onlineautobrochure: April 2011

Friday, April 29, 2011

Toyota Joins Wireless Electric Car Charging Revolution

This year we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of companies working towards detaching the electric car from its charging cable. Now , the world’s largest automaker, has joined the inductive charging revolution with a substantial undisclosed investment in WiTricity, specialists in wireless charging.

WiTricity’s current technology is comparable to standard Level 2 fast charge technology, providing up to 3.3 kilowatts of power. This makes it ideal for providing a way of charging plug-in vehicles without wires where in places where wired technology may present a trip hazard such as shopping mall parking lots, for example.

WiTricity’s technology makes use of a technique it calls resonance wireless charging.

Instead of inducing a magnetic field in a receiver coil in the same way a traditional electrical transformer works, resonance inductive coupling works by using two coils which vibrate at the exact same frequency.

When a specific frequency of oscillating current is applied to force the primary coil to vibrate, an oscillating magnetic field of specific frequency is produced, inducing a matching current in the secondary coil as it vibrates sympathetically with the first.

This allows energy to be transferred between two points with very high efficiency without any physical contact between the two coils.

Used primarily in devices like the Powermat to wirelessly charge portable electronics devices, the technology also prevents inadvertent exposure to unintended electromagnetic radiation causing harm. reducing risk to computer components, credit cards and humans.

Toyota’s investment in WiTricity is as yet not fully disclosed, although we expect the partnership to help Toyota develop wireless charging systems for its range of up-coming plug-in vehicles, including future versions of the Plug-in Prius, the all-electric RAV4 EV and possible electrification of its city car, the iQ. Read the full article here.

Inductive-power-transmission-diagram_100230081_s

Mercedes, Toyota Plants in Alabama Shut Down by Violent Southern Storms

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Mother Nature continues to shut down production at Toyota, but this time the affected plant is in Alabama and the problem is a series of violent storms and not the Tsunami and earthquake that struck its home production facilities in Japan. Mercedes was equally hard hit by the horrific storms that have killed more than 268 people as of Thursday afternoon.

Read the whole story here.

Lamborghini Aventador Video

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Cadillac Working on Softtop Convertible to Slot Between the ATS and CTS

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After ending production of the XLR following the 2009 model year, Cadillac is planning to re-enter the convertible market with a distinctly different approach. Twice, Cadillac has aimed high, first with the Pininfarina-bodied Allanté that went out of production in 1993, and then with the XLR, a folding-hardtop roadster that shared much of its architecture with the Chevrolet Corvette.

Burned by weak sales of these expensive boutique models, Cadillac will bring its next convertible in at a much lower price. It will be based on the upcoming Alpha platform, which underpins both the 2013 ATS compact sedan and the next-generation CTS. The new convertible won’t just be an open-top ATS, though. Instead, it will be positioned between the ATS and the CTS and have unique styling that sets it apart from both models. Think of it as the equivalent of the Audi A5 convertible.

There is one important aspect which the new convertible shares with the A5 cabrio: It will have a softtop. The luxury-convertible segment is split on this issue: The Audi, the upcoming Cadillac, and the Mercedes-Benz E-class cabriolet sport fabric roofs. On the other side of the fence are the convertible versions of the BMW 3-series, the Lexus IS, and the Infiniti G37, all equipped with folding hardtops. While this style of retractable roof eats up trunk space and adds substantial weight, it does give onlookers something to gawp at when the complex mechanism begins the transformation from coupe to convertible and vice versa. As enthusiasts, we’re fans of the lighter cloth-top approach—though we do understand the all-season appeal of folding metal for some folks.

Engine choices for the new Cadillac convertible are not clear at this point, but the platform could potentially host anything from a turbocharged four to V-6 and V-8 engines. Look for the new car to be launched in late 2013 for the 2014 model year. Read the rest of this article here.

MINI’s Electric Future - TEST DRIVE

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — A little while ago, yours truly wrote about the Nissan Leaf, the world’s first fully electric, non-golf cart-like car to be made widely available in the 21st century. While the unstylish little thing is also unquestionably a game-changer, the smart eco-shopper knows that even more, ahem, electrifying offers are right around the corner.

The MINI E is a slightly different animal compared to the Leaf: This electric version of the popular small car will never make it to market, but the lessons learned will be applied to the BMW Megacity, an electric vehicle (EV) that’s set to debut in 2012. Nevertheless, during a quick test drive close to BMW Canada HQ north of Toronto, the MINI E offered eye-opening performance, particularly from its regenerative braking system.

While all EVs and hybrid cars have these systems — they charge the battery pack when you lift off the gas or apply the brake — the set-up on the MINI is far more powerful than the rest. In fact, the system is so powerful, you can drive the car without ever having to touch the brake pedal; simply lift off the gas and the car automatically reduces speed until you come to a complete stop.

To top it all off, the MINI E offers the same dynamic handling of a regular MINI Cooper combined with even quicker acceleration. I initially failed to notice that the speedometer was set to mph and not km/h; before coming to this realization, the MINI and I were rocketing along at very much over the posted speed limit, working up no sweat at all. Then I hit the regenerative brakes and a parachute deployed, top fuel dragster-style, to slow us down and get back on the right side of the law. (This whole story is true except the parachute part.)

I’ve gone on record as saying that the MINI is the best-handling, most fun-to-drive and most style-conscious compact car in existence and the electrified version continues this trend. If not for the lack of trunk space or the disappearance of the back seat (both due to the large battery pack), the E would get a straight-up ‘A.’ Read full article here.

All 2012 Corvettes Get New Seats, Better Tires for Z06 and ZR1

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Just the Facts:

Finally, new seats in all Corvettes. They'll be like the ones in the Centennial Edition.
New Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires for the ZR1 and Z06 are basically street-legal race tires.
2012 Chevrolet Corvette production begins in July.

DETROIT — Many of the changes on the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette have already slipped out, but today Chevy clarified a couple details: All 2012 Corvettes get new seats, while the Z06 and ZR1 models get a brand-new set of Michelin tires.

The 2012 Corvette, which goes into production in July at Bowling Green, Kentucky, makes its public debut this weekend at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Continue reading here.

Chrysler says it will repay U.S. rescue loans by midyear

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Chrysler Group has reached a debt-refinancing deal that will allow the automaker to repay $6.6 billion in bailout loans from the U.S. and Canadian governments this quarter.

Proceeds from a term loan and debt securities sold to institutional investors will be used to repay the debts to the governments, Chrysler said in a statement today. Chrysler made the announcement ahead of a planned visit to Detroit later today by U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

Repaying the loans from the U.S. and Canadian governments would mark a critical step for Chrysler as it tries to distance itself from the controversial 2009 rescue by the Obama administration and rebuild consumer confidence in the brand.

Chrysler also hopes the deal will ease Department of Energy concerns about the automaker and allow the federal agency to grant the company as much as $3.5 billion in low-interest loans. The money would be used to refit Chrysler plants to build more fuel-efficient vehicles — a priority of President Obama’s.

Further details will likely be disclosed on Monday when first-quarter earnings are reported, the automaker said.

The announcement comes almost two years after Chrysler emerged from a U.S.-funded bankruptcy under the management of Italy’s Fiat S.p.A.

Fiat announced earlier that it plans to buy an additional 16 percent stake in Chrysler for $1.27 billion, up from the current 30 percent. The debt offering, term loans and the cash infusion from Fiat are all expected to occur concurrently, the company said.

Analysts and bankers have said this would make the U.S. automaker a more attractive story for potential investors in an initial public offering that could come as early as this year. Next month, Chrysler executives will begin to court potential debt investors, primarily in North America, as part of a road show. Continue reading here.

Cadillac to Get Another Three-Row SUV, Keep Escalade

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Cadillac’s SUV line is a huge success story. Whether or not we like it, buyers are snatching up the new SRX, and the Escalade remains one of the country’s most recognizable automotive status symbols. It’s not surprising, then, that the company is looking to expand its SUV family. Jim Vurpillat, Cadillac’s global marketing chief, tells us that there is room in the portfolio for another SUV to slot in between the SRX and the Escalade. The SRX got smaller in its second generation, leaving room for another model in the $50–60K range. Continue reading here.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 – Official Photos and Info

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We thought that Porsche had pretty much squeezed everything it could get out of the current 911 (internally called 997), which is due to be replaced by the heavily redesigned and bigger 991 at the Frankfurt auto show this fall. But we were wrong: meet the 911 GT3 RS 4.0, a stripped-down track fugitive equipped with the largest engine ever installed in a series-production 911, a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six that reaches 500 hp at 8250 rpm. That’s up from 450 hp at 7900 rpm for the 911 GT3 RS with its 3.8-liter flat-six. The maximum torque of 339 lb-ft—up from 317—arrives at 5750 rpm.

Keep Reading: 2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 – Official Photos and Info

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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Just a few years ago, the conventional wisdom with mid-size was that, unless you counted yourself among frugally minded tightwads, you’d be much happier with the optional V-6 than with a standard four-cylinder engine.

Then four-cylinder engines found a new benchmark for power last year, when introduced its direct-injection 2.4-liter four, in the 2011 Sonata. Making up to 200 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque—with class-leading fuel economy of 35 mpg highway—this engine (and the car itself, The Car Connection’s Best Car To Buy 2011) was a game-changer.

But for those who still wanted to move more rapidly than the standard engine, Hyundai has another game-changing option on offer in the Sonata. There’s no Sonata V-6; instead, a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, making 274 hp, powers Turbo SE and Limited models of the Sonata just as quickly as a six.

In fact, the Turbo might actually be more responsive in transitional maneuvers like highway passing, or easing confidently out of a corner. Its 269 pound-feet of torque peak is reached as low as 1,750 rpm, so it can really ease up to speed without downshifting. We couldn’t feel much, if any, turbo lag either—and we expected some, considering this setup’s pressure-cooking 17.4-psi boost level.

What’s surprising is how effectively the Turbo model feels like a premium, more sophisticated powertrain choice. It’s surprisingly quiet; Hyundai has tuned out most of the turbo whistle, wastegate, and and intake noise you hear on other high-performance turbo models, and it’s hushed the exhaust about to the levels of the non-turbo model. Floor the accelerator at highway speeds and the engine and transmission work quickly but smoothly, with speed gathering in a luxury-car-like rush. Much like a V-6 sedan, in fact. Yes, you can tell there’s a four-cylinder engine under the hood, but it doesn’t sound or feel downmarket. Read the full article here.

Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti QX4 Recalled for Potential Steering Column Failure

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Just the Facts: Nissan will recall 196,000 1997-2003 Infiniti QX4s and 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinders.

Under-body rust could damage the SUVs’ driver-side strut housing and break the steering column.

Nissan will inspect the front suspension and, if necessary, replace the strut housing.

read the full article here.

2011 Ford Focus - Features and Specs Review

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Reviewers, in general, have not been all that kind to the 2011 Ford Focus. With a complete refresh of the model on the books for 2012 and the market for small, fuel-efficient cars heating up, the 2011, which carries an MSRP of $16,640 to $19,670, does not stack up all that well against the competition. Even its own sibling, the Ford Fiesta, is considered to be better looking and a more satisfying drive. In general, when you put the Focus next to cars like the Honda Civic and the Nissan Versa, you’re going to see a dated model that returns sluggish acceleration and is, at best, what Autoblog called a “grocery getter.”

