2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo Geneva Debut

The 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo will join the B6 GT3 race car on the stand in Geneva, and thanks to AutoZeitung, we’ve got a singular photo and some preliminary specs on the uber-sedan from Alpina.
The B7 Bi-Turbo is essentially the M7 BMW forgot to build, packing a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V8 putting out 507 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Alpina claims the B7 can run to 60 in 4.7 seconds and on to an electronically-limited 173 mph. We’ll have more details from the Geneva Motor Show next week, but expect a host of upgrades to join the engine mods, including uprated brakes, suspension components and a reworked interior to compliment the B7’s new body kit

Based On The Versa, Why Don’t People Like Nissan’s Cube?

Based on the Nissan Versa and sharing its 1.8-liter, 122 HP engine, it’s here equipped with a continuously variable transmission. But really, the Cube’s raison d’etre isn’t its mechanical ability, but its body style. An upright two box like the Scion xB or Honda Element, the second generation Cube actually predated both those cars. This third generation vehicle, the first to be offered in the United States, attempts to soften the square edges, boosting both the design appeal and interior space.

The exterior is the kind of thing vacuous aesthetes go gaga for. The asymmetry and rounded boxes subvert traditional car archetypes into something that’s more akin to a slightly outdated piece of architecture or furniture. While its profile is strikingly similar to that xB, it’s radically different in detail, immediately looking like no other car on the road. Especially in a vibrant color like this teal, you’ll stand out on the road in a way that might trouble men not confident in their sexuality

Dacia Duster Hybrid Crossover Concept To Debut In Geneva

.Dacia, an automaker with Romanian origins and is now subsidiary of Renault, will be unveiling its first concept at this year’s 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The Dacia Duster concept is a crossover coupe that has one-door on one side and two-doors on the other side. So while it can be pitched as sporty crossover, it can also come in handy as an MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle).
The Dacia Duster crossover concept is powered by a 1.5 dCi engine making 105-hp. Mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, the Duster can run from 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds while returning a fuel-economy of 53 mpg (44 mpg in U.S. terms). No word on whether Renault and Dacia will put Duster into production but it sounds like a good idea for the European market…..”
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What happens if an automaker goes bankrupt?

A: Under a Chapter 11 reorganization, a manufacturer's normal operations would probably continue. It would still be building cars and providing service, so car owners might not have problems getting warranty repairs, parts, and service.

In a Chapter 7 liquidation, the company would effectively cease to exist and car owners would largely be on their own. The company would still have to address safety recalls. It's possible that if another automaker buys a defunct brand, it would continue to support owners.

Perhaps more likely is an automaker's jettisoning a division, as GM did with Oldsmobile in 2004 and Chrysler did with Plymouth in 2001. Support for owners of those makes has continued through other GM and Chrysler dealerships. But the resale values of the vehicles plummeted, as would probably happen with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

If resale value is a concern, avoid buying a make that might be phased out. If you plan to keep the car for a long time, depreciation is less of a factor, and buying from a brand going out of business could make it easier to find a good deal. For more information on which automakers are best, see "Who makes the best cars?"

Source;
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/02/what-happens-if-an-automaker-goes-bankrupt-.html

More Sad News for GM Fans; General Motors pulls away from Opel

Now that official word has come down that General Motors is abandoning its Saab and Saturn brands, the company announced today that it will also spin off a quarter to half of its stake in its European brand Opel (and it’s British twin, Vauxhall). Opel is a prominent car brand in Europe, and one of the largest carmakers in Germany.

Ironically, until the current financial crisis hit, Opel was one of GM’s more successful operations and it helped support the money-losing North American factories. As recently as a year ago, the automotive giant was pinning its hopes on better integrating its worldwide operations, and selling Opel-designed products in the United States, such as the Saturn Astra. Now that plan may be off the table.

In the meantime, Saturn has asked its dealers for two more months to develop a plan to restructure and look for investors and suppliers as an independent company, once GM quits providing cars for it in 2012. In the end, there’s no reason an independent Opel couldn’t be the manufacturer to build cars for Saturn. We’re just saying…

Source;
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/02/gm-pulls-away-from-opel.html

Consumer Reports names most reliable used vehicles

Yonkers, New York - Consumer Reports has released the list of its most and least reliable used cars for the last ten years in its Annual Auto Issue. The vehicles range from model years 1999 to 2008, with Toyota and Honda dominating the majority of the nine categories.

The picks in five categories are:

Small Cars: Honda Civic, Toyota Echo, Scion xB*, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, Mazda3, Mazda Protegé, Subaru Impreza

Family Cars: Honda Accord, Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan*, Toyota Camry (except 2008 V6), Subaru Outback (six-cylinder), Nissan Altima

Minivans: Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey

Small SUVs: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander

Midsize and Large SUVs: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX, Toyota Land Cruiser*, Toyota 4Runner, Infiniti FX35, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX4, Lexus GX, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Tribeca, Nissan Xterra (2005-2008), Toyota Sequoia

* Model not sold in Canada

The report also features “Used Cars to Avoid” and “Worst of the Worst”, which names vehicles with multiple years of much worse than average reliability, including models from Audi, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Porsche, Saturn, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Consumer Reports noted that problem rates for cars have decreased across the board, so newer used cars should hold up better than their predecessors as they age. Among five-year-old and newer cars, Ford, Hyundai and Nissan are about tied in reliability. European cars, long the least reliable overall, are pulling even with the domestics on newer models. The magazine also noted that cars with high problem rates are not always the oldest vehicles.

Across all ten years of the survey, the most commonly reported problems are with the check engine light, windows, and squeaks and rattles. Brake problems became evident at five years.
The full report is contained in the Annual Auto Issue, on sale from March 3 to May 4, 2009.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/26/consumer-reports-names-most-reliable-vehicles.htm

Nissan Backed Toyota Dealership Closes

A Nissan backed Toyota dealership, I don't know what to think of that....
The recently opened Superior Toyota of Oakland hoped to be a rare example of an auto dealership that could swim against the harsh economic tide.

On Tuesday, employees were informed the 200,000-square-foot dealership at 8181 Oakport St. at Hegenberger Road would be shut down at the close of business Tuesday. It came as a surprise as the grand opening of the site was to be scheduled soon, and cars were being placed in the window fronting Interstate 880 this week.

Even a huge sign near Oracle Arena declared the site "now open."
While it's a Toyota dealership, owner Michael Kahn said Nissan actually provided the financing for the new building.

Source;
http://www.autospies.com/news/Nissan-Torpedos-Brand-New-Toyota-Mega-Dealership-Forcing-It-To-Close-41538/