Autoblog

Christmas List 2010: Rattner's book to debut in time for next Christmas

Dan Roth — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Chrysler, GM, Earnings/Financials

Planning for the future is perhaps an alien concept to big business - even automakers, with their protracted product development cycles. Take a cue of what not to do from them, then, and start planning now for next Christmas. May we suggest that your 2010 wishlist starts with what's destined to be a hotly-anticipated tome: Steven Rattner's memoir of his spearheading the bailout of General Motors and Chrysler. Tentatively titled "Overhaul," the cloyingly-named book will tell the story of the quick-rinse bankruptcies Rattner presided over.

A fascinating piece that Rattner wrote for Fortune Magazine back in October gave us a glimpse of how riveting such a seemingly-dry subject can be. The book is on track for a debut in the fall of 2010, and might be even more interesting in a year depending on how Rattner's deals work out. The hardest part is going to be behaving well enough for an entire year so this thing gets stuffed in our stocking.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Neilson Barnard/Getty]

Christmas List 2010: Rattner's book to debut in time for next Christmas originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Turbocharged BMW-powered Yugo highboy has us reconsidering the GV

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Videos, Humor

Vprache BMW six-cylinder turbo Yugo in hoon mode - Click above to watch video

In the beginning, there was a yellow Yugo GV. And when the folks at Vprache Racing cast their eyes over it, they thought it was missing something. So they gave it an 3.5-liter BMW inline six-cylinder transplant and added a turbo besides. And an intercooler mounted on the grille. And a high-rise lift job. Then they took it hooning. And that was the end of the first day.

When that wasn't enough, they added another turbo and fashioned arches to cover the exposed rubber. And then they took it drag racing. And that was the end of the second day. You can check out videos of the car in both iterations after the jump. It's fast. And in a yellow Yugo, you'd want to be.

[Sources: Tampa Sports Car Examiner; YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Turbocharged BMW-powered Yugo highboy has us reconsidering the GV

VIDEO: Turbocharged BMW-powered Yugo highboy has us reconsidering the GV originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: How not to behave during a traffic stop

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Humor

The roadside siren -- Click above to watch video

The prospect of getting a ticket can make you do a lot of things you wouldn't normally do -- beg, plead, be charming, anything goes, really, when it comes to fending off points and higher insurance premiums. Well, not anything, unless you're this woman, who went nuts at the idea of being ticketed. Like, crazy nuts.

We don't know who she is or what she did or what ungodly nightmare she was trying to avoid, but we do know she's got a set of pipes. If anyone can tell us what she's saying, please let us know in the comments. Follow the jump for the video, and keep your hand on the volume knob for this one.

[Source: Live Leak via Ryan O'Keefe]

Continue reading VIDEO: How not to behave during a traffic stop

VIDEO: How not to behave during a traffic stop originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Valet vigilante vandalism visualizes very vunerable vehicles

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Valets burning all kinds of rubber -- Click above to watch video

We suppose we should thank some of the less savvy lunkheads out there for their egos - if they didn't post videos of their antics, they might not be caught. A few valets in the employ of Atlanta-based AAA Valet, working at the St. Louis Hyatt hotel, used patrons cars for serious burnout sessions in an underground garage. Nothing was spared - Civics, SUVs, Porsches, Acuras; it appears that if it could be driven, they would find a way to eat up its tires.

The clincher: the digital displays of drifting doom ended up on YouTube under the profile of "Valet Underground". Someone blew the whistle, and now AAA valet doesn't service the Hyatt hotel anymore. Not surprisingly, the videos are gone - we just hope their licenses have met the same fate. Follow the jump to check out the action. Hat tip to Luke!

[Source: Fox2 Now]

Continue reading VIDEO: Valet vigilante vandalism visualizes very vunerable vehicles

VIDEO: Valet vigilante vandalism visualizes very vunerable vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GMC reveals gussied-up Acadia Denali for 2011

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Etc., Crossover, GMC, Luxury, Off-Road

2011 GMC Acadia Denali - Click above for high-res image gallery

A little ahead of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next month, GMC has revealed its new 2011 GMC Acadia Denali. Although the Denali tag has been used across the GMC lineup to signify their top-of-the-range trim level, this is the first crossover from the brand to get the tag. We first heard about this Acadia Denali on Twitter, thanks to loose-lipped Buick GMC Communications Group Manager Dayna Hart. From where we sit, the Denali makeover makes perfect sense for the Acadia, as it should help retain those affluent customers who are ditching SUVs in favor of CUVs.

The 2011 Acadia Denali will hit showroom floors late next year and will be available in both front- and all-wheel drive in seven- or eight-passenger form. The package will include a brace of signature Denali design cues: monotone paint, honeycomb grille, unique front and rear fascias, along with HID headlamps, chrome accents and exhaust tips, and the usual badges. The Acadia Denali will also get special six-spoke 20-inch wheels like the polished jobbies seen above. The model will be available in Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat or White Diamond Tricoat.

Inside the Acadia Denali, you'll find all of GMC's top-level bells and whistles: Premium audio systems with XM, perforated leather, heated and cooled seats, mahogany accents, a heads-up display, the Dual SkyScape sunroof system, plus tri-zone automatic climate control, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, OnStar, rear-seat DVD, a rearview camera and even remote starting (in case you find yourself living near either Denali or Acadia!). No pricing has been announced, yet but hopefully we'll get more details at the Detroit Auto Show next month. For now, there's a full press release after the jump and a small gallery of high-res pics in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Acadia Denali

[Source: GMC]

Continue reading GMC reveals gussied-up Acadia Denali for 2011

GMC reveals gussied-up Acadia Denali for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 10 Forward-Thinking Vehicles of the Decade

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Trend-setting. Far-reaching. Record-setting. In a word: Important. Use whatever descriptors you'd like, what we're looking at today are some of the most forward-thinking cars of the last decade.

Some of our choices are hugely successful in terms of sales while not being all that interesting or important to the advancement of the automobile. That's fine, we need those kinds of vehicles, and many of us drive them on a daily basis. There are other cars, though, that are so advanced, radical or just plain significant in their segment that other automakers sat up and took notice. These are the models we'll look back at in another ten years and remember as vehicular landmarks. To qualify for consideration, a car had to either be introduced between the year 2000 and 2009 or at least receive a major redesign during that time period.

Interestingly, this list was extremely difficult for us to agree upon. Some of our team members pushed very hard for models that ultimately didn't make the list while others argued vehemently that some of our choices didn't belong at all. Ultimately, we compiled a diverse list of vehicles for you to consider, and we think it's well worth taking the time to peruse.

Click either image (or here) to begin this journey through the decade that's just about to conclude. Have fun, and be sure to nominate your own choices in the comments section.

[Source Image: piterart | CC2.0]

Top 10 Forward-Thinking Vehicles of the Decade originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Lamborghini's Valentino Balboni drifting a Lamborghini Valentino Balboni

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Videos, Lamborghini

All hail the drift king, Valentino Balboni - Click above to view the video after the jump

Fate is a funny thing. It was our destiny to get a ride with Valentino Balboni in a Lamborghini LP550-2 Valentino Balboni during rush hour traffic in Los Angeles. Lucky? Absolutely, though we may have crested 50 mph once... maybe. Would we have preferred to have been in the passenger seat of this here limeade green Valentino Balboni as Lamborghini's legendary test driver literally hoons the rear tires off the car? Dear God, yes!!

The following video is actually a pretty good demonstration of the difference between RWD and AWD vehicles. You'll see the Mr. Balboni flinging the LP550-2 around a corner, the rear sliding out a touch before he applies just a dab of oppo' to get the V10-powered, rear-wheel drive mini-monster back in line. This is followed by an AWD LP560-4 which simply can't break traction and sort of gracelessly shunts and shutters its way around the corner. Faster, no doubt -- but not nearly as fun to watch. And then there are sparks and smoke and trust us you'll love this. Watch the video, after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lamborghini's Valentino Balboni drifting a Lamborghini Valentino Balboni

VIDEO: Lamborghini's Valentino Balboni drifting a Lamborghini Valentino Balboni originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: In Da Club Cherokee? Enterprising kids go all Jeep techno

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Humor

Jeep Cherokee beatbox - Click above to watch video

If your Jeep Cherokee has been sitting around for a while, it probably makes a few noises. You might not mind, though, if they were noises as well orchestrated as those in the video shown above.

British saxophonist Julian Smith spent a few hours with a Cherokee and an array of friends with rhythm and came up with a number that could be straight out of Stomp. Or an Art of Noise album. Follow the jump to see the vid, and as a bonus, there's another take on car beats with Snob Scrilla and a Toyota Yaris. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: In Da Club Cherokee? Enterprising kids go all Jeep techno

VIDEO: In Da Club Cherokee? Enterprising kids go all Jeep techno originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unintended Consequence of Technology: New LED traffic lights can't melt snow

Michael Harley — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Technology

Traffic lights using state-of-the-art LED illumination use 90 percent less electricity, offer a much longer service life and are more durable than their incandescent counterparts. Taking advantage of the countless benefits, cities around the country have been replacing traditional filament-based traffic signal bulbs with LEDs for years. Unfortunately, the low-watt LED units burn much cooler than its white-hot counterpart making it unable to melt snow off weather exposed traffic fixtures.

"I've never had to put up with this in the past," said Duane Kassens, a driver from Indiana who was involved in an accident attributed to a snow-clogged traffic light. "The police officer told me the new lights weren't melting the snow. How is that safe?" It obviously isn't.

Municipalities around the country are taking different steps to keep their signals shining brightly in the face of Mother Nature. Crews in St. Paul, Minnesota, use compressed air to keep their lights clean. In Green Bay, Wisconsin, city workers brush the snow off by hand in a labor-intensive process. Until a fix arrives, it is best to take the advice of Dave Hansen, a traffic engineer with the Green Bay Department of Public Works. Treat a blocked signal as if the power is out. "If there's any question, you err on the side of caution," says Hansen.

[Source: AOL Autos | Image: Oswego Police]

Unintended Consequence of Technology: New LED traffic lights can't melt snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ship Shape: Mercedes-Benz AMG and Cigarette Racing to launch SLS-inspired boat

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Mercedes-Benz

Cigarette Racing Boat Inspired by AMG - Click above for high-res image

There have been a lot of non-auto vehicles that have graced the pages of Autoblog. We regularly cover bikes, and occasionally other modes of transportation as well. We even cover the occasional boat, especially if it has ties to the automotive industry. We've seen amphibious cars, catamarans, yachts, sailboats, and even wooden boats that look like cars. None of those, however, capture our attention as much as speed boats. Whether inspired by Chevrolet, Jaguar, Ferrari, Spyker, Porsche, Audi or Lancia, they set our hearts aflutter just as much as their landbound dopplegangers. Now we can add Mercedes-Benz to the mix.

Set to launch at the 2010 Miami International Boat Show in February is this sleek Cigarette Racing boat. The new craft is said to be inspired by the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, although the concept sketch they've provided us doesn't show any gullwing hatches. We're not sure if it will be powered by AMG engines, but the 42-plus-foot boat is expected to be good for 120 mph with its twin staggered powerplants. Cigarette says their newest offshore racer "will feature more than 100 innovations included in the design, development and rigging of the boat."

We can't wait to see the real thing in the water early next year. Until then, you can read the full press release after the jump and click above for a larger image.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Ship Shape: Mercedes-Benz AMG and Cigarette Racing to launch SLS-inspired boat

Ship Shape: Mercedes-Benz AMG and Cigarette Racing to launch SLS-inspired boat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: The Fastest Yellow and Red - Best (and most ambitious) stop-motion diecast car film ever?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Videos

Fastest Yellow and Red -- Click above to watch video

It took just one minute and 13 seconds into this video for us to scream "Epic!" In fact, we're not sure there's enough epic epicness in that single word to properly describe the epic proportions contained therein.

This 1970's JDM homage has got it all: A yellow Pontiac Trans-Am of the Screaming Chicken era, a race-prepped red Nissan GT-R police car, a yellow Datsun Fairlady 280ZX and lots of meddling trucks. As if that weren't enough, there are little green army men and a special effects regime that could have been overseen by Michael Bay. And it has a really odd name. Luxe37, we have no idea who you are, but we salute you. Follow the jump to watch the stop-motion mayhem.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: The Fastest Yellow and Red - Best (and most ambitious) stop-motion diecast car film ever?

VIDEO: The Fastest Yellow and Red - Best (and most ambitious) stop-motion diecast car film ever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowling for Michigan: Laid-off GM worker wins PBA championship

Chris Shunk — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., GM

How cool is this? On minute Tom Smallwood is reeling after losing a (once) steady production job at General Motors' Truck Plant in Pontiac, MI, and the next minute he takes the PBA championship. In a real-life event that mimics some of the great tales in the history of underdog turned champion, Smallwood took third in a PBA qualifier event, making him eligible for one year on the prestigious bowling tour.

That alone barely makes the story interesting, but the tale becomes far more compelling due to the fact that Smallwood rolled into Wichita, Kansas an also-ran and left holding the first place trophy and a $50,000 grand prize. Smallwood, a 15-year recreational bowler, even had to beat out PBA bowler of the year Wes "Big Nasty" Malott in the final round. The former GM line worker performed superbly under pressure by hitting two strikes in the decisive tenth frame to take the match 244-228. After Smallwood's big win he was called by GM to take another plant job but the suddenly high-flying bowler turned down the offer in order to stick with his new profession.

We're thinking Smallwood's meteoric rise to the top of the bowling world will net him quite a bit more than his $50,000 top prize. Advertisers love a rags-to riches-story and Smallwood may be selling resin and those wrist things bowlers wear before you're even finished reading this post. Congratulations Tom!

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Bowling for Michigan: Laid-off GM worker wins PBA championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Gag Me With a Yule Log - GM allows kids to track Santa Claus via Onstar

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

Santa pays a visit to OnStar -- Click above to view the video after the jump

OnStar has provided nothing but good press lately for General Motors, and the automaker is going to ride that pony all the way to the finish. The next person in line to take advantage of OnStar's benefits is that Arctic gadget freak himself, Santa Claus. Unveiled as an installed option on his new sleigh - which he picked up when he dropped by OnStar HQ - it comes with at least one extra feature you won't be getting anytime soon: a reindeer health meter.

But you haven't been left out of the bonanza. GM has partnered with NORAD so that if you have an OnStar subscription, you can keep track of K. Kringle during his midnight run. From 6 a.m. on Christmas Eve until early Christmas morning, press the blue button and OnStar will update you on the hour with info relayed by the guys deep in the mountain.

It's not a Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, but it's a start. Follow the jump for the press release and watch Santa get his Christmas present.

[Source: OnStar]

Continue reading VIDEO: Gag Me With a Yule Log - GM allows kids to track Santa Claus via Onstar

VIDEO: Gag Me With a Yule Log - GM allows kids to track Santa Claus via Onstar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RoboVault protects your car from hurricanes, floods, Apocalypse

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

RoboVault says its mission is "To protect your most valuable possessions from... Everything!" Run more like an automated shipping port than your typical storage unit, the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida-based company seems to have the kit to live up to its motto. First you pull your car onto the receiving pallet, then go through a host of security measures including retinal scans and a heartbeat detector. Once you've been approved by the system, a robotic arm comes for your car and removes it to your assigned steel mesh container in the bowels of the building.

Those 465 units are surrounded by a concrete-and-steel-reinforced building that can withstand bullets, fires, Category 5 hurricanes, and 200-mph winds. When the inevitable hurricane does come in for a landing, power outages are countered by RoboVault's back-up generator, which maintains 100 percent of the building's systems including the HVAC, motion and infrared detectors.

There are safe deposit boxes for smaller items, storage for 4,000 bottles of your finest hooch and a wine tasting operation if you have some time to kill after parking your exotic. And with all that, your Ferrari might be better prepared -- and more comfortable -- than you are the next time Mother Nature decides to bring the nasty.

[Source: MotoBullet]

RoboVault protects your car from hurricanes, floods, Apocalypse originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Invisible to Cops: Top 10 Least Ticketed Vehicles

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The same company that studied which cars are most likely to get you a ticket also determining which cars are most impervious to the police. Compared to the norm, the most XX sedan will put you at 60 percent less risk of a ticket, while the most resistant-to-the-law sedan will make you 89 percent less likely to be pulled over. That will practically turn you into a covert operative as far as the law concerned.

However, with four sedans, four SUVs, an MPV, and a pickup truck in the mix, you don't have much chance of combining uninterrupted driving and looking good. Luckily the Jag XJ is on the list, and that's good enough for us. Click the link to check out the rest of the cars too slippery for the long arm of Johnny law.

[Source: AOL Autos]

Invisible to Cops: Top 10 Least Ticketed Vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!

Dan Roth — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Hybrid, Truck, Etc., BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Electric

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Our friend Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com joins Chris, Sam and Dan for Episode #157 of The Autoblog Podcast, bringing his vast knowledge of all that is crew-cabbed and full framed. Of course, we start off with what we're driving and dreamy talk about the Dodge Ram Power Wagon, but the real meat and potatoes news items begin with a peek at the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabrio. Staying with Ms. Jellinek's namesake brand, the crew ponders the idea of an electric SLS supercar. Staying charged, we move right into Toyota's recent hybrid news - a tease of an all new hybrid that we'll see at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, and today's announcement of a PHEV Prius. Hybrid pickups come up before we move on to the BMW's Z4 sDrive35is and then questions. One hour, thirty minutes, in time for your Tuesday pick-me-up.

For more listening pleasure check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget, and let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us!

Autoblog Podcast #157 - Mike Levine trucks along with us! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dirty Dozen: Twelve of the auto industry's biggest busts of the last decade

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:34:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Now that the 2000s are officially drawing to a close, it's time for us to look back at the decade-that-was and reflect on the hits and misses in the automotive industry. Naturally, we expect that some models will hit the target square in the bulls-eye while others will fall just short of becoming a marketplace success. For every few near-misses, though, there seems to be a new model launch that just completely goes down in flames, Hindenburg-style.

We put our heads together to see if we could all agree on at least ten major automotive busts that whiffed on both critical success and in sales volume, and somewhat surprisingly, we managed to come up with a dozen. These may not be the last word in failure - and not every choice was made unanimously - meaning that you may be surprised by some of our inclusions, but we stand by our list. That said, grab some popcorn, a candy bar and a super-sized Coke, then click here to see our list of the Twelve of the Auto Industry's Biggest Busts of the Last Decade.

[Source Image: MGM]

Dirty Dozen: Twelve of the auto industry's biggest busts of the last decade originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: The Michael Winslow of engine impressionists

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

The engine impressionist (warning: NSFW language) -- Click above to watch video

Remember Michael Winslow, the guy from the Police Academy movies and The Man of 10,000 Effects? When it comes to cars, this gent could be his follow-up act, having worked out his own technique for imitating a number of powerplants.

There are a selection of engine sounds on offer, including a convincing import four-cylinder, two-stroke motorbike, a V6, and a Weedwacker among others - and what else are you going to do while the xBox loads up a game? You can check out his repertoire in the video after the jump. *WARNING: NSFW language. Thanks for the tip, Duy!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: The Michael Winslow of engine impressionists

VIDEO: The Michael Winslow of engine impressionists originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, BMW, Cadillac

Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V-challenging BMW M3 - click above for high-res image gallery

This guy. So, some of you no doubt remember the Cadillac CTS-V Challenge. If you don't, here's a refresher: General Motors vice-chairman Maximum Bob Lutz challenged any journalist to bring a CTS-V competitor to California's Laguna Seca where the 77-year-old Lutz would mop the floor with he/she and whatever fancy-pants, Euro sedan they done brung. Of course, the event got moved to New York's Monticello Motor Club, and to guarantee that the Cadillac didn't lose, GM brought in a backup pilot, John Hienricy, the company's noted hot shoe engineer and race car driver. And then every other manufacturer (Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar) decided not to play into GM's marketing ploy, and withdrew their ~~cars'~~ support.

To be frank, we here at Autoblog toyed with the idea of throwing our hoon-hat in the ring, but after Heinricy became Cadillac's ace in the hole, we figured the whole challenge was unwinnable (we've driven with Mr. Heinricy - he's that good). While it would no doubt have been fun, totally playing into General Motor's hands like that (by also losing), well, not so much. Luckily, privateer Michael Cooper and his BMW M3 wasn't in on our conference call.

Mr. Cooper showed up to the Caddy Challenge and laid down a 2:50.424, beating not only Bob Lutz's 2:56.321 in the way more powerful CTS-V, but our pals Lawrence Ulrich (2:53:026) and Jack Baruth (2:51:153), both of whom were driving the big supercharged Caddy. Not surprisingly, Heinricy blew the doors off of every single person, ripping off a 2:46.560. Probably while flossing. But let's not overlook young Michael Cooper, who with 142 less horsepower and a boatload less torque to work with came in less than four seconds behind John (ringer *cough* ringer) Hienricy.

BMW was so taken by Mr. Cooper's feat of good driving that they reportedly invited him down to their North American headquarters in New Jersey and gave him a BMW Performance Multifunction Steering Wheel. How else to thank the guy that tossed such an effective monkey wrench into GM's marketing plans? BMW installed the wheel in Cooper's M3 while he was given a ride in a special BMW Performance enhanced 335i Sedan. So, one more time, a hearty Autoblog congratulations to Michael Cooper and his Cadillac CTS-V challenging BMW M3. The one with the fancy new steering wheel.

Gallery: Michael Cooper's BMW M3

[Source: BMW Blog]

CTS-V Challenge driver and M3 owner Michael Cooper gets pat on the back from BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Next UAW president to be Ford lead negotiator King

Dan Roth — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ford, UAW/Unions

Ron Gettelfinger, the United Auto Workers' (UAW) president during the recent tumult, is moving on from his post, and has thrown his support behind Bob King. King is currently a vice president in the union and manages the relationship with Ford.

While the outlook is positive for King's nomination, he's going to have some reconciliation to do. In the last go-round with Ford, King asked his membership to agree to concessions that took strikes off the table, which the UAW's rank and file promptly denied. Despite the contention, King has been thought of as Ron Gettelfinger's replacement for some time, and the union hopes King will be a tougher customer in the throes of negotiation.

[Source: Wall Street Journal - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Next UAW president to be Ford lead negotiator King originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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