Autoblog

2013 SRT Viper GTS dyno'd by Edmunds

Seyth Miersma — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, SRT

First-time dynamometer runs for any production car are interesting business, at least for those with "car nerd" in their resumes. And the virgin public dyno testing of a new supercar like the SRT Viper GTS, well, that's just a bit o' heaven right there. So, when we heard that the number crunchers at Edmunds had gotten the new Viper into the test facility, we were hooked right away.

We won't spoil the video for you by blowing the ending right here, but suffice it to say that the SRT 8.4-liter V10, rated at 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque at the crank, is still pretty super by the time the power makes its way to those wide rear tires. Follow on below for the fun.

Continue reading 2013 SRT Viper GTS dyno'd by Edmunds

2013 SRT Viper GTS dyno'd by Edmunds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds: Honda and Acura best brands for retaining value

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Acura, Honda

Honda and Acura have had their fair share of issues over the last few years - from earthquakes, tsunamis and floods to important new models not being all that well received - but that hasn't stopped them from claiming top honors in Edmunds' 2012 Best Retained Value Awards.

According to Edmunds, on average, Honda vehicles are expected to retain 47.9 percent of their value after five years; Acura is just behind with 44.6 percent, taking the win in the luxury segment. In the mainstream category, Toyota and Mazda each got honorable mentions while Lexus and Cadillac to secondary honors in the luxury stakes.

Interestingly, despite not scoring the win in the mainstream class or even managing an honorable mention, Ford had the most individual wins in Edmunds' categories with five, beating Honda's four class victories. The vehicle expected to retain the most value after five years out of all classes is the Toyota Tacoma.

Want more? Click here for the full rundown from Edmunds.

Edmunds: Honda and Acura best brands for retaining value originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line snags drive of Acura NSX Roadster from The Avengers

Noah Joseph — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Videos, Acura, Celebrities, Design/Style

What would a superhero movie be without the fancy cars? Well, it would still be a superhero movie, we suppose, but we prefer the kind that has some flashy wheels. Like the upcoming Marvel flick The Avengers.

As you may have heard, Acura signed a multi-picture deal with Marvel to have its cars featured in a series of superhero movies, and indeed several already have. But for The Avengers, Acura had to work up something special enough to replace Tony Stark's Audi R8. Since the old NSX was long out of production when they began shooting and the new one wasn't ready yet, the Japanese automaker and the film studio put together something of a hybrid.

Not a hybrid as we tend to use the term in automotive spheres, but an amalgamation of the old NSX and the new one. They took a 1991 NSX and gave it a new roadster body to mimic the concept car that's been making the rounds of the auto show circuit.

Our compatriots over at Inside Line got a behind-the-scenes look at the roadster, along with the kitted-out MDX crossover and a TL with a similar treatment. Scroll down to watch the video clips they put together, and the corresponding article here.

Continue reading Inside Line snags drive of Acura NSX Roadster from The Avengers

Inside Line snags drive of Acura NSX Roadster from The Avengers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Corvette Z06 Centennial goes head-to-head with Cadillac CTS-V Coupe in Burnout Super Test

Noah Joseph — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Cadillac, Chevrolet

One rear-drive coupe with over 500 horsepower would be enough for most automakers. But not General Motors. The biggest of the Detroit automakers just couldn't get by with what some rivals would put on a showroom turntable with more flood-lights than an ATF raid. That's why it makes the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1, the Camaro ZL1 and the Cadillac CTS-V. (And that's before we get into overseas products like the Holden Commodore GTS/Vauxhall VXR8.)

The question is, which one is best for burnouts? To bring us one step closer to the answer we all crave, our compatriots over at Inside Line took two such 500+hp GM super-coupes - the Z06 Centennial Edition and the CTS-V Coupe - down to the Streets of Willow for the fifth installment of their Burnout Super Test.

So, which of the General's eight-cylinder muscle machines laid down the longest strip of rubber? We won't spoil it for you, so follow the jump to watch the video clip and the link for the full article.

Continue reading Chevy Corvette Z06 Centennial goes head-to-head with Cadillac CTS-V Coupe in Burnout Super Test

Chevy Corvette Z06 Centennial goes head-to-head with Cadillac CTS-V Coupe in Burnout Super Test originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No $1M prize winners in contest to crack Toyota sudden acceleration syndrome

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Toyota

Last year, Edmunds asked its readership to recreate a mechanical or electrical cause of sudden unintended acceleration of the kind that allegedly plagued Toyota in 2009 and 2010. The prize for coming up with verifiable proof of mechanical failure causing SUA was a cool $1 million dollars. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that contest just concluded without a winner.

Over the course of the year, Edmunds readers were unable to come up with proof that a mechanical or electrical fault caused the accidents that led to Toyota's drastic recall. That backs up NASA's finding that absolved Toyota of any wrongdoing. With mechanical failure ruled out as a viable cause of SUA, we're left with an uncomfortable thought: Short of those dealing with binding floor mats or those sticky recalled pedals, driver error was almost certainly the culprit for the flurry of unintended acceleration claims.

No $1M prize winners in contest to crack Toyota sudden acceleration syndrome originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 May 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valentino Balboni picks his favorite Lamborghini Countach

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Lamborghini

Valentino Balboni and the four Lamborghini Countaches - Click above for high-res image

We've seen a lot of creative comparison tests over the years. Most of them involve new cars compared against other new cars. But for its latest retrospective, Inside Line has gone a decidedly different route, comparing the various renditions of the Lamborghini Countach against each other. And they brought along Lamborghini's veteran test driver Valentino Balboni for an inside line of his own.

Now if you think the Murcielago lasted a long time, well... it did. Eight years, in fact. The Diablo before it lasted eleven. But the Countach was around for an astonishing sixteen years - an incredibly long lifetime for any car. And over the course of the three decades it remained in production, the Countach spawned numerous derivatives, from the original production LP400 through the wide-body S and the Quattrovalvole through to the straked 25th Anniversary edition.

As the Countach ages from the chintzy and cartoonish to the iconic and historic, choosing which one stood out as the finest example was undoubtedly a difficult task, but someone had to do it. Follow the link to see what they found. It's worth the read.

Valentino Balboni picks his favorite Lamborghini Countach originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bugatti Veyron vs. BMW S1000 RR - Which is fastest?

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:08:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., BMW, Bugatti, Motorcycle

Car guys insist that their four-wheeled machines are as fun as any motorcycle. The two-wheeled, leather-clad bike folks laugh at this notion, then scream off into the twisties at 9,000 rpm. The discussion can go back and forth until both parties are blue in the face. Inside Line decided it would be fun to put two powerful examples, one car and one motorcycle, to the test. These aren't just run-of-the-mill vehicles, either: In one corner is a 2010 Bugatti Veyron while in the other sits a 2010 BMW S 1000 RR. The battleground? Forest roads around Molsheim, France

The Veyron obviously has the power advantage, thanks to its quad-turbo 8.0-liter W16 engine that produces 1,001 horsepower. The 190-horsepower BMW, however, has a huge weight advantage and the agile bike can get around any Citroën-shaped obstacles that it might come across.

The staff at Inside Line give the nod to the bike, for a number of valid reasons. It makes more sense in a day-to-day atmosphere, can slip through traffic, and when the luggage rack is applied it has more cargo capacity. The S 1000 RR also gains an edge when comparing maintenance costs. Changing a tire on a bike isn't too much of a hit to the wallet, but to change the full set of rubber on the Bugatti costs $90,000. Furthermore, there are only two machines in the world capable of handling that job -- one in France and another here in the US.

Regardless of the outcome, the pair both represent unique forms of engineering excellence and the real winner of the shootout is Inside Line. Getting to spend time with either vehicle is a treat, but getting to do it on a scenic French road is a dream. Head on over to Inside Line to live vicariously through their lucky contributor.

