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Review: 2011 Ford Fiesta SES promises the democratization of fun

August 5th, 2010

2011 Ford Fiesta SES shown

2011 Ford Fiesta SES – Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember when economy cars offered few concessions beyond roll-your-own windows, rear window defrosters and AM radios? It was only a handful of years ago that features on our 2011 Ford Fiesta SES tester would’ve qualified it for premium car status – if indeed items like Bluetooth, SYNC, a capless fuel fill and knee airbags were even available.

There’s no denying the steady trickledown of luxury goods into workaday iron, and the Fiesta is rolling proof.

As you might also recall, back about 10 years ago, Ford executives and those charged with its British outpost, Jaguar, worked themselves into a froth over the possibilities offered by ‘The Democratization of Luxury’ – boldly and conveniently overlooking that when a premium feature becomes affordable to everyone, it ceases to be a luxury at all. And while this sort of marketing doublespeak was the undoing of the ill-conceived Jaguar X-Type – and perhaps the undoing of Ford’s ownership of Coventry’s favorite feline altogether – there’s no denying the steady trickledown of luxury goods into workaday iron, and the Fiesta is rolling proof.

Of course, any automaker can lash a bunch of features onto a car and call it a day, but it’s not a real value unless all of those baubles and braze-ons are bungeed to a platform and drivetrain whose creators have that whole engineering ‘special sauce’ thing figured out. In other words, the democratization of luxury is one thing – but does the Fiesta deliver the democratization of fun? Click through to the jump to find out.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Ford Fiesta SES promises the democratization of fun

Review: 2011 Ford Fiesta SES promises the democratization of fun originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST.

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First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta gets with the (American) program

July 21st, 2010

2011 Volkswagen Jetta – Click above for high-res image gallery

For Volkswagen of America, it doesn’t get more brot-und-butter than the Jetta. Forced into the shadow of the best-selling Golf, the refrain from Germany was always “Sell more Golfs!” To which VoA would steadfastly reply, “Americans don’t want hatchbacks!”

This went on for over two decades until the corporate mothership finally recognized that its compact sedan was what the people wanted Stateside. So for 2011, the Jetta has been restyled, reformed and reinvigorated with a new purpose: to take on the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, not to mention the Mazda3.

How? This story begins and ends with price. A 2011 Jetta in “S” trim will set you back just $15,995. Compare that to the 2010 model, which starts at $17,735, and the Civic and Corolla which clock in at $15,655 and $15,450, respectively. The “German premium” has finally been addressed. But at what cost? We trekked to San Francisco to find out.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta gets with the (American) program

First Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta gets with the (American) program originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST.

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Hyundai pledges to hit 40 mpg with 2012 Veloster, beat out Honda CR-Z

June 21st, 2010

2012 Hyundai Veloster – Click above for high-res image gallery

At a media breakfast in Los Angeles this morning, Hyundai Motor America president John Krafcik let slip that the Korean automaker expects to breach the 40 miles-per-gallon barrier with its forthcoming small sports coupe. Conveniently, if they can reach that performance target, that would best the new 2011 Honda CR-Z, which, despite its hybrid powertrain, achieves just 36/39 city/highway when equipped with a CVT and 31/37 with a manual gearbox. The as-yet-unnamed Hyundai coupe (the nameplates Veloster and Tiburon are still up for discussion) will achieve those figures with a conventional four-cylinder engine, eschewing the added cost, complexity and weight of a gas-electric system.

Likening the forthcoming model to a long-distance runner, Krafcik promises that not only will this Hyundai best the Honda in fuel economy, it will also deliver better performance as well as added utility (read: rear seats and better access). Given that it won’t have the cost penalty of a hybrid drivetrain (a 140-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine is expected), we’d be surprised if it doesn’t come in at a lower price-point, as well.

In addition to sipping gas, Krafcik emphasized to Autoblog that a key mission for the affordable coupe will be enticing the world’s young and increasingly auto-ambivalent consumers with additional technology – all Velosters will come with a large screen on the dashboard as standard equipment, presumably to manage connectivity features in addition to more traditional vehicle functions.

With 40 mpg practicality and superior utility, it would appear that the Veloster not only has a shot at taking on Honda’s CR-Z, but also more conventional economy cars like the Ford Fiesta, perhaps trading a bit of practicality in favor of edgier coupe styling and (hopefully) greater performance.

Hyundai pledges to hit 40 mpg with 2012 Veloster, beat out Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:04:00 EST.

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First Drive: 2011 Honda CR-Z

June 18th, 2010

2011 Honda CR-Z – Click above for high-res image gallery

Let’s get this out of the way right now: the 2011 Honda CR-Z is not a CRX redux. To compare the two – no matter how much Honda may want to – is to misunderstand the former and besmirch the latter.

No, the hybrid CR-Z is an entirely different beast. Despite its three-door shape and two-seat configuration, it has about as much in common with the O.G. hatch as a big-screen remake of your favorite childhood TV show. The basic components are there, but the whole concept has been throttled to within an inch of its life with high-tech gadgetry, odd casting decisions and a questionable demographic.

But to Honda’s credit, its rhetorical comparisons to the CRX have died down considerably since the CR-Z debuted in concept form and then progressed into a production model. Honda may have recognized after a lukewarm introduction outside the U.S. that glomming onto nostalgia will only get you so far (see: Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro). And to make something special – a vehicle that transcends the emotional baggage of its predecessor – you’ve got to evolve the concept and avoid relying on rose-tinted sentimentality.

To an extent, that’s exactly what Honda has created. It hasn’t built another hot hatch – the lightweight, K20-powered three-door enthusiasts crave – and instead it has attempted to meld the technology of the moment into a greenified competitor to the Mini Cooper. Think of it as the rogue lovechild of the original and current Insight, with a few sporting genes spliced into its DNA. But can a hybrid hatch be an entertaining steer? We took to California’s twisties and clipped a few cones to find out.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Honda CR-Z

First Drive: 2011 Honda CR-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:02:00 EST.

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta live from its Times Square debut

June 15th, 2010

2011 Volkswagen Jetta live – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen of America descended upon New York City this morning and, much to the chagrin of native New Yorkers, plugged up Times Square with the world premiere of its 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. For being inconvenienced, Manahattanites were treated to a free Katy Perry concert on VW’s Urban Oasis stage after the sheets were finally yanked from three sixth generation Jettas. We had a man on the scene who battled the crowd for live shots, which you can view in the high-res image gallery below, as well as video of the car’s reveal after the jump.

Photos by Alex Nunez / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2011 Volkswagen Jetta live from its Times Square debut

2011 Volkswagen Jetta live from its Times Square debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:29:00 EST.

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Recap: 2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

June 13th, 2010

1957 Corvette

2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance – Click above for high-res image gallery

The first weekend in June is always circled on our calendar, because that’s when the annual Greenwich Concours d’Elegance goes down in tony Greenwich, CT. So, instead of catching some rays at the beach, or mowing the lawn, or tending to the vegetable garden, we drop the top and head down Interstate 95 to spend the better part of two days gawking at cars exotic and otherwise, always ready for whatever surprises are on hand to add a little variety. Follow the jump for a quick recap of this year’s show, after which you can hit the galleries to ogle the staggering variety of metal that the organizers assembled.

Continue reading Recap: 2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

Recap: 2010 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:20:00 EST.

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2011 Scion tC video brings updated sport compact into sharper focus

June 3rd, 2010

2011 Scion tC: Sneak Peek – Click above for image gallery

Thanks to our anonymous tipster from earlier in the day, we know a lot more about the updated 2011 Scion tC than we did yesterday. Tomorrow we’ll know even more when the new car debuts at the 2010 New York Auto Show. In the meantime, Scion itself has released a video that confirms many of our tipster’s earlier details, as well as provides some unfettered views of the new tC’s design.

The video, which can be viewed after the jump, confirms that the tC will be available with a slightly larger engine at 2.5 liters of displacement compared to the current model’s 2.4 liters. We don’t know yet how much little extra bit of volume will translate into extra horsepower, but the man in the video says there will be more than before (torque too). Add to that confirmation of both a six-speed manual and automatic transmission, improved fuel economy, 18-inch alloy wheels, bigger brakes and an eight-speaker stereo with a USB port.

The video also shows a few fast glimpses of the ’11 tC’s redesigned exterior, which we’ve captured and gallerized below in the hope that a few seizures from the video’s quick cuts might be prevented. Regardless, It won’t be long until the teasing stops and the 2011 Scion tC greets the world onstage in the Big Apple tomorrow.

[Source: Scion]

Continue reading 2011 Scion tC video brings updated sport compact into sharper focus

2011 Scion tC video brings updated sport compact into sharper focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:09:00 EST.

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Reader Spy: 2011 Scion tC caught on New York show stand ahead of reveal, looks much the same *Updated

March 30th, 2010

We have always thought that the Scion tC was a pretty tidy looking little hatchback, but as it’s been on sale since 2004, well, it’s gotten a bit tired, even though there are very few inexpensive front-drive sport-ish coupes to choose from these days. With that in mind, we’ve been looking forward to the introduction of the long-awaited 2011 model, expecting a fairly radical step forward. Judging by this new spy shot from an anonymous tipster, perhaps we ought to temper our expectations a bit.

While the single snapshot in question is blurry and blown out, it does show what appears to be a new lower fascia, grille, wheels, and side mirrors. The headlamps are too washed out under the showstand’s high-power lights to tell if they’ve been altered (it appears that the photo was taken during a presentation rehearsal ahead tomorrow’s New York Auto Show reveal), but it’s reasonable to assume that the tC will receive new lights both front and rear, as they’re a hallmark of almost any vehicle refresh.

As for what lies underneath the reskin, we’re not yet sure, as the only thing to have slipped out about the new model that appears credible are a few official-looking detail shots that reveal items like a new manual shift mode for the automatic transmission and revamped HVAC controls.

We’ll have more on the 2011 tC after Scion’s press conference tomorrow, but in the meantime, you can play a game of “spot the differences” from the outgoing car by checking out our high-res gallery of Scion’s latest special edition model below.

*UPDATE: Our man with the spy cam has offered up the following details about the 2011 tC:

  • 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (2010 model has a 2.4-liter)
  • Six-speed manual or automatic gearbox with sequential shifter
  • 18-inch wheels standard (with wider tires)
  • Traction and stability control (defeatable)
  • Wider track for improved stance
  • Flat-bottom steering wheel “one of the best feeling out there (comparable to the one used in the GTI), very thick”
  • Improved seats with “good bolsters and shoulder height bolsters, too”
  • Improved rear headroom (but panoramic moonroof stays)
  • Overall, a “very nice feeling interior (for the price point and even above)”
  • Eight-speaker stereo standard
  • Single outlet exhaust (“would like nice with a dual back there”)

We’ll see if our inside man is right on the money tomorrow.

Reader Spy: 2011 Scion tC caught on New York show stand ahead of reveal, looks much the same *Updated originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:31:00 EST.

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2011 Nissan Juke details, specs spilled ahead of New York intro *Updated w/video

March 30th, 2010

2011 Nissan Juke – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan‘s new-for-2011 Juke is set to make its North American debut at tomorrow’s New York Auto Show, and the small crossover’s polarizing moon-buggy styling is sure to set tongues wagging, just as it did during its global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Having seen this vehicle in person already, we can tell you that its “Baby Predator” front end takes some getting used to, but it all comes together better than expected, and the interior seems surprisingly roomy and well-resolved.

Much smaller in person than one might think, the curvy ute is significantly shorter than vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 – it’s even shorter than the new Hyundai Tucson and Nissan’s own Rogue, not to mention the likes of Mitsubishi’s Outlander Sport (itself another NY debut). The closest competitor we can think of is Suzuki’s SX4 crossover, which is, believe it or not, actually longer than the Juke. In the end, we fully expect it to be cross-shopped with more conventional hatchbacks (Mazda3), as well as ‘box cars’ like the Kia Soul.

Featuring the first application of Nissan’s 1.6-liter direct injected four-cylinder turbo in North America, it will be available with torque vectoring all-wheel drive, so it might just be the driver’s car of the bunch, too. Featuring “180+ horsepower and 170+ lb-ft of torque,” it will be available in both six-speed manual form and CVT with a sport setting. Unfortunately, the three-pedal setup will only be available in front-drive SV and SL trim, however. That torque-vectoring system? It defaults to a 50:50 front-to-rear split, but it can push power from side-to-side along the rear axle when situations warrant.

No official pricing has been revealed yet, but Nissan promises that the Juke will start at “just under $20,000.” Want to learn more? Check out our high-res gallery below and the official press releases and spec sheet after the jump.

Update: Three videos of the Juke, its torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system and Nissan’s new direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (definitely the one to watch) have been added after the jump.

Gallery: Nissan Juke

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading 2011 Nissan Juke details, specs spilled ahead of New York intro *Updated w/video

2011 Nissan Juke details, specs spilled ahead of New York intro *Updated w/video originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:01:00 EST.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Accent (or Elantra?) borrows several notes from Sonata

March 27th, 2010

2011 Hyundai Verna / Hyundai Accent

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is more stylish, more spacious, and flat out better than its predecessor. This seems to be the M.O. for Hyundai nowadays, as it rolls out a continual stream of new and/or revised vehicles that leave any old brand preconceptions in the dust. Vehicles like the new Sonata, Tucson, and the Genesis models are casting Hyundai in a totally different, much more positive light than ever before. It won’t end there, either. For instance, the 2011 Hyundai Equus will slot above the Genesis sedan and target bigger, pricier game.

But what about the folks with tighter budgets, shopping at an entry price point well below the Sonata? Well, as you see above, it looks like they won’t need to sacrifice style for value much longer. This photo, posted to a Korean forum, apparently reveals the next-generation Hyundai Accent, caught buck naked in its homeland. (Earlier spy photos call this same car the Accent, and the forum where this shot came from is calling it the Verna – the Accent’s name in Korea.) At the same time, it appears to be nearly identical to this vehicle, caught by spies in January and presumed to be the Elantra.

As you can plainly see, the new car, whether it be the Elantra or the Accent, shares the Sonata’s “fluidic sculpture” design language – no bad thing. In fact, it’s a really good thing, seeing as how the current Accent is about as generic-looking as cars get, and the current Elantra doesn’t exactly set hearts racing either. Hyundai doesn’t do generic anymore, and that now seems to apply to the lower-grade models, too. This looks quite promising, and we’re keen to see more. Thanks to Foo for the tip!

UPDATE: As it happens, there’s evidence to suggest this could instead perhaps be the next Elantra. The original post text has now been modified to reflect this possibility.

[Source: PPOMPPU.co.kr]

Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Accent (or Elantra?) borrows several notes from Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:05:00 EST.

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