Blog

2015 Mazda3 interior spied for the first time

In terms of exterior appearance, not much has changed from the last time we spotted the next-generation Mazda3 out testing. Oh, sure - we can see plenty of details that clearly show the new Kodo design influence (that front end reminds us a whole lot of the sleek new Mazda6), but these latest round of spy shots don't really show us anything we haven't seen before. Oh, wait, yes they do - the interior.
Feast your eyes on the Mazda3's insides, showing a vastly reworked interior that also takes cues from the automaker's most recently refreshed products. We can see that there's a simple, clean center stack with a slim row of heating and cooling functions, and up top there's a large, presumably touchscreen display, with redundant controls found just aft of the shifter.
We expect that the 2015 Mazda3 will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, packing both petrol and diesel engines. A sedan variant is also in the works, and should debut shortly after the hatchback.

Why Italians are no longer buying supercars

Italy is the wound that continues to drain blood from the body financial of Italian supercar and sports car makers. The wound was opened by the country's various financial police who decided to get serious about superyacht-owning and supercar-driving tax cheats a few years ago, by noting their registrations and checking their incomes. When it was found that a rather high percentage of exotic toy owners had claimed a rather low annual income - certain business owners were found to be declaring less income than their employees - the owners began dumping their cars and prospective buyers declined to buy.
Car and Driver has a piece on how the initiative is hitting the home market the hardest. Lamborghini sold 1,302 cars worldwide in 2010, 1,602 cars in 2011 and 2,083 cars in 2012 - an excellent surge in just two years. In Italy, however, it's all about the ebb: in 2010, the year that Italian police began scouring harbors, Lamborghini sold 96 cars in Italy, the next year it sold 72, last year it sold just 60. The declines for Maserati and Ferrari are even more pronounced.
Head over to CD for the full story and the numbers. What might be most incredible isn't the cause and effect, but where the blame is being placed. A year ago the chairman of Italy's Federauto accused the government of "terrorizing potential clients," this year Luca di Montezemolo says what's happening has created "a hostile environment for ­luxury goods." Life at the top, it ain't easy.

VW debuts 503-hp Design Vision GTI at W"orthersee

As is the case every year, Volkswagen engineers have built and brought a new toy to their fans at the annual Wörthersee festival in Reifnitz, Austria. Called the Design Vision GTI, this track toy is a Golf that's been widened, lowered and given an injection of twin-turbo V6 steroids.
The powerplant providing motivation is a 3.0-liter V6 paired with two turbochargers to produce 503 horsepower and up to 413 pound-feet of torque. With all-wheel drive and Volkswagen's famous DSG gearbox (the gear count is unknown), the Design Vision GTI can erase what's between you and 62 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds, as well as a reach a terminal velocity of 186 mph. Carbon ceramic brakes, 20-inch wheels and a specially tuned chassis round out the hardware upgrades, while engineers compressed the car's dimensions to be shorter, wider and lower than a stock GTI.
The exterior of the Design Vision GTI is meant to evoke the future of GTI styling, which is fine by us as we especially like how the car's iconic C-pillar is pulled away from the body and flows into the significantly flared rear fenders. It looks like the reflection of a GTI in a circus mirror with menace-making bends. The interior, meanwhile, is an exercise in editing, with switches, knobs and all manner of unnecessary controls removed, and the center console more severely oriented towards the driver. The rear seats have been replaced by an X-shaped crossbar, and red straps appear where door handles used to be (à la Porsche). There's even a camera embedded in the A-pillar that can shoot either the track ahead or the driver at work.

Scion FR-S pitted against oldtimers RX-8 and S2000

There are very few vehicles available today that compare directly with the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ twins. A case could be made for the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and possibly even six-cylinder versions of American coupes like the Ford Mustang. Pretty much everything else is either too expensive or is powered by the wrong set of wheels.
The boys from EverydayDriver on YouTube decided the only fair way to judge the inherent qualities of the Toyobaru twins was to pit them against two standard-bearers of years past: The Honda S2000 and Mazda RX-8. Neither of these cars is an exact matchup, with the Honda boasting a convertible top and the RX-8 offering more practicality via a rear seat and two reverse-opening doors for easier access. What they do offer, however, are similar performance stats and proven reputations for excellent handling.
None of this talk answers the real question, though: Which one wins the comparison test? Scroll down to watch the video, and be prepared for something of a surprise conclusion.

Red Bull RX-7 goes drift crazy on New Zealand's Crown Range

For the first time ever, the Crown Range, New Zealand's highest paved road, was closed off for the drifting pleasure of one man. That man is Mad Mike Whiddett, and the machine he's piloting is a heavily modified Mazda RX-7 sponsored by the energy-rich crew from Red Bull and powered by a 750-horsepower quad-rotor engine. There will be smoke. Lots and lots of smoke.
Mad Mike hits speeds in excess of 140 miles per hour over the course of the road's six and a half miles, which boasts 47 individual corners at over 3,500 feet of elevation. Scroll down for all kinds of fire-belching, tire-squealing and smoke-inducing action. Or, as Mad Mike himself puts it, "A dream turned into reality."

BMW may keep next 1 Series out of the US

As BMW prepares to introduce the all-new 2 Series coupe and convertible, the 1 Series name definitely won't be going away. We know new sedan and hatchback models are in the works; including the GT shown above. According to Car and Driver, though, the future of the 1 Series nameplate in the US could be dependent on rival premium small cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and Audi A3.
In an interview with C/D, BMW's North American head of product planning and strategy, Paul Ferraiolo, said that pricing might be the biggest deterrent to offering the third-gen 1 Series in the US. As he points out, BMW currently prices the 1 not too far from the 3 Series, but Mercedes-Benz and Audi will have their new small cars priced well below the $30,000 mark. BMW's Mini brand will also factor into the consideration since the 1 GT will share its underpinnings with the next-gen Cooper lineup.

Fiat 500 commercial expanded into 'Sexy People' music video

The last time we wrote about the Fiat USA commercial Immigrants, it was to question whether the ad provided our first glimpse of the 500T. That was a year ago, but Fiat isn't finished utilizing that commercial theme. The song in the one-minute commercial was Sexy People (All Around the World) by Italian songstress Arianna, and the Immigrant commercial has been lengthened and turned into a music video for the song as Arianna prepares that track and more for her first studio album.
The tune features Pit Bull and the clip is like a hip-hop video meets The Little Mermaid. Well, until Charlie Sheen shows up. That's when it starts Winning, and you can enjoy it all in the video below, along with the original ad from Fiat.

Ford rethinking vehicle launch strategy

With a new boss at the helm, Ford is looking at new ways to improve its vehicle launches in North America to prevent recent issues that have popped up with models like the Lincoln MKZ, Ford Escape and Ford Fusion. Speaking with Automotive News, Ford's new president of the Americas, Joe Hinrichs, revealed a few ways the automaker plans to avoid early build issues such as the engine fires on certain 2013 Escape and Fusion models and months-long delays for customers to receive their MKZs.
It sounds like the root of the problems may have been Ford's relationship with suppliers compounded by the fact that the product surge came on the heels of the recent industry-crippling recession, and in the AN article, Hinrichs says improvements are being made to reduce problems during the launch of new or redesigned models. Three such improvements that were implemented during the first quarter of this year including more rigorous quality comparisons, better use of computer technology to catch major problems sooner and hiring engineers to work closer with suppliers.

VW developing carbon fiber roof for performance Golf models

According to Edmunds, Volkswagen is currently developing a carbon fiber roof option for performance versions of its Golf hatchback. This feature would not only save weight, but could slightly improve fuel economy as well.
Adding the carbon fiber roof could shed anywhere from 18 to 20 pounds off the porky little hatch's curb weight, Edmunds reports. At this point in development, Volkswagen is currently working out how to develop a set of waterproof joints to seal the roof to the car's body sides and windshield.
Pricing or specific launch timing for the carbon fiber roof has not been released, nor have any details about what specific models will receive the option. Of course, it stands to reason that the hottest Golf of the bunch, the R, will have this weight-saving feature, but the perennial favorite GTI, pictured, would also be a good match for something like this.

