Spike announces nominees for Best Driving Game of the Year

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) on Nov 21st, 2009 at 1:09PM

Spike's Video Game Award finalists -- Click above to watch trailers at Spike.com

Spike TV has opened up the voting for its Video Game Awards, and the finalists are down to four: DiRT 2, Need for Speed: Shift, Forza Motorsport 3, and Gran Turismo PSP. It's a bit of a motley list, but then again it's been a motley year for driving games, and we're still waiting for a vision of the unicorn otherwise known as Gran Turismo 5. If you want to vote, cast your ballot on Spike's site. If you need a refresher because you insist on being an informed voter, follow the jump and check out some gameplay.

[Source: Spike]

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Long-Term Thinking: "Cost to Own" mindset grabs hold?

by Sebastian Blanco (RSS feed) on Nov 21st, 2009 at 10:51AM

2011 Chevy Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

So many things are changing in the new automotive reality, it's hard to know where to start. Everything from the kind of hose we connect to our cars (liquid filled? electric?) to the sounds the vehicles make is different now than it used to be. What else needs to change? How about how we think about the costs to own and operate a car.

Naturally, it's always been possible to estimate this cost, but NADAguides.com has just released a "Cost To Own" calculator for new cars, so you can factor in fuel prices in your region into the cost of the car. It's entirely useful. For example, to own a 2010 Prius in Michigan for five years will cost an estimated $33,232. On top of the cost of the car, NADA tells us that the car's depreciation will make up 39 percent of the ownership costs, while fuel equals just 12 percent. A pie chart of the cost breakdown is pictured at right.

On a similar thread, Edmunds recommends a shift away from MPG and towards a cost-of-energy window sticker on a new car. With all of those electric plugs being added to cars, MPG is becoming less valuable and relevant to our understanding how much it costs to get around. Two quick examples: per month, Edmunds estimates it'll cost $53.55 to drive the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt, but $66.78 to operate a Prius. Check out their chart here, and remember that according to a recent study, more efficient vehicles can (and often do) cost less.

[Source: NADAguides.com, Edmunds]

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REPORT: SS badge to return to its roots at Chevy

by Chris Shunk (RSS feed) on Nov 21st, 2009 at 9:20AM


When the SS badge returned to Chevrolet, we were pretty excited. But then the double letter #19 made its way onto the last generation Malibu, and we were immediately and nearly permanently turned off. General Motors later turned up the heat with the turbocharged Cobalt SS and HHR SS, and while we liked those models very much, they in no way conjured up thoughts of 1960's and 1970's Impala and Chevelle SS models. And with more stringent fuel economy standards and government-mandated CO2 reductions, it appears that the SS moniker could well be relegated to the new Camaro. Or maybe not.

Mark Reuss, GM vice president of global engineering, recently told AutoWeek that the SS badge is alive and well. But instead of slapping it on anything and everything with elevated horsepower, the General will instead focus on a more selective process. In other words, we're guessing the ill-conceived FWD Impala SS won't happen again any time soon. Or at least we hope. And while Reuss doesn't hold the glitzy profile of a big-time player like Bob Lutz, the global engineering VP does have plenty of street cred. He worked in Australia to build the RWD Zeta platform that currently underpins the Camaro here in the States, and Zeta is one platform we're dying to see more of here.

So if the SS badge is only going to be considered on a case by case basis, our big question is.... what's next? Well, we have no idea which Chevy will next don the SS badge, but we're hoping recent rumors of a Volt SS are just that: rumors. Perhaps Reuss will convince his fellow executives to marry the SS badge, the Chevy Bowtie and his pride and joy Zeta platform to make a four-door counterpart to the Camaro. That's one way to get yourself Lutz-like notoriety.

[Source: Automotive News subs req'd]

Pull Over: Broward County Sheriff gets a full-dress Challenger R/T

by Alex Nunez (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 7:57PM


Dodge Challenger R/T Police Car - Click above for high-res image gallery

We like police cars. Seriously. Just not when they're filling our rearview mirrors, blue-and-reds ablaze. Then, our fanboy status diminishes markedly. In the meantime, however, we get pretty jazzed when a department does something a little different and cool. This week's example comes from the Broward County Sheriff's office, which appears to have added a fully-marked Dodge Challenger R/T to its fleet. Decked out in the BSO's familiar green-and-white livery, the muscular Mopar looks like it means business, ready to take down speeders and bust up meth labs with aplomb. We totally want to see it in person the next time we're down in South Florida -- just under our own, friendly terms. Thanks for the tip, Lee!


Gallery: Broward County Sheriff Dodge Challenger R/T


[Source: Law Officer Connect]

Rare Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight going to highest bidder at RM's Arizona auction

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 7:24PM


1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With just 75 built between 1959 and 1963, the Aston Martin DB4 GT is a rare breed. Of those, a mere six are the coveted lightweight models that cut weight by using aluminum components (instead of steel) and delete items like the radio, speakers, and heater. It's not very often that one comes up for sale, but this January, RM Auctions will be offering a pristine example at their sale in Scottsdale.

The car going up for auction is chassis #0175/L, the last DB4 GT Lightweight built. It underwent a total restoration in the mid-Nineties where it received upgrades like Dunlop racing tires, Dayton wire wheels, and a four-point roll bar. The car wasn't competitively raced in the Sixties, but several owners have competed with the car in various vintage races at tracks like Lime Rock Park and Laguna Seca.

Sound like your kind of car? RM estimates you'll need anywhere from $950,000-$1,000,000 to take this ruby beauty home. If you don't have that kind of cash, then you'll have to settle for the press release after the jump and the high-res gallery below.


Gallery: 1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight


[Source: RM Auctions]

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FerrariChat: P4/5 Competizione still aiming for Nürburgring 24

by Frank Filipponio (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 6:57PM

Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5 Competizione - Click above for high-res image gallery

A few months ago, the internet started to rumble with rumors of a race car being built out of the incredible Pininfarina Ferrari 612 P4/5 that James Glickenhaus had commissioned at a staggering (but understandable) $4 million. A thread on Ferrari superforum FerrariChat.com put those rumors to rest -- Glickenhaus wasn't going to turn his P3/4 homage into a race car, he was going to build another car that he would take racing.

While the final product hasn't been revealed in full, the thread includes over 20 pages of Q&A between James and the rest of the F-Chat community giving several hints at what's to come. There are even several photo renderings depicting what the car might look like. What we do know is that this new P4/5 Competizione will not be Enzo/FXX/MC based -- it will be based on a Ferrari chassis and feature a Ferrari V8, with Glickenhaus saying that a V12 isn't practical because of fuel consumption.

Engineering has already begun on this dedicated racecar, which will hopefully get its maiden run at the Nürburgring 24 hour race next year. It will run in an open class that allows one-offs, as there are apparently no plans to homologate this retro-inspired racer. It's just Glick being Glick, building something for fun and bringing his teen memories of Ford vs. Ferrari back to life in endurance racing.

It could also be seen as a great opportunity for sponsors to get a ton of exposure. If the Competizione is anything like the road-going P4/5 in the publicity department, we'd say it's a safe bet you'll get a lot for your advertising dollars. We'll keep you posted as the car comes along, and we're already petitioning the higher-ups to include the Nürburgring 24 into our travel budget next year.


Gallery: Pininfarina P4/5 Competizione


[Source: FerrariChat]

Dutch Exodus: Spyker relocating vehicle assembly to the UK

by Drew Phillips (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 6:31PM


2010 Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder - Click above for a high-res image gallery

In these tough times automakers are doing everything they can to cut costs. For Spyker, that means moving its vehicle assembly from its home country of the Netherlands to Coventry, England. How does that save money, you ask? "With approximately half of our vehicles' parts and components sourced in the UK, and virtually all key suppliers being located there, moving closer to our suppliers and engineering partners will result in substantial savings and tangible efficiency improvements," according to Spyker CEO Victor R. Muller.

The assembly of the Spyker line, which includes various iterations of the C8 supercar, will move to CPP Manufacturing before the end of the year. CPP has worked with the Dutch manufacturer since its reincarnation in 2000, and even built Spyker's first prototype. Other portions of the company, such as engineering, marketing, and the race team will stay at the Zeewolde headquarters. Full details can be found in Spyker's press release after the jump.


Gallery: Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder



[Source: Spyker]

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2010 Acura ZDX starts at $45,495 with plenty of kit

by Frank Filipponio (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 5:59PM


2010 Acura ZDX - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're interested in picking up the 2010 Acura ZDX crossover, the bottom line begins at $45,495. There's a full press release with all of the details after the jump, but the main points are these: The ZDX will go on sale beginning December 15 with an MSRP of $45,495, plus destination and handling charge, which adds another $810.

The 2010 Acura ZDX will be available in three trim levels -- the base ZDX, ZDX with Technology Package, and ZDX with Advance Package. This being an Acura, even the base ZDX gets a ton of standard features, including premium items like the "world's longest panoramic glass roof," hand-stitched leather, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and that 300-hp 3.7-liter VTEC V6. And even with that much power on tap, Honda has figured out a way to give the ZDX class-leading fuel economy of 16/23 mpg.

For an extra $4,500, the Technology Package adds a 415-watt Acura/ELS Premium Audio System with 15-gig hard drive, a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start with Keyless Access, and Acura's Nav System with Voice Recognition, Real-Time Traffic, Real-Time Weather, a full VGA display and a new multi-view rear camera.

The Advance Package goes a step further by adding a blind spot information system (BSI), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Acura's Collision Mitigating Braking System (CMBS), an active suspension system, heated and ventilated front seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather seating surfaces, premium brushed tricot headliner material and a sport steering wheel. All for another $6,050.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX


[Source: Acura]

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REPORT: Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini not attending LA Auto Show

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 5:32PM

The closest we'll get to the Ferrari 458 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here's an unsurprising stat for you: 60 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. that cost over $100,000 find homes in New York, Florida and California. The majority of which are parked in garages in Manhattan, Miami and Los Angeles, respectively. So the revelation that Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini won't be attending next month's LA Auto Show is -- at the very least -- surprising.

According to a spokesperson speaking with The Detroit Bureau, Bentley has decided to skip the So. Cal. show, adding that the automaker is looking for "a better use of our resources." Ferrari and its sister marque Maserati are out as well, with an unnamed source telling the industry pub, "It's just the economy. We're cutting back on a lot of things."

Given the global economic climate and its affect on high-end automotive sales, the choice to scale back isn't such a shock, but for automakers that rely on the Southern California market, it's a disturbing sign of the times. As for the rest of the LA exhibitors, the luxury market's Big Three (Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz) will be in attendance, although it looks like the lower hall will only house Aston Martin, Spyker, Fisker and -- we'd assume -- Rolls-Royce.


Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Ferrari 458 Italia


[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Edmunds data suggests Honda Crosstour buyers don't know what it competes against either

by Dan Roth (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 5:01PM

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour hasn't won too many fans amongst the automotive press, and while we're sure it fills the Accord Wagon space in Honda's lineup, the way the Crosstour has a foot both in the wagon and CUV realms still has us scratching our heads. Taking a peek at what's being cross-shopped against Honda's latest offering proves potential customers are in the same boat.

Fitting every car into a neat categorical box is a fool's errand, but the Crosstour is apparently making everyone wonder just where it belongs. According to early Edmunds' data, buyers seem to think the Crosstour competes most closely with the Toyota Venza, with ToMoCo's wagon-on-stilts being cross-shopping against the Crosstour more than any other vehicle. Other Honda models are also heavily considered against the Crosstour, according to Edmunds Auto Observer, as are a panoply of other cars. Luxury rides like the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series wind up in the comparison column, as do more traditional crossovers like the Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota RAV-4.

While the Crosstour has been called lots of unflattering things, it's clear that figuring out whether it's neatly described as fish or fowl is more of a thorny chestnut. That said, none of this is exactly important if the car is generating showroom traffic and moving units.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


Photos copyright ©2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer]

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