2010 Volkswagen GTI Review

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In 1983, Run-DMC was fresh (which meant dope), Volvo 760 Turbos weighed 3,300 pounds and the 2,200-pound Volkswagen GTI made its U.S. debut. In 2010, the Rabbit-turned-Golf entered its sixth generation and attempted to draw a clear line to the first-generation car. The historical link has been made especially clear in the 2010 Volkswagen GTI, though it's gone through the typical changes you face when you hit your 30s. The GTI is now 1,000 pounds porkier, but it's still as slick as a greased pig when it comes to handling.Inside, there's plaid seat upholstery and higher-quality materials. Just like it was back in '83, the underhood motivation is only available from a four-cylinder, a change from recent generations that could be stuffed with Volkswagen's VR6. At a glance, the 2010 model promises to be more visceral than its direct predecessors, but does it come anywhere near the primal magic of the original, or is it just playing dress-up? Thats for you to decide!

BMW Releases M3 GTS Specifications

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BMW has just dropped the juicy details on the spanking new M3 GTS. Here's the skinny: under the hood is a 4.4-liter V8 with 450 horsepower and 324 pound-deet of twist. All that muscle kicks at the rear tires via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and helps the car get to 60 mph in under 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 189 mph. BMW's army of Bavarian engineers managed to slim the car's weight down to around 3,373 pounds, which should make the already wicked M3 even more devilish on track.

Speaking of tossing the M3 GTS around on track, BMW has fitted the car with a bolted-in roll bar as well as factory mounting points for an additional cage. While the standard three-point belts are par for the course, the race-bred German comes with six-point belts for both front occupants as well. Stopping duties fall on hefty six-piston calipers squeezing on 14.9-inch rotors up front and four-piston blocks out back.

If you want it – and lets face it, we all want it – get ready to shell out a lofty $170,000.

Video: 2010 Mazda Mazda3 Grand Touring

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Toyota FT-86 Delayed Until 2013 (Possible Hybrid)

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If a report from Japan's Best Car is to be believed, Toyota will delay the release of the FT-86 from 2011 to 2013.

The reasons behind the delay are varied, and include a different design direction, the economic slowdown and possibly a revised powertrain strategy that could include some kind of hybrid motivation.

As reported previously, the original FT-86 concept was just that – a design study – and Toyota is apparently second-guessing the styling of the coupe before it reaches production. Additionally, ToMoCo is reportedly gauging the success of the Honda CR-Z, which could influence the final drivetrain specs of the FT-86. If that means a hybrid powerplant is in the cards, we're not totally heartbroken, but if Toyota decides to remake the coupe as a front-driver, consider our dreams officially dashed. Regardless, the next iteration of the FT-86 is slated to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of 2011.

Mini Moke Car May Get The Greenlight

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Mini is reportedly seriously considering creating a production version of the Beachcomber concept that debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show. The Beachcomber was produced as a Mini Moke-inspired preview of the Countryman crossover that debuted in Geneva, but the concept left the doors and roof behind to create what looked like the offspring of a Jeep Wrangler and the iconic British small car.

Mini SVP for brand management Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht acknowledged that the response to the concept was so strong that BMW is now looking at the business case for this open-sided variant. If Mini does proceed with the Moke/Beachcomber that would bring the lineup to seven models, including the upcoming coupe and roadster variants. A production version would probably come with removable doors and a folding fabric roof. We wouldn't expect to see this one appear until at least 2012 or 2013 at the earliest, if then, but in the meantime, make the jump to see Dr. Armbrecht and designer Gert Hildebrand discuss the Beachcomber concept.

Thirteen-year-old renders Porsche 918 RSR racer

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Like most of the motoring world, our automotive lives really got off the ground at age 13. We suddenly realized that in just three short years, we would be legally allowed to drive our very own cars, and that revelation started a chain reaction of magazines, posters and models that eventually led to our first set of keys. We may have even been known to sketch a barely recognizable dream car or two. We weren't, however, cranking out professional-grade renderings of a Le Mans version of the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept.

