Filed under: Car Buying, SUVs, Government/Legal, Chrysler
Jason Vines, Chrysler’s VP of Communications, read about John Edward’s comments about SUV buying and just couldn’t hold his tongue. Democratic presidential hopeful Edwards let slip during a speech to a labor group that Americans should sacrifice their SUVs in favor of more fuel efficient vehicles. While there are undoubtedly many people out there who have SUVs for their trendiness and perceived indestructibility, many SUVs are owned by people who truly need them. And those are the people Vines is defending. He blasts Edward’s hypocrisy for asking civilians to give up their freedom of choice, when the presidential hopeful must realize that Secret Service motorcades are full of large SUVs.
And what does the presidential hopeful and his family use for personal transport? Jalopnik reports that Edwards drives a Cadillac SRX, and while his spokespeople claim the senator drives a hybrid SUV (they’re all the rage on Capital Hill) around his home state of North Carolina, the family also reportedly has another SUV and a small truck.
[Source: Chrysler]
Continue reading John Edwards hears it from Jason Vines
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed! 
Posted by |
No Comments »
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Ford, Australia
click above image for high-res version
Development mules for the upcoming redesign of the Ford Falcon in Australia are not that hard to come by in the land of Oz. CarAdvice has hosted plenty, and decided to let loose an artist on them to create an accurate rendering of what the 2008 Ford Falcon will look like. Shown here is a rendering of the 2008 Ford Falcon XR6 model, one of the many high-performance versions of Ford Australia’s rear-wheel drive sedan. After examining all the spy shots that we’ve seen, it’s clear to us that this is the most accurate guesstimate of the Falcon’s new look that you’re likely to find.
[Source: CarAdvice.com.au]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, China, Supercars, Lexus, By the Numbers
In early 2008, the Lexus LF-A will go on sale on China. The price: $264,700. That’s a lot of yuan, even with the expected markup for the Chinese market. Zeng Lintang, vice president of Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co, said that the car will sell “for more than 2 million yuan.” By comparison, in China, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS sells for about 1.9 million yuan, and a Ferrari F430 sells for about 2.6 million yuan. ThePassionatePursuit actually compared the price ratio of a Lexus LS600hL sold in China and the U.S. and guesses the car could cost $129,703 USD when it goes on sale here. Lexus has talked about creating a car that can compete with Ferrari performance-wise. We’ll soon see if it can also compete price-wise.
[Source: Gasgoo via The Passionate Pursuit]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
The wait for the kid-tested, mother-approved version of the 2008 C-Class if officially over, with Mercedes today taking the wraps off the estate version of the recently-redesigned model. Despite my earlier inclinations the estate’s styling would be somewhat deficient compared to its sedan counterpart, seeing the final press shots leads me to retract any negative sentiments I harbor towards the model. While I wouldn’t describe the model’s design as perfect, it’s still an attractive vehicle - especially with the Sport package - enough so that if I were in the market for an estate, it would likely be the one I’d choose.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Filed under: SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep
For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost. It looks like a slight glitch in the delivery of powertrain components has led Chrysler to idle one of its plants for the rest of next week. Actually, four separate plants will be stopped as a result of this problem - Jefferson North in Detroit, Warren Truck (Michigan), Newark Assembly (New Jersey) and St. Louis North (Missouri).
The problem involves powertrain components for certain Dodge and Chrysler trucks and SUVs, as well as the Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee. Chrysler was quick to point out that Labor Day and previously scheduled shutdowns were partially responsible for the idlings and that no vehicles had left the factory without the necessary parts. No, really, they felt they needed to point that out.
[Source: just-autos, sub. req.]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Filed under: Coupes, Ford
click above image to view high-res gallery
There is a small contingent of enthusiasts, myself included, who would love to see the SHO badge return for a lucky Ford product. Being that it was originally used on a high-performance variant of the Taurus, it would make sense that the newly renamed 2008 Ford Taurus be first in line. Unfortunately, what was once the best-selling mid-size family sedan in the U.S. is now a certified Large Car by the EPA. Not exactly the most ideal canvas for a sports sedan.
