Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.01.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-12-01-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-12-01-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-12-01-09/#comments

BREAKING: GM CEO Fritz Henderson steps down

Well, that was quick. Fritz Henderson, the recently appointed CEO of General Motors, is stepping down. Company chairman of the board Ed Whitacre (remember the "Satisfaction Guaranteed"...

"Viridian Joule" picked as winner of Chevy Volt Paint Color Contest

2011 Chevrolet Volt in Viridian Joule - Click above for high-res image gallery The votes have been cast, the tallies tallied and the winner determined: Viridian Joule will be the official name of...

By the Numbers - November 2009: Strengthen Your Core Edition

Hyundai up 46%, Nissan up 30% and all GM core brands positive It's pretty easy to stage a comeback when a prior year's monthly sales are so dismal, but that still doesn't dull the sheen off what...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 12.01.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnTue, 01 Dec 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[By the Numbers - November 2009: Strengthen Your Core Edition]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/by-the-numbers-november-2009-strengthen-your-core-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/by-the-numbers-november-2009-strengthen-your-core-edition/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/by-the-numbers-november-2009-strengthen-your-core-edition/#commentsFiled under:

Hyundai up 46%, Nissan up 30% and all GM core brands positive

It's pretty easy to stage a comeback when a prior year's monthly sales are so dismal, but that still doesn't dull the sheen off what happened last month for auto sales in the U.S.

Not surprisingly, Hyundai continues its winning ways with the largest increase in sales by volume at 45.91 percent. Newcomers to the I Know How To Sell Cars In A Down Market list include Nissan, up 19.94 percent, and Mercedes-Benz, up 19.11 percent. Subaru and Kia again perform flawlessly, posting gains of 23.95 and 18.27 percent, respectively.

Perhaps more interesting is the fact that all four core brands of General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC) posted positive sales numbers last month, and in the case of Buick rose 14.78 percent. Ford also continued to stay positive, but just barely posting 2.02 percent gain for the brand against a 0.04 decrease for the motor company. You can blame that on Lincoln and Mercury, both of which were down.

As the U.S. auto industry continues to claw its way out of this recession, the Chrysler Group is seemingly being left behind. Of the multi-brand companies we follow, the Pentastar performed the worst (-25.45 percent). The next worst performer, BMW Group, was down only 7.54 percent. With sales down only 8.09 percent, the Dodge brand was the company's best performer.

*Brands and companies are displayed in descending order according to their percentage change in volume sales. There were 23 selling days in November 2009 and 25 selling days in November 2008, so the change in monthly sales volume will be different than the change in the average daily sales rate (DSR) for each brand/company.

Brand Volume% Nov-13 Nov-12 DSR*% DSR Nov-09 DSR Nov-08
Hyundai 45.91 28,045 19,221 58.60 1,219 769
Nissan 29.94 50,644 38,974 41.24 2,202 1,559
Subaru 23.95 16,988 13,706 34.72 739 548
Mercedes-Benz 19.11 16,797 14,102 29.47 730 564
Kia 18.27 17,955 15,182 28.55 781 607
Porsche 18.00 1,626 1,378 28.26 71 55
Buick 14.78 8,627 7,516 24.76 375 301
Lexus 14.04 18,500 16,223 23.95 804 649
Volkswagen 13.68 16,250 14,295 23.56 707 572
Acura 11.17 8,769 7,888 20.84 381 316
Cadillac 10.28 9,721 8,815 19.87 423 353
GMC 5.38 21,301 20,214 14.54 926 809
Volvo 5.15 4,631 4,404 14.30 201 176
Chevrolet 4.46 100,023 95,756 13.54 4,349 3,830
BMW 3.23 15,708 15,217 12.20 683 609
Ford 2.02 105,133 103,055 10.89 4,571 4,122
Toyota 0.98 115,200 114,084 9.76 5,009 4,563
Mazda 0.86 14,255 14,134 9.63 620 565
Audi 0.32 6,810 6,788 9.05 296 272
Honda -4.55 65,234 68,345 3.75 2,836 2,734
Dodge -8.09 24,268 26,404 -0.10 1,055 1,056
Mercury -9.68 6,994 7,744 -1.83 304 310
Lincoln -20.08 6,409 8,019 -13.13 279 321
Jeep -24.45 15,339 20,302 -17.88 667 812
Infiniti -26.04 5,644 7,631 -19.61 245 305
Chrysler -37.33 12,544 20,017 -31.88 545 801
Pontiac -38.83 7,426 12,140 -33.51 323 486
Mitsubishi -42.60 2,925 5,096 -37.61 127 204
Mini -43.59 2,564 4,545 -38.68 111 182
Suzuki -52.11 1,540 3,216 -47.95 67 129
Saturn -54.03 3,737 8,130 -50.04 162 325
Saab -56.46 371 852 -52.67 16 34
Smart -70.44 661 2,236 -67.87 29 89
Hummer -84.80 221 1,454 -83.48 10 58
COMPANIES
Nissan NA 20.78 56,288 46,605 31.28 2,447 1,864
Toyota Mo Co 2.60 133,700 130,307 11.53 5,813 5,212
Ford Mo Co -0.04 123,167 123,222 8.65 5,355 4,929
General Motors -2.23 151,427 154,877 6.27 6,584 6,195
American Honda -2.93 74,003 76,233 5.52 3,218 3,049
BMW Group -7.54 18,272 19,762 0.50 794 790
Chrysler Group -25.45 63,560 85,260 -18.97 2,763 3,410

