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: 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible, MI6's sultry secretary has a new ride]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/first-drive-2009-infiniti-g37-convertible-mi6-s-sultry-secreta/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/first-drive-2009-infiniti-g37-convertible-mi6-s-sultry-secreta/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/first-drive-2009-infiniti-g37-convertible-mi6-s-sultry-secreta/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible - Click above for a high-res image gallery

As enthusiasts, many of us are quick to dismiss convertibles as the preferred conveyance for hapless poseurs (BMW M3 cabrio) or fake-bake hairdressers (Toyota Solara). And with good reason. When you lop the top off a coupe, the result is often a floppy, overweight chassis that provides all the dynamic delights of a rubber nine-iron and a granite golf ball. Such executions fail to please on almost every level, and that's before you start dealing with complex roof mechanisms, awkwardly styled rumps and abysmal trunk space.

As a whole, convertibles aren't for everyone, but they do fill a need and a niche. And they sell. Almost half of all two-door BMW 3 series models are purchased with a retractable roof, and it's a segment that Infiniti hasn't played in for years (anyone remember the M30 convertible?). As Nissan's luxury arm continues to push into the European market, it's back in the game with the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible. But who is it for? Someone who's simultaneously sultry yet demure; assertive yet relaxed; commanding yet delicate. Someone compelling. Someone like Moneypenny.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible, MI6's sultry secretary has a new ride

First Drive: 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible, MI6's sultry secretary has a new ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Ford Focus ST

Save the hot hatch for last. That's what we kept telling ourselves as we wandered the Belgian countryside looking for Ford's Lommel Proving Ground. As it turns out, the facility, located next to an air force base - restricted airspace, you know - is so secret, our hosts at Ford could hardly find it. So we had a little extra time to repeat the mantra: save the hot hatch for last.

On our way to Italy to drive the new Fiesta, we took a detour to Lommel to sample some of Ford's European C-segment offerings. A variety of vehicles, including one with the new dual-clutch gearbox, a Kuga crossover and the fire-breathing Focus ST, would be on hand for us to drive around the track. But we knew that if we gave into temptation and drove the ST first, the rest would seem sluggish by comparison, even though the vehicles aren't comparable. So did we resist the urge, or give into the little demon that's always whispering in our ears to go faster? Follow the jump and we just might tell you.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST


Photos Copyright (C)2008 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec)

First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driveeuropean fordEuropeanFordfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivefocus stFocusStford europeford focusford focus stford focus st road testford focus st test driveford lommelford lommel proving groundford proving groundFordEuropeFordFocusFordFocusStFordFocusStRoadTestFordFocusStTestDriveFordLommelFordLommelProvingGroundFordProvingGroundhatchbackhot hatchHotHatchlommellommel proving groundLommelProvingGroundlpgroad testRoadTesttesttest driveTestDrivetrack testTrackTestFri, 12 Sep 2008 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-mitsubishi-evolution-x-mr/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-mitsubishi-evolution-x-mr/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/in-the-autoblog-garage-2008-mitsubishi-evolution-x-mr/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's a revelation: being stuck in traffic sucks. And it's even more infuriating behind the wheel of an Evo.

Despite what some scribes might lead you to believe, the Evos of yore (VIII and IX) weren't deplorable daily drivers. Granted, Mitsu's engineers erred on the stiff side with the Evo's ride, and it didn't help that the tiller provided more feedback than a Metallica sound check. But the real reason jaded journos harped on the old Evo's workaday unfriendliness was because nothing is more frustrating than piloting concentrated adrenaline in a sea of buzzkill.

With the 2008 Evolution X, Mitsubishi attempted to rectify some of the Evo's (perceived) shortcomings by equipping the range-topping MR with more amenities, more sound-deadening material, a more compliant ride and a new twin-clutch transmission to balance back-road thrills with daily livability.

But all those extras have caused the Evo's curb weight to skyrocket, and its price tag has followed suit. For $42,000 - the sticker on our MR tester - you can get your hands on the new yardstick for high-end, entry-level performance: the BMW 335i. While that kind of wallet shock could ostracize the Evo's core demographic, Mitsubishi is quick to point out that the new MR is for the discerning enthusiast: a more sensible, mature owner. But does mature mean infirmed? Read on to find out.


Gallery: Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Brad Wood / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR

Review: 2008 Mitsubishi Evolution X MR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20082008 mitsubishi evolution x mr2008MitsubishiEvolutionXMrautoblog garageAutoblogGaragedrivenevoevolutionfeaturedin the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGaragelancerlancer evoLancerEvomitsubishimitsubishi evolution x mrMitsubishiEvolutionXMrmrreviewroad testRoadTesttest driveTestDrivexWed, 10 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/29/first-drive-2009-aston-martin-v8-vantage/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/29/first-drive-2009-aston-martin-v8-vantage/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/29/first-drive-2009-aston-martin-v8-vantage/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

2003 BMW M5.
2005 Lotus Elise.
2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

What do these three vehicles have in common? They all occupy a space in my dream garage. Sure, I could've added a few more fantasy slots for a Ferrari 250 GTO, a Land Rover 90 and everything in between, but the Bimmer, the Lotus and the Aston exemplify all I've ever wanted on four wheels: a powerful sedan, a competent track tool, and an elegant coupe. No matter the occasion, I'm covered.

But there's a problem. While I've spent a fair amount of time in and around the Elise and M5, I've never had the opportunity to drive the Vantage. The Aston holds a spot on my lottery list on looks alone, so I arrived in San Francisco with a fair amount of trepidation. Will the V8 Vantage be everything I've dreamt about or will it be the automotive equivalent of meeting my hero?

It's finally time to find out.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R.

Scorching fast. That's the word from Car & Driver on a Nissan GT-R they were allowed to instrument up and abuse for a few hours. 11.5 in the quarter mile and a 3.3 second run to 60 mph are incredible numbers from any car, but this one only costs $70,000. That price tag would be preposterous for a Sentra, but it's a bargain for the ability to annihilate virtually anything short of a Hayabusa. There's been some debate about the three little words "engineering test mule," but scuttlebutt has it that the only thing Nissan was testing on the car were tires and suspension calibrations. From the report, it sounds like they got the ride dialed in, too - in comfort mode, you can reportedly thwack across expansion joints without bouncing your coiffe off the headliner. The biggest complaints? Weight (though apparently the car doesn't feel as ponderous from behind the wheel), and the interior design. The materials are said to be good, but haphazard is the order of the day for the dash layout. Oh darn, it won't come with the gorgeous cabin of a Ferrari 599 -- we suppose they need something to feel superior about as they watch the chunky arse of the GT-R rocket toward the horizon. A $70,000 supercar? We'll take it.

[Source: nagtroc.org]

Gallery: Nissan GT-R


Gallery: 2008 Nissan GT-R in the wild

C&D tests GT-R, runs 11.5-second quarter originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acceleration testAccelerationTestcar and driverCarAndDrivergt-r accelerationGt-rAccelerationnissan gt-rnissan gtrNissanGt-rNissanGtrperformanceperformance numbersperformance testsPerformanceNumbersPerformanceTestsroad testroad testedRoadTestRoadTestedMon, 24 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: 2007 Scion xB In the Autoblog Garage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/video-2007-scion-xb-in-the-autoblog-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/video-2007-scion-xb-in-the-autoblog-garage/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/05/video-2007-scion-xb-in-the-autoblog-garage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click above to watch video

Here's a little something we've been cooking up for a while. We've seen your cries for more video reviews, and it's on our minds, too. We've been trying to bring you more video in a lot of ways lately; Chris Shunk recently walked us through the new Grand Caravan, and Damon and Sam shot some video when they went to visit Tesla to drive the Roadster. You can visit our YouTube Channel to see just how many videos we've been producing lately.

We decided to try our hand at producing an In the Autoblog Garage new car review on video, and you'll find our results after the jump. Let us know what you think of our first video review, which stars the 2007 Scion xB, as we hope to make it a regular feature. Also check out Sam Abuelsamid's review of the 2007 Scion xB in written form.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Scion xB

Continue reading VIDEO: 2007 Scion xB In the Autoblog Garage

VIDEO: 2007 Scion xB In the Autoblog Garage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007 scion xB2007ScionXbautoblog garageAutoblogGaragefeaturedgaragein the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGaragereviewroadroad testRoadTestscionscion xBScionXbtestvideoxbTue, 05 Feb 2008 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[In The Autoblog Garage: Lexus LS460L]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/in-the-autoblog-garage-lexus-ls460l/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/in-the-autoblog-garage-lexus-ls460l/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/in-the-autoblog-garage-lexus-ls460l/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click above image for a high-resolution gallery of the Lexus LS460L

It's tough to pity Lexus LS owners. After all, Executive-Class luxury sedans don't exactly suck. We wouldn't blame LS drivers for feeling pangs of over-inconspicuousness whenever they see a Camry, though. Understated luxury is one thing, but when you're devoting something like two years of the average worker bee's salary to a frivolity such as a luxury sedan, it'd be nice to have at least some indication to the Serfs that you're the better man.

"Look at Me!" posturing is not what we have in mind. There are Lamborghinis and Excaliburs for that sort of disgusting bourgeois putrefaction. Exuding a bouquet of fine taste, class and craftsmanship shouldn't be out of the question for a car such as the LS, however. The LS 460L we drove failed to portray itself as what it aspires to be; the ne plus ultra shark in the S-Class pool. Spend a few more seconds looking and the sheer size of the big Lexus sinks in, but gosh, from 30 feet away you need to concentrate to see something more than a Camry (or the new Hyundai Genesis for that matter).

Gallery: Lexus LS460L


All photos (C)2007 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading In The Autoblog Garage: Lexus LS460L

In The Autoblog Garage: Lexus LS460L originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgaragein the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGaragelexusls 460Ls460reviewroad testRoadTesttestWed, 09 Jan 2008 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[First review of the BMW M3 by Car Magazine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/first-review-of-the-bmw-m3-by-car-magazine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/first-review-of-the-bmw-m3-by-car-magazine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/first-review-of-the-bmw-m3-by-car-magazine/#commentsFiled under: , ,

click above image for a huge gallery of high-res shots

We've all seen the spy shots, read up on the crucial details, taken a look at the competition, but now it's time for the final step. A review of BMW's new M3. Not due to go on sale until September, the world's media were invited for a drive of the car and here's a quick synopsis of what the lads from CAR Magazine thought about Munich's latest Bahnstormer.

Sporting a new V8 engine, the former model's trademark metallic rasp is now gone, replaced with a muscle car burble synonymous with performance eights. The powerplant's high-revving nature means there's a hole in its low range torque so it needs to be worked to see results. The same six-speed manual carries over from the outgoing version but expect to see a new dual-clutch box to follow soon after.

The final verdict? The car isn't as hard edged as the previous E46 version - a cost of trying to please a more general audience - but it's still very fast, practical and well built. Now the wait is on for the hardcore, track-focused, CSL version.

[Source: Car Magazine]

Gallery: 2008 BMW M3

First review of the BMW M3 by Car Magazine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMW M3BmwM3M3reviewroad testRoadTestFri, 06 Jul 2007 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Mercury Montego Premier]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/in-the-autoblog-garage-2007-mercury-montego-premier/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/in-the-autoblog-garage-2007-mercury-montego-premier/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/22/in-the-autoblog-garage-2007-mercury-montego-premier/#commentsFiled under: , ,

click above image for desktop-sized pics of the 2007 Mercury Montego

Alas, Montego, we hardly knew ye. Of course, the large sedan from Mercury is not going away, but being relaunched as the Sable with a new schnoz, larger engine, and some interior upgrades. The Montego name will once again drift off into obscurity like its Torino-based forebear. While the Sable picks up where the Montego left off, it would be foolish to think the Montego is a dud. The 2007 Montego Premier AWD is a big car, with some dimensions exceeding the Grand Marquis. With a bump here and a nip there, the Montego would make the best Marquis ever. As it is, the Volvo-donated architecture underneath the Montego makes it a very modern driving sedan that belies the comfort-sized dimensions.

Gallery: 2007 Mercury Montego Premier AWD

Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Mercury Montego Premier

In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Mercury Montego Premier originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblogfivefive hundredFiveHundredfordgaragehundredinmercurymontegoreviewroadroad testRoadTesttesttheThu, 22 Mar 2007 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Camaro Concept versus Mustang debate goes digital]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/01/camaro-concept-versus-mustang-debate-goes-digital/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/01/camaro-concept-versus-mustang-debate-goes-digital/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/01/camaro-concept-versus-mustang-debate-goes-digital/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Many of us have already taken in Motor Trend's May issue cover story in which an impatient MT staff pits Chevy's Camaro Concept, not due out until 2008 if at all, against the Ford Mustang in a digital duel. The comparison occurred in a virtual world created by a simulation program called CarSim. While data on the actually-in-existence Ford Mustang was easy to come by, editors from MT has to consult with GM to cull information on the 2009 Camaro to use in the simulation.

For those who find reading about the comparison a bit one-dimensional, both CarSim and MotorTrend have loaded up their websites with not only animations of the comparison, but also a mini-app called SurfAnim that allows one to zoom, fly around and see the tests performed in slow-motion.

[Source: CarSim and Motor Trend]

Camaro Concept versus Mustang debate goes digital originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 May 2006 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleCamaro ConceptCamaroConceptCarSimcomparisoncomparoduelMotor TrendMotorTrendMustangroad testRoadTestsimulationversusvirtualMon, 01 May 2006 14:02:00 EST