Next-gen Chevy Colorado looks like big brother Silverado

After taking the 2013 model year off, it looks like Chevrolet is putting the final touches on the next-generation Colorado, which is already on sale in South America, Asia and Australia. While we don't know when truck buyers in the US will be able to get their hands on the next-generation Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, we do know that the trucks will be built at GM's Wentzville, MO plant. This plant currently building the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana, but GM is giving it an expansion, retooling and equipment upgrades totaling $380 million.
Based on these spy shots we can see that there are some pretty substantial styling changes in store for the body-on-frame Colorado, although we're not sure if this is a US-specific look or a global design refresh. While the current second-generation Colorado wears the face more fitting for a Malibu, the truck shown here has a blockier look with a more prominent grille that seems to be more in line with the redesigned 2014 Silverado. There is also a massive lower air dam to improve aerodynamics. More than anything, we're looking forward to finding out what will be under the hood of the new Colorado that could possibly include GM's 3.6-liter V6, the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or even a small diesel; we also aren't counting out the possibility of the new 4.3-liter V6 recently introduced for the GM's 2014 fullsize trucks.

Audi pits Star Trek's new Spock versus the original

The only thing that makes a sci-fi geek happier than William Shatner and Patrick Stewart in the same room is when two Spocks collide. Audi has somehow managed to do just that ahead of the release of the second film in this historic franchise's new go-round called Star Trek Into Darkness, which opens in theaters nationwide on May 17th.
We won't spoil the fun (you can, and should, watch it yourself below), suffice it say that the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy, steals the show from the franchise's new Spock, Zachary Quinto. The short video has the two Vulcans battling wits in a series of challenges that quickly comes to involve cars, but Audi manages to outwit them both in the final scene by leaving these logical beings with an emotion that resembles amazement.
This is the second summer blockbuster that Audi has tied its four rings to, the other being Iron Man 3. Whereas Tony Stark's garage and the Marvel universe have more Audis per square mile than people, we aren't expecting to see an Audi logo on the warp drive of the USS Enterprise in this latest Trek tale.

2013 Nissan Juke Nismo

Scratching All The Right Itches
Say what you will about the unconventional aesthetics that Nissan employed on the company's Juke. I love the thing. The universe has no shortage of ambiguously styled CUVs, and while I can't exactly say I would have turned to the amphibian world for design inspiration had it been me with the charcoal in my hand, I can certainly appreciate the fact that the Juke isn't just another box-on-box design.
And then there's that engine. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder under the hood is one of the best powerplants in the company's toy box, offering plenty of low-range torque and comical levels of thrust. Hell, it even makes the optional continuously variable transmission tolerable. Praise be to the deities of forced induction. But something has always been missing from the mix. From the first moment I got my hands on the Juke, I couldn't help but think how much better the machine would be if Nissan ditched an inch or two of ground clearance and sharpened up its suspension. Think more "hot hatch" and less "Kermit goes to Kroger."

See what the Chevy C7 ZR1 may be benchmarked against

One of the greatest things every Corvette has had going for it, and also one of the most re-used arguments against it, is its price-to-performance equation - long before the Nissan GT-R became the de facto Porsche 911 comparator the Corvette spent decades as Exhibit A. Depending on which side of the argument you stressed, supporters crowed about how much performance you got for how (comparatively) little, detractors carped on how little you got everywhere else in the bargain.
It appears Chevrolet is working as hard as ever to render the argument meaningless. Spy shooters at KGP captured a convocation of European birds of prey leaving the General Motors test center, and aimed at benchmarking the C7 Corvette ZR1. The road train comprised of two C7 Corvette Stingrays, a 2013 Corvette ZR1, McLaren MP4-12C, Ferrari 458 Italia, Audi R8 V10 Spyder and Porsche 911 Carrera S and it was last seen heading down the same kinked-up back roads used to hone the Corvette Stingray.
The C7-series ZR1 and its possible 700 horsepower are still a ways off. If it really is being positioned to compete with the celestial exotica in the testing group, could it be the first Corvette to regularly be the first answer to the question "Cost no object, which would would you rather have?"

GM's Reuss would like a 'nice, light, rear-drive car that's inexpensive'

We'll admit we had to read the quote from General Motors President of North America Mark Reuss a few times just to make sure we weren't missing something obvious. But it is correct - Reuss told Automotive News he'd like "A really nice, light, rear-drive car that's inexpensive..." to join the Chevrolet line-up. Which means, if we've read this correctly, that Reuss wants the same thing that enthusiasts have been caterwauling about, like rutting cats and babies with colic, to join the Mazda Miata since the demise of the Honda S2000 - even after the arrival of the Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. The rest of the quote: "[W]e know that rings a bell." Indeed. As loud as Christ Church Cathedral, Mr. Reuss.
Mind you, this present-day evolution of Reuss' comments made at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show is still only wishlist material. As then, such a car is "not on the drawing board" according to AN. Even if it were, it wouldn't look like the 130R concept whose warm reception still has Reuss talking about the kind of car it represents. Nevertheless, if such a car were to appear, its sweet spot is the gentler end of the $20,000s, and it would utilize a "scalable and efficient" platform to compete against those aforementioned Japanese twins.
Feel free to speculate in Comments as to what kind of coupe Chevrolet should join the competition with, then forget this ever happened.

Tesla Model S has secret menu that shows possible upcoming features

The Telsa Model S may have won just about every automotive award it could last year, but that doesn't mean it's a perfect vehicle. Far from it. Drivers have been asking when the already high-tech vehicle will get somewhat normal features, like adaptive cruise control or blind spot detection. Well, a new video of menus hidden within the giant touch screen in the Model S shows that those two features might be coming soon, along with a lane departure warning. When these options might arrive is anyone's guess, but the video (see it below) shows that the software is at least in the prototype stage. In any case, unless Tesla has installed a bunch of sensors and not told anyone about them, turning these features on will require more than just a software update.
The hidden menu also shows some as-of-yet-unannounced apps in the car's software: an image viewer, a sketch pad, a scheduler/calendar and various test apps.
The way you access these menus, apparently, is by holding down the Tesla logo on the main menu for a few seconds and then entering an access code. We don't know this password and we also don't recommend fooling around in there, since it looks like you might be able to muck things up, but good. We have enough trouble rooting our phones and we're not sure we'd like to take the risk with an $70,000+ electric vehicle. But if someone else wants to do so and post a video online, then we're happy to watch.

'Worldwide, every third Audi will be an SUV by 2020'

Automotive News Europe reports the new Audi manufacturing facility in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico will increase the automaker's production capacity for the Q5 SUV by 150,000 units per year. While the plant will supply every market with the exception of China, most of the production is slated to head to the US.
While speaking with ANE, Audi CEO Rupert Stradler said, "Worldwide, every third Audi will be an SUV by 2020." So far this year, 40 percent of Audi vehicles sold in the US have been light trucks, with the company's sales in that segment jumping by 53 percent. By comparison, Audi passenger car sales have increased by just one percent.
The first Q5 vehicles from the San Hose Chiapa plant will show up on dealer lots in 2016. Audi of America recently received a larger 9,000-unit allocation of Q5 models after seeing sales increase 36 percent through April compared to the same period in 2012.

Tesla to earn $250 million from sales of California environmental credits

Tesla Motors is expected to release quarterly earnings figures within the next few days, and the Silicon Valley automaker is thought to have attained profitability for the first time ever. As it turns out, a good bit of that profit will reportedly come from the State of California.
According to an article from the LA Times, Tesla, which is reportedly on pace to sell 20,000 vehicles in 2013, receives as much as $35,000 in environmental credits from California for each Model S it sells. These credits can then be sold to other automakers that do business in the state but don't sell zero-emission vehicles of their own. Some experts believe Tesla could earn up to $250 million from such ZEV credits.
While profits from ZEV credits equals good news for Tesla, some experts and rival automakers aren't very pleased with California's strong-arm tactics when it comes to the sales of electric vehicles. "At the end of the day, other carmakers are subsidizing Tesla," said Thilo Koslowski, an analyst at Gartner Inc.

Mercedes-Benz releases US-spec 2014 Sprinter details

Last week, Mercedes-Benz released the details for the updated 2013 Sprinter intended for global markets, but this week it has announced what changes are being made to the US-spec version of the van for the 2014 model year, including the Freightliner model. As expected, most of the changes made to the European model will be present on the 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter when it goes on sale in the US, which is expected to be this fall.
The biggest difference between the Sprinter announced last week and the one headed to our shores is what is found under the hood. While European Sprinters will come with diesel engines and offer the availability of a supercharged four-cylinder gasoline or CNG engine, US Sprinters will still offer the 3.0-liter V6 BlueTEC diesel. This year's Sprinter now comes standard with a new base engine, the 2.1-liter four-cylinder BlueTEC diesel. This smaller engine will produce 161 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, and will be paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission; the optional 3.0 V6 puts out 188 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and will be mated to a six-speed auto.
Fuel economy for the new Sprinter has not been announced, but Mercedes-Benz has made numerous changes with the goal of improving efficiency. To this end you'll find a new, low-friction rear axle and the optimization for the generator, fuel pump and power steering pump.

2014 GMC Sierra 4.3L V6 to offer segment-best 305 LB-FT

General Motors has released more information on the 4.3-liter V6 available in the 2014 GMC Sierra. The engine will serve up 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission, and giving the V6 Sierra a maximum tow rating of 7,200 pounds in regular cab, short bed four-wheel drive configuration. GM claims that figure is 500 pounds more than the equivalent Ford F-150 equipped with a 3.7-liter V6, and 700 pounds more than the Ram 1500 with its 3.6-liter V6. Buyers can expect to see the 2014 GMC Sierra with the 4.3-liter engine start at $25,085 including destination.
While the engine does deliver more torque than either of its main competitors, it falls short on the horsepower front. The 3.7-liter V6 in the F-150 develops 302 hp while the 3.6-liter V6 in the Ram 1500 yields 305 hp. GM says fuel economy estimates for its newest entry will land later this year. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Watch two championship-winning DTM cars from BMW go head-to-head

BMW recently had a little fun with two of the company's past DTM champions. Roberto Ravaglia and Bruno Spengler, winners of the 1989 and 2012 championships, respectively, both showed up at the world-famous Hockenheimring with their title-winning cars. The two swapped seats, with Ravaglia taking the helm of Spengler's BMW M3 DTM racer and Spengler sliding behind the wheel of Ravaglia's first-generation M3 racer in the classic BMW Bank livery, and headed for the track. Spengler got a 23 second head start in the first-gen M3 with Ravaglia chasing behind.
It didn't take long for the older hotshoe to sort out his new ride and close the gap. The short clip below follows the two as they make their way around the circuit, but the really interesting portion comes when the pair begin discussing what they like and don't like about each other's machines. You can check out the full video below for yourself.

Volkswagen still considering small roadster

Despite the on-again, off-again rumors surrounding a small Volkswagen roadster, it would appear that a small droptop two-seater is still on track. CarScoops, citing a report in Germany's Auto Motor und Sport magazine, states that there are many people within Volkswagen who still believe that this sort of vehicle would be good for the brand.
"I'm not the only one in our company who is convinced that a small roadster wouldn't be the worst thing for Volkswagen," the automaker's design chief, Walter de Silva, told AMS, according to CarScoops. "This is a vehicle that we particularly like, and we always have in mind."
Volkswagen showed the BlueSport concept (pictured above) at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, but the project was quickly put on hold, with earlier reports stating that there simply wasn't a business case for the car. Those reports were contradicted early last year, and it's good to hear that spokespeople within the company are still looking to move forward with the project.

BMW adds 42k 3 Series models to massive airbag recall

On the heels of the massive airbag recall just last month, which included a total of 3.4 million Japanese automobiles from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda, German automaker BMW has announced that it will recall 42,000 of its 2002-03 3 Series models (E46 platform) for the same problem. The recall is blamed on a single defective part, all from the same supplier, which may cause the airbag to catch fire or send metal fragments towards passengers in the front seats. BMW spokesman Dave Buchko told the Detroit News that the automaker knows of no improper "deployments or injuries related to this issue in any BMW."
The part in question, supplied from a company named Takata, was manufactured incorrectly at its Moses Lake, WA, plant. The company also disclosed that some airbag components may have been exposed to moisture at another one of its locations, in Mexico. According to Takata, there have been six incidents worldwide (four in the United States) and none have resulted in injuries.

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTEC 4Matic

We got our first taste of the refreshed 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK lineup last summer, once again affirming our belief that it's easy to fall in love with the littlest Benz CUV. There's something sort of charming about the boxy, rugged-looking luxury crossover, and while it won't set the world on fire in terms of driver engagement, it's a solid front-runner in the segment.
In addition to the GLK350 - in both rear- and all-wheel-drive forms - Mercedes-Benz has now launched this GLK250 BlueTEC model, packed with a brand new 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel engine and offered exclusively with the automaker's 4Matic all-wheel drive. With improved fuel economy and torque-tastic diesel characteristics, this oil-burning GLK could easily be the star child of the company's small CUV lineup. We hit the roads northwest of Ann Arbor, MI to find out.
Driving Notes

BMW i3 to be priced around $40,000

According to Automotive News, the BMW i3 electric hatchback will likely be priced around $40,000, or similar to that of a well-equipped 3 Series sedan, when it goes on sale later this year. This information was revealed during an interview where AN spoke to Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW North America. The i3 will likely qualify for a $7,500 tax credit from the US federal government, though AN reports that a BMW spokesperson could not confirm this just yet.
In addition to the all-electric i3, BMW will offer a range-extended version that uses a 0.65-liter two-cylinder motorcycle engine and auxiliary generator to charge the car's battery on the go. Automotive News says pricing for this model is still unclear, as is whether or not the range-extended i3 will be eligible for the $7,500 tax credit. Of course, buyers needing a vehicle for longer trips will be able to borrow one from the automaker.
Automotive News also reports that the majority of BMW's 338 dealers in the United States will be able to sell the i3, as well as the upcoming i8 hybrid sports car. Dealerships have until June of this year to opt out of this program, however.

38k GM eAssist hybrids recalled for circuit board, fire risk

General Motors has issued a recall covering 38,197 2012 and 2013 model-year Chevy Malibu Eco, Buick LaCrosse and Regal sedans equipped with eAssist, and sold in the United States. The automaker will check the generator control module for proper operation. Only vehicles built before December 2012 are being recalled.
According to the automaker, a malfunctioning generator control module could slowly drain the battery, causing an indicator to light up in the dash. If that indicator is ignored, the driver may experience a stalling engine, and in some cases, "a burning or melting odor, smoke, and, in rare instances, a fire in the trunk."
GM says the issue is not with the eAssist battery pack; the smoke and fire comes from overheating of the control board. One trunk fire has been reported, but no injuries are known. Scroll down below for the official press release from GM.

BMW says current M3 sold out, no new AWD M models planned

Car and Driver asked the head of BMW M, Friedrich Nitschke, a few questions about what the go-fast division had in mind for the future, and was rewarded with some enlightening answers. The best news to purist ears is that Nitschke said customers don't want all-wheel drive on their M cars, so it's the rear wheels alone that will propel new product into the future. If you want both an M badge and four driven wheels, it's the X5 M, X6 M and M Performance models you're looking for in the catalog.
"Mixed bag" is the phrase you're looking for regarding the other answers. Nitschke said that future M engines "at the core of their architecture" would "be closer to BMW AG engines" that are optimized for M cars, instead of following in the line of unique marvels like the V10 and naturally aspirated V8. They will keep the high redlines, however, with Nitschke saying "there is room beyond" the 7,000 rpm mark in BMW's current V8 turbos.
Managing weight will keep the same priority for M that it is for every other brand, so electrically assisted power steering is coming, as is an "unconventional" materials mix. At the smaller end of the M scale, Nitschke described three-cylinder engines as "attractive," saying that the brand can produce more than 310 horsepower from a three-pot.

Chevy sees greener pastures with 2014 Silverado High Country

It's no secret that fullsize pickups are the financial engines that power Detroit automakers - it's been that way for decades. In recent years, though, growing consumer appetites for dolled-up trucks has meant even more opportunities for manufacturers to line their coffers while pleasing increasingly discerning customers. Trims like King Ranch on the Ford F-Series and Laramie Longhorn on Ram trucks now include high-end amenities that were the exclusive preserve of luxury cars just a few years ago.
General Motors has been content to let its GMC brand harvest top-shelf pickup buyers for some time now - particularly with its high-line Denali models - but it's hard to turn away easy profits. GM says over 30 percent of new pickup sales now transact above $40,000, and that figure is growing by the year. Thus, it's no surprise that execs are finally letting Chevrolet get in on the action with this new range-topping High Country trim for the 2014 Silverado. Officials tell Autoblog that it's the first premium-branded Chevy pickup since the Cameo Carrier of the 1950s.
Sitting above the LTZ and Z71 off-road model, the Silverado High Country sets itself apart with trim-specific chrome grille and body-color bumpers front and rear - the only fullsize Chevy so equipped - along with unique 20-inch alloy wheels and a few bits of chrome frosting to go with the usual complement of badges. Available only in crew cab configuration, High Country will be offered in both two- and four-wheel drive with the buyer's choice of V8 engines - 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter - along with either a 5-foot, 8-inch or 6-foot, 6-inch box. There are no specific powertrain or suspension calibrations for the model.

Nissan lowers price of seven models for better search results

Intent on not eliminating itself from consideration, and adapting to the way consumers research new car purchases, Nissan has announced price discounts now in effect, indefinitely, on seven models: the Altima, Armada, Juke, Maxima, Murano, Rogue and Sentra. It was found that Nissan's price points fell outside the competitive pool when prospective buyers searched for cars based on maximum price.
The price cuts vary and depend on the equipment spec, but they range from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars; the MSRP of the Altima drops by $580, the Sentra by $730, the Armada by $4,400. Discounts on the Murano alone range from $1,460 to $2,410. Under orders from CEO Carlos Ghosn the brand is working to raise its US market share to ten percent by 2016, from 7.9 percent currently - which includes Infiniti - and appears to be optimizing its placement every step of the way to do so.

Daimler, Renault talking about large van joint venture

Daimler and Renault officially joined hands in April 2010. Since then, Nissan has agreed to build engines for the Germans, Daimler is expected to construct a plant near the Nissan plant in Mexico, the Smart ForFour and Renault Twingo will share platforms and electric siblings and the same Renault manufacturing facility, and Mercedes is supposedly considering a Renault-based X-Class vehicle to slot between Smart and the A-Class. Not bad for less than three years' work.
But wait, there's more. According to a report in Automotive News, the two firms are talking about developing a large van. When it comes to big cargo haulers, Mercedes is in bed with Volkswagen at the moment, but the contract has just three more years to run and VW has announced its intention to go solo on the next-generation van.
This wouldn't be the first commercial vehicle tie-up for the brands: Mercedes already uses the Renault Kangoo as the base for its Citan. Both Daimler and Renault have confirmed the talks, but have not confirmed a French newspaper report that the manufacturing site has already been chosen in France.

Toyota recalling FJ Cruiser due to excessively bright headlights

Now, hold on. This recall isn't quite as serious as it sounds. Yes, Toyota is recalling 11,489 FJ Cruiser models from the 2007 to 2013 model years, and yes, it's because the vehicles, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states, "fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, 'Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.'" But read the fine print and you'll see the catch: This recall is only for vehicles fitted with the automaker's auxiliary lighting kit that can be mounted to the front bumper.
Basically, the auxiliary lamp assemblies use 55-watt bulbs, and when these are turned on in conjunction with the upper beam headlamps, it's a pretty blinding sight. NHTSA states that excessively bright lights can blind other drivers, increasing the risk for a crash.
To remedy the situation, Toyota will replace the 55-watt bulbs with cooler 35-watt units. The recall is expected to begin later this month. Scroll down for the full details in the NHTSA report.