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First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKX
Report: Jonathan Browning to head Volkswagen’s U.S. operations
U.S. intensifies investigation into Toyota Corolla stalling
2011 Subaru WRX lineup configurator now online
Tally Ho: Porsche delivers over 22,500 Panamera models in year one
Nissan teases Paris-bound Townpod EV concept
Lexus CT 200h: Details on U.S. version arrive
Lexus CT 200h: Details on U.S. version arrive
Lexus CT 200h: Details on U.S. version arrive

First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKX

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 08:25 AM PDT

Filed under: Crossover, Lincoln, First Drive, Luxury

Lincoln Follows Ford and Takes the Refresh to a New Level

2011 Lincoln MKX – Click above for high-res image gallery

If there’s a sales star of the Lincoln lineup, it’s the MKX. Ford’s luxury arm has managed to move over 100,000 of the leather-lined crossovers since 2006, and that pace doesn’t look to be slowing anytime soon. Lincoln says the crossover market here in the U.S. is bound to swell considerably in the coming years, and since it already represents nearly four percent of the automotive industry as a whole, everyone seems to know that this is no place to cut corners. Fortunately, the MKX is set to enjoy its second refresh since hitting the market four years ago.

Given the vehicle’s significance, it should come as no surprise that Lincoln is using the 2011 MKX as a springboard for its vision of the company’s future. The refreshed MKX benefits from a raft of updates that include many of the changes we saw hit the crossover’s Blue Oval clone, the 2011 Ford Edge. With more power, a quieter cabin and an interior that’s finally becoming of a true luxury brand, the MKX has the makings of a sales winner. We’re just not sure the Lincoln high-rider is far enough away from its kissing-cousin.

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKX: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKX

First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKX originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jonathan Browning to head Volkswagen’s U.S. operations

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:36 AM PDT

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Volkswagen

Since the departure of Stefan Jacoby, Volkswagen has been hunting for a new helmsman for its U.S. operations. Word is that VW have found that man. Jonathan Browning, a former managing executive for General Motors and Ford, is set to take over the position Jacoby vacated when taking the CEO spot at Volvo.

Browning initially joined the Volkswagen team in June to head the national sales effort for all 10 brands under the VAG umbrella. He began his career with General Motors back in 1981, working with Vauxhall and then moving on to manage GM Turkey. Browning eventually left the General for the Blue Oval where he was involved with marketing and served as managing director for (then Ford-owned) Jaguar from 1997 through 2001. GM got him back and he climbed its ladder, rising to the position of Head of Global Sales – a post he resigned from in 2009.

While Browning’s appointment isn’t official yet, Volkswagen will be holding an event tomorrow at 11 AM EST to announce its new U.S. CEO, so expect confirmation before noon on Monday.

[Source: Wall Street Journal - Sub. Req.]

Report: Jonathan Browning to head Volkswagen’s U.S. operations originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. intensifies investigation into Toyota Corolla stalling

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:36 AM PDT

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Hatchback, Toyota

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is intensifying its investigation into stalling Toyota Corolla models. According to the Associated Press, the agency has opened what it calls an engineering analysis into 1.8 million Corolla and Matrix models sold between 2005 and 2007. So far, NHTSA has received around 163 complaints about stalling in those vehicles, and the government seems to believe the problem may be due to a faulty coating on the vehicle’s circuit boards. It’s also possible that a crack could develop in a particular glass coating in the vehicle.

NHTSA hasn’t gone so far as to issue a recall in this particular case as its research into the problem is ongoing. Previously, investigators were only looking into Corolla and Matrix models produced in 2006, though the recent expansion indicates that the issue may be more widespread than previously believed.

Last we heard, Toyota was considering a voluntary fix for the problem, though since then nothing has come up in terms of a proposed solution from the carmaker. Back in March, NHTSA said that the problem doesn’t pose any danger to drivers.

[Source: Associated Press]

U.S. intensifies investigation into Toyota Corolla stalling originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Subaru WRX lineup configurator now online

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:34 AM PDT

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Subaru

It’s time for X-Games fetishists and lovers of sideways, dirt-slinging action to get excited – the 2011 Subaru WRX is one-step closer to being in your driveway. If you head over to Subaru.com, you can play with their online configurator and create the new WRX that appeals to you.

Available as a sedan or five-door hatchback, the Impreza WRX is offered with either six or seven colors to choose from. This is dependent on which engine you want under the hood. The 265-horsepower WRX gets the standard set of color options while the 305-hp WRX STI gets more than a power boost – you can also add Plasma Blue Pearl to the available palette.

Our virtual 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI wears Obsidian Black Pearl and is going to cost us $39,130 (we know, we know – it needs gold wheels). There are plenty of ways to make that dollar figure go way up or way down, so head over to the configurator and have some fun. Thanks for the tip, Peter!

Gallery: 2011 Subaru WRX: First Drive

Gallery: 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI: First Drive

[Source: Subaru]

2011 Subaru WRX lineup configurator now online originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tally Ho: Porsche delivers over 22,500 Panamera models in year one

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:32 AM PDT

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Porsche, Luxury

2010 Porsche Panamera 4S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Perhaps on the corporate side Porsche hasn’t had much to gloat about lately, but on the product side it’s cigars and bubbly and told-ya-so’s. When the Panamera took to the track it won its very first race in the Italian Supercar series, and that came just as the 25,000th four-door was being built at the Leipzig factory. It’s a good thing the factory was working so hard: 22,518 of those Panameras have been sold after just a year on the market.

A finer peek into the numbers reveals the Panamera 4S is the sales king, followed by the Turbo and the Panamera S. And in the “No Surprise At All” file, Los Angeles leads individual markets with 890 deliveries. Follow the jump for the press release on the ugly-but-quick duckling turned sales swan.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Panamera V6

Photos Copyright (C) 2010 Drew Philips, Michael Harley / AOL
[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Tally Ho: Porsche delivers over 22,500 Panamera models in year one

Tally Ho: Porsche delivers over 22,500 Panamera models in year one originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan teases Paris-bound Townpod EV concept

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:31 AM PDT

Filed under: Concept Cars, Paris Motor Show, Nissan, Design/Style, Electric

As the Paris Motor Show draws closer, automakers are sending out the usual raft of teaser shots. The pictures never reveal much but they definitely get people talking. The image you see above? It’s a glimpse at the zero-emissions, electric concept vehicle called the Nissan Townpod EV.

Nissan has this to say about the Townpod:

It is designed to offer zero-emissions mobility to a future generation of home-based, innovative entrepreneurs who are creative and tech-savvy. It is more than just a car and it’s more than just a van – it heralds a new-era of flexible, stylish vehicles that will bring electric-vehicle mobility to the masses.

So, is it an electric city-car for the techie on the go? Will the Townpod EV be a mobile blogging lair for those both green and lazy? Honestly, we have no clue. It’s not easy to figure out what something looks like from an image that resembles the eye of an Autobot. For now, we’ll just have to let our imaginations run wild.

We do love staring at concept vehicles until our contact lenses dry out, and the Nissan Townpod EV is sure to be no exception. Stay tuned for updates from the Paris Motor Show, and hit the jump to read Nissan’s official press release.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan teases Paris-bound Townpod EV concept

Nissan teases Paris-bound Townpod EV concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus CT 200h: Details on U.S. version arrive

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:29 AM PDT

Filed under: Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Lexus

2011 Lexus CT 200h – Click above for high-res image gallery

You want proof of how important the 2011 Lexus CT 200 is to the company? Look no further than the eight press releases totaling 11,987 words that you’ll find after the jump. We received a brief ride-along in the hybrid hatch not long ago in Europe, before they’d even take the tape off the logos, and found it full of promise. Lexus is determined to let you know it will keep that promise and pledges even more.

Total output has been pegged at 134 horsepower, with 98 hp coming from the 1.8-liter VVT-i four-cylinder gas engine and 80 hp provided by the electric motor. From a standstill, it will take 9.8 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. Ease up on the gas a bit and the estimated EPA rating is 42 miles per gallon. A new suspension with aluminum gubbins and low-friction goodies designed specifically for this car features MacPherson struts up front with double wishbones in back, tuned for “spirited” handling. An aluminum hood and tailgate help lower the center of gravity and the curb weight.

Inside, the cockpit has been built around the driver, and the eco-goodness goes beyond the Lexus Hybrid Drive: the audio system is energy efficient and boasts bamboo charcoal speakers. The pilot can choose his particular driving mood, Dynamic or Relaxing, and one of four driving modes: EV, ECO, Normal or Sport.

There’s oh so much more, which you’ll find after the jump. And if there it yet more to learn, we’ll discover it at the Paris Motor Show. Your primer is in the press release after the jump and the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Paris Preview: 2011 Lexus CT 200h