Autoblog

Vintech unveiling P550 Tribute at Pebble Beach

George Kennedy — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

So you want to own a painfully gorgeous Porsche 550, but you don't have $3.685 million? You don't say! If your heart is still set on a stunning sports car with classic lines, then Vintech may have a solution for you. The French company has created the P550 Tribute, and as the name suggests, the car is meant to evoke the famed Porsche 550.

Though possessing classic lines, the P550 boasts a full carbon fiber body, under which is a modern chassis and a 3.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. The engine is expected to produce between 260 and 270 horsepower, sent through a five-speed manual transmission. With a curb weight of only 1,212 pounds, this vehicular homage should haul some serious tail.

The P550 Tribute will make its debut Friday, August 17 at "The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering." It is one of the many prestigious events taking place during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Delegance weekend.

Neither pricing nor production numbers have been announced, but we can surmise that the former will be a large number, and the latter will be a small one. In the meantime, feast your eyes on the gallery below of schematics, the build, and the finished product.

Vintech unveiling P550 Tribute at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda piggybacks on Ford Escape recall with 215,000 Tribute models of its own

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Ford, Mazda

A day after Ford issued a recall of 485,000 Escape crossovers from its 2001-2004 model years, Mazda has reportedly issued its own for the 215,000 examples of its Tribute, the Escape's mechanical twin. While it's the same engine configuration being recalled, the 3.0-liter V6 with cruise control, there is a difference in the recalls: Mazda is recalling 2002-2006 and 2008 model year Tributes, three more years of production than the Escape (the Tribute wasn't made in 2007).

The problem is a lack of clearance between the engine cover and the cruise control cable, which can prevent the driver from letting off the throttle if the cruise control is on. The situation was caused by a repair for a different recall in 2005. Mazda says the engine cover is similar enough to warrant inclusion for all years of production it has cited. It isn't known yet if Ford will expand its own recall.

Mazda piggybacks on Ford Escape recall with 215,000 Tribute models of its own originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Center for Auto Safety expands call for unintended acceleration probe to Mazda Tribute

Chris Tutor — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Ford, Mazda

Last week, the Center for Auto Safety called on Ford to recall about 470,000 Escape utility vehicles to fix an "unintended acceleration" problem they say was caused by a previous recall repair program.

Now the CAS wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to include 85,000 platform-sharing 2002-2004 Mazda Tribute models that could have the same issue.

CAS says that under the 2005 recall program, the Tributes and Escapes may have suffered damage to cruise control cables that could lead to the vehicles speeding up without driver input. In a statement, Mazda said, "As always, we will cooperate fully with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in any investigation."

The CAS previously said in the initial recall, Ford had sent dealers modified repair instructions that warned of possible damage to cruise control cables. CAS, however, says Mazda did not change its instructions and that "there is no reason to believe Mazda dealers would be any better at avoiding damage to the cruise control cable than Ford dealers."

Center for Auto Safety expands call for unintended acceleration probe to Mazda Tribute originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda recalls over 52,000 Tribute crossovers, warns owners to park outside

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Mazda

Mazda is recalling has issued a recall of the 2001- and 2002-model-year Mazda Tribute crossover for a possible brake fluid leak. It's been found that fluid leaking from the reservoir cap on the master cylinder might come into contact with the ABS wiring harness connector, leading to potential corrosion and/or fire.

We've been waiting on this action for the better part of a month, as its mechanical twin, the Ford Escape, was the subject of a similar NHTSA recall announced on January 11. The Blue Oval recall covered some 244,000 units for the same problem.

There are 52,390 Tributes affected in total, and Mazda is taking the unusual step of advising that if you have one, you should park it outside until a dealer has made the necessary repairs. You can find a release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the matter after the jump.

Continue reading Mazda recalls over 52,000 Tribute crossovers, warns owners to park outside

Mazda recalls over 52,000 Tribute crossovers, warns owners to park outside originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Volvo, Tesla

As we prepare to flip our calendars from 2011 to 2012, it's time to say goodbye to a handful of vehicles that are being sent to the Great Parking Lot In The Sky before the 2012 model year completely takes hold. And while we're not exactly upset about having to bid farewell to things like the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mazda Tribute or Chevrolet HHR, there are a few vehicles that we're truly going to miss.

The Mazda RX-8, for example, has grown to be one of our favorite sports cars since its introduction in 2003. We love its lightweight construction, high-revving rotary engine and surprisingly functional suicide door design. It's kind of like a Miata with a roof and rear seats. Speaking of the Miata, Tesla's two-seat Roadster - the automaker's first production vehicle - proved to us that open-top motoring can be thrilling even with a stack of batteries driving the wheels.

