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[Royal Scam? UK license plate "D1ANA" expected to fetch £100,000 at COYS auction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/royal-scam-uk-license-plate-d1ana-expected-to-fetch-100-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/royal-scam-uk-license-plate-d1ana-expected-to-fetch-100-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/royal-scam-uk-license-plate-d1ana-expected-to-fetch-100-000/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Coys of Kensington will be hosting a True Greats auction on December 1, and among the items for sale will be an MG service manual (Lot 1), a Corvette poster (Lot 61), and some pre-WWII driving gauntlets (Lot 81). Oh, and there'll also be the matter of Lot 142, a number plate reading "D1ANA" expected to pull down £100,000. That's $164,174 to us here in the American system.

That's no small beer, certainly, yet while it might appear to be impressive, other less obviously impressive number plates have recently been fetching ridiculous amounts: aside from the UK tuner who bought the "F 1" plate for $870,000, earlier this year a gent - also in the UK - bought "1 D" for $513,000. And it's not just our British pals in that game: "D1ANA" is far less fetching than the number "6," which was bought by a Delaware man for $675,000. So there.

The preliminary viewing was today, but it's not too late to get in on the auction. Follow the jump for the press release, and get your pounds and pence ready.

[Source: Coys]

Continue reading Royal Scam? UK license plate "D1ANA" expected to fetch £100,000 at COYS auction

Royal Scam? UK license plate "D1ANA" expected to fetch £100,000 at COYS auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englandeuropelicense platelicense plate auctionLicensePlateLicensePlateAuctionnumber plateNumberPlateprincess dianaPrincessDianaukTue, 01 Dec 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Parts Imitating Life: Sculptor uses car parts to make cars... and animals]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/parts-imitating-life-sculptor-uses-car-parts-to-make-cars-an/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/parts-imitating-life-sculptor-uses-car-parts-to-make-cars-an/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/13/parts-imitating-life-sculptor-uses-car-parts-to-make-cars-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

James Corbett's car parts art - Click above for image gallery

One man's junk is... well, you know. Watching the shiny metal grommets roll through his auto recycling plant in Brisbane, Australia, James Corbett doesn't appear to know the word "junk" when it comes to cars. He takes all of those leftover bits and makes superbly detailed sculptures of mostly vintage racers and, of all things, animals. None of the parts are bent or altered to help make the pieces, either. Corbett even built a full-size car out of parts and stuck a flathead V8 in it, and he still takes it racing.

Corbett has an exhibit coming up in London this month and then takes his show to Palm Desert, CA next year. If you don't get a chance to see the real things, we suggest you have a well-worth-it look at the images in our gallery below.


Gallery: James Corbett's Car Parts Art


[Source: James Corbett via Pistonheads]

Parts Imitating Life: Sculptor uses car parts to make cars... and animals originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artaustraliaautomotive sculptureAutomotiveSculptureeuropeexhbitionjames corbettJamesCorbettlondonsculpturesculpturesukFri, 13 Nov 2009 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Atom Smasher: UK-bound Ariel V8 to command $200,000?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/atom-smasher-uk-bound-ariel-v8-to-command-200-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/atom-smasher-uk-bound-ariel-v8-to-command-200-000/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/atom-smasher-uk-bound-ariel-v8-to-command-200-000/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ariel Atom - click above image for hi-res gallery

Two hundred thousand bucks is a house in most places. Well, that's £120,000 to our British friends. Still, that's an awful lot of scratch. How much is it compared to other cars? If say you wanted a Porsche Cayman S -- a car many consider the finest sports car in the world -- the mini-Porker costs just £44,000. How about an Aston Martin V8 Vantage -- which many consider to be the best sounding sports car in the world? A mere £83,000, or £91,000 if you want the drop top so as to better hear the wikkid engine.

