car-oh-car: August 2010

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Mazda's Flow evolves into the Soul of Motion, Shinari Concept now in Real Life Shots [61 Photos + Video]

[Updated with video from the presentation] While the debate rages on regarding the Mazda Shinari's inspiration (Fisker Karma, Infiniti Essence, or something more sinister?), here are some real life photos of the car outside of the studio. Introducing Mazda's new Japanese-Euro-American Kodo design language, the Shinari shows where Mazda will be zoom-zooming after its Nagare-derived smiley face cars are dead and gone.

Expect the flowing, toned lines to appear on everything from the Mazda3 and Mazda6 to the MX-5 Miata and potential RX-8 successor; on that note, can we get a decent rotary engine around here or what?

Since these "tense" and "organic" designs are becoming more and more common nowadays, how will Mazda emphasize its own unique design elements? As with most unofficial homages (because we all know this isn't a purely original design or layout), the answer is in the details.

Paris Preshow: 2011 Toyota iQ and Aygo get upgraded interiors

Joining the new Verso-S small MPV at Toyota's 2010 Paris Motor Show stand, will be the 2011 model year versions of the iQ and Aygo city cars, both of which benefit from some minor interior revisions.

For the 2011 iQ, which will be sold in the States under the Scion brand, Toyota is increasing the level of perceived quality with the use of higher-grade, soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and the door panels, the introduction of new color schemes and upgraded trim options.

Pontiac Firebird-based 308 Ferrari Replica kills two nameplates with one stone

What's the deal with cheesy Pontiac-based replicas? Every time I see one, I ask myself how anyone in their right mind would ever think it's a good idea (unless purely testing one's kit building and car chopping talents). This ebay-situated Firebird-based 308 replica can be yours for the low-low price of $6,500; if you'd like to try your luck with the auction, feel free. We won't judge either way (sinner!).

New 1.6-liter Turbo Gasoline Engines for Volvo S60 and V60 Coming Later this Year

Volvo will soon welcome two new additional engine options, the T3 and T4, to its 2011 S60 sedan and V60 estate range of models. The pair of 1.6-liter four-cylinder GTDi gasoline units employ both turbocharging and direct injection technology for improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. Furthermore, the two engines come equipped with Volvo's Start/Stop tech (manual gearbox models only) as standard.

New Suzuki Swift Priced from �9,995 in the UK

Suzuki's UK division has released pricing and specification details for its all-new 2011 Swift supermini, which is available for order now. Priced from �9,995 for the entry-level three door model to �12,245 for the top-spec five door with manual transmission, the 2011 Swift is offered at launch with a new 94HP 1.2-liter petrol unit that returns a combined fuel economy of 56.5 mpg UK. A revised 75HP 1.3-litre diesel engine with a combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg UK will be added to the range next spring.

Toyota Prius Sales may Collapse in Japan as Hybrid Subsidies End

For more than a year now, the Prius has enjoyed some hefty sales in Japan thanks to the government subsidies for hybrids. But now that the cash-for-clunkers program is coming to an end, sales of Toyota's hybrid model will most likely take a hit, according to automotive analysts.

Under the program, many Japanese buyers flocked to trade in their 13+ year-old car for a Prius. With the subsidy window coming to a close, there will be a need for dealers to readjust their sales strategy.

FAIL: BMW X5 Jump Stunt Takes a Turn for the Worse - Literally... [Video]

We're not quite sure what the driver of this dark colored BMW X5 SUV (or at least it looks like an X5) was trying to do here, but something tells us that performing a 180-degree flip and crashing into an electricity / telephone pole wasn't part of the plan / stunt. See the accident for yourself in the video after the jump and don't forget to rate the freestyle flip in the comments section below.

Automotive Eyelashes - Car Fans Collectively Cringe

Are you a teenage girl and yearning to make your Beetle just the cutest damn thing on the road? Get some of these Car Lashes. If you're an S-Class owner and want to make your car cuter, how about you take a step back, count to ten, and ask yourself what the heck you're thinking.
Read more �

Argentinean Donto wants to battle Ariel and KTM with its P1

Donto Motor Company of Argentina has been working on a competitor to take on some world-class track day stars, the Ariel Atom and the KTM X-Bow. The South American two-seater has apparently been in development for the past 18 months and is called the P1.

