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[World's Largest Rebate? Save $42,000 on Tesla Roadster in Colorado]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/tesla-roadster-colorado-tax-credit-42/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/tesla-roadster-colorado-tax-credit-42/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/22/tesla-roadster-colorado-tax-credit-42/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tesla Roadster - Click above image for high-res gallery

We didn't believe it until we verified it with our own eyes - and amazingly it's true: Colorado is offering a $42,083 rebate on the 2009 Tesla Roadster until December 31st. Carry the one, move the decimal point... yep, that's a 38-percent discount on what must be the most desirable electric car currently for sale in the United States.

So, exactly how did this come about? Is the thin air up there distorting people's better judgment? Not exactly. The incentive actually applies to a slew of qualifying hybrid and electric vehicles and will be paid in the form of an income tax credit that's calculated by determining the difference in price of the alt-fuel car or truck as compared to a competitive gas-powered model. In the case of the Tesla Roadster, Colorado figures the EV costs a whopping $50K more than its competitive set... which we imagine might be the Lotus Elise.

Want to take advantage of the rebate but not interested in a fully-electric sportscar? Buyers can also get a $20K rebate on the 2009 Lexus LS 600h L or about three grand on either the new Honda Insight or Toyota Prius. But we urge you to buy the Tesla instead, because you could then get a loaded Ford Mustang GT with all the money you save just for irony's sake. See the complete list in PDF form here.


Gallery: First Drive: Tesla Roadster


[Source: Green Car Reports]

World's Largest Rebate? Save $42,000 on Tesla Roadster in Colorado originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coloradocolorado ev rebatecolorado hybrid rebatecolorado rebateColoradoEvRebateColoradoHybridRebateColoradoRebatehybrid rebatehybrid rebatesHybridRebateHybridRebatesTeslatesla motorstesla rebatetesla roadstertesla roadster coloradotesla roadster rebateTeslaMotorsTeslaRebateTeslaRoadsterTeslaRoadsterColoradoTeslaRoadsterRebateThu, 22 Oct 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Colorado pulling popular cancer awareness license plate over funding controversy?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/colorado-pulling-popular-cancer-awareness-license-plate-over-fun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/colorado-pulling-popular-cancer-awareness-license-plate-over-fun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/colorado-pulling-popular-cancer-awareness-license-plate-over-fun/#commentsFiled under: ,



Colorado's specialty "Committed to a Cure" license plate was rolled out in 2005. According to the women behind it, the goal was to "create broad awareness about the breast cancer crusade," and Coloradans have paid $50 to put the plates on their cars. A recently passed bill in the Colorado Legislature will add another $25 to that fee, and that extra surcharge has compelled the current plate's designers to ask for it to be retired.

The $25 will be applied to a fund that pays for treatment for uninsured women who have breast or cervical cancer. Carol Hickman, who had the original idea to create such a plate for Colorado is behind the movement to retire the current plate, says that since "there's no research component... it's not going to the overall purpose of committed to a cure." If the disease itself isn't being addressed with the surcharge, Hickman feels it's better not to allow the current plate to be used.

The uninsured women who have breast cancer and would benefit from treatment assistance would probably call that an overly strict definition of the word "cure." There is also the fact that no portion of the $50 vanity plate fee -- paid for 28,602 plates -- has gone to breast cancer research or treatment: half of that money goes to the DMV to pay for the plate and license services, the other half goes to highway maintenance.

A new plate breast-cancer-themed will be unveiled by November 1. Current plate holders have the option of trading plates when the new design arrives, or keeping theirs until 2012. The $25 surcharge will be optional until then.


[Source: 9 News | Image: Colorado House Democrats]

Continue reading Colorado pulling popular cancer awareness license plate over funding controversy?

Colorado pulling popular cancer awareness license plate over funding controversy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breast cancerBreastCancercoloradodmvgovernmentlicense plateLicensePlatevanity platesVanityPlatesTue, 28 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/gm-recalls-camaro-traverse-suvs-pickups-for-various-faults/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/gm-recalls-camaro-traverse-suvs-pickups-for-various-faults/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/gm-recalls-camaro-traverse-suvs-pickups-for-various-faults/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a suite of recalls for the Chevrolet Camaro, Traverse and various body-on-frame SUVs and pickups (Cadillac's Escalade, Chevrolet's Avalanche, Colorado, Suburban and Tahoe, along with GMC's Canyon and Yukon).

The Camaro recall has been discussed before, but now we have the official language and affected unit numbers to share with you. The recall of 1,243 Camaros is due to the possibility of the positive battery cable rubbing against the starter motor housing. When the insulation is worn through because of that chafing, the system can short out and the car won't start (or continue running if the motor is already going). Dealers will reroute the positive cable to fix.

15,393 2009 model-year Traverse crossovers are being recalled for a parking brake cable link that is not to federal specifications. According to the official press release, the parking brake pedal may cause the cable link to snap. Dealers will replace the cable link connector for free. Oddly, the recall does not make mention of GM's other Lambda-based three-row crossovers, which include the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook.

Finally, 27,189 GM SUVs and pickups are being recalled due to potential faults with their fuel system control modules. The modules might have a seal problem that allows water in, which could then cause a short- or open- circuit, a development that could potentially trigger a host of warning lights or render the vehicle inoperable. Dealers will install a new fuel system control module unit at no cost. You can read all of the notices after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA - Camaro, Traverse, GMT900]

Continue reading GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues

GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avalanchecadillaccamarochevroletcoloradoescaladegeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgmcnhtsarecallrecallssafetysuburbantahoetraversetsbyukonTue, 12 May 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[ACLU throws its weight around in... battle for Colorado vanity plates?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/aclu-throws-its-weight-around-in-battle-for-colorado-vanity-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/aclu-throws-its-weight-around-in-battle-for-colorado-vanity-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/aclu-throws-its-weight-around-in-battle-for-colorado-vanity-p/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you LVTOFU, the ACLU might go to bat for your right to let the world know you love tofu. A Colorado woman was recently turned down by the state's DMV when she wanted a plate reading "ILVTOFU." The Department of Revenue said the letters "FU" are a banned combination, and cited a statute that allows rejections if plates are "offensive to the general public" or "offensive to good taste and decency." If loving tofu is wrong, we don't want to be right...

And the ACLU wants none of it. The organization has requested records from the Department of all of the rejected plates, probably with an eye to bringing a case if they find infringement of free speech. At issue is the boundary of First Amendment rights and state ownership of the license plate. An Oregon DMV rep said his state probably would have denied the plate -- Oregon turned down the plate "VINO" -- a Nevada DMV rep said his state probably would have approved it.

Even more odd is the list of banned 3-letter combinations on Colorado license plates. "Die," "gat," and "pee" we can understand. But "hot," "USB," and "moo"? Makes us think that Coloradoans have different meanings for their words than the rest of us...

[Source: Denver Post]

ACLU throws its weight around in... battle for Colorado vanity plates? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aclucoloradogovernmentilvtofulegallicense plateLicensePlatelifestyleSat, 25 Apr 2009 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Attended: Bridgestone Winter Driving School]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/17/attended-bridgestone-winter-driving-school/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/17/attended-bridgestone-winter-driving-school/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/17/attended-bridgestone-winter-driving-school/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The 2-ton SUV is sliding completely off its intended course. The steering wheel is at full opposite lock, yet uncontrolled oversteer flips the rear end of the Toyota 4Runner around like a cat with its tail on fire. In one last-ditch attempt to halt the pendulum process, I stab the throttle. All four tires desperately claw at the frozen surface, but it is too late to really help. The grip the four small contact patches manage to find simply drives me directly into the thick snow bank on the side of the road. The truck immediately comes to a stop and I sit there stupefied shaking my head with embarrassment. Over the radio, my instructor tells me to back up and try it all over again. No harm done, as the "crash" is all part of the learning process at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. Follow the jump to read all about our full-day experience in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Gallery: Bridgestone Winter Driving School


All photos Copyright (C)2009 Jackie Owen Photography / Michael C. Harley, Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Attended: Bridgestone Winter Driving School

Attended: Bridgestone Winter Driving School originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzakBridgestone BlizzakBridgestone Winter Driving SchoolBridgestoneBlizzakBridgestoneWinterDrivingSchoolColoradoIceOversteerSkidSnowSnow and IceSnow TireSnowAndIceSnowTireSteamboat SpringsSteamboatSpringsStudded TieStuddedTieToyota 4RunnerToyota CamryToyota4runnerToyotaCamryUndersteerWinter DrivingWinterDrivingSat, 17 Jan 2009 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy looking to sell a pickup smaller than Colorado?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/chevy-looking-to-sell-a-pickup-smaller-than-colorado/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/chevy-looking-to-sell-a-pickup-smaller-than-colorado/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/09/chevy-looking-to-sell-a-pickup-smaller-than-colorado/#commentsFiled under: ,



The Chevrolet Colorado hasn't been much of a sales success recently. Despite competing in what many feel is an untapped market, the Colorado's sales numbers in 2007 slipped by almost 20% compared to 2006. The solution? Possibly offering a truck below the Colorado in size that combines a small footprint with a fuel-efficient engine.

