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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Green, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks
At 9AM Eastern on Monday morning, a fleet of 23 diesel-powered Audis will roll out from Manhattan's Tavern on the Green on a trans-continental trek to demonstrate diesel efficiency. I'm in Manhattan this afternoon preparing to spend the next week in an Audi Q7 TDI on the way to Denver and will be checking in regularly from the road as we pass through Washington, Cleveland, Chicago, Memphis, Dallas and Amarillo along the way. Audi plans to launch its fifty-state-legal Q7 TDI in the US market next spring and it seems likely that some of the other vehicles on this trip may not be far behind.
I'll be on the first two legs and Sebastian, Damon, Drew and Jonathan will take over for the second week of the trip to Los Angeles. You can also follow along at the Audi Mileage Marathon site where there's a Twitter feed following the participants as they cross the continent. There is also a live map showing our location on the road along with two blogs, including one from Audi of America boss Johan de Nysschen. Twitter users can follow audimarathon to see what some of the 200 participating journalists are saying.
Gallery: Audi Mileage Marathon
[Source: Audi Mileage Marathon]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, SEAT
Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the Seat Exeo
Our Spanish colleagues tell us that the Iberians are none too happy about SEAT grabbing a previous generation A4 out of the garbage bin to make a new sedan. Never mind the opportunity to make an easy(-ier) profit - something that would have any automaker quaking with giddyness right now - the word "Exeo" right now translates as "It just ain't right!" Those of you who have seen the previous A4 won't be surprised by anything here, except perhaps the richness and quality of the suede interior. We can assure you it was impressive. The mirror housings are neat, too, but standard fare for SEAT. Based on the approval ratings of the old A4 by the time it retired, our guess is that new customers the Exeo is meant to attract won't be disappointed that they found their way to SEAT through these four doors. Check out the press release that makes the old new again after the jump, and our gallery of high-res photos below.
Gallery: Paris 2008: SEAT Exeo
Gallery: SEAT Exeo
Continue reading Paris 2008: Previous Gen Audi A4 Seat Exeo
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Toyota
Click above for high-res gallery of the new Toyota Avensis
The Euro-only Toyota Avensis is reminiscent of the Lexus IS350 in the same way that you'd tell someone, "You kind of look like someone I know, but not really." It's the rising linear sideline, somewhat high and compact profile, and squared-off rear that do it. But that's from a full-on side profile and around the back. Move around the front and it really just looks like a Toyota. The raked grille and molded lips in the front bumper are unexpected, as is the subtle sexiness of the wagon. Designed in France, the new Avensis grows a little over its predecessor by 5 cm in length and width. Under the hood, possibilities include three new Valvematic gasoline engines, and two diesels, while cogs can be swapped with a 6-speed manual or the dual-mode, Multidrive S automatic. Check out the exhaustive press release after the jump, and the high-res gallery of photos below.
Gallery: Paris 2008: Toyota Avensis
Continue reading Paris 2008: Toyota's new Avensis arrives
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet, GM
Click above for high-res gallery of the Chevy Cruze LT
The Chevrolet Cruze is three kinds of car: small, American and important. And with the state of General Motors, it isn't even the individual words that mean the most: it's whether The General can combine them into a reliable, fuel efficient and cost effective package. True, we don't get to drive these things while they're parked under the lights, but to have a seat in the Cruze is to imagine a GM that begs the question, "Where was all this before the meltdown?" The studio imagery we've seen so far translates nicely into real life, and the center console looks and feels substantial - in fact, it looks like it could be foreign - even if the silver mesh treatment in the show car was a bit much. The car has a compact yet full-bodied stance, and will probably look even better on the road in a color other than scarlet, and not under klieg lights. Spring of '09 will welcome this first Cruze variant to Europe, after which other regions will get it, as well as a probable hatchback and wagon. It will be powered by a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder that charts up to 140 hp and is said to return 40 mpg. Have a look at the high-res gallery of live shots below to get a better idea of what to expect when the Cruze goes on sale here in a couple years.
Gallery: Paris 2008: Chevy Cruze LT LIVE
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Paris Motor Show, Ferrari
Speculation about Ferrari building a sedan has repeatedly cropped up over the past couple decades, and Ferrari denies it every time it does. As Aston Martin, Porsche and now Lamborghini have been working on four-door cars lately, the idea that Ferrari might has gained even more traction. It looks like the Sultan of Brunei will have to continue relying on Pininfarina and other coach builders for his four-door Ferraris. Today in Paris, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo applied full carbon brakes to that theory as he stated in no uncertain terms that as long as he was holding the top office at the sports car maker, "We will never do a four-door." Wtih Ferrari selling its sports cars and GTs as fast as they can be built, Montezemolo is content to let corporate sibling Maserati handle the task of building exotic Italian four-doors.
While Ferrari owners are by definition people of considerable means, they and the company are still not immune to modern realities when it comes to both fuel prices and environmental regulation. At this years Detroit Auto Show, Ferrari displayed an F430 Spyder that could run on E85 ethanol. Similarly, the F1 side of the house is currently developing a kinetic energy recovery (KERS) hybrid drive system that, like current semi-automatic transmissions, could migrate to production vehicles. According to Montezemolo, Ferrari will not be building a V10 engine either as an upgrade to the V8 or downgrade from the V12.
