Last Auto Reviews Blog: сентября 2009

Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Touareg Lux Limited sports J. Crew colors

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Volkswagen, Special/Limited Editions

Click above for a high-res gallery of the VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition

The VW Touareg Lux Limited Edition is a 'ute that's been on a shopping spree to J. Crew and High Street, or at least a mainstream, aftermarket shop. Available on either the gasoline- or diesel-engined SUVs - and only in America - the Lux Limited gets side skirts and slightly tweaked front and rear aprons to differentiate it from the run-o-the-mill Touareg. The wheel selection is called Ayer's Rock (not "Uluru"?) and only available in the 20-inch variety.

VW took the color wheel out one night and got it drunk. Exterior hues for the Lux Limited are Biscay Blue, Campanella White, Galapagos Gray, and Black Magic Pearl Effect. The interior cricket leather is done up in one of two duo-tone color choices with complementary accents - like Latte Macchiato and St. Tropez white with poplar grain decor. And if anyone can tell us what "Engine Spin dark" decor looks like, we are all... eyes. So put on the Hootie, order some chablis and brie, have a look at the press release after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Volkswagen Touareg Lux Limited

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Touareg Lux Limited sports J. Crew colors

Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Touareg Lux Limited sports J. Crew colors originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car Art: Benedict Radcliffe’s Wire Frame Toyota Corolla

This is actually not a wireframe CGI or any type of cell shaded animation. It’s a real life actual, tangible scale model of a Toyota Corolla made out of heavy gauge wire. It was created by artist Benedict Radcliffe and was commissioned by Japan’s Densu Inc. for an advertising campaign in the Middle East.

Radcliffe just used the silhouette of a Toyota Corolla as his guide and formed a perfect skeleton of wire. He then painted it with a reflective white paint, and that was that.

Check out the other pics after the jump:

Mitsubishi PX-MiEV

On 41^st Tokyo Motor Show, Japan automaker, Mitsubishi will be unwrapping one of its EV-themed mobiles which is the PX-MiEV. With the concept’s all-new Super All Wheel Control, it has an integrated plug-in hybrid system. Its 1.6-liter petrol engine accelerates up to 116-hp and its battery can be recharged using a normal domestic power supply system. Inside is a four-seater upholstery that deactivates allergens and LED lighting for the instrument panel as well as door trims. Stay updated for the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV’s progress through its production.

Mitsubishi PX-MiEV

Chevy Orlando Revealed, Only Looks Good With The Lights Off

Like nearly every single other car we’ve posted on this week, the Chevy Orlando concept is yet another pre-Paris auto show leak presumably intended to heighten the buzz of anticipation. Sharing the same platform as the Chevy Cruze, the Chevy Orlando is intended to be a fresh, new take on the people mover [for further reference, see: Ford Flex]. We’re not completely sure what the deal with all the neon lighting is unless Chevy is hoping to market the Orlando to the acid tripping soccer mom, but we will admit the interior designs on the glass roof are pretty cool, even if they aren’t practical.

View gallery after the jump

[via Jalopnik]

Carmakers Are Looking Into Turbochargers to Help Boost Fuel Economy in Their New Cars

With gas prices on everyone’s mind these days, government regulators are pushing for better fuel efficiency in vehicles over the next few years. The thing is, hybrid, electric, and hydrogen cars aren’t the short term answer, it’ll be a while before they become mainstream. Car companies need something they can use now to modify their traditional engines during the interim.

That something is turning out to be turbochargers.

If you’re curious how superchargers and turbochargers work, check this page out. Over the next few years, engines will continue to get smaller, with V-6s replacing V-8s, and four-cylinders replacing V-6s. I’m not sure what’ll replace four-cylinders, maybe a mouse on a wheel. Either way, automakers are going to try to preserve some of the power that the largest engines had. Turbochargers will help keeping those power levels up.

Several different carmakers have turbocharged engines in the pipeline. Starting next year, Ford plans to sell a turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine in its Lincoln MKS luxury car. Chevrolet plans on giving it’s upcoming Cruze compact car a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, which will be 36 percent smaller than the engine in the Cobalt, the vehicle the Cruze will replace. That should make for a car with about 20% better fuel economy, while maintaining the Cobalt’s power.

Turbo engines 101

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT-P: Attention Hog

2009 Mistsubishi Eclipse

To pass the time between now and 2011 when the Eclipse will be more significantly overhauled, Mitsubishi has clearly made the decision to snatch a bit of DNA from the Lancer Evolution for the 2009 model year. While the Eclipse wears the recognizable Mitsubishi trapezoidal-look well; how does what’s under it’s skin stack up?

There is really no mistaking who the Eclipse is marketed towards. Unlike the Evo, which at least could be marginally justified by a slick talking spouse as a everyday family car, the Eclipse simply does not have the space or let’s say “mature” styling that would appeal to anyone born prior to the Reagan administration. But even an old fogey like me can admit that the design, while youthful, is successful in overtly conveying a message of speed. Like nearly every 2+2 coupe produced, the back seat is mostly for show or the smallest of children. But because of the hatchback configuration, the net capacity of the Eclipse is still a decent 15+ cubic feet of space. Eating into this space and standard on the GT-P is a 650 watt Rockford Fosgate sound system that features nine speakers, complete with trunk-mounted subwoofer. I think it is safe to say that not only is the sound system a bit of a tip off as to the demographic that this car is aimed towards, but unfortunately the rest of the interior as well, which is a bit cheap-looking in comparison to the Lancer line of cars. Outside the top-end GT-P model is particularly aggressive looking with subtle alterations to the front fascia and fenders that are Lancer-like in their aggressive appearance. This especially evident from the rear which has a wrap-around wing and dual tailpipes that communicate a deep growl.

These vocalizations are the product of a 3.8 liter V6 that produces 265 horses and 262 lb. feet of torque. Getting to 60 mph is achieved with this powerplant in 7 seconds and mated to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed Sportronic transmission good for 26 mpg on the highway. Other standard items on the Eclipse GT-P include High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels and stability and traction control.

While many in the market for a coupe will opt for something that is a little less obviously intent on grabbing people’s attention, starting at $34,798, the Eclipse GT-P has a very high fun-to-dollars ratio which will still find plenty of young admirers and mid-life crisis victims.

Detroit 2009: BMW pulls the cover off the new Z4

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, BMW

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 BMW Z4

BMW had a Cirque du Soleil wannabe hanging upside down from a curtain to pull the sheets off of the 2010 BMW Z4 at the Detroit Auto Show. The Z4 is the third generation of BMW's small roadster since the original Z3 debuted in the mid-90s. This time around, the company is moving production from South Carolina to Europe to make room for the next gen X3 at Spartanburg. The new Z4 gets a retractable hardtop in place of the soft top, and with only two seats to cover, the proportions don't look as goofy as other hard top convertibles.

The flame surfacing of the last Z4 has been dramatically toned from the last generation, giving a much cleaner look overall. Under the hood, US versions of the Z4 are restricted to 3.0L six cylinder engines with and without turbochargers. No word yet on an M version, but given recent statements from BMW it seems more likely to get a more highly boosted version of the six rather than the M3's V8. The Z4 goes on sale this summer. Expect pricing to be released closer to the sale date.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: BMW Z4