Button determined to fight on

World champion Jenson Button says he will fight for this year's championship until the very end, even if his title chances are all but over.

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Barba-Kaffer (AF Corse), New GT Open Champions Frezza (Kessel) Takes Last-Minute Crown In GTS

INTERNATIONAL GT OPEN Round 8: Catalunya RACE 2 GTS Barcelona, 31st October 2010 German-Spanish pair closes title deal with 5th place in last race Lietz-Roda (Autorlando Porsche) take beautiful win in exciting last race Collard-Lunardi (JMB) and Cerqueda-Vives (RCA) on...

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Daly & Andries Test Lights Cars

SEBRING, Fla. ? Two up and coming drivers got their first opportunity behind the wheel of a Firestone Indy Lights car Thursday at Sebring Int?l Raceway, testing with Andersen Racing

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NASCAR executive Hunter dies at 71 (PA SportsTicker)

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

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Chase Coverage: Martinsville Wrap-Up Report

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Hunter?s Legacy Will Live On

Jim Hunter at his desk, showing off a collection of Jim Hunter bobblehead dolls in 2006. (NASCAR photo).

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Toyota Motorsports, 2010 NSCS AMP Energy Juice 500 Qualifying Recaps

Toyota MotorsportsJOE NEMECHEK, No. 87 Toyota Camry, NEMCO Motorsports Starting Position: 4th How was your qualifying lap? “I think we did four qualifying runs and strictly worked on that. I’m proud of the whole team. We take a lot of pride in our speedway stuff and normally run really well when we come to the...more»

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2010 NSCS AMP Energy Juice 500 Q & A with Team Chevy Driver, Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon sits in car - Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCARJEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DUPONT/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Talladega Superspeedway and discussed racing at Talladega, the passing of Jim Hunter, the remaining races on the schedule and other topics. ARE YOU FEELING BETTER? ?A little bit, yes....more»

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Rebellion team boss Hayden dies

Rebellion Racing team boss Hugh Hayden has died after suffering a suspected heart attack. A statement from the leading Le Mans Series squad said that Hayden was taken ill during a post-season team karting event in Portugal on Saturday

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We?re Counting on You: Raise $50K for Streetsblog in Our First Pledge Drive

It?s late October, Streetsblog readers, which can only mean one thing. No, I don’t mean the World Series clash between George W. Bush’s Rangers and Nancy Pelosi’s Giants. I’m talking about Streetsblog NYC?s first annual year-end pledge drive.
If you enjoy Streetsblog and believe in the work we do to inform people about how New York [...]

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Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mr. Philanthropist

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Hunter-Reay re-signs with Andretti

Ryan Hunter-Reay has secured a new deal with Andretti Autosport and will stay with the team through to the end of 2012. The American started the 2010 IndyCar season with a part-time deal with Michael Andretti's squad, but in the event enough sponsorship was found to keep him on board for the full campaign

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Idaho Mountain Express:

Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Need More Visitors To Your Site? Pur Your Ad Here.

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Hyundai of America wants a Sonata Wagon... do you? [w/poll]

Filed under: Wagon, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Sonata (i40) wagon spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

While Hyundai has yet to unveil a wagon derivative of its Sonata/i40 family sedan, copious spy shots have been captured while the car has been undergoing testing around the globe. The load-lugging Korean is a lock for Europe and will doubtlessly surface in other markets, but to date, there has been no word as to whether the wagon will haul itself into U.S. showrooms.

While there's still no official word from Hyundai, Autoblog has learned that American executives definitely want the car and are working to build a business case for it. Further, according to our source:

"We can't comment on future product plans. But we certainly are aware of the upsurge in popularity of well-executed wagons, especially in markets like Europe where consumers demand the high degrees of versatility and fuel economy that wagons deliver. The Elantra Touring has been a terrific addition to our lineup and is a huge hit with its customers. A great wagon can bring in incremental customers who otherwise might not consider a given brand's sedan."

