Fifth Generation LT1 Small-Block

On October 24, 2012, we got our first look at the 5th generation Chevy-small block. On this date, the Warren Michigan GM Tech Center was filled with journalists to view, photograph, and learn more about this hot new power-source. It was labeled as the best one yet, and is said to appear in the 2014 Corvette.


The LT1 is a new engine with only a few similarities to the LS3. Here are some statistics surrounding the new engine:

• 6.2 liters
• 450 horsepower
• 450 lb-ft of torque
• Compression = 11:5:1
• 0 to 60mph in 4 seconds
• Octane tolerant

In addition, the LT1 will beat the LS3's fuel economy which is currently 26 mpg on the highway. Basically, it is built to last, take a beating, and last throughout it's entire warranty.

What is there to learn about the 2014 Corvette LT1 V8 Powerhouse? First off, it offers advanced technologies in several different areas including active fuel engagement, direct injection, and continuously variable valve timing support advanced combustion system. It is said to offer the best fuel economy in any Corvette yet. It is said to offer over 450 hp with 450 lb-ft of torque. It will be able to reach 0 to 60mph in less than four seconds! This will make it the quickest standard Corvette yet!

According to senior vice president of Global Product development, Mary Barra, the LT1 was designed to raise the bar for engines in performance vehicles. She believes that this objective was obtained by creating a "masterpiece" that uses advanced technologies that can only be found in a small few engines around the world. Each time a performance vehicle is created, the goal is to offer greater power and greater fuel economy - and that is exactly what the new 2014 Corvette does. Not only does the LT1 offer excellent horsepower and fuel economy, but it also produces a broader power band than ever before, staying below 4, 000 rpm.

  by  au_tiger01 

Another new component of the 2014 Corvette? Active Fuel Management. For the first time ever, the engine's cylinders are shut off during light-load driving, helping to save on fuel during lighter drives.

The very first Corvette with a Small Block V-8 was designed in 1955. It had a 4.3L and 195hp. Today, the 2012 Small Block powered Corvette Racing C6.R beat out other top model vehicles in the American Le Mans Series GT class, making Corvette the most successful team in the championships history.

So what is it that makes the Small Block so successful? The combination of power, efficiency, durability, and compactness. These qualities are what makes the engine so desirable for production and race cars alike, and with the addition of such new and advanced technologies, the engine is made even better.

Other features of the Corvette LT1 include:

• all aluminum block and oil pan
• an advanced oiling system with available dry-sump system
• Tri-lobe cam shaft
• Cam driven fuel pump
• PCV integrated rocker covers
• Intake manifold and throttle body assembly
• 4-in-1 exhaust manifolds

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at ramonatire.com and search for a location near you.

To learn more about the features of LT1, visit http://www.popularhotrodding.com/hotnews/1210phr_gen_v_lt1_small_block/

2014 Cadillac ELR

The Chevy Volt is a unique car with an impressive pedigree and an intense production schedule. Chevy's team had to put a brand-new power train in a new car basically, all under par where time and budget where concerned. There wasn't a lot of room for error or extension. This worked fairly well, but GM caught some flak for a kind of dumbing-down of the concept car.

The 2014 Cadillac ELR uses that same super-efficient drive train, just with a little more gestation time. You may, in fact, recognize it as a concept car GM displayed to great acclaim four years ago, the Converj. With the Volt's successes and criticisms in mind, then-Chairman Bob Lutz made maintaining the Converj's style a clear priority. If you look hard enough, you can see a few sharp lines that have been smoothed down. Still the sharp wedge shape and aggressive styling have remained mostly intact. This can be seen in the higher drag coefficient of the ELR compared to the Volt: 031 to 028. Lowered efficiency or no, the ELR has a sense of style and presence that's gratifying to see in a mass-manufactured car, let alone in an ecologically-minded one.

Where the Volt missed the mark, the ELR hits a clear bullseye. One shining example is the interior quality, featuring two kinds of wood, various luxurious leathers, and sleek carbon fiber. It is a Cadillac, after all, and carries with it the sense of opulence the brand is famous for. An underbody brace and active dampers keep the ride Caddy-smooth, too, even offering multiple ride settings. It also comes with the price tag Cadillacs usually bear, with MSRP estimated at $70,000.

