Autoblog

We've already seen some undisguised pictures of Kia's handsome new midsize SUV, but the vehicle just launched officially in Korea as the Mohave. Official launch means official pictures, and that's what we have here, a ton of really beautiful images of what we'll soon know as the Borrego. Not that Borrego, this one sports a full frame, seating places for seven, and the choice of Kia's strong-like-bull V6 or their first V8. The wisdom of introducing a new body-on-frame SUV at this point, especially in light of the coming new CAFE rules, might be questionable, but the vehicle itself is handsome and it's hard to deny the inherent value that Kia bakes into its cars. We'll check the Borrego out in person when it makes it's US debut at the Detroit Auto Show. In the meantime, Carscoop unearthed a lot of great pictures to tide us over.

[Source: Kia via Carscoop]

Click on the image above to view high-res gallery

Over at the Mercedes pavilion, Los Angeles played host to the North American premier of the acclaimed Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. The hotrod sport sedan from the Stuttgart is the three-pointed star's eight-cylinder answer to the Audi RS4 and BMW M3, and Benz's stubborn obsession with the torque converter aside, it presents a compelling case for those on the market for a big ferocious 451-hp 6.3L V8 in a small German package.

Mercedes even brought out the head of AMG, all the way from Affalterbach, Germany, to unveil the car personally. The sheet was lifted to reveal a resplendent (that's right, resplendent!) C63 in a pearl white that'd make a First Lady's jewelry box jealous. Click on the images above and below to get a good look at the C63 AMG, because with over 450 horsepower, it may be the only chance you have to see it sitting still.

You can make a car that accelerates. You can make a car that brakes. You can make one that handles. One that corners. One with a high top speed. But to make one that does it all is a different story entirely. That's why automakers go to the Nürburgring. Its northern loop is twenty-two kilometers of twists, turns, dips, straights, chicanes...even a carousel. And it's got a new champion.

The Pagani Zonda F recently lapped the track that claimed Lauda's ears in a scant 7:27:82, edging out the previous ruler, the Porsche Carrera GT (which it also rivals for carbon-fiber content in its construction). The Zonda's hot lap shaved a mere two milliseconds off the Carrera's time, but those are two milliseconds the German supercar evidently couldn't muster on its own home track. How embarrassing, ja?

The specific model that hit the high time was a Clubsport version, which itself will be trumped by the even more extreme Zonda R before designer Horacio Pagani goes back to the drawing board for the Zonda's successor.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Volkswagen may or may not be considering moving its operations, in part or entirely, to the East Coast. Washington D.C. or North Carolina are looking far more favorable to VW than its current digs in Auburn Hills, MI. Perhaps VW management thinks it can kick-start some new enthusiasm inside its US operations by heading to a part of the country where it's more appreciated (VW's assorted brands sell best on the coasts) and making space for new blood by leaving behind those unwilling to relocate. Being in a city with a more cosmopolitan perception may help VW entice employees to sign on for US duty, as well as making VW a big fish in its own pond, versus living in the shadow of the domestic brands in Detroit.

More justification for the move could be due to the allure of hanging out in D.C. versus Michigan. That's quite a snub to Auburn Hills, but Michigan residents may get the last laugh, D.C. has a larger crime problem than Auburn Hills. Every time an exec gets mugged, an angel in MI will get its wings. Speculation has been spreading through the company faster than food poisoning on a cruise ship, prompting Audi's US head Johan de Nysschen to blip off an email. In his communication to Audi of America's employees, de Nysschen couldn't really offer specifics to calm people down, but he did go on to say that things will be clearer once new CEO Stefan Jacoby lands on September 1 and initiates a restructuring. There seems to be plenty of desire to not be in Michigan, and in light of de Nysschen's further statement that "reality is not nearly as severe as some of the rumors would suggest," we're eager to see what the next move will be.

[Source: Detroit News]

With Abu Dhabi expected to announce its contract for a grand prix this coming Saturday, you'd be forgiven for thinking Bahrain was off the grid. You'd be forgiven, but you'd be wrong.

The small Gulf state has hosted the Bahrain Grand Prix since 2004 with an exclusive contract for the only F1 race in the entire Middle East & North Africa region, and though nobody outside the organization knows the precise terms of the contract – namely, when the exclusivity clause expires – insiders estimate that it runs out in 2008, leaving the door open for Abu Dhabi to host its own race as early as 2009. But that doesn't mean the Bahrain Grand Prix is history – they spent $150 million to build the Sakhir track and have yet to recuperate all the costs. Casting a shadow over the impending festivities in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain has announced its extending its contract with Bernie Ecclestone, possibly all the way through 2019.

The question remains over how many F1 races the region can support. With a small population, Bahrain was banking on attracting spectators (read: tourists) from all over the Middle East, but the grandstands have been conspicuously empty. And though the geo-political debate continues over Turkey's situation in Europe or the Middle East, either way it's not far away, bordering Syria, Iran and Iraq. Abu Dhabi is banking on its grand prix becoming just one part of the Yas Island development, but with that many races in a region where F1 is still an emerging field, it may be too much too fast. Then again, that's what F1 is all about.

Related posts:

• F1 circuit to join Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi
• Update: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix announcement may come Feb1
  

[Source: GrandPrix.com]