Alfa Romeo gets ready to return to the USA. Starts with Facebook

Many years ago a young Sergio Marchionne announced that Alfa Romeo was going to return to the United States of America. Time passed by and year after year the return of the Italian brand was postponed to the following year. The latest announcement came in January saying Alfa was (finally) arriving in the North American market later this year, and it seems that might actually happen.

Yesterday a new Facebook page was created with the name Alfa Romeo USA saying it is the official page for North America. The only thing that is weird is that it says that in Italian. For now only images of the 4C are displayed in that page confirming that the small sports car will lead the way into the North American market.

Source: fb alfa romeo usa

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2014 Hyundai Equus teaser. Will be at the New York International Auto Show

With all the enthusiasm from Geneva Motor Show gone attentions now turn to the New York International Auto Show. Hyundai is the first one teasing a new model giving us a darkened picture of the 2014 Equus that was already introduced in the South Korean market.

Hyundai promises to give the new Equus an improved interior with higher quality materials, new safety technologies and driver information systems. Outside there will be small changes to the look of the car, which include, from what i can see, the removal of some chrome accents and a redesign to the headlights and taillights.

What do you think? Find out more when the New York International Auto Show starts on March 27.

Source: hyundai

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2014 Chevrolet SS revealed. We already saw him as the Holden VF SS V

Externally the only difference from the Holden Commodore SS V VF is the different logo on the front and the back, besides the new paint and wheels, but what is worth mentioning is that it is the first Chevrolet V8 rear-drive performance sedan in 17 years.

But when the Holden was introduced a few days nothing was revealed about the engine so it was with some joy that i saw Chevrolet revealing the engines specs in their press release. The SS comes with the 6.2liter LS3 Chevrolet V8, producing around 415hp and 562Nm (415lb/ft) of torque, so you know it will be fast.

The LS3 is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission that works together with the TAPshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel for a 0 to 60mph (97km/h) run in about five seconds. Unfortunately nothing was said about the top speed but i am sure it is limited to 155mph (250km/h).

The exterior includes the same ventilated Brembo brakes with 355mm rotors and two-piece, four-piston front calipers, aluminum hood and rear deck lid for a near 50/50 weight distribution, and forged aluminum wheels, with Bridgestone tires: 19 x 8.5 inch wheels with 245/40ZR19 tires in front; 19 x 9.0 inch wheels with 275/35ZR19 tires rear.

Inside we get 42 inches (107cm) of front legroom, and 39 inches (99cm) of rear legroom, leather seats as standard, the Chevrolet MyLink system in a color touch screen, Bose® Nine-speaker premium sound system besides several other safety systems like, the Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert.

Sales will start in the fourth quarter of 2013 with prices being disclosed closer to the on-sale date.

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Holden unveils the Commodere VF SS V

Recently the Australian company revealed the first car from the VF Commodore Series, the Calais V, and soon enough they showed us the more sporty VF SS V, that for now is only a show car but promises to "to seriously challenge any large performance sedan on the planet".

The exterior of the car as some changes to the body, including new front and rear bumpers, 20inch black double five-spoke wheels, a little spoiler at the back and a custom Fantale orange metallic paint. While the interior features the same arrangement as the Calais V but with a gloss black trim and leather seats.

In a mechanical level we only know that it has Brembo brakes, everything else is unknown for now.

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2014 Mazda 3 spied testing in the USA

The Mazda 3 hatchback is one of those cars many of us likes but it just didn't have that much success, still it is a car that we are curious about, and with these pictures taken in the U.S.A. we get to see the overall shape of the car even if it is covered in camouflage.

It will use the KODOS design language premiered on the Mazda 6 meaning we already have a good idea how it will look like, but has a more inclined rear glass giving it a weird shape in comparison with the current model.

if rumors turn out true that will use the platform of the CX-5, it can mean a big reduction in weight which in turn means a reduction in fuel consumption and better performance.

Source: gmotors

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Holden reveals the new VF Commodore (Calais V). The Chevrolet SS Sports Sedan for the USA

Holden is really going crazy over this new Commodore, calling it the best Commodore ever, that is also safer, more user-friendly and more fuel efficient. But what bothers me is that it looks like an Opel even if they say they "raised the bar". Richard Ferlazzo Holden Chief Designer (Creative Design) even said they took "a great existing form and brought it up to another level,”

I disagree, it still looks like an Opel Insignia (the back is more similar to the Malibu), and i actually prefer the VE, it was more distinctive. Having said that the car isn't ugly, it is classy and looks more luxurious, and while the interior is completely new, the exterior has the roof, doors and glasses of the older model. Besides that it was completely designed and engineered in Australia, something to be proud of.

One of the main aspects is the inclusion of several technologically advanced features, like the Auto Park Assist available on all modes, where the driver operates the pedals but the car effectively parks itself and you can choose between a parallel or 90 degree angle park. You also have the MyLink infotainment system and keyless entry and start.

The new safety features include Reverse Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Alert, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and a Head-Up Display. Pretty cool, right?

Engines or specifications weren't revealed but the car will go on sale in Australia from Mid-2013, and will reach the United States of America as the Chevrolet SS, both built in Australia. Still the engines should be the same V6 and V8 from the VE model. See the Calais V gallery below.

Oh and don't worry this won't be the last Commodore, a new one will show up in 2016.

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Alfa Romeo will return to the North American market late this year

Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of both Fiat SpA and Chrysler Group LLC, confirmed on Friday that the Italian brand will return to USA in late 2013 with the Alfa Romeo 4C.

Marchionned added that "For sure it's coming back this year with the 4C. With the Alfa Romeo 4C," and "We are finalizing the car now, so it should be here this year.". The objective is to increase Alfa's sales and reduce the losses of Fiat in Europe. 

Source: reuters

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Volkswagen USA also announces R-Line versions of the Tiguan and Touareg

Volkswagen will introduce the Touareg and Tiguan R-Line at the Detroit Auto Show, starting next week, for the North American market. Both SUVs will join the recently presented Beetle and the older CC with their respective S-Line trims.

The changes are only cosmetic, with no modifications or new offerings for the engines available. Both cars have new 19 and 20inch wheels available, new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and LED lighting.

On the inside we also have specially design parts, including a flat-bottom R-Line multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters, unique high-gloss black and brushed aluminum trim on the dashboard, center console and doors, aluminum sport pedals, and a black headliner.

Source: vw usa

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Short News: Best selling vehicles in the U.S.A.

2012 is already over so all car brands made ​​their final accounts to find out how many cars each one sold and we can now conclude that for the third year in a row the number of vehicles sold increased. So what was the best selling model? Find out below.

The top three sellers in 2012 are the same from 2011, but the Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Cruze are gone from the 2012 list.

1. Ford F-Series with 645.316, a 10.3 percent increase over 2011
2. Chevrolet Silverado with 418.312, a 0.8 percent increase over 2011
3. Toyota Camry with 404.886, a 31.2 percent increase over 2011
4. Honda Accord with 331.872, a 40.8 percent increase over 2011
5. Honda Civic with 317.909, a 43.7 percent increase over 2011
6. Nissan Altima with 302.934, a 12.6 percent increase over 2011
7. Ram Pickup with 293.363, a 19.9 percent increase over 2011
8. Toyota Corolla with 290.947, a 21.1 percent increase over 2011
9. Honda CR-V with 281.652, a 29.0 percent increase over 2011
10. Ford Escape with 261.008, a 2.6 percent increase over 2011

Source: kickingtires

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