Autoblog

News out of Toledo is that Chrysler plans to drop either the Jeep Liberty or the Dodge Nitro within four years and merge the two vehicles into one. These two 'utes are built on the same exact platform, use basically the same engines and are built in the same Toledo plant. There is no good reason for both of them to exist, which makes us wonder why they ever did in the first place and why it will take three years to correct. Regardless, considering that Jeep will always be the off-road brand, it would make most sense to keep the Liberty name going. Losing the Nitro, meanwhile, might actually help Dodge improve its image as a volume performance brand.

This convergence of duplicate vehicles is part of Chrysler's Project Genesis plan. Under the plan, dealers will begin to offer Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles under the same roof. Other nameplates that are or should be converged include the Jeep Compass/Jeep Patriot and Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen, the latter of which could see themselves replaced by a new model with Jeep underpinnings.

[Source: The Toledo Blade]

Click above to watch video after the jump

We're nearly a year from the big screen debut of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, but that hasn't stopped us from devouring every bit of early information that we can about the new Micheal Bay action flick. There is an early video taken from the first day of filming which features a few of the things that we're expecting to see front and center in this movie: cars, motorcycles and explosions. While the video is pretty short and doesn't reveal all that much, it still has us psyched about the movie and we will surely continue to watch as more filming documentaries are released.

We've pasted the YouTube version after the break, but you might want to check it out on Walmart's site for a clearer version. You'll need the following code: AllSpark62609. There is one more video from Industrial Light and Magic. It's called Creating Transformers and it details what it takes to animate a Transforming robot on-screen with live actors through some of the best scenes from the first movie. Yeah, we're officially excited.

[Source: Walmart via Transformers.MovieChronicle via Jalopnik]

Click above to enlarge the five VW Campervans

There are few vehicles which can approach the Volkswagen van for sheer classic presence. Today, early examples of the first-generation models are so desirable that they can fetch more money than any current van on the market. That's mighty impressive for a vehicle which sold for very low prices when new. And who could possibly forget the Campervan conversions which were available right from the factory? Apparently, Volkswagen isn't completely unaware of its illustrious rear-engined past. The automaker has selected five Campervans to take part in a special part in this year's Vanfest, which takes place this month in the U.K. The five winners represent one model from each of the five generations that VW has been selling its commercial vans. Our favorite has got to be the 1966 split-window Transporter, complete with Safari windows. Seriously, as far as Campervans go, it just doesn't get any better than that. Looking at these past designs, we wonder how Volkswagen ended up choosing a restyled Chrysler minivan for its U.S. Routan. They can make up for it, at least a little bit, by cutting its roof off for a proper camping conversion. Yeah... not likely.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Click above for more spy shots of the Ducati Monster 1100

You knew that Ducati wouldn't go too long without upgrading its modern-classic Monster line. Last year, the only option available for fans of the original naked bike was the entry-level 696 engine. While that machine, with its throaty V-Twin and brand new chassis, was definitely a good bike, those looking for a bit more power either had to move on up the Italian manufacturers line or look elsewhere. As expected, Ducati will rectify that problem this year by dropping its excellent Dual Spark 1100cc air-cooled engine inside the Monster's shapely new trellis frame. Along with the engine upgrade, a single-sided swingarm spices things up at the rear and much improved Brembo radial mount brakes should equal huge and controllable stopping power. We're certain that the new Monster will make its formal debut at one of the upcoming motorcycle shows in Europe. Until then, enjoy these grainy spy shots.


[Source: Ducati Monster Club via Motorcycle News]

Click above for more spy shots of the 2010 Mustang

It's not a continuation of the piece-by-piece unveiling that started the other day, but a member over at Mustang Forums managed to take a wealth of pics showing a heavily-covered 2010 Mustang mule out and about on the streets. Considering Ford has placed stickers on the windshields of these mules directing passers-by to check out the official 2010 Mustang teaser site, it's obvious that the Blue Oval wants this car to be seen. We'll bite. We've gathered together five shots and the rest of them can be seen here. There are some details that look fairly clear beneath what may be the world's best auto camo. Take special note of the front lights, which are a bit reminiscent of the vents from the '70 Boss 'Stang along with the quad light setup from the '69. All of these various cues make us keenly interested to see the real thing in, oh... seventy-five days or so.


