Archive for April, 2011
Dodge Dealer Builds Kowalski Edition Challenger SRT8 392
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
Fans of the movie Vanishing Point will recall that a ’70 Dodge Challenger R/T was the ride of choice for Kowalski, the movie’s one-named hero. Well, one Dodge dealer has decided to pay homage to the film and the car by building a very limited-edition replica with the current Challenger. By very limited, we mean all are spoken for. Sorry. The…
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Lamborghini Aventador Hits The Italian Countryside: Video
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
Finally, we get what we’ve been asking for: the Aventador, professionally filmed and gloriously recorded in audio, thrashing about winding Italian roads. This is the best video of the car yet. From the wailing engine notes to the automatic spoiler activation, these ground-skimming fighter jets duel through the bends, dips, and crests while…
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2012 Chevrolet Corvette: Ch-Ch-Changes
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
For the 2012 model year, the Chevrolet Corvette gets some minor performance, interior and feature tweaks. It will hit dealers late this summer.
All Corvette models get new seat designs and a new steering wheel. The seats have larger bolsters — suede seat inserts are now an option on some trims, too. New seat designs are a welcome update; the old seats were lumpy and flimsy, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley. A padded center console and armrests are now included on all 2012 models. A leather-wrapped interior, with contrasting color stitching, is also a new addition.
Chevy upgraded the optional Bose stereo, which now boasts nine speakers (over the previous seven). A new Technology Package combines navigation, head-up display, Bose stereo, Bluetooth and a USB port.
Performance tweaks are relegated to the high-performance Z06 and ZR1 trims. The Z06 is now offered with the Performance Traction Management system, which optimizes traction for greater consistency in racing conditions. Previously, the system was available only on the ZR1. The Z06 is now offered with a self-leveling suspension system called Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
Each trim can also be had with race-oriented Michelin tires that increase lateral acceleration by 8% and improve braking distances.
A carbon-fiber hood now available on the Z06 improves gas mileage by 2 mpg on the highway when the car is equipped with a manual transmission.
The 2012 Corvette goes into production in July and should be available at dealerships shortly afterward.
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2012 Chevrolet Corvette Gets Performance, Comfort Upgrades
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
Going truly fast in an American sports car means one thing these days: the Corvette. There are muscle cars that aspire to its speed, and a few that come close, but none are the Corvette’s equal. That gap is set to widen just a bit for 2012 with a new set of upgrades. The improvements focus on increasing on-track performance and on-road comfort…
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2011 Volvo Concept Universe Behind The Scenes Look: Video
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
At the recent 2011 Shanghai Auto Show Volvo took the wraps off a new concept car dubbed the Concept Universe, which was initially designed to preview a new luxury flagship sedan envisioned by the Swedish automaker for the Chinese market. There have also been rumblings that the design could preview the replacement for the current S80, which was…
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Buy The World’s Most Expensive Vodka, Get The World’s Most Tasteless SUV Free
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
Remember the ridiculous Dartz Prombron? That oversized Russian luxury SUV that offered customers such outlandish options as whale penis trim for its seats? Now the company behind it has released another model, this one going by the name of Iron.Diamond or L4P Ladies Only. The strange name, as you’d have probably guessed, is due to the…
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Chrysler To Repay Government Loans
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
Today, Chrysler announced it would repay the $7.4 billion in government loans the company received during its bankruptcy in 2009. Chrysler says it will repay the money to the U.S. and Canadian governments by the end of June, but the funds it will use aren’t coming from profits. Instead, the company is receiving alternate financing to shed the government obligations.
Anyone who has ever transferred a credit card balance understands how much you can save on interest by putting your debt in a new place. That’s essentially what Chrysler is looking to do. Just imagine your credit card balance with six more zeroes behind it.
There’s also the added bonus of the public perception that Chrysler is no longer a burden on the government. This could translate into new-car sales. Chrysler’s product renaissance has been a surprising success in terms of the improvement in products; however, the company’s lineup still ranks in the bottom of most reliability studies and in fuel efficiency.
Chrysler to repay bailout by end of June (Detroit News)
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Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 On Track: Video
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 was known long before it was officially released, though you can’t really blame the enthusiasts for their eagerness to learn about it. It is, after all, one of Porsche’s best cars, brought it closer to the 4.0-liter race car by using some of its parts and some from the GT2 RS. It gets its power through stronger…
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Reader Review of the Week: 2011 Dodge Journey
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
“BicycleRider” from Atlanta was a loyal Isuzu buyer until the brand was scuttled. After a long, extensive search, this reader settled on a new 2011 Dodge Journey. The crossover has an excellent ride and a luxurious interior, BicycleRider says. To find out why the Journey beat out other competitors, continue reading BicycleRider’s review below. Once you’re done, you can submit your own car review here.
“After having four Rodeos (no longer made), driving my last one well beyond 100,000 miles, I went searching for a new SUV/crossover. I drove many new 2011 vehicles, but none were impressing me until I drove the 2011 Dodge Journey. Wow! What a fantastic ride! I was done looking. Priced way below its rival competition, too!
“I purchased a silver Crew model with the Uconnect package, the normal cloth (black) interior, beautiful 19-inch alloy wheels, the 3.6-liter 283-hp Pentastar engine, and I feel like I'm cruising in a luxury liner. Beautiful dash layout and color scheme, by the way. Just got back from a 1,000-mile round trip to the beach, carrying three bicycles racked on the back, and it drove like a dream.
“The only reason I gave it a 4 on performance is because of a slight lag in pickup you can encounter if you are light-footed, due to electronic relaying of gas pedal info. Anticipate pickup needs and be more heavy-footed with the Journey and you'll be fine, though, and get all the extra power you'll need when/if you need it. I'm totally happy with this solid vehicle.”
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New Car Tracker: 4.28.11
Posted on 28. Apr, 2011 by admin.
After the New York International Auto Show this month, it’s clear that 40-mpg cars will come out at a furious rate this year. The 2012 Kia Rio, Mazda3, Hyundai Accent and Honda Civic can all reach that mark, and all are either on the way or on sale now. To see which ones will be available sooner rather than later, keep track below.
As always, we remind our readers that we don't list rumored models, only confirmed vehicles and time frames.
Updated information in bold.
Aston Martin
- Aston Martin Virage: May 2011
Acura
- 2012 Acura TL: Out now
- 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon: Out now
Audi
- 2012 Audi A6: 2011
- 2011 Audi A8: Out now
- 2012 Audi A7 Sportback: Out now
Buick
- 2012 Buick Regal: Fall 2011
- 2012 Buick Verano: Late 2011
- 2012 Buick Regal GS: Second half of 2011
- 2012 Buick LaCrosse: Summer 2011
BMW
- 2012 BMW Z4: Late 2011
- 2012 BMW 650i convertible: Out now
- 2012 BMW 650i coupe: Fall 2011
- 2012 BMW 1 Series: Out now
- 2011 BMW 1 Series M coupe: Spring 2011
- 2011 BMW X3: Out now
- BMW X1: 2011
Cadillac
- 2012 Cadillac SRX: Late summer 2011
- 2012 Cadillac CTS: Late summer 2011
- 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon: Out now
- 2011 Cadillac CTS-V coupe: Out now
Chevrolet
- 2013 Chevrolet Malibu: January 2012
- 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: Early 2012
- 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible: Out now
- 2012 Chevrolet Camaro: Summer 2011
- 2012 Chevrolet Impala: June or July
- 2012 Chevrolet Sonic: Fall 2011
- 2011 Chevrolet Volt: Out now
- 2011 Chevrolet Spark: Late 2011
Chrysler
- 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8: Fall 2011
- 2011 Chrysler 300: Out now
- 2011 Chrysler 200: Out now
- 2011 Chrysler 200 convertible: Out now
Dodge
- Dodge Viper: 2012
- 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8: Fall 2011
- 2011 Dodge Challenger: Out now
- 2011 Dodge Avenger: Out now
- 2011 Dodge Journey: Out now
- 2011 Dodge Durango: Out now
- 2011 Dodge Charger: Out now
Fiat
- 2012 Fiat 500: Out now
- Fiat 500 Cabriolet: Late spring 2011
Fisker
- Fisker Karma: Out now
Ford
- 2013 Ford Taurus: Early 2012
- 2011 Ford Explorer: Out now
- 2012 Ford Focus Electric: Late 2011
- 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: Out now
- Ford Focus ST: 2012
- 2011 Ford C-Max: Late 2011
- 2012 Ford Focus: Out now
Honda
- 2012 Honda Civic: Out now
- 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid: Out now
Hyundai
- 2012 Hyundai Accent: Summer 2011
- 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 R-Spec: May or June 2011
- 2012 Hyundai Equus: Summer 2011
- 2011 Hyundai Elantra: Out now
- 2012 Hyundai Veloster: Summer 2011
- 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo: Out now
- 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Out now
Infiniti
- 2013 Infiniti JX crossover: Spring 2012
- 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid: Spring 2011
Jaguar
- 2012 Jaguar XF, XFR: 2011
Jeep
- 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: Third quarter 2011
- Jeep Liberty: 2012
- 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Out now
- 2011 Jeep Wrangler: Out now
- 2011 Jeep Patriot: Out now
Kia
- 2012 Kia Soul: Fall 2011
- 2012 Kia Rio: Fall 2011
- 2011 Kia Optima: Out now
- 2011 Kia Forte five-door: Out now
- 2011 Kia Sportage: Out now
Land Rover
- 2012 Land Rover Evoque: Fall 2011
Lexus
- 2011 Lexus CT 200h: Out now
- 2012 Lexus LFA: 2011
Lincoln
- 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: Out now
- 2011 Lincoln MKX: Out now
Mazda
- Mazda CX-5: Early 2012
- 2012 Mazda3: Fall 2011
- 2012 Mazda5: Out now
- 2011 Mazda2: Out now
Mercedes-Benz
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe: September 2011
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe: September 2011
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Summer 2011
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster: Summer 2011
- 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: Summer 2011
- 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet: Out now
- 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Out now
- 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon: Out now
Mini
- Mini Paceman: Late 2011
- Mini Paceman Roadster: Late 2012
- 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman: Out now
- 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman: Out now
- Mini E: Limited offering of 500 in California, New York and New Jersey
Mitsubishi
- Mitsubishi i electric car: Fall 2011
- 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Out now
Nissan
- 2012 Nissan Versa: Summer 2011
- 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: Summer 2011
- 2012 Nissan GT-R: Out now
- 2011 Nissan Juke: Out now
- 2011 Nissan Leaf: Out now
- 2011 Nissan Quest: Out now
Porsche
- Porsche 918 Spyder Plug-In Hybrid: September 2013
- 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S: Spring 2011
- 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid: Late 2011
- 2012 Porsche Cayman R: Out now
- 2011 Porsche Cayenne, Cayenne Hybrid: Out now
Saab
- Saab 9-5 SportCombi: Fall 2011
- Saab 9-3: Fall 2012
- 2012 Saab 9-4X: May 2011
- 2011 Saab 9-5: Out now
Scion
- 2011 Scion tC: Out now
- 2011 Scion iQ: 2011
Subaru
- 2012 Subaru Impreza: Summer 2011
- 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI sedan: Out now
- 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX: Out now
Suzuki
- Suzuki Kizashi Hybrid: 2011
Toyota
- 2011 Toyota Corolla: Out now
- 2012 Toyota Prius V: Summer 2011
- Toyota Prius C: First half of 2012
- Toyota Prius plug-in: First half of 2012
- 2011 Toyota Sienna: Out now
Volkswagen
- 2012 Volkswagen Beetle: September/October 2011
- 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: Fall 2011
- 2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI: May 2011
- 2012 Volkswagen Eos: Out now
- 2012 Volkswagen Golf R: 2012
- 2012 Volkswagen Passat: 2011
- 2011 Volkswagen Touareg: Out now
Volvo
- 2011 Volvo S60: Out now
