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[Spy Shots: 2011 Dodge Charger prototype bagged in testing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/spy-shots-2011-dodge-charger-bagged/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/spy-shots-2011-dodge-charger-bagged/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/10/spy-shots-2011-dodge-charger-bagged/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Speculation regarding the 2011 Dodge Charger has run rampant ever since a particularly intriguing picture was shown during Chrysler's major day-long, five-year business plan slideshow that was broadcast online. It was obvious that the car pictured was not a current Charger or a previous concept, so the natural conclusion is that it was an intentional teaser of an exciting new product.

Judging by this series of spy shots from Car and Driver, it would appear that some of the more radical styling elements previewed in Chrysler's presentation will make it to production on the 2011 Dodge Charger. Starting up front we, see a more rounded and prominent crosshair grille. We also note that the greenhouse appears more flowing with a sharply raked windshield.

Along the bodysides, it's apparent that the 2011 Charger will have very pronounced hips and shoulders with what appears to be a camouflaged accent directly behind the front wheel wells. At the very rear, the next Charger echoes the changes we saw up front with a smoother rear fascia and new tail light design. So, do you like what you see?

[Source: Car and Driver]

Spy Shots: 2011 Dodge Charger prototype bagged in testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 dodge charger2011 dodge charger spy shots2011DodgeCharger2011DodgeChargerSpyShotschargercharger spy shotsChargerSpyShotsChrysler LXChryslerLxdodgedodge chargerDodgeChargerLXLX platformLxPlatformmoparpentastarThu, 10 Dec 2009 18:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Facelifted 2009 Honda Civic sedan gets scantastic reveal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/17/facelifted-2009-honda-civic-sedan-gets-scantastic-reveal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/17/facelifted-2009-honda-civic-sedan-gets-scantastic-reveal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/17/facelifted-2009-honda-civic-sedan-gets-scantastic-reveal/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for two sets of '09 Civic Sedan brochure scans

Honda hasn't released official shots of the mildly facelifted 2009 Civic sedan yet, but it has started sending brochures to dealers. You know how this works: brochure > scanner > web > you, so here it is. Up front, the grille is reshaped to align Civic with its Honda brethren and the lower fascia gets a more aggressive three-opening treatment that lets the foglamps be pushed farther outboard. In back, the taillamps retain their shape, but the reverse light detailing is updated. Some models (from what we can see) now also get a trunklid chrome strip. Look for some new wheel designs sprinkled throughout, as well as two new trim levels -- the DX-VP (Value Package) and LX-S (Sport appearance package). Given that people are flocking to more economical cars, those additional offerings in the lineup certainly shouldn't hurt. We expect to see 4-door's front-end changes make their way onto the Civic coupe as well. We're sure scans and photos of that will appear soon enough, with official images and details from Honda sure to follow in short order. Thanks to asndragon for the tip!

[Source: 8thCivic]

Facelifted 2009 Honda Civic sedan gets scantastic reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20092009 honda civic2009HondaCivicbreakingcivicdxdx-vpfacelifthondahybridlxlx-ssiSun, 17 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST<![CDATA[LX-Prize: 80 MPG '87 Mustang with 400 HP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/lx-prize-80-mpg-87-mustang-with-400-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/lx-prize-80-mpg-87-mustang-with-400-hp/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/02/lx-prize-80-mpg-87-mustang-with-400-hp/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Doug Pelmar's 1987 Ford Mustang LX Coupe might have just become our favorite X-Prize competitor. How come? Well, first off, LX Coupes are awesome to begin with, but Mr. Pelmar's is even more special. Rather than neuter his 'Stang in the name of high efficiency, he's gone and created something that should contend in the X-Prize's "Mainstream" category, but would also be right at home on the pages of Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords. The car's engine runs on E85 for emissions purposes and has several modifications that Mr. Pelmar designed (mostly electronics, it seems) allowing it to run much more efficiently -- to the tune of a claimed 80 miles per gallon -- while producing 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. He admits that he could squeeze more MPGs out if he dialed back the power some, but where's the fun in that? 80 MPG and 400 horses in a Fox body seems like a completely reasonable compromise to us. Oh, and MM&FF? You need to call this guy.

