Steer Cars

OFFICIAL NEWS: OnStar expands service to Mexico.

2012-09-07T20:21:00.004+05:30

"Bienvenidos a OnStar."

General Motors Co. announced this afternoon that it's taking its OnStar services south of the border and will begin offering them in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles sold in Mexico in 2013. Services included: automatic crash response, 24/7 emergency services, stolen vehicle assistance, vehicle diagnostics, turn-by-turn navigation, remote door unlock and the RemoteLink mobile app.

While OnStar does come with a monthly subscription fee, GM believes the having a human being on the other end of the line makes its service special.

The company may have a point. Extensive testing has shown there are some advantages to the service and humans generally have much better voice recognition abilities than Siri, Sync or even HAL. But individual customers must decide if it's worth the price.

The expansion of services means all of North America will now be covered by OnStar. GM also offers OnStar in China. Currently there are 6 million subscribers to OnStar.

FEATURED NEWS: Deep Dive: 2013 Range Rover bows in London, diesel hybrid confirmed.

2012-09-07T20:19:00.004+05:30

This all-new 2013 model might just be the SUV archetype of the future.

It's been said that if you want to see what an ordinary sedan will be like in 10 or 20 years' time, you should look at an S-Class fromMercedes-Benz. The thought is that as a leader in innovation, safety, and comfort, the executive sedan's features will eventually trickle down to more mundane iron like your average family four door. The same hasn't always been true of its closest off-road equivalent, the Land Rover Range Rover, but this all-new 2013 model might just be the SUV archetype of the future with its major leaps forward in weight, efficiency, capability and luxury.

For starters, as has been previously publicized, the 2013 Range Rover has gone on a massive diet. Thanks largely to its all-aluminum chassis, some 700 pounds has been snipped from the Daddy Rover (some trims save as much as 926 pounds!). Perspective? The vehicle's bodyshell is over 60 pounds lighter than a BMW 3 Series. That's about as sizable a diet as we can remember hearing of a production car from one generation to the next, and this ambitious lightweighting regime shows the way that other SUVs and crossovers will almost certainly have to go in order to meet increasingly stringent fuel economy and emissions targets the world over. Despite being much lighter, the bonded and riveted chassis and bodyframe are significantly stiffer than the third generation Landie, which wasn't exactly a creaking hollow. Even the chassis assembly process uses a lot less energy, and with no need for welding stations, the factory is said to be oddly quiet, too.

Land Rover confirmed what we've all suspected for some time – a hybrid variant.

Lighter structures will only get automakers part of the way to their goals; powertrains play a big part in meeting efficiency targets, too. To that end, the Range Rover's engines have gone on diets – not just in displacement, but in weight as well. And for the first time at its London launch today, Land Rover confirmed what we've all suspected for some time – a hybrid variant.

The parallel hybrid is actually based on the company's new 3.0-liter diesel V6 powertrain. Like all other 2013 Range Rovers, the diesel-electric relies on a ZF eight-speed automatic, but its transmission integrates an electric motor. Special care has been taken to keep the 1.7-kWh battery pack low in the chassis, but it's protected by a boron steel cradle, so officials say you can high-center the entire vehicle on a rock without fear of gashing its costly lithium-ion cells. Even more impressively, wading depth is also unaffected by the hybrid powertrain. Land Rover claims the system is good for 333 horsepower and 0-60 miles per hour in under seven seconds. More importantly, buyers are advised to expect 45 miles per imperial gallon on the combined European cycle (LR offers no U.S. equivalent guidance).

The force-fed V8 rings up 510 hp and 461 lb-ft – enough motive force for a 5.1-second 0-60 dash.

Sadly, Land Rover says this diesel-electric powertrain isn't coming to the U.S. – at least not for the moment. Instead, we'll get updated versions of the 5.0-liter V8 in both naturally aspirated and supercharged forms. The 32-valve V8 will be routed to the ground through a permanent four-wheel-drive system (a rear differential is optional). For 2013, the standard U.S. Rover V8 produces 375 horsepower and matching pound-feet of torque, good enough for a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. The force-fed V8 rings up 510 hp and 461 lb-ft – enough motive force for a 5.1-second 0-60 dash (0.8 seconds quicker than last year and about 0.2 seconds quicker than a BMW X5 xDrive50i).

That's rapid enough to momentarily forget our disappointment in learning that there's no diesel model yet for the U.S. – a bummer considering rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz are enjoying growing interest in their diesel models. We understand the reluctance to bring over the diesel hybrid to the States (cost and consumer acceptance issues), but we'd like to see the new 3.0-liter V6 diesel on sale (254 hp/442 lb-ft), or even the larger 4.4-liter with 334 hp and 516 lb-ft. When we asked Nick Rogers, Range Rover Vehicle Line Director about such possibilities, he could only wryly say that "there is clearly an opportunity" for an alt-fuel powertrain in North America, suggesting that one may eventually be made available. We wouldn't rule out a 3.0-liter gas V6 or even a gasoline hybrid in this generation, either.

We've just seen the new Range Rover here at its London reveal, and it continues to exude that elusive "Lord and Master of All I Survey" presence that has long been its stock in trade. That said, we're still not sure how we feel about the new design. It definitely looks cutting-edge and more rakish (a faster windscreen angle and a longer wheelbase and lower roofline will do that for a design), but some of the profile detailing strikes us as fussy – namely the trio of 'slats' on the leading edge of the front doors, which echo the vertical fender vents of this vehicle's predecessor without actually being functional. It also doesn't help that the L-shaped taillamps remind us of the Ford Explorer. We'll need to see it on the street (or covered in mud) to properly judge the whole aesthetic.