By the Numbers - November 2009: Strengthen Your Core Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>by the numbersByTheNumbersfeaturednovember 2009 auto salesNovember2009AutoSalesTue, 01 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Americans like White, the world likes Silver in new Color Popularity Report]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/americans-like-white-the-world-likes-silver-in-new-color-popula/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/americans-like-white-the-world-likes-silver-in-new-color-popula/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/americans-like-white-the-world-likes-silver-in-new-color-popula/#commentsFiled under:



DuPont has released its annual Color Popularity Report, and for the first time has converged data from across the globe to create a worldwide report on how we, as a species, prefer our cars to be colored. OK, maybe that's a bit hyperbolic, but the new worldwide report confirms that Black, Silver and White reign supreme regardless of borders. The three colors are tightly packed in North America, where White is most popular at 17.8 percent with Black (17 percent) and Silver (16.8 percent) not far behind. Europeans, however, like the sleek look of Black at 27 percent compared to Silver at 19.9 percent and White falling pretty far behind at 10.2 percent. Different regions like different colors, but these three remain at or near the top across the board.

Who knows why car buyers the world over seem averse to all the colors of the rainbow. Not us. While we dig a nice metallic Silver, other colors like Red, Blue and even shades of Green have a way of teasing out a car's personality better than the grayscale stuff. If you were shopping for a new car (or are), what colors are at the top of your list? We've included a poll below to see if our audience thinks anything like a DuPont customer.

View Poll



[Source: DuPont]

Continue reading Americans like White, the world likes Silver in new Color Popularity Report

Americans like White, the world likes Silver in new Color Popularity Report originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blackblack popular colorBlackPopularColorcar color popularityCarColorPopularitycolor popularityColorPopularitydupontsilversilver popular colorSilverPopularColorwhitewhite popular colorWhitePopularColorTue, 01 Dec 2009 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.30.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-30-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-30-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-30-09/#comments

Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt charges toward production

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery Three years ago this December we first walked into a Manhattan conference room for a background briefing on a new concept being...

New Buick Excelle debuts in China, sedan coming to America soon

2011 Buick Excelle XT - Click above for high-res image gallery Back in August, when General Motors gave the media a tour of its design studios to show off pieces of its upcoming lineup, one of...

2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal

2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery The Fiesta Movement, Ford's campaign to introduce the little global Fiesta car to the U.S. market, kicked off at the...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.30.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnMon, 30 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Happy Thanksgiving! Autoblog is grateful for...]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-autoblog-is-grateful-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-autoblog-is-grateful-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/happy-thanksgiving-autoblog-is-grateful-for/#comments
Click above to find out what the Autoblog team is thankful for

After reading our list, tell us what you're thankful for in the comments.