[Source: Mustang Evolution]

LX-Prize: 80 MPG '87 Mustang with 400 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1987400 hp400Hp80 mpg80Mpgbreakingdoug pelmarDougPelmarfoxfox bodyFoxBodylxmainstreammustangpelmarprogressivex-prizeWed, 02 Jul 2008 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX 570]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/23/spy-shots-toyota-land-cruiser-lexus-lx-570/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/23/spy-shots-toyota-land-cruiser-lexus-lx-570/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/23/spy-shots-toyota-land-cruiser-lexus-lx-570/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Over the past decade or so, Toyota has built up an SUV empire, ranging from the RAV4 to the Sequoia and the FJ Cruiser to the Lexus RX450h, with everything in between. But its flagship sport-ute has been on the market - all but completely untouched - for nine years now. And even for trucks that's a long life-cycle. While the Land Cruiser (and its luxury sister the Lexus LX) still won't be getting the top-to-bottom overhaul it so richly deserves, it is getting what will probably amount to a stop-gap update in 2008.

The biggest change is tipped to come under the hood. In foreign markets the Japanese-produced Land Cruiser is offered with a wide range of engines, but in the United States there's only one powerplant offered in both the Toyota and Lexus versions. That 4.7-liter V8 is expected to be ditched for the new 5.7-liter VVT-I V8 from the new Toyota Tundra pick-up truck, complete with Toyota's new six-speed automatic.

Following random shots here and there, more mules were spotted while testing in southern Europe. It'd be fairly safe to say that the styling won't be a radical departure by any stretch of the imagination, just an update on the theme people have come to recognize as the Land Cruiser. That shouldn't stop Toyota from significantly upgrading the interior, though.

With so many SUVs on offer, we can't imagine Toyota sells that many Land Cruisers worldwide, certainly not in the American market. But like other rugged, iconic SUVs (the Mercedes G-Wagon and Land Rover Defender come to mind), they continue to produce it for those who demand nothing less - and nothing more.

[Source: Truck Trend via eGM CarTech]

Spy Shots: Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX 570 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>450470570cruiserimagelandlexuslxphotoshotspysuvtoyotatruckTue, 23 Jan 2007 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: Nassau concept hints towards the future of Chrysler RWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/detroit-auto-show-nassau-concept-hints-towards-the-future-of-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/detroit-auto-show-nassau-concept-hints-towards-the-future-of-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/detroit-auto-show-nassau-concept-hints-towards-the-future-of-ch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click image for a high-resolution photo gallery

With a press conference set to the percussion of the Drum Cafe, Chrysler rolled out the Nassau "shooting brake" concept this afternoon to hint at the future styling direction for the brand and especially its RWD line-up.

Based on the LX platform and stuffed with the SRT8 powertrain (that's a 425 HP 6.1L Hemi and 5-speed A580 automatic), the Nassau strikes a far different pose than its 300C predecessor. Viewed from a low front 3/4 perspective, the rear cargo area disappears and the silhouette takes on the popular "four-door coupe" appearance. Viewed from behind, well, it has a rather boat-tailed look.

The impossibly white interior features a center stack that brings a cell phone-like appearance, along with console-mounted multimedia controllers for the front and rear passengers. The driver gets to select gearbox position via pushbuttons on the instrument panel and a pair of paddles behind the steering wheel; the gauge package is said to be inspired by "expensive" watches.



Plenty of high-res shots from the press conference are included in our gallery.

Detroit Auto Show: Nassau concept hints towards the future of Chrysler RWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>300Cchryslercoboconceptdcxdetroit auto showlxnaiasnassauRWDMon, 08 Jan 2007 19:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Open-air mafia: 2010 Chrysler 300C]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/10/open-air-mafia-2010-chrysler-300c/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/10/open-air-mafia-2010-chrysler-300c/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/10/open-air-mafia-2010-chrysler-300c/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Sure, it may seem like a stretch, but when Chrysler develops the new LX platform, the idea of a retractable-hardtop sedan is certainly on their minds.

The current front-engine, rear-drive platform will be due for a refresh towards the end of the decade and Motor Trend maintains that in order to make the most (money) from the LX's evolution, DaimlerChrysler needs to use the new platform to underpin as many vehicles as possible.

Currently, the LX is only found under the Dodge Magnum, Charger and Chrysler 300C, but as the market evolves, so will D.C.'s offerings. The new 300C will undergo a thorough redesign by 2009, utilizing the new platform to its fullest extend, which may include the aforementioned retractable hardtop.

Earlier this year, rumors were swirling that DaimlerChrysler would partner with ASC, who unveiled their own version of an open-air 300C at this year's Detriot Auto Show. Unfortunately, the conversion proved to be too expensive to adopt on a large scale and was also a cloth top, versus the retractable hardtop design that's currently in vogue. Forward progress is being made however, as D.C. is collaborating with the Canadian parts supplier Magna Steyr on the development and production of a "vario-roof" design.

Open-air mafia: 2010 Chrysler 300C originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Sep 2006 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler 300CChrysler300cDaimlerChryslerLXretractable hardtopRetractableHardtopSun, 10 Sep 2006 12:03:00 EST