[Source: Automobile]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, Audi
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi S4
We were never particularly fond of the last generation Audi S4. With 4.2-liters of V8 hanging precariously over the front axle, it provided adequate thrust, but never delivered the dynamic thrills we used to associate with the twin-turbo'd V6 fitted to the B5 platform.
Apparently Audi agrees, and in a move to further differentiate its lineup - while also providing some competition to the all-conquering BMW 335i - it's fitted the new S4 with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 putting out 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. With a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system sending 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels, the 2009 Audi S4 is ready to do battle and we're truly looking forward to our time behind the wheel.
For all the details, check out our previous post on the 2009 Audi S4 and peruse our live gallery from the Paris Motor Show.
Gallery: 2009 Audi S4 LIVE
Gallery: Paris 2008: 2010 Audi S4
Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Paris Motor Show, Audi
Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi A4 TDI Concept e
Audi's parent company Volkswagen already produces some of the cleanest-burning, most fuel-miserly diesel engines in the world. The Jetta TDI was recently released in the U.S. and has been making waves for its hybrid-like efficiency. So it's natural that Audi would want to show off its green credentials with a new diesel sedan of its own, and it has done so with the A4 TDI concept e, introduced at the Paris Motor Show. Based on the brand-new A4 platform, the new concept gets a 2.0L four-cylinder common-rail direct-inject turbodiesel derived from the unit powering the Jetta TDI. That mill sees tweaks to its valvetrain and cooling systems, lowering its power output a bit to 120-horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque, but increasing its fuel efficiency a great deal.
Added to the powertrain is a start/stop system that keeps the engine from idling when not needed and regenerative braking, which charges a secondary battery that keeps all your goodies running while the engine's off. The engine has also had its efficiency-robbing power steering pump removed and the rear brakes are now electrically actuated as well. All of this, plus many other small details, adds up to a remarkable 59 miles per U.S. gallon in EU combined testing! Its 10.5 second run to 60 won't win any drag races, but considering the cost of fuel and pending eco-legislation in the world's largest markets, we'd imagine that the technologies on this car will go from concept to production in short order.
Gallery: Audi A4 TDI concept e
[Source: Audi]
Continue reading Paris 2008: Audi unveils 59-mpg A4 TDI concept e
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Lamborghini
Click above for high-res gallery of live Lamborghini Estoque shots from Paris
You've seen the whole Estoque shebang in Lamborghini's words, pictures, and videos. Let us add our own word to it: hmmm. It's a Lamborghini, so it's hard not to like it. And we hate to tread out the refrain, but it's much nicer in person. It feels, though, like they wanted to get this thing done in time for the show, and it needs a couple more drafts. The front aspect is spot on -- not a tough feat since it's Lamborghini's language. From the side, the it looks a little too stretched forward of the A-pillar, and there's more than one personality fighting for attention if you follow the car from snout to rear. And the back, while beautiful, is... yes... Challenger-esque... But don't take our words for it -- have a look at the high-res gallery below and give us yours.
Gallery: Paris 2008: Lamborghini Estoque LIVE
Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini
Click above to watch video after the jump
We've brought you the official details and high-resolution photos, and now Lamborghini has released a short video showing off even more angles of the four-door Estoque concept. Yes, we'd like to see the car in motion too, but given that Lamborghini didn't name any engine specs and gave a wide variety of engine possibilities for a production version, we're guessing that the concept is without a motor underneath that long hood. The car looks distinctively Lamborghini from the front and especially aggressive from the rear with its wide haunches. Don't take our word for it, watch the Estoque revolve in video yourself after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Lamborghini Estoque Concept
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading VIDEO: Lamborghini Estoque Concept in 3D
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini
Click above for new high-res gallery of the Lamborghini Estoque Concept
After several weeks of teaser shots from Lamborghini we finally got a full view of the Lamborghini Estoque concept this morning ahead of its official debut tomorrow morning. However, the photos were relatively small and details were scarce, but we are now able to bring you high resolution photos and full details via a press release from Lamborghini. The Estoque, named for the sword use by the Matador in a bull fight, is actually listed as mid-engined with the motor placed behind the front axle. The car sits extremely low at just 4.43 feet high, but still provides plenty of interior space for all four passengers due to the long wheelbase of over three meters. As we expected, Lamborghini states that no official decision has been made regarding production, but did hint that the Estoque could lead to a third model in the lineup with numerous engine possibilities including the V10 from the Gallardo LP560-4, a turbocharged V8, a V8 with a hybrid mode, or even a high-performance TDI. We'll be sure to bring you any additional information we can get tomorrow at the Paris Motor Show as well as many more photos. Until then, read up on the details of the Estoque in the press release after the jump and check out the new gallery of high resolution photos below.
