Latest Cars Reviews Blog

First Official Pic of the All-New 2008 Nissan GT-R Released?

Is this the first official photo of the new Nissan GT-R? The Nissan supercar is going to be unveiled later this month and CAR has posted this first photo of the side profile of the GT-R.

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IIHS Announces 2007 Top Safety Picks; No American Models

2007acurardx_1

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced its list of Top Safety Picks for 2007 this morning. Among the winners are two Audis, three Subarus, two Hondas, and one model each from Acura, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo. Absent are any models by American automakers or Japanese behemoth Toyota. The standards for the award this year are a bit tougher than in the past, but something to strive for. Not only must vehicles score top safety ratings in front, side and rear crash tests, they also must be equipped with electronic stability control.

There was also a runners-up list, which included cars that met all the requirements except the top rear crash-test score; and plenty of Toyotas made that list — yet still no American models. Both lists can be found below.

Winners

Large car

Audi A6 - manufactured in Dec. 2006 and later

Midsize cars

Audi A4
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy - equipped with optional electronic stability control

Minivans

Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Luxury SUVs

Mercedes M class
Volvo XC90

Midsize SUVs

Acura RDX
Honda Pilot
Subaru B9 Tribeca

Small SUVs

Honda CR-V
Subaru Forester - equipped with optional electronic stability control

Also-Rans

These vehicles would have won if their seat/head restraints also
had earned good ratings.

Acceptable rear protection

Audi A3
BMW 3-series 4dr
Lexus IS 250/350

Marginal rear protection

Acura TL
Honda Odyssey
Lexus ES 350
Lexus GS 350
Toyota Camry
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4

Poor rear protection

Honda Accord 4dr
Infiniti M35
Nissan Quest
Toyota Avalon

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More Hollywood Memorabilia hits the auction block

Hollywood Auction of the General Lee

If you have been waiting all your life to snatch up some Automotive Hollywood memorabilia now is your chance. On August 2nd through the 3rd there will be 1000 items of prized Hollywood history on the auction block. The live auction will begin at Noon and phone bids and ebayliveauction bids will be accepted.

Among the items being auctioned are some automotive gems such as:

The General Lee from the Dukes of Hazard
Tony Soprano’s Suburban from HBO’s Soprano’s
Tom Cruise’s Mello-Yello stock car from Days of Thunder
Uncle Rico’s van from Napoleon Dynamite
The Original Energizer Bunny (okay, not so automotive, but it is mechanical!)

A sample of the not-so-automotive items being auctioned include:

Chewbacca’s head (the mask, not the actors head) from Star Wars
Elvis Presley’s Karati gi
Catwoman’s costume from Batman and Robin
Johnny Five “Number Five Alive” from the film Short Circuit
The Statue of Liberty’s head from Planet of the Apes
Harry Houdini’s hand cuffs

To follow the news from the 2-day auction or to see photos of some of the items up for auction go to Wizard Universe. If you would like to download a full list of all the items to be auctioned off go to Profiles in History.

Thanks for the link, Ben!

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Spy Shots: Saab 9-3X crossover-thingy caught

Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagons/Estates, Crossovers/CUVs, Saab

More spy shots of Saab's upcoming XC70-challenging 9-3X have just surfaced from Sweden. This offroadier 9-3 ~~wagon~~ SportCombi derivative has a raised suspension, "skid-plates" and extra cladding, plus jumbo exhaust tips to give it a more butch look. Looks like the Outback craze continues unabated. As we've told you before, the 9-3X will differ a bit from other 9-3s in its focus. Saab's Haldex drivetrain has shown itself to be a hoot to drive, which we noted when we sampled the Turbo X. Unlike the performance-oriented Turbo X, however, the 9-3X will use its Haldex AWD system for tackling trenches rather than twisties, offering its owners the security to tackle snow, potholes and black ice. It looks like it's going to be a busy 2009 for Saab, with the pending 9-4X, tweaks to the 9-5 and now the 9-3X.

[Source: TrollhattanSaab.net]

Spy Shots: Saab 9-3X crossover-thingy caught originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | | |

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2009 Acura TSX Spy Photos...Finally More Power from the Smallest Acura

Chris Doane (Brenda Priddy) has caught the upcoming 2009 Acura TSX being tested right outside of Honda's facility in the US. The new car is only slightly larger than the current TSX, but the big news is the addition of more power under the hood.

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Audi: Ranking high in IIHS safety study

Audi is the only manufacturer to have three models rated "good" in head restraint testsas well as two "Top Safety Picks" from the IIHS in 2007.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) today released the results of their latest study measuring the effectiveness of head restraint systems in a rear-end crash. Audi had three models rated as "good" by the IIHS; the A4, S4, and A6, and is

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Ford F-150 Raptor Teased In Online Video [Ford F-150 Raptor]

The yet-to-be-revealed Ford F-150 Raptor is set to be one of the most interesting vehicles to come from the SVT division, eschewing street performance for off-roading prowess. Here we get some teaser video of the truck in its element. The actual details on the Raptor are still largely under wraps, but the suspected specs call for a 6.2-liter V8 cranking out 380 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque, Baja-style Fox Racing remote reservoir shocks and beefy tires, adding up to a truck officials at Ford are saying will be the first truck with prerunner-like capability you'll be able to buy from a dealer. The folks in the truck in this video sure seem to be putting those claims to the test. [YouTube via Autoblog]

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Bentley Arnage T: Feeling home, literally

This guy feels right at home in the Bentley Arnage T, literally."You can always live in your car," goes the adage I've heard my whole life, "but you can't drive your house." It's an aphorism friends shove at you as you're signing up for 72 months of payments on a BMW you can't afford. Or to buck you up while you're opening a home equity line of credit so you can bail your '69 Camaro out of

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VW Recalls 340,000 Jettas and Rabbits

Volkswagen is going to recall 340,000 Mexican made Jettas and Rabbits that were sold in the US due to a headlamp defect.

