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NHTSA Releases Toyota Unintended Acceleration Report
NHTSA (commonly pronounced Nit-sa) is the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration – and they look into all kinds of issues related our safety on the nation’s roads. This time last year, the buzz was all about Toyota and specifically about unintended acceleration in the 2010 Prius hybrid – the poor publicity from this controversy and related quality issues cost Toyota thousands of sales and likely millions of dollars. A similar … Read entire article »
Filed under: Automotive Reviews
Watch as this 1968 VW Van Transforms into The Mystery Machine
It’s not a sports car. It looks like a box that might contain a sports car. It’s a 1968 Volkswagen Type 2 Transporter – commonly known as a microbus. On its best day, this vehicle was a utility wagon, and its 47 horsepower engine never impressed anyone with its speed and torque. This particular 1968 Volkswagen Transporter has already had a long and useful life, and it bears the battle scars of 43 years on the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
World-Record Electric Drag Racing Car on Display in Portland, Oregon
Green is the dominant color at the 2011 Portland International Auto Show, held at the Oregon Convention Center this weekend. Everywhere you look, automakers are rolling out a new generation of ecologically friendly cars, including the long-awaited Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF battery-electric vehicles. But amidst all the green, there’s a flash of white – John Wayland’s 1972 Datsun 1200 sedan, nicknamed White Zombie, is a home-built electric drag racing car that holds the world … Read entire article »
Filed under: Automotive Reviews
Test Drive: Hyundai Sonata Turbo and Sonata Hybrid
Hyundai is really on a winning streak these days, and they’ve raised the bar in the midsize family sedan market by remodeling their popular Sonata sedan into three different configurations. In the standard Sonata, you get a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making 198 horsepower and delivering fuel economy of 35 MPG on the highway and 22 MPG in the city. You have your choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. That’s pretty good performance, but if … Read entire article »
Filed under: Automotive Reviews, Hybrid, Hyundai
First Drive: Volvo S60
When you were growing up, did you ever know someone who was so well-behaved and generally harmless that the first time they ever toilet-papered someone’s house, they thought they had joined up with Al Capone? I would say that this is an apt comparison for Volvo’s new “naughty” S60, except that Volvo has always produced great performance cars, so it’s a mystery why they get stuck with the Goody Two-Shoes reputation. Seriously, if you look … Read entire article »
Filed under: Automotive Reviews, Volvo
GM Smart Phone Apps Work with OnStar
General Motors will be offering a new smart phone app that will allow most owners of 2011 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles to control many vehicle functions of their vehicles from the phone. The new app works with the OnStar communications system to activate all of the functions available on a traditional vehicle key fob – remote start, horn and lights and door lock/unlock – securely from their smartphones. This means drivers will no … Read entire article »
The Toyota Tacoma, 40% of the compact pickup segment in the U.S.
Toyota has been making compact trucks longer than I have been alive, so by now they are getting good at it. The Toyota Tacoma remains the dominate force in the compact segment evolving with the market by adding more room and power to meet market demands with a rugged and reliable edge. Now in its eighth generation, the compact Toyota pickup dates back to 1964 with the names Stout, Hilux and finally the Tacoma. Over that period, … Read entire article »
The All New 2011 Subaru WRX STI
It’s a good year for Subaru, with increased sales and a bigger chunk of the world market the, Japanese company is experiencing a teen growth spurt. Like many car manufacturers, Subaru’s roots started in Aircraft. They have come a long way from those 1917 beginnings. For 2011, Subaru offers a redesigned and engineers WRX STI. This year you will see two body styles on the showroom floor. A four-door and a five-door STI will have new … Read entire article »
Filed under: Automotive Reviews, Subaru
Fiat Returning to U.S.
Chrysler Group is starting the process of granting an estimated 200 Fiat dealerships in 125 markets in 41 states. The process started in July and top dealers will be picked later this summer. The first Fiat will be the 500 minicar that has received considerable media interest already. A convertible version is scheduled for 2011 and an electric model and sportier Abarth version should arrive in 2012. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Fiat
Rapier: America’s Newest Supercar
America’s latest supercar, the Rapier Superlight Coupe, or SL-C for short, was finally born in Boston on March 31, 2010 after a five-year gestation period. Billed as the ‘most exclusive hand-built supercar on the planet’, the Rapier, offers a multitude of unique engineering specifications, power-plant offerings, exterior colors, interior schemes and a host of other fully customizable options. … Read entire article »
Next Generation Mercedes SLK
The next generation Mercedes-Benz SLK sportscar has been spotted testing on public roads. It’s showing a square front grille, borrowing from the SLS “gullwing”. There are daytime running lights, new handles and larger mirrors along with the standard retractable hardtop roof. Engine choices will include a naturally aspired V-6 and possibly a diesel. The AMG model will probably uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 rated as high as 470-hp. The 2012 SLK is due in the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cars, Mercedes-Benz, News
More Mini and AWD Too
With four doors and all-wheel drive the new Mini Countryman S will take the Mini to new heights and lengths when it rolls into dealerships in February 2011. Measuring 161.3 inches long and with a wheelbase of 102.2 inches, the Mini Countryman offers more passenger space than any other Mini vehicle, along with nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space. That makes it 17.7 inches longer, 6.1-inches taller and with a 6-inch longer wheelbase than the … Read entire article »
Audi E-tron Moves Toward Production
Audi is exploring all options with its R8 sports car – gas, diesel and now electric. Making a demonstration run at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, the Audi e-tron was driven by racing legend Frank Biela to show the future of sporty electric cars. Powered by four motors – two each on the front and rear axles – the Audi e-tron is a true quattro. The combined output of the four engines … Read entire article »
Pioneer Rolls Out Latest and Greatest
Pioneer has launched a new top-of-the-line in-dash navigation system that pushes in-car entertainment and information technologies to new limits. The highly sophisticated flagship unit features a high level of entertainment possibilities and convenience attributes including PandoraLink, MusicSphere™- Pioneer’s proprietary music analysis software, a revolutionary 3D user interface and ECO Graph for econ-friendly drivers. … Read entire article »
Filed under: News, Technology
OnStar, Google Partner to Expand Turn-by-Turn Navigation
OnStar users are picking up another helpful function thanks to an agreement between OnStar and Google Maps. Owners can plan a trip using the Google Maps on an Internet connected computer or from the new mobile app in a smart phone and then send the destinatioOns to the OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation in their car. “eNav is a perfect solution for subscribers who like the flexibility of being able to use Google Maps to plan their trips … Read entire article »
Filed under: Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, General Motors, News