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[VW building $125M flagship dealer complex on Manhattan's west side]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/vw-building-125m-flagship-dealer-complex-on-manhattans-west-si/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/vw-building-125m-flagship-dealer-complex-on-manhattans-west-si/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/vw-building-125m-flagship-dealer-complex-on-manhattans-west-si/#commentsFiled under: , ,

VW Audi Manhattan
Rendering of new VW/Audi complex in Manhattan - Click above to view in high-res

Volkswagen is building swanky new digs on New York City's west side for its VW and Audi brands. The automaker has purchased a 256,000 square foot space currently occupied by Potamkin GM (the Potamkin family has been synonymous with car sales in NY for decades), which stretches between 55th and 56th Street along 11th Avenue.

Visually unimpressive in its current state, the space will be converted into a state-of-the-art mega facility featuring brand-new Volkswagen and Audi stores. VW's total outlay for the real estate purchase and ensuing renovation will be around $125 million. The splashy move is part of the automaker's push to dramatically increase its U.S. sales numbers over the next several years. Potamkin GM will relocate a few blocks south to the space once occupied by Potamkin Honda (the family has sold its Honda franchise to another dealer group). Official press release after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading VW building $125M flagship dealer complex on Manhattan's west side

VW building $125M flagship dealer complex on Manhattan's west side originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>125 million125Millionaudidealershipmanhattannew yorkNewYorkvolkswagenvwFri, 13 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Bernie wants F1 in NYC, 0-60 already has the plans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/report-bernie-wants-f1-in-nyc-0-60-already-has-the-plans/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/report-bernie-wants-f1-in-nyc-0-60-already-has-the-plans/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/25/report-bernie-wants-f1-in-nyc-0-60-already-has-the-plans/#commentsFiled under: ,



Formula One impresario Bernie Ecclestone has made no secret of his desire to see his series make a stop in the Big Apple - Manhattan, in point of fact. To that end, our friends at 0-60 thought they'd help him out by drawing up a suggested courses - in fact, in an oddly prescient move, they had already done so, publishing the fantasy circuits in the pages of their Winter 2008 issue.

In any case, with Ecclestone reportedly reaffirming his interest in the Big Apple today, 0-60 has decided to publish the story and the routes online. The routes through Central Park are inspired, although we suspect that more than a few of NYC's anti-car intelligenstia would take issue with that notion. No matter, you can peruse their efforts by clicking on the link below.

[Source: 0-60.com]

REPORT: Bernie wants F1 in NYC, 0-60 already has the plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0-60Bernie EcclestoneBernieEcclestoneBig AppleBigAppleCentral ParkCentralParkF1Formula 1Formula OneFormula1FormulaOneManhattanNew YorkNew York Grand PrixNewYorkNewYorkGrandPrixNY GPNyGpFri, 25 Sep 2009 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Cars officially banned from New York's Time Square]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/report-cars-officially-banned-from-new-yorks-time-square/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/report-cars-officially-banned-from-new-yorks-time-square/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/26/report-cars-officially-banned-from-new-yorks-time-square/#commentsFiled under: ,



The crossroads of North America is about to become a lot more pedestrian-friendly. New York City's Times Square is reportedly getting a makeover to make it car-free. According to an Associated Press report, portions of Broadway from 42nd Street up to 47th and from 33rd to 35th are being closed to cars to cut down on pollution, traffic and pedestrian accidents.

To kick off the new arrangement, NYC has planned something of a block party in the Square, where they'll play a movie on a giant screen and street performers will entertain the crowds. They're even going to set out beach chairs so folks can cop a squat and soak it all in.

Barriers started going up on Sunday around Times Square and the nearby Herald Square in front of Macy's. Herald Square is the other area that will become a pedestrian mall as a result of the changes. To make sure everything goes smoothly, the Department of Transportation says it will be keeping a close eye on traffic in the area as the new setup ramps up.

[Source: The Associated Press, Photo by Laughing Squid | CC2.0]

REPORT: Cars officially banned from New York's Time Square originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>manhattanManhattan trafficManhattanTrafficnew yorkNewYorktimes squareTimes Square trafficTimesSquareTimesSquareTrafficTue, 26 May 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New York: Ferrari 599XX arrives Stateside]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/new-york-ferrari-599xx-arrives-stateside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/new-york-ferrari-599xx-arrives-stateside/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/07/new-york-ferrari-599xx-arrives-stateside/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ferrari 599XX

The first stop for a few of us Autobloggers who just arrived in Manhattan was at the local Ferrari and Maserati dealer where the 599XX racecar that was introduced in Geneva was making its North American debut.

