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| Posted: 11 May 2012 01:03 AM PDT  Miguel Molina y Carlos Sainz ruedan en el Autódromo Terramar de Sitges Filed under: Etc., Competición Hace unos seis o siete años, el autódromo Terramar estaba abandonado y olvidado. El dueño de la finca no tenía ningún interés en cederlo para actividades, venderlo o alquilarlo. Un grupo de aficionados a los clásicos soñaban con él, lo visitaban, pero avisaban a los que no lo conocían de los peligros de adentrarse sin permiso (posibilidad de recibir un disparo de escopeta incluido). Yo, que andaba por entonces metido en un proyecto para fabricar un deportivo de una marca ilustre española que no pasó de concepto por problemas legales del nombre, me reuní con el entonces alcalde de Sant Pere de Ribes, que es donde se encuentra el autódromo (y no en Sitges, aunque esté literalmente al lado), y le propuse junto a unos socios intentar hacer algo con el autódromo. La idea no fraguó, porque el alcalde veía que iba a perder el ayuntamiento, cosa que sí ocurrió. Curiosamente la idea no cayó en saco roto, y fue motivo de declaraciones pre-campaña que se quedaron grabadas en la mente del siguiente alcalde y de un colectivo denominado "amigos del autódromo de Sitges". Desde aquella fecha lejana de 2006, el "ruido" sobre el circuito ha ido incrementándose en Internet, y el propietario ha abierto sus manos a un uso puntual y comercial del mismo. Hay planes para rehabilitar la zona de la pista, crear un museo, y más ideas que suenan muy bien, pero me temo que deberán esperar a tiempos mejores de la economía española. En todo caso, parece que Terramar ya no está en peligro, y cada paso que cada persona ha dado por y para ello es digno de elogiar, pues es uno de los ovales más viejos de Europa, y un capital histórico del mundo del motor para España. Curiosamente, su importancia histórica queda clara cuando Red Bull y Audi han decidido localizar ahí su vídeo promocional para el GP de España de este año, sentando en un R8 LMS a Miguel Molina primero y a Carlos Sainz después para conseguir un récord en la mítica pista. Tras el salto te espera un vídeo de tal proeza que no puedes perderte por nada del mundo.Continue reading Miguel Molina y Carlos Sainz ruedan en el Autódromo Terramar de SitgesMiguel Molina y Carlos Sainz ruedan en el Autódromo Terramar de Sitges originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Fri, 11 May 2012 03:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 May 2012 12:20 AM PDT  Ventas abril 2012: Suiza Filed under: Industria Durante el pasado mes de abril las matriculaciones de automóviles nuevos en Suiza se incrementaron en un 4,5% en comparación con el mismo mes del año anterior, alcanzando un volumen total de 28.834 unidades vendidas. Por marcas las más destacadas fueron:SUBEN Land Rover +172,5% Lancia +141,5% Jaguar +107,3% BAJAN Saab -83,3% Chrysler -81,8% Daihatsu -62,8% Continue reading Ventas abril 2012: SuizaVentas abril 2012: Suiza originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Fri, 11 May 2012 02:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 11 May 2012 12:20 AM PDT  Video: Aventador vs getunede GT-R op de snelweg Waar moet je zijn als je een Aventador (700 pk) en een gekietelde Nissan GT-R (700 pk) tot je beschikking hebt, en een krachtmeting op de openbare weg wilt uitvoeren? Rusland natuurlijk. De petrolheadski's van Dragtimes doen het een voor. Met regelmaat stappen deze supercar-fanaten achter het stuur om, onder het toeziend oog van een [...]verwante verhalenOok Mercedes werkt aan een 'slim' gaspedaalVideo: 599XX en FXX op Monza. Hou jij het droog?'Audi S6 doet de 0-96 km/u in 3,7 seconden'Opel ontkent vertrek ontwikkeling Zafira uit DuitslandBeitske Visser won met een gebroken rug |
| Posted: 11 May 2012 12:19 AM PDT  Beitske Visser won met een gebroken rug Toen de 17-jarige Visser vorig weekend rechtdoor ging in de Audi S-bocht op Zandvoort vanwege een gebroken remkabel, en daardoor heel hard in een bandenmuur terecht kwam, had waarschijnlijk niemand gedacht dat ze de volgende dag alsnog een race zou winnen. Toch gebeurde dat, en nu blijkt met een gebroken rug. Dán ben je een [...]verwante verhalenOok Mercedes werkt aan een 'slim' gaspedaalVideo: 599XX en FXX op Monza. Hou jij het droog?'Audi S6 doet de 0-96 km/u in 3,7 seconden'Opel ontkent vertrek ontwikkeling Zafira uit DuitslandVideo: Aventador vs getunede GT-R op de snelweg |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 05:22 PM PDT Video: What kind of baboons would do this to a Hyundai i30 hatchback? Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Hyundai, UK, Humor Baboons are curious creatures. And, thanks to their opposable thumbs, they are rather excellent at satiating that curiosity, no matter what impediments stand in their way. Apparently, that includes door handles.Hyundai decided there was no better way to test the durability of its i30 hatchback (that's the Elantra GT here in the States) than to send it into Knowsley Safari Park, near Liverpool in the UK. Specifically, into the Baboon habitat. As you'll see in the video after the break, the primates do their very best to rip the little hatchback to shreds, biting every surface, jumping up and down and from door to door and generally mucking about. How does the Hyundai cope with this kind of abuse? Scroll down below to find out yourself.Continue reading What kind of baboons would do this to a Hyundai i30 hatchback?What kind of baboons would do this to a Hyundai i30 hatchback? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 05:22 PM PDT EVS: EDTA president Brian Wynne responds to right-wing attacks, says EV progress is "truly astounding" Filed under: EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, EVSBrian Wynne recently wrote an article for Politico with the clear title: "Stop bashing electric cars." Wynne, the president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), helmed the 26th Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) in Los Angeles this week and sat down with AutoblogGreen to talk about why he had to defend his industry. The short version? Someone had to step up. As Wynne said: I think what's taken me a little bit by surprise has been the extent to which the commentary has been based on completely false premises or bad information. I would go so far as to say that some of the commentary have been designed to spread bad information, which I would call not uncommon in political circles today. But certainly I would call it misguided, given that this community is growing in support around the country and questions are still begged as to how we address the challenges that are out there. In Washington, we used to say you're entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts and people are starting to stretch that now, and I think that's wrong. Somebody had to stand up and say, 'Knock it off. Stop making stuff up.' If you want to argue over whether or not this is happening fast enough, let me know when, let me know where. If you want to argue over whether or not the taxpayer is getting a return on their investment, let me know when, let me know where. We should be extremely careful about how we spend the public purse, but that's a debate that reasonable men can have, as we would say, and then can disagree. One the article was published (you can read it here), it energized a lot of people, Wynne said, and he learned that the EV community is ready to engage the debate. Given the state of discussion around plug-ins in the U.S. today, "Obviously, we've got more work to do," on educating the public about EVs, but some hurdles are unfairly high, Wynne said: Could we have avoided the misinformation that was put out? I don't think so. I think people who are politically motivated are going to use what they can use at this stage of the game. We've gone from 'be scared' in the political commentary to 'be pissed off' and then pointing at something that you can be pissed off about. People are already pissed off, and they're going to glom onto whatever they glom onto. I can't do anything about that. Let's face it, there are a lot of people who are disgruntled, that want to pick on something, but if you're going to point at something, at least be accurate about what you're pointing at. Let's be fair and balanced, I think that would be what we used to expect from reporters, although most of this commentary that is regrettable is coming from people you would not consider fair and balanced. Continue reading EVS: EDTA president Brian Wynne responds to right-wing attacks, says EV progress is "truly astounding"EVS: EDTA president Brian Wynne responds to right-wing attacks, says EV progress is "truly astounding" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 05:22 PM PDT This Was Neil Armstrong's 1967 Corvette Jeremy NuttBack in the 1960's, if you traveled into space, it meant that you were a pretty big deal. It also meant that when you weren't strapped to the side of a rocket, you were getting sweet deals on Corvettes. Awesome new Vettes. With Big Blocks. And 4-Speeds. Neil Armstrong was doing exactly this back in December of 1966 and Jim Rathman Chevrolet in Melbourne Florida was the reason why. . . . → Read More: This Was Neil Armstrong's 1967 Corvette |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 04:43 PM PDT Car and Driver chronicles the death of a car Filed under: Sedan, Etc., BMW, Luxury Bloggers we may be, but we're still fans of good old fashioned long-form journalism - or what passes for it in this day and age. Yes, digital attention deficit disorder and the failing fortunes of print publishing have combined to largely neuter the art form, but there are still some publications willing to think high concept and go out and spend some shoe-leather on stories. Here's a good one: Car and Driver buys a used-up car to take to the auto recyclers, then traces the derelict vehicle's progression through the process of being reduced to its elements. The magazine's choice, a 210,000-mile 1993 BMW 3 Series, is a brilliant way get us emotionally involved. The E36 is one of those cars that is just so likable, a product that was head and shoulders better than anything else in its time, that we can't help but care what happens to it once it's cast into the clutches of the salvage yard. The story is fascinating in the way it focuses our attention on things we rarely think of when we ogle sheet metal and obsess over the performance profiles of new models. The numbers are all there too - who knew that a scrap BMW catalytic converter was worth $250? But enough with that, just go read it for yourself at C/D's website.Car and Driver chronicles the death of a car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 04:07 PM PDT  Opinion: The case of Heather Peters and the Honda Civic Hybrid sets an alarming trend Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, HondaWhat are you going to do, sue? Good luck. This week's Superior Court verdict suggests there's little to no recourse for consumers. As Autoblog readers likely have already learned, a Superior Court judge in California has tossed out a judgment issued by a small claims court earlier this year awarding nearly $10,000 to Honda Civic Hybrid owner Heather Peters. She had taken the Japanese maker to court claiming it used misleading advertising promising the sedan would get significantly better mileage than proved true in the real world. In overruling the lower court, Superior Court Judge Dudley W. Gray II wrote that, "Federal regulations control the fuel economy ratings posted on vehicles and advertising claims related to those fuel economy ratings." Well, um, no. That was my understanding, too, until I had the chance to pursue the matter with the EPA a couple years back. In fact, I was told, the law simply sets an upper limit. If the tests determine a new model gets 50 mpg - as with Peters' Civic Hybrid - that's the most a maker can advertise or use on the Monroney window sticker. But should a manufacturer like Honda realize through its own tests that the vehicle's real-world mileage might be noticeably less they can mark it down to whatever they think is valid. Of course, who would do that? With mileage now one of the top things on the consumer's shopping list, who can blame a manufacturer for wanting to put the prettiest lipstick on a gas hog. And this week's Superior Court verdict suggests there's little to no recourse for consumers who only discover that fact after they've given it a big smooch. Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis. Continue reading The case of Heather Peters and the Honda Civic Hybrid sets an alarming trendThe case of Heather Peters and the Honda Civic Hybrid sets an alarming trend originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 04:07 PM PDT  Official: Volkswagen gives the R-Line treatment to European-model Passat Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Europe, Volkswagen Few automakers can produce the kind of sports sedans that the Germans do. And for most of the country's automakers, those performance vehicles can be recognized by one letter (or a combination of a few): M for BMW, RS for Audi, AMG for Mercedes-Benz... and R for Volkswagen. The relatively new performance division at Wolfsburg has now gotten its hands on the Passat, and these are the results. Well, almost, but not quite. You see, this isn't a full-on R performance variant, but an R-Line model that gives the midsize sedan (and wagon) a sportier look and an upgraded suspension, but without the engine mods you'd expect to come with it. It also isn't the same Passat as the one we get here. Ours is made in America (Chatanooga, Tennessee, to be specific). This is based on the European model, and as such is available (in Europe, anyway) in both sedan and wagon form. In either body-style, the Passat R-Line includes a new aero kit (complete with sportier bumpers front and rear, side skirts, rear diffuser and deck-lid spoiler), 17-inch alloys, a sport-tuned suspension and a cabin decked out with sports seats, stainless steel trim and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The R-Line model stands as a separate trim level atop the Passat range - selling for €30,225 in Germany (equivalent to about $39k) - but buyers of the Comfortline and Highline trim levels can also specify the aero kit for an extra €990 (~$1,300). Check it out in the high-res image gallery for a closer look.Volkswagen gives the R-Line treatment to European-model Passat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 03:32 PM PDT  Official: Opel dubs upcoming city-car "Adam" Filed under: Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Opel, Vauxhall, UK Tiny city cars are becoming a big business in overseas markets. Mercedes-Benz was a pioneer in the segment with the entire Smart brand, Toyota tackles it with the iQ, Volkswagen recently launched the Up! (along with the Skoda and Seat versions that came along with it), and soon Opel and Vauxhall will, as well. The new city car, snapped last month undergoing testing at the Nürburgring and released in this latest pair of "official" spy shots, promises to give General Motors a slice of the city-car pie. But its nameplate has left us scratching our heads. The project has at times been referred to as the Junior or the Allegra, but has now been officially confirmed to be called the Adam. The name is an apparent nod to the company's founder, Adam Opel, and in its invasion follows the same formula as the Ferrari Enzo - albeit and the complete opposite end of the spectrum. If this emerges as a new naming trend, we should be looking forward to seeing models like the Ford Henry, Chevrolet Louis, Lamborghini Ferruccio and Porsche Ferdinand flooding showrooms in the near future. Before that, though, expect the Opel Adam to debut at the Paris Motor Show in the fall... hopefully without the camouflage.Opel dubs upcoming city-car "Adam" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 03:32 PM PDT  Fotos espía: BMW Serie 4 Cabrio Filed under: BMW, Fotos espía, DescapotablesHaz clic en la foto para saltar a la galería Acostumbrarnos al cambio de denominación del Serie 3 Cabrio nos va a resultar mucho más complicado que asumir su diseño. BMW, ya sabes, tiene planeado según todas las informaciones migrar sus modelos de dos puertas derivados del Serie 3 a la nueva Serie 4, que una vez más ha vuelto a ser espiada en plena calle. El camuflaje sigue siendo tan dense como efectivo en ambos extremos del vehículo, pero esta vez el fotógrafo tuvo la suerte de capturar al futuro Serie 4 Cabrio con la capota bajada, para que podamos apreciar su habitáculo (no es que debas esperar grandes sorpresas) y el perfil en modo descubierto. Supuestamente BMW no presentará el Serie 4 Cabrio hasta comienzos del próximo año, así que no dejes de echarle un vistazo en su galería.Gallery: Fotos espía: BMW Serie 4 Cabrio Share TweetFotos espía: BMW Serie 4 Cabrio originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 03:32 PM PDT  Report: De Tomaso down for the count Exotic automakers from Italy come and go, and some are missed more than others. But while names like Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini have remained constant throughout, others have risen and fallen. Bugatti was one such example - revived temporarily by Italian investors before Volkswagen stepped in to bring it back to Alsace - but another is De Tomaso. Founded (not unlike Pagani) by an Argentine-Italian in Modena, but way back in 1959, De Tomaso produced legendary sports cars like the Vallelunga, Mangusta and of course the Pantera. It even owned Maserati and Moto Guzzi for a time, but it eventually petered off into bankruptcy. Along came a certain Gian Mario Rossignolo - a veteran auto exec in Italy - to scoop up what was left of the company in 2008. The revival led to the debut of the Deauville concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, but a lack of interest and funds led to the program being sold to a Chinese automaker which appears to have done little with it. Meanwhile it looked for a time that Rossignolo was planning to continue development of a new Pantera, but those plans have reportedly lost momentum as the outfit struggled without enough capital to even pay its workers. The most astute readers may recall Rossignolo's name coming up in the news about a month ago as well, when his other business - Prototipo SpA - sold the Nardo Technical Centre to Porsche. Whether the proceeds from that sale end up giving Rossignolo enough to pay his staff and possibly turn the Pantera program around, however, or if they'll only prove sufficient to repay his debts, remains to be seen.De Tomaso down for the count originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 02:55 PM PDT EPA waives gas pump vapor recovery rules Filed under: Legislation and Policy, USA In a move sure to please urban-area gas station owners, the EPA has issued a waiver to its 1994 rule requiring gas pump vapor recovery systems. The devices were required in mostly urban areas to reduce smog-causing vapors from being released into the air during the refueling of vehicles. With more than 70 percent of vehicles on the road already having a vapor recovery device, the EPA says the pump system is redundant. The agency says waiving the requirement will save the nation's gas station owners an estimated $91 million a year. Since 2006, all new vehicles have been required to have onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) capabilities. While a vehicle is being refueled, the ORVR captures hazardous fumes that can worsen smog and impact public health. The EPA website doesn't say specifically when this waiver goes into effect, just that it's "later this year."EPA waives gas pump vapor recovery rules originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 02:55 PM PDT Spy Shots: BMW 4 Series cabrio caught with its top down Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, BMW, LuxuryBMW did quite a bit to differentiate the new 3 Series from the old one, but arguably the biggest development in that department is the splitting of the model line. Because the new 3 Series is only the sedan and wagon. The coupe and cabrio are branching off as the 4 Series, similar to the 6 Series (as distinct from the 5 Series), the old 8 Series (separate from the 7 Series) and what's expected to emerge of the 2 Series from the new 1 Series. Following earlier spy shots of the 4 Series convertible with its roof up in the rain and in the snow, this is our first look at the upcoming new model being driven the way it's meant to be driven: with its top down and the sun shining. Unfortunately our view is a little obscured by all the swirly camouflage, so we'll have to wait until its anticipated debut sometime next year to see the whole package. But you can check out the spy shots now for a sneak preview.BMW 4 Series cabrio caught with its top down originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 02:55 PM PDT Los clones también se renuevan: Jonway UFO 2012 Filed under: SUV, crossovers y todoterrenos Con un poco de cara de dura en China puedes ponerte a fabricar automóviles rápidamente. Sólo te hace falta un modelo de éxito que copiar, un chasis cualquiera y hacer una llamada a los chicos de Mitsubishi para que te vendan algún motor desarrollado hace 15 años. A Jonway le funcionó muy bien esta fórmula con los primeros UFO y ahora lanzan una evolución del A380 que no es otra cosa que el Toyota RAV4 de anterior generación pero ligeramente modificado para mantenerlo relativamente al día (luces LEDs, parrilla modificada, paragolpes más redondo, etc.). El interior recibe un nuevo sistema multimedia y la instrumentación se ha modificado ligeramente. Por lo demás sigue siendo un coche muy parecido al original. La oferta de motores dependerá mucho del país en el que sea comercializado, pudiendo contar con un 1.6i 16v con 107 CV, un 2.0i 16v con 138 CV y un 2.4i 16v con 163 CV. Sólo el más potente puede llevar tracción total.Continue reading Los clones también se renuevan: Jonway UFO 2012Los clones también se renuevan: Jonway UFO 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 02:20 PM PDT Video: Patrick Long has the best morning commute ever Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Porsche One of the benefits of being a Porsche factory driver is that you get to get coffee for Hurley Haywood. And if you're Le Mans winner Patrick Long, according to this little spot for the Porsche Sport Driving School, you get do it from behind the wheel of a 911 GT3 and on a damp, drift-ready track. But since Patrick Long apparently lives under a bridge, we'd like to know where he puts the troll and if he lets the three billy goats gruff pass whenever they want. And where he gets his coffee. Have a look below to see the video.Continue reading Patrick Long has the best morning commute everPatrick Long has the best morning commute ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 02:20 PM PDT Opel ontkent vertrek ontwikkeling Zafira uit Duitsland Het rommelt nog steeds flink rond het in zwaar weer verkerende Opel, en in de Duitse media verschijnen de laatste tijd meerdere negatieve geruchten. Vandaag deed het verhaal dat de ontwikkeling van de volgende Zafira naar Frankrijk verplaatst zou worden de ronde, maar direct wordt dit door Opel ontkend. In de Frankfurter Allgemeine (toch niet [...]verwante verhalenVideo: Mustang-burnout gone wrongNieuwe Supra met e-power, Passat is superzuinig en de zelfsturende auto van Google #Groen7Ook Mercedes werkt aan een 'slim' gaspedaalVideo: 599XX en FXX op Monza. Hou jij het droog?'Audi S6 doet de 0-96 km/u in 3,7 seconden' |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:45 PM PDT Report: 2012 U.S. auto sales on pace to be best in five years Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Toyota, Earnings/FinancialsBloomberg reports that if U.S. auto sales continue at their current pace, 2012 will mark the best year for the industry since 2007. The news comes after word that