Here's the deal: Team Speed forum user PorscheCarreraGTMay6 has been so kind as to share his vision of what a genuine Porsche hybrid racer might look like. That's all fine and good. After all, the internet is awash with plenty of Photoshopped what-ifs, but what makes these really special is that A) the person claims to be 13 years-old and B) the renders are drop-dead gorgeous and C) there's a good chance we're going to see a 918 Spyder racer within the next few years. The user even cranked out a YouTube video and a solid description of the reasoning behind the model.

Tuned 2011 Ford Mustangs Already In The 10's

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There's no doubt that the 2011 Mustang GT is one of the most potent ponycars to ever come from Ford, but to the Mustang faithful, a big part of its legacy will be how it takes to the aftermarket. The new 5.0-liter V8 seems to be off to a good start, with at least two different modified 2011 Mustangs already achieving ten-second time slips at the dragstrip.

The first to achieve the feat was JPC Racing, who had their 2011 Mustang out at the track within 24 hours of receiving the car. Using 4.56 gears, beefier upper and lower control arms, racing slicks and a 100 shot of nitrous, JPC's 'Stang nailed a best time of 10.96 seconds @ 125.75 mph. A short time later, the boys at Evolution Performance nailed a 10.88 @ 126.66 run using just 3.73 gears, a prototype cold air intake, Eaton Trutrac differential, D.O.T. approved racing tires and a 100 shot of nitrous.

While the numbers themselves aren't all that impressive, the simplicity of the modifications and the brief time in which they were developed surely are. We can't wait to see what the various tuners around the country can do once they have time to develop more parts for the new Mustang. You can watch both of the runs in the videos posted after the jump.

Officially Official: Buick Regal GS Is A Go!

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Last week, we heard rumors that Buick had finally decided to produce the Regal GS but no official announcement came from General Motors headquarters.

This morning as U.S. media gathered to drive the Regal in California, the GS officially became a reality. And while our man Michael Harley is on the launch, we also just received an email from Dayna Hart in GM communications proclaiming:

"At wave 1 of our drive program for Regal we just confirmed that the Regal GS will be added to the Buick portfolio. We are not providing any additional details at this point."



As the quote notes, Buick isn't sharing any other details about the GS such as timing, or what engine will be in the car. We're expecting that Buick will stick with the 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected Ecotec inline-four that was listed on the spec sheet for the concept version shown at the Detroit Auto Show last January. However, now that Hyundai has announced the Sonata Turbo with 276 horsepower, we're expecting that Buick will try to ensure that the Regal GS will have more than the 255 hp announced back in January.

Bimmerfest 2010: The Rose Bowl Hosts North America's Largest BMW Gathering

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Bimmerfest is billed as the celebration of being a BMW enthusiast – but to most it is simply the world's largest BMW event held in North America. After starting as a small get-together at a BMW dealership in Santa Barbara just over a decade ago, the show has outgrown all of its venues... until now. The 2010 show, its 11th annual event, was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this weekend. Thanks to strong online forum support for Bimmerfest, this year's show was packed with thousands of BMW models covering decades of production and dozens of vendors peddling accessories. If you have a Roundel on your hood, it's worth the trip (some drove from as far as Alaska and Florida just to attend).

The best part of Bimmerfest – and the reason we enjoy the show so much – is that nearly every single BMW at the show is privately owned. Sure, BMW North America brought some cars to display (among them an X6 M and a 7 Series Alpina B7), but the diversity and customization of the owned cars meant no two were alike. We weaved our way through hundreds of freshly detailed 3 Series and 5 Series models to find dozens of real gems. Our favorites included the race-bred E30 M3 models, a sweet BMW Z8, and a rare BMW 850CSi six-speed manual.

Benz reportedly upping dollars to pursue Gen Y "digital natives"

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Mercedes has developed social media initiatives aimed at "digital natives," folks 16-to-33 that have grown up with the web, that don't stop at posting photos and blasting a few characters at a time. One is a community called Gen-Benz, with 580 members who provide Mercedes comments and commentary on the brand.

