Misc. Auto Shows
Misc. Auto Shows, Latest Automobiles News, Trucks Ranking, Worldwide Cars Review
Filed under: Truck, Work, GM, GMC, Misc. Auto Shows, Diesel
2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery
For the first time in its history - and considering that the company has been around for over 100 years, that's significant - GMC decided to make an official appearance at the National Truck Equipment Association show in St. Louis. And the Professional Grade brand brought along the heavies... specifically, the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD.
When the truck hits the market later this year, it will be the first time that GMC has offered a Denali version of its Heavy Duty truck platform. After giving the truck a thorough once (and even twice) over, we have to say that the Denali, even with all of its drilled-out chrome highlights, looks rather subdued and classy in all-black paint. And, though we certainly appreciate the in-your-face attitude of General Motors' two main competitors in the pickup wars, we'd say that understated appearance is a good thing.
Inside, you'll find the expected luxury trimmings, including heated and cooled leather seats and a matching wood-trimmed heated steering wheel, along with some nice details like Denali-specific door sill plates. All that is well and good, but the big news resides under the truck's big black hood: a revised 6.6-liter Duramax V8 diesel engine, which is mated up to a stout Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission.
For those who like to keep track of these thing, which is to say every single person who's actually interested in purchasing one of these earth-moving behemoths, GM's latest Duramax beats out the 2011 Ford Super Duty in the all-important horsepower and torque wars with 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet. Wanna pull a ten-ton load? No problem. That powerplant is also more fuel efficient (by 11 percent) and cleaner than the unit it replaces.
Interestingly, GM representatives tell us that they had a bit of a back-and-forth with the Feds regarding how best to handle the required refilling of the diesel exhaust fluid tank, which won't run dry for about 5,000 miles between fill-ups. It seems that when the truck gets dangerously low on the exhaust treatment, its speed will be capped at 55 miles per hour. If you run out, the computer nannies will keep you to just a four mph crawl so that you'll never be stranded completely. Want more? Check out our gallery of high-res images below and click here for the rest of the details.
Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD
Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD
NTEA 2010: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD puts the Heavy in Heavy Duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Minivan/Van, Work, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows
2011 Nissan NV2500 HD - Click above for high-res image gallery
We're here in St. Louis attending the National Truck Equipment Association show, and we just watched Nissan officially pull the covers off its NV commercial van for the first time in front of a live audience. Our initial impression: They aren't kidding when they say there's an optional High Roof... at 105.5 inches (76.5 of which is usable inside), we have to wonder whether that sucker will fit inside your run-of-the-mill suburban garage.
Of course, that High Roof is optional, and the space it affords inside will allow most 80-percentile human beings to stand straight up for cargo loading purposes - up to 300 cubic feet of it. For those who don't need such a cavernous cargo area, the standard height measures 83.9 inches from the ground, and 55.4 of those inches are ready for stowage inside.
We were able to grab some live photos from the show floor, but sadly Nissan isn't quite ready to let us inside to see the interior details. In any case, check out our high-res gallery below and click here for the rest of the details.
Gallery: 2011 Nissan NV2500 HD
Gallery: 2011 Nissan NV
NTEA 2010: Nissan pulls the covers off NV commercial van originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Truck, Work, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows
Nissan NV commercial vans - Click above for high-res image gallery
Historically, America's commercial vehicle marketplace has been dominated by domestic automakers. Besides a small percentage of Sprinter sales from Dodge while under Daimler ownership, the fullsize van market has really only been occupied by Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Nissan is ready to change all that, and its opening salvo in the commercial vehicle marketplace is its NV series of vans.
Nissan's NV series - "NV" rather unimaginatively stands for Nissan Van, for what it's worth - relies on three different designations, NV1500, 2500 HD and 3500 HD, and two different roof heights (the High Roof is only available on the NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD models) to provide a platform for every conceivable need. Opting for the tall version will provide enough room for most people to stand up inside with no need to duck.
Interestingly, Nissan's research indicates that commercial van owners are the least satisfied of any vehicle segment, and as such, the automaker says that the NV design is that of an armored car a 'clean-sheet' approach resulting from one of the most researched projects Nissan has ever undertaken. That research has yielded a vehicle that utilizes a fully boxed steel ladder frame and rear-wheel drive with either a 4.0-liter V6 or an optional 5.6-liter V8. Both engines are mated to a standard five-speed automatic transmission.
No matter which engine or roof style is chosen, the NV will come with a user-definable interior layout that can accept standard-size drywall or plywood or any number of aftermarket cargo solutions. Up front, there are a number of storage pockets and compartments to hold whatever is needed, while High Roof models offer an overhead console for additional storage options.
Pricing is not yet available, but Nissan promises the NV series will hit authorized commercial U.S. dealerships before the end of the year. Want to know more? Be sure to check out our gallery of high-res images below and click past the break for the official press release.
Gallery: 2011 Nissan NV
[Source: Nissan]
Continue reading Nissan unveils NV commercial van, available in three different flavors
Nissan unveils NV commercial van, available in three different flavors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Luxury
Morgan Aero SuperSports - Click above for high-res image gallery
As if we didn't have enough reasons to look forward to the Pebble Beach Concours this August - beautiful weather, beautiful machinery and beautiful scenery, to name but a few - news comes by way of Autocar in the U.K. that Morgan plans to debut a new 2+2 concept at the famed event on the California coast.
Details on the new model are, as you might expect at this early stage in the game, rather hard to come by. Apparently, though, the new car is meant to preview a production model that Morgan hopes to put into production in 2012 or 2013. No word on on the drivetrain, though we'd expect some sort of modern BMW powerplant, but we're told it will slot somewhere below the brand's range-topping Aero.
Gallery: Morgan Aero Super Sports
Gallery: Monterey 2009: Morgan Aero SuperSports
[Source: Autocar]
Report: Morgan to debut 2+2 concept at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Etc., Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari
Maddox parks Enzo number three at Super Car Sunday in Woodland Hills - Click above for high-res gallery
Now that they've found a new home for Super Car Sunday at the Westfield Promenade in Woodland Hills, CA, the guys and gals behind the show have made a few changes - all for the better. The show is more official now, with local Ferrari dealer The Auto Gallery actually covering rent for the event, which is held in the mall parking lot every Sunday from 7-10 am. There are also signs all around that list the rules so there is no confusion when someone gets kicked out for bad behavior. Another big change is that they are now honoring a different marque on the last Sunday of each month.
For February the marquee marque was Ferrari. Drawing owners from as much as 100 miles away, the Ferrari corral featured well over 100 examples of Enzo's handiwork. While just about every other make and model was represented in the main part of the lot, the Ferrari selection was rather eclectic as well. Anyone who might have thought that Ferraris only came in red were treated to quite a surprise as there were samples of Maranello's finest in white, silver, gray, blue, yellow and even flat black, among others. One of the gray cars was the very same 512 BB we featured parked in its award-winning garage with the bridge driveway that might have to come down.
There's a huge gallery below with photos of just a small sampling of the Prancing Horses that made it out to the show, with a Dino, Daytona, Drago-bodied GT and a couple others representing the old guard and two-and-a-half Enzos (above), an F40, 16Ms, Californias, Scuderias, F430s, Challenge Stradales, 599s, and a spiffy two-tone 612 kickin' it new school. In between there were enough 308, 328, 348, 355, 360, 456, 550/575 and Testarossa/512 models to keep the carparazzi busy for hours.
It wasn't all Ferraris though. A rare red Porsche Carrera GT, Rust Rocket rat rod, Grand Sport Corvette replica and Ultima showed the diversity, while a few cars caught our eyes for all the wrong reasons. All in all a very cool show and a great turnout for Ferrari fans. Hopefully we'll be able to make this a regular Sunday stop from now on.
*UPDATE: Video from our friends at SpeedAndMotion.com pasted after the jump.
Gallery: Super Car Sunday celebrates Ferrari
Photos copyright (C)2010 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Super Car Sunday features Ferrari as honored marque *UPDATE
Super Car Sunday features Ferrari as honored marque *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Performance, Wagon, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, Luxury
Current-generation BMW 5 Series Touring
BMW has announced the debut of the company's latest generation 5 Series Touring, so rumors of the Touring's demise may have been exaggerated. To be fair, the BMW 5 Series Touring was never going to go away altogether - not when it sells in big numbers in European markets. That said, BMW foresees its new double-hinged hatchback 5 Series Gran Turismo as cannibalizing the wagon's already tiny sales in the U.S., so we don't expect to see the new Touring model in American showrooms. The rest of the world can look forward to a new wagon that is lower, lighter and more of a looker than the hunchback on the other side of the showroom.
The world premiere of the new 5 Touring will take place at the 2010 Auto Mobil International (AMI) in Leipzig. Although no photos or details have been released, this fourth generation 5 Series station wagon will share a lot in common with the recently introduced F10 2011 5 Series sedan that we sampled in Spain last month. That means new engines, gearboxes, suspension architecture, rear-wheel steering, user-selectable adaptive drive settings, brake energy regeneration and another generation of iDrive, for better or for worse. We'll get you more details and photos as they become available, in the meantime, make the jump for the official press release.
Gallery: First Drive: 2011 BMW 535i
Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo
[Source: BMW]
Continue reading BMW confirms 5 Series Touring reveal for Leipzig
BMW confirms 5 Series Touring reveal for Leipzig originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows
Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for image gallery
We've just gotten word from Hennessey Performance that the Venom GT won't be making the trip to Switzerland to debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Instead, the Lotus Elise-based supercar will make its official entrance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July and make its first U.S. appearance in Monterey this August.
Testing of the 2,400-pound twin-turbocharged V8 coupe is underway, and according to our source, the reason for the delay was a lack of exhibition space in Switzerland. You can get the full details in our previous posts and expect more information to be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
Gallery: Hennessey Performance Venom GT in the shop
Spy Shot: Hennessey Venom GT to debut at Goodwood, U.S. debut in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Budget, Hatchback, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows, Canada
2011 Mazda2 North American interior - click above for high-res gallery
The biggest event in the automotive world this week may be the Chicago Auto Show, but that isn't stopping Mazda from once again going north to reveal product at the Canadian International Auto Show. The Japanese automaker has a significantly larger portion of the Canadian market pie than it does in the U.S., so it makes sense that it would show off an upgraded Mazda2 interior in Toronto instead of in The Windy City.
The 2011 Mazda2, which is earmarked to go on sale in North America beginning in late Summer, will benefit from higher quality seat fabric (with piping) along with a better audio system and more robust HVAC controls, among other changes. It is not immediately clear if the changes for the NA car will matriculate back into European market models, but the alterations should help give the Mazda2 a fighting chance against competitors like its platform-mate, the Ford Fiesta, as well as the next-generation Chevrolet Aveo and models already on sale like the Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa and Honda Fit. Check out both the interior and exterior in our high-res galleries below.
Gallery: 2011 Mazda2 North American Interior
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Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Mazda2
[Source: Mazda]
Continue reading Upgraded North American Mazda2 interior revealed in Toronto, car to launch late summer
Upgraded North American Mazda2 interior revealed in Toronto, car to launch late summer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Misc. Auto Shows, UK
Automotive sculptures on the Goodwood grounds - Click above for high-res image gallery
With manufacturer attendance dwindling at expos worldwide, now might seem to be just about the worst time to launch a new motor show. But that's exactly what the Earl of March and his team at Goodwood are planning. That is, if the latest reports from England prove accurate.
According to the report, the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed - a longstanding fixture of the automotive calendar - could be preceded by a car show featuring displays from manufacturers and even a 3.5-mile track on which prospective buyers would be able to take the new cars for test drives.
Word has it that Alfa Romeo - this year's "featured marque" in commemoration of the Italian automaker's centenary - will use the event to debut the new Giulietta. And with the future of the official British International Motor Show still up in the air, Goodwood could step in to fill in.
Gallery: Goodwood Festival of Speed Art Sculptures
[Source: PistonHeads]
Questionable Timing: Goodwood to host a motor show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, Videos, Dodge, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Pontiac, Saab, Misc. Auto Shows, Peugeot, Canada, Skoda
The Autoblog Weekender - Click above to find out what you missed
This week's bag of news is all about cars, cars and cars. Was anyone else aware that the Canadians know a thing or two about tuning Lamborghinis? That's a new one on us. Peugeot and Dodge have new logos, and the Pugs have a new, Ratatouille-esque commercial that involves a blender, a bicycle and a three-wheeled car. The as-yet-unveiled Nissan Patrol Safari gets caught with its doors open, and a bespoke Ferrari, the P450 Superfast Aperta, gets introduced in Florida. It's a little odd. And when some Mercedes engineers get a prototype SL Coupe stuck in the snow and it takes two other Mercedes' to rescue it, let's just say a good time was had by all. Except the Mercedes engineers. Finally, back to those Canadians, while those first lads will get crazy money for their wares, another Canuck wants crazy money for a 1975 Pontiac. Must be the weather. Follow the jump for the feast.
Continue reading The Autoblog Weekender: Motley Fools edition
The Autoblog Weekender: Motley Fools edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Government/Legal, Videos, Misc. Auto Shows
Click above to watch the webcast live at 12:30 PM EST
Today at 12:30PM EST, our friends at Autoline will be hosting a live webcast from the 2010 Washington Auto Show. Special guests include Ford CEO Alan Mulally, President of Audi America Johan de Nysschen and President of BMW North America Jim O'Donnell, among others.
In anticipation of the show, you can submit questions for any of the guests by visiting this link. Then follow the jump to watch John McElroy and his team do their thing from D.C. at 12:30PM EST.
Continue reading Autoline going LIVE at 12:30PM EST from Washington Auto Show, now accepting questions
Autoline going LIVE at 12:30PM EST from Washington Auto Show, now accepting questions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Chevrolet, Misc. Auto Shows
2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery
In advance of the 2010 Washington Auto Show, Chevrolet has announced that the greater Washington D.C. area will join California and Michigan as initial launch markets for its upcoming plug-in hybrid electric Chevrolet Volt. The automaker has also announced cooperative programs with Pepco and Dominion, two D.C.-area utilities, to help establish vehicle charging programs and further introduce customers to electric vehicles.
"Concentrating Volt sales in these three key initial markets allows us to give our first customers a high-quality experience," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager. "In addition to geographical considerations, each market also has progressive local and state government leaders and utility partners who are crucial in bringing electric vehicles to market."
Overall, more than 100 Volts will be delivered to utilities around the U.S. as part of an extended demonstration pilot to gauge customer feedback. The program, made possible with a $30 million grant administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, will install 500 charging stations for residential, business and public use. Chevy has also teamed with other utilities in California and Michigan for similar programs in those local markets. Full press release after the jump.Gallery: Quick Spin: 2011 Chevrolet Volt pre-production prototype
[Source: General Motors]
Continue reading Washington D.C. joins California and Michigan as initial launch markets for 2011 Chevrolet Volt
Washington D.C. joins California and Michigan as initial launch markets for 2011 Chevrolet Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, Coupe, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Racing
Ginetta G40 live at Autosport International - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following an earlier preview several months ago, British racing car manufacturer Ginetta finally took the wraps off its completed G40 sportscar at the ongoing Autosport International show in Birmingham, England.
Designed from the get-go as a racer, the G40 will make its first track appearance in the Ginetta Junior race series in support of the upcoming British Touring Car Championship season. Its 850-kg chassis is said to be 50 times stronger than minimum FIA crash-test requirements, and is motivated by a 1.8-liter Ford Zetec four-cylinder engine sourced from the European Focus and tuned for competition duty.
An initial batch of 26 units is currently underway, with prices starting at £24,950 (about $40k). Details in the press release after the jump and photos live from the show floor in the gallery below.
Gallery: Ginetta G40
[Source: Ginetta]
Continue reading Ginetta G40 spec racer debuts at Autosport International
Ginetta G40 spec racer debuts at Autosport International originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows
2010 Ford S-Max (above) and Galaxy (below right) - Click either for high-res image galleries
We can debate the relevance of the modern minivan in the North American market until the proverbial cows come home, but the fact remains that in Europe, the MPV still plays a vital role. Few know that as well as Ford does, and now the Blue Oval has unveiled mildly revised versions of its most important people-movers at the 2010 Brussels Auto Show.
Previewed in initial details and photos a full month ago, The visual tweaks to both the Galaxy and its sportier sibling, the S-Max, are admittedly minimal, but keep both looking fresh and in stride with Ford's latest kinetic design language. LED daytime running lights and taillamps are part of the package, and there are a host of new interior trim options, complete with a new panoramic sunroof. Ford's also offering a Blind-Spot
Information System (cleverly abbreviated as BLIS), along with the new 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower, direct injection four-cylinder EcoBoost gasoline engine in addition to Duratorq diesels with 115 or 163 hp.We took a ride in a pre-facelift S-Max on the way to the airport en route back from test driving the new Ford Fiesta in Tuscany and were suitably impressed, so any effort to keep it relevant is good in our books. That's the short of it. If you want the long version, there's a 70-page press release after the jump with all the information you never wanted to know about Ford's latest European people haulers. And for your viewing pleasure, high-resolution image galleries of both are included below.
Gallery: 2010 Ford S-Max
Gallery: 2010 Ford Galaxy
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Ford launches updated Galaxy, S-Max at Brussels Auto Show
Pics Aplenty: Ford launches updated Galaxy, S-Max at Brussels Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Motorsports, Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, Celebrities, Event Alert
Jay Leno visits Supercar Sunday at the Village Coffee Roaster
"Supercar Sunday is back and is here to stay!" That's the first sentence of a long-awaited announcement from Dustin Troyan, one of Southern California's most passionate, selfless and determined car guys. Dusty started the Supercar Sunday show in front of the Village Coffee Roaster coffee shop he managed in Woodland Hills several years ago. The idea was to invite car people out to the empty lot on Sunday mornings to meet up and hopefully buy some java.
The show was a smashing success, as hundreds of car guys and gals from all over the Southland gathered once a week to share their love of classic and exotic automobiles. The last Sunday of the month was the big show, attracting thousands of folks, including a few local celebrities. Businesses often brought in several extra staffers on Sundays to handle all of the extra customers.
As good as that sounds for gearheads and the businesses in that strip mall, the show got too big for the lot. Under intense pressure and threatened legal action from the landlord, the show was shut down late last year. With the huge car community in the Los Angeles area we knew it couldn't be the end of the road for the weekly Sunday meet, but all was a little too quiet on the Western front until today.
Seems Dustin has been working tirelessly these past several weeks to secure a new venue for the show. Troyan is the same guy behind the immensely successful Motor4Toys charity toy drive so we knew he would be able to make it happen - and make it happen in a way that would make us forget all about the unpleasantness of a few months ago.
Well, now we can look forward to a revived Supercar Sunday in an even better locale, with a bigger parking lot, full cooperation from the local merchants and landlord, and a Corner Bakery to handle breakfast needs. So if you're in the area, if you've attended or wanted to attend Supercar Sunday in the past or just want to get your weekly collectible car fix again, check out the new venue.
The show kicked off this morning at the Topanga Westfield Promenade. It's just off the 101, 8 miles West of the 405 at the corner of Topanga Canyon and Erwin. Hope to see you there in the weeks to come.
Supercar Sunday exotic car meet revived in SoCal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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