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[Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/volkswagen-continues-inscrutable-naming-practice-with-new-amarok/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/volkswagen-continues-inscrutable-naming-practice-with-new-amarok/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/04/volkswagen-continues-inscrutable-naming-practice-with-new-amarok/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2008 Volkswagen Concept Pickup - Click above for a high-res gallery

Remember when Volkswagen just named their cars for different winds? Scirocco, Jetta, Corrado, Santana - they all had a certain clean, sweeping quality about them, even if it wasn't immediately clear where the names came from. More recently, however, VW has gone further afield, invoking cryptic names like Touareg (a nomadic Saharan tribe) and Tiguan (Tiger + Iguana). Add this to the list: Amarok.

That's the official name for VW's forthcoming overseas market pickup truck. According to the automaker's press release, Amarok means "wolf" in the language of the hearty, frigid-dwelling Inuit. Alternatively, VW says the appelation "translates into 'he loves stones' in the languages spoken in South America." We'll have to take their word for it, but we can certainly see some sort of stoning at work here.

For its part, Volkswagen actually hasn't unveiled the production version of the Amarok yet, although it did display the fetching concept version (labeled simply as 'Concept Pickup') seen here at last September's IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, and a prototype example was even spotted running around the Nürburgring in April.

In any case, VW promises the Amarok will launch as a double-cab, four-wheel drive pickup, with a smaller single-cab variant to follow. Built in Argentina, the diesel pickup will hit South America early next year, with Central America coming on stream in the spring, followed by Russia, Europe, Africa, and Australia. As expected, North America isn't in the model's plans at this time. Check out the full press release after the jump.


Gallery: Volkswagen Concept Pickup


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup

Volkswagen continues inscrutable naming practice with new Amarok pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amarokargentinapickuppickup truckPickupTruckVolkswagenVWThu, 04 Jun 2009 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb does the Gymkhana dance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/video-sebastien-loeb-does-the-gymkhana-dance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/video-sebastien-loeb-does-the-gymkhana-dance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/video-sebastien-loeb-does-the-gymkhana-dance/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Follow the jump to watch Sebastien Loeb demonstrate his talents

Sebastien Loeb went to Argentina and did some dancing that wasn't the tango. The WRC champion performed a demonstration with his Citroen rally car that was reminiscent of gymkhana. Although it's a little repetitive and nowhere near as mind-blowing as this other guy's gymkhana session, it is clear that Seb knows his way around the barriers and over the jumps. Follow the jump to check out the vid.

[Source: 0-60 magazine]

Continue reading VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb does the Gymkhana dance

VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb does the Gymkhana dance originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argentinagymkhanaken blockKenBlockmotorsportssebastien loebSebastienLoebsouth americaSouthAmericavideowrcSat, 25 Apr 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Former F1 driver Carlos Reutemann running for President of Argentina]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/25/former-f1-driver-carlos-reutemann-running-for-president-of-argen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/25/former-f1-driver-carlos-reutemann-running-for-president-of-argen/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/25/former-f1-driver-carlos-reutemann-running-for-president-of-argen/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's not much of a shelf life for professional racing drivers. Around the time when the rest of us are just getting our careers started, they're already in their prime. Especially in Formula One: a few years ago, Fernando Alonso set the record of youngest world champion at 24, which was beaten last season by Lewis Hamilton at 23. And while a handful of drivers will stay in the sport into their late 30's or resort to other series after hitting their peaks, most of them, like other sports figures, start their second careers after they're earned their trophies on the race track.

Carlos Reutemann won twelve grands prix over the course of his ten years in F1 with such teams as Ferrari and Williams, but when his racing days were finished, he turned to politics in his native Argentina. Now, after having served as governor of the Santa Fe province and in the National Senate, Reutemann has announced his candidacy for President. Reutemann's conservative policies and ties to former President Carlos Menem have been a source of some controversy, culminating in his being assaulted by an angry mob in 2004. Meanwhile supporters had hoped he would run for the presidency in 2001, but Reutemann opted to remain in the Senate and run in the next elections in 2011 instead. With car journalists running London and racing drivers running for president in Argentina, we don't know what's going on with global politics, but we like it.