Okay, but what about a serious performer -- like a 550 hp Porsche Panamera Turbo? Just £95,000. Or a 525 hp Audi R8 V10? "Only" £100,000. Even a Porche Turbo Cabriolet is priced to sell at £110,000. No, if you want a vehicle that costs as much as the roofless, doorless, bodyless Ariel Atom V8 is going to cost in Great Britain you're going to probably be cross shopping it with... a Caterham Se7en RST-V8 Levante that also has a V8 but lacks doors and retails for about £120,000 pounds sterling. Ironic, no? Sure, there are always more expensive cars (hello Lambo, Ferrari) but at this lofty price point not too many.

Is it worth that much cash? Very hard to say, as the craziest ever Atom (which is saying something) is as track-only as it gets. For instance, even the manic Se7en RST-V8 Levante has something resembling a windshield. On the pro side, Ariel will only be shipping 25 cars to the UK (19 of which have already sold) and the V8 engine is actually two Hayabusa motors joined to a common crank. With that in mind, the Atom V8 can hit 60 mph in a Veyron like 2.5 seconds. So... yes, totally worth the money.


Gallery: Ariel Atom


[Source: AutoCar]

Atom Smasher: UK-bound Ariel V8 to command $200,000? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArielAriel AtomAriel Atom 500Ariel Atom V8ArielAtomArielAtom500ArielAtomV8AtomBritainHayabusaSuzuki HayabusaSuzukiHayabusaUKTue, 10 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[<i>Top Gear</i> in trouble for mock ad depicting suicide]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/top-gear-in-trouble-for-mock-ad-depicting-suicide/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/top-gear-in-trouble-for-mock-ad-depicting-suicide/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/top-gear-in-trouble-for-mock-ad-depicting-suicide/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Top Gear ad for the VW Scirocco -- Click above to view the video after the jump

It should be well known by now that if you play with suicide on screen, you're going to hear about it. Sometimes it's from prevention groups who want shows to "stop using suicide as a punchline." When it comes to Jeremy Clarkson, though, it isn't a question of whether he knows, but whether he cares. Probably not. But this time the complaint isn't from a health group, it's from the UK's television watchdog the Office of Communication (Ofcom).

Top Gear is in the crosshairs again -- in fact, the show is coming close to making more news for the news it makes than the cars it covers -- for depicting graphic violence before the 9 PM opening for such images. The show made a mock ad for the VW Scirocco that includes a slightly violent and lingering treatment of suicide, and fifty people complained about it. In a case of art predicting life, you can see the agency exec's reaction in the fauxmercial after the jump, and Captain Slow's tidy summation.

[Source: Times Online]

Continue reading Top Gear in trouble for mock ad depicting suicide

Top Gear in trouble for mock ad depicting suicide originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>top gearTopGearukvideoTue, 10 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen prices UK Scirocco R and Golf R, debuts new ad [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/volkswagen-prices-uk-scirocco-r-and-golf-r-debuts-new-ad-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/volkswagen-prices-uk-scirocco-r-and-golf-r-debuts-new-ad-w-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/volkswagen-prices-uk-scirocco-r-and-golf-r-debuts-new-ad-w-vid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

VW Golf R and Scirocco R - Click above for high-res image gallery

For those of you in the U.K., the R-line versions of the Golf and Scirocco have been priced and can now be ordered. The Scirocco is the bargain of the two, going for £26,945 ($44,257 U.S.), while the Golf takes you slightly higher up the currency chart, priced at £28,930 ($47,518 U.S. -- nota bene: U.S. prices don't directly translate). They both come standard with a 6-speed manual, but if you want the car to shift for you, the DSG transmission option adds £1,300 ($2,135 U.S.) to either car.

They're the fastest and most powerful versions yet in their respective models: the 261-hp, front-wheel-drive Scirocco runs to 62 in 6 seconds; the 266-hp, 4MOTION-equipped Golf in 5.7. If you get the manual you can add 0.2 seconds to those times. The cars will make it to U.K. showrooms in February of next year, but in the meantime follow the jump to read all the specs and watch the video, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.


