Autoblog

Chrysler Barracuda makes possible appearance in 60 Minutes piece

Zach Bowman — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Chrysler

If you haven't had a chance to sit down and watch the full 13-minute CBS "60 Minutes" segment on Chrysler that aired this weekend, we have yet another reason for you to do so. The good people at Allpar.com seem to have spotted something interesting lurking in the background of an interview with Ralph Gilles, head of design for Chrysler. Look closely, and there's a red sports coupe hanging out just over the executive's shoulder. Allpar.com seems to think this is a glimpse at the rumored Barracuda resurrection. After all, Chrysler made sure to trademark the 'Cuda name earlier this year.

Automotive News took the time to ask Chrysler about the vehicle in the video, and the company very tactfully replied that the vehicle is "just one of the many concepts and projects in our studios. That is one student model."

A student model that may hint to the design of the Barracuda? Possibly. See the complete video below if you missed it the first time 'round.

Continue reading Chrysler Barracuda makes possible appearance in 60 Minutes piece

Chrysler Barracuda makes possible appearance in 60 Minutes piece originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Sergio Marchionne on last night's 60 Minutes

Zach Bowman — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Chrysler, Celebrities, Fiat

CBS' 60 Minutes sat down with Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne last night to discuss the automaker's resurrection and the touch-and-go period in 2009 when the Fiat executive began talks with the federal government over a controlled Chrysler bankruptcy. Marchionne said that when he arrived at Chrysler, the company's employees were all afraid the company wouldn't survive. Now, he says, that fear is gone. The segment explains how Marchionne saw early on how well Chrysler strengths, specifically in minivans and light trucks, could dovetail with Fiat experience in small-car technology. The executive calls Chrysler the "other half" of the Fiat coin from a product perspective.

The segment also spends some time looking at the upcoming Dodge Dart, with Marchionne saying the car is "mechanically outstanding." The executive played a strong hand in improving both Fiat and Chrysler quality, at least according to Consumer Reports. The besweatered Marchionne also spends a bit of time talking about American workers and the labyrinth of bureaucracy within Chrysler when he arrived. Hit the jump to watch - it's well worth the 13 minutes of your day.

Continue reading Watch Sergio Marchionne on last night's 60 Minutes

Watch Sergio Marchionne on last night's 60 Minutes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 60 Minutes takes on Lamborghini, circa 1987

Aaron Richardson — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Lamborghini

1987 Lamborghini Countach - Click above for video after the jump.

Cars have come a long way since 1987, when 60 Minutes sent its dour, gray-suit-clad crew from New York to Italy to have an extended look at the Lamborghini Countach. If nothing else, we've become jaded to how much car the Countach actually was, distracted by the fact that its brakes could have been sharper, its road manners more civil and its huge V12 less temperamental.

Yes, this video has made the rounds in years past, but it's time to revisit it again. We love that Morely Safer gets squired around by a young-looking Valentino Balboni, who takes him to 180 mph on Italian public roads around Sant'Agata. We love that David E. Davis, Jr., then of Automobile Magazine fame, still looks much the same as he does today, waxed mustache and all. The video is strictly non-P.C., and that's what makes it so good.

From Lamborghini factory drivers terrorizing public roads (they didn't even have a test track), to its head of marketing breathlessly comparing the Countach to a "beautiful virgin," the 60 Minutes feature reminds us what Lamborghini should be. If, like some of us, you remember watching this the night it originally aired, clicking past the jump will make for a welcome trip back in time.

[Source: CBS]

Continue reading Video: 60 Minutes takes on Lamborghini, circa 1987

Video: 60 Minutes takes on Lamborghini, circa 1987 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Anchors away as 60 Minutes covers Top Gear

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Celebrities

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Few television programs are as intimately familiar with the stop watch as the blokes over at Top Gear. But they're not alone. On this side of the Atlantic, the icon is the rightful property of the CBS News magazine show 60 Minutes. And as many celebrities and documentary segments as the Top Gear crew may have interviewed and screened, 60 Minutes has been doing it longer.

Still, the two programs are about as different as can be. You wouldn't expect to see 60 Minutes host Steve Kroft firing a camper van at a giant target any more than Jeremy Clarkson asking the next presidential candidate the hard-hitting questions. But as we previewed last week, Kroft headed to Top Gear's studios outside London to interview Clarkson, Hammond, May and producer Andy Wilman... and even tried to get a word or two out of the since-departed Stig.