[Source: Mustang Forums]

Click above for more images of the KTM 990 Supermoto R

As it waits for the upcoming EICMA show this November in Milan for its official release, the KTM 990 Supermoto R has gotten an early debut courtesy of somebody who got their hands on these images. We can clearly see a new color scheme featuring white bodywork with black and orange highlights along with an orange frame and black swingarm. Note the Y-Spoke wheels and Brembo Monoblock brakes, both of which will surely add to the hooligan-machine's fun quotient. A forward-leaning riding position will help keep the front tire down, although it appears it may cut into the available fuel capacity, as well.

We don't yet know if any changes have been made to the engine, but it probably doesn't matter. The Austrian firm's V-Twin makes plenty of power, especially for a naked bike with no wind protection. The Supermoto will most definitely rip on the corners and will be at its element at full lean angle, and that's what really counts for a bike like this.


[Source: Supermoto Central via Hell For Leather]

Click above for two high-res renderings of the Citroen Hypnos concept

Citroen looks content to carry on in its quirky ways with its latest concept, the Hypnos hybrid utility vehicle. Residing squarely in the same vein as new coupe-like crossovers like the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX models, the French machine goes that extra step towards the crazy house. From the renderings in our gallery below, the front doors appear so long and exagerated that the rear portals bottom-half is taken up entirely by the wheel wells. Things get even stranger from there with jewel-like seats and a DNA-style double-helix center section adorning the interior.

Under the hood will be a hybrid powertrain with an engine producing 200-horsepower plus an undetermined amount of force from the electric half of the drivetrain. This 50-mpg powertrain is one part of the concept that we hope is based in reality. Fortunately, we're pretty sure that these renderings are just conceptual while the real vehicle will debut in concept form at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October.


[Source: Carscoop]

Click above for more spy shots of the Chinese Chevy Lova

We were hoping to get a new sub-compact from Chevy that would ape the design of the Beat concept, but we're seeing more of a Malibu influence in these spy shots of what appears to be the next-gen Lova in China, or what we know as the Aveo in the U.S. The front grille especially looks inspired by the Malibu's schnoz, which is fine, but the rest of the car -- in particular the tall greenhouse -- is still easily identifyable by its econo-car roots.

You can also see a few shots of the interior in the gallery below. Though not very clear, the instrument panel looks agreeable, though you can bet the materials were chosen to hit a specific price-point rather than look and feel like high quality pieces.

Truthfully, however, we don't really know if this updated Lova has anything to do with the U.S. market Aveo, and these pics aren't the greatest. Still, it could hardly be any worse than what we've got now... right?


[Source: Jalopnik]

Click above to enlarge and view another close-up shot of the changes

The current styling of the Mazda MX-5 could well be described as just a bit boring with very round corners that play it safe. Mazda would like to change the image of its iconic little roadster and revised styling is certainly on the way. We have an early shot of the changes courtesy of the interwebs and, while they are a welcome refresher, the design team didn't quite go far enough. The only real changes visible to the naked eye are in the front fascia, which sports styling inspired by tweaks made to the latest rotary-powered RX-8. Front and center is a gaping grill that features five distinct corners instead of the old oval opening. Flanking that new mug are angled fog light surrounds and swept-back headlights above. The changes are mostly design elements seen on Mazda's latest batch of concept cars, though overall it's a safe update for an already safe design – and very close to what we were expecting – but we're still hoping for more from the next-gen MX-5.

[Source: KM77.com via Carscoop]

As is usually the case when complaints of unintended acceleration are levied against a vehicle, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has concluded that no specific vehicular defects have been found in 2004-2008 Toyota Tacomas. The mid-sized truck had been under fire from over 400 owners who claimed their trucks had accelerated without them touching the gas resulting in 51 crashes and 12 injuries. According to Toyota, however, the truck features a drive-by-wire system and its computer records any event of a mismatch between the gas pedal and the engine's throttle. None of the trucks involved in accidents reported any such codes. The NHTSA has closed its investigation and believes that driver error is the most likely cause for the vast majority of complaints while a few could be attributed to loose floor mats.

While the fact that the Tacoma has received so many specific complaints is worrisome, we are not big believers in unintended acceleration and tend to agree that publicity of the issue may well have attracted more erroneous claims. Debris stuck under the brake or pedals that are just closer together than some drivers are used to remain possible explanations, but could hardly be considered defects.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]