Thursday, December 4, 2008

AutoSpies.com Newsletter: Latest Spy News 11/04/2008

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With the market at a standstill, it is nice to see that some makers are still releasing new cars. Last week it was Infiniti and the G37 cabriolet, this week it was Audi’s A5 and S5 convertibles. As sexy as these cars might, be the obvious difference in Audi’s approach was that both of the models retained the conventional soft top over the now in vogue hard tops of other makers. Whether it matters to you or not, may be a personal choice, but when the technical specs hit the world a day later, some of you were surprised. What may be adequate to some, fell far short for others. Only in the real world with a road test will we be able to see just how these convertibles will stack up against the competition.

Nothing stirs the soul like a good old fashioned shootout. The weapons of choice this time were all heavy on firepower as the BMW M5, Cadillac CTS-V, and Mercedes C63 all took each other on for a fight to the finish. Depending on your vantage point each of these cars could have won, but when you factor in price into the equation you will find there is only one true winner.

To see a Lexus or BMW on display at a high end shopping mall is one thing. But to see a BMW on display at a discount store may make you wonder what is going on. Now Agent001 may have been right on track by asking all of you if BMW was sacrificing brand image by selling at Costco, but was it still the right move for BMW? Sales and brand image ideally should go hand in hand, but I bet the bean counters at BMW may tell us that sales will always rule the day. What do you think about a luxury brand that sells its wares through a discount chain?

It was another gloom and doom week for both the economy and the auto industry. After a verbal lashing from Congress for being unprepared, the Detroit 3 returned to Washington to ask for even more money. This time however they were minus the corporate jets and in products of their own choosing. Both Ford and GM executives decided demonstrate this by taking a leisurely drive to the capital in their respective brands vehicles. This time however everyone came prepared and laid the cards on the table for all to see. Early reports indicated that both GM and Chrysler were even prepared to file bankruptcy to gain access to federal funds. This was an about face from the rhetoric given last week. Even the UAW even showed up with a different tone, and offered to suspend the controversial jobs bank and allow automakers contribution to retirement funds to be delayed. While this far from over, it is interesting to see just how much the attitudes changed in just two week.







Spy Shots
Breaking: 2009 BMW Z4 Unveiled
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:41:00 AM
( 26 ) Votes   ( 25 ) Comments

2010 Jaguar XF-R spotted nearly finished
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:14:50 AM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 18 ) Comments

UPDATE 1-German carmakers make fresh move to cut output
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:46:21 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Elite Carbon Maserati Gran Turismo
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:07:35 AM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Spy News
Jaguar and Land Rover in Big Trouble as Tata on the Bubble
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:30:07 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

Porsche and BMW to Halt Production
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:20:34 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

The World Bids Farewell to the Yugo
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:41:18 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

UAW wants limits on carmakers' executive pay
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:59:37 AM
( 22 ) Votes   ( 58 ) Comments

How About A Piece Of Kim Kardashian's Booty For The Holidays?
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:33:26 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

Acura V8 won't Arrive Until 2015: Report
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:05:52 PM
( 12 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

Rolls-Royce RR4 to reveice Bmw's iDrive technology
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:38:20 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

New Cars
Maserati MC Sport Line Package for the GranTurismo
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:39:13 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Production 2009 Honda Insight Hybrid Revealed
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:37:43 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

The All New Mazda3 5 Door Hatch Debuts In Bologna
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:14:27 PM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

All-New Mazda3 Hatch Unveiled at Bologna Motor Show
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:37:07 AM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Volkswagen Scirocco Studie R Concept unveiled in Bologna
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:47:15 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Nissan 370Z goes from 0 to 60 in the same time as the BMW M3
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:06:20 AM
( 24 ) Votes   ( 38 ) Comments

Fisker to unveil production Karma Hybrid in Detroit
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:43:45 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

2009 GMC Yukon XL Denali
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:15:14 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Lotus Evora order list includes 007 and Top Gear hosts
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:30:34 PM
( 15 ) Votes   ( 11 ) Comments

Fiat Abarth 500 receives Top Gear's "Best Hot Hatch" award
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:19:15 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

2010 Porsche Panamera auto show debut delayed
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:02:58 AM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

BMW not putting MINI E into mass-production
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:14:01 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Top Gear Car of the Year 2008 award goes to VW Scirocco
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:11:39 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

New Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X FQ-400: Limited Edition with 405HP
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:52:50 AM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

2008 Essen Motor Show: Vw unveils Touareg North Sails Edition
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:37:45 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Video: 2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio in action
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:34:06 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Vw Eos White Night Edition unveiled at Essen
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:29:26 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

2008 Essen Motor Show: Dodge Challenger SRT8 by Eibach
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:59:01 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Brabham M3 revealed at the Essen Show
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:51:47 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

2009 Vw Golf VI by ABT shows up at Essen
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:36:56 AM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

2008 VW Scirocco Collectors' Edition debuts at Essen
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:42:31 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Marangoni M430 based on Alfa Romeo Mi.To
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:43:42 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Reflections on the Acura NSX
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:46:40 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