[Source: Inside Line]

Bugatti Veyron vs. BMW S1000 RR - Which is fastest? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Camaro muscles ahead with first-ever Edmunds Launch Breakthrough award

Chris Shunk — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM

2010 Chevrolet Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

Edmunds is honoring the top new vehicles of 2010 with its first annual Launch Breakthrough Award, and the online research site gives the winning nod to the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. The award is given based on 18 different factors, including "pricing, sales, market share, dealer profit margins, incentives, consumer consideration, consumer ratings, inventory levels and residual values." Senior Analyst Ray Zhou says the award "recognizes the vehicle that had the most successful introduction of the past year." The Camaro captured the top prize with consistently strong demand from the minute it hit the showroom floor.

In total, Edmunds picked the top 10 new launches for 2010 among 54 eligible vehicles. To be eligible for the Launch Breakthrough Award, the new vehicle had to receive an all-new model or a complete refresh during calendar year 2009 (through December 1, 2009) with at least 100 sales per month. Domestics absolutely dominated the top 10 as well, with five General Motors products and two Fords. The second place winner went to the Porsche Panamera, while Toyota took the last two spots with the RX 350 and the Prius. Hit the jump to read over the Edmunds press release, which includes the complete top 10.

[Source: Edmunds]

Continue reading Chevy Camaro muscles ahead with first-ever Edmunds Launch Breakthrough award

Chevy Camaro muscles ahead with first-ever Edmunds Launch Breakthrough award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds compiles top ten 'Dark-Horse' list of worthy overlooked vehicles

Zach Bowman — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Buick, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki

Edmunds' Top 10 'Dark-Horse' cars - Click above for high-res image gallery

We all know the typical sales winners of the automotive universe. Come hell or high water, Honda Civics and Toyota Camrys will still float off of the lot. Granted, that's good news for most automakers, but at the same time, there's a wealth of under-appreciated models languishing under the beady eyes of inflatable gorillas across the country. The good people of Edmunds have taken it upon themselves to wrangle up a top 10 list of those long forgotten winners and filed them under the collective banner of "Dark-Horse" candidates. Sexy.

We're absolutely down with cars like the 2010 Buick Lacrosse, 2010 Suzuki Kizashi and the 2010 Hyundai Genesis, but the 2010 Nissan Versa has us scratching our heads. While the car is a perfectly decent little compact, the market is awash with other excellent options. Need proof? Look no further than another Edmunds Dark-Horse selection, the 2011 Ford Fiesta. We suppose that with all the hype surrounding the new Blue Oval hatchback that it can't as easily be considered a forgotten option, at least at this point. Hop the jump for the full press blast and check the gallery below for the top picks.

Gallery: Edmunds Top Ten Dark-Horse Cars

[Source: Edmunds]

Continue reading Edmunds compiles top ten 'Dark-Horse' list of worthy overlooked vehicles

Edmunds compiles top ten 'Dark-Horse' list of worthy overlooked vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds.com shuts down fake websites, warns of scamming

Zach Bowman — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:34:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

Danger, car shoppers - no longer content to try and convince the gullible that a deposed African ruler needs help storing his millions, internet scammers are now using the Edmunds.com name and logo to try and swindle money away from car buyers. According to Edmunds, the company has already shut down two sites that were hawking a supposed Edmunds-backed escrow service. Once you handed over your hard-earned money to what was supposed to be a trusted third-party, the crooks dropped off the face of the planet.

Edmunds doesn't offer an escrow service at all, so if you see an ad for a vehicle that suggests using the company to hold your cash, steer clear. You should also report the ad or any other sites boasting similar Edmunds-backed deals straight to the companies that host them. As always, if you think you've been taken advantage of, contact your bank as quickly as possible to try to stop the transaction.

[Source: Edmunds]

Continue reading Edmunds.com shuts down fake websites, warns of scamming

Edmunds.com shuts down fake websites, warns of scamming originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds announces official rules for $1 million sudden acceleration contest

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, Recalls, Toyota

2009 Toyota Camry - Click above for high-res image gallery

Edmunds has officially announced the rules concerning its $1 million quest to get to the bottom of the Toyota unintended acceleration woes. If you think you can replicate the series of events that causes the sedans to go ballistic, you'll need to write up a 1,000 word summary packed full with what you think causes the problem, why your cause is plausible, a brief account of your test protocol and what you've found. Throw in an in-depth, step-by-step test protocol and get it all in by October 29, 2010 at 5 p.m. PST in order to be considered for the prize.

Edmunds says it will announce the winner(s) on March 31, 2011. If there is more than one winner, the purse will be split evenly between the victors. Be warned, though, Edmunds isn't about to pay out for causes that have already been identified by Toyota, the NHTSA or anyone else for that matter. The winning cause has to be completely unique and has to feasibly occur in the real world.

The good news is the competition isn't just limited to Toyota models. Edmunds will let you run your tests on any stock consumer vehicle sold in the U.S. between 2006 and 2011. Let the games begin. You can check out the full rules and all the fine print here.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Toyota Camry XLE

[Source: Inside Line]

Edmunds announces official rules for $1 million sudden acceleration contest originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota kicks off industry-wide incentive blitz for March

Chris Shunk — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota

When the U.S. auto market crashed in the fall of 2008, automakers bumped up incentives in a big way to clear dealer lots of bloated inventory. But when Cash for Clunkers drained inventory - with industry-wide incentives reaching $3,165 per vehicle - while simultaneously removing nearly 700,000 used vehicles from the market, automakers quickly weened themselves off incentives.

Steering clear of heavy incentives likely wasn't all that difficult for Toyota, as the Japanese automaker has traditionally kept prices near MSRP even in the leanest of times. That changed, though, when Toyota became synonymous with the term "unintended acceleration." Toyota's nightmare public relations scenario came true as the traditionally quality-rich automaker was forced to recall over eight million vehicles. Sales dropped like a stone in the first two months of 2010 while every other automaker outside of Auburn Hills, MI saw substantial gains compared to a rough 2009.

Toyota had to do something to get foot traffic on the showroom floor, so the Japanese automaker took the outrageous step of offering zero-percent financing on its most popular models. Analysts at Edmunds and elsewhere tell us that the early returns from the big discounts are positive, with Toyota sales reportedly up an estimated 47 percent versus March, 2009.

But with Toyota once again rolling, other automakers are looking to turn more sales, and incentives appears to be the best way to do that. Detroit automakers are back on the zero, and even Honda is spending big on incentives. Barclays Capital tells Automotive New that a 60-month, zero-percent loan on a $30,600 vehicle costs an automaker a staggering $4,857. That's a lot of coin, but the early returns of cash on the hood are positive. And Edmunds reports that early March sales are up to 12.5 million on an annualized basis, the highest levels achieved since the Clunkers program.

So it appears as though Toyota started a potentially expensive, drawn-out incentives war. In the short term, customers win regardless of which automaker makes out best with these fresh incentives. Over the long haul, though, automakers need to make a profit so they can make more of the products we love so much.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images]

Report: Toyota kicks off industry-wide incentive blitz for March originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds pledges $1 million prize for unintended acceleration research

Chris Shunk — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:06:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Toyota

If you're like us and wondering what lengths are required to get your hands on a 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, we may have the answer. All you need to do is solve the mystery of Toyota's unintended acceleration issues and our friends over at Edmunds will give you a cool million dollars.

Edmunds CEO Jeremy Anwyl claims his company has heard "compelling testimony" from customers, and much of what's been documented (including a 2006 forum on Toyota Sienna unintended acceleration) hasn't been addressed by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigations. The online vehicle information resource site says it's coming up with rules for a competition that will earn a lucky person (or more likely a group) $1 million for determining the true cause of Toyota's unintended acceleration woes. Anwyl compares the challenge to the 'open source' software challenge, adding "let's see if this kind of 'crowd sourcing' can work in the pressing area of automotive safety."

We're thinking there are quite a few technical schools out there that may want to offer extra credit for the win. Who wouldn't want to attend the institution that solved the unintended acceleration mystery? The cool million in prize money could buy a lot of band uniforms, too. We'll bring you more details on the contest as they become available.

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

[Source: Edmunds]

Edmunds pledges $1 million prize for unintended acceleration research originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford to benefit most from Toyota's woes in February sales totals

Chris Shunk — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:19:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Toyota

2010 Ford Fusion Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota is bracing for lower February sales as its massive recall and the ensuing media storm have cast a shadow over the automaker. Just how low can Toyota go? The Detroit Free Press says it could see its lowest US market share in over five years this month, with about 12 percent of U.S. sales.

Most analysts anticipate that Toyota will have a very rough month, but the big question on their minds is which automakers stand to gain the most from Toyota's pain. Edmunds and TruCar reportedly think that winner will be Ford, as they estimate that the Oval will see a 35-percent sales increase. If correct, that'll vastly outpace the nine to 14 percent increase for the month that was previously forecasted.

Despite Ford's anticipated performance and projected double-digit gains for the industry as a whole, the market is still struggling. After all, these February 2010 sales projections are increases in relation to the dismal February 2009 numbers, which came as the recession helped deliver the industry its lowest sales levels in 30 years. February 2010 sales are also expected to be generally lower because of the multiple east coast snowstorms that kept customers out of dealerships for much of the month.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Report: Ford to benefit most from Toyota's woes in February sales totals originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds looks at Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cobalt steering complaints, calls out NHTSA

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet, Toyota

Toyota Corolla is one auto being investigated by NHTSA over steering complaints

Through much of the recent deluge of recall announcements and ensuing media coverage, there have been large groups on either side of the issue, quick to criticize or to defend the automakers and the governing bodies involved in the investigations. While many media outlets have merely reported the news, others have weighed in to give their opinion on what's going on. The latest to take a side on the issue is Edmunds.com. The well-known consumer information site issued a press release calling out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), questioning what they see as Inconsistencies in the NHTSA's handling of Chevrolet Cobalt and Toyota Corolla steering complaints.

After reviewing the cases of these two cars and other complaints dating all the way back to 1990, Edmunds found "no clear pattern in terms of the number of consumer complaints that trigger an agency investigation." Edmunds.com Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs found that "as few as five complaints have triggered an investigation [while] other investigations haven't started until 1,500 complaints had accumulated."

In the case of the Chevy Cobalt there were 1,157 complaints about steering issues before the ~~recall~~ investigation was started, while the Toyota Corolla had registered just 84 complaints before that investigation was announced. Even more telling was the fact that NHTSA took an average of 262 days to conclude an investigation before launching a recall, but the range was curiously wide - from just 10 days to a full six years, according to the Edmunds.com report.

"Whether NHTSA's process works properly and quickly enough and whether it is transparent enough is highly questionable. Ultimately, this week's Congressional hearings may well reveal as many defects in NHTSA procedures as defects in Toyota vehicles," said Krebs. The hearings will likely be a chance to play to the cameras for everyone involved, but hopefully some real change can come out of it if the system is indeed shown to be flawed. The full statement from Edmunds.com is after the jump.

[Source: Edmunds, Inc.]

Continue reading Edmunds looks at Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cobalt steering complaints, calls out NHTSA

Edmunds looks at Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cobalt steering complaints, calls out NHTSA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Edmunds puts Toyota recall into marketplace percentage context

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:37:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

There's no arguing that Toyota's recent string of recalls and safety issues is a huge deal. After all, Toyota enjoyed years of rapid growth due in large part to its sterling record of safety, reliability and practicality. When analyzing the actual data, though, an interesting question arises: Are we - both the media and the public at large - blowing the Toyota recall story out of proportion?

