motivemag.com

Volt Interior Shots Pop Up

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:57:39 PST

So some claimed interior shots of the upcoming Chevy Volt have surfaced on the forums and they look legit. The shots appear to be part of an internal presentation and we have no idea from whence the came other than one of our forum user says they were 'emailed by a friend'. Note the distinctive plastic center stack with Apple-computer white finish, power button and touch-sensitive mostly-buttonless surface. Also note the battery readout on what we expect to be a navi screen.

Motive First Drive: Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:30:05 PST

Update: Car Publishes Another Exclusive Audi RS5 Photo, Predicts More Audi Stuff

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:24:55 PST

Earlier in the week we ran a news story regarding Car's leaked photos of the yet-to-be-announced Audi RS5. Apparently, the magazine is fully embracing its exclusive by publishing another photo online of the RS5's side profile, shown here. In addition, they've detailed a few other Audi plans, including a rumored Audi-badged VW Up! City Concept. We're skeptical about that last part, but hey, anything could happen.

The 2010 Daewoo (Chevy) Beat — Undisguised Photo?

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:23:05 PST

So claims Hyundai Blog. The site manged to snag a picture of a Daewoo version of the Chevy Beat, which will hit the South Korean market in 2010 and will go on sale here thereafter.

Introduced at the 2007 New York Auto Show, the Chevy Beat concept was selected for production in an unorthodox voting contest between it, the Chevrolet Trax, and the Chevrolet Groove minicar concepts. (We suspect the Beat was going to be the winner all along — subversion and espionage are fun!) See the full picture in our forums!

Late For An Interview? Please Still Use A Real Parking Spot

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:52:15 PST

One of our forum users, SAPJetta, managed to snag these pretty funny pictures earlier today. According to the security guard that saw it all, the lady responsible was running late for an interview inside the office park you see in the background. For some reason, that inspired here to plow her red Camry head first over a tall curb and into a well-manicured flower bed. The more detail-focused of you will also notice she's pointing the wrong direction around a one way drive. Oops. We just hope she made it to her interview on time after all this.

Say Ain't So: Chrysler "Exploring Strategic Options" for Viper

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:21:30 PST

Not that we weren't expecting this, but it doesn't make the heartbreak any easier. Chrysler LLC chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli has confirmed that the company has "been approached by third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities for Viper." Read that last bit as: Someone wants to buy the assets off Chrysler.

Nardelli continues that, "Our intent would be to offer strong operational and financial support during any potential transaction, in order to ensure a future for the Viper business and perpetuate the legacy of this great vehicle."

This is what it sounds like, dear readers, when doves cry.

Get Your GT3 Racing On With the Factory-built Audi R8 GT3

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:01:02 PST

Audi AG chose today to introduce its factory racer, the R8 GT3. The "500 hp plus" of the R8 GT3 — AutoWeek theorized last week that it uses Audi's V-10 in place of the normal 4.2 V-8 — is routed through a six-speed sequential transmission to the rear wheels only. GT3 regulations prohibit four-wheel drive, so Audi had to neuter the fore half of its quattro system. Beyond that, Audi's skimpy press release hints at the use of a nearly stock suspension and copious amounts of aero to keep the car planted, and the pictures in our gallery show a surprisingly aggressive widebody kit. Read more after the jump!

Motive Retro Review: 1987 Buick Grand National

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:37:25 PST

"Power and looks," wrote P.J.O'Rourke in his April, 1986 review in Automobile, "do not explain the Grand National's personality. It doesn't have a good personality, exactly. It doesn't have a bad personality. What it has is a lot of personality. And, like a person with a lot of personality, it can be hard to put your thumb on exactly what the Grand National is." So just what, begs the question, is it?

"Peformance Display" Available for 2009 GM Ecotec Turbos

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:26:40 PST

Sport compacts just aren't sport compacts without a row of gauges stacked in a pillar pod, or so a casual glance at Hot Import Nights tells us. (The same show informed us that sport compacts just aren't sport compacts without basketball-breasted Asian women draped over them. We're big fans of doing first-person research.)

GM is cutting out the middlemen for 2009 models equipped with its direct-injection, turbocharged Ecotec engine. A new "Reconfigurable Performance Display" features a color LCD screen that can show boost, wideband A/F ratio, spark advance, knock retard, torque, horsepower, G force, cam phaser angle, barometric pressure, temperature, battery voltage, and a shift light. Just about any sensor on the car's OBD II data bus, in fact, can be displayed on the unit. From the integrated touch screen, drivers can disable stability control and program the shift light cut-in point individually for each gear. Best yet? It's only $295 for the unit and can be factory installed.

The same can't be said for most of the parts on the Hot Import Night girls.

Sketched and Previewed: Next-Generation Saab 9-5 Sedan

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:19:19 PST

This sketch of the next Saab 9-5, which supposedly was photographed at a recent Saab owners event, says a lot about the upcoming car, even if it doesn't give a totally accurate visual preview. Obviously, the wheels and tall rear end are a bit out of proportion. But here's what it does say:

-Up in the top right corner of the frame is a traditional Saab multi-colored turbo gauge. That should indicate that we'll be seeing a boosted powerplant under the hood, if not a few of them.

-The text along the bottom says it'll receive a lot of "fundamental technology already being produced in the Turbo X." In addition to the turbo'd engine, that likely means Saab's new XWD Haldex all-wheel drive system.

-As far as styling goes, the 9-5 will predictably borrow elements from recent concepts including the Aero X coupe. The roofline and C-pillar look similar to more recent concepts such as the 9-4x and 9-X.

-Lastly, the picture shows that Saab hasn't fully ditched the whole "Born from Jets" deal. Too bad.

Genesis Finds Luxury Buyers while Hyundai's Overall Image Improves

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:17:27 PST

Skeptics — us included — thought Hyundai's logic had totally ebbed its flow when it introduced the Genesis sedan in the middle of a weak economy and strong gas prices. As it turns out, we're the ones who were off. For those who would be reaching to afford the Genesis, the current climate is off-putting. But for those who would have bought above the Genesis, the availability of a car that's 95% as good as its pricier competition, for thousands upon thousands less, is beginning to show its appeal. John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America's VP of product development and strategic planning, told Automotive News that, "We are seeing a lot of people who say, 'I didn't really get good value from the premium brand and the $3,000, $6,000, $10,000 or $15,000 extra I had to pay.' "

Hyundai's also pumping $80 million into advertising the virtues of the Genesis in 12 online videos and nine 30-second TV spots. If this sounds eerily familiar to the same economic climate (borderline recession, dollar weak against European currency) and circumstance (upstart brand bootstrapping its way to respect) that spawned another Asian luxury marque, you're not the only one to draw the connection.

Consideration of the Hyundai brand is also growing. According to HMA, 56 percent of consumers surveyed by the company said they were aware of the brand and would consider buying a Hyundai vehicle. That figure's up fifteen percent from 41 percent in 2005 and a staggering 43.5 percent higher than 2001, when only 12.5 percent of buyers had said they would consider a Hyundai.

The Fast and the Furious: Back to Basics Trailer Released

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:52:44 PST

Ok, so maybe that's not the official name of the movie, but one glance at the trailer, and I think you'll agree that it might as well be. The writers of the F&F series might have caught a case of amnesia, because all of the regulars are back, and seemingly doing the exact same thing, except now with gas trucks instead of outdates DVD player stock.

Nonetheless, the action is pretty exciting, although light on any sort of dialogue, like the first film. And if you watch carefully, you'll notice that even the ubiquitous blue NOS bottle makes a showing again. So the writers seem to have gotten it right (in terms of how these movies go) by bringing it back to the States, and back to the beginning.

Watch the trailer here then check in at the forums to let us know what you think.

Mazda Kazamai Concept Debuts at Moscow Auto Salon

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:17:10 PST

Kazamai means "swirling crosswinds" in Japanese, and Mazda hopes that they'll blow favorably for its compact crossover concept of the same name. Unlike previous concepts that use Mazda's "nagare" design language, the Kazamai the first to fuse the sinuous creases of its predecessors with aerodynamically tested shapes, pushing the styling exercise one step closer to production.

The mock-up Kazamai is said to be "fun to drive" with a four-wheel drive system that "will consist" of a next-generation direct-injection engine and a newly-developed transmission. "Were it to be built," the show car would deliver "exciting driving dynamics," "frugal fuel consumption," and "greatly reduced CO2 emissions." Which is kinda cool because, in the same vein, if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon. Mazda's bite-sized press release is available after the jump.

Motive Quickie: Jaguar's Anonymous XKR

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:38:39 PST

Has Car Just Revealed the 2009 Audi RS5? It Would Appear So.

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:31:33 PST

According to some scans of Car magazine that just surfaced in the Car Lounge, it would appear that the upcoming 2009 Audi RS5 has not only been unofficially revealed, it's been driven as well. The article shows Georg Kacher as the author and from what we know about his early access to all things four-wheeled-and-German, we'd say it's legit. It looks like the RS5 will get the RS6's attractive five-spoke wheels, a larger, one-piece grille, and huge air intakes beneath the headlights. Which is good, because it also uses a turbocharged V8 pumping out 450 hp.

So what's the answer to Car's headline question "Audi's New RS5. Finally, an M3 Conquerer?" We'll have to wait until the magazine actually hits news stands to find out the ruling from the first of what we're sure will be many face-offs.

Coming to America: Street-Legal KTM X-Bow

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:24:05 PST

The blogmasters over at Autoblog have assembled multiple sources for the news that KTM will bring the X-Bow to America. Supposedly, the announcement was made at a gathering of KTM dealers in Salt Lake City that due to high demand, the company will be going back on its "Europe and Asia-only" and "track-only" claims regarding the car. Still, the details have yet to be worked out and KTM will need support from both VW (the powertrain source) and the U.S. Government (the legality source) before the X-Bow actually goes on sale around these parts. Plus, there's no word on price.

Buick LaCrosse to Keep Name, Get New Face at LA Auto Show

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:13:52 PST

Buick confirmed today that the LaCrosse--not the most attractive or most well-received car on sale today--will get an all new design to be unveiled at this Fall's Los Angeles Auto Show. As you've probably guessed (or seen in spy photos) the design will adhere closely to the Invicta concept shown a few months ago at the Beijing show. However, the car won't revive the old Invicta nameplate that first adorned a Buick back in 1959. It'll still be called the LaCrosse after it gets its new shape. Expect a 3.6-liter V-6 under the hood, mated to a six-speed automatic.

Cadillac Mulls Four Cylinder, Compact Caddy for 2012

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:42:16 PST

There's a decent amount of infighting at Cadillac regarding the possibility of a four-cylinder car in its lineup. According to Automotive News, some factions inside the division are pushing for the brand to become über-efficient, pushing engine options all the way down to turbocharged fours. Yet others, like Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor, think the move is too drastic. "I don't think Americans are going to become un-American that fast," he tells the daily.

The engine option is a point of contention for a smaller car that will be slotted underneath the CTS in Caddy's global lineup. Currently, the division sells the BLS in Europe, an inoffensive but mundane sedan that rides on the GM's Epsilon front-drive architecture. We're just a duck, a zig, a zag, and Cindy Crawford away from it being 1997 all over again.

Motive Double Quickie - 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan, 2008 G37 Coupe by Stillen/MOMO

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:30:28 PST

Texas BMW Dealer Spends Lots of Money Recreating 135tii Concept, Only Half-Succeeds

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:18:00 PST

If the cool little concept BMW showed at last year's Tokyo show was called the 135tii, this little guy must be a 135ti-and-a-half. The paint's there. The cool steering wheel with the shift lights is there. But the tii bumpers, the incredible seats, the multi-color gauges, and a few other touches certainly aren't, plus BMW wouldn't plaster the "Projekt 1" sticker or the Texas flag on the back. But hey, if you want a half-assed recreation of a BMW concept car, now's your chance for the low low price $55,372. And forty-two cents.

(Source: eBay via Motive Forums)