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[First Drive: Saleen S331 is equal parts sport and truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/30/first-drive-saleen-s331-equal-parts-sport-and-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/30/first-drive-saleen-s331-equal-parts-sport-and-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/30/first-drive-saleen-s331-equal-parts-sport-and-truck/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We recently had a chance to sample Saleen's newest offering, the S331 Sport Truck, in and around Newport Beach, California. A small fleet of these sport trucks looked right at home parked in front of the Harbor, directly in the shadows of the multi-million dollar yachts at the Balboa Bay Club. We even had an older couple chase us down in their customized BMW 7-series and place an order. We kid you not. The S331 is a new vehicle and new segment for this small manufacturer better known for its Mustangs and S7 supercar. Getting into trucks was a logical development for Saleen, as the dealerships that handle their products report that nearly three quarters of their sales are trucks. So when there appeared to be enough interest in a Saleen truck, they decided to build one. Notice we said "build one" and not "modify one."

Follow the jump for the rest of the Day 1 story. And don't forget to check out the gallery of high-res pics from Drew Phillips and the author.

Gallery: Saleen S331 Sport Truck First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: Saleen S331 is equal parts sport and truck

First Drive: Saleen S331 is equal parts sport and truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Balboa Bay ClubBalboaBayClubCook's CornerCook'sCornerPacific Coast HighwayPacificCoastHighwayPCHSaleen S331SaleenS331Sport TruckSportTruckSteve SaleenSteveSaleenThe CanneryTheCanneryFri, 30 Mar 2007 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler intros PT Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition ahead of Dream Cruise]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/chrysler-intros-pt-cruiser-pacific-coast-highway-edition-ahead-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/chrysler-intros-pt-cruiser-pacific-coast-highway-edition-ahead-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/chrysler-intros-pt-cruiser-pacific-coast-highway-edition-ahead-o/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Chrysler introducing a special edition PT Cruiser the week before the Woodward Dream Cruise has become an annual event. This year the brand rolled out the PT Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition, the twelfth factory-customized PT Cruiser in the model's history. This new special edition is powered by the company's 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 150 hp and returns 29 mpg on the highway, perfect Chrysler says for cruising down scenic routes like the storied Pacific Coast Highway.

Based on the 2007 PT Cruiser Touring, the PCH Edition is dipped in Ocean Blue paint and rolls on platinum-clad 17-inch wheels. Chrome trim dots the exterior on the grille, door handles, side molding and exhaust tip. A matching Ocean Blue spoiler also sits atop the vehicle's hatch. The two-tone interior is done in Slate Gray and Paste Slate Gray, while the seats get Ocean Blue Alias inserts that visually links them with the exterior color.

Chrysler's special edition PT Cruisers are usually an exercise in color coordination more than mechanical upgrades, and this year's edition is no different. The PCH Edition PT Cruiser will go on sale later this summer in limited production and retail for $20,735 with a manual and $21,570 with an automatic.

(More pics and Chrysler's full press release can be found after the jump.)

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler intros PT Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition ahead of Dream Cruise

Chrysler intros PT Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition ahead of Dream Cruise originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dream CruiseDreamCruisePacific Coast HighwayPacificCoastHighwayPCHPTPT CruiserPtCruiserspecial additionSpecialAdditionWoodwardWoodward Dream CruiseWoodwardDreamCruiseTue, 15 Aug 2006 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[EnzoGate update- Detective: Stefan Eriksson is 'Dietrich']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/02/enzogate-update-stefan-eriksson-is-dietrich/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/02/enzogate-update-stefan-eriksson-is-dietrich/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/02/enzogate-update-stefan-eriksson-is-dietrich/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dietrich doesn't exist. That's the word according to sheriff's Detective Zack Conner, one of the authorities investigating EnzoGate. Bo Stefan Eriksson, the eccentric millionaire claimed he was a passenger when his Ferrari Enzo was "written off" in a Malibu crash last February. The former tech bigwig claimed that a mystery driver named 'Dietrich' was the one responsible for the Pacific Coast Highway million-dollar accident, but Conner maintains that Eriksson was knocked unconscious after he grew ill and threw up.

