By Greg Migliore
The 2012 Audi A6 will get a broad portfolio of engines in Germany as the company shows off its technological and engineering prowess. But what is really coming to the United States when the sleek sedan launches next year?
Americans will get a supercharged, 3.0-liter V6 making about 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque as the spotlight model until a more powerful S6 joins the fold.
A gasoline four-cylinder and diesel offering also are on tap, a spokesman said. The eight-speed gearbox will be the transmission here.
The biggest questions surround the hybrid option. Touted to get the equivalent of 38 mpg in Europe, it’s not in the works for the A6’s U.S. launch. But that could change, depending on market conditions.
The world’s greatest car show has been Americanized. Problem: It stinks!
Written by Sam Smith
Eight years ago, the BBC launched a television show about cars. It was called "Top Gear" -- you may have heard of it. Thanks to three witty hosts, staggering production values and a never-ending stream of hot automobiles, TG has become one of the most-loved television programs (and not just of the car variety) on the planet. For years, the show’s producers have wanted to create an American version of this British classic. After several missteps, including a rejected NBC pilot and massive recasting, the American version of "Top Gear" finally aired two weeks ago. It features American hosts doing American things in obnoxiously cool cars. Neat, right?
Not so much. Yankee influence has neutered the only car show we ever loved. In the interest of helping TG succeed on this side of the pond, we’d like to offer up a few suggestions on ways to improve it.
Surging automaker is the government's go-to choice for vehicles.
This marks the first time Ford has won that contest since 2005.
Nissan CEO more than bullish on EV's prospects.
Of the two most high-profile alternative-powertrain vehicles, the Chevy Volt has received the lion's share of attention and accolades over the Nissan Leaf. Part of the reason for that and for the Leaf's tepid reviews, according to Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, is envy stemming from the fact that while the Volt is a plug-in hybrid, the Leaf is something unique: the world's first mass-produced all-electric vehicle. According to an excerpt from The New York Times:“They don’t have one, so it’s not a surprise," Ghosn said in an interview here this week at Nissan headquarters. "People who are challenged by innovation are going to fight it in the beginning. Get ready to see a lot of converts.”
It's an interesting article, and well worth the read. Ghosn, by all accounts a tremendously capable corporate leader, has been one of the biggest proponents of the EV sector, and in many ways the Leaf could be his legacy. And he does have a point: Nissan is the pioneer of this technology -- limited range and uninspired external design notwithstanding.By Jake Lingeman
Now that cold weather has arrived in many parts of the country, the Corvette Stingrays and Plymouth Barracudas are being tucked back into their garages.
With that in mind, AutoWeek offers this list of sure-footed rides for the winter. Some have higher sticker prices--we're looking at you, Range Rover--but most are fun, economical rides that will get you through the deepest doldrums of winter.
XTrac's new system is an alternative to the dual-clutch transmission.
XTrac, a transmission technology company based in the U.K. with motorsport operations in Indiana and North Carolina, has debuted an alternative to the dual-clutch transmission, called the Instantaneous Gearchange System (IGS), after two years of secret testing in motorsports competition.The IGS works through "integration of a ratchet and pawl mechanism between each gear hub and the main shaft so that two consecutive gear ratios can be selected and engaged simultaneously, but with only one set of gears driving," according to Gizmag. The mechanism cuts down on size, weight and complexity -- three drawbacks of the widely used dual-clutch transmission.
By Jesse Snyder and David Barkholz, Automotive News
U.S. car and truck sales jumped 17 percent last month, raising hopes the industry will end 2010 on a high note while creating momentum for the new year.
Light vehicle sales rose to 873,407 units in November, for the market's 11th advance in the past 12 months. The industry's sales total through November--10.45 million--has now topped 2009's full-year mark of 10.43 million.
For the second consecutive month, U.S. sales reached an annual selling rate of 12.26 million units, according to AutoData Corp. A year ago, light vehicles sold at an annual rate of 10.86 million units.
Analysts cited month-end deals for luring consumers to showrooms last month. Pickup trucks, crossovers and larger vehicles are also selling in higher numbers, according to Edmunds.com. New or redesigned models also helped sales at Volkswagen, Nissan, Hyundai and other automakers.
Insight now cheaper by $1,600 -- but is it the right move?
When Honda announced it was returning to the dedicated hybrid game in 2009, many analysts predicted an electrified clash of the titans. With the Toyota Prius dominating sales around the world, the world's No. 1 automaker found itself firmly situated in the hybrid throne, and at first it looked like Honda intended to make a serious go at unseating the champ. The Honda Insight, while not as efficient as its Toyota counterpart, was also priced aggressively to lure budget-minded buyers -- only those buyers didn’t exactly beat down Honda’s doors when the Insight went on sale.
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Cars are cool, and here at MSN Autos we love everything about them, but we also know they're more than simply speed and style: a car is an essential tool, a much-needed accessory to help you get through your day-to-day life. What you drive is also one of the most important investments you can make, so we'll help you navigate your way through the car buying and ownership experiences. We strive to be your daily destination for news, notes, tips and tricks from across the automotive world. So whether it's through original content from our world-class journalists or the latest buzz from the far corners of the Web, Exhaust Notes helps you make sense of your automotive world.
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Contributors
Clifford Atiyeh has spent his entire life driving cars he doesn't own. Raised in Volvos, he has grown to love fast, irresponsible vehicles of all kinds. He is the senior news editor at MSN Autos and also reports for Car and Driver, Road & Track, The Boston Globe and other publications.
In the garage: 21-speed Iron Horse, 2002 Jeep Wrangler X (not his)
Doug Newcomb has covered car technology for over 20 years for outlets ranging from Rolling Stone to Edmunds.com. In 2008, he published his first book, "Car Audio for Dummies" (Wiley). He lives and drives in Hood River, Ore., with his wife and two kids, who share his passion for cars and technology.
In the garage: 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS, two 1984 Chevrolet Blazers, 2008 Honda CR-V
James Tate learned to drive stick at age 13 in a 1988 Land Cruiser - in La Paz, Bolivia. He's since been a mechanic, on a pit crew and has wrenched on every car he's owned since his first 1989 Honda CRX Si (and won't stop until the car is a 1973 Porsche 911 RS). His work has appeared in Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics, Automobile and others.
In the garage: 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera, 1988 BMW M5
