2013 Ford C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid offer two options for fuel-sipping MPVs
We’ve already told you about the 2012 Ford C-Max, the Blue Oval’s new mini-minivan that’s set to launch here in North America later this year. The C-Max story doesn’t end with just the one gasoline-powered model, though – Ford is bringing two more versions of its small people mover to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show: the C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid.
What’s important to note is that while the gasoline C-Max with sliding doors is actually based on the three-row Grand C-Max that Ford sells in other markets, the Hybrid and Energi use conventional front-hinged rear doors and seat five, just like the shorter-wheelbase C-Max available in Europe. The automaker’s kinetic design language is in full force here, and the Aston Martin-like grille on these smaller C-Max models resembles what first debuted on Ford’s Focus Electric at last week’s Consumer Electronics Show.
Categories: Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Ford, Hybrid Tags: Detroit Auto Show
Detroit 2011: Jeep celebrates 70th Anniversary with special edition models
Jeep has proclaimed itself as “one of the world’s few, true icons.” Normally, we’d take issue with such a brazen statement, but in the case of Jeep, we don’t really disagree. In fact, in a good portion of the developed world, the word ‘Jeep” is synonymous with sport utility vehicles in general… like Kleenex or Coke.
With that in mind, Chrysler think it’s time to celebrate Jeep’s 70th anniversary in 2011, and as you might expect, the off-road specialist is releasing a slew of special editions to commemorate the occasion. All of the new 2011 models – one each of Jeep’s five models – will be available in a unique Bronze Star exterior paint in addition to Bright Silver and Black along with the appropriate spate of 70th Anniversary badges.
All five 70th Anniversary Jeeps will come with a dark perforated leather interior (either Dark Slate or Dark Olive, depending on the model) with Chestnut stitching, Berber carpeting (yes, really), unique cluster overlays and 70th Anniversary logos on the radio. Past that, each model gets its own set of touches that will set it apart from its non-Anniverarized siblings.
Categories: Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Detroit Auto Show, Jeep, SUV Tags: Detroit Auto Show
Detroit 2011: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is not an Aveo
General Motors seems intent on banishing all memories of the unloved Aveo – so much so that it’s gone and renamed its entry-level fighter in the States. While we’re still not 100-percent in love with the name (we can’t get visions of spiky-haired hedgehogs out of our heads…), all three flavors of the Sonic do appear to be vastly improved over the machine they replace, though one of them, the Z Spec, is still in the concept stage.
More than anything else, they look vastly better both inside and out, but until we get a stint behind the wheel we’ll hold off final judgment. According to Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing, “The all-new Chevrolet Sonic blends the practicality of a small car with the passion for driving that Chevrolet vehicles like the Corvette are known for.” That won’t be the only time you’ll ever hear someone mention the Sonic in the same sentence as the Corvette. In fact, Chevy tells us that Corvette engineers are responsible for the ride and handling of the sub-compact.
Categories: Auto Show, Chevrolet, Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hatchback, Sedans/Saloons Tags: Detroit Auto Show
Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a Swiss Army Coupe
Hyundai’s funky, tech-packed Veloster has just debuted at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and at first blush, the unconventional three-door looks like it’ll go down a storm.
While Hyundai’s North American CEO John Krafcik freely admitted that the Veloster isn’t going to be the quickest car to 60 miles per hour or around a race track (that’s what the Genesis Coupe is for), the Korean nonetheless promises frisky performance from its 1.6-liter engine (138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 123 pound-feet of torque at 4,850) and available six-speed dual clutch gearbox. A six-speed manual will come as standard-fit, and Hyundai figures that the Veloster will be good for around 40 miles per gallon on the freeway.
Categories: Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Hyundai Tags:
Detroit 2011: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell is the color of electric hotness
Mercedes-Benz brought along a fleet of green-leaning vehicles to this year’s Detroit Auto Show. While the German automaker displayed its hydrogen B-Class F-Cell alongside a flotilla of BlueTec diesels, the SLS AMG E-Cell stole the stage. Aside from wearing the world’s most eye-searing matte-yellow paint, the electrified supercar boasts 525 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque thanks to four synchronous electric motors. The SLS AMG E-Cell wears its motors close to each wheel, skipping the unsprung mass problem of hub-mount configurations to help protect the car’s handling prowess.
Word has it that the SLS AMG E-Cell can do the 0-60 mph dance in a scant 3.7 seconds. Lithium-ion batteries handle energy storage, and regenerative braking helps keep the cells topped off between charges. Speaking of the batteries, the electric Silver Arrow wears a temperature management system just for the battery array to make sure that charging and discharging occurs in the best environment possible. Mercedes-Benz isn’t saying exactly what kind of range drivers could expect if the SLS AMG E-Cell were in production, nor do we know exactly how long it would take to charge the electric supercar. Hit the jump for the press release and get ready to order your own sometime next year.
Categories: Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz Tags: Detroit Auto Show
New York Auto Show 2009: Mitsubishi Outlander GT heading for production
Mitsubishi made it official, the Outlander GT Protoype revealed at the New York Auto Show will go into production with these changes: a higher ride height to match the typical Outlander, more power for the V6, but you’ll lose the vented discs and Brembos. The polished aluminum roof on this GT is a beautiful addition, but only for the show, and that’s a shame. You will be rewarded with the upgraded interior, which also stays for production. Price for the more powerful V6 model with S-AWC is expected to be about $30,000, nicely equipped. And yes, you can expect the new Lancer nose to make its way throughout the rest of the Outlander line.
NEW YORK, April 9, 2009 – Mitsubishi Motors pulled the wraps off its Outlander GT Prototype today, providing clear directional clues into the next generation of the popular Mitsubishi Outlander CUV. The Outlander GT Prototype is loaded with new technology, greater performance, higher fuel efficiency and an aggressive new design. The world debut occurred at the annual New York International Auto Show.
Categories: Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Mitsubishi, New York Auto Show, New York Motor Show Tags:
New York Auto Show 2009 Preview: 2010 Subaru Legacy revealed ahead of Big Apple debut
With the days winding down until the opening of the 2009 New York Auto Show, Subaru has released the full details along with photographs of its highly anticipated new Legacy, which replaces the outgoing model for the 2010 model year. The new Legacy has big shoes to fill, as the outgoing model offered a compelling package with a sleek design and capable chassis.
The exterior design of the new model bridges the gap between Subie’s aging flagship model and the concept car the Japanese automaker revealed in Detroit. The new Legacy also grows an inch longer, and about three inches in each the wheelbase, width and height, in order to offer a more commodious cabin.
Categories: Auto Show, New York Auto Show, New York Motor Show, Sedans/Saloons, Super Cars Tags:
2009 New York Auto Show Preview: 2010 GMC Terrain prepares to polarize
While GMC’s new-for-2010 Terrain crossover may be all but identical to Chevrolet’s Equinox, one look at this bluff-faced polarizing design will tell you that badge-engineering wasn’t part of the program at General Motors. Yes, both vehicles share the same platform, the same engine choices and even the same suspension calibrations, but the in-your-face look here is likely to inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions. We’ll let you decide on which side of the fence you sit, with one caveat: It is often the case that certain cars look better in the metal than on screen or in photographs. We were invited to GM’s Design Dome for a media backgrounder, and after being in-and-around the vehicle, we profess that we can’t make the same case.
Categories: Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, GM, New York Auto Show, New York Motor Show Tags:
General Motors unveils Chevrolet Aveo show car ahead of Paris Motor Show
General Motors is continuing its small-car onslaught by showing off the next-generation Chevrolet Aveo at this year’s Paris Motor Show. According to the company, the show car on display will be the spitting image of the actual production version, though we can expect a few small changes to show up as dictated by each market. GM says that the new Aveo borrows heavily from the Spark, complete with plenty of “hot hatch” styling. It’s true that the forward-leaning shoulder line and aggressive headlights help give the Aveo plenty of menace for a vehicle this size, and judging from the powertrain lineup, there’s a chance that this little sucker might scoot along with the best of them.
GM says that it will be offering a range of engines in the Aveo globally, from an anemic 70 horsepower, 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine to a variety of diesel mills and a 115 horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline four. We aren’t engineers by a long shot, but 115 horsepower in a tiny tin box like the Aveo is bound to be at least somewhat entertaining.
Categories: Auto Show, Chevrolet, Hatchback, Paris Motor Show Tags: Chevrolet, Paris Motor Show
Audi S7 likely headed for Paris Motor show, TT RS for U.S. decision imminent
Autoblog is driving the stunning new Audi A7 Sportback at its international media launch this week in Sardinia, and the scuttlebutt around the hotel bar is that a hotter performance variant, the Audi S7, will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show in the coming weeks.
With garden-variety U.S. A7 five-door powered by the latest evolution of Audi’s supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI six-cylinder engine backed by a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic, it will be interesting to see what the higher-performance S7 brings to the party. As is often the way with such things, Audi representatives here on the Mediterranean island are stopping just short of confirming the debut altogether, and they certainly aren’t telling us what will lurk under in the engine bay of the all-wheel drive hatchback.
Categories: Audi, Auto Show, Hatchback, Paris Motor Show, Sedan Tags: Audi, Paris Motor Show
