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J.D. Power: Car Dealership Customer Satisfaction Improves, Jaguar Comes Out On Top Again
According to the 28th annual J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Index, car dealerships rose in customer satisfaction so far this year, due mostly to an increased satisfaction with repair work. Overall, two-thirds of the 37 brands ranked experienced gains in customer satisfaction. Dealer service overall increased to 882 on a 1,000-point scale, with Jaguar ranking highest in customer satisfaction for the second year in a row followed by Cadillac and Buick. Top ten brands below the jump. More »
offbeat news
Concours D'Ignorance Postponed Until 2009, Crap Car Connoisseurs Wait Impatiently
In what is probably one of the greatest press communications ever issued, Alan Galbraith, the brains behind Billettproof, has let us know the first Concours D'Ignorance will have to wait another year. We're a bit disappointed that we have to wait until 2009 to celebrate the eye-gougingly bad in automotive history, but for truly perfected automotive terribleness, we will happily endure. Also, the eyebrows perk up when we see Alan mention the name of fair Flint, MI. Could he actually be eyeballing Michigan's armpit as a midwest location? We certainly hope so. Aforementioned press communique below the fold. More »
racing news
Red Bull Drifting World Championship Announced, Beijing Olympics Now Forgotten
Formula DRIFT and Red Bull are poised to move the sport of drifting from a mostly national sport to an international competition with the announcement of the Red Bull Drifting World Championship, to be held at the Port of Long Beach on November 15, 2008. The competition is set to bring 32 professional drifters from around the world to compete for the largest purse ever, though what that purse is hasn't been announced yet. We just hope some broke and alcoholic stevedore in a drifting El Camino somehow qualifies for the one amateur spot and earns enough money to pay for his daughter's college tuition. That would make an awesome movie. Press release below the jump.More »
bugatti veyron targa
Bugatti Veyron Targa To Bow At Pebble Beach, Car Snobs To Feign Disinterest
The Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance usually plays host to the reveal of at least one high profile, high-dollar piece of driveway candy every year. This year is no exception with the Bugatti Veyron Targa expected to make an appearance and drop its very expensive top. And when we say expensive, what we really mean to say is ridiculously expensive. More »
2009 bmw 3-series
2009 BMW 3-Series Brochure Scanned, Leaked, Flame Surfaced
For those curious what the mild mid-cycle refresh of the 2009 BMW 3-Series is going to look like, the folks at Bimmer-File has gotten ahold of scans from a marketing brochure that appear to show the full monty.More »
11:00 AM on Thu Jul 10 2008
By Matt Hardigree
3,320 views,
24 comments
spy photos
Diesel Chevrolet LUV Cruising Around Detroit Suburbs
We spotted a manufacturer-plated Chevrolet LUV pickup cruising around town a month ago on our way to our brother's graduation from Oakland University, but didn't think much of it because frankly, a re-badged Isuzu D-MAX (or Chevy Colorado depending on how you look at it) doesn't really get us going. That is until we took a closer look at the shots last night and noticed that it was a diesel-powered Chevy LUV truck. My, my, my — is GM perhaps looking to create a competitor for the Mahindra Scorpio / Appalachian / Whatever pickup? Maybe some oil-slicked Thai truck action?More »
1:20 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Ray Wert
4,230 views,
57 comments
Latest by n/a: Minor correction: while the D-Max and the Thai-built Chevrolet/Holden Colorado are mechanically still siblings, the GM copies aren't built by Isuzu anymore. Interestingly, this could be a mule for the NEXT generation world-wide Colorado. more »
2009 bmw 335d
Hearing our pleas, we're being told BMW will be bringing the diesel 3-series to the US in the coming months. As proof, we've got shots from our spy friends at KGP of the oil-burning BMW doing some final testing on American soil as well shots of it at the green-handled pump. The 2009 BMW 335d should feature a slightly lower level of performance compared to the European turbodiesel, but that still means 265 HP and 425 lb-ft of torque. This should result in a 0-to-60 MPH time of around 6.2 seconds while getting a rumored 23 MPG city / 33 MPG highway. Full spy report below the jump.
More »
Diesel BMW 335 Spied, To Hit US Shores By Fall
Hearing our pleas, we're being told BMW will be bringing the diesel 3-series to the US in the coming months. As proof, we've got shots from our spy friends at KGP of the oil-burning BMW doing some final testing on American soil as well shots of it at the green-handled pump. The 2009 BMW 335d should feature a slightly lower level of performance compared to the European turbodiesel, but that still means 265 HP and 425 lb-ft of torque. This should result in a 0-to-60 MPH time of around 6.2 seconds while getting a rumored 23 MPG city / 33 MPG highway. Full spy report below the jump.More »
12:30 PM on Tue Jul 8 2008
By Matt Hardigree
2,625 views,
84 comments
Latest by mr.chophoppers: I think that the main downside for diesels in the US is the horrible amount of stop-and-go driving most motorists do here, due to silly planning from local governments. Turbos mask the innate slothly character of diesel engines, but if more »
custom cars
The Award For Loudest Use Of A Ural 375D Goes To: Power Acoustik Sub Truck
Imagine you have a Ural 375D at your disposal — basically the Soviet version of the deuce and a half. What do you do with it? If you're sound equipment manufacturer Power Acoustik, you stack it so high with subwoofers, amps and horns, astronauts in orbit can listen in to your books on tape. The tail end of this thing looks like a Soyuz launch vehicle just waiting to blast off. While it's just a demo vehicle, we're pretty sure it would make a rockin' PA system too — for the city of Moscow.[TechEBlog]
2009 bmw 7-series
After teasing us with the new 2009 BMW 7-series, BMW's finally revealed the new 7 via an early leak of press photos to the web. After throwing everything at us from a flowbee-equipped mule to the teaser at the German golf outing, they've tossed the next 7-series at us in every way possible but with the kitchen sink. Every time, it's been nothing but a tease. Well, except for that purported leaked press shot. But somehow these small press photos have wiggled their way out onto the web and we've managed to snap 'em up.
