Damon Lavrinc

- http://www.autoblog.com

REPORT: Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini not attending LA Auto Show

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 5:32PM

The closest we'll get to the Ferrari 458 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's an unsurprising stat for you: 60 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. that cost over $100,000 find homes in New York, Florida and California. The majority of which are parked in garages in Manhattan, Miami and Los Angeles, respectively. So the revelation that Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini won't be attending next month's LA Auto Show is -- at the very least -- surprising.

According to a spokesperson speaking with The Detroit Bureau, Bentley has decided to skip the So. Cal. show, adding that the automaker is looking for "a better use of our resources." Ferrari and its sister marque Maserati are out as well, with an unnamed source telling the industry pub, "It's just the economy. We're cutting back on a lot of things."

Given the global economic climate and its affect on high-end automotive sales, the choice to scale back isn't such a shock, but for automakers that rely on the Southern California market, it's a disturbing sign of the times. As for the rest of the LA exhibitors, the luxury market's Big Three (Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz) will be in attendance, although it looks like the lower hall will only house Aston Martin, Spyker, Fisker and -- we'd assume -- Rolls-Royce.


Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari 458 Italia


[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Spy Shots: 2011 Audi A7 caught in production form

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 1:56PM Detroit Auto ShowGeneva Motor Show

2011 Audi A7 Spied - Click above for high-res image gallery

The intrepid spy shooters at KGP have caught the 2011 Audi A7 uncovered in a testing lab in Germany ahead of its official reveal next year, and the sleek, low-slung saloon/coupe hasn't lost much of its flavor in the transition from showcar to production.

Although the shots don't give us a clear view of the front fascia, the headlamps and front clip have obviously been toned down from its conceptual predecessor shown earlier this year the Detroit Auto Show. However, its sloping roofline and well-integrated hatch would appear to prove that at least one automaker can create a five-door hatch that's simultaneously attractive and functional.

If our tea leaf-reading is accurate, we'd expect to see the A7 make its production debut either in Detroit this January or at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Powertrain options should include everything from Audi's turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four to the S4's supercharged six, along with a V8 option further down the line. And if the BMW 5 Series GranTurismo proves to be a hit in the States, we won't be at all surprised if Audi follows suit and by offering the A7 in North America.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Audi A7

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.19.09

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:20PM

Choices: Nissan GT-R or Ford Mustang GT500?

We've been wrestling with a choice: GT-R or GT500? Now we're asking you. Which two-door super coupe would you put in your garage?

Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series hybrid spotted in Munich

BMW is set to expand its hybrid offerings in the coming years and in addition to the ActiveHybrid variants of the X6 and 7 Series, BMW plans to offer a 1 Series hybrid by 2012. Here's proof.

Buick confirms 2011 Regal 2.0T to come with manual transmission. Wait... wha?

The 2011 Buick Regal is on the way, and just as surprising as its turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the availability of a six-speed manual gearbox. This isn't your grandfather's Buick, indeed.

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

VIDEO: Yes, the 2010 Audi S4 can drift

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 19th, 2009 at 2:57PM

Click above to view the video after the jump

When we drove the 2010 Audi S4, we praised the sedan's trick electronic rear differential for its ability to shuffle torque between the rear wheels to give the sensation, if not the exact effect, of oversteer. Unfortunately, our track time was spent in an e-diffless model, so we didn't get to fully exploit its potential around Infineon. However, hot-shoe Ignacio Perez did just that at Spain's Jarama circuit.

After the jump you can watch Perez putting the new S4 into full-on drifts around the track with one nervous front seat passenger and his camera-wielding companion in tow. Although getting the S4 sideways isn't too difficult (we did it a few times in the standard model), you can see in the video that speed drops off precipitously at corner the exit. Regardless, modern-day Audis are no longer relentlessly pushing, nose-heavy beasts and, what's more, Perez was wagging his tail in an S4 Avant, the five-door version we can't get in the States... dammit.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4


[Source: Fourtitude]

Read more →

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.18.09

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 18th, 2009 at 7:20PM

Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII R Cobra kickstarts our hearts

It's rare that a vehicle lives up to our childhood expectations, but the MKIII R Cobra from Superformance delivers on every level.

The backstory behind HPP's showstopping Daytona conversion... is a Chevy Camaro next?

When we saw the HPP Daytona at SEMA, we had to know more about this 600-hp homage to the '70s. Not only did we get more details, but we found out that HPP is working on a Camaro due to debut at next year's aftermarket extravaganza.

2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has once again announced the winners of its Top Safety Pick award – all 27 of them.

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

VIDEO: New Subaru Forester rally car getting warmed up for Dakar

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 8:00PM

Click above to view the video after the jump

Put the words "Subaru" and "rally" together, and you'll inevitably be flooded with visions of the Impreza WRX STI campaigning in the WRC. This isn't one of those times.

Details are a bit on the scarce side, but what we do know is that Barattero Motorsport and YPF Elaion have teamed up (with a little help from Subaru, we're sure) to compete in the January running of the 2010 Dakar Rally. Their chosen chariot for the epic journey? None other than the recently redesigned Subaru Forester. But it's a Forester in name alone.

Packing a tuned 2.0-liter (JDM-spec) STI boxer four putting out 300 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, the Elaion is a tube-framed, carbon fiber and kevlar-bodied beast that's been outfitted with dual shocks featuring nine inches of suspension travel, vented, cross-drilled brakes sized 295mm and all the assorted kit to run in the world's most arduous off-road race. Yoshiu Ikemachi and Gabriel Pozzo will kick off their journey in the Dakar Forester on January 1st, but before the festivities get underway they've released a teaser video which you can scoop out after the jump.

Read more →

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.17.09

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 7:20PM

Autoblog builds an LS9 for someone's Corvette ZR1

Each supercharged LS9 fitted to the Corvette ZR1 is hand-assembled by a crack team of GM's finest craftsman. Surprising, GM let us help out on a factory tour of its Wixom assembly plant.

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG crash-test video shows off exploding door hinges

How do you get our of your SLS AMG if it flips on its roof? Mercedes has fitted the gullwing coupe with explosive charges and we've got video of the system in action.

Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award

Motor Trend announced its Car of the Year via live webcast and this year's honor goes to the 2010 Ford Fusion.

Also of interest:

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Mercedes-Benz and Hughes release app-based "mbrace" telematics for iPhone, Blackberry

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 5:29PM

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Hughes Telematics to begin offering a new system that allows drivers to enable dozens of their vehicles features with their Apple iPhone or Blackberry.

Dubbed "mbrace," the telematics setup covers everything from locking and unlocking doors to contacting roadside assistance and pinpointing an mbrace-equipped Mercedes-Benz in a parking lot.

The system will be included on all new Mercedes products, and current customers with the automaker's outgoing Tele Aid system are eligible to retrofit their aging Mercs with mbrace. The technology could also be used to stream music from the web, upload video content and connect to users PCs, however, that's further down the road. The system is available now for $280 a year, and you can get all the details in the press release below the fold.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Read more →

REPORT: Nissan continues work on GT-R SpecM

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 4:55PM

2010 Nissan GT-R "New Spec" - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2009 Tokyo Motor Show has come and gone, and despite rumors leading up to the event, Nissan never unveiled a SpecM version of the GT-R. However, a new report from Japan says that work continues on the softened, marginally up-market super coupe, although there's no word when we'll finally see it.

According to InsideLine's correspondent from Japan, the R35 version of the Nissan GT-R SpecM will dispatch Godzilla's standard hard-riding suspension with a more road-friendly setup that won't affect the twin-turbo'd AWD monster's prodigious grip. Early reports indicate that a few interior modifications will bring the GT-R up to par with its more luxurious, European competition, including new interior color combinations and optional aluminum or wood grain trim. However, no amount of interior tweaks will make the price premium for the SpecM go down any easier -- IL reports that the SpecM will be sold for around 18,000,000 yen (the equivalent of over $200k), or 2,250,000 yen more than the already cost prohibitive (and more lust-worthy) SpecV.


Gallery: Nissan GT-R "New Spec"


[Source: InsideLine]

U.S.-spec Chevrolet Cruze to debut at LA Auto Show

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 1:27PM

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has announced plans to unveil the U.S.-spec version of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze at next month's LA Auto Show, alongside the all-new Chevrolet Volt. The compact sedan has been available in Europe and across the Pacific for over a year, but will finally go on sale in the States in the third quarter of 2010.

Originally shown at the Paris Motor Show last year, the Cruze is designed to replace the aging Cobalt and will be packing a 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder that GM expects to max out at 40 mpg on the highway. Production will begin at the General's Lordstown, OH plant this coming April, and it would seem that GM doesn't plan to offer the 1.6- or 1.8-liter gas engines (or the Euro-market 2.0-liter turbo diesel) at launch. Hit the jump for GM's releases and expect more details to follow when we hit the ground in So. Cal. on December 2nd.


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

Read more →

Next Page →






Autoblog Podcast #153: With Phil Berg

Phil Berg puts his reputation on the line and hangs with the podcast crew.

 
 

Featured Galleries

  • Hyundai 2.4L Theta-II GDI
  • Ginetta G50EV and John Surtees at the Channel Tunnel
  • 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser
  • Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII-R
  • 2011 Buick Regal Live Unveiling
  • BMW Concept 6
  • Zenvo ST1 Details
  • Building an LS9 V8 at the GM Performance Build Center
  • SEMA 2009: HPP Daytona Challenger
  • LA Design Challenge 2009 Competitors
  • SEMA 2009: 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1-RS
  • SEMA 2009: Bigfoot
AOL Autos

Find Your Next Car

Resources

10 Most Searched Cars on AOL Autos

Autoblog Video

Autoblog Green

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Autoblog Spanish

Switched.com

FanHouse

Asylum