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Rumormill: Mazda considers offering diesel CX-7 in the States

Mar 19, 2010 Object

Filed under: Crossover, Mazda, Diesel

Two years ago, Mazda introduced an advanced new 2.2-liter four cylinder diesel engine in the European market. Since then, we’ve asked Mazda officials on several occasions whether they would offer that engine in the U.S. market. The company has never ruled out bringing a diesel here, but it has also never said it would. Instead, Mazda has always said that it’s watching the market and if there was demand for a diesel in the U.S., it would look at offering the efficient engines. Perhaps the success of Volkswagen’s diesel offerings in the U.S. has convinced Mazda to look more seriously at oil-burners.

Mazda also offers a higher revving, more powerful 2.3-liter diesel which would be better suited to U.S. tastes. Mazda already offers the CX-7 with an SCR after-treatment system that would go a long way to meeting American emissions standards. However, at last fall’s Tokyo Motor Show, the company also showed a next-generation diesel dubbed Sky-D, which is 20 percent more efficient. According to Road & Track, Mazda has acknowledged that the Sky-D diesel could be part of the lineup for the next generation CX-7 and CX-9, but the obvious question is: When?

[Source: Road & Track]

Rumormill: Mazda considers offering diesel CX-7 in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: a-long-way, already-offers, crossovers-cuvs, cylinder-diesel, edge se, european, found-the-edge, mazda diesel, next-generation

Report: GM temporarily restarts Saturn Outlook, Hummer H3 production

Mar 16, 2010 Object, news

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, GM, Hummer, Saturn, Off-Road

Even though both the Saturn and Hummer brands are being phased out, General Motors has reportedly revived production of both the Outlook crossover and H3 SUV to meet consumer demands.

Last month, GM assembled 1,037 Outlooks at its Lansing, Michigan facility, which is where the crossover’s Lamda platform stablemates (Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia) are built. A spokesperson for GM states that production was reinstated to utilize the rest of the Saturn-specific material at the facility, and that the automaker will continue to assemble the Outlook for a few more weeks.

Hummer, on the other hand, will produce 849 H3 and H3Ts to fulfill an order placed by a fleet company. GM’s Shreveport, Louisiana plant will commence production of these vehicles on April 12, and the automaker says that this order will be completed no later than May 13. After that, the Shreveport plant will continue to only produce the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, though the fate of those vehicles is rather shaky, as well.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: GM temporarily restarts Saturn Outlook, Hummer H3 production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: a-friend-via, automaker, buick enclave, crossovers-cuvs, general-motors, hummer, hummer h3, hummerh3, hummerh3t, outlooks-at-its, production, saturn, shreveport

Officially Official: Volkswagen establishes R brand

Mar 16, 2010 Object, video

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Volkswagen, Design/Style

Ever since Volkswagen pulled the wraps off of the Golf R and Scirocco R, it was rumored that the automaker would be creating a separate R division, solely focused around creating new performance models, as well as special design packages. The new company, Volkswagen R GmbH, will take on the responsibilities of developing, implementing and selling R-badged products henceforth.

By making R GmbH its own separate division, we’d expect to see more R-badged products hitting the streets in the near future. The new Passat CC R-Line is already on sale in Europe, and the rumormill is buzzing about a possible Jetta R, previewed by the New Compact Coupe concept at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. The Golf R is expected to arrive in North America next year, and we sincerely hope that R GmbH delivers more products our way shortly thereafter. Hit the jump for Volkswagen’s official press release.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Officially Official: Volkswagen establishes R brand

Officially Official: Volkswagen establishes R brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: automaker, crossovers-cuvs, golf r, hummer, r gmbh, rgmbh, rumormill, volkswagen-

Honda recalling 410,000 Odysseys and Elements for brake problem

Mar 16, 2010 Object

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Honda

Honda has announced a recall for some 410,000 vehicle due to a defect with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) module. According to the automaker, 344,00 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements (MY 2007-2008) are affected by the problem and owners will be notified via mail this April to take their vehicles into dealers.

The issue with the VSA results in a softening sensation through brake pedal and a longer pedal travel that requires owners to apply more pressure to bring their vehicles to a halt. The condition worsens over time as the stability control system lets a small amount of air into the braking system. Full details on the problem, including Honda’s recall hotline, are available after the jump.

Continue reading Honda recalling 410,000 Odysseys and Elements for brake problem

Honda recalling 410,000 Odysseys and Elements for brake problem originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: 2007, 2007 honda odyssey, 2007hondaelement, 2008 honda odyssey, a-friend-via, a-longer-pedal, a-recall-for, a-small-amount, crossovers-cuvs, odyssey, recall, vehicles

Honda to build Accord Crosstour in China?

Mar 12, 2010 Object, news

Filed under: China, Crossover, Honda, Beijing Motor Show

The Honda Accord Crosstour has been less than critically acclaimed here in the U.S., but it’s far too early to tell if the bulky hatchback will resonate with customers. While it may be too early to declare the Crosstour’s success or failure here in the States, Honda may already be planning on introducing the hatchback/crossover/wagon to the transportation-hungry Chinese.

A new report from Gasgoo states that Honda is working with China partner Guangzhou Honda to build the Crosstour in The Land of the Great Wall. The Crosstour, which evidently carries the codename “Accord QE,” has reportedly been spotted testing in China, and the Asian news site proclaims that the Accord-based “lifestyle vehicle” is set to be introduced next month at the Beijing Auto Show.

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Gasgoo]

Honda to build Accord Crosstour in China? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: 2012ford, beijing auto, bejing crosstour, blue, crossovers-cuvs, crosstour, first-drive, from-the-start, hatchback, hirings-firings, honda, honda-accord, introduced-next, which-evidently

Report: Mercedes to launch B-Class-based hatchback, CUV in U.S.

Mar 8, 2010 Object, news

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Electric

Here in the United States, the Mercedes-Benz product portfolio starts off with the C-Class sedan. Those familiar with the alphabet may realize that there are at least two available letters before ‘C’ that would theoretically allow the German automaker to offer something a bit less expensive before graduating up the ranks to the likes of the E-Class and S-Class, in all their assorted variations.

Wouldn’t you know it, Mercedes has seen fit to fill those two pre-C-Class slots with A- and B-Class ranges across the Pond (okay, so Canada gets the B as well), and we’ve been hearing rumblings for quite some time that one of these models might make its way Stateside before too long. Those rumors gain new traction today with this report from Automotive News, which suggests that a compact car and a “small SUV” (read: crossover) may soon be in the offing in the U.S.

AN says that Mercedes-Benz plans to launch the next version of its B-Class in Europe in 2011, and that’s the likely candidate for conversion to be sold here in the States. Included amongst the powertrain options will reportedly be some kind of fossil fuel alternative, perhaps either an electric version or one powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

All of this news would seem to gibe with what Autoblog sources within MB have told us in recent days. While earlier reports indicated that the recently launched F 800 Style concept sedan was an indicator of the next CLS or E-Class, we now understand that the Geneva Motor Show star is actually more of a hat-tip regarding the next C-Class, a vehicle that is slated to grow slightly in order to better accommodate new models slotting in below it. Incidentally, we hear that the F-800’s controversial snout is in fact a near match for the next-gen E, and that America could receive a sedan version of the rumored B-Class lineup as well.

So, when might we expect all this to go down? Depends. Says Joachim Schmidt, sales and marketing chief at MB, “The behavior of Americans depends on fuel prices. Nevertheless, we see a trend also toward fuel-efficient cars.”

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd.]

Report: Mercedes to launch B-Class-based hatchback, CUV in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: a-hydrogen-fuel, a-trend-also, america, b-class usa, crossovers-cuvs, entry, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benza-class, mercedes-benzb-class, news, next, style, united-states

Hot Cross Buns: Mazda recalls 2010 CX-9 due to seat (over)heaters

Mar 3, 2010 Object

Filed under: Recalls, Crossover, Mazda

We here at Autoblog love seat warmers, and we’re glad to see that more and more automakers are fitting this lovely amenity as either standard or optional equipment across their full range of vehicles. However, like all electrical gadgets, occasional glitches are known to pop up every so often, and Mazda is now recalling many of its 2010 model year CX-9 crossovers due to faulty seat heater units.

According to NHTSA, the front seat heater units in the CX-9 can overheat in extremely cold conditions due to insufficient electrical grounding, which can cause the seat cushions to burn or even catch fire. (Yikes!) To fix this potential hazard, dealers will install additional ground harnesses to the heater control system, and may even replace the seat heater control unit, if necessary.

Owners can contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500 for more information. The official safety recall will begin around March 9, 2010. Follow the jump to read the full details in NHTSA’s press release.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Hot Cross Buns: Mazda recalls 2010 CX-9 due to seat (over)heaters

Hot Cross Buns: Mazda recalls 2010 CX-9 due to seat (over)heaters originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: 2010 geneva motor show, 2010 mazda cx-9, cause-the-seat, citroen, crossovers-cuvs, cx-9, dshighrider, mazda, more-automakers, recalls-tsbs, rider, seat heaters, seatheaters

Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover

Mar 2, 2010 Object

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Mini

There were no surprises at the Mini press conference today in Geneva when the covers were lifted off the 2011 Countryman. We got our first look at the brand’s first crossover back in January, and we can now fill you in with the full details about the mini-ute. The Countryman is obviously Mini’s largest vehicle at just over four meters in length, and its optional ALL4 all-wheel drive system is a first for the brand as well.

Looking at the car in person, not too much has changed in the front of the cabin for the Countryman compared to its two-door counterparts. Aft of the front seats, however, the second set of doors opens up to two individual buckets that should be relatively hospitable for normal sized adults. Leg room doesn’t seem to be in abundance, but this is a Mini, of course. A variety of gas and diesel engines will be available in Europe, but American customers can expect the same 1.6-liter inline-fours available in the current Mini range. Check out our live photos in the gallery below or get more details about the Countryman in the press release after the jump.

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

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover

Geneva 2010: Mini Countryman breaks cover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: 2011minicoopercountryman, a-friend-via, after-the-jump, below-the-fold, brand, crossovers-cuvs, geneva, lifted-off-the, live, mini, s60, volvo

Geneva 2010: 2011 Mazda5 gets swoopy in Switzerland

Mar 2, 2010 Object

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Mazda

Mazda’s Nagare design theme has infiltrated nearly every model in its lineup, with only a few lone hold-outs. Here in Geneva, one of the last unmolested models has finally gone under the knife and the result is the 2011 Mazda 5.

In addition to the new smiling fascia, five-point grille, deeper chin spoiler and flared front fenders, the new 5 gets a trio of dramatic, wave-live character lines sweeping from the front door and terminating into the deeply drawn rear tailamps. The combination ditches the somewhat anonymous profile of the previous model, it’s just a shame the rear looks disproportionately top heavy.

The interior gets a quick once over, with thicker, wider seats, power sliding doors and a reworked center stack, and the standard seven seats carryover.

The only question is what engine will power the Mazda5 when it makes it to the States. Mazda could continue using the 2.3-liter four cylinder, but it’s just introduced a direct-injected 2.0-liter four that boosts similar power and reduced emissions. Expect official details on the U.S.-spec model soon, but in the meantime, get an eyeful in the gallery below.

Continue reading Geneva 2010: 2011 Mazda5 gets swoopy in Switzerland

Geneva 2010: 2011 Mazda5 gets swoopy in Switzerland originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: 2011 mazda5, 2011mazda5, a-few-lone, a-shame-the, and-terminating, crossovers-cuvs, geneva, geneva 2010, geneva motor show, genevamotorshow, shame-the-rear, states-mazda

Geneva 2010: Nissan Juke poised to bring the small and funky to America

Mar 2, 2010 Object

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Nissan

Nissan won’t have its official press conference for a few hours, but we’ve already snagged these shots of the production Juke, an oddly styled smaller-than-you-think crossover that’s poised to hit North America for 2011. In person, the Juke is perhaps less bizarre than one might think, with the exuberance of its alien face reined in with comparatively modest alloy wheels, traditional doors and Volvo C30-like taillamps. If you’re wondering where the Juke fits into the Nissan lineup that already has the Murano, Rogue and the Qashqai, this vehicle is markedly smaller than the Murano and actually appears smaller than the Rogue.

The interior is pure Nissan, though it looks like the Japanese automaker has put a few more dollars into some of its interior plastics and materials than it has in the past. In particular, the new HVAC controls have a crisp and colorful display, and the transmission tunnel has a quasi motorcycle-tank look about it.

For Europe, the Juke is available with a pair of 1.6-liter gasoline engines in either normally aspirated or turbocharged direct-injected form, as well as a 1.5-liter diesel, the latter of which is unlikely to make it to North America. The compact CUV will be made in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations, the latter being a newly developed torque-vectoring system dubbed ALL-Mode 4×4-i that is capable of splitting power 50:50 from front-to-rear as well as side-to-side.

We expect to see the Juke make its North American debut in New York. While you’re waiting, check out our high-res galleries below and the official press release after the jump.

Live photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Nissan Juke poised to bring the small and funky to America

Geneva 2010: Nissan Juke poised to bring the small and funky to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tags: 2011 juke, 2011juke, 2011nissanjuke, and-terminating, bring-the-small, crossovers-cuvs, europe, geneva 2010, geneva motor show, genevamotorshow, genevamotorshow2010, nissan, north-america, states-mazda