Editor’s note: Saab distributed information on this vehicle early with an embargo of Sunday, Jan. 13. But several newspapers and Web sites have published pictures and information, so we don’t think you should have to wait.

After dissolving its relationship with Subaru that would have led to a Tribeca-based crossover, Saab went to work on one of its own. The result is the 9-4X BioPower concept.

Not surprisingly, Saab also uses a green theme by equipping the concept with an E85-burning, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Don’t let the relatively small engine size deceive you because Saab employs its “rightsizing” techniques to extract 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque from the engine.

continue reading "Scandinavian crossover: Saab 9-4x concept previews production wagon"

The British have a most endearing way of describing someone they hold in high regard. They call that person a “great bloke.”

Anyone who ever had the pleasure of covering an auto race with Dennis Morgan would agree that he was truly a “great bloke.”

Shortly before Christmas, the motorsports community was shocked to learn the sad news that it had lost one of its members. The 63-year-old Morgan had been scheduled to have coronary bypass surgery in a few weeks, but apparently suffered a fatal heart attack on Christmas Eve day.

Born in Wales, Dennis was stricken with polio as a child and left with a crippled arm. However, they forgot to tell Dennis that he was handicapped. Those in the press rooms who watched him type his race reports–one-handed–marveled at him almost as much as they marveled at his ability on the dance floor. Yes, in addition to all of his other talents, the man was quite a dancer!

McLaren-Mercedes launched its new Formula One car, the MP4-23, in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, on Monday, Jan. 7. It was the first time in the 13-year partnership between McLaren and Mercedes that the team launched a new car in the engine supplier’s hometown.

The MP4-23 features a slightly longer wheelbase than its predecessor, and a noticeably straighter nose that is part of a revised aerodynamics package that will be developed further before the start of the season in March. The design team, led by Tim Goss, also produced a new carbon-titanium gearbox case.

Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will drive the car. McLaren team boss Ron Dennis pointed out this: “[Today is] Lewis’ birthday, and we’ve gone to a lot of trouble. He’s 23, it’s the MP4-23, and he’ll carry [number] 23 on the car.”

continue reading "McLaren-Mercedes reveals 2008 car:"

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. took over Ford Motor Co. in U.S. sales in 2007, bumping the Detroit automaker to the No.3 spot.

Toyota last year sold 61,962 more cars and light trucks than Ford, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Toyota sold 2.62 million vehicles during the year while Ford sold 2.56 million.

General Motors remained No. 1 overall with 3.82 million vehicle sales with a market share of 23.7 percent.

Overall, the auto industry sold 16.15 million light vehicles in the U.S. last year, down 2.5 percent from 16.56 million in 2006.

Toyota’s total U.S. market share now stands at 16.8 percent to Ford’s 16.4 percent.

continue reading "Toyota overtakes Ford in U.S. sale: Chevrolet is top brand; Camry wins car title; F-series No. 1 truck"

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. took over Ford Motor Co. in U.S. sales in 2007, bumping the Detroit automaker to the No.3 spot.

Toyota last year sold 61,962 more cars and light trucks than Ford, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Toyota sold 2.62 million vehicles during the year while Ford sold 2.56 million. Toyota’s total U.S. market share now stands at 16.8 percent to Ford’s 16.4 percent.

But that doesn’t bother Ford marketing chief Jim Farley, who left Toyota last fall to join Ford.

The company’s focus is on restructuring operations to be profitable at lower demand levels, Farley said in a conference call to reporters and analysts.

continue reading "Toyota overtakes Ford in U.S. sales:"

Don’t know how you feel about all this made-for-television stuff, but for me so long as it involves sport, I’m in favor of it.

From where does this epiphany come? I am much more amenable to taking this reality-than-now position as the television writers’ strike puts the best shows (”House” and “The Daily Show” to name two) on pause. It also comes from watching the real and visceral competition unleashed at this past Race of Champions in London.

The ROC pitted 16 competitors from eight countries, none of whom have a deep, abiding love for one another and all of whom want to be considered the world’s best. Here is cock-of-the-walk, Michael Schumacher, who has been repeatedly dubbed the
continue reading "Dutch Mandel: Eating humble pie with that chili: More than a few big-name racers will come away from the annual Chili Bowl tasting crow"