Not to be outdone by BMW in teasing department, Audi has released this short preview of its upcoming 2011 A8 sedan. Scheduled for an official debut in Miami on the 30th of this month, we've been told that this new A8 is an evolution of the current model, not a dramatic redesign. Click through for Audi's preview video.
Continue reading 2011 Audi A8 Teased Ahead of Miami Debut.
The official debut of the 2011 BMW 5 Series is scheduled for tomorrow, but it looks like BMW couldn't quite contain itself as these teaser shots leaked out onto the net recently.
If anything, they confirm what we''ve suspected all along. The new 5 Series will look much like the latest 7 Series and the new 5 Series GT. Look for full specifications and more pictures comes tomorrow at 2:00 EST.
We reported in September that the redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata will have a direct-injected 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine.
Today, we learned that this engine is an advancement on the company's current Theta architecture and, with the addition of direct injection, it will have an 11.3:1 compression ratio (up from 10.5:1 on the port-injected version). It also has a three-stage intake and variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust side.
In the Sonata, this 2.4-liter will be rated at 201 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
In the current market, this ties it with the Acura TSX's 2.4-liter for most horsepower from a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine. And Hyundai has the advantage in torque -- Acura only gets 172 hp out of its 2.4-liter.
And, remember, this is the only the beginning: Hyundai also plans to offer a turbocharged version of this engine on the Sonata making about 240-250 hp.
IL News: Hyundai Develops Own Gasoline Direct-Injection Theta II Engine
Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution has a cult following in the United States. It has never been advertised heavily on TV. But here's a new TV commercial for it. Will this get the message across to the mainstream buyer who wants a fast, fun car? Or does that buyer even exist?
We've driven a prototype of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. However, the car's lithium-ion batteries were fully charged at the time, so we never experienced the 1.4-liter inline four-cylinder firing up to power the front-drive electric motor. In this capacity, the gas engine acts as a generator, and it's the reason we consider the Volt a series hybrid.
Since the Volt has only 40 miles of "all-electric" range, most owners are likely to spend a considerable amount of time driving the car in "generator" mode (or in General Motors-speak, "charge-sustaining" mode). GM has finally made Volts available for members of the media to drive in generator mode on its Michigan proving grounds, and the New York Times' Lindsay Brooke and CNBC's Phil LaBeau were the first journalists to get behind the wheel.
Both report that the experience is initially a bit unsettling, because the gas engine runs when battery charge is deemed low, but its operating rpm has no obvious relationship to the driver's throttle input.
"The engine's initial engagement is inaudible and seamless, " Brooke writes. "I'm impressed... I push the accelerator and the engine sound does not change. The pedal has no connection to the generator, which is programmed to run at constant, preset speeds. This characteristic will take some getting used to by a public accustomed to vroom-vroom feedback.
"A few hundred yards later, as we snake through the track's infield section, the engine rpm rises sharply. The accompanying mechanical roar reminds me of a missed shift in a manual-transmission car."
GM officials say they're continuing to refine the software to smooth out, and quiet down, these transitions. You can read the first drives at the links below.
This is going to blow your mind: The 2011 Buick Regal will be offered with a manual transmission. Seriously. Really. We're not joking.
What's next? A pole-dancing nun? A sane Courtney Love? Ham-and-cheese-flavored ice cream? Here's how we know that the Regal, reborn as a quasi sports sedan and basically a rebaged version of the Opel Insignia, will come in a three-pedal version: We drove it. Look for a full story to come.
But, suffice to say, we hopped in the Regal-ized Opel at a GM event this morning in Michigan, rolled down the window and called Jim Federico, the man behind the Insignia/Regal, over and said something to the effect of "This is a manual. What the hell?" To which Federico responded that the 2.0-liter turbo version of the Regal (which will arrive a few months after the car debuts in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2010) will eventually be offered with the 6-speed manual we were about to drive.
While in no way consistent with what Buick has been for at least a couple of decades (a former Buick PR person once told us that we would begin loving Buicks when we became elderly), the inclusion of the manual indicates GM's intent to young-up Buick using performance.
It's probably no coincidence that GM also had in attendance the Opel Insignia OPC model that is powered by a 325 hp version of the 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 also used in the Cadillac SRX turbo and the Saab Turbo X. This lends credence to the recently floated and Bob Lutz-attributed rumor of a GS performance version of the Regal going on sale in the U.S. in the near future. No word whether any future GS would carry this turbo motor.
Now back to your regularly scheduled car world.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
It's easy to forget about the 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R. After all, with its non-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, it's the black sheep of the Subaru family. Add in the fact that it has less horsepower than the four-cylinder Legacy GT and many are left wondering why the 3.6R tops the lineup.
The answer is simple, really. Not everyone likes the feel of a turbocharged four-cylinder. Sounds odd, maybe, but more than a few Americans have grown accustomed to the smooth, effortless power delivery of a medium-sized six-cylinder engine. It is quite nice, you know.
Those same drivers also appreciate the simplicity of an automatic transmission, so the 3.6R comes standard with one of those, too. And don't forget its sophisticated Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) all-wheel-drive system and long list of optional luxury features. Put them all together and the Legacy makes for an interesting alternative to the Accords and Camrys of the world. See just how interesting in our latest results from the test track.
Continue reading IL Track Tested: 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R.
Yes, that 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the car that's already on sale in Europe and Asia. Thankfully, Chevrolet notes that the U.S. version "has undergone refinement for America."
What does that mean? GM doesn't say, probably a softer suspension and quieter tires or something. Big cupholders and a book holder on the steering maybe too.
Chevrolet does claim, once again, that the Cruze will get up to 40 miles per gallon. Not bad. And it will have a bigger interior than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. A good thing.
