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Automobiles

BMW i3 tries to be the answer for a changing world [w/video]

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By Sebastian Blanco

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The production version of the BMW i3 was unveiled yesterday at three simultaneous events in New York City, London and Beijing. Given that the i3 grew out a BMW electric vehicle project called Megacity, the urban debut locations make a lot of sense. Since BMW literally spent years researching urban trends in the Megacity project, years when the competition was building and selling EVs already, there is a lot of pressure on the German automaker to come out with an EV that is the right fit for today’s cities.

BMW’s message is that the i3 actually represents the beginning of electric mobility for the company.

BMW had help in this from the Mini E and Active E electric vehicle pilot programs. One way you can see the company’s EV history is in the location of the charge port on the rear passenger side. Most plug-in vehicles today put the charging connector in the front, but both the Mini E and Active E had a rear charge port and BMW didn’t get enough complaints to change it for the i3. If you opt to pay the roughly $4,000 extra for the gas-powered range extender, then your i3 will be built with a second fuel door, this one on the right front of the car. Putting the ports in these locations cuts down on the amount of fuel lines and wires required in the car, which in turn contributes to the i3’s light weight (official figures are not yet available, but BMW estimates the i3 weighs around 2,700 pounds). It’s all connected.

Despite BMW’s years of testing and driver feedback on earlier EV programs, the official message in New York was that the i3 actually represents the beginning of electric mobility for the company. As Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, said in New York, “The car has existed for nearly 130 years. Today marks a shift – a change – in the future of mobility.

Does it?

Continue reading BMW i3 tries to be the answer for a changing world [w/video]

BMW i3 tries to be the answer for a changing world [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobiles

Ford to Offer Compressed Natural Gas Prep Package on 2014 F-150

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By Alexander Stoklosa

2014 Ford F-150 CNG Prep Package

Ford has announced that it will offer customers a compressed natural gas (GNG) prep package on the 2014 F-150 pickup. Although it isn’t a full conversion, Ford’s package sets the F-150 up to be converted by a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier. The kit is available only on F-150s equipped with the base 3.7-liter V-6 engine, and it includes hardened valves, valve seats, pistons, and rings. With the prep kit, the F-150 can run on either gasoline or natural gas (via separate fuel systems), as well as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

According to Ford, the CNG/LPG prep package will cost roughly $315, but outfitting the truck with the requisite CNG fuel tank and fuel-delivery systems will set buyers back between $7500 and $9500. Still, Ford claims that customers who opt for the kit and the pricey CNG up-fit can see a return on their investment within 24–36 months, thanks to the ultra-low price of natural gas. The fuel can cost as little as a buck a (gasoline equivalent) gallon—as opposed to the current price of regular gas, which is hovering in the mid-$3 range—meaning fleets that travel lots of miles could legitimately see savings in a short period of time.

Ford claims the F-150 is the only CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup on the market, but technically most any vehicle—other half-tons included—can be converted to use natural gas, so the boast is somewhat disingenuous. Perhaps more accurate, Ford is the only manufacturer to offer a preparatory package that primes a half-ton for conversion. (Ram offers a turn-key natural-gas-powered 2500 heavy-duty pickup, and the Mopar catalog offers conversion bits for regular 1500s.) The F-150 is only the latest Ford commercial vehicle to offer a gaseous-prep engine option, and the automaker predicts it will offer eight different compatible models within the next year. Those models include the Transit Connect, the new Transit van, the outgoing E-series van, F-series Super Duty pickups, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cabs, the F-650 medium-duty truck, and the F53 and F59 stripped chassis. The multitude of CNG-prepped models are part of Ford’s plan to sell 15,000 such vehicles this year.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

ETC: Man 3D-printing his own replica Aston Martin DB4

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By Brandon Turkus

Ivan Sentch's 3D printed 1961 Aston Martin DB4

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Three-dimensional printing is being touted as the Next Big Thing, although at present the products have been on the smaller end. An ambitious man in New Zealand isn’t letting that stop him, though. Engadget came up with the original story, and the subject is something we can totally get behind: a 1961 Aston Martin DB4.

Ivan Sentch, a programmer from Auckland, is printing the British GT. Using a Nissan Skyline GTS25T as a donor car, Sentch is going to print the Aston’s body with a $499 solidoodle home 3D printer. He’s kept a blog of the project since February, although he actually started printing in December of 2012. The posts offer intricate details on the process, including some of the unique problems being experienced. They make for a fascinating read, even if you aren’t all that familiar with the subject matter.

As of his last post on July 26, Sentch has 72 percent of the body printed, while a prior post indicates that 52 percent of the car is assembled. Head on over to Sentch’s blog for a full rundown of the progress on this intriguing project.

Man 3D-printing his own replica Aston Martin DB4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Toyota sells six of 10 of hybrids in California

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By Damon Lowney

Toyota highlights its hybrid vehicle market dominance in California.

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In an apparent shot back at Ford’s increasing market share of electrified vehicles and claim that it accepts more Prius trade-ins for its own hybrids than any other car, Toyota has flexed a muscle and played the numbers game to put the Blue Oval in its place.

Leaning on its hybrid market dominance in California, the Japanese automaker stated that six out of 10 hybrids sold in the Golden State are Toyota models. And it keeps coming: Year-to-date through May 2013, Toyota sold five times more hybrids than Ford. One of every two hybrids in California is a Prius model. In addition, Toyota notes that it has sold 1.5 million Prius vehicles in the US, 90-percent of which are still on the road today.

Want more? We’ll let Bill Fay, Toyota’s group vice president and general manager of sales lay the smack down:

“The hybrid industry has become competitive, but our wide range of hybrid vehicles continue to deliver high value and strong attributes to both new and loyal customers. With sales of 5.3 million hybrids globally and over two million in the US, we are the undisputed leader in hybrid vehicle technology and remain committed to building on our momentum and growing the acceptance of hybrid technology throughout the US.”

And to think Toyota and Ford just ended their collaboration to make hybrid trucks together.

On one hand, those are indeed very impressive statistics, but there’s a flip side, as well. If 6 out of 10 Toyota hybrid sales come from California, that’s more ammunition that hybrids still aren’t a factor for most American new car buyers. As of 2012, only about 3.3 percent of new cars sold in the US were hybrids, of which California sales would clearly represent an inordinately large percentage. So while Toyota may be looking to take upstart Ford to the gas-electric woodshed, it’s clear larger struggles remain on the road to hybrid acceptance.

Continue reading Toyota sells six of 10 of hybrids in California

Toyota sells six of 10 of hybrids in California originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next Kia Sedona minivan spied

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

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After skipping the 2013 model year and returning for 2014, the Kia Sedona is getting a full redesign for 2015, which we see for the first time in these new spy shots. The new Sedona isn’t going to look as much like the 2011 KV7 Concept as we had hoped, but we definitely see some key styling cues from the Kia concept minivan.

Even though it’s covered in heavy camouflage, we can see that some of the KV7’s cues on the 2015 Sedona include the vertical front marker lights, the horizontal taillights and the pinched beltline starting at the C-pillar. Kia’s trademark Tiger Nose grille is present and accounted for, as is the telltale dip in the windshield.

All in all, the next-gen Sedona already looks to be a significant improvement over the current, generally boring model, which dates back to 2006 and has a striking resemblance to the Ford Freestar. There is no word yet as to what will power the 2015 Sedona, but our spy shooter said that this prototype was most likely powered by a 2.2-liter diesel.

Next Kia Sedona minivan spied originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

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Nissan recalling 13k Versa Note hatchbacks

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By Brandon Turkus

2014 Nissan Versa Note front three-quarters

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Nissan is recalling 13,000 of its new 2014 Versa Note hatchbacks due to an issue with various bolts used to assemble the vehicle. Considering the Versa Note was only recently put on sale, this news must be driving Nissan nuts (we couldn’t resist), but presumably the lion’s share of these vehicles are still at dealerships.