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Four-of-a-kind For Ferrari At Le Mans

An extraordinary result for the F430 GT at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: four Berlinette from Maranello on the first four places in the GT2 class at the end of the oldest and most prestigious endurance race in the world. This is the second success in a row for Giuseppe Risi’s team at Le Mans with an “encore” in 2009 after the victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

[Source: Ferrari]

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Stupid Mutual Exclusivity Of The Day: Audi A8L Option Packages

Back in the good old days of automobile purchase decisions, a buyer had a long list of options from which to choose. Seldom were any said options (aside from picking one engine over another) mutually exclusive.

When there was a case of mutual exclusivity, at least it made sense. I mean, c’mon, do you really need air conditioning with that selection of the high-compression solid-lifter race-spec L88 427-cubic inch engine on this ’67 Corvette you’re ordering, sir?

Continue reading after the jump!

In writing an upcoming story comparing leading executive-rockets, though, I learned that Audi might take the cake for foolish option package mutual exclusivity. I received a response from Audi’s product line media representative confirming that the A8L (and A8) can be ordered with the Sport Package or the Technology Package, but not both. The reason: “I’m sure for technical hardware reasons” sayeth the Audi media fella.

The Sport Package delivers 20-inch wheels, sport steering wheel with paddle shifters and a firmer dynamic setting for the air suspension. One would guess that the Technology Package would have to include some contradicting elements, right? Nope, just adaptive cruise control (laser-guided) and lane/blind spot assist via a light in the mirror and vibration in the steering wheel…

…Really!?! The only reason a guy (or gal) can’t get the Sport Package and also have laser-guided adaptive cruise control (the best reason to get the package) is because the Sport Package steering wheel won’t vibrate? And Audi wonders why the market is dominated by the 750L and S550!

In all honesty, that’s one of the few niggles I had about the A8L. It’s a hell of a car!!! Just when I order mine, give me the Sport -and- Tech packages…I want to maximize the A8L’s athletic reflexes, but I also want to cruise effortlessly on I5.

Don’t worry about the steering wheel. The vibrations from the 20-inch tires are enough already.

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Half Million Dollar Mustang on eBay!

“NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART OR SHORT ON FUNDS…”, was the very first line in the description, and pretty much says it all. A 1969 BOSS 429 Mustang listed oneBay at $505,000. The original owner is selling it with a little over 22,000 on the odometer. Is it too much, or maybe even too little of a price? See for yourself!

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Electric Car News: Zap Alias

ZAP (short for “Zero Air Pollution”) of Santa Rosa, California, builds various electric vehicles, and sells gray-market conversions of the gas engined Smart Fortwo in the US. ZAP has distributed over 95,000 electric cars, bikes, ATVs, and scooters since its inception in 1994, making it one of the largest in the world.

The company recently announced the Zap Alias, an electric powered 3-wheeler, designed with Lotus, and to be built in China. Zap says the car should be available for sale in 2009.

Specs:
- A motor in each front wheel
- 320 hp
- 0-60 in 5.7 sec
- top speed 120 mph
- range of atleast 100 miles
- price: USD $30,000

AT Carzi, while we like the design of the futuristic but strange looking car, and definitely think any new electric cars should only have in-wheel motors, we question the likelihood of a 2009 release, or a 30k price range. In any case, here’s a low budget video:

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Bentley May Become Greener

Bentley's sales have continued to be strong over the past few years thanks to models like the Continental GT Coupe. Although the automaker has successfully managed to outsell Maybach and Rolls Royce it is looking towards the future.

Mazda Furai Ready For Unveiling at Detroit ‘08

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Infiniti Hits a Home Run with the Stunning Essence Concept

2009_infiniti_essence_concept

Releasing a new car concept has got to be a nerve-wracking experience for auto company execs and designers.

Hit a home run, and gain credibility within the industry and, better yet, create excitement in consumers about your brand.

Come up short, and risk being mocked by auto writers everywhere.

The Geneva Auto Show offered both examples last week and proved that even Aston Martin isn’t immune to the occasional battering by auto bloggers when a concept doesn’t quite strike the right chord.

On the other hand, the Inifiniti Essence has become an instant hit, delivering a strikingly beautiful, super-sexy supercar.

In the words of Francois Bancon, Infiniti’s General Manager for Advanced Product Planning:

An Essence owner is characterized by his or her fearless self confidence; he or she is an intellectual hero rather than just a successful money maker.

Okay, that counts me out. Still, though, I can admire the luscious curves and advanced technology behind this show-stopping car.

This front-engined, two-seat, RWD 592-hp luxury coupe concept is actually a gas/electric hybrid with 434 hp coming from a twin-turbocharged 3.7-liter V6, and 158 hp from an electric powerplant.

infiniti-essence-interior Inside, the Essence is said to have a minimalist (if Alcantara leather, machined aluminum, etched crystal, and holographic gauges count as minimalist) driver-focused cockpit. The cabin is divided into two areas separated by a large curving console between the seats that sweeps around to merge with the center of the dashboard. The result is what Infiniti calls “two very distinct cocoons.” The driver’s side is themed black, the passenger’s “cocoon” an earthy red. Luxury brand Louis Vuitton was called on to complete the unique interior.

It’s safe to say I’ve oficially become smitten with the Essence, so this bombshell really got me excited: Infiniti plans to release a model derived from the Essence in Europe in 2010. I just hope the production model is as sweet-looking as the concept!

What do you think of the Infiniti Essence concept? Have any other concepts caught your eye lately?

-tgriffith

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