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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

13/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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With the SEMA Show well behind for yet another year, we thought it was about time for a recap – in video form. We’ve already put together an extensive 2010 SEMA Show Coverage page, as well as pointing out some of the best and worst cars at the world’s largest aftermarket expo.

This year’s SEMA Show marks the first time we covered a show with any real video presence and we’ll look to continue this trend in the future – including next week at the LA Auto Show. So be sure to check back with live coverage starting Wednesday, November 17th and subscribe to our YouTube Chanel here.

Hit the jump to see all the videos

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09/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood


At last week’s SEMA Show, General Motors rolled out a selection of modified vehicles hinting at more than one direction the automaker may go when it comes to performance vehicles. In an article by Automotive News the suggestion was raised that GM may look to bring back performance brands – which it cut from its lineup during the recession in an effort to both reduce development costs and to brand itself as a greener automaker (not to mention one that doesn’t use taxpayer’s dollar to build 500-hp machines).

This rumor does have legs, especially with GM recently announcing a new performance vehicles and motorsports division.

However, in an interview, Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, seemed to hint at another direction for GM, commenting that it, “might be initiatives around parts and accessories.” In other words, GM would look to leave the real performance parts business to the aftermarket (for now) while focusing on the highly profitable customization segment. At SEMA GM did introduce modified “Z-Spec” versions of its Cruze, Volt and Spark, all with bolt on parts. This would seem to hint at a more Scion-like method of offering extensive in-house customization options to buyers, especially those interested in models more attractive to the younger demographic.

[Source: Automotive News]

08/11/2010 | By: Derek Kreindler

It may surprise you, but the AutoGuide editors are not faceless robots who write in the third person while chained to our keyboards. We actually have personalities, and with that, specific taste in automobiles. Now that we can finally express ourselves individually, we decided to do a post of our “favorites” from the 2010 SEMA Show.

Hit the jump to see the top three pics by News Editor Derek Kreindler and AutoGuide Editor-in-Chief Colum Wood:

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05/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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Do you like to slow down when you see a car crash? If so, then you’ll love our “Worst of Show” from the 2010 SEMA Show.

Scissor doors? Check. Purple Interior? Check. Chrome paint? Check. And those cars have nothing on the Hulk-themed donkmobile above. A Mecca for the automotive tuning industry, SEMA brings together some of the best and some of the absolute worst modified cars on the planet. And with so many other outlets picking their “Top 10″ we thought we’d share a selection of the cars of the SEMA Show that just make our Vodka Redbulls from the night before rise up out of our collective stomachs.

We’ll admit that some aren’t entire abominations and in fact many are beautiful cars that have just been ruined by a few small mods. We also tried to be fair and shoot more than just the DUB Show Live cars. (That would have been too easy).

Overall, there were fewer disasters this year than in the past, which we theorize has to do with how the recession has hurt the automobile electronics industry. All the in-car entertainment companies were still present at SEMA, but absent were the blinged-out Scion xB stereos with wheels.

But enough with the talk, get a load of the carnage below. Sometimes the term “Epic Fail” just isn’t strong enough.

GALLERY: 2010 SEMA Show, Worst of Show

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Check out AutoGuide’s Best and Worst of the SEMA Show Video after the jump:

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05/11/2010 | By: Amy Tokic

audi iphone app

You’re nobody until you release your own iPhone app. The latest brand to jump on the bandwagon is Audi as they just released the iPhone CarMonitor App.

The iPhone CarMonitor App monitors, analyzes and stores key performance characteristics for the user’s vehicle, whether it be for pure performance, eco-friendly driving or simply providing a log of any particular trip. Making its appearance at the 2010 SEMA show, the CarMonitor works with the vehicle’s OBD-II port to access and analyze performance data on the go.

This handy app also tracks engine RPM and emissions information, which includes the amount of CO2 a driver is saving by adjusting driving performance. Drivers can then upload the data collected to www.MyAudiLabs.com, use the CO2 data for other analysis, and even share driving performance with the VW Labs Community.

“This app will appeal to Audi owners who are looking for an even more satisfying experience with their vehicle,” said David Tait, Audi of America’s lead After Sales executive. “This is a great addition to the already impressive interior features that Audi owners have come to appreciate,” said Tait. “And it’s another example of Audi listening to what our owners would like to see to make their motoring experience even more satisfying.”

Audi has yet to roll out the final product and is currently discussing whether to give the app away for free or to charge a nominal fee. Would you pay for this app and how much?

04/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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No doubt belonging to one of their celebrity clients, the team at Platinum Motorsport built a very special Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series, displaying it at the Continental Tires booth at SEMA. Continental would like you to know that it’s wearing their new ExtremeContact DW and ExtremeContact DWS tires – which come wrapped around some very large and very concave Agetro wheels.

Closer inspection reveals that it’s not actually a Black Series at all (because those are fixed-roof models), while the Platinum team has further enhanced the Merc’s already aggressive body with more angular front and rear bumpers, some massive hood vents and plenty of carbon fiber detail work. And let’s not forget the very dark (but not quite black) matte-grey paint scheme that just gives the whole package a seriously sinister look.

GALLERY: Platinum Motorsport SL65 AMG Black Series

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04/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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One of the most impressive vehicles at the SEMA Show is a widebody BMW M3. Built by the carbon fiber experts at Vorsteiner, the kit is actually called the GTRS3 M3 and adds significant width to the body of the Bimmer.

Located in the Wraptivo booth, it’s been given a full wrap job since the last time we spotted it, now being coated in a soft matte-bronze that looks so real people just can’t help but touch it (see above).

There’s little to say about the ultra aggressive kit that can do it justice, but we are compelled to mention the massive concave forged wheels.. yum, yum.

GALLERY: Vorsteiner GTRS3 M3

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04/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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We’ve already brought you extensive coverage of Ford‘s official Mustang presence at the 2010 SEMA Show, including the RTR-X 1969 Fastback, but that’s only a small glimpse of the modified Mustangs at the world’s largest aftermarket expo.

A wander through the numerous halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center reveals a very long list of Mustangs (almost all of which are new 2011 GT models) from tuners like Saleen and Roush. Also of note are a few Mustangs built by the likes of Procharger and Vortech and showcasing their new supercharger systems for the new 5.0-liter V8. Not surprisingly, power gains are impressive with numbers as high as 600-hp – an almost 200-hp gain over the stock V8.

The big gains are a testament to the impressive engineering in the 5.0-liter block and we’re sure the numbers will only go up from here.

GALLERY: Modified Mustangs of the 2010 SEMA Show

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04/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood
Nissan GT-R

Nissan GT-R

Despite its huge throngs of worshipers, the Nissan GT-R is a rarity at this year’s SEMA Show. The few we did cross paths with were, however, seriously impressive machines, representing some of the biggest GT-R tuners in the world.

Among them we count AMS and Switzer as two of the biggest. The AMS Alpha 9 GT-R was prominently displayed at the Exedy clutch booth, looking like a car capable of easy 9 second 1/4 mile runs on pump gas. The detail work on the car is impressive with an ultra-thick weave carbon fiber hood and trunk. Also of note are the full carbon racing seats inside. As for the Switzer car (actually an Automotive Connoisseur Group tuned by Switzer), it features a P800 tuning kit that brings power to over 700-hp, while the car also gets some stunning aerodynamics and a functional rear spoiler.

Other notable GT-Rs include a stunning R34 model (a SEMA regular) and one of the Brass Monkey Racing GT-R race cars from the World Challenge series.

GALLERY: Modified Nissan GT-Rs of the 2010 SEMA Show

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04/11/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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Having just officially announced the new 2011 Charger last week, Dodge has revealed a special RedLine version of the muscle sedan at the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Built by Mopar’s “Underground” division the car is based on the 5.7-liter HEMI R/T model and gets a long list of upgrades.

Outside there’s a more aggressive front and rear, with a carbon fiber front splitter and rear spoiler that further add to the updated 2011 model’s new look. Plenty of black accenting is used on the roof as well as on the hood to keep the retro feel – which is really driven home by the car’s new taillight design. A set of carbon fiber mirror caps also help complete the look.

Compared to the stock car that will go on sale later this year, the suspension has been lowered by roughly one-inch, with a Mopar strut tower brace under the hood and a set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires. Several other Mopar parts improve overall performance with new headers, a cold air intake and complete exhaust system.

GALLERY: Redline Dodge Charger

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