Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Buick, GM, Luxury

Full-size luxury sedans are typically guilty pleasures since they can be either coddling, comfort machines or all-out speed freaks. One thing they haven’t been is fuel efficient… until now. Making its debut at the 2010 LA Auto Show is the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist.

Power for the LaCrosse eAssist is provided by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct-injection. It gains an efficiency boost through the addition of a 115V lithium-ion battery pack, which allows the fuel system to take a nap during certain conditions. These two power systems working together, along with the six-speed automatic transmission, allow the Buick LaCrosse eAssist to achieve 25 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway – a 25% percent improvement compared to the 2.4-liter flying solo. Consider this the reinvention of GM’s long lost mild hybrid system.

Pricing for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist is expected to start around $30,000. What’s more, the hybrid system will be fitted standard to all LaCrosse models equipped with the 2.4-liter Ecotec engine. More green luxury information is sprouting just after the jump.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Philips / AOL

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading LA 2010: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist brings efficiency to the full-size luxury sedan

LA 2010: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist brings efficiency to the full-size luxury sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: 2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist brings efficiency to the full-size luxury sedan

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge, UK

Italian design and American V8 muscle are two great tastes that taste great together. The mad minds at Jensen understood this and the Interceptor was born into the world. The style was handled by Carrozzeria Touring and the power was provided in two forms: a Chrysler 6.3-liter V8 and later, a larger 7.2-liter unit. The spirit behind this car is still alive and well over in the United Kingdom, because one man is creating his version of a 21st Century Interceptor.

Brook Anderson reached out to PistonHeads.com in order to share his build saga. Anderson is in the middle of turning his Jensen Interceptor into the Viperceptor. Rather than simply stuffing an 8.3-liter Viper V10 into the engine bay and hoping for the best, Anderson has also added new suspension and large brakes to keep things (relatively) sane. Smart move on his part, since the 8.3-liter V10 is good for 510 horsepower and 535 pound-feet of torque.

Mr. Anderson, we salute you… American style.

[Source: PistonHeads.com]

United Kingdom mad man to stuff Viper V10 into a Jensen Interceptor originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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United Kingdom mad man to stuff Viper V10 into a Jensen Interceptor

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Buick, Cadillac, GM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall for 2010 and 2011 model year Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS models. A total of 13,780 vehicles, all equipped with V8 engines, are subject to this recall which effects power steering return lines.

According to NHTSA, the starter or alternator cable can wear through these lines, causing a power steering fluid leak. This can not only result in the loss of power steering, but the liquid could drip onto hot engine parts, resulting in a fire.

Owners can bring their cars to General Motors dealers to have the problem fixed free of charge. Technicians will either secure or reroute the power steering return lines in order to prevent contact with these cables. The recall is expected to begin later this month, and the full details are available at NHTSA’s website.

[Source: NHTSA]

2010-11 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS recalled over electrical issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010-11 Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS recalled over electrical issues

Filed under: Concept Cars, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

Strange. That’s how we’d best sum up this motorcycle concept and the company that made it.

Husqvarna got its start producing muskets for the Swedish military. The company still makes small arms, along with farm equipment, sewing machines, home appliances and motorcycles. Today these businesses are all separate enterprises, the motorcycle manufacturer based today in Italy and acquired three years ago by BMW.

A strange path, but certainly no stranger than their latest unveiling: the Mille 3 concept bike. Unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, the Mille 3 straddles the division between cruiser and sport bike about as widely as the rider would its low-slung seat. The handlebars are taken from an off-road bike, while the foot pegs sit far back like those on a sport bike.

Power is provided by a 933cc fuel-injected three-cylinder engine, but it’s the design that sets it apart. Husqvarna says it indicates they’re “always ahead of the game”, but exactly what game that might be is a mystery to us.

[Source: Hell for Leather]

Husqvarna Mille 3 concept bike is stranger than meets the eye originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Husqvarna Mille 3 concept bike is stranger than meets the eye

Filed under: Concept Cars, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

Strange. That’s how we’d best sum up this motorcycle concept and the company that made it.

Husqvarna got its start producing muskets for the Swedish military. The company still makes small arms, along with farm equipment, sewing machines, home appliances and motorcycles. Today these businesses are all separate enterprises, the motorcycle manufacturer based today in Italy and acquired three years ago by BMW.

A strange path, but certainly no stranger than their latest unveiling: the Mille 3 concept bike. Unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, the Mille 3 straddles the division between cruiser and sport bike about as widely as the rider would its low-slung seat. The handlebars are taken from an off-road bike, while the foot pegs sit far back like those on a sport bike.

Power is provided by a 933cc fuel-injected three-cylinder engine, but it’s the design that sets it apart. Husqvarna says it indicates they’re “always ahead of the game”, but exactly what game that might be is a mystery to us.

[Source: Hell for Leather]

Husqvarna Mille 3 concept bike is stranger than meets the eye originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Husqvarna Mille 3 concept bike is stranger than meets the eye

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Work, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Humor, Diesel

General Motors‘ advertising department has seen quite a shakeup over the past year. GM chief marketing officer Joel Ewanick may have hand-picked San Francisco-based Goodby, Silverstein and Partners as his ad agency of choice, but the good ol’ boys from Campbell-Ewald still have some tricks up their sleeves for Chevy Trucks.

The world may not completely understand how and why Chevy runs deep (to be fair, we’re going to give it some time…), but nobody is going to miss the hidden meaning of GM’s new “Max and Al” campaign, which features the recognizable faces of Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement) as Max, and Craig Robinson (The Office, Last Comic Standing, Hot Tub Time Machine) as Al.

What hidden meaning, you ask? You’ll see it clearly when you watch the videos, naturally, but basically what we have here is a message that GM’s Duramax diesel V8 engine and Allison transmission is a time-tested and proven combination that is the thinking man’s obvious choice in a segment that also includes Ford’s Power Stroke and Ram’s Cummins series.

There’s a website (www.maxandal.com), a series of videos (which you can find after the break along with the press release) an upcoming online game and even a downloadable app that’s said to be coming soon to the iPhone App Store. Oh, and what modern-day marketing campaign would be complete without a FaceBook page and a Twitter account? Not this one, that’s for sure.

Check out all the facets of this far-reaching HD pickup advertising campaign and let us know what you think of it. Us? Well, let’s just say Chevy’s got our stamp of approval so far on this one.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Videos: Chevrolet releases new “Duramax & Allison” ad campaign to promote Silverado HD

Videos: Chevrolet releases new “Duramax & Allison” ad campaign to promote Silverado HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Chevrolet releases new “Duramax & Allison” ad campaign to promote Silverado HD

Filed under: Honda, Motorcycle

It could be said that Honda created a piece of two-wheeled history in 1969 when the company first introduced the CB750KO as a musclebound, no-nonsense means to get yourself from Point A to Point B. Call it a naked sport bike, a power-cruiser or everything you need and nothing you don’t – no matter what the nomenclature, Honda made a performance motorcycle that happened to look great when it hit the showrooms wearing nothing more than absolutely necessary.

Honda announced that it will once again spare the nonsense and give the American market a naked sportbike known as the CB1000R, packing 998cc of inline four power. Honda calls it also “surprisingly versatile,” with a broad powerband and roomy cockpit. We shouldn’t forget fun either, as the big CB will put down 124 horsepower and 74l pound-feet of twist. Modern amenities to include a fully adjustable 43mm inverted fork and four-piston radial mounted calipers clamping a rotor on each side up front.

We are not sure if it was nostalgia, or loss of market share that ultimately landed the CB1000R on U.S soil, but at this point, it looks like Honda may be remembering who pays for their motorcycles… the customer, and we like what we see so far. To read the the official jabber and full specs from Honda, hit the jump.

Note: European model shown.
[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda brings back the birthday suit: First look at the bound-for-America CB1000R

Honda brings back the birthday suit: First look at the bound-for-America CB1000R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda brings back the birthday suit: First look at the bound-for-America CB1000R

Filed under: SEMA Show, Etc., Motorcycle, MISC

Three-wheeled vehicles are apparently back in vouge. Yesterday we told you that Morgan is reviving its classic Threewheeler, and now SEMA offers up a trike of its own. Talon Motors has unveiled its Invader, and we have to admit that the specs on it are pretty impressive. Much more so than Talon’s last creation, the Street Quad.

