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Continuing our coverage of the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck ballot bowl naming contest, 50 Cent has announced that he is officially endorsing his own name, "Curtis," for the name of the new ute. This comes as no surprise to our best political team on television hack team of — well, hacks — despite Bob Lutz's unofficial endorsement of "El Camino." Remember, if you haven't already, vote "El Camino" today! More »
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There's a trend I'm beginning to notice around the massive halls of auto shows: scattered among the sheet metal, booth babes and PR flacks, there's a hell of a lot of video games — both your standard issue Xbox-PlayStation3 setups as well as the more elaborate simulators. Taking a look at just a few of the many examples that appeared at the New York Auto Show this past week, I think this is more than just a way of giving journalists something to do between press conferences — it's representative of a trend. Here's our carmaker-by-carmaker breakdown of what has to be construed as either a strategy of building "appeal with the youths" — or an attempt by the car companies to distract everyone from their impending new "Second Malaise Era" with flashing lights and loud noises. More »
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What to do with all of those cars smashed in federal and IIHS crash testing? In theory, you could take them back for further study to help improve safety for future vehicles. Of course, that would mean wasting an advertising opportunity. And while we prefer the RoboCop Taurus, we'll admit that showing a wrecked version of your car isn't the worst way to show off that the only major hazard that comes with driving a new Taurus is death-by-boredom. Press release after the jump. More »
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Ze Germans are all about über-precision. So why is it that they don't even have a properly functioning set of perpetual motion balls? We found these at the BMW stand at the New York Auto Show, and our first thought was the Bavarians had busted their balls. But it turns out that these are supposedly part of some ironic demonstration of some sort of BMW safety somethingoranother. It's a bit confusing, but we still think the SLR 722 GTR parking struggle over at the Mercedes stand was a bit more embarrassing. More »
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Mike Allen over at Popular Mechanics had a chance to spend some time behind the wheel of the new plug-in microcar — the Subaru R1e. With acceleration lower than a "determined taxicab," it wasn't what you'd call an "exciting" test — and definitely a step below our test of the Hybrid Technologies' melty-looking Lithium-Powered Super Car but Pop-Mech can't have everything now, can they? [via Popular Mechanics] More »
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At a glance, the Iconic GTR looks like just another Cobra replica. But taking a closer look you realize it's the bespoke details that make it special. Shiny toggle switches, plush leather, jewel-like gauges, a roll-bar that conceals LED turn signals with a full spectrum of color adjustment; it all makes the GTR feel like a creation made for winning the Riddler Award. But don't think that it's all show and no go — the body is all carbon-fiber with ground effects that help make over 500 pounds of downforce. Open the power-operated bonnet you'll find a F1-style front suspension and the heart of the beast, a 800 HP naturally-aspirated 6.9-liter V8. And that's not just some crate motor, it's a hand-assembled custom with a unique fuel-injection system.
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Well folks, it certainly was a fun time had by all in the Javits Center here in New York City for the 2008 New York Auto Show. But it appears there's ten reveals that got Jalopnik readers more excited than the rest. Without further ado, here's the hottest of the hot from the city that never sleeps — the Jalopnik top ten most trafficked galleries. Read 'em and weep. More »
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To say the Scion Hako Concept went over poorly with the Jalopnik staff would be something of an understatement. Every time we checked the front page we'd recoil in horror as the Hako scrolled past on the screen. It became the generic stake by which other cars were measured. "At least it's not the Hako" was heard more than once. Now, considering the depth of photochopping skill we see from Chrysler here on a daily basis, we're betting you guys can do better than the awkward and boxy "American vintage style" Scion touted at the New York Auto Show. More »
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Robert Farago took a few minutes away from joining the New York Times in their El Camino haterade to continue his search for truthiness by asking childhood hero "Maximum" Bob Lutz a few questions at the New York Auto Show the other day. Farago's account is more humorous than any re-cap we can muster, so head on over and spend a few moments on the read. [TTAC] More »
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In the "dare to dream" wing of the NY Auto Show, among the roadsters and air cars, was a pair of three-wheeled Chinese imports that are set to hit the market this year. Classified as motorcycles in most states, these lightweight vehicles offer 42 mpg fuel economy at a price just under $10K. You might think this means you'll end up with something powered by a two-cylinder chinese motor. You'd be wrong. This 1/4 ton truck gets its motivation from a 50 horsepower Delphi/GM/Wuling four-cylinder that will propel the driver to a max speed of 70 mph... assuming it doesn't catch on fire first. More »
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I was wandering around the floor of the New York auto show yesterday afternoon, trying to find a free scone. No, I was looking for automotive inspiration to break the second-day malaise. I never did find the scone, but I did stumble on the 2009 Dodge Challenger S/E up on its dais. I've been thinking of nothing else for 24 hours. More »
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Our whip-wielding road crew warden gallant leader put on his bespoke suit and Burberry cravat at the New York Auto Show and told thestreet.com exactly what he thinks of the adorable Ford Transit Connect, which is bravenewworld-speak for "New York City Taxi Concept." Wert was slingin' the deadpan humor in the way that only those boys from Royal Oak can. He expressed his views on the future of taxis, bank tellers, cabbies and alliteration. Yes, alliteration. Well-dressed and well-educated, he is. Click here for the full video. More »
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The Javits Center, home of the New York Auto Show, isn't exactly a well laid-out place (take that I.M Pei). As opposed to one or two large halls, the Javits has a lot of smaller spaces where the non-major or custom automakers are forced to put their displays. This explains why there was a Hennessey Venom 700 NM Viper just sitting underneath a staircase in a far corner of the auto show. More »
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The Nissan Denki Cube Concept is something you've probably already seen. In fact, you probably saw it this morning when we caught the electric Nissan Cube sunning itself in advance of its press conference. What did we learn at the press conference? Fleet-use electric vehicles by 2010 and commercial vehicles by 2012. The big news is that the LA Auto Show this fall will see the introduction of the next generation Cube for the North American market. Press release, pictures of the Denki Cube and shots of two rather unfortunately customized Cubes below. More »
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Hardigree and I drove our respective red supercars at roughly the same time yesterday. While he went for the flashy Audi R8 V12 LeMans TDI Prototype and was escorted through traffic like a Russian Oil Baron by a phalanx of Audi Q7s, I hopped into the Hybrid Technologies Lithium Powered Super Car with the guy who built it. There was no top, so I enjoyed the welcome good weather—at last!—in NYC. OK, maybe the name needs a little work, but the car itself was a hoot to drive. More »
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What do you do with an SLR 722 GTR? Yes, its a race car; but there's no real competitive series for it to race in. And you can't drive the GTR on the public street. So the only thing it's really good for is showing off, which apparently it isn't very good at either. Check out the video and you'll see just how many guys it takes to park a SLR 722 GTR at the NY Auto Show. Oh and also, they broke it. Epic fail. More »
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Our auto show coverage slogan is "always say yes." This time we said yes to a first drive of the Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans concept car, which looks ravishing in the same brilliant red paint scheme it wore to Geneva. But who really cares about paint? We were looking forward to stretching this one-of-a-kind vehicle to the limits. And by stretching it out we mean doing our best not to destroying this invaluable prototype by propelling it into a pot hole.
