LifestyleAutoblogJunkyard Gem: 1989 Honda Civic DX Sedan With 308k Miles
In the old days, before about 1980, reaching 100,000 miles was considered quite an accomplishment for a car, so much so that just about all US-market cars — with the notable exception of some Mercedes-Benzes and most Volvos — came with 5-digit odometers. Toyota and Honda went to six-digit odometers here early in the 1980s, and I find plenty of their cars from that decade with final mileage readings deep into the 200,000s. The highest odometer reading I've ever found in a Honda came from this 1983 Accord sedan with 411,794 showing.
BusinessAutoblogCars, a cocktail and a celebrity: South Koreans embrace Tesla culture
From an eponymous cocktail to eager buyers following the shipping routes of long-awaited cars, Tesla is having a moment in South Korea, particularly among tech-savvy professionals. "I am not interested in cars, but I am interested in the Tesla brand and its technology," the 39-year-old told Reuters. Kang bought a Tesla Model 3 in December, ditching the Hyundai crossover he bought only last summer.
TechnologyAutoblogThis autonomous wheelchair can help people navigate airports, museums, and more
WHILL is designed to help people navigate large areas like airports, museums, and more without having to use physical force or a joystick. Summon WHILL via its app, and use an on-board tablet to input your desired destination. On-board sensors provide collision avoidance.
LifestyleAutoblogThings rideshare drivers wish passengers understood
Drivers don’t understand riders and riders don’t understand drivers. Here are a few things that are so obvious to drivers that they are at a loss when they realize riders really don’t know them … and they wish they did. First and foremost among the things drivers would like riders to know is that they don’t make all that much money from driving.
BusinessAutoblogLamborghini explains why the Sián is not a preview of its next design language
Lamborghini pushed the boundaries of its design language with the sold-out Sián, but its head designer explained the project's goal wasn't to preview future cars. Whatever we design in the future, we will follow the design DNA of Lamborghini. Lamborghini will make 19 examples of the Sián Roadster, and 63 units of the coupe, numbers chosen because the company was founded in 1963.
BusinessAutoblogTesla appears poised to electrify S&P 500, which could further electrify Tesla stock
Wall Street's most controversial stock may be about to go mainstream. Tesla appears on the verge of joining the S&P 500, a major accomplishment for Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk that would unleash a flood of new demand for the electric car maker's shares, which have already surged 500% over the past year. With a market capitalization of about $250 billion, Tesla would be among the most valuable companies ever added to the S&P 500, larger than 95% of the index's existing components.
SportsAutoblogIndyCar drivers grateful to have fans back this weekend
2019 winner Alexander Rossi enters Victory Lane at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. The IndyCar series will welcome fans for the first time this year during the REV Group Grand Prix doubleheader Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, 2020, at Road America in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Simon Pagenaud says racing hasn’t been quite the same without spectators to cheer the drivers on for the opening stages of the IndyCar season. Pagenaud won’t have to worry about that this weekend.
NewsAutoblogFather and son accused in Carlos Ghosn escape are denied bail
A U.S. judge said on Friday two Massachusetts men pose too great of a risk of flight to be released on bail given "spectacular" allegations that they helped orchestrate former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan. U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell said U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Michael Taylor and his son, Peter Taylor, had also failed to show they would likely succeed in fighting the charges underlying Japan's recent request for their extradition. Cabell cited allegations that the elder Taylor, a private security specialist, "used his skills and experience to plan and execute a most intricate, sophisticated, and deceptive scheme" to smuggle Ghosn out of Japan in a box on Dec. 29, 2019.
LifestyleAutoblogNissan GT-R gets off-road treatment from exotic car dealer in Netherlands
One of the hot car modification trends nowadays is to take a car never meant for off-roading, and give it some level of all-terrain capability. It's clear that Classic Youngtimers Consultancy in the Netherlands had this in mind when it modified this Nissan GT-R.
BusinessAutoblogWin a 600+ horsepower Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon and $20,000
“This is a soccer mom’s car, but it’s kind of wicked, and I like that.” Back in 2013, one of my first track tests ever was of the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon at Willow Springs Raceway in California. What was said about this wagon back then still rings true now, even more so. Don’t be fooled by its looks, the E 63 S wagon is a performance car.
EntertainmentAutoblogDriving from coast to coast in a Subaru Forester and Volvo S60 on the final episode of 'The Autoblog Show'
The Autoblog Show will return to Fios TV this Sunday, with its 10th and final episode of Season One. In this episode producers Alex Malburg and Christopher McGraw head to the mitten state in the dead of winter to test two very different vehicles, the impeccably designed Volvo S60 T8, and the latest generation of the Subaru Forester.
BusinessAutoblogThis 1968 Jeep Wagoneer may not be Grand, but it's pretty swell
Before it morphed into the wood-sided Jeep Grand Wagoneer and became an SUV icon, Jeep's just-plain Wagoneer had already established itself as a pioneer in the field. The vehicle made its debut for the '63 model year, and this restored 1968 Wagoneer, for sale right now on eBay Motors, looks to be a sharp example of the breed.
StyleAutoblogBlipshift has this awesome Bronco shirt available only until midnight
If you're a longtime Autoblog reader you know we have a bit of a love affair with Blipshift. If you're unaware, Blipshift sells extremely limited-time, automotive themed t-shirts, with designs often submitted by artists all around the country. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard that the new Ford Bronco is being revealed Monday, July 12th.
NewsAutoblog2021 Nissan Ariya electric crossover teased in video ahead of July 15 reveal
Nissan is busying itself for next week’s big debut of the Ariya electric crossover, the brand’s first new nameplate in years, and it’s keeping the hype machine primed with a new video teaser. Aside from the plastic cladding and a brief shot of the wheels spinning, we see the Ariya and its blacked-out roof from above before the footage ends with the model in silhouette. Finally, its running lights activate to illustrate its iteration of Nissan’s V-Motion fascia design.
NewsAutoblog2021 Jeep Gladiator adds EcoDiesel option
Citing significant customer demand, Jeep has announced that it will now offer the EcoDiesel V6 in the 2021 Jeep Gladiator pickup truck. The engine has the same specifications as what you'll find in the Jeep Wrangler and the Ram 1500. It's also paired with the same eight-speed automatic transmission.
BusinessAutoblogEuropean court rules Ferrari doesn't own the 250 GTO's design
Europe's intellectual property authority opened the door to dozens of replicas when it ruled Ferrari no longer owns the rights to the 250 GTO's design. Ferrari developed the 250 GTO, but that's not enough to ensure the overall design remains its intellectual property. It trademarked the shape in 2008, according to Automobile, but its rights were challenged by a much smaller company named Ares that wants to sell a modern interpretation of the car based on the 812 Superfast.
EntertainmentAutoblogHollywood's Michael Fassbender to race in 2020 European Le Mans Series
Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender will contest the 2020 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) Porsche 911 RSR fielded by the Proton Competition race team, Porsche announced Friday. Fassbender has been working for several years toward his ultimate goal of racing in the infamous 24 Hours of Le Mans.
SportsAutoblog'A definite no': Red Bull rejects Vettel's suggestion he'd rejoin the F1 team
Red Bull have given "a definite no" to four-times Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel's hopes of returning to them next year, team boss Christian Horner said on Friday. The German, who is out of contract with Ferrari at the end of the season and facing an uncertain future, had said on Thursday he would say yes to a Red Bull drive if one was offered. Vettel won his titles with Red Bull from 2010-13 and remains on good terms with the Austrian energy drink brand's senior management.
SportsAutoblog'F1 2020' Gamers' Notes Review | A deep simulation that anyone can enjoy
Formula 1, like almost everything else in the world, has seen some tweaking and readjusting as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It's the latest installment in the officially licensed racing game series from Codemasters. Multimedia Producer Erik Maier: For anyone who has had a chance to tune into our twice-weekly livestream, you might have picked up on a few things.
LifestyleAutoblogSubaru Crosstrek gets a modest price increase for the 2021 model year
Subaru has published full pricing information for the 2021 Crosstrek, which gains a bigger, more powerful engine and a handful of visual modifications. Pricing for the entry-level model starts at $23,295 once a mandatory $1,050 destination charge enters the equation, a figure that represents a modest $100 increase over the cheapest 2020 model. This price gets you a relatively basic crossover powered by a 2.0-liter flat-four rated at 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque.
BusinessAutoblogHonda is latest automaker to join forces with CATL for electric car batteries
Honda will buy a 1% stake in Chinese electric vehicle battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), and the two will jointly develop EV batteries, the companies said on Friday. The move comes at a time when auto manufacturers and EV battery makers are joining forces in pursuit of an electric future. CATL, based in Ningde, said last year it would develop batteries with Honda and also supply batteries to Tesla, Toyota and Volkswagen AG.
BusinessAutoblogMonochromatic Package spreads to Lincoln's Corsair, Nautilus, and Aviator
Lincoln is catering to buyers seeking a mostly chrome-free SUV by making the optional Monochromatic Package available on the Corsair, the Nautilus, and the Aviator. Lincoln made no mention of modifications in the cabin. 2021 Corsair and 2021 Aviator buyers who tick the Monochromatic Package box will be asked to choose from three colors named Pristine White, Infinite Black, and Asher Gray, respectively.
BusinessAutoblogToyota announces the first batch of 2000GT replacement parts
Toyota's growing GR Heritage Parts division will start manufacturing replacement parts for the 2000GT in the fall of 2020. As of writing, the replacement parts listed in the company's catalog are for the five-speed manual transmission or the differential. Enthusiasts rebuilding the 2.0-liter straight-six engine or looking for body panels won't be able to source parts from Toyota — at least not yet.
PoliticsAutoblogFord says coronavirus restrictions in Mexico may cause U.S. plant shutdowns
Ford said late Thursday new staffing restrictions imposed on plants producing car parts in the Mexican state of Chihuahua were "not sustainable," the latest sign U.S. automakers are still reeling from coronavirus lockdowns in Mexico. Mexico is a key part of a wider international supply chain crucial to U.S. carmakers, many of which operate factories across the border in Mexico due to lower labor costs. Chihuahua, where the state government has limited employee attendance to 50% in plants, is home to a Ford engine plant and many auto parts producers.
SportsCarmudiReady to be the first GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines champ?
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announced that it will be holding its first virtual motorsport competition, the GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines, and we know many are already eager to get behind the wheel.The competition is open to anyone, which means the first champion for this program could very well be you. That is, if you've got what it takes to represent the country’s colors and compete against Asia’s best of the best.The journey begins with a first step, which in this case, consists of a few taps of the keyboard.Those who want to join may register for free at the event's official registration page—www.toyota.com.ph/gtcup . Interested parties may choose one of the two major open categories, such as the Promotional Class for novice, casual virtual racers or enthusiasts and the Sporting Class for more advanced racers with professional virtual motorsports experience.Filipino citizens with a valid Philippine passport, aged 18 and above, with access to a PlayStation 4 using their own active PSN account and PS Plus subscription, and of course, the Gran Turismo Sport game, may join the competition for some virtual wheel-to-wheel action.Once registered, qualified applicants will simply have to wait for a notification from Toyota regarding official game rules and schedules. Official racers will then join a qualifying leaderboard challenge to identify the Top 24 from each class. The Top 24 will then race in the semi-final and the final race heats, and points will be assigned based on finishing time.The first qualifying round is set for July 23, while the finals will happen a week later.After that, competitors will continue to battle it out in the second and third round to happen in August and September respectively.Each round will have a higher point value and players will need to qualify for each round.The players from the two classes with the most points after the final round will be declared the Philippine champions and will participate in the Asian Regional Round in October.Aside from the two categories, two special classes are also open: the Celebrity and Media class where the third Philippine champion will come from, and the Junior class for players below 18 years old.Organized by TMP in partnership with Tuason Racing, the GR Supra GT Cup Asia-Philippines is a motorsport program under Toyota's global Gazoo Racing brand.This virtual one-make race is intended to ensure motorsports aficionados still get their dose of excitement from the tracks despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming virtual event is a part of TMP’s local motorsport development program, which includes its premier one-make-race, the Vios Racing Festival, set to resume in 2021.Photos from Toyota Motor PhilippinesAlso read: Toyota PH Launches Toyota GR Supra, to Have 170-Unit Supply Cap for 2019Toyota PH launches e-motorsport eventKnow What's Inside the PH-Spec Toyota GR Supra