ALL ABOUT AUTO
Allaboutauto.us-Delivering daily auto news.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe goes on sale early – A few first impressions
The first Genesis Coupe has landed in the driveway of Eager American Buyer Number One before Hyundai has even finished launching the car for the press, which is a slight reversal of things. In other words, the Korean automaker is actually ahead of schedule in launching its latest product. How refreshing.
Lucky for us, we managed to spend a few days in a Lime Rock Green Genesis Coupe before the press preview, and in that time we got some good first impressions of the car both on the street and at the track, in the rain and under the sun, on four wheels and two (just kidding, Hyundai).
We did our time in a 3.8-liter V6 with the track package. The car strikes a beautiful mix of pep and power from stoplight… Read the rest of this entry
REPORT: Mazda recalling almost 31,000 CX-9s over faulty seats
Nearly 31,000 Mazda CX-9 crossovers are being recalled to repair an issue with the driver's seat. Models affected were built during the 2007-2009 model years. According to Mazda North American Operations, improper routing of wires under the driver's seat cushion can lead to a short-circuit that activates the power-adjustment mechanism. This could lead to an inadvertent change in the seating position, height adjustment, or seat back recline while the vehicle is in motion. According to Mazda, dealers will be able to fix the potential problem with cable ties and replacement parts. If you are a late-model CX-9 owner, check your mailbox after the notices go out on March 9.
Gallery:2009 Mazda CX-9
[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]
GM burned through $5.9B in Q4, $19.2B in 2008
General Motors has just released its annual earnings report, and the news isn’t pretty either for the year that was or the fourth quarter of 2008. GM burnt through $5.9 billion during the last few months of the year, which brought the grand total of cash on fire to $19.2 billion in 2008. So far the automaker has received $13.4 billion in federal loans, i.e. our tax money, but we’ll just assume none of those bills have been burnt yet. Of course, the U.S. recession and its effect on the global economy is largely to blame for these losses, as not a single one of its automotive operation around the world, not GM North America, not GM Europe, not GM LAAM (Latin America, Africa, Middle East) and not GM… Read the rest of this entry
Mitsubishi Motors signs MoU with Hong Kong Environment Bureau regarding testing of i MiEV electric vehicle
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), in cooperation with its Hong Kong distributor Universal Cars Ltd., today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Environment Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China regarding local evaluation of the zero-emissions i MiEV*1 electric vehicle.
As an investigative step toward possible future introduction of the electric vehicle, the proposed project would begin as early as May 2009 and would examine issues including market acceptability, as well as incentives and structural issues such as the suitability of the charging infrastructure.
Announced in October 2006, the i MiEV represents the pinnacle of Mitsubishi Motors’ green technologies. Currently involved in testing and promotional activities in Japan, New Zealand, the United States and across Europe, the i MiEV will be launched in Japan during the summer of 2009.
*1 MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle
2009 Geneva Auto Show: Lotus Pursues Flex-Fuel Engines with Two-Stroke Technology
Photos
Retro charm: Lotus does some R&D on flex-fuel engines, using good old two-stroke technology, and the result is this Omnivore engine with variable displacement technology. (Photo courtesy of Lotus Cars)
GENEVA — Lotus is researching ways to improve the efficiency of flex-fuel engines, using technology that disappeared from mainstream cars decades ago, and will showcase its work at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show with the Lotus Omnivore engine. It uses a two-stroke cycle rather than the traditional four-stroke cycle and features emerging variable displacement technology to optimize combustion.
With two-stroke technology, the valves are placed in the cylinder wall rather than the head. This allows Lotus to form the block and head as a single piece, eliminating the need for a head gasket. That simple head design is also the key to the variable displacement system. A sliding puck serves as the top of the cylinder… Read the rest of this entry
GM Losses Continue to Mount
Photos
General Motors looks closer than ever to bankruptcy with announcement of a $9.6 billion loss in the fourth quarter. (Photo courtesy of General Motors Corporation)
DETROIT — General Motors has announced losses of $9.6 billion in the fourth quarter and $30.9 billion for the year as the ravaged automaker lurches ever closer to bankruptcy.
GM last week told the federal government that it may need up to $30 billion in government loans to survive and that a bankruptcy filing could cost taxpayers as much as $100 billion.
The automaker has racked up four straight years of losses, but 2008 was far and away the most dismal year yet.
GM saw worldwide revenues plummet 34 percent in the fourth quarter, to $30.8 billion from $46.8 billion a year earlier. Revenues for the full year tumbled 17 percent, to $149 billion from $180 billion in 2007.
The company… Read the rest of this entry
Revealed: 720-Horsepower Open-Wheel Tramontana R
Photos
Only 12 Tramontana R cars will be built per year, priced at nearly a half-million each. (Photo courtesy of Tramontana)
PALAU DE SANTA EUL?LIA, Spain — Italian automaker Tramontana has unveiled a new, high-power edition of its raw supercar that forgoes luxury for performance.
The Tramontana R draws its 720 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque from a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged Mercedes V12. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a sequential six-speed transmission. Acceleration to 60 mph comes in less than 3.6 seconds and 124 mph arrives in 10.15 seconds. Top speed is limited to 202 mph. When maximum performance isn't wanted, the driver can flip a switch to dial power back to 550 hp.
The R edition weighs in at 2,795 pounds, more than 200 pounds less than the base Tramontana. Weight is perfectly balanced side to side, while 42 percent is distributed… Read the rest of this entry
Japan Only: Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line
Photos
Power and torque are dialed back in the automatic version of the Impreza WRX STI. (Photo courtesy of Subaru America Inc.)
In Japan, the vast majority of cars sold are automatics, and archrival Mitsubishi offers an excellent paddle-shift auto in the Lancer Evo. There’s the reason for Subaru to push ahead with this intriguing A-Line model, which packs the same excellent 2.5-liter boxer turbo engine as the six-speed manual WRX STI sold in the U.S., but has less power and torque and far fewer chassis toys.
Subaru’s decision to detune the engine to 296 horsepower and wind the torque back to 258 pound-feet will likely underwhelm the STI faithful. However, it does make a good match with Subaru’s well-proven E-5AT autobox, which comes complete with steering wheel paddle shift controls from the Legacy.
The transmission may seem tame compared with “smart” twin-clutch boxes offered… Read the rest of this entry
Geneva Preview: I.DE.A ERA concept
Last May, the I.DE.A Institute – an engineering and consultancy firm based in Turin, Italy – threw together a concept in 30 days to celebrate its 30th anniversary. At next month\’s Geneva Motor Show, I.DE.A will show a more evolved version of the roadster in the form of the ERA concept.
The open-top two-door gains a set of gull-wing doors, more sculpted sides, a two-tier trunk and a tube-frame chassis in an attempt to show off the firm\’s design and engineering prowess. Although the interior scaffolding and collagen-infused grille surround may leave something to be desired, we\’re looking forward to seeing the ERA in person next week.
Gallery:I.DE.A ERA concept
[Source: Autoblog.it]
Switzerland using fleet of undercover Audi S4s with high-tech radar
Switzerland, the same country whimsical enough to bring us yodeling and cuckoo clocks, takes a decidedly draconian approach when it comes to speeding. Speeding that would get you a stern talking to and a big ticket in the U.S. will get you three days in jail, a 1,000 Swiss franc fine (about $850 USD), and a fine of 20% to 35% of your net monthly salary.
To watch over the potentially speeding populace, the Swiss police have added a raft of Audi S4s with laser radar to their arsenals. The black Audis with the tinted windows can detect your speed while they are driving behind you, in the opposing direction, or parked by the side of the road. If you\’re going to take a spin in the canton, save your wild abandon for the chocolate, restrain yourselves on the roads. Hat tip to Jerome!
Gallery:Swiss unmarked Audi
Popular Posts
Subscribe To Updates
Blog RSS Feed
Subscribe via E-mail
Follow Me on TwitterLooking For Something?