The other forum for feedback comes via a group of 1,800 M-B Advisers who provide feedback on the marque's advertising and branding. Interestingly, Mercedes has used the group to get input on marketing the SLS AMG, not just the models you might think more appropriate for the 16-to-33 demographic.

The results being promoted do raise an eyebrow. In one instance, some Gen-Benz members were dispatched to dealers as mystery shoppers and they reported that dealers didn't treat them well, a verdict that Mercedes' VP of marketing described as "a truth we wouldn't have known about for a couple of years." In another case the M-B Advisers told Mercedes to stick with an emotional pitch for its SLS AMG, yet we aren't sure how many other ways there are to advertise a nearly $200,000 car. Still, a fairly conservative company going this far to interact with current and new buyers is a smart move.

[Source: MediaPost]

World's first motorcycle hearse?

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Given the level of dedication we've seen from the dead when it comes to their motorcycles, it comes as no surprise that somebody has given one the Munsters treatment and created the world's first motorcycle hearse. Built in Auckland, New Zealand by an automotive engineer, the bike can carry up to 440 lbs in an underbelly cradle. Push a button and the rig slides out to let the pallbearers do their thing. A complex system of hydraulics helps stabilize everything, and two riders are needed to get the deceased from place to place.

Power comes courtesy of a 1,350 cc Harley-Davidson engine, and the motorcycle hearse's inventor, Mike Price, says that he originally wanted to partner with them on the project. Harley wanted Price to sign a lengthy contract before they'd even look at his design, however, so he politely told them where they could stick that dotted line and built the bike himself after work. Are there classier ways to get to your final resting place? Sure, but few are any cooler.

[Source: Papakura Courier, YouTube]

Rendered Speculation: Audi A9 concept

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From the front, high three-quarter angle, Daniel Garcia's Audi A9 concept is a little too reminiscent of BMW's Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. Yet, as is the case with so many geniune Audis, get to know it a bit more and you discover its beautiful and original secrets. As a concept, it's full of features like self-repairing panels and a pushbutton that changes the exterior color, but we have to admit we're digging those electroluminescent, spoked wheels.

Better yet is the exterior, with its inviting proportions, conceivable enough that if someone told us this will be the 2016 A7 Sportback we'd give them the benefit of the doubt. Have a better look at it in the gallery of high-res photos below, and we'll hope that one of Audi's coming software apps includes running a program that turns your A8 into this.

Ferrari Boss Felisa: "Hybrid means we can protect the V12"

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In the Eighties, you wanted your MTV. Now that you're a little older and a lot richer, you want your naturally aspirated V12 Italian cars, and both Ferrari and Lamborghini plan to deliver. The raging bulls at Sant' Agata are incorporating more lightweight materials into their cars in order to get over emissions hurdles, but Ferrari has different plans, likely including a road-going iteration of its kinetic energy recovery system, as seen fitted to its 599 HY-KERS concept car at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. According to Autocar's quote from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, "Hybrid means we can protect the V12," suggesting Ferrari believes its unassisted 12-cylinder will live on. Autocar's theory is that the next Enzo could see its V12 paired with an electric motor to keep the government watchdogs happy. Of course, this contradicts Autocar's Ferrari piece from about ten days ago when, after speaking with Felisa, it wrote, "Felisa also hinted that the new Ferrari Enzo will be powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V8 when it is launched in 2012."

It could be that Ferrari will use a naturally aspirated V12, only not in the Enzo – the F40 was a V8 while the Testarossa/512 received the big-engine treatment. Frankly, we're all for a hybrid Enzo, though. Provided they can keep the weight down, a silent supercar at low speeds with 600-plus horses that could bolt at a half-second's notice would make the most awesome getaway car ever.

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This comparison test couldn't have happened just a few short months ago. Sure, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe has been around since 2009. And not counting a seven-year walkabout, the Datsun/Nissan Z has been with us in one form or another since the first moon landing. Want to talk old? The Ford Mustang dates back to the invention of the wheel. At least it seems that way.



