Tag Archives: Ford Explorer

Automobiles

Video: Watch a motorcyclist save a coffee cup from certain death

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By Michael Harley

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Nate Bos, a 28-year-old motorcyclist, was out for a leisurely ride in Orem, Utah, in early May when he spotted a cup precariously teetering on the back bumper of a second-generation Ford Explorer. Rather than watch the liquid-filled mug fall onto the road, and likely be lost forever, he decided to retrieve the drinkware and return it to its owner. “It just kinda struck me that it was a good thing to do,” Bos told ABC News in an interview this week. “I knew right away, I knew when I saw that cup (that) I was going to give it to the lady. I was going to give that cup back.”

Bos accelerated his 2003 Honda CBR 600RR up to the Explorer’s rear bumper, tucked in low, and then grabbed the mug. After moving it to his left hand, and executing a 90-degree turn and a few impressively smooth shifts (sans clutch), he caught back up to the oblivious driver… who finally noticed him. Scroll below to watch the hand-off happen yourself.

If this story were told to his friends over a beer, few would have believed Boss. But thankfully, he caught the whole escapade on his helmet-mounted GoPro Hero 3 (filming in 1080p, no less). After posting it to YouTube, his stunt has gone viral.

“I’ve got 10 years riding experience. I really wouldn’t recommend anybody else sneaking up on a car like that,” Bos said wisely. But we’d take his advice a few steps further by telling riders to always were full motorcycle attire and remind them that shadowing another vehicle, regardless of experience, is flirting with disaster – no cup is worth it.

Continue reading Watch a motorcyclist save a coffee cup from certain death

Watch a motorcyclist save a coffee cup from certain death originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jul 2013 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Report: Subcompact car sales in a funk despite high gas prices

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By Chris Paukert

2013 Mazda2 - metallic green, front three-quarter view

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When gas prices rise, knee-jerk consumerism means that sales of small cars increase in lockstep, right? Well, sometimes – but that’s not always the case. Ward’s Auto reports that sales of subcompact car sales in America are off despite fuel prices pushing and holding at $3.50 to $4.00 a gallon across the country. According to the report, the “Lower Small” segment has seen a 2.6-percent sales decline since October, while fuel prices have been on the rise. Despite their comparatively thirsty appetite for fuel, the industry publication notes that sales of large crossovers are up a whopping 61 percent over the same time period.

Part of the sales stories may center on the boom/bust cycle that comes as a result of new or aging models in each segment – the full-size CUV segment has received a raft of new models, including the refreshed Lambda triplets from General Motors, the Nissan Pathfinder and even derivatives like the new Sport model in the Ford Explorer family. Yet it isn’t as if America’s subcompact segment is stagnant – as Ward’s points out, most of the players are two years old or less.

Sales losers in the first quarter of the year include the Mazda2 (pictured – down 51.9 percent), Toyota Yaris (-27.9 percent) and Hyundai Accent (-24.7), though other models including the Kia Rio and Chevrolet Sonic slipped as well. Conversely, the Nissan Versa and Ford Fiesta held their own, registering sales up 11.6 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

Part of subcompacts’ sales problem may be due to the fact that those same automakers offer larger compact models whose fuel economy figures are comparable to that of their smaller counterparts. Further, pricing differences may not amount to all that much between the models – particularly in leasing situations where compact cars’ typically command higher residual values.

Subcompact car sales in a funk despite high gas prices originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From: http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/GFXWle5i0BA/

Automobiles

Ford and GM to Jointly Develop Nine- and Ten-Speed Automatic Transmissions

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By Jens Meiners

The advent of seven- and eight-speed transmissions has changed drivers’ interactions with their cars. In the old days, we could determine which gear we were in based on speed, engine note, and the tachometer; and, if we were lucky enough to be driving a car with a stick or an automatic featuring a manual-shifting function, we could make a decision as to which gear would be necessary for an upcoming stretch of road. It was all part of the fun. But automakers seemingly have determined that seven or eight gears aren’t enough. As have Chrysler and others, GM and Ford have decided it is a good idea to equip future cars and trucks with nine- and ten-speed automatics, and that’s just what they plan to do.

Both companies have announced the joint development of slushboxes with nine and ten speeds for all vehicle classes and for front- and rear-wheel-drive applications. The cooperation is supposed to lower the cost of development and testing; it follows previous cooperation that focused on the development of six-speed automatics for front-wheel-drive vehicles. That team effort resulted in the six-speed automatics fitted in “some of America’s favorite vehicles,” as the joint press release gushes. This includes some of America’s least exciting vehicles, such as the Ford Explorer and the Chevrolet Malibu.

Nine- and ten-speed transmissions allow engineers to optimize their engines for smaller sections of the rev band; they can oscillate around an engine’s optimal point of efficiency, as does a—loathsome—CVT. Says GM’s transmission guru Jim Lanzon, “We expect these new transmissions to raise the standard of technology, performance, and quality for our customers while helping drive fuel-economy improvements into both companies’ future product portfolios.”

While the hardware will be largely identical, both Ford and GM will produce the slushboxes in their own production facilities. And the software application will differ “to ensure,” in the words of Ford’s driveline chief engineer Craig Renneker, “that each transmission is carefully matched to the individual brand-specific vehicle DNA for each company.”

We’ll get a taste of the “tremendous benefits” over the next few years, and we can’t help but wonder whether Ford and GM will even bother to offer a manual function for these boxes anymore; it would be little more than a cruel joke. The case for the old-fashioned manual has just become a lot stronger.

From: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/N9XIpzaeZgs/

Automobiles

Official: Ford to build Explorer in Russia to meet demand [w/video]

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

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The current Ford Explorer is sold in more than 64 countries, and this three-row vehicle continues to grow in popularity worldwide. To keep up with demand, Ford began producing the Explorer at Ford Sollers Elabuga Assembly Plant in Tatarstan, Russia, a joint venture facility. This partnership will build Russian-market Explorers only, and production of export vehicles not destined for Russian buyers will continue to be built at Ford’s assembly plant in Chicago.

Before this plant went online, Ford would ship Explorers to Russia (and other regions around the world) as partially assembled knock-down units where final assembly would eventually take place. While there is no indication as to how many Explorers Ford Sollers will build for Russia, Ford did add that exports of the SUV were up 65 percent last year (from 2011) accounting for more than 24,000 units.

Scroll down for a press release about the Russian Explorer as well as a video (bad music and all) showing the SUV being produced in Tatarstan.

Continue reading Ford to build Explorer in Russia to meet demand [w/video]

Ford to build Explorer in Russia to meet demand [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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From: http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/tdCxwcGQBHY/

Business, Finance, Occupation & Industry

Ford's Explorer: To Russia, With Love

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By John Rosevear, The Motley Fool

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The first Ford Explorer to be built entirely outside of the U.S. rolled off an assembly line Thursday at the Ford Sollers Elabuga assembly plant in Russia. Photo source: Ford Motor Company

Here’s an interesting first: On Thursday, a factory owned by Ford‘s Russian joint venture built the very first Ford Explorer ever made outside of the United States.

Explorers have been assembled outside of the U.S. before, but until Thursday, all of those SUVs started out on an assembly line in Chicago. Those Explorers were partially assembled, and then shipped abroad as “knock-down” versions – kits, essentially – to be finished in other countries.

Ford, like other automakers, uses those “knock-down” kits as a way to get around some countries’ tariffs on imported vehicles. But Thursday’s start of Explorer production in Russia is about something else: Ford’s goal of becoming a leading player in a quietly growing new market.

Still a relatively small market, but with huge potential
Russia is no longer a communist country, but Russians don’t buy a lot of new cars, at least not yet. Sales volumes in the world’s largest nation are still tiny compared to the huge market for vehicles that has blossomed in its southern neighbor, China, over the last decade.

Russians bought just 2.94 million vehicles last year, compared to 14.5 million here in the U.S. and 19.3 million in China. And that number is growing very slowly – sales in the first quarter of 2013 were essentially flat versus year-ago totals.

Russia is still kind of a challenging place to sell cars, and not just because folks don’t have a lot of money. Many of Russia‘s roads and bridges are poorly maintained, and the infrastructure isn’t there to support lots of traffic, at least not yet. Most people still move about the country by rail. But given Russia‘s vast wealth of natural resources, the potential, like Russia itself, is huge.

Ford thinks Russia will soon overtake Germany to become Europe‘s largest car market – perhaps as early as next year, a Ford executive said last week. And Ford is one of a handful of carmakers working hard to get established in the Russian market while it’s still relatively small.

