An Automotive News article suggests that a re-designed Chevrolet Corvette, known internally as the C7, will bow in 2013. GM design chief Ed Wellburn said that work is ongoing for the new Corvette, and one of the main challenges is designing a car that can appeal to a younger audience while staying faithful to the brand’s heritage.

“Finding that right balance” is a challenge. “You want it to be a new design, but it needs to be recognizable as a Corvette.” Corvette sales are at their lowest levels in nearly 50 years, and GM needs to bring down the average age of the Corvette buyer to help draw in new customers.

[Source: Automotive News]

As Typhoon Roke made landfall on the Pacific Coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island on September 22, automakers in the country, including Toyota, Honda and Nissan had shuttered plants and other facilities in anticipation of potential damage.

According to Environmental News Service, the Typhoon brought with it heavy rain and driving winds as it headed Northwest across Hammatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture. At the time of posting this blog, there had been reports of some 1,000 homes in 30 different Prefectures flooded by rain, while some 90,000 dwellings had lost power. In addition some 367 people had reportedly been injured as a result of the Typhoon, while four were declared missing.

As Japan is now in the midst of Typhoon season, there will likely be others making landfall shortly, with the potential to wreak further havoc on the country’s citizens and infrastructure, making local automakers nervous. Given the fallout from March’s earthquake and Tsunami, Japanese manufacturers will likely be glad to see the back of 2011, though contingency plans put in place should ensure that production and supply chains won’t be disrupted in the same fashion as they were earlier this year.

[Source: Environmental News Service]

When it opened last year Chrysler‘s Motor Village, located in downtown Los Angeles, made quite the impression, though not entirely a good one.

The corporate owned store was created by shutting down a franchise dealer, which caused quite an upset among local Chrysler dealers who argued that the company breached state franchise laws which bar it from opening up and running a store within 10 miles of other dealers.

Now after almost a year, the Auburn Hills, Michigan based automaker plans to sell Motor Village to New Century Automotive Group, after a constant stream of complaints from local auto retailers.

North Hollywood based New Century is owned by Dennis Lin, a successful Southern California car dealer who operates multiple import brand stores in the region.

As part of the agreement, Chrysler will retain ownership of the land and buildings, through its realty division, though New Century will own the franchise rights and inventory.

“I really think that Chrysler Group and Fiat are a great marriage,” stated Lin during a recent press statement. “We have Fiats now and more coming in the near future. I’m excited about the new and improved Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram products that were launched this year, and the new product coming out now for 2012. I’m very comfortable adding Chrysler Group and Fiat to the product lines I already sell.”

Part of the reason New Century was attracted to Motor Village, was not only the downtown LA location, but also the way the facility is set up, with individual sections for each vehicle brand, as well as it’s loft appearance, which provides a somewhat  intimate, sophisticated ambiance, distinctly different from most modern dealerships.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Your teenager just got their license and you’re a little worried about where they are going with your car. You can keep an eye on them – and your car – with iTeen365.

A GPS system that tracks your car and your teen, the iTeen365 needs to be professionally installed in your vehicle. Once that’s taken care of, you just set up a geofence online, and watch where your teen is going. You can watch your vehicle online at the iTeen365 website with your user account.

This account will save up to four months of detailed driving reports, including information regarding where your car has been and if your teen stayed within the speed limits. If you can’t be logged on to your account 24/7, you can get text or email alerts when your car leaves or enters specified zones.

If you’re worried about your teen messing around with the system, don’t be – the iTeen365 device is hard-wired into the vehicle’s ignition column and battery, and is mounted behind the dash. The system costs $289, plus an installation cost of about $65. If you want to get it removed, that will cost extra. On top of that, concerned parents have to pay a month cost, which ranges from $17.95 to $21.95 per month for services, depending on the length of the contract.

If you trust you teen, but are a little worried about all those late night meetings your husband or wife has been having, you can always go with the iSpouse365, which the company describes as being the cheaper alternative to hiring a private detective. The company has a range of products so you can keep track of all the drivers in your life – you can check them out on the iTeen365 website. And be sure to check out the promotional video after the jump.

What do you think? Are we treading to far into “Big Brother” zone or should we keep a close eye on our teens to make sure they aren’t getting into trouble? Leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.

[Source: Cnet]

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For quite some time now, GM executives in North America have been contemplating distributing Opel’s Astra GTC as a Buick in America. Now there’s a chance that the three-door, sporty vehicle could even be produced in America.

In order to satisfy the UAW, GM has plans to build an additional compact car at an unnamed plant in America, which points fingers at the Astra GTC. Though it’s all speculation right now, GM has been committing to reopening its Spring Hill, Tennessee plant and with the addition of the new compact’s production, could generate 500 new jobs. Could Buick’s version of the Astra GTC be rolling off the Tennessee assembly line by early 2013? We’ll just have to wait and see.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Packing 540-hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, Roush’s RS3 Hyper-Series Mustang features a 50-state legal TVS 2.3L Roushcharger, Roush-calibrated suspension, and a Roush-tuned exhaust system. The limited edition RS3 Mustang has been named the Hyper-Series, and Roush makes Ford‘s top sports car a true performance enthusiast’s dream.

The Roush Stage 3 Mustang’s performance will be paired up one of four available Hyper-Series limited edition appearance packages. The appearance package outfits the RS3 Mustang with unique graphics and interior color combinations. The exterior base paint will be black on all four packages but will have four color options to accent it: “Mat it Mango”, “Gas It Green”, “Punch It Purple” and “Launch It Lemon”. Roush will only produce a limited quantity of 25 for each color option and of course, each will be numbered and labeled appropriately.

Your exterior color choice will also transfer to the interior as suede on the door panels, leather seating and shift boot stitching. Roush will also give each RS3 Hyper-Series owner two shifter balls that can be easily swapped out by the driver depending on their mood.

Last but not  least, each vehicle will also feature a suede-wrapped steering wheel and each owner will get Roush apparel and display items to commemorate the purchase of their new Mustang. Each Hyper-Series RS3 comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and is only available with a six-speed transmission.

GALLERY: Roush Performance RS3 Hyper-Series Mustang

Hyundai‘s ix45 is expected to go on sale in the UK in late 2012, and now we have our first photos of the ix45 albeit all wrapped up. The ix45 is Hyundai’s SUV slated to replace their top-selling Santa Fe and could offer seven seats with a front- or four-wheel-drive setup.

Hyundai will also be treating the ix45 with their “Fluidic Sculpture” design treatment, making it the fifth Hyundai vehicle to do so. It’s also rumored that the SUV will receive an all new engine range with a possible standard 2.0L gas engine and 2.0L CRDi diesel variant. Six-speed manual transmissions will be standard while an automatic transmission will be available as an option. There is also a possibility that Hyundai will developer a 1.7L CRDi diesel as an Active Blue Drive-badged model, targeting 60-mpg with 136-bhp.

[Source: Auto Express]

GALLERY: Hyundai ix45

BMW has announced pricing on their new 640i coupe and convertible, pricing both models around $9,400 less than the V8-powered 650i. The six-cylinder coupe starts at $74,475 while the convertible can be had for $81,975, both of which are expected to reach dealers sometime in October.

For those that think the 640i is a significant downgrade from the V8 650i, the inline-six features BMW’s popular N55 3.0L turbocharged engine with 315-hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. Another plus of the 640i is its lighter weight compared to its 650i V8-equipped counterpart. Unfortunately the 640i isn’t available with a manual transmission or BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. But those that can live without those options should still have plenty of fun with a 640i, especially with the price savings.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Rumors are brewing that Audi will be bringing an Allroad wagon variant of the A4 to America in 2013, as a 2014 model. It is being reported that company executives have reported to Car and Driver that the Allroad nameplate will soon be back in America, where it was last seen on the A6 wagon back in 2005.

It’s safe to assume that the A4 Allroad will be similar to its European version, sporting flared fenders in a contrasting gray shade. Our guess would be that the 2.0L Turbo four-cylinder will be powering the American version of the A4 Allroad, but Audi could surprise us with additional engine options. The A4 is expected to have a mid-cycle refresh in late 2013 (as a 2014 model) and Car and Driver is reporting the Allroad should be available right after the refresh.

[Source: Left Lane News]

It’s an absolute beast of an engine. Generating some 525 horsepower in its current form, Mercedes-Benz’s  M156 6.2-liter V8, developed built by AMG has transformed some of the brand’s regular offerings into pavement eating road warriors. Cars such as the C63 and E63 AMG have become modern legends thanks to the incredible performance offered by this monster motor.

However for all it’s rip snorting ability and melodious sound, the 6.2 has recently come under flack in New Jersey, as a class-action lawsuit has been filed in the Garden State’s District Court.

The suit centers around premature wear on the engine’s internal components, particularly on the nodular cast-iron camshafts and 9310-grade steel valves. Plaintiffs complain that due to inadequate heat treating of components and incorrect offsets, engine failure is a common problem with the 6.2. To make matters worse, plaintiffs cite the fact that Mercedes and AMG have known about these issues since 2007 when the automaker issued a technical service bulletin to deal with the problem.

At present no actual trial date has been set, nor has any information been released regarding the number of 6.2-liter V8s ‘affected’ by this problem. Still, it will be interesting to see what further developments arise in this case and if a recall is issued covering Mercedes models powered by these ‘defective’ engines. For more information on the lawsuit, click on the link below:

[Source Benz Boost]