carmudgeons.com http://forums.carmudgeons.com Carmudgeons is a small community of crotchety car owners and serial car buyers. en Thu, 31 May 2012 17:50:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/images/misc/rss.jpg carmudgeons.com http://forums.carmudgeons.com This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site. <![CDATA[20,000 People Want 877 Jobs At Hyundai's Alabama Factory [Industry News]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/dh_qpMddlKM/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 17:50:09 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17o9t4jcg5b66jpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914434/20000-people-want-877-jobs-at-hyundais-alabama-factory) Have you ever wanted to work in a automobile factory? A lot of people do (http://www.cnbc.com/id/47614988),...

Have you ever wanted to work in a automobile factory? A lot of people do, apparently, and as car manufacturers ramp up production to meeting a steadily improving economy, the number of people vying for limited job slots is a telltale sign that we aren't out of the woods yet. More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52767 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52767 Exclusive: Volkswagen seriously considering Amarok pickup for Canada http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/1NfBVO1uuTE/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 17:50:09 GMT Filed under: Truck (http://www.autoblog.com/category/trucks/), Volkswagen (http://www.autoblog.com/category/volkswagen/), Canada (http://www.autoblog.com/category/canada/), South America (http://www.autoblog.com/category/south-america/), Diesel (http://www.autoblog.com/category/diesel/) Image:... Filed under: Truck, Volkswagen, Canada, South America, Diesel



Full-size pickups continue to rule the sales roost in North America, and there frankly hasn't been much action in the small and midsize segment to generate new interest. Ford finally put its Ranger out to pasture, the Ram Dakota is gone and a Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon replacement has a ways to go before it hits the market. The category's remaining imports - Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Honda Ridgeline - aren't exactly fresh, and the long-promised Mahindra model hasn't exactly worked out. But surely there still has to be a market for a smaller, fully modern pickup, right?
"Bottom line? We are very interested, but are proceeding very slowly and very cautiously."

Apparently Volkswagen thinks there might be. Autoblog has learned that VW is seriously investigating selling its handsome Amarok pickup in Canada. According to Thomas Tetzlaff, Media Relations Manager at VW of Canada, the German automaker is "presently in the 'evaluation stage,' where we are pouring over data with a fine-toothed comb. Bottom line? We are very interested, but are proceeding very slowly and very cautiously."

Thanks to a number of tipsters, Autoblog has discovered that VWoC is actively discussing the Amarok with its dealer body, which in turn has been gauging customer interest in the truck. Tetzlaff confirms: "Yes, we have had discussions with our dealers and they have given us some very positive feedback. The challenge is to justify the project 'on our own'." Past history suggests that VW's Canadian arm is up to the challenge - as recently as 2009, VWoC offered the Golf and Jetta City models without an equivalent U.S. model.
This suggests that VW is considering importing a TDI diesel model.

Tetzlaff would not confirm which cab styles and powertrain options are under consideration, but he did say, "The powertrain solution would certainly give Canadian buyers a real alternative in the light pickup market." This suggests that VW is considering importing a TDI diesel model. At present, VW builds the Amarok with one of three diesel powertrains in Argentina, offering 138-177 horsepower and 250-310 pound-feet of torque. The Amarok is assembled in both single and double-cab configurations with either rear- or four-wheel drive and is sold in South America, Europe, Russia, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

While sounding optimistic about the Amarok's chances, Tetzlaff cautioned, "Our desire to bring such a product to market needs to be balanced with a strong business case. The costs we would need to incur in order to import the vehicle need to be factored into the equation and they are not insubstantial... the project is nowhere near a 'green light' just yet."

And what about here in the States? VW spokesman Mark Gillies: "VW of America has absolutely no plans to sell the current version of the Amarok in the U.S."Volkswagen seriously considering Amarok pickup for Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments ]]> In The News Autoblog RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52766 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52766 <![CDATA[$1.7 Million Bugatti Grand Sport Nearly Crashes On Hillclimb [Video]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/tAop4SoIyjc/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 17:20:05 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17o94xb94i8l4jpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914361/17-million-bugatti-grand-sport-nearly-crashes-on-hillclimb) At last weekend's Precott hill climb, the driver of a targa-topped Bugatti Grand Sport...