Mike Levine over at Pickuptruck.com sat down with Chevy's General Manager, Ed Peper, and asked if there's a market for a vehicle similar to the Toyota A-BAT concept bound for Detroit. Peper thinks its might be feasible in the future. What form it could take is open to debate, but Levine maintains that if it slots in below the Colorado, it might as well carry a New Mexico badge.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Chevy looking to sell a pickup smaller than Colorado? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet coloradoChevroletColoradochevychevy coloradoChevyColoradocoloradoWed, 09 Jan 2008 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Magna might build maxi MINI Colorado SUV]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/20/magna-might-build-maxi-mini-colorado-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/20/magna-might-build-maxi-mini-colorado-suv/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/20/magna-might-build-maxi-mini-colorado-suv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Magna is making news all over. The latest effort from the Canadian auto supplier is aimed at getting BMW to let it build a MINI SUV. The SUV will be called the "Colorado," and could be the next step in MINI's increasingly grand line. As it is, the MINI is so popular that BMW can't squeeze another car out of its MINI plant in Oxford, England, and it's still got the Clubman to deal with. Magna has excess capacity at its Steyr plant in Graz, Austria where the Chrysler 300 was built until Chrysler shifted more of its production to its Brampton, Ontario plant. The Austrian factory will also lose out on building the next generation BMW X3, whose production will shift to South Carolina, and both Chrysler and Mercedes are bringing more operations in-house. Magna Steyr built 26,400 Chryslers and 113,000 X3's last year, and is working replace those with 65,000 MINI Colorados, as well as 20,000 VW roadsters.

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

[Source: The Globe and Mail]

Magna might build maxi MINI Colorado SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwcoloradomagnamagna steyrMagnaSteyrminiFri, 20 Jul 2007 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[V8 for '08: Chevy Colorado engine lineup expanding]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/v8-for-08-chevy-colorado-engine-lineup-expanding/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/v8-for-08-chevy-colorado-engine-lineup-expanding/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/v8-for-08-chevy-colorado-engine-lineup-expanding/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2007 Chevy Colorado

The addition of GM's 5.3L V8 to the HUMMER H3 Alpha for 2008 has resulted in some trickle-down goodness for the SUV's pickup truck platform-mate, the Chevy Colorado. PickupTruck.com is reporting that the smaller Chevy truck will indeed receive the same infusion of V8 power in 2008. We've driven both the Silverado and the GMC Sierra with that engine, and we liked it a lot in the big trucks. Imagining it in the Colorado has grins spreading across our faces, as it will certainly add a good amount of pop, and with the 5.3's cylinder deactivation system, it should also be respectable at the pump, considering it'll have a lot less truck to move around than with the GMT900.

The addition of the 295-horse V8 will catapult the Colorado to the top of the heap in the midsize pickup segment in terms of power, edging the new Dodge Dakota (290 hp), and putting it well beyond the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger (numbers 1 & 2 respectively on the sales charts). GM's been teasing everyone with V8-powered small concept pickups for a while now, and though it won't officially confirm or deny the report (a spokesman only says, "stay tuned"), it sure looks like the General's finally decided to give us the real thing. Good.

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

V8 for '08: Chevy Colorado engine lineup expanding originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5.35.3lcoloradoh3hummer h3 alphaHummerH3Alphav8Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[You can get a "Tough Box" for your Chevy Colorado, too!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/09/you-can-get-a-tough-box-for-your-chevy-colorado-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/09/you-can-get-a-tough-box-for-your-chevy-colorado-too/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/09/you-can-get-a-tough-box-for-your-chevy-colorado-too/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



It has been confirmed that Ford will be offering the "Tough Box" as an option on the F-150 as soon as this Spring, but what if you're not in the market for a Blue Oval with a bed? Don't worry, since it seems that there are companies perfectly willing to apply the same treatment to your General Motors pickup, specifically the Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon. SVE Fleet is a company that will add what it calls a Mid-Box to your pickup. Essentially the same thing as Ford's "Tough Box", the Mid-Box features two hinged doors at the leading edge of the bed that open up to reveal a deep storage space or slide out drawers that can store tools. In fact, SVE Fleet can even add a Mid-Box to an F-150 if you really can't wait for the "Tough Box" to become available when the snow thaws.