Paris Preshow: New Toyota Verso-S [Ractis in Japan] small MPV

Toyota has released the first official images of its new MPV contender in the European B-segment today, the Verso-S, ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile in a few weeks time. Japanese shoppers will eventually come to know the Verso-S as the new Ractis in their own market.

Official: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet and Ellure Concept Sedan heading to LA Auto Show

It's officially official; Nissan today confirmed it will be rolling out the long-rumored convertible version of the Murano crossover named CrossCabriolet at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November. And that's not the only news coming from Nissan's LA motorshow front as the Japanese automaker added it will also lift the covers off a new concept sedan model called the Ellure as well as the production version of the all-new 2011 Quest minivan, pictures of which have already been released.

Paris Preshow: 2011 Lexus IS-F gets Euro 5 compliant V8 and new instrument panel

European fans of the Lexus IS-F rejoice; this is one sports car that won't be axed on the other side of the pond due to the introduction of the more stringent Euro 5 emissions standards. Unlike the current generations of the Ford Focus ST, Honda Civic Type R and Mazda RX-8 -just to mention a few, the IS-F will make it to the 2011 model year thanks to its tweaked 5.0-liter V8 that is now fully compliant with the upgraded Euro 5 norms.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Suzuki delays US Swift until at least 2011, getting advice from VW

Those of you waiting for the new Suzuki Swift to get Stateside will have to wait a little bit longer. After the Kizashi didn't exactly make the splash that Suzuki had hoped for, and with Suzuki sales in America crumbling, it appears that the Japanese automaker and 20% stakeholder Volkswagen AG will sit down to form a new battle plan.

Part of that plan includes putting the Swift's US arrival on hold until at least 2011 so that pricing and strategy could be evaluated. Some of the reasoning behind the delay has to do with the rising Japanese yen, which has also dented the company's US marketing division.

From Concept to Reality: Chevrolet Orlando MPV

The upcoming Orlando minivan, which shares its platform with the Cruze, is another one of Chevrolet's upcoming attempts to rectify its sub-par image as a brand. How has the MPV developed since it debuted as an attractive concept two years ago to woo European car buyers? Well, it still seats seven and will get both gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines as promised, but unfortunately, it's put on some flab over the concept's original well-toned lines. While GM has yet to release photos of the interior, expect a modern Chevrolet cabin very similar to the concept.

Infiniti's LA Auto Show Lineup to include M Hybrid, IPL G Coupe and G25 Sedan

The 2010 edition of the Los Angeles motor show is still three months away, but since Infiniti doesn't have something that we haven't seen or heard of before, the Japanese automaker decided to end the suspense early by revealing its plans today.

Chrysler Group officials talk Fiat with 400 potential dealers

The Chrysler Group today hosted a special event in Detroit for around 400 of its car dealers from targeted markets across the country to tell them what it will take to become a Fiat dealer in the United States. Fiat, which controls 20 percent of Chrysler, plans to unveil the U.S.-spec version of its 500 mini at the Los Angeles auto show in November and begin selling the car by the end of the year.

Dealership Guard takes $111,000 Corvette ZR1 for a spin, posts video on Youtube...

We finally found someone that makes Lloyd and Harry [that would be the dynamic duo from Dumb & Dumber] look like Mensa candidates. Meet the now unemployed, but as-of-yet unnamed, security guard at the Dallas Auto Auction in Dallas, Texas.

This bright young man not only gave in to his urges upon seeing a brand new $111,000 Corvette ZR1 in the secured parking lot (that, we could try to understand), but also had the brilliant idea to film his joy ride and upload the video that showed his face as well as the car's dealer plate on Youtube.

Mazda Shinari Sports Sedan Concept: 44 High-Res Photos

While we're waiting for Mazda to release some official information on its new Shinari sports sedan concept that we first told you about earlier today, here's a comprehensive gallery with more than 40 photos, renderings and preliminary design sketches of the car. We still don't know for sure if the Shinari is heading to next month's Paris Motor Show - although we would be surprised if it didn't.

2012 BMW 1-Series 5-door Scooped, Shows its Insides for the first time

Following last week's teaser preview of the current generation 1 M Coupe and more relevantly, spy shots of the next 1-Series hatchback in three-door form, today we bring you pictures of the new five-door variant and for the first time, scoop images of the baby BMW's cabin that give us a flavour of the interior styling.

Our new spy photos reveal a redesigned center console that is slightly angled towards the driver and comes with new controls. As with the current BMW 1-Series, the iDrive / navigation screen is located at the top of the dashboard. We can also see a newly styled three-spoke steering wheel with a chunky girth.

Roush releases GT500-killer supercharger package for 5.0-liter Mustang GT

Roush has released its ROUSHcharger kit for the new 5.0-liter Mustang after its debut at the Woodward Dream Cruise, force-feeding performance nuts with enough induction to pump the Mustang GT's output from 412 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque to a monstrous, semi-warrantied 550HP and "more than 470 lb-ft" of torque. What was once strictly Ford GT and GT500 power has officially become available for the M3-hunting Joe Regular GT, all at a suggested price of $5,999.

Mazda Shows Shinari Four-Door Sports Coupe Concept

[Update: More pictures here] Mazda today took the wraps off a new concept model called the Shinari during a special press event near Milan in Italy. The Shinari is a four-door coupe style sports sedan collaboratively designed by Mazda's styling studios in the United States, Germany and Japan. According to the Japanese firm, the sport sedan's styling previews a future design direction for the Mazda brand.

Citro�n's high riding DS4 unveiled ahead of Paris Motor Show [31 photos]

Say bonjour to Citro�n's latest creation and the second member of its DS lineup of special models after the DS3, the all-new DS4 that was revealed online today ahead of its public premiere at next month's Paris Motor Show.

Based off the freshly revealed C4 hatchback (Citro�n's rival to the VW Golf), the DS4 is the production version of the French carmaker's Geneva Salon DS High Rider concept car. The key difference between the two models is that, whereas the design study featured a three-door body style, the DS4 gets five-doors with hidden rear handles.

Citro�n describes the DS4 as "a unique and attractive blend of creativity, dynamism, exclusivity and versatility", which in reality translates to a potpourri of design influences from numerous cars and segments ranging from the coupe-esque roofline and hidden rear door handles, to the almost crossover-like road clearance.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Chevrolet continues its reinvention with the Cruze, ups prices in a gamble for profit

US automakers are finally getting on the small car bandwagon with cars like the Fiesta, nex-gen Focus, and Chevy Cruze. While the Focus is already well-established and the Fiesta comes with a lot of Euro-cred, Chevy has some important steps to take with the Cruze (its third compact nameplate in six years after the Cavalier and Cobalt).

The brand needs to reinvent its small car's image for the 21st century to that of a higher quality car and not just the lowest common denominator; quality and reliability, which still have to be proven over time, are a must.

Citro�n to Debut Production Version of DS4 next week

This just in; a couple of days ago, we told you about Citro�n's plans to unveil the first photos of a new model or concept on Monday, August 30th, ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut. We asked around and according to our sources, the French car maker will reveal the DS4, which is the production version of the Geneva Show DS High Rider concept, next week - possibly, as early as Monday.

F1 World Champion Jenson Button appears to be a wagonista, picks up Mercedes C63 DR 520

Most people who make calls to special divisions of manufacturers to purchase unique vehicles tend to prefer anonymity. Thankfully there are people out there like Mark Carson, who got involved with showing people the process of customizing his M6. The other side of that coin is when superstars pick up (or are given) unique cars, at which point companies need to smack you in the face with an announcement.

De Tomaso Ghepardo 4-door coupe rendered by Frederik Tjellesen

This purple-highlighted design study is Frederik Tjellesen's view of what a new vehicle for the on-again / off-again De Tomaso brand could look like if he were to be involved. Named the Ghepardo, it's a four-door coupe that draws from former DeTomaso vehicles like the Pantera and Mangusta, as well as the idea that fine Italian automobiles (burning to the ground or not), need to be custom-tailored much like a suit.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

VIDEO: This is what a Ferrari 458 Italia on fire looks like on film

With so many Ferrari 458 Italia super-duper-cars going flamb� on their owners, it was just a matter of time when someone would get one roasting on film. This prime example of Italy's hottest model was cooked somewhere in China's eastern coast.

We'll remind you that Ferrari has admitted through its UK spokesperson that it is currently investigating the 458 fires. According to media reports, in the past three months, a total of 11 Ferrari 458 Italia models (including this latest incident in China) have crashed with five of them being ruined by fire. Grab a bag of chips and enjoy the short film "A qualcuno piace caldo" right after the break.

