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#56
04-02-2010, 03:20 AM
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Kia Ray shows a bit more skin ahead of Chicago Auto Show
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Hybrid, Kia, Electric  Kia Ray Concept teasers - Click above for high-res image gallery Kia has been teasing us over the last few weeks with the Ray concept car bound for next week's Chicago Auto Show, and today the Korean automaker has lifted up the skirt just a few more inches to show off what appears to be the concept's front fascia and headlights. So, what do we know so far about the Kia Ray? Pretty much nothing other than the fact that it will be a plug-in hybrid of sorts, and that it looks pretty small. There may or may not be solar cells on the roof - naming it the Ray may have something to do with the sun, right? - and it may use the underpinnings from parent company Hyundai's Blue-Will concept. So, now that we've gone over what we don't know, take a gander at the two teaser images that Kia's provided so far and try your best to wait patiently for the rest of the goods next week. [Source: Kia] Kia Ray shows a bit more skin ahead of Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر... 
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#57
09-02-2010, 07:00 PM
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Chicago Preview: Ford rolls out production Transit Connect Electric and Taxi variants
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Work, Ford, Specialty, Electric  2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric and Taxi models - click either image for high-res gallery  Fresh off of its North American Truck of the Year win, Ford's Transit Connect commercial van range is set to grow by two. The Blue Oval will present the space-efficient runabout in production electric and taxi forms at tomorrow's Chicago Auto Show.The battery-powered version, unimaginatively dubbed Transit Connect Electric, is primarily intended as a fleet solution for intra-city use. The emissions-free vanlet has a range of up to 80 miles and can be recharged through either a 240-volt or 120-volt outlet. In Ford's words, the TCE is "ideal for fleet owners that have well-defined routes of predictable distances and a central location for daily recharging," and we can see it being a great fit for utility companies and urban-only delivery services and such. Despite the added bulk within the chassis of the electric powertrain and battery, Ford says the transit connect will still have the same 135 cubic feet of cargo space, including 72.6 inches of load length. The Transit Connect Electric clearly isn't designed for home use, although Ford officials admitted to us that a few might get pressed into service in that capacity. Still, those looking for a battery-electric solution for their driveway would probably be better off waiting for the Focus Electric, a model slated for 2011. While the average consumer is unlikely to catch a ride in Ford's Transit Connect Electric, we're betting that you'll have a very good chance at planting your posterior in Dearborn's new taxi package model in the next few years, especially as the company's ubiquitous Crown Victoria cab is marked for extinction. The Transit Connect Taxi will be powered by the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine as the TC that's already on the market, but Ford will offer engine prep packages to convert the vehicle to run on either compressed natural gas or propane fuels. Even without the conversion kits, the gas-powered TC is said to be 30 percent more fuel-efficient than current taxis. Unlike the Crown Vic, the Blue Oval promises that the taxi package will be available with a version of Ford Work Solutions that will also include high-speed Internet and navigation. In addition, Ford is working with suppliers to offer rear-seat entertainment packages and a credit-card swipe pay station for passengers. In the prototype vehicle that we had the chance to sit in, there was an 8.4-inch screen in the back seat that offered everything from maps to a stock ticker, weather conditions, and cab fare. Rear legroom was a bit on the tight side, but ingress and egress was easier than other vehicles with the big sliders, and cargo capacity remains solid. The Transit Connect Taxi goes into production this year and will be earmarked as a 2011 model. High-res galleries below, official press releases for both vehicles available after the jump. [Source: Ford] Chicago Preview: Ford rolls out production Transit Connect Electric and Taxi variants originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#58
09-02-2010, 11:10 PM
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Chicago Preview: Scion tC Release Series 6.0
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupe, Scion  2010 Scion tC Release Series 6.0 - Click above for high-res image gallery Scion has chosen Speedway Blue for its latest Release Series special, the 2010 tC Release Series 6.0 (tC RS 6.0), that should start speeding into dealerships in March. Gotta say, we're digging the blue a whole lot more than the electric lilac color that they chose for the xB RS 7.0 that debuted in Los Angeles. This latest RS will land at the Chicago Auto Show this week, and will be limited to just 1,100 units stickering at $18,620 with a stick, or $19,420 with an automatic. Like prior RS limited edition models, the tC RS 6.0 gets its bespoke hue and a host of other tweaks, including a matte-black vinyl graphic that's pure muscle car. In fact, it reminds us of the popular Mustang tone and a certain Challenger from the Dodge boys, although we wouldn't recommend lining up against either of those with this Scion's untouched 161-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Besides the paint and graphics, this particular RS package also includes bright blue highlights on the seats and steering wheel, a specially tuned 200-watt Alpine audio system with iPod/USB jack, and a 4.3-inch GPS touch screen. More details in the press release after the jump and check out the high-res images in the gallery below. [Source: Toyota] Continue reading Chicago Preview: Scion tC Release Series 6.0 Chicago Preview: Scion tC Release Series 6.0 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#59
10-02-2010, 01:40 AM
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Autoblog Podcast #165 - Nunez jumps in
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Podcasts, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Recalls, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota  Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now! It's not often that veteran 'caster Alex Nunez makes an appearance, but he joins Chris, Sam, and Dan for episode #165 of the Autoblog Podcast. First up, we hit the Autoblog Garage to talk about the Honda Accord Crosstour, Nissan Versa, and Honda Element Dog Edition. Moving on to news items, we start with the 2011 Shelby GT500 Mustang, talk about automotive Superbowl commercials, and then catch our breath while looking over the Porsche 911 Turbo S. We don't slow down, though, diving right back in to pink Dodge Challengers, special-edition Z cars, an Outback Sport for the rest of the world, Renault's Megane convertible coupe, the new Ford Edge, Wolfgang Bernhard's return to Mercedes, and of course, Toyota recalls. We wrap up with a couple horrible answers to your sincere and excellent questions before calling it a night. You can send your Alex Nunez fanmail to Podcast at Autoblog dot com, review the show in iTunes, fill out our survey, or even leave us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Until next week, hit up Joystiq and Engadget when podcast loneliness sets in. Thanks for listening! Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #165 - Nunez jumps in Autoblog Podcast #165 - Nunez jumps in originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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#60
10-02-2010, 09:00 AM
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2011 Ford Edge gets three engine choices, more ambitious Sport model
Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Crossover, Ford  2011 Ford Edge - Click above for high-res image gallery As dutiful American consumers, we've been taught to believe that choice is good. To that end, the splintering of the automotive market into different niches (four-door coupes, small panel vans, high-riding hatchbacks, etc.) is a positive development for buyers. But while the range of total models from automakers has been increasing, individual variation within a given model range has seemingly been reigned in, from a drastic reduction in build combinations of light-duty pickups to the availability of engines and ala carte options in everyday vehicles. Standing in direct contrast to this trend, however, is the 2011 Ford Edge crossover. Whereas the first-generation Edge has lived since 2006 with a 3.5-liter V6 as its sole drivetrain, the 2011 model will offer no fewer than three powertrain choices. For 2011, the 3.5-liter engine will live on as the Edge line's bread-and-butter, but it is being joined by Ford's first production application of a new EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, as well as the larger 3.7-liter V6 for the popular Edge Sport. In the case of the 3.5-liter, it produces 285 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, while the Sport's larger 3.7 Ti-VCT V6 delivers 305 ponies and 280 torques on 87 octane. Ford is not yet releasing power and economy numbers on the EcoBoost engine, but it promises "class-leading" fuel efficiency, noting that the new powertrain should eclipse the original 2006 Edge by some 30 percent. Follow the jump to find out what else has changed for the Edge, as well as Ford's official press release. [Source: Ford] Continue reading 2011 Ford Edge gets three engine choices, more ambitious Sport model 2011 Ford Edge gets three engine choices, more ambitious Sport model originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Commentsأكثر...
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