Autoblog

Buyers want a good deal more than latest design

Zach Bowman — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST

A new study by AutoTrader.com indicates buyers are less interested in new designs than automakers may think. In an online survey of car shoppers, 57 percent said they do not feel it's important to have the latest redesign, while 79 percent said they would rather take advantage of a good deal on a current model rather than delay their purchase to wait for the newest iteration. We feel inclined to point out that the results may be skewed toward the inclinations of bargain shoppers, as the survey polled AutoTrader.com users.

Even so, the numbers indicate the automotive sector may be experiencing the same shift in buyer trends as the consumer electronics market. Apple, for instance, saw a huge swell in sales when the company began offering older generation iPhone units at a lower cost alongside the newest models.

Still, buyers keep a close eye on the newest cars. The survey revealed 47 percent of respondents believe it's important to be aware of upcoming redesigns, while 56 percent actively search for those redesigns, though buyers are using that information as a bargaining tool to get a good deal on vehicles currently for sale. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading Buyers want a good deal more than latest design

Buyers want a good deal more than latest design originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Volvo XC60 scooped before launch

George Kennedy — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Volvo

A Chinese automotive site has snagged the first spy shots of the updated Volvo XC60, completely uncovered. While the overall profile of the vehicle remains intact, the headlights are heavily revised. Gone are the two-piece units, which featured the separate light strip between the main cluster and the grille. In place now are larger lenses, somewhat reminiscent of those found on the S60 sedan. Also updated is the grille, which gets a little wider to meet the new headlights. The grille receives more chrome, while the lower front fascia has been revised with wider openings. A pair of LED fog lights are pushed way out to the corners.

Out back, the license plate holder gets a bold chrome strip above it, and the recessed exhaust is replaced with chromed, dual exhaust outlets that have been integrated into the bottom of the rear bumper.

Inside, the instrument panel has been revised, with a large, centrally mounted speedo, featuring a digital display in the center. According to reports, this is a similar setup to that of the new V40. As such, it appears that the changes are thoughtful efforts to move the XC60 forward by incorporating the most current Volvo design elements.

2014 Volvo XC60 scooped before launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Malibu to get early refresh to combat slow sales, poor reviews

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Design/Style

We don't have to look much further than the 2013 Ford Fusion as proof that family cars should no longer be boring to look at, and after apparently taking some heat for the redesign of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet is reportedly preparing an emergency redesign of its midsize sedan in a similar fashion that we just saw happen to the 2013 Honda Civic. Automotive News is reporting that Chevy is working on refreshing the Malibu by the end of 2013, which is about 18 months after the new car went on sale earlier this year.

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson was quoted as saying that an enhanced, but "not dramatic," design update is being planned for the Malibu by this time next year, and it will at least include a new front fascia. Based on the styling direction at Chevrolet as seen on the new Impala and Traverse, we expect the updated 'Bu to get more of an angular look especially in regards to the grille and headlights.

The sooner-than-expected design change is apparently a result of criticisms from dealers and the media as well as unimpressive sales figures. AN says that Malibu sales were up four percent earlier in the year due to increased incentives to move the 2012 models, but once the full model year changeover took place (in September and October), sales dropped by three percent.

Chevy Malibu to get early refresh to combat slow sales, poor reviews originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redesigns that worked and flopped determined by new Cars.com index

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Audi, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Design/Style

The 2013 Ford Fusion is probably the latest, greatest example of a completely redesigned car that has evoked widespread calls of "Look at that!" Above its buzzworthy looks, though, Ford will be concerned about how the 2013 Fusion sells and by how much - if at all - it beats sales of the previous version. Cars.com has run the sales numbers on 61 models that have been redesigned in the past four years, ranking them as Winners, Underperformers and Losers depending on how a new-generation model is selling compared to the one it replaces.

The rankings are sorted by sales class - small, medium and large sellers - so that the success of a niche sports car is weighted differently than the success of a popular midsize car. Compared to a four-year sales average for redesigned cars in each class, Winners were those who outsold the average, Underperformers didn't make the average but did outperform the previous year's (hence, the previous car's) sales, while Losers couldn't do any better anywhere.

Among the most recently introduced winners were the Toyota Camry and the Honda CR-V. The Camry beat the Four-Year Category Average Redesign Increase for large sellers by 2.2 percent, the CR-V managed 0.2 percent. Underperformers included the Audi A6/S6 which, even though it has outsold the previous generation by 58 percent, still isn't getting near the small seller category average of 79.2 percent. The new Hyundai Accent is also considered an underperformer, the new model boosting sales by 5.5 percent - nowhere near the 61.5 percent of the medium seller category average. The only Loser listed in the chart is the Honda Civic, taking one last thrashing before the "honed" 2013 redesign gets a chance to right the ship.

As for that Fusion, the 2013 model has strong numbers to follow: the 2010 Fusion was a huge winner, putting up a 55.1-percent increase in the large seller category, beating the average by 33 percent. It only trailed the redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata shown above, which pasted the average by 42.5 percent. You can find a few more of the ranked models in Cars.com's chart by heading over to their website.

Redesigns that worked and flopped determined by new Cars.com index originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda To Dealers: Reworked Civic coming before end of 2012

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Honda

It's no secret that the 2012 Honda Civic has been the subject of harsh criticism since its launch earlier this year. It's also no secret that Honda is rushing to redesign the Civic, and while we originally reported that the new car would be coming sometime in 2013 or 2014, a memo to the automaker's dealer network states that the reworked Civic will arrive before the end of 2012.

We use the term "redesign" lightly, of course. As much as Honda wants to improve upon its new Civic, the truth is that the updates to the car will almost assuredly be the standard mid-cycle refresh kit. Our best guess is that the interior will benefit from more soft-touch materials and added sound deadening and there could be new paint and wheel design options. According to The Associated Press, American Honda President Tetsuo Iwamura stated that the automaker will "improve the Civic's drivability," meaning a slight suspension and driveline tuning could be in store, as well.

Still, any improvements will indeed be welcomed. Iwamura told AP that the Civic is still the "leader in compact cars," but lackluster sales and a failure to earn a Consumer Reports Recommended rating - a first for the Civic - say otherwise.

Honda To Dealers: Reworked Civic coming before end of 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Autoblog Beta becomes the real deal tomorrow

John Neff — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Design/Style

Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to flip the switch tomorrow around noon and Autoblog Beta will become the real Autoblog. If you haven't checked out the beta and given us your feedback yet, there's still time if you click here. And don't think you're off the hook once the new site launches; we still want to hear your feedback and know about any bug sightings or suggestions.

I'll save the flowery thoughts and thank you remarks for tomorrow, but we sincerely hope that you enjoy what we've done and appreciated the process by which it was achieved. Feedback through the Beta site from readers like you helped shaped the final product and kept us on the right path of evolution. I've been involved with every redesign of Autoblog since the very beginning, and feel that v5.0 is far and away the best in both design and execution.

So enjoy your last day with the old girl in her current form. Come tomorrow, she'll be a whole new woman.

PSA: Autoblog Beta becomes the real deal tomorrow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda: Next MX-5 will be "radical"

Chris Shunk — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Mazda

Click above for high-res gallery of the Mazda MX-5

Many of you (and some of us) don't think the current MX-5 went far enough in distancing itself from its cutesy predecessor, but design director Lauren Van den Acker wants to change that for 2012 and give the iconic convertible "more balls" in the process. If you're worried that the amazing handling characteristics of the MX-5 could be in danger, Van den Acker insists that the razor-sharp roadster will keep its core character. Stricter CAFE standards and customers demanding more mpg means that the next MX-5 will also be lighter and more efficient than the current model.

With the next MX-5 still a few years out, no design has been given the green light, but Mazda designers think the more dynamic designs that were shot down for the current-gen car would be a good place to start. A newer, ballsier, more radical MX-5 sounds good to us, as long as the changes don't mess with the cut on a dime handling that we've come to love.

Gallery: Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Hardtop

[Source: Auto Car]

Mazda: Next MX-5 will be "radical" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Dan Roth — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Green, Mercedes-Benz

If you'd suspected that Mercedes' F700 show car was a preview of cues we'd soon see on production cars, there's a Schulte Design rendering to bolster your theory. The current S-Class debuted in 2005, so we won't see its replacement for a couple of years, but there's already lots of development underway. The new sheetmetal will be a full redesign, not a freshening, and the rendering depicts a car that takes inspiration from the F700, but tones the cues down a bit. The shape of the front end is very similar, with the headlights and grille echoing what Mercedes showed us in Frankfurt. Along the flanks, the arcing line at the base of the windows has been toned down. Of course, while it's a good rendering, it's still an unofficial composite image, so we should just wait and see.

Solid word on powertrains has come down from on high, though. Mercedes is looking at a hybrid version of the S-Class to compete with the Lexus LS600hL. Our current S-Class will get a mild hybrid for 2009, and there's a Bluetec Hybrid under development packing 224 horsepower/560Nm and returning 44mpg. The engines we know and love in the current S-Class will largely carry over, though we'd expect that attention to efficiency and the hybrid powertrains will be more important because of the new CAFE standards.

[Source: eGMCarTech, Rendering: Schulte Design]

Rendered Speculation: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cashectomy: 2009 Nissan Murano gets a price reduction

Dan Roth — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:17:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Nissan

To go with its newly trimmed styling, Nissan has treated the Murano's price to a nip and tuck, too. The 2009 model has had $1500 removed from the MSRP across all trim levels, and a new dual panel moonroof makes the options list along with three new exterior colors. Inside, the seats and instrument panel have been redesigned to improve the atmosphere. Among the multitude of luxury and convenience options, a hard-drive equipped Bose Music Box stereo is available if you opt for the navigation system.

The Murano now rides on the new D platform that underpins the Altima, and the mighty VQ serves up 265 horsepower from its 3.5 liters, a 25 pony increase. The sole transmission is the XTronic CVT, sending torque to either the front wheels, or through all four. The revised platform is solid and sure-footed in our experience with recent Altimas. An S FWD model will buy you entry to the Murano club for $26,330. AWD bumps the price to 27,930, and you can keep adding stuff until you've got the pretty much loaded LE AWD, which starts at $35,910. It's still a Murano, with all of the polarizing style that comes with the name. You might end up with a "tastes great, less filling" type of argument when talking with owners of the original Murano, but this one sweetens the pot with a lot of revisions and a better chassis, new fascia haters be damned. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: 2009 Nissan Murano

Continue reading Cashectomy: 2009 Nissan Murano gets a price reduction

Cashectomy: 2009 Nissan Murano gets a price reduction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda gets 20,000 orders for redesigned Fit in Japan

Dan Roth — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Honda

Honda has received a flood of orders for the newly redesigned Fit in the two weeks since its launch. That's a good thing for Honda in its home market, where its sales have been flagging. Instead of the projected 12,000 Fits per month, there have been 20,000 orders for the roomier and more efficient Fit since its announcement. The deluge of demand for the new Fit could help Honda take over the top spot as Japan's best-selling car, toppling the Toyota Corolla. It's important to note, however, that in Japan, new model announcements are routinely followed by initial order numbers that exceed expectations (which are then trumpeted by the automakers). In the United States, the clamor around the Fit remains hot, as well, so when the new one makes it here - reportedly within a year - it should equal further positive numbers for Honda.

[Source: Guardian Unlimited]

Honda gets 20,000 orders for redesigned Fit in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda debuts new-gen Rotary in Taiki show car

Dan Roth — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:52:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda

Say what you will about the styling of the Mazda Taiki concept that's currently on display in Tokyo. It's quite possible that what's underneath is more interesting, anyway. Under the hood of the Taiki is a new gen rotary engine from Mazda called the 16X Renesis. Of course, the Rotary engine has its share of detractors, but Mazda's sticking with it anyway.

Further refining Felix Wankel's trochoid wonder, the Renesis (known internally as the 13B-MSP) has been massaged and enlarged for the first time in a very long time. Capacity is now 800cc per rotor, bringing total size up to 1.6 liters. Direct injection allows the 16X Renesis to put out more power and torque while running cleaner than a port injection setup would have allowed. Attention was also paid to reducing the oil consumption that Wankels are known for. The size of the engine is still pony-keg compact, and the rotor housing is now aluminum, which should save a little weight. While the new larger chamber design and direct injection offer more efficiency, it still remains to be seen whether or not the Rotary is capable of modern horsepower numbers without turbochargers (difficult with the side-port design) or swilling fuel like a sailor on shore leave. The 16X may show up in a special version of the current RX-8, or Mazda may hold off until a new RX-8 bows in 2011.

[Source: AutoWeek, Photo: Winding Road]

Gallery: Mazda Taiki

Mazda debuts new-gen Rotary in Taiki show car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo aims for BMW

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:05:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Volvo

As long as BMW doesn't own Volvo, then the Swede is allowed to target the roundel's cars as competitors. Autocar reports that Volvo is shaking up the lowest two rungs on its sedan line to put more space between them, and to better compete with the 3 Series.

The smallest sedan, the S40, will be be made over from a 4-door sedan into a 5-door hatchback along the lines of the A3 and BMW 1-series. The very name S40 might also be sacrificed, changed instead to V40. The S60, instead of disappearing entirely, will get a longer wheelbase, a better interior, shared tech from the S80 and Mondeo, and a chassis that does a better job at challenging 3 Series dynamics. Part of that redesign, if the renderings are accurate, will be a flared three-section front bumper that is the new hotness in car design. Regarding the car's sporting aspirations, engineers are said to be battling accountants for funds to design a more sporting chassis. Engines for the S60 will include a 2-liter and 2.2-liter 4-cylinder diesels, the D5 5-cylinder diesels, as well as a 2-liter gas turbo.

It is claimed also that the Volvo logo will also be altered, losing the diagonal bar that spans the grill. Only the circle and arrow -- a stylization of the chemical symbol for iron -- will remain. All of these changes are slated to appear in 2009-10.

[Source: Autocar]

Volvo aims for BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Day 3: Enter the Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro

John Neff — Fri, 25 May 2007 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Contests

UPDATE: We've fixed a lot of bugs, so if you've encountered issues while entering the Sweeps, please clear your browser's cache and restart your browser before trying to enter again. Thanks!

click above image to enter to win an All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro!

Did you enter yet today? You may as well make entering the (deep breath) Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro a part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth or playing Solitaire at work. The Sweepstakes spans 23 days, which means if you enter every day by clicking here, you'll have a better chance to win the loaded 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T than someone who enters only once or twice. Did we mentinon the prize is loaded with 20-inch chrome wheels, the high-end 4.0L V6 engine making 260 horsepower, and... AND the optional MyGIG[TM] Multimedia Infotainment System?

We're working hard to fix any bugs that have been encountered while trying to enter the Sweepstakes, so please, if something seems awry, click the "Corrections/Problems?" link at the top of this page and let us know what the problem is.

We also want to say thanks to a few websites that have mentioned our Sweepstakes and commented on what it means for our little internet industry. If your website has mentioned the Autoblog...Sweepstakes, make sure to let us know by sending a link to abresearch at gmail dot com. We'll keep a running list of links going, as we appreciate any site that helps spread the word.

Jalopnik
Winding Road
Carscoop
I4U News
The Brian Alvey Weblog (he designed the original Autoblog)
Autotropolis
World Car Fans Blog
Cheers and Gears

Day 3: Enter the Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Day 2: Enter the Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro (again)

John Neff — Thu, 24 May 2007 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Contests

click above image to enter to win a 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T!

Yesterday was a long day. Very little sleep was had between making sure the site design went live without a hitch and announcing the Sweepstakes. Did you hear? We're giving away a 2007 Dodge Nitro R/T. Yeah, pretty cool. Never been done before by a blog as far as we know.

And you can enter the Sweepstakes once a day, which is why I'm back to tell you about it again. Regardless of whether you're learning about it for the first time or entered yesterday, click here to enter the (get ready for the long-winded official title) Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro.

Finally, for those of you who tried to enter the Sweepstakes yesterday and were inexplicably ineligible, the bug that was causing this snafu has been squashed, so enter away. Good luck!

Day 2: Enter the Autoblog Relaunch Celebration Sweepstakes featuring the All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro (again) originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2007 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Photos: Porsche 911 again

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Porsche

It hasn't been very long since we last brought you some spy shots of the freshened 911, but when another pic popped up, we felt we had to share. After all, this is our favorite rear-engined sports car. Returning even closer to its roots, the two-beam round headlamps and larger air inlets look very 993 Turbo. The cleaner look should be an improvement that the loyalists will appreciate and the masses will completely miss.

Actually, the air scoops match the look of the restyled Cayenne, and the integrated turn indicators somewhat mimic the current Turbo 997, albeit integrated rather than "free floating" like on the Turbo. The new lower lip is more noticeable here too. It creates a continuous line around the nose that continues along the rockers and into the tail, where we'll see new LED tail lamps.

Expect similar mechanical changes to those being done on the Cayenne, and an interior upgrade that should be evolutionary like those on the outside. New direct-injection and a DSG option should keep the new 911 at the top of the heap.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Photos: Porsche 911 again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Toyota Highlander revealed

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota

Click above image for our high-res photo gallery of live and official shots

Here in Chicago this morning Toyota unveiled the redesigned 2008 Highlander with the mantra Bigger! Wider! Safer! As you might imagine, the new crossover is larger in all dimensions, with a more powerful 3.5L V6 now cranking out 270 hp, 55hp more than the old one. It is still based on the Camry platform, although now it's the most recent edition, which is three inches longer and four inches wider. The ground clearance is also increased by and inch and the wheelbase gets three extra inches. As for the new styling, if you squint you can see a passing resemblance in the front end to the new 2007 Tundra.

The biggest emphasis though was on safety. All Highlanders now have side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats as well as a knee bag for the driver. All will also get ABS, traction control, brake assist and stability control. The front end of the vehicle has special crush zones built in so that the next time you run over a pedestrian they have a slightly better chance of survival. In addition, the two upper trim levels get a rear facing video camera with a dedicated display that's not shared with the navigation system. The Toyota press release is after the jump with more details, and information on the new Highlander Hybrid and it's EV-only mode is over on AutoBlogGreen.

~~PS: Check out the tailpipes on the Highlander. They're run through the bumper rather than underneath.~~ Nevermind. The Highlander's not that cool. After a closer inspection of the CUV's rear on the show floor, the exhaust exits discretely below the bumper. Those holes out back are just for simple reflectors.

[Source: Toyota]

Gallery: 2008 Toyota Highlander

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Toyota Highlander revealed

Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Toyota Highlander revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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POLL RESULTS: What you think of Car and Driver's redesign... eek, not good

John Neff — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:19:00 EST

What we're hearing from the masses is that of those who participated in our totally unscientific poll, the vast majority either hate Car and Driver's new redesign or couldn't even tell the book had been redesigned anyway. Sounds like Mission Accomplished, if you ask us. There are a few peeps that do like the new design, about 12%, but considering that Car and Driver paid "big bucks" for this, we imagine they were hoping like 88% of people would love it, instead.

We wonder what this means for the biggest car magazine in the world. Is that title in jeapordy now (or more so than it was before) and If subscriptions are falling, how fast? A few readers noticed they began giving subscriptions away today, which means if you're too cheap to pay $12, $10 or even $3.99 for a year's subscription, perhaps the magazine would be worth paying nothing for. That's 100% off the cover price! The free subscriptions were spotted on Slickdeals.net (great site!) and hosted through freebizmag.com, but their inventory has already been depleted, so don't bother filling out your info and the questionnaire.

POLL RESULTS: What you think of Car and Driver's redesign... eek, not good originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercury Montego refresh

John Neff — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:26:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, Mercury

Much has been said about how "nice" the Ford Five-Hundred and Mercury Montego are. They're good cars, people say, once you get to know them. Well, cars are largely sold on first impressions, and the 500 and Montego are both getting a second chance to make a good first impression with buyers. We saw the updated 2008 Ford Five-Hundred at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month, and here's our first look at the updated Mercury Montego that will likely be debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in early February.

The front end is clearly inspired by the more fashionable Milan with headlights that sweep back up into the hood. The new grille is placed within a recessed part of the front end that dips down into the bumper and gives the Montego's face a lot more character. Out back are new white taillights and a new rear bumper that now houses the Montego's license plate. It's certainly not a full redesign, but we'd call it a sorely needed refreshening that ensures you won't lose your Montego in a crowded parking lot anymore.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Mercury Montego refresh originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford debuting new Focus in Detroit

John Neff — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:07:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Ford

Unfortunately, it's not the C1-based Focus we're all waiting for (though it appears we're closer than ever to that car's arrival on our shores). Still, the current Ford Focus has received only one nip/tuck refreshening since it debuted in North America way back in 2000, so the car unveiled in early January at the Detroit Show will be model's most signficant update yet. Here's what we know for sure: three-bar grille, no wagon, new coupe.

The brand's electric razor-like three-bar grille will grafted onto the face of the 2008 Focus (see spy shot here). It will really be the first not all-new vehicle to sport the chrome grille, which may take consumers a bit of time to get used to. The Focus Wagon has reportedly been dropped from the model's lineup, but in its place will be a new coupe not unlike, although hopefully more competent, the old Escort ZX2. It's still a shame Ford doesn't have an all-new C1-based Focus ready to show the North American public at this point, but that money probably went to pay for the innovative stowable bed extender on the new Super Duty. (Ford: we kid because we want it so bad!)

[Source: SmartMoney via LLN]

Ford debuting new Focus in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Photos: Nip and tuck for Jaguar XK

John Neff — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:52:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Jaguar

The Jaguar XK has been out on the streets for less than a year and already Ford's most feline of brands is readying an update for the car's front end. These spy shots show a new air intake up front that's been reshaped to give the car a "smile". Indeed, though most will readily admit the XK has a gorgeous shape, its front end is undoubtedly the car's most contentious feature. To some the ovular center grille makes the very expensive XK look like a low budget 1996 Ford Taurus. We never had a problem with it, choosing instead to see the obvious visual link to Jaguar's most famous model, the E-Type. Nevertheless, perhaps Jaguar is fussing with the XK's face in order to make it look less sad and droopy. A car's "face" has always intrigued us here at Autoblog, as it's so easy to anthropomorphize a car's design and assign it corresponding moods. We often refer to the shape of many headlights today as "angry eyes" or to a large grille as a "gaping maw". Truly, the expression on a car's "face" even the has the power to sway someone's opinion about the vehicle in general, which is why it's not at all surprising that Jaguar would put the XK's face under the knife so soon after its introduction.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Photos: Nip and tuck for Jaguar XK originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Oct 2006 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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