Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Geneva 2009: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is one luxurious automotive hermaphrodite]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/geneva-2009-bmw-5-series-gran-turismo-is-one-luxurious-automoti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/geneva-2009-bmw-5-series-gran-turismo-is-one-luxurious-automoti/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/04/geneva-2009-bmw-5-series-gran-turismo-is-one-luxurious-automoti/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo concept

BMW's segment-splitting 5 Series Gran Turismo concept has rolled out under the bright lights here at the Geneva Motor Show, and the automotive media has set to poking and prodding it like an alien specimen from Area 51. From the funky twin-hinge hatch (a rather gimmicky item not dissimilar to that of the Skoda Superb) to each of its four doors, journalists could be seen opening and closing the 5GT's apertures with curious zeal.

To our eyes, the 5 Series GT is better looking in person, although it clearly isn't a natural beauty. The rear seats are obviously more capacious than its 5 Series Touring counterpart, and with only two rear seats, it's plainly more opulent and airier as well (naturally, the panoramic roof helps). If the interior lacks richness in our live pictures, that's not an illusion - it is not a fully functional space and some of the materials aren't up to snuff, but we suspect that the production car will be up to BMW standards. That said, we hope the German automaker feels free to move away from its historically restrained (read: dull) interior color palette, because an unconventional design like the 5GT deserves it. High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.


Gallery: Geneva 2009: BMW 5 series Gran Turismo


Gallery: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo concept

Continue reading Geneva 2009: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is one luxurious automotive hermaphrodite

Geneva 2009: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is one luxurious automotive hermaphrodite originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-door5-series5GTBimmerBMWBreakingGenevaGeneva 2009Geneva Motor ShowGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowWed, 04 Mar 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota adds 5-door Yaris to U.S. lineup]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/toyota-adds-5-door-yaris-to-u-s-lineup/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/toyota-adds-5-door-yaris-to-u-s-lineup/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/01/toyota-adds-5-door-yaris-to-u-s-lineup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above image for a gallery of the Yaris 5-door

Small cars are back en vogue thanks to lofty fuel prices. As a result, Toyota is completing is Yaris lineup in the U.S. by finally adding the 5-door liftback to its list of offerings for the 2009 model year. Available in other markets (including Canada) since inception, the 5-door Yaris occupies roughly the same footprint as the 3-door, but is a lot more practical if you're going to be carrying backseat passengers frequently. Its powertrain will mirror the other Yaris offerings, and we're assuming it'll get the optional sport appearance package available on the 3- and 4-doors. Those sport models, by the way, get a new body kit and interior color schemes for MY09. Other '09 changes include the availability of cruise control on the hatch, as well as the addition of standard front side airbags and rear side curtains. Toyota hasn't released pricing or photos of the U.S. spec Yaris 5-door yet. We imagine the former won't stray too far off from the 3-door. In terms of photos, the gallery below shows you the base UK-market 5-door. Move the steering wheel over and you've pretty much got it. At least now when I catch the occasional episode of Psych, I won't be muttering that the blue 5-door Yaris the lead characters drive isn't available in the U.S.

Gallery: Toyota Yaris 5-door Liftback (UK Version)


[Source: Toyota]

Toyota adds 5-door Yaris to U.S. lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20095-doorhatchbackliftbacktoyotayarisTue, 01 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[No surprise: 5-door Land Rover LRX rumored]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/no-surprise-5-door-land-rover-lrx-rumored/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/no-surprise-5-door-land-rover-lrx-rumored/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/no-surprise-5-door-land-rover-lrx-rumored/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Britain's Autocar says that Land Rover will follow up the introduction of the production 3-door LRX with a more practical 5-door edition as well. We loved the compact and sporty LRX concept, and we're glad Land Rover is going to produce a 3-door that should closely mimic its appearance. That said, the word that it'll also be joined by a 5-door is completely unsurprising, as the additional entrances make the LRX a more appealing suburban recon vehicle. After all, it's a lot easier to haul the kids to ballet class and Little League when they have doors of their own to clamber in and out of. Autocar's sources also told the pub that a hybrid drivetrain -- a key element of the concept car -- is also expected to find its way into the mix, given current concerns regarding fuel economy and vehicle emissions. Look for the LRX to debut in 2011. If the production car winds up being anywhere near as good-looking as the concept, there should be no shortage of them in neighborhood garages and driveways shortly thereafter.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept - Black & Silver


