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VW Builds Custom Truck for 2008 Baja 1000

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:11:08 +0000

The Baja 1000 is one of the toughest off-road races in the world. This year the roughly 1,000 kilometer event runs from November 20-23 in Baja California, Mexico. VW-powered vehicles have done well in the event for years, but in 2008, things will be even better! VW has entered a custom-built of-road machine powered by a 5.5L V12 twin turbo diesel with 550 horsepower and 625 lb. ft. of torque. The vehicle has an appearance somewhat resembling a Touareg on steroids, but I don’t think there is one part in common with any production VW. The vehicle was first shown to the public at the L.A. Auto Show on Wednesday.

One one of these vehicles currently exists, and it was built by ArcieroMiller Racing in Lake Forest, California, not far from VehicleVoice’s offices in Tustin, California. To a degree, this new racer is based on the Paris-Dakar vehicles prepared by Volkswagen Motorsports in Germany. I understand there was a great deal of cooperation between the VW Motorsports team and ArcieroMiller Racing in developing the vehicle for the unique conditions of the Baja 1000, particularly with respect to the suspension.

This is a most impressive vehicle, and we look forward to seeing how it does in the race over the next few days. VW has aggressive sales ambitions in the U.S. over the next few years, and their sales are expected to be driven to a significant extent by their TDI (Turbodiesel Direct Injection) engine technology. Diesel engines, while very popular in Europe, have not historically represented a significant share of U.S. passenger car sales. VW hopes to use competitive successes of diesel engines to enhance the popularity of diesel powered passenger cars in the U.S. I wish them success.

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2008 LA Auto Show: Nissan Cube

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:11:53 +0000

It might be all too easy to dismiss the Nissan Cube as a copy of the original Scion xB that’s a few years too late. It’s similar in size and profile to that now-iconic box and offers a similarly commodious interior package.

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2008 LA Auto Show: MINI E

admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:11:26 +0000

Underscoring the eco-friendly theme of the LA Auto Show (and arguably many other auto shows over the last few years), MINI unveiled an all-electric version that will be available to 500 lucky individuals and companies. Called MINI e, this plug-in electric car uses advanced lithium ion batteries that will provide good range (for an electric) along with the sort of peppy performance expected from the brand.

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2008 LA Auto Show: 2009.5 Pontiac G6

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:11:12 +0000

Freshening for Pontiac’s Most Important Product
In 2007, Pontiac sold nearly 358,000 cars and trucks. Of those, a nearly even 150,000 were some form of G6. The G6 is Pontiac volume, a stable, steady contributor. It was introduced for the 2005 model year, and ready for a brightening. The 2009MY G6 went on sale late this past summer, but rather than waiting for the next model year, the G6 you see in dealers beginning in January 2009 should have a new look as a 2009.5MY product.

The G6 brings a nose and rear not unlike the larger G8, an I4 engine option (mated to a six-speed automatic for excellent fuel economy), and an updated instrument panel and new audio, HVAC controls, and gauge cluster. The V6 engines carry on, though a flex-fuel version of the 3.5L is a no-cost option. Available from the start will be coupe, sedan, and hardtop convertible.

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2008 LA Auto Show: Saab Catches Some Air

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:11:11 +0000

Saab Shows off Future of Convertibles with 9-X Air Concept
We noticed that many of the introductions at the 2008 Los Angeles show could be categorized as efficient or fun, with some falling into both categories. Saab 9-X Air is one of those.

If the 9-X Air looks a bit familiar in the nose, it is because you’ve seen it before. The Geneva/New York concept, 9-X BioHybrid, introduced this face, itself an evolution of Saab’s prior concepts. Saab first showed this concept at the 2008 Paris motor show, with U.S. buyers getting their first look in Los Angeles.

Instead of the three-door wagon look of the 9-X BioHybrid, the Air brings us Air, in the form of a flat-folding roof. Called the Canopy Air system, Saab takes their twenty-five years of experience with convertibles and goes for a new approach to open-top motoring.

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2008 LA Auto Show: BMW Diesel Pricing

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:11:47 +0000

335d and X5 xDrive35d Introduced in Strictest Emissions State
Since these BMW diesels are not exactly secrets, having already been discussed at the 2008 Detroit auto show back in January (click here), the big news for BMW diesels in LA is the pricing. The 335d sedan goes on sale in November 2008 for $44,725, including destination and handling. The X5 xDrive 35d for $52,025. Ouch, right?

There is a way to offset the cost, at least this year. These vehicles, like their Mercedes counterparts, qualify for the IRS Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. Buying the 335d means a $900 credit, while the X5 gets a maximum $1550 credit. Not quite the same as taking that amount off the top of the vehicle price, but it could help ease the pain.

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Exhaust Notes #36: The Auto Show Season Starts Amid Scenes of Doom

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:11:17 +0000

So the word about the auto industry just keeps getting worse. With Congress mulling over the fate of the proposed aid package to the domestic automakers, we are also at the start of the 2009 auto show season. It’s going to be an interesting series of auto shows over the next few months, that’s for sure.

Media days for the 2009 LA Auto Show start this Wednesday, and it’s already going to be a somewhat pared down show in terms of new introductions, at least from the Domestic automakers. GM and Chrysler have already announced that they’re postponing LA Auto Show launches until January for Detroit’s North American International Auto Show. Still, look forward to a slew of new launches from the various import makes…and their spins on how they will stay relevant in these depressed times.

Look for our coverage starting this Wednesday. Till then, happy motoring!

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Road Noise: The Allure of the Radio Button (Not That Kind)

admin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 01:11:48 +0000

Here at VehicleVoice World Internet Headquarters and Day-Old Seafood Buffet, we divide our copious free time among three things:

1) Chair dancing and lip-synching to “Don’t Stop Believing” in an effort to boost industry morale.

2) Impromptu salons, during which we discuss philosophy, world affairs and whether Iron Man was better than The Dark Knight. (Yes.)

3) The Internet. The sweet, sweet, life-giving Internet.

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Vintage Volkswagen and the New Beetle: Peace and Love - Have a Hippie Holliday

admin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:11:44 +0000

The longest running and most-produced automobile of a single design on the planet was, and remains to this day, the original Volkswagen Beetle. A record even Henry Ford and his Model T would be jealous of. The Volkswagen Beetle, co-developed by Ferdinand Porsche and Zündapp back in 1931, has become a timeless classic and an industry icon.

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Road Noise: The Calm Before the Snowstorm

admin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:11:25 +0000

It’s technically the tail end of autumn here at VehicleVoice World Internet Headquarters and Haberdashery for Distinguished Gentlemen, but the weather’s all screwed up. The postman and the UPS guy have been wearing their natty uniform shorts all week, and the Canada geese down at the park are looking around saying, “Eh, it’s nice here. Screw flying south.”

Obviously, now is the time to talk about winterizing your car, because there is no way weather like this won’t be followed up by an ungodly snowstorm. It’s going to be like The Day After Tomorrow out there by next week.

That’s it. I’m calling in sick.

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