Gallery: Volkswagen UK Golf R and Scirocco R


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen prices UK Scirocco R and Golf R, debuts new ad [w/VIDEO]

Volkswagen prices UK Scirocco R and Golf R, debuts new ad [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 golf r2010 scirocco r2010 volkswagen golf r2010 volkswagen scirocco r2010GolfR2010SciroccoR2010VolkswagenGolfR2010VolkswagenSciroccoReuropegolf rGolfRscirocco rSciroccoRukvideovolkswagenvolkswagen golfvolkswagen sciroccoVolkswagenGolfVolkswagenSciroccovw golfVW SciroccoVW Scirocco RVwGolfVwSciroccoVwSciroccoRMon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Steward of the Seven, Graham Nearn, passes away at 76]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/steward-of-the-seven-graham-nearn-passes-away-at-76/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/steward-of-the-seven-graham-nearn-passes-away-at-76/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/steward-of-the-seven-graham-nearn-passes-away-at-76/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Graham Nearn helped develop and sell the Lotus 7, creating Caterham Cars in 1959 as a retail outlet for the lightweight roadster. After having seen the car through its years of broadcasting fame on the BBC show The Prisoner (that's Nearn on the right with Prisoner star Patrick MacGoohan), he then saved the 7 from the death dealer's axe when Lotus wanted to bury the car in 1973.

Nearn took over the manufacturing rights and kept the car true to its origins -- the Caterhams we reported on from Tokyo last week are still Nearn's children. Nearn passed away last weekend. AB sends its condolences to the entire Caterham family worldwide.

[Source: Caterham]

Steward of the Seven, Graham Nearn, passes away at 76 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caterhamcaterham 7Caterham7graham nearnGrahamNearnlotuslotus 7Lotus7ukWed, 28 Oct 2009 07:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 drops on unsuspecting Brits]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/renault-megane-renaultsport-250-drops-on-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/renault-megane-renaultsport-250-drops-on-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/renault-megane-renaultsport-250-drops-on-u/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mégane Renaultsport 250 -- Click above for high-res image gallery

We're not really fans of yellow cars, but every once in a while we come upon a butter-colored coupe and think, "Oh, that's not bad..." The Mégane Renaultsport 250 is just one of those cars, and makes us say again - in case we haven't said it enough - why can't we Americans have one of these?

The next evolution in the Mégane Renaultsport line, the 250 has been relentlessly fettled to provide a driver with more thrills. It comes in two versions: a race-ified Cup model, and regular. The former gets just about all the mod-cons as well as the Cup Suspension Pack with a limited slip differential, stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar, grooved discs, red Brembo calipers, and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires on 18-inch wheels.

If you must have everything, don't check the "Cup" box and you'll get heated leather seats, electrically adjustable driver's seat, Renault Hands Free card, dual-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, and 18-inch wheels on Dunlop Sport Maxx TT tires, among other things. Best of all, you can get the Cup suspension with this model if you so choose.

Both cars get 250 hp and 250 lb-ft. The Cup runs £21,995 ($35,968 U.S.) on-the-road, the non-Cup goes for £22,995 ($37,604 U.S.). The Zola-length press release after the jump will tell you everything you want to know, or you can just check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.


Gallery: Mégane Renaultsport 250


[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 drops on unsuspecting Brits

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 drops on unsuspecting Brits originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Mégane2010 Mégane Renaultsport 2502010 renault2010 Renaultsport 2502010Mégane2010MéganeRenaultsport2502010Renault2010Renaultsport250coupehot hatchHotHatchMéganeMégane RenaultsportMégane Renaultsport 250MéganeRenaultsportMéganeRenaultsport250performancerenaultRenaultsportRenaultsport 250Renaultsport250ukMon, 19 Oct 2009 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Production lines halted at MG's Longbridge plant. This is not a repeat from 2005.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It is a travesty that the initials "MG" are coming to be a convenient epithet for the term "woe." The British sportscar maker has had an exceedingly trying history recently, and things haven't got any better with word that its owner, MG Motor UK Ltd. (which is really Nanjing Automobile Corporation), is reportedly closing the company's Longbridge plant.

