Latest Auto News Blog: августа 2009

2010 Rolls-Royce RR4 to get X6’s V8 twin-turbo

Автор: HallieGuy | понедельник, 31 августа 2009 г.

So we finally saw the first official sketched of the upcoming baby-Phantom, otherwise known as the RR4. So what’s the point of this new model and what can we expect?Well Rolls-Royce currently...

Not lost Chevrolet dealership: Spencer, Iowa

Автор: HallieGuy |

hartdealership_01_resized

For all you fans of Iowan Chevrolet dealerships, we have a treat for you. Reader Ben Hart recently found a vintage badge from his father’s and uncle’s dealership, H&N Chevrolet in Spencer, Iowa, and decided to share a pic of the badge as well as several other pictures from the dealership’s history.

As Ben tells the story, John Hart and Dale Norton started H&N Chevrolet in about 1927. John left the Chevrolet dealership sometime in the late 1930s to form a Ford dealership, Hart Motors, with his younger brother by 19 years, Frank (Ben’s father).

Dale, however, died in a car accident in 1956 or so, which led to an opportunity in 1957 for Frank to buy H&N, which by then had added a Buick franchise. John kept the Ford agency, while Frank went on to run H&N and turn it over to his son, Doug (Ben’s brother), and Tom Howe (Doug and Ben’s cousin).

Unfortunately, Google Maps hasn’t yet visited Spencer, Iowa, so we can’t get a Street View of the dealership as it still stands today, at 713 North Grand Avenue (512 South Grand Avenue), but Ben tell us the building looks much the same and the neon Chevrolet and Buick signs have been restored and still operate.

Thanks, Ben!

NBC's Knight Rider has Recieved the Green Light for a Weekly Series

Автор: HallieGuy | воскресенье, 30 августа 2009 г.

The Knight Rider TV movie apparently received high enough ratings to make it into a weekly series according to the latest reports.

Suzuki suspends WRC program

Автор: HallieGuy |

Filed under: Motorsports, Suzuki

Another one bites the dust. Today was the deadline for manufacturers to announce their intentions to race in the FIA World Rally Championship for 2009, and Suzuki saw fit to let its entry expire after just a single year of competition. The Japanese automaker calls the move a countermeasure to "the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil." In other words, fewer car sales mean less excess money for racing. Worse, Suzuki says it expects things to stay bad for the foreseeable future, so riding out the storm wasn't a possibility.

Suzuki was just beginning to see some success in WRC, finishing in the top five for the last two races of the season with its SX4 WRC racer. The manufacturer's Swift Cup will remain active in 2009. This move follows rival automaker Honda's announcement that it would be suspending Formula 1 and AMA Roadracing competition, also a result of the global economic downturn. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

[Source: World Rally Championship]

Suzuki suspends WRC program originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM talking to Tata and Mahindra about buying HUMMER

Автор: HallieGuy |

Speaking at GM’s annual meeting earlier this week, CEO Rick Wagoner said that the HUMMER is under ’strategic review’ and that the brand may be receive a product lineup revamp or GM...

Spy Video: Tata Nano - $2,500 city car in action

Автор: HallieGuy |

Now with Tata on the main scene after their purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover, the Tata Nano will be getting some major exposure. The proposed city car made its debut at the 9th annual Auto Expo on...

Formula D Sonoma Wrap Up

Автор: HallieGuy |

Although there’s nothing funner than traveling around shooting pictures of cool cars, I have to admit I’m looking forward to the break I’ll have this weekend after five consecutive weeks of events. Perhaps my Miata will get a much-needed wash? Maybe a drive in the hills? Anyways, before the end of the week, I wanted to wrap up my Formula Drift Sonoma coverage with one more batch of random photos from the event. Continue reading at Speedhunters.

—Mike Garrett

AutoblogGreen for 12.15.08

Автор: HallieGuy |

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

Behind door number one (left side), we have the 43 mpg 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Behind door number three (right side) the 2010 Prius. And, in door number two is Mr. Tom Hanks and his favorite car: the eBox. It's a good deal at only $55,000 plus a Scion xB.

Continue reading AutoblogGreen for 12.15.08

AutoblogGreen for 12.15.08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008 Preview: Saab 9-X BioHybrid Unveiled

Автор: HallieGuy | пятница, 28 августа 2009 г.

Saab has officially unveiled its 9-X BioHybrid Concept in Geneva.

Video: 2009 Toyota Corolla vs 2008 Honda Civic and Mazda3

Автор: HallieGuy |

If the sales figures in May are any evidence that consumers are shifting to smaller cars, we are about to see a huge change in buying behavior when it comes to the automotive industry. The Honda...

