Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Project Ugly Horse: Part VIII]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Now With More EcoBoost



There's an EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in there somewhere, and it's headed straight for Ugly Horse.

For the second time in my life, I'm staring at an engine in the back of a truck with no concept of how to get it safely into the garage by my lonesome. The first time this happened, I dragged home a $300 International 345 V8 in the back of my Scout Terra only to discover that the bounds of my manliness terminated well before my ability to muscle that 800-pound cast iron block out of the pickup bed.

Now you know the story of how and why I bought my first engine puller.

Some six years later I'm playing out the same dance, though a Ford F-250 has stolen the Scout's starring role, and there's a towering pallet of thick cardboard boxes in place of the old International mill. It's not that the boxes are particularly heavy. They're just stacked too high to get in the garage. Each one is emblazoned with a massive Ford Racing Performance Parts logo and wrapped in enough plastic to keep both prying fingers and the persistent rain at bay. Good thing, too. There's an EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in there somewhere, and it's headed straight for Ugly Horse.

Project Ugly Horse is an ongoing series. Need to catch up? You can find the previous articles here.

Continue reading Project Ugly Horse: Part VIII

Project Ugly Horse: Part VIII originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1989 ford mustangecoboostecoboost fox body mustangecoboost mustangfeaturedfocusfocus stfordford focus stford mustangproject ugly horseugly horseFri, 17 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20570764/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/project-ugly-horse-part-viii/20570764/article-detail.xml 20570764 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/slot-a-tab-b-628-1368799270_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/slot-a-tab-b-628-1368799270.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It



Look at the 2013 Nissan Leaf - even one parked next to a 2012 model - and you'll be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Changes and updates have been made, but you have to know the details to tell. It's sort of like listening to a hipster tell you why Interpol and The National have completely different sounds.

Nissan says it didn't reinvent the Leaf because what the company has created is working. Over 25,000 Leafs have been sold in the US - 62,000 around the world - since the car went on sale in late 2010. That may not sound like a lot, but it's heads and shoulders above any other all-electric car available anywhere. The car has its detractors - boy, does it ever - but Nissan knows it's hard to argue with real-world success.

We recently spent a few hours driving the new Leaf - an SL-trim version, optioned out to $36,910 - around the hills of central Tennessee after a visit to Nissan's new 475,000 square-foot battery plant. What we learned there provided a lot of hints about the company's electric future. Nissan may be leading today, but company head Carlos Ghosn has made huge, multi-billion-dollar bets on zero-emission technology and the rest of the world has been very slow to prove him right.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video]

2013 Nissan Leaf [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 leaf2013 nissan leaffeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivenissannissan leafThu, 16 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20572213/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/16/2013-nissan-leaf-review-first-drive-video/20572213/article-detail.xml 20572213 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-2013-nissan-leaf-fd-opt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/01-2013-nissan-leaf-fd-opt.png <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #333]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/autoblog-podcast-333/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/autoblog-podcast-333/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/autoblog-podcast-333/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Acura NSX, 2014 Chevy Silverado, Lamborghini Egoista and Urus, Jeep CEO Mike Manley interview, Ugly Horse update

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Episode #333 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Steven Ewing talk about the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, the Lamborghini Egoista concept and the apparent production greenlight for the Lamborghini Urus, the forthcoming Acura NSX, an interview with Jeep CEO Mike Manley and an update on Zach's Project Ugly Horse. We also address lots of your questions and comments, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #333:


Topics: In the Autoblog Garage: Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Steven Ewing

Runtime: 01:50:29
Get the podcast:
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #333

Autoblog Podcast #333 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dodge dart2013 lexus lsautoblog podcastautoblog podcast 333featuredjeeplamborghinilamborghini egoistalamborghini urusmike manleypodcastpodcast 333Wed, 15 May 2013 16:10:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #333Autoblog01:50:29 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20569587/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/autoblog-podcast-333/20569587/article-detail.xml 20569587 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Audi Allroad]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Reincarnated With A Smaller And Less Passionate Soul

2013 Audi Allroad 2.0T Quattro

Mention the name "Allroad" to most automotive enthusiasts, and it's likely to conjure up images of the Audi A6 Allroad Quattro, first introduced in 1999. That car-like alternative to a sport utility vehicle was based on the German automaker's A6 Avant wagon. But unlike its luxurious road-going sibling, the Allroad was an on- and off-road variant fitted with an advanced height-adjustable air suspension for additional ground clearance, rugged tires on oversized wheels to improve off-pavement grip and unpainted flared fenders and bumpers to protect it from rugged use. That original A6 Allroad arrived with Audi's powerful twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, more to offset its increased weight than to boost performance, and was eventually offered with a 4.2-liter V8 before it was discontinued in 2005.

Fast forward eight years, and Audi has introduced its replacement - now based on the smaller A4 Avant wagon.

A quick overview reveals that the new Allroad is smaller, less technically advanced, and it lacks its predecessor's focus and capability. Those traits aren't necessarily negative, as they appeal to a very different audience. But do they make this model less desirable?

Continue reading 2013 Audi Allroad

2013 Audi Allroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi allroadaudiaudi a4audi allroadaudi allroad reviewfeaturedreviewreviewsWed, 15 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568700/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/2013-audi-allroad-review/20568700/article-detail.xml 20568700 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-allroad-quattro-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-allroad-quattro-review.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Subaru Forester XT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Power Doesn't Come Cheap

2014 Subaru Forester XT

When Subaru first offered a turbocharged Forester XT model to US customers for the 2004 model year, the shoe-shaped second-gen model fell into a ready-made competitive set of small, V6-powered crossovers and SUVs. The XT might have been more of a raucous shopping-trip companion than, say, a Ford Escape V6, but the basics of the cars offered a clear differentiation from the naturally aspirated, four-cylinder models found just a bit downmarket. Here in 2013, the V6 breed of crossover in this size class is all but extinct, and turbocharged four-cylinders with the power to compete with the XT are not thick on the ground.

In many ways, the comparative analysis gets most interesting when you start looking around for CUVs to match up with the all-boxes-ticked Forester XT Touring that we had as a tester for a recent week. The top of the line Touring trim means that the Forester comes with features like 10-way power seats, leather, navigation, a Harmon Kardon sound system with HD radio, Bluetooth and more. In fact, our Forester also had the only option package available on the XT Touring; one that included keyless access, HID headlights and Subaru's EyeSight system (adaptive cruise, lane departure warning and pre-collision braking).

And, of course, because of the XT trim, we knew that we were getting one of the most powerful crossovers in this segment, too. Subaru's turbocharged, direct-injection 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder lay under the hood, ready to pump out some 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque at the flex of an ankle. Combined with a light-for-the class curb weight of around 3,600 pounds and Subaru's grippy all-wheel-drive system, the XT feels pretty quick in town and on the freeway.

Add all of that up, and you've got a strong-performing, content-laden crossover, all for the sum of just $36,220 as tested...

Continue reading 2014 Subaru Forester XT

2014 Subaru Forester XT originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 forester2014 subaru forester xtfeaturedreviewreviewssubarusubaru forestersubaru forester xtTue, 14 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20567037/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/14/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review/20567037/article-detail.xml 20567037 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-subaru-forester-xt-review.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Audi S3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/2013-audi-s3-review-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/2013-audi-s3-review-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/13/2013-audi-s3-review-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Coming Soon To Our Shores With Two More Doors And A Trunk



The Audi S3 is not exactly a sales juggernaut, despite it being a bit of a legend for passionate fans of the small German premium genre. In most markets outside of Europe, people may consider such setups as the S3 three-door tested here, look at the price, and then think maybe they should just get a nice A4 sedan with greater practicality for similar cash. That certainly has been one reason Audi has never officially brought the S3 hatchback to the United States. And the 335-horsepower RS3 Sportback? Forget about it nearly everywhere but in Germanic regions, Switzerland and the UK.

All of which automatically turns the new S3 hatchback into an unattainable object of desire for many fans of the four-ringed brand. The good news, of course, for many markets not on the three-door S3's dance card is that most of us will get a shot at buying the new S3 sedan that will be powered by the same drivetrain tested here. We reported heavily on the sedan version from the recent New York Auto Show and are convinced that there is much for North American shoppers to like.