At last weekend's Precott hill climb, the driver of a targa-topped Bugatti Grand Sport saved his car and a massive amount of money when he almost spun into a grass embankment. For that, we salute him. More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52764 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52764 Video: Toyota uses IQ minicar to help improve Google Street View http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/ni0S30O-pNA/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 17:20:05 GMT Filed under: Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Videos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/), Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), Toyota (http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/) Image:... Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Toyota



Google Street View vehicles have logged millions of miles in an effort to display video of every street imaginable, but unfortunately the G-Mobile is too big for a few European roads. But instead of leaving the thin and narrow out of Street View, Team Google has employed the diminutive Toyota iQ onto the smallest streets in Belgium to to go where Google Street View previously could not travel.

Scroll down to watch the little iQ do its thing. Some of the roads only look big enough for a Schwinn, but the smallest Toyota does the trick just fine.Continue reading Toyota uses IQ minicar to help improve Google Street View

Toyota uses IQ minicar to help improve Google Street View originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2012 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments ]]> In The News Autoblog RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52763 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52763 <![CDATA[The Beauty Of Car Pelts [Car Art]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/spthJrUro8g/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 16:40:54 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17oavvu16v5dhjpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914483/the-beauty-of-car-pelts) A few years back, a friend of mine visiting San Francisco texted me a picture. The image (http://dustinshuler.com/images/web_car_pelts/pelts%2004.jpg)...

A few years back, a friend of mine visiting San Francisco texted me a picture. The image was the side of a nondescript white building, with what looked like a red, flattened Fiat 850 Spider. I did some research, and that's exactly what it was. The buidling was the Moscone Center, the car was once a Fiat 850 Spider, and the automotive flayer was Dustin Shuler. More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52762 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52762 <![CDATA[Bentley Wants To Know What China Thinks Of Its New SUV [Bentley]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/GWXdsCwmavg/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 16:40:54 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17o8hh9taju9jjpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914259/bentley-wants-to-know-what-china-thinks-of-its-new-suv) If you didn't already know it, China has arrived. Bentley is tailoring its new SUV to meet Chinese buyers' tastes,...

If you didn't already know it, China has arrived. Bentley is tailoring its new SUV to meet Chinese buyers' tastes, because China is the company's largest market. But no one liked Bentley's new beast at the Geneva auto show, so the luxury carmaker is trying to find out why. More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52761 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52761 <![CDATA[What's Your Excuse For Not Riding A Motorcycle? [Question Of The Day]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/_UXaG5VZ4VE/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 16:10:02 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17oc6e3pdtkibjpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914581/whats-your-excuse-for-not-riding-a-motorcycle) "Since it's the last day of my reign of terror as guest editor at ye olde Jalop (Matt's back tomorrow), I figured I'd ask you...

"Since it's the last day of my reign of terror as guest editor at ye olde Jalop (Matt's back tomorrow), I figured I'd ask you guys a question that constantly baffles me. Given their fuel economy, ability to personally reduce your travel times while reducing overall congestion, free parking, stunning performance, involving nature and general unabashed awesomeness, why do you guys sit around all day locked in metal cages? Why don't you ride bikes? More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52760 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52760 <![CDATA[The Ten Coolest Public Works Projects Of Recent Years [Video]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/1jNyDAteAiA/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 16:10:02 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17oc7a7xjq0zcjpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914586/the-ten-coolest-public-works-projects-of-recent-years/gallery/) The WPA isn't around anymore, but there are still crazy public works projects going up all over the world....

The WPA isn't around anymore, but there are still crazy public works projects going up all over the world. Jalopnik readers picked out the ten coolest transportation-related engineering feats of recent years, just to prove that mankind isn't over the hill. More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52759 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52759 First Drive: 2013 Audi A3 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/wqTDdfjS844/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 16:10:02 GMT Filed under: Hatchback (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/), Audi (http://www.autoblog.com/category/audi/), First Drives (http://www.autoblog.com/category/driving/), Luxury (http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/) An Old Vanguard Gets Ready For a New War Image:... Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, First Drives, Luxury

An Old Vanguard Gets Ready For a New War



In 1996, the first Audi A3 essentially established the premium compact segment, but that distinction really only carried significance in Europe. Gradually, and especially in its two most recent generations, its corporate sibling, the Volkswagen Golf, has become something of a true premium hatch without the badge, leaving more and more people to wonder if there was a point to splurging for the costlier Audi. Then the new Mini Cooper came along to effectively steal the thunder in the new century's compact premium market. In the past few years, Audi's A3 lineup has been scrambling around in search of redefinition. It has continued selling in alright numbers in Europe (and it currently accounts for 20 percent of annual Audi sales worldwide), but officials acknowledge the car could do much better elsewhere.

The first two generations of the A3 - 1996 and then 2003 - were only offered in hatchback form. But now that Audi has its sights on expanding the range's appeal globally, when the U.S. begins taking delivery of the third generation in the autumn of 2013, there will be a new sedan bodystyle to accompany the five-door Sportback. That means a new A3 is still over a year away for us, but we couldn't wait to drive it, so we headed to the hatchback-loving Spanish island of Mallorca to sample it for you.Continue reading 2013 Audi A3

2013 Audi A3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments ]]> In The News Autoblog RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52758 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52758 <![CDATA[$800,000 Shelby Cobra Burns Inside Mountain [Shelby Cobra]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/B709HBNLOhA/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 15:30:30 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17ob05cmz09f6jpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914488/800000-shelby-cobra-burns-inside-mountain) An unusual fire of an unusual car in an unusual place happened Monday, May 21 when a 1964 Shelby Cobra caught fire and burned...

An unusual fire of an unusual car in an unusual place happened Monday, May 21 when a 1964 Shelby Cobra caught fire and burned inside the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel in Utah's Zion National Park. The tunnel is just over a mile long and cut through solid rock, with six open "windows" in the outer rock walls that give a view of the surrounding area. More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52757 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52757 Spy Shots: Chevy SS prototype already taking the checkered flag http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/t4-avpzTF90/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 15:30:30 GMT Filed under: Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Holden (http://www.autoblog.com/category/holden/), Australia... Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Chevrolet, Holden, Australia



General Motors isn't set to begin producing the new Chevrolet SS until early next year, but the company has recently been spotted testing the model on U.S. streets. Our spy photographers managed to click a few photos of a heavily camouflaged version of the sedan before engineers spirited it back into the relative safety of the automaker's facilities. Even so, those on hand could easily hear the bark and snarl of an impressive V8 propelling the machine around. Odds are that's a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter lump behind the headlights, though GM was using a Cadillac CTS-V chase vehicle to keep pace, leading some to speculate as to whether or not the company may be considering a supercharged version.

Sounds like fun to us. We can clearly see a set of massive front brakes at work on the machine, however. After a closer glance, it looks as if the Chevrolet SS may roll out the door with six-piston calipers on hand, though the wheel spokes make visual confirmation a bit tricky. The shots also clearly show off a muscular set of dual exhaust and meaty rear tires out back.

While most of the nose is obscured by camo, we can see a set of LED daytime running lights peeking through the mesh. The Chevrolet SS will be built alongside the next-generation Holden Commodore in Australia beginning in 2013. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.Chevy SS prototype already taking the checkered flag originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments ]]> In The News Autoblog RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52756 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52756 Dictators throughout history and the cars they loved http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/Ci7nusEmWqU/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 15:00:06 GMT Filed under: Classics (http://www.autoblog.com/category/timewarp/), Etc. (http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/), Celebrities (http://www.autoblog.com/category/celebrities/) Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/north-korea-funeral.jpg ... Filed under: Classics, Etc., Celebrities



With Sacha Baron Cohen's latest movie, The Dictator, raking in box office millions, our friends at Hagerty Insurance have compiled a list of the Top 10 Dictator Car Guys. While we're familiar with the automotive fancies of some foreign rulers - like Kim Jong-Il, whose funeral was something of a classic car parade - this list digs deep into the annals of totalitarianism.

