Filed under: Motorsports, New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Safety, Acura, Cadillac, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Rumormill

Episode #169 of the Autoblog Podcast has arrived, and it's Chris, Sam, Alex, and Dan again this week. As usual, the Autoblog Garage starts us off, this time with a couple Suzuki Kizashis, a Ford Transit Connect, and the Cadillac SRX. The first topic for discussion are the latest developments in the ongoing Toyota Recall issue. The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon catches our fancy next, and we stay on the wagon tip to talk about the Acura TSX Wagon, which will debut at the New York International Auto Show. Honda's CR-Z is next, before we go big and talk about the 2011 Ford SuperDuty. Wrapping up on a sporting note, we offer totally uninformed commentary on the Carl Edwards NASCAR wreck before taking a few listener questions and calling this turkey done. Thanks for listening!

Direct fanmail to Podcast at Autoblog dot com, review the show in iTunes, fill out our survey or even leave us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Until next week, hit up Joystiq and Engadget when podcast loneliness sets in. Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My!

Autoblog Podcast #169: Wagons and SuperDuty and NASCAR, Oh My! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Rumormill, Electric

Seeing the Audi A1 and A1 e-tron concept at this year's Geneva Motor Show provides proof that the quad-ring automaker is putting a much larger focus on its small car offerings. With that in mind, new rumors are cropping up about a possible successor to the A2 - the quirky little hatch that never came to the U.S. and only had minor success in Europe.

"There's clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3 and A1," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told AutoWeek during the Geneva Motor Show. The new A2 would likely be A1-based and use an electric powertrain, possibly sourced from the A1 e-tron concept. European media has reported that the A2 successor is expected to debut by 2014, and no word has been given about a possible U.S.-spec version. However, with Audi keeping the A1 away from American soil, it's likely that the A2 would be a Europe-only affair, as well.




[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Audi working on successor to A2? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

With Honda's in-house parts department in the game and Mugen developing it's own line of kit for the CR-Z, the tuner trifecta is almost complete with the release of Spoon's performance parts for Honda's hybrid hatch.

While we thought bright blue wheels went out of vogue (even in the U.S.) in 2008, Spoon has coated its CR93 rollers in the company's signature hue, along with upgraded calipers clamping onto 15-inch slotted discs. A ride height lowered by 50mm comes courtesy of front coilovers and a spring and shock combo in the rear, while the body has been subtly altered with the addition of a carbon fiber hood, mirrors and front lip spoiler.

More importantly, a new N1 exhaust has been fitted and Spoon is fiddling with the ECU to churn out a few extra (and much-needed) ponies. There's no word on what the rejiggered computer and exhaust is good for power-wise or how Spoon is manipulating the hybrid drive system to boost performance, but considering the company's past endeavors, we're expecting good things.



[Source: Spoon via 7Tune]

Spoon developing parts for Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

It's been several days since we left the Geneva Motor Show and we're still finding cars that we somehow missed out on the floor. We especially don't know how we managed to skip this bad boy in the Brabus booth, as it should have been nearly impossible to miss. It's called the E V12 Coupe, and it's got 800 horsepower. Enough said.

There's nothing new about Brabus stuffing a V12 into an E-Class. They've been doing it since 1996, and have been making twin-turbo models since 2003. The latest version is based off of the new E Coupe, and it's a much prettier car than the awkward looking E V12 Black Baron that we saw in Frankfurt. Fortunately it does share the same engine - a 6.3-liter twin-turbo V12 putting out 800 horsepower and 1047 lb-ft torque. Brabus quotes a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 230 mph, and judging from the performance of their previous cars we are inclined to believe them.

Besides the engine, the E V12 Coupe also comes with larger brakes, a Brabus-spec coilover suspension system, 19-inch wheels and more carbon fiber than you can shake a stick at. The front spoiler, grille, front and rear fenders, rear diffuser, intake system, interior trim and seats are all made from the lightweight material. What is all of this going to cost you? 478,000 Euros - approximately 0,000 using today's exchange rate, or more than 13 E-Class Coupes.



[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Super Coupe: Brabus E V12 now in two-door form

Super Coupe: Brabus E V12 now in two-door form originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

With Honda's in-house parts department in the game and Mugen developing it's own line of kit for the CR-Z, the tuner trifecta is almost complete with the release of Spoon's performance parts for Honda's hybrid hatch.

While we thought bright blue wheels went out of vogue (even in the U.S.) in 2008, Spoon has coated its CR93 rollers in the company's signature hue, along with upgraded calipers clamping onto 15-inch slotted discs. A ride height lowered by 50mm comes courtesy of front coilovers and a spring and shock combo in the rear, while the body has been subtly altered with the addition of a carbon fiber hood, mirrors and front lip spoiler.

More importantly, a new N1 exhaust has been fitted and Spoon is fiddling with the ECU to churn out a few extra (and much-needed) ponies. There's no word on what the rejiggered computer and exhaust is good for power-wise or how Spoon is manipulating the hybrid drive system to boost performance, but considering the company's past endeavors, we're expecting good things.



[Source: Spoon via 7Tune]

Spoon developing parts for Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Japan, Crossover, Hatchback, Spyker, Diesel

Like the recently redesigned Forester and Outback, the Impreza XV unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this week gives us yet another Subaru that looks more SUV-like than its predecessor. Subaru pulled this trick off by giving the XV a heftier-looking grille, beefier wheel arches, thicker, more purposeful-looking roof rails and a new, boomerang-look rear spoiler. You'll also notice the little bumperettes up front flanking the new grille.

Don't like the way it looks? Don't worry, as the Impreza XV will not be headed our (U.S.) way. However, you're going to have to learn to live with it should you live in Europe. That won't be too hard to do as the XV ships with your choice of either a peppy 2.0-liter boxer gas engine or torquey turbo-diesle boxer mill, the latter motivator being the power plant that best compliments the new XV's so-so trucky looks.

Geneva 2010: Subaru Impreza XV looks buffer, not any better originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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