complete with adjustable Sachs dampers, 21-inch wheels and the notable absences of on-board nannies like ABS or traction control. Hefty 14-inch front brake discs are pressed by six-piston calipers, while the 13-inch discs out back make due with four-piston units.

Renault placed a 3.5-liter V6 mid-ship with a full 400 horsepower on hand. A roof mounted-intake funnels air from outside the engine bay into the machine's carbon-fiber intake. Meanwhile, a dual-clutch six-speed gearbox allows the driver the choice of disengaging the transmission via a floor-mounted clutch pedal or shifting via steering-wheel mounted paddles.

Scroll down to check out the full press release as well as a couple videos.

Continue reading Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud

Renault Alpine A110-50 concept does its papa proud originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a110-50alpinealpine a110-50alpine a110-50 conceptcarbon fiberconceptconcept carledmegane trophymonaco grand prixrenault alpine a110-50renault alpine a110-50 conceptrenault dezirrenault dezir conceptFri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/alt-fuel-cars-unsustainable-without-government-assistance/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/alt-fuel-cars-unsustainable-without-government-assistance/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/alt-fuel-cars-unsustainable-without-government-assistance/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevrolet Volt Charger

According to the 2012 U.S. Automotive Industry Survey and Confidence Index by Booz & Co., alternative vehicle powertrains may take up as much as 10 percent of the total market by 2020, but only if the federal government continues to support development.

Without a helping hand from Uncle Sam, only 30 percent of the researchers, executives and consumers who participated in the survey believe alternative-fuel machines will be able to carve out that small slice of the market. Specifically, federal tax incentives for potential buyers could help push the technology forward in the future.

According to Wards Auto, further development faces a double hurdle. First, additional urban planning is required to demonstrate plug-in hybrids and EVs will be viable options for buyers, but at the same time, government agencies also need to see fuel cell and battery costs come down before being willing to pony up for chargers or incentives.

Even so, 70 percent of those surveyed said they were more confident about future hybrid demand than they were in 2011. Take a look at the full survey results here.

Alt-fuel cars unsustainable without government assistance originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternativealternative fuelelectricfederal governmentfuel cellhybridplug in hybridtax incentivestechnologyus automotive industry study and confidence indexwards autoFri, 25 May 2012 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/renault-alpine-new-images-and-teaser-video-surface-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/renault-alpine-new-images-and-teaser-video-surface-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/renault-alpine-new-images-and-teaser-video-surface-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept

Renault has turned over a few more photos of its all-new Alpine A110-50 ahead of the machine's debut at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. The new shots show off the sports car's rear end for the first time. The total package looks more than a little like the Renault DeZir concept, though we're told the chassis is borrowed almost entirely from the company's Megane Trophy.

If the two machines share more than bones, that means we can expect to see a 3.5-liter V6 engine mounted mid-ship. The powerplant churns out 360 horsepower in standard guise, though the A110-50 is said to clear over 400 horsepower.

In addition to the few photos, Renault also served up a brief teaser video showing the covered machine as it is being unloaded from a transport. Check it out for yourself, and stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Continue reading Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video]

Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a110-50alpine a110-50conceptmonaco grand prixrenaultrenault alpine a110-50Thu, 24 May 2012 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: 3-year-old drives into middle of Chinese rush hour traffic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/3-year-old-drives-into-middle-of-chinese-rush-hour-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/3-year-old-drives-into-middle-of-chinese-rush-hour-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/3-year-old-drives-into-middle-of-chinese-rush-hour-traffic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Three year old in traffic in China

We feel there's no shame in admitting we would have more than a little hesitation about jumping into rush-hour traffic in China, but that's exactly what one three-year-old boy did. A grandmother in China had a scare after she turned around to find her grandson missing. The toddler had managed to hop on his toy motorcycle and head for the horizon. Unfortunately, his path took him directly into the middle of a busy intersection during rush-hour traffic.

Despite buses and cars hurling past in every direction, the child seemed unphased, and the drivers on the road managed to keep away long enough for a police officer to spirit the child to safety. No one was harmed in the incident. Check out the nail-biting video for yourself.

