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2015 Nissan Micra is your cheapest new car, Canada
Thu, 13 Feb 2014Canadians looking for a brand-new car on the cheap, take note. This is the 2015 Nissan Micra, and it will arrive at dealerships this spring boasting a starting price of $9,998 Canadian dollars (circa $9,100 US), well under the $11,898 asked for a 2014 Versa Sedan.
Of course, that ultra-low asking price isn't for a fully loaded model. The Micra will arrive in the Great White North in three trims - S, SV and SR - with the buyer's choice of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. A 109-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder is the sole engine choice. There will also be a number of accessory options that should allow some personalization for the small cars, with Nissan claiming that things like door handle finishers and mirror caps will be available in five different colors (plus chrome) for under $200.
"At Nissan, we understand the need in Canada for small, urban-friendly cars that are fun to drive and express their driver's personality. With Micra, we're delivering a proven global vehicle at a very attractive price - it's going to make a huge impact on the market," said Christian Meunier, the President of Nissan Canada.
Next Renault Twingo ready for its Swiss debut
Thu, 13 Feb 2014Renault's diminutive city car, the Twingo, is set for a debut in a few weeks at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. So naturally, the little hatchback has leaked out early. Carscoops came up with the original batch of images before Renault posted the official family photo you see above.
We'll need to wait until we get to Geneva to get all the details on the Twingo, but here's what we know so far. It's a relative of the upcoming Smart ForFour, but where that car uses a conventional front-engine, front-drive layout, the Twingo is backwards. That's right, this is a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive city car. That concept on its own sounds spectacular.
Rumors, according to Carscoops, point to a three-cylinder engine for the Twingo. Owners should get to choose from both a do-it-yourself manual transmission and a dual-clutch gearbox. The little five-door should include a sportier trim, too, hopefully along the lines of the well-regarded Renaultsport Twingo 133. Whether that car is shown in the family portrait or if it will arrive at a later date remains unclear.
Audi building 50 camouflaged Jon Olsson Edition A4 Avant wagons [w/video]
Thu, 13 Feb 2014Swedish Autoblog readers, have you been driving your Audi A4 Avant wagons and thought, 'You know, I really wish my car looked more like a camouflaged World War II battleship?' Well, great news for you, as skier and Audi enthusiast Jon Olsson has teamed up with the German brand's Swedish outfit to offer this new limited-edition A4 Avant.
Finished in a camo patterned after Olsson's own RS6 Avant (which you can view in the video below) and slope-ready Lamborghini Gallardo, the Jon Olsson Camo Edition will cost fans of Smörgåsbord 399,900 Swedish Krona ($62,071 at today's rates). For that sum, you'll get the aforementioned A4 Avant wrapped in the Olsson-designed camo, as well as sport seats, a roof box, Xenon headlights, black 19-inch wheels shod in winter rubber, a sport suspension and Audi's S-Line exterior treatment. The Camo Edition will only be available with the 2.0-liter TDI engine and Quattro all-wheel drive.
There will only be 50 examples made, so we'd strongly recommend interested parties get down to their local Swedish Audi dealer. And if you want to see what the Camo Edition looks like in motion, scroll down for the video of Olsson's Audi RS6 Avant, finished in a similar pattern, running around Switzerland. We've also included the translated press release from Audi of Sweden. Have a look.
Chevy up to old EVs-equal-range-anxiety tricks in new Volt Olympics ad
Fri, Feb 14 2014General Motors is at it again with a new Chevrolet Volt TV commercial. Viewers of the Winter Olymics (at least in some markets) recently saw a TV ad in between the skating and the skiing that made no mention of the environmental benefits or freedom from the power of Big Oil that electric vehicles provide. No, this one was based on pure survival instinct. In the video, a father is driving down a highway, perhaps through the Mojave Desert. His young son is sitting in the Volt's backseat and asks what happens when the EV's battery runs out. "We'll have to cross that burning desert with snakes and cactus until we make it back to civilization," the dad tells his son as they pass the skeleton of a fallen bull. The fine print makes it clear that the actual maximum range is 342 miles. But there is hope. The father tells his son, with a beaming smile on his face, that the gas generator has kicked in and they're going to make it through the desert. As they wend their way to the horizon, a voice over says that Volt drivers who charge up regularly are making it 900 miles between fill ups. The fine print makes it clear that the actual official maximum range before you need to either plug in or fill up is 342 miles. This theme that emphasized range anxiety has been utilized by GM since the extended range Volt was launched in late 2010, despite the fact that Chevrolet now offers an all-electric vehicle in the Spark EV. Volt fans are praising the commercial, called The New Freedom, on the GM-Volt forum and you can see for yourself below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Cheverolet via CleanTechnica, YouTube Green Chevrolet GM Fuel Efficiency Green Culture Electric range anxiety extended range
Bugatti sitting on $85M stockpile of unsold Veyrons
Thu, 13 Feb 2014There may be trouble brewing with the supercar specialists at Bugatti. The French brand shocked the world with the Veyron when it debuted in 2006, but at eight years old, the hypercar may be getting a little stale to its wealthy clientele. What's worse, Bugatti insiders say a replacement is still years away.
