iVeho – Auto Reviews and Auto News » Archive
GM Expands Initial Volt Launch Market
Plans now call for the addition of Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to the launch markets for the Volt, Ed Whitacre, General Motors chairman and CEO, announced today. Whitacre said the company is expanding the initial launch of the groundbreaking electric in response to intense interest in the Volt from customers across the country. Today’s announcement brings the initial Volt retail markets to seven, including California, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. The retail launch in Texas … Read entire article »
Test Drive: 2011 Mazda2 Subcompact
The Mazda2 is long overdue. This car should have been brought to the United States in 2007 when Mazda was selling the previous generation of this model in Australia and Asia. I know, I know, 2007 was the fin de siecle for big gas guzzlers – when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth in automotive form. But the Mazda2 is like the new mammals – small, quick-witted, and efficient. It’s the inevitable next step in evolution. The … Read entire article »
Filed under: Automotive Reviews, Mazda
Volkswagen’s New Jetta Strategy
Volkswagen unveiled the all-new 2011 Jetta in the middle of New York’s Time square in June, showing off the company’s new strategy. At a starting price point of around $16,000, including the destination charge and with standard features like air conditioning and stability control, the all-new 2011 Jetta is priced down from the current Jetta’s $18,435 price. This puts the Jetta at the same pricing level as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. “Today marks … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cars, News, Volkswagen
Ford Introduces Curve Control
Most of us have found ourselves entering a corner too fast. When that happens, braking in the corner can often cause the vehicle to lose control; in fact, there are about 50,000 crashes each year attributed to this situation. Now Ford has a device called Curve Control that helps avoid the problem. When Curve Control senses a driver is taking a curve too quickly it rapidly reduces engine torque and can apply four-wheel braking, slowing the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ford, News, Technology
Kia May Go Alphanumeric
Some name changing may be on the Kia agenda for the U.S. market. Hyundai Motor Co. Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun told an Automotive News reporter Kia’s is considering changing its U.S. lineup nomenclature from product names to alphanumerics. In South Korea and some other markets, the names are already partially alphanumeric. For example, the mid-sized sedan known as the Optima in the U.S. is named the K5, a large sedan known as Cadenza in some markets … Read entire article »
ZF 8-Speed Transmission has Far-Reaching Applications
Chrysler Group has arranged to build a new eight-speed automatic transmission (the HP8) under license from the ZF Group of Germany. According to Automotive News, the automaker plans to spend $300 million for the installation of tooling and equipment at the Transmission Plant 1 and Kokomo Casting Plant in Indiana. They will be the first company licensed to build the innovative new transmissions. Initially, Chrysler will use Germany-built units until the U.S. plant is ready … Read entire article »
Mustang V-6 Averages 48.5 mpg in 1,457 laps at Bristol
BRISTOL, TN.– A team of drivers including NASCAR star David Ragan and four Ford Mustang engineers, drove a 2011 Mustang V-6, using a single tank of gas, to complete 1,457 laps of the Bristol Speedway in a Ford sponsored event called the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge. The team averaged 48.5 mpg, logging 776.5 miles during the event. The drive took 17 hours and 40 minutes at an average speed of 43.9 mph. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ford, News, Uncategorized
More Seniors Driving and Fatalities are Down
According a report issued by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the number American senior citizen drivers, over age 70, with a driver’s license has increased. In 1997, 73 percent of the over 70 population had a driver’s license and in 2008, that number increased to 78 percent — that translates to 28 million licensed drivers over 70 years old. The study also shows the number of fatal crashes per licensed driver over 70 fell … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Final Viper Rolls Off the Line July 1
The final Viper is scheduled to roll off the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, Mich. around noon on July1, 2010. Viper Club of America (VCA) members will be gathering for a special event and group photo. The final current-gen Viper will enter the world into the waiting arms of D’Ann Rauh (the lucky owner of the final modern-day Viper) when takes ownership of her historic Snake. Rauh and her husband Wayne together own the largest … Read entire article »
Test Drive: 2010 Ram 3500 HD Mega Cab
The big trucks may have lost some of the appeal for some shoppers, but for people who need them to pull, haul or carry large items there is no option. Trucks have also been a big profit center for the U.S. automakers and Chrysler, General Motors and Ford have all been working hard to build better trucks in hopes of retaining market share in that very competitive and lucrative market. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Ram Truck
Test Drive: Infiniti QX56
Louisville, Kentucky – Forget Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX 470, Toyota Land Cruiser and Lincoln Navigator – the Infiniti QX56 is SUV King of the Hill. Two dramatic strokes from a Japanese calligraphy brush started the process of designing this second generation Infiniti. Inspired by the brush strokes, designers created clean bodylines, led by a traditional Infiniti family grill, wave-like hood and the ‘wide eyes’ for the Xenon headlights. Front fender vents, a forward sweeping D-pillar and … Read entire article »
Cadillac Announces Free Maintenance Program
Cadillac announced today it will provide owners of all 2011 models with frequently required maintenance services for the first four years or 50,000 miles as it seeks to build the best customer service experience in the luxury segment. The program, called Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance, covers scheduled oil changes, tire rotations, replacement of engine and cabin air filters and a multi-point vehicle inspection. … Read entire article »
Test Drive: Buick Regal
San Diego – It was not too many years ago, that Buick was more associated with older, more conservative drivers. The last couple of years, new models like the Enclave and LaCrosse have started to change that perception and with the recent rollout of the Regal, it throws open the door…Buick is America’s new driver’s brand. … Read entire article »
Test Drive: Lincoln MKZ
It had been nearly three years since we had driven a Lincoln MKZ, so we were anxious to see where Ford had taken this midsize sedan. The MKZ was refreshed this year with a long list of new driver aids like adaptive HID headlights, rain sensor wipers and a new instrument panel with the next generation Lincoln center stack. … Read entire article »