Gallery: 2008 Lamborghini Estoque Concept
[Source: NetCarShow.com]
Continue reading Paris 2008: Lamborghini Estoque official details and high-res images
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Chevy Cruze
We've gotten a pretty good look at the 2010 Chevy Cruze already, but the model that had been making rounds in the U.S. was nothing more than a styling buck with no guts inside. Today, just a few hours ahead of the Paris Motor Show, General Motors has revealed the rest of the Cruze, including its interior, and we like what we see. The exterior looks crisp and shows off Chevy's latest design language, especially with the Malibu-esque face and sharp headlights. Everyone agrees that it's a step-up styling-wise from its Cobalt forebear. It's the interior that really shines, though. What appears to be a tweed-like fabric covers sweeping colored panels from the dash to the doors. Two large gauges, two smaller ones and a digital readout places the most important information front-and-center while a cluster of buttons sits just below a centrally-located LCD screen. Meanwhile, the center stack appears to be a fresh design, though any judgment on its ergonomics will have to wait.We won't be getting the Cruze in the States until April 2010 as a 2011 model. When that finally happens, the Cruze will be powered by a 140-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which will somehow manage to achieve above 40 mpg on the highway. If you want it now, perhaps you should stop buying so many Cobalts. In Europe, sales will begin in March of 2009 with a range of gas and diesel powerplants.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze
[Source: GM]
Continue reading Paris 2008: Chevy Cruze unveiled on eve of show, interior revealed
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Mercedes-Benz
Click above for high-res gallery of the S-Class BlueEFFICIENCY
Mercedes-Benz really wants you to know how green its new line of diesel vehicles can be. To that end, the German automaker calls them Blue and capitalizes EFFICIENCY. Subtle, no? In an effort to earn the badge, MB has tweaked its largest and most luxurious model with a 3.0-liter diesel engine, a seven-speed automatic tranny that decouples itself at stops, a power steering pump that only operates when necessary and low rolling resistance tires. Those are pretty simple changes, no complex electric motors here. Fuel mileage, though, is rather good for such a large vehicle, coming in at nearly 31 U.S. miles per gallon. In contrast, the marque's upcoming S400 BlueHYBRID only manages about 29 miles per gallon. If this sounds to you like it makes a resounding case for diesel vehicles, you're right. It does. Unfortunately, MB only mentions German pricing for the S 320 in the press release after the jump, not indicating whether the big blue sedan will be sold on our shores anytime soon or not.
Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S 320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Continue reading Mercedes-Benz introduces S 320 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 31 MPG
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini
Click above for gallery of the Lamborghini Estoque Concept
Lamborghini has spent the last few weeks tantalizing us with teasers of its front-engine, four-door concept, but that comes to an early end today as a French website has unceremoniously revealed the concept we've been calling the Estoque. Though the images in our gallery are low-res, we can still make everything out. The Estoque features a long hood and short rear deck, with horizontal headlights up front and a pair of big Reventon-style air intakes in the front bumper. The fender vents behind the front wheels are tucked into the car's character line that flows back until it hits those wide rear haunches. Thanks to those teasers we had already figured out what the rear end would look like, and all those guesses were fairly spot on. The rumormills are telling us to expect the 560-hp V10 from the Gallardo LP 560-4 underhood, as well as all-wheel-drive. Though it's showing up as a concept at the Paris Motor Show tomorrow, the Estoque is said to be destined for production as early as 2010 to compete with the new crop of four-door coupes from Porsche (Panamera) and Aston Martin (Rapide). We'll have live shots from the official unveiling early tomorrow morning, so stay tuned.
Gallery: Paris 2008: Lamborghini Estoque Concept
[Source: AutoJournal.fr via WorldCarFans]Permalink | Email this | Comments
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Porsche
Click above for gallery of reader-submitted Panamera spy shots
We know when it happened, we just don't know why it happened. Autoblog reader Joshua Silverman sent in some cellphone pictures of a Panamera he drove by in Denver, Colorado. And all of a sudden -- like the Grinch's heart growing three sizes -- we liked it. Or at least, we got it.
Just to make sure, we had a look at the last set of Panamera spy shots, the ones that this very blogger lambasted as "still ugly," and, well, we kinda liked those, too. We could see possibilities. When the car is given the S and Turbo treatment, we could even imagine, incredibly, beauty. Have a look at the photos below for yourself, and tell us if we should take a bow for discovering the vision, or take a nap. Thanks for the tip, Joshua!
Gallery: Spy Shots: Porsche Panamera
Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, China, Buick, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above for more images of the 2010 Buick Regal
Two weeks ago we showed you spy shots of a 2010 Buick Regal caught testing in China that appeared to be nothing more than a rebadged Opel Insignia. (As you may recall, we'll be getting the 2010 Buick LaCrosse in the States.) All three of those cars are based on GM's Epsilon II platform, which we will also likely see under future vehicles from Saab, Saturn and Chevrolet. The Buick brand, and the popular Regal, are doing very well in China. As such, it's no surprise to see these latest spy shots of the barely disguised four-door Regal dipped in red, and it looks great despite being a badge job. The production version is expected to debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. Thanks for the tip, Jason!
Gallery: 2010 Buick Regal - Spy Shots in Red
[Source: China Car Times]