Continue reading 3-year-old drives into middle of Chinese rush hour traffic

3-year-old drives into middle of Chinese rush hour traffic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinapolice officertoddlertoddler in traffictoddler in traffic in chinatrafficvideoThu, 24 May 2012 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Saab to be saved by mystery Swedish electric car company]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/saab-to-be-saved-by-mystery-swedish-electric-car-company/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Saab 9-4X - white - front three-quarter view

The all-but-lifeless corpse of Saab continues to stagger forward in hopes of finding a juicy investor to sink its teeth into. Autocar reports that National Electric Vehicle Sweden is currently close to buying the brand's remaining assets. The freshly minted electric car consortium is helmed by none other than Karl-Erling Trogen, the former head of Volvo Trucks. Beyond that, few details are known about the company or its plans for Saab. National Electric Sweden is owned by two bodies, Sun Investment and Mikael Kubu, the president of law firm Ac-Gruppen.

We can only speculate about what the consortium wants with Saab, though fan site SaabsUnited reports the company may have its eyes on an electric rear axle program developed with in conjunction with eAAM. Whether that means we'll see electric or hybrid Saab models whirring around in the future is still uncertain. If we did, it would probably take quite a while. As SaabsUnited notes, "Saab, the company, right now has nothing in it, no dealership network, no finance structure, no personnel-structure, no communications network, nothing... everything needs to be completely rebuilt from scratch, which will take a huge amount of time."

At this point, we'll just be pleasantly surprised if the Griffin brand gets a new owner at all.

Saab to be saved by mystery Swedish electric car company originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-4x9-5ac-gruppenelectricelectric carelectric saabhybridhybrid saabnational electric vehicle swedensaabsaab evsun investmentThu, 24 May 2012 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2012 Infiniti G25]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/2012-infiniti-g25-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/2012-infiniti-g25-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/2012-infiniti-g25-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Better Fuel Economy At Any Cost

2012 Infiniti G25

Brands like Infiniti built their empires convincing the world that the badge on the hood shouldn't matter nearly as much as the bones underneath, but Japan's cadre of luxury brands isn't the only group peddling bang for the buck these days. Manufacturers from Kia to Volkswagen now come with cabins packed with luxury amenities. Even the lowly Ford Fiesta can offer buyers high-quality leather seating and enough technology to put the subcompact into geosynchronous orbit. So why bother stepping up to the mid-level luxury league at all? What differentiates a nice car from a fine automobile beyond a little inflection and a lot of marketing?

European brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz happily prattle on about pedigree and superior engineering, but at the end of the day, a luxury machine simply has to feel special. Foodies often speak of the fifth flavor, umami. Directly translated, the word means "good taste" with an element of savoriness, and automotive luxury is built on that same intangible sensation. Perhaps better than either Acura or Lexus, Infiniti has become a master of that something special, offering its customers elegant style, well-crafted interiors, innovative technology and a superb driving experience. The 2012 Infiniti G25 looks to add superior fuel economy to that list, but can it do so without losing its luxury essence?

Continue reading 2012 Infiniti G25

2012 Infiniti G25 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 g252012 infiniti g25featuredg25g25 reviewg37infinitiinfiniti g25infiniti g25 reviewreviewreviewsThu, 24 May 2012 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-recalls-2013-malibu-eco-over-unintended-airbag-deployment/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-recalls-2013-malibu-eco-over-unintended-airbag-deployment/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/chevy-recalls-2013-malibu-eco-over-unintended-airbag-deployment/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco - black - front three-quarter view

General Motors has announced the automaker is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Malibu models for a potential sensor failure. Under hard braking, the vehicle's sensing and diagnostic module may reset itself, and if that occurs just before an abrupt turn, the vehicle could trick itself into sensing a rollover. In that event, the roof rail airbag could deploy outside of a crash situation. What's more, the seat belt pretensioners could then fail during a severe crash. Needless to say, it could be a dangerous situation.

The recall covers a total of 4,304 units manufactured between October 24, 2011 and March 31, 2012. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM will notify owners and reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The campaign is set to get underway on June 1. Check out the full recall notice for yourself.

Continue reading Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears

Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chevrolet malibu eco2013 chevrolet malibu recallchevroletchevrolet malibu ecochevrolet recallchevymalibumalibu ecomalibu recallnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsarecallThu, 24 May 2012 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Topiary Williams F1 car wins flower show gold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/topiary-williams-f1-car-wins-flower-show-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/topiary-williams-f1-car-wins-flower-show-gold/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/topiary-williams-f1-car-wins-flower-show-gold/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Williams F1 topiary

An unusual topiary sculpture took the top honors at this year's Chelsea Flower Show in London. It took King & Co. a full seven years to grow these bushes into a replica of a Williams F1 car, including a full standing pit crew.

Owner Paul King said he wasn't entirely sure the design would be embraced by the Chelsea judges because of its off-the-wall nature, but the show's organizers took a shine to the creation, and even Sir Frank Williams, founder and team principal of the Williams F1 team, stopped by the show to take a look. The piece also featured a few components from an F1 car and Bruno Senna's race helmet.

There's no word if the Williams team will roll out of the paddock with a Miracle Grow livery next year.

Topiary Williams F1 car wins flower show gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chelsea flower showf1flower showtopiarytopiary f1 carwilliamswilliams F1Thu, 24 May 2012 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Artist claims work censored at Transmission LA because of Mercedes-Benz *UPDATE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/artist-claims-work-censored-at-transmission-la-because-of-merced/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/artist-claims-work-censored-at-transmission-la-because-of-merced/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/artist-claims-work-censored-at-transmission-la-because-of-merced/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Transmission LAArtist Chris Silva has a bone to pick with the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Silva was invited to participate in a show curated by Mike D of the Beastie Boys last month, wherein artists were asked to bring their own projector to display art on the museum's walls. Silva opted to shine a 3D wire model of a Peugeot prototype Le Mans racer vertically. After the race car spent a bit of time shining brightly, Silva came back to his projector to see a note card taped over the lens. When he removed the card, an event organizer told him he would have to remove his image because the show's sponsor found it offensive.

The "Transmission LA" was sponsored by none other than Mercedes-Benz. Silva claims that when he asked to speak with a Mercedes representative, he was denied after being told, "they are pissed." Silva has a history of using automotive imagery in his art, including Mercedes-Benz wheels. Not anymore, he says. The artist says the experience won't so much change his art as "my opinion of the materials I work with."

*UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz has informed us it was a third-party, not the automaker itself that interfered with Silva's work. The company says the unnamed party did not have the authority to ask the artist to remove his piece, nor did he speak directly with Mercedes-Benz during the show.

Artist claims work censored at Transmission LA because of Mercedes-Benz *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastie boyschris silvale mansmercedes-benzmike dpeugeottransmission laThu, 24 May 2012 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Man creates DIY Lexus LS 400 convertible with Sawzall]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/man-creates-diy-lexus-ls-400-convertible-with-sawzall/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/man-creates-diy-lexus-ls-400-convertible-with-sawzall/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/man-creates-diy-lexus-ls-400-convertible-with-sawzall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lexus LS Convertible

We love four-door convertibles, reciprocating saws and watching other people make bad decisions, so the video seen here is a bit like our perfect YouTube cocktail. In it, the owner of a slammed Lexus LS decides he's had enough of living under the oppressive shadow of his sedan's roof. While at StanceWars Belgium 2012, he decides to fire up a generator, plug in his trusty sawzall and go to town. Not surprisingly, the sheetmetal on the roof gives up quickly, and the whole extraction takes less than eight minutes from start to finish.

Hilariously enough, it starts raining just as the owner makes the final cut. How's that for a sign from the universe? Scroll down to check out the carnage... just be prepared for the painful sound of shredded metal.

Continue reading Man creates DIY Lexus LS 400 convertible with Sawzall

Man creates DIY Lexus LS 400 convertible with Sawzall originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>belgiumconvertible lexus lsconvertible lexus ls videoDIY convertiblelexuslexus lslexus ls videolssawzallsawzall convertiblestancewarsWed, 23 May 2012 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: <i>Fast N' Loud</i> is <i>Wheeler Dealers</i>, American style]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/fast-n-loud-is-wheeler-dealers-american-style/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/fast-n-loud-is-wheeler-dealers-american-style/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/fast-n-loud-is-wheeler-dealers-american-style/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fast N Loud

If you've ever sunk a Saturday afternoon watching a Wheeler Dealers marathon on BBC America, we don't need to tell you the show is plenty addictive. A tag team salesman and mechanic snag slightly run-down cars and SUVs, fix a few simple problems and flip them for a profit in the UK.

Now it looks as if the Discovery Channel is set to unleash an Americanized version of the show. Fast N' Loud follows a shop as they seek out classic cars and trucks, customize them and work to sell them at a profit. It looks a bit like American Pickers met Pimp My Ride and Overhaulin in a bar bathroom and this is the fruit of their rendezvous.

We will, of course, tune in if for no other reason than the guys look to have gotten their hands on an early '50s Oldsmobile Coupe. That's one of our favorites. The show premiers on Wednesday, June 6 at 10 p.m. Eastern on the Discovery Channel. Scroll down to check out the teaser for yourself.

Continue reading Fast N' Loud is Wheeler Dealers, American style

Fast N' Loud is Wheeler Dealers, American style originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbc americadiscovery channelfast n loudreality tvtv showvideowheelers dealersWed, 23 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Honda projects 30 percent of motorcycle sales to come from India by 2020]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/honda-projects-30-percent-of-motorcycle-sales-to-come-from-india/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/honda-projects-30-percent-of-motorcycle-sales-to-come-from-india/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/honda-projects-30-percent-of-motorcycle-sales-to-come-from-india/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2012 Honda CBR250R

Honda recently released its financial report for the the manufacturer's motorcycle division. Not surprisingly, two-wheel-friendly Asia accounted for a lofty 79 percent of the company's total sales in 2011. The entirety of North America, meanwhile, soaked up just 1.6 percent of the brand's total volume last year. What's more, Honda fully intends to expand its operations in the blooming Indian market. Until last year, Honda worked with Hero MotorCorp to sell its bikes in India. With the two entities officially split, the Japanese company reports it expects to see somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 percent of its sales come from the Indian market by 2020.

India boasts a population of 1.2 billion people, or around 17 percent of the world's population, making it the second-largest bike market globally. As of right now, Honda is working on chipping out a 20 percent share of that pie, which means it already dominates the country's motorcycle market as the largest foreign bike manufacturer.

Honda projects 30 percent of motorcycle sales to come from India by 2020 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiahondahonda motorcyclehonda motorcycle saleshonda motorcyclesindianorth americasalesWed, 23 May 2012 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Uncle Sam's shopping list for government fleets]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/uncle-sams-shopping-list-for-government-fleets/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/uncle-sams-shopping-list-for-government-fleets/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/uncle-sams-shopping-list-for-government-fleets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2012 Chevrolet Caprice

Edmunds has taken a closer look at which vehicles are most heavily favored by the federal government by evaluating percentage of model sales in 2011. Not surprisingly the Chevrolet Caprice topped off the list with a whopping 79.2 percent of sales going to government agencies, while the out-to-pasture Ford Crown Victoria took second with 57.2 percent of total sales. But that's pretty much where the predictability comes to a close. The Chevrolet Express van takes a distant third with 10.7 percent. Like the Ram Dakota, which came in fifth at 9.2 percent, we imagine that has more to do with the number of civilian models sold each year rather than any great number of government service vehicles on the road.

Other notable models include the Ford E-Series in seventh place, the Ford Expedition in eighth and the Dodge Grand Caravan in ninth. Even the old Chevrolet Impala made the cut with 5.3 percent of its sales heading off to government duty. That's good enough to nab the machine 10th place. Head over to Edmunds to have a look at the full list.

Uncle Sam's shopping list for government fleets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroelt expresschevrolet capricechevrolet impaladodge grand caravanemergencyford crown victoriaford e-seriesford expeditiongovernmentgovernment usepoliceram dakotaWed, 23 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Ferrari 458 Italia flips at Laguna Seca]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/ferrari-458-italia-flips-at-laguna-seca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/ferrari-458-italia-flips-at-laguna-seca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/ferrari-458-italia-flips-at-laguna-seca/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Ferrari 458 Italia Crash

There's the right way to tackle the infamous Corkscrew at Laguna Seca and then there's the way that puts your Ferrari 458 Italia into the catch fence and on its roof. Ryan Ockey recently gave the latter option a shot during the Ferrari Challenge at Mazda Raceway with predictable results. All of the safety equipment both in the car and at the track worked as intended, however, and the driver walked away with little more than a bruised ego. There are no solid reports as to what caused the flying Ferrari, but rumor has it there may have been a brake failure.

Unfortunately, the 458 Italia had to be pulled from the gravel trap by a tow truck, which meant a long, painful slog downhill on the Italian exotic's roof. Check out two videos of the carnage and the rescue to see what we mean. Jump forward to two minutes in on the second clip to see things go downhill for Ockey.

Continue reading Ferrari 458 Italia flips at Laguna Seca

Ferrari 458 Italia flips at Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>458 italia crashferrari 458 italiaferrari 458 italia crashferrari challengelaguna secamazda racewayvideoWed, 23 May 2012 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Official: <em>Truth in 24 II</em> available as free download on iTunes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/truth-in-24-ii-available-as-free-download-on-itunes/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/truth-in-24-ii-available-as-free-download-on-itunes/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/truth-in-24-ii-available-as-free-download-on-itunes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Truth in 24 II

Good news, Le Mans fans. Audi has released its "Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts" documentary as a free download on iTunes. As with the first film, this sequel is narrated by none other than Jason Statham and details the Audi battle for its tenth win at the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. As you may recall, the race was a nail-biter for the race team. After seeing its sister entries removed from competition, the #2 R18 TDI went on to take the checkered flag by fighting off three rival Peugeot entries.

But the story was about more than the drivers and the cars. Team engineer Leena Gade officially became the first female in history to lead a Le Mans team to an overall victory.

Audi also made another documentary about the U.S. Ski Team called "Truth in Motion," and all three films are available for free on iTunes. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading Truth in 24 II available as free download on iTunes

Truth in 24 II available as free download on iTunes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi documentaryitunesjason stathamtruth in 24truth in 24 iitruth in 24 ii every second countsWed, 23 May 2012 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Nissan crowd-sourced Project 370Z moves to stage two]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/nissan-crowd-sourced-project-370z-moves-to-stage-two/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/nissan-crowd-sourced-project-370z-moves-to-stage-two/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/nissan-crowd-sourced-project-370z-moves-to-stage-two/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Nissan Project 370Z

Nissan has finally wrapped up work on its crowd-sourced project 370Z. The company put the sports car on a dyno for final tuning and wound up with somewhere around 504 horsepower. That's not too shabby given the jump in gusto was gleaned from a few bolt-on parts.

Nissan then set about fitting the steering wheel and shift nob as chosen by the teaming internet masses. A set of custom Recaro seats also replaced factory buckets. With the interior squared away, the company turned its eye toward ironing out the exterior.

A set of lightweight forged Volk wheels took the place of the factory rollers, and a new matte grey vinyl wrap took care of the standard yellow paint. Nissan debuted its creation at Z Dayz last weekend. Scroll down for a look at the video for yourself.

Continue reading Nissan crowd-sourced Project 370Z moves to stage two

Nissan crowd-sourced Project 370Z moves to stage two originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2012 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>370z370z videonissannissan 370znissan project 370zprojectproject 370zproject 370z videoTue, 22 May 2012 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Watch a Taurus and Charger cop car team up on new Shelby GT500]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/watch-a-taurus-and-charger-cop-car-team-up-on-new-shelby-gt500/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/watch-a-taurus-and-charger-cop-car-team-up-on-new-shelby-gt500/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/watch-a-taurus-and-charger-cop-car-team-up-on-new-shelby-gt500/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

GT500 vs Cop Cars

The good old boys at Motor Trend got their hands on not only a 2013 Ford Shelby GT500, but a Ford Police Interceptor and a Dodge Charger Police Pursuit, as well. Like any good, upstanding group of hooligans, the crew set to playing cops and robbers in the shadow of Detroit's vacant factories. With the big 662-horsepower, supercharged V8 Mustang left with no long spans of asphalt to stretch its legs, the two pursuit vehicles have a clear advantage. Watching the three go at each other is a decent way to blow five minutes of your work day.

Of course, this reminds me of a pearl of wisdom served up by my grandfather on the subject of evading the long arm of the law. He always said, "You can out run one, you might even out run two, but you'll never outrun that radio." Amen.

Check it out for yourself.

Continue reading Watch a Taurus and Charger cop car team up on new Shelby GT500

Watch a Taurus and Charger cop car team up on new Shelby GT500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford shelby gt5002013 shelby gt500 videocharger police carcop chase videododge charger police pursuitford police interceptorshelby gt500 cop chasevideoTue, 22 May 2012 14:59:00 EST