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  • 2010 North American Car Of The Year Short List Announced

    2010 North American Car Of The Year Short List Announced October 1st, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 1st, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    2010 North American Car Of The Year Short List Announced

    Car show season and time to pick the best vehicles of the year is upon us again, and in the midst of the rush, a select handful of automotive journalists--including our own Executive Editor Marty Padgett--are somehow supposed to find the time to meditate on the essential greatness of every vehicle on the 2010 North American Car of the Year list. That job just got a little easier today, as the panel narrowed the candidates down to just 15 cars and 10 trucks.

    Perhaps as interesting as the cars that did make the list below are the cars that didn't make it past the nominee stage. Few of these cars would be kicked out of any garage.

    But the list...

    Car show season and time to pick the best vehicles of the year is upon us again, and in the midst of the rush, a select handful of automotive journalists--including our own Executive Editor Marty Padgett--are somehow supposed to find the time to meditate on the essential greatness of every vehicle on the 2010 North American Car of the Year list. That job just got a little easier today, as the panel narrowed the candidates down to just 15 cars and 10 trucks. Perhaps as interesting as the cars that did make the list below are the cars that didn't make it past the nominee stage. Few of these cars would be kicked out of any garage. But the list of cars and trucks that did make it reads like a "who's who" of the industry in 2010. Notable for appearing three times on the list for the Fusion and its hybrid version, the Taurus and the Transit Connect is Ford, the one U.S. carmaker that didn't plumb the depths of bankruptcy this year. Among the more luxury-oriented carmakers, Cadillac is in a strong position with the CTS and SRX both on the short list. After that, no other luxury carmaker managed to put more than one vehicle on the list. Stay tuned for the latest developments as they happen, and jump in with your own ideas on which car or truck should take the title for 2010. Go to http://www.highgearmedia.com/iwanttowrite and post your choice and you could win fun car swag including t-shirts, books, hats and more. Cars that didn't make the cut: Audi S4 BMW Z4 BMW 5-series GT Ford Mustang/GT500 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Hyundai Elantra Touring Jaguar XFR Kia Forte Lexus HS 250h Lexus IS 250/350 C Nissan Cube Nissan 370Z Trucks that didn't make the cut: BMW X5 xDrive35d Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid GMC Terrain GMC Sierra Hybrid Lexus RX350/450h Toyota 4Runner Volkswagen Touareg V-6 TDI The 2010 North American Car of the Year Short List: BMW 335d Buick LaCrosse Cadillac CTS Chevrolet Camaro Ford Fusion/Fusion Hybrid Ford Taurus Honda Insight Kia Soul Mazda3/MazdaSpeed3 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Porsche Panamera Subaru Legacy Suzuki Kizashi Toyota Prius Volkswagen Golf/GTI The 2010 North American Truck of the Year Short List: Acura ZDX Audi Q5 Cadillac SRX Chevrolet Equinox Ford Transit Connect Honda Crosstour Land Rover LR4 Lincoln MKT Subaru Outback Volvo XC60 Read More

  • Ferrari CEO Discusses Future GT Cars

    Ferrari CEO Discusses Future GT Cars September 30th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, September 30th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Ferrari CEO Discusses Future GT Cars

    Just a few weeks ago Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa revealed that a spider version of the Ferrari 458 Italia is in the works, due in 2011. Now revealed some of the details for the replacements of the 599 GTB Fiorano and 612 Scaglietti as well as an all-new Enzo successor.

    The first to be replaced is likely the 612 Scaglietti, though Ferrari spokesman Matteo Sardi tells us that hasn't been revealed yet. On the market since it replaced the 456 M in 2004, the Scaglietti is growing a bit long in the tooth. It will have to soldier on for another 2 years, however, as the replacement for the 612 isn't expected until 2012 or after.

    Still, that's a...

    Just a few weeks ago Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa revealed that a spider version of the Ferrari 458 Italia is in the works, due in 2011. Now revealed some of the details for the replacements of the 599 GTB Fiorano and 612 Scaglietti as well as an all-new Enzo successor. The first to be replaced is likely the 612 Scaglietti, though Ferrari spokesman Matteo Sardi tells us that hasn't been revealed yet. On the market since it replaced the 456 M in 2004, the Scaglietti is growing a bit long in the tooth. It will have to soldier on for another 2 years, however, as the replacement for the 612 isn't expected until 2012 or after. Still, that's a fairly typical 8-year product cycle, and with the customization possible through Ferrari's One-to-One program, it's sure to stay fresh until the new car comes along. Rumors of a possible end-of-life facelift with a new V-12 engine also persist, so stay on the lookout for more to come. Next on the docket is likely the 599 GTB Fiorano. Ferrari's flagship grand tourer, the 599 has only been on the market since 2006, when it took the place of the 575 M Maranello. Its replacement isn't due until sometime betwee 2012 and 2015, according to the report, giving it a nearly 9-year lifespan. Already it has received mid-cycle updates with an HGTE pack and a new 599XX "technological laboratory" revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this year shows off what might be in the works for a Scuderia version of the car, or possibly even the next-generation of the car itself. Finally, a successor to the Enzo supercar is due "around 2012" according to Felisa, though what form the car might take is unclear--except that it won't be sporting a hybrid drivetrain. Hybrid Ferrari road cars won't be taking to the streets until 2014 at the earliest, leaving the Enzo successor to rely on the sonorous and relatively simple Ferrari combustion engine. For hints at what the Enzo replacement might look like, however, we can look to the FXX testbed. While that car still uses a 6.2-liter V-12 engine, there has been discussion of the next Ferrari supercar sporting V-8 power. [CAR Magazine] Read More

  • Report: 2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get Twin-Turbo 'Road Runner' V-8

    Report: 2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get Twin-Turbo 'Road Runner' V-8 September 30th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, September 30th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 4 Comments

    Report: 2012 Ford Mustang GT500 To Get Twin-Turbo 'Road Runner' V-8

    We've all heard about the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine in the works at Ford by now, but today new talk has emerged of a twin-turbocharged version of that engine, dubbed "Road Runner," which will be dropped into the 2012 Mustang GT500.

    The Road Runner tag is a humorous play on the cartoon nemesis of Wile E. Coyote--not a curious reference to the hard-running Plymouth of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Of course, the whole report is far from official, but it does make sense given Ford's recent spate of twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engines. If the twin-turbo application is given to the 5.0-liter V-8 Coyote, it could generate in excess of 600...

    We've all heard about the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine in the works at Ford by now, but today new talk has emerged of a twin-turbocharged version of that engine, dubbed "Road Runner," which will be dropped into the 2012 Mustang GT500. The Road Runner tag is a humorous play on the cartoon nemesis of Wile E. Coyote--not a curious reference to the hard-running Plymouth of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Of course, the whole report is far from official, but it does make sense given Ford's recent spate of twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engines. If the twin-turbo application is given to the 5.0-liter V-8 Coyote, it could generate in excess of 600 horsepower depending on how far Ford's SVT team decides to push it. Engines that are also thought to be in the works for the next Mustang, starting from 2011, are the standard 5.0-liter Coyote V-8, expected to earn a 400-horsepower rating, and a new 3.7-liter Duratec V-6 rated at about 315 horsepower. All of the talk about 5.0-liter engines at Ford has also riled up fans to speculate on the possible return of the "5.0" badge to the Mustang lineup, which is looking more and more like a near-certainty given the confluence of all the various reports. Along with the twin-turbocharging, the 2012 Mustang GT500's 5.0-liter V-8 engine is also expected to feature an aluminum block. That same year, the regular 5.0-liter V-8 Mustang GT is expected to get a power bump from the initial 400-horsepower rating, and though it's not yet known where it will land, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think Ford's targeting the 422-425-horsepower mark set by the Camaro SS and Challenger SRT8. Also on deck for 2012 is a new Boss version of the Mustang, though details on that model are still being held close. In the meantime, the 2011 Mustang is expected to get an even more focused Track Pack to complement the big V-8, so there'll be something for enthusiasts to sink their teeth into while they wait for the next generation of muscle car mayhem. For more on the current 540-horsepower, supercharged 2010 Mustang GT500, read our review. [PickupTrucks.com] Read More

  • Report: Ferrari Nabs VW's Design Chief, Pininfarina Tie-up Ending

    Report: Ferrari Nabs VW's Design Chief, Pininfarina Tie-up Ending September 30th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, September 30th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Report: Ferrari Nabs VW's Design Chief, Pininfarina Tie-up Ending

    There's no denying that Volkswagen's cars, especially the not-for-U.S.-consumption Scirocco, have stepped up their game in the looks department lately. That change is thanks in part to Flavio Manzoni, VW Group's head of creative design. But the design language developed under Manzoni had better last VW a while, as the latest reports out of Italy indicate Ferrari has stolen Manzoni out from under them.

    The new job as the head of Ferrari's design shop doesn't start until January 1, 2010, but it's already being widely reported in the European press.

    Part of Ferrari's choice of Manzoni as the new design chief is the desire to develop its own...

    There's no denying that Volkswagen's cars, especially the not-for-U.S.-consumption Scirocco, have stepped up their game in the looks department lately. That change is thanks in part to Flavio Manzoni, VW Group's head of creative design. But the design language developed under Manzoni had better last VW a while, as the latest reports out of Italy indicate Ferrari has stolen Manzoni out from under them. The new job as the head of Ferrari's design shop doesn't start until January 1, 2010, but it's already being widely reported in the European press. Part of Ferrari's choice of Manzoni as the new design chief is the desire to develop its own in-house design team that will allow it to rely less--or possibly not at all--on Pininfarina. The close relationship between Ferrari and Pininfarina has spawned some of the most striking cars in history, however, so enthusiasts may mourn the transition presaged by Manzoni's hiring. The Pininfarina P4/5 built on a Ferrari Enzo chassis for James Glickenhaus is just one example of the duo's gifts to automotive history. Other fantastic vehicles from the past include the Ferrari 500 Mondial, the 250 GT and its many variants, the Testarossa o the 1980s, the legendary F40, the 575 M Maranello, and, though it's not always recognized as a "true Ferrari", the Dino. More recently, the 612 Scaglietti, F430 and California were also Pininfarina-penned creations. Manzoni will report directly to CEO Amedeo Felisa when he comes on board next year. [Auto Motor & Sport] Read More

