We obsessively cover the auto industry…

Here at Autoblog, obsessively covering the automotive industry sometimes takes us places we'd never have expected. Today is one of those days.

In the video pasted below, you'll see a very nice Dodge Challenger SRT8 – modified in some way if the quoted 490 horsepower figure is accurate – lining itself up on a long, straight stretch of tarmac. Pulling up alongside... or rather, setting itself down, is a McDonnel Douglass MD500 helicopter. Yep, we said helicopter.

So, is this a fair race? We have no idea. For starters, there's no indication as to how long this runway may be, and we don't know the various skills of the pilot or driver. Do we care? No, not really. The race results in a fun video, which you can watch below, and we suggest you keep your eyes peeled all the way through for a little surprise.

Ford has revealed a few images of five tuned Focus ST concepts that will be shown off at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this month. None of this group of five is overly subtle, which would run counter to the spirit of SEMA itself, and all hope to highlight the performance nature of Ford's newest hot hatch. In no particular order then, here are the quick-and-dirty facts on each car, in advance of the full details out of Vegas:

• 2013 Ford Focus ST by Tanner Foust Racing (top): X Games warrior Tanner Foust wanted his ST to be able to go from work to the track, while not being too harsh for commuting in Southern California. A body kit, MagnaFlow exhaust and fully adjustable front and rear suspension have been added.
• 2013 Ford Focus ST by Bojix Design (upper left): The Bojix Design car stands out mostly for its eye-catching orange paint, black hood and low-rider stance. Upgraded brakes and coil-over springs are noted performance adds.
• 2013 Ford Focus ST by M&J Enterprises (upper right): M&J partnered with Ford, Cosworth LLC for ultimate performance. Ford Racing engine and suspension upgrades result in an aggressively fast car putting out some 330 horsepower.
• 2013 Ford Focus ST by Galpin Auto Sports (lower left): The sinister Galpin car, rocking some shockingly green wheels, was meant as a rally car-inspired build. The menacing looks of the body kit are backed by methanol injection and larger brakes, creating a car that the tuner claims is rally-ready.
• 2013 Ford Focus ST by Steeda Autosports (lower right): Steeda has added its own "G-Trac" suspension to its SEMA Focus, as well as Brembo brakes and a custom 19-inch wheel and tire package.

While the often misunderstood (and infrequently purchased) Acura ZDX may be going the way of the dinosaur, the company's far more conventional and successful MDX SUV is evolving. In fact, the 2014 MDX seems to be coming along rather nicely, if this latest set of spy images is any indication.

In the camouflaged prototype we see here, it is evident that Acura designers are going for a beefier look for the MDX front end. The current car's pointed and beaked nose are nowhere in evidence on this tester, though some version of Acura's prominent shield grille does seem to remain.

It's a bit difficult to tell if the shape of the glasshouse is much revised on this new car, as the camo is applied in such a fashion as to obscure the post C-pillar design. But it does seem as though, when we look hard at the full-profile shots of the MDX, that the wheel-arch bulges and side character lines of the current vehicle have been replaced with much simpler surfacing.

Under the hood we're told to expect a choice between a conventional V6 powerplant and the hybrid system with SH-AWD that will debut in the upcoming Acura RLX. Surely we'll see and hear more about this new MDX before it makes the scene in the last part of 2013.

Hyundai has already released renderings of its Cosworth-tuned Genesis Coupe that will be on display at the 2012 SEMA Show, and with the show just a couple more weeks away, Hyundai is now teasing a souped-up Veloster headed to Las Vegas. The Hyundai Veloster Turbo Velocity concept was designed at Hyundai's America Technical Center in Irvine, CA to be a street car that is also trackable.

To start, Hyundai had the Veloster Turbo's stock engine sent off to Cosworth for new internal components, turbocharger, intercooler, intake manifold and engine controller, and it was finished off with a custom exhaust system. The result gives the Velocity concept more than 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet. To handle the track, Hyundai also upgraded the car's suspension and brakes.

SEMA concepts are known for their flashy, over-the-top designs, and the Velocity will not disappoint with its wide body kit, a massive rear wing and a white-painted roof that gives the car a custom chopped look. Intending to prove this concept is ready for the track, the Velocity also comes with a full roll bar, data acquisition hardware and racing harnesses.

We'll have live images of the Veloster Turbo Velocity concept for you in a couple weeks, but until then, Hyundai has included a press release and a quick video of its SEMA-bound concept that we've posted below.

New Global Cadillac Chief, Toyota Tundra Space Shuttle Tow, SEMA, Ferrari Enzo Successor



Episode #304 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth and George Kennedy talk about Cadillac's new global chief, who's already mentioned sports cars, the Toyota Tundra towing the space shuttle, the Ferrari Enzo successor and Chrysler and Ford's SEMA concept cars. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #304:




Topics:

• Global Cadillac chief talking sports cars
• Ferrari Enzo successor coming to Detroit
• Toyota Tundra doubles as Space Shuttle transporter
• Ford and Chrysler SEMA cars

In the Autoblog Garage:
2012 Chrysler 200S convertible
2012 Fiat 500

Hosts: Dan Roth, George Kennedy

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When the Fisker Atlantic was revealed in April, no one was saying anything about production dates. Even in recent interviews and statements, Fisker has remained coy about when it might start building the smaller cousin to the Karma.

Given Fisker's financial difficulties and questions about where it will build the car, none of this was a surprise. It's also not at all shocking that reports now say Fisker might not start making the Atlantic until 2014 or 2015. Reuters says that was "the first time Fisker disclosed a production timetable for the Atlantic," but way back in 2009, the official timeline said the Atlantic (then called Project Nina) would start production by the end of 2012.

Fisker representatives used the new 2014 date in slides presented to investors. It was also revealed that a lot of the work on the car is done, since "about 90 percent of the parts in the Atlantic have been engineered." Should the Atlantic still be built in Delaware, as originally planned, suppliers might use some of the large factory that Fisker bought from General Motors. Of course, with the news that one of Fisker's main suppliers for the Karma – A123 Systems – might go bankrupt, we'll see how long the 2014 date holds firm.

Though it has been the company's star-laden Super Bowl commercials starring Eminem and Clint Eastwood that have garnered the most buzz for Chrysler and its ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, the principals agree that it was a far earlier spot that has made the biggest impact thus far.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and John Jay, Global Executive Creative Director for Wieden + Kennedy, agreed recently that it was the commercial for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has had the most significant impact for Chrysler in the post-bailout era.

The Grand Cherokee, you'll remember, was the first product introduced by the Chrysler Group coming out of bankruptcy, and was therefore poised to make a big impression – good or bad – on the American public. The Jeep commercial then needed to hammer home the notion of a quality, American-made product, while also laying the groundwork for the Imported from Detroit commercials (of Super Bowl fame) that were still to come. Marchionne called the Jeep commercial "a turning point" and said that it was still being tweaked, right down to the very end.

Watching the spot today (scroll down to have a look), it is easier to see it as a successful foundational piece of the messaging that we're getting from Chrysler today.

Not having the luxury of speaking proper Spanish, we should be at a loss when it comes to the video embedded down below. Fortunately, any language barrier that would otherwise be blocking our understanding is torn down by a language we all speak fluently: a love of cars.

In this case, the car in question is a bright red Ferrari F430 Spider, which is following what appears to be a Renault Twingo somewhere in the Canary Islands. Though the screaming sounds like it's coming from a girl, some internet sleuthing tells us it's actually a young boy who's screaming like, well, a girl.

In any case, we all get a little too excited every now and then, so we're inclined to cut the kid some slack... though we'd hate to think what might happen the first time he lays eyes on a Prancing Horse that's a bit more exotic, say, an Enzo or something. We can already feel our ears bleeding.

Scroll down below to see for yourself.

It appears that the World Rally Championship has lost another key player. After word that Mini is leaving WRC comes news that Ford is pulling out as well. While Mini's departure was rooted in its tenuous relationship with Prodrive, Ford's exit from the sport is tied to the poor economic climate in Europe.

According to a statement from Ford of Europe's VP of Marketing, Sales and Service, Roeland de Waard, "Ford has a long and proud history in the WRC and this was not an easy decision." He continued, "At this time, however, we determined that it was better for the company and the Ford brand to reduce our commitment to the WRC and deploy our resources in other areas."

While Ford's factory backing might be out, the rally masters at M-Sport were running the Ford team up until this news and plan to stay on with the Fiesta WRC in the years to come. The racing outfit, run by Malcolm Wilson, has achieved 52 wins and 208 podium finishes in the 16 seasons that it has been racing with Ford. The M-Sport boss voiced his gratitude toward the relationship with the automaker saying, "I would like to thank Ford of Europe for their enthusiastic support and the faith shown in the team over the past 16 seasons. We understand that tough decisions have had to be made to safeguard Ford jobs."

M-Sport has run Ford's factory team since 1997, and is talking with Ford to receive support in the form of vehicles and engineering. The extent of that support remains to be seen, and it is unknown if Ford will return to WRC if economic conditions in Europe improve.

After a long and bumpy road, battery-producer A123 Systems has officially filed for bankruptcy. This news comes immediately after word that the Waltham, Massachusetts-based company may not have enough cash to fund operations, or even seek bankruptcy protection. This news has ramifications elsewhere in the industry, as A123 had contracts with Fisker Automotive as well as with BMW.

In a press release issued this morning, A123 announced that it will sell off all automotive assets to Johnson Controls. A123 will file Chapter 11, while Johnson Controls will provide $72.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing. The aim of the financing is to support A123 while it attempts to pursue alternative business operations.

To anyone following the battery maker closely, this news should not come as a shock. It was estimated that A123 lost about $67 million dealing with a battery recall for the Fisker Karma. In May of this year, the company posted a $125 million net loss. Shares for A123 have fallen 85 percent this year as the company has posted 14 straight quarterly losses.

With news of the bankruptcy, it wouldn't be surprising if A123 were be brought up in tonight's presidential debate. A123 received $249 million in federal grant money in 2009. The company also received $100,000 in 2006 under the Bush Administration, and additional tax exemptions and credits during Mitt Romney's time as a Massachusetts governor, so this issue has many sides.

For Fisker, the issue at hand is finding a new battery supplier. Johnson Controls has had previous hybrid ventures and continues to explore lithium-ion batteries. This could be an opportunity for the Milwaukee-based company to expand that part of its business, perhaps replacing A123 as Fisker's battery supplier.

When the Progressive International Motorcycle Show decided it wanted to build some buzz for its upcoming show, it knew that the "chicks on bikes" formula had already been played out. However, turning models (in this case, extraordinarily talented yogi-models) into the motorcycle hadn't ever been done before.

A brainstorming session along those lines led to a completely original photo shoot, wherein a group of artists and athlete models created some very wild images. In the video here, you'll see the full story of how the concept became a reality. Note that there are some slightly NSFW moments here – the models are naked after all, though artfully obscured with body paint.

Look Who Just Raised The Bar In The Compact Entry-Level Luxury Segment



We first slid behind the wheel of the Buick Verano, the American automaker's entrant in the $25,000 compact luxury segment, one year ago in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. After motoring through scenic Oregon, we boarded our flight back home quite impressed with the small four-door. In our First Drive review, we mentioned that the General Motors offering had "exceeded our expectations" and that its combination of features and appointments "made a compelling argument for itself."

Our one gripe, however, was aimed at the Verano's standard naturally aspirated (NA) four-cylinder engine. With 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque, we found its performance rather lethargic in the 3,300-pound sedan. As we noted, "The power from the 2.4-liter was adequate, but much of its steam was lost above legal speeds when attempting two-lane passing maneuvers."

For 2013, Buick has handily addressed the power deficit by fitting its sedan with GM's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder – an action that packs another 70 horses under the hood. Of course, there were other upgrades and enhancements to accompany the additional muscle.

We just spent a day in the heart of the Bluegrass State, on the other side of the country, putting the 2013 Buick Verano Turbo through its paces. Fall is a near-perfect time to visit Kentucky, and the Buick proved to be an excellent companion for touring the land of horses, tobacco and those wonderful bourbon distilleries.

After dealing with flailing global economies, numerous recalls and safety allegations and then the depleted inventory from the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Experian Automotive says that Toyota is finally back on top when it comes to consumer loyalty in the US. Toyota edged out General Motors and Ford Motor Company to grab this loyalty crown for the first time since the third quarter of 2009.

The metric for this title was determined by owners of a vehicle choosing from the same corporate automaker for their next vehicle purchase. For Toyota, this means that 47.3 percent of its current customers will purchase a Scion, Lexus or Toyota model as their next car compared to 46.2 percent for GM and 46 percent for Ford. Honda and Hyundai rounded out the top five in this list.

In terms of individual brand loyalty – when buyers come back to the same brand – Ford took the spot in this category with 44.7 percent of buyers returning to the Ford showroom for their next purchase, including six cars in the top 10 for overall loyalty. Ford Fusion customers are the most loyal with 59.9 percent buying another Ford, but Flex, Edge, Five Hundred, Escape and Fiesta are all in the top 10. Oddly enough, the top vehicle among brand loyalty was the Chevrolet Sonic (which has only been on the market for less than a year – we're not sure what to make of that...) with 60.3 percent of its buyers trading in for another Chevy product.

Other interesting facts to note from Experian Automotive's study include the median age of vehicles has increased from 9.8 years up to 10.8 years since 2008, indicating that people are keeping their cars for an extra year before trading them in. Besides Toyota, Chrysler was the only automaker listed as having increased its market share and vehicle purchases in the second quarter of this year.

Scroll down for Experian's press release or click here for the informative infographic in PDF form.