More »
2009 BMW 7-Series Hits Web A Wee Bit Early
After teasing us with the new 2009 BMW 7-series, BMW's finally revealed the new 7 via an early leak of press photos to the web. After throwing everything at us from a flowbee-equipped mule to the teaser at the German golf outing, they've tossed the next 7-series at us in every way possible but with the kitchen sink. Every time, it's been nothing but a tease. Well, except for that purported leaked press shot. But somehow these small press photos have wiggled their way out onto the web and we've managed to snap 'em up.More »
kia cee'd
Kia Cee'd Grows Into A Mini MPV; Right Size For U.S. Market?
Expected to be based on the Euro-market Kia Cee'd, this new mini-MPV offering from Kia was spotted recently doing some testing in the Alps. Engine options will likely be the same as those found on the Cee'd, including the two turbodiesels. And, while it's likely this new model will likely go up against European competitors like the Opel Meriva and VW Golf Plus, Kia might decide that the market is right for a trip across the pond to our shores. With the increasing popularity of crossovers in the states, we wouldn't rule out the possibility just yet. More details after the jump. More »
10:20 AM on Tue Jul 1 2008
By Mark Arnold
991 views,
6 comments
Latest by EuropaBambaataa: @underachieva: Surprise, Kia ce'x. more »
goodwood festival of speed
Audi Resurrects Auto Union Type D Racer For Goodwood, Pink Floyd's Mason Behind Wheel
At next month's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Audi plans to unveil their authentic reconstruction of a 1939 Auto Union Type D Dual Compressor. The single-seat roadster, a replica of the Grand Prix racer driven by the likes of Tazio Nuvolari and H.P. Müller, will be driven by none other than Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason. Mason'll have to tame the 420 HP V12, the mother-loving engine at the atom heart of the Type D, as it spins those skinny tires up the hill at Goodwood. Luckily, Mason isn't new to priceless classic race cars. More »
2009 bmw 3-series
2009 BMW 335d Diesel Testing In U.S., Features Bluetec-Style Peeburner
Reports that the US market will be getting the new diesel BMW 3-series have gained additional credibility with this 2009 BMW 335d sedan spotted testing on our shores. It's no secret that modern European turbo diesels are wonders of efficiency and low-end torque; the BMW oilburner is no different, producing 425 lb-ft of torque at just 1,750 RPM. But there's more than just diesel fuel being splashed around. To meet U.S. emissions, the engine will also be injecting urea. Yep, pee. Sort of...More »
10:00 AM on Tue Jun 24 2008
By Mark Arnold
4,756 views,
38 comments
Latest by MR42HH: @jbownsabmw: Don't they have a smaller diesel? I thought fuel economy was the point. They have 4 smaller diesels in the 3-series. The smallest is the 318d with a 50 mpg European rating. The 320d is the one to get, 48 more »
tanner foust
Top Gear USA Host Tanner Foust Takes Garage419 Sideways
Now that we know Tanner Foust is going to be one of the three hosts of Top Gear USA, we're feeling out whether this guy is worthy of the job or not. So, while we know pretty much everything there is to know about the race driver/television host, we're still interested in seeing more of his prowess behind the wheel. Garage419 got the chance to ride shotgun with Foust during a drift session in a Nissan 350Z, so check out all the countersteering, tire-smokin' action after the jump. More »
down on the street bonus edition
Rocket Scientist Citroen D Special Awaits Blast-Off In Virginia
We always love to see French cars down on the North American street, especially when they're Citroëns. Chimuel caught this early-70s D Special in Deltaville, Virginia, and had camera at the ready. Note the NASA parking permit.More »
meadow brook concours d'elegance
Aerocar To Be Displayed At 2008 Meadow Brook Concours, Land In Our Dreams
What would a car show be without a flying car? Frankly, we don't want to know, which is why we're glad the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, taking place Sunday, August 3, is playing host to the Taylor Aerocar. Built in 1956, this is perhaps the most successful flying car of all time. That's right, despite our fascination with flying cars, the best one was probably built more than 50 years ago. If you're on hand at the Meadow Brook event on August 3rd you can see one up close. More »
industry news
2008 Chevy Malibu Refuses to be Ignored, Tops J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey
The Car You Knew America Could Build (but wish they would have about 15 years ago) has just added another trophy to its collection. The 2008 Chevy Malibu received top honors in the mid-size car category of this year's J.D. Power (and his various associates') Initial Quality Survey, beating out the fugly Mitsubishi Galant and
offbeat news