It looks just as mean and aggressive as it did at on the stand at the Geneva Motor Show, and it makes the standard 599 GTB Fiorano look downright ordinary and tame in comparison. The big coupe's bodywork has been reworked with plenty of carbon fiber aerodynamic bits and the interior features a full race cockpit complete with lightweight Alcantara seats and a full roll cage, a marked change from the standard car's leather-lined grand tourer accommodations. Under the hood? A 700 horsepower V12 that revs to eardrum-bursting 9000 rpm.

The 599XX will serve as a testbed for new technologies much like the Ferrari FXX, and those who wish to sample its charms will have to qualify for the exclusive Corse Clienti program that is not only costly (over one million Euros), but limited to select Ferrari clientele. Last year, the program came to the United States twice, but there is no word yet on whether we'll see the 599XX on track here any time soon.

Gallery: New York 2009: Ferrari 599XX


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc

Continue reading New York: Ferrari 599XX arrives Stateside

New York: Ferrari 599XX arrives Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 23:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corse clientiCorseClientiFerrariFerrari 599XXFerrari599xxManhattanNew YorkNew York 2009New York Auto ShowNewYorkNewYork2009NewYorkAutoShowNYASNYAutoShowNYIASprancing horsePrancingHorseTue, 07 Apr 2009 23:05:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: Ford Fiesta for an hour in the Big Apple]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/first-drive-an-hour-with-the-ford-fiesta-in-the-big-apple/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/first-drive-an-hour-with-the-ford-fiesta-in-the-big-apple/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/03/first-drive-an-hour-with-the-ford-fiesta-in-the-big-apple/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Ford Fiesta in NYC - Click above for high-res image gallery

Those Fiesta Movement "agents" who delivered winning videos to Ford? Envy them, because the cars they're being handed the keys to for the next six months are no joke. Yesterday morning, Ford tossed us a set of those keys (well, it was a key fob, actually) to a reactor-leak green Ford Fiesta. We only had an hour to play with the car, but by the end of it, we were wishing we had busted out the camcorder for the contest.


Gallery: Ford Fiesta in NYC


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: Ford Fiesta for an hour in the Big Apple

First Drive: Ford Fiesta for an hour in the Big Apple originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 ford fiesta2009FordFiestafeaturedfiestafiesta movementFiestaMovementfirst driveFirstDrivefordford fiestaFordFiestamanhattannew yorkNewYorkFri, 03 Apr 2009 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC congestion charge gets blocked by state]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/nyc-congestion-charge-gets-blocked-by-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/nyc-congestion-charge-gets-blocked-by-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/08/nyc-congestion-charge-gets-blocked-by-state/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Manhattan's latest attempt at disguised taxation has ground to a halt in the most trivial fashion. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed congestion charge for cars and trucks headed into the city below 60th street was summarily ignored by lawmakers. Rather than a contentious fight in the state assembly, the clock was simply run out and the bill died without being put to a vote. The failure of Bloomberg's plan means that New York City will also miss out on 350 million federally earmarked dollars for mass transit, and other ways to improve air quality and decrease gridlock must be sought. Even if it had passed, Manhattan's fee of $8 for cars and $21 for trucks would have been lower than what Red Ken charges for entry to London proper. While the goal of decreasing gridlock and improving air quality is admirable, we can see how the congestion charge would further squeeze those who can least afford it. To be sure, an alternative to Manhattan's current traffic would be welcome, and embracing change isn't always easy, but lets see what they come up with next. Thanks for the tip, RxMadness!

[Source: AFP, Photo by Mario Tama/Getty]

NYC congestion charge gets blocked by state originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congestioncongestion chargecongestion chargescongestion-chargecongestion-pricingCongestionChargeCongestionChargesmanhattanmayor bloombergMayorBloombergmichael bloombergMichaelBloombergnew yorknew york citynew york congestionnew york trafficNewYorkNewYorkCityNewYorkCongestionNewYorkTrafficTue, 08 Apr 2008 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Welcome to the era of the $225,000 parking space]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/12/welcome-to-the-era-of-the-225-000-parking-space/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/12/welcome-to-the-era-of-the-225-000-parking-space/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/12/welcome-to-the-era-of-the-225-000-parking-space/#commentsFiled under:



To give you an idea of how much of a premium Manhattanites place on parking, consider that a new condo development on the Lower West Side is selling five guaranteed parking spaces for $225,000 apiece. That number is on top of whatever the condos themselves cost. The knee-jerk reaction is, of course, to laugh and dismissively say something like, "Who in their right mind is going to pay that to park their car?"

There are eight people vying for those five spaces.

