UKDM Nissan 370Z ‘Yellow’ is a special-edition homage to Europe’s GT4 series
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Nissan, UK, Special/Limited Editions
2010 Spyker C8 Aileron - Click above for image gallery
American fans of Nissan's fantastic new 370Z can order their cars in Chicane Yellow, but up until now, their counterparts in Blighty have been out of luck if they've wanted a sunburst Z of their own. Until now. That's because Nissan UK has cooked up a special new limited-edition (if unimaginatively named) 370Z Yellow.
Apparently inspired by the Japanese automaker's European GT4 series racers, all Yellows will receive 19-inch forged RAYS alloys, a black leather and suede interior, along with illuminated door sill plates, special floor mats, and so on. Did we mention the bespoke lower body graphics? They remind us of less subtle, billboard-sized versions of the graphics packages on certain Porsche 911s.
Nissan assures that there will be a "strictly limited volume" of Yellows for sale in the UK, with "exclusivity guaranteed." But tellingly, perhaps, the company isn't divulging just how many it plans to produce in the model's press release (available after the jump). If you're interested, prepare to shell out £31,650 (nearly $52,000 USD)
for a six-speed manual or £33,050 for the automatic (just over $54,000 USD - as usual, bear in mind the UK's comparatively inflated pricing structure for new cars).
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Continue reading UKDM Nissan 370Z 'Yellow' is a special-edition homage to Europe's GT4 series
UKDM Nissan 370Z 'Yellow' is a special-edition homage to Europe's GT4 series originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Filed under: Autoline on Autoblog
Hybrids Stumble While Diesels Surge
The new-car sales figures for June must be a cause for concern for fans of hybrids. But at the same time they're very encouraging for diesel proponents. You don't want to read too much into one month's sales numbers, but the numbers do tell a story.Ever since gasoline prices tumbled from their highs of last year, sales of hybrids have tumbled along with them. And while most automakers are shunning diesel engines right now, Volkswagen turned in sales numbers in June that should make everybody sit up and pay attention.
So, are we going to see a battle royale between hybrids and diesels? It's too early to tell, but here's what's going on in the market at this snapshot in time.
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John McElroy is host of the TV program "Autoline Detroit" and daily web video "Autoline Daily". Every week he brings his unique insights as an auto industry insider to Autoblog readers.
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Continue reading Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.2.09
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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.2.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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REPORT: Dodges to be rebranded as Alfa Romeos in Europe
Filed under: Euro, Dodge, Earnings/Financials, Alfa Romeo
With the ink still wet on the Fiat/Chrysler deal, many auto sites (including Autoblog) have had a bit of fun prognosticating which Fiat/Alfa models would be rebadged as Chrysler products. U.K. site Autocar is reporting that Fiat is exploring bringing in Dodge models to Europe to be rebadged at Alfa Romeos. CEO Sergio Marchionne is said to be considering the move, saying that the two brands share the same core identity.
Autocar quotes Marchionne as saying that Dodge is the muscle car of the U.S. while Alfa is the muscle car of Europe, the latter being an interesting bit of positioning that we Statesiders don't normally associate with the brand. If the right Dodge-branded products were to make their way to Europe, the theory is that the Auburn Hills marque could actually bolster the products already offered by Alfa. The problem is, though, that there are few (if any) Dodge models that could reasonably be expected to perform well in Europe. The only models that are likely to be of interest are the Charger, Viper and Challenger, and the there is a chance that the Viper could soon find itself outside of the Chrysler portfolio altogether. The Charger and Challenger are likely too big for Europe as well, and would probably only sell in small numbers.
Marchionne also tells Autocar that the Chrysler group is still losing money, but the rate has slowed due to production and labor cuts.
[Source: Autocar]
REPORT: Dodges to be rebranded as Alfa Romeos in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Rumormill: McLaren planning hybrid supercar
Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Supercars, Rumormill
McLaren F1 LM - Click above for high-res image gallery
McLaren has put up a job posting for a Senior Engineer for Powertrain Hybrid Technology on its official website, which may offer a few clues as to where the automaker may be heading in the near future for its road cars. As far as rumors go, this one seems pretty solid. According to an unnamed spokesperson quoted by Autocar:
It (hybrid technology) is something we want as a forward-thinking, technology-driven company. We have been considering it for future projects. All the advert means is that we are looking for a senior engineer in powertrain hybrid technology. Read into it what you will.One possibility is that McLaren will attempt to adapt the KERS system from its Formula 1 race cars for street use. It's widely agreed upon that McLaren's KERS implementation is the best in F1 and both BMW and Ferrari are also thought to be working on KERS for future road cars.
Within the next few years, McLaren is expected to introduce a couple of new supercars, including a replacement for the current SLR, codenamed P11, and a successor to the famed F1 supercar from the mid '90s that's currently known as the P12.
[Source: McLaren via Autocar]
Rumormill: McLaren planning hybrid supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5-Series mule caught in the desert
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, BMW
2011 BMW 5-Series - Click above for gallery
A year ago, we showed you pics of the next-generation BMW 5-Series doing some high-speed testing on the Nürburgring, but that was pretty much the last we heard about this midsize bahnstormer. Well, intrepid spy photographer Rich Truesdell spotted a similar mule out in the desert last week, and he has filled us in on some additional details. The car he spotted appears to be a 2011 BMW 540i sedan. Rich relates that the car was big enough to have him thinking 7-Series at first, but BMW helped out by having a clearly larger current 7 on hand for comparison purposes. How thoughtful of them.
While not a lot of final detail shows through, Truesdell points out that the heavy rear quarter cladding could be a tip that something is brewing in the recently revamped styling department in Munich. In particular, around the C-pillar, there was a lot of camo, indicating that perhaps there's something worth hiding. Beyond that, the sedan looks like a shortened 7-Series from most angles, and the dual exhausts suggest that this is likely the V8-powered 540i. Follow the source link to read what Rich thought of the vehicle and to see all of the photos in high-res.
All images (C) 2009 Rich Truesdell/Automotivetraveler.com
[Source: Automotive Traveler]
Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5-Series mule caught in the desert originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Suzuki Offers Free Gas Card With 2009 SX4
Suzuki has opened up the pumps--to ease the jitterbugs, of course. The automaker will offer free gas cards with purchase of any new 2009 SX4 small-car models in the U.S.
The promotion, called "Free Gas for Summer," includes a pre-paid debit card good for $270 on the 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport (sedan) or $290 on the 2009 SX4 Crossover (hatchback). ..
2009 Suzuki SX4
TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the new Suzuki SX4 in order to give you an expert opinion. TheCarConnection.com has also researched road tests and firsthand reviews of the new 2009 Suzuki SX4 to produce this conclusive assessment. Likes Great value All-wheel drive ( hatchback ) Quiet interior Easy parking Sporty driving ...Watch Video | Browse Photos
Hyundai starts accepting Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins early
Filed under: Car Buying, Hyundai
2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring - Click above for high-res image gallery
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration doesn't plan to release its final rules and regulations for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), otherwise known as Cash-for-Clunkers program, until July 23rd, Hyundai has decided that its customers don't have to wait. Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, VA has already accepted the first trade-in and doled out its first rebate. The clunker is a 15-mpg 1995 Ford Explorer, and Katherine Michon of Arlington, VA traded it in for a $4,500 credit on a brand new 26-mpg Hyundai Elantra Touring.
How can Hyundai get away with accepting clunkers early? The automaker is giving dealers short-term cash advances to cover the cost of its rebates until the CARS program officially kicks off later this month. Hyundai has 13 models with particular engine combinations that qualify for CARS, and the NHTSA has already confirmed that transactions on or after July 1, 2009 are eligible.
This could be a brilliant move on Hyundai's part, since its own internal research shows that 11 percent of car shoppers have delayed their purchase to take advantage of the rebates. If Hyundai is the only game in town that's accepting trade-ins and giving rebates early, it could steal a few sales away from other brands that are waiting patiently for the program to officially begin.
On the other hand, the NHTSA warns on the CARS official website that "interested dealers and consumers may want to wait until all of the detailed issues that must be addressed in the implementing regulations are resolved and the final rule is issued." By that time, however, you'll be driving around in a new car and getting reimbursed for the rebate will by Hyundai's problem.
[Source: Hyundai]
Continue reading Hyundai starts accepting Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins early
Hyundai starts accepting Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins early originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars
Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchbacks, Ford
Tanner Foust's 2009 Olsbergs MSE ROCKSTAR Ford Fiesta - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford knows better than most that the way into an American car buyer's heart is through motor racing, so the latest step in Ford's North American "Fiesta Movement" is the deployment of the compact hatchback which we've driven and enjoyed on several occasions on America's most popular rally circuits.
Following its entry in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Ford will be fielding a team of rally-prepped Fiestas in the upcoming X Games, the 15th running of the famous stunt competition and the first time Ford will participate. Piloting a trio of Fiestas prepared by the same Swedish MSE outfit that created Marcus Gronholm's rallycross car will be a star-studded line-up comprised of drift champion Tanner Foust, ten-time X Games medalist Brian Deegan and former Indy champion Kenny Brack. With that much talent behind the wheel, we'll look forward to the Fiesta Movement getting into motion at the games running in Los Angeles from July 30 to August 2. Details are available in the press release below the fold and a pair of sketches of the X Games Fiestas can be found in the gallery below.
Continue reading Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars
Ford attacking X Games with star-studded trio of Fiesta rally cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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