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  1. Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen 2011 Volkswagen Passat - Click above for high-res image gallery Volkswagen was so eager to unveil its new Passat that it revealed the car a day before the Paris Motor Show actually begins. It's received the Jetta treatment to some degree, but the softer looks may actually work better on the Passat than for its smaller brother. The all-new Passat is intended for an older demographic and the styling seems to reflect that. We look forward to seeing it on our shores. Speaking of which, the 2011 goes on sale in the United Kingdom this October and VW plans to announce North American availability in the very near future. Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Passat Live Images Photos by Zach Bowman/Copyright ©2010 Weblogs, Inc.Paris 2010: 2011 Volkswagen Passat says hello in person originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments View the full article
  2. Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GMC, Beijing Motor Show Chevrolet Volt MPV5 concept - Click above for high-res image gallery The rumored extended range electric crossover we saw revealed in General Motors' design patent drawings is now a reality. The Chevrolet Volt MPV5 concept will make its debut tomorrow at the Beijing Motor Show, and just as we suspected from seeing Volt design chief Bob Boniface's name on the patent, this five-passenger crossover rides on the same Voltec architecture as the Volt. The new Chevrolet concept integrates design elements from the Volt, including the headlight, taillamps and grille, with a five-door hatch body style very similar to the larger Orlando and a length about four inches longer than the current HHR. Propulsion comes from the same 150 horsepower engine and 16 kilowatt-hour battery used in the Volt. However, its larger frontal area and increased drag mean that this one only has a 32-mile electric range as opposed to the Volt's 40 miles. The Crossover has full seating for five and 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats. The dashboard appears to be lifted directly from the Volt, including the dual LCD displays. We wouldn't be at all surprised to see this as the second Voltec product in the GM North American lineup. If built, this would likely be classed as a light truck and do wonders for GM's CAFE numbers on that side of the business. Gallery: Chevrolet Volt MPV5 concept [source: General Motors]Continue reading Beijing 2010: Chevrolet Volt MPV5 crossover revealed Beijing 2010: Chevrolet Volt MPV5 crossover revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments View the full article
  3. Filed under: Etc., GM, Nissan Both General Motors and Nissan North America have announced they will be donating over $100,000 each to aid the earthquake relief effort in Haiti. If you haven't seen the news lately, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12 near Port-au-Pince, killing tens of thousands of people (maybe over 100,000) and destroying the country's infrastructure. Governments and companies from all over the world have pledged aid for the victims and this broken nation, but so far GM and Nissan's American arm are the lone representatives of the U.S. auto industry. GM pledged $100,000 straight up to the American Red Cross relief fund through its General Motors Foundation and has also added a direct link on employees' computer desktops to the Red Cross disaster fund. Nissan is giving a $25,000 cash donation, another $5,000 from Nissan Canada, matching employee contributions up to $25,000 for another $50,000 and giving $52,000 to Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild 13 homes in Haiti. Just as some cynics did when automakers pledged money and supplies after Hurricane Katrina and the Indian Ocean tsunami, one could argue there's an ulterior motive to these gifts of charity, but we're quite sure the Haitians could care less and just appreciate the life-changing money. If you'd like to donate to the American Red Cross, click here. [sources: General Motors, Nissan | Image: Angel Valentin/Getty]GM and Nissan each donate $100k+ to Haiti relief effort originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments View the full article
  4. Filed under: Sedan, Buick 2011 Buick Regal live unveiling - Click above for high-res image gallery Trivia Time: When was the last time a U.S. market Buick was available with a manual transmission? Honestly, we can't recall anything more recent than a buddy in high school having a hand-me-down mid-Eighties Somerset coupe with a stubby, workmanlike five-speed. Even back then its presence in our friend's hooptie was a genuine curiosity and a source of perpetual amusement. Naturally, we posed this same question to a few Buick PR-types this morning at a first drive event upon learning from vehicle line executive Jim Federico that the reborn 2011 Regal will receive a six-speed manual transmission option (mated to a blown 2.0-liter four, no less). The answer? Shoulder shrugs and sheepish looks. Curiously, nobody even tried to answer our query with a red herring like the ill-fated Reatta coupe (it only came with a four-speed automatic). So we now know when a Buick will next feature God's Own Gearbox (probably in the third quarter of 2010), but we still can't crack this historical chestnut - so we beseech thee, Autoblog Nation... what year was the last Buick built with a DIY transmission - and what car was it in? Hit us with your best shot in Comments. Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal Live Unveiling Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.BREAKING: Buick confirms 2011 Regal 2.0T to come with manual transmission. Wait... wha? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments View the full article
  5. Filed under: Sedan, Buick 2011 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery Once up a time in the '80s, it was fashionable in Detroit to create so-called Euro-sedans by taking conventional mainstream grandma-mobiles and painting all the chrome black, dispensing with the white walls and installing overly stiff springs. Fortunately, those dark days are gone and General Motors and Ford at least have gotten their heads around how to build the kind of cars they sell in Europe. Just bring over European cars. When bankrupt GM decreed that Buick would survive as one of the company's four core brands, it quickly became clear that Buick would need more models to flesh out its showrooms alongside the LaCrosse and Enclave. It wasn't long before it became obvious that the next addition would be a new Regal. The Regal is already available in Buick's biggest market of China and it's coming back to North America in 2010 as a 2011 model. Anyone familiar with the Opel Insignia will immediately recognize the Regal as the same car with the brand's trademark waterfall grille swapped in. Read on after the jump for more information. Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal [source: General Motors]Continue reading 2011 Buick Regal returns with four-cylinder only engine lineup 2011 Buick Regal returns with four-cylinder only engine lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments View the full article
  6. The Buck Regal is officially back, a re-badged Opel Insignia sporting two Ecotec four-cylinder engines including a 220HP turbo version with 29 MPG fuel economy. GM's out for mid-size entry-luxe blood with design and equipment set to turn some heads. The new Buick Regal is back, and the specs read like a laundry list of ways GM could build a car to make people look at Buick again. As the car is based heavily on the Opel Insignia, the Regal wears almost identical styling save the badge on the nose. While the looks do impress, it's what's under the skin that's really getting us interested. The base car gets the 2.4 liter four cylinder with 182 HP and a highway fuel economy of 30 MPG while the uplevel car will have the 2.0 liter direct injected turbocharged four banger which saw previous duty in the Cobalt SS, though tuned to a less hairy 220 HP and still delivering 29 MPG highway. Both mills have a six speed automatic transmission. The turbo model gets something we need to know more about called "Interactive Drive Control System" (IDCS) which allows four different driver-selectable suspension settings. Inside the Regal borrows heavily from the LaCrosse's playbook, with sweeping lines, dramatic lighting, and rich textures. Seems to be finished with a bit more modern and clean flair then the LaCrosse's traditional luxury bent. We'll be seeing more of the car at the LA Auto Show but until then, check out the video, press release and slew of images. The 2011 Regal: A Buick Bred On The Autobahn Sport Sedan Blends Sleek Design with European Road Manners for Great Driving QUICK FACTS * A new midsize Buick sport sedan with a European-bred driving experience * On sale in the second quarter of 2010 * Based on the award-winning Opel Insignia and available now as a Regal in China * Modern, sleek design with great attention to detail and excellent build quality * Efficient, four-cylinder/six-speed powertrain with 30 mpg (est.) * Turbocharged model available in summer 2010 * Driver-selectable Interactive Drive Control System available in summer 2010 * Available rear-seat thorax air bags * Standard 18-inch wheels, leather and heated front seats, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth and OnStar. LOS ANGELES – On Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed with turbocharged horsepower, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment. "The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you've ever experienced from this brand," said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. "The Regal is the next chapter in Buick's transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan." The new Regal arrives in the second quarter of 2010, with its sights aimed squarely on competitors like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along with standard features – including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar – that aren't offered standard on either competitor. The Regal's development is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. Regal will bring all of Insignia's award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market. The Regal has already been a success on another continent, in China. It went on sale in December 2008 and more than 64,000 Regals have been sold there. Enthusiastic customers cite its sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance as the top reasons for purchase. Regal at a glance Regal will initially be offered in premium CXL trim only, with additional trim levels to be offered in the 2012 model year. The well-equipped Regal CXL includes the following as standard or available equipment: * Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW) * Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010 * Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control * Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine * MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension * All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability * Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake * Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control * Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available * Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port * Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS) * Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar. Design story The Regal's sleek design blends the sweeping silhouette and proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with tailored applications of Buick's signature design cues, such as the waterfall grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels. "Regal is all about great proportions," said John Cafaro, design director, passenger car. "For example, with the fenders flared to wrap around the tires. It's an aggressive stance that people aren't used to seeing in recent Buicks." The car's performance-oriented spirit is also conveyed in sleek, sculpted body-side detail and aggressive headlamps that further suggest motion. At the rear, an abbreviated deck and tucked-in body panels are the hallmarks of a contemporary sport sedan, with bold taillamps and their intricate lighting elements reinforcing Regal's attention to detail. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard. The sweeping design motif carries over to the interior, where the side panels flow uninterrupted into the instrument panel. The instruments have the look of expensive sport timepieces and are lit with ice-blue LED lights. The center stack, housing the climate and "infotainment" controls, was designed to allow for a lower, driver-centric instrument panel profile. Features such as a thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and firm, highly bolstered and leather-covered seats also support the sport-oriented driving experience. "There is great design harmony between the exterior and interior," said Cafaro. "The feeling of flow and motion carries through in an engaging manner that makes you want to take the Regal out to your favorite twisting road to see what it can do." A breakthrough interior The Regal's finely crafted, sporty and well-appointed interior builds on the exceptional attention to detail found in the Enclave and LaCrosse, blending signature styling cues with contemporary sport sedan aesthetics. Regal's firm, highly bolstered seats were benchmarked against the top import competitors for comfort and support, while a standard flow-through center console offers plenty of storage for passengers in the front and back. Smart applications of technology are also hallmarks of the Regal, including details such as a multi-function controller on the center console for operation of the audio system, navigation system and the Bluetooth phone. The faceplate for the "infotainment" screen is set at a 30-degree angle to contribute to the car's flowing interior design. A new era in Buick design is also seen in the satin metallic, piano black and new, Kibo-patterned interior trim materials. Kibo is a rich, dark, progressively grained wood that lends an international flair to the Regal. Under the hood Unique with its all-four-cylinder powertrain, the Regal relies on the excellent horsepower-per-liter ratio of the Ecotec engine family to deliver smart, on-demand performance that is also very efficient. Both the standard 2.4L engine and the available 2.0L turbo use direct injection technology to optimize performance, reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. The 2.4L is the same engine offered in the Buick LaCrosse, but in the smaller, lighter Regal, it delivers more agile performance. The 2.0L turbo cements the sport sedan credibility of the Regal, with on-demand power comparable to a V-6, but the inherent efficiency of a four-cylinder. To ensure responsive power across the rpm range, the 2.0L turbo uses a twin-scroll turbocharger that builds power quickly at lower rpm. Distinct, uniquely calibrated six-speed automatic transmissions are paired with each engine. Both offer driver shift control that enhances the sporty driving feel of the Regal. Driving experience The chassis and structural systems were developed in Germany and give the Regal the handling and dynamics of a premium European sport sedan, as well as the quiet, refined ride and road manners expected of a Buick. The body structure is one of the most rigid in the segment, which is approximately 25-percent stiffer than the previous Regal. This solid structure supports more precise suspension tuning and a quieter ride. A relatively long wheelbase of 107.8 inches (2738 mm) gives the Regal refined, well-balanced vehicle dynamics and supports comfortable ride tuning. Additionally, an independent MacPherson strut-type front suspension with single-path mountings and hydraulic ride bushings; a four-link independent rear suspension; hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering; and optimized four-wheel disc brakes are optimized to the capability of the individual powertrains and tailored to the expected use by drivers. Models equipped with the 2.0L turbo engine, for example, feature larger brakes. Latest-generation electronic stability control (ESC or StabiliTrak), anti-lock brake system (ABS), and traction control system (TCS) are standard with Buick's innovative, Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) real-time damping system offered on models equipped with the 2.0L turbo powertrain. Interactive Drive Control System Regal's Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology (available on models with the available 2.0L turbo engine) offers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety. It is designed to change the personality of the car based on the personality of the driver. A sophisticated driving mode control module continually monitors driving style utilizing yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering wheel, throttle and vehicle speed. It defines the dynamic vehicle state, including acceleration, braking and cornering, to optimize chassis reactions. It also executes all of the IDCS driver selections. All four dampers are electronically controlled and continuously adapt within milliseconds to the prevailing road conditions, vehicle movements and individual driving style. Chassis settings are adjustable by the driver, with Normal, Tour and Sport settings. IDCS allows the driver to choose between three different operating modes that change the suspension settings, throttle response, shift pattern and steering sensitivity through the variable effort steering system. The three modes deliver three types of experiences: * Normal – balanced and optimized for all driving situations * Tour – optimized for comfort and relaxed driving on long journeys * Sport – optimized for road holding; enthusiast driving . Selecting "Sport" mode optimizes the car for dynamic driving, tightening the suspension and steering response and speeding up the reaction of the automatic transmission. The "Tour" mode is optimal for long-distance cruising or rough road conditions, providing an increase in comfort. "Normal" or Default Mode is the perfect all-around setting for daily commuting and city traffic. The other major benefit of Interactive Drive Control is that it automatically adapts Regal's performance settings to individual driving styles. When a driver begins to drive more aggressively it will tighten the suspension and increase steering effort and change to a more aggressive throttle response. When the vehicle senses that the driver is doing relaxed cruising, it adjusts settings for rolling smoothness and comfort. Apart from a more rewarding driving experience, IDCS also offers safety benefits in emergency situations. For example, if an obstacle must be avoided when the car is in Tour mode, various chassis sensors convey this to the DMC and the dampers are stiffened within milliseconds, delivering greater body control. [source: GM] View the full article
