Ralliart announces it is closing its doors… so what does that mean for Mitsubishi?

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

In a letter issued to its customers, Ralliart, a Japanese high-performance subsidiary of Mitsubishi, has announced that it is closing its doors. The company’s business case has apparently faded, a victim of the wilting domestic aftermarket scene as well as its lack of continued motorsports involvement.

Naturally, we wondered if and how the closure of the company responsible for its high-performance parts and related merchandise would impact the development, production and marketing of Mitsubishi vehicles sold here in the States - more specifically, the Lancer Ralliart and Sportback Ralliart models. To answer that question, we spoke with Mitsu spokesman Maurice Durand, and he informs us that the closure of Ralliart will not, in fact, have any affect on the availability or continued marketing of these models (or any future branded offerings), as Mitsubishi owns the rights to the name, logo, and so on. Furthermore, all licensing agreements in foreign countries remain intact.

So, while you may not be able to get a genuine JDM Ralliart strut-tower brace or shift knob, you can breath easy that the SportBack that you’ve been saving your lunch money for will still be at your local dealer by the time you’ve got enough scratch. Official press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ralliart announces it is closing its doors… so what does that mean for Mitsubishi?

Ralliart announces it is closing its doors… so what does that mean for Mitsubishi? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Mercedes-Benz, First Drive, Luxury

Convertibles have long been something of an acquired taste. Devotees steadfastly defend the unique sensation of elemental motoring that can only come when plugged in to one’s surrounding breezes, noises and smells. Conversely, detractors have traditionally lambasted droptops for their lackluster foul weather performance, added weight, vulnerability, and creaky, ill-handling platforms. And while the naysayers may have had a point in the era of tonneau-covered British roadster pilots with their tepid heaters, dubious structural rigidity and leaky, masochistic roof mechanisms, modern topless numbers like this 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet give lie to the idea that convertibles make lousy year-round companions.

Follow the jump to find out why.

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet a smooth Spanish Fly(er)

First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet a smooth Spanish Fly(er) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Toyota

Toyota FT-86 Sports Concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota Motor Co. president Akio Toyoda has stressed that his family’s company must work to create more emotionally engaging products as part of its bid to reinvent its now-battered image. Central to that effort will be the production version of its well-received FT-86 Sports Concept, the two-door rear-driver that made its European debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, where it drew quite a crowd.

Toyota now appears to be pushing its brand’s enthusiast heritage, something it hasn’t truly done with fresh products in some time - at least not outside of its Lexus brand. In any case, the Japanese automaker has just released a series of new photos, including a family portrait of sorts that places the FT-86 in the context of the Corolla AE86 (its most obvious spiritual predecessor) as well as the Celica and Supra. Although the press release available after the jump pays lip service to the MR2, none is pictured.

While there is no substantive new information about a production timetable for the comely coupe, Toyota has released a series of images of the FT-86 that are certainly worth perusing. You can check them out below while you’re waiting for more info about the car’s future.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota FT-86 concept gets a family-style welcome

Toyota FT-86 concept gets a family-style welcome originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Saab

As car guys, we want to see Saab succeed at the hands of its new owners, Spyker Cars. And while the brand faces an uphill battle to reach profitability, its new masters are at least showing signs of understanding the Swedish automaker’s rich past. The latest proof? Spyker CEO Victor Muller and Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson will take on Italy’s famed Mille Miglia road race in this 1957 Saab 93, a replica of the car that won the Finnish 1,000 Lakes Rally that year.

The 750cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine has been tuned to Group 2 specification, producing 55 horsepower - 22 horsepower more than the standard car. So-equipped, the robust racer is said to be good for 62 miles-per-hour in 13 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph.

While racing in May’s historic recreation of the Mille Miglia might not generate much in the way of brand buzz, if nothing else, it strikes us as a nice acknowledgment of the company’s past by the keepers of its future. Could there be more than just a history lesson at work here? Late last month, Autocar reported that Saab is proceeding with plans for a new entry-level model, the 9-2, that will reportedly be influenced by Saab’s 1950’s ‘teardrop’ design. High-res gallery of live shots from here at the Geneva Motor Show below, official press release after the jump.

[Source: Saab]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: 1957 Saab 93 rally headed for Mille Miglia with Spyker and Saab CEOs at the wheel

Geneva 2010: 1957 Saab 93 rally headed for Mille Miglia with Spyker and Saab CEOs at the wheel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Bentley, UK, Luxury

Although Christmas was many months ago, we’re guessing that the fine folks at Bentley specified the paint on their Bentley Continental Sports Convertible show car some months ago. How else to explain the scrumptious eggnog metallic finish and interior piping? Perhaps it was the droptop’s yuletide bounty of power (621 brake horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque) from its force-fed W12 engine that inspired them. Or the fact that at over 200 mph, this would make for one hell of a sleigh.

Either way, we believe that this flex-fuel droptop will finally complete the automaker’s already expansive Continental lineup (we expect to see the next-generation model very soon), but admittedly, we’ve figured that Bentley’s volume car didn’t have any more derivatives left in it before, and here we are.

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is a belated holiday treat

Geneva 2010: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is a belated holiday treat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

2011 Audi A1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve just returned from Audi’s press conference here at the Geneva Motor Show, where Justin Timberlake has laid claim to one of the first A1 hatchbacks that comes off the line. Funny thing is, even with his undoubtedly massive bank accounts, the pop star won’t be able to get one - at least not to park in front of any of his U.S. cribs. That’s because Audi has announced that the entertaining-looking three-door isn’t headed to the States. Given how the A3 has festered in darkened showroom corners in the American market, we can’t exactly blame them for not importing an even smaller hatchback, but somehow we think this Mini Cooper-fighter might just find a market where the frumpier, more conventional A3 has stalled.

Available in Europe with four turbocharged, direct-injected engines (two TDI diesels, two gasoline), the A1 will be available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox with optional paddle shifters. Thanks to standard start-stop and energy recuperation among other fuel-saving tricks, the A1 is estimated to reach between 44 miles-per-U.S.-gallon and 62 mpg on the European Cycle.

Audi is also showing an electrified concept version of the A1 as the latest in its e-tron family. Packing a t-shaped lithium-ion battery and a single-rotor Wankel rotary IC engine(!) along with a few external cues to hint at its extended-range hybrid technology, it also drew more than a few eyeballs.

Interestingly, Audi’s press materials (available after the jump) make no mention of the availability of Quattro all-wheel drive. Whether the option will come later remains to be seen, but for now, the A1 picks up where the not-for-U.S. A2 left off.

Photos by Chris Paukert and Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans

Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style

While most automakers have scaled back their auto show vehicle press introductions due to budgetary cutbacks or newfound modesty, Mercedes-Benz hasn’t forgotten the value of theater. As part of its press conference today showing off several models, the Three Pointed Star kept it flashy with dancers who tubed and bungied in from the ceiling, not to mention the lights blaring debut of the SLS AMG F1 safety car with Messrs. Rosberg and Schumacher inside. Peeling back the frosting, the real focus of Benz’s show is this car, the F 800 Style concept.

Said to preview the next CLS, the F 800 Style is a plug-in hybrid with a 272-horsepower gasoline-fed V6 engine. Together with the electric motor, the combination is said to be good for over 400 horsepower and incorporate an electric-only range of 18 miles. Benz also says that the F 800 Style could incorporate a fuel cell powertrain.

The five-passenger sedan looks quite tidy in person, with a shorter tapered trunk than the current CLS, and indeed, the entire concept appears smaller than the aforementioned, with a bluffer face that is said to presage the new face of Mercedes. When viewed in profile, the front looks almost Maserati GranTurismo.

In addition, the F 800 also shows a future derivation of Benz’s COMAND all-in-one interior control system that includes a touchpad console. Unlike the production touchpad application in the new Audi A8, the F800 also employs a camera that “…records video images of the user’s hand as it works the pad. The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form on the central display above the center console.” Uh-huh.

The F 800 also features an evolution of the company’s Distronic Plus system that is optimized for use in traffic jams as well as a 360-degree implementation of its Pre-Safe system that monitors for rear impacts. If it senses an impending rearward crash, the system applies the brakes to prevent the car from being pushed forward into other vehicles or pedestrians, though the driver can take control of the vehicle and override the system by hitting the accelerator should that be the safer option.

Live Photos: Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style concept ladels on the tech and glitz

Geneva 2010: Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style concept ladels on the tech and glitz originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Nissan

Nissan won’t have its official press conference for a few hours, but we’ve already snagged these shots of the production Juke, an oddly styled smaller-than-you-think crossover that’s poised to hit North America for 2011. In person, the Juke is perhaps less bizarre than one might think, with the exuberance of its alien face reined in with comparatively modest alloy wheels, traditional doors and Volvo C30-like taillamps. If you’re wondering where the Juke fits into the Nissan lineup that already has the Murano, Rogue and the Qashqai, this vehicle is markedly smaller than the Murano and actually appears smaller than the Rogue.

The interior is pure Nissan, though it looks like the Japanese automaker has put a few more dollars into some of its interior plastics and materials than it has in the past. In particular, the new HVAC controls have a crisp and colorful display, and the transmission tunnel has a quasi motorcycle-tank look about it.

For Europe, the Juke is available with a pair of 1.6-liter gasoline engines in either normally aspirated or turbocharged direct-injected form, as well as a 1.5-liter diesel, the latter of which is unlikely to make it to North America. The compact CUV will be made in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations, the latter being a newly developed torque-vectoring system dubbed ALL-Mode 4×4-i that is capable of splitting power 50:50 from front-to-rear as well as side-to-side.

We expect to see the Juke make its North American debut in New York. While you’re waiting, check out our high-res galleries below and the official press release after the jump.

Live photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Nissan Juke poised to bring the small and funky to America

Geneva 2010: Nissan Juke poised to bring the small and funky to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Hyundai, Diesel, South Korea

Although U.S. consumers aren’t slated to clap eyes on the new Hyundai Tucson until the Los Angeles Auto Show, the next-generation model has just been revealed in its home market, and it’s a much more upscale looking effort. Dubbed ‘Tucson ix’ in Korea and ix35 in Europe, the compact crossover will likely just be called ‘Tucson’ when it reaches North American shores.

And while we don’t yet have U.S. specifications, we can tell you that the Korean market car will be available with a buyer’s choice of a 2.0-liter diesel or gasoline powerplants, both paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The so-called ‘R’ diesel puts out 184 horsepower and meets Euro-5 emissions requirements while achieving 15.4 km per liter fuel economy (36 mpg). Conversely, the Theta-II gas engine brings 166-hp to the table, as well as fuel economy of 11.7 km per liter (28 mpg), with both figures presumably arrived at using Korea’s fuel economy calculation methodologies and not that of the EPA. Interestingly, only the diesel engine is available with all-wheel drive traction, but as we aren’t expecting to see that engine Stateside, we would assume that the USDM Tucson will continue to be offered with both front- or all-wheel drive.

The new Tucson looks markedly more grown-up (and, it must be said, Lexus RX-like) than its somewhat roly-poly cute-ute predecessor and equipment levels for the KDM model appear to have matured as well. Over there, the new model is fitted with available luxury features like a panoramic sunroof and a rearview mirror mounted backup camera, as well as safety equipment like Downhill Brake Control and Hill-Start Assist Control.

KDM pricing starts at 21 million won (about $23,700 USD) for a front-drive gas model, though we suspect that when it arrives in the States as a 2011 model, the Tucson will probably carry pricing closer to that of the current model, which starts at $18,095. While we wait for further information on the U.S. model, Hyundai is promising further details on the ix35 will be revealed on Sept 3 ahead of the vehicle’s European debut in Frankfurt. Official press release after the jump, high-res images below.

Continue reading 2010 KDM Hyundai Tucson is looking California and…errr… naming Arizona

2010 KDM Hyundai Tucson is looking California and…errr… naming Arizona originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading about 2010 KDM Hyundai Tucson is looking California and…errr… naming Arizona

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Hyundai, South Korea

What you’re gawking at appear to be the first undisguised images of Hyundai’s forthcoming Sonata sedan caught by the folks at Hyundai Blog during what appears to be a photo shoot (check out the interior cutaway above), likely in its home market of Korea (check out the badging on the decklid).

If only in looks and not in price, the 2011 Sonata appears to be making a concerted move for the premium end of the midsize swimming pool, what with its more rakish roofline and expressive design. We’ve heard for some time that the Sonata was to gain a four-door coupe profile and more assertive fascias front and rear, and these dark, grainy photos cinch those details for us, although the car’s aesthetics don’t appear to be so radical as to be off-putting or even terribly divisive. Without looking too hard, we can see little bits of various competitors in the model’s design, but overall the Sonata still manages to look quite fresh.

We’ll have to wait until we see the car in the metal for ourselves to pass judgment (or at least get a gander at a few higher-quality photographs - especially a dead-on profile), but thus far, we continued to be encouraged why what we see. Check out the not-so-high-res images in the small gallery below.

[Source: Hyundai Blog]

Spy Shots: Are you the 2011 Hyundai Sonata? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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