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Video: Chrysler debuts "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler 
How do you follow up a Super Bowl ad staring Eminem's music and one of 2011's most successful taglines? If you're Chrysler, you call in Clint Eastwood and revisit the city of Detroit's comeback story for a progress update.
Appropriately titled "Halftime in America," Chrysler's Super Bowl ad made its impactful debut immediately following the game's halftime show. Starring American icon Clint Eastwood, the ad's theme mimics the game itself, reminding Americans that even though times are tough, Detroit has proven that comebacks are possible.
Stirring? We think so. See for yourself after the jump and let us know in the comments if you think Chrysler has created a worthy follow up to last year's commercial.Continue reading Chrysler debuts "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad Chrysler debuts "Halftime in America" Super Bowl ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Get pumped up with this 24 Hours of Le Mans historical highlight reel Filed under: Motorsports 
Even though Aston Martin's gone home and Audi won't have Peugeot to kick around at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, there's a heap to look forward to: a large field of entries that includes two Audi diesel R18s plus two more hybrid R18s, Toyota's TS030 LMP1 hybrid and LMP2 racers from Lotus and Morgan.
But it's the entire field that delivers the magic of Le Mans, and it's not like we need more reminders of the race's awesome history, but we're glad the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organizer) has given us one. You'll find all three minutes of it after the jump.Continue reading Get pumped up with this 24 Hours of Le Mans historical highlight reel Get pumped up with this 24 Hours of Le Mans historical highlight reel originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Volvo marks 30th anniversary of the 760 Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Volvo 
When you think of old-school Volvos - you know, those boxy designs that pre-date the more curvaceous models of today - what do you picture? The 240? The 850? Or do you think of the ultimate in squared-off Swedish design, the 760?
The model credited with saving Volvo was introduced in February, 1982, making it 30 years old this month. Reflecting on the occasion, Volvo looks back at the 760's development, when it needed a car that would be reliable, efficient, durable, easily serviceable, quiet, somewhat attractive, and be a decent performer (in that order). The result was a rear-drive sedan four inches longer in wheelbase than the 240, yet a good 220 lbs lighter.
And that boxy design? That decision was as financial in nature as it was stylistic. After considering a number of design proposals, the final look was selected to be as cost-effective to produce as possible. In the end, those budgetary restrictions left us with a car that was, while not particularly exciting to behold, certainly an enduring icon of its time. Follow the jump to read the full retrospective, and flip through the images in the attached gallery.Continue reading Volvo marks 30th anniversary of the 760 Volvo marks 30th anniversary of the 760 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Breaking: Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Ford 
Chevrolet is having some pointed fun with its apocalyptic Super Bowl ad featuring the Silverado called "2012," only the fun is pointed directly at Ford, which finds it a little too sharp to be all that much fun. So on the eve of the big game, Ford sent Chevy a cease-and-desist letter to pull the ad and "pressured" NBC not to run the commercial, according to a report on Yahoo!'s Motoramic blog. Chevy has released a statement in response, which you can read after the jump, indicating that the ad will run despite Ford's protest.
Ford found no reason to chuckle at some of the commercial's claims, "particularly around durability." One in particular comes from a character that says of their now-deceased, F-150-driving pal, "Dave didn't drive the longest-lasting most dependable truck on the road. Dave drove a Ford."
Ford spokesman Mike Levine says his company has more trucks with 250,000-plus miles on the road than any other brand, which would appear to contradict the small print that appears in the "2012" ad that reads, "Dependability based on longevity: 1981-2011 full-size pickup registrations." Ford says its lawyers will decide what to do (if anything) after the ad airs during tonight's game, but Chevy's legal minions must have vetted the spot closely well before time.
Or Ford could take Chevy marketing honcho Joel Ewanick up on his offer and bide its time. Said Ewanick, "We can wait until the world ends, and if we need to, we will apologize."Continue reading Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad Ford asks Chevrolet, then NBC, to pull Silverado Super Bowl ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: Jaguar to close museum, looking for new location Filed under: Etc., Jaguar, UK 
Jaguar's headquarters and production were located at Browns Lane in Conventry for more than fifty years. Part of the complex included the Jaguar Heritage Museum and its collection of 150 cars, so when the Browns Lane site was sold in 2007 to an Australian developer, the countdown began on the museum's remaining time.
Now comes the formal announcement that the collection will vacate its current spot in September, the tragedy being that it might not relocate to a publicly accessible location. Museum reps say that the collection will continue to be in circulation, either on the historical circuit like Goodwood or on loan to other museums. Even now the Jaguar Heritage Museum only has about 30 cars on-site.
Nevertheless, unless another location is secured you won't be able to just show up, buy a ticket and stroll among cars like the 1935 SS Airline AWR564, 1950 Jaguar XK 120 NUB120 or 1956 Jaguar D-type 'Long Nose' 393RW. You'll also miss Austin Powers' "Shaguar," if that's more your style.Jaguar to close museum, looking for new location originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
BMWism.com chronicles BMW designers through the eras Filed under: Classics, Etc., BMW, Design/Style 
Chris Bangle may be the name most recently associated with BMW design, but he's just one of many men and women who have sketched and sculpted automobiles for Bayerische Motoren Werke. BMW enthusiast website BMWism.com has gone all the way back to the beginning of the brand, when a BMW was a knockoff of an Austin 7. The names we all know show up in the chronology; giants of post-World War II automotive design world like Michelotti, Bertone, Gandini, Bracq, and of course, Hofmeister.
In addition to the Italian hired guns who sketched for BMW at one time or another, a few surprising names dot BMW's history. Josef Ganz, the largely unsung automotive engineer responsible for much of the original Volkswagen Beetle, also did contract work for BMW. Aerodynamicist Wunibald Kamm based his Kamm-Coupe on BMW 328 mechanicals. Raymond Loewy's mid-century lines were wrought upon at least one BMW 507, and Albrecht von Goertz was a colleague of Loewy's before he designed the 507.
In more recent years, it's intriguing to note the diversity of backgrounds. You've got Bangle, Henrik Fisker, current design chief Adrian van Hooydonk (the man actually responsible for the "Bangle Butt"), and Z4 designer Juliane Blasi. Perhaps the most understated of all BMW designers is Jojii Nagashima, the man responsible for the outgoing E90 3 Series, the iconic E39 5 Series, and, along with Boyke Boyer, the E36 3 Series. Taken as a whole, BMW has a pantheon of automotive design big-thinkers, a trend that doesn't look to be slowing anytime soon.BMWism.com chronicles BMW designers through the eras originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Force India F1 team reveals 2012 VJM05 Filed under: Motorsports, Racing 
Force India has come a long way. What started out as Jordan Grand Prix and changed hands (and names) several times before landing in the stewardship of Indian bazillionaire Vijay Mallya has become a solid mid-field contender on race days. In 2011, the team finished sixth in the constructors' standings, behind front-runners Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus Renault GP. In 2012, however, Force India aims to challenge Mercedes and Lotus for fifth place using the car shown above.
The VJM05 bears the same unfortunate stepped nose of the just-unveiled Ferrari F2012 and Caterham CT01, a trend we expect to see across much of the field as teams deal with F1's technical regulations. Engine, transmission and KERS are again provided by Mercedes-Benz through a partnership with McLaren, and while former DTM champion Paul di Resta returns for another season in the cockpit. Adrian Sutil departs the team in the wake of his assault conviction, his seat now occupied by Nico Hulkenberg.
We'll be watching to see if the young duo can continue to move Force India up the F1 hierarchy. For now, you can check out the press release after the jump and photos from the car's unveiling - which included the first on-track session of any 2012 F1 cars revealed thus far - in the image gallery above.Continue reading Force India F1 team reveals 2012 VJM05 Force India F1 team reveals 2012 VJM05 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota, Racing 
When Toyota announced its return to endurance sports car racing with the new TS030 Hybrid this season, the plan was to enter a handful of races, like Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, on an invitational basis.
Plans change, though, and Toyota has now upgraded the program to a full manufacturer entry, paving the way for it to compete in the entire FIA World Endurance Championship schedule. Now, with budget constraints, it's likely that Toyota will still pick and choose which races to contest, but it does open the door.
The change was apparently made in order to support endurance racing as a motorsport discipline. As part of its arrangement with the FIA, organizers at the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) need at least two manufacturers in the LMP1 category. With Peugeot's withdrawal, the series lacked the requisite level of participation, so Toyota stepped up to fill the void. Follow the jump for the full announcement.Continue reading Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Renault chops UK lineup in half Filed under: Renault, UK 
Renault has a wide array of products in its portfolio. In its home market it offers a baker's dozen model lines, and when you get down to bodystyles the range ratchets up past 20.
While we don't get any of them in North America, the United Kingdom remains a vital market for the French automaker. But British buyers haven't been buying Renaults as much as they used to, prompting a drastic shift in strategy. As a result, Renault is cutting the Modus, Kangoo, Wind, Laguna, Espace and the entire Gordini line from its UK lineup, .
So what does that leave for UK shoppers? The Twingo, Clio, Megane, Grand Scenic and Traffic. Renaultsport models remain on offer, through the Twingo RS is now available in only one version. Those will soon be joined by the Fluence ZE and Twizy, as well as the Dacia range. Regardless, this represents a drastic cut in a vital market for one of Europe's largest automakers. Details in the press release after the jump.Continue reading Renault chops UK lineup in half Renault chops UK lineup in half originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Did Hyundai pull MPG claims from Super Bowl ad due to watchdog group pressure? [w/video] Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Etc., Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai 
Hyundai has been targeted by Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit advocacy organization, over the automaker's 40 mpg fuel efficiency claim on the Hyundai Elantra. The group says Elantra owners have seen fuel economy averages of 18 and 19 mpg instead of the the 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway reported by Hyundai and the Environmental Protection Agency. As such, the group has sent letters to both Hyundai CEO John Krafcik and President Eok Jo Kim warning that if the automaker advertised the 40 mpg claim in the company's Super Bowl spots, Consumer Watchdog would release a retaliatory video of its own. The group has since followed through with that threat.
The Elantra spot scheduled to run during tonight's game, "Victory Lap," makes no mention of fuel economy whatsoever, focusing instead on the sedan's winning the 2012 North American Car of the Year award. When Hyundai previewed its first three Super Bowl spots on January 30, the automaker's official announcement indicated that this was the intent all along:
Finally, to round out the game-day lineup, Hyundai will celebrate its 2012 North American Car of the Year victory for Elantra with a new 30-second spot called "Victory Lap." The Elantra earned the prestigious award from a jury of 50 independent automotive media in early January.
Earlier today, we erroneously stated in this post that the ad running this evening was changed to not reflect the fuel economy numbers. Hyundai emphatically denies that any changes were made along the way.
In an email to Autoblog, Jim Trainor, Hyundai's senior group manager for product public relations, writes:
We never removed a fuel economy claim from our Elantra Super Bowl spot. It is, and always was, a focus on the North American Car of the Year award bestowed on Elantra. No group "made us" change our commercial and no outside group is going to dictate to us what the content of our commercials will be. The commercial you will see today is exactly how we meant it and exactly what it has been from the start.
Click past the jump for a look at the Elantra Super Bowl spot, the Consumer Watchdog clip about the vehicle's mileage claims and a press release from the non-profit.
In a related note, Popular Mechanics just-published real-world fuel economy test of two cars boasting 40 mpg EPA highway ratings is a very timely and interesting read. PM's test subjects?The Ford Focus SFE and the Hyundai Elantra.
Ultimately, when you get past all the noise, it's important to remember that "your mileage may vary" is a mantra for a reason. Continue reading Did Hyundai pull MPG claims from Super Bowl ad due to watchdog group pressure? [w/video] Did Hyundai pull MPG claims from Super Bowl ad due to watchdog group pressure? [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
eBay Motors app adds search-by-image feature Filed under: Car Buying, Auctions, Etc., Technology 
The eBay Motors smartphone application has a clever new feature. Users can now take a photo of any car they see on the street and the app will find similar listings for them automatically. Want to know how much that 2005 BMW M3 in the parking lot is going for right now? Just point and shoot. We tested the app ourselves and found it to be fairly accurate. It had no trouble honing in on a Toyota Sienna, but struggled a bit with editor-in-chief John Neff's 1991 Ford Taurus SHO.
The good news is that if the app gets confused, it just asks you for more information about the vehicle. Users can also be notified when they've been outbid on an item, share their auctions via Twitter, and watch special racing coverage with host Justin Bell. Hit the jump to check out the full press blast.Continue reading eBay Motors app adds search-by-image feature eBay Motors app adds search-by-image feature originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Alain Prost wins ice-racing series in Dacia Lodgy Glace MPV Filed under: Motorsports, Minivan/Van, Europe, Renault, Racing 
A minivan is not what you'd expect to see winning a racing series. Nor would a budget brand like Dacia. That's where Alain Prost comes into the picture.
The four-time Formula One World Champion isn't quite retired: he's still competing in the Andros Trophy, a French ice-racing series. After hoisting the trophy twice in a row with a snow-spec Toyota Auris rally machine, Prost switched over to Dacia, for which he has now claimed his third personal title and the first for Renault's Romanian budget brand.
The title fight came down to the last race in Auvergne, France, where the natural snow and best efforts of race organizers could not separate Prost (or his son Nicolas) from the bare tarmac. The vehicle with which he did it was a new racer (loosely) based on the new Lodgy, an MPV that doesn't make its production debut until theupcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Check out the high-res photos in the gallery for a closer look and follow the jump for the full press release.Continue reading Alain Prost wins ice-racing series in Dacia Lodgy Glace MPV Alain Prost wins ice-racing series in Dacia Lodgy Glace MPV originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Honda explores NSX's past with an eye toward the future Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Acura, Honda, Luxury 
Let's take a moment to praise the original Acura NSX, a previously unimaginable coupe from an equally unimaginable source that, as Lexus did with luxury, put every supercar maker on notice. Only the NSX went further than anything Lexus ever did; after all, there's no clamor today for Lexus to make another car in the spirit of the LS 400.
Now, enthusiasts and NSX owners wait, hoping that the 2015 Acura NSX channels everything that made its (by then) 25-year-old ancestor so great.
And that's why Honda has compiled more than seven minutes of NSX video eye candy, with special attention paid to the Le Mans car and the NSX-Rs. You'll find it after the jump.Continue reading Honda explores NSX's past with an eye toward the future Honda explores NSX's past with an eye toward the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Confirmed: Suzuki Regina concept renamed G70, production version coming? Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Suzuki, Design/Style 
The Suzuki Regina concept shown at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show was an unusual little car. We don't want to get our hopes up about production (especially since we'd probably never get it in America anyway), but the Regina will return to the spotlight at the Geneva Motor Show with some tweaks that have us wondering if Suzuki plans to actually build the French-looking runabout. Despite its bold styling, the Regina's drivetrain seems plausible enough; it's powered by a conventional three-cylinder gasoline engine.
The Regina will apparently be renamed G70 when it's shown in Switzerland. Tokyo publicity for the car centered around the five-door as "an idea for a 1,600-pound sedan that gets 75 miles per gallon." Suzuki has officially pegged the weight of the G70 at 730 kg, or 1,606 pounds. The "70" in the name likely comes from its 70g/km of carbon emissions, but Suzuki hasn't divulged its numbers yet. Follow the jump for a press release on the G70 concept.Continue reading Suzuki Regina concept renamed G70, production version coming? Suzuki Regina concept renamed G70, production version coming? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Watch the "sheep cyclone" encircle a car Filed under: Videos, Humor 
The beige blurs in the still above are sheep, and they're apparently very excited about something in that little blue car. Supposedly, a farmer in the Caucasus was just trying to get through a lane, and this, dubbed the "sheep cyclone," is what developed.
Follow the jump for the video. If you put on headphones and listen closely, you might be able to hear the car whispering "Baa Ram Ewe." Or whatever that would be in Russian.Continue reading Watch the "sheep cyclone" encircle a car Watch the "sheep cyclone" encircle a car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Report: BMW to produce, sell long-wheelbase 335Li in China Filed under: Sedan, China, BMW, Luxury 
In China, it's common for managers in various levels of the corporate hierarchy to have personal drivers, hence the proliferation of long-wheelbase sedan variants that we don't see in North America. Audi sells the A4L and A6L there, and now BMW is following up the 535Li it currently offers in China with a elongated version of the new 3 Series sedan.
Likely dubbed the 335Li, the long-wheelbase 3 will be produced in China alongside the regular 3 Series. We're interested in seeing how well the long-wheelbase 335 handles compared to its standard-length sibling. BMW to produce, sell long-wheelbase 335Li in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Official: Audi confirms R18 hybrid as part of 2012 endurance racing program Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Diesel, Racing 
The diesel era at Le Mans may not be over yet, but already we're seeing the emergence of a new propulsion trend: hybrids. Toyota recently announced the TS030 Hybrid LMP1, Peugeot was working on a hybrid version of its 908 prototype before it killed the race program, and now Audi has confirmed a hybrid version of the R18 TDI.
Few details were released, but what we can tell you is that Audi will field four cars at Le Mans this year: two with hybrid assist and two without. One will be headlined by Allan McNish, one by Oliver Jarvis, one by Timo Bernhard and one by André Lotterer, with supplemental drivers to be announced sometime before the 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans kicks off in June.
Audi also announced a two-car entry for the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship, with four cars to be run at select racers like Spa and Sebring. Expect more details on the R18 hybrid to be released later this month, but in the meantime you can check out the official announcement after the jump.Continue reading Audi confirms R18 hybrid as part of 2012 endurance racing program Audi confirms R18 hybrid as part of 2012 endurance racing program originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Production Mercedes-Benz A-Class spotted undisguised Filed under: Spy Photos, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury 
We've gotten various peeks at the Mercedes-Benz A-Class for a few months now, from the patent drawings to spy shots to QR-coded teasers. Then, of all things in all places, a cyclist with a handlebar-mounted camera gets a full-on shot of the real deal while riding in Lanzarote, Spain for what we assume is a photo or video shoot.
If you liked the look of the patent drawings, then you'll be happy with the glimpse here. It even looks close enough to the Concept A for us to give Mercedes props for truth-in-concept-car designing. There's debate as to whether this is the AMG A-Class, but regardless, the final version will be shown at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Until then, watch the video after the jump.Continue reading Production Mercedes-Benz A-Class spotted undisguised Production Mercedes-Benz A-Class spotted undisguised originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Toyota using Shazam music ID app for new TV spot, giveaway Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota 
Toyota is looking to meld the smartphones with the television in a new ad campaign. The automaker is giving fans a chance to win two Camrys in new promotion that uses the Shazam mobile app in conjunction with a TV spot. When the commercial airs, viewers simply fire up Shazam and enter the giveaway. (They can also enter the sweepstakes online.) Toyota says the program is the first and largest of its kind to use Shazam.
The "Connections" TV spot is designed to encourage further exploration of the so-called "Camry Effect," a social media campaign focused on how the Camry impacts people's lives for the better. Fans can enter the sweepstakes once daily for a chance to take home a Camry for themselves and one for a friend. Hit the jump for the full press release.Continue reading Toyota using Shazam music ID app for new TV spot, giveaway Toyota using Shazam music ID app for new TV spot, giveaway originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
Video: Hyundai i30 commercial previews upcoming Elantra five-door Filed under: Budget, Europe, Videos, Hatchback, Hyundai, UK 
Based on the can't-make-enough status of the Hyundai Elantra, the public hasn't gotten tired of Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design theme. Based on this commercial for the Hyundai i30, we admit that we haven't either. The five-door sold in Europe and based on the Kia Cee'd platform shows us what we can generally expect from the upcoming Elantra Touring replacement.
The last Elantra wagon didn't get big play here three years ago, but neither the Elantra nor Hyundai were in the position they're in now. In Europe, the i30 five-door will get a choice of four engines and three transmissions, but we shouldn't expect to be so spoiled for choice. Follow the jump to see the video.Continue reading Hyundai i30 commercial previews upcoming Elantra five-door Hyundai i30 commercial previews upcoming Elantra five-door originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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