Saturday, April 23, 2011

BMW Voted Best Performance Brand and Coolest Brand in 2011 KBB Awards

BMW Voted Best Performance Brand and Coolest Brand in 2011 KBB Awards

Kia adding Optima production line to Georgia plant



The Kia Optima has been a resounding success from the minute the midsize sedan's redesigned 2011 model hit dealer showrooms. Optima sales have nearly doubled since its November introduction, which has helped the automaker claim a 36 percent sales increase on the year.The Korean automaker seems to think the good times will continue into the future, announcing a third hiring wave at the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia plant. The additional employees will help increase Optima output when the 2012 model arrives in the third quarter. This is good news for the red-hot Kia brand, and those looking for work in Georgia are likely excited as well. Kia says in the post-jump press release that its hiring spree will increase the workforce at the facility to 3,000 workers.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Volkswagen gives price points for 2012 Beetle, targets Mini



Elaborating on our previous details from the New York unveiling of the 2012 much-altered Beetle, Volkswagen North America CEO Jonathan Browning has told Autoblog, "We're aiming to essentially go after the Mini so far as market positioning and price offerings."That means a price range from $20,000 to $24,000 when the coupe launches worldwide in late September, and between $25,000 and $29,000 for the 2013 convertible. These price ranges take into account the three engines on offer at the start of deliveries: the 2.5-liter five-cylinder, 2.0-liter TDI diesel, and 200-hp 2.0-liter TFSI. There's no telling what the price will be on the hot Beetle R foreseen for mid-2013 with the newest 261-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four from the Scirocco R, much less the rumored 337-hp Beetle RS with turbo inline five "W28" engine for 2014.Wheels available at launch will range from a standard 17-inch set to optional 18-inch and 19-inch, the latter set being the size shown on all of the Beetles that you'll see in our photos from the 2011 New York Auto Show.VW global branding boss Luca De Meo tells us, "We want to avoid the almost total lack of rollout planning that the former New Beetle suffered. That car had a couple of pretty good years and then it fell dramatically. We want to keep offering new things that are significant this time around so as to keep the car fresh."Though Volkswagen could rely on its vast worldwide manufacturing network to build the Beetle for Western Europe, China, and North America, bosses in New York say that all Beetle manufacturing will remain exclusively at the Puebla, Mexico plant.

2012 Subaru Impreza: Deep Dive

The fourth generation 2012 Subaru Impreza has arrived, and to paraphrase Huey Lewis, the first thing you might notice is that it's hip to be square... er. Underneath its skin, the new Impreza says a few things that Americans aren't so used to – nor so fond of – hearing, like the fact that it has a smaller-displacement engine with less horsepower.If that's the step backward, though, there are more than two steps forward: It's lighter, faster, more frugal, stiffer, nicer inside, has a better suspension and more interior room, all the while being the same size as the previous generation. Said Subaru Production Line Manager Todd Hill, "it's all upside."- Autoblog

Kia Hampsters win Nielsen's Top Auto Ad Award for second year in a row

Kia has taken home the top honors in the Nielsen Automotive Ad of the Year awards for the second year in a row. The company's troupe of dancing hamsters managed to make the biggest impression on viewers in the "A New Way To Roll" spot in 2009 and the rodents managed to pull off a similar stunt in 2010 with the automaker's "This or That" ad. Nielsen hands out the awards based on response information collected from 2.5 million viewers across 24 networks, and according to Kia, the hamster spots have helped increase Soul sales in a big way. The boxy compact saw its sales figures increase by 50.8 percent last month compared to March 2010.

