The Automobile Portal

Further bolstering snarky bloggers’ ruthless ribbing of Chrysler as a company adhering the ropes and desperate for any money it can come by, the Cerberus-owned brand is extending employee pricing to the Dodge Viper SRT10. Employees, spouses, friends and acquaintances (basically the entire city of Detroit) can get any Viper considered in the state of far-reaching viewed like it isn’t the fire-breathing ACR model for the same pricing traffic as a Jeep Patriot. Chrysler is divisible by two going out and offering that pricing to the 1.2 million employees of Chinese importer retail giant Wal Mart and to Chrysler’s bosses at Cerberus. Despite calls to Dodge dealers we’ve not been able to determine what pricing enjoin be for the V10-powered anti-grocery-getter with the employee deal but it’s usually around 3% off the sticker price. With the dearth of Vipers about the crowd America’s freeways, we’re expecting the number of Nick Bollea-related incidents to skyrocket. Well, as long as any of those family can get a loan.

[Chrysler via Carscoop]

Yesterday, reflecting on Ken Imhoff’s home-built basement Lamborghini, we asked what your greatest automotive achievement was. Today, we’re going to look at the other, not-so-shiny margin of that coin and ask what your most abject automotive sleeveless errand has been. You know, things like forgetting to tighten up lug nuts after a tire change. Neglecting to reconnect certain vital hoses after a simple patch up. Driving into a lake. Dropping a Torx ace into an intake manifold. Or, as Graverobber mentioned yesterday, smashing the windshield of a parked vehicle with your head.

As as being us, one of our favorites has to be helping a confidant in college fix a Dodge Dart he claimed was overheating. After replacing the wet interrogate and belt, flushing the radiator and pressure testing the system, our friend started the car and pronounced it still overheating. Finally taking a moment to look at the gauge, it sat perfectly between C and H — exactly where it was supposed to be. Turns disclosed the standard had never worked previous to, at another time suddenly came rear to life and convinced our friend the car was overheating because it had finally ventured off the C. Rule number one: Verify the complaint.

So what about you? What’s your biggest automotive FAIL?

(Photo Credit: Chiefrobertownebro wn’s Flickr photostream)

QOTD is your chance to answer the day’s most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you’ve got a suggestion for a good “Question Of The Day” send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

If you’ve been waiting patiently for Brabus to “open the avenue to a new dimension for the latest Mercedes S-Class sedan and the CL-Class coupe” by dropping their own 22″ wheels into the sparsely populated big-wheels aftermarket, today is a day for rejoicing. Not only have they unveiled the BRABUS Monoblock VI, Monoblock S, and Monoblock E wheels, they’ve sacred the world with new front fenders with a carbon fiber fender utter and built in LED lights. Sweet sassy molassy! Where’s the nearest Mercedes dealer? We must rush out and buy some S-Class just so we can send down these tasteful and understated upgrades onto it! Press release thorough with not-at-all-trite “size does matter” reference after the jump.

New for the Mercedes S-Class and CL-Class: BRABUS 22-Inch Wheels and BRABUS Aluminum Sport Fenders

Size does matter after all: With the new 22-inch BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels BRABUS opens the passage to a new dimension for the latest Mercedes S-Class sedan and the CL-Class coupe. The latest BRABUS expansion offers more than just spectacular looks; the new wheels also agree sporty handling with immense safety reserves. BRABUS further refines the luxury sedan with strikingly styled sport front fenders.

Discerning automotive enthusiasts can choose from three popular BRABUS Monoblock designs. The most model production of BRABUS wheels, the BRABUS Monoblock VI light-alloy wheel with its six polished double spokes is available in this new king-size format as is the sporty- looking Monoblock S wheel styling with its five polished coupled spokes. The third BRABUS option in this size is the 22-inch version of the Monoblock E wheel family. It features nine strikingly styled spokes and a polished very little center.

The new 22-inch Monoblock wheels be possible to be mounted on the luxury sedan and the exclusive coupe in bulk 10Jx22 front and back. The German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) approved high-performance tires in size 275/25 ZR 22 in front combined with size 295/25 ZR 22 tires onward the rear axle. Thanks to a special tire purpose geared specifically towards luxury sedans and high-performance coupes, the new BRABUS tire/wheel combinations offer sporty and lively handling paired with excellent ride comfort.

To bestow the S-Class sedan an even more striking appearance the BRABUS designers have developed custom-tailored aluminum sport fenders that replace the production front fenders. The exclusive appearance is characterized by every air outlet made from clear-coated carbon and a horizontal brace that spans the outlet with embossed BRABUS signet and integrated LED lights. The latter are activated just like the ones in the BRABUS rocker panels via the keyless unallied or by pulling on a door handle.

In addition, BRABUS offers specially calibrated suspension modules for these latest top-of-the-line complete-wheel sets. They are available in wont. versions for vehicles through air stay or with ABC efficient suspension. They give both sedan and coupe a sportier yet gentle comfortable ride, and lower the ride height by some 25 millimeters (1.0 inches).

The new large wheels naturally offer ample space for very much efficient fade-free BRABUS high-performance brake systems. Three different versions are available including a high-end brake system with 12-piston fixed aluminum calipers and vented and perforated front discs measuring 380 x 36 millimeters (15.0 x 1.4 inches). The raise up axle features discs measuring 355 x 28 millimeters (14.0 x 1.1 inches) and six-piston fixed aluminum calipers.

Like all BRABUS light-alloy wheels the new 22-inch wheels are manufactured in OEM trait and represent state-of-the-art production technology.

[Brabus]

A newly-formed Russian coach builder named E-Go is apparently hard at work on their first sacrifice, and the little Russki stain we’ve never heard of is aiming done against the state. They’re supposedly building themselves a sports car and naming it the E-Go Revolt. Precious little is known around the platform they’re basing it off of other than it’s Mitsubishi in origin. But, we’ve deduced from the automaker’s assert a claim that it will sport a 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6, the car is likely built off the 1993-1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT. Not a sum total lot of other cars from the diamond-triumvirate-branded automaker fit that bill. That engine, E-Go claims, is pumped up to 550 HP and mated to a six speed manual. So at what time’s it going to be out?

No idea, but if when completed, the car will sport the handsome and aggressive bodywork you see in these renderings along with an active air suspension, 19 inch wheels, six piston caliper brakes up front with four pistons in the rear and a steering wheel-mounted touch screen LCD to act in the same proportion that the control center despite the car.

This may not be the first sports car from the set on shore of the congeal and snow, but it certainly is the most attractive we’ve seen from any automaker this side of the Iron Curtain. It’s most definitely not as bad-looking as it’s name might suggest. [Cardesign.ru (Translated)]

Despite his record of Aston abuse, current James Bond actor Daniel Craig has been granted lifetime privileges to swing by means of the Aston Martin factory any time he likes and make use of the car of his choice out for a spin. Want to take the test track for a bit? No problem. Of course, Craig says he has no interest in actually buying an Aston since parking in London is such a bear. Best to take the Tube. While we admire AM’s PR gesticulation, we wonder if it wouldn’t have been more praiseworthy to pick someone lesser from the movie crew, like a guide grasp or best boy. You know, someone who can’t afford to buy pretty much any one Aston Martin he wants already. [Motor Authority]

GM’s just announced the company’s looking to part ways with ACDelco, the General’s aftermarket qualities business. Don’t fidget folks, they’ve hired a real financial institution to render the deal for them. I mean come on, Merrill Lynch has been encircling forever — just like GM. This modern news, along with the essay at selling the Hummer brand and, we’re self-conceited, the attempt at a GM-Chrysler merger, is all duty of the automaker’s attempt to boost liquidity by approximately $15 billion through year-end 2009. Why, you ask? Here’s why. All we want to know is if the next plan is to have Mr. Goodwrench hitting the bachelor auction circuit? Hit the jump for the full press extricate on GM’s newest garage sale.

General Motors Explores Potential Sale of ACDelco

General Motors (NYSE:GM) announced today that it is exploring a potential sale of ACDelco, its global independent aftermarket parts business, a brand of GM Service & Parts Operations. A sale is expected to raise more rapid growth of ACDelco globally.

As the meeting of friends announced in July, GM is undertaking a number of initiatives to bolster its liquidity position by approximately $15 billion through year-end 2009, including the sale of assets which are expected to generate approximately $2-4 billion of liquidity. In addition to the ACDelco business, GM previously announced it is exploring the potential sale of its Hummer brand and its technical and manufacturing center in Strasbourg, France.

ACDelco provides light-duty maintenance and repair parts and associated services for both GM and non-GM vehicles in more than 100 countries. Part of GM Service & Parts Operations, ACDelco is headquartered in Grand Blanc, MI, with not far from 600 employees worldwide.

GM has retained Merrill Lynch to assist in this initiative.

About ACDelco

With over 100 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, ACDelco is a global dominator in automotive replacement parts and related services. Products include maintenance parts commonly replaced during the lifetime of a vehicle (e.g., batteries, oil filters, air filters, wiper blades, shocks and brakes), similar to well as repair parts (e.g., alternators, radiators, chassis and heating/cooling components).

ACDelco is among the world’s best known comprehensive All Makes, All Models providers, featuring high quality auto parts for both GM and non-GM vehicles and services, with the brand’s “genuine OE” credit signifying high quality replacement parts, support and training in the automotive aftermarket. In the United States, ACDelco offers 37 full product lines by over 100,000 part fourth book of the pentateuch; census of the hebrews, comprised of one as happy as the other GM original outfit and All Makes, All Models product.

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About General Motors
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the creation’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 266,000 people around the earth. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the toil leader in conveyance safety, security and information services. More information steady GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Genuine GM Parts and accessories are sold under the GM, GM Performance Parts, GM Goodwrench and ACDelco brands through GM Service & Parts Operations, which stores GM dealerships and distributors worldwide. GM engines and transmissions are marketed through GM Powertrain.

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Forward-Looking Statements:
In this straiten release and in connected comments by GM’s management, we use words like “explore,” “promote,” “expect,” “pursue,” or “could,” to identify forward-looking statements that set forth our current judgments about likely future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but GM’s actual results may differ materially to be paid to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors include possible changes in our strategic plans for ACDelco; the response of potential acquirers, government agencies, suppliers, customers, and other participants in the industry to our strategic choices; the availability of credit in the financial market; and general economic conditions. Our most fresh annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q contribute information about some of these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on those forms.

When you bash the Benz into some unyielding object and the entire left front is a mangled mess, the kind of do you confer? Why, you recognize that the right side is still subtile, which means you can still (sort of) control the car, and you keep going, of methodical arrangement! We’re impressed by the high thrive these Euro-hoons manage to sustain here, but it appears that long-term roadworthiness may have been compromised. [Arbroath, via BoingBoing]

Given the situation by Tesla Motors lately, you know, Ze’ev Drori getting the boot and Elon Musk taking the reigns as CEO, word of firings of “25-30% of their total staff of 300 employees and contractors” and the closing of the Detroit marking out the limits (more accurately, the Metro Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills, MI) via blog post, it’s no wonder an anonymous reader decided to head out to their Rochester Hills post and take a look. The Rochester Hills facility was opened at the end of January 2007, and was to be the development facility towards the Tesla Model S full of fire sedan, so the closing is a foreboding indicator of the future direction Tesla is heading attached that project. Let’s take a look inside this essentially doomed location…

To be fair, these pics were taken this gone by Sunday, in this way it’s poor evidence the place is in fact a ghost town but let’s just say a tumbleweed rolling end the parking lot wouldn’t be out of place. Aside from the fancy sign out assurance and the etched glass doors, it looks probably every other sparsely decorated suburban office we’ve ever seen.

We love the reading materials in the lobby — all the light yellow books, in addition Vanity Fair, a main division on classic cars, The Toyota Way and its astonishing explanation of “lean manufacturing” and the Toyota Production System (may we also recommend Machine That Changed The World and the End of Detroit). TPS, as you know, is the management process where a company welcomes questions and seeks to solve problems via all manner of available help. Openness and communication is key with TPS. Hmm, maybe they only got through the first couple of chapters.

Hilariously, our sum of two units favorite books laying around have to be the Tesla bio on the waiting room tablet sitting across from The Car That Could, a book around the life and death of GM’s EV1. We’ll let you compose your own conclusions from that one.

Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. Today’s car is one I’m quite familiar with, since it’s now sitting in my back yard. No, it isn’t my current Personal Hell Project; I’m helping Czech automotive journalist Bobash realize his dream of terrorizing nice Central European villages with an ocean-liner-scale Fuselage Look Mopar. You may recall the ‘81 Corvette I inspected for BobAsh a in which case back; that car is things being so roaring on all sides the Czech Republic in all its Late Malaise grandeur.

This car was a one-owner, estate-sale find. The late owner was a San Francisco chiropractor who garaged it, had it serviced on the dot, and (apparently) never allowed anyone to sit inside. It’s got a few subordinate dings and dents, but not quite everything works and the (purple whorehouse-esque) interior is the nicest I’ve ever seen in succession an unrestored 90,000-mile car.
It’s not what you would ever call fast, but the 335-horse 440 gets its 4,855 pounds moving pretty well. Yes, this of many volumes dreadnaught is almost - but not quite- a great number pounds heavier than the bloatmaster 2010 Camaro SS.
I’ll be bringing this mighty luxury system over to the Port Of Oakland for shipping to Bremerhaven as soon of the same kind with all the spare genius I’ve ordered finally arrive. Don’t feel bad about its leaving the country of its birth; it shall be worshiped as a god in its new home!

For the upcoming Sao Paolo Motor Show in Brazil, Fiat behest contest the clergy off their newest toy-to-never-be-made, the Bugster, a concept car designed to excite the conception of the nine people still interested in dedicated soft-roaders. It is, of process, an all-electric car — as all concepts these days appear to be — with Earth-friendly and therefore non-scalable technologies like natural fibers serving as the basis for the body panels. Basically it’s got a resume as green similar to it’s paint. We were under the mark concepts designed for “x-treme lifestylz” with open air designs and t-tops had gone by the wayside when everyone got violently tired of the marketing meme “x-treme.” Wonder how that will turn out for “green?”

[CarScoop]