Latest auto news

Video: What happened to the Chrysler Super Bowl commercial?

The gritty Chrysler Super Bowl commercial starring Clint Eastwood may not have been as much of a shock - or as universally well-regarded - as last year's Eminem spot, but it's certainly going to have cube-dwellers trawling YouTube to catch another viewing. Problem is, Chrysler's YouTube channel ran into some problems this morning. Viewers attempting to watch the commercial instead got a message saying "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by NFL Properties LLC."

When we reached Chrysler spokeswoman Diana Gutierrez earlier today, she could only say, "We are investigating right now."

The video did become available on the Chrsyler YouTube channel by 11:00 AM Eastern time, though we are awaiting some explanation of what happened from Chrysler's PR team. As a stopgap measure while the Chrysler channel was still down, the ad was posted to another Chrysler YouTube page, PentastarVideo. Still, Chrysler's problems during a high-traffic part of the day means it must have missed plenty of eyeballs.

Watch the video after the jump.

Continue reading What happened to the Chrysler Super Bowl commercial?

Poll: AdSpotting Super Bowl Edition: Grading the Ads

Just like Super Bowl XLVI had to have a winner and a loser, so do the commercials. We've assembled every car commercial that aired during the big game after the jump, along with a poll allowing you to vote on your favorite.

To help you decide, we've graded the ads based on the opinions of our own AOL Autos Editor-in-Chief David Kiley. Having been marketing editor at BusinessWeek, an Adweek and Advertising Age columnist and reporter, and an ad executive at three agencies that worked on Mercedes-Benz, Mazda and Cadillac accounts, Kiley's judgment counts more than most in this sort of discussion.

Follow the jump to review our report card and vote for your favorite Super Bowl car commercial in our poll. The automakers are listening, so use your vote to tell them the ad you liked most, and just maybe you'll see more like it next year.

Continue reading AdSpotting Super Bowl Edition: Grading the Ads

Video: OK Go plays "Needing/Getting" with the Chevy Sonic

Chevrolet alluded to it in its "Stunt Anthem" Super Bowl commercial for the Sonic, and during this weekend's Super Bowl, the genuine article appeared. As promised, the Sonic tests out its musical chops by playing OK Go's "Needing/Getting."

Two miles of instruments were laid out in the Southern California desert, lots of practice and planning to get it just right. Of course, that was after four months of preparation, during which time OK Go's lead singer had to learn how to stunt drive.

Follow the jump to check it out, and follow the source link to get more behind-the-scenes tidbits on what went into it.

Continue reading OK Go plays "Needing/Getting" with the Chevy Sonic

Official: Kia releases second Track'Ster teaser ahead of Chicago debut

Kia has officially dropped new teaser for its Chicago-bound Track'Ster concept. Word has it the new hatch will be based largely on the company's Soul five-door, though with a few notable tweaks. For starters, designers scrapped the rear doors for more of a hot hatch look. A new front fascia looks to be part of the recipe as well, and odds are the Track'Ster will rock suitably outrageous wheels befitting a true concept.

But will it come to production? It's hard telling. As you may recall, the Soul has been a go-to favorite as a concept platform in the past. Kia showed off the beach-going Soul'ster concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, and while the vehicle generated enormous buzz, the economic slowdown put a stop to any production plans. Still, with corporate cousin Hyundai rocking the Veloster, there may be room in the Kia stable for a performance hatch.

The Track'Ster Concept will make its official debut later this week.

Report: Why haven't you seen many new Chevy Caprice police cars? GM delays.

The sun has long since set on the Ford Crown Victoria and the big sedan's Police Interceptor variants, but many parts of the country still haven't seen the next-generation of pursuit vehicles take to the street. In the case of the Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, that's because General Motors has hit a delay in providing the Holden-based sedans. According to the DuPont Registry, the delay is two-fold. Shipping from Australia is taking longer than expected, and Chevrolet dealers aren't outfitting the vehicles quickly enough to satiate demand.

The report quotes Deputy Chief Jeff Undestad of the Largo Police Department in Largo, Florida as saying his office waited more than eight months for GM to deliver their Caprice Patrol Vehicles to the dealer. Undestad should consider himself lucky. A neighboring department waited 10 months for its new patrol cars. Chrysler, meanwhile, usually takes two to three months to deliver its police-duty Dodge Charger models.

GM, meanwhile, says that the company is working to address the shipping issues. The company now has a pool of Caprice Patrol Vehicles at port, which should help trim the wait time.

Official: Nissan Invitation Concept peeks out ahead of Geneva debut [w/video]

Nissan is headed to the Geneva Motor Show in March with a brand new hatchback concept. Called Invitation, this five-door should give us an idea of what the Japanese manufacturer has planned for its next B-segment contender. The concept borrows a bit from the likes of the Honda Fit, though that's no bad thing. With a clean, athletic design, the Invitation is a refreshing break from some of the automaker's more questionable exteriors.

Nissan hasn't divulged any drivetrain details as of yet, though the company has said each of the Invitation derivatives will be eligible to wear the company's Pure Drive badge. That means the production-version Invitation will be among the most efficient and economical vehicles Nissan produces. We do know the hatch will boast the ever-cool around-view monitor system along with a full slate of tech goodies. Hit the jump for the full press release and be sure to keep an eye open for our Geneva show coverage of the concept's official unveiling.

Continue reading Nissan Invitation Concept peeks out ahead of Geneva debut [w/video]

Report: Excellence in Energy Efficiency Act promises $1 billion prize for 100 MPG car

Are you a U.S. automaker? Do you want a billion dollars? Have we got a deal for you! Just build 60,000 cars that get 100 miles per gallon and the government will send a truckload of cash to your office doors (or, perhaps, mail a check).

H.R. 3872 - the Excellence in Energy Efficiency Act of 2012 - was just introduced by Representative Dan Lungren (R) of California's 3rd Congressional District. If passed, the legislation would have the Secretary of Energy "establish a program to award a prize in the amount of $1,000,000,000 to the first automobile manufacturer incorporated in the United States to manufacture and sell in the United States 60,000 mid-sized sedan automobiles which operate on gasoline and can travel 100 miles per gallon."

That's right, no cheating with subcompacts toys or fancy all-electrics, it's for adult-sized gasoline-burners only. It's unclear whether plug-in hybrids such as the Chevy Volt or upcoming Ford Fusion Energi might be eligible, but we doubt it since OpenCongress says the subtitle is, "To provide a prize to the first manufacturer of highly-efficient mid-sized automobiles powered by gasoline," and the Volt already comes in at 93 MPGe.

While established automakers couldn't be lured in by the measly $1 million offered by the Progressive X-Prize, we're sure they'd be more than happy to accept a check with the big B on it. The question this proposed law begs, though, is would they make an extra effort to achieve this sort of sky-high efficiency goal under other circumstances?

Official: 2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695*

Mazda's attractive and fun-to-drive 2013 CX-5 goes on sale this month, and the automaker's North American arm has just announced that it will be priced from $20,695 (*not including $795 for destination). That's a higher base price than competitors like the Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester, but the CX-5 boasts some of the best driving dynamics in the segment, not to mention the best fuel economy numbers in the class.

That $20,695 price point refers, of course, to the CX-5 Sport with the (remarkably good) six-speed manual transmission. Opting for the six-speed automatic will set you back an additional $1,400, and if you want to add all-wheel drive, be prepared to dish out another $1,250. Moving up, Touring models with either front- or all-wheel drive start at $23,895 and $25,145, respectively, and are only available with the six-speed automatic gearbox. Lastly, the range-topping Grand Touring comes in at $27,045 (FWD) and $28,295 (AWD), and with the $1,325 technology package added to the GT trim, you'll be looking at $29,620 for a fully loaded CX-5.

The 2013 CX-5 uses Mazda's brand new 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine, along with a host of other weight-saving technologies. We've driven the CX-5 on two different occasions, and while we're quite impressed with the steering, manual gearbox and suspension, we wish interior refinement were a bit better. Still, Mazda is positioning the CX-5 as the enthusiast's small crossover, and we're inclined to agree. Follow the jump for Mazda's official pricing release.

Continue reading 2013 Mazda CX-5 priced from $20,695*

Report: Audi to raise the roof on A1 with rolling cloth panel?

Audi is going to great lengths to steal territory away from arch-rival BMW and its Mini marque. But as you'd expect from any German automaker, the initial A1 three-door premium hatchback appears to be just the beginning. Since its launch, the A1 has bred the five-door A1 Sportback, there's a Q1 crossover based on the same platform reportedly in the works, and the A1 Quattro demonstrates the extent of the architecture's performance capabilities. But Ingolstadt is not about to stop there as reports come in of a convertible version as well.

Well, sort of. According to reports coming in from Germany, Audi is preparing to launch a version of the A1 with a rolling cloth roof panel. If the intel proves accurate, the open-air version would stop one step short of the pseudo-convertible Fiat 500C, in that the aperture would essentially be a giant fabric sunroof, but not roll down the back.

The measure would undoubtedly save Audi significant development costs, but also keep chassis rigidity in check without the need for significant additional structural bracing. Either way, we're not looking at getting any version of the A1 on this side of the Atlantic any time soon, so as far as American buyers are concerned, this is all rather academic.

Maserati recalls 2008-10 Granturismo over potential taillamp failures

Maserati has announced a recall of certain 2008-2010 Granturismo models over faulty tail lamps. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the coupes may have been assembled with a defective rear lamp assembly. The lights could then fail to illuminated, potentially causing an accident. NHTSA says Maserati will replace the units free of charge once the campaign begins this month. The recall covers 1,768 Granturismo models.

Last year, Maserati recalled 763 Quattraporte and Granturismo models over faulty tie-rod ends, which could have led to a total loss of vehicle control. Click past the jump for the full NHTSA recall report. Owners may contact Maserati or NHTSA for more information.

Continue reading Maserati recalls 2008-10 Granturismo over potential taillamp failures