Bugatti planned an initial run of 300 Veyron coupes when it went on sale, but the introduction of the convertible added an extra 150 cars to the docket. Generally, its cars have been built to order, other than some of its show cars. In December, Bugatti confirmed that it had sold its 400th car. Now, there are still about 40 Veyron Grand Sports to find homes for, according to Bloomberg, which amounts to about 62.5 million euros ($85 million) in product.
To solve the problem, Bugatti has devised the Dynamic Drive Experience that has the Grand Sport touring the US. It allows potential buyers to drive the car on the road and experience its raw speed on closed airport runways. The company hopes being hands-on with the supercar is going to move a few more of them.
CO2-neutral* Audi A3 G-Tron goes on sale in Germany
Thu, Feb 13 2014The Audi A3 Sportback G-Tron has been on our natural gas-powered radar since it was unveiled at last year's Geneva Motor Show. Just before the big show starts up again this year, Audi put the new G-Tron vehicle on sale in Germany today, starting at 25,900 euros ($35,400 US). Anyone who opts for the Audi e-gas fuel card will be able to cruise the Autobahn knowing that their emissions will be CO2-neutral. That's because Audi has built an e-gas plant in Werlte in Lower Saxony, Germany that creates a synthetic methane that is compatible with natural gas from a process that uses "green electricity" to "[bind] as much CO2 as is released when the Audi A3 g-tron is driven in gas mode." Your own A3 G-Tron doesn't burn the carbon-neutral fuel directly, but the automaker will track how much is spent using the fuel card and make sure "that exactly this amount of Audi e-gas is fed into the German natural gas network." Audi charges 14.95 euros a month to use the card. Burning that e-gas in the A3's 1.4-liter TFSI engine can put out 110 horsepower (you can also burn regular natural gas or gasoline) and offers fuel economy of between 3.2 and 3.3 kilograms of gas per 100 kilometers on natural gas Audi A3 g-tron: Advance sales get the green light Ingolstadt, 2014-02-13 Audi A3 Sportback g-tron available to order from February 13 CO2-neutral mobility with the Audi e-gas fuel card Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg: "Audi e-gas is an important pillar of our sustainability strategy" The Audi A3 g-tron is all set to hit the roads. Advance sales at dealerships in Germany will kick off on February 13. The basic price will be 25,900 euros. Using the Audi e-gas fuel card, customers can opt for Audi e-gas to power their A3 g-tron without impacting the environment if they wish. The Audi A3 g-tron forms part of a new, integrated and sustainable mobility concept from the brand with the four rings. Its 1.4-liter TFSI engine developing 81 kW (110 hp) can be operated using either natural gas, e-gas generated by Audi or gasoline. In pure e-gas mode the g-tron is entirely CO2-neutral. Audi e-gas is a synthetic methane that is produced at the Audi e-gas facility located in Werlte in Lower Saxony, Germany – the world's first industrial power-to-gas plant. An A3 Sportback g-tron fueled by Audi e-gas is currently the most environmentally friendly form of long-distance mobility.
Volvo eying return to 100k US sales to ensure dealer profitability
Thu, 13 Feb 2014Struggling Volvo may be on a verge of a renaissance thanks to the forthcoming completion of its lauded concept car trilogy, new Drive-E engine family and much-discussed SPA modular platform. Its nascent renewal is mostly being financed by $11-billion in funding from its Chinese parent company, Geely, and if it all goes right, Volvo hopes to sell 100,000 cars a year in the States by 2016. That milestone is vital, because it would ensure Volvo's US dealer network is profitable, according to Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson.
In a new Ward's Auto story, Samuelsson notes that his company is launching a slate of fresh products in the coming years, including the new-to-the-US V60 wagon and mid-cycle updates for its S60 sedan and XC60 crossover. But the most important new vehicle will be the recently spied XC90 that is expected to be unveiled just before the end of this year. Samuelsson is also looking at future vehicles for the US, including replacements for the S80 and V70. The V40 is also planned for the US, but not until the next generation, according to the Volvo CEO.