[Source Image: Road Fun | CC 2.0]

Happy Thanksgiving! Autoblog is grateful for... originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloghappy thanksgivingHappyThanksgivingthanksgivingThu, 26 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Texas unveils new vanity plates to raise money for state]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/texas-unveils-new-vanity-plates-to-raise-money-for-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/texas-unveils-new-vanity-plates-to-raise-money-for-state/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/26/texas-unveils-new-vanity-plates-to-raise-money-for-state/#commentsFiled under: ,

Texas' new vanity license plates - Click above for high-res image gallery


Every state in the union is facing huge budget deficits and a number have turned to license plates as a way to raise some fast cash. First was New York, which recently unveiled a new "Empire Gold" license plate. The catch? Any citizen who wants to legally drive is required to buy one when his or her current plates expire. And they're more expensive than the old ones to boot.

Speaking of boots, Texas is also planning to raise funds with license plates, but in this case it's totally optional. The Lone Star state recently unveiled a spate of new vanity plates on MyPlates.com that cost between $55 and $195 smackaroos. The selection is as large as the state itself (and its hats) including standard Lone Star plates in crazy colors like hot pink and orange (Texas calls them Lone Star Pink and Lone Star Orange), as well as an Old West-themed plate and other Texassy designs.

Sure, $195 for a vanity plate is a lot, but the money's divided between the state and its two partners in this joint venture: Pinnacle Technical Resources of Dallas and Etech Inc. of Nacogdoches. Regardless of the three-way split, the state is reportedly guaranteed $25 million over five years. Hey, if it'll help keep a few extra public school teachers employed and essential services in tact, then its worth living down the fact that your state now offers a hot pink license plate.



[Source: USA Today via Star-Telegram]

Texas unveils new vanity plates to raise money for state originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>license platesLicensePlatestexastexas vanity platesTexasVanityPlatesvanityvanity platesVanityPlatesThu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China snapped]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/spy-shots-next-gen-cruze-based-buick-excelle-for-china-snapped/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/spy-shots-next-gen-cruze-based-buick-excelle-for-china-snapped/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/spy-shots-next-gen-cruze-based-buick-excelle-for-china-snapped/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Next-gen Buick Excelle for China - Click above for high-res image gallery

Soon Buick will have an entire lineup of competitive vehicles with the Enclave, all-new LaCrosse and soon-to-arrive-from-Europe Regal. Since the latter model is basically a direct port of the Opel Insignia, its success may help General Motors decide whether or not to snag a fourth model from another overseas market. The likely candidate is this car, the next-gen Buick Excelle that is currently sold only in China.

Recently snapped by spy photographers while undergoing testing with very little camouflage, the next-gen Excelle will adopt GM's Delta II small car platform that also underpins the new Chevy Cruze and Opel Astra. It's more closely related to later, however, as previous generations have been not much more than rebadged Astras. Just because Buick could sell the Excelle in the U.S., however, doesn't mean it should. Would the market really accept a Buick this small, especially when the Cruze is on sale across the street? Time will tell but you can let GM know what you think now in the comments.


Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China


[Photos: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China snapped originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickbuick chinabuick excelleBuickChinaBuickExcellechevroletchevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzechinacruzeexcellespy picsspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotsMon, 23 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Officially Official: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe debuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-cadillac-cts-coupe-officially-official/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-cadillac-cts-coupe-officially-official/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-cadillac-cts-coupe-officially-official/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Today the wraps were officially removed from the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, the first two-door from Caddy since 2002. The coupe is the latest model to join the burgeoning CTS lineup, which also includes the sedan that started it all, the 556-hp CTS-V super sedan and the more recent CTS Sport Wagon. The coupe, however, is by far the most visually distinct CTS, sharing only its instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille with the sedan. Though its wheelbase is the same as the four-door's, the coupe sits two inches lower and stretches two inches less from tip to tail. The best touches are the hidden B-pillar, flush door handles, center-mounted dual exhaust, and a windshield and back glass that are raked at impossibly steep angles.

While the exterior screams excitement, the coupe's mechanicals are what we've come to expect from the CTS, which ain't a bad thing. The standard engine at launch will be General Motors' direct inject 3.6-liter V6 producing 304 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque. Expect 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway when paired with GM's optional Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic and 17/25 with the standard Aisin six-speed manual. Both rear- and all-wheel-drive are available, as are two handling packages: a Performance package with 18-inch wheels and a Summer Tire Performance package with 19-inch wheels, summer tires and larger brakes. Cadillac also confirmed that a V-Series variant will be sold sometime 2010.

The 2010 CTS Coupe is being referred to by GM as the focal point of Cadillac going forward, and it certainly anchors an incredibly strong and varied CTS lineup. There are plenty of competitors out there, however, just waiting for the CTS Coupe to throw its first punch, including the incredibly competent BMW 3-Series coupe and Audi A5. From this first look at things, they should brace themselves.


Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe


[Source: Cadillac]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe debuts

Officially Official: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 cadillac cts coupe2010CadillacCtsCoupecadillaccadillac cts coupeCadillacCtsCoupects coupeCtsCoupelala 2009la auto showLa2009LaAutoShowMon, 23 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford Fusion wins <i>Motor Trend</i> Car of the Year award]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/ford-fusion-car-of-the-year-motor-trend/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Ford Fusion Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the first time ever, Motor Trend announced the winner of its annual Car of the Year award this afternoon live via webcast. Though the field of 23 contenders was highly competitive this year (follow the jump for a complete list), we guessed immediately that the winner was a Ford as soon as the webcast came online. How'd we know? The fact they were broadcasting the announcement from Ford World Headquarters in Detroit was a not-so-subtle clue. The Fusion, Taurus and Mustang were all in the running, but it was Ford's redesigned mid-size sedan, the Fusion, that took home the coveted Golden Calipers.

In retrospect, the choice is a solid one and not all that surprising. The Fusion was extensively reworked for the 2010 model year and features a new exterior design, new models and new powertrains. Ford offers a four-cylinder model, two strong V6 options and a full-on parallel hybrid variant, which means buyers should have no trouble finding a Fusion that fits their needs. And indeed they have, as the Fusion has already broken its own yearly sales record - with two months left to go.

Like MT, we're big fans of the Fusion here at Autoblog, and even have high hopes that one day it could be the domestic car that knocks the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord from atop their perches as the best selling cars in the States. That said, this Ford still has a long way to go. Toyota has sold nearly twice as many Camry models as the Fusion so far this year, and the Accord and Nissan Altima are still flashing their taillights at Ford's CoTY winner. It's not just demand, as Ford doesn't even have the production capacity at the moment to match Camry sales, and it doesn't help that the Mercury Milan siphons off a few potential Fusion customers, as well.

Nevertheless, this is less about what the Fusion could be in the future than what it is today: the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Congrats to Ford and the Fusion team.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Sport


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion SE 6MT


Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

2010fordfusionhybrid_review0002010fordfusionhybrid_review0012010fordfusionhybrid_review0022010fordfusionhybrid_review0032010fordfusionhybrid_review004

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award

Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford fusion2010FordFusionbreakingcar of the yearCarOfTheYearcotyfordford fusionford fusion cotyFordFusionFordFusionCotyfusionfusion car of the yearfusion cotyfusion hybridfusion sportFusionCarOfTheYearFusionCotyFusionHybridFusionSportmotor trendmotor trend car of the yearMotorTrendMotorTrendCarOfTheYearTue, 17 Nov 2009 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.16.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-16-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-16-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-16-09/#comments

Review: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 six-speed reveals its true character

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 6-Speed - Click above for high-res image gallery This isn't our first sampling of the reborn Dodge Challenger. We've driven the SE, R/T and SRT8 variants before....

GM loses $�1.2B last quarter, ready to start repaying loans

This is one of the trickier press releases we've ever had to parse, but here goes. Despite losing $�1.15 billion in the third quarter of 2009, General Motors sees this as a "solid foundation." GM...