The 2013's cabin has 50-percent less switchgear.

The outgoing Range Rover had a visually stunning interior with a commanding driving position marred by occasionally befuddling controls and a glitchy navigation system. We'll have to wait until our first drive to see how the new hardware shakes out, but we like what we see – and what we don't see – the 2013's cabin has 50-percent less switchgear, along with new options like the largest panoramic sunroof ever fitted to an SUV and a more sybaritic two-place rear seat with a wood-laden center console. It helps, too, that said rear seat's legroom has been embiggened by over four inches. The new cabin also claims to be much quieter, with less road and wind noise than an Audi A8. Did we mention the availability of a 29-speaker, 1,700-watt Meridian sound system? Twenty Nine.

Land Rover hasn't forgotten about its off-road heritage, and despite having a longer wheelbase that ought to erode capability, a more capable air suspension and a next-generation Terrain Response system (with a new automatic mode) suggests that the Rover should continue to be Camel-Trophy ready. In fact, it ought to be better than ever. The vehicle's wading depth is up 20 percent to over 35 inches thanks to specially conceived "labyrinth" breather vents hidden under the clamshell hood, and the aforementioned suspension system now has even greater range than before with nearly five inches of additional clearance when called for – off-road ride height is now listed at 11.9 inches. And despite offering additional wheel sizes – from 18 to 22 inches – Land Rover has gone against the grain by fitting tires with taller sidewalls, part of an effort to minimize wheel and tire damage when off roading (as well as increase ride comfort).

Most Land Rovers will live out the majority of their days on pavement, of course, and those 700 fewer pounds should help improve handling greatly. Range Rovers have always had a bit more lean in the corners than their more tarmac-oriented rivals, but a new two-channel active lean control system (read: active anti-roll bars) on supercharged models should help flatten corning response. And a new aluminum double-wishbone front and rear multi-link suspension setup backed by adjustable air springs promises to deliver a suppler ride and better wheel control. Direction changes are now affected by electric power steering to help curb fuel consumption, and officials tell Autoblog that the company has worked particularly hard to preserve feedback and on-center feel, though the proof will be in the driving.

Its dramatic weight loss, diesel-hybrid tech and array of electronics point the way for the genre.

On the safety front, the Range Rover gains all of the usual safety anagrams, along with available active cruise control with auto brake and driver warning, blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert, self park and a panoply of airbags.

All in, the 2013 Range Rover looks to be loaded to the headliner (available in three different colors, natch) with equipment to help it conquer every conceivable scenario, from the Gobi Desert to Beverly Hills' notoriously fickle valet stands. And while we don't expect every SUV or crossover 20 years hence to boast the Range Rover's fording depth or its semi-aniline leather, its dramatic weight loss, diesel-hybrid tech and array of electronics point the way for the genre.

SPY SHOTS: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe spied testing.

2012-09-07T20:10:00.001+05:30

From here on out, anything with two doors in the BMW lineup will have an even-numbered designation, meaning that the 3 Series Coupe will now become the 4 Series. The big exception to this rule, of course, is BMW's new-found passion for the four-door coupe. The 6 Series Gran Coupe made its debut this year, but next year a smaller version of this design is on its way to the U.S. courtesy of the all-new 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Although this prototype looks very similar to the upcoming 3 Series GT hatchback, the sleeker roofline and lower and longer decklid are clues to the fact that this is the 4GC, but it still keeps the long hood that has become a key element of the 2012 3 Series sedan (F30). Our spy photographers also said that this 4 Series Gran Coupe appeared to be a little bit longer than a standard F30 sedan.

No official word on powertrains for the 4 Series Gran Coupe, but it should carry over the same engines as the current 3 Series sedan. That means we can expect 428i Gran Coupe and 435i Gran Coupe names with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system likely folding into the mix, as well.

In addition to this model, we've already spotted the BMW 4 Series a few times this year in coupe form as well as convertible both with the retractable hard top up and down.

Ford Europe goes further with American vehicles.

2012-09-07T08:13:00.001+05:30

Just weeks before the Paris Motor Show, Ford Motor Co. has taken the wraps off of much of its new lineup for Europe in an effort to shore up its efforts for European dealers. The webcast press conference from Amsterdam ended with the official announcement that the Dearborn, Michigan-based car maker will officiallymake the Mustang available for Autobahn runs and cobble stone street drifting.

"We'll have more details on the Mustang coming to Europe later this year," CEO Alan Mulally said, as he stood before a crowd of more than 2,500 dealers, enthusiasts and reporters. Thousands more watched him and other key Ford executives tout the company's accelerated plans to introduce more global vehicles to Europe.

The Old Country has been problematic in recent years as its stagnant economy has cost automakers billions. Ford lost $404 million in Europe in the second quarter of 2012 and expects Europe to continue to drag down the company's global profitability in the near future. But instead of going on the defensive, Ford has launched its own path to prosperity, Mulally said. The company can't afford to try the same old formulas.

"Six years ago, we developed our One Ford plan," Mulally said, "Now, we're bringing that plan to Europe."

