Autoblog

REPORT: Opel President Carl-Peter Forster quits after sale collapse

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Opel

German magazine Der Spiegel is reporting this morning that Opel President Carl-Peter Forster has resigned from General Motors following the board's decision to kill the sale of a majority stake to Magna International. Apparently, Forster was disgusted at the way that GM officials handled the whole process. Over the past several months, GM went back-and-forth, first agreeing to sell to Magna, then opting for another bid before returning to Magna, only to finally kill the deal altogether and keep the brand for itself.

A statement issued by GM Europe today declines comment on the whole matter, dismissing speculation about any personnel changes. The statement as translated by Google appears after the jump.

[Source: Der Spiegel via Autocar]

Continue reading REPORT: Opel President Carl-Peter Forster quits after sale collapse

REPORT: Opel President Carl-Peter Forster quits after sale collapse originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 European Car of the Year nominees announced

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST

Filed under: Europe

You'd expect the European Car of the Year contest to be stacked mainly with European cars, of course, if not cars from around the world that are sold in Europe. But this year, the fight is being waged almost exclusively between European cars that we don't even get on this side of the Atlantic.

The candidates for the 2010 awards were announced back in June, but that's basically just a list of eligible vehicles. Now the panel of automotive journalists from across the old continent have picked their seven nominees among from which the final winner will be selected. Those up for the prize are the Citroen C3 Picasso, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, Toyota iQ and Volkswagen Polo. The iQ is the only non-European product on stage, and the Mercedes the only car among the finalists even currently available in the North American market. That's definitely a bummer, but even without us, we expect the winner to be announced by the end of the month.

[Source: CaroftheYear.org]

2010 European Car of the Year nominees announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo is like missing Koenigsegg ancestor

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Videos, Saab

700-hp 1969 Saab 99 Quattro Turbo - Click above to watch video

Sweden has just over nine million people - that's an entire country whose population is just a little bigger than New York City - and we'd believe it if someone told us they exclusively devoted their time to blessing the world with peculiar automotive concoctions. We'd file this latest one under "quirky," but it's far too powerful: a 1969 Saab 99 given the Audi Quattro treatment and a turbocharging to the tune of 700 horsepower. And then left to look rather stock.

The brainchild of a man named Gustav, it's development is recorded on Savar Turbo for those of you who speak Swedish (translated, if you don't). It runs sub-10-second quarter-miles with ease, which includes a few tenths lost for wheelspin and manually shifting gears. And we like it. We like it a lot. And we want whatever he's been drinking - we're guessing drums of aquavit. Follow the jump for videos of this stealthy Swede's quarter-mile runs and have a look at what's under the hood in the gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo

[Source: Savar Turbo via Car Throttle]

Continue reading VIDEO: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo is like missing Koenigsegg ancestor

VIDEO: 700-HP Saab 99 Quattro Turbo is like missing Koenigsegg ancestor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Part Chevy, Part Lamborghini: UK getting VR Camaro

Dan Roth — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Europe, Chevrolet, UK

2010 VR Camaro - Click above for high-res gallery

The idea sure sounds horrible; a Camaro with styling cues from the Lamborghini Reventon; but seeing the VR Camaro tells a different story. Available only in two color schemes, a Bandit-pleasing black and gold, or Hurst-reminiscent white and gold, the VR looks badass, either way. Making it past the bombastic fascia, the rest of the body modifications are knife-edged but less over-the-top. The decklid gets a '70s-inspired ducktail spoiler, and while the styling tweaks are un-subtle, Denmark's Hermann and Brandt has used a balanced hand.

It's not all show and no go, either. The body mods have been rendered out of carbon fiber, and the big 22-inch wheels are actually lighter than original equipment. A new coil-over suspension replaces stock components, and upgraded brakes carry 12-piston (!) front calipers while rear brakes are forced to make do with eight pistons per caliper - enough for two complete braking systems in some lesser cars. The engine is also treated to a supercharger of Union Jack origins for an expected 600-plus horsepower.

Considering that GM is not exporting the Camaro to European markets that require a steering wheel on the right, the only way to get one is by importing a wrong-hand-drive (to them) version or waiting for this VR Camaro, which will be the first LHD conversion available, to arrive early next year.

