Filed under: Etc.

There’s no way to misunderstand Cadillac spokesman Nick Twork on this: “The Cadillac brand is best communicated as Cadillac without GM.” For proof of his intent all you’ll need to do is swing by a Cadillac showroom where soon you’ll be unable to find any trace of the words “General Motors” or any hint of marketing strategies like Red Tag Sales. Even Cadillac employees are changing their e-mails from @gm.com to @cadillac.com.

Cadillac’s 2009 sales posted a slightly steeper drop than GM’s overall decline, and this year the luxury brand is rebounding at about half the pace of GM overall, with a 14 percent rise vs. 31 percent for its parent. That doesn’t mean we should assume that the perhaps unsavory associations with “Government Motors” is what’s holding Cadillac back, but the brand doesn’t want to leave anything undone in its quest to again be the best.

GM wants to move 140,000 Cadillacs this year, representing a 28 percent jump over last year’s depressed figures. It’s starting consumer research to figure out what buyers think of the brand, will soon reveal the first round of creative by its new ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, and will introduce more leasing deals that luxury buyers are keen for. And neither it nor its dealers will bring up The Brand Which Must Not Be Mentioned. Hat tip to John!

[Source: Bloomberg]

Cadillac distancing itself from parent GM to elude bankruptcy stigma? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show

After years of covering the world’s auto shows at Autoblog, the Geneva Motor Show never ceases to amaze. It’s in Switzerland, so by nature, it’s neutral, and since there’s no “home team” like in Detroit, Frankfurt or Paris, every automaker comes out to play. And play they did.

While this year’s showing wasn’t nearly as impressive as the end-of-the-recession shindig we endured in Germany last September, the shear number of reveals boggles the mind and cramps the fingers. But despite six pairs of aching feet, one broken laptop, countless espresso triple-shots and braved our fair share of sharp-elbowed shooters and clueless colleges, we survived (mostly) unscathed and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our time in Switzerland.

After the jump we’ve assembled our favorite debuts from the show, but rather than creating another “Best and Worse” or “Top Picks” post, we’ve singled out two vehicles: One that embodies our no-cost, no-holds-barred, fantasy ride and another production-ready example that we could conceivably drive home tomorrow given our meager (or not-so-meager) means. Check out our picks after the break and let us know what your own choices are in ‘Comments.’

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Our top Fantasy and Reality vehicles of the show

Geneva 2010: Our top Fantasy and Reality vehicles of the show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Etc., Work, Specialty

Chip Foose’s John Deere 4020 is pretty kickass, but the reality is this: You needn’t enlist the services of a famous pro rodder to get a slick-lookin’ John Deere tractor. Take, for instance, the John Deere 620 orchard model shown above. Standard-issue 620s have a traditional tractor look to them, but the ones fitted with the additional orchard equipment a streamlined appearance that looks like it’s a set of giant-sized moon caps away from making a land speed record run at Bonneville.

In fact, all that extra bodywork has nothing to do with aerodynamics or improved performance; its shielding designed to let the tractor operate in an orchard without the tires causing damage to the the tree branches. So, not only does this 620 look great, it does so for totally functional reasons.

And so, we come to tonight’s poll: Which one of these tractors would you rather have? Follow the jump and declare your Deere.

[John Deere 620 image via TractorClocks.com]

Continue reading Poll: Foose/Deere 4020 vs John Deere 620 Orchard

Poll: Foose/Deere 4020 vs John Deere 620 Orchard originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Land Rover, Luxury

There were so many debuts at the Geneva Motor Show this year that a few new cars were bound to slip through the cracks. We happened to miss this custom Range Rover Sport from Hamann, probably because the 670 horsepower Tycoon Evo M was sharing the same stand. Named the Conqueror II, it follows up on Hamann’s first take of the Range Rover Sport that debuted a few years ago.

