Inside Line drives the new Mazdaspeed 3
Edmunds' Inside Line just couldn't wait to get their mits on the new Mazdaspeed 3 for a road test/driving impression.So, they sent their man to Japan to get in some seat time and he came away suitably impressed.
Aimed at the new VW GTI, the MS3 packs a full 64 hp more (264) and 74 lb*ft of torque more (for 280 total). All this in a 154 lb lighter package.
Their driver found that the 1st - 3rd gear torque management system was effective at taming that 280 lb*ft that could have easily made this 3 a nightmare to drive hard.
Japanese prices are expected to come in at around $21000 US - so this could turn into one of the hottest performance bargains in recent memory. I know I'll be keeping my eye on this one as a possible next car.
Read the Inside Line article at:
Inside Line - The Quickest Hot Hatch Ever
Ford to expand powertrain warranties on Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln
Ford, in what certainly seems like a smart move to overcome perceived quality problems with all domestic manufacturers, is increasing warranty coverage on the Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln brands.
Ford and Mercury will get a 5 year, 60000 mile powertrain warranty in addition to its 3 year, 36000 mile bumper-to-bumper. Previously, the powertrain warranty was also 3 year, 36000 miles.
Lincoln, which has had a 4 year, 50000 mile bumper to bumper and powertrain warranty, will now get its powertrain warranty expanded to 6 years and 70000 miles.
All brands will also expand their road-side assistance program to last until the end of the powertrain warranty.
The warranties will be effective on all 2007 model year vehicles - including those already sold to customers (a nice surprise, I'm sure).
This is a smart move on Ford's part. Hyundai and Kia (as well as Suzuki) have all made great strides in customer acceptance through expanded warranty coverage. Consumers have shown remarkable resistance to trusting brands based on JD Power and other quality survey numbers. The domestics have made great strides in quality, matching and occasionally surpassing quality leaders like Honda and Toyota - but customers have been reluctant to consider domestic brands anyway.
If this move shows to be successful and getting through to these customers, expect GM and Chrysler to follow suit.
Ford and Mercury will get a 5 year, 60000 mile powertrain warranty in addition to its 3 year, 36000 mile bumper-to-bumper. Previously, the powertrain warranty was also 3 year, 36000 miles.
Lincoln, which has had a 4 year, 50000 mile bumper to bumper and powertrain warranty, will now get its powertrain warranty expanded to 6 years and 70000 miles.
All brands will also expand their road-side assistance program to last until the end of the powertrain warranty.
The warranties will be effective on all 2007 model year vehicles - including those already sold to customers (a nice surprise, I'm sure).
This is a smart move on Ford's part. Hyundai and Kia (as well as Suzuki) have all made great strides in customer acceptance through expanded warranty coverage. Consumers have shown remarkable resistance to trusting brands based on JD Power and other quality survey numbers. The domestics have made great strides in quality, matching and occasionally surpassing quality leaders like Honda and Toyota - but customers have been reluctant to consider domestic brands anyway.
If this move shows to be successful and getting through to these customers, expect GM and Chrysler to follow suit.
New Silverado to debut in August
According to GM - the new Silverado will be unveiled officially on August 2, 2006.From the very slim slice of the truck's front end in this picture - you can see that the undisguised spy photo from a few weeks back was certainly the real deal.
Standing alongside the truck in this pic is country music group 'Big and Rich' who got this preview at an event before the Major League Baseball All-Star game in Pittsburgh.
See more of the new Silverado in this post from back in June.
Nanjing to bring back MG - and build them in a new plant in Oklahoma
Nanjing Automotive Group is expected to make an announcement today in Oklahoma related to their resurrection of the MG brand.
Expect them to announce a new plant in Oklahoma to build, at the very least, a new MG coupe.
Stay tuned for details.
Expect them to announce a new plant in Oklahoma to build, at the very least, a new MG coupe.
Stay tuned for details.
Beetle Turbo...Jet!
When a 180hp 1.8l turbo New Beetle Turbo S just isn't enough - you could follow the example of this guy profiled over at Wired.
He took a 1350hp jet engine and mounted it to his New Beetle for some serious speed.
Take a look over at:
Wired - Pilots Wanted
Next Scion xA?
The Hollywood Extra has a few artist renderings of what the next Scion xA (Toyota Ist elsewhere in the world) will look like.They also mention a rumor that the next xB will be getting a much larger engine and the xA will get a 1.8l 4-cylinder with more power than the barely over 100hp that it has now.
Not that the Scion hipsters are staying away due to lack of power anyway.
Check it out at:
The Hollywood Extra - Next Scion xA
VW kills the GX3
The German Car Blog is reporting that VW has officially killed the GX3 3-wheeled car/motorcycle that was expected to go into production within the next year.Based on a concept shown at the last Los Angeles Auto Show with two front wheels and a single rear wheel, making it technically a motorcycle - the GX3 would have had sports car acceleration (5.7 seconds 0-60), incredible cornering (close to 1.25 lateral g's), mid-40's fuel economy, and no roof.
It appears that concerns about liability have made VW abandon the project.
Read about it at:
The German Car Blog - VW GX3: Dead!
It's official - Challenger is a go!
Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda announced today at the Pepsi 400 that the Dodge Challenger has been approved for production, as was predicted yesterday.
The Challenger will come to market as a 2008 model year vehicle on sale in 2008 (which translates into 'early 2008'). This means we could be seeing Challengers in a little over 18 months from now.
Yahoo Finance - Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda Says Dodge Challenger is a 'Go'
The Challenger will come to market as a 2008 model year vehicle on sale in 2008 (which translates into 'early 2008'). This means we could be seeing Challengers in a little over 18 months from now.
Yahoo Finance - Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda Says Dodge Challenger is a 'Go'