Autoblog

"There are 20 million people in Moscow," my driver carefully enunciates in broken English, "and there are 50 million cars." Both figures are highly exaggerated, but considering the trek from the airport to the hotel should take around 45 minutes, and we're deep into our second hour of gridlock, his estimates almost seem plausible.

In reality, Moscow houses around 12 million of Russia's 143 million people, and only 20 percent of the total population owns a vehicle. Compare that to the rest of Europe (around 30 percent) and the U.S. (over 70 percent), and then add an expanding economy, and it's a wonder that the mainstream media insists on having Russia play third fiddle to China and India on the global automotive stage.

That's all changed this week.

Phil Hill, the only American-born driver to win a Formula One title, passed away last night of complications associated with Parkinson's disease at the age of 81. Aside from his success with Ferrari in F1 during the 1961 season, Hill was also the first American to win at the 24 hours of Le Mans, taking the title twice more and winning the 12-hours of Sebring three times.

Described by friends and colleagues as reserved and genteel, Hill was a breath of fresh air in the international racing scene and finally inducted into the International Motorsport Hall of Fame in 1991.

He is survived by his wife Alma, son, two daughters and four grandchildren, all of whom have our heartfelt condolences.

[Source: Autoweek]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi RS6 sedan.

All right. Now we're torn. RS6 Avant or RS6 sedan? Both are packing the same twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 5.0-liter V10 putting out 580 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. Both send power to all four wheels through a six-speed tiptronic tranny and both can be equipped with absolutely massive 420mm (front) and 356mm (rear) ceramic brakes. While it's hard to deny the practicality of the wagon, we think the sedan comes across as more elegant – in a brutally Teutonic way. The voting will commence in the comments and check the gallery below for a plenty of high-res images from the show floor.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Kesselman Mazda CX-7.

From afar, our first reaction was: what's a Matrix doing at the Mazda booth? Upon closer inspection, the dumped wagon you see above revealed itself as a tuned Mazda CX-7. Unfortunately, our Russian is about as good as our Swahili, so we weren't able to get any definitive details on what exactly has been done to Mazda's mid-level CUV. But the upgraded intercooler, ultra-low stance, gaudy body kit, stripped interior and six-point roll cage is proof that Russia's Kesselman tuning excels at answering questions that no one asked.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LS460 AWD.

The Moscow Auto Show seems like the perfect place for Lexus to unveil the all-wheel-drive version of its LS460. Russians have a torrid love affair with rolling living rooms, evidenced by the 7-series and S-class-lined streets of Moscow's high-end shopping districts. Add AWD to the equation and the LS460 makes a strong case against the Germans.

As previously reported, the Lexus LS460 AWD is fitted with the same four-wheel-drive system and eight-speed auto 'box as the LS600h, and comes equipped with a Torsen rear LSD and 381 hp, 4.6-liter V8 as the standard model. Torque split is set to 40/60 in normal driving conditions, but if you need to make a dramatic getaway on the mean streets of Moscow, 70-percent of the power can be sent to the rear-wheels.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mazda Kazamai concept.

Mazda pulled out all the awkwardly executed stops for the reveal of the Kazamai concept, including four sets of dancers, guys in neon-pink shorts on roller skates and a 40-man Russian singing troop in Soviet-style dress. We couldn't make this stuff up if we tried, but what better way to kick off our coverage of the Moscow International Auto Salon.

Despite the strange theatrics, the Kazamai is one of our favorite Nagare-themed concepts since the Furai and Kabura. Then again, we're suckers for two-door crossovers. The Kazamai blends the "flow" theme we've seen on several other concepts with a more aerodynamic body and a slightly toned-down demeanor. Could this be a hint at the future of the CX-7? Don't count it out. But if it does head to production, we'll take it in a three-door package equipped with the MS3's drivetrain... and all-wheel-drive.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis sedan.

The Hyundai Genesis sedan has only been on sale for a month, but the automaker is already considering upgrading the current 4.6-liter V8 with a 5.0-liter version. Hyundai's North American product chief, John Krafcik, told MotorTrend that the Tau V8 could be stroked up to 5.5-liters, but the ideal displacement to keep fuel economy on par with power is an even five liters.

The plan is to increase the displacement of the V8, as well as adding direct-injection to Hyundai and Kia's range of fours, sixes and eights over the next few years. It's a move that several automakers have already adopted and Hyundai's decision to increase its V8's displacement will only happen if it can keep output the same or better while retaining the 4.6-liter's fuel economy.


[Source: MotorTrend]

No matter how you slice it, a proposed $25 billion loan from the Feds is a bailout, and that's exactly what Detroit's Big Three automakers are after, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

Lobbyists for General Motors, Chrysler and Ford have met with White House officials, Rep. John Dingell and a smattering of Michigan Democrats to discuss the loan, with plans to unveil the proposal after Labor Day.

The plan includes lending $25 billion to automakers in its first year at an interest rate of 4.5 percent (about one-third of what the companies are currently paying), with the government having the option to defer any payment for up to five years.

Details are scarce, and naturally, GM, Ford and Chrysler reps aren't saying much, but if the automakers and the Feds are serious, expect more information to leak out before the proposal is officially announced.

[Source: WSJ, Photo by Tracy O | CC2.0]

Just when we thought we'd seen the worst celebrity-endorsed product placement of the new Camaro, our new bestest friend Hernando delivers this gem: The Esteban Camaro Legend Limited Edition Guitar Package.

The self-proclaimed master of the six-stringed arts has assaulted late night viewers of the Home Shopping Network for years. And if his unnaturally coiffed hair and darkened sunglasses weren't enough to send a chill down your spine, this will. Whoever at General Motors signed off on this licensing deal needs to be drawn, quartered, fired on a spit and then served to a rabid pack of lemmings – for starters.

The kit includes the Camaro guitar coated in "Hugger Orange and twin Gun Metal sport stripes", a custom guitar strap, numbered certificate of authenticity and "is sleek, slick and ready to burn rubber with its heavy-hitting sound." Mullet sold separately.


[Source: HSN]

Click above for a gallery of the Lotus Elise by Kahn.

Special edition Elises are becoming a dime-a-dozen, but Lotus decided Kahn Design should be tasked with creating its own bespoke version of the Elise to celebrate the automaker's 60th anniversary.

Kahn, primarily known for its body-kit-equipped Astons, Benzes, Landies and Rollers, has taken the standard Elise and given it an aesthetic once-over in an attempt to justify it's yet-to-be-disclosed price tag. The enhancements include a new front splitter, side skirts and rear wing, along with silver mesh fitted to the side air intakes and rear clam. The seats have replaced with thicker, leather thones and the Kahn logo has been embossed on the headrests, center console and steering wheel. In keeping with Kahn tradition, performance modifications are limited to 19-inch wheels, a new suspension and a sports exhaust.

The Kahn Elise will officially debut next month, with sales beginning later this year through the UK's Dream Machines Lotus dealership.


[Source: Autoblog.nl]