Follow the jump to watch the results that aired this past weekend, plus some deleted scenes courtesy of 60 Minutes Overtime. (Thanks to everyone who sent in the tips!)

[Source: CBS News]

Continue reading Video: Anchors away as 60 Minutes covers Top Gear

Video: Anchors away as 60 Minutes covers Top Gear originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 60 Minutes interviewing the Stig on Sunday

Zach Bowman — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos

The Stig on 60 Minutes - Click above to watch video after the jump

Good news if you haven't had your fill of Stigate just yet: the world's ex-famous tame racing driver will show up on this week's 60 Minutes. According to CBS, host Steve Croft spent some time across the pond in an attempt to get a little closer to both the man in white and Top Gear. Croft even strapped into a Chevrolet Camaro SS for a little one-on-one time with the Stig himself. Unfortunately, The Stig didn't turn out to be the quote machine the CBS producers had hoped.

Judging by the short trailer for the piece, it looks like Croft also spent some time with a few of the more talkative people involved in putting the show together, including Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond and executive producer Andy Wilman. The show airs this Sunday, October 24 at 7 p.m. EST. Hit the jump for a look at the teaser.

[Source: CBS]

Continue reading Video: 60 Minutes interviewing the Stig on Sunday

Video: 60 Minutes interviewing the Stig on Sunday originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Conan O'Brien takes 60 Minutes for a ride in his '92 Taurus SHO

Noah Joseph — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Ford, Celebrities, Humor

The Conan O'Brien SHO - Click above to watch the video after the jump

If you thought Jay Leno was the only late-night talk show host who was into cars, think again. Sure, Jay's got the garage full of priceless automobiles and regularly contributes to Octane magazine, but Letterman is part owner of an Indy racing team, and Conan's had his share of four-wheeled shenanigans.

If the Bugatti Veyron mouse shtick wasn't enough to convince you, have a look at the video after the jump. On a segment of the CBS news program 60 Minutes, Conan takes his interviewer around Los Angeles in a dirt-green 1992 Ford Taurus SHO. Check it out; it's worth a laugh of two.

[Source: RideLust]

Continue reading Video: Conan O'Brien takes 60 Minutes for a ride in his '92 Taurus SHO

Video: Conan O'Brien takes 60 Minutes for a ride in his '92 Taurus SHO originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 May 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Unintended acceleration' allegations leveled against Jeep Grand Cherokee

Chris Paukert — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Government/Legal, Safety, Audi, Jeep

In word that must have long-time Audi executives reaching for their Maalox by association, Connecticut officials are urging federal regulators to investigate allegations of 'unintended acceleration' in late-model Jeep Grand Cherokees.

The call comes after a 52-year-old man was run over and killed in a car wash in the state. In fact, the hubbub seems to be that something in that particular environment appears to make these episodes more likely - Connecticut bigwigs have logged a number of complaints about the vehicles suddenly picking up speed when drivers move the automatic transmission from 'neutral' to 'drive' while in car washes.

Car buffs may recall Audi's bout with 'unintended acceleration' way back in 1986, when news program 60 Minutes demonized the company's 5000 model sedan. The company's reputation and sales tanked, taking more than fifteen years to rebound. In that case, the syndrome was later judged to be the result of operator pedal misapplication.

If we had to put money on it, we'd be just as quick to cite wet shoes and slippery pedals.

[Source: CNNMoney.com]

'Unintended acceleration' allegations leveled against Jeep Grand Cherokee originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac peek on 60 Minutes turns out to be next CTS

John Neff — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Cadillac

When Bob Lutz gave the television viewing audience of 60 minutes a sneak peek at an upcoming Caddy, the enthusiast community was abuzz at which model's artfully designed headlight assembly and grille we were shown. The Car Connection has snapped a pic of the 2008 Cadillac CTS that would seem to confirm the sports sedan is the car under wraps in question. As was previewed on 60 minutes and is illustrated in TCC's shots, Cadillac is taking "Art & Science" to a new level with the new CTS. Its signature design language has been turned up a notch yet translates into a simpler skin with less superfluous trim. And check those afterburner taillights out back... so much for fins.

[Thanks CoreyTheGent for the tip]

[Source: TheCarConnection]

Cadillac peek on 60 Minutes turns out to be next CTS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Apr 2006 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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