Despite Volvo and Subaru recently giving up the U.S. wagon segment in favor of lifted, more crossover-like two-boxers, we still see a clear area of opportunity for a large, stylish and fuel-efficient wagon. As we've recently proven, hatchbacks and wagons sell in better numbers than many automakers would seem to give the bodystyles credit for, and we suspect that with the new Sonata's rocket-like sales trajectory, adding a second format would help them close the gap with their Japanese rivals. And while we'd love to see an affordable base model, the smart money suggests that Hyundai would have a better chance of profiting from a Sonata wagon if it were to launch with a single, higher-margin upscale model - a loaded 2.0-liter turbo, say.

What do you think - should Hyundai sell a Sonata wagon in the States? Vote in our poll below and then leave your thoughts in Comments.

View Poll

Gallery: Spy Shots: Hyundai i40 Kombi / Sonata wagon

[Images: CarPix]

Hyundai of America wants a Sonata Wagon... do you? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brazil preview quotes: Red Bull

Mark Webber: "Brazil is one of the best tracks of the year in terms of the atmosphere. The Brazilians are fully into their motorsports and have had lot of world Champions in the past

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Nationwide Pole Report: Bowyer Leads Grid Dollar General 300

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Timeline: Kasey Kahne's First Seven Years in NASCAR

Filed under: Kasey Kahne, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, Hendrick Motorsports, Red Bull Racing, NASCAR

Kasey Kahne, who was released Wednesday night as the driver of the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 9 Budweiser Ford, came on the scene in 2003, when RPM was still Evernham Motorsports.

In the seven years since, he's racked up 11 victories, including an impressive six victories in 2006.

But Kahne was a lame duck at RPM, and he and longtime crew chief Kenny Francis had previously announced their intentions to race for Red Bull Racing in 2011 as a stopover point before Kahne's move to Hendrick Motorsports' No. 5 car in 2012.

 

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NASCAR and NASA Team Up for Gears and Galaxies Event

Astronaut William Gregory and Driver Michael McDowell to Appear at Challenger Space Center on Nov. 10 Phoenix International Raceway(PHOENIX, Ariz.) ?NASCAR driver Michael McDowell ? a product of Glendale, Ariz. ? and former NASA astronaut William Gregory will meet fans and answer questions about the thrills and challenges of their respective fields at ?Gears and...more»

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Sam Stops Sammy

Sam Hafertepe, Jr.

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Tony Stewart Says Repaved Daytona Will Feature Even Closer Racing

Filed under: Tony Stewart, Daytona Int'l Speedway, NASCAR Tracks, Sprint Cup, Stewart-Haas Racing, NASCAR

The repaved Daytona International Speedway might as well be a brand-new track, two-time Sprint Cup champ Tony Stewart said Thursday.

Although the project is still only about 75 percent complete, Stewart had a chance to run a production car through turns three and four before a ceremonial appearance at the 2.5-mile speedway Thursday to help paint the new start-finish line.

"I got to rip through three and four and it's not the same race track, I can promise you," Stewart said before taking a roller in hand and joining track president Joie Chitwood III to paint the first few black-and-white squares of the start-finish line. "This place is going to have a totally new look to the drivers and the teams. We're going to fill every square inch of the race track because the surface is so even now."

"tt's going to have a ton of grip," he said. "Before, you had to really work on your handling" because it was so bumpy. "Now, handling is not going to be as crucial. You're going to have more cars in a tighter pack, as wide as they can get, and literally you'll be able to use every inch of the track. And guys will be comfortable doing it, knowing how smooth this surface is now.

"It's going to allow us to go places we've not been able to go and run a lot closer width-wise."

 

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Ingram to test for Eurotech

Teenager Tom Ingram will make his British Touring Car Championship test debut at Silverstone next week with the Eurotech Vauxhall squad. Ingram's test comes as part of his prize for winning the Ginetta Junior Championship earlier this month, and he is looking forward to his outing.

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Sauber relaxed over inexperienced duo

Peter Sauber says he has no concerns that his 2011 driver line-up will be too inexperienced, as he brings in rookie Sergio Perez alongside Kamui Kobayashi, who only made his Formula 1 debut at the end of 2009. The Sauber duo will have just 21 grands prix between them at the start of next season, but Sauber pointed out that experience had been irrelevant this year, when veteran Pedro de la Rosa disappointed alongside Kobayashi. He also felt the car's unreliability had been a bigger factor than any driver issues in Sauber's slow start

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Diesel ? First Drive Review

Bigger, but not as endearing as the old Jetta.
Here?s Volkswagen?s American dilemma: Fans like the way the brand?s cars are more expensively engineered than their mainstream rivals, but it?s difficult to shift Jettas in the same quantities as Civics and Corollas when the cars cost more?to both VW and the customer. Because the corporate bosses [...]


Related posts:

1. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Diesel – Long-Term Road Test
2. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Diesel Rated at 41 mpg Highway – Car News
3. 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition – Auto Shows

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The Continental: More VW Tidbits, BMW?s New Look, and Enhancing Traffic Flow with a Smart

Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.
At the Volkswagen Passat launch this Monday, I spoke with VW engineering chief Ulrich Hackenberg. Conversation quickly [...]


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1. The Continental: Lots of Product From VW, Assorted News From Audi, BMW, Smart, and Infiniti, Plus: Why Cupholders Ruin Interior Style
2. Getting the Green Light: BMW Dives Into Traffic Management
3. The Continental: Pondering Mercedes Styling, VW Could Buy Alfa, and Ford Globalizes Its Platforms

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MAV-TV, LUCAS OIL AND SPEEDCO TEAM UP TO GIVE DAVE CONNOLLY A SHOT AT BACK-TO-BACK WINS

MAV-TV, LUCAS OIL AND SPEEDCO LAS VEGAS (October 27, 2010) Pro Stock driver Dave Connolly's recent win at Maple Grove Raceway solidified his comeback to the NHRA professional categories. This weekend's NHRA Las Vegas Nationals provides an even bigger opportunity...

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2011 Kia Sportage EX FWD ? Short Take Road Test

A sporty chassis backs up the sporty looks and badge, but we?re looking forward to the upcoming turbo model.
What Is It?
�
It?s Kia?s small crossover, which shares a platform with the Hyundai Tucson, itself redone for 2010. The new-for-2011 Kia is the more stylish of the two, pairing a ready-for-primetime exterior and a handsome cabin with [...]


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1. 2011 Kia Sorento EX – Short Take Road Test
2. 2010 Hyundai Tucson GLS FWD Manual – Short Take Road Test
3. 2011 Kia Sportage – Official Photos

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Catalunya set to add more gravel

Next year's Catalunya Rally is likely to run with an even larger gravel content after the organisers received such positive feedback on last week's mixed-surface event. The format for the 2010 rally was tweaked to reflect the 20th anniversary of Spain's round of the World Rally Championship - which actually ran with gravel and asphalt for the first two years. Such a success was the dirt last week, the 2011 edition is likely to be a 50:50 mix of asphalt and gravel.

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Denny Hamlin Wins Martinsville Pole

Filed under: Carl Edwards, David Ragan, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Chase for the Sprint Cup, Sprint Cup, NASCAR

Considering Denny Hamlin's record at Martinsville Speedway -- two straight victories and three wins in the last five races -- you wouldn't think he'd be too worried about whether he could hold onto the pole position for Sunday's Tums Fast Relief 500 after posting the fastest lap in his qualifying run Friday.

But winning the pole means getting the pick of the pit stalls, and at Martinsville the best one is first in line, right behind the exit line of the pits.

So as Hamlin waited nervously in the lounge of his team transporter while the rest of the field took their runs, he was. . . well, let's let him describe it in his usual frank manner: "I wasn't wishing bad luck," he said, "but I was just like, 'Slip, slip, slip, slip.'

"It came true for us. We've had to work extra hard today because we have worked just on qualifying."

The pole position at this tight, half-mile short track was "objective number one" for Hamlin and he and his team devoted all of practice to the qualifying setup.

 

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The Final Lap Podcast ? Michael Waltrip from Inside NASCAR

SHOW #133 – We chat with Michael Waltrip about driving this weekend, The Chase, and his show Inside NASCAR on Showtime. Plus we recap Martinsville and preview Talladega. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Paul Northrop LISTEN HERE (About 47 mins) Download audio file (tfl_chat_show133_10.mp3) SUBSCRIBE HERE DOWNLOAD HERE SUBSCRIBE FROM iTUNES: Take us with you! [...]

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Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 62: 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia

On Tuesday, we posted an audio recording of a mystery car?s exhaust note. To hear it again, click play above. This week’s quiz may have been easy, but it’s no less satisfying to listen to. It was the long-awaited sound of a 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia. (You can read our recent comparo that included the [...]


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2. 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage vs. 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10, 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia, 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S – Comparison Tests
3. Ferrari Releases New Photos of the 458 Italia

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Motorcycle Hall of Fame legend Bob Hannah to be honored at 2010 induction ceremony

American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) PICKERINGTON, Ohio Ask any motocross fan to name the greatest American racers of all time, and Bob "Hurricane" Hannah is sure to make the list. Hannah's immense popularity helped the sport of motocross explode in the...

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Sutil, Buemi get Brazil grid penalties

Adrian Sutil and Sebastien Buemi will lose five places on the grid for the Brazilian Grand Prix following their accidents in Korea. Force India driver Sutil was given the penalty after making contact with Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi on lap 47 of the race. The German was also fined $10,000 "in view of the driver's admission that he was aware of brake problems with his car throughout the race," according to the stewards

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NASCAR Goes Green, Switches to Ethanol Mix for 2011

Filed under: NASCAR

CONCORD, N.C. -- NASCAR Chairman Brian France announced Saturday that the stock car series will be switching to a 15 percent American-made ethanol mix in its Sunoco race fuel beginning in the 2011 season.

NASCAR's exclusive fuel supplier, Sunoco, has been working with the series to develop a suitable mixture -- called Sunoco Green E15 -- and race teams have been using it during test sessions for the past several months. It's a big step for NASCAR, which only began using unleaded fuel a little more than two years ago.

"A couple of years ago we laid out what we hoped would be a smart, environmentally smart approach in all areas of the industry of NASCAR, given we have lots of partners and most importantly our fans who want to continually see this sport evolve and be smart in every area when it comes to the environment and when it comes to things they care about,'' France said.

All three of NASCAR's national touring series will use the fuel. NASCAR Vice President for Competition Robin Pemberton said the initial feedback from teams has been positive. He expects there to be a slight increase in horsepower and to have a negligible affect on fuel mileage.

"All drivers like more power so they all have smiles on their faces for that,'' Pemberton said, promising further development during test sessions and also at NASCAR's Research and Development Center.

 

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Motorcycle Hall of Fame legend Bob Hannah to be honored at 2010 induction ceremony

American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) PICKERINGTON, Ohio Ask any motocross fan to name the greatest American racers of all time, and Bob "Hurricane" Hannah is sure to make the list. Hannah's immense popularity helped the sport of motocross explode in the...

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Seeing Stars: Danica, Montoya, Martin among NASCAR Drivers to Greet Fans During Ford Championship Weekend (Nov. 19-21)

Former champ Labonte, two-time Daytona winner Waltrip, young phenom Logano scheduled to visit fan-hospitality areas at Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead-Miami SpeedwayMIAMI? Before race fans settle into Homestead-Miami Speedway?s grandstands Nov. 19-21 to see NASCAR crown its 2010 Champions, they will have an opportunity to meet-and-greet some of the biggest names in America?s No. 1 spectator sport,...more»

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Consumer Reports: 2010 Reliability scores as predictable as Asian cars are... reliable

Filed under: Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Scion, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo

Consumer Reports has released its annual reliability scores for the automotive industry. The 2010 edition reads like the 2009 report... which reads like the 2008 publication, which reminds us of the 2007 version that was similar to the 2006 release. Asia is once again at the head of the class while America has reportedly made great strides and Germany is a mixed bag.

Even with a recent rash of recalls, Toyota (along with Scion and Lexus) is still near near the top of CR's reliability chart. Honda and Acura are also listed as producing highly reliable vehicles, with only the four-cylinder Accord and TSX receiving average ratings. Nissan had a strong showing despite the fact that its Cube, in the first year it has appeared in this report, received a below average score. The Nissan Titan was also hit as being below average. The rest of the lineup however, was rated average or better, including the entire Infiniti model line. Subaru, Hyundai and Kia all had good scores as well, with only Subie's WRX falling below average.

The U.S. automakers made major improvements for 2010. Eighty-three percent of the Chevrolet lineup received scores of average or better. In total, nearly 70 percent of the entire General Motors family is rated at average or better. Ford is the top domestic manufacturer on the list though, with 90 percent of its lineup being given ratings of at least average. That figure is inclusive of the Lincoln brand. It's not all good news in the states unfortunately as none of the Chrysler products were able to receive a rating higher than average.

Reliability for European cars has always been an journey filled with ups and downs. The 2010 reliability scores are no exception. Porsche and Volvo are near the top of the industry while Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are among the worst. BMW was certainly not helped by its N54 engine, Mercedes has six of 13 models receiving below average ratings and Audi got the same ratings for 75 percent of its lineup. On the flip side, the Porsche Boxster has the highest rated reliability in the entirety of the report.

Check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Consumer Reports: 2010 Reliability scores as predictable as Asian cars are... reliable

Consumer Reports: 2010 Reliability scores as predictable as Asian cars are... reliable originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW 1-series M Coupe ? Prototype Drive

Finally, a more affordable M car. It?s only expected to cost, uh, $43,000.
The 1-series M coupe is proof that BMW really cares about the little guy. This hottest 1er is BMW?s attempt to counter criticism that its M cars, particularly the M3, have become too big and too expensive. According to M GmbH head Kay [...]


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3. Is This the BMW 1-series M? – Spied

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Hamlin closes on Johnson with win

Denny Hamlin claimed his seventh win of the season with victory at Martinsville, moving within striking distance of championship leader Jimmie Johnson. Despite getting off to a slow start from pole position, the Joe Gibbs racer was able to charge back and save his best for last to take his third consecutive win at NASCAR's shortest and slowest venue where he has taken four victories out of the last six races at the half-mile track

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Alonso wins in Korea, takes F1 title lead

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Lotus to build wind tunnel at Hingham

Lotus is to build its own wind-tunnel facility in Hingham as part of an expansion programme that is being put in place over the next few years. With the team having already laid down some good foundations having secured Renault engines and Red Bull Racing gearboxes for 2011, the outfit has now announced plans for growing its Hingham base.

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RPM Not Panicking ? Yet

Aric Almirola drove the No. 9 Budweiser Ford for Richard Petty Motorsports at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway Sunday. (HHP/Christa L

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2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG coming to LA Auto Show

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz

2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Not long after Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off of the shapely new CLS-Class at this year's Paris Motor Show, sources within the automaker have told Autoblog that the AMG-fettled CLS will bow at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show.

Much like the revised S63 and CL63, expect the 2012 CLS63 AMG to use the automaker's new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8, churning out 544 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That power will be managed via Merc's latest seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission sending power solely to the rear wheels. An AMG Performance Package will be on hand, as well, boosting output numbers up to 571 hp and 664 lb-ft. We can't wait to experience this beast firsthand.

Naturally, expect a bulgier, more aggressive exterior appearance complete with large AMG wheels and a host of LED lamps up front. Interior refinement will likely feature sport seats, a smaller-diameter steering wheel with paddle shifters and, of course, carbon fiber trim.

Stay tuned for official images and details closer to the car's official debut in Los Angeles.

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG coming to LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FYI WIRZ: NASCAR?s Top Drivers Talk Fast Kansas City

Tony Stewart talks to media. The top five Chase drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this week—Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, and Kevin Harvick—talk the 1.5-mile tri-oval with 15-degree banking at Kansas Speedway.  The Price Chopper 400 … Continue reading →

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Alonso wins rainy Korean GP, takes F1 points lead

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Korea Sunday quotes: McLaren

Lewis Hamilton - 2nd: "At the start, I just wanted to get out there. I love racing, and I thought it was safe enough - 17 laps spent running behind the Safety Car isn't good for the spectators, and it's not fun for the drivers either. Additionally, I felt it had easily dried up enough for us to start racing ? so I'm glad we did.

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Victory lane

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Spencer Rules Legends Of Ascot

PERRIS, Calif. ? AMSOIL USAC-CRA Sprint Car Series point-leader Mike Spencer walked off with the hardware Saturday night in the 30-lap Legends of Ascot feature at Perris Auto Speedway

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Korea Sunday quotes: Renault

Robert Kubica - 5th: Fifth place means good points for the team and it's a good reward for all our efforts this weekend. It was a long, difficult race - and a race of two halves. The first part was very tricky for me, because I had big problems warming up the tyres.

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Keselowski Earns the Win at GIR in a Thrilling 5-Hour ENERGY 250

Brad Keselowski celebrates his 5-Hour ENERGY 250 win in Gateway International Raceway?s Victory Lane Saturday. Photo by J.R. ComptonMADISON, Ill. ? After losing the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 200 yards from the finish line at Gateway International Raceway in July, it was fitting that Brad Keselowski drove his No. 22 Penske Racing Dodge to Victory...more»

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Report: Mazda looking to double U.S. volume and go upscale

Filed under: Car Buying, Mazda

Mazda has its eye on moving on up. According to Automotive News, the company will look to double its sales figures in just five years. At the heart of that effort is the company's new line of super-efficient gasoline engines and lightweight platforms sailing under the SkyActiv banner. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi says that most of the company's products will benefit from the fuel-saving technologies by 2015, and that those changes may actually help Mazda command higher prices in the U.S. market.

Part of Mazda's growth banks on the assumption that car sales in our neck of the woods will continue to slowly improve until they reach the same levels as what was seen in 2000. The company believes that small cars and crossovers are going to be essential to the automotive market's growth in the coming years. Since its portfolio is already packed with fuel-savvy options, Mazda should be poised to do well if and when buyers start pouring into showrooms again.

Even so, things are hardly right as rain for the Japanese company. Ford has been making waves about finally cutting the last of its ties with Mazda, which could lead to an uncertain future, and the brand's growth hasn't quite kept pace with the rest of the industry.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req. | Image: Itsuo Inouye/AP]

Report: Mazda looking to double U.S. volume and go upscale originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford offering sport packages for 2012 Focus SE, Titanium

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus - Click above for high-res image gallery

The forthcoming 2012 Focus ST is indeed something for hot hatch enthusiasts to look forward to, but buyers shopping the naturally aspirated volume models will be able to spec a bit of sport on their Focuses, as well. When the new Focus goes on sale in early 2011, Ford will offer sport packages for both the mid-grade SE and top-end Titanium models, adding things like a more aggressively tuned suspension, larger wheels, better brakes and a host of interior upgrades.

Available on both the sedan and hatchback, the SE Sport Package adds four-wheel disc brakes, sport suspension, 16-inch aluminum wheels (with an available set of 17s), piano black grille, sport seats, metallic interior trim accents, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a five-speed manual transmission. On top of that, the Focus SE Sport gets a rear spoiler and is available in the automaker's Yellow Blaze Metallic paint color.

For the top-shelf Titanium model, which already comes standard with Ford's sport-tuned spension, the Titanium Handling Package adds optimized suspension components for an even better driving feel and special 18-inch alloys wrapped in summer performance tires.

Pricing for these option packages is not available as of this writing, but Ford says it will be launching its online configurator for the 2012 Focus near the end of October. Follow the jump for the official details in the automaker's press blast.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford offering sport packages for 2012 Focus SE, Titanium

Ford offering sport packages for 2012 Focus SE, Titanium originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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