Thursday, December 30, 2010

Rumormill: BMW's production Vision Concept to be called i8


We have heard that BMW has has registered a series of "i+number trademarks (i1, i2, i3, i4, i5, i6, i7, i8 and i9) to use for its fuel efficient MegaCity range of vehicles. BMWBlog is now saying that it has heard a rumor that the combination that will be applied to the upcoming (read: 2013 or 2014) version of the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept will be i8. This makes some sense, as a BMW i8 would conjure up images of the never-seen M8 supercar, but BMWBlog is unconvinced. After all, why bring back memories of gas-guzzling supercars when you're trying to reinvent what one can be? Plus, since the vehicle is so far away, there's probably no name set in stone yet anyway. Whatever BMW decides on, it'll be better than the name that the car was given when we first saw it at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. Vision EfficientDynamics is just way, way too long.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Volkswagen offering lockable sat-nav system abroad


Volkswagen has come up with an unconventional solution for a rash of navigation thefts afflicting Dutch vehicle owners. From what we can gather, thieves are particularly fond of the company's RNS 310 and RNS 510 navigation systems, resulting in an apparent break-in epidemic. To help get the situation under control, VW is now offering its customers an RNS Navi Lock. The system locks a large metal plate over the entire navigation system, theoretically obscuring the hardware and making it more difficult to steal in the process. When owners are ready to use their nav screen, they simply unlock the plate using a key and go about their business.The system is available for the Golf, Passat and CC in Europe, but it's not exactly cheap. Buyers hoping to protect their precious navigation systems can expect to shell out around 219 euro for the armor plating. Pricey? Sure, but it's likely less than the cost of repairing break-in damage and replacing the whole system.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible drops its top (again) ahead of Detroit debut


With dozens of automakers churning out hundreds of different models on a continuous basis, the automotive industry has the potential for being downright chaotic. What saves it from such an eventuality is a measure of order: cars categorized into groups, segments, markets and bodystyles. That, and a certain measure of chronology.You see, when an automaker is about to introduce a new vehicle – whether production-ready or conceptual – they typically (though not necessarily) do so at a major auto show. But before they pull the tarp off the car on the show floor, they often release some photos and details to let us know what to expect. BMW, however, played by different rules when it came to the new 6 Series. The Bavarian automaker released images and info on its new convertible around the time of the Los Angeles Auto Show, but didn't unveil the car there. Instead, it'll be doing that at next month's Detroit Auto Show. There, we'll have our first chance to see the new model (along with the new X3, the revised 1 Series coupe and convertible and the new 1 Series M Coupe) up close and personal for the first time, after mulling over that first batch of shots and specs for the past month or so. And just to keep things hoppin', Munich has dropped a new batch of photos of the 2012 droptop, which we've placed in an embiggened gallery below for your viewing pleasure. Here in the States, the first of the new generation Sixers we'll see will be the 650i Convertible, with a turbocharged V8 giving 400 horsepower. Backed by either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto, the four-seat convertible figures to be a compelling performer.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Kia steams ahead with 100,000th Sorento


Kia is setting up the streamers and the champagne is on ice. The 100,000th Sorento crossover just went home with a new owner and it marks the first U.S.-built Kia vehicle to pass that milestone. For the past 11 months, the Sorento has been the brand's sales leader and it was only a matter of time before 100,000 of the crossovers took up residence in American driveways.The Kia Sorento is built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, which is located in city of West Point. KMMG has an annual capacity of 300,000 units so perhaps the 100,000th sale is just the beginning of many more Sorento sales for the United States.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Spy Shots: Are you the 2012 Volkswagen NMS?


For all of secrecy surrounding the New Midsized Sedan, we may have just scored our first unfettered glimpse at the new Volkswagen four-door. The quick-eyed crew over at JokeForBlog managed to lay their hands on a scant few images of what appears to be the NMS, and the vehicle looks to take more than a few cues from the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Using the German carmaker's revised corporate face up front and the same hexagonal license plate inset on the trunk deck, the similarities are almost overwhelming. We've got to wonder exactly what VW has planned to differentiate the two models other than size.

VW Jetta TDI tops Consumer Reports eco roundup, Honda CR-Z scores too low to recommend


Fuel efficiency is rapidly becoming one of the most influential determining factors when new car shoppers go looking for their next vehicle. And, as our friends at Consumer Reports correctly point out, earning top fuel efficiency marks generally means shopping in one of three categories: diesels, hybrids or subcompacts.As such, the consumer-oriented magazine has pitted four fuel-sippers against each other in their upcoming January, 2011 issue: the 2011 Ford Fiesta, Honda CR-Z, Mazda2 and Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Of these four models, the Jetta is the only one that's currently Recommended – the Fiesta and Mazda2 are too new to have adequate reliability data and, though expected to be reliable, the last-place CR-Z scored too low in CR's own road testing to recommend. CR tested two versions each of the Mazda and Ford subcompacts, one with a manual transmission and the other with an automatic. The Fiesta was ranked slightly higher than the Mazda2 overall, though the magazine seems to like both vehicles. Of the Honda, CR writes that "the ride is choppy, noise levels are high, and on-limit handling can be tricky." Couple those unfavorable traits with lower-than-expected fuel mileage of 35 mpg and limited utility, and it's understandable why CR wasn't particularly impressed with the CR-Z.Though somewhat pricey at $27,204, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI performed admirably, delivering 36 mpg overall and a superb 49 mpg on the highway in the hands of CR's testers. As an aside, CR also took a look at the Fuel Doctor FD-47 fuel-saving device, and rather predictably, found that it basically did nothing at all.

Kia teases 2012 Picanto ahead of Geneva debut


Kia has been hard at work, gaining credibility and sales in seemingly all market sectors over the past couple of years. What was once derided as a cut-rate brand has come back with higher quality and attractive styling, but the Picanto has until now been largely left out of the fun. An update for the overseas subcompact came in 2007, but that didn't do much for the diminutive city car. What Kia has in store for the next-generation model, however, stands to improve its lot.With a debut scheduled for the Geneva Motor Show this coming March, Kia has released two sketches of what we might expect from the new Picanto. And if the new model carries over the edgy styling from these sketches with reasonable accuracy, the Picanto could emerge as a real player in the city car market.

Officially Official: Volkswagen Golf R headed to U.S. for 2012

It's been a couple of years since Volkswagen's heavyweight hot hatch, the R32, graced America's shores, but now we have official word of a successor. Tuned by the in-house R team at Volkswagen, the Golf R should be a good bit more exciting than its already entertaining forebear, and hopefully, it will shave a few pounds off, too. Unlike the R32, which was powered by VW's popular VR6, the new model will be powered by Volkswagen's ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. And while Volkswagen isn't quoting power output for the new U.S. model, the European version currently on sale conjures up 270 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. All of that gumption will be routed through VW's fourth generation Haldex 4Motion all-wheel drive system, which means the VW should once again be a good foil for cars like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. Along with the power increase, VW is promising bigger brakes, an uprated suspension, 18-inch wheels, center-exit dual exhaust and a more liberally tuned ESP. Perhaps most interestingly, the Golf R will be available in both two and four doors and be paired exclusively with a manual transmission.

VW teams up with Fender for in-car audio systems

Four years ago Volkswagen came up with the V-Dub Rocks promotion, giving away a free guitar with nearly every new 2007 model. So it came with the slightest sense of deja vu when VW announced a partnership with Fender. This time, however, a guitar isn't part of the package, and instead, VW will be offering select 2012 models with an all-new Fender Premium Audio System, featuring nine speakers equipped with proprietary Panasonic tech, dual voice coil speakers and extended range tweeters. The first model to get the new system is the hotted-up 2012 Jetta GLI, followed by the all-new mid-size sedan and soon-to-be unveiled 2012 Beetle.

Officially Official: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe is ready to cut and thrust


BMW's long, agonizing roll-out of information about the 2012 1 Series M Coupe has been a bit maddening. In addition to an early video reveal, we were invited to get some seat time in a prototype of the 1M, leaving us with just the final production-spec images and details in the world of the unknown. Well, wait no more – BMW has officially taken the wraps off of its hot new 1 Series, and while we're still very eager to put this sporty coupe through its paces, we can't help but wish for just a teensy bit more... oomph.Let's start with power. The 1 Series M Coupe uses BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, and while early estimates had the car pumping out as much as 350 horsepower, the final numbers are: 335 hp and 332 pound-feet of torque – exactly what you get out of this engine in the current Z4 sDrive35is. The car's ECU has an overboost function that provides an additional 37 lb-ft of twist at full tilt, and with your foot pressed hard into the right pedal, 0-60 will happen in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited at – you guessed it – 155 miles per hour.The only transmission available is a six-speed manual, though rumors have circulated about a possible twin-clutch DCT box making its way into the car down the road. Like all M cars, the 1M features an M Drive button on the steering wheel that improves throttle response. Additionally, the car is equipped with an M Dynamic Mode button that allows the electronic driving nannies to kick in slightly later than normal.Compared to a 2011 135i coupe, the 1M is 0.2 inches longer, 2.1 inches wider and 0.5 inches taller. Both the front and rear tracks have been increased by 2.8 and 1.8 inches, respectively. Weighing in at 3,296 pounds, the 1 Series M Coupe is 77 pounds lighter than your off-the-shelf 135i. The 1M rides on standard M-specific 19-inch wheels wrapped in 245/35 rubber up front and beefy 265/35 out back. BMW hasn't made great strides to rework the 1 Series' interior for the M, but things like sport seats and a fat sport steering wheel are standard fare.Don't get us wrong, we're drooling over the 1 Series M Coupe, but we can't help but wish for a bit more power and perhaps a larger reduction in weight. After all, BMW is comparing this car to the E30 M3 coupe which is perhaps one of our all-time favorite Roundel sports cars. Still, BMW needs to position the 1 Series M Coupe in a way that it doesn't step on the toes of it's big brother, the M3, and we're sure that this M Coupe treatment will provide more than enough moxie for us enthusiasts to get our kicks. - autoblog