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[Moscow 2008: Lada shows off C-Cross concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-lada-shows-off-c-cross-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-lada-shows-off-c-cross-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-lada-shows-off-c-cross-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the Lada C-Cross concept

The Moscow Auto Show is underway and Damon's on site with camera in hand. The car you see here is the Lada C-Cross Concept, which looks kinda like a Chinese knock-off of a last-gen Euro Ford Focus with added ground clearance. The C-Cross show car presumably gives a sneak peek at what a future AvtoVAZ car-based crossover might look like, and if we had to guess, a production version probably isn't too far off. We'll pass on it, though. Our hearts and minds forever belong to the Lada Niva, whose old-school looks are like visual comfort food. Plus, something tells us that this C-Cross thing wouldn't do nearly as well underwater.

Gallery: Lada C-Cross


[Source: The Auto Channel]

All photos Copyright (C)2008 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

Moscow 2008: Lada shows off C-Cross concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AvtoVAZc-crossconceptladamoscowmoscow 2008moscow auto ahowmoscow motor showMoscow2008MoscowAutoAhowMoscowMotorShowTue, 26 Aug 2008 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Moscow 2008: The Models of Moscow]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-the-models-of-moscow/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-the-models-of-moscow/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-the-models-of-moscow/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for high-res galleries of models from Moscow

While Russia's auto industry is certainly not known for the beauty it produces, the country's stock of fashion models seems limitless. Standing next to each vehicle on display at this year's Moscow Motor Show was a maiden who, as you can see in the gallery below, was usually more attractive than the metal against which she was leaning.

Gallery: Moscow 2008: the Models of Moscow

Moscow 2008: The Models of Moscow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingladies of moscowLadiesOfMoscowmodels of moscowModelsOfMoscowmoscowMoscow 2008Moscow2008Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Moscow 2008: Audi RS6 sedan in the sheetmetal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-audi-rs6-sedan-in-the-sheetmetal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-audi-rs6-sedan-in-the-sheetmetal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-audi-rs6-sedan-in-the-sheetmetal/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi RS6 sedan.

All right. Now we're torn. RS6 Avant or RS6 sedan? Both are packing the same twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 5.0-liter V10 putting out 580 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. Both send power to all four wheels through a six-speed tiptronic tranny and both can be equipped with absolutely massive 420mm (front) and 356mm (rear) ceramic brakes. While it's hard to deny the practicality of the wagon, we think the sedan comes across as more elegant - in a brutally Teutonic way. The voting will commence in the comments and check the gallery below for a plenty of high-res images from the show floor.

Gallery: 2009 Audi RS6

Moscow 2008: Audi RS6 sedan in the sheetmetal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi rs6 sedanAudiRs6Sedanmoscow 2008Moscow2008rs6sedanTue, 26 Aug 2008 06:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Moscow 2008: Kesselman Mazda CX-7]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-kesselman-mazda-cx-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-kesselman-mazda-cx-7/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-kesselman-mazda-cx-7/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Kesselman Mazda CX-7.

From afar, our first reaction was: what's a Matrix doing at the Mazda booth? Upon closer inspection, the dumped wagon you see above revealed itself as a tuned Mazda CX-7. Unfortunately, our Russian is about as good as our Swahili, so we weren't able to get any definitive details on what exactly has been done to Mazda's mid-level CUV. But the upgraded intercooler, ultra-low stance, gaudy body kit, stripped interior and six-point roll cage is proof that Russia's Kesselman tuning excels at answering questions that no one asked.

Gallery: Kesselman Mazda CX-7

Moscow 2008: Kesselman Mazda CX-7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kesselmanmazda cx-7MazdaCx-7moscow 2008Moscow2008Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Moscow 2008: Lexus LS460 AWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-lexus-ls460-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-lexus-ls460-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-lexus-ls460-awd/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LS460 AWD.

The Moscow Auto Show seems like the perfect place for Lexus to unveil the all-wheel-drive version of its LS460. Russians have a torrid love affair with rolling living rooms, evidenced by the 7-series and S-class-lined streets of Moscow's high-end shopping districts. Add AWD to the equation and the LS460 makes a strong case against the Germans.

As previously reported, the Lexus LS460 AWD is fitted with the same four-wheel-drive system and eight-speed auto 'box as the LS600h, and comes equipped with a Torsen rear LSD and 381 hp, 4.6-liter V8 as the standard model. Torque split is set to 40/60 in normal driving conditions, but if you need to make a dramatic getaway on the mean streets of Moscow, 70-percent of the power can be sent to the rear-wheels.

Gallery: Lexus LS460 AWD

Moscow 2008: Lexus LS460 AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awdlexuslexus ls460 awdLexusLs460Awdls460moscow 2008Moscow2008Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Moscow 2008: Mazda Kazamai concept officially unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-mazda-kazamai-concept-officially-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-mazda-kazamai-concept-officially-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/26/moscow-2008-mazda-kazamai-concept-officially-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mazda Kazamai concept.

Mazda pulled out all the awkwardly executed stops for the reveal of the Kazamai concept, including four sets of dancers, guys in neon-pink shorts on roller skates and a 40-man Russian singing troop in Soviet-style dress. We couldn't make this stuff up if we tried, but what better way to kick off our coverage of the Moscow International Auto Salon.

Despite the strange theatrics, the Kazamai is one of our favorite Nagare-themed concepts since the Furai and Kabura. Then again, we're suckers for two-door crossovers. The Kazamai blends the "flow" theme we've seen on several other concepts with a more aerodynamic body and a slightly toned-down demeanor. Could this be a hint at the future of the CX-7? Don't count it out. But if it does head to production, we'll take it in a three-door package equipped with the MS3's drivetrain... and all-wheel-drive.

Gallery: Mazda Kazamai Concept

Moscow 2008: Mazda Kazamai concept officially unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kazamaimazdamazda kazamai conceptMazdaKazamaiConceptmoscow 2008Moscow2008Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Moscow Preview: Lexus to show LS460 AWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/moscow-preview-lexus-to-show-ls460-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/moscow-preview-lexus-to-show-ls460-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/moscow-preview-lexus-to-show-ls460-awd/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LS460 AWD.

The Moscow International Auto Show is shaping up to be a serious event. Audi is showing off the RS6 sedan, Mazda is bringing a new crossover concept, Mitsubishi will debut the redesigned Pajero Sport and plan on plenty of Lada love to spread around. Lexus is joining the ranks of other top-tier automakers showing their wares in Moscow with the unveiling of an all-wheel-drive version of its LS460 flagship.

The AWD system fitted to the LS460 is the same found on the LS600h, and includes a Torsen LSD integrated into the rear drive shaft that receives power from the 381 hp, 4.6-liter V8 via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. In normal driving conditions, torque is split 40/60 front-to-rear, with as much as 70 percent of the power being shoveled to the rear wheels depending on conditions.

Russia's affection for stately sedans is one of the reasons that BMW decided to launch the redesigned 7-series in the planet's largest country, and Lexus is obviously trying to tap into one of the world's fastest growing automotive markets with the introduction of the LS460 AWD.

Gallery: Lexus LS460 AWD

Moscow Preview: Lexus to show LS460 AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awdlexuslexus ls460lexus ls460 awdLexusLs460LexusLs460Awdls460moscowmoscow 2008Moscow2008russiaMon, 18 Aug 2008 15:59:00 EST