So why no comparison until now? Because until quite recently, Ford's entry level V6-powered Mustang was never really a sports car. The heavy, near impotent Cologne iron-block V6 was a joke, fit for little more than rental car duty, and it wasn't even terribly adept at that. But the non-V8 pony car has undergone some significant changes for 2011 – the biggest being its all-aluminum V6 producing 305 horsepower and 280 pound feet of torque – allowing it to finally hang with these two V6-powered competitors from across the Pacific.

Rendered Speculation: One Possibility for Next-Gen New Beetle

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The current Volkswagen Beetle will be going out of production later this year, but VW has promised an all-new replacement by 2012. So far VW hasn't released any teasers or sketches that indicate what the New Beetle might look like, but we have to assume anything that retains that name will have to also have a rounded, bug-like shape. But the problem with any retro design is where do you go next?

Artist David Cardoso has created some renderings of a car that very clearly says Beetle, with its prominent wheel arches and round headlamps and greenhouse. At the same time Cardoso moves those elements forward by stretching the greenhouse and integrating those arches while ringing the headlamps with the de rigueur LED running lights. With VW's recent jump into the electric vehicle arena, a battery power train would be an excellent way to set a new Beetle apart from the crowd, much as the original air-cooled boxer did. If the Beetle were to be a dedicated EV, the compact electric drive system could facilitate some improved interior packaging as well.

GM Earns $865M First Quarter Profit, First in Three Years!

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General Motors has just posted its first quarterly profit in three years, and it's not exactly chump change. The General just announced it managed to rake in a net income of $865 million during the first quarter of 2010. According to The Detroit News, the change in direction is thanks largely to GM's rebound here in North America. The company's domestic operation pulled down a $1.2 billion profit for the first three months of the year thanks to a slimmer debt load and the sale of Saab to Spyker. During the fourth-quarter of 2009, GM posted a $3.4 billion loss.

Likewise, things are looking up internationally. The Detroit-based automaker also returned a $1.2 billion profit from its global efforts as well. That marks a $500 million increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. This is all good news for those eying when the fresh-from-bankruptcy manufacturer will start selling stock once again. Currently, GM is shooting for an IPO late this year or early in 2011. Tax payers and investors can't wait. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: General Motors, The Detroit News | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Toyota Brand Loyalty Continues to Fall, Honda and Ford Continue To Rise

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Consumer Reports' latest survey results are another ding for Toyota. While Honda and Ford have made gains in brand loyalty, Toyota's brand loyalty among consumers has dipped 13 percent, causing it to fall from the top position it held at the end of 2009. Honda is in first place now, with 68 percent of Honda owners described as "likely to purchase another Honda for their next new car," followed by Ford with 61 percent loyalty and Toyota with 57 percent.

While Toyota's fall may be the result of negative perception in the marketplace as a result of the brand's recall fiasco, it still made $1.2 billion in the first quarter of this year. North American sales were down but didn't bottom out thanks to higher incentive spending, sales rose elsewhere around the world, and the company is reaping the benefit of cost savings enacted last year. A drop from a close first to a close third after more than eight million cars have been recalled isn't so bad, and with $20 billion in cash, the company has the money, and apparently the time and mindset, to keep the ship moving.

The other two makes that CR mentions, Chevrolet and Dodge, both lost ground: Chevy dipped five percent in brand loyalty from February to April (from 57 to 52 percent), Dodge dropped four percent in the same period (from 28 to 24 percent).

[Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty]

Pics & Details on the Brabus T65 RS Vanish

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Before Brabus turned its T65 RS Vanish over to its rightful owner, it took the car to Glamor Shots for a round under the lights and here are the results. The former Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series is now a twin-turbo, 800-horsepower brute with 811 pound-feet of electronically limited peak torque – the engine's uncorked potential is 1,047 pound-feet. About the only other limit the Vanish has is top speed: it's capable of 206 miles per hour, but is limited to "only" 200.

Your own SL65 AMG Black Series probably won't go that fast right now, but Brabus has good news: everything on the Vanish can be ordered up for your car. Except that "One-off" plaque, of course.

RM Auctions sells 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO for reported $18 million

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"Back in February we reported that RM Auctions was conducting a private treaty sale for a coveted 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO worth an estimated $16-20 million. This past week, the auction house announced that they had found a buyer for the car, but released limited details on the sale.

According to The Sun, however, the buyer is none other than British radio host Chris Evans, who also paid more than $10 million for a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder at an RM auction. The 250 GTO tops his previous purchase, though, at a reported £12 million (or approximately $18 million USD). Apparently, Evans had to sell three other Ferraris in his collection to make the purchase, and he plans to drive the car on the road.

While that's a lot of money, Evans' car actually wound up costing less than some other 250 GTOs. For instance, another recent example that traded hands was rumored to have a $28.5 million price tag. To top all those, a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic was purchased for $30 to $40 million earlier this month, making it the most expensive car of all time."

credit: autoblog

Details on Project PUMA

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NEW YORK - General Motors Corp. and Segway today demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could change the way we move around in cities.




Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle that has only two wheels. It could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly - and at a lower total cost. The vehicle also enables design creativity, fashion, fun and social networking.

GM and Segway announced their collaboration, while demonstrating the Project P.U.M.A. prototype in New York City this morning.

“Project P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution to moving about and interacting in cities, where more than half of the world’s people live,” said Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development, and strategic planning. “Imagine small, nimble electric vehicles that know where other moving objects are and avoid running into them. Now, connect those vehicles in an Internet-like web and you can greatly enhance the ability of people to move through cities, find places to park and connect to their social and business networks.”

Trends indicate that urbanization is growing, and with that comes increased congestion and more competition for parking. Cities around the world are actively looking for solutions to alleviate congestion and pollution. Project P.U.M.A. addresses those concerns. It combines several technologies demonstrated by GM and Segway, including electric drive and batteries; dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing); all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and autonomous driving and parking. Those technologies integrate in Project P.U.M.A. to increase mobility freedom, while also enabling energy efficiency, zero emissions, enhanced safety, seamless connectivity and reduced congestion in cities.

“We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility,” said Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc. “There’s an emotional connection you get when using Segway products. The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle embodies this through the combination of advanced technologies that Segway and GM bring to the table to complete the connection between the rider, environment, and others.”

Project P.U.M.A. vehicles will also allow designers to create new fashion trends for cars, and to focus on the passion and emotion that people express through their vehicles while creating solutions that anticipate the future needs of urban customers.

The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle integrates a lithium-ion battery, digital smart energy management, two-wheel balancing, dual electric wheel motors, and a dockable user interface that allows off-board connectivity. The result is an advanced and functional concept that demonstrates the capabilities of technology that exists today.

Built to carry two or more passengers, it can travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), with a range up to 35 miles (56 km) between recharges.

Since the introduction of the Segway Personal Transporter (PT), Segway has established itself as the leader in the small electric vehicle space. Its approach to congestion and environmental challenges is balanced with a strong understanding of the functional needs of its customers, enabling them to do more with less. Segway has delivered more than 60,000 lithium-ion batteries to the market.

GM has been a leader in “connected vehicle” technologies since it introduced OnStar in 1996. Today, this on-board communications package connects six million subscribers in North America to OnStar safety and security services. GM has also pioneered vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications systems and transponder technology. These and additional connected vehicle technologies could ultimately enable vehicles that don’t crash and drive themselves.

“Imagine moving about cities in a vehicle fashioned to your taste, that’s fun to drive and ride in, that safely takes you where you want to go, and “connects” you to friends and family, while using clean, renewable energy, producing zero vehicle tailpipe emissions, and without the stress of traffic jams,” said Burns. “And imagine doing this for one-fourth to one-third the cost of what you pay to own and operate today’s automobile. This is what Project P.U.M.A. is capable of delivering.”

Source: General Motors