Of course, it's going to take a lot to reach 100,000 US sales in three years. Volvo sold just 61,233 units here in 2013, and according to WardsAuto, Volvo hasn't sold 100,000 cars in the US since 2007. To reach its goal, Volvo's stateside business will need to grow sales by about 40 percent.
Senator says VW will give CUV to Tennessee plant if they reject UAW
Thu, 13 Feb 2014
Corker has been "assured" a new CUV will come to the plant if it votes against the UAW
The ongoing drama that is the possible unionization of the Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga has just had an enormous twist - Republican Senator Bob Corker said yesterday during the first of a three-day, secret-ballot vote at the factory, that he has been "assured" by VW that if the Chattanooga plant votes against UAW unionization, it will be awarded production of a new mid-size crossover, a model we've speculated will be a production version of the CrossBlue Concept.
Honda Odyssey hybrid under consideration in Japan, but not US
Thu, Feb 13 2014"Over time you can expect to see broader application of our two motor hybrid system" - Sage Marie The idea of a hybrid minivan is not new, at least in Japan. Toyota sells the Estima - the world's first hybrid minivan, it has been available since 2001 - and the Aphard hybrids there. The US is not immune to the dream - in 2011, Chrysler said it was going to make a hybrid minivan in 2013 (didn't happen) - but there has never been a gas-electric minivan sold from a major automaker in the US. And, despite new rumors of a Honda Odyssey hybrid for Japan, the chances that the US will get one in the near future remain roughly at zero. A new report says Honda is considering a hybrid version of the fifth-generation Odyssey in Japan, and such a gas-electric powertrain could reduce fuel use by up to 50 percent. Honda powertrain assistant large project leader Takashi Shinchi told CarAdvice that the hybrid (not a plug-in version) is "under consideration," given the hybrid minivan competition in Japan. Such consideration is not happening in the US, at least not in any serious way. Sage Marie, senior manager of public relations for Honda North America, told AutoblogGreen, "The only thing the Japanese Odyssey and the US Odyssey have in common is the name. There are no current plans for a US Odyssey hybrid, but I will tell you that over time you can expect to see broader application of our industry-leading two motor hybrid system." The standard, gas-powered 2014 Odyssey gets 22 miles per gallon, combined (19 city and 28 highway). Featured Gallery 2011 Honda Odyssey: Review View 35 Photos News Source: CarAdvice, HondaImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Steven Ewing / AOL Green Honda Hybrid JDM hybrid minivan honda odyssey hybrid
New Subaru Legacy may be getting smaller six-cylinder and sport models
Thu, 13 Feb 2014Subaru gave the next-generation, 2015 Legacy a brand new, more sophisticated platform and improved interior at the Chicago Auto Show, but the engines were carried over barely changed from the previous gen. However, if a rumor from Car and Driver turns out to be true, then the power trains may be getting upgraded as well.
A source within Subaru indicates that the aging 3.6-liter flat-six might finally be getting a replacement in favor of a smaller, more powerful six-cylinder engine, and the four-cylinder may get direct injection. Both of them would be ready for the new Legacy's mid-cycle refresh in about three years, and they would likely be shared by new Outback too.
The turbocharged, GT trim has been absent from the US-market Legacy for the last few model years, but the insider hinted that it might make a return in the coming years. The new version would use the 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four found in the Forester and the WRX. Though like the Forester, a turbocharged Legacy would likely only be available with the CVT.
Nissan installs 1,000th CHAdeMO fast charger in Europe
Thu, Feb 13 2014While the European Union hasn't been very supportive of CHAdeMO stations, the fast chargers are seeing significant growth in the European electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, with Nissan installing number 1,000 at the Roadchef Clacket Lane Services in Surrey, UK recently. In the past year, the number of CHAdeMO fast chargers nearly doubled in Europe, starting from about 600 stations in early 2013, and that's helping make EVs more useful. Nissan says that installation of a CHAdeMO station along Norway's E18 highway increased EV use eightfold there in the 18-month period after that station was installed. The new CHAdeMO station in the UK is available to use for free and, like other CHAdeMO stations, can charge a Nissan Leaf or other compatible EV up to an 80-percent charge in just under 30 minutes. Japanese automakers like Nissan and Mitsubishi are dedicated to the CHAdeMO but German and US automakers continue to support a competing technology in Europe and abroad, the SAE Combo DC fast charger. Tesla Motors has covered all the bases as it rolls out its $1,000 CHAdeMO adapter for its Supercharger stations. Nissan worked with Ecotricity, a UK green energy firm considered to be a pioneer in EV charging, for the Surrey installation. Nissan says that installing it on the M25 highway south of London helps EV drivers gain easy access to Kent and onward into Europe on one of the busiest roads in Europe. That will help drivers of the Leaf and the upcoming Nissan e-NV200 electric van to quickly extend their journeys, said Jean Pierre Diernaz, Nissan's director of electric vehicles, in the press release available below. 1,000th CHAdeMO standard quick charger installed in the UK UK has 18% of Europe's electric vehicle quick chargers Charger provides free, zero carbon electricity from Ecotricity Chargers recharge electric cars from 0-80% in 30 minutes Nissan has announced 1,000 CHAdeMO quick chargers have now been installed in Europe with the commissioning of the charger at the Roadchef Clacket Lane Services in Surrey, UK. The fast charging unit can recharge the batteries of compatible* electric vehicles - including the 100% electric Nissan LEAF - from zero to 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes, and at zero cost. The installation of the fastest type of chargers dramatically increases the uptake and usage of electric vehicles.