Production of the MG TF was back in order early last year, but economic turbulence made the factory's fortunes equally bumpy. It hasn't helped that the last couple of special editions the company has put out, the MGTF LE500 and the 85th Anniversary MGTF, haven't been so well received. MG Motor said it couldn't guarantee stability and now, 2009 production has ceased. There were rumors of a new 2010 MG model coming out... but that was a long time ago, and things have lately been as quiet as the now-shuttered Longbridge factory.

[Source: BBC]

REPORT: Production lines halted at MG's Longbridge plant. This is not a repeat from 2005. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainconvertiblelongbridgemanufacturingmgmgtfnacNanjingperformanceplantssportsukTue, 06 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Brick By Brick: James May's Lego house comes down]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/brick-by-brick-james-mays-lego-house-comes-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/brick-by-brick-james-mays-lego-house-comes-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/brick-by-brick-james-mays-lego-house-comes-down/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Top Gear host James May went to Dorking, England and built a Lego fort house in an orchard with more than three million Lego pieces. Now it's time for him to vacate the premises, and the house has been torn down. Mays had tried to get the structure taken to the Lego park in Windsor, but the cost and logistics were too challenging for the park to accept.

So now it's dismantled, all the way down to its red Lego slippers. With the plastic fantastic house in pieces, all of the bricks will go to charity and "they have all been allocated, so people can't just turn up with a bucket." That means you. Yet we do wonder if that goes for the Lego toilet as well...

[Source: Get Surrey | Image: Huladancer/Flickr/CC]

Brick By Brick: James May's Lego house comes down originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captain slowCaptainSlowdorkingenglandjames mayJamesMaylegolego houseLegoHouselegossurreytop gearTopGeartoysukWed, 23 Sep 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Ken Block takes unsuspecting DiRT 2 players out on hot laps]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/video-ken-block-takes-unsuspecting-dirt-2-players-out-on-hot-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/video-ken-block-takes-unsuspecting-dirt-2-players-out-on-hot-la/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/video-ken-block-takes-unsuspecting-dirt-2-players-out-on-hot-la/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ken Block at the UK Dirt2 launch -- Click above to watch the video

DiRT 2 had a coming out party in the UK and not only did Ken Block join the festivities, he decided to surprise some big-talking gamers with a couple of hot laps. If we could take anything from the demonstration, it's that Ken Block looks to be just as badass when driving on the other side of the car. Oh, and there's also the comedy - check out the guy who screams in silence and the other one who looks like he's practicing lamaze breathing. Follow the jump to see the vid.

[Source: DiRT 2]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ken Block takes unsuspecting DiRT 2 players out on hot laps

VIDEO: Ken Block takes unsuspecting DiRT 2 players out on hot laps originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dirtdirt 2Dirt2englandgamesken blockKenBlockukvideovideo gamesvideogamesyoutubeMon, 14 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW planning special-edition X5 xDrive35d as model turns 10]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/bmw-planning-special-edition-x5-xdrive35d-as-model-turns-10/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/bmw-planning-special-edition-x5-xdrive35d-as-model-turns-10/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/11/bmw-planning-special-edition-x5-xdrive35d-as-model-turns-10/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


BMW X5 10-Year Edition -- Click above for high-res image gallery

To celebrate ten years of X5 sales, BMW is introducing an xDrive35d 10-Year Edition X5. The special edition SUV gets unique wheels, aluminum trim, and a panoramic glass sunroof, along with Nappa leather, comfort seats, and BMW Individual Piano Black trim inside.

There will be just 2,000 of the 10-Year Editions made, with 200 of them going to the UK. The diesel has been a huge mover on the isle, making up 95% of volume. If you want one you can get it now for an out-the-door price of £53,075 ($88,507 U.S.). If you just want to get a better look at it, there's a press release after the jump and high-res photos below.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW planning special-edition X5 xDrive35d as model turns 10

BMW planning special-edition X5 xDrive35d as model turns 10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 bmw x52009 x52009BmwX52009X5bmwbmw x5bmw xdrive35d 10-year editionBmwX5BmwXdrive35d10-yearEditiondiesellimited editionLimitedEditionspecial editionSpecialEditionsuvukx35dFri, 11 Sep 2009 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota cutting production capacity by up to 1 million vehicles?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/toyota-cutting-production-capacity-by-up-to-1-million-ve/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/toyota-cutting-production-capacity-by-up-to-1-million-ve/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/27/toyota-cutting-production-capacity-by-up-to-1-million-ve/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Japan's Nikkei has reported that Toyota is will cut production by 10% in its next fiscal year, from ten million to nine million vehicles. To do that, Japan's largest automaker is said to be shutting down an entire production line in its home country for a year-and-a-half starting next spring. There is also speculation that Toyota will shut down a production line in the U.K. as well.

The news come even as Toyota has been putting out more cars due to global scrappage schemes and incentives, and some of its products, like the Lexus HS 250h, can't be made fast enough.

If Toyota does cease production on both lines and close the endangered NUMMI plant in California, that will eliminate 700,000 cars from its annual tally - which would mean more painful measures to be taken, according to the Nikkei report. But unlike its Japanese compatriots at Honda and Nissan, Toyota is still writing in red ink, and it doesn't expect to fully turn the corner in the near term. Toyota's official statement is that it hasn't yet decided on the depth of the cuts.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Toyota cutting production capacity by up to 1 million vehicles? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmanufacturingplantsproductiontoyotaukThu, 27 Aug 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: U.K. texting-while-driving PSA is a return to <i>Blood on the Highway</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/video-uk-texting-while-driving-psa-is-a-return-to-blood-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/video-uk-texting-while-driving-psa-is-a-return-to-blood-on-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/video-uk-texting-while-driving-psa-is-a-return-to-blood-on-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Wales PSA against texting while driving - Click above to watch video

It looks like Wales hired Danny Boyle or Quentin Tarantino to create a PSA to showcase the dangers of texting while driving (it was actually Peter Watkins-Hughes). As these things do, it starts off with a couple of teenagers doing what teenagers do -- in this case, sending text messages from behind the wheel. The accident is cinematic in its graphic detail, trauma, and blood. Just when you think it's over... well, we won't spoil it, but let's just say it ain't short and it ain't pretty. All that's missing are the zombies. Follow the jump to watch the video - but fair warning, it's far more gory than the average PSA. Thanks for the tip, Tim!

[Sources: BBC]

Continue reading VIDEO: U.K. texting-while-driving PSA is a return to Blood on the Highway

VIDEO: U.K. texting-while-driving PSA is a return to Blood on the Highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cnnetceuropepsapublic service announcementPublicServiceAnnouncementsafetyukvideovideosyoutubeWed, 26 Aug 2009 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Renault Mégane Sport Tourer launches in no fewer than 21 flavors]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/renault-megane-sport-tourer-launches-in-no-fewer-than-21-flavors/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/renault-megane-sport-tourer-launches-in-no-fewer-than-21-flavors/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/23/renault-megane-sport-tourer-launches-in-no-fewer-than-21-flavors/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2010 Renault Mégane Sport Tourer -- Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault has introduced its new Mégane Sport Tourer, which might rightfully called "Blackjack," because there are twenty-one different versions in the range. That's one car available with four different engines in five different trim levels. It's the antidote to the kind of economic rationalization we've been seeing, but hey, it means you win -- if you're in a country where you can buy one.

The Mégane Sport Tourer starts from £15,485 ($25,553 U.S.) for the Expression 1.6 -- which appears to have a 1.4-liter engine -- to £22,785 ($37,599 U.S.) for a kitted out Privilège model. There's even a TomTom edition if that's how you roll, and you can get all the info on them after the jump.