  • RSR Jaguar XKR GT2 Race Car Debuts At Petit Le Mans

    RSR Jaguar XKR GT2 Race Car Debuts At Petit Le Mans September 24th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, September 24th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    RSR Jaguar XKR GT2 Race Car Debuts At Petit Le Mans

    Race cars aren't always directly relevant to road cars, but when they're built directly from production vehicles, it's an interesting exploration of what a car, in this case the 2010 Jaguar XKR, is capable of given nearly unlimited money and talent both behind the wheel and in development. The RSR racing team's Jaguar XKR GT2 is a perfect example.

    The innovations made in the production 2010 Jaguar XKR have lead directly to a more competitive and capable race car. “The Jaguar XKR is exceptionally strong and rigid, and the construction method is in advance of the conventional steel stamping that we see in cars today,” explained Paul...

    Race cars aren't always directly relevant to road cars, but when they're built directly from production vehicles, it's an interesting exploration of what a car, in this case the 2010 Jaguar XKR, is capable of given nearly unlimited money and talent both behind the wheel and in development. The RSR racing team's Jaguar XKR GT2 is a perfect example. The innovations made in the production 2010 Jaguar XKR have lead directly to a more competitive and capable race car. “The Jaguar XKR is exceptionally strong and rigid, and the construction method is in advance of the conventional steel stamping that we see in cars today,” explained Paul Gentilozzi, RSR team owner. “That allows RSR to build a lighter, stronger, stiffer racecar. Also, the basic aerodynamic design of the XKR has a low drag coefficient and more than sufficient downforce.” All GT2-class cars are production based and modified only as allowed by the official ruleset. The RSR Jaguar XKR GT2, for instance, uses almost the entire chassis structure of the production vehicle, plus the production doors, roof and deck lid. Other components had to be modified to accommodate advanced aerodynamics and safety modifications. The bodywork on the car was designed by the same studio that designed the production XKR, by a team headed by Ian Callum. “The end result is a GT2 car that contains the DNA and the spirit of the Jaguar Design Department and the production car,” said Gentilozzi. The engine in the car is a modified version of the Jaguar AJ133 V-8 engine found in the production XKR, XFR, XF, XK and a number of other Jaguar-Land Rover vehicles. Other race-specific upgrades include four-corner Brembo brakes, with the fronts getting 380 mm discs and six-piston calipers, and the rears using 350 mm discs and four-piston calipers. The car will make its racing debut this weekend at the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on September 26. The race is a 10-hour, 1,000-mile endurance contest, scheduled to roll off the start line at 11:15 am EDT. Read More

  • Audi Deletes V-6 From 2010 TT, Focuses on Turbo Fours

    Audi Deletes V-6 From 2010 TT, Focuses on Turbo Fours September 24th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, September 24th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 7 Comments

    Audi Deletes V-6 From 2010 TT, Focuses on Turbo Fours

    As fuel economy rules tighten, sales stagnate or grow slowly and carmakers seeks ways to deliver more for less, some re-shuffling of products is inevitable. At Audi, that means cutting V-6 engines and (mostly) replacing them with turbo four-cylinders, including in the 2010 Audi TT.

    The 3.2-liter V-6 is completely gone from the TT range, in S tronic and manual quattro trims, Coupe and Roadster alike. Instead, the 2010 TT offers only a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, sent through a dual-clutch transmission. Those with a hankering for more power in a TT package can upgrade to the TTS...

    As fuel economy rules tighten, sales stagnate or grow slowly and carmakers seeks ways to deliver more for less, some re-shuffling of products is inevitable. At Audi, that means cutting V-6 engines and (mostly) replacing them with turbo four-cylinders, including in the 2010 Audi TT. The 3.2-liter V-6 is completely gone from the TT range, in S tronic and manual quattro trims, Coupe and Roadster alike. Instead, the 2010 TT offers only a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, sent through a dual-clutch transmission. Those with a hankering for more power in a TT package can upgrade to the TTS Coupe or Roadster which retains its turbo four-cylinder engine rated at 265 horsepower. Other Audi cars also see the V-6 removed from some trim levels, including the now-defunct A4 3.2 quattro Tiptronic and A5 3.2 quattro manual. The A5 Coupe gains the 2.0T quattro trim we brought you word of back in July. The Audi A3 TDI joins the range this November, while the A3 3.2 S tronic quattro says goodbye for 2010. For the TT, that's about the sum total of changes, since the exterior and interior stay largely the same, and with the 2.0T engine the only option, fuel economy of 21 mpg in town and 29 mpg on the highway is near-brilliant, even considering its slightly slow (compared to the competition) 5.9-second (Coupe) and 6.2-second (Roadster) 0-60 mph times. Catch up on the pricing and other changes in the Audi lineup with our rundown of the 2010 A4, A5 and Q5 or check out the hot, new and more affordable supercharged V-6 2010 Audi S4 here. Read More

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