GM recalling 778,000 Cobalts and G5s, six deaths reported
Thu, 13 Feb 2014General Motors has announced that it will be recalling 778,562 compact cars after six people were killed in accidents, partially due to the airbags' failure to deploy. An issue with the ignition switch is causing the airbag issues, as well as causing the engine and other components to shut off without warning. The recall covers the 2005 to 2007 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007 Pontiac G5. (Note that the Cobalt pictured above is a 2009 model.)
According to a report from Automotive News, a number of factors can cause the ignition to switch out of the run position, including weights on the key ring, rough or bumpy roads or other "jarring" events. Any of these situations could lead to some vehicle components not functioning properly.
There have been five fatal front-impact crashes that took the lives of six people, although as a GM spokesman noted, all five of the crashes happened off road and at high speed. In each of these cases, though, the lack of airbags wasn't the only lethal factor - alcohol and failure to wear a seat belt also played a role. Outside of the fatal accidents, there have been 17 other crashes where airbags didn't deploy. It's unclear if any of these crashes were caused by the engine shutting off.
World Car finalists announced
Thu, 13 Feb 2014The 2014 World Car of the Year Awards are set to be handed out at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, meaning now is about the time we can start talking about finalists. The official list has been published and we'll admit, there are some surprising entries here.
Selected by 69 jurors from around the world, the list includes some obvious entries - the new Audi A3, Cadillac CTS and Ford Fusion/Mondeo, along with some other, unexpected cars. The polarizing Jeep Cherokee and Lexus IS both made the cut.
We have the entire list of potential winners available in the official WCOTY press release, and we've assembled a gallery of the finalists at the top of the page. You can also scroll down to see the finalists for the luxury, performance, green and design awards. Three finalists will be announced from each group at the Geneva Motor Show, before the winners are announced in the Big Apple.
Tesla Model S headed to Vukee carsharing in San Francisco
Thu, Feb 13 2014The San Francisco bay area continues to expand as a carsharing hub, and the latest addition is going to attract some attention. Vukee, a Palo Alto, CA-based company, is introducing the Tesla Model S to carsharers in that market as a way to stand out from larger carsharing providers like Zipcar and City CarShare. Instead of spending $70,000 on the luxury electric sports car, Vukee's new carsharing deal offers an affordable behind-the-wheel driving experience, but the exact cost has not yet been announced. The launch happens in April. Vukee will start with 25 Teslas at its charging stations ready for drivers to pick up. Electricity and insurance are included in the rental fee. If you've a fan of this idea, you can make a small donation to Vukee and have your name emblazoned on the hood of one of the Model S EVs. If you donate a lot of money, like Gill up there in the picture, your name will be written very large on the hood. Signing up for Vukee is also easier than becoming a Zipcar or Car2go, since Vukee has no membership fees. You just download the Vukee app, scan your drivers license and credit card and pay as you go. Who wants to go for a drive? This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. vukee Car Spot Indiegogo from Meik-M. Lindberg on Vimeo.
Mercedes treads into fashion world with AMG burnout bags [w/video]
Thu, 13 Feb 2014Fashion can be difficult to understand, especially for us literal-minded car enthusiasts, but Mercedes-Benz AMG is making things very simple with its new fashion line. Its new line of Burn Out Bags, along with German label Destroy vs. Beauty, are made by running over high-quality leather with high-performance cars and making goods out of the resulting material. Buyers can choose anything from handbags to suitcases.
It's not cheap to have a CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake run over a bag, apparently. The least-expensive Burn Out Bag retails for 780 euros ($1,068 at current exchange rates), and prices range up to $1,978 for a burnout suitcase. Of course, it does seem like something that could be done for less money at home, assuming you had a car capable of a quality burnout. But if fashion is this simple, a lot of auto enthusiasts might be showing up on Project Runway in the coming seasons.