According to a report from The Detroit News, there are two separate issues. The first has to do with the latches for the rear seats, which include bolts that may not be strong enough to keep the seats upright in the event of a crash. The second relates to the bolts that attach the body to the undercarriage. Apparently they may not have been tightened properly, and in rare cases may be missing altogether. No injuries or accidents have been reported from either issue.

Owners are being told to report to dealers for the fixes, with notifications coming in mid-August.

Nissan recalling 13k Versa Note hatchbacks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Rumormill: 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo to hit 60 mph in 2 seconds?

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By Brandon Turkus

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Here’s your daily dose of incredulity – AutoExpress is reporting the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo will hit 60 miles per hour in two seconds. Okay. The report comes from an unnamed source that AE spoke with at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and would mean that the GT-R Nismo, a car that will likely sit below $150,000, will be able to outsprint (over short distances) a 1200-horsepower, $2.58-million Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

Citing a more potent version of the GT-R’s twin-turbocharged V-6 along with a healthy drop in weight, AutoExpress says that the performance is the result of the same group that helped develop the Juke Nismo, Williams Advanced Engineering. An unnamed engineer for Williams (it’s not made clear if this is the same source from Goodwood) notes that there are improvements to be had “even with a car like the GT-R.”

As exciting as the GT-R Nismo is going to be, we’re having a hard time accepting that it will be able to hit 60 in two seconds flat, at least on street tires. What do you think? Have your say in Comments.

2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo to hit 60 mph in 2 seconds? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Watch one man drive a KTM X-Bow at the track, then get the girl

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By Brandon Turkus

KTM X-Bow race track

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C’etait un Rendezvous is a legendary film with a very simple premise – a man drives very quickly to be with the woman he loves, careening through the streets of Paris with a blatant disregard for things like road signs, speed limits and pigeons. This film, from South African director Seagram Pearce, has a similar but much more law-abiding plot.

An unnamed racer arrives a track, gets his safety gear on, and zips around at the wheel of a KTM X-Bow. All the while, a beautiful woman watches on, with the driver finishing the film alongside his leading lady.

Take a look below for the stylized, beautifully filmed piece.

Continue reading Watch one man drive a KTM X-Bow at the track, then get the girl

Watch one man drive a KTM X-Bow at the track, then get the girl originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Nissan GT-R Nismo Said to reach 60 mph in about 2.0 seconds

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By Malcolm Hogan

nissan-gtr

It seems the Nissan GT-R has slightly slipped into the background when it comes to the growing mix of sports and exotic cars lately. For some enthusiasts, the GT-R remains to be king of the streets while there is undoubtedly a lot of untapped potential for Godzilla’s VR38 Twin-Turbo V6 engine, just ask the guys at performance shops like Switzer, Cobb Tuning and AMS Performance. Supposedly, an unnamed Nissan insider source at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed mentioned that ‘a new’ GT-R Nismo edition would be able to run 0-60 mph in about 2.0 seconds.

This statement, whether it has any credibility or not, will follow the natural progression of the GT-R receiving even more power in the next year’s model with an even lighter body. Do you think the GT-R would reach 60 mph in 2 seconds flat straight from the factory? We can only hope and wait.

[source: Autoexpress]

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Automotive Addicts

Automobiles

First Drive: 2014 Hyundai Equus

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By Seyth Miersma

2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate

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A Lesson In How To Out-Lexus The LS

I think that the new BMW 4 Series is an attractive coupe. The design is a little bit on the wrong side of “fussy” I’ll grant you, and I don’t particularly care for the look of the scalloped, black-bordered vents on the fender sides – functional though they may be. But for the most part, I find the coupe to be pretty pleasing to look at.

You all, by and large, do not care for the 4 Series. (For the sake of constructing my intellectual argument, I’m going to make the ridiculous statistical assumption that the 140 or so comments on our 4 Series First Drive provide a representative opinion of our readership as a whole.) In the first 24 hours after we published our review of the car, you felt moved to comment that it was “ugly,” “REALLY ugly” and “a disappointment” among other, less reprintable statements of ardor.

