Rumormill: Mercedes E300 Bluetec diesel hybrid could make it to the U.S.

We're about to witness the first-ever mass-production diesel hybrid in this summer's Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 crossover; this sort of powertrain has had engineers and many consumers drooling for a few years. The miles-per-gallon possibilities and environmental benefits are fascinating right away. All that has held them at bay was the expense of development and production, plus the unwanted risk of passing that big price tag on to buyers.

Mercedes confirms that its
Mercedes E300 Bluetec Hybrid is on the way and will be on sale by the end of 2012. We asked them right away what this means for Mercedes' diesel investment in the United States. The team members in Germany grinned a lot and said they could neither confirm or deny anything at this time. But to stay tuned.

The first viable diesel hybrid from Stuttgart for public consumption was first shown at this past March's Geneva Motor Show. It combines a latest-generation 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel good for 204 horsepower with an ultra-sophisticated 20-hp electric motor module. Effective combined torque, however, booms out at 428 pound-feet from way down low in the revs, while estimated miles per gallon in European city/highway combined cycle hits 57.4 mpg at its best. For the EPA cycle, knock that down to a more earthbound 45 mpg or so average in normal driving. Still, not too shabby for an E-Class, kids.

The lithium-ion battery assembly used in the Mercedes E300 Bluetec Hybrid is the same one tried and liked already in the S400 Hybrid. Please, oh, please, get this baby over here for a near-future One Lap of America.

Source: Autoblog

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Fiat and Ferrari dominate 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards

Italy knows how to put an engine together – at least, according to the International Engine of the Year voting committee. The votes have been tallied, and Fiat has taken home four out of 12 awards. The company's 875-cc TwinAir mill has earned the title of Best New Engine of 2011, Green Engine of the Year, Sub 1.0-liter Engine of the Year and International Engine of the Year. Ferrari helped Italy earn two more awards, with the 458's 4.5-liter V8 unit being crowned Best Engine Above 4.0-liters and Best Performance engine. All told, Italian powerplants claimed half of the awards handed out.

BMW was no slouch, however, with the German automaker acquiring four awards in the competition. Audi and Volkswagen also earned recognition. A great showing, but the Italians earn the win thanks to Fiat taking the top prize. Click past the jump to read the full press release and learn more about the International Engine of the Year awards.

Source: Autoblog

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Chevrolet Cruze RS

We're not entirely sure how they've done it, but those miserly engineers from General Motors have managed to eke out an additional two miles per gallon from the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze – at least in certain configurations.

According to the official Online Ordering Guide for the 2012 Cruze (via Cheers and Gears), GM's compact sedan, when equipped with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, will be rated at 38 miles per gallon on the highway. We see no indication that there will be an improvement to the car's 24-mpg city rating. By way of comparison, the Eco model manages 42 mpg on the highway.


We're not sure how Chevrolet has managed to improve the highway fuel mileage of the Cruze for 2012, but then again, we're not complaining, either. Click here for the full spate of details of the 2012 Cruze. Thanks for the tip, Drew!


Source: Autoblog

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2012 Fiat 500 Abarth

Covering the automotive business is rife with surprises. Case in point: On a recent trip to the stunning Algarve region of Portugal to test Continental Tire's new ContiEcoContact 5 (verdict: they're very good), we had the chance to sample a bit of forbidden fruit.

In the process of learning about the German company's doughnut-making capabilities (which included a journeyman's seminar on velocity-excited short- and long-chain polymers, the CEC5's three-percent fuel economy bump and improved wet-braking capabilities), one test car fitted with Continental's new rubber was a EU-spec 2011 aFiat 500 Abarth.

Knowing that the factory-fettled 500 is headed our way in two year's time, we snagged the keys to see if Italy's hottest hatch was ready to bring the pain to the John Cooper Works-infused offerings from Mini.


The 500 Abarth (pronounced "aah-bart" by the cognoscenti) is to the 500 as the Mini Cooper S JCW is to the plain Cooper. The association between the tuner Abarth and Fiat began in 1952 and has resulted in dozens of high-performance variants that add guts to the Fiat line-up.

