Sabtu, 19 Juni 2010

Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales

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MKS Ecoboost

Lincoln MKS Ecoboost – Click above for high-res image gallery

With Mercury vehicles set to disappear from showrooms in the next few months, Ford hopes to jump-start Lincoln sales with a free maintenance deal from now until labor day. Anyone who buys or leases a Lincoln this summer won’t have to pay for any regularly scheduled maintenance during the first three years or 45,000 miles of ownership.

The promotion applies to all 2010 and 2011 model year Lincolns and follows similar moves in recent years from brands like BMW and Volkswagen. At many Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the United States, Mercury accounts for a significant percentage of store sales. Those dealers will need programs like this to boost volumes until two new Lincoln models arrive in the next couple of years. So far, Lincoln has only confirmed that a compact is forthcoming. The seventh member of the Lincoln family remains a mystery.

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales

Lincoln to offer free maintenance on all summer 2010 sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paging Captain Obvious: Survey says men like car interiors cooler than women

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Audi RS 6

A new survey from the UK’s Kwik-Fit chain of repair shops apparently proves once and for all that men like it cooler in the car than women. Astonishing, we know. What’s more, men and women – drum roll, please – argue over the temperature inside the car. Knock us over with a feather.

In fact, nearly half of all survey respondents admit to fighting over the HVAC knobs in their cars. One final “shocker” – Women are usually the winners in these battles. In somewhat related news, water’s wet and fire burns.

If you’re as flabbergasted as we are over these new revelations, there’s more in Kwik-Fit’s press release after the break. You might also want to consider a car with dual-zone climate controls.

[Source: Kwik-Fit]

Continue reading Paging Captain Obvious: Survey says men like car interiors cooler than women

Paging Captain Obvious: Survey says men like car interiors cooler than women originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jumat, 18 Juni 2010

2011 BMW 5 Series xDrive sedans start at $52,775

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2011 BMW 535i – Click above for high-res image gallery

The all-wheel-drive editions the 2011 BMW 5 Series won’t be arriving stateside until October, at least we now knowwhat the latest xDrive models will cost. The 535i xDrive kicks off at $52,775 while the twin-turbo V8-powered 550i xDrive will set you back minimum $62,875. Both prices including an $875 destination charge.

The xDrive system new 5 Series is not quite as sophisticated as clutch-controlled torque vectoring X6, it can utilize individual braking rear wheels send torque either side as needed counteract oversteer or understeer. The central clutch pack also defaults sending 80 percent torque rear axle minimize understeer and retain BMW’s familiar driving dynamics, shifting balance front only when needed for traction. All xDrive 5 Series models also get hill descent control maintain a constant speed when going down a slippery grade. See press release after the break for all the details.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2011 BMW 5 Series xDrive sedans start at $52,775

2011 BMW 5 Series xDrive sedans start at $52,775 originally appeared Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use feeds.

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GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

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The Detroit auto industry’s annual summer shutdown is a tradition that goes back many decades, but this year, General Motors is taking a pass. It comes from a time when the new model year started in September for every car and they all debuted simultaneously, usually in dealer showrooms. The shutdown was the two week period in the summer during which all the plants installed updated tooling for the new models.

In more recent times, the practice has persisted as a time to do maintenance and other work that might interfere with production – even if it hasn′t coincided with the launch of a new model. This year, however, GM’s inventories on many models are running so low that nine of the automaker’s 11 assembly plants will keep producing vehicles during the designated shutdown period. Among the plants that will stay open are the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the Cadillac DTS, the Delta Township plant builds the Lambda crossovers and the Chevrolet Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

Filed under: ,

The Detroit auto industry’s annual summer shutdown is a tradition that goes back many decades, but this year, General Motors is taking a pass. It comes from a time when the new model year started in September for every car and they all debuted simultaneously, usually in dealer showrooms. The shutdown was the two week period in the summer during which all the plants installed updated tooling for the new models.

In more recent times, the practice has persisted as a time to do maintenance and other work that might interfere with production – even if it hasn’t coincided with the launch of a new model. This year, however, GM’s inventories on many models are running so low that nine of the automaker’s 11 assembly plants will keep producing vehicles during the designated shutdown period. Among the plants that will stay open are the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the Cadillac DTS, the Delta Township plant builds the Lambda crossovers and the Chevrolet Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

Filed under: ,

The Detroit auto industry’s annual summer shutdown is a tradition that goes back many decades, but this year, General Motors is taking a pass. It comes from a time when the new model year started in September for every car and they all debuted simultaneously, usually in dealer showrooms. The shutdown was the two week period in the summer during which all the plants installed updated tooling for the new models.

In more recent times, the practice has persisted as a time to do maintenance and other work that might interfere with production – even if it hasn’t coincided with the launch of a new model. This year, however, GM’s inventories on many models are running so low that nine of the automaker’s 11 assembly plants will keep producing vehicles during the designated shutdown period. Among the plants that will stay open are the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the Cadillac DTS, the Delta Township plant builds the Lambda crossovers and the Chevrolet Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta

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Turnabout Is Fair Play: Hyundai takes up Mini challenge – click above to watch the video after the jump

Mini can safely be considered the 800-pound gorilla of viral marketing in the automotive sector, but fresh from its big showing this year with its Assurance program and successful Super Bowl appearances, Hyundai is showing real pluck. Need more proof? The boys from Korea have just stepped up to stand in for Porsche, offering to take on Mini at its Road Atlanta Challenge.

In a smack-talk-tastic video response they’ve released to Mini USA head Jim McDowell, Hyundai says they’re eager to bring their Genesis Coupe to Hotlanta raceway next month. What about Mini’s planned June 21 event? Seems Hyundai race driver Rhys Millen is a bit busy getting ready to climb a certain mountain, so Hyundai is challenging Mini to a race in July.

As Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore tells Autoblog, “Since we launched the Genesis Coupe, we’ve always said that we’ll take on all-comers when it comes to comparison tests. And we’ve had some experience on the race track at Road Atlanta. We’d be happy to meet Mini on the race track.”

To step in and offer to take a punch for someone you don’t really even consider a buddy (read: Porsche) is either bold or downright crazy – or more than likely, some glorious combination of the two – but either way, it takes serious cojones. Will Mini step up to the challenge? Better still, might there be a three-way battle royale? Check out the video after the jump and stay tuned, everyone… this just got interesting.

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta

Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

Filed under: ,

The Detroit auto industry’s annual summer shutdown is a tradition that goes back many decades, but this year, General Motors is taking a pass. It comes from a time when the new model year started in September for every car and they all debuted simultaneously, usually in dealer showrooms. The shutdown was the two week period in the summer during which all the plants installed updated tooling for the new models.

In more recent times, the practice has persisted as a time to do maintenance and other work that might interfere with production – even if it hasn’t coincided with the launch of a new model. This year, however, GM’s inventories on many models are running so low that nine of the automaker’s 11 assembly plants will keep producing vehicles during the designated shutdown period. Among the plants that will stay open are the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the Cadillac DTS, the Delta Township plant builds the Lambda crossovers and the Chevrolet Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

Filed under: ,

The Detroit auto industry’s annual summer shutdown is a tradition that goes back many decades, but this year, General Motors is taking a pass. It comes from a time when the new model year started in September for every car and they all debuted simultaneously, usually in dealer showrooms. The shutdown was the two week period in the summer during which all the plants installed updated tooling for the new models.

In more recent times, the practice has persisted as a time to do maintenance and other work that might interfere with production – even if it hasn’t coincided with the launch of a new model. This year, however, GM’s inventories on many models are running so low that nine of the automaker’s 11 assembly plants will keep producing vehicles during the designated shutdown period. Among the plants that will stay open are the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the Cadillac DTS, the Delta Township plant builds the Lambda crossovers and the Chevrolet Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand

GM nixing summer shutdown, hiring thousands of temps to meet demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Volkswagen puts subway riders in the fastlane

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VW brings the fast lane to the subway – Click above to watch video after the jump

In the manner of its Fun Theory videos from last year, Volkswagen is up to old viral hijinks again. The Fun Theory experiments were about seeing whether you could encourage people to do the right thing if you made doing the right thing fun. This time, there’s no right or wrong involved, just a racy bit of red, a lot of speeding and a little bit of tsk-tsking at the Alexanderplatz subway station. Follow the jump to see what they’ve done this time.

[Source: Volkswagen via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Volkswagen puts subway riders in the fastlane

Video: Volkswagen puts subway riders in the fastlane originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Honda to update S2000 and Beat in one fell swoop

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There was a time in the not too distant past when Honda had a slew of fun-to-drive tuner specials ranging from tiny JDM Beat kei-car to the razor-sharp S2000. Both of those vehicles are dead and gone now, but a report from Motor Trend posits that Honda could be working on a way to replace both vehicles in one tidy (and presumably, fun-to-drive) little package.

The rumored roadster, which reportedly wouldn’t be production-ready until 2014, would utilize a subframe with a mid-engine layout for optimum weight distribution. If this exciting-sounding ride is indeed in utero, the big question would surround the avenue Honda would choose for propulsion. Options include a small, possibly boosted gasoline motor, a CR-Z-like hybrid and possibly even an electric-only solution. All three options would likely be relatively efficient due to the roadster’s small stature, but MT points out that a gas-only option could limit the vehicle’s international appeal.

A mixture between a Beat and an S2000 sounds great to us, but is there any proof that such a vehicle is under development? The magazine did some digging and discovered a Honda patent pending in Japan for a subframe vehicle with an “engine being fitted to a center frame.” Add to that the fact that last year we heard rumblings of a next-generation Beat that looks a lot like the rendering above, and we could finally be looking at a fun new Honda by mid-decade. Click on the photo above to check out Motor Trend’s hot-looking rendering.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Rumormill: Honda to update S2000 and Beat in one fell swoop originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Rise of the MPGs

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Since I took the keys for our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT from fellow editor Chris Paukert, I′ve managed to squeeze in a number of long drives. This has given me a perfect chance to observe the Legacy 2.5GT’s fuel economy in ideal conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency rates our Legacy model and its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder at 18 mpg in the city, 25 on the highway and 21 mpg combined. As you can see above, our experience over the last three full fill-ups beat the estimates with room to spare.

Mind you, I’ve spent most of my time with the Legacy cruising comfortably on the highway, and Paukert, who lives in a decidedly more urban setting, assures me that the MPGs fall fast in the city. Also, remember that the Legacy 2.5GT requires premium fuel, and I spent between $44 and $46 to fill up its 18.5-gallon fuel tank with 93 Octane that cost about $2.80/gallon.

Still, my last fill-up showed the car achieved an honest-to-goodness 27 mpg over 426 miles, which is 6 mpg better than the EPA’s combined estimate and 2 mpg better than its highway estimate. And the engine appears to be gaining efficiency as we continue to break it in.

The wife and I are gearing up for a road trip with the Legacy that will add well over 2,000 miles to its odo. We’ll keep track of the fuel economy we see and report back to see if Autoblog’s first long-term car can keep this surprisingly good performance up.

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Rise of the MPGs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta

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Turnabout Is Fair Play: Hyundai takes up Mini challenge – click above watch video after the jump

Mini can safely be considered the 800-pound gorilla viral marketing the automotive sector, fresh from its big showing this year its Assurance program successful Super Bowl appearances, Hyundai showing real pluck. Need more proof? The boys from Korea have just stepped up stand Porsche, offering to take on Mini at its Road Atlanta Challenge.

In a smack-talk-tastic video response they’ve released Mini USA head Jim McDowell, Hyundai says they′re eager bring their Genesis Coupe to Hotlanta raceway next month. What about Mini’s planned June 21 event? Seems Hyundai race driver Rhys Millen is bit busy getting ready climb certain mountain, so Hyundai is challenging Mini race in July.

As Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore tells Autoblog, “Since we launched Genesis Coupe, we’ve always said that we’ll take all-comers when it comes comparison tests. And we’ve had some experience the race track at Road Atlanta. We′d be happy to meet Mini the race track.”

To step in and offer take punch for someone you don′t really even consider buddy (read: Porsche) is either bold or downright crazy – or more than likely, some glorious combination the two – either way, it takes serious cojones. Will Mini step up to the challenge? Better still, might there a three-way battle royale? Check out the video after the jump stay tuned, everyone… this just got interesting.

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Video: Hyundai steps for Porsche, offers take Mini at Road Atlanta

Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta originally appeared Autoblog Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee configurator now online

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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Click above for high-res gallery

The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will start flowing into Chrysler dealerships in the coming weeks, but you can go price one out right now at the official configurator. Playing around with the “build your own” system shows that the least expensive Grand Cherokee available is the rear-wheel-drive Laredo which starts at $30,995 including destination and delivery.

Regardless of the trim level or number of driven wheels, the Grand Cherokees come standard with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar ͢, although the 5.7-liter Hemi ͤ is available as an option on Limited and Overland trims. Injudicious use of the options list can push the price tag of a Grand Cherokee up to $50,000 and beyond.

[Source: Jeep]

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee configurator now online originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Honda to update S2000 and Beat in one fell swoop

Filed under: , ,

There was a time in the not too distant past when Honda had a slew of fun-to-drive tuner specials ranging from tiny JDM Beat kei-car to the razor-sharp S2000. Both of those vehicles are dead and gone now, but a report from Motor Trend posits that Honda could be working on a way to replace both vehicles in one tidy (and presumably, fun-to-drive) little package.

The rumored roadster, which reportedly wouldn′t be production-ready until 2014, would utilize a subframe with a mid-engine layout for optimum weight distribution. If this exciting-sounding ride is indeed in utero, the big question would surround the avenue Honda would choose for propulsion. Options include a small, possibly boosted gasoline motor, a CR-Z-like hybrid and possibly even an electric-only solution. All three options would likely be relatively efficient due to the roadster’s small stature, but MT points out that a gas-only option could limit the vehicle’s international appeal.

A mixture between a Beat and an S2000 sounds great to us, but is there any proof that such a vehicle is under development? The magazine did some digging and discovered a Honda patent pending in Japan for a subframe vehicle with an “engine being fitted to a center frame.” Add to that the fact that last year we heard rumblings of a next-generation Beat that looks a lot like the rendering above, and we could finally be looking at a fun new Honda by mid-decade. Click on the photo above to check out Motor Trend’s hot-looking rendering.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Rumormill: Honda to update S2000 and Beat in one fell swoop originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Volkswagen puts subway riders in the fastlane

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VW brings the fast lane to the subway – Click above to watch video after the jump

In the manner of its Fun Theory videos from last year, Volkswagen is up to old viral hijinks again. The Fun Theory experiments were about seeing whether you could encourage people to do the right thing if you made doing the right thing fun. This time, there’s no right or wrong involved, just a racy bit of red, a lot of speeding and a little bit of tsk-tsking at the Alexanderplatz subway station. Follow the jump to see what they’ve done this time.

[Source: Volkswagen via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Volkswagen puts subway riders in the fastlane

Video: Volkswagen puts subway riders in the fastlane originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: Honda to update S2000 and Beat in one fell swoop

Filed under: , ,

There was a time in the not too distant past when Honda had a slew of fun-to-drive tuner specials ranging from tiny JDM Beat kei-car to the razor-sharp S2000. Both of those vehicles are dead and gone now, but a report from Motor Trend posits that Honda could be working on a way to replace both vehicles in one tidy (and presumably, fun-to-drive) little package.

The rumored roadster, which reportedly wouldn′t be production-ready until 2014, would utilize a subframe with a mid-engine layout for optimum weight distribution. If this exciting-sounding ride is indeed in utero, the big question would surround the avenue Honda would choose for propulsion. Options include a small, possibly boosted gasoline motor, a CR-Z-like hybrid and possibly even an electric-only solution. All three options would likely be relatively efficient due to the roadster’s small stature, but MT points out that a gas-only option could limit the vehicle’s international appeal.

A mixture between a Beat and an S2000 sounds great to us, but is there any proof that such a vehicle is under development? The magazine did some digging and discovered a Honda patent pending in Japan for a subframe vehicle with an “engine being fitted to a center frame.” Add to that the fact that last year we heard rumblings of a next-generation Beat that looks a lot like the rendering above, and we could finally be looking at a fun new Honda by mid-decade. Click on the photo above to check out Motor Trend’s hot-looking rendering.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Rumormill: Honda to update S2000 and Beat in one fell swoop originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta

Filed under: , , , , , , ,


Turnabout Is Fair Play: Hyundai takes up Mini challenge – click above to watch the video after the jump

Mini can safely be considered the 800-pound gorilla of viral marketing in the automotive sector, but fresh from its big showing this year with its Assurance program and successful Super Bowl appearances, Hyundai is showing real pluck. Need more proof? The boys from Korea have just stepped up to stand in for Porsche, offering to take on Mini at its Road Atlanta Challenge.

In a smack-talk-tastic video response they′ve released to Mini USA head Jim McDowell, Hyundai says they’re eager to bring their Genesis Coupe to Hotlanta raceway next month. What about Mini’s planned June 21 event? Seems Hyundai race driver Rhys Millen is a bit busy getting ready to climb a certain mountain, so Hyundai is challenging Mini to a race in July.

As Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore tells Autoblog, “Since we launched the Genesis Coupe, we’ve always said that we’ll take on all-comers when it comes to comparison tests. And we’ve had some experience on the race track at Road Atlanta. We’d be happy to meet Mini on the race track.”

To step in and offer to take a punch for someone you don’t really even consider a buddy (read: Porsche) is either bold or downright crazy – or more than likely, some glorious combination of the two – but either way, it takes serious cojones. Will Mini step up to the challenge? Better still, might there be a three-way battle royale? Check out the video after the jump and stay tuned, everyone… this just got interesting.

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta

Video: Hyundai steps in for Porsche, offers to take on Mini at Road Atlanta originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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