[Source: The New York Times]

Continue reading Welcome to the era of the $225,000 parking space

Welcome to the era of the $225,000 parking space originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>$225,000 parking spot$225,000ParkingSpotexpensive parkingExpensiveParkingmanhattannew yorkNewYorkparkingThu, 12 Jul 2007 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Manhattan Project: Proposal seeks to shut down NYC traffic]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/11/manhattan-project-proposal-seeks-to-shut-down-nyc-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/11/manhattan-project-proposal-seeks-to-shut-down-nyc-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/11/manhattan-project-proposal-seeks-to-shut-down-nyc-traffic/#commentsFiled under: ,

Anyone who's ever driven into or through Manhattan knows what a nightmarish experience it can be, with gridlock congestion and a lack of available parking spaces. Jim Gehr wants to make it even tougher in the hope of drastically reducing traffic altogether by further reducing parking, shutting down the biggest intersection, and increasing green space.

Gehr is the urban planning consultant whose plans have already been famously (or infamously, depending on your perspective) imposed in London, as well as Copenhagen, and he's proposed similar policies for Stockholm, Oslo, Edinburgh, Cape Town, Zurich and Melbourne. His plans for Manhattan would include shutting down Times Square to almost all traffic, while eliminating parking on some avenues in favor of wider sidewalks to accommodate park benches and sidewalk cafes. The result would be a more pedestrian, cyclist and public transit-oriented Manhattan.

While some elements in the city are opposed to the idea, he appears to have the ear of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the municipal transportation department wants to hire him as a consultant, and several prominent civic and commercial organizations have his support, as well. If Gehr gets his way, Project Gotham Racing might be the closest we'll ever get to driving Manhattan's streets ever again.

[Source: NY Daily News via Kicking Tires]

Manhattan Project: Proposal seeks to shut down NYC traffic originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloomberggehrjimmanhattanmayormichaelnewproposalsquaretimestrafficyorkWed, 11 Jul 2007 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Mayor Mike readies $8 congestion fee for NYC drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/mayor-mike-readies-8-congestion-fee-for-nyc-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/mayor-mike-readies-8-congestion-fee-for-nyc-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/21/mayor-mike-readies-8-congestion-fee-for-nyc-drivers/#commentsFiled under:

NYC Mayor Michael BloombergNew York's mayor, Mike Bloomberg, is ready to steal a page from his London counterpart's handbook and announce plans to hit drivers who bring their cars into Manhattan below 86th street with an $8 congestion charge in a bid to ease gridlock in the city's crowded midtown business district. The fee would include the existing bridge and tunnel tolls drivers currently have to pay. Some people are understandably upset, and opposition groups are said to be forming in the outer boroughs.

Naturally, there will be exceptions. Taxis are unlikely to pay the fee, and there's word that drivers who avoid the business district while heading to other parts of the city could be exempt as well. The report also mentions possible discounts for individuals who live and/or work in the impacted zone. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to detail the specifics of his proposal in a speech he's giving tomorrow, and we'll follow up after we've heard all the particulars.

If the mayor does set the plan into motion, it'll need to be improved by the state legislature, meaning those of us (ahem) in the NYC media market are going to have the opportunity to watch the political fireworks unfold during the local evening newscasts. This is gonna get interesting.

UPDATE 4/22: Ahead of today's speech, WNYC (New York Public Radio) reported that drivers who use the FDR drive and West Side Highway would be exempted from the fee. The mayor stated as much in his weekly radio program on WABC. More on the proposal as we get the info.

[Source: WCBS TV, New York]

Mayor Mike readies $8 congestion fee for NYC drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>congestion chargecongestion feeCongestionChargeCongestionFeemanhattanmayor bloombergmayor mikeMayorBloombergMayorMikemichael bloombergMichaelBloombergmike bloombergMikeBloombergnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCitynycSat, 21 Apr 2007 16:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Shellfish! Ferrari and Shell close down major cities to film commercial]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/shellfish-ferrari-and-shell-close-down-major-cities-to-film-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/shellfish-ferrari-and-shell-close-down-major-cities-to-film-com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/shellfish-ferrari-and-shell-close-down-major-cities-to-film-com/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Shell Oil, those guys who are getting richer while we all get poorer at the gas pumps, are aiming to break the record for the most expensive advertisement, and the Super Bowl doesn't even factor into it. The fossil-fuels giant is a long-time sponsor of Scuderia Ferrari, and pours millions into the F1 team each year so that enthusiasts and consumers will associate its fuels - Shell V-Power high-performance gasoline, specifically - with Ferrari's racing success. But just to drive the point home even further, Shell is spending close to ?2 million to produce a television commercial.

Wondering how you could possibly spend that kind of cash on a TV ad? No big name endorsements; that's already taken care of. No elaborate sets or costly special effects; you don't need that when you've got a 700-horsepower F1 car at your disposal. The commercial is anticipated to feature an F1 race car speeding around the corners and down the streets of New York, London and Sydney. And we'll bet it's not going to be at five in the morning, either. Closing down big city streets in the middle of the day costs big, and Shell is spending big.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

Shellfish! Ferrari and Shell close down major cities to film commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adcommercialferrarifilmlondonmanhattannewoilshellsydneytvv-poweryorkThu, 01 Feb 2007 13:02:00 EST<![CDATA[That's So Money: Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 ends at Wall Street]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/that-s-so-money-ferrari-panamerican-20-000-ends-at-wall-street/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/that-s-so-money-ferrari-panamerican-20-000-ends-at-wall-street/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/20/that-s-so-money-ferrari-panamerican-20-000-ends-at-wall-street/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ferrari's continent-crushing rally across the Americas has finally come to its conclusion, having started in Brazil, crossing the Andes through Argentina, through Central America, across Mexico, criss-crossing the United States, passing through Canada and finally reaching its destination in New York. Considering Ferrari's last such journey passed the Great Wall, ending this one at Wall Street made for the perfect conclusion to the Panamerican escapade. (As if the Ferrari name weren't already synonymous with money, power and success.)

The front of the New York Stock Exchange was decorated with a Ferrari banner and flew the prancing horse on yellow next to the Italian and US flags to mark the occasion that saw Ferrari's newest gran turismo complete the king of all publicity tours. The 599 GTB Fiorano featured only mild modifications in order to cope with the rough terrain, with an aluminum undercarriage protection plate to replace the standard aerodynamic underbody tray and a heightened ride height - an interesting contrast to the dropped suspension that usually features on modified sportscars.

Surely Ferrari's forthcoming all-wheel-drive system would have come in handy, though... don't be surprised if Ferrari stages another one of these epic adventures when the four wheels hit the road on the facelifted 612.

Related posts:

[Source: Ferrari via Italiaspeed]

That's So Money: Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 ends at Wall Street originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20000ferrarimanhattannewpanamericanrallystreettourwallyorkMon, 20 Nov 2006 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Last chance to see Audi R8 in U.S. for a while]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/last-chance-to-see-audi-r8-in-u-s-for-a-while/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/last-chance-to-see-audi-r8-in-u-s-for-a-while/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/last-chance-to-see-audi-r8-in-u-s-for-a-while/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Earlier this month, the R8 made its debut on U.S. soil and was put on display at the new Audi Forum on Park Avenue in Manhattan. This Monday, Audi will be removing the R8 from display, and we may not get another chance to see the R8 in the real until the car's Los Angeles Auto Show debut. Do not lose hope yet, Audi fans, because Fourtitude has been given the opportunity to influence Audi and bring the R8 back for another event before it's shipped out of sight. After the R8 is used for corporate events this week, Audi has tasked the Audi-obsessed website with coming up with at least fifty guests who will commit to attending a special encore event on Saturday, October 28th from 3-5 PM EST.

It's amazing that Audi is providing this opportunity to Fourtitude readers (and the general public), and you can find out more about how to RSVP at the Read link. Those who can't make the October 28th engagement will have to wait until the L.A. Auto Show in December to see the R8 in person.

Last chance to see Audi R8 in U.S. for a while originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AudiManhattanR8Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: A New York Minute - Audi R8 in Manhattan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/15/video-a-new-york-minute-audi-r8-in-manhattan/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/15/video-a-new-york-minute-audi-r8-in-manhattan/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/15/video-a-new-york-minute-audi-r8-in-manhattan/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Four days ago we brought you in-depth coverage of Audi's publicity parade on Park Avenue, featuring the new R8 supercar, the R10 Le Mans racer and the 1938 Auto Union Type-D "Silver Arrow". The attention-grabbing event marked the North American debut of the R8 as well as the opening of Audi's new high-tech 6,400-square-foot "Forum" showroom on Park Avenue in mid-town Manhattan.

For your viewing pleasure we have for you today an impressive and dramatically-filmed video of the R8 making its way down Park Avenue, driven by none other than New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The video not only captures the finer details of Audi's new range-topping halo model, but the overall mood and atmosphere created by the high-octane spectacle.

Not only is this video definitely worth watching, but you'll probably go back to the start and watch it again (and think you're watching HBO).

Related posts:

(Bonus: catch Audi's press release after the jump for more staggering details on the NYC Audi Forum.)

[Source: The German Car Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: A New York Minute - Audi R8 in Manhattan

VIDEO: A New York Minute - Audi R8 in Manhattan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiauto unionAutoUnionbloombergforumle mansLeMansmanhattannew yorkNewYorkpark avenueParkAvenuer10r8silver arrowSilverArrowtype dTypeDvideoSun, 15 Oct 2006 19:10:00 EST