The testimony came during the second day of Eriksson's preliminary hearing in California Superior Court, where it will be determined whether he will stand trial. The defendant stands accused of embezzlement, a firearms violation, grand theft, and driving under the influence.

[Source: The Associated Press via SFGate]

EnzoGate update- Detective: Stefan Eriksson is 'Dietrich' originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 May 2006 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DietrichEnzoEnzoGateFerrariPacific Coast HighwayPacificCoastHighwayStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonTue, 02 May 2006 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Eriksson finally charged in high-profile Ferrari Enzo bust-up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/18/eriksson-finally-charged-in-high-profile-ferrari-enzo-bust-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/18/eriksson-finally-charged-in-high-profile-ferrari-enzo-bust-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/18/eriksson-finally-charged-in-high-profile-ferrari-enzo-bust-up/#commentsFiled under: ,

At the risk of beating a dead (Prancing) horse, here's the latest on Swedish scofflaw Stefan Eriksson, who balled up his Enzo in spectacular fashion on the Pacific Coast Highway in February. The 44-year-old pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of embezzlement, grand theft and gun possession by a felon (Eriksson apparently has  a counterfeiting charge stemming from the 1990s already on his rap sheet), and two counts of DUI.

Bail has been set at a hefty $5.5 million, in part to cover an estimated $3.8 million in exotic cars (the wrecked Ferrari, a spare Enzo, and the Benz SLR), and in part to minimize flight risk -- Eriksson apparently booked reservations for a flight to Blighty on April 10.

The fallen Gizmondo executive faces up to 14 years imprisonment.

[Sources: The Associated Press via the Seattle Times; Engadget.com]

Eriksson finally charged in high-profile Ferrari Enzo bust-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EnzoFerrariPacific Coast HighwayPacificCoastHighwayStefan ErikksonStefanErikksonTue, 18 Apr 2006 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[*Updated* -Tech entrepreneur Steffan Eriksson arrested on charges stemming from EnzoGate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/tech-entrepreneur-steffan-eriksson-arrested-in-charges-stemming/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/tech-entrepreneur-steffan-eriksson-arrested-in-charges-stemming/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/tech-entrepreneur-steffan-eriksson-arrested-in-charges-stemming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Stefan Eriksson, the Swedish video game impresario at the center of February's EnzoGate in Malibu, California has been booked on "suspicion of grand theft," and is being held without bail.

This, after detectives searched his Bel-Air residence on Saturday night. It isn't clear what the officials were looking for (or what they found), nor is has the new charge been directly attributed to disintegrated Ferrari.

For those who missed it, Eriksson was in a Ferrari Enzo when it clipped a pole along the Pacific Coast Highway at an estimated 162 mph while racing a mystery Mercedes. From thereon out, everything gets a little muddy. Was Eriksson driving? Was it even his Ferrari? The tale has yet to unravel, but we're reasonably sure there's a made-for-television movie in here somewhere, especially considering the bonus legal run-in by Eriksson's wife last month. The entrepreneur's S.O. was apparently clipped for driving around in a Benz SLR McLaren wearing foreign plates. Subsequent investigations have revealed that the exotic may have been illegally imported from the UK.

[Source: Associated Press via ABC 7 Los Angeles]

(Thanks for the tip, FinishedLawSchool)

 *Update: CNN is reporting that police have confiscated three vehicles (including another Enzo and the SLR). Word is that Erikkson had lapsed on payments to British financial institutions, with the latter being reported to Scotland Yard authorities. The spectacular flameout continues...

[Source: Associated Press via CNN] 

(Top update, Juan!)

 

*Updated* -Tech entrepreneur Steffan Eriksson arrested on charges stemming from EnzoGate originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bel AirBelAirBenzEnzoEnzoGateFerrariGizmondogray maretgray marketGrayMarketmalibuMclarenMercedes BenzMercedesBenzpacific coast highwayPacificCoastHighwaySLRStefan ErikssonStefanErikssonTigervideo GameVideoGameMon, 10 Apr 2006 11:04:00 EST