Filed under: China, Etc., Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style

Our post on China’s “Tiger mom” phenomenon was illustrated with that above picture; it’s the Jeep Wrangler Dragon Design Concept at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, accompanied by a booth professional. The model – her, not the Jeep – made a fair few friends in the Autoblog Comments section, but it turns out she and her kind attracted the ire of the Chinese authorities.

The Capital Ethics Development Office gave the Beijing show organizers a caning because the “scantily clad” models had “a negative social impact,” and the show was warned not to let “such vulgar publicity” occur again. There’s a lot of room between that leather bustier and a burqa, however, so all’s not lost for next year’s show in Shanghai.

Scroll down to watch the Bloomberg video on the matter.

Continue reading China chastizes Beijing Motor Show over scantily clad models

China chastizes Beijing Motor Show over scantily clad models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Lexus, Luxury, MISC

Automobile Magazine scribe Jason Cammisa was sent into the desert to referee four carbon-fiber-bodied wild animals fighting it out over the quarter mile: the V8 McLaren MP4-12C, the V10 Lexus LFA, the V12 Lamborghini Aventador and the W16 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. It’s a tough job, innit?

The Head 2 Head race was run elimination style, with the winner of each two-up challenge facing the next devil up the totem pole. Although you might not have any doubts about the eventual victor, how each of these supercars fared is good watching. See all the screaming for yourself in the video below.

Continue reading Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA, McLaren MP4-12C and Lambo Aventador in 1/4-mile shootout… who wins?

Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA, McLaren MP4-12C and Lambo Aventador in 1/4-mile shootout… who wins? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet, Holden, Australia, Rumormill

Calling it “Holden’s worst kept secret,” a report in Australia’s Drive indicates that the General Motors antipodean brand will announce “very soon” that it will be exporting “thousands of Commodores to the U.S. from 2013.” Or, put another way, we will be getting thousands of Chevrolet SS Performance sedans – the Pontiac G8 in a previous life – starting next year.

The report says Holden is divulging the news earlier than planned because leaks just about everywhere, including OnStar, as well as trade-publication reports and speculation about GM’s 2013 NASCAR entrant, have got everyone looking southward for confirmation of the answer we already (almost) know.

Drive says our rear-wheel drive Chevrolet will get a revised take on the VF-model Commodore that has an aluminum hood to make it lighter and less aggressive wheel arches to make it more slippery. No hard numbers are attached to the export rumors, but it is expected to number “much fewer than the 50,000-odd” units that were predicted for the Pontiac G8 program.

The scintillating line for bitter enthusiasts still chafing over the confirmed-then-cancelled G8 ST Ute corn tease is that the exports “could also expand to involve ute and sportwagon variants.” Drive didn’t, but we will emphasize the word “could,” since we’ve been here before. However, that does jive with a report in Car and Driver indicating the same thing. Holden’s announcement could be made as soon as later today right now – see below for update.

*UPDATE: Well that didn’t take long. General Motors has officially confirmed that the new Holden-derived sedan sold in the U.S. will be called simply Chevrolet SS. The “limited production” SS will race in NASCAR beginning with the 2013 Daytona 500 and will appear in showrooms in 2014. GM isn’t getting into specifics, but says “The much anticipated Australian-built car will benefit from significant technology advances which enhance overall performance.” As to additional bodystyles like a wagon or pickup, well, GM isn’t saying. See more in the official press release added below, and click on the image above to get a look at GM’s newest racer all camo’d up.

Continue reading Holden announces export of RWD Commodore to North America, other bodystyles could follow *UPDATE

Holden announces export of RWD Commodore to North America, other bodystyles could follow *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Safety, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Toyota

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crowned two sedans and a hatchback as Top Safety Picks: the 2013 Chevrolet Malibe Eco, 2012 Hyundai Azera and 2012 Toyota Prius c. The redesigned 2013 Malibu joins its 2012 model-mate as a Top Pick, and the 2013 earned a good side impact rating even without its optional side airbags.

The Prius c also has siblings that have won the award, the Prius and Prius v. The Azera had been rated in a few earlier tests, but in completing the testing regime with good marks all ’round it earned the accolade. The Top Pick moniker is given to vehicles that score “Good” in the IIHS’s front, side, rollover and rear-impact tests.

Have a look below for video of the Malibu and Prius c going through their side-impact exams.

Continue reading IIHS crowns three new Top Safety Picks [w/video]

IIHS crowns three new Top Safety Picks [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Technology, Design/Style

The Touchskin interface has beeen on display since last October; now it’s at a stage where Magna is shopping it to automakers. Although Magna is the marquee name, the various components that comprise Touchskin are produced by nine companies: Plastic Electronics, Engel Mould Technologies, Schöfer, Magna Exteriors and Interiors, Hueck, Niebling, Votteler, Hennecke Polyurethane and formquadrat.

It is exactly what it sounds like: instead of buttons and knobs populating the center tunnel space around the gearshift, there is a a perfectly smooth Clearmelt panel whose glossy surface heals itself of scratches and nicks. On either side of the shifter in the concept is the IDMP area, where your mobile phone rests. Without needing to be docked, the phone can connect with the car through Qi transmitters (common to phones as of this year) and be charged. The IDMP area and near-field Qi system is one of Magna’s contributions and the company says it can’t be hacked like Bluetooth or Internet protocols.

To the rear of the concept panel is the haptic interface, a protuberance that responds to numerous fingertip gestures to provide control of the car’s various systems. It is made possible by the Touchskin film, produced in reel-to-reel fashion at a rate of 80 meters per minute, that can be molded to any shape and is wedded to the Clearmelt with copper foil.

There’s a video just below to take you through the production process and how Touchskin works. It’s unlikely the entire panel would make it into a new car, but we can certainly see it creeping, piece by glossy piece, into our Minority Report futures.

Continue reading Magna Touchskin technology takes a swipe at switchgear in cars [w/video]

Magna Touchskin technology takes a swipe at switchgear in cars [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

Give a Lexus LFA to an auto journalist and there’s going to be an attempt to drift it. Give that same LFA to the gents at Blendtec and they’re likely to see if it, or at least a piece of it, will blend. Then turn that LFA over to Tony Hawk to use for his birthday and he will, naturally, line the thing up outside of his office and see if he can ollie it.

Sure, he had the help of a generous ramp, but we can’t blame him. The LFA is $375,000 of sensitive parts that wouldn’t react well, nor inexpensively, to flying skateboard trucks. Scroll down to see the 44-year-old Hawk do what he does best.

Continue reading Tony Hawk jumps Lexus LFA on skateboard

Tony Hawk jumps Lexus LFA on skateboard originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, Celebrities

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives persona Guy Fieri is making more news with garages these days than kitchens. The Food Network host, who recently had his Lamborghini Gallardo stolen and then recovered in a teen’s storage container, has been selected to drive the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 pace car at the Indy 500 this year.

Guy’s an admitted car fan, and he should feel at home in the ZR1; he owns seven Chevrolet models that span the decades from 1968 to 2011, and a Cadillac Escalade ESV. He’ll be pacing the field in the 638-horsepower special edition Arctic White coupe on Sunday, May 27 at noon EST.

Guy Fieri to drive Corvette ZR1 pace car in Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Buick, Luxury

Not long ago, Buick released the behind-the-scenes video of its Enclave commercial with Marisa Miller, and now the supermodel’s 30-second spot has begun airing. Note: This is a spot for the current Enclave, not the refreshed 2013 model the debuted during April’s New York Auto Show.

The Sports Illustrated staple and lingerie model might just be the first person ever to wear a swimsuit in a Buick ad. We could say more about it, but that would delay you from watching Ms. Miller and the Enclave in action. So just scroll down and check out the video, why don’t you.

Continue reading Buick begins airing Marisa Miller Enclave ad

Buick begins airing Marisa Miller Enclave ad originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: China, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Jaguar, Land Rover, Luxury

A month ago, Jaguar Land Rover signed a joint-venture agreement with China’s Chery Automobile Company. JLR’s 12.1 billion yuan ($1.9 billion U.S.) investment, if approved, will pay for a plant in Changsu to build Jaguars, Land Rovers, engines and joint-venture models. The facility will also house a research and development center. Chery has submitted the paperwork to clear the deal with the Chinese government. The agreement must pass muster with the Ministry of Enviroment Protection, after which it will go to the National Development and Reform Commission.

When the agreement was first inked an Indian analyst said, “it will be some time before we see the results,” a nod to the fact that government approvals can take a long time. Subaru is an instructive example, having signed an agreement with Chery a year ago. Sources said the deal was ready to be approved last November, but that was the last that has been heard of it – it’s still waiting on the necessary signatures.

But JLR has the long view in mind: it sold 38,890 vehicles in China last year – all imported – a figure representing double-digit sales gains for both brands. The proposed factory will have a capacity of 130,000 units, providing a healthy buffer in case the bureaucracy sits on things.

Chery requests Chinese approval of $1.9B joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Videos, Saab, Racing

The sequel to Frankenstein is being written in Swedish, by Saab. The ostensibly former car company could teach the good doctor about life after death, having earned itself more good news by winning the inaugural race of the Swedish Touring Car series. Team Tidö’s black 9-3 racer was on pole and carried that lead all the way to the checkered flag. Driving it was Linus Ohlsson, whose past triumphs include taking third in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia series.

Just to be clear, all the cars in the series are silhouette racers, with Saab, Volvo, BMW and Citroën bodies placed over a spec chassis. Still, it was the body with the Griffin badge that beat the rest, and we all know Saab’s faithful could use something to cheer about these days. Scroll down for a video recap of the race; it’s in Swedish, so hit the CC button for English subtitles if you need ‘em.

Continue reading Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race

Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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