Humbug: VW Dune Buggy Gets Hammered...

Mother bugger! Meet the micro Hammer or, as its current owner prefers you call it, the Humbug. Based on a ’69 VW Dune Buggy this totally street-legal, dwarflike replica of the Hummer H1 is equipped with a 1.6L Volkswagen engine. We don’t know if it actually gets around 30mpg as its ebay seller says it does, but we’re definitely sure that you’ll shag an H1 anytime in terms of consumption. Could be yours for $12.700 - €9.400. -Check out the image gallery of the Humbug after the jump

Link: ebay

Technorati: VW, VW+Dune+Buggy, Hummer, Replica, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

J.D. Power Initial Quality Study: Ford Tops In Five Segments, Mercedes Goes Up 20 Positions

Our second consumer survey/study of the day comes from J.D Power and it concerns new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership capturing problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories -quality of design and quality of production (defects and malfunctions).

Ford Motor Company managed to achieve five top model segment awards -more than any other carmaker this year, for the Ford Mustang, Lincoln Mark LT, Lincoln MKZ, Mazda MX-5 Miata and Mercury Milan. Additionally, the Lincoln nameplate improved considerably to rank third in 2007, from 12th in 2006. Ford also received J.D. Power’s Assembly Plant Award for producing vehicles yielding the fewest defects. Which plant is that we hear you ask? Well, it’s the Wixom assembly plant in Michigan that produced the Lincoln Town Car. Yes, we're talking about the same Wixon plant that Ford recently closed…

Another important highlight of J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study (IQS) concerns Mercedes-Benz that improved its nameplate rank by 20 positions - the greatest improvement of any nameplate in the study, climbing to from No. 25 in 2006 to No. 5 this year. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

For the second consecutive year, Porsche topped the overall nameplate rankings, averaging 91 PP100. Following in the rankings are Lexus, Lincoln, Honda and Mercedes-Benz, respectively. Honda, with the fewest problems per 100 among non-premium brands, improves in the ranking to fourth from sixth since the 2006 study and earns awards with the Civic and CR-V. Among non-premium brands, Kia posts the largest improvement in ranking, moving from 24th in 2006 to 12th in 2007 and earning an award for the Kia Rio/Rio5 for the second year in a row.

The most improved nameplates in the study are Land Rover (increasing in initial quality by 34 PP100), Saab (improving by 30 PP100) and Mercedes-Benz (increasing by 28 PP100). Other nameplates receiving model awards in 2007 include Chevrolet (Express and Silverado Classic HD), Lexus (RX350/RX400h) Pontiac (Grand Prix) and Porsche (Boxster).

Via: J.D. Power

2008 Saab 9-3 Aero Cabriolet Scooped In And Out

Can someone please explain to us why doesn’t Saab proceed to a full press unveiling of all the 2008 9-3 models? What’s the point of keeping all the details and photos locked in a PC if every single version of the facelifted 9-3 has been caught roaming the streets of Sweden without a trace of camouflage? Hello; anyone listening up there in Stockholm…

Back to our yellow-mellow 9-3 Aero Convertible that’s wearing the 250Hp 2.8L V6. While we’re getting used to revised face inspired by the Aero X concept along with a return of Saab’s classic ‘clamshell’ hood design, we’re not at all keen with the rear end’s “I’ve got bruised eyes” looks. As for the interior? Can’t say we see any differences compared to the latest cabin revision that occurred last year. -Click “Read More…” below for more images

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: saabturboclub

Technorati: Saab, Saab+9-3, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

2007 Nissan Micra / March Facelift

Nissan has launched a facelifted version of the March mini (known in Europe as Micra) in Japan today, June 6. Still trying to find the differences? Don’t blame you cause we had the same problem too. Since we have no intention whatsoever of spending our or your time for that matter, trying to discover the extra air dam in the bumper we’ll just say that, according to Nissan, enhancements to the new March include exterior and interior refinements, new user-friendly features such as Intelligent Key, an available Aero Style Package and a special "Plus navi HDD" model. PS: We couldn’t resist posting up a pic of the March Bolero edition; if that’s not a “kitty-cat…”- faced car we don’t know what is… -Full press release and images after the jump














PRESS RELEASE

A refined exterior and interior

Among the many refinements made to the March, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this model year, are a restyled front end appearance with revised headlamp and grille designs, as well as expanded application of the top-line front bumper specification.

The March comes in a selection of 12 attractive body colors, including four all-new colors: Sakura Pearl Metallic, Chamomile Green Pearl Metallic, Framboise Red Pearl (two-stage) and Pacific Blue Pearl Metallic. In conjunction with this minor model change, additional body colors have been adopted for the 12SR and 15SR-A*1 models.

March's interior features a new trim color, Cacao, which creates a rich and stylish ambience. Additionally, a redesigned meter cluster (4-speed AT models only) now features a carbon-like silver color, which combines with the new silver-embellished center console to give the interior a stylish design. Other enhancements include adoption of newly designed seat and door trim fabric and a driver's seat armrest (E and G models).

Nissan's Intelligent Key system and body-colored door handles have been added to the list of standard features (E models), while steering wheel controls have been added to E and G models. The new March also adds an audio system auxiliary port for connecting digital audio players or other portable music device (excluding the 12B and SR models).