A sizable presence in Russia, set to grow soon
Already, Ford has three factories in Russia, built with its local joint-venture partner, SollersAnd the brand is well-established, with the Focus compact a regular on Russia‘s best-selling-car charts. It was the country’s fourth-best-selling car last month, according to the invaluable Best Selling Cars Blog.

Right now, Ford has the capacity to build 120,000 vehicles a year in Russia, a number that will expand to 300,000 as it adds additional production lines over the next couple of years.

The challenge so far for Ford – as well as for General Motors , which is also establishing a local presence in Russia — has

From: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/04/11/first-ford-explorer-built-in-russia/

Automobiles

2013 GMC Acadia “Symphony” Spot: It’s Just a Commercial [The Ad Section]

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By Don Klein

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One thing I’ve learned from writing this column is that if I criticize a commercial for not making sense, several of you will argue that I’m “overanalyzing” and that it “shouldn’t be taken so seriously” because it’s “just a commercial.” Although I can guarantee you that the people who write commercials for a living (and the clients who pay millions of dollars to air them) take them very seriously indeed, that’s not to say that you’d be wrong.

Sometimes, advertisers count on viewers to suspend logic because they’re using fantasy to make their point, as is the case with this commercial, wherein GMC uses a larger-than-life scenario to communicate that the Acadia is both rugged and stylish.

The storyline is easy to follow because it feels familiar: A James Bond kind of guy arrives late to the opera and presents his annoyed woman with a laundry list of reasons for his tardiness. He got stuck in traffic, had to pick up his tux at the cleaners, and he couldn’t find a parking spot, all of which she sarcastically dismisses as “excuses, excuses.” What she doesn’t know, despite his casual recounting of the day’s events, is that he narrowly escaped with his life, thanks in part to his amazing GMC Acadia, which “handles whatever life demands.” The commercial is well paced and the action scenes are fun to watch, although I found them a little confusing. The leading man certainly does his job well, and the Acadia looks great in every shot. So what’s the problem? Well, there is no problem, because we agreed to view it as “just a commercial.” And that’s a good thing, because otherwise I would have overanalyzed it by asking questions like “What’s the point?”

GMC’s overarching message it that the Acadia, like all GMC trucks, is “Professional Grade.” But how does this commercial prove that promise? I think we can safely assume that the folks who make the Acadia are qualified GM professionals, so whose professional standards are they referring to, the guy in the commercial? What exactly does he do for a living anyway, other than get construction guys so pissed that they want to kill him? If the spot is meant to highlight the equipment available on the refreshed-for-’13 Acadia, I can sort of see why the head-up display and blind-spot monitoring might come in handy, because evasive driving is apparently part of his daily routine. But the best they could come up with to showcase the flexible seating is that it provides a place to lay his tux?

3rd GearAnd who is this commercial aimed at? Men? Women? Opera aficionados? Spies? Sarcastic wives who mock their husbands? (Man, she’s unpleasant!) It’s clearly not meant for blue-collar, truck-buying “professionals.” …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

Quick Spin: 2013 Ford Explorer Sport

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By Michael Harley

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When one speaks of sporty and fun-to-drive utility vehicles, few would put the Ford Explorer in the same category as the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. Yet, with just a few reservations, I’d toss the new-for-2013 Ford Explorer Sport close to that arena for consideration.

As a recap, the sportiest of Explorers is fitted with Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6, making 365 horsepower and 350 pound feet of torque. Acceleration is brisk (figure about 7 seconds to 60 miles per hour), as power goes to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Contributing to its more athletic demeanor are larger front brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, chassis upgrades, quicker steering ratio and a more aggressive wheel/tire package. Cosmetically, the Sport is distinguished by its blacked-out lights, black trim and noticeable lack of chrome (with the exception of the door handles).

Ford recently handed me the keys to a Ruby Red Metallic Explorer Sport. Rather than mindlessly drive the big seven-passenger all-wheel drive hauler in soccer mom circles around Los Angeles, I loaded up my family and embarked on a long weekend road trip to Yosemite National Park.