According to the North American PR people at Chrysler, we'll be getting an American version of the 500 Abarth at the end of 2012 as a 2013 model. And it can't come soon enough.

Before diving into the experience at the magnificent Autodromo Internacional do Algarve (a.k.a. the Portimao Circuit) in Faro, Portugal, note this important caveat: The Abarth you're looking at isn't exactly like America's Abarth.

Here's why: According to Chrysler and Fiat engineers, our built-in-Mexico 500 Abarth will meet tougher U.S. crash standards. The European Union doesn't require that vehicles meet a rear crash standard, and the U.S.-spec 500 Abarth will ride over a superior rear axle design based on the one developed for the so-called NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) 500 and run with a more powerful turbo engine featuring Fiat's Multiair valvetrain.

The NAFTA 500 Abarth's 1.4-liter turbo engine (to be produced by Chrysler in Trenton, Michigan) is expected to produce 175 horsepower; slightly more than the EU-produced 1.4-turbo with Multiair currently makes in the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta.

The Abarth we drove was pure EU, meaning its non-Multiair 1.4-liter turbo produced 160 hp at 5,750 rpm and peak torque of 170 pound-feet at three grand. With double overhead cams and standard fuel injection, the engine emits a fantastic growl.

The power comes on smoothly, and provided you keep the engine above 2,500 RPMs, acceleration is brisk. There is a bit of turbo lag, but nothing grievous.

There's a funny thing about driving on a racetrack, cars often feel slower than they do on the street. You'll note that there was no traffic on the circuit. The wide-open asphalt removes normal reference points that drivers unconsciously use to gauge speed. While the 500 Abarth felt okay-quick at Portimao (definitely not a track monster like a BMW M3 or a Ford Mustang Boss 302), we expect it to feel much quicker on the street as it squirts through traffic and blasts past familiar markers.

The Abarth's chassis is surprisingly well balanced. It tends to understeer at the limit, but not like a V6 Toyota Camry with 100,000 miles and worn-out soles. There is some push, but the 500 Abarth is basically neutral, carving through the curves smoothly and directly. Even with the stability control switched off, lifting throttle mid-corner couldn't instigate much rotation, a characteristic that we'd enjoy more of, as it would improve the car's tossability. Of course, lawyers hate this kind of handling because stupid drivers hang themselves with it (turn late, lift throttle, spin, crash, sue manufacturer), and if it isn't present in a European version, it's not likely to crop up in a model destined for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave Flesh-Eating Lawyers.

The chassis does exhibit some roll, but it takes a quick set and responds well during side-to-side transitions. This is critical on a circuit where back-to-back corners can destabilize a car quickly with ugly results.

The 500 Abarth's electric power steering communicates constantly with easily intelligible signals. You know when the wheels are grappling for traction at wide open throttle or struggling with grip approaching an apex. The feeling is light, but never overboosted.

The cross-drilled front and rear discs were up to mild track duty. Driven in anger, the brakes did fade, but that's to be expected. There shouldn't be any issue on the streets, while the heavily bolstered, Alcantra-clad seats work well to keep the driver in place.

The gauges were the interior's lone low spot, looking cute and funky, but not designed for quick reads while flying at 9/10ths on a racetrack. Shifting by ear and feel became the tactic of the day.

Of course, the track's smooth surface told us nothing about how the stiffer suspension reacts to potholes. Non-Abarth NAFTA 500s have softer suspension calibrations than their EU cousins, and that tuning may carry over to the U.S. Abarth. We caught up with some Fiat representatives at the New York Auto Show, but they remained mum on potential suspension settings, noting that calibrations and specifications are still under development.

Even without final specifications, we can assume that our 500 Abarth should be quieter than the EU version, as the NAFTA 500 has more sound insulation designed into the structure. Lets hope they don't tune out too much of the engine note.

If you're curious about the differences between 500s on either side of the Atlantic, here's a quick crib sheet:

Front and Rear Fascias
Because European license plates are considerably wider and narrower than those in North America, NAFTA fascias are designed to meet our plate proportions. We also receive projector beam headlights and foglamps while the EU has simple halogen low beams (the big lenses) and separate high beams (below and outside of the low beams).

Front-Seat Folding Mechanism
The EU 500 is encumbered by a clumsy front seat lifted from the four-door Punto. Our 500 gets a seat designed for a two-door, so it folds more easily to allow better access to the rear seats.

Cup Holders and Glove Box
The U.S. get spots for Big Gulps and junk. EU vehicles don't.

Steering Wheel
The steering wheel on NAFTA 500s include cruise control buttons. No such buttons exist on EU vehicles.

A-Pillar Trim
Due to differences in crash standards, NAFTA 500s use a differently shaped A-Pillar trim than EU models. Foreheads everywhere can sigh in relief.

Airbags
Side-curtain airbags in the NAFTA 500 extend protection rearward to the second-row. EU side bags do not.

For the moment, this is the intel that's available on the 500 Abarth. In the 18 months between now and the Abarth's introduction in the U.S., Fiat and Chrysler should have a good idea of whether Americans are open to the Fiat 500. If they are, the Abarth will be a welcomed expansion of the line. If not, it will be another footnote in Fiat's unsuccessful bid to reenter the North American market.

Given our wheel time, we wouldn't bet against them. The 500 is no Smart ForTwo.

As for how Continental factors into future Fiat 500 models, it's an Original Equipment supplier to Chrysler. As for whether the ContiEcoSport 5 will be standard fitment on the US 500 Abarth, the final contracts haven't been signed. But don't be surprised if they do...

Source: Autoblog

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Safety In Style - Hyundai i10

"The open market for city car is still become the main target of PT Hyundai Mobil Indonesia (HMI), as it seen on their 2011 brand new line-up products."

In early March 2010, PT HMI introduced their mainstay city car, the New Hyundai i10 Facelift. After 2 years enliven the market of city car in Indonesia, Hyundai i10 has been through a facelift process and significant remodeled in several sectors.

The All New Gen Hyundai i10 is now presented in 2 variants: the GLI and Limited Edition (50 units only) and provided with 2 types of transmission: 5 speed manual transmission and 4 Speed automatic transmission. Still equipped with 1.1L engine, this New Hyundai i10 has been improved its fuel efficiency thus enhanced its output power to 69HP with maximum torque of 10.1Kgm at 4500rpm.

The improvement on exterior side appeared in its sport style design with modification on its headlamp and new rear comb lamp also new front and rear bumper design. The front grill is enhanced with the new dynamic trapezoid grill.

The New hyundai is now supported with 14" alloy rims and new tires sizing 165/60R14, and combined them with ventilated disc brake for advanced handling and safety. For driving safety, this New Hyundai i10 also equipped with rigid safety structure to protect the passengers from front and side impact.

The interior of this New Hyundai i10 GLi type is presented in two tone color combination and equipped with tilt steering and Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) to achieve maximum driving experience. The cluster is looking classier with indigo blue illumination. The GLi type, that presented in 4 choices of color: Crystal White, Carbon Grey, Sleek Silver and Phantom Black, is offered at the price of Rp. 127million (M/T) and Rp. 141million (A/T).

Source: Driven Magazine

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Body of Evidence - BMW 5 Series Hamann

"Its body kits design has made this Bavarian sedan looks more aggressive and dynamic as well as aesthetic and functional."

Hamann, the famous car tuner, seems specifically focused on perfecting the exterior look of the BMW 5-series. Take a look of the overall exterior appearance of this premium sedan. Its body kit was designed to improve the look of this car as well as its aerodynamic system.

Hamman's designer created a precision body kits to upgrade its exterior look. The front bumper is completed with aerodynamically designed spoiler while the big air dump is designed to provide the air intake to ignition chamber. There are also two concaves at the side of body that integrated to the fog-lamps.

The rear side of the car was stylishly designed by combining four exhaust pipes. The shallow look of the car was presented with bold lines on the side of the side-skirt. Finally, a set of 21" wheels in black and chrome finishing were also applied to enhance its luxurious appearance.


Source : Driven Magazine

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Fiat workers agree to concessions at former Bertone plant

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has been working hard to improve the automaker's labor situation in Italy, and it appears the effort is begining to pay off. Automotive News report that Fiat has come to an agreement with the union at the former Bertone plant, with increased work shift and more flexible overtime as part of the agreement. The union initially turned down an offer from Fiat, which prompted the Italian automaker to suspend plans to rebuild the plant.

The agreement, which was agreed to by 88% of the workforce, makes way for Fiat to invest $739 million to overhaul the facility. Fiat plans to make the next generation Maserati Quattroporte at the facility, which has a reported launch date of mid 2013. The plant is also scheduled to build a midsize Maserati that will be tasked to take on the likes of the Mercedes Benz E Class and the BMW 5 series. The sedan is scheduled to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2012


Source: Autoblog

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Absolute Jeep

"The New Generation of Jeep that equipped with the new Pentastar engine, fuel efficiency and unbeatable power train in its class"

At Senayan City, Jakarta, March 17th 2011, PT Grasindo Inter Global, the authorized brand-holder for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Mopar in Indonesia, launched their latest product, the All New Jeep Grand Cherokee. This American SUV is packed with the latest and powerfull engine that claimed to be very efficient.

Equipped with Pentastar engine of 3.7L DOHC VVT, this engine is able to perform the maximum power of 210KW and maximum torque power of 347Nm. Ever since they had alliance with Fiat Group in 2009, Chrysler Group LLC has done a lot of technology development in design, engine and advance safety as applied on this car.

Thanks to this Pentastar engine, the fuel efficiency and power-train of this car unbeatable. You can say that All New Jeep Grand Cherokee is an economic-fueled car in premium 4x4 SUV class. several latest innovation are loaded into this brand new car such as Quadra-Lift Air Suspension System.

Cherokee is a famous as an All-Terrain Vehicle with equal capability to a Jeep. This Premium 4x4 SUV is equipped with brand new exterior and interior, completely different than its previous model. The macho and dynamic timeless design appeared on its exterior while the interior is using high quality materials that supported the driving comfort.

There are also 45 new features equipped to support the comfort and safety of this car.
















Source : Driven Magazine

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Exclusive Test Drive New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4

Exclusive Test Drive New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4 (Indonesia)

A gorgeous lady with marble-like skin, dark sungalsses, dressed in black with soft white gloves. Her hand brought an integrated remote Jack-Knifed Key. Her name was Lifta Hutapea.

She is a senior grade college student in Jakarta. I presumed maybe 25 years old. "Good morning, Sir", she greeted me whilst opened the door of the New Full-Size Honda Accord 2.4 that recently launched by Honda Prospect Motor. What would you do with your personal chauffeur is she turned out to be a beautiful model or a finalist of a beauty pageant in this country? (Indonesia).





I don't even want to fantasize about it. But that was actually happened on the exclusive test drive of the New Full-Size Honda Accord 2.4 in the morning of early March 2011. 24 units of the New Full-Size Honda Accord 2.4 along with 24 beautiful models were ready to be your personal chauffeur and took you anywhere you wanted to go. Some of them were the finalist of Puteri Indonesia 2010 beauty pageant.

Lifta confirmed me to have a safe and comfortable seating position in the passenger's seat. This particular part gave me a new impression. Not only it looked so luxurious with high quality soft leather material, but also it has more spacious area compared to other competitors in its class such as the knee area, foot space and celling heights.

The lumbar feature in this car was perfect to support the backbone and kept it upright yet comfortable. The cabin reminded me of Topaz, a gem that has luxurious aura and convinced to give a soothing effect to the one who wore it.

Lifta adjusted her seating position with power seat controller and set up the steering wheel position. It was just a finger click, thanks to its tilt and Telescopic Steering Colum System.

From the lobby of Ritz Carlton Hotel in heart of Jakarta, the beautiful Lifta pressed the gas pedal of this New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4 and experiencing the Electronic Drive by wire system and the performance of I-VTEC engine which claimed is able ti produce the power of 180HP. This engine was balance of big power and economic fuel consumption matched to Euro4 standard. Whitour asking, she knew exactly what she had to do on tuesday morning early March : headed to a golf course in Rancamaya, Bogor, West Java.

I had to be honest to admire her beauty and enjoyed having the conversation about many things along the way. Once a while, she turned her head to me as a respond to our conversation. In the driver's seat, this beautiful lady was easily to communicate in the cabin of this premium class New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4. Honda has precisely calculated all the elements needed to make it more comfortable.

Lifta Said, the cluster meter was user friendly because it was placed in front of her. I asked her to set the Automatic Climate Control System for desirable temperature. This New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4 is offered a lot of interesting features, including the USB port and iPod 5G that played the song of Barry White's along 70 Kilometers Jagorawi highway road.

This was the route that I usual took in a small sedan 1.5L, so i knew exactly that KM16 at night, I can watch the line ups of glowing light from Bogor to Jakarta. I also knew exactly the spot between KM32 and KM38 was the best place to enjoy the scenery of Gunung Gede (Mt. Gede) on my left and Gunung Salak (Mt. Salak) on my right. And if the weather was kind enough, both of the mountain was seen so beautiful from this spot.

Yet the sensation in this New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4 was completely different in here, Lifta and me enjoyed the Cruise Control feature applied in the car. She was extremely confident with its safety feature of Active Protection of this luxurious sedan such as ABS, ABD, BA and even Vehicle Stability Assist to maintain stability during maneuvering in slippery road.

According to Lifta, this VSA can avoid the under-steer or over-steer when the rear or front wheels lost its traction. I definetly agreed. She even enjoyed the paddle-shift features on the left and right side of the steering wheel.

As we entered the city of Bogor, every turnover maneuver well-performed, thanks to its double wishbone suspension system at front and multilink at rear. these features also performed well on a rough road condition.

I very much enjoyed the lunch in Rancamaya that day. Gunung Salak (Mt. Salak) which convinced to be a mystical mountain by some of Bogor residences, was looking so perfect. The beautiful Lifta parked the car without having any difficulties. Its rear Parking Sensor features gave her a big help.

I also enjoyed the stylish and luxury of every exterior detail of this New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4 that made of high quality and finest materials. From its new front grill and front bumper, the fog light, headlamp, retractable door mirrors, elegant garnished chrome, the new 17" rims to its elegant rear design. all of these things reminded me of the luxurious sapphire. The same gem used by the Imperial Kingdom of England as main jewel on the Crown during the King's or Queen's coronation.

This journey explained everything. Frankly, I didn't want to test the Passive Safety Monocoque body Technology features that had maximum protection against impact from every direction, the G-CON and ACE body structure which able to absorb the energy. I also didn't want to enjoy the fron Dual Stage SRS airbags. I also believed tha the Active Headrest feature and Dual Pretensioner & ELR with 2-step Load Limiter were able to perform well if anything had happened.

Lifta stood beside the New Full Size Honda Accord 2.4. She opened the door and gently asked. "Where do you want me to take you to, Sir?"

"Have you forgotten? I have to go to a spa this afternoon...."

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Honda to shift production schedules in North America

Honda is continuing to adjust its production schedules in the wake of the March 11 earthquake in Japan, and the shuffling will reportedly continue at U.S. plants as well.

The plan is to run full production shifts at U.S. facilities on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May 9 through July 1, with a single eight-hour shift added for Thursdays. With the exception of Honda's Greensburg, Indiana plant, all U.S. facilities were running two shifts prior to parts shortages. Workers at these facilities reportedly won't feel the pinch of the abbreviated production schedules either, as they will have the choice of staying home or completing training without a pay penalty.

Honda spokesperson Ed Miller reportedly told Automotive News the reason for the shift is that it's more efficient to run operations that way. The automaker likely won't make any decisions about U.S. production beyond July 1 until the situation is more clear.

On Monday, Honda announced it was suspending June and July dealer orders for the CR-Z, Civic Hybrid, Fit, Acura TSX and Acura RL. Those vehicles are built in Japan, where shortages are still severe. At this point, the Japanese automaker is expecting operations to return to normal production before the end of the year.

This is all very bad news for Honda, and it's bad for consumers as well. It appears that Honda showrooms are likely to be very short on product for an extended period of time.
Source: Autoblog

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GM investing $131 million in Corvette factory

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on May 4th, 2011 at 5:31PM
There are plenty who feel about the Chevrolet Corvette, 'may you live long and prosper,' and General Motors is aiding that sentiment with a $131 million investment in the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant that builds the Chevrolet halo car. Apparently, though, the reason GM feels that way is because, in April, the state of Kentucky offered $7.5 million in tax incentives in order to hold on to production.

The investment begins this summer as the plant retools to produce the upgraded 2012 model line, and continues as it gears up to build the next-generation Corvette said to bow in 2013. Part of the funds will pay for 250 new workers to join the 400 that currently assemble the five different variants. GM's press release is after the jump with more information.
Source: Autoblog

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Xplore Jeep Wrangler hits the trail at the Moab Easter Safari

by Jeff Glucker (RSS feed) on May 4th, 2011 at 7:25PM
We've seen the Xplore Toyota FJ Cruiser at SEMA, and we got a sneak peak of what the company has in store for the Jeep Wrangler. Well, that Wrangler is finished, and Xplore decided the best place to unveil it would be in Moab. Smart decision, seeing that Jeep lovers from all over the country would be descending to that area for Jeep's annual Easter Safari.

Xplore has taken the standard Wrangler and pumped it up a few notches. Offering up to four stages of customization, this Jeep Wrangler has checked nearly all of Xplore's option boxes. Upgrades can be found inside and out, and include custom wheels, a Mopar exhaust and intake setup, Bilstein shocks, Xplore badges and seat embroidery, OME suspension and a host of ARB parts.

As with the FJ Cruiser, the purchase of an Xplore-outfitted vehicle comes with a one-year National Parks and Monuments pass and the Xplore newsletter. A portion of the proceeds received from parts or complete vehicles is donated to the National Parks Foundation. Xplore wants you to explore, and they're putting together vehicles that will get you doing just that. Check out the press release after the break.
Source: Autoblog

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Official: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster trades gullwings for a soft-top

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off its latest supercar, the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Gone are the gullwing doors and fixed roof; in their place are traditional entry-ports and a folding cloth softtop. The car is still undergoing testing, but these shots reveal far more of the car than we've previously seen in various spy photos. A more polished version will be revealed to the world at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Before the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster hits the show circuit, it needs to spend some more time with Mercedes' engineers. The MB team has put a lot of work into this drop-top SLS, and ditching the fixed roof has required more than simply taking a sawzall to the bodywork.

Though the aluminum spaceframe was originally developed with both a coupe and convertible in mind, Benz engineers added beefier side-skirts to the roadster. This allows for improvements in both crash performance and overall rigidity. Further aiding in the quest for increased strength, a cross-member that supports the dashboard was given additional bracing at both the window frame and transmission tunnel. Despite this increased rigidity, the bodyshell of the SLS AMG Roadster weighs just five pounds more than the bodyshell of the SLS AMG Coupe.

Like its hardtop sibling, the roadster is capable of hitting an electronically limited top speed of 197 miles per hour. The convertible top is constructed from three layers of fabric, magnesium, steel and aluminum. It's lightweight, strong and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 miles per hour.

You can see the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster being put through the testing paces by clicking through the gallery below. Be sure to click past the jump to read more about the new SLS convertible in the full press release.
Source: Autoblog

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Fiat redefines "trunk space" for MillionTreesNYC initiative

Narrowing down the list of things for which New York City is known can be a daunting task, but its parks are arguably up there. Now the city is planning to plant a million new trees across its five boroughs over the course of the next decade, and Fiat has signed on to help.

As part of the MillionTreesNYC initiative, Fiat North America has donated eight 500C mock-ups with 12-foot pear trees planted in them to be installed along Canal Street and Avenue of the Americas. Eventually, the cars will be towed removed, after which the trees will be permanently planted, sans the Italian wheels. Feel free to read through the very short press release after the break.
Source: Autoblog

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GM recalls 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, full-size vans and mid-size pickups

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on May 5th, 2011 at 9:28AM
The Chevrolet Cruze may be relatively new to the market, but that doesn't stop it from the recall bug. The Detroit News is reporting that General Motors is recalling 154,112(!) Cruze models to ensure proper installation of the intermediate steering shaft covers. Automatic transmission-equipped models will also be checked for proper installation of the transmission shift linkage.

GM says it hasn't yet received any complaints about the issue and no accidents have been reported. The automaker tells The Detroit News that the vast majority of recalled vehicles will not need to be repaired – the automaker simply wants to inspect the vehicles "to give customers additional peace of mind about the quality of the Cruze."

Beyond the Cruze recall, GM has also issued a pair of smaller actions. The automaker is recalling 8,723 examples of the 2011 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans for potential brake leaks. Also being recalled are 6,303 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models that are suspected to have a windshield wiper nut that wasn't tightened to specification during the build process. None of the vehicles in this batch of recalls are reportedly responsible for any accidents as a result of the defects.

Source: Autoblog

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Study: Toyota's reputation takes big consumer hit, other automakers recover

The auto industry has been through a lot since 2009, but it appears that consumers have a lot more confidence in the industry two years later. Brand and marketing consultancy Prophet polled 4,900 U.S. consumers about 145 Fortune 500 companies from 18 different sectors, and the numbers reveal that most automakers are more highly regarded now than in 2009.

BMW and Honda lead the pack, as both automakers ranked in the top 50 overall brands. Ford finished with a score of 60, which is up from 72. General Motors made a big leap from 123 to 85, in part because of new technology like the Chevy Volt.

Those are all good stories, but then there is Toyota. The Japanese automaker, which was saddled with the recall of over 10 million vehicles for floor mat and gas pedal issues, dropped all the way from number 18 to number 139. That number hasn't exactly resulted in horrible sales totals for Toyota, but there is little doubt that demand has softened a bit for the brand. Hit the jump to read over the press release from Prophet.
Source: Autoblog

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Official: GM earns $3.2 billion in Q1 2011, marks fifth consecutive profitable quarter

by Zach Bowman (RSS feed) on May 5th, 2011 at 10:27AM
General Motors LogoGeneral Motors has just announced the company's financial results for the first quarter of 2011. The automaker pulled in a net income of $3.2 billion, marking the fifth-consecutive profitable quarter for the largest of the Big Three. Compared to one year ago, GM saw revenue increase by $4.7 billion to $36.2 billion. Additionally, GM says that net income attributable to common shareholders increased by $1.9 billion thanks to the sale of its stake in Delphi Automotive and Ally Financial, though the company saw a $400 million goodwill impairment charge at GM Europe and a $100 million change in tax regulations tied to the manufacturer's joint venture in India. As a result, total net income attributable to common shareholders totaled out at $1.5 billion.

All said, earnings before interest and tax were $3.5 billion, though that number dropped to $2 billion once adjusted to include special items. During the same period last year, EBIT was $1.7 billion.

GM says that it expects to see numbers besting those of the first quarter throughout the remainder of 2011. Hit the jump for the full press blast.
Source: Autoblog

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Volkswagen Amarok used to demolish massive chimney in place of wrecking ball

Why use expensive, heavy-machinery when a small fleet of pickup trucks is all you need? One demolition crew in the United Kingdom was prepping to bring down a 154-ton chimney when Volkswagen stepped in and offered up four Amarok trucks to haul down the massive 220-foot tall smoker.

As with any such pull-down-style demolition, engineers were called in to reduce the structure's integrity before letting the trucks have a crack at it. Each Amarok had a 656-foot rope running from its bumper to the top of the chimney. The signal was given and all four trucks let their 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engines go to work. The result? A fallen chimney and a marketing goldmine. See the pics below and the press release after the break for the proof of both.

If you're lucky enough to live in the UK where you can purchase an Amarok, the trucks will be arriving on dealer lots on May 9th. Have your £21,343 (including VAT) ready, or borrow $35,263 from a (very good) friend in the United States. Source: Autoblog

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