2010 Citroen C3 - click above for high res image gallery In Europe, the so-called C-Segment is the single largest volume vehicle class, so when a manufacturer brings out a new model in that class, it’s an important move. C cars are compacts like the Ford Focus, VW Golf and Opel Astra. Citroen’s C car is called the C3 and it’s all new for 2010. Visually, the most remarkable element of the C3 is the “Zenith windshield” which stretches back almost to the B-pillar. Seeing something like this is common on concept cars (see: Kia No 3 ) but rare on production cars, especially mainstream models. The 12.9 foot long C3 has managed to not add any weight in spite of the enormous piece of glass up front. Citroen has improved the efficiency and it will get even better next year with further powertrain upgrades. For 2010, the HDi 90 DPFS version will get a CO 2 emissions rating of just 99 g/km. Next year, a second-generation start/stop system will yield variants that get 90 and 95 g/km. Gallery: 2010 Citroen C3 [Source: Citroen] Continue reading Citroen announces new C3 including a version that gets 99 g/km CO 2 Filed under: Diesel , Citroen Citroen announces new C3 including a version that gets 99 g/km CO 2 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

For all the family vacations, he drives to practice, the trips to the burger stand, letting us “help” when we weren’t really helping, and for not yelling at us too much when we shot cap guns at other cars out the open back window from our rear-facing seats in the family station wagon: Thanks, Dad. From all of us at Autoblog to all the dads out there, Happy Father’s Day! Got any fun dad/car stories? Share ‘em below. Happy Father’s Day from Autoblog originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Motorsports , Etc. , Lifestyle Former WRC driver Colin McRae died just before the game bearing his brand, DiRT, was released. That game didn’t get a chance to honor the 1995 WRC champion, but the game’s sequel, DiRT 2 , will make up for that. In addition to a host of off-road events that you can run in a variety of off-road vehicles, there will be a Colin McRae Memorial Cup that you can qualify for. Other drivers in the game will also be heard talking about McRae, and he is “the central figure in the narrative.” As a step to pay tribute it is commendable, and it’s good to see that Mr. McRae hasn’t been forgotten. [Source: Joystiq ] DiRT 2 will honor Colin McRae in-game originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Time Warp , Misc. Auto Shows 2009 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Day 1 - Click above for a high-res gallery The web is all about immediacy, and by that token, you should have seen these Greenwich Concours d’Elegance photos right after the event happened. Your humble correspondent, however, was juggling the Concours with his own family vacation preparations, and couldn’t deliver in a timely fashion. However, like Dick Nixon , I’m now tanned, rested and ready, so follow the jump for several themed photo galleries and the annual rundown on what you missed if you weren’t able to make the stop in Greenwich, All photos Copyright (C)2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading 2009 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance 2009 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Spy Photos , Sedans/Saloons , Sports/GTs , Aston Martin A Car magazine reader has photographed the Aston Martin Rapide looking like it could have come off a dealer lot. The snapper also peeped the inside, which he said has a full-length console a la the Mercedes CLS to create four distinct seating positions. Aston has, however, said that those rear seats are for “children or two adults on shorter journeys.” The slinky black number also sports a serious set of pipes out back that we expect to put out a beautiful soundtrack. And thank goodness the car has a hatch like the Vantage, which means — in a first for current Aston Martins — it could have a proper trunk. Like the kind you can actually put things in. [Source: Car ] Spy Shots: This is your Aston Martin Rapide originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Tuners , Hatchbacks , Honda Mugen Honda Civic Type-R hatch - Click above for high-res image gallery Honda’s Euro-market Civic Type R hatchback has been called out for being a successor that hasn’t exactly succeeded. Seems a bit of the thrill is gone from the new car compared to the old one. Enter tuning firm Mugen, whose modifications to the Type R hatch should make it even better than it once was. Not much is known about the changes in store. However, based on changes made for Mugen’s Japan-spec Civic Type RR 4-door sedan, these pictures, and the fact that this car might take on the Renault R26.R, you can expect much: upgraded suspension and 18-inch wheels, giant front splitter and rear wing, huge exhaust, and a powerplant putting out 237 bhp and 160 lb-ft. If the pictures don’t lie, however, it looks like the bigger Brembo brakes might not appear, and the back seats will remain in place. You can check out the details for yourself in the high-res gallery below. Gallery: Mugen Civic Type R Hatch [Source: 4 Wheels News ] Mugen Civic Type R hatchback restores former glory originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