Power for the Invader is provided in spades, thanks to a 1,300-cc Suzuki Hayabusa engine mated to a six-speed sequential transmission. The powertrain provides enough scoot to move this reverse trike from 0-60 miles per hour in under four seconds. Keep going and you’ll eventually hit the top speed of 150 mph.

Those speeds require serious hardware to keep things safe, and the Invader delivers with a fully adjustable suspension setup. A set of cross-drilled Wilwood rotors and four-piston calipers quickly bring things back within legal limits.

Pricing for the standard Invader begins at $42,900, with a host of optional features being made available. Talon Motors isn’t just stopping there however… the Invader builder has teamed up with former Van Halen front-man Sammy Hagar to produce a limited-edition signature series. The “Red Rocker” edition Invader will incorporate custom design elements created between Hagar and Talon Motors, and it will go on sale sometime in 2011.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading SEMA 2010: Talon Motors Invader provides ultimate performance on three wheels

SEMA 2010: Talon Motors Invader provides ultimate performance on three wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Talon Motors Invader provides ultimate performance on three wheels

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Luxury

This may be Audi‘s first year at SEMA, but that doesn’t mean other tuning houses haven’t worked up some four-ringed hotness just for the Vegas show. Stasis, for example, shows off its Signature Series S4 and S5 which get by with ‘just’ 410 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque from their supercharged V6s, otherwise normally rated at 333 hp and 344 lb-ft.

Stasis says the 25 percent boost in power comes from nothing more than an ECU tune and its own free-flow exhaust that uses “cross flow pulse scavenging technology.” The wheels are pulled from the Stasis well, either 20-inches of lightweight, cast spokes or the same diameter in ultra-lightweight forged spokes. Together with the power and the Yokohama rubber, both cars are said to be capable of achieving 1.0 gs in the corners. Suspension and brakes get some love as well, and you can read about the full host of changes in the press release after the jump. While you’re at it, scroll through our galleries below to se both the S4 and S5 under the SEMA show lights.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

Continue reading SEMA 2010: Stasis holds its own with Signature Series S4 and S5

SEMA 2010: Stasis holds its own with Signature Series S4 and S5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Stasis holds its own with Signature Series S4 and S5

Filed under: SEMA Show, Performance, Specialty

There’s certainly a lot of hot metal on the floor at this year’s SEMA show, and while we’re always keen to see customizations and special editions of some of our favorite vehicles, we can’t help but give special attention to automakers who debut brand new products. Seattle-based Vortex Motors indeed captures our attention this year with the world debut of its F1 track car. Watch your back, Ariel Atom – the Vortex F1 is ready for battle.

Power is sourced from an upgraded version of General Motors‘ turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec inline-four running through a six-speed manual transmission. In the standard model, the F1 Turn Key, output is rated at 290 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque, but Vortex will also sell an Ultimate version, bumping those numbers up to 330 and 360, respectively.

The body is constructed out of a mix of fiberglass and aluminum, with carbon fiber available as an option. The Turn Key weighs in at a feather-light 1,400 pounds, and thus, Vortex is targeting a 0-60 time of just 2.7 seconds and a quarter-mile run of just 10.5 seconds at 130 miles per hour. Vortex has fitted 17-inch wheels at all four corners, riding on 275/40-series tires up front and beefy 315/35 rubber out back.

The whole package can be yours for $49,995 for the Turn Key or $69,995 for the Ultimate. In addition to adding more power, the Ultimate also uses a fully carbon fiber body, upgraded brakes, wheels and tires, improved steering, carbon fiber seats and a sequential six-speed gearbox. Vortex says that it is also planning a fully electric version of the F1, with a targeted weight of only 1,300 pounds. We’d gladly pit it against a Tesla Roadster in a drag race any day.

More information is available at Vortex Motors’ website, but before you do anything else, have a scroll through our high-res gallery of images live from SEMA.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

SEMA 2010: Vortex F1 makes world debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Vortex F1 makes world debut