News archive

June 2011

MINI John Cooper Works Coupe: Born for the 'Green Hell' adventure

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(June 26, 2011) MUNICH — Motor sport is in the MINI genes.

And now the carmaker has added a new chapter to its racing heritage with the arrival of the MINI John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance. The newly developed racer lined up this weekend at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit, previewing the series-production version of the car due to be unveiled to the public this fall.

Chrysler Super Bowl commercial wins five awards at Cannes

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(June 25, 2011) CANNES, France — The Chrysler brand’s 2011 Super Bowl commercial, ‘Born of Fire,’ was honored today with five awards at the Cannes Lions 58th International Festival of Creativity.

Four “Gold Lions” were awarded to the brand for Best Direction, Best Use of Music, Best Automotive Commercial and Best Editing. The brand also took home a “Bronze Lion” for Best Editing.

Saab travels across America to discover 'Best of the Road'

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(June 25, 2011) JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PRNewswire) — Saab has announced its participation in Rand McNally/USA Today's "Best of the Road" rally across the U.S.  Five two-person teams are off in a mix of Saab automobiles, spending the next three weeks experiencing the best small towns in the United States as the final phase of Rand McNally/USA Today's attempt to find "Best of the Road" (www.bestoftheroad.com) and the best small towns in the United States.

New Maserati SUV likely to get Chrysler Hemi V-8

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(June 25, 2011) It now looks as if the new SUV model planned by Maserati — yes, Virginia, every automaker has to have one — will be powered by a Chrysler engine, not the Ferrari-sourced engine in the current sports car.

Word has it that the sport utility vehicle, with production to start within 12 to 18 months, will get a range-topping 6.4-liter Hemi found in the high-performance Jeep Grand Cherokee STR8. In its current form it makes 465 horsepower and can take the Grand Cherokee from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds. That would make it comparable to the Porsche Cayenne turbo.

1955 Chevy hot rod delivers 430 horsepower, 23 mpg

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(June 25, 2011) GRAND BLANC, Mich. — Efficiency isn’t a word typically associated with hot rods, but when the GM Performance Parts (GMPP) E-ROD 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air hit the road for this summer’s Hot Rod Power Tour, it delivered an average of 23 mpg on the drive from Florida to Michigan. That was with a 430-horsepower LS3 V-8 under the hood and emissions performance comparable to a new Camaro SS.

Lexus open-top hybrid LS 600h built for royal wedding

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(June 25, 2011) A unique, full hybrid Lexus LS 600h Landaulet fitted with a one-piece transparent polycarbonate roof will serve as the official royal wedding car when Prince Albert II of Monaco marries Carlene Wittstock in Monte Carlo on July 2.

The conversion was undertaken by Belgian coach builder Carat Duchatelet, working closely with Lexus engineers based in Brussels.

More than 300,000 Porsche Boxster, Caymans built in 15 years

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(June 24, 2011) ATLANTA — A nice round number to celebrate the birthday: Almost 15 years to the month after production began, the Porsche Boxster, together with its sister model, the Cayman, exceeded the 300,000 mark for the number of vehicles built.

With its timeless attractiveness, this two-seat, mid-engine Porsche design has what it takes to make yet another sports car icon.

J.D. Power: June new-vehicle retail sales improve from May weakness

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(June 24, 2011) WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — New-vehicle retail sales rebounded in the first half of June, as consumers, despite mixed economic signals, returned to dealerships, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

June new-vehicle retail sales are projected to come in at 884,800 units, which represents a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 9.9 million units. The retail selling rate is showing marked improvement from May's 9.3-million-unit level.

2012 Buick LaCrosse to get more powerful V-6

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(June 24, 2011) DETROIT — The 2012 Buick LaCrosse, arriving in dealerships later this summer, will be available with a new, more powerful and fuel-efficient version of its direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The engine is a no-additional-cost alternative on select trim levels to the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with eAssist.

Video shows dramatic Subaru WRX STI record run on Isle of Man TT circuit

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(June 24, 2011) CHERRY HILL, N.J. (PRNewswire) — Subaru of America has released a new YouTube video of the 2011 Subaru WRX STI setting an all-time course record for the historic Isle of Man TT Mountain Course.

The 5 minute, 25 second video highlights in graphic detail the speed and drama surrounding rally driver Mark Higgins' lap that averaged 115.356 mph. After the run, Higgins talks through the "moment" at Brey Hill when he momentarily loses, and then regains, control of the WRX STI at more than 150 mph.