2014 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line

2014 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line

The Tiguan pledged Volkswagen’s R-Line fraternity way back in 2008, survived the hazing and humiliation to become a certified member of the ancient German trim-package society (by “ancient,” we mean 10 years old). The 2014 Tiguan R-Line is the scion of that first-generation compact crossover and joins the Touareg, Beetle and CC in the brotherhood.

What it provides is better looks for the same heart: every Tiguan carries a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI engine up front, turbocharged and intercooled, sending the same 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet either to the front wheels or to all four via a Haldex-clutch-equipped 4Motion system. Volkswagen touts the option of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, but such buyer discretion only applies to the front-wheel-drive model. If you want 4Motion, you have to get the automatic, and the R-Line cannot be had with a manual. Both FWD and AWD models are rated at 26 highway miles per gallon, but in the city, the manual FWD returns 18 mpg, the automatic FWD gets 21 mpg and the AWD gets 20 mpg – none of which is terribly pleasing for a compact crossover, particularly when premium fuel is recommended.

2014 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line

Subaru ending Tribeca production in January?

Subaru ending Tribeca production in January?

 

The writing has been on the wall for some time, but it seems that Subaru is finally pulling the lever on the guillotine to put the midsize Tribeca crossover out of its misery. Jalopnik has what appears to be a communication from Subaru to its dealers announcing that the final Tribeca will roll off the Lafayette, IN assembly line in January, with the last dealer delivery expected to occur the following month.

The last report we heard regarding the Tribeca said that Subaru could be planning a fullsize, three-row crossover, possibly to compete against the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer. Dropping the Tribeca would leave the automaker without a three-row crossover for the foreseeable future, but according to the memo, Subaru has sold just 78,000 Tribecas since 2005 making it one of the worst-selling vehicles in the US in 2011 and 2012 – for comparison, the automaker has already found 84,372 customers for its new Forester this year (through September) alone.

We have reached out to Subaru for comment on the Tribeca’s passing, but have yet to hear back as of this writing. Stay tuned for an update, when and if we get word.

Subaru ending Tribeca production in January?

SRT holding contest to name new Viper color

SRT holding contest to name new Viper color

Like every decision involved in a new car, picking the names of the color palette is a delicate process. The name of a paint option means more to buyers than you might think, which is why automakers go to great lengths to pick the right color name and why we sometimes wind up with silly names like Bulldozer (yellow-orange) on the Jeep Wrangler, Red Alert! (and yes, the exclamation is supposed to be there) on the last-generation Nissan Versa, Alien (green) on the Kia Soul and Nobel Spinel Mica (red) on the Lexus LS.

If you’re like us, though, you can look at a Nobel Spinel Mica or Alien and figure you can do better, like Imperial Garnet for the LS or Salamander Lime for the Soul. And if you’ve ever thought you could do better than what the OEMs put out, here’s your chance. SRT is running a contest to pick the name for a vibrant, but non-metallic, blue that will be available on both the SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS. The eventual winner will get an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The contest opened today, and will run through October 24. If you’ve got a good idea for a name, you’d best hop over to the SRT website and submit it. The Autoblog team was beaten to the punch on submitting its choices – Gilles Blue (after SRT boss and car buff Ralph Gilles) and Blue Racer – don’t let the same happen to you. Click below for the entire press release from SRT.

SRT holding contest to name new Viper color

Aston Martin committed to V12 power, downplays hybrids

Aston Martin committed to V12 power, downplays hybrids

 

Aston Martin will not be joining the performance hybrid club currently being championed by the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren. As evidence, Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, has made some very pointed remarks about the supercar segment’s move to hybridization, telling Australia’s Drive, “We will not have a hybrid in next year or year after.” Instead, the British brand will focus on aerodynamics, engine efficiency and reducing curb weight, all in a bid to boost performance without adding the cost or complexity of hybrid systems. But the strategy extends beyond those simple reasons, with Dr. Bez citing philosophical and practical issues with hybridization.

“I am a purist and I think a sports car should have as low weight as possible. It should be in as minimalistic as it can be and this does not work with hybridization,” Bez tells the Australian website. As for his practical oppositions, Bez added, “I think it is great technology, but if you think about the biggest failures in cars these days it is electrical failures. And what we do is make more electrical systems and we believe it will be much better.” The outspoken CEO finished by saying, “I think a pure sports car does not need this.”

For the future of Aston Martin, Dr. Bez reiterated his support for its twelve-cylinder heritage, saying, “I do believe [the V12] is very dear to us.” He adds, “If it comes to a luxury car with emotion, a V12 has something special. This will still be there within the next five to 10 years, but it does not mean it will be six liters – it can be five liters or a smaller one. It will improve with power and fuel consumption.”

Dr. Bez’s views are interesting, notably because Astons are generally underpowered relative to their competition – the Vanquish has 565 horsepower to the 740-horsepower Ferrari F12 and the Rapide S is outgunned by far more affordable competitors from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Not to be cynical, but we’re guessing Bez’s position is as much rooted in philosophy as it is in financial reality – Aston isn’t exactly flush with cash these days, and developing a hybrid powertrain system sounds significantly costlier than sticking to its knitting. The question is, will the strategy work over the long haul? Have your say in Comments.

Aston Martin committed to V12 power, downplays hybrids

Mazda MX-5 GT gets green light

Mazda MX-5 GT gets green light

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is as popular around the Autoblog offices as Kate Upton posters are around fraternity houses. Few staffers have much criticism for Mazda’s ubiquitous roadster, and fewer still aren’t overjoyed when one arrives in their driveway. So you can imagine how a report from Auto Express about a more potent MX-5 model is going over in our offices today.

The new model, which was shown in concept form as the Mazda MX-5 GT at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, has a slight catch, though. First, we have absolutely no idea if Mazda will bring the MX-5 GT to the US. Secondly, and perhaps more problematically, this isn’t a production car – it’s a kit from the team at Jota Sport.

Now, to be fair, the kit doesn’t sound like a bad thing. It bumps the UK-spec 2.0-liter, 157-horsepower engine up to 203 hp thanks to a sports exhaust and a revamped ECU (46 horsepower from an ECU and exhaust in a naturally aspirated car?). To make the little Miata even more agile, Jota has also fiddled with the suspension. AE doesn’t mention things like the grippy tires or Recaro seats that were found on the concept, though.

What concerns us is the cost of converting an MX-5 to an MX-5 GT. AE seems to think the GT should retail for under £30,000 (around $48,000 USD), which includes the £18,495 ($29,800) donor car. If the kit comes to the US, though, it will likely cost a lot less than that.

How much would you be willing to spend on an MX-5 GT? The base car starts at $23,720 for a Sport Softtop, but let’s assume you want to go with the $26,905 Club Softtop to get the six-speed manual transmission. What’s the right price for the GT package, installed and with its three-year warranty? Let us know in Comments.

Mazda MX-5 GT gets green light

Lamborghini officially reveals new Veneno Roadster

Lamborghini officially reveals new Veneno Roadster

Sexy or vulgar – whatever you thought of the Veneno which Lamborghini unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, it didn’t much matter. Because by the time we saw it, all three examples were already bought and paid for… at the equivalent of $3.9 million each. But if you had that much cash burning a hole in your pocket and lamented missing out on the opportunity to put one in your driveway, we’ve got good news, because Lamborghini has just confirmed another nine examples to be built. Only this time, it’s got no roof.

Now officially confirmed after leaking out the other day, the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster features the same radical styling, extreme competition-derived aerodynamics, carbon-intensive construction and twelve-cylinder powertrain as the coupe that proceeded it and which we enjoyed photographing for your viewing pleasure just last month. The principal difference, of course, is the open-air cockpit, which offers no protection from the elements whatsoever: no fabric umbrella contraption, no removable glass or metal panel, nothing to get between your dome and the air rushing by at 220 miles per hour. That’s the same top speed as the coupe, while the 0-62 run takes just a fraction of a second longer at 2.9 seconds. But we doubt you’d notice the difference with that 6.5-liter V12 revving just behind your ears.

It’s the same engine and seven-speed ISR gearbox that powers the Aventador, only tuned up to 750 horsepower for the Veneno. And it should have more power, because at 3.3 million euros (about $4.5 million, give or take a Gallardo), the Veneno Roadster isn’t just $600,000 more expensive than the Veneno coupe, it’s also more than ten times the price of an Aventador. Still with us? You can scope out all the details in the press release below and browse through the photos in the gallery above for a closer look.

Lamborghini officially reveals new Veneno Roadster

2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible

2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible

I first caught a glimpse of the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro in person at the New York Auto Show, and the Convertible version (by way of pictures) at its far-flung debut in Germany. As a car writer, a V8 enthusiast, a convertible diehard and, most days, no fool, I’ve wanted to get my turn in this very car ever since.

The Camaro SS Convertible rumbled up to my door in 2SS trim, meaning my first go with the deeply attractive pony car would lack for neither bells nor whistles, nor imposing 20-inch aluminum wheels. While undoubtedly pricey, fully loaded with a manual transmission is a great way to buy this car. What’s more, the middle of the Michigan autumn is pretty much the perfect time to have the keys to it in your pocket.

2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible