Features

 
  • 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Pricing Announced

    Remember the Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV? Yes, it's the SUV you saw earlier this year at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show and if you happened to join your significant other for the most popular chick flick of the year, Sex and the City, you saw some rich lady driving it too. If you're interested in getting one and wondering how much it'll cost - we have some good news for you. Mercedes-Benz has just dropped the pricing info on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 (the only variant that will be offered in the U.S.)

    Power will come from a 3.5L V6 engine making a total of 268-hp with a maximum torque of 258 lb-ft. That allows for a 0 to 60 mph run in 6.5 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph. Fuel-economy wise the 2010 GLK 350 returns an estimated 16/22 mpg (city/highway) while the 2010 GLK 350 4MATIC returns an estimated 16/21 mpg.

    Oh, we almost forgot to tell you the pricing info. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 starts at $33,900 for the rear-wheel-drive model which will go on sale in April. The 2010 GLK 350 4MATIC starts at $35,900 and will go on sale in January. A diesel version of the GLK is expected to arrive in 2010.

    Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery and pricing info on the 2010 GLK options.

    2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK:

       

     

     

    2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK Packages:

    Premium 1 Package: $1,950
    Full Leather Seating Package: $1,750
    Lighting Package: $970
    Multimedia Package: $3,350
    Appearance Package: $970

    2010 Merecedes-Benz GLK Options:

    Universal media interface: $1,350
    iPod integration kit: $375
    Illiminated door sills: $700
    Parktronic: $790
    Tele Aid: $650
    In-dash 6-disc CD changer: $470
    iPod/MP3 media interface: $300
    Trailer hitch - 3,500 lb (Class II): $540
    Brushed-aluminum running boards: $660
    Rear-Seat Entertainment Package: $1,880
    Rear-Seat Entertainment Pre-Wiring: $160
    Heated front seats: $740

     

    more
  • ABT Sportsline Audi Q5 debuts at Essen Motor Show

    Prior to its launch at the 2008 Essen Motor Show, ABT Sportsline has dropped the details and images on its new ABT Audi Q5. The ABT Q5 gets a new body kit consisting of a new front skirt, rear skirt, a new front grille, fender extensions, a new rear wing, a 4-pipe rear muffler and 20-inch BR wheels.

    ABT Sportsline has increased output in all three different versions of the Audi Q5. The 2.0 TDI now makes 190-hp instead of 170-hp while the 3.0 TDI delivers 310-hp and the gasoline 2.0 TFSI model makes a total of 240-hp.

    ABT has also added suspension and brake upgrades featuring 380mm brake disks to compliment the increase in power. The ABT Q5 will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009.

    ABT Sportsline Audi Q5:

       

     

    Source: WCF

     

    more
  • Porsche to delay buying majority stake in VW due to market conditions

    Porsche has announced that it is delaying its move to buy a majority stake in the Volkswagen Group due to a surge in Volkswagen shares and the tough global auto industry market. Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking said that it is unrealistic for his company to take majority control of V-dub this year in the current economic environment. However, he said that Porsche is still firm in its intention to increase its stake to 75 percent in 2009.

    According to Automotive News, Porsche, who currently holds a 42.6 percent stake in Volkswagen, saw its shares go up 8.5 percent today while Volkswagen was up 12.2 percent.

    COO Holger Haerter said that Porsche is not willing to acquire Volkswagen share for an "economically ridiculous" price. He said that Porsche expects its sales to fall during the 2008-2009 business year.

     

    more
  • Report: Toyota won’t launch a separate Prius brand

    Seems like the on-again/off-again rumors of a sub-Prius brand have been put to rest. According to Toyota's UK managing director Miguel Fonseca, Toyota won't be launching a separate Prius brand. However, Fonseca did say that Toyota is working on new Prius body styles that will arrive shortly after the third-generation Prius is unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show in January.

    Fonseca didn't outline what body styles we can expect, but we've heard rumors of an MPV hybrid and coupe hybrid based on the Prius.

    Fonseca also said that Toyota isn't going to use lithium-ion battery technology anytime soon. Engineers at Toyota believe that lithium-ion batteries aren't ready for mass production as of yet. It was previously reported that the after the third-generation model, which will still use nickel-hydride batteries, Toyota will switch to lithium-ion batteries.

    Source: AutoCar

     

    more
  • VW fast-tracks new two-seat city car

    According to AutoCar, Volkswagen is speeding up the development of an affordable two-seat city car that will go head-to-head with the new Toyota iQ and the Smart ForTwo. Insiders say that the new city car will be named after a concept car from 1991 called the Chico and will become the entry-level V-dub - below the upcoming Volkswagen Up!

    The new two-seat Volkswagen Chico will be built on a modified version of the Up! chassis and is expected to return an outstanding 141 mpg and emit less than 60g/km of CO2 without the use of a hybrid system.

    Power will come from a new 1.2L 4-cylinder direct-injection engine. Volkswagen will also offer a 1.2L 3-cylinder diesel option. Fuel-saving technologies such as regenerative braking, start/stop and low rolling resistance tires will be standard features.

    AutoCar says the car could cost as little as £6000 ($9,173 USD) when it goes on sale in the UK in 2011.

    Source: AutoCar

     

    more
  • Lexus LF-A makes surprise appearance at Fuji Speedway

    Last time we heard of the Lexus LF-A it was understood that the supercar from the luxury Toyota brand had been delayed until early 2011. Well, Lexus still hasn't said when the LF-A will enter production but it is out, yet again, teasing the supercar to enthusiasts.

    The Lexus LF-A made a surprise appearance at Toyota's Motorsport Festival at Fuji Speedway this past weekend with Toyota's vice president Akio Toyoda behind the wheel. The black LF-A test-mule was the same car that ran the Nurburgring 24-Hours this past summer. Toyoda completed two laps of the Fuji Speedway track in front of 30,000 fans.

    Recent rumors suggest that Toyota is planning a limited-production run of 500 units for the 480-hp Lexus LF-A with an asking price that can range from anywhere from $261,000 to $313,00.

    Source: InsideLine

     

    more
  • GM HydroGen4 Concept unveiled with 199 mile range

    GM announced today that its new HydroGen4 fuel-cell vehicle is ready for real-world testing. Nine companies in the Berlin area will be participating in GM's zero-emission test program. The fourth-generation fuel-cell vehicle is the result of 10 years of development and work with hydrogen and fuel-cell technology and is a part of a program that has already logged 434,959 miles in global testing.

    The new GM HydroGen4 fuel-cell vehicle uses 440 single cells which combines hydrogen and oxygen from the air to produce electricity. The fuel-cell stack provides power to the 98-hp electric-motor allowing for a 0 to 62 mph time of 12 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph. The HydroGen4 is also fitted with a 1.8 kWh buffer battery to store extra energy from a regenerative braking system. The carbon fiber tanks hold 4.2 kg of hydrogen at a pressure of 700 bars allowing for 199 mile range.

    GM says that its HydroGen4 can start and run in sub-zero temperatures and is designed to be as safe as conventional vehicle.

    Click through for the high-res image gallery.

    GM HydroGen4 Concept:

       

     

    more
  • First official image of the Aston Martin Rapide hits the web

    Our friends at CAR Magazine have obtained the first official image of the Aston Martin Rapide four-door-sedan; conveniently just days after the launch of the 2010 Porsche Panamera. Although the image is a photo-rendering by Aston Martin, it shows what the final production of the new Rapide will look like.

    Couple of cosmetic changes have been made to put the Rapide into production, but nothing major. Power for the Aston Martin Rapide is expected to come from a 6.0L V12 engine that will make close to 500-hp with a maximum torque of 420 lb-ft. It will be mated to Aston's 6-speed ZF automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

    We'll see the production Aston Martin Rapide early next year with production to begin in late 2009. Pricing is expected to be between £130,000-£150,000.

    Source: CAR

     

    more
  • 2009 Hyundai Accent is the least expensive car in the U.S.

    Earlier this month Nissan announced that its new $9,990 Versa Sedan 1.6 is the cheapest car in the U.S.; however, the title was gained by forgoing the necessary features every car should have including a stereo and an air conditioning system. Today, Hyundai is claiming that the its new 2009 Hyundai Accent with a starting price of $9,970 is the least expensive car in the U.S.

    Hyundai also points out that the 2009 Accent is the "Most Dependable Sub-Compact Car" as determined by J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study. And Hyundai didn't drop any equipment to reach $9,970. The 2009 Accent GS keeps all its content from last year but gets a new low price starting at $9,970.

    The new 2009 Accent GS comes with a 110-hp 1.6L engine, power steering, advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, front variable intermittent wipers, 60/40 split fold-down seatback, six-way adjustable driver seat, adjustable head restraints for all seating positions and rear spoiler.

    A three door 2009 Hyundai Accent with an automatic transmission starts $12,070 while the Accent GLS 4-door and Accent SE 3-door both start at $12,070 and $15,070 respectively.

     

    more
  • Suppliers, dealers, and UAW putting together fuel-efficient caravan to D.C. to show support

    A group of suppliers, dealers, and union members are putting together a huge caravan to Washington, D.C. consisting of the Big 3's fuel-efficient vehicles. GM and Ford said that they support the effort put together by the group but will not be joining in on the trip.

    Suppliers, dealers and members of the UAW have started planning a trip to show their support for the struggling Detroit 3 and to showcase the fuel-efficient vehicles by each automaker. "The whole grassroots caravan to Washington, D.C., effort we think is a great idea," said GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson. "It's just not something we are in a position to sponsor or manage."

    Wilkinson confirmed that GM's CEO Rick Wagoner won't be joining the caravan nor will he be flying to D.C. on GM's corporate jets after being criticized for it last week along with the other Detroit CEOs. Wilkinson said that for security reasons, GM doesn't comment on the transportation of its senior executives.

    FoMoCo spokesman Mike Moran said that Ford "absolutely supports their effort. But will not involved in putting it together." A Chrysler spokeswoman said that the company is reviewing the idea but did not have a position as of yet.

    Source: Detroit Free Press

     

    more

Photos