Audi quattro

Audi quattro (1988)

The Audi Quattro was a famous and historically significant Audi road and Rally car. It was special in that it was the first AWD Grand Tourer since 1966's Jensen FF. Officially, the model name is simply "Quattro", always with a capital "Q" (although the graphics on the car, confusingly, refer to the AWD system and use a lowercase "q"). The word "quattro" with the lowercase "q" is used to refer to either the Audi AWD system, or any AWD version of an Audi automobile. To avoid confusion, it is also commonly referred to as the Ur-Quattro (the "Ur-" prefix is a German augmentative used, in this case, to mean "original" and is also applied to the first generation of Audi's S4 and S6 sport sedans, as in "UrS4" and "UrS6").

European Distribution

Audi released the original Quattro in 1980, making it both the first car to feature Audi's quattro All Wheel Drive system (hence its name) and the first to mate quattro with a turbocharged engine. The powerplant was a 2.1 L, single overhead cam, 10 valve straight-5 originally making 160 hp (149 kW) and eventually receiving upgrades to 200 hp and then to a twin-cam setup producing 220 hp (164 kW). It is considered one of the most significant rally cars of all time, and was one of the first to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of all-wheel-drive in competition racing. Many critics doubted the viability of all-wheel-drive racers, thinking them to be too heavy and complex, yet the Quattro was an instant success, winning its first rally on its first outing. It won competition after competition for the next two years.

Total road car production is around 11,000 vehicles over the period 1980-1991. The body style received very little modification during its production run, the only significant changes were made for the 1985 model year, which included a new sloping front grill, headlights, trim and badging changes. All Quattros were hand built in Germany by a dedicated crew.
North American Distribution

Sales of the Quattro in North America began with the 1983 model year and continued through 1986. Total sales in the USA was 664 units.
The Audi Sport Quattro

The Audi Sport Quattro was a Quattro program car developed for Group B rallying homologation, and sold as a production car in limited numbers - it featured a different body shell and a significantly shorter wheelbase.

Other information

The Quattro is also famous for being a career highlight of one of the pre-eminent women in rally racing, Michèle Mouton.

In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number four on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.

source:www.netcarshow.com

Audi V8

Audi V8 (1988)

The Audi V8 was a large luxury sedan built by Audi AG of Germany from 1988 to 1994 as the company's range-topping model, and was the first Audi to use its namesake engine configuration. It was replaced by the A8 in 1994, though the A8 would not be sold in North America until the 1997 model year.

History

Although the vehicle was based on VW/Audi's existing C3 platform (namely the 100/200 sedan), the V8 model featured standard quattro all-wheel drive and a 32 valve, DOHC V8 engine with either a five-speed manual or four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, giving it the power and road-holding ability to match the V8 powered offerings from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The V8 closely resembled the 100 and 200 models, although a unique grill design, extended wheelbase, pronounced wheel arches and larger wheels helped distinguish it. Much attention was lavished on the vehicle's new engine, although the V8 was also significant in that it was the first production Audi to combine the quattro system with an automatic transmission.

The 3.6 L (3562 cc) powerplant was essentially two four-cylinder engines which had been mated at the crankshaft to form a V8. In this case it was the Volkswagen Golf GTI's 1.8 L, twin cam, 16-valve inline 4-cylinder that provided the starting point. Power output was very strong for the day, with 250 PS (184 kW/247 hp) and 340 N·m (251 ft·lbf) of torque available over a fairly wide powerband.

Audi introduced a long wheelbase version in 1990 and in 1991 made a 4.2 L (4172 cc) powerplant with 280 PS (206 kW/276 hp) and 400 N·m (295 ft·lbf) available. Like the base model, it had standard quattro and an optional automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual gearbox replaced the 5-speed of the 3.6 model.

The car's base price in 1994, its final year of production, was US$58,700.

Motorsport

Audi developed a Group A competition version of the V8 for entry into the DTM (German Touring car Championship) and began racing with it in 1990 with Schmidt Motorsport running the operation and Hans-Joachim Stuck, Walter Rohrl and Frank Jelinski driving. Stuck won the title, and the following year Audi added a second team to the mix, Audi Zentrum Reutlingen. SMS continued with Stuck and Jelinski, while AZR raced with Frank Biela and Hubert Haupt. Biela gave Audi another crown in 1991, but was unable to defend the title in 1992. After that season, the DTM organizers deemed the V8's crankshaft illegal and Audi retired from the championship.

source:www.netcarshow.com

Audi Sport quattro S1

Audi Sport quattro S1 (1985)

The Audi Sport Quattro S1 was introduced at the end of 1984 as an update to the Audi Sport Quattro. The car featured a inline 5-cylinder engine that displaced 2,110 cc (128.8 cu in) and produced an officialy quoted figure of 350 kW (480 PS/470 bhp). However, the turbocharger utilised a recirculating air system, with the aim of keeping the turbo spinning at high speed, and the actual figure was in excess of 500 bhp (373 kW/507 PS) at 8000 rpm. In addition to the improved power output, an aggressive aerodynamic kit was added that featured very distinctive wings and spoilers to the front and rear of the car to increase downforce. The weight was lightened to just 1,090 kg (2,403 lb), and now accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.1 seconds.

Some of the cars were supplied with a "power-shift gearbox", which is said to be a forerunner of today's Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) technology.

The S1 proved to be an immediate success in the rally circuit, helping Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer win the 1985 San Remo Rally. A modified version of the S1, was also driven by Michèle Mouton. The S1 evolution would become the final Group B car produced by Audi, with the works team withdrawing from the Championship following the 1986 rally in Portugal.

Twenty years after the cancellation of Group B, the Sport Quattro S1 was still widely regarded as the most powerful rally car ever fielded in international competition, with the final factory machines of 1986 rated at an incredible 441 kW (600 PS/591 bhp).

In addition to Group B competition, the S1 won the 1985 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with Michèle Mouton in the driving seat, setting a world record time in the process. This victory was repeated in 1987, this time at the hands of Walter Röhrl, and again in 1988 (Michèle Mouton) and 1989 (Bobby Unser), completing a hat-trick.

source:www.netcarshow.com

Audi Coupe GT

Audi Coupe GT (1985)

The Audi Coupe GT was a 2-door sports car produced and sold by Audi from 1981 to 1987. The car was an attempt by Audi to offer a more affordable version of its turbocharged, all-wheel drive Quattro. The Coupe GT featured a similar body shape to the Quattro, but without the knife-edged fender flares of the more expensive car. Mechanically, the biggest changes from the Quattro to the GT were the use of a naturally aspirated 5-cylinder engine and a front-wheel drive drivetrain.

The Audi Coupe range was fitted with the quattro All Wheel Drive system from late 1984 to produce the Audi Coupe quattro, a model which was rarer than the Turbocharged Quattro model.

source:www.netcarshow.com

Audi Sport quattro

Audi Sport quattro (1984)

The Audi Sport Quattro was a Quattro programme car developed for homologation for Group B rallying in 1984, and sold as a production car in limited numbers. It featured an all aluminium alloy 2,133 cc (130.2 cu in) (2.1 L) 20v DOHC engine slightly smaller than that of the Audi Quattro (in order to qualify for the 3-litre engine class after the scale factor applied to turbo engines). In road-going form the engine was capable of producing 225 kW (306 PS/302 bhp), with the competition cars initially producing around 331 kW (450 PS/444 bhp). The vehicle also featured a body shell composed of carbon-kevlar and boasting wider arches, wider wheels (nine inches as compared to the Ur-Quattro's optional eight inch (203 mm) wide wheel rim), the steeper windscreen rake of the Audi 80 (requested by the Audi Sport rally team drivers for improved visibility) and, most noticeably, a 320 mm (12.6 in) shorter wheelbase. This was carried out in order to improve handling potential in the face of newer, smaller competition, such as the Lancia 037 and the Peugeot 205 T16, which had been purpose-built from the start for Group B rules.

A total of 224 cars of this "short version" Sport Quattro were built, and were offered for sale at a heady price of 203,850 German Marks.

source:www.netcarshow.com

Audi quattro

Audi quattro (1980)

The Audi Quattro was a famous and historically significant Audi road and Rally car. It was special in that it was the first AWD Grand Tourer since 1966's Jensen FF. Officially, the model name is simply "Quattro", always with a capital "Q" (although the graphics on the car, confusingly, refer to the AWD system and use a lowercase "q"). The word "quattro" with the lowercase "q" is used to refer to either the Audi AWD system, or any AWD version of an Audi automobile. To avoid confusion, it is also commonly referred to as the Ur-Quattro (the "Ur-" prefix is a German augmentative used, in this case, to mean "original" and is also applied to the first generation of Audi's S4 and S6 sport sedans, as in "UrS4" and "UrS6").

European Distribution

Audi released the original Quattro in 1980, making it both the first car to feature Audi's quattro All Wheel Drive system (hence its name) and the first to mate quattro with a turbocharged engine. The powerplant was a 2.1 L, single overhead cam, 10 valve straight-5 originally making 160 hp (149 kW) and eventually receiving upgrades to 200 hp and then to a twin-cam setup producing 220 hp (164 kW). It is considered one of the most significant rally cars of all time, and was one of the first to take advantage of the then-recently changed rules which allowed the use of all-wheel-drive in competition racing. Many critics doubted the viability of all-wheel-drive racers, thinking them to be too heavy and complex, yet the Quattro was an instant success, winning its first rally on its first outing. It won competition after competition for the next two years.

Total road car production is around 11,000 vehicles over the period 1980-1991. The body style received very little modification during its production run, the only significant changes were made for the 1985 model year, which included a new sloping front grill, headlights, trim and badging changes. All Quattros were hand built in Germany by a dedicated crew.

source:www.netcarshow.com

Show - The Tokyo Auto Salon 2011

The Tokyo Auto Salon 2011

Ok, we're here live at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan getting as many photos as possible (and maybe some videos too). Bookmark this page and keep checking back for the updates as they come rolling in through the hand-held God machine that Steve Jobs created.

We'll be getting some high-quality photos as well, but they'll be coming through a bit later as I'm currently a one-man band, out in the realm of sushi, Gundam, VIP rides, and love hotels.

Remember to take into account that I'll be 14 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, but it should be an adventure full of cars, chicks in short shorts, perverts with professional-grade photo/video equipment, and maybe even some drifting on Day 2. Stay tuned, it's gonna get busty...I mean busy. Follow the break for our live coverage.

source:carscoop.blogspot.com

BMW 315-1 Roadster

BMW 315-1 Roadster (1935)

The style has changed, but not the content: "Many German motorists see motoring not just as a comfortable and fast means of transport, but also as a sporting activity. These are people who, once they see an aerodynamic car body with a long and sleek engine compartment, as well as a speedometer extending all the way to 150 km/h, feel that strong yearning for wide open roads simply perfect for driving fast, for Alpine passes just begging to be conquered, and for ompetitors so easy to overtake."

It was precisely with these words that BMW announced the Company's first self-engineered roadster in 1934. And indeed, this concept with its six-cylinder power unit was destined to shape the future of the brand, extending all the way to the current BMW Z4.

The starting point for this development came at the Berlin Motor Show in May 1934. Here, together with the BMW 315 Saloon, BMW for the first time presented the prototype of a Sports Roadster with exceptionally attractive lines. Right behind the long and sleek engine compartment there were two sports seats tailored to the driver and front passenger protected by the low, raked windscreen and an mergency roof.

The rear end tapered out in an elegant sweep to the back of the car, adding a particular aerodynamic touch with excellent streamlining.

The radiator grille on this two-seater was inclined much further to the rear than on the Saloon, with mighty, sweeping front wheel arches extending on beneath the doors into the rear wheel arches. To reduce air drag to a minimum, the rear wheels were fully covered, while the body of the car itself rested on an electrically welded steel-pipe double frame with three crosswise box elements.

Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Mille Miglia

Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Mille Miglia (1938)
The Alfa Romeo 6C name was used on road, race and sports cars made between 1925-1954 by Alfa Romeo. 6C refers to a straight 6 engine. Bodies to these cars were made by coachbuilders such as James Young, Zagato, Touring, Castagna, and Pininfarina. Starting from 1933 there was also a 6C version with a factory Alfa body, built in Portello.

When do you need a lawyer?
If you need legal help or advice, you need a lawyer. People use lawyers for many reasons – business and personal.
Lawyers deal with a wide range of cases including wills, real estate, leases, contracts, separation agreements,divorces, and car accidents. Lawyers also work on criminal cases like impaired driving and assault. Lawyers are trained to understand and interpret the law. They defend your rights and tell you how the law applies to your business or personal situation.

find info : http://toplawyer.blogspot.com/

Alfa Romeo 8C 2300

Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 (1931)

Alfa Romeo 8C was a famed sports car of the 1930s. The name referred to the straight 8 cylinder engine. The Vittorio Jano-designed 8C was Alfa's primary sports model from its introduction in 1931 to its retirement in 1939.

The first models were the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, a reference to the car's 2.3 L (2300 cc) engine. The short wheelbase version of this car won the Targa Florio race in Sicily, but it was the Italian Grand Prix victory at Monza that gave it its nickname, "Monza".

The supercharged dual overhead cam straight-8 engine, also designed by Jano, was later enlarged to 2.6 L. In this guise, the Alfa Romeo 8C could accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 7 seconds and could eventually reach 135 mph (217 km/h).

The 8C name has been revived in with the introduction of Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione in 2006 and Alfa Romeo 8C Spider in 2008.

Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Sport

Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Sport (1928)

The Alfa Romeo 6C name was used on road, race and sports cars made between 1925-1954 by Alfa Romeo. 6C refers to a straight 6 engine. Bodies to these cars were made by coachbuilders such as James Young, Zagato, Touring, Castagna, and Pininfarina. Starting from 1933 there was also a 6C version with a factory Alfa body, built in Portello.

In the mid-1920s, Alfa Romeo RL was considered too large and heavy, so a new development began. The Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 was introduced in 1925 at Milan, production started 1927, with the P2 Grand Prix car as starting point. Engine capacity was now 1487 cc, against the Alfa Romeo P2's 1987 cc, while supercharging was dropped. First versions were bodied by Young and Touring.

In 1928, a Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Sport was released, with a dual overhead camshafts engine. Its sport version won many races, including the 1928 Mille Miglia. Total production was 3000 (200 with DOHC engine). Ten copies of a supercharged (compressore, compressor) Super Sport variant were also made.

Alfa Romeo P2

Alfa Romeo P2 (1925)

The Alfa Romeo P2 won the inaugural Automobile World Championship in 1925, taking victory in two of the four championship rounds when Antonio Ascari drove it in the European Grand Prix at Spa and Gastone Brilli-Peri won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after Ascari died while leading the intervening race at Montlhery.

Although 1925 brought drastic changes of regulations, from 1924-1930 the Alfa Romeo P2 was victorious in 14 Grands Prix and major events including the Targa Florio. It was one of the iconic Grand Prix cars of the 1920s, along with the Bugatti Type 35, and enabled Alfa Romeo, as world champions, to incorporate the laurel wreath into their logo.

The Alfa Romeo P2 was introduced by Alfa Romeo for the Circuit of Cremona in northern Italy in 1924, where Antonio Ascari won at over 158 km/h (98 mph), and then went on to win the speed trial at 195 km/h (121 mph). The car was the first creation of Alfa's new designer Vittorio Jano who had been recruited from Fiat by Enzo Ferrari when Nicola Romeo scrapped the Alfa Romeo P1 after its poor performance in the 1923 Monza Grand Prix against Fiat. The Alfa Romeo P2 was powered by Alfa's first straight-8 cylinder supercharged engine with 2 carburettors placed after the compressor.

Only 2 of the 6 original models survive, and they can be seen in the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese and the Turin Automobile Museum. The Alfa Romeo P2 had two body styles using either a cut off or long rear.

Alfa Romeo RM Sport

Alfa Romeo RM Sport (1923) 

Alfa Romeo RM was produced between 1923-1925, it was based of RL model. Car was introduced first time in 1923 Paris Motor Show and total production was around 500 cars. Alfa Romeo RM had 2.0 L straight-4 engine, which produced between 40 bhp to 48 bhp. As most of Alfa Romeo cars this was also used in racing purpose. Three versions was made: Normal, Alfa Romeo RM Sport and Unificato. Sport had raised compression ratio and Unificato had longer wheelbase and slightly bigger engine. RM top speed was around 90 km/h (56 mph).

Models

• Alfa Romeo RM Normal, 1944 cc 40 bhp (1923)
• Alfa Romeo RM Sport, 1944 cc 44 bhp (1924)
• Alfa Romeo RM Unificato, 1996 cc 48 bhp (1925)

Alfa Romeo RL

Alfa Romeo RL (1922)

Alfa Romeo RL was produced between 1922-1927, it was Alfa's first sport model after World War I. Car was designed in 1921 by Giuseppe Merosi. Car had straight-6 engine with overhead valves. Three different versions was made: Normale, Turismo and Sport. RLTF (Targa Florio) was race version of Alfa Romeo RL and it weighted half of normal versions, engine had seven main bearings instead of four and double carburetos. In 1923 Alfa race team had drivers like Ugo Sivocci, Antonio Ascari, Giulio Masetti and Enzo Ferrari. Sivocci's car had green cloverleaf symbol on white background and when he won Targa Florio 1923, that symbol was become Alfa's good luck token to the team.

Alfa Romeo RL total production was 2640.

Models

• Normale, 2916 cc 56 bhp (1922-1925)
• Turismo, 2996 cc 61 bhp (1925-1927)
• Sport, 2996 cc 71 bhp (1922-1927)
• Super Sport, 2996 cc 71 bhp (1922-1927)
• Super Sport Castagna, 84 bhp
• Super Sport Zagato, 89 bhp
• Targa Florio, 3154 cc 95 bhp (1923)
• Targa Florio, 2994 cc 90 bhp (1924)
• Targa Florio, 3620 cc 125 bhp (1924)

tuning the Volkswagen Amarok

For Oettinger, tuning the Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 BiTDI didn't mean offering impressive exterior and interior modifications, neither insanely boosting the power, just simply rewriting some of the engine management software. But hey, it gets the job done.

The German pickup truck's diesel powertrain now delivers 190 hp, a 27 hp gain over the stock version. As for torque, the twin-turbocharged unit pushes out 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) at 1,500 rpm, and 450 Nm or 332 lb-f between 2,800-4,000 rpm.

Obviously, Oettinger's Amarok is also a tad faster accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10.5 seconds (0.6 seconds faster than the factory model), and reaches a top speed of 187 km/h (116 mph).

The performance upgrade is available for €1,090.

Source: Oettinger , Via WFC

 When do you need a lawyer?

If you need legal help or advice, you need a lawyer. People use lawyers for many reasons – business and personal.
Lawyers deal with a wide range of cases including wills, real estate, leases, contracts, separation agreements,divorces, and car accidents. Lawyers also work on criminal cases like impaired driving and assault. Lawyers are trained to understand and interpret the law. They defend your rights and tell you how the law applies to your business or personal situation.

find info : http://toplawyer.blogspot.com/

The 4th Otoblitz Intl Classic Car Show 2010

Rarely do we ever realize that in fact Indonesia is so rich in heritage classic cars of various brands and year of manufacture, ranging from Vintage to Youngtimer type, brand alerts from Europe, Japan, Australia, to America. "4th Int'l Otoblitz Classic Car Show 2010" re-present with the theme "Share The Classic Spirit", where the implementation of this event coincides with the celebration of 21 years WAW Productions in the entertainment world, 10-year-F1 Racing magazine, Otoblitz 9 years, 7 years Motor Trend magazine and the 3rd anniversary of Classic & Sports Car Magazine Indonesia, where the event will also be attended by the classic enthusiast abroad.

"4th Int'l Otoblitz Classic Car Show 2010" (OICC-Show 2010) was born of a determination to expose and explore the vocabulary of classic cars and prove to the world that Indonesia should be proud to own a car and classic car lovers weight with thousands of priceless collections price. The purpose of this event is to raise, restore and maintain classic cars so they can perform at its best in order to be seen, loved and passed on to the next generation. A long journey that mission will not stop until the created word perfect.

 When do you need a lawyer?

If you need legal help or advice, you need a lawyer. People use lawyers for many reasons – business and personal.
Lawyers deal with a wide range of cases including wills, real estate, leases, contracts, separation agreements,divorces, and car accidents. Lawyers also work on criminal cases like impaired driving and assault. Lawyers are trained to understand and interpret the law. They defend your rights and tell you how the law applies to your business or personal situation.

find info : http://toplawyer.blogspot.com/

VW-Volkswagen New Beetle Limousine

VW-Volkswagen New Beetle Limousine

While a standard New Beetle won’t get you much attention these days, a Limo Bug on the other hand will certainly raise an eyebrow or two. Sure you see Hummer and Lincoln limos every day, but how many times have seen a stretched bug? The specific Bug'a'Limo is based on a 1999 2.0-liter Beetle GLS and it can seat 5 to 6 passengers in the rear (excluding the two seats up front). The rear passengers get all sorts of treats like a cd player, a mini TV and a small bar area along with an electric hatch / divider that seals off the back from the driver.

When do you need a lawyer?

If you need legal help or advice, you need a lawyer. People use lawyers for many reasons – business and personal.
Lawyers deal with a wide range of cases including wills, real estate, leases, contracts, separation agreements,divorces, and car accidents. Lawyers also work on criminal cases like impaired driving and assault. Lawyers are trained to understand and interpret the law. They defend your rights and tell you how the law applies to your business or personal situation.

find info : http://toplawyer.blogspot.com/

 

News-Gooding brings the Best of Britain to Amelia Island

Gooding brings the Best of Britain to Amelia Island

Amelia Island is the place to be this coming March for collectors and lovers of classic British sportscars. Last year Gooding & Company auctioned off over $16 million in classic automobiles at the annual event, including a $2.75 million 1931 Voisin and a $1.7 million '61 Porsche RS61 Spyder formerly owned by Sir Stirling Moss.