"Plus navi HDD" special specification model

Based on the March 12S and 14S FOUR, the new "Plus navi HDD" model is designed to provide exceptional value. The centerpiece of this new model is an exclusive HDD-based navigation system featuring a high-speed, large-capacity 30-gigabyte hard disk drive. The "Plus navi HDD" model also adds a leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel, among other special appointments.

The revised March model lineup includes two new optional packages: a factory-installed Aero Style Package (available on all models except the 12B and SR versions) and a factory-installed Square Interior Package (available on the 12E, 15E and 14E FOUR).

Sales target and pricing

The sales target for the new March is 3,000 units/month, with pricing ranging from 1,103,550 yen to 1,782,900 yen, including consumption tax. The March is being marketed under the "SHIFT_happiness" tagline.

Technorati: Nissan, Nissan+March, Nissan+Micra, cars, autos, vehicles

US Owner Satisfaction Survey 2007: Hyundai-3, Toyota-0

Still wondering why Hyundai announced a 10-year/100.000 mile powertrain warranty on certified used vehicles? According to Strategic Vision, Hyundai produced the most leaders on the San-Diego-based research firm’s Total Quality Index (TQI), leading in three segments Large Car – Hyundai Azera, Minivan – Hyundai Entourage and Small SUV – Hyundai Santa Fe. The only other brand to produce three leaders was Nissan. The TQI is the premier measure of new vehicle owner satisfaction. It asks buyers to rate all aspects of the ownership experience, from buying and owning to driving.

Hyundai Motors had a total of five leaders (the Kia brand earning two more), Ford Motor and BMW Group each earned three (one for BMW, two for Mini); GM, Honda, and Mercedes each earned two with Dodge, Lexus and Volkswagen each earning one. BMW repeated as the top scoring brand, the eighth time in nine years, and Volkswagen of America kept its claim as the best full-line corporation. See someone missing here? We’ll help you out; starts with T and ends with oyota. -Continued: Click "Read More…" below

Despite the fact that Toyota improved overall its TQI scores, the Japanese firm didn’t manage to top in any segments. Strategic Vision supports that, by examining the number of problems or Things-Gone-Wrong per vehicle (the traditional definition of quality), Toyota and Lexus are still among the best. However, Toyota’s lead in this narrower definition of quality is now shared with other brands like Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti and domestic brands such as Ford –surprise, surprise…

“With automotive corporations now doing a terrific job in providing vehicles with minimal problems, the Cues of Quality (those product attributes that signal quality and create customer Trust) have a greater impact on the purchase decision. Perceived Quality has the power to change customer’s perceptions of a vehicle from being ‘interesting’ to eventually considered and purchased,” says Alexander Edwards, Strategic Vision President. “In the past, one could count the number of problems per vehicle; but for automotive customers today and tomorrow, a comprehensive and integrated perception of the ownership experience will be what drives the decision making process.”

“Even though Hyundai is often overlooked by the US customer, Hyundai’s success in 2007 is not surprising given its’ current products and press in leadership that is looking to the near and distant future with new designs from styling to powertrain,” reports Dr. Darrel Edwards, Founder and CEO of Strategic Vision.

“Unlike last year, we’re seeing many new or redesigned vehicles not ranking near the top of their segments.“ says Alexander. “These vehicles typically have the potential to deliver more rational and emotional elements which are relevant to buyers. Although the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris all did well, they did not hit the same emotional chord which resounded in the DNA of the Volkswagen Rabbit buyers."

Via: Strategic Vision

2009 Opel Corsa SUV

GM Europe execs have already confirmed that Opel and Chevrolet will present an all-new compact SUV/Crossover based on an extended Corsa platform and built at GM’s Antwerp site in Belgium in 2009/2010. According to the guys at Autoexpress who cite insides sources, Opel’s version will look a lot like the CGI’s you’re seeing here. -Continued below

But what are we looking at? Well, simply put, a beefed-up 5door Corsa with bigger bumpers, a protective metal skidplate and integral spotlights at the front along with extended wheelarches and side sills with more plastic cladding at the rear. Maybe it’ll look like this maybe it won’t. Personally, we hope that Opel will take a more venturous road with their small SUV.

Source: Autoexpress , Via: Autoblog.nl

Technorati: Opel, Opel+Corsa, cars, autos, vehicles

2012 BMW 3-Series: Coupe, Break & Cabrio Renderings

Five years is a long, long time in automotive terms. Porsche could own the VW Group, Ford might have formed an alliance with GM & Chrysler to compete against Pinky Yiang-Yiang and Subaru could have filed a law suite against the 2011 Impreza's desginer... And with that in mind, we present to you Automotorundsport’s newly published CGI’s of the future 3-Series. Based on AMS’s previous 3-Series sedan rendering, the Coupe, Cabrio and the intriguing, to be honest, Break versions are all inspired from BMW’s 4door GT concept, the CS which was unveiled at the Shanghai Show earlier this year. –Continued after the jump

Via: AMS

Technorati: BMW+3-Series, BMW, cars, autos, vehicles