We'll miss the Honda Element and its rugged, utilitarian nature. We'll miss the Volvo V50 and its capacious cargo area made for Ikea runs. And we'll really miss those large lords of luxury, the Cadillac DTS and Ford Crown Victoria. We've already said goodbye to the faithful but overripe Ford Ranger, and as ridiculous as the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid was, it was a shockingly good-to-drive electrified crossover.

There are plenty more models that won't be making the journey to the 2012 model year, so have a look at the full list in our attached image gallery, then let us know which ones you'll miss (if any) in the Comments.

Say 'goodbye' to these cars and trucks for the new year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Next Best Thing: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione up for auction at Brooklands

Noah Joseph — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Auctions, Ferrari, UK

1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione - Click above for high-res images

Practical considerations aside, cost no object, if you could have any car ever made, what would it be? We'd bet that a large proportion of you would be thinking of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO. Unfortunately, cost is an object for the vast majority of us. And considering how the iconic GTO is one of the most valuable, most sought-after classic sportscars ever made, the overwhelming likelihood is that most of us - make that practically all of us - could never stand a chance of owning one.

It's only natural, then, that there should be replicas made. Scratch that - "tributes." But if you're going to replicate a GTO, you're not going to start with an old Firebird as your underpinnings. You're going to start with another classic Ferrari. Just one not quite as valuable.

That's what the owner in that other video did. And that's what you're looking at here. This 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO "Evocazione" started its life as a Ferrari 330 GT, and in 1993 was sent to Italy to have its chassis modified before being fitted with painstakingly handmade aluminum bodywork in the UK. Attention was paid to every detail, down to the gauges and Borrani wire wheels. And now it's up for grabs, courtesy of newly inaugurated auction house Historics at Brooklands. Once it crosses the block there on September 25, it's expected to fetch around £240,000 ($377k) - which may seem like a fair chunk of change, but it's a far cry from the $18 million reportedly last fetched by the original.

Gallery: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione

[Source: Historics at Brooklands]

Continue reading The Next Best Thing: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione up for auction at Brooklands

The Next Best Thing: 1965 Ferrari 250 GTO Evocazione up for auction at Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Custom Chevrolet Camaro is ultimate tribute to fallen servicemen

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Chevrolet, Design/Style

Tribute 2010 Chevrolet Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery

On Christmas day, 2007, Constandina Tutten was informed that her husband, Army Sergeant Joseph Tutten had been killed in the line of duty in Iraq. Sgt. Tutten was a squad leader with the 82nd Airborne, and had fallen to an IED while helping to clear Tikrit of insurgents. After hearing Tutten's story, Camaro5 member TheSpyMaster enlisted the help of a few others to help create a tribute 2010 Chevorlet Camaro in honor of anyone who has given their lives in service to this country.

What started as a simple customization with aftermarket wheels and smoked taillight lenses grew into an all-out show car. New scissor doors and a wild body kit helped nab the Camaro top honors at a few local car shows, but that wasn't enough for TheSpyMaster. The guy topped the whole thing off with a complete American-themed vinyl wrap.

While the look won't be for everyone, you have to respect TheSpyMaster's dedication in his efforts to get America's service men and women the respect and honor they deserve. Check out a smattering of images in our gallery below, but be sure to head on over to Camaro5 for the fully monty.

Gallery: Tribute 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

[Source: Camaro5]

Custom Chevrolet Camaro is ultimate tribute to fallen servicemen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford hybrids to turn a profit in 2008

Dan Roth — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Crossover, Ford, Mazda, Mercury

Ford's been cranking out hybrid CUVs on the CD2 platform for four years now, and with over 40,000 produced, it's gotten to be old hat. Since it started in 2004, Ford's managed to make the Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute 30-percent cheaper to build. That cost reduction, coupled with the pending introduction of the hybrid Fusion and Milan platform-mates, will allow Ford's hybrid program to actually turn a profit for the first time in 2008. The Mariner and Escape hybrids find about 21,000 owners per year, and adding the hardware to the sedans could spur sales of Ford's hybrid system, further reducing costs. We're excited to try out the sedans with the hybrid system and the potential for a winner is there if Ford manages to deliver the goods at an attractive price.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Ford hybrids to turn a profit in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intrepid Chinese make their own Jeep Wrangler

Dan Roth — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:24:00 EST

Filed under: China, Etc., Jeep

Click the pic above to see a gallery

This faux Jeep gets a pass, because it comes out looking so close to the real thing, though Jeep faithful will likely pick it to pieces. Pieces is how the story begins, with a Bejing Jeep 2020 that has a tryst with a Sawz-all. Predictably, the 2020 gets all broken up after its torrid affair, and needs to be put back together. Two talented Chinese bodymen took up the mantle and reinvigorated this unloved, down and out conveyance.

