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: Are you the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/21/spy-shots-are-you-the-2011-hyundai-sonata/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/21/spy-shots-are-you-the-2011-hyundai-sonata/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/21/spy-shots-are-you-the-2011-hyundai-sonata/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Latest 2011 Hyundai Sonata Spy Shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

What you're gawking at appear to be the first undisguised images of Hyundai's forthcoming Sonata sedan caught by the folks at Hyundai Blog during what appears to be a photo shoot (check out the interior cutaway above), likely in its home market of Korea (check out the badging on the decklid).

If only in looks and not in price, the 2011 Sonata appears to be making a concerted move for the premium end of the midsize swimming pool, what with its more rakish roofline and expressive design. We've heard for some time that the Sonata was to gain a four-door coupe profile and more assertive fascias front and rear, and these dark, grainy photos cinch those details for us, although the car's aesthetics don't appear to be so radical as to be off-putting or even terribly divisive. Without looking too hard, we can see little bits of various competitors in the model's design, but overall the Sonata still manages to look quite fresh.

We'll have to wait until we see the car in the metal for ourselves to pass judgment (or at least get a gander at a few higher-quality photographs - especially a dead-on profile), but thus far, we continued to be encouraged why what we see. Check out the not-so-high-res images in the small gallery below.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

sonataspy2011-1250883198sonata2011_spyshots003-1250883267sonata2011_spyshots001-1250883261sonata2011_spyshots002-1250883263

[Source: Hyundai Blog]

Spy Shots: Are you the 2011 Hyundai Sonata? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hyundaimid-sizemidsizesedansonataFri, 21 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus - Now with undisguised interior!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-now-with-undisguised-interior/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-now-with-undisguised-interior/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/spy-shots-2010-ford-taurus-now-with-undisguised-interior/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click either image for a high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Taurus spy shots

Late last week we clued you in to some spy shots of the 2010 Ford Taurus, and now that more mules are circulating frigid greater Detroit, we've got a whole set of even more revealing snaps. These KGP photos of a different prototype shed even more light on the Blue Oval's pivotal new sedan, including the first undisguised shot of the all-new interior.

Beyond the obvious jelly-bean camouflage, it should be noted that these up-close images reveal that Ford's anti-spyshot posse has done a commendable job of altering the shape of the light clusters with tape, particularly in the tail lamp area. We particularly like the nod to the new Nissan 370Z headlamp shape up front.

The big news, however, is inside where we see the Taurus taking a decidedly upscale tack thanks to premium-look materials and a twin cowl dashboard design. Notable highlights on this prototype include dual-zone HVAC controls, oversized chrome-ringed air vents (which should help cut down on fan noise), a Sony branded stereo system and a substantial looking gearshift selector. Be sure to click on the gallery below for the high-res experience of Ford's next Taurus.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus

Spy Shots: 2010 Ford Taurus - Now with undisguised interior! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blue OvalBlueOvalbreakingFoMoCoFordFull-SizeFullsizeMid-SizeMidsizesedanSpy shotSpyShotTaurusMon, 22 Dec 2008 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[New Mercedes E-Class coming this September]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/new-mercedes-e-class-coming-this-september/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/new-mercedes-e-class-coming-this-september/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/new-mercedes-e-class-coming-this-september/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mercedes is moving beyond the neo-retro theme it's cultivated for its E-Class middle child. The C-Class has established some new familial cues with its recent redesign, and Autocar is reporting that the E-Class will expand on those themes. Tauter, edgier, and crisper are the words used to describe the new look, and Autocar's rendering certainly backs up its statement. The attendant increase in bulk that seems to plague each new generation will hopefully be held in check by further use of weight-saving construction techniques and materials.

Powering the new E-Class will be the 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection (E35), as well as newly revised V8s. Based on the current 4.5- and 5.5-liter V8s (M273), the new versions will pick up direct injection, as well as efficiency and performance tweaks. More exciting, perhaps, will be a hybrid model by 2010, and BLUETEC diesels. With a mileage target of 47 mpg, the hybrid is not likely to follow the "V12 performance with V8 consumption" model of the Lexus LS, but will still do that Benz thing; get you there stylishly ,safe and comfortably cosseted.

[Source: Autocar, Rendering: DeLuisi]

New Mercedes E-Class coming this September originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benzee classe350EClassmercedesmercedes benzMercedesBenzmidsizeSun, 16 Dec 2007 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[So long, friend: Ford producing the last Taurus next week]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/so-long-friend-ford-producing-the-last-taurus-next-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/so-long-friend-ford-producing-the-last-taurus-next-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/so-long-friend-ford-producing-the-last-taurus-next-week/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's twisted and a bit pathetic, but I will be shedding a tear next week in honor of the Ford Taurus officially and finally going out of production. It had a 21-year run that in retrospect is the longest fall from grace in history. During that time Ford sold 7 million Tauruses and another 2 million Mercury Sables. Since January 1st of this year, however, Ford had halted sales of the Taurus to the public, accepting orders only from fleet and rental companies. Despite that, the Taurus remained Ford's best selling passenger car almost every month this year, selling more units than the Focus and even the red hot Mustang. The Taurus saved Ford when it was introduced in 1985 and immediately sold 263,000 units during that first year. That number would rise to 410,000 units in 1992 when the Taurus overtook the Honda Accord to become the best selling passenger car in the U.S., a title it held for five straight years.

We've been talking a lot around here lately about what mistakes Ford has made in the past that are responsible for its current dire straits. Perhaps the single biggest one is abandoning the Taurus. Ford knew the controversial redesign of the third generation Taurus wasn't going to recapture the passenger car sales crown from the Toyota Camry, and SUV sales at the time were beginning to gain momentum. Rather than reinvest in the car, Ford spent the next ten years pissing away the good name of the Taurus by abandoning development on the car or a competitive replacement, as well as not bothering to market the car responsible for saving the company in the mid-Eighties.

Workers at Ford's plant in Hapeville, GA are particularly upset over the Taurus being discontinued, not just because the plant will be closed and they'll be unemployed, but also because the team had become a world class workforce, even raising quality levels at the plant after Ford announced it would be closed. Mark Fields, Ford's current President of the Americas, admits even he doesn't understand how the company strayed so far from the Taurus. He also claims he's attempting to lead Ford's current turnaround with appealing new products, just like the Taurus led the turnaround back in 1985. We're sorry Mr. Fields, but the impact of the original Taurus is unlikely to be matched by anything in the Blue Oval pipeline right now.

[Source: Yahoo News]

So long, friend: Ford producing the last Taurus next week originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closingdiscontinuefordmidsizesedantaurusturnaroundThu, 19 Oct 2006 20:13:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Auto Show: 2007 Hyundai Elantra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/new-york-auto-show-2007-hyundai-elantra/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/new-york-auto-show-2007-hyundai-elantra/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/12/new-york-auto-show-2007-hyundai-elantra/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The new 2007 Hyundai Elantra is the seventh new product from Hyundai in the last two years. The all-new midsize (that's a new EPA classification thanks to 112.1 cubic feet of interior volume) gets Hyundai's now traditional battery of safety equipment including six airbags, ABS brakes and front-seat active head restraints. The new lines echo the company's recent design philosophy of restrained expression. While some might call that boring, others will see the new Elantra as more mature in appearance than its predecessors. The bigger dimensions allow for an interior that's larger than the inner sanctums of the Civic, Corolla and even the Acura TL. It's clear that Hyundai is aiming the Elantra directly at both Japanese small sedans and will likely undercut them in price by a large margin.

We'll have to wait until later in the day to bring you more specifics on the Elantra's hardware, so in the meantime you can feast on more pics and Hyundai's pre-show press release after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading New York Auto Show: 2007 Hyundai Elantra

New York Auto Show: 2007 Hyundai Elantra originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Apr 2006 00:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CiviccompactCorollaElantraFocusKoreaKoreanmidsizesmall carSmallCarSouth KoreaSouthKoreasubcompactWed, 12 Apr 2006 00:57:00 EST