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Bentley is refreshing. Their ultra-luxe, mega-horsepower sleds, favored rides of autocrats, royalty and rap tycoons, are such a specialized product that the Craftsmen of Crewe can pretty much reduce their whole climate-change/fuel-scarcity strategy to a question of customer relations. I promised I'd read the white paper on global warming etc. the company handed out at their New York Auto Show press conference yesterday—also available on Bentley's website—and now I have. Dry? To be sure. Wonky? Yep. But on the heels of the company's announcement at the Geneva Motor Show that it's going to seriously cut CO2 output by 2012, worth checking out. More »
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Eagle-eyed reader Eywolf noticed something peculiar yesterday morning when we ran the new 2009 Dodge Challenger images and press release. After our fearless leader was lambasted by Chrysler PR for what seemed like hours over our suggestion the press images for the Chicago Auto Show unveil of the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 had been massaged to enhance reality, it seems there may be further p-chopping on the latest batch of images in an apparent attempt to deceive the muscle-loving public into believing Chrysler has more than one color available for the Challenger save money. We took the time to create an animated gif of two of the images in question — one, a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 from Chicago (in orange). The other, a purported image of the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (in white)... More »
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Today in the Javits Center during the 2008 New York Auto Show, X Prize Foundation President Dr. Peter Diamandis, along with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, announced Progressive will be the corporate sponsor of the long stewing Automotive X prize. The Progressive Automotive X Prize will award $10 million to the winning team after a head-to-head competition scheduled to happen sometime in 2009. The entries must be safe, production capable, and deliver at least 100 mpg. The teams will compete in three different classes — a mainstream class for four wheel, four passenger entries, an Alternative class to push the boundaries of technology, and in 2011, a manufacturers prize for established companies. More »
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I'm writing this from the back seat of the Pontiac G8 GT. That's a midlevel-performance version of the sedan GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz asserts will return to Pontiac its long-absent dignity. Judging from the comfortable back seats and legroom, not to mention the reportedly solid platform, potent V8 and tight packaging, there's little doubt it will. More »
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Subaru's press event was nothing short of spectacular and I say that in a fully sarcastic manner. The R1e that we already took many a peek at was officially unveiled by Subaru's head honchos. If you're wondering, the R1e will not be making it stateside, at least not anytime soon. However, it was announced that Subaru will be working with the New York Power Authority, which happily accepted two R1e's. They will now drive them around and allow Subaru to monitor their performance, as well as potential consumer demand. Like I said, spectacular. Press release after the jump. More »
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We're well aware that the Ford Transit Connect is here and available in a lot of variations, but I'm still a bit confused by the taxi-model version that we spied last week and witnessed the official unveil of yesterday. The interior of this thing includes the mandatory glass panel that separates the driver and passengers. And that's where the confusion begins. The glass includes a LCD display much like we've already seen, but there also seems to be a sort of a map etched into the glass. More »
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Today in New York, Suzuki unveiled the third, and seemingly last, Kizashi: the Kizashi 3 Concept. Whereas Kizashi was a low-slung GT and the Kizashi 2 was a hatchback/crossover, the Kizashi 3 is a true sports sedan that's supposed to be close to production. Similar to the other Kisashis, power comes from a 300-horsepower V6 mated to a six speed automatic. Press release and photos below. More »
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It's a double reveal at the Saleen stand this year. In addition to the Saleen S5S Raptor, the boutique builder also rolled out the Saleen Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang. The car was created in partnership with Dan Gurney to develop the blue and white homage to Gurney's 1969 Trans Am Mustang. The 465 HP supercharged 281 cubic inch engine, short throw shifter, 3.73:1 gearing out back, sticky tires and Watts linkage suspension do their part to provide a healthy race feel. Only 300 of the special edition cars are planned, so if you want a Mustang with Dan Gurney's signature on the dash, you better speak up quick. More »
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All the folks we shook hands with at the Saleen Sterling Edition S302E reveal a couple of months ago were in attendance and happy to give us a look at their new Saleen S5S Raptor Concept. The ground up design starts with an all aluminum frame and a 5.0 L supercharged V8 good for 650 HP and 630 lb.ft. of torque. Those are some scrappy figures and the S5S Concept is said to make the run to 60 in a mere 3.2 seconds all while sipping on cellulosic ethanol. That's right folks, the S5S Raptor is a psuedo-environmentally friendly car with renewable fuel on its mind. Sounds good to us, we're happy with anything we can blast around in supercar-style long afte the dinosaur squeezin's run dry. Full details in the presser after the jump. More »
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You know the Kia Optima? Not really, no? The Optima is what you would buy because you just didn't like the Suzuki Forenza. Though a mid-cycle refreshment, it's a definite improvement over the "only as a rental car" original design. There's also more power for the four-cylinder engine, which is now nearly as powerful as the V6. Features such as leather sports seats and turn signal lights integrated into the mirrors raise the vehicle's profile to nearly 1998 Honda Accord levels. At a wooden, scripted Q&A session, the Kia execs made reference to Miles Davis' "exquisite simplicity" as a way of explaining the new design direction. We're thinking more Kenny G covering Miles Davis: a familiar melody without the familiar passion. Speaking of music, props to the production crew for the best pre-reveal mixtape: Belle & Sebastian, Joe Jackson and Simon & Garfunkle, to name just a few. More »
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The electric Mitsubishi electric i MIEV continues to evolve and this year it is no different at the New York Auto Show. The i MIEV has made some changes since our last visit with the concept. Now MIEV means Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, rather than Mitsubishi In-Wheel Electric Vehicle. This concept has a 16 kW lithium-ion battery with a 100-mile range that recharges overnight from a standard home outlet or dryer-style outlet. A 63 HP motor churns the vehicle along. There is also two models now available, the regular i MiEV and now a super fantastic Sports coupe model. More »
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Part coupe and part notchback, the new Kia Koup concept car hints at a design language to come. This new direction includes ditching the friendly, rounded edges of the old Kia and replacing them with a crisper and more angular look that borrows heavily from Acura. The Koup also points towards performance aspirations with its tweaked version of the company's 2.0-Liter Theta II four-cylinder engine, which produces 289 lb.-ft. of torque and 290 HP thanks to twin-scroll turbochargers and a new direct injection system. Though none of this changes the fact that it's a Kia concept, we hope it means a change in what it is to be a Kia. The company claims the Koup is a production-ready vehicle that we could see sooner than later. Press release below the jump. More »
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Little did we know that as we spent our time hanging around the Audi V12 LeMans concept at the Audi party in Manhattan last night that this particular model may never be. According to AutoBlog.nl, Audi's Martin Dick announced the V12 TDI would inspire a diesel model carrying a 382 HP 4.8-Liter TDI V8, instead. While this may help with fuel economy and price, it means prospective buyers will have roughly 118 horsepower less to play with. More »
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Remember the Volvo XC60 we showed you at the Geneva Motor Show? This new Sport Utility Crossover (SUX) is here in the states, but with some major differences. First, it'll be sold in North American. Second, no diesels. The end. The global version has two turbodiesels (the D5 producing 185 HP and the 2.4D with 163 HP), but we'll merely be getting the 285 HP turbocharged T6 V6. This is a big model for Volvo, with the company planning to sell as much as half of the 50,000 initially built in the United States. Differing it from other vehicles in the segment, AWD will be standard on all models and the new XC60 has an auto breaking features. Full press release below the jump. More »
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While hanging out at the Audi Forum event last night we bumped into our fair share of celebrities, including the cast of some show called Gossip Girl that the kids seem to enjoy. It was one of those events. But then one half of America's favorite comedy power couple, Will Arnett, arrived. We have an awkward almost man crush on the man who was to voice KITT and then, all of a sudden, wasn't. We talked with him for a while about his unfortunate departure from Knight Rider and then he expressed his enjoyment of Jalopnik! More »
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A committee of fat old men "experienced auto journalists" (i.e. not us) have named the Mazda2 as the world car of the year. Just beating out the Ford Mondeo and Mercedes C-Class in a thoroughly interesting, relevant and credible competition. Additionally, all three finalists for World Green Car Of The Year were diesel powered, with the BMW 118d Efficient Dynamics winning. The Audi R8 surprised no one by receiving the cardboard pyramids representing both the World Car Design Of The Year and World Performance Car awards. More »
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A certain South Korean carmaker was keeping busy after hours in the City That Does Not Know Sleep: Kia brough us this striptease of the Kia Koup concept vehicle as the sun set on Day One of the New York Auto Show. From what we can tell, the new design is all slim, sleek and back-swept—horizontal curves and narrow, blade-like shapes creating the impression of velocity. Of course, we'll know more later today, when the curtain comes off. Given the name, we're assuming two doors. [via World Car Fans] More »
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The team's all here at the Javits Center and ready to go. If you've read all our coverage so far, feel free to skip right over this post. However, if you've not yet had a chance to check out our full taste of the big, red and juicy autogasmic apple — then this post is for you. Remember, you can follow along today at the New York Auto Show tag as we continue to bring you the best coverage this side of Edward R. Murrow. More »
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We've seen the new Lamborghini LP560-4 at Geneva, but that didn't stop us from checking it out again here in New York for its North American debut. Yes, the updated V10 makes 552 HP. Yes, the new car weighs 44lbs less than the original Gallardo. But none of that really matter unless you're behind the wheel on an open road. So why is it that we can't get enough of the little Lambo? More »
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You already saw the official live reveal of the new 2009 TSX, and as I told you earlier, there'd be more coming tonight. The "more" is I've already had the chance to drive the 2009 Acura TSX, but we'll get to that tomorrow at our regularly scheduled noon review time. First, let's take a moment to talk about the whole business of writing an entertaining review about a car. A vehicle on the extremes of terrible and amazing is much easier to write about than reviewing a car sitting smack-dab in the squishy vanilla middle between dull and duller. Given the adjectives available for both ends of the spectrum are so much more appealing, it's no wonder this is the case — think epic, brilliant, orgasmic and their diametric opposites of appalling, disgusting and vomit-inducing. When emotion drives your verbiage it usually means you've driven either an amazing car or a complete pile of horse excrement. When it's none of the above, it's hard to get the same level of excitingly quotable quotes. Which brings me to the subject at hand — the 2009 Acura TSX. More »
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2008 John Cooper Works Mini Cooper Clubman. That's sort of like saying Porsche Cayenne GTS. Performance monikers slapped on vehicles with inherant performance shortcomings. Yes, we know, the 2008 JCW Mini Cooper Clubman already got the unveil at Geneva, but it was a pretty big show, and Spin and myself didn't really get around to crawling around one then, so here's the photographic goods on MINI's turbocharged less-mini-MINI. 0-60 MPH time comes in 6.5 seconds, but we suspect with a turbo 1.6L four banger it's a bit less speedy with more than one person in tow. In case you've forgotten how the story goes, the presser is below the fold if you're interested in the read. More »
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We went to the Porsche event with high hopes of amazing unveils for the never before seen Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder, Porsche RS Spyder, Porsche Cayenne GTS and Porsche 911 GT2. Imagine our disappointment when we got there and realized we've seen them all before, unlike the Porsche press release had implied. About the most exciting part of the whole event was the Boxster ice sculpture, with Porschemisu. They did manage to redeem themselves by encouraging us to "Have a little taste of Porsche" with the little birthday cakes - it's Porsches 50th anniversary this year. We didn't taste the cakes, because we don't know what Porsche tastes like, though we assume concentrated Bruce tastes like oil, aluminum, und schteel. More »
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It was just like old times! On the eve of the New York Auto Show, several Jalopnik staffers hopped into a cab, called out an address—and immediately felt the familiar sensation of a Ford Crown Vic having its pedal jammed to the metal. Gotta love NYC cab drivers. As we were being tossed hither and yon in the back seat, we noticed that...NYC cabs now have nav/entertainment systems for he benefit of passengers. More »
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