Those looking for a classy expression of the ecological car will probably be happy to note that this is basically the suave version of the Chevy Volt. It incorporates the ground-breaking drive train, and the electric motor, gas engine, and battery are nearly identical to the Volt, just tweaked with the experience a few years of road experience provides. The ELR does boast a nearly 40% boost in horsepower and an accompanying, and impressive, 400 ft-lbs of torque, compared to the smaller Volt's 365 ft-lbs. The ELR does take a small hit in mileage, however it is fairly minimal: just under 80 miles.

Those looking for true and real innovation in the 2014 Cadillac ELR will be disappointed. It retains many hallmarks of the Cadillac brand: a sharp sense of style, immense comfort, and that all-important luxury. A price tag as large as the ELR's usually comes paired with something more than a souped-up version of last year's cutting edge. If the only thing preventing you from buying a Volt was the slightly dumpy design, well, now you have the ELR. To be fair, it is more exotic hardware than most SUVs, and those looking to blend sensible gas consumption with high style and comfort have finally found a pairing with GM's new offering. It's just a bit of a heft price tag to swallow.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at ramonatire.com and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on Cadillac ELR.

Read the Whole Article here: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/detroit/2013/1301_2014_cadillac_elr/

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

There are some classic American cars that just can't be kept down. The Chevrolet Corvette is one of them. This is the first production Corvette to bear the Stingray since '67, and, boy howdy, does it deserve it. The 2014 model does what the Corvette does best. It couples top of the line engineering and blood-pumping power and acceleration, then wraps it up in a sleek and sexy red dress for the world to see.

This seventh generation of a classic American sports car proudly claims its heritage, taking, with pride, its place in the long line of beautiful machines produced by Chevrolet. It's a self-aware improvement over its predecessors, boasting augmentation and change in every aspect. It smoothly and quickly transitions from stop to GO back to stop again, with better acceleration and stopping speeds. It even has a more efficient motor, leading to (slightly, let's be honest) better fuel consumption rates. This more tightly-tuned, more efficient engine also lends itself to more power. There are humble increases in both torque and horsepower made possible by the new economy.

The new Stingray will also boast the industry's second seven-speed manual transmission, and new Corvettes that bear clutches will also come with paddle shifters. These serve to toggle the automatic rev-matching program, allowing drivers to work around the rev-matching software, but are awfully prominent if you don't plan to be working around it very often. New improvements also include an all-aluminum frame, previously exclusive to the Z06 and the ZR1. The new frame is both stiffer and almost one hundred pounds lighter than the steel frame of the C6 Corvette, but most of the lost weight is made up by new and important safety equipment.

The design of the C7 is groundbreaking for the Corevette. Hallmarks of traditional design remain, but the way lines are treated in the new shape is jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring. There's a rear window for the first time in decades, helping to set the tone for the overall design. Yes, it is sleek. Yes, it is sexy, and speaks of raw power wedded to exceptional precision. But, for what feels like the first time in ages, the new Corvette doesn't speak to fake retro stylings. It is pure function in form, in a way that is novel to this American classic.

The C7 marks an interesting juxtaposition for Corvette, too. New technology infuses the machine from front bumper to the trailing exhaust tip, and many fundamental changes have shaped the new model. Long-time Corvette lovers will be pleased to hear that Chevrolet made new seats (a longtime source of discomfort) a priority in the new interior, which has been completely restyled. Almost nothing in the new Stringray is like any other Corvette. There is nothing superfluous here, even all the aggressive-looking vents are practical and actually provide air for some crucial part or other. Interestingly, perhaps ironically, this departure from tradition marks a return to what made the Corvette a household name: innovation and pure, beautiful functionality.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://ramonatire.com/ and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

Click Here: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/detroit/2013/1303_2014_chevrolet_corvette/

The New Audi RS7

First debuted in 2010 at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the 2011 Audi A7 Sportback comes complete with a 3.0 liter V6 engine. Sound impressive? It is! So impressive, in fact, that many people are wondering why the Audi even needs to upgrade to the 2013 Audi S7. Debuting in the 2011 Frankfurt auto show, this vehicle upgrades to a 4.0 liter turbo V8 engine. So why was this vehicle created? Was it to stand up to the competition of the Mercedes Benz E63 AMG, the Cadillac CTS-V, and the BMW M5? Absolutely not. In fact, there was another vehicle that was designed for such competition - The Audi RS7 Sportback.


Premiering in mid-January at the Detroit auto show, the Audi RS7 blasts the S7's horsepower out of the park. Compared to the S7, which offers a 4.0 V8 engine with 414 horsepower, the new RS7 offers 4.0 liter engine with 560 horsepower. Compared with the V7's 406 lb-ft of torque, the Audi RS7 sits at 516 lb-ft. And when it comes to speed? The original V7 was said to reach 0 to 60mph in 4.8 seconds. The new RS7 is said to hit 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds - that's a .9 second improvement!

With the new 4.0 engine, the intake is on the outside of the vee and the exhaust valves are on the inside. To make for shorter gas pathways and a quicker response time, the two twin scroll turbos are placed within the intercooler. The new RS7 also allows for engine management, allowing the operator of the vehicle to change the note of the engine with a button that controls the flaps in the exhaust system. You can also opt for a sport exhaust.

  by  sarahlarson 

Also offered with the Audi RS7 is COD, or cylinder on demand. An "Audi" version of power shutoff, this helps to improve gas mileage by shutting down cylinders during low load conditions. To be more specific, under light loads, this 4.0 liter engine becomes a 2.0 liter engine by closing off the valves for cylinders 2,3,5, and 8. The Audi RS7 is said to have fuel mileage of 24 miles per gallon.

Other standard features of the Audi RS7 include:

• Quattro permanent all-wheel drive
• 16.5 carbon fiber ceramic disc brakes
• 8 speed Tiptronic transmission
• A 7 twin spoke 20 inch forged wheel
• Torque vectoring
• Leather wrapped steering wheel
• Lap timer

Optional features of the Audi RS7 include:

• 3 designs of 21 inch wheels
• Adaptive air suspension
• Sport suspension with dynamic ride control
• All leather interior

So does the RS7 feel faster than the S7? Until it is taken for it's first drive, we simply won't know. As for now, you can tell the difference between the two vehicles by looking at the bumpers. Keep your eye out for the new Audi RS7 and you can decide for yourself whether it stands up to it's BMW, Mercedes, and Cadillac competitors.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at www.RamonaTire.com and search for a location near you.

Click here to read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/detroit/2013/1301_2014_audi_rs_7_sportback/

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep's Grand Cherokee is one of the most recognizable brands on the market, and Chrysler's best seller behind the Ram. As such, it is a model watched especially closely for updates, changes, and potentially, mistakes. Like many “classic” brands, its followers are split between those those enthusiastically endorse any changes and those who rabidly decry any changes. This model year should be an interesting one for both kinds of fans.

This is a big year for efficiency for the Grand Cherokee. Big changes include the introduction of a diesel model, a first for the Cherokee, as well as the introduction of a ride-height selecting feature. These features, called “Quadra-Lift” in this model, seem to be very popular this model year, especially with bigger cars made by American manufacturers. The Quadra-Lift tech, combined with various other drivetrain features, rounds the diesel model out to an impressive mpg. The 4x2 models boast 21/30 city/highway and a 20/28 for the 4x4's. The diesel models also meet B5 compliance metrics, utilizing a fluid based SCR catalyst system to make it Tier II compliant, meaning it will be available in all 50 states.

One of those new drivetrain changes is an 8 speed automatic transition, which helps bump up the gas-powered models' mpg but only by one or two miles per gallon. Towing capacity sees a big jump, especially in the SRT model, which goes from a kind of wimpy 5000 lbs to a much beefier 7200lbs. All the new models also feature racing-inspired paddle shifters as part of a minor interior redesign. Most everything else is just tweaked. There's a new three-spoke steering wheel and the stubby T-bar shifter familiar to Charger owners makes an appearance here, too.

Cosmetically, however, there are plenty of new changes to the exterior. While the extra-functional Jeep styling remains at the fore, the Grand Cherokee is definitely going upscale this year. The foglights have moved and look like they're outlined in chrome, drawing an appreciative eye. The light clusters are grouped more tightly this year, with LED driving light standard on two of the premium packages. It is, of course, optional on the more basic Limited level. LED lights present themselves at the rear, too, making up the new taillights. As if by an occult hand, the tailgate's Jeep logo has jumped up and is now a larger piece of the visual detailing. But gaze upon it too long, mortal, and your very soul may be in danger. Black grille detailing is available on the sportier SRT model, too, for those wishing a more aggressive head-on view.

Overall, the new model year shows some very clever and forward-minded improvements. With gas consumption an ever-present concern, wise manufacturers are tweaking mpg where they can. Otherwise, some of our favorite classic models may disappear altogether. The 2014 Grand Cherokee has made some impressive improvements, keeping in mind the many Jeeps that serve double duty as both trailblazer and family car. The paddle shifters may excite your inner racer, but the Quadra-Lift tech is going to be equally exciting for the dad who has to drive precious cargo back and forth. All in all, it's going to be a pleasure to find oneself behind the wheel of the new Jeep.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://www.ramonatire.com and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on Grand Cherokee.

Go Here: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1301_2014_jeep_grand_cherokee_first_look/

Toyota Corolla Furia Concept

The Toyota Corolla has always been an important brand for Toyota, perhaps even one of the most crucial cars in their line-up, especially stateside. It's never really been a line of cars that has stirred passion in the hearts of red-blooded car enthusiasts. The Corolla has, however, helped cement Toyota's reputation for producing economical cars that are reliable, practical, and sensible. They're famous for great gas mileage and durability that often lasts well past the 250,000 mile mark.

So imagine the dropped jaws at the Detroit auto show when Toyota Group Division Vice President Bill Fray revealed the new Furia concept. Our girl next door Corolla was sporting carbon fiber accenting, a sporty orange paint job, and 19-inch wheels. Fray reportedly said, “We want to move the brand from more of a rational brand to more of an emotional brand.” I can't help but imagine that he was smug as a cat when he said it.

Now, keep in mind that this is only a concept car and just “could” preview a flashier, sexier Corolla. There's no date when this aggressively body-kitted Corolla could look at edging into the production line, but we can dream, can't we? Specifically, we can dream of a Toyota Corolla with boxier, more aggressive styling, with its new 19-inch wheels pushed to the edge of the frame in a sprawling crouch. The new LED headlights and blacked out grill help round out that predatory look in a way totally unexpected from Toyota's economy car.

This unexpected new styling could really shake up the Corolla's image, but the rapacious new design is really only cosmetic. Mostly. There's probably an update to the current models 1.8 liter engine for the 2014 model year, but fuel efficiency is the bread and butter of the Corolla's market. It would be nearly unthinkable for Toyota (commonly noted to maintain ecologically thoughtful mileage across model lines) to leverage the bold and brisk new design into an equally bold thirst for gas.

Even the design changes show an economy of style. The Furia isn't a complete redesign of the Corolla's staid patterning. It's been squared-off and made boxier, and there's a few sharp lines that weren't there before, but it's still just an improved Corolla. Any new approach to this linchpin brand is more than likely only a new approach for a new market. Most of the hard edges will get sanded off for mainstream production, if I guess correctly. The idea is to expand market, not scare off mainstream car-buyers.

The sleek manipulation on display in the Furia is typical, and unsurprising, coming from Toyota. As a company, they've always been fairly good about having a finger on the market's pulse. I can only see this bold new direction, however much is left after corporate's pandering to mainstream, strengthening the brand. With more and more pressure placed on high fuel efficiency, the new Corolla won't translate rapacious design into gas-guzzling. It might, though, translate into a bigger bite of the marketshare.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at www.ramonatire.com/index.htm and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on keyword.

Click here to read the original article: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/detroit/2013/1301_toyota_corolla_furia_concept/

Motor Trend's 2013 Car of the Year Tesla Model S

Year-end awards are always tricky. Sometimes, tension makes the announcements electrifying, while other years have less charge than the surface of a balloon rubbed against a woolen sweater. Award shows often attract controversy like lightning rods. However, this year, there's no resistance to Motor Trends' shocking pick for Car of the Year: the Tesla Model S.

This is the very first time Motor Trends has highlighted an electric car as its Car of the Year, but Tesla surely deserves it. It may be full of new wonders (it is), it may be slickly stylish (it is), but at the end of the day, it's a damn good car. It's just not powered by an internal combustion engine, that's all.

The company's namesake, Nikola Tesla, demonstrated the basic principles of AC-induction type power way back in the 1880s, and that is the kind of engine the Model S uses. Tesla offers three battery pack levels: 40, 60, and 80 kW-hr, respectively. Make no mistake, the premium tier, the 80 kW-hr model, produces a not-to-be-ashamed of 363 hp and a sturdy 325 ft-lbs of torque. The battery packs are actually a load-bearing part of the car's structure, helping to rigidify the body and draw the center of gravity down to 17.5 inches.

The fine folks at Tesla claim no less than 250 patents on the Model S, and it's no surprise. The Model S is a testament to modern American engineering (the company's home is in Fremont, California). Everything from its super light yet strong aluminum body to its progressive design claim a mastery over the art of car manufacture. It's even the first hatchback, ever, to offer third-row seating.

The machine weighs just under two and a half tons, tipping the scales at a fighting 4766 lbs. Pretty impressive for a luxury car that hits 60mph at 4.0 seconds even, with a top speed of 113mph. The really arresting fact is that the Model S does this with an unmatched efficiency. While driving the winner around the test track, the 11 judges returned with a 74.5 mpg-e, though the Motor Trends editors report a remarkable 118 on a trip from LA to Las Vegas. Using California's 13 cents per kW-hr, the thing costs a majestic six cents a mile to run. To top it off, the Model S has photovoltaic cells on the roof, so part of your charge is covered by the generosity of the sun itself.

The Model S is a testament to everything that has ever made American cars great. It is a brilliant mesh of engineering, design, and entrepreneurship. While the interior could use some polish, the car as a whole brightly outshines every other model in its class. It tops the list of mid-size luxury cars in safety ratings, blows other electric cars out of the water in speed and electrical parsimony, and its looks incredibly stylish to boot. In fact, Motor Trends 11 judges voted unanimously for the Model S as Car of the Year. How often do you get 11 people to agree on anything? If all decisions were as easy as this, ordering pizza would be a sight easier, let me tell you.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://www.ramonatire.com/index.htm and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on motor trends 2013.

Check the Original Article: http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/1301_2013_motor_trend_car_of_the_year_tesla_model_s/

From Start to Finish: The Story of New Old Hot Rod

Some kids have all the luck. Some kids have rich parents that buy them fancy car. Some kids have cool dads that build them fancy cars, though, and that's the case for Ashley Webb Taulbert. Her dad is Ridler Award-winning car magician Dan Webb. He owns a shop in Burton, Michigan, but he's equally at home in Detroit, building and chopping cars for Ford. With designer Thom Taylor and metal fabricator Craig Naff, Webb transformed a mash of inspirations and ideas into a sweet new car.

Webb and Taylor are longtime friends and had been mutually admiring the early work of designer Harry Miller. Miller, of course, is a famous engine designer, but you probably know his work best from early 20th century Indy race cars. This is the inspiration that began the adventure. These two wanted to draw from that iconic Miller nose but keep the look of a hopped-up roadster. Taylor found another grounding point in the front of the 20th, this time in the form of a '32 Ford roadster. This spirit runs strong in the finished car, with many of the hand-fabricated pieces looking like near replicas of similar parts from a Duece. These include the cowl and the door joints, but extend into the whole upper body.

The trio hand-fabricated nearly everything from the nickel-plated stainless steel nose cap to hand-made friction shocks. Webb used planishing hammer, Pullmax, and an English wheel to form the metal for the doors, cowl, trans tunnel, and floor. The main body got shipped to Neff, who worked his magic on the hood and seats. His work on the rear section was interrupted, however, by the '05 SEMA show, where Ford had reserved a spot for the car in their booth. The decision was made to ship the frame back to Webb, who finished the welding.

The insides have just a traveled and bumpy tale as the outside. The engine is a Zakspeed 2.3L that was found languishing in the shop of a friend. It had seen better days, but with some elbow grease and ingenuity, Webb and team fit it in and made it work. The transmission is a Tremec T-5, and the quickchange had to be custom designed by Webb and cut from block aluminum. He also machined the unique floating hubs which match the unique floating axles.

As a gift from a father to a daughter, this retro highboy wasn't much of surprise. Ashley even got in on the wrenching and machining, something the elder Webb says his daughter is very familiar with. He also compliments her having a good eye for design, which she probably learned at her dad's knee. Fond looking-back is great place to start when moving a car from drafting table to the road, and fits especially well when put in the frame of a fond father. All in all, the very exaggerated, almost caricature-like design speaks well of a heritage built on cars.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at www.ramonatire.com and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on luxury cars.

Read More: http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1302_dirty_secrets_of_car_design/

R18, RS3, Electric Cars, Urus production - What Audi's Durheimer Has to Say

$118, 450 - that is how much the Audi R8 costs. This mid-size supercar is a good reflection of what Audi stands for, resembling speed, power, and style. With that said, as impressive as the Audi R8 is, the Audi company is always trying to outdo themselves. The new supercar designed by Audi takes after the R18 e-tron Quattro, with a deisel engine, electrified hybrid assist, and all-wheel drive. Will it be approved for production? Accroding to the head of R&D at Audi, Wolfgang Durheimer, it is possible. According to Audi, the R18 would be much higher priced than the R8, reaching prices upward of $500, 000. In addition, the R18 will be limited in production in an attempt to keep the demand for it high.


As for Audi's that are lower on the price scale, there has been a renewed interest in these as well. According to Durheimer, the original R4 is dying a slow death due to company politics. With that said, there is hope that it will be more successful the second time around. If success if reached, the vehicle is expected to be priced well below the Audi R8.

As for the Audi RS3, this vehicle is well on its way to development. The question is not whether it will sell in the U.S, but which body style should be imported here. In Europe, the RS3 is being developed as a Hatchback. The American Audi has the option to import this, or select the A3 sedan model. Most people suspect that the choice will be the RS3 sedan, expected to arrive in 2015.

  by  leunix 

What about electric cars? According to Durheimer, Audi electric cars are not completely dead, but they are a hard sell and therefore aren't on the top of Audi's production list. Engineers of Audi electric vehicles are waiting on production until a new battery technology is developed in which the cost, range, durabilty, and size is improved. The owners of Audi are confident that electromobility will return, but right now, it's not the hottest automotive choice.

So where is all of Audi's knowledge about electrification going? It is being shifted to plug-in hybrids. This year, the A3 plug in hyrbid is being introduced in Europe and is expected to hit the United States in 2014. Once this technology begins to catch on, they will begin to carry it over to larger crossovers and sedans.

And if you have ever heard of the Lamborghini Urus idea, Durheimer comments on that as well. In order to prevent himself from stepping on any toes, Durheimer states that Lamborghini has its own research chief. With that said, he also claims that Audi will play a large role in the technical production of the Urus, so he will do everything that he can to bring the Urus to life. If brought into production, the Urus will combine the ever so popular Lamborhini with the SUV - a unique concept that surely bring about much debate in regards to design appeal.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at www.ramonatire.com and search for a location near you.

Read more about the article here: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/lamborghini-urus-concept-auto-shows

Ford Atlas Concept

Ford made a surprise showing of their new Atlas concept at the Detroit auto show, oddly stuck on the end of a presentation on their commercial vans. The Atlas is a concept model for a full size pickup, and is almost certainly representative of the direction they hope to move the F-series pickups. The F series, of course, is and has been the best-selling fullsize pickup, in the States anyway, for almost four decades. The unveiling of the new concept might have something to do with the two new full size pickups that GM unveiled just recently. These trucks compete for the same market, of course, and it's easy to imagine that Ford wanted to sneak in a little spotlight time.

Testosterone is definitely the name of the game here. “Built Ford Tough” has been Ford's slogan since the eighties, and each new model year seems to push that slogan even further. The raised arches over the wheel wells speaks to this, but the beastly front grille seems to bellow. While Ford reports that the Atlas explores improvements for the also-beastly fuel consumption of the F series, it is also clear that this is an exploration of the “bigger is better” theory of American auto design.

However, there are fuel-economy gains to be seen here. The Atlas boasts a “truck-enhanced” stop start system on the twin-turbo EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6. That beastly grille actually has shutters that close when the engine is cool, leading to better aerodynamics. The front dam lowers and raises at speed, allowing for better freeway mileage, but still allowing obstacle clearance when you're tooling around off-road. Technically impressive, but all told these only add about two miles to the gallon at highway speeds.

Nifty features abound in the new design. Some are pretty standard, like multiple tie-down points in the bed and cargo walls, interior knobs that are more friendly to gloved hands, and 110 volt outlets in the bed. It's also got a 360 degree camera, which is new to Ford but not to other full-size pickup trucks. More dramatic are the unique features Ford is building in, things like a tailgate step that is also a cargo cradle. There are cargo ramps that slide under the bed and a roof system for hauling longer objects. A feature found particularly intriguing is a Trailer Backup Assist, which is supposed to help novices back trailers into parking spots. (If you've ever seen a novice try to back a trailer into anything, you're probably also familiar with what a heart attack feels like.)

Of course, the Atlas is just a concept model and there's really no telling how many of these features will make into the produced F line. They do show Ford is thinking, however, and that they know the needs of their market in a way few other manufacturers do, regardless of the product. With forward-looking ideas like these, it's clear that Ford wants to stay the best-selling full-size pickup in America.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://ramonatire.com and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on Ford Atlas Concept.

Read the Original Article Here: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/ford-atlas-concept-photos-and-info-news

800, 000 More Hondas Recalled

In the past few years, the Japanese automotive company, Honda, has been slammed with a series of ongoing vehicle recalls. And unfortunately, this trend for Honda has not yet come to a halt. While Honda is typically known for producing high quality, reliable vehicles, it is yet again intending to recall more automotives - over 800, 000 to be exact. It has recently been found that several of Hondas minivans and crossover-utility vehicles pose a threat in which the vehicle can roll out of the parking lot. For Honda, this recall is anything but good news. Not only do they need to recall the vehicles, but they have also been labeled as the automotive company with the most safety related recalls for two years in a row.

So what has caused this massive recall? It has to do with the ignition interlock. In case you are not familiar with this term, the ignition interlock is a device that is used to ensure that the only time a key can be removed from the vehicle is when it is in "park". And while the Honda company has incorporated this feature into each of their vehicles, it has been found that it is subject to wear over time. If this happens, the key can be removed from the ignition even when the transmission is in neutral (or any other gear). In return, the vehicle could easily roll away, causing some type of accident.

Previous recalls by Honda have been linked to several injuries. With that said, Honda claims that the latest issue dealing with the ignition interlock has only been linked to a small number of incidents, and only 2 that resulted in injuries (which were both reported as minor).

Having said that, these claims by Honda seem to conflict with a statement that was issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This statement was based on investigations into the issue, which began back in October. According to the HTSA, the 2003 and 2004 Honda Odyssey models have experienced over 42 complaints against them. Over 26 of these complaints involved vehicles rolling away, and over 16 involved a collision of some form. One vehicle was reported to roll over 600 feet, hitting a retaining wall. Another was said to roll into blocks and hit a brick mailbox.

Included within the most recent recall are 259, 000 Honda Pilot crossovers and 318, 000 Honda Odyssey minivans that were sold between 2003 and 2004. Also included within the recall were 230, 000 Acura MDX crossovers that were sold between the years of 2003 and 2006. These were vehicles that were only marketed in the United States. On top of that, over 63, 000 additional vehicles were recalled from other countries.

But is that the only safety issue that has been reported with Honda? Unfortunately not. October also brought several other recalls for Honda. Included within these were 573, 000 vehicles recalled because they posed a potential fire hazard, 820, 000 vehicles that were recalled due to potential failure of the headlights, and 266, 000 vehicles that were recalled due to circuiting issues (that could also cause fire).

The total numbers are unbelievable. During 2011, 15.5 million vehicles were recalled in the United States due to potential safety hazards. Of these 15.5 million vehicles, 3.8 million of them were produced by the Honda manufacturer. Their recent recall could raise this number for them even more.

Of course, Honda is not the only vehicle manufacturer making headlines for safety recalls. Also topping the charts is the Toyota manufacturer, who is experiencing several safety related issues of their own. Last month, Toyota recalled over 2.8 million vehicles (worldwide). Among their recalled vehicles was their Prius hybrids which were said to experience several problems that could cause trouble with the steering.

A month before that, Toyota recalled another 7.43 million (2.5 million sold in the U.S) automobiles for the potential problem of short-circuiting window switches - an issue that could lead to a potential fire hazard.

With all of that said, neither Honda or Toyota have seem to have a damaged reputation over these matters. Both automotive companies are still seen by buyers as manufacturers that distribute high quality and reliable vehicles.

To learn more about the recent Honda recall, you can visit www.recalls.honda.com or www.recalls.acura.com.

Alternatively you can call (800) 999-1009 for Honda owners or (800) 382-2238 for Acura owners, and select the fourth option.

Read the Original Article at: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/honda-adds-800k-more-vehicles-rollaway-recall-1C7572324

Lincoln MKC Concept

Good cars share good bones. As many car aficionados know, many diverse models often share a basic manufacturing platform. When it's a well-tested frame, like Ford's C-segment, car manufacturers know they're starting with good bones. Such is the case with Lincoln's new crossover concept, the MKC.

The MKC uses Ford's global C-segment platform, the same basic building block from which the Escape and the Focus are born. Both vehicles are solid contenders in their classes, so using the C-segment is a good way for Lincoln to start a new car. An important note, however, is that nothing dominates this rapidly-growing class of small utility vehicles. The sharp marketing department at Lincoln is making a go to take that top spot. The interesting part, however, is how Lincoln's designers and engineers would morph Ford's small utility frame into something more luxurious.

Lincoln's average buyer, currently, is a sexagenarian with middling deep pockets, somewhere around 100k a year. The MKC concept is a shot at branding itself with a younger set, those who never got to see the classic car maker in its salad days. It does so with style and panache. This cute utility has some passing resemblance to its cousin, the Escape, but it breaks lines and ground across the board.

The MKC retains the Lincoln's name for luxury, with a slickly modern take on retro styling. This seems like an oxymoron, I'm sure, but it takes seeing to believe the quite dapper way that the designers molded this car. It speaks of class and money, even including a built-in cooler between the rear seats. Classic luxury car features are still to be found, of course, including a panoramic-glass roof.

Sometimes the mini-utility class can wallow close to the old station wagons, but not the MKC. Not even the rear hatch evokes the function-over-form of the classic wagons. The profile view meld sweeping curve with an ever-so-slightly aggressive character line that reminds you, luxury or no, this is a vehicle meant to do work. The front of the car is dominated by Lincoln's classic split-wing design, though this one maintains the same graceful curves that elegantly define the shape of this classy utility. Even the headlights are exquisitely styled, almost reminiscent of the cat's eye glasses so popular with 1950's heiresses. The fog lamps sit deeply recessed, too, never allowing crassness to overwhelm the aristocratic facade.

And aristocratic is the right word to describe the MKC. Lincoln knows that the company, and its classic heritage, can only survive with the capture of a new and younger market. That heritage, and the distinct sense of august luxury it once stood for, are on clear and present display here. No mention has been made yet of what will go under the hood, but it will be a good bet to lay money on something quiet and lean. I wouldn't be surprised if Lincoln borrowed on Ford's hybrid expertise here, too. The MKC was designed with current zeitgeist in mind, and is a sorely need injection of class into an otherwise unrefined market sector.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://www.ramonatire.com/ and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on Lincoln MKC Concept.

Read the full article here: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/lincoln-mkc-concept-photos-and-info-news

2013 Shelby Focus ST Unveiled at Detroit Auto Show

There are few things in American auto history with as much tradition as the Detroit Auto Show, and one of them is the Shelby name. Those not in the know probably at least recognize the name from super fast roadsters like the Shelby Cobra, but longtime enthusiasts might remember the start: 1986, when Carroll Shelby made tiny Dodge subcompacts into screaming, tire-burning, roadway-eating beasts. Shelby American remembers, too, and is using 2013 to revisit that heritage.

In 1986, the car Shelby and his team made history with was a Dodge Omni GLH hatchback. It wasn't the stuff of dreams, but Shelby had a vision. When the team was done with that hatchback, it went 0-60 in 6.5 seconds, which was more impressive at the time. So when Shelby American revealed their version of the Ford Focus ST, two things were turned: heads, and the hands of time.

Never has a 40-mpg hatchback had it so good. The engine-tweaking done by Shelby maintains the gas economy of the Ford Focus, thought the EPA is still in the process of approving an optional engine tune package. This is the first time, however, that Shelby has tinkered with one of Ford's EcoBoost engines, and the resulting “green muscle” is exactly in line with what's expected of a Shelby-branded remake.

Ford racing parts were thrown in, seriously souping up the Focus' already tight handling. Bigger brakes with cross-drilled rotors were added, too, and a matching Borla exhaust. The new exhaust, with is bigger outlets, adds volume to the normally quiet Focus. The basic package includes a spoiler for the hatch, functional and aggressive-looking hood vents, and unique Shelby-inspired touches. The 500-unit production comes with three graphics packages: traditional stripes, a checkered-flag splash, and competition graphics. They all look a little cheesy but somehow still good on this unique muscle car.

There's a few exterior details, too, for those who care to look closely. Widened tired and larger wheel sit further out than the basic Focus, helping to lend a more rapacious air to the otherwise unassuming hatchback. Shelby branding is splattered across the interior, too, including a Shelby shifter and a Shelby CSM badge.

Also unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show was the Shelby GT500 Super Snake, a retool of the new Ford Mustang. The stock Shelby Mustang horsepower was ratcheted up from 662 hp to 850 hp for their premium package. This is the same as previous Super Snake models, but the newest edition comes with options for a wider body which helps apply more of that beastly power to the road.

As usual, these Shelby mods aren't for the faint of heart or slim of wallet; the Shelby Focus package adds an additional $14,995 to the base price of a Ford Focus ST, and the Super Snake upgrade starts at a cool $28,995, with the 850 hp tuning coming in at $39,995. Still, that's not bad for a piece of hot rod history.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at http://www.ramonatire.com/index.htm and search for a location near you. Remember we always have the best deals in town on Auto Show.

Visit the Original Article Here: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130115/DETROIT/130119903