PSA has produced 30 million transmissions at its Valenciennes factory near Calais, France since opening in 1981, and it has just launched an expansion there. While the plant produces four different types of transmissions, the expansion is focused on the two newest designs for the mechanical compact gearbox. This transmission is available in two varieties, one fully manual and the second and automated unit that activates the clutch and gear changes robotically. The new gearboxes are 6-speed units and the automated version is known as the MCP. Both of the units can help reduce fuel consumption by up to five percent. The expansion will add 75,000 square feet to the 452,000 square foot facility. This will allow Peugeot to up production of the fuel saving transmissions from the current 1,750 units to 2,625 units daily. [Source: Peugeot] Continue reading PSA expands production of transmissions for better fuel efficiency Filed under: MPG , PSA PSA expands production of transmissions for better fuel efficiency originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Time Warp , Dodge , Police/Emergency Over at Clunkbucket, Mike Bumbeck has an “odd rod” feature highlighting one of the more interesting law-enforcement vehicles we’ve ever come across. Back in the early 70s, the Bay Area Pollution Control District decided to form a Vehicle Patrol section to issue citations to emissions scofflaws. Officers used a chart that told them what color color smoke was “good” or “bad” to determine whether the exhaust spewing from cars’ tailpipes was in compliance. Nowadays, this sort of endeavor would likely be carried out by humorless glorified metermaids in politically-correct Toyota Priuses. Back then, however, jauntily-dressed pollution-enforcement agents cruised the streets of San Francisco in specially-liveried Dodge Polara pursuit specials. Because, you know, when you think “clean air” you think “Dodge Polara.” Head over to Clunkbucket for plenty more photos, some additional program history, and details on the excellent replica you see above. [Source: Clunkbucket | Photo: Mike Bumbeck] Irony Police: ‘73 Dodge Polara Air Pollution Control replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Lifestyle , UK , Celebrities World of Top Gear Exhibition opening day - Click above for high-res image gallery From the impossible-to-kill Toyota pickup truck, to the amphibious cars the three presenters created to cross the English Channel, to the Reliant Robbin Space Shuttle they tried to put into orbit, our fondest memories of Top Gear over the years almost always seem to center around the ridiculous vehicular challenges that the show’s producers provide for Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. Soon, anyone wishing to catch a first-hand glimpse of these machines will get their chance as the U.K.’s National Motor Museum just opened the doors to its new World of Top Gear exhibition. Also on display will be a full-scale reproduction of the stage where Top Gear is filmed before a live studio audience, the infamous Cool Wall, and the Celebrity Lap Time board. Want to know more? Click here to visit the official website and hit the jump to read the press release. Gallery: World of Top Gear Exhibition [Source: National Motor Museum Beaulieu] Continue reading World of Top Gear exhibit opens in UK World of Top Gear exhibit opens in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Aftermarket , Tuners , Coupes , Sports/GTs , Dodge How It’s Made: Hurst Hemi Dodge Challenger - Click above for a high resolution gallery At SEMA last year, the legendary shifter company Hurst made huge waves with its Hemi Challenger . We’ve been following Hurst’s progress of the cars ever since, and even got the chance to get behind the wheel of the prototype car for a brief stint. We recently made the trip down to Hurst Performance Vehicles’ headquarters in Irvine, CA to see just how stock Challengers are transformed into one of their limited edition muscle cars. You might think that Hurst would be hard pressed to find customers in today’s economy, but we were surprised to see their building overflowing with Challengers. There were completely stock cars that had just been delivered, cars getting superchargers and suspension upgrades, and plenty of complete cars waiting to be delivered to their lucky new owners. Hurst was kind enough to give us a full tour of the facility, and showed us exactly what goes into making one of their Challengers, whether it’s a base Series 2 model or a full blown Series 5 with all the bells and whistles. Follow us on our tour in the gallery below, which includes high-res photographs and detailed descriptions that follow a Hurst Challenger from start to finish . Gallery: How It’s Made: Hurst Hemi Dodge Challenger Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc. How It’s Made: Hurst Hemi Dodge Challenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments