Video: Watch the Chevrolet Sonic go bungee jumping
As a part of a new marketing campaign for the Chevrolet Sonic, General Motors is making the new subcompact do some crazy adventurous activities. We’ve already seen the new 2012 Sonic perform a skydive as a part of its Let’s Do This campaign and now GM is taking the model bungee jumping.
What’s next on the Sonic’s bucket list?
Check out the video after the jump.
Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Sonic.
Refresher: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is available in a sedan and hatchback variant. The standard engine on the 2012 Sonic is a 1.8L DOHC inline 4-cylinder unit making 135-hp and 125 lb-ft of torque, while an optional 138-hp 1.4L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder is also available. Prices start at $ 14,495 for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS Sedan ($ 15,395 for the Chevrolet Sonic LS Hatchback), which is powered by a 1.8L Ecotec making 128-hp. Prices top out at $ 17,295 for the LTZ Sedan and $ 17,995 for the LTZ Hatchback. Prices start at $ 14,495.
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Ford is bringing many different tuner versions of its Fiesta and Focus models to this year’s SEMA Show, with the brands 110-year history in motorsports to support them.
Seven different versions of the 2012 Focus hatchback and sedan have been selected by Ford to be shown. Tuners behind the creations include 3dCarbon, ID Agency, Seeda, Capaldi Racing, Roush, Bojix Design, and COBB Tuning.
Ford’s compact car marketing manager Mike Murphy explains the extensive selection, saying “Mellenials, which this car is all about, want to personalize every aspect of their lives – everything from laptop covers to body art and even cars.”
Click here for details on each model.
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China’s Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co, two companies that have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to take a 53.9 percent stake in Swedish Automobile, have offered to takeover Saab completely.
Swedish Automobile said that the two Chinese companies have made an offer to directly purchase shares in Saab. The company declined the offer and asked Youngman and Pang Da to confirm that they want to fulfill the original agreement.
“That confirmation has not been received to date. Further discussions are ongoing,” it said in a statement.
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Mitsubishi president Osamu Masuko confirmed that the brand has plans for a hybrid Evo that will use a diesel-electric powertrain.
Masuko says “We will start work on the project next year, and it will be ready within three. I have set a goal of developing a sporting car featuring electric power.”
It is anticipated that the upcoming Evo XI will reduce emissions, and increase power output. The XI will also feature an updated S-AWC four-wheel drive system for steering, breaking, and handling.
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Before I begin, I just want to let you know that the blue silhouette you see above is our first official teaser of the new Ford Escape. Either way, Ford is getting greener with a new carpeting material for the upcoming Escape model. Empty plastic bottles sized 25-30 ounces, will be used by the automotive company to create carpet for every new Escape produced for the first time in an SUV.
The new carpeting has been inspected for durability by running tests that take 10 to 15 minutes but simulate 5 years of wear or better. The tests run a small circular piece of the material that spins through weights that rub against it.
Part of improving the durability was increasing the amount of plastic bottles used in the creation of the material. Also added is cast foam to cut noise down and provide a smoother backing for the carpet.
Click here for more news on the Ford Escape.
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Chrysler Group LLC has begun early testing of the Fiat 500 EV. The model is expected to hit markets in 2012 as a 2013 model.
Recent spy shots show a U.S.-spec Fiat 500 EV with some design changes that will differentiate from the gasoline model. No word on where the Fiat 500 EV will be produced but the gasoline model is currently built at the company’s plant in Toluca, Mexico.
It is reported that the Fiat 500 EV will cost as much as three times as the gasoline model, with the sticker price reaching as much as $ 45,000. Even then, Chrysler is expected to lost about $ 10,000 per unit.
Click here for more news on the Fiat 500.
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Earlier this year, a squirrel ran across a track as a Lamborghini LP670-4 SV zoomed by at 100+ mph. Apparently, that squirrel’s best friend is a pigeon who likes to cross busy highways.
Hit the jump to see what we’re talking about.
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General Motors announced today that it will be investing $ 325 million in tools and equipment to support the production of future electric vehicle components. The move will create 418 jobs at its Warren transmission facility. The plant, which currently employs 679 employees, produces transmissions for the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, the GMC Acadia and the Chevrolet Malibu.
“This investment in the future recognizes the excellent work force and operation of this plant,” said GM Manufacturing Manager Gerald Johnson. “While we aren’t sharing many details about this product, I can tell you that this investment demonstrates how GM, working with our UAW partners, continues to innovate and bring new electrification solutions to our customers.”
Timing for the tooling and equipment for the new investment has not yet been decided.
The plant produced more than 338,000 transmissions in 2010.
Most company’s President and CEO meet at the golf course to discuss business or get acquainted with each other – well, things are done a little different in the automotive industry.
Aston Martin’s CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez and Toyota’s President and CEO Akio Toyoda recently met up at the famous Nurburgring track to test drive each other cars. Which cars you ask? Toyota handed Bez the keys to the Lexus LFA while Aston Martin gave Toyoda the keys to the new V12 Zagato. Both cars were in race spec.
So how did everything turn out? Not so great… we don’t want to ruin it for you so just hit the jump for the video to see what we’re talking about.
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Following World War II, GIs returning home asked to Dodge, “Where can we get a truck like the ones we used in the war?” In 1945, Dodge responded by building the Power Wagon, which eventually ended sales in 1968.
Ram Truck today brought back a piece of history by unveiling a new 2012 Ram Power Wagon, which will now be available in two additional models—ST and Laramie. The Ram Power Wagon ST will off off-roading lovers all the legendary capability in a value-oriented package, while Power Wagon Laramie buyers will get more comfort and luxury features.
“When it comes to off-road capability, no other pickup truck compares to the Ram Power Wagon,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico— Chrysler Group LLC. “Expanding the Power Wagon’s availability to ST and Laramie models is not only what our customers have asked for, but also a true measure of the truck’s success and popularity with truck buyers.”
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