Scroll down to continue reading.

The original One Ford plan included a product blitzkrieg in America based on many European designed vehicles such as the Ford Fiesta, Focus and Transit Connect. Now, to capitalize on many successful American products, it appears those are destined to Europe, this time as the Ford Kuga, Edge and Mondeo(built off of the Escape, Edge and Fusion platforms).

According to Ford's top European executive Stephen Odell, 41 percent of Europe's vehicles are currently built on global platforms. By 2016, 71 percent of Europe's vehicles will be globally built vehicles.

The plan makes sense and could help the Blue Oval take advantage of economies of scale to lower the overall cost of many vehicles. And as long as the market embraces the vehicles, Ford should be able to begin to show profits in Europe.

Ford is certainly placing some big bets on its crossovers and sport utilities, which Odell says sales are expected to grow in Europe.

The small EcoSport (above), first launched in South America, will now go to Europe as a second generation CUV. Later this year, Ford will introduce the midsize Ford Kuga, which is built on the new Escape platform. Ford also will bring the Edge to Europe, where this bigger midsize crossover may have a tougher time handling narrow European streets and much tighter parking spaces.

While less exciting, Ford showed off three versions of the new Transit work van (above), a version of which will be coming to America eventually, with gas and diesel variants, to replace the aging Econoline. The smaller Transit Connect is also overhauled.

Ford also debuted a redesigned Mondeo, which shares its looks and platform with the 2013 Ford Fusion. However, the Mondeo will include Ford's three-cylinder 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and offer a wagon variant.

"This is as true of engines as it is of computers and smart phones," said Barb Samardzich, vice president of product development for Ford Europe, "and by equipping the all-new Mondeo in Europe with our acclaimed 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine we are delivering cutting-edge technology that delivers a very real and tangible customer benefit."

The extreme product makeover could help bolster sales for Ford in Europe, but more importantly, the commonality of vehicles across the globe could make the car maker more profitable. Great cars are good to have as long as the accountants use black pens instead of red ones.

OFFICIAL NEWS: Mitsubishi drops details on plug-in hybrid Outlander.

2012-09-07T08:11:00.002+05:30

Another entrant in the Paris Motor Show has been revealed, as Mitsubishi has announced that it will unveil a plug-in hybrid version of its updated Outlander SUV. According to Mitsubishi, this is the first ever plug-in hybrid SUV and will join a freshened version of the ASX crossover (Outlander Sport over here), and the i-MiEV Evolution electric racecar which competed in the 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

Mitsubishi is apparently into that whole multi-dimensional theory, because it describes the Outlander PHEV as "The best of three worlds: The environmental performance of an electric vehicle (EV), the cursing range of a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and the on- and off-road performance of an SUV."

Though few will venture the Outlander off the smooth tarmac, it would be very interesting to experience the driving characteristics of the Outlander PHEV in electric mode off the beaten path.

According to Mitsubishi, the powertrain can run in full EV mode, series hybrid mode or parallel hybrid mode. There is no mention of pricing, and although it is set to hit the Japanese market in early 2013, there is no word as to whether this plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander will reach our shores.

OFFICIAL NEWS: Mini releases official John Cooper Works GP details.

2012-09-06T23:15:00.001+05:30

Our hot hatch dreams have come true. Mini will officially unveil the 2013 John Cooper Works GP hardtop at the 2012 Paris Motor Show later this month, and the automaker has released the official specs – as well as a brace of new images – revealing that earlier speculation was indeed fact.

So, let's get to the good stuff. Engine: turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with 218 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, as well as an overboost function that's able to churn out 207 lb-ft of twist for brief moments. Suspension: fully adjustable coilover setup that allows the car to be lowered up to 20 millimeters and features increased front camber to better keep the high-performance sport tires stuck the ground. Weight: 2,558 pounds. 0-62 miles per hour: 6.3 seconds.

Other enhancements for the JCW GP include upgraded brakes, unique 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels and a beefy exterior aero kit that's reminiscent of the JCW GP from 2006. Inside, the rear seats have been removed, Recaro chairs have been fitted for the driver and passenger, and sporty elements like red accents and alcantara trim are now found throughout the cabin.

We. Are. Ready.

OFFICIAL NEWS: Ford Edge going to Europe, will be joined by EcoSport.

2012-09-06T23:12:00.002+05:30

As part of Ford's a big European product rollout, the automaker announced that the Edge crossover will make its way across The Pond in the near future.

Hot on the heels of the Mustang announcement, Ford has stated that the Edge and all-new EcoSportcrossovers will make their way to Europe. While you may be quite familiar with the Edge, the EcoSport is a compact crossover, first sold in Latin America. It has already been announced that the Fiesta-based SUV would be sold in India, and now it appears that it will come to Europe as well.

The EcoSport will slot in below the B-platform Ford Kuga (sister crossover to the Escape), which will enter the market first. The EcoSport will come within 18 months, and finally, the Edge will arrive as a "larger, more premium crossover."

According to Jim Farely, VP of global marketing at Ford, "The expanding European SUV market is a unique opportunity for Ford and lands right in our sweet spot." He went on to boast that "No other company can touch Ford's expertise, global portfolio and credibility when it comes to SUVs."

VIDEO: The details of the Lada XRay concept.

2012-09-06T23:09:00.002+05:30

When is the last time you watched five minutes of video on a Lada that didn't involve dual power windows,fires or Fifth Gear? Don't feel bad if the answer is, "What's Russian for 'never'?", but now's a good time to change that. Lada wants the world to know that it's no longer the old Lada, revealing its very brown and rather sleek XRay concept at the Moscow Motor Show, and it didn't stop at taking a mound of photos in order to show it off.

Penned by the brand's Milan-based design team – which is headed by Steve Mattin, an alumnus ofMercedes-Benz and Volvo – the XRay is a sign of both Lada's aspirations and the design language we should eventually see on its production cars. You can get a closer look at it in the two videos below.

FIRST DRIVE: 2014 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon.

2012-09-06T23:05:00.000+05:30

Vital Stats

Engine:: 2.0L Turbo I4
Power:: 241 HP / 258 LB-FT
Transmission:: 8-Speed Auto
0-60 Time:: 6.0 Seconds
Top Speed:: 155 MPH (limited)
Drivetrain:: Rear-Wheel Drive
Curb Weight:: 3,494 LBS
Seating:: 2+3
Cargo:: 17.5 / 53.0 CU-FT
MPG:: 25.5 City / 42.7 HWY (Euro)
MSRP:: $38,500 base (est.)

Each year the remaining air continues to wheeze out of America's longtime love affair with the station wagon. The SUV and crossover have had their way with our sensibilities and there seems no reversing the course. This is sad, but wagons will survive in America, dammit. They always find a way to claw on, no matter how gleefully skeptics keep stepping on their fingers.

A premium wagon will always drive better than a premium SUV or crossover, and the fuel mileage figures will always be noticeably better. Space and comfort? Roughly equal. And nowadays if you want to stand out and be noticed for your incredible wealth of good taste, knowledge and sophistication, a me-too SUV or crossover cannot help you.

So what will we do if the day comes when the last station wagon is gone from U.S. roads? Cry like sissies?

Hell, no. We wagonites will either all move to Europe or hoard spare wagon parts for the coming automotive apocalypse and take impeccable care of our cherished many-windowed relics.

And so it's time to drive the latest BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon – called 3 Series Touring or T-Modell on the old continent – and, right off, we can shout that we love that BMW sees fit to bring the new F31-generation 3 Series wagon to North America... in around April of 2013. Whatever the wait, we'll take it. (Deliveries start in western Europe on September 22nd.) Luckily, the only trim available to test at this Germany drive event was the one that will also sell most in the U.S., the 328i sports wagon.

Just as the new 3 Series sedan weighs about 90 pounds less when put on the scales alongside the previous E90 generation, the F31 fifth-generation 3 Series wagon loses nearly the same amount of weight. This is a great start to things.

This 3 Series sports wagon grows up and out, too, promising a more astute grasp of driving dynamics and interior space arrangement than previous generations. While the length of the car is stretched 3.7 inches beyond the E91 generation, the wheelbase grows 2.0 inches, front track 1.5 inches and rear track almost 1.9 inches. All of these numbers, together with 10-percent greater rigidity in the wagon architecture, have us imagining already how our drive will be: pretty satisfying most likely.

BMW has committed irreversibly to Pirelli Cinturato P7 run-flats for safety, convenience and the benefits of added rear cargo space in the absence of a spare. These treads are used with the optional 18-inch wheels of the Luxury line trim – 225/45 R18 91Y all around – and this setup actually pleased us all day on all roads. Standard wheels and tires for the Sport, Modern and Luxury lines are 17-inch, while the M Sport line starts at 18 inches and can opt up to a 19-inch set. For solid everyday wagoning along with good steady dynamics, we liked the 18s just fine; the greater overall stance of the sports wagon's architecture helped this ride situation quite a bit. The trick with run-flats has simply been knowing on which trims to include them – we dislike them on 35i engine trims and M cars – plus there is also ongoing research by tire manufacturers to create run-flats that feel less and less like heavy wooden tires. These Cinturato P7s do a pretty good job of it.

Another key issue on any wagon is the comfort and space inside. We don't expect 7 Series levels of comfort, but we do expect a top-notch usable cargo area with clever flexibility designed in. Whether it's with all seats in place or all folded down, rear cargo numbers for the 3 Series sports wagon are up by 1.2 cubic feet, so the range is now between 17.5 and 53.0 cubic feet, which makes this the most spacious small premium wagon out there. (By just a scootch, mind you.)

Flexibility is really nice here, by the way. We played with everything and used various development experts on site as our assistants in exploring it all. There's the standard 40:20:40 rear seatbacks that drop forward flat, to start with. The separating cross member for the cargo area is, of course, removable, but it has been split into two parts now since one of the old complaints was that the single member was too heavy for some people. Now, the forward piece contains a sturdy pull-out separator net that attaches in headliner slots above the rear passenger doors. The rear piece manages the rolled-up cargo cover. Removing either or both of these is now very quick work.

That first cross member piece, once removed after dropping the seatbacks forward, can be securely slotted into the seatbacks (now acting as cargo floor). Then you can pull up on the cargo netting and attach it to the overhead secure points, and now all objects and living creatures loaded back there would be safe and secure if hard braking is called for. As a bonus, below the cargo floor, where there isn't a spare tire anymore, is a large compartmentalized tray for tucking away whatever you like. A smaller rearward floor panel reveals the place where you can store those longer cargo cross members when you don't need them at all. Slick and easy to live with.