New York 2011: Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza with lighter figure, impressive fuel economy



We just gave you a deep dive look at the 2012 Subaru Impreza. Now, we get to see the fourth-generation Subaru in its four and five-door flesh on the floor of the 2011 New York Auto Show. The new car is lighter and more fuel efficient, boasting a very impressive 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating. How is the new 2012 Impreza able to claim the title of most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car in the United States? Dropping a few pounds doesn't hurt but there's a bit more to it than that.Beneath the hood lies a brand-new 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, which produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. When paired with Subaru's new CVT, the Impreza achieves the aforementioned 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating, and also returns 27 mpg in the city. And though the 2012 Impreza occupies the same footprint as the model it replaces, the wheelbase has been pushed out an extra inch, which allows for more interior space yet no trunk room was compromised.The lightened-up Subaru Impreza sedan and five-door hatchback are scheduled to arrive at your local dealership later this summer. - Autoblog

New York 2011: Kia debuts all-new 2012 Rio with start-stop, good for 40 MPG

The 2012 Kia Rio debuts at the 2011 New York Auto Show today, sporting brand new bodywork, Kia's new direct-injected four-cylinder and the company's Idle Stop and Go, or stop-start technology. Kia claims the combination of direct fuel injection and stop-start means the 2012 Rio will pull down 30 miles per gallon around town and 40 mpg on the highway.On top of that, the new Rio should be a peppy little beast, knocking down 138 horsepower from its 1.6-liter four cylinder. Switching the ratios will be either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Idle Stop and Go is an all-new feature for any Kia – when the car is stopped and the brake depressed, the computer kills the engine to save gas. When the brake pedal is released, the engine fires back up and away you go.Outside, the Rio has been treated to a full re-skinning, taking on the high-shouldered, wedge-shaped look of the rest of the Korean automaker's lineup. Out front, the Rio gets a slightly slimmer version of the company's familiar grille, re-shaped to better integrate with the car's headlights. The 2012 Rio has also grown to 171.9 inches in length and 67.7 inches in width, but sits lower than the outgoing model. Kia claims that, despite its increased dimensions, the widened stance and use of high-tensile steel in the car's construction makes for significantly better ride and handling over the old Rio.The 2012 Kia Rio will be available in three trim packages, starting with the LX, which gets 15-inch steel wheels, body-color door handles and side mirrors. Above that, the EX model rides on the same wheels as the LX, but gets power mirrors and locks and keyless entry. The top-level trim will be the SX, which sports 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, a dual-tip exhaust and heated mirrors sporting turn signal repeaters. The five-door Rio5 SX, meanwhile, will be upgraded to projector headlights. - Autoblog

New York 2011: Kia updates 2012 Soul with new engines, transmissions and style

Kia has introduced the updated 2012 Soul at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The quirky box has received a slew of styling updates both inside and out alongside a number of mechanical improvements designed to give the vehicle a little extra power and fuel efficiency, to boot. Up front, the Soul gains projection-beam headlights accented with LED daytime running lights, and two new paint colors have been added to the option sheet – Canyon and Moss. Indoors, top-trim buyers are treated to Kia's new Microsoft-branded hands-free connectivity system called UVO or an optional navigation system for the first time.But the most exciting news comes from under the Soul's hood. The engineers at Kia have fitted an all-new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that produces 135 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque. That's a pony increase of 11 percent over the old, non-DI 1.6-liter engine, and Kia says that when coupled to either a new six-speed manual transmission or a similarly minty six-speed automatic gearbox, which replace the old five-speed manual and four-speed automatic, the engine will return 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg highway.A more powerful 2.0-liter engine is also still on hand, but Kia has a new version that's more powerful than the one it replaces, producing 160 hp or 18 hp more than the engine its replacing, and it too can now be bolted to the new six-speed transmissions. Fuel economy for the updated 2.0-liter engine is now rated at 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for both cogswappers. - Autoblog

New York 2011: Subaru looking at XV Concept for US, but wouldn't be called Outback Sport



At the 2011 New York Auto Show, we asked Dominic Infante, Subaru's U.S. product manager, about the XV Concept revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show. "It's probably not for us," he said, "but we're looking at it. And if it did come, it probably wouldn't be called Outback Sport."That's because the Outback Sport is an anomaly in Subaru's U.S. line-up that the brand's marketing arm would like to correct – an Outback in name only, it is actually based on the Impreza platform. But it sells so well, Infante says, "that the sales guys don't want them to change anything. They're like, 'Don't mess it up.'" - Autoblog

