Ferrari Turns 60

Ferrari found a fun way to celebrate it's 60th birthday. In a ploy to include their owners in the fun, they've started up a road rally of sorts. Starting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emerites on January 28th, the owners who signed up for this stylish birthday party will drive their cars across the Middle East, across Asia, across Australia, and then lastly, Europe. All carrying a special baton. The finish line is of course in Maranello, Italy where the supercars are built. It all ends on Ferrari's official big day June 21st.

[Source: Auto Express]

Honda Recalls 81,000 Accords

Honda, which is usually synonymous with bulletproof reliability, quality manufacturing, practical designs yada yada yada has just announced a recall on 81,000 Accords. What's even more out of character is the seriousness of this recall. The part in question here is the airbag. Not the airbag itself, but an airbag sensor which could however, cause a lot of trouble. This sensor is responsible for adjusting the power of the airbag deployment based on size and weight of the driver. With this faulty part, smaller or lighter drivers could get injured.
All auto manufacturers have recalls from time to time, but the frequency of recalls is often used as a barometer of a company's build quality. Now we don't want to make too big of a deal over this, but we find more and more recalls amongst the stalwarts of quality like Honda and Toyota, and less instances with notorious cost cutters like Ford and GM. So yes, this is one recall is cause to denounce Honda, as they still have one of the best quality records in the industry. It is however another piece of ammo to those who argue that the quality gab between Detroit and Japan is continuing to close.

New Z9 Spotted

The Z8's days are numbered as BMW puts the finishing touches on the new Z9. These spy shots from Leftlane News show that it's got a longer, sleeker look, and take a look at that fake soft top. The car will more than likely be a convertible hard top. The only question now is will it be available with the M5's V10?

[Source: LeftLane News]

New E-Class Spied.

Not sure you've noticed, but the new C-Class cars have been seen driving around with very little cammo lately, which leads experts to belive that this heavily disguised vehicle is the new E-Class.
The example above was shot in of all places, the Artic Circle. Possibly involved in some cold weather testing? They could have just brought the car to Detroit; it's cold enough.
Although the car is heavily disguised, which is our favorite kind of spy shot, we can decipher a few changes right off the bat. It appears to be wider most noticeable in the spaces between the taillights and plate area. Other areas of interest would be the squarish exhaust shrouds on the rear bumper.

[Source: Autospies.com]

Villeneuve to race this year's Le Mans with Peugeot.

Come this June, Jacques Villeneuve will be Peugeot's poster boy as they try to take Le Mans back from the ever dominate Audi R10s. The 35-year-old Canadian will be beind the help of the company's all new diesel powered 908. He won't be the only ex-F1er there. He'll br racing along side Pedro Lamy and Marc Gene as well.
Before switching it's motorsports budget to building F1 engines in the early 90s, Peugeot dominated the the Le Mans circuit and appears that they're going for it again.
Peugeot’s attempt to knock out Audi will also include a second 908 featuring an all-French crew of big names as well: Sebastien Bourdais, Stephane Sarrazin and Nicolas Minassian.
After losing his ticket with the BMW-Sauber team, word has it that Jacques is needless to say, pretty excited to get back to racing. He's quoted saying, "“As with Indy, Le Mans is a mythical race. It will be a great experience and we should be competitive.”
If he does well at Le Mans this year, it will only add to his pretty amazing career. He'd have a winning record in F1, ChampCar, Lemans, and at his press conference he added that he remains interested in running in NASCAR as well.

Grand Prix replacement spotted in Australia.

We at autozealot apologize for the break in posting, we're based in Detroit and have been without power for a while here, but were back online. Hopefully this spy shot will make up for it. It appears that a replacement for the long in the tooth Grand Prix has been spotted in Australia. Bob Lutz leaked a little info at the NAIAS this week, but says more to come at the Chicago show in February. What we do know about it, we like. First and most importantly, it's a rear drive setup. It will be based on the Holden SS, and will be badged as the Pontiac G8. Other details are the G8 will come with a choice of V6 or V8 engines, including a 6.0-liter 362-hp, 390-lb-ft V8 coupled to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Price wise, it's estimated to be in the $25,000 range.
Judging from the spy shots, this re-badged Holden seems to be well on it's way with new Pontiac sheet metal. GM has been really improving it's image lately, but unfortunately the designs seem to be coming more from overseas than from it's Detroit base.

[Source: Autoweek]

Kenwood & Blaupunkt Join Forces for Nav System

Yesterday in Tokyo, both Kenwood and Blaupunkt (owned by Bosch) announced they are forming a partnership to enter into the portable navigation device market, aka PNDs.
This comes at little surprise since both companies are well known for their advanced car audio and multimedia systems. There is now further info on any specific equipment, but they will more than likely have their hands full trying to break into this already competitive market. Companies like Tom Tom and Garmin, already have a strong foothold in this market. Plus they'll be up against OEM suppliers that are hardwired into current car lineups.
Source: [JCN]

Fairlane based Lincoln Crossover is confirmed

We just received word that Lincoln does plan to build a new crossover based on the Ford Fairlane concept with an expect debut in 2009. Details from the Lincoln camp are pretty sparse and the only thing we can tell you for sure is it's code-named D472 and will hold seven passengers.
According to quotes from two high ups at Lincoln, it will share some basic hard points of the Ford Fairlane, but styling wise will be its own animal with minimalist headlights, a high waistline, and double panel grill.
By adding this crossover to the already stylish MKS sedan, Lincoln is going to have a pretty sharp looking line up in the next year or two.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

The Avenger is added to the Nascar circuit.

Dodge has announced a new entry in the NASCAR circuit this week: The Dodge Avenger. The news was broken at the NAIAS this week and was the wrap up of the DiamlerChrysler presentations. And as we know, if you want to race a car in NASCAR, you need to have a street legal version and maybe that's where the bigger news is there. The Avenger is trying to replace the space left by the Stratus which was a thoroughly miserable automobile. We're not too sure how successful the Avenger will be in that role, or in the role of a NASCAR racer. When you're main selling point is heated and cooled cup holders, you're in trouble. Thank goodness for the Magnum and the Viper which were also revealed this year with their racing counterparts. Well, regardless of the hype, or lack there of, Avenger, we welcome you to NASCAR.
[Detroit Free Press]

The 2008 BMW M5 won't make it to the states.

We received some sad news today from BMW North America. Aparently there are "no plans whatsoever to bring the limited production M5 wagon to the US Market." Before you chalk it up to German pretnentiousness, and get over it, you have to hear the specs on this car. For starters, it comes with a souped up version of the 10-cyl (from the two year old M5 sedan) cranking out 500 hp. They have it matched up to BMW's trick 7-speed sequential transmission. 0-60 time is a more than exciting 4.8 seconds. They're even offering a very unique computer system that allows you to switch between a more efficient engine setting of 400 hp or an option to let it go flat out at the 500hp max. Then you add an electronic controlled rear differential, and you have one potent wagon. A wagon, that if it was imported to the US, would be a prime candidate to take on the Audi S6 Avant and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon.
[Source: Autoweek]

Chrysler tries to get into the Guinness Book of World Records

It may be in bad taste to bring up a future autoshow while the NAIAS is still in full swing, but we couldn't pass on this one. At this year's Chicago Auto Show, the marketing gurus at Chrysler came up with the idea to try to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by playing the world's largest game of Simon Says. All this hoopla in an effort to promote the new 2007 Sebring. The current record is 1,169 participants who played the game in Glasgow, Scotland, on April 22, 2006. Well, on Feb. 9, in front of everyone attending the Chicago Auto Show, Chrysler will try to beat it by inviting over 1,200 people to jump up and down, touch their noses, and who knows what else. There are even plans to include the actual Sebring in the game. How? We have no idea. The winner gets a 24-month lease on a new Sebring.
With the exception of the new Sebring's MyGig technology and heated/cooled cup holders, there's not a lot going on for the design. All in all this all seems like a bad marketing stunt to hauk a mediocre car.

[Source: Chrysler Press Release]

5 Series gets a facelift and more for 2008

This year we saw that BMW 5 Series received a few changes, styling wise and under the hood. The Interior got a decent working over as well. As far as the exterior goes, they started off with clear glass coverings for headlights, tail lights, and turn signal indicators. Thankfully they didn't change much with the tell tale double kidney BMW grill, but the surrounding parts are now flush with the front air damn, giving it an even more agessive stance. Body wise, the changes were relatively small, but add to it's style. A lot of extra contours seem to have been added and a few more straight lines to the rear. It all is in line with the previous model's mix of soft curves and straight lines, but just give it a nice contemporary update.
Interior wise, there's a few changes in the small things like the shifter knonb (which is now electric powered which is pretty cool), two tone door pannels, and additional storage space. Overall though, there's nothing drastic, and thankfully, nothing offensive.
Now for the fun stuff: drivetain changes. There's a lot of options and as far as engines and transmissions go, so we're not going to get involved with all the scenerios, but here are the biggest highlights. First off, the new six-cylinder engines are looking pretty cool. They are twin turbocharged, intercooled, and has a new percision direct fuel injection with piezo injectors. It's also a completly alluminum crankcase to reduce wight and aid in cooling. The twin turbo charger itself is quite an advancement. Because it's synced up with the direct fuel injection, turbo lag is supposedly non-existent which is believeable since the turbos start to produce boost at a mere 1,400 RPM.
Trans wise, the big news is you can upgrade free of charge from a 6-speed standard to a 6-speed auto. We're big fans of sticks here, but it's still nice to know you have the option, and that electric gear selector is pretty trick.
All in all, BMW did a great job. It very difficult to improve on almost a perfect car, but in our opinion, they've succeeded.



[Source BMW - North America & MWERKS.com]

New Variable Turbo Diesel enigne revealed at NAIAS

Although this isn't the most breakthrough news of the day comming out of the NAIAS, it's still pretty interesting in a gearhead sort of way. Today at the BMW booth, a new variable turbo diesel engine was unveiled. If you're mechanically inclined and know your turbos from your muffler bearings, you'll notice that there are not one, but two turbos mounted on this powerplant. You'll also notice that they are of differing sizes, one small, one big. Using the same concept behind modern twin-scroll turbos, this one utalizes the smaller turbo to give boost at lower RPMs and then switches over the the larger one as the reves get higher. As far as boost goes, this engine puts out a lot of it: 40 psi max. Pretty substantial for a diesel. On the business end of all this is a catalyst and a particulate scrubber to keep emissions at a minium. With 40 psi of boost, and none of the nasty diesel soot, this is the type of powerplant that makes us all worry less as the auto industry slowly moves away from old fashioned petrol.

[Source: Jalopnik]

2008 CTS revealed today at the NAIAS

One of the big debuts today at the NAIAS was the 2008 Cadillac CTS. Chances are, if you have access to the Internet, you've probably already seen spy shots of this car, but it was still well received. GM is obviously taking direct aim at the European sport sedan market, and changes in the new CTS reflect that. The first big change, and the most obvious is the more athletic styling. Not drastically different, but still striking. You can easily see how this car has been used as the styling reference for the entire Cadillac line.
The CTS has grown too. It's now 2 inches wider and slightly longer too. Plus, the interior has had a thorough going through as well. New counsel, new steering wheel, and various interior trim pieces. Probably the coolest change for 'o8 though has to be the AWD option which is a first for the Caddy. Some good things have not changed though. You can still get the CTS in a 6-speed automatic, or a 6-speed manual which is always a good thing in our book as sticks become more and more rare.
It all looks good so far. Let's all wait patiently to find out when the V-Series is coming out.

[Source: clickondetroit.com]

Ford hooks up with Airstream to build crossover

Ford is yet again looking for another avenue to build a crossover, and has found a willing partner with none other than Airstream trailers. Yes, it's those love it or hate it polished aluminum trailers that have become the staple image of traveling in the 1950s. Before you ask if they're still in business, let us tell you that they are, yet their designs haven't changed much. They are still a staple of Americana which is why is makes sense for Ford to partner up with them. Details on the actual vehicle are slim, but what we did learn is it's a seven passenger vehicle based on the Ford Edge platform. Styling wise, the only thing we heard was it's going to have a lot of ques from the Ford Fairlane concept revealed in Detroit in '05.
We're not really sure how this VW Micro Bus imitation is going to work out for Ford, but it's probably a great deal for the 75-year old Airstream company who could use a shot in the arm. Interestingly though, Airstream's current line up of mini-motor homes are all based on the Dodge Sprinter platforms with Mercedes-Benz power plants. Will this ruffle some feathers over at DCX?
[Source: Brandweek]

Chevy gets's back in the electric game

Today at the NAIAS, GM unveiled the Chevy Volt. It's Chevy's latest foray in to the electric car race. Please hold all the EV1 jokes until after you read this report.
The Volt features 21 inch rims, can be recharged to full capacity in less than 4-hours by simply plugging it into household current, and it gets 150 miles to the gallon. Well, sort of. This is how GM computes the mileage. Let's use a 60 mile trip to work as the example. The primary power train consists of a lithium-ion battery powered electric engine that moves the car up to 40 miles without using a drop of gas. Then a 1.0 liter 3 cylinder turbocharged gas engine, which gets 50 mpg, carries you the remaining 20 miles, all on .4 gallons of gas which equates to 150 mpg.
Even if you don't buy the creative math GM is using to sell you on the Volt's amazing mileage, with its aggressive stance, huge wheels, and angry looking front end, it's still a hot looking car. With the new Camaro, the always beautiful Corvette, and now the Volt, it appears that GM and Chevy are waking up in the styling department.
One last cool feature about the Volt is a new manufacturing/architecture feature that GM has built into it. The Volt takes advantage of the "E-Flex" system which allows several engine configurations to be installed at the factory. The turbo 3-cyl fits in there, as well as an E85 option, a bio-diesel, and even a hydrogen powered fuel cell.
The only downside of this concept car is its lack of availability. The car exists, and could hit production on a relatively short time span, if only the automotive battery technology could keep up. The Volt requires a 400 pound lithium-ion battery, which simply isn't ready for production yet from automotive suppliers.

[Source: Automotive News]