Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #76

Dan Roth — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Podcasts, Budget, Sedan, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, Misc. Auto Shows

It's car debut week, apparently, for Autoblog Podcast #76. As we start winding up for the car show season, news is beginning to break. We start with the Ford Verve, Ford's B segment concept that will be the new Fiesta in Europe. It will be coming to the US, as well, even though Ford Europe's designers didn't imbue it with the three-bar grille. Just send it. We also saw the production result of Chrysler's JC49 in the surprising Dodge Journey CUV. It's got some very cool packaging in the interior, and the styling is successful, if not heart-pounding. Cross your fingers that it doesn't get saddled with the same materials in the rest of Chrysler's interiors - you know, plastic that makes milk jugs laugh. We finally got to see the Jaguar XF sans camo, too. Let's hope it runs like a scalded cat (with the AJ V8 in supercharged and naturally aspirated forms, it should do pretty well), because it's got the face of one. The amalgam of borrowed cues work well together, and it's a huge improvement from the overtly retro S-Type. Maybe it will serve as a tipping point, moving Jag from a nostalgically styled brand to a bolder, more cutting edge look, Last but not least, we're competing in the 24 Hours of LeMons. We've got an '88 RX-7 that's going to get torn to shreds. We can hardly wait, look for updates on the preparations, as we head toward the event on October 20th and 21st. And we're out - 44 minutes of punditry.

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Autoblog Podcast #76 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: next Mercedes B-Class could spawn derivatives

Noah Joseph — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

We doubt you'll be mourning the loss of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which, as we reported earlier this month, might be canceled rather than replaced in 2011. The compact hatchback never won resounding praise, and for good reason, was never sold in the US. The larger B-Class, however, is likely to be replaced in the same year, and could spawn a number of derivatives.

The current B-Class, which is sold to our hockey-loving neighbors to the north, is only offered as a five-door hatchback. The next B could be joined by a sportier hatch and even a roadster, with the potential for US importation. The latter was previewed in part by the Vision SLA concept shown at Detroit way back in 2000. Earlier reports also suggested the possibility of the next B-Class borrowing from the C-Class platform, which would mean rear-wheel-drive, in proper Benz style, instead of the front-drive of the current A and B.

[Source: AutoBild via Motor Authority]

Report: next Mercedes B-Class could spawn derivatives originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford Verisa on U.S. soil?

Dan Roth — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:06:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Japan, Ford, Mazda

Could this be the B segment car that Alan Mulally obliquely referred to between Shrub jokes during his NYIAS keynote? What we have here is a Mazda Versia, a JDM car that Ford may be considering bringing to the US. That'd explain it tooling around the Dearborn area, and it looks like it was snagged in California a while ago, too. It'd slot nicely under the Focus and inject some new life into small cars at Ford. We're thinking that the "I made it myself" bodywork of this mule is not an attempt to appeal to the bodykit and bewinged crowd, and just hastily assembled for engineering tests. Powered by a 1.6-liter four cylinder, fuel economy should be solidly in the 30s, while the Mazda roots at least hold the potential that it'll run with the Honda Fit. That's our hope, anyway -- because the worst case scenario has it recalling the Aspire.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Spy Shots: Ford Verisa on U.S. soil? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crewe's Chrono: Breitling for Bentley Flying B Chronograph

Noah Joseph — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Bentley

The crossover world of automotive timepieces is not short of mouthwateringly stylish examples, but some stand out more than others. Autoblog's Top 10 Car Watches featured the Breitling Flying B, a supremely stylish (and expensive) rectangular-faced wristwatch. The partnership between Breitling and Bentley has now given birth to a variation arguably even more stylish: the Flying B Chronograph.

The chrono features the same elegant shape as its unconventional conventional counterpart, but the face has been redesigned to accommodate the split-second timing sub-dials of the automatic chronograph movement. Its center features the same striking knurled metal finish you'll find on the switchgear of the most exclusive Bentleys (and surrounding the face on the aforementioned standard Flying B), graced with three square dials for timing functions and art-deco mother-of-pearl hour indicators.

In place of Bentley's usual 6.75-liter V8 or twin-turbo W12, the luminescent hands are motivated by Breitling's COSC-certified, 38-jewl Calibre 44B movement. The Flying B chronograph will be officially unveiled - in steel, white gold or rose gold - at the Baselworld watch show in November, after which it will likely sell for considerably more than its $10,000 counterpart...in true Bentley form.

Looking for more ways to spend big bucks adorning your hand with Bentley luxury? Check out these related posts:

[Source: TimeZone]

Crewe's Chrono: Breitling for Bentley Flying B Chronograph originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Noah Joseph — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:10:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Europe, Hatchback, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz

Somewhere in my mind, Pixar-animated DaimlerChrysler small cars are arguing over who gets to make it to the American market next. Not because they yearn for the shores of freedom or anything like that, but it seems that every time DCX decides to bring anything smaller than a C-Class to the US, the car gets a facelift. First it determined the American market was ready for the SMART ForTwo, so that got a revision. Now, following reports that Mercedes would begin offering the B-Class in the United States, disguised test mules of an updated B have been spied undergoing testing.

The facelifted B-Class will get a front end with revised grille, bumper and headlights. The side mirrors will get turn signals built in, and the tail end will get a new bumper and tail-lights. The engine line-up is expected to be shaken up a bit too with Mercedes' latest efficient engines. The new B-Class is anticipated to debut in spring 2008; no official word on when the B-Class will debut stateside, but if and when it does, you can bet it'll be the new version.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz B-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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