REPORT: C/D says Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon

Between the Buick Regal GS, front-wheel drive (and possible hybrid) Chevrolet Impala and the rumored Caprice SS, Bob Lutz has managed to release a scad officially unofficial details on General...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.16.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnMon, 16 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered Speculation: Return of the R for Volvo?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/rendered-speculation-return-of-the-r-for-volvo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/rendered-speculation-return-of-the-r-for-volvo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/16/rendered-speculation-return-of-the-r-for-volvo/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Swedespeed has asked the question that anyone who follows Volvo is thinking: Will R cars return? After a tumultuous last couple of years that saw the Swedish brand suffer falling sales amidst parent company Ford's effort to sell the brand to the highest bidder (it's looking like Chinese automaker Geely at the moment), Volvo has gotten as far away from producing performance automobiles as a brand can. All the while, its competition from Germany, Japan and the U.S. have augmented their luxury lines with mid-level or super high-performance cars like the BMW 335i/M3, Audi S4/RS4 and Cadillac CTS-V. Volvo, meanwhile, put all its egg into a basket that touted refined design and safety. Unfortunately, every player in these segments has upped the ante with their designs and superior safety is no longer an island on which Volvo finds itself alone.

So back to the R cars. Volvo had some success with the 850R in the mid-Nineties, which was a mildly hotter version than the standard box sedan on which it was based. After that, the P2-gen S60R and V70R were downright scorchers with a complex Haldex all-wheel-drive system, 300-hp motor, adjustable 4C suspension and Brembo brakes. But then the R cars disappeared and were replaced by "R Design" packages that offered all of the visual potential for high performance but little else.

Swedespeed decided that proper R cars should return with the arrival of the all-new S60, and rather than being blow-the-doors-off quick, should offer mid-level performance like the original 850R did. What you see above is their rendered speculation of a reborn S60R. Click here to read more about it and catch an extra view. We think they're spot on and would love to see Volvo return to building R cars that make us think of more than safety and design when we're behind the wheel.

[Source: Swedespeed]

Rendered Speculation: Return of the R for Volvo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>s60s60rvolvovolvo s60volvo s60rVolvoS60VolvoS60rMon, 16 Nov 2009 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.12.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-12-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-12-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-12-09/#comments

First Drive: SMS 570X makes 700 hp, gobs more joy

SMS 570X - Click above for high-res image gallery During the course of a wide-ranging, more than two-hour long conversation, we asked racing legend, aftermarket impresario and SMS namesake...

Rumormill: Mercedes considering more affordable "baby" SLS AMG gullwing?

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery The folks over at Mercedes appear to be pretty excited about their newest supercar. For starters, the SLS AMG gullwing is...

VIDEO: Low-flying pelican results in Bugatti Veyron Hydro Edition

Click above to watch the video after the jump This is one of the saddest, yet most amusing sights we've ever seen. A $�1.6 million Bugatti Veyron sitting in a salt water lagoon, door open, in two...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.12.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnThu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.11.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-11-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-11-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-11-09/#comments

First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is technologically impressive... but to what end?

2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery BMW's pitch on how great the X6 ActiveHybrid is goes like this: it's the world's most powerful hybrid vehicle, fuel...

REPORT: BMW plans to offer four-cylinder diesels in the U.S.

BMW X5 xDrive35d - click above for high-res image gallery To mechanics of the Seventies, the phrase "Oldmobile 350 Diesel" is enough to cause heart palpitations. For many Americans, that...

While Supplies Last: Pontiac says only 16 G8 GXPs left at U.S. dealers (among other things)

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP - Click above for high-res image gallery If you're looking to get your hands on a Pontiac before the General Motors division shuts its doors for good, you'd better act...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.11.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnWed, 11 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.10.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-10-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-10-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/10/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-10-09/#comments

Review: 2009 Aston Martin DB9 Volante makes getting away with it half all the fun

2009 Aston Martin DB9 Volante - Click above for high-res image gallery Let's say a clandestine organization asked you, for your country, to "take care of" an enemy of the state at tonight's...

BMW defies logic with six-cylinder Concept 6 motorcycle

BMW Concept 6 - Click above for high-res image gallery BMW is known the world over for its excellent brand of inline-six cylinder powerplants. In most cases, those supremely smooth and powerful...

Lookin' Swede: Volvo reveals Geneva-bound 2010 S60 sedan

2010 Volvo S60 - Click above for high-res image gallery A company's image can be a burden and a blessing. Volvo, for example, remains keen on ditching its image for boxy, lackluster...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.10.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnTue, 10 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.06.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-06-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-06-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-06-09/#comments

First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over

2011 Kia Sorento - Click above for high-res image gallery Sometimes it's hard to remember what you did just yesterday, but think back to 2003 when Kia first introduced the Sorento mid-size...

SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 5

We've made it to the last day of our SEMA Sweeps! We've given away four limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, but we've got one left. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and...

REPORT: Toyota execs deny cover-up after feds rebuke automaker over runaway car investigation

Remember Toyota's massive 3.8 million unit unintended acceleration recall that was attributed to pesky floor mats? It appears defective floor mats doesn't tell the whole story, as the Department...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.06.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnFri, 06 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-sweeps-win-one-of-five-sony-psp-gran-turismo-bundles-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-sweeps-win-one-of-five-sony-psp-gran-turismo-bundles-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/sema-sweeps-win-one-of-five-sony-psp-gran-turismo-bundles-day/#comments

We've made it to the last day of our SEMA Sweeps! We've given away four limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, but we've got one left. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and contacted, so here's how you can win today.

We're doing this in honor of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and with it, the Seventh Annual GT Awards, so take advantage of our generosity and follow the directions below for your chance to win.

For the last prize, we want to know which car you think should be the cover car of Gran Turismo 5. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG? Corvette ZR1? Something else? This is your last chance to win, so make sure to follow the directions below and enter for your chance to win!

Entering is easy. All you have to do is:
  • Leave a comment in this post telling us what vehicle you think should be the cover car of Gran Turismo 5.
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec, désolé!)
  • Limit 1 entry per person per day
  • This entry period ends at 3:00PM EST on Saturday, November 7
  • At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one PSP/GT bundle (ARV $199.99) that includes a Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system, Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD, a PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (title TBD) and Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs.
  • For a list of complete rules, click here
That's it - it's free and easy. Good luck!

SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>psp gran turismoPspGranTurismosema sweepsSemaSweepssonysony pspSonyPspFri, 06 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler's 335-slide PowerPoint presentation and the weird stuff therein]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/chryslers-335-slide-powerpoint-presentation-and-the-weird-stuff/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/chryslers-335-slide-powerpoint-presentation-and-the-weird-stuff/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/chryslers-335-slide-powerpoint-presentation-and-the-weird-stuff/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chrysler 5-year business plan... all of it - Click above to view gallery

So you're not an automotive journalist and couldn't spend seven hours (!) following along yesterday as Chrysler execs presented their 5-year business plan for the company. What you missed was a bladder-busting 335-slide PowerPoint presentation that we won't soon forget. Fear not, as we've obtained the entire presentation and uploaded into a gallery. Every slide is there, including some curious ones that deserve pointing out.
  • Slide #14: The crucial demographic that Dodge is targeting to increase sales: moms with tat sleeves.
  • Slide #32: Is this the next-gen Dodge Charger or just the Charger R/T Concept?
  • Slide #38: Look familiar? It does to us! Chrysler swiped a photo of the Dodge ACR shot by our own Drew Phillips (see original here).
  • Slide #144: Did you know? The word "Jeep" is used to help kids learn how to write the letter J, as is every other word with a J in it.
  • Slide #291: A brochure for the 2010 Chrysler 300 that shows a mystery grille. We've seen the brochure's contents, which instead show the model currently on sale.
  • Slide #303: The speaker onstage said the Viper would return in 2012, the slide says it's under consideration.
Now it's your turn. Let us know if you find anything strange, wrong or worth pointing out in the comments below.

Gallery: Chrysler's 5-Year Business Plan

Chrysler's 335-slide PowerPoint presentation and the weird stuff therein originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerchrysler business planchrysler llcChryslerBusinessPlanChryslerLlcThu, 05 Nov 2009 20:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.05.09]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-05-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-05-09/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/daily-u-turn-what-you-missed-on-11-05-09/#comments

Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO]

Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts - Click above for high-res image gallery They started out in our steering wheels before taking up residence across the dash. They then migrated to the side of...

SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 4

It's Day 4 of our SEMA Sweeps! After giving away three of five limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, we're ready to give away our fourth. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and...

LA Preview: Porsche reveals new lightweight Boxster Spyder [w/VIDEO]

Porsche Boxster Spyder - Click above for high-res image gallery We're less than a month away from the LA Auto Show, which means that automakers are starting to dribble out some of what we'll be...

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.05.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>uturnThu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 4]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/sema-sweeps-win-one-of-five-sony-psp-gran-turismo-bundles-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/sema-sweeps-win-one-of-five-sony-psp-gran-turismo-bundles-day/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/sema-sweeps-win-one-of-five-sony-psp-gran-turismo-bundles-day/#commentsFiled under:



It's Day 4 of our SEMA Sweeps! After giving away three of five limited-edition PSP/Gran Turismo bundles, we're ready to give away our fourth. Yesterday's winner has been randomly selected and contacted, so here's how you can win today.

We're doing this in honor of the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and with it, the Seventh Annual GT Awards, so take advantage of our generosity and follow the directions below for your chance to win.

Today we're asking whether you prefer the PSP-3000 or new PSP Go. Your answer won't have any effect on your chances of winning since the sweepstakes winner is drawn at random, so pick your favorite portable Sony system, leave a comment and keep your fingers crossed!

Entering is easy. All you have to do is:
  • Leave a comment in this post telling us whether you prefer the PSP-3000 or PSP Go.
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec, désolé!)
  • Limit 1 entry per person per day
  • This entry period ends at 3:00PM EST on Friday, November 6
  • At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one PSP/GT bundle (ARV $199.99) that includes a Mystic Silver PSP-3000 system, Gran Turismo PSP game on UMD, a PlayStation Network downloadable voucher for a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, PlayStation Network downloadable movie voucher (title TBD) and Sony MusicPass voucher good for 10 downloadable songs.
  • For a list of complete rules, click here
That's it - it's free and easy. Good luck!

SEMA Sweeps: Win one of five Sony PSP/Gran Turismo bundles - Day 4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gran turismogran turismo pspGranTurismoGranTurismoPspsemasema sweepsSemaSweepssonysony pspSonyPspThu, 05 Nov 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/inflatable-seat-belts-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/inflatable-seat-belts-ford/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/inflatable-seat-belts-ford/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts - Click above for high-res image gallery

They started out in our steering wheels before taking up residence across the dash. They then migrated to the side of our vehicles and grew to be full-sized curtains. Automakers seem to stick them everywhere, so where else can airbags go to protect our fleshy, organic bodies when metal meets metal in an accident? Ford has the answer: seatbelts.

Today Ford is introducing the auto industry's first* inflatable seat belts, which are scheduled to enter production in 2010 on the next-generation Ford Explorer before being offered across its global lineup. They're designed for rear-seat occupants only (front passengers already have a plethora of airbags) and, in the event of a frontal or side impact, will inflate the belt across a passenger's chest in 40 milliseconds. When expanded, the belt cover five times more surface area of the body than a normal seat belt, which helps better distribute the forces of a crash.

The mechanics of Ford's inflatable belt system use cold compressed gas to inflate the bags, unlike traditional airbags that rely on a heat-generating chemical reaction. The seat belt bags also inflate slower and to a lower pressure than a traditional airbag, mainly because they don't have to cover the distance between the passenger and an object (steering wheel, dash).

This isn't the first time we've heard about Ford's inflatable seat belts. The automaker has been working on the idea for several years and revealed their intentions right before the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Unfortunately, Ford may not be the first to market with the idea. The Lexus LFA, also set to enter production next year, features an SRS seatbelt airbag as well. We don't know if the next-gen Explorer will beat the LFA to dealer showrooms yet, but Ford can at least take pride in knowing that its technology will be protecting more than just 500 lives.

UPDATE: Videos added after the jump.


Gallery: Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO]

Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingexplorerfordford explorerford inflatable seat beltFordExplorerFordInflatableSeatBeltinflatable seat beltinflatable seatbeltInflatableSeatBeltThu, 05 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST