Autoblog

• BMW X1, 7 Series hybrid headed to Paris; Z4 to debut in LA
  

  Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Euro, Paris Motor Show

  Inside Line has the skinny on BMW's new product unveils for the upcoming show season. Paris and L.A. are the headliners, with the City of Light chosen as the backdrop for the official public debuts of the all-new 7 series (including an ActiveHybrid variant) and facelifted 3 Series. While those cars will get their fair share of attention, all eyes will likely to be on the concept X1, which will also make its world debut in Paris.
  
  The baby ute should be to the X3 what the 1 Series is to...
  



• Lounge on deck of VW Caddy Topos Sail Concept
  

  Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivans/MPVs, Euro, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Lifestyle

  
  Click above for high-res gallery of the Topos Sail concept
  
  Turns out the recreational and commercial vehicle show in Dusseldorf, Germany has attracted more concepts than the just the Fiat Portofino. Volkswagen showed up with the Caddy Topos Sail concept, another nautical-themed vehicle that brings the boat life to land locked lovers of the water. Based on the Caddy MPV, the Topos Sail concept's biggest attraction is its roof, which is covered in wood decking and surrounded on all sides...
  



• Spy Shots: 2011 Chevy Tacuma minivan
  

  Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivans/MPVs, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet

  Jalopnik has caught spy shots of a fleet -- well, two -- of the new Chevy Tacuma minivans bound for Europe. If they are indeed replacing this Chevy Tacuma as well as that aardvark masquerading as a minivan, the Uplander, then it looks like things are about to get a lot more spacious over yonder pond. Supposed to be about the size of a Mazda5, the Tacuma appears to have front-hinged rear doors, which might make it more CUV than minivan. Also, the Tacuma is also supposed to be built at GM's Hamtramck plant in Michigan....
  



• Audi develops R8 GT3 racer
  

  Filed under: Motorsports, Sports/GTs, Euro, Audi

  
  Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Audi R8 GT3 car
  
  The courtship between Audi and GT3-class racing teams has officially begun with the automaker's announcement that it has developed a GT3 version of the R8 sports car dubbed "R16" internally by its project overlords at Audi Sport . The rear-drive racer (GT3 regulations prohibit AWD) features a six-speed sequential gearbox, mostly production-spec suspension components, plus an updated front end and a large rear wing designed to keep it planted to the tarmac. No additional tech specs have been revealed at this time. Factory driver Frank Biela was at the...
  



• Moscow 2008: Lada shows off C-Cross concept
  

  Filed under: Concept Cars, Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Misc. Auto Shows

  
  Click above for hi-res gallery of the Lada C-Cross concept
  
  The Moscow Auto Show is underway and Damon's on site with camera in hand. The car you see here is the Lada C-Cross Concept, which looks kinda like a Chinese knock-off of a last-gen Euro Ford Focus with added ground clearance. The C-Cross show car presumably gives a sneak peek at what a future AvtoVAZ car-based crossover might look like, and if we had to guess, a production version probably isn't too far off. We'll pass on it, though. Our hearts and minds forever belong...
  



• BMW makes 2.1% price increase official
  

  Filed under: Car Buying, Euro, BMW

  

  BMW made it official today, after we told you about it "unofficially" last week. As expected, the German automaker is raising prices across its model range an average of 2.1 percent for the 2009 model year due to "...significant structural and economic changes in the marketplace." Regardless, the direct price increase of vehicle MSRP doesn't tell the whole story. BMW has also increased pricing on popular options (the Sport Package is up $450 on the 335i sedan and coupe) and removed some standard features (the premium Logic 7 audio system is no longer standard on the 335i -- now it's an $875 option) driving...
  




• Ford investing $75M to switch Michigan Truck plant from trucks to cars
  

  Filed under: Economy, Sedans/Saloons, SUVs, Euro, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

  
  click above to view more high-res shots of the Euro-Focus
  
  News flash: small cars like the Ford Focus are selling beyond expectations (ours anyway) while trucks and SUVs are sitting on dealer lots much longer than auto manufacturers would like. For this reason, Ford is moving as quickly as possible to switch a few of its truck plants into car plants, including its Michigan Truck plant where behemoth SUVs like the Expedition and Navigator were being built. The switchover is going to cost the automaker since these are not...
  



• Pics & Details Aplenty: Renault Twingo RS
  

  Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Renault

  
  Click above for hi-res gallery of the Twingo Renault Sport

  After its initial unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, Renault has finally released full details - including pricing, equipment, and a whole $h!tload of new photos - of the new Twingo Renault Sport. Following the great line of eminently chuckable sport hatches from the French automaker - including the current Clio and Megane Renault Sport models - the Twingo Renault Sport upgrades the existing range-topping Twingo GT with a host of performance-oriented equipment inside, outside and underneath. Power comes from a 133-hp 1.6-liter 16-valve four-banger, and the Twingo RS comes right out...
  




• SPOILER ALERT: the new European Grand Prix at Valencia
  

  Filed under: Motorsports, Euro

  
  Click above for high-res gallery of the European Grand Prix

  There are many grands prix in Europe, but there is only one European Grand Pix. Although the title was originally awarded as a badge of prestige to one race on the continent each year, over the last quarter century the name has allowed a second round in the Formula One World Championship to be held in a country that already hosts a race under its own name. With the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix already behind us, this year's European Grand Prix was held at the new street course in Valencia, Spain.

  Not to be confused with the Circuit...
  




• ABT Sportsline tweaks the Audi Q5
  

  Filed under: Tuners, SUVs, Euro, Audi

  
  Click above for a hi-res gallery of the ABT Q5
  
  Every time a new Volkswagen or Audi is released, German tuner ABT Sportsline can be relied upon to come up with performance and appearance packages to enhance them. The latest ride to get attention is the Audi Q5, and as you can see in the renderings ABT sent out, the body kit helps matters, because the showroom-trim Q5 is actually pretty vanilla-looking. The new visuals are backed up by a modified suspension, 20" wheels, more braking power, and performance upgrades for each available engine. Depending on which...