Gallery: 2010 Renault Megane Sport Tourer


[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault Mégane Sport Tourer launches in no fewer than 21 flavors

Renault Mégane Sport Tourer launches in no fewer than 21 flavors originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 megane2010 megane sport tourer2010 renault2010 renault megane2010 renault megane sport tourer2010Megane2010MeganeSportTourer2010Renault2010RenaultMegane2010RenaultMeganeSportTourerdieselestatemeganemegane sport tourerMeganeSportTourerrenault megane sport tourerRenaultMeganeSportTourerukwagonSun, 23 Aug 2009 18:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Tata gets private-sector loan, doesn't need UK government money]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/tata-gets-private-sector-loan-doesnt-need-uk-government-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/tata-gets-private-sector-loan-doesnt-need-uk-government-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/tata-gets-private-sector-loan-doesnt-need-uk-government-money/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Tata's target was £1 billion ($1.65B U.S.) in loans to keep the JLR group going. And while Tata is in talks with the U.K government about providing a large chunk of that, some of the government's terms -- like veto power over management decisions-- prevented Tata from pulling the trigger.

A measure of success has been achieved with the announcement that Tata has secured a £175 million ($289M U.S.) loan from private sources. Those funds mean that Tata doesn't need the government's money. It also means short cuts won't need to be taken during the current launch of the new XJ and launch of the facelifted Rovers later this year.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Tata gets private-sector loan, doesn't need UK government money originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europefinancialsgovernmentjaguarjlrloansrange roverRangeRovertataukThu, 13 Aug 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/land-rover-increases-production-of-new-discovery-and-range-rover/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



It's a little difficult to keep track of what's happening at Tata and JLR these days. While the XF sales continue apace and the XJ is promising, the JLR division lost £673.4 million pounds ($1.11B U.S.) last year, and parent company Tata was $520 million in the red at the end of its 2008 fiscal year. Due to those numbers and a so-far unfulfilled quest for financing, Tata has been relentlessly talking up the need to shed production workers.

A report today, however, says that because of "forecasts of strong demand" for the refreshed Land Rover Discover and Range Rover Sport, the Solihull plant will increase production. Workers who've been on shortened hours since the spring will now go back to a five-day work week. That's good news for the employees and hopefully for Tata. Worker at Land Rover's Halewood plant don't fare so well: the Freelander factory will be shut down intermittently because of low demand.

[Source: What Car?]

Land Rover increases production of new Discovery and Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 discovery2010 land rover discovery2010 range rover2010 range rover sport2010Discovery2010LandRoverDiscovery2010RangeRover2010RangeRoverSportdiscoveryhalewoodland roverland rover discoveryLandRoverLandRoverDiscoveryluxurymanufacturingoff-roadplantsrange roverrange rover sportRangeRoverRangeRoverSportsolihullsuvtataukMon, 10 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Dealer accidently unveils Audi R8 Spyder in classified ad?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/dealer-accidently-unveils-audi-r8-spyder-in-classified-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/dealer-accidently-unveils-audi-r8-spyder-in-classified-ad/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/05/dealer-accidently-unveils-audi-r8-spyder-in-classified-ad/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Stafford Audi, a U.K. Audi dealer, placed an advertisement on the popular website Pistonheads for the forthcoming R8 Spider. For a picture of the car, they used an uncamouflaged picture of an R8 Spider from the Iron Man sequel, as you can see from the California license plate that reads "Stark." According to the ad, though, the car was "spotted testing in Germany."

The ad copy goes on to say that the production car will differ from the coupe in the lack of side blades, extra air intakes behind the rear seats, a different location for the fuel filler cap, and the addition of rollover hoops that we assume are hidden until needed.

The car won't make its debut until the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, but you can deposit down on one right now with Stafford. Estimated price: £105,000 ($177K U.S.).


Gallery: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro



[Source: Pistonheads]

Dealer accidently unveils Audi R8 Spyder in classified ad? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 audi r8 spider2010 r8 spider2010AudiR8Spider2010R8Spideraudiaudi r8 spiderAudiR8Spidercar buyingCarBuyingconvertibledealereuropegeneva motor showGenevaMotorShowiron maniron man 2IronManIronMan2performancer8r8 spiderR8Spidersportsstafford audiStaffordAudiukWed, 05 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Follow-up: Toyota may not produce hybrid Yaris after all]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/follow-up-toyota-may-not-produce-hybrid-yaris-after-all/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/follow-up-toyota-may-not-produce-hybrid-yaris-after-all/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/29/follow-up-toyota-may-not-produce-hybrid-yaris-after-all/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Toyota Yaris - Click above for a high-res image gallery

A Toyota insider is countering yesterday's report that the automaker is planning a Yaris-based hybrid to be built in France. Such a vehicle would be unnecessary, according to the unnamed source.

