How to check your Transmission Fluid Condition

Volkswagen joins Sea Otter Classic as Title Sponsor

 

"North America's largest cycling festival has a new partner for 2012, as automaker Volkswagen of America, Inc. joins the Sea Otter Classic as the title sponsor. The event, which takes place April 19-22 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area near Monterey, Calif., is now the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM.

"It's an incredible opportunity for Sea Otter to welcome one of the most recognizable brands in the world to the event," said Frank Yohannan, president and CEO, Sea Otter Classic. "This partnership speaks volumes about Volkswagen's commitment to our sport and the culture of cycling. And as a corporate leader in promoting safe cycling, Volkswagen is the perfect partner for Sea Otter racers, riders, and fans."

A new title sponsor is the latest in a series of updates for the iconic festival. These include the introduction of cyclocross racing, an expanded kids riding area, an invitational downhill skateboarding exhibition, and enhanced outreach for female cyclists." [Read more]

Chrysler Group’s ‘It’s Halftime in America’ Super Bowl Video Earns Second Place in YouTube’s Ad Blitz 2012 Contest

"The votes have been tallied and Chrysler Group LLC has secured the top automotive ranking in YouTube’s Ad Blitz 2012 contest. In it’s fifth year, the YouTube Ad Blitz program is one of the largest consumer polls of Super Bowl ads. Its online and interactive gallery of Super Bowl commercials allows users to view and vote on their favorite ads.

The Chrysler Group’s “It’s Halftime in America” video came in second place overall in the annual contest. “It’s Halftime in America” was created to rally Americas together by using the Chrysler Group and Detroit as inspiration. The Chrysler brand’s “Born of Fire” commercial earned a first-place ranking in last year’s contest.

“’It’s Halftime in America’ is about a mission, not about a product. It is about the spirit that motivates our embracement of this mission,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC. “The 2-minute video portrayed the essence of Chrysler Group’s commitment and how we are working toward the future. We don't presume to teach anything or show our way as the right way ahead. Our message to the United States came from people who felt a duty to encourage the country they love. It was simply a way of saying that everyone, in the land of opportunity, has the right to dream and the power to turn that dream into reality.”

With more than 17 million views, web traffic to the Chrysler Group brand sites has dramatically increased since the 2-minute production aired just before the start of the second half of Super Bowl XLVI.

“We are humbled and honored that the voters named Chrysler Group as the top auto and second-place winner in YouTube’s Ad Blitz 2012 contest,” said Olivier Francois – Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC.

“Halftime in America” was created in partnership with the Portland, Ore.-based advertising agency, Wieden+Kennedy. The video can be viewed at the Chrysler brand YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/chrysler.

The Fiat brand also has seen an increase to their website since the airing of “Seduction” during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVI. The brand added an additional 4 million views to their site for a total of more than 7 million views. " [Read more]

Subaru at Home in the City and in the Wild

 

"The XV Concept is a fun urban crossover that Subaru says will elevate driving enjoyment to new levels. The concept behind the new XV design is a cross between the “traditionally adventurous face of Subaru” and the urban lifestyle associated with the crossover genre, more typically known as an “urban adventure” vehicle.

Although Subaru says the XV Concept is adventure-capable in the wilderness, drivers will feel at home in the city as this concept vehicle was designed to easily cruise through city streets, making steep inclines, cobblestone lanes and daily city life just a little bit more interesting to explore. With sightlines higher than those of average passenger cars, familiar neighbourhoods will seem new again and even ordinary errands are more exciting from behind the wheel, says Subaru." [Read more]

Jeep Wrangler Red Jacket rumbles up to Jay Leno's Garage

Drive Your Way to the Summer X Games with Ford Focus ST Challenge

"Ford Motor Company is giving fans of the new Focus ST a chance to put the upcoming high-performance hatchback to the test virtually and before it goes on sale in a competition that will send the winning driver to the ESPN summer X Games.

The competition puts drivers into the seat of a Focus ST driving simulator at auto shows across the country. The participant with the fastest lap time will win a host of awards, including an invite to the ESPN summer X Games for a meet-and-greet with drivers of Ford’s Octane Academy. Additional prizes also will be awarded to top times on a regional basis.

“This is the perfect way to generate awareness for our ST brand since we know our enthusiast customers love gaming,” said Lisa Schoder, ST Marketing manager. “The Focus ST simulator is tuned with the specs from the actual car, so people can get a true feel for the dynamics of ST performance.”

The challenge will live on the Focus Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/fordfocus, where a leaderboard will be posted from each show the challenge visits. When the challenge wraps in May, the best times from each show will be entered into an overall sweepstakes to determine the grand prize winner.

The Focus ST simulator is part of Ford’s interactive auto show display, and is designed to emulate driving the all-new Focus ST. Complete with seats, screens, a steering wheel and pedals, the hydraulic system moves up and down and tilts front to back for a virtual driving experience." [Read more]

Preview: 2013 Subaru BRZ

 

"It all started in 2007 with a group of rogue Subaru engineers in their version of a ‘skunk works’ department. They wanted to see how a Subaru with a very low centre of gravity would perform.  A test mule based on a shortened legacy chassis was created and the engine was dropped as low as it could go.  Impressed with their progress, the engineering team invited executives from both Subaru and recent investor Toyota to see how this RWD concept drove.  Although initially tentative, a second mule was created from an Impreza platform and spy shots began to show up on the internet like it was Lindsay Lohan fresh off a bender.  History was made and one of the longest and most hyped vehicle developments began.

If automobiles are anything more than a passing interest to you, you have surely heard of the Subaru BRZ by now; maybe not with that name specifically, but perhaps as the Scion FR-S, Toyota GT 86, Toyota FT-86 or Toyobaru.  The name BRZ stands for Boxer (as in the engine configuration), Rear-wheel drive and Zenith (as in the height of achievement) and there you have the idea behind this car.  Subaru feels this car new also fits in with their current “Confidence in Motion” marketing campaign as it is a back to basics sports car. Specs and numbers were never the main focus for this car; intuitive driving feel was the goal." [Read more]

Jeep Compass And Patriot Replacement Delayed Until 2014

 

"According to Automotive News Europe, the SUV planned to replace both the Jeep Compass and Patriot, has been delayed until 2014.

Originally intended to go into production in 2013, the code-named B-SUV has been delayed so that Fiat can expedite engineering on its European products, like the Sedici compact. The delay also means a one-billion-Euro expansion of Fiat's Mirafiori plant will be pushed back to late 2013. The delays come after Fiat performed a spending review regarding future investments.

The B-SUV is reported to be smaller than both the current Jeep Compass and Patriot, and will be sold in both the United States and in Europe, along with other markets." [Read more]

The Dog Strikes Back: 2012 Volkswagen Game Day Commercial