This year's consignments have already begun coming in, starting off with a rare 1949 Jaguar XK120. The alloy-bodied roadster – the only one made in Blue Sheen paint – was the first XK120 to come to the United States, and is expected to fetch as much as half a million at auction. Next up is one of only four '33 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupes (got all that?) with Gurney Nutting coachwork, likewise estimated around the half-million mark. Finally Gooding has a '62 Lotus 23B on the docket with considerable racing pedigree projected at around $200k.

The auction will take place on Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. Details in the press release after the jump, with high-res images in the gallery below.

Source:www.autoblog.com

When do you need a lawyer?

If you need legal help or advice, you need a lawyer. People use lawyers for many reasons – business and personal.
Lawyers deal with a wide range of cases including wills, real estate, leases, contracts, separation agreements,divorces, and car accidents. Lawyers also work on criminal cases like impaired driving and assault. Lawyers are trained to understand and interpret the law. They defend your rights and tell you how the law applies to your business or personal situation.

find info : http://toplawyer.blogspot.com/

news-Jeep Is Back On The Road Under Fiat

Jeep Is Back On The Road Under Fiat

Jeep, a brand born on the battlefields of World War II, has been through a new kind of war in the last decade. First it was disrespected by its German stepparents, and then left to die by Wall Street vultures. But now the brand seems to be staging a comeback under Chrysler's new Italian ownership.

The irony couldn't be thicker. German automaker Daimler, parent of Mercedes-Benz, made many of the German war vehicles used against the Allied forces during the historic conflict. But during the decade it owned Chrysler and Jeep, it created a trio of the worst Jeep-branded vehicles in the storied maque's history: The Commander, Compass and Patriot. According to internal research at Chrysler, the value of Jeep dealer franchises actually went down under Daimler's ownership. Perhaps it is even more ironic that an automaker from Italy, Germany's reluctant partner in World War II, is working closely with their new American colleagues to restore Jeep, both in the U.S. and globally, to what the company hopes is a leadership position in the sport utility market.

To be fair, earlier this year Jeep launched an all-new Grand Cherokee, arguably the best-ever iteration of the Jeep flagship vehicle. This version came from a joint product-development program with the Mercedes M Class started by Daimler. Chrysler executives had to convince a reluctant Cerberus Capital, which owned Chrysler from 2007-2009, to fund the Grand Cherokee's completion, but it was money well spent.

Fullpost:http://autos.aol.com/article/jeep-is-back-on-the-road-under-fiat/

Toyota-Gives Customers $500 During Its Tweetathon

Toyota-Gives Customers $500 During Its Tweetathon

Toyota has taken to Twitter to promote its latest end-of-year sale, offering its customers the potential to get five hundred bucks, just for tweeting this: "If I get my new Toyota during Toyotathon they'll give me $500 just for this Tweet. http://buyatoyota.com @Toyota #shareathon."

"If you get your new Toyota by January 3rd, you can earn a $500 pre-paid debit card, just for Tweeting about it," according to Toyota's Twitter page. "Until December 15th, the Twitter users with the fastest fingers can get one of 250 certificates available each day."

While I'm usually all for companies taking to social media to engage their customers, this is one instance where I'm left wanting. Earlier this year, I wrote about how Toyota's recall woes were made worse because it had largely ignored the social networking space. Had the company understood the power of that medium it would have realized that active, personal participation would have gone a long way to quelling fears, responding to concerns, and directing people to the appropriate places to get answers and help. Instead, Toyota was late to the game and used "canned" responses, which created little satisfaction to concerned owners.

I asked a Toyota spokeswoman if this new Twitter campaign came about as a result of its experience during the recalls of the past year and didn't get a satisfactory response. At least it appears that the company is trying to figure out what works and what doesn't in the social space, which is a good thing. But the unfortunate reality is that this promotion comes across more like spam than anything that engages the consumer in a dialogue. It's great that customers get money back once they buy a new car, that is, if they were one of the lucky 250 each day that actually got the certificate and they manage to take delivery of their car by January 3rd. But is this enough to make you a fan of the brand? Is the rather small incentive worthwhile or energizing? Would it make you think highly of the brand and tell others about it?

Fullpost:http://autos.aol.com/article/toyota-gives-customers-500-during-its-tweetathon/