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

BMW Z4 Roadster to be first four-cylinder offered on U.S. shores in decades



Forced-induction, four-cylinder engines and small cars go together likes punch and pie. BMW understands this, and the automaker has officially announced that the Z4 is the first U.S. model to get its new turbocharged mill. This marks the first time in decades that BMW is bringing a four-banger to U.S. shores. Fans of the 2002, rejoice.The BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster will serve up its engine bay for the new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. Output is rated at 240-horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque, which arrives at just 1,250 rpm. Using a combination of direct-injection, BMW's Valvetronic intake management and a twin-scroll turbo allows the engine to produce V6 power with I4 efficiency. BMW expects to see a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing motor. The eight-speed automatic transmission will also certainly help the Z4 in the fuel economy fight. - Autoblog

Monday, April 18, 2011

New York 2011: VW Beetle live reveal

Another icon has gone under the knife and emerged, well, only slightly differently iconic. The differences are only superficially slight – as Volkswagen global marketing director Luca de Meo said of the 2012 Beetle that was revealed simultaneously in New York, Berlin and Shanghai, "We worked on the entire packaging of the car, engine, trunk, interior, everything." Take a close look at it, and it's clear.de Meo laid out three objectives for the new hatchback: Bring back the spirit of the original, i.e., make it affordable, tough, and easy to use; reconnect with the emotion of the car; and bring the shape and concept of the original into the 21st century.To achieve all that, Volkswagen's head of design, Klaus Bischoff, says they threw everything from the current Beetle out the window and had an original Beetle in the studio when they started the redesign in 2007. Working from those vintage cues, the 2012 car is stretched everywhere: it's 150 millimeters longer, 3.2 inches wider, and has a wider track. The bonnet is longer, a look exacerbated by the cabin being pushed back and the windshield being more upright and closer to the driver.The window graphic has also been stretched and continues around the car in a more cohesive line. At the bottom, the car is lowered and the revealed coupe wears oversized alloys. Bischoff says, "the masculine feeling we wanted to achieve is based on really big wheels." Inside, there are body-colored elements on the dash and steering wheel spokes, and ambient lighting that can be changed from red to white to blue.But that bit about masculinity is the real takeaway. When de Meo listed the most important alterations to the "monument," they were the XDS electric front differential which make the Beetle "more nimble, agile – it makes it behave like the movie car Herbie;" the fact that the 200-horsepower turbocharged motor makes this a "toy for a boy;" and the Fender audio that includes some first-time features such as the Panasonic technology in the tweeters.The aim is to communicate that the Beetle isn't just for women anymore. Even as the car is meant to be more emotional, VWUSA head Jonathan Browning says VW wants to keep the women who have sponged up the car, but expand the demographic and make the car more global. de Meo adds, "We want to make a statement without making compromises, to get out of niche and into core demand in many markets," not just the States.The 2012 Beetle will go on sale sometime in September or October, priced "very competitive in the mainstream of the marketplace" according to Browning.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Shanghai Preview: Subaru XV


The Shanghai Motor Show is beginning to look like a pretty big deal, with more than enough high-impact reveals to pique our interest. The latest vehicle to be teased in advance of the show is the XV concept, which Subaru says is "a design concept car that defines a new generation of crossover vehicle, blending exceptional SUV practicality with a fashionable form."The Japanese automaker says the theme of the crossover concept is "Enjoyment and Peace of mind," which, loosely translated, means that the XV will be practical to own yet fun to drive. Subaru hasn't provided many facts other than what we could have already guessed; that the automaker's symmetrical all-wheel drive system is part of the package. We're guessing a boxer engine isn't far behind.As you can see from the teaser photo above, the XV will feature four doors, stylized headlamps, big concept car wheels and the shape of a crossover, albeit one with a backlight that's got more rake than a typical utility-first Subaru. Given the short distance from the rear doors to the tailgate, we might also guess that the XV will be on the smaller side; perhaps the size and shape of a puffed-up Impreza, but the company already has the Forester in that role – could there be room for two such models? Either way, we're going to have to wait for the vehicle's official unveiling on April 19 to know for sure. -AB

Saturday, April 9, 2011

First Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage SX



Turbocharging Adds Welcome Spice To This Handsome Soft-Roader 2011 Kia Sportage SX - Click above for high-res image galleryThere's no replacement for displacement. Ask any man or woman who dined on the muscle cars that Detroit was serving in the '50s and '60s, and they'll tell you to always order the largest engine offered if you want to have any fun. Thing is, that tired old axiom just isn't accurate in the modern era. Downsizing is what's for dinner these days.Before anyone older than 60 has a heart attack, know that the ever-escalating horsepower wars are alive and well. As it turns out, there is a replacement for displacement: technology. Take one part modern computers and the hundreds of sensors that feed them, add the classic trick of turbocharging and sprinkle on the relatively newfangled mechanical magic of direct injection, and you've got yourself one tasty recipe for performance. And you don't need a cup that measures power in cubic inches to get it.Look no farther for proof than Kia. The Korean automaker is working hard to change its hard-earned image of offering low-cost, basic transportation to something more like the sportier side of a dual-headed Korean conglomerate that also includes Hyundai. Its SX trim level is part of that plan, and the latest two vehicles to bear those letters only have a less-is-more strategy of power production on the menu. We've already sampled the turbocharged, direct-injected Optima SX and were left wanting seconds; now it's time to taste Kia's well-received and attractive compact crossover, the Sportage, in turbo flavor. Make no mistake, the biggest piece of the Sportage SX pie is its engine. Kia has managed to coax 260 horsepower (at 6,000 rpm) from just 2.0 liters, which is an impressive feat. Torque comes in at an equally impressive 269 pound-feet, delivered between 1,850 and 3,000 rpm. If that's not sounding all that special, consider what would happen if you could linearly double the engine size and output. Does 520 horsepower from 4.0 liters grab your attention?Granted, other automakers have met and even beaten that power-per-liter figure – General Motors reached that exact same level of horsepower with its turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter Ecotec engine over five years ago, albeit with a bit less peak torque. Kia, however, has managed the feat while requiring only regular-grade gasoline. We applaud Kia for not requiring the finest of fuel (in terms of price) at the pump, even more so because we're not being asked to forsake any performance at the altar of 87 octane.We did ask officials on hand at the model's introduction in Phoenix if there would be a performance boost from using premium gasoline, but there isn't. We were told this engine was tuned from the very beginning to drink regular 87 octane, and while its computer system will indeed recognize when higher octane gas goes in the tank, the entire system has been optimized for regular. In other words, fill the tank with 87 octane and be thankful you don't have to pay extra for the privilege of having 260 horses underhood.What's more, the fuel economy penalty for all this extra power (the larger displacement standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder offers just 176 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque) isn't all that severe. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Sportage SX will return 22 miles per gallon in the city and 27 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive guise, and 21/25 equipped with all-wheel drive. Those figures equal the standard Sportage in the city, though owners will lose three to four mpg on the highway from the horsepower injection.It's also worth mentioning that the 2011 Kia Sportage SX shares its basic drivetrain with the Optima SX, which produces 274 horsepower. Why the output discrepancy? Kia explains that packaging issues in the Sportage required revised intake and exhaust routing, which in turn required slightly different tuning. Those changes resulted in a loss of 14 horsepower compared to the Optima, but peak torque remains the same.Those ponies are routed to the front wheels (all-wheel drive is optional) through a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, but no steering wheel paddles (there is a +/- detent on the gearlever, however). We'd argue that any performance-minded machine should have paddle-shifters if no proper manual transmission is made available, but such arguments often fall on deaf ears at automakers that say they have solid business cases in hand saying otherwise. In any case, the six-speed automatic in the Sportage SX handles shifting duties well, though we predictably prefer snappier gear changes when driving aggressively, or better yet, a dedicated Sport mode.

Which brings us to our only real complaint about the drivetrain. As is typical with small displacement turbocharged engines, power doesn't begin to build until the twin-scroll turbocharger starts turning. It's laudable that peak torque comes on at just 1,850 rpm, but there's noticeable lag below that. From a dead stop, the torque converter does a good job of getting the boosted engine into its sweet spot, but if the Sportage SX is moving at anything below a walking pace, even adding some spice in its sauce won't generate any meaningful acceleration for a beat or two. That's certainly not a deal breaker, as such instances of sudden onset acceleration don't happen all that often in the real world, but it's something to keep in mind if you think those 260 horses are ready to run at all times.Once moving, the 2.0-liter engine feels very responsive and that broad torque spread allows it to haul the stylish little crossover into passing speed with nothing but a single downshift. Braking performance is similarly immediate, as the 11.8-inch ventilated front discs (up an eighth of an inch over non-turbocharged models) offer good initial bite and have plenty of reserve power for emergency situations. Steering manners are generally pleasant, though the feel and feedback from the electronic rack still doesn't match that of a well-tuned hydraulic unit. That said, we were accustomed to this artificial feeling from the front wheels after the first few miles and never really thought about it again.The Sportage SX also has a suspension tuned on the sporty side of the compact crossover segment. As observed over largely smooth Arizona roads, we wouldn't describe the ride as harsh, but it's firmly on the side of... firm, the benefit of which is well-controlled body roll. Interestingly, all-wheel-drive models also feature a lockable center differential, but that doesn't mean you should expect any real off-road capabilities. We happened to have a Trail Rated 2011 Jeep Patriot the same week we were testing the Sportage SX. Suffice it to say that the Sportage would not be Trail Rated were it wearing a Jeep badge. Not that it matters much – we can't imagine any Sportage SX buyer taking this turbocharged machine farther off the road than the rutted dirt parking lot at the local farmer's market. And if called for, the optional all-wheel-drive system will do a fine job of adding some security in bad weather conditions.Naturally, you will have to empty your piggy banks a bit more than the standard Sportage to drive home in a turbocharged SX. Base price for the front-wheel-drive SX is $25,795. All-wheel drive will cost you an extra $1,500. That may seem a bit expensive when compared to the $18,295 asking price for a base Sportage, but the SX is loaded up with all the same goodies as the upper-level EX trim, and the turbo engine option with all its assorted performance goodies adds a somewhat more reasonable $2,500 to the cost of an EX.The 2011 Kia Sportage SX rides, drives and generally behaves exactly like what it is: a Sportage with a welcome dash of horsepower. If you like the basic entree Kia offers in its compact 'ute but crave an optional V6 engine, you'll find a delicious substitute in the turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter under its sculpted hood. - Autoblog

Spy Shots: 2012 Subaru Impreza shows its face


Subaru released a side profile shot of its 2012 Impreza sedan ahead of the car's New York Auto Show debut, and now, our trusty spy photographers have caught the new Subie out in public, revealing its fresh face. - Autoblog

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Subaru shows us a side of the 2012 Impreza


Subaru rolled out an impressive Impreza concept vehicle at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. That design was aggressive, good-looking and one of the better reveals of the entire auto show. Will the impending production version be as exciting as the concept? We'll see. Subaru has plans to reveal the next Impreza at the fast-approaching New York Auto Show. Ahead of that, the automaker has released a profile shot of the 2012 Impreza.We don't have much in the way of actual information to offer just yet, but Subaru is offering fuel efficiency estimates of 36 miles per gallon on the highway, and we're told that both the sedan and wagon are scheduled to appear at the 2011 NYIAS. As far as the styling goes, we're going to hold off final judgment until we see it in the flesh, or at least until we can show you more than just this side profile. Until that time, you can find us hanging out in our angry dome.

BMW developing adaptive 8-speed transmission that predicts curves, road conditions


BMW just wrapped up its annual Innovation Days here in Munich, and in addition to detailing its new modular engines (turbocharged three-, four- and six-cylinder powerplants), showing off a range of lightweight components and discussing the possibility of equipping a future EV with a range-extending engine, BMW revealed plans for a new adaptive transmission based on its current eight-speed gearbox.Utilizing GPS mapping, a wireless data connection, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), front and rear-mounted cameras and radar sensors, the transmission can adapt its shifting pattern and power delivery to suit road conditions.So, let's say you're heading out on the road and it's raining. The data connection pulls in the most recent weather information, the DSC takes in the coefficient of friction of the road and then restricts power to avoid wheel spin. With the integrated GPS, the system can detect the next curve, recognize you're in Sport mode and downshift into a lower gear to perfectly suit the bend you're about to bomb.The range of applications is only limited by the amount of data the system can pull in and process, and while BMW wouldn't divulge when this technology would hit production, there's a good chance that the next iteration of the 7 Series could benefit from the system and then filter down throughout BMW's range.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

VW to reveal new global Beetle in two weeks on MTV


You think Volkswagen is interested in generating buzz in the next generation Beetle? The automaker teased (and gave away) The People's Car on Oprah in the fall, Followed by a pricey but clever Super Bowl commercial back in February. We heard a couple weeks back that VW planned to follow up on the considerable Beetle buzz with an unveil in Shanghai, but that's only part of the story.Volkswagen has announced that it will unveil the 2012 Beetle on April 18 in a whirlwind tour of three continents. The kickoff will occur in China, followed by reveals in Berlin and New York City. The entire event will be covered by MTV, with special guests planned for each event. Here in the States, the event will be headlined by The Black Eyed Peas while the Germans will kick it with Belgian duo 2manydjs.Luca de Meo, Director of Marketing, Volkswagen Group, touts the marketing partnership of Beetle and MTV as a pair of icons working together. The marketing boss believes that the 2012 Beetle's "one-of-a-kind styling combined with the latest technology will be very well received by customers."Stay tuned to Autoblog as we gather the latest 2012 Beetle intelligence in advance of the bulbous hatchback's global reveal, and feel free to peruse our spy photo gallery of the prototype Beetle below, then hit the jump to look over VW's official press release. - AB

Current generation BMW M3 to be last naturally aspirated M car

The writing's been on the wall for some time, but the fate of naturally aspirated M cars from BMW is all but sealed: forced induction is the future and the next M3 will come equipped with a turbocharged engine.With next year's new emissions standards looming on the horizon, every automaker is looking to improve its fleet-wide fuel economy, and that means performance vehicles will be some of the first to undergo an EPA-mandated makeover.For BMW, that means turbocharging and start-stop systems, two technologies that will boost the fuel economy of the all-new M5 by up to 25 percent when it goes on sale next spring.Looking over BMW's current crop of M products, one vehicle stands alone in the induction department, and a source within BMW has told us that the E90/E92 M3's V8 will be the last naturally aspirated engine fitted to an M vehicle. While nearly every automaker has made tremendous strides to nearly eliminate turbo lag, the linear, low-end grunt of a turbo can't compare to the high-revving thrills of an NA powerplant. But the future is here and the future is forced induction. - AB

Monday, April 4, 2011

2012 BMW M5 Concept leaked ahead of Shanghai debut


The 2012 BMW M5? Here it is in the "concept" form that will make its official debut later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show, courtesy of photos leaked from an embargoed preview event held this weekend in Germany.As is BMW's wont when it comes to these things, "concept" simply means, "This is exactly what the production car looks like, and we'll reveal the rest of the juicy details at a future date. And maybe the production wheels won't be black."Of course, some stuff related to the F10 M5 is pretty much set in stone already, courtesy of Chris Harris' first drive for Evo magazine. The twin-turbo V8 should out-power the one in the X6M, which makes 546 horsepower. Shifts come via a seven-speed DCT. Selectable driving programs include Comfort, Sport, and Sport-Plus, plus the let-it-all-hang-out M Driving Mode. Snap judgement: this is the best-looking BMW M vehicle since the E39 M5, and whatever BMW's cooked up underhood should have no problem backing up the looks. Stay tuned for more info on the BMW Concept M5 as we receive it. - AB