[Source: F1-Live]

Former F1 driver Carlos Reutemann running for President of Argentina originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argentinaCarlos ReutemannCarlos Reutemann presidentCarlosReutemannCarlosReutemannPresidentpresident argentinaPresidentArgentinareutemannSun, 25 Jan 2009 13:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Dakar looks at alternatives, South America tops list]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/dakar-looks-at-alternatives-south-america-tops-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/dakar-looks-at-alternatives-south-america-tops-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/dakar-looks-at-alternatives-south-america-tops-list/#commentsFiled under:

Following the unfortunate cancellation of this year's Dakar rally, race organizers are examining a number of potential alternatives to permanently move the race away from northern Africa. Last year's race had stages canceled due to security considerations, but this year's event, which would have been going on right now, was the first to be cancelled in the rally's history. With reports now suggesting that the French foreign ministry's urging to cancel was based on direct threats from Al Qaeda to the Dakar rally itself, last year's modified race will likely have been the last to run the traditional, if oft-modified, route.

ASO - the French outfit that organizes the event, along with the famous Tour de France bicycle race - has considered a number of alternatives, including Dubai, Australia, and even running the distance from Paris all the way to Beijing, but reports are now suggesting that following the offer from the Chilean tourism minister, a deal has already been signed to hold the rally beginning next year on a route from Argentina to Chile and back.

Although the South American rally likely won't happen this year, when it does it will likely revert to Dakar's traditional January 1 starting gun and take the place of the Pampas Rally in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup.

[Source: Autosport]

Dakar looks at alternatives, South America tops list originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al qaedaAlQaedaargentinacancelledchiledakarlisboalisbonmaghredpampasparisrallysouth americaSouthAmericaTue, 15 Jan 2008 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda ramping up CR-V production in Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/honda-ramping-up-cr-v-production-in-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The small utility vehicle market is booming right now, and there may be none better in the non-luxury space than the fuel-sipping Honda CR-V. Honda has to be thrilled with their little 'ute, mostly because customers are snatching up the vehicle with little or no incentives, and it's far and away the best-selling CUV in the US. The CR-V has been so successful that Honda has increased production in Mexico by 20,000 units annually to expand sales into Brazil and Argentina. Honda is hiring an additional 600 employees to its El Salto plant in Mexico to account for growing production. The move is part of Honda's plan to double North American production of the CR-V.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Honda ramping up CR-V production in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArgentinaBrazilCrossoversEl Salto plant mexicoElSaltoPlantMexicoFord EscapeFordEscapeHonda CR-VHondaCr-vToyota Rav4ToyotaRav4Tue, 27 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Yikes! Lamborghini Alar official pics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/yikes-lamborghini-alar-official-pics/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/yikes-lamborghini-alar-official-pics/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/yikes-lamborghini-alar-official-pics/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for additional pics (including hires version of the above) in our gallery.

 When we first saw the initial rendering of Joan Ferci's Lamborghini Alar, a Diablo-based special that's somehow allowed to retain the Lamborghini nameplate, we knew it'd be pretty ugly. Now, Argentina Auto Blog, the site that brought us the original rendering, has ponied up what are reportedly the first official shots of the car, and it's just about what you'd expect.

Looking like the bastard child of a Pontiac Banshee cross-bred with leftover elements from H.R. Giger's original Alien designs, the Alar is, by all appearances, a waking nightmare on four wheels.The hammerhead shark-like nose is particularly weird-looking. Ironically, there are people who go out of their way to build kit cars that look like real Diablos. Here you have a case where perfectly good Diablos will be sacrificed in order to make them look like wacky kit cars. The mind reels.

[Source: Argentina Auto Blog]

Gallery: Lamborghini Alar

Yikes! Lamborghini Alar official pics originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alarargentinalamborghini alarLamborghiniAlarWed, 14 Mar 2007 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford sued for kidnapping, torture in Argentina]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/24/ford-sued-for-kidnapping-torture-in-argentina/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/24/ford-sued-for-kidnapping-torture-in-argentina/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/24/ford-sued-for-kidnapping-torture-in-argentina/#commentsFiled under:

Ex-union organizers in Argentina have filed a lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company and the company's local arm, claiming that they were abducted and tortured inside a Blue Oval facility during the country's 1976-1983 military dictatorship.

According to the civil suit, Ford allegedly "planned and executed a precise and concrete plan to violently get rid of the labor union activities, with the purpose of establishing a terrorism of enterprise that would allow it to freely reduce its staff and...speed up production lines," engaging in beatings, mock firing squads, and electric shocks.

Those bringing the suit are seeking an undisclosed amount of money, along with a possible formal apology by the automaker.

Mercedes-Benz has also been singled-out for alleged violent crimes under the regime, including the kidnapping of some 18 employees from 1976-1977, fifteen of whom have never been found.

[Source: Morningstar]

Ford sued for kidnapping, torture in Argentina originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArgentinaCivil RightsCivilRightsFordkidnappinglawsuittortureFri, 24 Feb 2006 15:00:00 EST