Autoblog

After being endlessly mired in the '80s, the Autoblog Podcast has now climbed its way up to #90. Alex took a sick day, so John and Damon hold the fort. We've been in New York, and that's the main focus of the podcast, although we have had more than just John's Alero in the Autoblog Garage. Ford's sale of Jaguar and Land Rover comes up, as does some of the news that's ensued between the end of the New York show and now.

We've got a new podcast-specific email: podcast at autoblog dawt com, so please send in your questions about the show, about us, or about anything car-related you want to know, and we'll make up the best answers we can. Thanks for listening!

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A4 Avant.

Wagon lovers rejoice! Audi's new 2009 A4 Avant has made its official North American debut at the New York Auto Show. The press release, after the break, introduces us to the newest 2.0 liter TFSI four cylinder engine, variants of which have won "Engine of the Year" trophies three times. Coming in at 211 horsepower along with 258 lb.-ft. of torque, the A4's base engine is reportedly capable of propelling the car to sixty in 6.5 seconds.

The impressive output of Audi's new four-banger almost makes up for their decision not to offer the sedan's 3.2 liter FSI V6 in the Avant. That engine features the newest version of the patented Audi Valvelift Technology (AVS) and offers up 265 horsepower. Six-speed transmissions will be offered in both the A4 sedan and Avant -- no mention of Quattro systems or the new 7-speed DSG. It seems like Audi's been holding back the new A4 for so long that we can hardly believe that we'll see it in dealerships this October, but we'll continue to sate your appetites with pictures until then.



[Source: Audi]

We were extremely busy while trying to cover the snot out of the New York Auto Show this past week at the Jacob Javits Center. Even when we were running across the show floor to make a press conference and get a good seat, we still had our fingers on the trigger of our many DSLR cameras. At times we caught some interesting and downright funny things that just didn't fit into any other gallery except one devote to the odd and slightly hilarious. Check them out in the gallery below, complete with captions that add some context and extra chuckles.

Click above to view more high-res shots

This past Wedneday evening, the Audi Forum in New York City hosted a gala party attended by celebrities and the weary automotive press in town to cover the New York Auto Show. The beautiful people on hand included Tom Brady (celebrity status: A), Tyson Beckford (celebrity status: B), Will Arnett (celebrity status: A-), Denise Rich (celebrity status: ?) and members of the Gossip Girl cast (according to my fiance, celebrity status: better than Tom Brady). Though Autoblog was not in attendance (thus reducing the list of A list celebrities), Audi was kind enough to send us pics of the special A5 it revealed that night (and Tom Brady sitting in the R8 TDI Le Mans concept from the Geneva Motor Show). Custom-painted by New York artist Hunt Slomen, the coupe features a swath of art that flows from the car's hood and down across the driver-side door. The artwork is abstract, but we can make out white birds, which our single semester of Art History 101 tells us represents doves, which in turn represents peace. Or it could represent the jobless rate of carrier pigeons in this age of digital e-mail. The custom-painted A5 will be donated to Denise Rich's G&P Foundation for Cancer Research and auctioned after it tours the country for a bit.

[Source: Audi, Photos by wiredimages]

Click above for high-res gallery from Daimler's press conference

Just like any good political campaign, Mercedes came to the New York Auto Show touting nothing much as a whole lot. Actually, the faux political rally might have been less than compelling with its old news, but the new M Class sporting 50-state legal BlueTec diesel power is exciting. Almost as exciting as the very original 1965 190 D Mercedes had borrowed to illustrate its long-running experience with Rudy's coal dust motor. The senescent sedan will be helping MBZ recreate Bill Carroll's cross-country diesel-fueled journey to celebrate the U.S.-wide availability of what it's touting as the cleanest diesel ever. BlueTec allows the M-, GL- and R-class oil burners to earn ULEV and TierII/Bin 5 classification.

Mercedes says its new diesels are now as clean as gasoline powerplants, and once they drop BlueTec hybrids on us, emissions and economy will improve yet again. JD Power projects that fully 40 percent of vehicles will be diesel powered by 2017, and Mercedes wants to increase diesel sales beyond the current level of 22 percent. The newly tweaked M-Class should help move the powertrain off dealer lots. Sporting plenty of safety upgrades, new headlights, a Hannibal-Lechter inspired grille and some interior tweaks, the M-Class has returned from the gym freshly chiseled. It was not all utes and politely obscured minivans (*ahem* R-Class). Just before Mercedes wrapped the presser, they said, we're paraphrasing here, "Oh yeah, we also brought the SL, w00t."

Gallery: New York 2008: Mercedes M Class and SL

Click above image for high-res pics of the models from New York

There were lots of lovely models here in New York, quick with a smile and a come hither look, enticing us into the booths to check out the cars. Of course we had to oblige. We don't want them losing their jobs due to our lack of attention, so like we do at most shows, we snapped a few pics. Funny how many of our team members feel the charitable call when this kind of post comes around. And remember, if you can't think of something nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Click above to view video

Seems people haven't had enough of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe yet. We gave you all the official details and photos, action shots of both the V6- and turbo-four versions doing burnouts inside the Jacob Javits Center, and finally video of said tire torturing session. Hyundai has just released its own B-roll video of the Genesis Coupe that's meant for local news stations and the like reporting on the rear-wheel-drive coupe from South Korea. We snagged it too, and you can view beautiful panning shots of the car's exterior, as well as the first motion picture show of the Genesis Coupe driving on the road. Peep the video after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Click above for high-res gallery of the flying car from Milner

Our environmentally-attuned brethren at AutoblogGreen pointed us into the lower hall of the Javits Center to check out something they knew we'd love. After wading through the trucks and specialty makers on hand, we reached the Milner Motors booth. To one side was the Milner Motors ElectriCar. Across from it was the Milner Motors AirCar, which was what we came to see. Essentially the same as its electric vehicle, the flying car adds a set of wings and twin engine nacelles that theoretically supply enough thrust and lift for 1,000 miles of flight at 200 MPH. When earthbound, the wing package folds up and the car's 40-hp electric motor powers it up to 85 mph thanks to its light weight and great aerodynamics (the cd is only .209). This particular one is a non-functioning prototype, but we think we'll toss it off the roof of the Empire State building to test its glide prowess. We can only guess how much fun this thing might be if we could figure out a way to use those jet engines and their extra 300 hp to power this 1,800 lb. missle on the ground.

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 R-Design

Volvo directed its efforts at the New York Auto Show toward debuting the XC60 SUV for North America, but quietly standing sentinel at the front of the display was the C30 R-Design. There's not much to complain about when you gaze upon any C30, though the R-Design trimmings offer sprinkles on the cupcake. The cars will be exclusive, with oly 400 hitting showrooms in April for a base price of $25,700. The easiest way to spot the special Swedish hatches will be the metallic mirror housings, grille and grille crossbar. There's also a subtle R-Design badge affixed to the grille to identify the car as something just a little special. Special paint colors will also set off the R-Design cars, and the body kit-equipped car we photographed shined resplendently in Black Sapphire. Interior changes consist of blue-faced gauges like the actual high-performance S60R (RIP) and R-Design logos embossed into the leather inserts on the seats and metal accent bits around the cabin. The R-Design cars are more style than substance, but the exclusivity will be of value to buyers who like to have something special, and the T5 powertrain that all U.S.-bound C30s carry offers snappy performance already.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Prototype-S.

Mitsubishi's revised strategy for the U.S. market was outlined last month in its "Step Up 2010" business plan that seeks to renew the automaker's focus on competing with the major players in North America. The one bit of information that caught out eye in Mitsu's press release was a plan to offer a hatchback Lancer into its range. While the Prototype-S whet our appetite, there was no definitive confirmation that the Ralliart drivetrain in the concept would be fitted to the five-door when it makes its production debut, likely sometime next year. According to a Mitsubishi spokesperson we talked to here in New York, the wagon is coming, and when asked if it would be equipped with the 235-hp turbocharged four and all-wheel-drive system, his response was, "Probably Ralliart. But you can only speculate on that." Good enough for us, but from what we've heard ourselves, a U.S.-market Sportback is past the speculation stage already..