So clearly we see things a little differently in terms of styling, but what does any of this have to do with the 2014 Hyundai Equus?

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2014 Hyundai Equus originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

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Chevy Cruze Reviewed, Audi RS 7 Priced: Car News Headlines

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Today at The Car Connection, we reviewed the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze and we spied a 2016 Mercedes-Benz MLC-Class prototype. Audi priced the 2014 RS 7, and the Nissan Leaf electric car just might be the perfect New York City taxi cab. All this and more in today’s car news, right here on The Car Connection. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG might be… …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at The Car Connection

Automobiles

Report: Lexus to replace GX SUV with new TX crossover

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

2012 Lexus GX

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There’s been a lot of news regarding future Lexus products recently, including spy shots of new RC coupe and NX compact crossover, and reports that a 2+2 coupe based on the LF-LC concept is heading for production. Now, Automotive News says that Japan’s #1 luxury automaker is planning to replace the fullsize, body-on-frame Lexus GX SUV with a three-row crossover called the TX.

The article says that the GX, which is based on the foreign-market Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, will get a styling update for 2014 before being phased out in 2016. In a similar move as Infiniti made with its new three-row JX/QX60, the new TX will be car-based, but details are still unknown as to whether it will be front-wheel-drive riding on the Toyota Avalon platform or rear-wheel-drive using the Lexus GS platform. Either way, this new luxury crossover could join the Lexus lineup as soon as late 2016.

Lexus to replace GX SUV with new TX crossover originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

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Report: Ferrari chairman ticked off by Alonso

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By Brandon Turkus

Ferrari President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo speaks at the Ferrari department factory in Maranello, Italy, Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Ferrari will limit sales of its high-performance street cars this year to protect the brand's aura of exclusivity, Chairman Luca Montezemolo said Wednesday. Wealthy people around the world are snapping up Ferrari's and the company is worried the brand might lose its appeal as a symbol of rarefied luxury. As a result, it will scale back production to below 7,000 units this year, compared with 7,318 last year.

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Luca Cordero di Montezemolo does not strike us as the kind of person we’d want to cross. We imagine the Chairman of Ferrari as sort of like an automotive Don Corleone, a thought that is further confirmed when we hear about the aftermath of last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Fernando Alonso and his eyebrows made some unsubstantiated remarks that have angered his team, with The Daily Mail reporting that when asked after the race what he wanted for his birthday, the Spaniard responded “Someone else’s car.” And while no one seems to know exactly what was said, it was enough to prompt a personal phone call from the boss of Ferrari on Alonso’s birthday for a dressing down.

Montezemolo reminded Alonso that, “All the great champions who have driven for Ferrari have always been asked to put the interests of the team above their own. This is the moment to stay calm, avoid polemics and show humility and determination in making one’s own contribution, standing alongside the team and its people both at the track and outside it.”

The Italian wasn’t done, though, presenting each of the team’s engineers with a symbolic gift – a knife to put between their teeth. We think there’s a pirate reference here, but aren’t certain. According to Sky Sports, he opened the post-race meeting by informing team principal Stefano Domenicalli that, “The Ferrari I saw in yesterday’s race doesn’t sit well with me.” We aren’t the only ones imaging the threatening undertones here, right?

Formula One is entering its summer break, meaning that each team has four weeks to get itself sorted out before the end-of-season grind kicks in. There’s no doubt that after this very public display from Montezemolo, that Ferrari will have its nose to the grindstone.

Ferrari chairman ticked off by Alonso originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobiles

The 10 Luxury Rides That Car Thieves Love

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The Highway Loss Data Institute recently reported on the Ford F-250 pickup’s popularity among car thieves. But as nice as the F-250 can be, the National Insurance Crime Bureau knows that some brand-conscious baddies have a taste for high-end marques. And so, it’s published a list of the ten luxury rides that car thieves love. To gather its data… …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at The Car Connection