Autoblog

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #317 LIVE!

Dan Roth — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Motorsports, Technology, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Alfa Romeo, Design/Style, Fiat

We record Autoblog Podcast #317 tonight, and you can drop us your questions and comments regarding the rest of the week's news via our Q&A module below. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #317 LIVE! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Mirage bows in Montreal without a name, Canadian sales promised

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Canada, Montreal Auto Show

The Detroit Auto Show had plenty of major debuts for North American car buyers, but the Montreal Auto Show is being used for the North American debut of a new subcompact hatchback from Mitsubishi. Although this car is unnamed, it is almost identical to the redesigned Mirage we saw back at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show (and has been on sale in Asian markets such as Thailand since last year), but it is unclear if the car will carry this name when it goes on sale for our neighbors to the north starting this fall.

Aside from a slightly less annoying shade the of green we saw the car painted in at the Tokyo show, there are a few changes made for the car's Canadian debut. The biggest difference is that it is almost three inches longer, which is likely a result of the new rear fascia that is also visually different with some altered lines and small, circular reflectors. Other changes include a bigger three-cylinder engine (with a 1.2-liter displacement instead of the Tokyo car's 1.0-liter engine) and headlights that have new amber lenses for side reflectors.

There is still no word as to whether or not we'll see this new car in Mitsubishi's US lineup anytime soon, but it does seem like a good competitor against cars like that Mazda2, Chevrolet Spark and Hyundai Accent.

Mitsubishi has provided a press release for this Canadian hatchback, which we've posted after the jump.

Continue reading Mitsubishi Mirage bows in Montreal without a name, Canadian sales promised

Mitsubishi Mirage bows in Montreal without a name, Canadian sales promised originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show

Zach Bowman — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Honda, Design/Style, Montreal Auto Show

Our friends at Autoblog Canada have just come away with a closer look at Honda's surprise Gear Concept at the Montreal Auto Show. The little three-door hatchback is arguably the automaker's first real shot at the North American city car market (the Gear is much smaller than the Fit) and may be an indication that Honda is getting serious about going after Scion on this side of the world after the CR-Z hybrid failed to deliver. Honda says the Gear Concept takes its inspiration from the fixed-gear bicycle scene, and should allow buyers an unprecedented level of customization. Designers also wanted to show that a car can be both fun and practical.

We're all for a compact stylish three door with functional room inside, but given Honda's propensity for draining the personality from its concepts on the way to production (at least the ones that don't look showroom ready), we don't hold much hope for the Gear. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show

Honda Gear concept explored at Montreal Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadian brochure reveals updated 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Urban

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Suzuki, Canada, Montreal Auto Show

It's more a rear-lift than a facelift, since only the back end has changed on the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Urban offered in Canada. There are two noteworthy changes for the decontented model, the first being that Suzuki swapped the full-sized spare tire for a temporary "donut" spare and moved it from the rear gate to underneath the floor of the cargo area.

The other big change is the price: a current Vitara JL starts at $28,135 CAD, the revised model goes down in price to $26,995 CAD. For comparison, that new price equates to $27,007 USD, nearly $1,700 more expensive than the base price of the top-dog Grand Vitara Limited AT 4WD, which starts at $25,379 USD here.

It's been speculated that the changes are meant to lure more female customers (Vitara buyers are 60-percent male). Other specs and features haven't changed, which appears to make this a stopgap while everyone waits on the 2013 Grand Vitara, which will sit on a stretched version of the Kizashi platform.

Canadian brochure reveals updated 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Urban originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring unveiled in Montreal

Alex Nunez — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for gallery of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

The eye-searing Hyundai Elantra Touring "Beach Cruiser" Concept that appeared at last year's SEMA was the first real look we had at Hyundai's new US-bound station wagon. Since then, we've been interested in seeing what it looks like in non-Phoenix Suns colors augmented with a tribal tattoo pattern. Today, we get our wish.

Hyundai has officially unveiled the 2009 Elantra Touring at the Montreal International Auto Show, giving us a proper look at the car we can expect to see in showrooms a little later this year. Sold in Europe as the i30 CW, the Elantra Touring is a handsome small wagon with a nicely-detailed interior. The instrumentation and switchgear look like quality stuff, leather's optional, and it has both USB and AUX ports for iPod compatibility. Power comes from a 2.0L four-banger making 141 horses mated to a five-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic. Exterior accents include subtle brightwork on the front and rear bumpers, available 17" wheels, and wraparound headlamps. In all, the Elantra Touring looks like a practical, appealing package. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but we expect it to be very competitive, in keeping with Hyundai's value-oriented approach.

[Source: TheCarBlogger]

Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring unveiled in Montreal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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