First Photos And Full Rundown on the new MINI Convertible
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:07:09 AM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

2009 Opel Insignia by Steinmetz
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:37:11 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

2009 Nissan 370Z by Zele International coming in January
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:36:38 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Hyundai's fuel efficiel fleet coming in 2015
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:47:31 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4_e receives Stop/Start Technology
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:48:34 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

2009 Bmw Z4 coming on December 15
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:49:26 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

First Aston Martin Rapide photo emerges on the web
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:11:02 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

2009 Ford Focus RS priced at ?39,000
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:13:21 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Vw Scirocco R20T to replace the Scirocco R32
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:17:00 AM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

2009 Toyota Tundra Pricing Announced
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:38:17 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

New details of the next-generation of Audi A2 revealed
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:39:19 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

Misc News
The Genesis is stealing sales, but from who?
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 3:41:13 PM
( 38 ) Votes   ( 53 ) Comments

Detroit's Big 3 request totals $34 billion
Submitted: 12/3/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:12:08 AM
( 17 ) Votes   ( 39 ) Comments

Michelin presents Active Wheel system
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:58:18 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Audi anticipates record sales in 2008
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:53:51 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 9 ) Comments

November Luxury Car Sales - Is Infiniti ready for a flagship?
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 8:24:05 PM
( 31 ) Votes   ( 44 ) Comments

Nissan Sales Sour By 44.4% In November: Infiniti Drops 28.0%
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 4:13:33 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 16 ) Comments

Mercedes Benz Sales Crumble 38.2% In November
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:29:59 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Mazda Sales Tank 31.3% For November
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:24:39 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

Honda Sales Falter 30.6% In November: Acura Freefalls 38.9%
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:05:37 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 6 ) Comments

BMW Sales Plummet 36.1% Mini Sales Explode 43.1% In November
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:38:47 PM
( 11 ) Votes   ( 14 ) Comments

GM Ceases All Corporate Jet Flights: To Sell Remaining Jets
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:24:37 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

FOMOCO Sales Continue To Flatline: Down 30.6% In November
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:26:38 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Volkswagen Finally Fumbles In 2008: November Sales Drop 19.2%
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:21:04 PM
( 4 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Japanese and South Korean Car Sales Plummet in November
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:08:33 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Mulally chooses Escape Hybrid for D.C. road trip
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:01:03 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 13 ) Comments

The Big Three Bailout According to SNL
Submitted: 12/2/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:32:26 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Swedish Government Confirms Discussions With Volvo and SAAB
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 10:41:14 AM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Carlsson releases limited edition automatic watch
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:35:54 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

Porsche Museum to open its gates on 31 January 2009
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:31:59 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

GM UK takes two Top Gear awards
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:56:04 PM
( 9 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Bamford releases custom Rolex Daytona Ferrari red watch
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:39:25 AM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 3 ) Comments

Ford at the top of the list for safety in accidents
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:41:30 AM
( 8 ) Votes   ( 10 ) Comments

Ferrari F430 Scuderia with Kreissieg Exhaust (Video)
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:34:21 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Usain "Lightning" Bolt endorses the BMW M3
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:12:46 PM
( 6 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Bad news in the Euro-NCAP Whiplast tests
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:27:42 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

BMW will drop high-revving NA engines for turbocharged units
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:28:43 PM
( 24 ) Votes   ( 44 ) Comments

None of the big carmakers will miss the 2009 Geneva Motor Show
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 9:50:12 PM
( 2 ) Votes   ( 1 ) Comments

Nissan changes its mind regarding the 2009 Chicago Auto Show
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 7:41:37 PM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Far From Perfect? Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec Diesel SUV
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:18:36 PM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 7 ) Comments

Question Of the Day: Just How Long Will Gas Stay This Cheap?
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 2:13:16 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 12 ) Comments

Confirmed: Audi To Replace R10 With R15 TDi In 2009
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 1:59:44 PM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

GM Asks FAA To Keep Jet Movements Confidential
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:14:27 AM
( 7 ) Votes   ( 5 ) Comments

Reviews
2009 Nissan 370Z Driven in Japan
Submitted: 12/1/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:24:29 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Top 10 Most Popular Sport Utility Picks
Submitted: 11/28/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 6:14:07 PM
( 14 ) Votes   ( 23 ) Comments

Videos
Audi R8 GT3 LMS Hits the Track (Video)
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 5:22:01 PM
( 10 ) Votes   ( 8 ) Comments

BMW Konfigurator Using Microsoft Surface for Product Navigator
Submitted: 11/30/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 11:00:31 AM
( 5 ) Votes   ( 4 ) Comments

Nissan 370 Z Japanese Promotional Vide
Submitted: 11/29/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:58:32 PM
( 3 ) Votes   ( 2 ) Comments

600 Horse Speed Factory Dodge Challenger (Video)
Submitted: 11/27/2008 OFFICIAL BELL & ROSS TIMESTAMP: 12:45:00 PM
( 1 ) Votes   ( 0 ) Comments

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