Gallery: VR Camaro

[Source: CAR]

Part Chevy, Part Lamborghini: UK getting VR Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Germany not happy with GM abandoning Opel sale

John Neff — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:19:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, GM, Opel

It was an exhausting 7-month process that finally winnowed down a pool of suitors for Opel, General Motors' European subsidiary, to Canadian parts maker Magna and Russian bank Sberbank. The deal was all set to go through, but GM pulled the plug yesterday at the 11th hour, claiming that because of Europe's improving markets and its own better-than-expected financial footing, the automaker could do better for Opel and employees than any of its proposed buyers.

Not so says government officials in Germany, who are reportedly crying in their steins and cursing the day Fritz Henderson was born (we're guessing). Of course, there's money involved, but GM has vowed to pay back the €1.5 billion bridge loan it received from the German government to keep Opel afloat during the selling process. It reportedly only borrowed €1.1 billion and has already paid back €200 million, so Germany is still owed about €900 million.

Aside from the money, German officials and Opel employees in the country are concerned that there will be more job cuts and plant closings by GM than there would have been if the company had been sold to Magna. As such, some of the unions in Germany that had agreed to concessions in order to woo Magna into ownership have vowed not to extend those same concessions to GM.

Outside of Germany, however, GM Europe workers are reportedly happy with the decision to keep Opel in the family fold. Their jubilation stems from fear that had Germany succeeded in brokering the sale of Opel to Magna, other countries like the UK, Spain and Belgium would bear the brunt of restructuring instead of Deutschland. This way, GM is more likely to evenly spread out the costs of restructuring, including job loss, without one region being able to exert too much influence.

[Source: The Detroit News, Automotive News - sub. req'd | Photo by TORSTEN SILZ/AFP/Getty]

Germany not happy with GM abandoning Opel sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Norwegian Porsche importer makes horsepower, taxes conspicuously disappear

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:40:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Europe, Government/Legal, Porsche

2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although the Porsche Boxster and Cayman are built right next door in Finland, in neighboring Norway, the sportscars are subject to heavy tariffs due to their relatively high engine output. But according to reports from inside the Scandinavian country, the local importer has found a solution that apparently manages to bring down the price without consequence.

The Norwegian specifications for the entry-level Porsches show that the Boxster produces just 211 horsepower - a significant drop from its 255hp stock spec - while the Cayman is down to the same from 265. The benefit is that by coming in under the cap, the Porsches receive significant tax cuts: the 211hp Boxster saves the equivalent of over $15k, while the 211hp Cayman saves nearly $19k. You'd have to figure that these horsepower cuts, while financially advantageous, would have a negative effect on the cars' performance, but according to the chart, acceleration figures and top speeds remain the same: 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds for the Boxster and 5.8 for the Cayman, topping out at 263 and 265 km/h respectively.

Assuming the numbers don't lie, clearly something is rotten in the state of Norway.

Gallery: 2009 Porsche Cayman and Boxster

[Source: BilNorge.no via WCF]

REPORT: Norwegian Porsche importer makes horsepower, taxes conspicuously disappear originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: GM board opts to call off Opel sale

Chris Shunk — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Europe, GM, Opel

After months of negotiations with supplier Magna and its Russian partner Sberbank, General Motors has decided not to sell its Opel unit. The General mentioned in the post-jump press release that the new board of directors came to the decision to keep Opel due to GM's recovering financial situation coupled with an improving business environment in Europe. GM's move to keep Opel comes just one week after EU's Directorate-General for Competition began investigating the sale to Magna to be sure it was based on sound financial footing and not because of political influence from Germany.

GM CEO Fritz Henderson added in the company's release that the process was difficult for all parties but in the end "our goal has been to secure the best long-term solution for our customers, employees, suppliers and dealers, which is reflected in the decision reached today. This was deemed to be the most stable and least costly approach for securing Opel/Vauxhall's long-term future."

Now that GM plans to keep Opel in its brand portfolio, the next move is to proceed with a painful restructuring that could see the loss of 10,000 jobs and the elimination of 30% of the Euro unit's structural costs. The reported tally for the restructuring could cost GM upwards of $4.4 billion, and some of that could come courtesy of cash received as part of the company's $50 billion US government bailout.

