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  • Santa Monica Fisker Dealer Opening A Hit

    Santa Monica Fisker Dealer Opening A Hit November 6th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 6th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Santa Monica Fisker Dealer Opening A Hit

    Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid has already won flocks of followers thanks to its stunning looks and powerful stat sheet, so it should be no surprise that the opening of the brand's Santa Monica dealership was met with a full house of guests and fans.

    The car itself has yet to come to production reality, and so far its only real-world test was on the track at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, where no independent journalists were allowed to drive the car. So the car's warm welcome must have been based purely on its potential, rather than its actuality.

    Santa Monica itself may have contributed to the hype, as Automotive News points...

    Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid has already won flocks of followers thanks to its stunning looks and powerful stat sheet, so it should be no surprise that the opening of the brand's Santa Monica dealership was met with a full house of guests and fans. The car itself has yet to come to production reality, and so far its only real-world test was on the track at Laguna Seca during the Pebble Beach Concours, where no independent journalists were allowed to drive the car. So the car's warm welcome must have been based purely on its potential, rather than its actuality. Santa Monica itself may have contributed to the hype, as Automotive News points out. Long known amongst Californians for its forward-looking--if often oddball--take on life, the city has embraced hybrid and green technology like few others. Many of the 200 or so guests in attendance were among the more than 1,300 people that have place pre-orders for the car effectively sight unseen. The dealership is among the first crop of 32 "Eco-facility" dealers in the U.S., so it's appropriate that it should be located in granola-crunching Santa Monica. The building itself was once a Lexus dealership that has now been retasked to Fisker's uses. Opening the dealership now is mainly a mode of marketing, as no actual sales will be happening for the next several months, though pre-orders will certainly continue to be taken. Fisker's Karma is planned for production by Valmet in Finland to start later this year, followed shortly by retail sales. The company has recently started work on a plant in Delaware as well, to build the brand's next car, which remains unannounced in any detail. The Karma will cost $87,900 when it does hit the street, powered by 408-horsepower and 959 pound-feet of electric-motor torque. [Auto News -- sub. req.] Read More

  • Preview: 2010 BMW M3 GTS - Now With High-Res Pics And Video

    Preview: 2010 BMW M3 GTS - Now With High-Res Pics And Video November 5th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 5th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Preview: 2010 BMW M3 GTS - Now With High-Res Pics And Video

    We've seen the rumors, speculation and spy shots on BMW's M3 GT4-type car for months now. We were even one of the first sites to confirm the car for production with our interview of M Division head Kay Segler. But today BMW has gone official, unveiling the M3 GTS, as the new car will be called. Unfortunately, it's not currently planned for the North American market. Today, BMW released higher-resolution photos and more detailed info about its new track-special M3.

    The car is a focused, no-compromises M3 in a way that recent M vehicles haven't been. Putting the track first and creature comforts--and possibly even aesthetics--second, the M3...

    We've seen the rumors, speculation and spy shots on BMW's M3 GT4-type car for months now. We were even one of the first sites to confirm the car for production with our interview of M Division head Kay Segler. But today BMW has gone official, unveiling the M3 GTS, as the new car will be called. Unfortunately, it's not currently planned for the North American market. Today, BMW released higher-resolution photos and more detailed info about its new track-special M3. The car is a focused, no-compromises M3 in a way that recent M vehicles haven't been. Putting the track first and creature comforts--and possibly even aesthetics--second, the M3 GTS goes the extra mile for performance. Power is delivered by a special 4.4-liter version of the V-8 that powers the current M3, rated at 450 horsepower in this application. They also add race-derived technology including a crankcase made of a special aluminum-silicon alloy and constructed in bedplate design, individual throttle butterflies, anti-knock sensors with "ion flow technology" and a wet sump oil supply. That power is piped to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission was specially engineered to withstand the power output of the beefed-up V-8, and the DKG Drivelogic shift points programmed to precisely extract the maximum from the engine. Extensive use of honeycomb grillework, a prominent adjustable rear wing, adjustable front splitter and reworked front-end aero pieces all reflect the car's speedy genes. Unique black alloy 19-inch wheels wrapped in 225/35 front and 285/30 rear tires ensure track-friendly understeer-bias with a high level of grip. Lightweight carbon fiber is used for the roof to help reduce weight and lower the center of gravity, much like previous M3 CSL versions. The result of the weight savings strategy sees over 400 pounds culled from the standard car's 3,700-pound curb weigh, with the GTS version weighing in at a scant 3,289 pounds. A fully adjustable set of race dampers sits at the corners of the car, allowing owners to tune to the track and conditions with both bump and rebound adjustments. The brakes for the car are also custom-built pieces, with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units out back. Inside, race seats and five-point harnesses complement abundant matte-black surfaces and Alcantara for a decidedly sporty look. Like the Porsche GT3, the rear seat is sacrificed for a roll cage and a fire bottle, all in the interests of on-track safety. Despite all of this, the M3 GTS is still completely road-legal. So far, there are no plans to bring the car to the U.S., however. This appears to be a track-day special for the European enthusiast. Expect it to cost about €115,000, or around $171,000--roughly three times the price of a "normal" M3. Ouch. [BMW M Division] Read More

  • NHTSA: Toyota Floor Mat Statement 'Inaccurate And Misleading'

    NHTSA: Toyota Floor Mat Statement 'Inaccurate And Misleading' November 5th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 5th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 7 Comments

    NHTSA: Toyota Floor Mat Statement 'Inaccurate And Misleading'


    This past Monday Toyota released a statement denying any finding of fault on Toyota's part or any defect in its cars in relation to the deadly floor mat safety advisory issued in late September. Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is saying that Toyota's information is "inaccurate and misleading" and that there is in fact a defect in the 3.8 million cars affected.

    The Toyota statement included reference to a letter being sent out to customers which Toyota stated, "confirms that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver’s floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured."

    The NHTSA minces no...

    This past Monday Toyota released a statement denying any finding of fault on Toyota's part or any defect in its cars in relation to the deadly floor mat safety advisory issued in late September. Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is saying that Toyota's information is "inaccurate and misleading" and that there is in fact a defect in the 3.8 million cars affected. The Toyota statement included reference to a letter being sent out to customers which Toyota stated, "confirms that no defect exists in vehicles in which the driver’s floor mat is compatible with the vehicle and properly secured." The NHTSA minces no words in contradicting Toyota's claims, calling the removal of the offending floor mats an interim measure only, and saying that "This remedy does not correct the underlying defect in the vehicles involving the potential for entrapment of the accelerator by floor mats, which is related to accelerator and floor pan design." That leaves no doubt that the NHTSA considers the design of the vehicles and the accelerator pedal both to be defective in this regard. Between the tragedy of a California Highway Patrol officer and his family losing their lives in a borrowed dealership Lexus ES 350 and the farcical zip tie solution issued shortly thereafter, the Toyota/Lexus floor mat recall is quickly becoming one of the most unique events in recent automotive safety history. The problem, according to Toyota, lies with installation and mat selection. The dealer loaner car that was driven to a fiery end in Southern California earlier this year was just such a case, says the company: the wrong mat was installed improperly. So the fix? To install the proper floor mats and do it properly. The letter mailed earlier this week explains that the notice is of a future voluntary safety recall campaign which will see the mats replaced with the right model and installed according to procedure for no charge. Owners had previously been warned to pull driver's side floor mats from affected vehicles and not replace them with any other mats. Affected models include: • 2007 – 2010 Camry • 2005 – 2010 Avalon • 2004 – 2009 Prius • 2005 – 2010 Tacoma • 2007 – 2010 Tundra • 2007 – 2010 ES350 • 2006 – 2010 IS250 and IS350 If you own one of these models, look for the letter in your mailbox over the next couple of days. But be forewarned that the NHTSA isn't buying Toyota's story. [NHTSA, Toyota] Read More

  • Chrysler Brand Product Plan Wrap-Up

    Chrysler Brand Product Plan Wrap-Up November 4th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 4th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    Chrysler Brand Product Plan Wrap-Up

    The Chrysler plan has been spilling across the web all day long now, but as it winds down into its death throes (the plan, not the company) we have the latest on how they plan to rev things back up to redline, in terms of sales, brand awareness and product interest.

    The key element, as always, will be producing stellar product. To that end, Chrysler will be tapping Fiat's product line heavily. The exterior of the cars will still strongly reflect Chrysler heritage and design, but the interiors and their underpinnings will be much more Fiat in origin.

    The first major plans include a complete reshaping of the Avenger--just short of an all-new...

    The Chrysler plan has been spilling across the web all day long now, but as it winds down into its death throes (the plan, not the company) we have the latest on how they plan to rev things back up to redline, in terms of sales, brand awareness and product interest. The key element, as always, will be producing stellar product. To that end, Chrysler will be tapping Fiat's product line heavily. The exterior of the cars will still strongly reflect Chrysler heritage and design, but the interiors and their underpinnings will be much more Fiat in origin. The first major plans include a complete reshaping of the Avenger--just short of an all-new model--for the fourth quarter of 2010. An all-new Sebring will follow in 2013. Also coming in the fourth quarter of 2010 will be the updated 2011 Chrysler Town & Country minivan. For 2012, a new compact sedan, sourced from Fiat and intended to fill the C-segment slot vacated by the PT Cruiser, which ends its long run in 2010. 2013 sees the addition of a B-segment small car imported from Europe and built by Fiat Group operations, designed to target the premium small-car segment. That same year, a midsize crossover will join the ranks, also sourced from a Fiat platform but built in the U.S. In the nearer term, a number of special-edition cars, including 300 Sport Edition sedan, a Town & Country Fashion Edition, a PT Cruiser Final Edition,  and a Sebring Ocean Edition. These cars will add a near-term sheen to the brand as the new leadership ramps up the deeper, more meaningful changes. Sometime during 2010, we'll also see the launch of the new 2011 Chrysler 300 sedan. For more on that car, read up on our coverage here. [Chrysler] Read More

  • Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon

    Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon November 4th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 4th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Hitting Dealerships Soon

    For those that don't know about it, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is VW's foray into grassroots motorsports in the U.S., finding and giving an outlet for younger drivers to get into road racing, raising the profile of diesels as more than green machines at the same time. First revealed as a concept at the 2008 SEMA show,  2010 Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition is the road-going version of the race car used in the spec series, and it's due to hit dealerships soon.

    The Jetta TDI Cup series has run since 2008, and the replica vehicle has been called for since the start--the race cars are, after all, based on production cars. Upgrades to the...

    For those that don't know about it, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup is VW's foray into grassroots motorsports in the U.S., finding and giving an outlet for younger drivers to get into road racing, raising the profile of diesels as more than green machines at the same time. First revealed as a concept at the 2008 SEMA show,  2010 Jetta TDI Cup "Street" Edition is the road-going version of the race car used in the spec series, and it's due to hit dealerships soon. The Jetta TDI Cup series has run since 2008, and the replica vehicle has been called for since the start--the race cars are, after all, based on production cars. Upgrades to the standard Jetta TDI include a unique front bumper, side skirts, and rear valance, plus larger brakes with red calipers, upgraded anti-roll bars and a "European" sport-tuned suspension from the "performance oriented" GLI. The powerplant is the usual 2.0-liter, 140-horsepower TDI diesel engine. The real fun of the little oil-burning four-banger is its 236 pound-feet of torque. Either a standard six-speed manual or the DSG dual-clutch transmission can be fitted to the TDI Cup Street Edition. Pricing for the special edition car is set to start "around $25,000" when it hits dealerships in January, 2010. Read More

  • GM To Keep Opel, Sale To Magna Off

    GM To Keep Opel, Sale To Magna Off November 3rd, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, November 3rd, 2009 Nelson Ireson 7 Comments

    GM To Keep Opel, Sale To Magna Off




    Late last month reports emerged that GM's sale of Opel to a consortium of buyers led by Magna International and Russia's Sberbank could be done as early within weeks. Since then, the deal hasn't quite come to completion, undergoing scrutiny from the EU for fairness in the bidding process. Today, GM made all the hubbub around the Opel sale meaningless by announcing it has decided to keep the brand.

    GM CEO Fritz Henderson summed up the decision succinctly: "This was deemed to be the most stable and least costly approach for securing Opel/Vauxhall’s long-term future." He also acknowledged that the whole ordeal has been "draining" for all...

    Late last month reports emerged that GM's sale of Opel to a consortium of buyers led by Magna International and Russia's Sberbank could be done as early within weeks. Since then, the deal hasn't quite come to completion, undergoing scrutiny from the EU for fairness in the bidding process. Today, GM made all the hubbub around the Opel sale meaningless by announcing it has decided to keep the brand. GM CEO Fritz Henderson summed up the decision succinctly: "This was deemed to be the most stable and least costly approach for securing Opel/Vauxhall’s long-term future." He also acknowledged that the whole ordeal has been "draining" for all involved, but was unapologetic about the sale reversal. The drama isn't over, however, as the economic situation in Europe, especially for the car industry, is still touch-and-go. Quick action to restructure Opel/Vauxhall's operations and investment in the company by EU governments will be necessary to pull the company through according to the new plan. The delay that preceded the switcheroo was rooted in EU concern for the bidding process and its fairness. According to a late October posting to GM's FastLane blog by John Smith, GM Group Vice President, Corporate Planning and Alliances, "Last week, the Directorate-General for Competition expressed concerns about possible limitations on the availability of government financing for all Opel bidders, and how that may have influenced the selection process. "The German Government was asked by DG Competition to communicate its position on financing availability to GM and the Opel Trust Board who, in turn, were requested to consider the recommended bidder for Opel accordingly." Negotiation of the finer details was ongoing for about a month, though the agreement did make clear the general shape of the deal: GM would have retained 35% of Opel, with 10% reserved for Opel employees, and the Magna-Sberbank group would have taken the remaining 55%. Perhaps most telling in the whole deal, GM still has plans for the brand's cars here in the U.S. Although Saturn was previously the primary outlet for re-badged Opels in America, Buick recently confirmed a redesigned Insignia to be sold as the Regal. For more on what may be in store for that car, read up on our preview story here.[GM] Read More

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