Readers of the automobile magazine “Auto Motor und Sport” once again, hailed Mercedes-Benz cars as the best cars in their categories. The Mercedes M-Class  is the best car in the SUV category while the SLS AMG is the best convertible car. The SLS also got the “Best Car of the Year” for the third year. According to the magazine, the M-Class was honored for its striking design and high-quality interior, as well as energy efficiency and for being environment friendly. Meanwhile,  the SLS AMG was hailed due to its intelligent construction and other safety factors. See the rest here: M-Class and SLS AMG Roadsters Got Thumbs Up from an Auto Mag

DrivesTv.com brings us an exciting video of BMW design and its talented designers. At the Detroit Auto Show, Jim Perry of DrivesTV sat down with Adrian Van Hooydonk, BMW Chief Designer, Karim Habib, Head of Exterior Design and Christoper Weil, 3 Series Exterior Designer. The outcome? Live car sketching and some deep insight into how car designers thin and how sketches lead to the actual design. To learn more about BMW design language, see also our interview with Adrian Van Hooydonk by our own editor Shawn Molnar. See the rest here: Video: BMW Design – It Starts with a Sketch

BMWBLOG has just learned that the new BMW M6 will make its official debut next month, followed by a public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March. We have also learned that the new M6 will make us of a 7-speed M DCT transmission (no word on manuals yet) and will run from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 4.2 seconds. With the M Launch Control feature, we expect the high-end M model to get under 4 seconds. Our sources say the car sports a very aggressive front fascia that is even more prominent in colors like Melbourne Red. We continue to believe that the M6 Coupe and Convertible will be powered by the same powerplant as the F10 M5 which goes on sale this summer, producing 560 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque ( 680 Nm) at 1500 rpm. The M6’s rear-drive chassis has been tuned extensively at the Nürburgring and it has the dynamic proficiency to cope with prodigious power outputs. The super-sporty M6 will feature carbon fiber roof and body panels that will help with weight savings. A carbon-ceramic brake system and lightweight ally wheels are also part of the package. When it goes on sale, we predict the base price of the M6 to be above the $100,000 mark for U.S. customers. Continued here:  Exclusive: New BMW M6 debuting next month – 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds

ZF 9HP In the remote reaches of Cobo Hall one can find a number of vendors tucked away at the NAIAS. ZF was there with a display of its wares and front and center was a cutaway of the 9HP, nine speed automatic gearbox for FWD applications. In the fight for ever greater fuel economy (and lower carbon dioxide emissions), compact, efficient transmissions with a wide gear spread, from low to high, will be in great demand. The 9HP fits the bill. By adding three speeds on top of an existing 6 speed FWD gearbox, the 9HP can take advantage of a steeper first gear, the intermediate ranges can be brought closer together (less RPM drop between shifts), and it can still deliver a couple of extra overdrive ratios at the top to further squeeze additional fuel mileage out of the fuel load. One of the enablers of the 9HP was the first ever use of interlocking dog clutches in an automatic gearbox. The use of dog clutches save space and enhance efficiency when compared to the use of multi-disc shift elements used in other transmissions. Using four simple gearsets, four dog clutches and two brake bands, the nine forward speeds and reverse can be selected. The gearbox is start/stop capable without requiring an additional fluid pump. The torque converter incorporates a multi-level vibration damper which reduces NVH, especially helpful when used with small engines. In addition, the gearbox supports all wheel drive applications. In addition the gearbox is available in two torque capacities, one good for up to 280 NM of torque and one good up to 480 NM. I have one request though. That is for someone to couple the 9HP with a two speed final drive that allows the four top (overdrive) gears (sixth through ninth) to be doubled, making it, effectively, a 13 speed gearbox. Then all you have to do is equip the car with a really good diesel truck air horn. FWD News of a FWD BMW has reared its head again, and it is due to be be unveiled sometime this year according to the latest rumors. There is also be a lot of conjecture as to why, and some pretty interesting guesses as to how the thing will be built. This is what we know. BMW has made provision for a flexible firewall location in its latest ‘platform matrix’ for smaller cars. That means given a five link rear axle, a set of MacPherson...

Number one can be a blessing, and a curse – just ask Toyota, who quickly fell the top spot. Manufacturers who chase volume exclusively often find it comes at the expense of quality and profit margins. The better choice is to make more money on each unit, thanks to profit-enhancing options. Unfortunately a lot of manufacturers set their goals according to volume. Ford in recent times has taken a more quality over quantity approach than ever before. The newest models are now positioned as more premium entrants – examples being the current Taurus and the Focus. The Focus in particular is more upscale and includes a myriad of technology and luxury options. This is helping to increase profit margins per model. The 2013 Fusion looks to follow in the footsteps of these cars. The current Fusion, which was updated in 2010, has set a torrential sales pace. Last year a record amount of Fusions were sold, despite it being at the end of its life-cycle. You would only assume the 2013 Fusion, which is on a whole other level inside and out, would continue this record. In fact with all this momentum, taking the top spot in the mid-size sedan sales race wouldn’t seem to be a stretch. Ford says this isn’t their goal though – and even if it was, it may not even be attainable. That’s because Ford says they can produce a maximum of about 400,000 Fusions a year. We think they could push a bit more than they if they really wanted to, but Toyota on the other hand has 500,000 units of capacity at its two plants in Indiana and Kentucky. The current Camry isn’t running at capacity though. This year, Toyota expects to produce about 414,000 Camrys. Ford, on the other hand, projects that the 2013 Fusion will reach 310,000 units. The final total will probably be north of that. Ford’s head of marketing, Jim Farley, has this to say: “Between price and volume, we’ll sort out the right mix. I don’t think we’re very enamored with being number one just to be number one. We’re much more enamored with the right price point and right kind of people to buy the car.” Bottom line is Fusion is expected to continue to set sales records. That is as good of a place to start as any. Related posts: Detroit: Ford Fusion Isn’t...

Land Rover is preparing a replacement for the long-running Defender. It has been one of the most iconic off-road vehicles in history, along with the original Jeep and HUMMER. Its history began in 1949 and its run has included years of military service and use in developing countries. Over this course of time, it has changed very little. Instead of keeping it fresh with ground up redesigns, the Defender has been a work horse. Thanks to emissions requirements and pedestrian safety regulations, it is nearing the end of its life. The next-generation model will be an entirely new, from the ground up model. It will share a platform with the Discovery and Range Rover Sport. As far as competition, the next-generation Defender will go head-to-head with the Jeep Wrangler. The next-generation Defender’s design was previewed by the DC100 Concept. Land Rover says that look isn’t set in stone though; it is a work in progress that will evolve over time to the production vehicle. Reported by Autocar Ratan Tata has announced that instead of calling Solihull, United Kingdom its home, the next-generation Defender will be produced in England. Oh how the world has changed. The Defender has been produced in many countries around the world by other manufacturers, but this will be a big change for Land Rover purists. India was selected because the Tata Group, who owns, Land Rover is based in that country. Production there will enable the price point to be set much lower. Tata expects the new Defender to be a volume, workhorse model that sells in large numbers in developing countries. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to provide significant sales. All of this is away off though; production of the Defender isn’t scheduled to begin until 2015. Until then, we can expect a continued stream of news and concepts leading up to a debut. Related posts: Frankfurt: Land Rover Tests Waters For Next Defender with DC100 Concept Land Rover In Vogue with 2011 Evoque Land Rover Prices Evoque Crossover Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts View original here:  Next-Generation Land Rover Defender To Call India Its Home

At the 2012 Chicago auto show, Ram trucks will introduce a new top trim level, the 2012 Ram Laramie Limited. Think of it as a city-slickened counterpart to Ram’s luxurious, Southwest-themed Laramie Longhorn ; the Limited packs a similar amount of goodies, but swaps the country kitsch for a sleeker, more contemporary flavor inside and out. Specific changes to the exterior include body-color bumpers (chrome bumpers are subbed on white and silver versions); body sides devoid of badging; chrome door handles, mirrors, door trim, and tubular running boards; and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with polished faces and silver-painted inserts. If less is more from an appearance standpoint, then the Laramie Limited has the most of all the big luxo-trucks (including those built by GM, Ford, and Toyota). But as much as we savor aesthetic simplicity, we expect that some truck customers may find the new Laramie Limited a little too plain for flagship status. (That’s where the over-the-top Laramie Longhorn comes in, apparently.) Inside, the Ram Laramie Limited has seats covered entirely in premium dark slate leather (not just the seating surfaces themselves) offset by gray piping and stitching. More stitched leather covers the steering wheel, shift lever, door panels, and center-console lid. Berber carpets; LED accent lighting; unique gauge faces; scuff plates; a smattering of piano black, chrome, and “liquid graphite” trim bits; and nearly every available tech toy and comfort item are standard on the new Limited. Like the Laramie Longhorn, this trim level will be available in 1500, 2500, and 3500 chassis strengths, as well as crew and Mega cab styles. The Laramie Limited will appear in dealers by the middle of this year as a 2012 model. Prices haven’t yet been announced, but we’re told that they should fall in line with those of the Longhorn edition, which starts at $44,120 for the crew-cab, short-bed, rear-wheel-drive 1500 model. In other words, don’t expect to get much change from your $50,000 bill. But do expect a rather sweet truck. Read the rest here: 2012 Ram Laramie Limited is Brand’s New Flagship, Debuts in Chicago See the rest here:  2012 Ram Laramie Limited is Brand’s New Flagship, Debuts in Chicago

At some point during a two-day drive of the all-new Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, something interesting happened. Your author learned to stop worrying and love the bomb. Keep Reading: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG – First Drive Review Read more: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG First Drive: A 500-Plus-HP SUV that Can Outrun Your Worries Here is the original: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG First Drive: A 500-Plus-HP SUV that Can Outrun Your Worries

Chrysler/Fiat’s branding strategy is quite curious. They’re doing things right now that is unprecedented in modern times. First of all, they are proliferating individual brands. The Ram truck was split off from Dodge into its own division, complete with its own website – despite being sold in the same dealer. Then you have Street Racing Technology, which the company is trying to pitch as its own division, with its own marketing and the like. Then Fiat is added into the mix, which has gotten an entire line of dedicated studios. And don’t forget Alfa Romeo, whose return is just around the corner. It all seems like a jumbled mess. Then you have to think about the Chrysler brand. What is its wheelhouse and where will it be positioned in the future? What is happening at Dodge? It is very unclear what the overall strategy is, if there is any. Dodge was supposed to focus on performance, along with Alfa Romeo. That meant the hot-selling Grand Caravan minivan was supposed to be axed, along with the Avenger. But then you have the utterly mainstream Dart being launched in the midst of all this. Dodge should be the mainstream brand at the Chrysler Group, with Chrysler as luxury/mid-luxury and Alfa Romeo going against the European luxury brands. Jeep’s mission is well defined. But we digress. It appears Chrysler may be going back to a sane strategy. As we mentioned earlier, the Avenger was supposed to go away in its next-generation, with a Chrysler and Alfa Romeo mid-sizer based on the platform. Now, USA Today reports that the Avenger could live on, in an effort to increase the amount of models (for economies of scale) on the platform. Finally something is making sense. In fact, if any car should be being killed, it should be the Chrysler 200. Chrysler will ever have a shred of hope in being a luxury brand if cars like the 200 continue to stick around. At this point it would probably be better to focus on Alfa Romeo in the United States. The Avenger and next-generation 200 are expected to make their debut next year. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the original post here:  Branding Confusion: Next-Generation Dodge Avenger Coming

In most places within North America, auto insurance represents one of the most costly ongoing expenses attached to automotive ownership. A monthly or annual cost that varies wildly between driver, we barely understand the number of factors affecting our individual insurance rate. Driver’s age, gender and history behind the wheel plays the key part in establishing what we need to pay in order to venture on roadways legally. Besides the human factor, your chosen automobile also weighs on the determination for the insurance premium amount. While the calculations of auto insurance quotes differ between companies and policies, a car-insurance.com chart cited that the vehicle accounts for thirteen percent of a driver’s rate. When buying a new car, we assume that a 2012 Porsche 911′s  sporty agility will drive car insurance coverage reasonably higher than a fuel-efficient economy car . As automotive consumers, we can assume (often with some certainty) that certain vehicles are high risk for collision. In the case of auto insurance companies, more scientific data collection assists in the conclusion of vehicle rates. Founded in 1959 as a non-profit organization meant to study vehicle and drivers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has spawned to cover an array of automotive safety-related topics including new car crash testing . In the 1970s, the IIHS created the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) designed specifically to collect and examine information on human as well as financial loss in automobile accidents. One aspect researched by the IIHS and HLDI is the insurance losses based on a specific vehicle. Among six different types of insurance (Collision, liability, comprehensive, personal injury, medical and bodily injury), the IIHS records the comparable losses of almost every popular newer vehicle. For the most recent vehicle data based on 2008 to 2010 model year products, data showed that the Scion tC topped the list as the highest overall insurance loss. As an import sports vehicle, the Scion tC caters to younger, riskier group of drivers therefore leading to worse than average insurance loss. In addition, being a Japanese-built vehicle, the collision insurance costs would be understandably high for North American drivers. Since introduction,...

A while back we reported on the status of the Saab car collection from the Trollhattan museum. The company in charge of overseeing Saab’s bankruptcy announced that it would be auctioning off cars at the Trollhattan museum. While it horrified Saab enthusiasts, to the liquidators it was a source of cash. They don’t care for the historical value of things – unless it brings in money. That’s the whole point. The collection includes the very first Ur-Saab and countless other milestone production models, prototypes and concept cars. Vehicles like the Aero X Concept and the stillborn prototype Subaru Tribeca-based 9-7X crossover SUV. Fan site Saabs United organized an effort to try to purchase these vehicles if they indeed did head to auction, in order to preserve them in a private museum. It would have been a shame if these cars were spread all over the world rather than displayed in a single collection that the public would be able to view. Thankfully, Autocar reports that end has been avoided. The City of Trollhattan (who wants the tourism dollars), SAAB AB (the airplane manufacturer that bears the Saab name) as well as The Wallenberg Foundation came up a sum of over $4 million (at current exchange rates) to take ownership of the entire collection. There are 120 vehicles all in all. There isn’t much information available on the purchase other than that. This is a big victory for Saab fans though. What isn’t clear is the state of the Saab museum grounds – if the collection will be moved or what the deal with that is. We assume The City of Trollhattan will work to make sure it is open to the public and able to attract tourists. As for the Saab brand, there is still reports going on that some well-heeled buyers are interested. Call us when something serious materializes! No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read the original post: City of Trollhattan, SAAB AB Save Saab Museum Collection

As the nation debates adopting a 54.5 mpg fuel economy standard for 2025, California is planning to leap ahead once again in requiring greener vehicles than does the federal government. Under federal law, California has a special exemption to set tighter air-quality regulations than the rest of the nation. (Its warm climate and geography may be particularly friendly to beachgoers, but unfortunately is also particularly hospitable to smog.) In this case, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is planning to tighten air pollution standards 75 percent by 2025. This governs exhaust pollution such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, particulate matter, and unburned fuel, as well as vapor emissions from refueling and fuel system leaks. CARB standards also govern emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that can only be controlled by reducing fuel consumption. The state has signed onto a bargain with the Obama administration to set these targets at the same levels as the federal government’s 54.5 mpg requirement, as long as that rule goes through. But the state is increasing the number of “zero-emissions vehicles” it will require automakers to sell to meet the requirement from about 4 percent to about 15 percent of all vehicles sold in the state. In total it would require automakers to sell about 1.4 million plug-in hybrid, electric, and fuel-cell vehicles in the state by 2023. The bulk of these, about 900,000 would be plug-in hybrids, such as the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma. CARB will create a new designation for these plug-in hybrids: Transitional Zero Emission Vehicles, or TZEVs. Meanwhile, Arizona has announced it will pull out of the coalition of 15 states that follow California standards, saying higher national fuel economy standards make it unnecessary. Learn more about fuel economy and alternative fuel vehicles . Original post: California plans to tighten emissions standards, raise EV requirements

Sometimes, a company will stick with the same tagline for years. There are a few examples of that in the automotive industry, such as BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machine and Lexus’ “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.” Having the same, defined message helps brand identity – if you can find one that really sticks. Volkswagen’s recent “Das Auto” has fit the company perfectly, and we’re finding that most people really associate it with VW. On the other end of the spectrum is let’s say, Buick. Over the past few years Buick has had so many tag lines. “The Spirit of American Style”, “Beyond Precision”, “Drive Beautiful”, “The New Class of World Class,” Yeah, and that’s just the ones we can remember. For Ford the slogan has been “Drive One.” It was introduced in 2006 as a new generation of products were being launched. That was back when Toyota was on a roll and the domestics weren’t considered as much by consumers. “Drive One” was designed to get people to take a look at Ford again – which incidentally was also the goal of the tagline before that. “If You Haven’t Looked at a Ford lately…look again.” It was a lot clunkier way of saying the same thing. Fast forward to today and Ford is in a very different position than it was in 2006. It is recognized as a technological leader and its new cars are consistently rated at the top of their class. Vehicles like the Ford Explorer, Taurus and Focus. These cars look to be top contenders in their segments. To reflect its new position as a leader in the marketplace, Ford has announced a new slogan…..”Go Further.” It will be launching across the world later this year – it is already being used for advertisements in Europe. While not terribly original or clever, we think this fits where Ford is at right now very well. Related posts: Can’t drive? Ford’s new Curve Control safety system is just for you! One Ford: Ford Evos Concept Shows Off Global Design Language Test Drive: 2008 Ford Focus SES Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read the rest here: Ford Ditches “Drive One” and Replaces It With “Go Further”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its annual report of traffic fatalities from 2010, and it listed an additional 13 rear-end collisions with 1993-2004 Grand Cherokees that killed another 14 people, according to the Center for Auto Safety (CAS). CAS says the fuel tank on these Grand Cherokees is mounted behind the rear axle, making it prone to catch fire in rear-end collisions. In a defect petition filed with the NHTSA, CAS says 284 people have been killed in 198 such fires since the SUVs went on sale in 1993. That’s over 200 more people than were killed before Ford recalled its infamous Pinto with a similar design in the 1970s. (Read the latest letter from CAS to Chrysler , pdf.) Chrysler contends the number is not that high. In an email, the company responds that: …rear impacts resulting in a fire are extremely rare. Rear impacts resulting in a fire occur no more often in 1993 – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles than in peer vehicles, and the 1993 – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are at no greater risk of exposure to fire in rear-end collisions than peer vehicles. Accordingly, Chrysler Group has concluded that 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are neither defective nor do their fuel systems pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in rear impact collisions. NHTSA has launched a preliminary investigation into the Grand Cherokee fuel-tank fires , which remains open. Excerpt from: Fire deaths in Jeep Grand Cherokees continue to mount, safety group reaches out to Chrysler

Our Road Test Editor, Shawn Molnar recently reported for autos.sympatico.ca in Kuhtai, Austria, delivering his impressions of MINI’s Countryman JCW prototype.  The MINI Countryman JCW is expected to go into production in the second half of this year – and based on Shawn’s insight, it sounds like it’s worth waiting for. “A plethora of vehicles have been sold based on not-that-I-would-but-that-I- could rationale. And so it’s easy to see why Mini would release a bucking-bronco version of its already giddy Countryman S four-door stable mate. To put it simply: sex and fast cars sell. The vehicle then, surfacing from the MIni design house, is called the Countryman John Cooper Works, lovingly named after the performance tuner who turned the original Mini Cooper into a rally-winning race car.     Though our test car was wrapped in psychedelic camouflage tape – the official launch of the Countryman JCW is still a year away – if you squint hard enough you can sort of see hints of the bulbous, bulging wheel arches and gaping air intakes of Mini’s factory World Rally Championship race car.  If the intention is to get people’s juices flowing and meld thrilling performance into the metallurgy of a practical four-door hatchback, then modeling the Countryman after its big-brother race car makes perfect sense. Adding excitement while losing practicality and value, however, would be a recipe for disaster in such a hotly contested premium crossover market. Read on to discover whether Mini nailed the bull’s eye.” For full article, please click here .     Read the rest here: Sympatico.ca Drives MINI’s Countryman JCW Prototype