We’ve shown you renderings in the past of what a resurrected Taurus SHO might look like, and while it could look good, damn good actually, anyone who’s driven the new Taurus (it’s currently in the Autoblog Garage, we’ll have a review up soon) will tell you that it’s entirely ill suited to be a SHO. BringBackTheSHO.com, a website that holds vigil for the return of my favorite car, has produced most of the late-model Taurus SHO renderings we’ve shown you, and they’ve produced their most interesting batch yet.
What about a Taurus SHO Coupe? Built on a shortened wheelbase, it would weigh less than the sedan, while still incorporating a serious motor (TwinForce anyone?) and all-wheel drive. We’ve got plenty of pics in the gallery below for you to consider. Some will still hate the idea, but I’m behind any plan that brings back the SHO.
[Source: BringBackTheSHO.com]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Chrysler
We feel a “Thank you, Captain Obvious” is in order for this piece of news that was published all the way back on July 12th within the walled garden of Ward’s Auto. The news is simply that Chrysler has confirmed it will build an SRT-8 version of the upcoming Challenger pony car. Chrysler, sorry, the NEW Chrysler, has never issued a release to our knowledge confirming it will sell the Challenger SRT-8, but again, we don’t need one because they’d be crazy not to.
All current SRT-8 products use Chrysler’s 6.1L HEMI V8, so we would expect the same powerplant for the Challenger SRT-8 producing 425 horsepower and 420 ft-lbs. of torque. However, considering how many high-powered variants of the Mustang are offered, and that Chevy will certainly offer a comparably high-powered version of the Camaro, we expect the SRT-8 to break rank with its siblings and have considerably more power than we’re used to seeing in an SRT-8 product. In fact, we may reasonably expect all SRT-8 models to get an commensurate bump in power after the Challenger SRT-8 debuts in late 2009, especially with some like the Dodge Charger, Magnum and Chrysler 300 switching from the current LX platform to a new one code named LY.
BTW - Less than 159 days remain until the production Chrysler Challenger debuts at the Chicago Auto Show next February (check the countdown clock).
[Source: SEMA.org]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Filed under: Green, Crossovers/CUVs, Toyota
Toyota’s revamped Highlander has been trickling onto dealer lots for about a month now, and Toyota’s released details of the new hybrid version of the thoroughly improved midsize CUV. There are two trim levels available: base and Limited. Both will have the 3.3 liter V6 along with the 4WD-i system kicking out 270 horsepower. There are a couple different modes now, like ECON and EV, which should boost fuel economy in some cases.
There are now three rows of seats available, with a trick center position for the second row seats that can hide away. The Highlander has grown a lot, adding four inches in length, and three in width and height, too. Limiteds add nearly full-boat details to an already well-equipped base model. Things such as leather seats, six-disc changer, a power hatch, third-row bench, and more become part of the deal. Even with a newly designed vehicle carrying more standard equipment, the base model has seen a $190 price drop, to $33,700. If you must have all the goodies, the Limited increases in price by $3400, ringing up a bill of at least $39,950. The last Highlander Hybrid we had in the Autoblog Garage was $37,000, and failed to feel like such an expensive vehicle. The new Highlander Hybrid’s appearance and equipment should help it pull off the crushing weight of its sticker price.
press release after the jump
[Source: Toyota via The Car Blog]
Continue reading More for less (kinda) - 2008 Highlander Hybrid pricing announced
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Green, Crossovers/CUVs, Hyundai
UPDATE: Larger image and press release added.
click above for larger image
Though not officially announced yet, the Hyundai i-Blue Concept will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, according to Automotive News. The i-Blue Concept is a hydrogen-powered exercise in being green and practical at the same time. It uses Hyundai’s third-generation hydrogen fuel cell. While past Hyundai hydrogen concepts were SUVs, the i-Blue mirrors the trend of the day by sitting atop a new car-based crossover platform. No more news is available on the i-Blue Concept since Hyundai hasn’t officially announced it yet. We don’t know where Automotive News got the above image, and we’re interested since the i-Blue may contain future Hyundai styling cues. Look for those on the vehicle’s front end, as that giant C- and D-pillar combination at the vehicle’s rear would make for one hellish blind spot on a production vehicle.
[Source: Automotive News]
Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Hyundai diving right in with i-Blue Concept
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Check out our EXCLUSIVE report and slide shows from the the world’s most authentic classic car event - the Goodwood Revival.
Click here for the full story.
email this article
del.icio.us
![]()
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Posted by |
No Comments »
Loading ...