Latest Automotive Headlines

All Dressed Up
Jaguar updates the elegant XJ sedan with assorted styling tweaks for 2008.

Most Powerful VW Passat Ever On Sale
• 294bhp • 0-62mph in 5.6secs • From £30,990http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/368/f/5292/s/fa6516/mf.gif

Titan Tire Ships World's First 63-inch Tire
Filed under: Etc., Tech, Commercial TrucksRemember in the first Crocodile Dundee movie when he gets mugged in New York City and Sue says "He's got a knife," and Dundee says, "That's not a knife, this is a knife," and then he pulls out a beast-killing monstrosity of a blade? Well, that's what the folks at Titan Tire are saying right now about every other -- smaller -- tire in the world. Titan has made a 63-inch rubber behemoth for use on trucks in Canada's oil sands. The stats on these rubber donuts is impressive: the 59/80R63 is the biggest production tire in the world, standing over fourteen feet tall and weighing 12,500 pounds with a load rating of 101 metric tons. It makes Titan a very appropriate name for the company, as we learned from another movie, Remember the Titans, that in Greek mythology the Titans were greater even than the gods. Now we can only hope this development will make the price of oil drop another ten dollars...[Source: Titan via Gizmag]   Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lollipop Wardens Armed With Cameras
• Abuse widespread • Prosecutions possible • 1400 attacks a yearhttp://rss.feedsportal.com/c/368/f/5292/s/ff399d/mf.gif

New Entry-level Engine For TT
• New 1.8 TFSI for TT • Car not in UK until next year • Cost around £23,300http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/368/f/5292/s/fc4a95/mf.gif

Rendered Rip Off? Racy Genesis Coupe Illustration Called Into Question
Filed under: Coupes, Hyundai, Lexus, Rendered SpeculationYesterday's announcement that Hyundai would be bringing three Genesis coupe concepts to SEMA has been met with some skepticism surrounding the legitimacy of the first rendering Rhys Millen Racing released. John Sibal posted the RMR Genesis coupe illustration on his site today, along with his own LF-A rendering that we featured back in April. There's a striking similarity between the LF-A's front bumper design - specifically the molded winglet, side air intake, air dam and tow-hook placement. We've tried contacting Hyundai about the matter, hoping they could provide contact information for the artist who drew up the coupe, but got stuck in voicemail Hell instead. While this could just be a case of indirect inspiration, we somehow doubt it and are looking forward to getting the full story soon. Thanks to all who tipped in.[Source: JonSibal]   Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Auto Leasing Do's And Don'ts
If you are considering leasing, you need to do your homework. Here is some advice on how to get the best deal.

Honeywell Tapped To Provide Turbos For Ford
Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Ford Ford has committed to putting 500,000 vehicles on the road annually with its Ecoboost direct injection + turbo technology, which means the Blue Oval is going to need a whole bunch of turbochargers. After some searching, Ford has chosen Honeywell to be the supplier that puts some fuel-sipping pep into its engine lineup. Honeywell already supplies turbo chargers to several European automakers, where forced induction has been an accepted practice for boosting small engines for years. Ford says its Ecoboost technology can, for example, enable four-cylinder engines to produce V6 power with four-pot efficiency, which will go a long way toward helping the automaker achieve its goal of reducing fuel consumption by 30% or more by 2020. The first vehicle to receive Ecoboost is the Lincoln MKS, with the Taurus, F-150, and Flex following after that. [Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]   Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Corvette's ZR1 Has Power To Surprise
• ZR1 has 624bhp • On sale later this year • Cost from £100,000http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/368/f/5292/s/fc34f0/mf.gif

Things Never To Say To A Dealer
The dealership experience can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. If you want a good price, you're going to need to know what to say - and what not to say.