Airbags Could Cause Hearing Loss

Автор: HallieGuy | четверг, 27 августа 2009 г.

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This week, new research will be released that shows 17% of people who are in a car when airbags deploy will suffer permanent hearing loss. The results come from an independent consultant presenting a wide range of other hearing dangers at the annual meeting of the National Hearing Conservation Association.

Other everyday noises that could cause damage range from a hammer hitting a nail to the sound of a baby’s rattle, but the airbag findings could have a major impact on how automakers design the safety equipment.

[Airbag Deployment Could Cause Permanent Hearing Loss, Asbury Park Press]

Ford is Recalling 470,000 Mustangs to Update the Airbags

Автор: HallieGuy |

Ford has announced that it is going to recall approx 470,000 Mustangs (2005-2008 MY) to update the airbag system, specifically the passenger side airbag.

Hot Deals: New Mazda CX-9, Ford Edge Get Incentives

Автор: HallieGuy |

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Most people think of incentives as a way for dealers to get unpopular cars off their lots. Now, automakers are trying to get brand-new models into early adopters’ hands using some attractive financing offers and bonus cash.

The Mazda CX-9 is a large crossover that seats seven yet looks like a sporty SUV. It starts at $29,035 and easily goes up to $40,000 with options. Mazda is offering a lease deal for 39 months with $2,000 down and payments of $349.

Ford will begin offering $500 on the base, SE trim level of the new Ford Edge crossover, even though the vehicle is seeing brisk sales.

[Crossing Over to CX-9, Autoweek — Ford Offers First Rebates on New Edge Crossover, The Detroit News]

Ridelust Examines Car Logos

Автор: HallieGuy | среда, 26 августа 2009 г.

RideLust’s Kelly Anne picks the top car logos that inspire emotion and discusses their origins, including Jaguar, Saab, Toyota, Mazda, and others.

The History of the Emblem

Автор: HallieGuy |

All car brands and certain makes have their own emblem. These emblems mean more than just a flashy way to copy right something, they have deep histories and great stories behind them all. For example, the Cadillac logo was inspired by a family crest of the man who had founded the very heart of the American auto industry, Detroit. BMW’s logo was inspired by an advertisement of a spinning plane propeller. Checkout the history of these famous logos and many more at Neatorama. Thanks again __nes__ !

Tata Wastes No Time: Land Rover LRX and Jaguar Sportscar Get the Go-Ahead!

Автор: HallieGuy |

Tata wastes no time after acquiring both Land Rover and Jaguar in a $2.3 billion purchase from Ford: Land Rover LRX and the Jaguar F-Type concept receive an immediate go-ahead.

After Ford sat on the decisions for the two concepts, and appropriately so since they were planning to unload them, Tata took no time at all in the aggressive decision to target them both for a 2012 release. Both the Jaguar F-Type Concept or XE as some refer to it and the Land Rover LRX give a “Tip of the Hat” to the respected design heritage of their British Auto Maker, while also giving a nod toward the future.

The Jaguar XE/F-Type is intended to be a sportscar that can compete with the big names of Porsche, Ferrari and Maserati. The open air roadster shares some of the design cues of great roadsters and racing roadsters of the past. It is uncertain as to whether the roadster design will be bolted to an XF or XK chassis, but either way it is certain to be a show-stopper.

The Land Rover LRX has made its way through a show or two and has found some outside support of its own. As a sleek two-door sport concept model it would certainly stand out among the great 4×4’s associated to Land Rover. The interior carries that Concept flare toward future gadgets and elegant seating and trimming, but unlike other concept autos Land Rover has expressed the desire to keep much of their concept LRX’s design intact well into production… as evidenced in the photo galleries to follow. (more…)

VW: Marry a gas attendant commercials

Автор: HallieGuy | вторник, 25 августа 2009 г.

Very funny commercials here from VW about how to pick the right husband. Hilarious!TDI rules.Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, VWSource: Shedwa

Geneva 2008 Preview: 2009 Ford Kuga Crossover Unveiled

Автор: HallieGuy |

Ford is going to unveil the 2009 Kuga crossover for Europe in Geneva next month.

2007 Chicago Auto Show: More on the 2008 Scion xD, Arriving in August

Автор: HallieGuy |

Scion is calling the xD an all-new vehicle, but really it’s a logical replacement for the outgoing xA subcompact hatchback. We’re guessing that because the xA never lived up to expectations, a new name was in order. The xD is based on the same platform as the Toyota Yaris, and it looks like it. We wonder if there are enough customers out there for both.

Like the new xB, the xD has iPod integration standard, and a customized model was also rolled out. We’ll have more on both custom vehicles a bit later, with their exact modifications. For now, check out another batch of xD photos.