[Source: Autocar]

No surprise: 5-door Land Rover LRX rumored originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20113-door5-doorland roverLandRoverlrxWed, 25 Jun 2008 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[IIHS rates the 2008 Subaru Impreza]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/iihs-crashes-2008-subaru-impreza/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/iihs-crashes-2008-subaru-impreza/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/02/iihs-crashes-2008-subaru-impreza/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Well, it seems the folks at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety like the look of the new Subaru Impreza. Granted, a wrecked version of the car is what's got them going, but that's good for the rest of us. Why? Because the offset frontal crash test performed by Subaru shows that the Impreza passed with flying colors. After the IIHS received and analyzed data from the crash performed by the automaker, it rated the 2008 Impreza 2.5i 5-door as "Good" (the highest rating) in each of the individual injury measurement categories. Naturally, it also scored an overall rating of "Good." We're sure that IIHS will take it upon itself to smash up a few Imprezas in its independent testing regimen in due time, as well. Until then, click the read link to see the full breakdown from IIHS based on the manufacturer's test.

Thanks for the tip, Michael!

[Source: IIHS]

IIHS rates the 2008 Subaru Impreza originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 impreza2008 subaru impreza2008Impreza2008SubaruImpreza5-doorhatchbackiihsiihs crash testIihsCrashTestimprezaSun, 02 Sep 2007 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen Jetta wagon to be unveiled in Paris]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/14/volkswagen-jetta-wagon-to-be-unveiled-in-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/14/volkswagen-jetta-wagon-to-be-unveiled-in-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/14/volkswagen-jetta-wagon-to-be-unveiled-in-paris/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The five-door wagon version of the Volkswagen Jetta is expected to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show this fall, according to TheCarConection. In a preview to journalists, VW showed off the new design of the vehicle, which has a "sweeping roofline" akin to that of the Saab 9-3 SportCombi and Mercedes-Benz C-class wagon. It also sports a roof spoiler, more room than its predecessor, and several engine options:  2.5L inline five cylinder, a 2.0L turbo four cylinder and a GLI sport model. The diesel should return in 2008 once VW and the U.S. government can work out its diesel differences.

[Source: TheCarConnection]

Volkswagen Jetta wagon to be unveiled in Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jun 2006 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-doormercedes c-class wagonMercedesC-classWagonsaab sportcombiSaabSportcombiVolkswagen jetta wagonVolkswagenJettaWagonWed, 14 Jun 2006 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda Civic 3-door to debut at London Motor Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/honda-civic-3-door-to-debut-at-london-motor-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/honda-civic-3-door-to-debut-at-london-motor-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/honda-civic-3-door-to-debut-at-london-motor-show/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Honda's "Built-in-Britain" line-up will be complete when the brand new 3-door Honda Civic makes it world debut at the London Motor Show in July and appears alongside the 5-door Civic and Civic Type-R. All three models are built in Swindon, Wiltshire. Honda's display this year will be the largest ever for the London Motor Show and include the Legend luxury sedan, which is a version of the Acura RL sold in North America, as well as an F1 exhibit and Honda's battery of environmentally friendly cars, mopeds and motorbikes.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Honda Civic 3-door to debut at London Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jun 2006 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-door5-doorciviclondon motor showLondonMotorShowr-typeMon, 12 Jun 2006 07:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Dodge Caliber the new xB?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/27/dodge-caliber-the-new-xb/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/27/dodge-caliber-the-new-xb/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/27/dodge-caliber-the-new-xb/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Scion (and its parent company, Toyota) were surprised when older folks started to buy its youth-oriented xB SUV. But the buyers were drawn to the vehicle's large space and practical features.

Now it looks like it's Dodge's turn. According to the Automotive News, Dodge dealers are reporting sales of the new 5-door to be all over the generational map. Data from the Power Information Network shows thirty-one percent of buyers averaged between 16 to 35 years old with over twenty percent older than 56. While Dodge's marketing efforts will continue to be aimed at the younger segment (see here for Autoblog's posting on the barrage), a salesperson's response on what closed his sale ("Price range. A four-door car. Fuel economy. Small engine. Good insurance rating,") shows that certain items are ageless.

[Source: Automotive News]

Dodge Caliber the new xB? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Mar 2006 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-doorBuyersGenerationalhatchbackMon, 27 Mar 2006 17:32:00 EST