Continue reading 2013 Audi S3

2013 Audi S3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi s3audiaudi s3audi s3 reviewfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveMon, 13 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20566100/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/13/2013-audi-s3-review-first-drive/20566100/article-detail.xml 20566100 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-s3---01-opt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-audi-s3---01-opt.png <![CDATA[2013 Jaguar XF 2.0T]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/2013-jaguar-xf-2-0t/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/2013-jaguar-xf-2-0t/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/10/2013-jaguar-xf-2-0t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Jaguar is moving to modernize its XF engine lineup - once the exclusive territory of V8 mills - with a range including a turbo four, a supercharged six and supercharged V8s of various potencies. Personally, I'll miss the combination of this smooth looking and driving XF sedan, and the lazy power of the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter engine, even if the super six has earned some praise in other applications.

The truth is that the four, six, eight lineup for the XF makes a lot of sense, and this 2.0T version of the sedan is far better than I expected it to be. In fact, there's a legitimate argument to be made for it as the XF that works the best for the largest group of customers. Here's why:

Driving Notes
  • For starters, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is nothing like an actual drawback for the XF. Had I not known the joys of the 5.0-liter V8 in this car - if Jag had launched with the 2.0T as the base engine - I'd never label this as "the slow one." 240 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque are solidly competitive with turbo fours in BMW's 5 Series and Audi's A6, and the Jaguar feels just about as quick to get moving as that pair. I mostly didn't like the XF 2.0T when it came to initial acceleration, where the motor needs to get spinning to 4,000 rpm or so before you get any real thrust. Higher-speed passing is a bit less stressed, though still not particularly quick.
  • Jaguar gives you a new eight-speed automatic transmission with which to modulate the power of the new 2.0T engine, too. There are manual and sport modes to go along with the default settings, but neither with hold the gear if you are taken with the spirit of wild adventure, and hit the redline. I found the standard shift logic to be, frankly, a bit jumpy around town. Some of my driving style comes in to play here, but the trans seemed almost overly eager to kick down, even if I wasn't mashing the throttle. Slow and fast acceleration are both accommodated well, but the middle speeds caused some mental hiccups in the software. Of course, this was all easily remedied; I simply used the paddle shifters when I wanted to be aggressive.
  • Ride and handling were pretty smooth and stress-free, if not terrifically athletic. I've always thought that, for its size and class, the larger Jaguar XJ has always differentiated itself in a sporting way more than the XF. Middle-weight steering is pretty numb and slow to bring the nose around, in the unlikely event that you find yourself in a hard corner. You won't - I had to work myself up to it - as the engine does little to enliven one to seek out fast stretches of road. On the plus side, with the removal of V8, the XF has become almost Lexus-like in terms of quiet at speed. It's a characteristic that fits well with overall character of this 2.0 car, even if it makes the Jag a bit less enthusiastic than its German competitors.
  • Here's something you do get with the XF that you won't get with the Bimmer or the Audi: noticed. The slinky XF sedan shape has been around long enough, that I forget that loads have people have never seen one. I drove some friends through downtown Ann Arbor, MI, during the University of Michigan's graduation weekend; no fewer than three passersby stopped to tell me what a nice car the XF was. I've never had that kind of response to an E-Class or 5er, for what it's worth.
  • Let's talk price. The XF 2.0T starts at a class-competitive $46,975 (before delivery and destination). That's about a thousand less than a 528i, and a few thousand more than an A6 2.0T with Quattro. Now, my test car was optioned up to - make sure you're sitting down for this - $68,175. The biggest chunk of that $20k-odd glut of options is taken up by the $10,150 "20" Sport Portfolio Pack," which bestows the XF with a luscious set of wheels and a truly palatial interior. Music lovers might also be tempted by the $2,300 Meridian sound system, which I enjoyed listening to a great deal.
  • Jaguar has set up an interesting lineup for the new XF, when I consider what's good and bad about the tweaked lineup. For starters, no matter how you spend your money, you're getting a car that's both beautiful and rather unique on the road. Optioning up the thing will be expensive, as it the case for most of the luxury class, but you can now really choose your poison if you've fallen in love with the XF. Should you want a powerful, sports-like sedan, lay off the options list and make sure you've got one of the forced-induction Vs under the hood - the V6 supercharged starts just over $50k. If you just like the deeply luxurious feel of the high-spec XF, don't sweat getting this perfectly adequate turbo-four engine, and enjoy the hell out of your big wheels, soft leather seats and banging audio system.