Oh, and the 2011 Chevrolet Volt will be there too. Again.
We'll take a closer look at both cars at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show on Dec. 2nd.
We've shown you spy video of the 2011 BMW 5 Series before. It's been running around the Nurburgring for months now in various states of camouflage.
Our most recent footage shows it cruising the streets of Munich with only minimal coverage. Makes sense as BMW has an official unveil planned for next week. Some see it a small 7 Series while others seem to think it a plus-size 3 Series. Take a look and decide for yourself.
Inside Line sat down with GM Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Bob Lutz, yesterday to discuss a wide range of topics. One of them was the future of the Impala, a vehicle that many had hoped would be reincarnated as the civilian version of the Caprice Police Package.
Lutz said forget it, the next Impala will definitely be front-wheel drive. It will get slightly bigger and add equipment, but maintain good fuel efficiency so it can compete effectively with sedans like the new Ford Taurus.
He also noted that the Impala will be compatible with GM's hybrid technology, so expect a gas-electric version at some point down the road.
An AP report out of Japan says that Toyota is planning to roll out a larger, Prius hybrid vehicle within the next year. The report references a story in the local Yomiuri newspaper that says Toyota is planning to release either a station wagon or small SUV that will use lithium-ion batteries.
Toyota is working with Panasonic to develop the batteries. The technology was originally expected to show up in the latest Prius sedan, but Toyota wasn't satisfied with the performance.
Earlier reports out of Japan said that Toyota is planning to release several models under the Prius name.
About a month or so ago, we told you that Ford was developing a police package to go heads up with the Chevrolet Caprice Interceptor announced by General Motors. Today, Ford made its intentions official, but made no definitive statements regarding which vehicle it would use as the basis for the new police cruiser.
This strikes us as odd since the Ford Taurus is the only sedan in the company's lineup big enough to tackle such duty. The release also notes that the new vehicle will set reduce ownership costs through increased efficiency. Sounds like Ecoboost to the rescue.
Look for the official unveil of Ford's new cruiser early next year as the current Crown Victoria is scheduled to go out of production in 2011.
After an online reveal earlier this week, the 2011 Buick Regal made its way to the Palladium theater in Hollywood for a slightly more glamorous stage debut. The drinks were flowing, the lighting was dark and all the big guns from GM were there to show off the new sedan.
With new marketing chief Bob Lutz, recently appointed sales chief Susan Docherty and VP of design Ed Welburn all on hand, it was clear that GM has plenty riding on this new Buick sedan. The rest of the room was filled with current Buick and GMC buyers and more than a few GM dealers, they're easy to spot.
So what's it look like in person? Not bad. There are no port holes which is good. Trust us, given the average age in the room no one would have known what they were anyway. The wheels look a tad big for the rest of the car, but otherwise there aren't many awkward angles on the Regal.
At this point, the big "if" is whether the Regal can get by with four-cylinder power only. Acura has abandoned that strategy with its TSX sedan and few other luxury cars rely solely on four-cylinder no matter how powerful they are. We'll see soon enough as the 2011 Buick Regal goes on sale in the second quarter of next year.
This is the new 2011 Buick Regal. Although it's scheduled to make its first public appearance at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show, GM decided to release pictures and information today.
According to the release, this is a Buick that was "bred on the Autobahn." Sound odd? Yes, it does, but don't forget that this Regal is actually a reskinned version of the Opel Insignia so it makes perfect sense.
Don't call the 2011 Buick Regal a "'Bahn burner" though as this sedan will arrive next year with four-cylinder power only. Base models get a 2.4-liter Ecotec rated at 182-horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque while the optional upgrade is a turbocharged, 2.0-liter Ecotec rated at 220-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Both engines will send power to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission, a combination that Buick expects to return up to 30mpg on the highway with the 2.4-liter engine and as much as 29mpg with the turbocharged motor.
That "German-bred" suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front suspension and a multilink setup in back. Turbo models will also offer an adjustable damper setup that Buick is calling Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS). Standard models will ride on 18-inch wheels and tires. Get the fancy suspension and it automatically adds 19-inch Goodyear RSA rubber sized 245/40 at each corner.
Sales of the 2011 Buick Regal are expected to begin in the second quarter of next year.
First Drive: 2009 Opel Insignia
First Drive: 2010 Vauxhall Insignia VXR
Continue reading 2011 Buick Regal Headed for the 2009 L.A. Auto Show.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full writeup. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
It's rare that a sedan in this class surprises us. Compact budget sedans like the 2010 Kia Forte aren't really supposed to surprise you, they're supposed to get you to and from work as efficiently and trouble-free as possible. Surprises are generally a bad thing in this category.
That wasn't the case here, however, as the Kia Forte turned in some track test results that had our test driver taking notice. We don't want to oversell this. The Kia Forte is not going to run circles around a Honda Civic Si, but as the numbers show, it wouldn't be all that far behind.
Granted, our Kia Forte test car was the SX model, which gets an upgraded 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 173 horsepower, a five-speed automatic and 17-inch wheels and tires. Still, with a starting price of $18,495 it's every bit the economy sedan. Click through to see how it fared at the track and why it might surprise you, too.
Continue reading IL Track Tested: 2010 Kia Forte SX.
2011 Audi A8 Teased Ahead of Miami Debut
November 22, 2009 11:58 AM
2011 BMW 5 Series Gets Partial Unveil
November 22, 2009 11:32 AM
November 20, 2009 10:50 AM
Video: 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG at Laguna Seca
November 20, 2009 8:29 AM
2010 Acura ZDX Priced at $46,305
November 20, 2009 7:39 AM