The multiple award-winning 241-horsepower N20 twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine once again reminds us of just how smitten we are by all these latest 328i trims. We've said it already in other Bimmer reviews, but you most likely do not ever need to shell out the extra cash to get the 335i. This extremely impressive four-cylinder already feels far better than the naturally aspirated six-cylinder it replaced last year. Crucify us, but it's true. There's more power at more useful revs (5,000 – 6,000 rpm), way more torque over a wider band (258 pound-feet between 1,250 and 4,800 rpm) and 11-percent greater fuel efficiency with the standard eight-speed Steptronic automatic than the outgoing inline six with six-speed automatic. The direct injection at idle is a little tick-tick-ticky, but under throttle the 328i wagon is probably the smoothest driving hauler in any class. And in a smaller premium wagon like this one, saying "standard automatic" doesn't make us groan much, especially since this one is so good in this configuration.

The driving pleasure, whether calibrated to Eco Pro with start-and-stop, Comfort, Sport or Sport+, is quite sophisticated for this class, and the 328i sports wagon puts the soon-to-land Audi A4 Allroad quattro in the weeds when it comes to these asphalt qualities. Get the M Sport line, adaptive M sport suspension and variable sport steering, and you can make your 328i wagon as nasty as you like. Go the whole hog route with all things just as you like, though, and be prepared to shell out upwards of $55,000 after starting at the estimated $38,500 base price. Oh, you can always go higher, yep.

Our 328i sports wagon Luxury trim tester on this day was a consummately handsome unit, though the high-gloss emphasis of the Luxury trim would not be our first choice. Still, we cannot whine about the astute sport adjustable seat selection, nicely driver-oriented dash and console, nor the Driving Experience Control selector and specific shift lever and steering wheel paddles for the sport automatic gearbox $500 option. The added space for rear passengers in all dimensions is another plus as a result of the longer wheelbase and wider tracks of this wagon.

As to the design of all that added sheetmetal, we like what we see a lot. The 3 Series' newer face is more interesting to look at these days, and the rediscovered true kidney grille is welcome. The contour lines running the full length of the sports wagon just add to the sporting appeal of the car. As we were frequently staring at the tail end of other test cars on this day in Germany, this new solution for the wagon is particularly successful to our eyes. It's not only very handsome and has much better looking taillights, but the tailgate load opening is wider and taller now, too, making luggage hefting easier for anyone.

No manual six-speed transmission seems to be on the dance card for this new sports wagon once it hits American shores, however, and that will make some aficionados unhappy. That manual is legendarily good, too, but we don't mind being forced to live without it, at least in this 328i wagon setup. For some sections of our drive we shifted the sport automatic with our right hand at the console lever, but it starts to feel a little silly after a bit. Fortunately, the paddles work well and the Steptronic eight is in healthy condition these days. It holds revs, too, in Sport manual mode, and that counts for a lot. It's also just as quick to 62 mph (100 kmh) as the manual – 6.0 seconds estimated, but it'll easily go quicker in capable hands – and does it all while saving fuel and polluting less.

A 302-hp 335i trim for the sports wagon is currently under discussion, always with the eight-speed Steptronic, arriving sometime after the 328i has established itself here in 2013. Also on the table are xDrive trims of the wagon. Regarding the latest 255-hp 330d trim with 413 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 3,000 rpm and a nearly 4,000-pound towing capacity, BMW in the U.S. is just telling us that it is a hot point of discussion. We hope so because that would be wagon nirvana.

So, do not ever call the station wagon culture in America down for the count. With wagons like this setting the bar, we have a feeling many could come back to the fold.

OFFICIAL POLLING: Ford debuts familiar all-new Mondeo, shows wagon version.

2012-09-06T23:00:00.000+05:30

Ford showed the world its all-new Mondeo in Amsterdam today, alerting Europeans that a new "flagship" for the Blue Oval brand has arrived. The new Ford, a lookalike of the Fusion model available here in the United States, makes its European debut with flavors of powertrain and body style that will be unique to its target market.

First and foremost (to our car-geek eyes) is the five-door wagon variant that you see here. The Mondeo wagon retains the angular front-third from the sedan version, but tacks a rather long and useful-looking cargo space on to the back of the vehicle. The result, at least from some vantage points, isn't the most elegant load-lugger we've yet seen, but it is certainly prepared handle small-family needs in a way that a sedan just can't match.

The Mondeo will be available with Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, as well as with a hybrid-electric powertrain making use of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor. The HEV powerplant is the first such for a European Ford product, and will be available on the sedan only, to start. The company states that Mondeo will see a diesel-powered, all-wheels-driven version for the first time ever, though no timing is offered for this model.

Other niceties like SYNC, MyFord Touch, a panoramic roof and adaptive LED headlights will be available, too, causing Ford reps to gush that this Mondeo is "the most premium" model they've offered to date.

If Ford were to offer a Fusion wagon here in the U.S., ladies and gentlemen, this is what it would look like. Sadly, as ever, the wagon is a Euro-only treat. That said, cast your vote in our poll below and let us know if you'd actually buy a Fusion wagon if Ford were to ever offer one in the States.

Kia gives a closer look at Quoris interior.

2012-09-06T22:53:00.001+05:30

We already know what Kia's new flagship sedan will look like, but the automaker has finally released a handful of images showing the car in its Quoris-specific guise. While Kia still hasn't said when the 2013Quoris will be available here in the U.S., these new shots of the car have us eagerly anticipating the car's arrival.

One new aspect of the Kia Quoris that we haven't seen before is the heads-up display screen. It's not clear what the availability of the HUD will be on the Quoris, but it is a feature that will help set it apart in a crowded luxury sedan market. From the picture, we can see that the full-color HUD screen will display information for the adaptive cruise control, navigation and vehicle speed, and we'd imagine there's more.

This latest round of images also gives us a better idea of what the interior will look like in a more natural light, as opposed to stylized images of the Kia K9 we've seen before, and they show the cabin in a different color combination. Outside the car, we still see full LED headlights and we also get a look at a new set of stylish, multi-spoke wheels with painted inserts.

VIDEO: Ford Mustang headed to Europe.

2012-09-06T22:50:00.002+05:30

We've known for sometime now that Europeans love the Ford Mustang. Gray market importers have made plenty of cash by shipping the ponies from the United States to the EU for years, but now it looks as if buyers will be able to sink their teeth into brand-new, factory-perfect examples of the next-generation Mustang straight from Ford.

Ford Europe has announced that the Mustang is officially coming to the old country via a quick, 30-second YouTube video. The launch is part of a 15-model offensive by the Blue Oval in the EU, according to NPR, and the company projects the new sheetmetal should help the brand boost its sales by 20 percent across the continent.

We'll have more information for you soon. Stay tuned. In the interim, take a look at the Mustangannouncement video below. You'll want to turn up the volume for this one.

OFFICIAL NEWS: Audi debuts 450-HP RS5 Cabriolet

2012-09-06T22:47:00.001+05:30

Audi has dropped the curtain on the painfully awesome RS5 Cabriolet, which will go on sale in Germany in Spring of 2013.

Audi's much loved 4.2-liter FSI V8 is nestled under the hood, sending 450 horsepower through a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox to Audi's Quattro all wheel drive. The S-Tronic can be operated via steering wheel paddle shifters, while the Quattro system uses a 40:60 front/rear power ratio. Depending on the conditions, it can transfer up to 70 percent of power to the front wheels, or 85 percent to the rear when needed. Together, these systems will allow the RS5 to get from a standstill up to 62 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but according to the translation, the customer can ask to have that raised to 280 km/h (174 mph).

In non-performance-related numbers, the convertible top raises in 15 seconds and closes in 17 at speeds of up to 31 mph. The RS5 is visually set off with RS badging, grey front spoiler, and standard 19-inch forged aluminum wheels. Twenty-inch rollers are also available.

Word is that the RS5 Cabriolet will, in fact, be coming to America. When it goes on sale in Germany, it will carry a base price of €88,500, which translates into $111,427. No word on when the car will arrive here or how many will make the trip across the Atlantic.

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Ford unveils slicker, sleeker 2014 Transit Connect.

2012-09-06T22:27:00.002+05:30

Well, hello there. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the next-generation Ford Transit Connect (nevermind that Tourneo Connect front plate in the photo above), making its global debut today at an event in Amsterdam. And don't think this is some one-off Euro example, either. The handsome beast you see here will be making its way to North America toward the end of 2013.

As we first saw in some spy shots earlier this week, the next-generation Transit Connect borrows heavily from the smaller Focus and Fiesta models in terms of design, proudly wearing the automaker's trapezoidal grille. Smaller, sleeker headlamps and more pronounced foglamps finish off what's truly an attractive front end, and new wheel options go a long way to rid the TC of its all-work-and-no-play image. Around back, slimmer taillamps have been fitted, and as we can see here, the little van's barn doors have been ditched in favor of a more traditional liftgate. (No word on if Ford will still offer the two-door setup.)

Mum's the word on powertrain details, though Ford's brief press release states that Europe will receive "highly-efficient downsized diesel and petrol engines," while here in the United States, we'll make due with "a tailored range of gasoline powertrains."

European deliveries of the 2014 Transit Connect are scheduled to start at the end of 2013, and U.S.-spec cars should arrive shortly thereafter.

You think gas prices are bad here, Italians are paying $9.50/gal.

2012-09-06T22:22:00.002+05:30

Drivers in certain parts of Italy are currently shelling out a staggering $9.50 per gallon of gasoline, according to Bloomberg. The hefty fuel prices are largely the result of the European debt crisis. Italy has hiked fuel taxes in an attempt to get a handle on the country's public debt, which has the dubious honor of being the fourth-highest in the entire world. Of course, the jump in fuel costs has only hurt consumer spending in the country, sending Italy even farther into a recession that continues to damage Fiat earnings.

Fuel prices have increased by around 20 percent versus the same time period last year, and that jump has caused new car sales to slacken by 20 percent through the first seven months of 2012. Meanwhile, gasoline and diesel consumption has fallen by around 9.7 percent through June.

According to analysts, with gas at these prices the average Italian family is spending more on fuel than it is on food. Ouch.

VIDEO: S8 ad to air in NFL kickoff game tonight as Audi recommits to Super Bowl.

2012-09-06T07:56:00.002+05:30

Audi has pulled the covers back on the first ad for its S line ahead of the spot's launch during the NFL kickoff game this evening. The ad will serve as the country's first taste of a full host of S vehicles, and features theS8 adding a bit of spice to an otherwise droll errand run. Audi threw in a few themes from our favorite heist flicks to keep things interesting, and the videography is as sharp as we've come to expect from the German automaker's ad house.

Perhaps more interesting than the spot itself, however, is the fact that Audi will once again commit to advertising during the Super Bowl. This will mark the sixth time in a row the company has sponsored the NFL's main event, though Audi isn't saying a word about what this year's commercial will entail. As you may recall, last year, the manufacturer cashed in on the vampire craze with an ad for the S7.

Check out the new S8 ad below.

OFFICIAL NEWS: McLaren confirms Paris Motor Show attendance, will likely show F1 successor.

2012-09-06T07:51:00.000+05:30

McLaren Automotive has announced that it will be formally present at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, unveiling a new car on Thursday, September 27. We have good reason to believe that this could only be the much-rumored F1 hypercar successor.

Aside from a few spy photos, the only visual hint we get of the next McLaren is this still of time-lapse wind-tunnel testing. In this image, we see the silhouette of a very swoopy design, with several gaping vents.

Rumor has it that the engine will be an 800-horsepower version of the company's twin-turbocharged V8. It would also benefit from a 200-horsepower KERS system, for a total output of 1,000 race-bred horses.

EXCLUSIVE: Elon Musk: 'The credit for saving Tesla should go to Daimler'

2012-09-06T07:49:00.005+05:30

Back in 2009, the plug-in vehicle world was surprised to learn that Daimler had invested $50 million in Tesla Motors. What we didn't know at the time was that the money came deus ex machina style just before the EV startup reaper was about to knock. Turns out, Tesla's financial situation was much worse back then than anyone realized.

AutoblogGreen recently spent an hour interviewing Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and when we asked about the money, Musk said, "The credit for saving Tesla should go to Daimler. It was the Daimler investment that saved Tesla in early 2009. ... 2007 and 2008 were especially bad for us. ... There were a couple of near-death situations."

Those near-death situations include the time Musk needed to funnel a lot of his personal capital into Tesla – "I literally had to borrow money for rent" – in order to get through 2008 and early 2009. Having run through a lot of his own money, he appreciated Daimler was investing in Tesla even though Daimler itself was cash strapped. "When someone is hungry themselves and they give you a bit of food, you've got to be grateful for that."

Musk added that Tesla's financial situation today is "pretty good," and that the company has "a couple hundred million dollars" in reserve. As long as there aren't a "bunch of screw-ups," then the automaker should be in good financial shape, he said.

Stay tuned for more from AutoblogGreen's one-on-one interview, including the full transcript, later this week.

Irish cabs installing video cameras to guard against false rape allegations.

2012-09-06T07:48:00.005+05:30

While installing video cameras in taxicabs is nothing new for reality television producers – witness the voyeuristic Taxicab Confessions, and the downright delightful Cash Cab – hack drivers in Derry, Northern Ireland have gone high-tech for considerably more practical, and darker reasons.

Following an incident in which a drunken passenger attempted to grab the steering wheel while the car was in motion, one savvy Irish cabbie installed a closed circuit television system into his taxi. The move apparently paid off, as the driver in question was later attacked by another fare, and has successfully used footage from the camera to help prosecute his assailant.

Customer-on-cabbie violence isn't the only reason that some of Derry's largest taxi companies, along with many individual drivers, are going the CCTV route. After at least one failed accusation of rape last year, drivers believe that in-car cameras will give them evidence of professional behavior, as well as offering a higher sense of security to their female passengers.

Jarlath Malone, proprietor of Derry cab company Foyle Delta, said, "I know a lot of drivers who will not work at night because of fears of being attacked or robbed but the biggest fear they have is of being falsely accused of rape."

OFFICIAL NEWS: ALMS and Grand-Am make merger official, first joint race named

2012-09-06T07:48:00.000+05:30

Earlier reports of a merger between the American Le Mans Series and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series have proven to be well founded today, as representatives from both series have confirmed that the merger is indeed taking place.

Grand-Am founder Jim France and ALMS founder Don Panoz stated jointly this afternoon that the new sports car racing series, as yet unnamed, will kick off with its first joint race at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2014. The new series is likely to present a schedule of some 12 races per year, though each series will continue on independently for the 2013 season.

While no confirmation of the exact racing-class structure has been given yet, a continuation of the popular Prototype and GT classes seems likely. Evidence for this came in the form of some Grand-Am and ALMS cars on display for the announcement: a Corvette Daytona Prototype, SRT Viper GTS-R and a Lola B12/80 Judd, amongst others.

France (the son of legendary NASCAR founder, Bill France Sr.) will take on the role of Chairman for the new series, with Panoz serving as Vice Chairman.

Some larger support from NASCAR is seemingly in evidence, too, with three members of that series' executive structure serving as board members for the new sports car racing tie-up.

For their part, early response to the announcement on the part of participating automakers seems bullish. Jamie Allison, Director of Ford Racing, called the event an "epic moment for sports car racing in America." Echoing those sentiments, Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of SRT, said in a press release, "Congratulations to both leadership teams for unifying their efforts to create what will certainly be an amazing new series featuring outstanding sports car competition at some of the most legendary race courses."

2013 Ford Escape recalled for third time, again for fire risk.

2012-09-06T07:46:00.004+05:30

Oh dear. As if the previous two recalls weren't bad enough, the brand new 2013 Ford Escape is under fire yet again for, well, fire. Or at least the potential for it.

According to The Detroit News, 7,600 Escape models – 6,150 of which are in the United States – equipped with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine are being recalled due to a faulty cup plug in the engine cylinder head. In the event this cup dislodges, coolant could rapidly leak and create what The Detroit Newscalls a "combustible glycol concentration" that can catch fire near hot engine components. According to Ford, this recall only affects vehicles with manually installed cup plugs and that only approximately 0.4 percent of the recalled Escapes will have faulty parts. The vehicles in question were built between October 5, 2011 and August 31, 2012.

Ford has not received any reports of fires from customers, though one Escape reportedly caught fire at a dealership in Tennessee.

Back in July, Ford recalled the 2013 Escape due to faulty engine compartment fuel lines in vehicles fitted with the 1.6-liter engine, and asked owners to stop driving the vehicles immediately. The Detroit News reports that Ford will not be issuing a similar warning regarding this new recall because the threat of a fire is much smaller. Also in July, 10,000 Escapes were recalled over a brake pedal interference issue.

Neither Ford or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an official statement as of this writing.

This is what the Ferrari F70 might really look like.

2012-09-06T07:45:00.003+05:30

There are many reasons to get excited about the future of supercars right now. Between the development of the Acura NSX, the next-generation Nissan GT-R, the long line of lustyLamborghini concepts and McLaren tinkerings, we may very well be on the doorstep of a golden age of exotic engineering. But few of those offerings send us licking our chops quite so quickly as the successor of the legendary Ferrari Enzo throne. Christened the F70 internally, the machine reportedly boasts a hybrid drivetrain brawny enough to bolt the Italian menace to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds.

Odds are there's a healthy V12 mounted midship, and if the whispers we hear happen to be true, the F70 will be able to saunter up to a top speed of 250 mph. Our spy photo friends have produced a pair of renderings for us based on their own surreptitiously snapped images that help cut through the awful body cladding we've seen attached to the test cars frolicking about Europe at the moment.

If the production car looks even remotely as attractive as these sketches, the world is about to become a much sexier place. With lots of 458 in the front and hints of F40 in that engine cover, there's plenty to get excited about here. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until the 2013 Geneva Motor Show before we see the real deal

OFFICIAL NEWS: Russian-market Honda Accord to share sheetmetal with U.S. model.

2012-09-06T07:42:00.003+05:30

We noticed something interesting about the design sketches of the Russian-spec 2013 Accord Honda showed off at the Moscow International Motor Show recently. Aside from the license plate getting swapped from a California tag to a German one, the renderings were identical to the early drawings of the U.S.-spec model Honda showed off during its press presentation for the 2013 Accord.

This is of note because Russian Honda dealers have typically supplied their buyers with Euro-spec Accord models (think Acura TSX). Honda has now confirmed our suspicions that the Russian Accord will be replaced with a version based on the U.S.-spec model. It's also worth noting that Acura is reportedly heading to Russia in 2014.

"We haven't announced plans for Europe," said Chris Martin with Honda public relations, "but the Ruissian model will share sheetmetal and basic design with the U.S. model."

Martin made it clear that there will, of course, be some market differences, but that by and large, the two models will be the same. Honda hasn't said which engine options will show up on the Russian order sheet as of yet.

And what of Europe? Given the German plate on these sketches and the fact that Russia is officially getting the same model as the North American market, we would wager there's a good chance that Honda will grace the EU with the same machine. Stay tuned.

OFFICIAL NEWS: Highway patrol car of the future picked as this year's LA Auto Show Design Challenge theme.

2012-09-06T07:41:00.001+05:30

For the last nine years, the Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge has been part of the LA Auto Show, pitting design studios from around the world against each other in a forward-thinking competition.

In the past, there have been a variety of challenge themes, including last year's "movie cars" challenge. This year the competition is turning to the likes of the California Highway Patrol, attempting to portend what law enforcement vehicles may hold for us in 2025. While previous competitions have set the future date as far as 2050, this date is a more tangible one, meaning that each entrant may be more closely rooted in the realities of cities throughout the world in the next decade and beyond.

According to Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles, "Adding the element of law enforcement to this year's competition creates another layer of importance that makes a challenge equal to the level of our participants."

Thus far, Bentley, BMW, General Motors, Hyundai, Honda, and Subaru have put their design studios to the task and accepted the challenge. The winner will be announced at an event during the LA Auto Show on November 29.

VIDEO: Drivable Lego go-kart is slow but awesome.

2012-09-06T07:39:00.003+05:30

Yeah, yeah, you liked to build with Lego bricks when you were a kid. But could you build a go-kart large enough and sturdy enough to carry your own weight? Don't answer yet. Could you then make this monster kart actually move under its own power, albeit slowly, like the real thing? We thought not, hotshot.

Mind you, it seems as though the adult in this video – a Dutchman by the name of Eric Steenstra – is running the show, and likely the build. The go kart (dubbed "Le-GoKart" on Steenstra's tumblr page) makes use of 48 Lego Mindstorms NXT motors and 16 NXT battery packs, has working headlights and taillights and can support the weight of a 222-pound adult man. It is constructed exclusively from Lego parts, too – no cheating.

Forget the fact that the kart is so slow with a child piloting it that an area rug substantially slows it down, and simply enjoy the videoed madness, below.