Frank Filipponio
Motorsports, Etc., Toys

click above for more high-res live shots of the Speed Racer Mach 5

While getting ready for the announcement of the North American Car and Truck of the Year, we stumbled upon the Mach 5. No sign of Pops, Trixie, Chim Chim or Speed, but there was the car, in all its fiberglass glory. As much as we looked we couldn’t spot the opening in the nose for the radial saws or see underneath for the pistons used to propel Speed over danger.

Gallery: 2008 Detroit: Speed Racer’s Mach 5

Source: Detroit 2008: Mach 5 spotted, Speed Racer nowhere to be found

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Philippe. Daix.
Filed in: Honda | concept cars | hatchback

Just a few clip taken at the detroit auto show.. review coming soon…
 

Source: Honda CRZ concept

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A whole set of images featuring the all-new 2009 Passat CC have been leaked into the net prior to the official unveiling of VW’s four-door coupe at the Detroit Show later in the day. The sporty-looking Passat CC follows in the footsteps of the Mercedes-Benz CLS model, though it will cost considerably less when it enters the market in the second half of the year.

Based on the Passat’s platform and running gear, the CC’s most prominent design features are the coupe-like styled roof and the distinctive rear-end design. Inside, the dashboard is carried over virtually unchanged from the ‘basic” Passat. According to our information, the CC will be offered with three petrol engines including two four cylinder units, the 160 HP 1.8 TSi and 200 HP 2.0 TFSi and the new 300 HP 3.6 V6 FSi. In Europe (maybe even in the States), VW will also offer a range of turbodiesel engine units. -Follow the jump for the image gallery

Source: Leaked: 2009 Volkswagen Passat CC 4Door-Coupe Images

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At a press conference at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford's presidente de las Américas Mark Fields has rechristened Ford's former cash cow a "Smart Utility Vehicle." In other words, the new Ford Explorer will be a unit-body vehicle with "best in class" towing. Yes, well, the D3 chassis upon which the Explorer will sit on is something of a loser, having failed to ignite sales for the Ford Taurus, Taurus X, Five Hundred; Mercury Sable and Volvo S80 (the Swede with the more expensive aluminum springy bits underneath). On the positive side, the Explorer will get the new twin-force– sorry, "eco-boost" twin-turbo, which looks like one Hell of a motor. The changes to the Explorer are designed to stem the model's rapid and stratospheric fall from grace; down 23.1 percent this year alone. But the introduction of a new cuter ute also represent a gamble that the Explorer's non-real-SUV (a.k.a. concrete cowboy) fans haven't already left for greener pastures. Not to mention all the "real" truck fans who won't touch the new model with a ten foot pole.  

 Click here for more TTAC pictures of the Explorer America

[Reported by Sajeev Mehta] 

Source: Not to Smart Now, Eh Mr. Bond? Ford Unveils Explorer America

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Dan Johnson shared these photosA vous de découvrir le monde magique et passionnant des jeux de hasard, à vous de jouer et à vous de gagner nos bonus généreux sur les pages de Bonus, bonne chance!

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Source: Kathy’s 45

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Who asked the Detroit News' Show Biz reporter to chime-in with his feelings about the 2008 North American International Auto Show? I mean Jeez; David Phillips is raining on a parade that his employer has been hyping since Buick was asking people if it was time for a real car (ready when you are). Then again, it's an itty bitty blog post, And I suppose that an entertainment writer is the most keenly aware when the stars of the show are off skiing in Park City. "Lexus, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti and Suzuki are taking a pass this year. Porsche is gone altogether. Aston Martin has quietly vanished from the Ford stand for obvious reasons." Which are… "the cost of doing business inside Cobo Center, an automaker's product cadence, the growth in overseas markets, other opportunities, venues and auto shows to showcase new product, etc." Hmm. I wonder if that cost has anything to do with some union or other, and whether Big Ron Gettelfinger could sort them out. (You gotta bend over like this. No, not me. You.) Phillips final remark shows how quick Detroit is to react to economic challenges. "Show organizers should be worried." Ya think? [thanks to starlightmica for the tip]

Source: Detroit News: The Detroit Auto Show Sucks

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I’m not big on ceremony. Throw in a couple of blowhard politicians, a bevy of self-congratulatory industry execs and a swarm of self-important journalist jackals; and meetings like the 12th Annual International Car of the Year Awards are like kryptonite to my modest superpowers. The invitation from the friendly folks at Road and Travel Magazine read, “Regrets not Required.” In my case, regret was inevitable. Still, I donned a monkey suit and took one for the team with as much enthusiasm as I approached my first doctor’s visit after my fortieth birthday. Fortunately my doctor was quick and his gentle finger was warm, so that experience was not as bad as I had grimly anticipated. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the green-themed ICOTY award pageant.

If you are thinking, I know C&D, MT and R&T, but what the hell is RTM, it’s probably because you aren’t a woman. Road & Travel Magazine was founded in 1989 by the lovely Courtney Caldwell to entertain and inform the fairer sex about all things automotive. The periodical founded the ICOTY in 1996, as an Academy Awards for automobiles.

The evening got off to a bumpy start with remarks by Michigan Representative John D. Dingell. Give the congressman credit; he boldly and proudly referenced the draconian increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. His words hung in the air above the heads of the audience born by tension and uncomfortable silence. All was made right when the old Washington warhorse called for applause for all the workers and management who supported the legislation.

This year’s convocation marked the bestowal of the first ever Earth Angel Award. This sappy honorific is designed to laud the most environmentally harmonious automaker; the car company that best carries the torch for alternative fuel transportation and whose “company position and mission on global warming” is most politically correct.

“Global warming is top-of-mind for everyone these days,” said Caldwell. “Automakers are too often criticized for environmental insensitivity when the reality is that they’re really making enormous strides on a global level to improve the earth’s environment.” 

August former CBS newsman, Walter Cronkite, who wants mankind to turn back the tide of increasing global temperatures by driving new and improved cars, heralded in the inaugural Earth Angel Award via taped introduction. Carl Levin, Michigan's Senior Senator, bestowed the first-ever Earth Angel Award upon the General Motors Corporation. 

In the estimation of RTM’s esteemed panel, The General best allows pistonheads to purge themselves of guilt for ravaging the earth. How so? By mapping out a comprehensive plan that will transform the automobile from a filthy mechanical machine into a clean electric appliance. Riiiiight.

The culmination of the gala event: the announcement of the International Car of the Year Award winner. J.D. Power and Associates counts votes for the nominees (not a difficult job since the electorate is comprised of a panel of just 12 “respected” journalists).

Unfortunately, the group’s previous picks look like a menagerie of mediocre moribund models mired on a used car dealership: Pontiac Grand Prix (1997), Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998), Ford Windstar (1999), PT Cruiser (2001), Jaguar X-type (2002), and Dodge Charger (2006). This is hardly a lineup of the best cars in the world. More likely these pickings bear the undeniable stench of money mildewed by a passage under the desk of RTM’s advertising director.

If you still care, the night’s winners include:

•    Honda Accord Sedan, the International Car of The Year, and “Most Dependable” Sedan of the Year
•    Chrysler Town & Country, International Truck of the Year, and “Most Compatible” Minivan of the Year
•    GMC Sierra Denali, “Most Athletic” Pick Up Truck of the Year
•    Audi R8, “Most Sex Appeal” Sports Car of the Year
•    Mercedes Benz S63 AMG, “Most Respected” Luxury Car of the Year
•    Volvo C30, “Most Spirited” Entry Level Car of the Year
•    Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, “Most Resourceful” SUV of the Year

Clearly the Honda Accord was a safe choice, perhaps an attempt to atone for past indiscretions. The Audi R8’s selection proves that ugly is the new sexy. The only winner that seemed to rankle the crowd, at least those outside of the Ford family, was the inclusion of the pricy Volvo C30 in the entry level car category.

By night’s end, the sickening sweet smell of 1984 Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon permeated the room and the band played on. In black ties and evening gowns, industry manager misters and their silicone sisters renewed old acquaintances within the attendant corps of scribes. To everyone’s relief, the charade was complete for another year. As for me, my doctor tells me that I have the prostate of a twenty year-old; the prognosis is good that I’ll live to suffer through the ICOTY Awards again in 2009. Assuming I'm invited.

Source: Detroit’s International Award of the Year Awards

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Nie-ass? Nay-ass? If you're going to change the name of a world famous American auto show– and why would you?– why would you settle on an acronym that sounds vaguely Scandinavian? What's more, NAIAS is another example of America's willingness to claim international importance for a national event (e.g. the World Series). I mean, does the North American International Auto Show have a heavy Canadian or Mexican presence– aside from all the cars and trucks and minivans and engines and transmissions and stuff built to service America's "domestic" car companies? Anyway, the 2008 NAIAS industry conclave marks the first time The Truth About Cars is attending. Sajeev Mehta and William C. Montgomery– our Texas dream team– will be blogging throughout the day. They'll provide the sort of no-holds-barred reportage you've come to expect from this website. Frank Williams and I will be coordinating their coverage from comfort of our garrets. If you could email your pistonhead pals and tell them to click on us for the web's best NAIAS coverage, I'd be most appreciative. Meanwhile, rest assured we'll do our best to stick it to the Man, TTAC style. That's Tea-Tack, in case you were wondering…

Source: TTAC Does Detroit (NAIAS)

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Volkswagen’s long awaited Passat-based four-door coupe has been revealed just hours prior to its official world debut at this week’s Detroit Auto Show. The new model will be called simply the ‘CC’ and although it’s based on the Passat platform it sits 5cm lower and stretches 3cm more than the regular VW sedan.

The CC will come with three different petrol engine options including a 160hp 1.8L TSI, a 200hp 2.0L TFSI and a range topping 300hp 3.6L V6 FSI. Diesel fans will be able to opt from two different 2.0L motors developing 140 and 170hp respectively. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a seven speed DSG, and an AWD option is also available.

Source: Volkswagen Passat CC breaks cover

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A new chapter in the truck wars begin Sunday when, at the Detroit auto show, Ford officially unveils its redesigned 2009 Ford F-150 pickup truck, the best-selling truck for three decades, and Chrysler reveals the revamped 2009 Dodge  Ram pickup.

Chrysler, known for dramatic vehicle introductions like man-made blizzards and Jeeps crashing through glass, likely wins for most dramatic entrance. Word is the Dodge Ram will be introduced on the streets of Detroit amidst a Red River-style cattle drive.

Source: Ford, Dodge Unveil New Trucks

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