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| NEWS Why the Stig outed himself Saturday, September 4, 2010 7:46 PM Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, UK, Celebrities, Rumormill  The Stig, as we're all now aware, is portrayed by talented wheelman Ben Collins. Stiggie, like the three Top Gear presenters, is beloved by fans around the globe. It's hard to attend a motorsports event without someone claiming to be a fat relative of the white-suited power lap maestro. What would persuade Mr. Collins to give up his clandestine position behind the visor? According to The Daily Mail, it all comes down to money. Ben Collins' company, Collins AutoSport, has reportedly racked up over $1.5 million dollars in losses over the last five years. He has a wife, three young kids and three other business ventures to support. The other members of Top Gear command handsome sums (rightfully so) and perhaps Collins felt he deserved a larger slice of the BBC cash cake. Removing the helmet allows him to cash in on what's sure to be a substantial number of opportunities. He recently received an advance of close to $400,000 to begin work on his autobiography and there's already talk of a Ben Collins TV Show. Is breaking the trust of his Top Gear brethren worth the potential financial windfall? In the eyes of many fans, it might not be, yet we imagine Collins' autobiography will be a page-turner. To Collins and his family, however, this bold move might be the fast lap to fiscal freedom. Thanks for the tip, stecki! [Source: The Daily Mail] Why the Stig outed himself originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Japanese trailer for Ayrton Senna documentary Saturday, September 4, 2010 5:50 PM Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Racing 
Ayrton Senna biopic trailer - Click above to watch video after the jump
Ayrton Senna da Silva was born on March 21, 1960. To our knowledge, he won his first competition when he cut his umbilical cord before his doctor could. In reality, he began his karting career at age 13. He jumped to single-seat race cars in 1981 before finally reaching the holy land of Formula One in 1984. He was just 24. Four years later, he captured the first of three world championship titles, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest drivers of all time. Watching Senna drive, especially in rainy conditions, was like watching an artist create a masterpiece. As you already know, tragedy struck when Ayrton Senna died in an accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. Senna aficionados will soon get the opportunity to learn more about their idol, thanks to a forthcoming documentary. A Japanese-language trailer has been released for the upcoming biopic. Senna, the first officially-sanctioned feature-length film about the Brazilian driver who, to this day, remains sorely missed. Click past the jump to watch it. [Source: YouTube via Jalopnik] Continue reading Video: Japanese trailer for Ayrton Senna documentary Video: Japanese trailer for Ayrton Senna documentary originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
21-year-old with giant supercar collection makes us jealous Saturday, September 4, 2010 3:45 PM Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Middle East, Luxury, Koenigsegg  When we were 21, we were happy to ditch the fake ID and score cheaper insurance rates. Life's a little different for Dhiaa Al-Essa, a 21-year-old Saudi who owns a fleet of exotics that'd turn the average enthusiast's knees into Jell-O. His 30-car (not a typo) garage includes enough Italians, Brits and Germans to re-enact World War II. His current stable includes four Ferraris, five Porsches, three Lamborghinis, two Rolls-Royces and a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which he counts as his personal favorite. To wring maximum enjoyment out of his exotic empire, Al-Essa spent this summer flying his fleet around the globe so that he and his friends could create their own driving tours in cities such as London, Montreal, Las Vegas and New York. How is a young man like Mr. Al-Essa able to afford such amazing machinery? Well, he can't. His father just happens to be a billionaire who enjoys spending money on cost-is-no-object basis for his son. To prove this point, Dihaa's father is planning on providing him with the keys to two more otherworldly vehicles. On his 22nd birthday, Dihaa will become the proud owner of a Koenigsegg Agera, which comes with a golden key. It's like the Willy Wonka of supercars. After the Agera, a Bugatti Veyron will join the family. The price for both cars? Around one Corvette Z06 under $5 million dollars. Sadly, Al-Essa's new Ferrari 458 Italia was recently lost to fire while housed at Heathrow Airport. Is he crying about it? Nope. He reportedly plans to replace it with one of the Ferrari 599 Roadster models rumored to have been shown at Pebble Beach last month. Thanks for the tip, dood! Image Copyright (C) 2008 Alex Núñez / AOL [Source: Metro.co.uk] 21-year-old with giant supercar collection makes us jealous originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery Saturday, September 4, 2010 1:41 PM Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Hatchback, Electric 
Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery
When the 2112 Ford Focus Electric debuts in late 2011, it and the Chevrolet Volt will have a common feature in addition to their LG Chem lithium polymer cells. Ford confirms that the Focus EV will employ a liquid-cooled battery pack with automatic thermal management, just like the Chevy. Ford opted for active thermal management solution in order to help maximize the Focus EV's battery performance and lifespan. By protecting the battery from overheating, the system can help prevent the development of cracks in the electrodes. Those imperfections eventually reduce the pack's ability to hold a charge. Conversely, warming the cells when cold will improve the battery pack's winter performance. When the car is plugged in, the thermal management system will use grid power to precondition the battery before charging actually starts. So far, Nissan and Mitsubishi are the only major EV manufacturers that are sticking with passive air cooling for plug-in vehicles. Nissan has committed to an eight-year warranty, but it remains unclear how well the battery will hold up over regular use in differing climates. [Source: Ford] Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery 2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Will the next Stig be a woman? UK bookies lay odds Saturday, September 4, 2010 11:34 AM Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Humor  Is the Stig about to get a sex change? William Hill, one of the UK's largest bookmaking operations, places the odds of the next Stig being a lady at 4-1 and has reportedly seen a good amount of action on that particular wager. Gamblers can also bet on what color the next Stig will wear, with pink currently holding 5-1 odds.Ireland's largest bookmaker, Paddy Power, is also in the mix, posting odds on both the color of the next Stig and who will be behind the mask (they stick with all-male options, though). Paddy Power is also taking bets on how White Stig will meet his demise. The long shot, at 20-1 odds, is currently an assassination by Tom Cruise (not a solid bet, really, as such behavior seems unbecoming of a high-level Thetan). If Top Gear does go the Lady Stig route, who do you think will suit up? We're going with Sabine Schmitz. She clearly has the ability, plus she's already friendly with the Top Gear crew. Actually, that's not a bad bet at all - excuse us while we place a few international calls... [Source: The Sun; BettingDirectory] Will the next Stig be a woman? UK bookies lay odds originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Hybrid sales plummet 40% in August; Prius records 37.5% decline Saturday, September 4, 2010 9:33 AM Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Toyota 
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
One month of dreary sales figures doesn't signal the end of the hybrid, but the numbers reported for August hint that without a rise in gas prices, hybrid vehicle sales will likely continue to suffer. Overall hybrid sales dropped 40.4 percent in August compared to a year ago. Not even the mighty Toyota Prius could avoid the plunge. Prius sales fell 37.5 percent compared to August 2009 and dropped off 16.3 percent compared to the July 2010 numbers. Combined, Toyota and Lexus hybrids saw a 36.2 percent decline from a year ago. Ford fared better by posting a 17.1 percent drop in year-over-year numbers. Hybrid sales were clearly boosted last August by the government's Cash for Clunkers program, but this summer's low gas prices take much of the blame for the current hybrid sales plunge. Toyota remains in the number one spot, posting 15,444 sales last month. Ford sits in second place after moving 3,894 hybrid vehicles off dealer lots, while Honda holds onto third with 3,485 sales. It's getting redundant, but Toyota still leads the hybrid market. Anyone want to place bets on when (or if) that'll change? [Sources: Green Car Advisor, Autoblog] Hybrid sales plummet 40% in August; Prius records 37.5% decline originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Sheik's custom six-wheeled Nissan SUV is a thing that makes us go 'Hmmm' Friday, September 3, 2010 8:00 PM Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Etc., Videos, Nissan, Middle East, Design/Style, Off-Road 
Sheik, hydro and roll - Click above to watch video after the jump
Well, this is certainly different. We've seen our fair share of wild vehicle modifications over the years, but this one takes the cake as one of the most imaginative. If the YouTube description is any sort of indication, this craft was hewn just for Sheik Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan as his personal toy. Near as we can tell, the guy liked the side-mount spare tire carriers on classic vehicles from the '30s, but wanted to be able to deploy them without having to actually get out and spin a lug nut. The solution was found in the miracle (or curse) of hydraulics. Let's just do the world a favor and make sure this doesn't evolve into a trend. We've already had terrible visions of a future SEMA show with row upon row of six-wheeled, white-wall wearing Honda Civics. If you're brave enough, you can hit the jump to see the Nissan-based for yourself. Just don't show anyone else. [Source: YouTube] Continue reading Video: Sheik's custom six-wheeled Nissan SUV is a thing that makes us go 'Hmmm' Video: Sheik's custom six-wheeled Nissan SUV is a thing that makes us go 'Hmmm' originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic prototype holds on to two-tier dash Friday, September 3, 2010 7:30 PM Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Honda 
2012 Honda Civic spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery
After seeing a handful of spy shots of the next-generation Euro-spec Honda Civic, the North American car is finally starting to show up out roaming the heat-soaked roads of Death Valley. When the new Civic arrives next year, it won't be that much larger than the current car, and the overall shape looks to have stayed the same, though substantial changes to the front and rear fascias are definitely on deck.  Our spies were able to get a peek inside the Civic's cabin, showing that the two-tiered dash theme from the current car will likely be carried over to the new Civic. This means we can expect a digital speedometer on the top shelf with an analog tach below, and while we've never been big fans of this arrangement, it has its adherents among Civic fans.We're not expecting to see the Civic debut until sometime in 2011, possibly at the Detroit or New York auto shows. For now, check out Honda's latest prototype from all angles in our gallery below. [Source: KGP Photography] Spy Shots: 2012 Honda Civic prototype holds on to two-tier dash originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.3.10 Friday, September 3, 2010 7:18 PM 
Officially Official: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gains SuperCrew, loses 5.4L V8 for 2011Ford's off-road beast, the F-150 SVT Raptor, has only been on sale for a year, but it's already getting a few upgrades for the 2011 model year. Many reports and a few spy shots indicated that Ford had been prepping a four-door SuperCrew version of the Raptor (you know, for when the family wants to do the Baja run with you), and the automaker has officially confirmed the details (again). 
Rumormill: Toyota working on FT-86 sedan?That's what the crew at Car Guide would have us all believe. According to the website, Toyota is looking to hedge its bets by producing a second model on the same platform as the upcoming FT-86.... 
Paris Preview: GM unveils Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for EuropeGeneral Motors will be expanding Chevrolet of Europe's lineup by adding a five-door Cruze, and while we won't get our first look at this new hatchback for a few weeks, GM has decided to preview it early with a few pictures on the web. Also of interest:
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.3.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Vancouver using 3D optical illusion to scare motorists into safer driving? Friday, September 3, 2010 7:01 PM  Safety organizations and the District of West Vancouver, Canada are joining forces to build awareness about careful driving during the start of the school year. Thanks the work of the BCAA Traffic Safety Association, drivers motoring down 22nd Street in West Vancouver will be met with a 3D image of a girl chasing a ball across the street. No one is saying exactly how the tech works, but it's meant to be a wakeup call for drivers who may be distracted or otherwise not paying enough attention to their surroundings while driving near school zones.The display will be installed for just one week and cost a princely total of $14,400 (USD) to operate. According to The Globe and Mail, drivers will be able to see that there is something on the road as they approach the 3D image. Once the vehicle reaches a certain point, the image of the child and her toy will appear. According to the BCAA Traffic Safety Association, September and October are the two months with the highest child fatalities, and this exercise should go well beyond the typical awareness campaign. Here's hoping it doesn't trigger any panic-braking induced accidents in the process. [Source: The Globe and Mail] Vancouver using 3D optical illusion to scare motorists into safer driving? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mexico's Mastretta releases a few lines about MXT sports car for Paris Friday, September 3, 2010 6:14 PM Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Specialty, South America  Mexican sports car intender Mastretta has officially announced that it will reveal the production version of its MXT at this month's Paris Motor Show. Longtime Autoblog readers may recall that the Latin auto was actually expected to go on sale back in 2009, but for unknown reasons, it evidently hasn't made it into serial production yet. Previously shown iterations of the MXT have been powered by a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec four-cylinder, with the promise that a production model would be turbocharged and fettled by the enginemeisters at Cosworth. The target back then was a modest 240 horsepower, but with an expected weight of under a ton, 0-60 mph was expect in under five seconds. At this point, we're not sure if the car will look like the model revealed in 2007, let alone how many MXTs are planned, or at what cost. Back in 2008, Mastretta indicated that they were targeting about 150 units per year, with fully 70 percent of production earmarked for Europe and the United States. Click past the jump for the company's announcement and check out our gallery of the original MXT below. [Source: Mastretta] Continue reading Mexico's Mastretta releases a few lines about MXT sports car for Paris Mexico's Mastretta releases a few lines about MXT sports car for Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Mitsuoka Orochi now available to rent in Osaka Friday, September 3, 2010 5:30 PM Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Japan 
Mitsuoka Orochi Premium Gold - Click above for high-res image gallery
So you're headed to Japan and need to rent a car. What to choose? The island nation is a smorgasbord of metal foreign to American tastes, from a wide buffet of pint-sized kei-cars to more American-sized contraptions. But what if none of those options have the kind of flair you require for that special business meeting? Fear not. Mitsuoka has you covered. The company has just announced a rental program that will let you pick up either of its two sports cars for a fairly low per-day rental rate in Osaka. For a mere $390 per day, you can play around with the ridiculously over-the-top Orochi, complete with its underwhelming Toyota 3.3-liter V6 mounted mid-ship. If you require something topless, Mitsuoka will be happy to put you in the driver's seat of its roadster, the Himiko for a mere $177 per day. Whichever you choose, you'll need a fair command of the Japanese language to navigate Mitsuoka's site. Our Google Translator was no help at all. [Source: Mitsuoka via Gizmag] Mitsuoka Orochi now available to rent in Osaka originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chevrolet Cruze configurator goes live Friday, September 3, 2010 4:46 PM Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet  Heads up, compact fans; the configurator for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has officially gone live. If you've got a few hot seconds to spare as your work week comes to a close, you can build up your new Bowtie fuel miser any way you so please. It doesn't take long to click off enough options to have the Cruze sitting pretty at just shy of $26,800 including destination. Of course, that kind of coin will fetch you a sunroof, spare tire, RS appearance package, navigation and just about everything else your heart could desire in LTZ trim. Of course, the frugal among you can sink your teeth into a $16,995 LS model, complete with a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission and not much else. If it were us laying down the coin, we'd probably hold off until we got word exactly how much Chevrolet is going to ask for the super-efficient Eco model. Thanks for the tip, Scott! Photos by Zach Bowman, Copyright (C)2010 AOL [Source: Chevrolet] Chevrolet Cruze configurator goes live originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Consumer Federation of America calls for 60 mpg CAFE standard by 2025 Friday, September 3, 2010 3:56 PM Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Technology  Now that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Environmental Protection Agency have established fleet fuel economy standards of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, the government agencies are hard at work on the next phase of increases that will stretch out to 2020 and beyond. The 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act mandated 40 mpg by 2020 as a minimum, but the standards could actually be set higher. That's exactly what the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) want. A report from CFA declares that the technology exists to raise fuel economy standards to 60 mpg by 2025 and estimates that doing so would add about $2,600 to the cost of new cars and $3,200 to light trucks. CFA's analysis indicates that, at the equivalent of $3.50 per gallon in 2025, the payback period for the extra costs would only be five years. While the technology definitely exists to produce 60-mpg vehicles, the real problem is consumer behavior, and most American consumers probably won't buy the kinds of small cars required to meet those standards at current fuel prices - particularly with that much cost tacked on to their MSRPs. Hitting 60 mpg while maintaining the size and capability Americans currently buy would doubtlessly cost substantially more. In order to get people to buy such vehicles, critics suggest there will need to be significantly higher prices at the pump. The idea of a revenue-neutral petroleum tax (whereby other taxes would be cut to compensate) that establishes a floor price of at least $4 per gallon could be a good place to start on the way to 40 mpg. Getting people into 60-mpg vehicles would probably require an even higher floor - perhaps $5/gal or more. [Sources: Green Car Advisor, Consumer Federation of America] Continue reading Consumer Federation of America calls for 60 mpg CAFE standard by 2025 Consumer Federation of America calls for 60 mpg CAFE standard by 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial Friday, September 3, 2010 3:12 PM Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Cadillac 
Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial - Click above to watch the video after the jump
Recently, we showed you a behind-the-scenes look at Cadillac's newest commercial featuring the CTS-V sedan out on Germany's hallowed-be-thy-name Nürburgring. Now, after all of the editing and post-production work has been completed, we're left with a brand new television ad spot simply dubbed "The Competition," showing viewers that one of the world's fastest sport sedans will strive to be better and better. How can you improve on 0-60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and a 'Ring run in just 7:59.32? We're eager to find out. Aside from the gloriousness of watching a CTS-V do what it does best out on one of the world's greatest road courses, we like this video because it makes mention of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG - two vehicles that inspired Cadillac to raise the bar for its own sport sedan. Give credit where credit is due, after all. Still, we like stiff competition, and you can watch Cadillac's latest ad spot for yourself after the jump. [Source: Cadillac via YouTube] Continue reading Video: Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial Video: Cadillac CTS-V "Competition" commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Chevrolet signs Tim Allen as brand's new voice Friday, September 3, 2010 2:29 PM Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM, Celebrities  General Motors has officially announced that television and movie star Tim Allen will be the new "voice of Chevrolet," starting with a series of ads that will begin airing on September 7. These ads will be for the all-new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, and while Allen is a big-name with a very recognizable voice, GM's vice president of marketing, Joel Ewanick, reminds us that "the car will be the star."Allen is best known for his starring role on the long-running 1990s sitcom Home Improvement, as well as his roles in The Santa Clause movies and as the voice behind Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story trilogy. In addition, Allen is also a well-known automobile enthusiast and has an extensive car collection. He is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and has a strong love for classic American muscle cars. [Source: General Motors | Image: Michael Schwartz/WireImage.com] Continue reading Chevrolet signs Tim Allen as brand's new voice Chevrolet signs Tim Allen as brand's new voice originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Some say that Top Gear will viciously kill off The Stig Friday, September 3, 2010 1:45 PM Filed under: Etc., UK, Celebrities  When murmurings began hitting the web that the man who plays The Stig was itching to publish his memoirs, we knew it was only a matter of time before the character met his end on the BBC's Top Gear. According to The Sun, James May has hinted that White Stig will be dealt with in the same manner as his predecessor, Black Stig. As you may recall, Black Stig infamously tried to outperform a Harrier jet from behind the wheel of the Top Gear Jaguar, only to overshoot his mark and wind up at the bottom of the sea. According to May, White Stig may not be so fortunate. In his interview with The Sun, May said that he and his co-hosts may actually drive to The Stig's house, beat him silly and reclaim his suit of racing armor. We're thinking that the show's writers will likely come up with something a little more grandiose when it comes to sending the disgraced character out to pasture, but you never know. Will the show pit White Stig against the Royal Navy like his predecessor... or will he face some crueler fate? We'll find out soon enough. Thanks for the tip, Gooner! [Source: The Sun] Some say that Top Gear will viciously kill off The Stig originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Rattner bio reveals Obama Administration wanted Ghosn to run GM Friday, September 3, 2010 1:01 PM Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Celebrities  Steven Rattner, former automotive