Road To Race: Porsche RS Spyder Gets Direct Injection
Filed under: Motorsports, PorscheClick above for a high-res gallery.Porsche has already introduced direct injection on the Cayenne and 911 Carrera, and the Turbo, GT2 and GT3 all stand to benefit from the technology next year. While it's normal for most automakers to take the lessons learned from motorsports and apply them to their road cars, Porsche is doing it the other way around.The 3.4-liter V8 in the Porsche RS Spyder campaigning in the ALMS LMP2 class will be fitted with direct injection, bringing power levels up while reducing fuel consumption. While the old mill put out 476 hp at 10,000 RPM and 273 lb.-ft. of torque beginning at 7,500 RPM, the new engine gets a 27 hp bump, to bring levels up to 503 hp at 10k RPM and 284 lb.-ft. of twist at 8,500 rpm. That, combined with the decreased in fuel consumption should make the Spyder even more competitive in a class it's continuing to dominate.Full details are posted in the press release below the fold. Gallery: Porsche RS Spyder with DI Continue reading Road to Race: Porsche RS Spyder gets direct injection   Permalink | Email this | Comments

AutoblogGreen For 7.31.08
Filed under: GreenOnce again Exxon set a new record profit record this quarter raking in cash in excess of expenses to the tune of $1,500 per second. Meanwhile Tata might be hooking up with Fiat to help sell the Nano outside of India and Audi has killed plans for a hybrid version of the Q7, focusing on diesels instead. Exxon made nearly $1,500 a second last quarter, a new record Lamborghini flown from Qatar to London and back... for an oil change Detroit Electric to aid Proton get powered by electrons New road taxes may be necessary in the wake of high gas prices Porsche ALMS race engine to go direct injection Cadillac may add 2.0L four cylinder turbo to CTS if drivers demand it Hands on: Spain to promote 31 measures to save energy and makes cars an important part of them Tata asks Fiat for help selling the Nano British PM vows to replace armored Jaguar with electric limo Audi Q7 hybrid in hold, Q5 coming with lithium battery VIDEO: The risk of high voltage hybrid batteries, BMW mechanic gets a shock China may ban almost all cars during Olympics   Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Renault Koleos To Cost From £17,995
• Two diesel engines Three trims • On sale on July 4http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/368/f/5292/s/feed5c/mf.gif

MTM Tunes The Audi RS6 Avant To 702hp
Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Wagons/Estates, Euro, Audi Click to view the MTM RS6 M in our hi-res gallery With a 580-hp twin-turbo V10 derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo's mill, the Audi RS6 is hardly a candidate for improvements. It's a station wagon that outguns supercars, for crying out loud. But we had to figure that it would only be a matter of time until someone tried, and German tuning house MTM has stepped up to bat. To give you an idea of what MTM's engineers are capable, with just a tweak of the ECU they've managed to boost output to 656 hp, dropping the 0-60 time down from an already outstanding 4.6 seconds to a scant 3.9. Throw in a stainless steel exhaust and a new air filter and presto! You've got 702 horses underhood. MTM is also offering some reserved carbon fiber aero bits, a new set of brakes, revised dampers and 21-inch wheels. We don't know what kind of world this is where you can get your hands on a 700 horsepower wagon, but we like it. Check out the high-resolution images in the gallery below. Gallery: MTM Audi RS6 M[Source: MTM via World Car Fans]   Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Not Again! Schumi Involved In Another Accident
Filed under: UK We all know that Formula One pilots drive their cars to the very edge of their limits. What separates the godlike from the rest of the field of extremely talented drivers, however, is how close they can get to the edge without going over it. Go too far and you crash. Don't go far enough and lose. Michael Schumacher certainly falls into that rare category - tops it, even - of the exceedingly talented and accomplished, but lately, we've begun to wonder if the unprecedented seven-time world champion hasn't lost it. Following the rumors from just a couple of days ago that Schumacher had totaled a Ferrari 430 Scuderia prototype on the Nurburgring (turns out it could have been another test driver) comes word that Shumi was involved in a traffic collision on public roads in England. A car dealer in Kent, England, reports to have been hit by a Fiat van, only to discover that it was the champion himself driving. Sound incredible? Both local police and Schumacher's spokesperson confirmed it was him. Michael reportedly cooperated with police who turned up at the scene, handed over his insurance information and was then picked up and disappeared. Thanks for the tip, AV! [Source: BBC News, Image: Bongarts/Getty]   Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments