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[Upcoming Alfas going rear-drive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/29/upcoming-alfas-going-rear-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/29/upcoming-alfas-going-rear-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/29/upcoming-alfas-going-rear-drive/#commentsFiled under:

For years, the only Italian automobiles available in the United States have been exotic sportscars. Alfa Romeo is banking on that perception for its return to the American market with a range of cars that don't cost exotic, but look exotic. That much is further evidenced by the 8C Competizione, the car Alfa made and chose to spearhead the return. But exotic, in people's minds, means rear-wheel-drive, and with the very notable but limited example of the 8C, and despite the availability of AWD on the US-bound 159/Brera/Spider range, Alfa Romeos are all front-drive. That may have cut it overseas, but American buyers are going to want tire-smoking, tail-out dramatics to go with their Italian good looks. Fortunately, Alfa is out to meet that demand with its future models.

Although the Junior hatchback, to be based on the Grande Punto platform, will be front-drive (the norm in hot hatches, anyway), the flagship 169 luxury sedan is tipped to share its platform with Maserati, which means rear-drive. Reports are now surfacing that suggest that additional future Alfa Romeo models will also be RWD, to the benefit of impassioned customers worldwide.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Upcoming Alfas going rear-drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalldrivefrontplatformrearrome0promeowheelMon, 29 Oct 2007 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Infiniti G37 coupe to get AWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/infiniti-g37-coupe-to-get-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/infiniti-g37-coupe-to-get-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/infiniti-g37-coupe-to-get-awd/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Official word has yet to come down from on high, but it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Infiniti G37 will eventually get AWD hardware. Potential buyers are asking dealers, who are in turn asking Infiniti about channeling the VQ's urge through all four wheels. The M45 and G35S will both be gaining AWD in the near future, so it does bode well for the possibility of a G37x. Official statements are vague about any actual developments, other than to say "it's reasonable to expect it may happen." It's also reasonable to assume that Infiniti's watching the competition like BMW and Audi proliferating AWD euro-luxers, and they'd be remiss to neglect offering the same capabilities.

[Source: Inside Line]

Gallery: 2007 Infiniti G37 Coupe

Infiniti G37 coupe to get AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allall wheel driveAllWheelDriveaudiawdbmwcoupedriveg35G37g37xInfinitim45wheelxFri, 31 Aug 2007 10:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Reports: Get your MINI with AWD by 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/reports-get-your-mini-with-awd-by-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/reports-get-your-mini-with-awd-by-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/09/reports-get-your-mini-with-awd-by-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,

Following earlier rumors of an off-roading MINI Colorado, reports are surfacing that parent company BMW is preparing to offer all-wheel-drive on the full MINI range by 2008. The rumors stem from this week's edition of the German weekly Auto Motor und Sport, which stated that the upcoming stretched-out MINI Traveller/Clubman will be available with all-wheel drive, but that the feature would be extended to the entire Mini range - presumably including the hard-top, convertible and Clubman models - sometime in 2008.

The reports haven't been confirmed at this point, but the idea of an all-wheel-drive MINI is making us salivate already. All the more so if BMW were to enter the MINI in rally competitions. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Subaru Impreza WRX STi may be getting new duds, but with all-wheel-drive hatch as stylish as the MINI presents a compelling case.

[Source: Motoring File]

Reports: Get your MINI with AWD by 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allclubmancoloradodrivefourminitravellerwheelFri, 09 Feb 2007 11:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes 4Matic continues to gain traction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/mercedes-4matic-continues-to-gain-traction/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/mercedes-4matic-continues-to-gain-traction/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/mercedes-4matic-continues-to-gain-traction/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click on the image above to get to our gallery of 18 hi-rez images.

Its rivals at Audi might have blazed the proverbial trail for all-wheel-drive in luxury sedans, but Mercedes-Benz isn't far behind down the dirt road. Mercedes' own 4Matic AWD system is more popular in the United States than anywhere else in the world - 4Matic models account for about twenty percent of global sales, while in the US 4Matic-equiped Mercedes amount to nearly twice that. American Benz buyers today can get the 4Matic system on no less than eighteen models across seven lines. Think the extra weight and increased fuel consumption of an all-wheel-drive system would be a drawback with rising fuel prices? Mercedes is quick to point out that its latest 4Matic system adds less than 200 pounds to the weight of the car and reduces fuel economy by less than 2 mpg.

Sport-utility vehicles continue as a popular segment, particularly in the American market, and Mercedes offers a variety of SUVs to choose from. But the availability of the 4Matic system on conventional sedans with superior driving dynamics and efficiency presents a compelling case, especially for those living in colder climates requiring a little extra traction when the white stuff hits the ground. (Follow the jump for a video of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4Matic tackling the sticky stuff that most SUVs will never see.)

DaimlerChrysler put on an impressive display at this year's Detroit auto show, and Mercedes aimed to make an impact. Its display featured an indoor ice rink designed to highlight the brand's 4Matic models. Dog-sleds, figure skaters and hockey players all took to the ice together with a sampling of Mercedes' 4Matic range. (Check out our high-resolution image gallery below for the best shots of Mercedes' indoor winter wonderland.)

Gallery: Mercedes Stars on Ice

[Sources: Automotive News and Motor Authority]

Continue reading Mercedes 4Matic continues to gain traction

Mercedes 4Matic continues to gain traction originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4maticallawdbenzdrivemercedeswheelThu, 01 Feb 2007 16:58:00 EST