Autoblog

A too-clever motorist in the UK is staring at some jail time after concocting a sign-switching scheme to get out of a speeding ticket.

44-year-old John Hopwood apparently placed a stolen 40 mph speed limit sign over the 30 mph sign that he violated, then took a photo and brought it to court as proof of his innocence. Suffice it to say, it didn't work.

More details of Hopwood's shenanigans at the link.

[Source: UK Mirror]

Toyota has closed the site of its first transplant birth-that is, the automaker's Port Melbourne, Australia plant where it assembled its first vehicles outside of Japan.

The 54-year-old plant has seen in excess of one million Toyotas pour from its gates up until 1994 (the factory has only assembled parts since that time), and will now fall silent as its assembly tools are being moved to the company's Altona facility.

Along with Toyota, the factory has also churned out many other vehicles from other manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, Triumph, and Standard.

[Sources: Wards Auto; Hinterland Toyota]

Normally, a single owner suing an automaker over a 'lemon' car would hardly qualify as a newsworthy item. But when the person in question is a car dealership owner, and the four-wheeled bit of citrus is one of five Mercedes Benz AMG CLK-GTR Roadsters, well, things get a little more interesting.

Mark Johnston of Grand Prix Motors of Los Angeles, California, is suing DaimlerChrysler and its Mercedes-Benz arm. The plaintiff maintans he bought the uber-Benz to sell in his dealership, but the car had issues beginning with its very first test drive, tripping the oil lamp within ten blocks. Johnston's complaint further alleges assorted transmission problems, hydraulic jack system failure, and 'unglued' windows. The vehicle was later diagnosed with total engine failure, a result of the oil-pressure issue.

Grand Prix Motors alleges that they area aware of other roadsters with similar problems. It has not been repaired.

No word on the damages Johnston seeks to recover, but figure on at least $1.7 million, plus whatever expenses were incurred for the repairs.

[Source: Auto Spectator]

(Top tip, anonymous!)

Alright, with the Pontiac Sunfire covered-in-bees contest in the books, you know the drill: Create a memorable caption for the shot seen above. In this case, the soaked Jeep Wrangler seen above was apparently pilfered one night and rolled off the docks in Old Harbor, Rhode Island a few years ago.

We'll start you off:

Daisy acknowledged only too belatedly that stilettos (while just the thing for big tips at the Boar's Nest), were sadly ill-suited to moonlit drives on the beach.

Your turn - leave a few choice words in 'Comments.'

[Source: Block Island Times]

Porsche has just unveiled an appearance package for the Cayenne S dubbed the 'Titanium Edition.' For North American consumption only, the model features various bits of titanium-toned trim, along with many of the most popular options as standard-fit-all at a decidedly unPorsche-like 10 percent off.

Available in two exclusive new colors ('Pure Red and 'Iceland Silver Metallic'), along with black and blue, the new model also receives titanium effect mirrors, front air intakes, door handles, rear roof spoiler, and so on.

Starting at $64,900 for Yankees and $89,800 for Great White Northerners, the model hits showrooms in mid-July, complete with 'smart' xenon headlamps, navigation, and moonroof.

[Source: Porsche via BusinessWire]

After a seemingly interminable number of artist renderings and computer-generated 'spyshots' (including the shot seen above), AutoWeek says that Volkswagen has given the neo-Scirocco the go-ahead.

According to the magazine's sources, buyers can expect the coupe to command $28,000 in base spec (front-wheel-drive, four-pot). An all-wheel-drive 3.6-liter V6 is expected to be the top rung, which we would guess would start at about $34,000 if AutoWeek's estimate is in the ballpark.

Click through for more scuttlebutt on VW's coming hot wind.

[Source: AutoWeek]

In word that must have long-time Audi executives reaching for their Maalox by association, Connecticut officials are urging federal regulators to investigate allegations of 'unintended acceleration' in late-model Jeep Grand Cherokees.

The call comes after a 52-year-old man was run over and killed in a car wash in the state. In fact, the hubbub seems to be that something in that particular environment appears to make these episodes more likely – Connecticut bigwigs have logged a number of complaints about the vehicles suddenly picking up speed when drivers move the automatic transmission from 'neutral' to 'drive' while in car washes.

Car buffs may recall Audi's bout with 'unintended acceleration' way back in 1986, when news program 60 Minutes demonized the company's 5000 model sedan. The company's reputation and sales tanked, taking more than fifteen years to rebound. In that case, the syndrome was later judged to be the result of operator pedal misapplication.

If we had to put money on it, we'd be just as quick to cite wet shoes and slippery pedals.

[Source: CNNMoney.com]

Confirming a rumor that Autoblog clued readers in to early last March, Nissan has announced a $200 million plant in St. Petersburg, Russia. The deal for the automaker's first Russian plant comes after it inked an agreement yesterday with Russia's Economy Ministry.

The plant aims to push some 50,000 vehicles each year out the door by 2009. According to Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, the company plans to assemble an SUV and a sedan, and a third vehicle could come on line.

[Source: The Daily Times]

The folks over at SmartMoney.com have compiled a common-sense list of the "Top 10 Things Your Retntal Company Won't Tell You."  In point of fact, we'd reckon that most of the pointers are forehead-smackingly obvious, but that doesn't mean that it isn't worth a quick refresher, or a good opportunity to relay your own tips to fellow Autoblog readers in comments.

1. "We're a tax magnet."
2. "We track your every move."
3. "Our prices are etched in sand."
4. "You probably don't need our insurance."
5. "Your reservation doesn't mean bupkis."
6. "Special orders are our bread and butter."
7. "The little guys charge less."
8. "We're cutting corners anywhere we can."
9. "Think gas prices are high at the pump? Look what we charge."
10. "We offer some terrific deals - on Thursdays when the moon is full."

[Source: SmartMoney.com; New York State Insurance Department]

The listmeisters at Forbes continue their quest to rank every possible automotive genre and subcategory ever put forth with their new 'Hottest Family Cars of 2006" list. While their writers don't appear to have put a price cap on their list, in the interest of keeping the kids at a safe distance, Forbes limited their list to SUVs and wagons (as nobody makes 'a ten-cylinder minivan' yet, that bodystyle has been excluded as well).

Their findings?

• Audi S4 Wagon
• Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged
• Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon
• Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
• Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
• Volvo V70 R Wagon

All foreign nameplates (albeit most of them with American ties). What did they miss? Well, at least one staffer would drop the Benz 'G' thang in favor of another DaimlerChrysler product (the Dodge Magnum SRT-8), and there's nothing wrong with the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, either. While we're at it, we know they're not terribly roomy, but Infiniti's FX45 still does something for us, especially in Autumn Copper. One last thing-- for those on a more modest budget, the Subaru Legacy GT Wagon is a heck of a nice steer, and something of a serious omission.

But then again, Forbes didn't ask us for our opinions when compiling the list. We imagine they didn't solicit you, either... so feel free to add your take in 'comments.'

[Source: Forbes via MSNBC; AlloyPictures.com]