Forty years ago, Volkswagen launched its sportiest Beetle ever, the GSR, which was based on the 1303S and built in 3,500 copies. Today at the Chicago Auto Show, the German automaker introduced an all-new Beetle GSR that will also be limited to 3,500 units.
Boasting unique styling and 210 horsepower (the 1970s model produced a mere 50), the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR has predominantly yellow body panels, while the hood is mainly black, and the trunklid, roof and exterior mirror caps are all black.
Inside, you'll find black-trimmed leather sport seats and leather steering wheel with contrasting yellow stitching. The latter wears a badge marked with the special edition number (1 through 3500).
The 2014 Volkswagen Beetle GSR also features a Fender audio system, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, and push-button start. It can sprint from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h).
More than half of the available units will be sold in the U.S. starting this fall. Pricing remains unknown, as does Canadian availability.
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| Photo: Volkswagen |
Chrysler has just issued a pair of recalls, the first one affecting 63,201
Dodge Ram and Dakota (2009-2010), Dodge Durango (2009), Ram 1500 (2011-2012) and
Chrysler Aspen (2009) trucks
Apparently, the rear axle pinion nut could loosen and allow the rear driveshaft to detach from the axle, or fully detach from the vehicle. Pinion nut separation could also cause the rear axle differential to fail suddenly, producing rear wheel lockup. These issues could result in a loss of propulsion and/or vehicle control, and possibly a crash.
Dealers will therefore install a pinion nut retainer.
The second recall targets 90
Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger sedans from 2013. Some of those may experience fuel leakage or engine stall due to a broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly. This could lead to a fire or a crash.
Dealers will inspect the control valve in the fuel tank. If there's any damage, the fuel tank assembly and vapour canister will be replaced.
Source: Transports Canada 1, 2
Automakers didn't take long to drop the gloves and respond to the
new study by Consumer Reports showing that small turbocharged engines are less fuel-efficient than advertised.
According to Ford, the
Fusion's 2.0L EcoBoost engine actually can deliver the power of a conventional V6, but when the car is being driven more gently, the turbocharger is idled which produces the higher mileage of a four-cylinder.
''We cannot answer for how Consumer Reports tested the Fusion, but its findings are not consistent with our internal and external feedback. It shows EcoBoost vehicles lead in customer satisfaction for fuel economy across segments - including surveys by J.D. Power,'' a Ford product technology spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Hyundai claims that the real-world mileage figures of Consumer Reports ''do correlate nicely'' with official EPA fuel economy ratings.
The saga begins...
Source: The Detroit Bureau
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| Photo: Ford |
From GMM
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has admitted to trying to keep Heikki Kovalainen on the F1 grid.
Finn Kovalainen, a McLaren driver in 2008 and 2009, has dropped out of formula one after Caterham replaced him for the forthcoming season with heavily sponsored Dutch driver Giedo Van der Garde.
Lewis Hamilton, Kovalainen's former teammate, said he thinks team bosses are "crazy" to have overlooked the highly rated 31-year-old in favour of pay-drivers.
At around the same time - just before Marussia announced Luiz Razia as Max Chilton's 2013 teammate - Martin Whitmarsh said he made efforts to help Kovalainen to secure that seat.
"I spoke with Heikki on Tuesday, when I thought about trying to help him with regards to Marussia," he is quoted by Finland's
Turun Sanomat newspaper.
McLaren has a technical collaboration in place with Marussia.
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| Luiz Razia driving the Marussia MR02 at Jerez. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team) |
The all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, which is said to combine the Sedan's dynamic, sporting genes with the practicality and versatility of the Touring, will make its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March.
At 4,824 mm, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is 200 mm longer than the 3 Series Touring; it's also 81 mm taller. The automaker claims there's more passenger room inside, too.
An active rear spoiler - the first of its type on a BMW - automatically deploys at 110 km/h and hides away when the car slows down to under 70 km/h.
Under the hood, three gasoline engines (two 4-cylinders and a 6-cylinder) as well as two diesel engines (both 2.0L units) are available. Output ranges from 143 to 306 horsepower. A 6-speed manual gearbox comes standard with the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, and can be replaced with the optional 8-speed autobox. An M Sport Package can also be ordered.
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| Photo: BMW |
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| Photo: BMW |
From GMM
Gerhard Berger has backed the recent sweeping management changes at Mercedes.
Since the end of the 2012 season, Norbert Haug has been ousted, Lewis Hamilton has taken Michael Schumacher's place in the cockpit, and new chairman Niki Lauda has bought a 10 per cent stake in the Brackley based team.
Moreover, Toto Wolff has switched his allegiance from Williams to Mercedes, taking up the role of executive director and control of a 30pc stake.
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| Toro Wolff, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Ross Brawn, Mercedes AMG F1 Team. (Photo: WRi2) |
The next change could be the arrival for 2014 of McLaren's highly rated technical director Paddy Lowe.
"I think Mercedes had to change something," Berger, the former F1 driver and BMW and Toro Rosso official, told Austrian
Servus TV. "The performance and results in the past few years were not good enough. They won a race last year, but the bottom line for Mercedes was not enough."
Gerhard Berger also said the driver pairing of Hamilton alongside Nico Rosberg is "definitely" better than before, but ruled out returning from retirement himself to add yet another new face at Mercedes.
"I don't think I want that stress again," said the former BMW motor sport director and Toro Rosso co-owner.
"If you want to do formula one, whether as a driver or a manager, you can only do it with a full programme. One should never say never, but I feel very comfortable with what I'm doing now," added Gerhard Berger.
The BMW 3-series family is growing, as the German automaker adds a GT, or Gran Turismo, model to its lineup.
Penske Automotive Group plans to snap up more dealerships overseas, but shift its product mix toward domestic brands in the United States.
Nissan's U.S. arm is preparing to expand its lineup of full-sized pickup trucks as it replaces the aged Titan, which has not been significantly refreshed since it was introduced in 2003.
Also in this episode: An upcoming documentary will cover the ingenious dwarf cars of Ernie Adams, and VW considers adding another brand to its lineup.
Volkswagen expanded its U.S. auto-loan unit's central customer-service office to increase the work force 28 percent as part of a push to reach the top spot in global vehicle deliveries.
General Motors and its joint ventures in China sold more than 300,000 vehicles in a single month for the first time ever in China last month.
BMW stepped down on Wednesday from its role in an automotive industry research program investigating the safety of a potential new air conditioning refrigerant, disagreeing with the test methods employed.
Ojo Obaniyi, a 40-year-old Nigerian artist, covered a Volkswagen Caddy pickup inside and out with raffia palm cane to advertise his work and send a message.
The 2013 Radical Cup USA schedule was announced on Wednesday.
Polish up those white loafers and pick up a ticket to Florida, 'cause the 2013 Miami International Boat Show is nearly here.
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