The outcome sees the Jeep better than has ever been, which is the hope of anyone who ever partakes in an intervention, isn't it? While this facsimilie has been whipped up most of the way around the world, it's definitely got some Jeeper spirit going on. There's plenty of backyard-assembled CJs here in the homeland that don't look anywhere near as good as this totally fake Rubicon. Sure, the paint's not great (well, it does look shiny, that counts), and the mechanicals are a crapshoot, but the caution (and safety equipment) be damned attitude that these fellas show as they forge ahead and make something from nothing is true Jeep ethos. Besides, we'd much rather cruise the streets of China in the red faux Rubicon than the Chairman-Mao Green thing it started as. It's not the first time someone's made a replica out of a totally unrelated car, anyway. We're not generally fans of the practice, but we see the effort here and applaud the results.

[Source: China Car Times via Hemmings]

Gallery: Chinese Jeep replica

Intrepid Chinese make their own Jeep Wrangler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crossover Crazy: Mazda has five people-haulers from which to choose

Chris Shunk — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Mazda

The well-known zoom-zoom tag-line in every Mazda commercial is being tested by a flood of crossover vehicles that don't exactly fit the company's sporty persona. To complicate things further, all five vehicles are close in price, with the difference from bottom to top being a mere $11,400.

CX-9: Minivan replacement, seats seven

CX-7: Sporty and quick, seats five

Tribute: Seats five, SUV looks

Mazda5: Seats six, minivan-like

Mazda6 Sport Wagon: Not a crossover, but definitely a people and stuff-hauler

Of course Mazda tells anyone willing to listen that the vehicles all have specific demographic targets. The new CX-9, for example, replaces the slow-selling MPV minivan. The CX-7 has drawn rave reviews for its sporty styling and direct inject turbo engine. In addition, we've yet to come by anyone with bad things to say about the Mazda5. The point, though, is how many people movers in a single lineup constitutes too many?

[Source: AutoWeek]

Continue reading Crossover Crazy: Mazda has five people-haulers from which to choose

Crossover Crazy: Mazda has five people-haulers from which to choose originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid

Alex Nunez — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 06:04:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Green, Mazda

Click the image above for a high-resolution photo gallery

Mazda's chosen Detroit to pull the cover off its all-new 2008 Tribute Hybrid SUV. The greenified version of the Japanese automaker's Ford Escape clone receives a unique front fascia, but once you get past that, if you've seen the new Escape, you've seen the Tribute. That's not a bad thing, because the butchier look adopted by the Escape is pretty easy on the eye, and in this case, it belies the eco-friendly powertrain the Tribute Hybrid sports under its skin.

The Tribute's 2.3-liter four cylinder uses Atkinson-cycle combustion and is good for 133 horsepower on its own. It's joined by a 70-kilowatt electric motor (equivalent to around 94 horsepower), which will power the car unassisted at speeds up to 25 mph. Above that, the ICE engages and teams with the electric motor to provide sprightly performance while garnering a super-clean AT-PZEV emissions rating. An electronic CVT ensures the optimal gear ratio is always in use, and hybrid features you'd expect to find, such as regenerative braking and a stop-start system, are put to use here.

Finally, the new Tribute Hybrid is available in two trim levels and with both two- and four-wheel-drive. AutoblogGreen has comprehensive analysis and info. Click the image above for a high-resolution photo gallery.

Check out all the debuts and galleries from the Detroit Auto Show here.

Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Jan 2007 06:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda bringing the gullwings to Detroit

Chris Tutor — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 02:48:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Mazda

Click photo for hi res version

Mazda's sending its latest concept to NAIAS, this one named Ryuga. The gullwinged sports car is meant to build on Mazda's recently introduced "flow" design language first seen on the Nagare in LA. Not coincidentally, Ryuga is Japanese for "gracious flow." "Ryuga is Zoom-Zoom defined," said Laurens van den Acker, Mazda's global design director in a Mazda press release. "It combines vibrance, confidence, fun and youth all in one ingenious package."

The Ryuga is scheduled for introduction on the morning of January 8, the second day of the show's media preview.

Mazda also says it will bring along the 2008 Tribute HEV hybrid. Combining gas and electric motors, the SUV produces 155hp, but still qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle in California.

With the introduction of the Kabura earlier this year, the Nagare in L.A. and now the Ryuga in a few weeks, we understand that Mazda is in the process of revealing a production vehicle mimicking the design cues used in these concepts. Hopefully Mazda will give us something we can drive by this time next year.

Full Mazda press release after the jump.

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Mazda bringing the gullwings to Detroit

Mazda bringing the gullwings to Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EXCLUSIVE: 2008 Mazda Tribute pics leaked

John Neff — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Mazda

click on image to enlarge

Loose lips sink ships, and we discovered that Mazda's got a hole in its boat big enough to drive the next generation Tribute through without being caught. Mazda shouldn't feel bad about these leaked photos and computer renderings of the 2008 Tribute and its interior (follow the jump for those), especially considering the Mercury Mariner has already been unveiled and Ford's done a terrible job so far of keeping the next Escape under wraps. So what do we have here? Pretty much what you'd expect, a virtually identical version of the Escape save for the grille, headlights, taillights, front and rear bumpers and side skirts. Unfortunately it's your basic badge engineering job on a vehicle that doesn't even need to exist in Mazda's lineup. This is the brand that's supposed to be sporty (Zoom Zoom, anyone?), so why does it need a boxy, unathletic SUV that looks like the least soulful of the three versions that will be sold to the public? It's place in the world is even more suspect when you consider that the very well-received CX-7 is a swoopy, athletic CUV with the sould of a sport compact. Common sense tells us that this next-gen Tribute probably cost next to nothing for Mazda to develop since Ford was picking up the tab on the Escape and Mariner. In our eyes, however, there are other costs involved with offering a discordant model in your lineup than the kind emblazoned with dead presidents.

Follow the jump for a rear 3/4 shot of the 2008 Tribute, along with computer renderings of the interior.

Thanks to anonymous for the tip!

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: 2008 Mazda Tribute pics leaked

EXCLUSIVE: 2008 Mazda Tribute pics leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA investigating Ford Escape fires

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Ford, Mazda

The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the cause of eight reported engine fires in the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute.

The model years being investigate are from 2001 to 2003, however, the Mercury Mariner platform-sharer is not part of the investigation, as it began its run in 2005.

There are two other cases that are under the microscope, that involve "fire-related phenomena," from sparks and melted electrical components. The suspected culprit, at this time, is the ABS module, which underwent a recall in the past.

More information to follow when we get it.

[Source: CNN]

NHTSA investigating Ford Escape fires originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2008 Mazda Tribute

John Neff — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Ford, Mazda

The next Mazda Tribute has been captured by the long lense of KGP Photography during some late-stage testing that affords us an uninhibited view of the next ZUV (Zoom Utility Vehicle) from Mazda. Clearly the overall shape of the Tribute's sister ute, the new 2008 Mercury Mariner, remains, but Mazda's version has a different front end that's decidely less adorned with filigree and chrome. In fact, it's downright staid next to the new Mariner and reminds us a little of the Honda Pilot, if only for its lack of interesting angles. But hey, some people like vanilla, we just don't usually expect that flavor from Mazda. It'd be nice if Mazda actually did inject the Tribute with a bit of sporting flair in the form of, say, a sport version carrying the turbo-four that appears in the new CX-7, but we aren't holding our breath. And just as Ford must deal with Edge and Escape sales cannibalizing each other, Mazda will likely face the same thing with CX-7 and Tribute sales. This leads us to believe that both the Escape and Tribute will likely be positioned as more utilitarian and dutiful than their brand new brethren. Seeing as how the new Mercury Mariner has already debuted, the new Tribute from Mazda shouldn't be far behind. We should it see it at the L.A. Auto Show in November, if not sooner.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: 2008 Mazda Tribute originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda icing Tribute for 2007

Chris Paukert — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV

There will be no 2007 model year Mazda Tribute for U.S. consumers. The Blue Oval subsidiary's Escape/Mercury Mariner doppelganger will go on sabbatical from May on through the end of the year, though the move will reportedly not alter production levels (or employment) at the automaker's Claycomo, Kansas plant.

According to Ford sales analyst George Pipas, the Escape/Mariner/Tribute platform's 2007 model year run will be on the shorter side, as the company is readying a redesign for next January (to be designated a 2008 model). Mazda has opted out of the abbreviated schedule, but Escape and Mariner are to continue production.

[Source: The Kansas City Star]

Mazda icing Tribute for 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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