Benefiting from the RR Sport Supercharged’s new 5.0-liter V8, the Conqueror II packs 560 horsepower and 506 lb-ft torque thanks to a revised engine management system and a sport exhaust. The exterior gets the full Hamann treatment, with a full body kit, carbon fiber hood, LED running lights and forged 23-inch wheels. Interior modifications are relatively subtle (the snakeskin seats in Conqueror I are thankfully absent) and include the usual stuff like embriodered mats, plus aluminum and carbon fiber accents. Hit the jump for full details, and high-res photos can be found in the gallery below.

[Source: Hamann]

Continue reading Conqueror II: Hamann builds second rendition of Range Rover Sport

Conqueror II: Hamann builds second rendition of Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Etc.

It’s a feast of moving pictures this week, an ensemble cast telling 18 tragi-comi-dramatic stories such as: Volvo doing some naughty things forward and backward in its new S60, capitalist Communists in love with the Porsche Cayenne, Optimus Prime getting a Michael Bay makeover otherwise knowns as a Bay-kover, the Audi RS5 grumbling about everything, the 918 getting groped in two parts, don’t ever, ever rent a car in Miami without a Haz-Mat suit, and what kind of awesome can you hear when you mix Bruce Willis and The Gorillaz? Follow the jump to find out…

Continue reading Autoblog Weekender: ‘Around the World in Video’ Edition

Autoblog Weekender: ‘Around the World in Video’ Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Performance, Videos, BMW, Motorcycle, Humor

Ah yes, the good ol’ pull-the-tablecloth-off-the-table-without-sending-dishes-flying routine. The oldest trick in the book? Possibly, but BMW has taken it upon themselves to update the classic demonstration in a major way. How ’bout upping the ante with 24 complete place settings around a giant rectangular table? Yeah, that’d do it.

Just how is BMW planning to remove said tablecloth? Using a new S 1000 RR superbike, that’s how. Will it work? Well, it’s really a question of physics, right? Take 193 horsepower and a 0 to 60 time that’s just shy of 2.9 seconds. Add in one rider with a quick set of wrists and shake well. Garnish with celebratory wheelie.

We highly recommend that you click past the break to see it all go down on video. It’s very much worth your time.

[Source: BMW via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: BMW S 1000 RR pulls off the old tablecloth trick

Video: BMW S 1000 RR pulls off the old tablecloth trick originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Citroën, Specialty, Design/Style

GQ, the UK’s leading monthly men’s magazine, certainly knows a thing or two about the fashionable gentleman. And judging by the GQbyCITROËN concept, the fashionable fellas know a few things about svelte car design, as well. The GQbyCITROËN concept is a collaboration between Dylan Jones, GQ’s editor, and Mark Lloyd, a British designer who is most recently credited for the new Citroën DS3. We must say, we’re very attracted to it. Makes sense, then, that GQ and Citroën are branding this concept as “the ultimate gentleman’s drive.”

The GQbyCITROËN rides on the values of the classic GT theme, and designer Lloyd thought a proper grand tourer was much more suited to the GQ style, saying:

For me, the car that has always represented the pinnacle of automotive excellence and refinement is the GT – the Grand Tourer. It is not the all-out sports car, rather it is something gentlemanly, it has performance and it is for traveling, not racing. We wanted to create something that, like GQ, was aspirational, but also retained the classic automotive ideals. We didn’t want a car for the mass market. We wanted a car for GQ.

The cabin, accessed by rear-hinged coach doors, features a futuristic yet stylish cabin, with detailing and upholstery selected by Patrick Grant, the creative director for E. Tautz, a men’s tailor found in the prestigious Savile Row in London.

Because the GQbyCITROËN is purely a concept car, mechanical details are slim, but Citroën says that the car is powered by both a plug-in hybrid system as well as a 1.6-liter inline-four with direct injection, which achieves a 0-60 time of just 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited, of course). Seems a bit far-fetched, but no matter, because we doubt a production version will ever see the light of day.

The GQbyCITROËN makes its official debut in the April issue of GQ, released on March 4th. Pick up a copy on your local newsstand, or simply scroll through our attached gallery to see high-res shots of this sleek new concept.

[Source: Citroën]

Continue reading French Centerfold: Citroën teams up with GQ and Savile Row tailors for new concept

French Centerfold: Citroën teams up with GQ and Savile Row tailors for new concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM

According to Automotive News (which is citing four separate yet unknown sources), General Motors is preparing to reinstate more than 580 dealers that had applied for government-mediated arbitration to keep their franchises in the United States. For those keeping track, 580 represents exactly half of the 1,160 dealerships that signed up to go through the arbitration process. These selected dealerships would potentially be reinstated outside the process of arbitration.

GM will reportedly send letters to the 580-plus dealerships it has decided to reinstate, offering immediate restoration of their franchise rights, including the ability to order new vehicles. If a dealership does not receive a letter, GM has not chosen to restore its franchise rights and it will have the option to either settle with GM or enter the arbitration process if it so desires.

For those dealerships that aren’t successful in their quest to regain franchise rights, well… there’s always Sears, right?

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

Hope on the horizon? General Motors reportedly to reinstate more than 580 dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Renault

It’s amazing what a little paint and a few stickers can do for a small car. To illustrate that point, take a gander at the special Gordini edition Renault Clio and Twingo in the gallery below. Granted, the improvements reach much deeper than just those stickers, but the matte blue paint, white accents and white decals give these little runabouts a purposeful look and signal to the world that they are the top-of-the-performance-heap Gordini editions.

For those who need a refresher, Gordini is the name of a legendary Renault racing engineer. Amédée Gordini brought Renault some rally racing glory in the mid-’60s with the iconic R8 Gordini. Renault recently revived the name, reestablishing it as the top rung trim level on its already racy Renault Sport (R.S.) editions. Mechanically similar to their R.S. counterparts, they are mainly distinguished by retro styling touches (like the classic French racing blue paint scheme with white stripes) and an extra dose of exclusivity. Plus, they just look badass.

The first product in the new range, the Twingo Gordini R.S. had already debuted last November, but here at the Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled their Gordini edition Clio as well. We have galleries of both cars for you below, the Mini-sized Twingo and the slightly larger Clio. Both cars have the performance upgrades found on R.S. models, with larger wheels, Brembo brakes, Conti SportContact3 tires, diffusers, heat extractors and that great livery. Check out the little “G” confetti in the stripes – classic.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Geneva 2010: Renault Clio and Twingo get the Gordini treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show

66 vehicles covered… and counting. Tell us your favorite so far in the comments.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4	2012 Ford Focus Wagon	2011 Audi RS5
Gumpert Apollo S	Pagani Zonda Tricolore	2012 Volkswagen Polo GTI
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport	Bentley GTC Supersports	2010 Mitsubishi ASX
2011 Kia Sportage	2011 Audi A1	2011 Mazda5
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S	2011 Mini Countryman	2011 Koenigsegg Agera
2011 Volvo S60	2011 Mazda5	2011 Lotus Elise
2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta	2011 Nissan Juke	2011 Porsche Cayenne
2010 Nissan Micra	2011 Volkswagen Touareg	Mazda MX-5 20th Anniversary
2011 Toyota RAV4	Subaru Impreza XV	2010 Mazda6
Jaguar XKR Special Edition	Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer	Renault Wind Roadster
Abarth 500C	Maserati GranTurismo MC Sport	Wiesmann GT MF4-S

Porsche 918 Spyder	Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid	Peugeot SR1
Hyundai i-Flow	Audi A1 e-tron	NVL Quant
I.DE.A. Institute Sofia	Opel Flextreme GT/E	Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion
Audi A8 Hybrid	Sbarro Autobau	Lotus Evora Carbon
Citroen DS High Rider	Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta	Ferrari 599 HY-KERS
Mercedes-Benz F800 Style	BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid	Citroen Survolt
Tata Nano EV	Proton Emas	Rinspeed UC?
5 by Peugeot	Honda 3R-C	Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid

Touring Flying Star	Mansory Rolls-Royce Ghost	Bufori Geneva
Abt R8 GTR	Hispano Suiza	King Saud University Gazal-1
Mansory G-Couture	Fornasari Racing Buggy	Ruf RGT-8

We obsessively covered the… originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments