Car Throttle

The Chicago auto show is upon is, which means... well, some facelifts, some new models, but not huge news like Detroit or Geneva.  Still, new stuff!   Inside: Two new Acuras, perhaps the world's most powerful 4-seat production convertible, minor facelifts for a Datsun, a big ol' GMC, and a sweet new Kia they need to make pronto.  Oh, and some bad news on Fisker. Acura officially debuted two new production cars - the ILX (pictured above) and the new RDX.  The ILX takes over for both the Canadian-market CSX sedan (Civic based), and will replace the US-market TSX sedan (Euro Accord-based) as Acura's entry-level model.  Why don't they call it the Integra?  Dunno.  Power comes from three sources.  The base model has a 2.0L I4

There's a long precedent of rappers referencing cars in their songs.  It's part of the baller lifestyle: huge house, lots of skeezy women, and a gold-plated Range Rover with 38" gold-plated wheels.  Since rap these days is all about conspicuous consumption, it's part and parcel. But as much as we like seeing Jay-Z and Kanye cut the doors off a Maybach, weld sheet metal fenders on it, and drift it around an industrial parking lot, there's something amusing about local rappers laying down a track about... their Volvo.  Awww, hell yeah son!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKOVF1qwPzI

The above video is by Seattle-area rapper Grynch, and I actually kinda like the song.  I mean, not just because I'm partial to ancient Volvo station wagons - it's a

FINALLY.  The friggin' Buick Encore is here.  All my dreams and prayers have been answered, I'm so excited I can hardly...

...oh, sorry, got caught up in Auto Show mode there.  I'm just glad we don't have to deal with teaser images of a small SUV any more.  Look, I love auto show season.  Even after years of this, it still gets my blood going - who doesn't like seeing new stuff for the first time?  But not everything that comes out at the auto shows are worth an entire article.  Thus, Car Throttle News Bites: Detroit Auto Show Edition.  If you missed the earlier coverage, you can find it under the Detroit 2012 Category.

Speaking of that

The year 2012 is now upon us, which may mean a few things.  One is that we've only got 350-odd days before the Mayan's prediction of the apocalypse comes true and we all die.  (I'm not betting on it!)  The other thing it does mean is the Detroit Auto Show is just around the corner- just a few days, in fact.  So I've awoken from my Christmas/New Years slumber to share the news. This little trucklet is the new Ford EcoSport, debuting at the New Delhi Auto Expo.  Based on the Fiesta, this miniature soft-roader is the second generation of the EcoSport, which was previously only sold in Brazil.  This new one should be more widely available, with production in Brazil and India, as part of

Take a bite... outta news!  I'm back again with today's News Bites, where I hand-feed you today's automotive this-and-that with a humorous spoon.  So what's news today? Cadillac's ATS has been circulating the rumor mill for a while now.  This small, rear-wheel-drive sedan is pitched directly against BMW's all-conquering 3-series and Audi's A4.  We've known a bit about it's underpinnings for a while now - it will sit on GM's new Alpha RWD chassis, which fits below the Zeta RWD chassis - G8, Camaro, CTS, etc.  GM announced what you'll find under the hood, and there's reason to get excited.  Not about the base model, which will be powered by a 2.5L I4 (likely the same one in the new Malibu, with 190bhp/180lb-ft).  No, the mid-level

More power! Who would turn that down? Not us. Buick, the division of General Motors everyone presumed dead a few years ago, has made a spectacular comeback. Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal, upcoming Verano - suddenly Buicks are starting to be a whole lot more appealing to younger buyers. Especially that Regal GS (as much as we wanted the undiluted V-6 powered Opel Insignia OPC...grr). However, we digress. The LaCrosse has gotten some changes for 2012 and concurrently manages to move in both directions at once. For its $30,810 price, the LaCrosse is available in miserly fuel-sipping eAssist guise as well as a no-cost V-6 version. That gives buyers clear choices; it'll be interesting to examine sales figures and see how the market is responding. The

Buick is experiencing a renaissance in sales and new product, and 2010's sales numbers bear that out. After a period of decline, they are on the upswing, posting a startling 52.88% percent improvement with sales of 155,389 cars for the year. The Enclave and LaCrosse have been successful models, and the Regal that joined the lineup this year is attracting new buyers. That is set to continue with the Verano small car slates for the upcoming North American International Auto Show. To help with attracting younger buyers, a Regal GS model has already been introduced. Could we see a similar variant of the LaCrosse as well? The Regal GS definitely should attract a younger, more enthusiast-oriented demographic. But what about the LaCrosse? Could a performance variant make

If you're a car guy, chances are one of your past times is Craigslist. The free online classified ad website that has been running since 1996 is the perfect place to find everything from a sitter, to a new dog, to furniture, to your soul mate, to... a car!  Heck, my last car came from craigslist - friendly, knowledgeable seller, cool car, good price.  And while most stuff on craigslist is a bit normal ("2003 Camry, Grey, 86k, call Jeff...") occasionally you'll find something cool.  Here's what turned up with a quick perusal of my local CL. Don't tell me you're not tempted.  What is this heap?  Why, it's an Alfa Romeo Milano!  And what the hell is that?  Well, it was Alfa's competitor

A few years ago, who would have ever imagined that Buick would be enjoying the success it is today. Its image is on the mend and products like the Enclave, LaCrosse and Regal are doing well in the market place. It appears that Buick is getting the right product and positioning in the future to succeed as well - the eAssist LaCrosse model looks to be a highly-competitive and compelling model for the brand. Next up for Buick is the addition of a new small-car. This is a difficult area to tread for a resurgent Buick. While Buick could be ahead of the competition in introducing a small car, it has to be done right. For feedback on trim levels, Buick is going to dealers about the

This was a question that came to me today, as I was perusing an old issue of Motor Trend. And by old, I mean before I was born - 1984, to be precise.  They were testing the new-for-1984 Buick Regal T-Type with the recently introduced Grand National package.  By now, of course, the Grand National is the stuff of legends - that turbocharged, tire-smoking anomaly in Buick's mostly boring history.  It's the Darth Vader of cars - slightly spooky when you pull up next to one at a stop light, and your chances of winning a race against one are pretty low, unless you're in something like a 911 Turbo.  Heck, without the Grand National, the GMC Syclone wouldn't exist - which we all know was