It's no surprise that among these powerful men, exotics from the likes of Ferrari were highly esteemed. What's more shocking is just how brutal some of these guys were. If you haven't cracked a history book in some years, consider this your impetus to at least read the Wikipedia entry for El Jefe.

So what was Sacha Baron Cohen's pick for his character's dictatorial ride? A parade of gold Dartz SUVs, of course. you can read the full article at Hagerty's website.Dictators throughout history and the cars they loved originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments ]]> In The News Autoblog RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52755 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52755 <![CDATA[Haul Six Kids To 60 MPH In 4.9 Seconds [New Cars]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/tnFlXX5DCpI/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 14:22:48 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17obyk66g0rrfjpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914545/haul-six-kids-to-60-mph-in-49-seconds/gallery/) G63 AMG (http://jalopnik.com/5914358/hooning-an-amg+tuned-gelandewagen-on-the-autobahn) just a little too...agricultural for...

G63 AMG just a little too...agricultural for you? If so, then maybe this super-SUV is the truck for you. Mercedes has dropped its ubiquitous 5.5-liter, twin-turbo, 550 HP V8 into the mommy-mobile and called it the GL63 AMG. More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52753 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52753 Spy Shots: First 2013 Honda Accord prototype caught testing http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/kUGqSV3Nz4E/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 14:22:48 GMT Filed under: Spy Photos (http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/), Sedan (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/), Honda (http://www.autoblog.com/category/honda/), Rumormill (http://www.autoblog.com/category/rumormill/), Design/Style (http://www.autoblog.com/category/design-style/) Image:... Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Honda, Rumormill, Design/Style



There is no way to overstate how crucial the new Accord launch is to Honda's future. After some recent missteps, from the launch of the dowdy and unloved Crosstour to the yawn-inducing 2012 Civic, and with new competition mounting from Ford, Hyundai and Kia, Honda clearly needs a winner in its redesigned midsize sedan.

While we already know that Honda will be introducing a continuously variable transmission and a new Sport trim in the 2013 Accord, now we've finally got some images of the car. Unfortunately, the vehicle is heavily cloaked, but we can still see a few details. On the lower grille there appears to be a honeycomb mesh similar to what was seen on the Accord Coupe concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show this year, while the horizontal slats on the upper grille resemble those on the facelifted Crosstour.

The big question, however, is just what size the new Accord will come in. The current model had grown from being a medium midsize sedan to a smallish large sedan, and of course, a few generations back, the car was actually a compact. While it's hard to say with just these images for reference, it appears that the next-gen Accord is unlikely to change dimensionally.

Further reinforcing that belief is that we hear direct injection will be added to both the Accord's four- and six-cylinder engines, which, along with that CVT, should allow Honda to boast of improved fuel economy without downsizing. Not to mention that the new-for-2012 Toyota Camry didn't get any smaller, and Honda certainly isn't going to be the first Japanese carmaker to blink on that all-important comparison.

Check out all the images in our gallery.First 2013 Honda Accord prototype caught testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments ]]> In The News Autoblog RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52752 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52752 <![CDATA[For $2,800, Be Forever Plaid [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/carmudgeons/~3/uuzSwxjZI7A/showthread.php Thu, 31 May 2012 13:40:20 GMT Image: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17o9zmu9l5546jpg/original.jpg (http://jalopnik.com/5914343/for-2800-be-forever-plaid) With the new FR-S and BRZ twins it's obvious Toyota has been secretly Single White Femaling Subaru. In fact, as pointed out by today's Nice Price or...

With the new FR-S and BRZ twins it's obvious Toyota has been secretly Single White Femaling Subaru. In fact, as pointed out by today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe Tercel with 4WD, they have been for a long time. Will this one's price however sting like a stiletto in the head? More &raquo;

]]> In The News Jalopnik RSS http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52750 http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=52750