The answer to that question is up to each and every one of us to decide, naturally, but Edmunds has taken it upon itself to compile a mountain of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data in an effort to shed some much-needed light on Toyota's recent woes (including its Lexus and Scion divisions) in comparison to the rest of the automotive marketplace. Here's the crux of Edmunds' findings:

Toyota ranks 17th among automakers in the overall number of complaints per vehicle sold... Toyota was the subject of 9.1 percent of the complaints from 2001 through 2010 (through February 3). During this period, the company sold 13.5 percent of all new cars in the United States.

So, what does all of this mean? That's debatable. Consider that these issues, which were reported to NHTSA by consumers themselves and entered into an database that's not checked for accuracy, are not weighted for severity. So, a seemingly trivial issue counts just the same as one that could lead to a serious accident or death. Nevertheless, hit the jump for Edmunds' complete breakdown and ranking of all automakers from 2001 to February 3rd of 2010.

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

[Source: Edmunds | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Continue reading Edmunds puts Toyota recall into marketplace percentage context

Edmunds puts Toyota recall into marketplace percentage context originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Ford, Mazda, Porsche

Inside Line Most Wanted 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We love award season, even if it is a bit tough to keep up with them all. Motor Trend has a set of golden calipers for its Car, Truck and SUV of the Year winners. Car and Driver has its 10Best. Automobile has the, well, the Automobile of the Year. Then there's Edmunds Inside Line and its six Most Wanted winners. Sure, Most Wanted doesn't enjoy the same sort of name recognition as the aforementioned awards, but at the very least, we tend to like the vehicles IL picks as their favorites. We also appreciate the fact that their selection process isn't exactly chock-full of rules. If they tested the vehicle before November 1, 2009, then it's eligible for Inside Line's six shooter. The only award category that truly stands out is the "Instant Classic," an award won over the last two years by the Audi R8 and the Nissan GT-R, respectively.

This year's list didn't have quite the raw power of last year's winners, but we can definitely see where the final six could be considered big fun on four wheels. The big winner is the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The 540-horsepower pony car picked up IL's Instant Classic award for being such a willing dance partner - even at 3,900 pounds. In fact, Blue Oval badges dominate this year's Most Wanted list, as the EcoBoost'd Flex and the wicked cool F-150 SVT Raptor made the final cut. Porsche scored with its new Panamera, while Audi found its way back on the list with the R8 V10. The cheap thrills Mazda3 rounds out this year's list. Click on the gallery below to check out Inside Line's Most Wanted winners in our high-res gallery, then let us know if you agree with their findings by leaving a note in 'Comments.'

Gallery: Inside Line Most Wanted 2009

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Long-Term Thinking: "Cost to Own" mindset grabs hold?

Sebastian Blanco — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:51:00 EST

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

So many things are changing in the new automotive reality, it's hard to know where to start. Everything from the kind of hose we connect to our cars (liquid filled? electric?) to the sounds the vehicles make is different now than it used to be. What else needs to change? How about how we think about the costs to own and operate a car.

Naturally, it's always been possible to estimate this cost, but NADAguides.com has just released a "Cost To Own" calculator for new cars, so you can factor in fuel prices in your region into the cost of the car. It's entirely useful. For example, to own a 2010 Prius in Michigan for five years will cost an estimated $33,232. On top of the cost of the car, NADA tells us that the car's depreciation will make up 39 percent of the ownership costs, while fuel equals just 12 percent. A pie chart of the cost breakdown is pictured at right.

On a similar thread, Edmunds recommends a shift away from MPG and towards a cost-of-energy window sticker on a new car. With all of those electric plugs being added to cars, MPG is becoming less valuable and relevant to our understanding how much it costs to get around. Two quick examples: per month, Edmunds estimates it'll cost $53.55 to drive the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt, but $66.78 to operate a Prius. Check out their chart here, and remember that according to a recent study, more efficient vehicles can (and often do) cost less.

[Source: NADAguides.com, Edmunds]

Continue reading Long-Term Thinking: "Cost to Own" mindset grabs hold?

Long-Term Thinking: "Cost to Own" mindset grabs hold? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #151: With Eddie Alterman of Car and Driver

Dan Roth — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:50:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, SEMA Show, Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Audi, BMW, Dodge, Ford, Lincoln, Subaru, Earnings/Financials, UAW/Unions, Celebrities

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Abuelsamid, Lieberman, Roth and Shunk. Sounds like a law firm, but it's this week's podcast crew. Car and Driver editor-in-chief Eddie Alterman bravely wades into the pool and joins us for Episode #151 of the Autoblog Podcast, as well.

We spend a goodly amount of time going over what's in all five garages this week, before picking up actual topics. Once into news, we move through the Honda Accord Crosstour's pricing and impending launch, Ford's profitable quarter and union dealings, Edmunds' dust-up with the White House, and wrap with what might be cool at the crazy automotive cavalcade that is SEMA. It's an hour and twenty minutes of rollicking good times, so let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #151: With Eddie Alterman of Car and Driver

Autoblog Podcast #151: With Eddie Alterman of Car and Driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Empire Strikes Back: White House calls out Edmunds on Clunkers story, Edmunds responds

Chris Shunk — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

The facts in the case of the White House versus Edmunds are essentially indisputable - but they are open for interpretation. The federal government's $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program generated 690,000 sales by providing $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers to car buyers who turned in their eligible car or truck in exchange for a more fuel efficient ride. From here on in, Edmunds and the White House seem to be at considerable odds.

Edmunds recently claimed that its statistical analysis shows that only 125,000 of the nearly 700,000 vehicles purchased under C4C were sales that wouldn't have come in 2009 if it weren't for the much ballyhooed government program. And since the program cost $3 billion to implement, Edmunds came to the conclusion that each incremental sale achieved by C4C cost taxpayers $24,000 per vehicle. As you might imagine, the White House has a problem with that.

The White House starts its quite literally otherworldly retort by noting that that motor vehicle sales increased America's overall economic growth in the third quarter by 1.7%. That's the industry's largest contribution to that metric in over a decade. The WH blog post then states that Edmunds is ignoring the assertion that overall car sales were also positively affected by the Clunkers program above and beyond the 690,000 C4C units sold. To add insult to assault, the White House accuses Edmunds of covering auto sales on Mars.

While the government doesn't have hard facts here, anecdotal evidence certainly shows that August's seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 14 million cars and trucks sold means there were considerably more sales generated by C4C than the 125,000 number would suggest. The WH blog also notes that analysts from Global Insight and Moody's suggest that there has been little payback from the Clunkers program.

The White House also states that C4C will have benefits beyond the third quarter, as production has been bumped at Chrysler, General Motors, Ford and Honda in the fourth quarter. That should mean that GDP will get still another big shot in the arm from the auto industry. The White House then goes on to add that C4C generated 70,000 jobs. We're tempted to call shenanigans on that one, especially considering that divvying up $3 billion between 70,000 jobs only comes out to $42,857 per - and that doesn't account for the actual cars themselves.

Edmunds CEO Jeremy Anwyl took time to respond to the suddenly hostile situation, arguing that government subsidy programs are always expensive when looked at on a per-unit basis. Edmunds adds that it is strictly working with the facts to come up with the $24,000 per vehicle number, and that anecdotal evidence like indirect sales isn't based on concrete data.

[Sources: White House Blogs; Edmunds Auto Observer | Image: Gabriel Bouys/Getty]

Empire Strikes Back: White House calls out Edmunds on Clunkers story, Edmunds responds originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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