With nearly one million models sold in six years, the last Chevrolet Cobalt will roll off the production line this week. The Cobalt has been manufactured at GM’s Lordstown assembly plant since its launch in 2004 but was never attained the success of the Cavalier it replaced. An uncompetitive vehicle compared to segment leaders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, Chevy at least churned out a badass Cobalt SS in 2008 making 260-hp and 260 ft-lbs of torque. That model was rated at 5.5 seconds to 60 mph and could even run a 13.9 second quater mile.

But not even a Car & Driver comparo that proved the Cobalt SS could lap VIR faster than a Mitsubishi EVO, (not to mention a Lexus IS-F, Audi S5, Honda S2000, Subaru WRX STI or Lotus Elise SC) could win the Cobalt any respect.

The Cobalt is set to be replaced by GM’s latest compact car effort, the Cruze, which is larger, considerably more refined and significantly more fuel efficient.

Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com

[Source: Vindy.com]

Saab is about ready to launch its second model since leaving General Motors, the 9-4X, and new spy photos of the crossover doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Caught by the folks at AutoExpress, the 9-4X looks much as we suspected.

When it does launch, presumably at the Paris Auto Show this Fall, it will be offered with three engine choices, a 2.9-liter diesel (for Europe), a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a range-topping 2.8-liter turbocharged V6. That engine is also found in the Cadillac SRX, which is not surprising as the 9-4X’s platform also comes from the SRX.

See more pics of the 9-4X at the link below.

[Source: AutoExpress]

With Porsche refusing to take part in MINI‘s challenge to race at Road Atlanta (which was neither a real race, nor actually on the track at Road Atlanta), MINI decided to go ahead and stage the comparo anyway. And the plucky British automaker… lost?

That’s right, the MINI Cooper S couldn’t best the German juggernaut Porsche 911 – which comes as no surprise to anyone as the Porsche costs almost twice the price and has roughly double the horsepower. The autocross track the MINI devised to give the Cooper S an advantage helped, but not enough to secure a victory, with the Porsche still completing the course 2 seconds ahead. MINI likes to point out that each one of those seconds costs an additional $38,000.

Regardless, the entire marketing gimmick was a stroke of genius by the folks at MINI, attracting a ton of attention to the brand and drawing a comparison between the Cooper and 911 which reflects positively on MINI. (It’s a propaganda technique, read the section titled “Trasfer” here. Who said a philosophy degree was useless?)

To see how the whole thing went down and for several more videos about the event, see after the jump:

[Source: Facebook]

See the videos:

Continue Reading…

Hyundai is extremely proud of the new 2011 Sonata‘s fuel economy, even making it the focal point at the car’s launch event earlier this year. To see just how fuel efficient it is, Wayne Gerdes of CleanMPG.com and a hypermiling expert is going to attempt to drive 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas. His plan is to drive from Milwaukee, WI to New York City – roughly 1,000 miles.

To achieve this goal, he’ll need to squeeze over 54-mpg out of every gallon of gas in the Sonata’s 18.5 gallon tank. That’s well above the Sonata’s 35-mpg highway rating, but not an entirely unrealistic goal, based on our own experience.

Back at the Sonata launch event we achieved a third place finish in Hyundai’s fuel economy challenge, managing 46.8-mpg. The first place team were able to get an amazing 52.8-mpg.

The world record for the most miles traveled on a single tank of gas is held by the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which managed 1445 miles.

We’ll keep you updated on the result.

[Source: CleanMPG via AutoblogGreen]

American electric car maker Tesla is about ready to launch its IPO and go from a small niche market automaker to possibly a large international electric vehicle powerhouse. But in order to make hat next big step CEO Elon Musk needs money, and lots of it. So before he opens up his company to the market, Musk is shopping it around, hoping to convince investors with a business model for the future.

In a presentation that Musk will use to sell Tesla to investors, we get our first glimpse at what the company is looking to do in the future – including the addition of three new models. On slide #19 of the presentation we see plans to develop not only the Model S luxury sedan, but also a cabriolet, a crossover and a van (presumably to target the commercial vehicle fleet market that Ford is about to control with its new Transit Connect EV).  As for that Cabriolet, it looks like a major shot across the bow of rival Fisker, and its upcoming Sunet convertible.

As much as we still have significant doubts abut Tesla as a mainstream automaker, there’s a lot of promise and it’s not just internet bloggers that think so, with Tesla having singed deals in the last 12 months with both Daimler and Toyota.

[Source: Newsbasis via Autoblog]

Hyundai is aiming to achieve an EPA rating of more than 40-mpg with its new Veloster model. The stubby hatchback has already been likened to the Honda CRX of old by Hyundai Motor America president John Krafcik, and now it seems Hyundai is planning to really steal Honda’s thunder, by besting the Japanese automaker’s reborn CRX, the CR-Z. That model, despite using a hybrid drivetrain, gets 36/39-mpg city/highway with a CVT, or a slightly lower 31/37-mpg with a 6-speed manual.

Better yet, Hyundai’s non-hybrid system, (believed to be a 140-hp, direct-injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder), will keep both weight and cost to a minimum by keeping a heavy and expensive hybrid system out of the picture.

Krafcik has also let slip more details about the Veloster, including the fact that all models will come with a large in-dash screen – likely to show trip info and to manage things like iPods, etc.

[Source: Autoblog]

Mercedes has just unveiled a new fully electric and emissions-free version of its SLS AMG flagship supercar, delivering 526-hp and a 0-60 mph time of just 4.0 seconds. To achieve this impressive output, the SLS AMG E-Cell is bursting with batteries, which are placed in the front firewall, center tunnel and behind the seats. This is possible thanks to the use of lithium-polymer technology that allows for a more flexible battery structure.

Power is then transmitted to the wheels (all four of them) via electric motors at each corner. In total, the vehicle’s output is rated at 526-hp and 649 ft-lbs of torque. The new electric layout did, however, mean that Mercedes engineers had to redesign the front suspension, tossing the double-wishbone setup with a new multi-link arrangement and push-rod dampers.

Other highlights include a front splitter that can be controlled from the cockpit, through a new (and very large) AMG Drive Unit screen that also controls other aspects of the car, while giving updates on the flow of power to each wheel.

Oh, and we almost forgot… it’s coated in what Mercedes calls “AMG lumilectric mango” paint. Automobile Magazine reports that it will be driving the SLS soon and judging by the way this prototype is finished we have to think a production model could arrive in the next few years.

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell

[Source: Automobile]

You can do your part to wipe out breast cancer with AutoTex PINK windshield wiper blades.

Now available for purchase on Amazon.com, the AutoTex PINK blades are working to “Wipe Out Breast Cancer” by donating part of its proceeds to support those affected by breast cancer and to help fund ongoing research.

“We are so excited to be able to offer our windshield wiper blades on Amazon.com,” said Paula Lombard, WEXCO president and co-founder of AutoTex PINK. “AutoTex PINK is committed to doing our part to help the cause. Having our wiper blades available on Amazon.com will be a big boost to meeting our goal of helping fund continuing research that will hopefully one day eliminate this disease.”

One of the most common cancers to afflict women, breast cancer comes in second only to skin cancer. And since AutoTex PINK is a woman-owned company, they decided to take action by partnering with the National Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the United States and the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

“The additional exposure of having AutoTex PINK available on Amazon.com will be a great help in getting the word out,” said Lombard. “We have a great product that supports a tremendous cause, now with the help of Amazon.com we can take the message to more people.”

You can help wipe out breast cancer and water off your windshield with these high-quality blades, which come in a standard black and are adorned with a small pink ribbon that is synonymous with breast cancer awareness and research. They’re easy to install, will fit 98 percent of vehicles and are made from natural molded rubber for longer life. You can buy them by clicking here – there are different sizes to choose from, so make sure to get the right size for your vehicle.

When it comes to automotive customizing, conversions are a natural occurrence whether good or bad. Last week we talked about the Nissan Skyline R34 with an R35 GT-R front end as one of those conversions that are much to our dismay. But this one just has us scratching our heads. A Russian owner of a 5 year-old Aston Martin DB9 requested tuner Edo Competition convert it into a DBS. There must have been great sentimental value to the specific vehicle. Regardless, who was Edo Competition to ask questions and not oblige?

The conversion is hardly trivial, with metal body parts having to be replaced with the DBS’ lighter, carbon fiber versions. The interior of the car was intricately re-wrapped with a mixture of leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber and metal. In addition the motor received some healthy upgrades pushing the hp from 470-hp to 550-hp, which is 40-hp more than the factory DBS. So in a way, it’s better than a DBS, even though Edo Competition stuck with steel brake upgrades rather than carbon.

Edo Competition hasn’t disclosed a cost to the conversion, or a reason why. But we can’t help but wonder since the value of the vehicle plus the price of the conversion surely could net you a stock DBS. Kudos to Edo Competition for doing a fantastic execution on an odd concept.

GALLERY: Edo Competition Aston Martin DB9 Turned DBS

What will those kooky tuners think of next? Tommy Kaira, a leading manufacturer of very fine JDM goodies, has been perfecting its Nissan GT-R LED emblem since their preview at Tokyo Auto Salon 2010. They’ve also took the liberty to announce more LED-equipped goodies from rear side markers, door sills and front winkers. LED is all the craze now on vehicles, so it’s nice to see Tommy Kaira jumping on and offering accessories in LED form.

Prepare to pay though if these products are catching your eye. Tommy Kaira is hardly known for offering bargain-bin priced products. The rear LED emblem is around $625.00 while a pair of LED rear side markers are $395.00 for clear, $440.00 for smoked. Still have a few bucks in your wallet? Well the front winkers are $475.00 and the front LED emblem is also $625.00. Just dying to have those LED door sill plates? Get ready to drop $1195.00.

Clearly these LED products are luxury accessories for any fast and furious GT-R owner, but for those wanting every little possible mod for their monster of a sports car, well here it is.

[Source: GTR Blog]

GALLERY: Tommy Kaira Nissan GT-R LEDs