Today's Toyota Yaris is already a fuel miser. The European variant is currently quipped with a 1.33-liter dual VVT-i engine with start-stop technology allowing the compact runabout to earn an impressive 55.4 mpg (European) combined fuel economy (in the States, we get a 1.5-liter Yaris that is rated at 29/36 in EPA testing). While dropping a hybrid powerplant into a larger vehicle pays back significantly, the gains realized by building a hybrid Yaris would be negligible.

Down the road, it may be a different story as battery technology (one limiting factor) is improving quickly. The advent of lithium ion batteries will boost the case for compact and subcompact hybrid vehicles as the bantam-weight cars benefit from the lighter and more compact power sources.


Gallery: 2009 Toyota Yaris


[Source: Autocar]

Follow-up: Toyota may not produce hybrid Yaris after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FranceHybridmanufacturingrumorToyota YarisToyotaYarisUKYaris hybridYarisHybridWed, 29 Jul 2009 17:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: James May to build life-sized Lego house. But what's in the garage?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/report-james-may-to-build-life-sized-lego-house-but-whats-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/report-james-may-to-build-life-sized-lego-house-but-whats-in/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/27/report-james-may-to-build-life-sized-lego-house-but-whats-in/#commentsFiled under: , ,



James May, a.k.a. Captain Slow on Top Gear, has a BBC show called James May's Toy Stories. After building an award-winning Plasticine garden and the world's largest model airplane, the next thing on May's list is a house built of Legos. A two-storey house. And he intends to live in it for a weekend.

The house will be built in Dorking, England and everything that can be made out of Legos will be made out of Lego. Said May, "I've got a man working on a flushing Lego lavatory. We think it's possible." Seeing that Legoland doesn't even have a house made of Lego - and certainly not Lego toilets - this should indeed be a "pioneering Lego cause." So far, three million Lego bricks have been contributed to the build, but May is looking for more in case you have any lying around.

[Source: BBC]

REPORT: James May to build life-sized Lego house. But what's in the garage? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbcbuilding blockbuilding blocksBuildingBlockBuildingBlockscelebrityenglandetcjames mayJamesMaylegolegolandlegostop gearTopGeartoytoysukMon, 27 Jul 2009 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[British government drags its feet, Tata threatens to cancel Indica EV for the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/british-government-drags-its-feet-tata-threatens-to-cancel-indi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/british-government-drags-its-feet-tata-threatens-to-cancel-indi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/22/british-government-drags-its-feet-tata-threatens-to-cancel-indi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



In January, the UK government set aside £2.3 billion for loan guarantees to help automakers start producing electric cars on the island. In April, Tata applied for £10 billion from the program to build its Indica Vista EV. Last week the Indian firm was told that it would be another eight weeks before the Department for Business Innovation and Skills would decide on Tata's application.

Tata can't understand what the holdup is and plans to deliver a petition to the minister in charge of the program to make its case. It can't help that while Tata waits it's watching UK government figures give speeches at Nissan facilities in an attempt to woo the Japanese automaker to produce electric cars in England. Nor can it help that Tata's Norwegian arm has already been approved by for a loan by the Norwegian government to make electric cars there.

Tata is also waiting on its €340 billion European Investment Bank loan to be approved by the UK government. That loan was for Jaguar and Land Rover aid, but the issue of both loans is said to be about the British government wanting to make sure that Tata can repay the money. If the government doesn't decide soon, they might have much bigger things to deliberate on -- like more job losses at JLR...

[Source: Guardian]

British government drags its feet, Tata threatens to cancel Indica EV for the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternativeelectricelectric carElectricCargovernmentindica vista evIndicaVistaEvtatatata indica vista evTataIndicaVistaEvukvista evVistaEvWed, 22 Jul 2009 07:58:00 EST