2013 Jaguar XF 2.0T originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 May 2013 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The First Maserati To Run Full-Time On All Fours

2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4

About six months ago we tested the all-new 2014 Maserati Quattroporte GTS and its 523-horsepower 3.8-liter bi-turbo V8 engine, the latter being built in Maranello, Italy, by Ferrari. There were comments on both sides, mostly positive though, and we came away impressed by the sixth-generation Maserati sedan. This despite the fact that both we and you couldn't seem to get past the questionable aesthetics of the 20-inch Crono alloy wheels slapped on all of the test cars. Awkward looking they are, or is "distinctive" the word we're seeking?

For both the crucial United States market and the rest of the world, the most important version of the latest Quattroporte is bound to be the less powerful (and less expensive) bi-turbo V6 model we have just driven here in northern Italy; both rear-wheel-drive and Q4 all-wheel-drive versions. We spent nearly all day in the 404-hp 2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4, and found a lot that we prefer in the six-cylinder powertrain versus the champing aggression and $140,000 price tag of the GTS bi-turbo V8 model. These long and lanky executive-style statements traditionally thrive on the V8 mantra, so it will be interesting to watch how Maserati's need to use stronger and more efficient V6 engines is received by its six-figure customers.

It's a cynical thing to discuss so matter of factly, but descending into five-figure pricing for these rides actually damages their sales potential. It's bizarre, but keeping every trim of the Maserati Quattroporte north of $100,000 was crucial. So, is the 2014 Maserati Quattrporte S Q4 at a projected $108,000 base price worth it? To this stratum of clientele, apparently it is. Even the rear-wheel-drive S with this bi-turbo V6 will come in around $102,000 when it arrives in North America in mid-2014. (Or mid-2015, as yet to be decided.)

Continue reading 2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 [w/video]

2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Fullsize Pickup, Refined



No one's underestimating the importance of the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. While General Motors continues to shovel the current generation off dealer lots at an impressive pace, it would be too kind to simply say the old mule has started to show its age. The GMT900 platform that's rolling along under the 2013 model has been underpinning fullsize GM trucks since 2007, and while the Silverado has stayed competitive through most of the intervening six years, the past two haven't been kind to the machine.

Ford just won't quit sharpening its F-150 in one way or another, throwing interior and driveline updates at the stalwart pickup with the fevered pace of a company possessed. Like the Silverado, the F-150 is no fresh piece of hardware, but fuel-efficient and powerful engine options and a well-sorted interior put the truck consistently ahead of the now aged Chevrolet. And then there's the Ram 1500. Chrysler let loose with both barrels with the 2013 update, tearing into the fullsize market with a beautiful cabin, excellent tech and plenty of clever engineering.

Chevy engineers stood back and watched this happen, biting their tongues and whittling away all the while on the next-generation 2014 Silverado. There are only a handful of carryover parts from old machine to new, and the result is a pickup that offers more power, efficiency and refinement than the previous generation while holding the pricing line. This is, without a doubt, the best Silverado ever built, but does that make it the best pickup?

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

2014 Chevrolet Silverado originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 chevrolet silverado2014 chevy silverado2014 silverado2014chevroletsilverado2014silveradochevychevy silveradofeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivesilverado picssilverado reviewThu, 09 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20563229/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/09/2014-chevy-silverado-review-first-drive/20563229/article-detail.xml 20563229 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/03-2014-chevrolet-silverado-fd-opt_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/03-2014-chevrolet-silverado-fd-opt.png <![CDATA[2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/2014-bmw-m6-gran-coupe-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/2014-bmw-m6-gran-coupe-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/2014-bmw-m6-gran-coupe-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Is This A Great Idea For An M Model?

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is already an issue of large debate. The essential business case for the car is that it's more distinctive than a straight 5 or 6 Series, and has much of the sense of space and luxury of a 7 Series. It has the wheelbase of a 5 Series, the relative width of a 6 Series, and an exterior length close to the standard wheelbase 7 Series. And, as we reported in our drive of the 640i Gran Coupe in May 2012, the 6 Series Gran Coupe costs pretty much the same as the 7 Series, engine trim for engine trim. The sedan (coupe?) is therefore a proposal clearly meant for an extremely particular clientele. There's no news yet on how well exactly the 6 Series Gran Coupe is selling in its chief markets, but we are curious. The Germans frequently tend not to break out their sales figures that way, mixing sales of the Gran Coupe in with the two-door 6 Series.

And, so, we have now arrived at the inevitable point where the M version must be introduced. Say howdy to the $113,000 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe (actually $115,195 for starters with all of the taxes added). That's $4,650 more than the also highly priced M6 coupe. Let the vehement debates begin. The upcoming 2014 Audi RS7 should be priced right at this level as well, and the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG (perhaps with an S iteration in the next allotment we get Stateside) should go for roughly the same.

Continue reading 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 bmw m6 gran coupebmwbmw m6 gran coupefeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveWed, 08 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20561070/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/2014-bmw-m6-gran-coupe-first-drive-review/20561070/article-detail.xml 20561070 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-bmw-m6-gran-coupe-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-bmw-m6-gran-coupe-fd.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Nissan Juke Nismo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/2013-nissan-juke-nismo-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/2013-nissan-juke-nismo-first-drive-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/07/2013-nissan-juke-nismo-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Scratching All The Right Itches

2013 Nissan Juke Nismo

Say what you will about the unconventional aesthetics that Nissan employed on the company's Juke. I love the thing. The universe has no shortage of ambiguously styled CUVs, and while I can't exactly say I would have turned to the amphibian world for design inspiration had it been me with the charcoal in my hand, I can certainly appreciate the fact that the Juke isn't just another box-on-box design.

And then there's that engine. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder under the hood is one of the best powerplants in the company's toy box, offering plenty of low-range torque and comical levels of thrust. Hell, it even makes the optional continuously variable transmission tolerable. Praise be to the deities of forced induction. But something has always been missing from the mix. From the first moment I got my hands on the Juke, I couldn't help but think how much better the machine would be if Nissan ditched an inch or two of ground clearance and sharpened up its suspension. Think more "hot hatch" and less "Kermit goes to Kroger."

I wasn't the only one with that notion. The minds at Nismo were keen to turn their attentions to the Juke, and while the resulting 2013 Juke Nismo isn't the hardcore machine I'd seen in my dreams, it may very well be the best trim available for the runabout.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo

2013 Nissan Juke Nismo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Other Brother



The handler strapped into the carbon fiber race bucket next to me is the only other person outside of yours truly who looks like he thinks this is a bad idea. I've just finished situating myself in the cabin of the very first Nissan Juke-R ever constructed. There are literally thousands of man hours in this single prototype and only four examples of the car total in the entire world. Each one carries a price tag of around $656,400 at current conversion rates, making this both the rarest and most expensive piece of machinery anyone has ever let me get close enough to sniff, let alone drive.

And that's exactly what I mean to do.

I'm not puttering around some parking lot, either. Nissan has seen fit to let me hammer this thing around a road course set up on the infield of the now defunct Nashville Superspeedway for as long as my passenger will let me, and I'm keen to oblige. I send out the familiar and threadbare "Please don't let me crash this car" one last time, and with the engine already running, I click the shifter into gear and let the Juke-R grumble its way to the pit exit.

Continue reading Nissan Juke-R [w/video]

Nissan Juke-R [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 May 2013 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredfirst driveFirstDrivenissannissan juke-rFri, 03 May 2013 14:54:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20557371/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/03/nissan-juke-r-w-video/20557371/article-detail.xml 20557371 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/nissan-juke-r-1-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/nissan-juke-r-1-opt.jpg <![CDATA[2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale R]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/2014-ducati-1199-panigale-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/2014-ducati-1199-panigale-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/2014-ducati-1199-panigale-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When 30 Grand For Two Wheels Isn't Too Much



Surviving long-term motorcycle riding requires a healthy dose of fear and the heightened awareness that accompanies it. Nothing suffers fools quite as ruthlessly as two-wheeled transport, an axiom that has been relentlessly reinforced by YouTube. The exposure of riding is bound to catch up with thrill-seekers hungry for speed, knee dragging, and all the potential disaster that comes with tapping into a sportbike's vast reserves of performance.

That said, few things trigger as many life-preserving neurochemicals for a red-blooded rider as a fleet of 2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale R motorcycles idling in pit lane at the newly minted Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, TX. Something about the blood-red bodywork, the guttural idle from two huge combustion chambers and electric tire-warmers (with their implicit suggestion to strike while the rubber is hot), warns the reptile brain to take it easy and not make today the day to chase imaginary trophies and champagne sprays.

Continue reading 2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale R

2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 ducati 1199 panigale rducatiducati 1199 panigale rfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveFri, 03 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20556488/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/03/2014-ducati-1199-panigale-r/20556488/article-detail.xml 20556488 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/panigale-r-corner-basem-wasef-opt-car_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/panigale-r-corner-basem-wasef-opt-car.png <![CDATA[2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-mercedes-benz-cl65-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-mercedes-benz-cl65-amg/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-mercedes-benz-cl65-amg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG

Rather than fuss with the seemingly pedestrian, entry-level Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic, starting at just $116,205, we recently straightened our tie and climbed right into the burly flagship at the other end of the CL-Class range - the most exclusive entry behind the velvet ropes that goes by the name CL65 AMG.

With a price of $214,105, the bad-boy of big Benzes soars in rarified air - the same stratosphere occupied by Aston Martin and Bentley. Like the S65 AMG, its sedan sibling, the coupe is fitted with a handcrafted 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 that delivers 621 horsepower and a mind-boggling 738 pound-feet of torque. Mirroring the sedan, the CL65 is also equipped with the automaker's robust five-speed "AMG Speedshift" automatic transmission sending power to just the rear wheels. Loaded with nearly every option in the automaker's arsenal, but all fitted as standard equipment, the four-place cabin is a cocoon that keeps its occupants isolated from the outside world while coddling them with the world's finest upholstery and trim. The CL65 AMG is elegant, spectacular and very exclusive.

Driving Notes
  • The V12 engine provides thrust levels that are more common to small jets. Despite the large displacement, there is slight turbo lag as the turbochargers build up their 22 psi of boost. Once pressure hits, a fraction of a second later, the driver plays spectator to a ferocious battle between the engine and electronic traction control system as the 4,940-pound coupe launches to 60 miles per hour in about 4.2 seconds. Triple digits on the electronic display arrive effortlessly and its passing power leaves everyone giggling. The engineers have restricted its terminal velocity to only 186 mph, apparently to prevent it from going into orbit.
  • Mercedes calls the CL65's Active Body Control (ABC) underpinnings "arguably the most advanced suspension in production" as its hydraulic systems actively control squat, roll, vibration, pitch and dive during maneuvers - it even mitigates the effects of crosswinds. Despite its AMG-calibration, and a near lack of body roll, the suspension never felt harsh or rough. Truth be told, it was actually much softer and more comfortable than we had expected it to be.
  • Twin-sliding front calipers, over 15.4-inch perforated rotors (the holes are cast in place), provide confident levels of stopping power and look great inside the forged 20-inch wheels. The high-performance tires are 255/35R20 front and 275/35R20 rear, with wide contact patches that contribute to stability. Those meaty rubbers are needed to keep the heavy coupe planted on the pavement, but noise from the tires annoyingly permeates the cabin on certain road surfaces.
  • Four adults will fit comfortably inside the CL65 AMG. Front passengers have an enormous amount of room to stretch out, but backseat passengers will need those up front to move forward a bit for the most comfortable accommodations. We marveled at the fit and finish, but would pass on the slick steering wheel and gloss black trim in favor of carbon fiber or wood.
  • The CL65 AMG feels more athletic and slightly more nimble than the strapping Bentley Continental GT, but not as agile and spry as the smaller and lighter Aston Martin DB9. The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a better four-passenger vehicle than both of its competitors, but its discreet badging may not warrant the same attention from an ignorant valet - lest it be confused with a visually similar CL550 - possibly damaging a fragile ego.

2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 May 2013 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 mercedes cl65 amgfeaturedmercedesmercedes cl-classmercedes cl65 amgquick spinquickspinThu, 02 May 2013 15:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20555591/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/2013-mercedes-benz-cl65-amg/20555591/article-detail.xml 20555591 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-mercedes-benz-cl65-amg-qs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-mercedes-benz-cl65-amg-qs.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No Prius Killer

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

As much as we enthusiasts like to rail on the lowly Toyota Prius as the harbinger of death for all we hold dear, there's no denying the machine's absolute and interminable grip on the hybrid market in the United States. Toyota has so thoroughly sunk its teeth into the segment that you can clearly hear the automaker's incisors clacking against one another with the conclusion of each financial quarter. And there's little wonder why. Buyers can plop down less than $25,000 and have a runabout that can return up to an estimated 51 miles per gallon in the city, leaving every other entry on the market with precious little gristle to gnaw on.

Enter the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. With its claimed 47 mpg combined, the funky little hatch from Europe already falls behind the 48 mpg city offered by the Prius, but that marginal sacrifice in fuel economy could be a small price to pay for buyers who want a credible alternative to the stalwart Toyota. Unfortunately, like the Fusion Hybrid, the C-Max Hybrid had trouble even approaching its Environmental Protection Agency estimates during our time with the car.

Continue reading 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford c-max hybridfeaturedfordford c-maxford c-max hybridreviewreviewsThu, 02 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20555314/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/02/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review/20555314/article-detail.xml 20555314 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-ford-c-max-hybrid-review.jpg <![CDATA[April 2013: Showers Edition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/april-2013-showers-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/april-2013-showers-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/april-2013-showers-edition/#commentsFiled under:

Ford And Nissan Make Big Gains, Toyota Falls



Unlike the month of March, when automakers left and right were breaking monthly sales records despite having one fewer selling day, April 2013 was a month when some brands couldn't even beat their year-over-year sales numbers despite being spotted an extra selling day compared to April 2012.

The Honda Accord won this month's round of midsize sedan sales.

Some of the winners from March, though, kept on winning in April. Of the high-volume brands, Nissan posted the biggest YoY gain of 24.62 positive, while Ford, which deals in volumes more than twice the size of Nissan, moved its needle in a positive direction by an impressive 17.77 percent. Nissan can credit the popularity of its Altima (up 35.4 percent to 21,991) and Pathfinder (up 423.5 percent to 6,473) for the bump. Ford, meanwhile, was firing on all of its cylinders, with the Escape up 52 percent to 25,826 units sold and Fusion up 23.7 percent to 26,722.

Speaking of midsize sedans, the Honda Accord won this month's round, with April sales of 33,528 compared to the Toyota Camry at 31,710, the aforementioned Fusion at 26,722, and Nissan Altima at 21,991.

Lincoln also appears high up in our April table, thanks entirely to the MKZ, which is finally filling up dealer lots after having its initial production and quality woes sorted. Ford's luxury brand saw sales up 20.72 percent to 7,615 total on the back of the MKZ's 115.4-percent sales increase to 4,012 units.

Of the automakers reporting declining sales, we're most surprised to see both Toyota (-1.51 percent) and Chrysler (-12.68) among them. Toyota saw sales decline for three of its top-selling models (Corolla -6.1 percent, Camry -17.3 percent and Prius -24.1 percent), which couldn't be offset by the brand's new RAV4 posting a 17.1-percent increase to 18,541 units sold in April. Chrysler, meanwhile, only has three models, and while sales of the 200 and Town & Country were largely flat, the 300 saw sales fall 47 percent to 4,120 units.



*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 25 selling days in April 2013 and 24 selling days in April 2012, so there is a difference between the change in monthly sales volume and the change in average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company. Also, brands are combined and reported as companies only if their sales figures are released jointly.

April 2013: Showers Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enjoying The Romance, Not Yet Convinced About A Commitment

2013 Audi RS5

I imagine spending time with a sexy sports coupe is similar to a first date with a supermodel. Before she arrives, there's a buildup of excitement mixed with nervous anticipation. Even though the background work is done, there are many concerns and unanswered questions about how the two of you will get along. What about compatibility, engagement and dynamics?

The big day arrives, and you answer the door to find her waiting in the driveway wearing a form-fitting Misano Red Pearl dress and sleek Anthracite stilettos. As you shake your head in disbelief, you swear she just winked her... ah... xenon headlight at you.

Relax big boy, you've been fantasizing about the 2013 Audi RS5.

Continue reading 2013 Audi RS5 [w/video]

2013 Audi RS5 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 audi rs5audiaudi rs5featuredreviewreviewsWed, 01 May 2013 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20553764/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/2013-audi-rs5-w-video/20553764/article-detail.xml 20553764 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-rs5-review-1367357374_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-rs5-review-1367357374.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #331]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/autoblog-podcast-331/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/autoblog-podcast-331/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/autoblog-podcast-331/#commentsFiled under:

2014 Toyota 4Runner, Hennessey SHO, the Chinese are coming, Volvo gives up on flagship

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Episode #331 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about the 2014 Toyota 4Runner, the Hennessey Ford Taurus SHO, the impending arrival of Chinese brands in the US market and Volvo deciding to let the big European flagships have their niche. We wrap up with your questions and comments, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #331:


Topics: In the Autoblog Garage: Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross

Runtime: 01:36:14
Get the podcast:
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Autoblog Podcast #331 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 nissan titan2014 infiniti jx352014 kia forteautoblogautoblog podcastautoblog podcast 331featuredinfiniti jxkia fortenissan titanpodcastpodcast 331Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:50:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #331Autoblog01:36:14 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552663/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/autoblog-podcast-331/20552663/article-detail.xml 20552663 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp-review-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/2013-mini-john-cooper-works-gp-review-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Location, Location, Location

2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP

Back in February, Mini invited me to come try out its brand-new Paceman coupe-crossover-hatchback thing in Puerto Rico, and not long after, I spit out a Quick Spin detailing my impressions of the little-big two-door. But here's what I didn't tell you: Mini also let me loose on those fine, curvaceous, tropical roads in its hottest hatch, the John Cooper Works GP. And while that behind-the-wheel gigglefest would have no doubt made for a story laden with positive notes and warm regards, the truth is, I only drove it for 15 minutes, so I couldn't in good conscience offer much of a story to you. (European Editor Matt Davis also got a short stint behind the wheel of the GP late last year.)

So for the sake of due diligence, I buckled down and spent a full eight days with the JCW GP back home in Detroit, just as springtime was starting to stick here in southeast Michigan. But after my time with the Mini, I was wishing that I could have just been left with my GP memories from Puerto Rico, where I was pushing the little hotbox hard around smooth corners and flexing every one of its muscles to eke out the full JCW GP experience in only a short timeframe.

This was indeed a bittersweet homecoming.

Continue reading 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP

2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revisiting The Runabout Of Record

2013 Honda Fit Sport

The current Honda Fit has been around the block a few times. The subcompact hatch has soldiered on without significant revision since its first update for US customers in 2009, and while Honda is on the verge of launching a third generation, we thought we'd take the time to see how the runabout stacks up against the new wave of small, efficient and plucky five-doors now on the American market. Those include old standbys like the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, as well as relative newcomers like the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta.

Those machines may have all covered ground on the Fit, but Honda's wee machine holds a pleasant surprise for those buyers still willing to give the car the time of day. While the rest of the Japanese automaker's lineup has succumbed to dreaded model bloat, the Fit has remained true to the spirit of Honda that we remember from our vagabond youths. This may very well still be the closest genetic ancestor to the Civic models of old.

Outside, the Fit Sport continues to wear its "I'm the meanest June Bug" looks with pride. The oversized, wedge-shaped headlamps and aggressive lower fascia help lend the design plenty of attitude up front, and our tester's 16-inch alloy wheels keep this Honda from looking like it was the cheapest thing on the lot. Still, with a massive windscreen, tall greenhouse and short wheelbase, the Fit Sport can't help but look over-inflated, but that's a criticism we could levy at nearly every other product in this segment as well.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Fit Sport

2013 Honda Fit Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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