Driving Notes

  • Despite a passenger load of four and a hotel suite worth of associated luggage and travel paraphernalia (pillows, blankets, iPads, Nintendo DS, etc…) there was still plenty of room remaining within the Explorer’s cabin. Nobody complained about a lack of shoulder room, legroom or a need for more personal space. Acknowledging today’s digital needs, an assortment of outlets (including lighter plugs, USB and 110v household) meant everyone was able to keep their electronic devices charged while on the road.
  • Power from the 3.5-liter Ecoboost was strong under nearly every driving condition, but I came to loath the significant torque steer off the line. If the throttle was floored while pulling away at a corner, the inside front wheel would briefly spin – absolutely maddening – revealing the Achilles Heel of its front-biased “Terrain Management” all-wheel drive system.
  • Fuel economy was surprisingly good. Total trip distance was 691 miles. During the highway portions, where I cruised mostly between 70-75 mph, the Ford averaged 22.6 miles per gallon. During the climb into Yosemite, driving the scenic valley and climbing back out, the onboard computer registered 20.4 mpg. We never dropped into the teens.
  • The Explorer Sport drove like a big front-wheel drive sedan. Even with the firmer suspension matching European touring levels, there was nary a complaint about harshness or ride quality from my family. Straight-line stability at high speed was excellent, and the cabin was acoustically quiet, making long-distance travel effortless. The tight route into Yosemite, on twisty California 41, was a pleasure thanks to the Sport’s accurate (but lifeless) steering, lack of body roll and high level of grip – no squealing tires. Much to the dismay of my passengers, I enjoyed mile-after-mile of this slalom exercise.
  • Everyone found the MyFord Touch interface infuriating. Aside from the …read more

    Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

2013 Ford Explorer Sport Review & Test Drive

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By Malcolm Hogan

The complete redesign of the 2011 Ford Explorer set in motion a new movement by Ford to re-exemplify where they stand in the ever-so-growing and extremely competitive SUV segment. Having a successful run for new Explorer in the past 2 years, Ford ups the ante with a Sport version of the Explorer featuring re-worked chassis components, unique sport trim details and Ford’s powerful yet efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine.

The new 2013 Ford Explorer is the best it has ever been touting its unibody construction first introduced as a 2011 model. The all-new 2013 Ford Explorer Sport, as the top-level trim much like the Limited version, comes packed full of amenities and features but adds the well-endowed 365 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine.

As a fan favorite, Ford’s new 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost (turbocharged) engine is utilized in many vehicles, and for good reasons. The powerful and efficient boosted engine making its way into the new Ford Explorer only makes sense in the eyes of enthusiasts and those new-age baby boomers who want a bit more oomph in the family hauler. Not only did Ford drop the V6 EcoBoost engine into the new Explorer Sport, but they changed up many chassis components to stiffen the body structure, improve handling and add stability to handle the extra power along with a unique sporty look.

The all-new 2013 Ford Explorer Sport is a complete package where all components mesh together and work in harmony to give consumers that sporty edge desired in many SUVs that are otherwise boring econo-SUV-crossover-wagon-types with a plethora of seats and cargo space. Undeniably, the new Ford Explorer Sport spices things up a bit without losing its SUV-esq versatility and comfort.

2013-ford-explorer-sport

Powering the new 2013 Ford Explorer is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 365 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque directed through its standard four-wheel-drive system. On the open road the new Explorer Sport is a menacing SUV that adapts well to spirited driving provided you do not have much cargo in the back bouncing around. The Explorer Sport gets a unique set of 20-inch wheels, wider than what is available on the standard Explorer trim levels, making way the 265/45 20-inch performance summer tires selection. Having a wider tire patch only added to the Explorer Sport’s handling abilities along with its sport-tuned suspension, which adapts well to back roads without much harshness transmitted into the cabin.

The electric power steering is among the best in its class providing a decently weighted wheel and just the right amount of feedback from the road. Thanks to the new strut tower brace, stiffer springs and dampers, and a solidly mounted steering rack, the new Explorer Sport always feels firmly planted on most surfaces. Managing torque through all 4 wheels was left to the program-selectable terrain management system, which transmitted a small amount of torque steer through 1st gear but by 2nd it seemed to straighten things out. …read more

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Automotive Addicts

Automobiles

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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The Jeep Grand Cherokee isn’t the original SUV, but it’s fair to say it helped spawn the rush to SUVs in the 1990s. Along with the Ford Explorer, the Grand Cherokee gave a generation of drivers a way to avoid minivans and station wagons, and permission to indulge every off-roading fantasy while stuck in rush-hour traffic. It could have… …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at The Car Connection

Automobiles

Lincoln MKS, Ford Explorer, Taurus Recalled For Fuel Tank Issue

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Ford is conducting a voluntary safety recall of a small number of 2013 Explorer SUVs, 2012 Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans over concerns their fuel tanks may leak and pose a fire risk. An official safety recall notice posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website puts the number of vehicles potentially affected by the… …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at The Car Connection

News, Politics, Government

The Future Of China's Luxury Auto Market

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By Kenneth Rapoza, Contributor

Within seven years, China will outstrip the United States to become the world’s leading market for premium cars.  It already beat the U.S. for top auto market in general in 2009. The Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation said last week that China would overtake the U.S. as the world’s leading economy by 2016.  No doubt about it, when it comes to being big: China is fast becoming the new biggest. Niche auto markets are no different. On the luxury end, China drivers are going to be starting soon from the pole position. “In the U.S. auto market, the American version of luxury is a little different than the Chinese,” says Hans Werner Kaas, a 22 year veteran of McKinsey & Company.  He leads their U.S. auto practice in Detroit.  “If you have a fully equipped Ford Explorer with all the bells and whistles, you’ve got a luxury vehicle.” Around 14% of the cars sold in the U.S. are considered to be premium vehicles. In China last year it was around 9%. “The luxury segment in China is dominated by the traditional German high-end car makers. It’s Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi on the roads in Shanghai,” says McKinsey partner Sha Sha in Shanghai. Where’s this market heading? With under 10% penetration, it has at least 40% upside before it comes close to the U.S. today. By 2020, China will be selling around three million luxury cars while the U.S. will be selling around 2.3 million, according to a McKinsey report published last month. In the 16 page report, written by Sha Sha and two colleagues, their Asian automotive practice forecast China’s premium car market to grow at an annual rate of 12% over the next seven, compared with 8% for the overall passenger car market there. China‘s total luxury auto market will equal that of all of Western Europe by then. In fact, if all goes swimmingly well with China‘s 12th Five Year Plan — no hard landings, no economic turmoil pulling the rug out from under China in Europe and U.S. — then China could just as well overtake the United States as the largest premium car market in three years. Trading Up China‘s young professionals are earning more than their parents ever dreamed of. They grew up frugal, mainly out of necessity. But now they have extra money to spend.  The one child policy means Chinese families have more money to pass down to their young children. The roads they drive on may be crowded in cities like Beijing, and the roads full of potholes in second and third tier cities, but Chinese consumers are giving up their bikes for cars. As incomes rise, they are giving up their Buicks — the most popular American vehicle sold in the country — for Land Rovers, Jags and German luxury.  Premium cars accounted for just 24,000 units in 2000 and over a million in 2012. At a time when the luxury vehicle market is stalling in the U.S. and Europe, China is becoming …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest

News, Politics, Government

Tires, battery stolen from SUV as it lay on top of victim after crash, police say

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New Mexico police investigating a fatal traffic crash found that somebody stole wheels, tires and the battery from a wrecked SUV as it lay on top of the victim.

Carlsbad police say 26-year-old Steven Roy Reese of Carlsbad was killed either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning when he apparently lost control of his 1996 Ford Explorer on a little-used dirt road.

The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports the medical investigator determined Reese was dead for at least eight hours before police found him.

Police Lt. Jennifer Moyers says removal of the items was both illegal and extremely insensitive. She says possible charges include theft and failure to give notice of an accident.Last weekend, a family involved in a wreck on Interstate 40 wreck near Albuquerque lost possessions worth thousands of dollars after they say authorities failed to secure the crash site.

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News

News, Politics, Government

Tires, battery stolen from SUV after fatal crash

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New Mexico police investigating a fatal traffic crash found that somebody stole wheels, tires and the battery from a wrecked SUV as it lay on top of the victim.

Carlsbad police say 26-year-old Steven Roy Reese of Carlsbad was killed either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning when he apparently lost control of his 1996 Ford Explorer on a little-used dirt road.

The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports (http://bit.ly/102G1Pk ) the medical investigator determined Reese was dead for at least eight hours before police found him.

Police Lt. Jennifer Moyers says removal of the items was both illegal and extremely insensitive. She says possible charges include theft and failure to give notice of an accident.Last weekend, a family involved in a wreck on Interstate 40 wreck near Albuquerque lost possessions worth thousands of dollars after they say authorities failed to secure the crash site.

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News

Automobiles

Official: Mercedes-Benz releases stunning first images of 2014 S-Class

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By Michael Harley

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class - dashboard wood and leather detailing

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The all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, designated W222, is one of the most highly anticipated debuts of its model year. Every generation of the flagship sedan has broken new ground in technology and innovation for the entire industry, and the German automaker appears determined to raise the bar much further with its latest arrival as it promises to deliver “the best automobile in the world.” Mercedes-Benz has just released nearly two dozen interior images of the new sedan, showing off style in design, craftsmanship in execution and pioneering advancements in technology.

Unlike all previous generations – the first S-Class officially arrived in 1972 – the 2014 model completely discards a traditional instrument cluster and replaces it with two high-resolution color displays in 8:3 format with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches (the outgoing model’s gauges were a mix of digital and analog). The left unit displays traditional analog gauges (digitally, of course) while the right unit is reserved for infotainment and comfort settings with the automaker’s all-new mBrace2 – a cloud-based entertainment and information delivery system that is rolling out this year.

Passengers will be pampered with “energizing” massage, active seat ventilation with reversing fans, heated seats, heated steering wheel and heated armrests (door and center). A total of 14 separately actuated air bladders in the backrest of the seats will provide six different massage programs. There are also “beltbags” (airbags in the seatbelt webbing – not unlike the Ford Explorer) and “cushionbags” (airbags to prevent occupants from sliding beneath the the belt).

Mercedes calls its newly developed climate control “thermotronic,” as it features completely autonomous adjustment options for driver and passenger. It also includes improved filtering utilizing ionization, and an “active perfuming system,” as part of its “air-balance” package, to individually customize the smell of the vehicle interior – finally making those pine tree car fresheners obsolete.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz releases stunning first images of 2014 S-Class

Mercedes-Benz releases stunning first images of 2014 S-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

2014 Cadillac CTS, Toyota Recall, Geely Won't Buy Fisker: Car News Headlines

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Today at The Car Connection, Geely won’t buy Fisker Automotive and we reviewed the 2014 Kia Sorento. Cadillac announced a new engine and Dodge recalled the 2013 Challenger V-6. All this and more in today’s car news, right here on The Car Connection. Will the 2016 Chevrolet Volt feature a three-cylinder range extender? We compared the Ford Explorer… …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at The Car Connection

Automobiles

Lincoln Navigator to Live On, Will Add Turbocharged V-6 Engine, According to Reports

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By Justin Berkowitz

Lincoln’s antediluvian Navigator does, apparently, still exist—and the name will live on, according to Lincoln’s global boss Matt VanDyke. (Don’t miss the irony in “antediluvian” literally meaning “so old it’s from before the Biblical flood” and the Navigator being called, uh, the Navigator.) Motor Trend originally reported that VanDyke said the Navigator would stick around even with Lincoln trying to reboot its image and lineup, and that it would add Ford’s twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine.

That Lincoln wants to keep the Navigator is somewhat unexpected. Yes, profit margins on it are thick, but it sells in miserably small numbers, its 8400 sales last year is less than half of the Cadillac Escalade’s volume. If what VanDyke describes as the “next-generation” Navigator is another F-150–based body-on-frame truck, there’s no reason not to install the EcoBoost V-6. Livery shoppers don’t care what’s under the hood, while the F-15o has shown that even macho truck buyers are fine with a boosted V-6.

The better question, though, is whether the next-generation Navigator is a massaged version of the current truck or—far more sensibly—a rebadged, upgraded Ford Explorer. Buyers may be scarce for Noah’s Ark–sized SUVs, but there’s still plenty of consumer interest in three-row luxury crossovers. Infiniti demonstrated this thinking perfectly: The Nissan-Pathfinder-based JX crossover  launched in March of last year and romped all over the truck-based (and pricier) QX56. Should Lincoln follow suit with the next Navigator, expect naturally aspirated and turbocharged EcoBoost V-6s.

…read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

Official: Toyota confirms 2014 Highlander is in a New York state of mind

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By Steven J. Ewing

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Toyota has confirmed that it will be showing off the all-new 2014 Highlander at the New York Auto Show later this month. It’s been a while since we’ve heard about the updated Highlander, but given just how long this thing has been on the market, we certainly hope that the list of changes will be more extensive than the new 2014 Toyota Tundra that debuted in Chicago last month.

Currently, the Highlander is offered in both naturally aspirated and hybrid versions, with front- and all-wheel drive. We don’t expect the formula to change too much, since sales of the Japanese CUV are still steady – well in line with newer players in the segment like the Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder and GM’s Lambda triplets (Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave).

We’ll have the full skinny on the new Highlander in the coming weeks. For now, scroll down to read Toyota’s incredibly brief press blast.

Continue reading Toyota confirms 2014 Highlander is in a New York state of mind

Toyota confirms 2014 Highlander is in a New York state of mind originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

News, Politics, Government

Wealthy Venezuelans: No tears for Chavez

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In the tree-lined eastern hills of Caracas, you would never know an elaborate state funeral was in progress across town for the most popular president in Venezuela‘s recent history.

At a park in the La Floresta district on Friday, spandex-clad men and women did group aerobics and jogged, while others sat lounging on benches. No one had any intention of paying their respects to “el comandante.”

Hugo Chavez polarized Venezuela between the mostly lower classes who followed him almost blindly during his 14 years in power and an opposition that despised what they said was his autocratic bearing, intolerance for dissent and mismanagement of the economy.

“This is a big joke,” Eduardo Perez, a 44-year-old lawyer, said of the funereal pomp across town. “I feel ridiculous as a Venezuelan.”

“We can’t be so radical as to say he didn’t accomplish anything, but when you consider matter in macro terms you grasp that we are in bad shape,” Perez said as he tinkered with the engine of his Ford Explorer.

Nearby, Cesar Alvarez sat on a bench reading the newspaper.

The 62-year-old elevator company executive said he has hopes for a better future now that Chavez is gone.

“The man did a lot of damage, because he always tried to win over the masses and indeed this is a very populist government that gives things away to the people, passing out money without any work being done.”

On Alvarez’s list of complaints about Chavez:

“He practically kept Cuba afloat. And Bolivia – you see (President) Evo Morales there, crying like a baby because he got money. And Nicaragua, let’s not even go there.”

Cuba and Nicaragua have both benefited from cut-rate Venezuelan oil while Chavez also gave significant aid to Bolivia.

Morales spent all of Wednesday, the day after Chavez’s death was announced, walking beside his friend’s casket through Caracas’ streets.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro announced Thursday that Chavez would be embalmed, his body placed on permanent display.

Alvarez said Maduro …read more
Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox World News

Automobiles

Kia Previews Cross GT Large Crossover Concept [2013 Chicago Auto Show]

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By Alexander Stoklosa

Kia Cross GT concept

Kia is going crossover coconuts, it seems, and has announced a second crossover-concept debut for this spring, this time for the 2013 Chicago auto show. The Cross GT concept, which Kia is previewing with the photo above, will appear in the Windy City before the vaguely named Urban Vehicle two-door crossover-ish-looking show car bows at the Geneva show in March. 

Although Kia hasn’t specified how large the Urban Vehicle concept is, the company is being quite forthcoming with the Cross GT, stating that it previews a premium crossover larger than the Sorento. We’re betting that this means the Cross GT could someday morph into a big three-row crossover to go against the likes of the Chevy Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder, and Ford Explorer. What’s interesting is that the Cross GT appears to feature Kia’s current “Tiger Nose” grille, a styling touch deliberately missing from the Urban Vehicle’s front end. The Cross GT also has a sharply raked roofline that terminates in a chopped rear end reminiscent of Kia’s Track’ster concept from last year’s Chicago show, as well as a large, vertical fender vent located just aft of the front wheels.

We dig the Cross GT’s look, even when we put on our back-to-reality glasses that show a crossover with a normal roofline, smaller wheels, and (fingers crossed) no fender vent. Critically, Kia could use a large, three-row crossover in its lineup following the mercy killing of the wrong-car-at-the-wrong-time, body-on-frame, V-8–powered Borrego SUV.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee: High-MPG Diesel, Eight Speeds, And A Facelift

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Since its last redesign for 2011, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has held a unique spot in the American family SUV market. While models such as the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder have found softer shapes and more carlike powertrains, the Grand Cherokee is refreshingly different: handsomely rugged, stylish, and as off-road capable as ever…
Source: FULL ARTICLE at The Car Connection