Speaking of the "Tough Box", thanks to Mike Levine at Pickuptruck.com, we've learned a few more details on Ford's newest feature for the F-150. The Blue Oval has tapped 2nd stage manufacturer Decoma International to build the "Tough Box" option into existing F-150s that are shipped to them from the factory with a short bed on a long wheelbase. The "Tough Box" can also be outfitted in many ways for either storage of larger items or with slide-out trays for smaller tools. Rumor has it that the "Tough Box" came into being from a request by the fertilizer company that produces Scott's Miracle-Gro. Federal regulations demand they keep solid and liquid fertilizers separated during transport, so they were faced with either driving two separate trucks or finding one with separated compartments. In its quest to keep the F-150 atop the sales chart, Ford stepped up with a factory-backed solution.

[Source: SVE Fleet via GMInsideNews, Pickuptruck.com]

You can get a "Tough Box" for your Chevy Colorado, too! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CanyonChevy ColoradoChevyColoradoColoradoF-150GMC CanyonGmcCanyonMid-BoxSVE FleetSveFleetTough BoxToughBoxFri, 09 Mar 2007 13:57:00 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[Top secret MINI 4x4 in the works: The Colorado]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/top-secret-mini-4x4-in-the-works-the-colorado/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/top-secret-mini-4x4-in-the-works-the-colorado/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/top-secret-mini-4x4-in-the-works-the-colorado/#commentsFiled under: ,



Early last year, while sitting in the passenger seat of cab on the Las Vegas strip, I caught a brief glimpse of a mutant MINI in the adjacent lane. The 'lil hatch had undergone serious suspension surgery, having been jacked up a few inches and then outfitted with a set of aftermarket wheels, wrapped in knobby rubber. While enduring both the cab ride over and a performance of "O", daydreams of the owner relentlessly flogging the MINI, far away from the neon halo of Sin City, bounced around in my mind.

The idea of an off-roading MINI was a novelty then, but back in November, AutoExpress caught wind of a rumor that BMW was currently developing some manner of all-wheel-drive system to fit within the tight confines of their retro-hatch.

Now, Gabe over at MotoringFile has revealed that such a beast is under development and is being referred to internally as the Colorado.

This next spin-off of the brand will likely be based off an SUV version of the 1-series and may be manufactured at BMW's highly flexible Spartanburg, SC plant or Magna Steyr, since BMW's other production centers are at capacity.

Although the MINI faithful will surely view this as a dilution of the marque, if the Colorado can combine some light off-road capabilities, while still maintaining the MINI's iconic chuckability, we're all for it.

[Source: Motoring File]

Top secret MINI 4x4 in the works: The Colorado originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coloradocoopercooper sCooperSminiFri, 19 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[RUMOR MILL: New platform for Colorado/Canyon/H3 in the works?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/rumor-mill-new-platform-for-colorado-canyon-h3-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/rumor-mill-new-platform-for-colorado-canyon-h3-in-the-works/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/rumor-mill-new-platform-for-colorado-canyon-h3-in-the-works/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



One of the more common complaints about the GMT355-based trucks (Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Hummer H3) is their lack of power. When the H3 debuted, there were rumblings of the 5.3L V8 being slid into its butched-to-the-max bodywork. Unfortunately, someone forgot to measure the transmission. It turns out the V8 with the 6-speed automatic will not fit, and that's the combo the General desires to offer in their smallest trucks. To accomplish that goal, the GMT-355 platform is reportedly going under the knife. No word whether it'll take a stage name when the surgery is over, or if the moniker will stay GMT355, but look for the revised platform under the reportedly forthcoming Hummer H4. Following soon after will be a new Colorado, which is said to look something like Colorado Crew Cab Z71 Plus SEMA concept pictured above. The overwhelmed 5-cylinder is also rumored to be taking a sidestep - giving the 6-cylinder Atlas a place to live. We can only hope the quality of the interior will come up as well. The current GMT-355 trucks aren't filled with materials comparable to the Tacoma, for instance, but the sticker wants to play in that realm. Rebates to the rescue, but our real hope is that the next Colorado is good enough to stand on its own

[Source: GM Inside News]

RUMOR MILL: New platform for Colorado/Canyon/H3 in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Dec 2006 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canyonchevroletcoloradogmgmch3h4hummertruckSun, 31 Dec 2006 13:19:00 EST