Mid-Engine Honda CR-Z in Super GT-like guise Spied in Japan

Found on the GT Channel website, are these photos of a Honda CR-Z racer with a widebody mock up and what appears to be a mid-mounted engine. The unfinished project also gets carbon fiber doors. We don't have any information on the mystery car, but chances are it's either being readied to compete in Japan's Super GT racing series or to be displayed as a concept model at an upcoming motor show such as the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2011. More photos after the jump.

Friday, August 27, 2010

SCOOP: 2011 Audi A6 Sedan Spied in the wild

Here are some spy shots of Audi's next-generation A6, which is scheduled for launch next year. While it's still pretty well wrapped up in swirls, we can assume that the car will essentially be and a less-"designer" A7 Sportback with a trunk; the student has become the master (and quickly!). Since we already know what the A7 will look like, it doesn't take much imagination to see where the A6 will go from there.

Low-mileage, fully restored 1969 Shelby GT500: 7.0 liters of yes, please

If you're interested in a low-mileage vintage Mustang for your collection, Volo Auto Museum has a few cars that are right up your alley. This one, though, stands out a bit more than the rest.

Technically this 1969 Shelby GT500 represents the last model-year of the original Shelby Mustangs (although '69 models were given new serial numbers and sold as 1970 model-year cars). It's one of 335 GT500 convertibles built, and one of 21 in this color combo according to a Marti report that Volo has.

New Suzuki Swift and Kizashi Sport to make European debut at Paris Motor Show

Suzuki today announced it is brining the not-so-new looking but mostly-new underneath, 2011 Swift supermini and the sport grade of the Kizashi sedan to Paris for their European premieres.

Scheduled to go on sale throughout Europe this autumn, Suzuki's lighter, longer and roomier new Swift will be offered at launch with a new 94-horsepower 1.2-liter petrol and an upgraded 75-horsepower 1.3-liter turbo diesel.

First Focus RS500 makes its way to Ford's Heritage Museum

Having finished its motoring press cycle, the first production example of Ford's limited run Focus RS500 hot hatch is heading to the company's museum at Dagenham in east London, UK, joining other famous blue oval models such as the 1970 London to Mexico winning Escort, the RS200 and the 2005 GT supercar.

BMW drops another 1-Series M Coupe Teaser Video

Ask and yes shall receive! Apparently someone was listening, because just a day after putting up some spy shots of the new upcoming F20 1-Series, BMW has dropped a second teaser video of the 1-Series M Coupe.

While everyone is still waiting breathlessly for final specs and details, it's clear that the baby M is supposed to be something magical. People at Oktoberfest up Wisconsin way may be getting a sneak peak tonight (we told you about that earlier today), so get at us and let us know how that goes.

The only official details are what you've seen so far: quad exhaust tips, big cross-spoke rims, an M fascia, and beefed-up fenders. The car will likely get a tweaked version of the 135i's twin-turbo 6-cylinder, M goodies front to back, a locking diff, and the requisite suspension/steering/brake upgrades.

Citro�n teases new model before August 30th reveal. Can you guess what it is?

Being that the world's largest motor show of the year takes place on its home turf of Paris, Citro�n is readying several debuts for next month's automotive fest in France. Today, the automaker released this conceptual teaser video of an unknown car that will be revealed online on Monday, August 30th, ahead of its world premiere at the Paris Auto Show. The video doesn't show much, but we did notice the DS logo on the background.

There's a good possibility the car featured in the video is the production version of the Geneva show DS High Rider concept, otherwise known as the DS4. However, it may be something different altogether like the long rumored DS5 . Watch the video after the break and tell us what you think.

Ford Recalling over 460,000 Windstar minivans on Rear Axle Problem

After approximately 950 complaints, Ford has announced that it will recall 462,750 (according to NHTSA's announcement) 1998-2003 Windstar minivans for those faulty axles we told you about back in May (read more here).

The Blue Oval will target vehicles that were sold or are registered in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

BMW to show 1M Coupe tonight at Oktoberfest meeting in Wisconsin?

It's been a while since we last heard something new about the forthcoming BMW 1M Coupe. However, an announcement from the BMW CCA (that would be BMW Car Club of America) concerning a "sneak peak" at this week's Oktoberfest gathering in Wisconsin, USA, hints at the possible presentation and the release of more details about the car at tonight's banquet, which will be attended by BMW Motorsport Division boss, Dr. Kay Segler. There's a possibility the tease may concern a different model, but our money would go to the 1M Coupe.

APS Sportec Builds 425HP Audi S5, as fast as RS5 in 0-62mph sprint

Last time we checked (as in a few minutes ago on the UK, US and German sites), the S5 Coupe continues to use Audi's venerable 4.2-liter V8 with 354HP, while the S5 Convertible comes with a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6. Nevertheless, APS, the UK-based importer of the Swiss tuning brand Sportec, has released a performance upgrade for the S5 Coupe and Convertible with the... 3.0 TSI V6.

End of the road for Mazda RX-8 in the UK, less than 100 examples left

If you're from the UK, this is your last chance to buy a new Mazda RX-8 as less than 100 examples of the four-seater sports car remain in stock after production in Hiroshima of the right hand drive models for Britain ended. As is the case with Honda's Civic Type R hot hatch, the RX-8's rotary engine fell victim to Europe's looming Euro 5 emissions standard. According to Mazda, UK customers purchased 14% of 186,632 total global RX-8 sales since 2003 launch.

Toyota issues voluntary recall for 1.1 million Corolla/Matrix models, beats Feds to it

It's official: that little snafu Toyota had a few days ago with the stalling Corollas has evolved from an Engineering Analysis to a full-blown (voluntary) recall. The world's largest automaker will recall around 1.13 million vehicles, specifically the 2005-08 Corolla and Matrix (and Vibe?) for "improperly manufactured" engine control modules. Toyota will replace the modules for free on affected cars, while providing people who have already had to replace theirs with the opportunity to file a claim for reimbursement.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

SCOOP: 2012 BMW 1-Series Hatchback Spied

Whatever happened to interest in the 1-Series M Coupe? Everyone was all jazzed about that situation like Daft Punk was coming to town, and then...nothing. Anyway, moving further forward into the future here are some spy shots of the next-generation 1-Series hatch, codenamed F20, which is set to show up late next year.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Loses its Top for SEMA Show

Drop Top Customs, the Florida-based company that brought us the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger convertible models at last year's SEMA Show, is now getting ready to chop the roof off the freshly revealed Cadillac CTS Coupe. The soft top Caddy will be revealed in the flesh for the first time at this year's edition of the SEMA gathering, which runs from November 2 to 5 at the Las Vegas convention center.

For now, you'll have to make do with a set of renderings that you can check out along with some other drop top custom conversions from the tuning shop in the gallery after the jump.

Lotus reveals Supercharged Evora S with 350HP and clutchless Evora IPS before Paris

Now that the somewhat docile Moscow motor show is out of our minds, what everyone should be looking forward to is the epic design-fest that is the Paris Motor Show. While I'm definitely looking forward to Citroen's usual insanity, there will be "normal" cars there, too. Take, for instance, these 'Loti'.

The performance model is simply called the Lotus Evora S, and it doesn't have nearly enough old-school Lotus graphics for my taste. However, what it lacks in vintage what-what, it makes up for with that big, curvy letter which signifies the car's supercharged status. With the blower on top of its Toyota-sourced (i.e. fairly reliable) 3.5 liter V6, its puts down a very Esprit-esque 350-horses.

Senner Tuning launches first round of upgrades for Audi A1

German firm Senner Tuning has released a new line of styling and performance enhancements for the freshly introduced Audi A1 supermini with the 1.6 TDI diesel engine. The tuner starts by massaging the 1.6-liter diesel with a recalibrated ECU, boosting output from 105HP to 140HP. Peak torque also climbs from 250Nm to 310Nm.

All about the home-grown: Canadian company teases Cannabis-bodied electric car

Sure, electric cars are neat, but what if we could take the level of green-ness to an all-time high? Alberta-based Motive Industries...(exhale)...recently announced that it has created an electric vehicle called the Kestrel which has a "bio-composite" body made from hemp mats.

The mats are sourced from Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, a company which processes hemp grown in, you guessed it, Alberta, Canada. Motive CEO Nathan Armstrong says, "We saw a unique opportunity to make significant advancements in the automotive sector and support the Canadian auto sector by providing sustainable products and opportunities to create new green manufacturing jobs."

2011 Honda Inspire: Small styling changes and a forest's worth of wood for JDM Accord

Hot on the heels of the presentation of the updated 2011 Accord sedan and coupe models for North America, Honda today released the refreshed JDM version of the saloon that goes by the name Inspire in Japan. Since the Inspire already featured the 2011 Accord's reflector extensions at the back, Honda focused its attention on the front end that receives the same treatment with new grille and bumper designs as the American model. The JDM car also gets newly styled 17-inch alloy wheels.

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