Now that GM is out of bankruptcy, the company is reportedly no longer barred from using bailout funds for countries or regions outside of the US. It's also possible that GM could get loans from Germany and or Great Britain to finance the restructuring. The Detroit MI-based automaker also intends to work with European unions to develop a plan that contributes to Opel's restructuring. Hit the jump to pour over GM's press release.

[Source: Detroit News]

Continue reading BREAKING: GM board opts to call off Opel sale

BREAKING: GM board opts to call off Opel sale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia gives UK buyers Soul Tempest

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Crossover, Kia, South Korea

Kia Soul Tempest - Click above to enlarge

The first thing you need to know about Kia's new Great Britain-only Soul Tempest is that it's part of a series of Souls called "Originals," limited edition Kia Souls that get rotated in and out with the seasons. For instance, last season's Soul Original was the Samba, with the Shaker and Burner before it. And what is/was the last one, the Samba? Well, for one thing it had Tomato Red paint. For another, the interior was black on black with black "Soul Shine" fabric on the seats. Other than that, the Samba featured a kracklin' stereo coming complete with red LEDs in the speakers that pulsed along to the bass. So, that's a Samba.

But it's gone and now UK customers (and the Irish, too) can get themselves the newest Soul, an Original called Tempest. And just like with the Samba, what makes a Tempest? Glad you asked. The Tempest ditches the Samba's deep red for Titanium Silver set off by "high-gloss black" bumper inserts and wing mirrors. It also rides around on 18" wheels, however our colleagues over at Top Gear recommend against the big wheels.

Inside you still get the "Soul Shine" black seat trim, but in the Tempest its contrasted against a metallic center console and chrome instrument panel accents. You also get some more premium appointments like found on the Shaker - namely a reverse backup camera system along with more speakers and subwoofers. The Brits also have their choice of diesel or good old gasoline. While we'll (probably) never get a series like Originals here in the States, we do think it's pretty cool that Kia's doing special edition cars that cost under $20,000. Especially for the people buying them. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia gives UK buyers Soul Tempest

Kia gives UK buyers Soul Tempest originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford Kuga could come in Lincoln, Mercury flavors, replace Escape, be built in USA

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Ford

Ford Kuga - Click above for high-res image gallery

How's this for an odd twist - Ford essentially kicked off the SUV craze with its Explorer, an embiggened four-door Ranger. And man, did we go crazy. Before the cheap-gas bubble burst, slightly more than half of all passenger vehicles sold here in America were SUVs. Just below the Explorer was and is Ford's little truck (which is no longer little) the Escape. And almost ten years later, the Escape pretty much looks like a body-on-frame SUV, even though people stopped associating SUVs with mud during George W Bush's first term.

So what if the next Escape looked more like the CUV that it actually is, and less like the SUV it isn't? And what if Lincoln got a version? Mercury too, though they already have the Mariner, a rebadged Escape. Also, what if the next escape was built here, but then badged as a Kuga and sold in Europe? According to CEO Alan Mulally and some other, more chatty Ford folks, it's all more than possible.

The latter is really interesting, and shows you just how far the dollar has fallen against the Euro. And it also shows you Ford's One Ford strategy at work - wherein starting very soon, most Ford cars are going to be global in nature. Aside from essential legal parts (like standard stability control in U.S. vehicles) the cars can be sold wherever. Built wherever, too. For instance, the Ford Fiesta, which will be coming to our shores next year, is Ford's best selling car in Europe and will soon be built only in Mexico and shipped both across the border and across the Atlantic.

Back to the Kuga, the plan is to begin building the Kuga in Louisville, Kentucky in late 2011 for export to Europe. Sometime after that, the Kuga will replace the Escape and the Lincoln/Mercury editions. Moreover, this could be the start of a trend - Fords being built in the U.S. for export across the pond.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Kuga

[Source: Automotive News sub-req]

REPORT: Ford Kuga could come in Lincoln, Mercury flavors, replace Escape, be built in USA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Bored Bulgarians engaging in Russian Road Roulette

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe

One of Russia's most popular exports has been its version of roulette - you know, the kind where the player usually closes his eyes during the game and someone has a good chance of ending up dead. In this case it's being played in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the jouers are drivers and motorcyclists running red lights.

The point of the game is to get through a red light at high speed without hitting another car or pedestrian. Bets are said to have climbed as high as €5,000 ($7,370 U.S.), and even folks on the street are said to have placed bets and then watched the intersection to see if anyone bought the farm.

The first fatalities came in June, when a motorcyclist hit an onlooker. The Bulgarian police have been trying to stop the action, but it's hard to stay ahead of text messages among all those intersections in the capital. Be careful on the streets in Bulgaria, folks, and watch out for anyone yelling "Di di mao!" Hat tip to Andrew!

[Source: Reuters via RPMGo | Image credit: Emil Manolov via CC2.0]

REPORT: Bored Bulgarians engaging in Russian Road Roulette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen prices UK Scirocco R and Golf R, debuts new ad [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Volkswagen, UK

VW Golf R and Scirocco R - Click above for high-res image gallery

For those of you in the U.K., the R-line versions of the Golf and Scirocco have been priced and can now be ordered. The Scirocco is the bargain of the two, going for £26,945 ($44,257 U.S.), while the Golf takes you slightly higher up the currency chart, priced at £28,930 ($47,518 U.S. -- nota bene: U.S. prices don't directly translate). They both come standard with a 6-speed manual, but if you want the car to shift for you, the DSG transmission option adds £1,300 ($2,135 U.S.) to either car.

They're the fastest and most powerful versions yet in their respective models: the 261-hp, front-wheel-drive Scirocco runs to 62 in 6 seconds; the 266-hp, 4MOTION-equipped Golf in 5.7. If you get the manual you can add 0.2 seconds to those times. The cars will make it to U.K. showrooms in February of next year, but in the meantime follow the jump to read all the specs and watch the video, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Volkswagen UK Golf R and Scirocco R

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen prices UK Scirocco R and Golf R, debuts new ad [w/VIDEO]

Volkswagen prices UK Scirocco R and Golf R, debuts new ad [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another One From the Vault: BMW E39 M5 Wagon

Jonny Lieberman — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:39:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Wagon, Europe, BMW, Luxury

BMW E39 M5 Touring - Click above image for hi-res gallery

It seems to be raining apocryphal BMW M cars that have been sitting in cold storage. And in a way, it has! On Thursday, we saw the mind-boggling, hyper-cool E34 M5 Convertible that BMW stashed away for twenty long years. Today's car isn't nearly as crypto (meaning we've seen pictures of it before), but in a way it's much, much cooler.

We posited that perhaps the E34 M5 is in fact the best M car of all. Well, here's the truth -- the E39 M5 is the one we want, hands down, 100%. We were just waxing poetical. E39 M5, every time over here, boss. Why? With that big fat 400 horsepower V8 and those conservative duds, the E39 is still the ultimate M sleeper. Er, that is, it would be if not for the E39 M5 Wagon.

Yes that's right, an M Wagon. Many of you who bothered to click through the E34 M5 convertible gallery noticed the M5 Wagon (or "Touring" as BMW calls the 5-door in a lame attempt to mask its wagonness) just sitting there. We were going to say something, but, you know how it is -- pics or it didn't happen. Anyhoo, the story goes that BMW wanted to build the E39 M5 Wagon but some issue with the rear axle misbehaving led them to decide that the car just wouldn't be up to M Division snuff. And the plug was pulled.

So there you have it. And now we come to the part in the story where we come fully clean and admit that the M Coupe is our actual favorite ever M car. Unless that M8 shows its face...

Gallery: BMW E39 M5 Wagon

[Source: BMW Blog]

Another One From the Vault: BMW E39 M5 Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Introducing the Expression Motorsport Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Widebody

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Expression Motorsport ML63 AMG -- Click above for high-res gallery

Those of you well heeled Halo players looking for an upmarket version of the Warthog, here you are: the Expression Motorsport ML63 AMG. Hailing from Belgium, the gents at Expression planned to "differentiate this ML from those of a more traditional variety," and to that we say, "Mission Accomplished!"

Things get a bit tricky up front with a snowplow masquerading as a front air dam, then Lorinser-esque around the front wheels, and just plain thick and juicy in back. Speaking of wheels, we will give Expression credit where it's due: nice wheels, guys. To check out the rest of the kit, look no further than the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Expression Motorsport Mercedes ML63 AMG

[Source: Expression Motorsports]

Introducing the Expression Motorsport Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Widebody originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: BMW builds E34 M5 Convertible, keeps it secret for 20 long years

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Europe, BMW

BMW E34 M5 Convertible - Click above image for high-res gallery

Amongst M Division cognoscenti there rages an eternal debate concerning what's the best ever BMW M car. To the casual Bavarian-enthusiast the answer is quite simple: E39 M5. However, strong cases can be made for both the E30 M3 and the OG E28 M5, which featured the M1's race-bred 3.5-liter straight-six. In fact, there's a whole subculture of folks that feel a car's not really a BMW (let alone an M) without an inline-six. With that said, the E34 M5 is a pretty compelling candidate for best ever M car, as is the M1. Oddly, no one ever advocates in favor of the E60 M5. Moving on...

Think about it now -- the E34 M5 is the last of the totally hand built M cars. Sometimes one worker made an entire car, though usually the cars were built by specific teams. In fact, BMW test engineers could tell which person (or people) had built each individual car. That's pretty nifty. Only thing is, all those doors. And that roof! Who needs it? Sadly, it was only with the introduction of the E63 M6 that the big M cars got back to just two doors and a drop top. Or was it?

Turns out that back in the late '80s BMW built a convertible E34 M5 and they've kept it under lock and key for the past 20 years until showing it to a select group of journalists during a 25 years of M5 celebration. Based of the E34 chassis, the convertible version featured lengthened doors and was actually all set to go into production.

But then, just one week before its introduction at Geneva (they'd booked space for the car and everything), BMW pulled the plug and canceled the M5 convertible, fearing demand for non-M5 convertibles would cut into the highly profitable 3 Series convertible sales. Too bad, as this thing looks sweet. Also, if BMW pulls the long-rumored-though-(maybe)-never-built M8 out from some dark corner of the storage bin, well, we'll be pretty upset. Yet thrilled at the same time.

Gallery: BMW E34 M5 Convertible

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: BMW builds E34 M5 Convertible, keeps it secret for 20 long years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: More Porsche 928 noise

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche

The Brits at AutoExpress (essentially The Sun of car-related sites) have rendered Porsche's supposed 928 successor, and as expected, their report is rife with speculation, innuendo and conjecture.

According to AE, the big sports car would basically be a two-door Panamera positioned above the 911 because it hauls more luggage. Put another way, this reborn 928 would be an actual grand tourer and compete with the likes of other GTs. Think of it as a Ferrari 599 more than a 458 Italia. Naturally -- and with the big turbocharger not so naturally -- all of the Panamera's engine choices will be present. The range topper gets AWD just like the high end Panamera Turbo. And a hybrid powertrain using an Audi supercharged V6 and an electric motor will also be available. Hey -- why not?

One thing AutoExpress can't answer is what Porsche will call the car. 928 might seem nice and logical to us, but remember what Porsche has been doing since the Boxster -- using actual names. Boxster, Cayenne, Carrera GT, Cayman and lastly Panamera. So it goes to figure that only the 911 will be retaining it's numeric naming convention should a new car come to pass. We're going to go ahead and suggest Soldado, especially if they're sticking with the Spanish theme (Cayenne, Panamera). Again, hey, why not?

[Source: AutoExpress]

Rendered Speculation: More Porsche 928 noise originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three Mercedes-Benz Hitler cars on sale for $9 million [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Hitler's Mercedes-Benz G4 W-131 Radio Car - click above image for hi-res gallery

Got $9,000,000 burning a hole in your pocket? If so, have we got an offer for you. Not one, not two, but three Mercedes-Benz G4 W-131 six-wheelers are up for grabs. Interesting, the cars have been appraised at $3.3 million each, so $9 million is basically a million dollars off! There is one catch, however. You're going to have to forever be explaining to people why you spend nine million bucks on three of Hitler's old cars.

Yes, that Hitler. Who, despite his innumerable faults, did in fact have great taste in cars. Not only did Der Fuhrer typically ride around in the oh-so-beautiful Mercedes-Benz 540K, but he instructed Ferdinand Porsche to go on and steal the Tatra T97 from the Czechs, turning the design into the Volkswagen Beetle. When Dr. Porsche voiced his concern about a Tatra lawsuit, Hitler reassured the good doctor that he'd "settle the matter," which Hitler did by invading Czechoslovakia. Curiously, good taste in cars seems to be a trait shared with other scumbag genocidal dictators -- Idi Amin owned seven Citroen SMs!

The three Mercedes up for sale are three of eight Hitler-owned G4s, that were stashed around Deutschland at his various castles. Only fifty-seven G4 W-131s were ever made, total. Here we have a convertible parade car for Hitler and Eva Braun (blue), a luggage car that could quickly be converted into an ambulance (gray) and a radio car so Hitler could order the invasion of Yugoslavia whenever the mood struck his fancy (black). The cars have six-wheels and are quite truckish because Hitler spent a lot of time rolling through the bombed out streets of cities he'd just blitzkrieged.

The three G4 W-131s actually do have some nifty Nazi tech, like 5.0 or 5.4-liter straight eight motors shared (though not supercharged) with the aforementioned 540K, four driven rear wheels with locking diffs and self sealing tires. And both the luggage car and radio car are (probably) the only examples ever built. Furthermore, the luggage car was used in Hogan's Heroes. However, how you'd ever get past the stigma of the original owner is beyond us. Video after the jump.

Gallery: Adolf Hitler Mercedes-Benz G4 W-131

[Source: World War Cars via KREM]

Continue reading Three Mercedes-Benz Hitler cars on sale for $9 million [w/VIDEO]

Three Mercedes-Benz Hitler cars on sale for $9 million [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Evidence mounting that 2010 Audi S4 is underrated

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Audi, Luxury

To many people, Audi is replacing BMW as the go-to yuppie-mobile of choice. For one thing, Walter de'Silva's designs are almost universally lauded (Q7 notwithstanding) whereas the new crop of Bangled Bimmers are... controversial to put it as nicely as humanly possible. But it's not just down to looks and interior -- it can't be.

For the past decade or so Audi, BMW and of course Mercedes-Benz have all been engaged in mercilessly meeting each other tit-for-tat. 3/5/7 Series vs. 4/6/8 vs. C/E/S-Class, M/AMG/S, X5/ML/Q7, etc. It goes on forever. But the point is, Audi and BMW appear to be on equal footing and it looks like Audi has taken the copycat game to new heights.

Everyone knows that the BMW 335i is the most underrated car currently on the market in terms of raw thrust and grunt. BMW claims 300 hp and 300 torques, but even dogs know that BMW's trick 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine puts out much closer to 350 hp and 350 tire-spinning pound feet of torque. Why? Well, lower insurance rates for their customers probably isn't one of the reasons. However, remember that when the E90/E92 3 Series came out, BMW was still selling the 333 horsepower E46 M3. Meaning that it would be pretty hard to sell an older, $55,000 car with less power than a newer and just as quick $40,000 car. Or so the theory goes, though we should point out that BMW engineers angrily call us liars when we bring this scenario up.

And guess what? Looks like Audi is pulling the same trick with their new supercharged S4. Volkswagen and Audi tuner APR stuck a 2010 Audi S4 on an AWD-dyno and discovered the following. Instead of the 333 hp and 325 torques Audi is claiming, they pulled 331 hp and 336 pound-feet of torque... at the wheels! Figuring that AWD cars have about a 20% parasitic drivetrain power loss, the actual crank output of the S4 is huge. How huge? By our calculations just about 400 horsepower/torques. Gulp. Tip of the Audi driving cap to Brenton!

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4

[Source: Quattro World]

REPORT: Evidence mounting that 2010 Audi S4 is underrated originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: BMW tests new wind tunnel with a model we can appreciate

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Technology, Videos, BMW, Luxury

Sylvie van der Vaart and a BMW E30 Convertible - Click above for high-res image gallery

The more things change, the more things change. If you would have asked our opinion, we would have told you that open top motoring means feeling the wind in your hair. NEIN! says BMW. And to prove just how far they've come in two short decades, the boys and girls at Bimmer decided to stick footballer wife and all around hottie Sylvie van der Vaart in a wind tunnel with two very different BMW droptops.

At first, Sylvie gets all tarted up in her best Falcon Crest summer ensemble with matching Aqua Net hair and gets behind the wheel of a 1987 E30 convertible. The wind tunnel is switched on and a 60 km/h (about 37 mph) wind is upon her hairdo. Rats, says her stylist. Ruined. Then Mrs. van der Vaart changes into some late first-decade-of-the-twenty-first-century duds and climbs into a folding hard top E93. Wind starts blowing and... not a thing, at least in terms of Sylvie's hair. It's as if her and the porcine 3 Series aren't in a high tech wind tunnel. Says van der Vaart, "What a difference from the older model! I couldn't feel the wind at all - I even had to check to see if they'd even turned it on."

A couple of points - sadly, Sylvie was diagnosed with cancer right after the photo shoot was completed. She was treated, so far so good, but now wears a wig. We know this because BMW chose to exploit her illness to point out that despite the wig, Sylvie still rocks out in a convertible. Thanks, BMW! That said, automotive aerodynamics have sure come a very long way since Malcolm Sayer taped tufts of wool to the E-Type. Also, not only were BMWs better looking in the Eighties, but fashion was, too. Video and press release after the jump.

Gallery: BMW windtunnel test with model

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW tests new wind tunnel with a model we can appreciate

VIDEO: BMW tests new wind tunnel with a model we can appreciate originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Acura confirms Euro Honda Accord Tourer coming as TSX sport wagon!

Chris Paukert — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Acura, Honda

2009 Honda Accord Tourer - Click above for high-res image gallery

When we polled you yesterday afternoon about whether Honda was right in choosing to build the insurrectionary 2010 Accord Crosstour instead of picking the Accord Touring from its overseas showrooms, we didn't know that Acura was going to announce that it was doing just that today. Honest. In fact, as far as we're concerned, you guys made it happen. Well, 47.7% of you (at last count), anyway, as bringing over the Accord Tourer was your number one suggestion for a Honda/Acura load-lugger.

In any case, in a (very) brief press release available after the jump, Acura has announced the addition of a TSX sport wagon to its 2011 lineup, and it will likely look suspiciously like the Euro-market Accord Touring model that many people have been clamoring for. Acura confirms that the model will be based on the TSX sedan, which is itself basically a Euro Accord. It is unclear which powertrains we'll get, or if styling will be tweaked from its European counterpart, but it is expected to arrive next fall. Color us excited.

Now, about that JDM Odyssey...

Gallery: Honda Accord Tourer

[Source: Acura]

Continue reading BREAKING: Acura confirms Euro Honda Accord Tourer coming as TSX sport wagon!

BREAKING: Acura confirms Euro Honda Accord Tourer coming as TSX sport wagon! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Loder1899 heats up Ford's already cookin' Focus RS

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Loder1899 Focus RS - click above image for hi-res gallery

Here at the Autoblog, we get accused of many things. From somehow making a living off of the Ford Mustang to dating other male journalists to "FAIL!" we've heard it all. In fact, we hear the latter a lot. One that particularly sticks in our collective craw is the accusation that we somehow prefer American aftermarket tuners to foreign ones. So untrue. It's really a matter of access, as in all the American tuners live here in America (where we do) and they let us drive their cars around. It's hard to do that when a PR budget is tiny and the car's in Dusseldorf. Also, sometimes, things are lost in translation -- we'll get to that later.

Case in point - here's a car we'd give canines and molars to drive - in stock form. Meet the Loder1899 Ford Focus RS. The oddly named German tuner took Ford's 300 horsepower hottie Focus and, to quote Emeril, kicked it up a notch by BAMMING the output to 345 hp. Which is exactly as much horsepower as the Porsche 928 was making in 1995, the last year of its run. And the Porsche had a 5.4-liter V8.

The Loder1899 Focus RS has but five cylinders, less than half the porker's displacement (a scant 2.5-liters and one humdinger of a turbocharger). However, they've added a Y-pipe for greater growling, a new air filter for better breathing and dropped the ride height by 35 mm (a bit more than an inch). The tires are filled with nitrogen and we love the wheels, too. Plus, they left the Insanity Green or whatever that color's called. Sounds and looks like this side of fantastic to us.

Oh, we promised you more the lost in translation part later on. Well, while Loder1899 has a whole bunch of information on their hopped up Ford Focus RS on their website, it's all in German. But we're living in 2009 baby - no problemo. Just run that stuff through Google's translator, right? Not exactly... world's first NSFW press release after the jump!

Gallery: Loder1899 Ford Focus RS

[Souce: Loder1899 via EVO]

Continue reading Loder1899 heats up Ford's already cookin' Focus RS

Loder1899 heats up Ford's already cookin' Focus RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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