Monthly Archives: April 2010
Pushing Back: GM expanding Chevrolet into Korea, Daewoo out
General Motors decided several years ago to begin heavily promoting Chevrolet as its global mainstream brand even in markets where its existing brands like Opel and Daewoo were a dominant force. Today, at the Busan Motor Show in South Korea, GM Daewoo president Mike Arcamone announced that the Camarowould lead the way in GM’s efforts to market Chevrolet in South Korea.
Audi announces ‘Tony Stark Innovation Challenge’ video contest
Audi’s major push for Iron Man 2 tie-ins begins now, with the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge. A real way for life to imitate art, Challenge entrants will create videos to showcase their ideas that will make the world better through technology – just like Tony Stark does in Iron Man, but without the guns. The winner gets all kinds of swag, including $15,000 to make it all come true. Sadly, there’s no mention of Audi making you a billionaire or having your contracts notarized by Scarlett Johansson. Follow the jump for all the details and Audi’s first video.
[Source: Audi]
Report: Dutch driver gets Bugatti Veyron confiscated for doing 50 mph over. He’s 20.
We’ve all pulled off stupid stunts that lead to severe punishment from our parents, but we’ve never gone this far. The Dutch Daily News reports that a 20 year-old driver has been caught by police going 100 miles per hour. That’s hardly news, except the lead-footed youth was driving his parent’s Bugatti Veyron at 50 mph over the speed limit and the Dutch police confiscated the vehicle and the driver’s license. There is no word whether the family will ever get the Veyron back.
We’re thinking this young man is likely to receive more than five minutes in time out for his 1.8 million euro “mistake,” but then again, it isn’t every parent that lets their 20 year-old son drive the family Veyron (assuming he had permission in the first place). It’s also important to note that it really doesn’t pay to drive too fast in northern Europe outside of select derestricted portions of the Autobahn. Here in the States, reckless driving can carry the same weight as a drunk driving arrest, but chances are your vehicle won’t be confiscated.
Report: Chrysler’s Sebring replacement to be named Nassau
Flash back to the 2007 Detroit Auto Show and sitting on the Chrysler stand was the Nassau concept. Nothing ever came of the angular five-door, but some of the elements that debuted on the show car eventually worked their way onto the Sebring. That connection stands to be revived with a report by the Detroit Free Press that the Sebring’s replacement will carry the Nassau name when the all-new midsize sedan goes on sale within the next two years.
The concept’s sleek lines aren’t likely to inspire the Nassau, but considering Chrysler purchased the name, it’s fair game and will help to put Chrysler’s lackluster sedan out of the public consciousness.
Chrysler hasn’t official confirmed the name yet, but when the Nassau goes on sale – likely in 2012 – it will be joined by the refreshed Dodge Avenger, with a thoroughly revised interior and a choice of either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or Chrysler’s new Pentastar V6.
Ford UK gets new tarted-up Fiesta S1600
Having driven the 2011 Ford Fiesta on more than one occasion, if there’s anything it doesn’t lack, it’s flash. However, Ford’s UK arm saw fit to imbue the standard three-door model (which we won’t get a crack at in the States) with a new body kit, 17-inch matching white wheels and contrasting stripes. Combined with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, new handbrake cover, gear knob and “Motorsport-branded” floor mats, it all adds up to create the Fiesta S1600. What? You were expecting the ST already?
Although the 1.6-liter four-pot remains the same, as we noted in today’s First Drive, the Fiesta could use a bit more oomph in the horsepower department, and to that end, UK consumers can order their S1600 with the Ford-approved Mountune engine upgrade which boosts output another 20 hp, dropping the Fiesta’s 0-60 mph time by two seconds.
Ford’s limiting the S1600 to 650 examples, available now from dealers for £16,645. Or, you can just wait for the ST to really exploit the Fiesta’s exceptionally competent chassis and suspension. Make the jump for the details.