adviser to President Barack Obama, has just written a juicy account of last year's automotive bailout, complete with insights on the coming and goings of CEOs, courting foreign saviors and the General Motors plan to abandon its Renaissance Center headquarters. In his book, "Overhaul: An Insider's Account of the Obama Administration's Emergency Rescue of the Auto Industry," Rattner says that GM wanted to walk away from its expensive towers in downtown Detroit and move to Warren, MI. While the move would have likely saved the company plenty of money and lent the impression of a hands-on management approach, the Obama administration apparently refused to allow the move, saying that it would cause a double-digit drop in property values in the area. There's also the fact that GM pays around $20 million in taxes to Detroit per year. According to The Detroit News, Rattner also offered the GM CEO position to none other than Nissan/Renault head honcho Carlos Ghosn after Rick Wagoner was shown the door. Ghosn, who had previously sought a partnership between his empire and The General, politely declined the offer. How's that for a head job? Even through all of the turmoil, The Detroit News quotes Rattner as saying that the automotive bailout is one of this administration's "unambiguous successes." [Source: The Detroit News | Image: Neison Barnard/Getty for Fortune Magazine] Report: Rattner bio reveals Obama Administration wanted Ghosn to run GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Rumormill: Toyota working on FT-86 sedan? Friday, September 3, 2010 12:28 PM Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Japan, Toyota, Rumormill  That's what the crew at Car Guide would have us all believe. According to the website, Toyota is looking to hedge its bets by producing a second model on the same platform as the upcoming FT-86. As the theory goes, If the two-door doesn't find the kind of favor the company is hoping for, it will at least have a four-door version to pick up a few sales. The site points to a shadowy Toyota executive as the source of the information, and it's even worked up a rendering to show the world exactly what the sports sedan could look like. That all sounds reasonable and all, but we're still having a hard time swallowing this one. Toyota isn't exactly the kind of company to take huge manufacturing risks. With the development costs of the FT-86 shared with partner Subaru, Toyota would be looking at shoving quite a bit of extra money toward coming up with a proprietary four-door variant of the car. We just don't see that happening, even if we do like the idea of a more affordable rear-wheel drive Japanese four-door. Head over to Car Guide to have a look at the full rendering. [Source: Car Guide] Rumormill: Toyota working on FT-86 sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Spy Shots: BMW M5 prototype gets towed off the 'Ring Friday, September 3, 2010 12:00 PM Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Europe, BMW, Luxury 
BMW M5 prototype gets towed home - Click above for high-res image gallery
Occasionally, we find ourselves wondering why manufacturers continue to insist on testing their prototype vehicles at the infamous Nürburgring. Yes, the track is 13 miles of some of the most abusive variations in elevation and apex around, but it's also flooded with legions of hungry spy photographers just waiting to publicize the carmakers' latest efforts. You'd think they'd come up with a locale with a smidge more privacy. But the truth is that the Nürburgring offers a unique combination of length, speed and legality that's difficult to come across elsewhere in the world. Those three factors combine to allow engineers to push vehicles well past what the common buyer will ever experience, and sometimes, that means pushing a vehicle all the way to mechanical failure. We aren't exactly sure what caused this particular BMW M5 mule to go lame, but we're guessing that the testing was well worth what was bound to be the mountain of paperwork facing these guys when they get back to the office. At least the X5 seems to be up to the task of pulling its sportier brother around. [Source: CarPix] Spy Shots: BMW M5 prototype gets towed off the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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But it was absolutely not a problem and actually almost enjoyable to watch the installer and listen to him tell me what went wrong in the first place by those other guys. He had seen their work before and said it was always bad. Thankyou for helping me and doing the job right. Frances, Fort Worth, TX Jacksonville, FL I wasn't aware that a rock chip in a windshield could be repaired until I talked to your gal Sue on the phone. She explained it to me and I liked what I heard and especially the price. I have to tell you that it looks really good now. There's just a tiny spot left and it doesn't bother me at all when I think about the cost of a new windshield. David, Jacksonville, FL Long Beach, CA I had this big idea I was gonna replace my own windshield and save some money. Wrong! It cost me $50 at the junk yard and I broke it on the way home. Should have listened to my wife the first time. Anyway you guys took care of me and it looks really good, better than I could have done. Thomas, Long Beach, CA Kansas City, MO We were on our family vacation when a truck in front of us threw up a large stone. It cracked our windshield clear across from left to right (driver's view). Finding your company after a quick web search on our son's phone was sheer luck I guess. When we pulled in to our hotel, Bobby and Todd were already waiting there with our new windshield and they made short work of it. Give them both a big hug for us because we appreciate them very much. Luanne, Kansas City, MO Albuquerque, NM Thank you for a painless and efficient glass repair service. I was in a real fix and you came to my rescue just in time. Now I'll spread the word about your company and the great windshield repair work you do. Annie, Albuquerque, NM Las Vegas, NV This was not the first time my car has been broken in to so I try to make sure I don't leave any valuables visible. Oops! I left one of my CD holders right there and somebody decided they wanted to own it at the cost of my rear passenger window. It happened right in the parking garage which is supposed to be patrolled 24 hours. So much for security I guess. Thanks for coming right out and replacing the glass for me. Rodger, Las Vegas, NV Denver, CO I know a little bit about auto glass and was surprised to see how much more there was to learn, when your repair guys came to my office to fix my windshield. I didn't realize that my car must sit for a couple of hours before I could drive off in it. Another company told me on the phone that I could drive away immediately. Shame on them. And your company provided original equipment glass made in America. The other guys wanted to sell me cheap import glass from China. No thanks. But many thanks to you and your good employees. Anthony, Denver, CO El Paso, TX Out here in West Texas there's all kind of stuff flying around in the strong winds we have here. And the roads aren't so great either. So when I got a rock chip in my windshield I called you for help and you saved it from splitting out. That would have cost me a pretty penny. I figure I can get quite a few repairs before it would equal the cost of a new windshield. Jimmy, El Paso, TX Cleveland, OH Cleveland Windshield Repair to the rescue! I only made one call and talked to the lovliest gal and she set up an appointment for my glass replacement. Jim came the same day and had me back up and running in no time at all. It was very convenient for me and the family. We appreciate your professional manner and the good work. Ben, Cleveland, OH Baltimore, MD Here's one for the books. Something fell out of the sky and hit my windshield and smashed it. It was a piece of metal, maybe from an airplane or something. No, it was not a meteorite ha ha. It also scratched the paint on the car hood. Anyway you guys came and replaced the windshield same day and I wanted to thank you for it. God bless. Ellen, Baltimore, MD Louisville, KY Oh dear, the unexpected took us by surprise when a thief broke into our car through the window. It's so distressful to be taken advantage of like this and I was crying when I talked to Mary on the phone to get an estimate. She was so comforting and told me this kind of thing happens all the time and that you could come out and fix it the same day, which you did. Your repair man was also very polite. Thank you so much for your help. Betsy, Louisville, KY Fresno, CA You know the weather here. HOT! Not thinking, I decided to wash my car and hit the windshield with cold water. Bang! Ouch! I knew instantly what a stupid thing I had done. It split every which way to hell and back. I figured it would set me back $500 to get it replaced. Actually the Volvo dealer told me it would be $695. After choking on that I called you and got a price of $243 and I had you do the work. I appreciate your price and your careful work. Clay, Fresno, CA Houston, TX Y'all are going to get my business again, if I need another auto glass replaced in the future. Every aspect of the deal was done professionally, from talking to Matt on the phone, to the replacement guy being neat, clean, and polite, to the factory glass windshield for a very fair price. Elaine, Houston, TX Indianapolis, IN My entire family wanted to thank you for so swiftly reponding to our plight by coming to our home and replacing the rear window on our Sequoia. As I told your very helpful Scott, we had planned to leave on a trip early Friday morning but found that someone had smashed the window and stolen some of our belongings. Because you were able to come so quickly, we were still able to leave town later that day. Thank you again! Eliza, Indianapolis, IN Columbus, OH I've got a 65 Mustang that's cherry inside and out but not totally original. I needed a replacement windshield but was afraid one would be hard to find. Columbus Windshield Repair Auto Glass Replacement (long name) not only had high quality OEM glass but you got out to my place and fixed my car on the same day I called you. That's impressive. Keep up the good work. Billy, Columbus, OH Dallas, TX Being a woman, I thought I might get taken advantage of when I called for glass repair service. But I spoke to the kindest woman, Shelly, and she took care of my needs. A nice fellow named John came to my office and replaced my Honda glass. He was polite and professional in every way, something that's difficult to find these days and it was refreshing. I hereby award my Best Company to do Business With to Dallas Windshield. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sami, Dallas, TX Mesa, AZ I swear I'm jinxed because I've had three new windshields in three years. The insurance company paid for the first two but I paid for the last one because I'm afraid they will cancel me. Your crew was quick and clean and nice. I hope they get a raise. That's my recommendation. Marshall, Mesa, AZ Chicago, IL I just bought a new car a week before I got hit by a flying rock or something and it totally ruined my windshield. I found you on the Internet and you sent your man out to take care of it for me right away. Cute guy too! Married though. I appreciate your good service. thank you. Mindy, Chicago, IL Colorado Springs, CO They say that Colorado has some of the worst roads in America and that our cars suffer more windshield damage than any other state except Louisiana. If it's worse there than here, I feel sorry for those folks down south. My right rear window was broken into and some CDs were stolen but you were quick to respond and fix it for me. The work was done well and the man left everything neat and clean when he was done. Thanks again. Olivia, Colorado Springs, CO Anchorage, AK A new windshield replacement was the last thing I needed but you guys did a high quality job. No muss, no fuss, just what I like. And the price was right too! Rob, Anchorage, AK Miami, FL Unbelievable! The guy is whacking weeds in my neighbor's yard and he sends a rock flying into my driver window. What are the odds? Glass everywhere, what a mess. You sent Debbie out to replace my window and she cleaned up the mess like it was never there. Great gal! The window looks perfect. Thanks. Zoltran, Miami, FL Los Angeles, CA Remember the cartoon of the kid who smacks the ball with his bat and it crashes through the neighbors window? IT'S TRUE! Only he hit my windshield instead of the house. You fixed it and he paid for it with his allowance. What he doesn't know is that I gave the money back to his dad and told him to put it in the boy's college fund. Cool huh? I'm going to get money from my insurance to cover it. Henry, Los Angeles, CA Memphis, TN When the rock hit my windshield, being a vet I thought somebody was shooting at me and I ducked. Good thing I didn't lose control of the car. The damage was smaller than a quarter so you said you could repair it and I wouldn't have to buy a new windshield. It worked out great and is mostly invisible except for a little bit which you said would be there and it is okay with me. Vernon, Memphis, TN Arlington, TX I got a broken windshield last week when a stone flew up from the car in front of me on the tollway. I saw it coming and I ducked when it hit my windshield. It sounded like a gun going off and scared the daylights out of me. When I looked for a repair service I found you and I'm so glad. It's so hard to find people who will go out of their way to do excellent work but your people did and they were very polite. Thanks a million. Lydia, Arlington, TX Boston, MA With our roads falling apart, it's no wonder that I received a ding in my car windshield from a rock. Being from Mass, everybody's solution is to raise taxes. Not me. I'm a conservative in a land of loonies. So you repaired my glass and I can barely see where it hit me. Nice job! William, Boston, MA Detroit, MI Times are tough here in Detroit and most of us don't have any extra money. When my car was broken in to they shattered the driver window and I figured it would cost a lot of money. I called the dealer and they quoted me $473. I called you and you quoted me $197. Easy choice, right? And to top it off, the whole experience was trouble free and enjoyable. Kudos to you guys! Michelle, Detroit, MI Atlanta, GA Thank you so much for a job well done. I didn't know how much was involved in getting a new windshield in my car. How could I, I'm an accountant. Your man Larry showed me what was important and I appreciate it. If I need car glass again I'll call people. Bob, Atlanta, GA Honolulu, HI My windshield got busted and over here everything is way expensive. Honolulu Windshield got me fixed up for a pretty good price and you were on time too, not on Hawaii time LOL. Thanks mucho! Mani, Honolulu, HI |
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