both Ford and Chrysler have slimmed or entirely eliminated the traditional summer shutdown at their manufacturing facilities to keep pace with demand. All told, sales may reach 14.3 million cars and light trucks, according to analysts, thanks to factors like a gradually improving economy and easier credit. If the pace continues, 2012 will mark the third year of 10-percent gains, which marks only the fourth time that's happened since the Great Depression. Car sales stalled in 2008, and 2009 saw manufacturers move just 10.4 million units. As Bloomberg points out, that's the lowest number since 1982, but buyers took home 11.6 million vehicles in 2010 and 12.8 million in 2011. The industry saw a 10.3-percent increase through the first four months of this year. As a result, General Motors, Ford and Toyota have adjusted their yearly sales forecasts accordingly.2012 U.S. auto sales on pace to be best in five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:45 PM PDT Japón: Toyota lanza el Pixis Epoch Filed under: Toyota, Utilitarios Resulta cuanto menos curioso que Toyota, siendo la firma de mayor volumen de ventas en Japón, haya tardado tanto en lanzar un pequeño kei-car. Puede que con Daihatsu y Subaru cubriendo ese hueco había que centrarse en otros nichos, si bien finalmente en 2011 lanzaron el Pixis, desarrollado a partir del Daihatsu Conte. Con relativo éxito durante estos meses, el Pixis ahora recibe la versión que más se acerca al contexto original de los kei-cars que no es otro que servir de vehículo básico, con mantenimiento barato y reducidos consumos. Esta variante se denomina "Epoch" y está asociado al motor de 0,6 litros, cambio CVT y dos tipos de tracción, delantera o total. Los precios recomendados en Japón oscilan entre los 795.000 y 1.220.000 yenes, unos 7.695/11.809 € al cambio actual. Share TweetJapón: Toyota lanza el Pixis Epoch originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Thu, 10 May 2012 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:44 PM PDT 'Audi S6 doet de 0-96 km/u in 3,7 seconden' Waar hebben we dat eerder gehoord? Zien we hier een nieuwe trend bij fabrikanten als het gaat om het conservatief opgeven van sprinttijden? Volgens Car and Driver wel. Zij grepen een gloednieuwe S6 bij het nekvel en onderwierpen hem aan een acceleratietest. En omdat het eigenwijze Amerikanen zijn moet dat natuurlijk in mijlen. 0-60 mph [...]verwante verhalenAudi registreert hele rits aan typenamen [S9, R6, enz]Video: Mustang-burnout gone wrongNieuwe Supra met e-power, Passat is superzuinig en de zelfsturende auto van Google #Groen7Ook Mercedes werkt aan een 'slim' gaspedaalVideo: 599XX en FXX op Monza. Hou jij het droog? |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:08 PM PDT  Video: Olympics + 3 Series + Free Service: Enough for BMW to keep luxe lead in 2012? Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW, LuxuryBMW has long had an advantage over Mercedes-Benz and Lexus when it comes to maintenance and ownership costs that it has hardly ever advertised - free maintenance for the first four years of ownership. The secret will be no more as the company is about to unleash a major ad push behind the program known as BMW Ultimate Service. The ads, done by BMW's ad agency, Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal + Partners, which took BMW's whole ad account assignment last August, are set inside a BMW dealership and draw on comedy to depict the surprise and even incredulity that four years of free maintenance comes with every new Bimmer. In one spot, for example, a woman thinks the promise of free maintenance is a come-on, and she reminds the salesman that she is married. In another spot, a man buying a BMW thinks he has to give the salesman sports tickets in order to get the deal. BMW's marketing chief Dan Creed says the ad campaign, for which there are 27 different possible endings to the vignettes between salesman and customer, is timed right for a market of luxury buyers, which, though seemingly fully recovered from the economic death march of 2008-2010, is still looking for value along with their luxury. "The expectation and widely held belief that BMW has very expensive maintenance costs is still a big factor in why people bypass us when shopping, and we think we have a very efficient way of changing that perception here," says Creed. "Mercedes, Lexus, and our other competitors don't have this, and we are going to use it as a meaningful point of difference."Scroll down below for more on BMW's upcoming ads and to watch the videos.Continue reading Olympics + 3 Series + Free Service: Enough for BMW to keep luxe lead in 2012?Olympics + 3 Series + Free Service: Enough for BMW to keep luxe lead in 2012? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:08 PM PDT  EVS: How Enron's 2001 mess leads to more plug-in vehicle chargers from NRG Energy today Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, EVS Turns out, the Enron scandal will end up benefiting electric cars. At EVS26 in Los Angeles this week, we caught up with Arun Banskota, the president of electric vehicle services for NRG Energy, and he filled us in on some of the plug-in vehicle projects that NRG is working on. Last fall, NRG launched the first commercial-scale V2G project in Delaware and has also been installing "Freedom Stations" - EV charge stations that have a DC fast charger and a Level 2 charger - in Texas. The stated plan was to have 120 installed there by the end of 2012. Banskota said that plan is still in effect, but will take longer than originally predicted. NRG launched the Freedom Station plans in Houston in November, 2010 and Dallas in April, 2011. Currently, there are 11 Freedom stations in operation Houston in front of places like Walgreens, HEB grocery stores, Whole Foods and Cracker Barrels and five are in operation in Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Several more are about to be installed in both areas. NRG has committed to installing 50 of these stations in Houston, 70 in DFW. To put this into context, the first UL-certified DC fast charger became availalbe in the U.S. in September, 2011, so we're still in the early stages of the game. "First, we had a very expidited schedule, but now, as we talk with our consumers, I think once we get a core - probably around 25 in Houston and maybe 30-35 in Dallas-Fort Worth - we're going to be much more strategic in terms of where, exactly, we place them as EV adoption grows," Banskota told AutoblogGreen. "Our target is to have at least 25 in Houston by the end of this year and probably around the same number in Dallas-Fort Worth by the end of this year and I'm guessing we get to 50 by the end of 2013 in Houston and 70 in Dallas-Fort Worth by the middle of 2014." Banskota added that, "Not very loudly, but we've also committed to the Washington and Baltimore market and California will be next for us" (that's the Enron tie, as described below). How much do these Freedom Stations get used? Some are visited by electron-hungry vehicles six or seven times a day, some just once every other day. NRG recognizes that most charging takes place at home, but that the public chargers have an effect even when they're not being used. "Seeing them gives [EV drivers] a certain comfort level, that they can drive their EVs even when they may not need to get a charge," Banskota said.Continue reading EVS: How Enron's 2001 mess leads to more plug-in vehicle chargers from NRG Energy todayEVS: How Enron's 2001 mess leads to more plug-in vehicle chargers from NRG Energy today originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:07 PM PDT  Especula a placer: Audi registra los nombres R6 y S9 (entre otros muchos) Filed under: Audi, Etc.Haz clic en la foto para saltar a la galería Nada como una visita a la oficina de marcas y patentes para dar vuelta al molinillo de los rumores. Seguramente espoleada por la falta de noticias de estos días, el diario neerlandés De Telegraaf se ha dado una vuelta por el registro en busca de alguna novedad a la que hincarle el diente, con la suerte de que se ha ido a topar con un buen puñado de denominaciones sin utilizar a nombre de Audi. Tal y como hemos podido comprobar en la base de datos del registro europeo, la firma de los cuatro anillos ha protegido los nombres Q6, Q8, R6, S2, S9, RS1 y RS8. Todos ellos son relativamente recientes (de 2011 o 2012) y varios de ellos directamente están asociados a modelos rumoreados desde hace tiempo pero todavía inéditos. Es el caso del Q6, que ya está rodando en fase de pruebas (aunque todavía no tiene nombre oficial) y del A9, que vendría ser la versión "estilo coupé" del A8. Gallery: Audi Quattro ConceptContinue reading Especula a placer: Audi registra los nombres R6 y S9 (entre otros muchos)Especula a placer: Audi registra los nombres R6 y S9 (entre otros muchos) originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:07 PM PDT  Report: Top Gear USA confirmed for third season Filed under: Etc., Celebrities Host Adam Ferrara has confirmed Top Gear USA will be back for a third season. The comedian-turned television personality broke the news during an event in New York City last night, according to Inside Line. The show is slowly gaining momentum in the U.S., and this season saw its best ratings yet. One episode drew an impressive 2.1 million viewers. Of course, that's a small figure compared to the legions who tune in or download the original "Top Gear," but with the U.S. hosts getting more comfortable with each other every episode, we'll hardly turn down more car-oriented programming. Then again, Top Gear USA may be your only TG fix over the next few months. Jeremy Clarkson just confirmed the original show won't be back until 2013. According to Ferrara, production on season three starts this weekend.Top Gear USA confirmed for third season originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 01:07 PM PDT  Buick takes us behind the scenes with Marisa Miller Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Buick, Celebrities, LuxuryBuick wants you to know that the 2013 Enclave is smart and sexy and has enlisted the aid of Marissa Miller to help get the point across. The redesigned crossover seems more distracting than anything when Miller's in the picture, but we'll assume that's in a good way. And since we don't expect she comes with the car, buyers should be able to focus on the smart and sexy part. To see the video of the Enclave and Miller behind the scenes, you know where to go.Continue reading Buick takes us behind the scenes with Marisa MillerBuick takes us behind the scenes with Marisa Miller originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 12:17 PM PDT Video: Buick takes us behind the scenes with Marisa Miller Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Buick, Celebrities, LuxuryBuick wants you to know that the 2013 Enclave is smart and sexy and has enlisted the aid of Marissa Miller to help get the point across. The redesigned crossover seems more distracting than anything when Miller's in the picture, but we'll assume that's in a good way. And since we don't expect she comes with the car, buyers should be able to focus on the smart and sexy part. To see the video of the Enclave and Miller behind the scenes, you know where to go.Continue reading Buick takes us behind the scenes with Marisa MillerBuick takes us behind the scenes with Marisa Miller originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 12:17 PM PDT  España: Nuevo VW Touareg "Unlimited" Filed under: Volkswagen, SUV, crossovers y todoterrenos Volkswagen acaba de introducir en el mercado español una nueva serie especial del Touareg denominda "Unlimited". Ofertada por tiempo limitado, destaca por su completo equipamiento y un precio más ventajoso para el cliente. Además llega con un descuento bastante interesante (2.980 €). Entre otras cosas, el nuevo Touareg "Unlimited" incluye de serie llantas de aleación de 18 pulgadas, tapizado en cuero, paquete visibilidad, asientos térmicos, alarma, calefacción adicional por aire (eléctrica), detector de fatiga, servotronic, faros bi-xenón, luces LEDs, lavafaros, paquete cromado exterior, faros con función automática largas/cortas, control de velocidad, radio RCD510, puerto USB, volante multifunción forrado en piel, barras de techo, etc.Continue reading España: Nuevo VW Touareg "Unlimited"España: Nuevo VW Touareg "Unlimited" originally appeared on Autoblog Español on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 12:16 PM PDT  Video: 599XX en FXX op Monza. Hou jij het droog? Zin om een hele groep miljonairs op Monza te zien racen? Komt goed uit, wij hebben foto's én video. In het kader van Ferrari's Corse Clienti-programma wordt er elk jaar met de XX'en (die wat mij betreft beter XXX hadden kunnen heten) op diverse circuits leuk gespeeld. Gisteren werd Monza een dag afgehuurd zodat de [...]verwante verhalenMercedes G65 AMG prijzen: 391.327 euro *slik*Audi registreert hele rits aan typenamen [S9, R6, enz]Video: Mustang-burnout gone wrongNieuwe Supra met e-power, Passat is superzuinig en de zelfsturende auto van Google #Groen7Ook Mercedes werkt aan een 'slim' gaspedaal |
| Posted: 10 May 2012 11:36 AM PDT  Report: Porsche plans E-Class competitor, codename Pajun Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Porsche, Rumormill, Luxury German car magazine Auto Bild reports Porsche is planning build a sedan that will slot below the Panamera and compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Citing no sources (so a grain of salt is recommended), the magazine claims the four-door, codenamed Pajun, will cost no less than $84,000 and be ready for production no later than 2017. In September 2011, Car claimed the Pajun could spawn coupe, convertible and even a shooting brake variant. Back then, rumors swirled about powertrain options that included a 550-horsepower V6, 600-hp V8, plug-in hybrid and an Audi-sourced diesel. Hopefully, Porsche is also working expeditiously to find a better name than Pajun, which in Korea is a seafood pancake, in Finnish it means willow, and, according to Google's translation, in Welsh it means - wait for it - Cajun. That's the name Porsche was using to refer to its smaller-than-Cayenne SUV before changing it to Macan in February. Clever coincidence.Porsche plans E-Class competitor, codename Pajun originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments |
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