Auto For Speed

General Motors will be presenting an ultra-tough concept study based on the four-door 2011 GMC Sierra HD pickup truck at the rapidly approaching Detroit Motor Show in mid-January. The GMC Sierra All Terrain HD study is highlighted by its rough n’ tough exterior design and enhanced all-road capability.

Shorter in overall length than production Sierra HD models, the concept boasts a unique five-foot, eight-inch Crew Cab/short box body configuration with the wheels pushed to corners of the vehicle.

It also features a wider, 73-inch (1,853 mm) track for greater stability and approximately 3 inches (76 mm) greater ground clearance for a total of 21.1 inches (536 mm) at the rockers and 11.8 inches (300 mm) at the skid plates.

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Chrysler has officially unveiled the 2011 Jeep Compass, which is the facelifted version of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Featuring many design cues borrowed from Grand Cherokee included, 2011 Jeep Compass has a new hood, modified fascias, a revised grille, and restyled lighting units, a body-color spoiler, plastic body cladding, and standard 17-inch aluminum wheels with 18 inches remaining an option.

2011 Jeep Compass will be available in two engine options: entry-level 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 158hp and 141 lb-ft of torque and an optional 2.4-liter engine that develops 172hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. Both the engines will be mated to a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission that sends power to all the front wheels whereas all wheel drive remains optional. Both the engines returns 23mpg in city driving and 29mpg on highway driving, which is one which is some of the best fuel economy in the Crossover segment. No word on the pricing as of now but the models will hit the dealerships by the end of this month.

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Recently, Toyota outlined its “eco-car” future, which includes the launch of 11 new or redesigned vehicles by 2012. The majority of the automaker’s upcoming vehicle introductions will be conventional hybrid versions of existing models. Toyota’s drive to increase the fuel efficiency of its model lineup does not end at hybrids, however, and the automaker is eying ways to improve the efficiency of gasoline engines. To that end, Toyota sees turbocharging, direct fuel injection and start-stop technology in its future.

Though there’s no word on which Toyota models will be first in line to get turbo’d, direct-injected or fitted with the mild hybrid treatment, reports suggest that the technology will trickle down through the model lineup – eventually reaching some of the automaker’s best-selling four-cylinder models like the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry. Turbocharging and direct-injection are technologies that many other automakers already employ. Toyota may be ahead in the hybrid race, but it is lagging behind much of its competition and must act fast to catch up.

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MINI brand may develop a new small car for its parent company, Bmw, according to brand boss Wolfgang Armbrecht. The so-called ‘mini’ MINI will be firm’s smallest vehicle, and will be Bmw’s dream to build a small and spacious car. Armbrecht also said that the car will be previewed in a concept form in January at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and will represent ”the next spectacular idea from the Mini brand”. ”Keep a close eye on the coming months,” he added.

Moreover, Bmw’s development chief Klaus Draeger said that MINI brand should be careful in order to protect its images and not build too many large cars. This means that you should not expect a any big car from MINI.

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The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 has only been racing for two years, but in that time has garnered notable accolades: Wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 hours and this year’s European GT4 Cup, just to name three.

The Gaydon firm has made revisions to the 2011 model, incorporating lessons learned from the roadgoing Aston Martin V12 Vantage, including better aerodynamics and greater downforce, as well as a new option that includes racing-tuned ABS and a new traction control system developed by Bosch. No specific numbers were released, but Aston Martin says that it has reworked the GT4′s 4.7-liter V8, as well, providing improved horsepower and torque numbers.

We’re sure these new changes will help the GT4 secure a few more wins in the 2011 racing season.

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