Damon Lavrinc

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.23.09

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 7:20PM

First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport

GM's batting average for selling rebadged Opels in the U.S. is practically nil, but the 2011 Buick Regal may be the exception that disproves the rule.

Spy Shots: Next-gen Buick Excelle for China snapped

Buick's product renaissance is in full effect and the latest addition to the tribe is a Cruze-based compact spied in near-production guise.

Officially Official: BMW unveils all-new 5 Series sedan

The 2011 BMW 5 Series has arrived and in addition to a new platform, two new engines and scad of interior improves, the newest 5er is finally a looker.

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Redesigned 2010 Infiniti G and 2011 QX joining M in LA

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 3:30PM



Although Nissan and Infiniti won't have an official presence at next week's LA Auto Show, the luxury marque will unveil its 2011 M sedan at an event the night before the show and plans to webcast the proceedings at 7:00 pm PST on December 1.



Joining the thoroughly redesigned M on stage will be the updated 2010 Infiniti G and the oft-spied the 2011 Infiniti QX. Although official details haven't been released for either model, a set of promo shots have already leaked out, showing a slightly reworked fascia equipped with a few organic creases, new foglamp surrounds and a tweaked grille. The QX receives a similar, although much more elaborate redesign, with a bulging hood, acres of chrome and a canted D-pillar.

Powertrain and equipment details haven't been released yet, but expect all the information to be revealed in one week's time.


Gallery: Spy Shots: Next-gen Infiniti QX


[Source: Infiniti, The Infiniti Source]

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]

Spy Shots: 2011 Audi A7 caught in production form

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 20th, 2009 at 1:56PM Detroit Auto ShowGeneva Motor Show

2011 Audi A7 Spied - Click above for high-res image gallery

The intrepid spy shooters at KGP have caught the 2011 Audi A7 uncovered in a testing lab in Germany ahead of its official reveal next year, and the sleek, low-slung saloon/coupe hasn't lost much of its flavor in the transition from showcar to production.

Although the shots don't give us a clear view of the front fascia, the headlamps and front clip have obviously been toned down from its conceptual predecessor shown earlier this year the Detroit Auto Show. However, its sloping roofline and well-integrated hatch would appear to prove that at least one automaker can create a five-door hatch that's simultaneously attractive and functional.

If our tea leaf-reading is accurate, we'd expect to see the A7 make its production debut either in Detroit this January or at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Powertrain options should include everything from Audi's turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four to the S4's supercharged six, along with a V8 option further down the line. And if the BMW 5 Series GranTurismo proves to be a hit in the States, we won't be at all surprised if Audi follows suit and by offering the A7 in North America.


Gallery: Spy Shots: 2011 Audi A7

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.19.09

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 19th, 2009 at 7:20PM

Choices: Nissan GT-R or Ford Mustang GT500?

We've been wrestling with a choice: GT-R or GT500? Now we're asking you. Which two-door super coupe would you put in your garage?

Spy Shots: BMW 1 Series hybrid spotted in Munich

BMW is set to expand its hybrid offerings in the coming years and in addition to the ActiveHybrid variants of the X6 and 7 Series, BMW plans to offer a 1 Series hybrid by 2012. Here's proof.

Buick confirms 2011 Regal 2.0T to come with manual transmission. Wait... wha?

The 2011 Buick Regal is on the way, and just as surprising as its turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the availability of a six-speed manual gearbox. This isn't your grandfather's Buick, indeed.

Also of interest:

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VIDEO: Yes, the 2010 Audi S4 can drift

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 19th, 2009 at 2:57PM

Click above to view the video after the jump

When we drove the 2010 Audi S4, we praised the sedan's trick electronic rear differential for its ability to shuffle torque between the rear wheels to give the sensation, if not the exact effect, of oversteer. Unfortunately, our track time was spent in an e-diffless model, so we didn't get to fully exploit its potential around Infineon. However, hot-shoe Ignacio Perez did just that at Spain's Jarama circuit.

After the jump you can watch Perez putting the new S4 into full-on drifts around the track with one nervous front seat passenger and his camera-wielding companion in tow. Although getting the S4 sideways isn't too difficult (we did it a few times in the standard model), you can see in the video that speed drops off precipitously at corner the exit. Regardless, modern-day Audis are no longer relentlessly pushing, nose-heavy beasts and, what's more, Perez was wagging his tail in an S4 Avant, the five-door version we can't get in the States... dammit.


Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4


[Source: Fourtitude]

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.18.09

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 18th, 2009 at 7:20PM

Quick Spin: Superformance MKIII R Cobra kickstarts our hearts

It's rare that a vehicle lives up to our childhood expectations, but the MKIII R Cobra from Superformance delivers on every level.

The backstory behind HPP's showstopping Daytona conversion... is a Chevy Camaro next?

When we saw the HPP Daytona at SEMA, we had to know more about this 600-hp homage to the '70s. Not only did we get more details, but we found out that HPP is working on a Camaro due to debut at next year's aftermarket extravaganza.

2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has once again announced the winners of its Top Safety Pick award – all 27 of them.

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VIDEO: New Subaru Forester rally car getting warmed up for Dakar

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 8:00PM

Click above to view the video after the jump

Put the words "Subaru" and "rally" together, and you'll inevitably be flooded with visions of the Impreza WRX STI campaigning in the WRC. This isn't one of those times.

Details are a bit on the scarce side, but what we do know is that Barattero Motorsport and YPF Elaion have teamed up (with a little help from Subaru, we're sure) to compete in the January running of the 2010 Dakar Rally. Their chosen chariot for the epic journey? None other than the recently redesigned Subaru Forester. But it's a Forester in name alone.

Packing a tuned 2.0-liter (JDM-spec) STI boxer four putting out 300 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, the Elaion is a tube-framed, carbon fiber and kevlar-bodied beast that's been outfitted with dual shocks featuring nine inches of suspension travel, vented, cross-drilled brakes sized 295mm and all the assorted kit to run in the world's most arduous off-road race. Yoshiu Ikemachi and Gabriel Pozzo will kick off their journey in the Dakar Forester on January 1st, but before the festivities get underway they've released a teaser video which you can scoop out after the jump.

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.17.09

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 7:20PM

Autoblog builds an LS9 for someone's Corvette ZR1

Each supercharged LS9 fitted to the Corvette ZR1 is hand-assembled by a crack team of GM's finest craftsman. Surprising, GM let us help out on a factory tour of its Wixom assembly plant.

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG crash-test video shows off exploding door hinges

How do you get our of your SLS AMG if it flips on its roof? Mercedes has fitted the gullwing coupe with explosive charges and we've got video of the system in action.

Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend Car of the Year award

Motor Trend announced its Car of the Year via live webcast and this year's honor goes to the 2010 Ford Fusion.

Also of interest:

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Mercedes-Benz and Hughes release app-based "mbrace" telematics for iPhone, Blackberry

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Nov 17th, 2009 at 5:29PM

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Hughes Telematics to begin offering a new system that allows drivers to enable dozens of their vehicles features with their Apple iPhone or Blackberry.

Dubbed "mbrace," the telematics setup covers everything from locking and unlocking doors to contacting roadside assistance and pinpointing an mbrace-equipped Mercedes-Benz in a parking lot.

The system will be included on all new Mercedes products, and current customers with the automaker's outgoing Tele Aid system are eligible to retrofit their aging Mercs with mbrace. The technology could also be used to stream music from the web, upload video content and connect to users PCs, however, that's further down the road. The system is available now for $280 a year, and you can get all the details in the press release below the fold.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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