  7. Yesterday, news outlets feverishly covered Balloon Boy, who apparently climbed aboard an experimental balloon which took flight. When it landed, he wasn't there, instead hiding in the garage attic. Yesterday on CNN, he said, "We did this for the show." Kids say the darnedest things. It could be that young Falcon Henne was just confused about the question or felt pressure to say anything under the glare of the camera lights, but when asked live on CNN by his parents why he didn't come out when they called him, he responded with "You guys said... that... we did this for the show." Awkward. Now, we're not saying the whole story was a big stunt designed to put media attention on a family which has been on the TV show Wife Swap... twice, but the whole thing has a certain stink about it. Why would the boy's brother have said he saw Falcon climb aboard before it took off if clearly that hadn't happened? Who unleashed the balloon if the boy was hiding in the attic? Considering the amount of emergency personnel assigned to chasing down the balloon and later hunting for the boy, the fact that air traffic around Denver International Airport had to be rerouted, and that we all had to listen to Wolf Blitzer wildly speculating for hours, if this turns out to be a self-promotional hoax, we'll be more than a little bit annoyed. View the full article
  8. Today's return of the Chevy Caprice to the police car ranks means more than just serious hoonage potential. With a new optional technology package, we're told it'll be the most high-tech police car ever built. From what we can see and what we're told in the press release, the folks at Australia's National Safety Agency (NSA) are collaborating with the LAPD, Holden and Chevy to show off an advanced integrated technology system with the new Chevy Caprice. The system will include: *Large, purpose designed, multi-function, touch screen integrated into dashboard *Intelligent power management system *Consolidated user interface *Automatic Licence Plate Recognition *In-car video with live broadcast capability *Advanced wireless connectivity *Automatic and seamless CAD and computer system updates performed ‘on the fly' minimising down time and costly service calls *Wireless vehicle telemetry fleet management system *Forward looking infrared/night vision (FLIR) camera *Fingerprint and facial recognition capability *Virtual prisoner cell *Latest high output low power LED lighting technology While yes the Carbon Motors E7 would probably beat out the tech package from Chevy, the for-sale date of the new Caprice is much sooner than the expected for-sale date of the E7. Take a look through the photos below of what appear to be two different packages and tell us what you see. View the full article
  9. Filed under: Videos, GM, Pontiac As it turns out, "old GM" still matters to someone -- and in this case, we mean really old. The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance in Westport, Connecticut wanted to include Pontiac in this year's showing, so it went looking for the most ancient example it could find. Of the 12 Pontiacs they tracked down from 1926, the brand's inaugural year, the very oldest resided in Minnetonka, Minnesota: a 1926 two-door coach. Co-owned by a father and son, Roy and Paul Jaszczak, the Series 6-27 is in good running condition and has apparently made it this far in life without a major restoration: a clean-up, a valve job, and replacing the Lindbergh-era tires is all the Jaszczak's have needed to do. For their munificent stewardship of the oldest Pontiac, the car will be shipped to the Concours and the Jaszczak's will be flown to New York and put up in swank digs. Then they'll drive the car up to Westport and revel in the kind of East Coast attention that probably hasn't been showered on Minnesotans since Fargo. It's a fitting showcase for the end of the "We build excitement" era, and to the Jaszczak's we say: nice work. [source: Star Tribune] What a Way to Go: Oldest reported Pontiac found as brand rides off into the sunset originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments View the full article
  10. Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Videos, Crossover, Chevrolet Click above to watch video after the jump We're not entirely certain, but it sure looks like it. General Motors recently released a YouTube vid explaining what makes a Chevrolet a Chevrolet that shows a series a of sweeping shots that catches bowtie specials like the Corvette Grand Sport and the 2010 Camaro. At around 1:05, the camera focuses on the C-Pillar of a Camaro, and as the shot pans across the coupe's greenhouse, a quick glimpse of two production-ready Chevy crossover vans is given. The crossover on the right looks a whole lot like the Chevy Orlando concept debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show last fall, which also looks an awful lot like the vehicle captured in these spy photos below. The Orlando is set to replace the HHR in Chevy showrooms by 2011 with seating for seven and car-like fuel economy. The crossover on the left could be even more interesting, as it appears to share styling cues with the Volt, an example of which is parked next to it. Could this be a crossover with the automaker's extended range EV Voltec hardware underhood? Is it the Chevy version of the plug-in Buick crossover we heard about last week? Again, we can't be sure with just a few seconds of video as evidence, but we're willing to wager that the Volt styling cues signifies that there is likely an electric motor and batteries somewhere under that hood. GM likely has managers and ad execs who scour these videos before they ever see the light of day, so we should assume that the company is simply giving us a cryptic peek at what is to come. Follow the jump to view the vid for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Ted! Gallery: 2011 Chevy Orlando - spy shots [source: Cheers and Gears]Continue reading Production Chevy Orlando spotted in promo vid? [w/VIDEO] Production Chevy Orlando spotted in promo vid? [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments View the full article
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