Scroll down to check out the video of fashion being made, and if run-over leather is not your style, Destroy vs. Beauty's other fashion line is the Not Bulletproof collection of t-shirts and bags that have been shot by .44-caliber pistols.
Audi moves to patent electric Quattro and active-shutter wheels
Thu, 13 Feb 2014Audi might have a few tricks up its sleeve for the coming years, with the Brits at Autocar uncovering a pair of patent filings made by the German luxury brand. The first is something we've seen before - wheel flaps - while the second is an evolution of one of Audi's trademark technologies.
We last saw wheel flaps on the Ford Atlas Concept in 2013, but the futuristic fuel-saving tech has so far failed to arrive on a production car. Audi may be seeking to change that, patenting the flaps that open and close automagically based on airflow. They can also open if the brakes get too hot.
The second patent is an evolution of Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive. The new AWD system uses an electrically driven rear axle and wheel sensors to figure out when and at which corner the car might lose traction, and is targeted largely at hybrid offerings, which is a field Audi has only recently dipped its toe into.
Ecotricity offering 1,000 free EV miles to new customers
Thu, Feb 13 2014Ecotricity is offering electric vehicle drivers in the United Kingdom an lengthy incentive for using green energy: 1,000 miles of free fast charging per year. Called "Green Electricity + Car," the program will power customers' homes with renewable power allow them to charge their cars through Ecotricity's national network of fast chargers, which the company has named the Electric Highway. It makes complete sense for Ecotricity. "To get the greatest environmental benefit from an electric car, it needs to be charged using 100 percent green electricity from the wind and the sun – otherwise you're still powering it from dirty fossil fuels," wrote Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity. Ecotricity, a UK-based producer of green energy, wants to bring fast charging to 90 percent of highway service stations around the UK in the near future and four fast chargers are installed per week under the Electric Highway campaign, the company says. Users can fast charge their EVs in 20-to-30 minutes. Ecotricity recently instituted a price freeze for all gas and electricity customers until April 1, reducing energy costs below what's being billed by the country's "Big Six" energy companies. Green Electricity + Car coincides with Volkswagen bringing its electric e-Up! to the British market. Volkswagen Group (UK) Limited imports VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda brand vehicles and has signed a deal with Ecotricity as its official green energy supplier. Volkswagen Group customers purchasing an EV through one of its brands can take advantage of a new, reduced-cost Ecotricity tariff and a free smart meter installation. 08 February 2014 Green Electricity + Car Drivers of electric cars will receive 1,000 free miles every year with a new electricity tariff being launched by green energy company Ecotricity. Green Electricity + Car – will not only power customers homes with green energy but also their cars (either 100% electric or plug-in hybrids), plus they'll get free access to Ecotricity's national network of fast chargers[1] – the Electric Highway. This latest move comes after Ecotricity announced a price freeze for all gas and electricity customers until the end of winter (April 1st), making them cheaper[2] than the standard tariff of the Big Six energy companies.
General Motors Recalls Nearly 780,000 Cars To Fix Deadly Problem
Thu, Feb 13 2014General Motors is recalling nearly 780,000 compact cars in North America because the engines can shut down unexpectedly and cause crashes. The company says six people have been killed in crashes related to the problem. The recall affects Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s from the 2005 through 2007 model years. U.S. safety regulators say the weight of the key ring and rough roads can move the ignition switch out of the run position, cutting the engine and electricity. If that happens, air bags may not work. GM says there have been 22 crashes from the problem. All happened at high speeds. Dealers will replace the ignition switch for free. GM says owners should remove nonessential items from key rings until the problem is fixed. Related Gallery Chevy Impala Earns Highest Accolades From Consumer Reports Recalls Chevrolet GM Pontiac Cobalt
P. Diddy hosting Fiat 500L desert party
Wed, 12 Feb 2014Fiat didn't run an advertisement during this year's Super Bowl. We've no idea why, though, because based on this recently released 60-second spot, the Italian brand probably could have done quite well during the big game.
The spot, called Mirage, stars Sean "Diddy" Combs (who happens to be the ex of former Fiat spokesperson Jennifer Lopez) and a pair of very unfortunate pedestrians. Wandering through the desert, the two are confronted by what they think are mirages before stumbling into a giant party hosted by the Grammy Award-winning rapper. It's a humorous spot, highlighting a product that Fiat really needs to succeed, the new 500L.
The Super Bowl-worthy ad is part of a larger campaign that will hopefully help distinguish the four-door L model from its smaller, two-door counterpart. "Too many people discover the 500L through the 500. That's what we have to solve for here," Jason Stoicevich, head of Fiat's brand in North America, told Automotive News. "It's awareness. We know it, we understand it and we had to find a creative way to deal with it."
Audi sees room for TT family, including possible crossover and superlight models
Wed, 12 Feb 2014With the third-generation Audi TT slated for a debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in just a few weeks time, we've received some interesting news out of the United Kingdom. Speaking to the crew at Top Gear, Chief Engineer Ulrich Hackenberg made some interesting statements about the next TT, noting that he likes the idea of a production Allroad Shooting Brake.
"I can imagine the TT has much more potential than we have used up to now. That's why we did this Allroad [Shooting Brake] Concept. The trend is to smaller crossovers. So for example you do a crossover TT. It would have a big group of fans," Hackenberg told TG.
That makes it almost sound like Audi is trying to expand one popular, fashion-forward model into a wildly different niche, like Mini did moving from Hardtop to Countryman (or perhaps more appropriately, the Paceman). We'll reserve judgement, if only because the Allroad Shooting Brake was one of the more popular concepts at the Detroit Auto Show, making our Editors' Choice list.
Security camera captures National Corvette Museum sinkhole as it forms [UPDATE]
Wed, 12 Feb 2014If you've been with us all day, you know that the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY was struck by a sinkhole early this morning. The sinkhole, which formed under the museum's well-known Skydome, swallowed up eight cars on display and caused untold dollars in damage. We've shown you the early photos, we've shown you streaming webcam footage and still photos of workers moving other Corvette display cars out of harms way, and now we have security camera footage showing the actual moment when the cavity appeared.
In the dimly lit video below, we see the floor buckle slightly under a row of Corvettes, chiefly under orange and blue examples, with some dust kicking up as a result. The floor appears to hold for a few moments before giving way, swallowing up a pair of cars and revealing the 40-foot sinkhole. Interestingly, subsequently released images of the sinkhole show a wider area of flooring having collapsed than what's on view in this official video, so it appears to end prematurely. Either way, take a look at the literal fallout in our video below, and we'll keep you informed as this story continues to develop.
UPDATE: The National Corvette Museum has just released a few more videos, some taken from a remote-control helicopter, showing the cars that crashed into the sinkhole. Check them out, along with the earlier security cam footage, below.
McLaren confirms 650S ahead of Geneva reveal
Thu, Feb 13 2014McLaren has a big reveal in store for next month's Geneva Motor Show. It has just announced a new model called the McLaren 650S for the Swiss show, but at the moment, it's not saying much more, releasing just the single teaser image shown above and no real details about its new sports car. McLaren promises that the 650S sits between the MP4-12C and P1 in its lineup and says the new model incorporates the lessons from both of those supercars' development. According to the announcement, the 650S is "designed and developed to offer the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury, engagement and excitement, as well as dramatic yet beautiful styling." There have been at least two rumors of upcoming McLaren models in the past month, and either of them could conceivably be the 650S. A high-performance version of the 12C is rumored to boost power to around 650 horsepower, while adding carbon-ceramic brakes and a new front end. The British boutique automaker is also rumored to be working on a dedicated model between the 12C and P1 codenamed 'P15.' "All I can tell you at this stage is that the McLaren 650S being revealed at Geneva is not the much rumoured P13 and that it doesn't replace 12C," said Wayne Bruce, McLaren Global Communications Director, in an email to Autoblog. We shouldn't have to wait long to have our questions answered, because McLaren will have more details about the new model in the coming weeks before its March 4 unveiling. Scroll down to check out the teaser press release, and let us know which you think this new model is in Comments. The McLaren 650S: A New Chapter For McLaren Automotive And The Supercar McLaren Automotive will reveal at the 84th International Geneva Motor Show the latest addition to its range of groundbreaking supercars - the McLaren 650S. Designed and developed to offer the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury, engagement and excitement, as well as dramatic yet beautiful styling, the McLaren 650S is the result of 50 years of competing, and winning, at the highest levels of motorsport. It takes learnings from both the 12C as well as the sell-out McLaren P1™ and will be positioned between the two on McLaren Automotive's supercar grid. More details of the McLaren 650S will be announced in the run-up to the car's global reveal which will take place on Stand 1240, Hall 1 at 12.00CET (11.00GMT), Tuesday 4 March 2014 in Geneva.
Honda Civic Type R Concept to hatch in Geneva
Wed, 12 Feb 2014As if the Geneva Motor Show isn't exciting enough, now we have word that a new version of a certain iconic Japanese hot hatch will make an appearance there in a few weeks time. Honda has announced that its Civic Type R Concept will be revealed during the show's media days, which take place March 4 and 5.
Since this is Honda we're talking about, we should point out that the "Concept" part of the Civic Type R's name is usually a bit of a misnomer. For the past few years, the Japanese automaker has made a habit of attaching "Concept" to the end of several near-production models in the name of drumming up auto show excitement (see Exhibits A, B, C, D and E). So really, this is almost certainly the next Civic Type R, a car we've kind of already driven.
The latter car was a "development" model, but we aren't expecting a lot to change between it and the production model. As previously reported, a 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine should deliver north of 280 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed gearbox. Have a look up top at the sole image of the hot Civic released by Honda, and then scroll down for the official press release.
Hennessey reveals HPE700 Twin-Turbo Corvette Stingray [w/video]
Wed, 12 Feb 2014Hennessey Performance (HPE) has released another weapon for those determined to outgun all other vehicles on the road. This one is called the HPE700 Twin-Turbo Corvette Stingray - and predictably, it goes like stink.
While the stock, naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT1 V8 under the hood of the Chevrolet is good for a healthy 455 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, the good folks in Texas have moved the game on considerably by bolting on a pair of 62-mm turbochargers and cranking boost pressure up to 7 psi. With dual turbo wastegates, twin blow-off valves and intercooling to reduce the charge temperature, HPE has massaged the engine to produce 707 horsepower and 661 pound-feet of torque. Against a stopwatch, Hennessey says its HPE700 Twin-Turbo Corvette Stingray will hit the 60 mph benchmark in 2.9 seconds (factory stock is 3.8 seconds) and punch through the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds at 135.4 mph. Its top speed is estimated at more than 210 mph.
The turnkey price of an HPE700 Twin-Turbo Corvette Stingray is about $120,000 (including the donor Corvette with the 3LT and Z51 package), and buyers are able to choose whether they want a six-speed automatic or seven-speed manual gearbox and a host of other upgrades including HPE forged monobloc wheels and aerodynamics to provide additional stability at speed. The company expects to build just two-dozen examples, so you might not get to see one for yourself out on the streets if you can't make it to the car's Boca Raton Concours reveal. We've got the next-best thing, though - a burnout video - which you can watch by scrolling below.
Corvette Museum evacuates at-risk cars after sinkhole [w/video]
Wed, 12 Feb 2014Today's big news has been the 40-foot sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, that swallowed eight rare Corvettes, including two that were on loan from General Motors. After initially announcing that the rest of the museum would be open today, authorities then served notice that the entire museum would be closed for the day while they figured out what to do next.
Evidently, 'what to do next' includes moving other cars in their collection that might be at risk due to the sinkhole. Because the museum operates so many webcams, it's been possible to follow the action unfolding live. Teams of people have been pushing Corvette display cars of all years and descriptions through the museum's carpeted halls, but it isn't immediately clear where these cars are going. Thanks to Autoblog reader Arnold A. and the folks at Jalopnik, we've got some choice screencaps of the action in our gallery.
The museum was alerted to the appearance of the sinkhole when motion sensors went off at 5:44 AM this morning. The 25- to 30-foot deep void has decimated a key attraction at the museum. Unfortunately, the webcam inside the Skydome is either not working as a result of the sinkhole or has been intentionally disabled. Either way, the Enthusiast cam will still provide you with a glimpse at its entrance. According to reports, structural engineers are now on site to assess the damage. The story is still developing, and the condition of the cars trapped in the hole is still unknown.
Audi S1 officially shows itself as 228-hp hot hatch [w/video]
Wed, 12 Feb 2014We got the first leaked pics of the new Audi S1 Sportback five-door hot hatch yesterday, and as expected, Audi has unloaded the full details today, including confirmation of its S1 three-door sibling ahead of its debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show. The two cars are essentially identical aside from their door counts, and together, they represent a new entry-level rung into Audi's S car range.
The subcompact S1 is propelled by Audi's ubiquitous 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder, tuned here to produce 228 horsepower and 279 pound-feet with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. The potent combo accelerates the S1 to 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds (5.9 seconds for the Sportback) and on to a top speed of 155 mph. Fuel economy is rated at an average 33.6 miles per gallon (40.3 mpg UK) in the UK cycle. The S also gets a completely different four-link independent suspension to replace the less sophisticated torsion beam setup found in the standard A1.
Styling also gets a bump in aggressiveness that befit the S1's performance upgrades. In addition to a new body kit with a lower front air dam and 17-inch wheels, the S1 comes standard with Xenon headlights, LED taillights and two new available exterior colors - Vegas Yellow and Sepang Blue. The interior gets combination leather and cloth sport seats, piano black trim and a retractable 6.5-inch color infotainment display.
McLaren P1 is the new king of flamethrowers [UPDATE]
Wed, Feb 12 2014It may come as no surprise, but the staff of Autoblog is essentially a bunch of kids trapped in grown-up bodies. That means we're fairly easy to please. Give us a fast car or sensational bodywork, and we're pretty happy. Give us a fast car with sensational bodywork that shoots big freaking flames, though, and we'll be utterly mesmerized. Unsurprisingly, then, this video which shows nothing more than the McLaren P1 and its ability to belch bright blue balls of fire while making a truly glorious noises has had a negative effect on our productivity. We've been quite happy to sit and watch the flame-throwing, 903-horsepower P1 zip around the Yas Marina Formula One course in Abu Dhabi over and over. So, join us in this latest batch of time wasting. Scroll down to watch the full video from Shmee150. UPDATE: We've added a second video from Shmee150 showing how to put the McLaren P1 in race mode. Head below to check it out. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Gallery McLaren P1: Geneva 2013 View 19 Photos News Source: Shmee150 via YouTube [1], [2]Image Credit: Copyright 2014 Drew Phillips / AOL Auto News McLaren Coupe Racing Vehicles Performance Videos mclaren p1 abu dhabi yas marina
J.D. Power study sees new car dependability problems increase for first time since 1998
Wed, 12 Feb 2014For the first time since 1998, J.D. Power and Associates says its data shows that the average number of problems per 100 cars has increased. The finding is the result of the firm's much-touted annual Vehicle Dependability Study, which charts incidents of problems in new vehicle purchases over three years from 41,000 respondents.
Looking at first-owner cars from the 2011 model year, the study found an average of 133 problems per 100 cars (PP100, for short), up 6 percent from 126 PP100 in last year's study, which covered 2010 model-year vehicles. Disturbingly, the bulk of the increase is being attributed to engine and transmission problems, with a 6 PP100 boost.
Interestingly, JDP notes that "the decline in quality is particularly acute for vehicles with four-cylinder engines, where problem levels increase by nearly 10 PP100." Its findings also noticed that large diesel engines also tended to be more problematic than most five- and six-cylinder engines.
2014 Kia Sorento
Wed, 12 Feb 2014For most new car shoppers, three-row crossovers are little more than a way for the family-minded to avoid succumbing to the minivan stigma. Admit it - the only things that differentiate most larger CUVs from minivans are their lack of sliding side doors and - on most of them - the option of all-wheel drive. Having blossomed into a popular segment with thicker profit margins, though, automakers have plenty of incentive to keep their offerings fresh, and that's exactly why Kia is presenting its 2014 Sorento so soon.
At first glance, the crisply styled utility vehicle seen here appears to be nothing more than a mid-cycle refresh - and not a particularly extensive one, at that. But that's not the case at all. Despite looking very similar to the second-generation vehicle that came on the scene for the 2010 model year, this is an all-new Sorento. Or, more precisely, it's about 80-percent new. Kia says less than 20 percent of the parts have been carried over from the 2013 Sorento, and that's a pretty typical amount for an 'all-new' vehicle generation.
Since we've yet to spend quality time with the "Made in the USA" Sorento for more than a short First Drive in Arizona last February, we snagged the keys to a 2014 model in the all-new SX Limited trim level for a lengthy backroad sojourn from Florida to South Carolina.
BMW X5 gets full battery of performance visuals
Wed, 12 Feb 2014If you think BMW toned down its third-generation X5 CUV a little too much with its latest redesign, the new M Performance Parts line of optional parts may give you a chance to inject in a new sense of style.
The aesthetic parts include new carbon fiber pieces for the mirror caps, front splitter, rear diffuser and rear aero flaps. There's also a rear spoiler, high-gloss black kidney grilles, M Performance rocker panel decals and double-spoke 21-inch wheels with performance tires. The interior upgrades are similar with an available Alcantara steering wheel with carbon fiber trim, stainless steel pedals and carbon fiber gearshift trim.
Not all of the M Performance Parts are about style. The M Performance Power Kit sharpens throttle response and boosts power of the X5 xDrive35i to 320 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, an improvement of 20 hp and 32 lb-ft, and an optional exhaust with chrome tips improves its sound. For buyers looking for improved stopping power, the M Performance Brake Kit adds six-piston calipers with 19-inch steel rotors.