For running errands, the Focus performs as well as any car with a 2.0-liter four cylinder is going to perform. Get out on the road, and the noisy 140 horsepower engine, high cabin noise, annoying tire hum, and complete lack of “get up and go” don’t just stand out, they scream out. Gas mileage is okay — 24 mpg in town and 35 mpg on the road. A year ago that would have been outstanding, now, it’s just “good” for this class of automobile.

Inside, the one thing that does make the Focus stand out is the fact that the Sync infotainment system is a standard feature. Otherwise, when you get past the comfortable front seats, the cabin is mildly low grade. Body panels that don’t line up and flaws in the upholstery, especially on the rear bench seat, are fairly common. The head and leg room is good up front and in theory the car seats five, but three people in the back had better know each other really well. The back seat splits and folds, but the 13.8 cubic feet of trunk space when the seats are up is nothing to write home about. Go with the Nissan Versa, which is a better performer on just about all levels, and you get 17.8 cubic feet.

Parents will like the fact that the MyKey system is also a standard feature. This lets the folks program in a top speed, turn the sound system off unless the seatbelts are in use, and basically annoy their kids into better driving behaviors in a variety of ways. The 2011 hasn’t been crash-tested, but the 2010 picked up four stars for driver and front passenger front impact crashes and five stars for side impact. The insurance industry also awarded the 2010 Focus its top rating, “Good,” for front, side, and rear impacts. You get all the standard safety bells and whistles — six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, and anti-lock brakes.

Ford can and has done better. The 2011 Focus can’t even stand up to the in-house competition. It’s not the cheapest out there — the Kia Forte is $2,000 less and is considered one of the best small cars on the road today with a long list of amenities including Bluetooth and satellite radio. Even if you nurse a particular loyalty for Ford, pass on the 2011 Focus. Wait for the model refresh next year or shop outside the box this year.

source http://www.carseek.com/reviews/ford/2011-focus/

Ferrari 458 Italia awarded 2011 World Performance Car of the Year

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While the 2011 Nissan LEAF and the 2011 Chevrolet Volt took the 2011 World Car of the Year and the 2011 World Green Car of the Year awards (respectively) at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the Ferrari 458 Italia was rightfully named the the 2011 World Performance Car of the Year.

The Ferrari 458 Italia was chosen from an initial list of 14 sports cars by a jury consisting of 66 international journalists from 24 different countries.

With the “World Performance Car of the Year” the jury’s specialists wanted to underline the 458 Italia’s extraordinary performance capacity on the track and on the road, defining the car as “already a classic in every sense, but its sophisticated handling abilities at the limit take the V8 middle-rear engine Ferrari concept to a whole new level”.

In the statement an acclaim regarding the car’s “meraviglioso sound” wasn’t missing.

Refresher: Power for the Ferrari 458 Italia comes from a mid-rear mounted 4.5L V8 producing 570-hp at 9,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 398 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. Mated to a dual-clutch 7-speed F1 gearbox, 0 to 62 mph comes in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of over 202 mph. Click here to read more

See the full gallery on Posterous

Jaguar Planning Brand New V-6 Engine for XF (and Maybe XJ)

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Perhaps you read in this week’s Financial Times that Jaguar is looking at building a new factory for engine construction in the UK. What the company hasn’t said—but thanks to our sources, we can now confirm—is that the added production capacity will allow the Jaguar to begin construction of a brand-new six-cylinder engine. The engine should come to the U.S. in the XF, and possibly even in the XJ.

At present, every Jaguar sold in the U.S. comes with an excellent 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Some are naturally aspirated and make 385 hp, while others are supercharged and produce 475 or 510 ponies. Europeans see more options for their cats: a 2.2-liter diesel four, a 3.0-liter diesel six, and the old Ford-based 3.0-liter V-6. You may remember that last engine from such groaning flops as the Jaguar X-Type 3.0 and the S-Type 3.0. Suffice it to say that the company needs a new gasoline V-6 for the U.S. market and for Europeans who want an engine designed during the current millennium. (Jag also needs all-wheel drive, but that’s not happening any time soon.)

Given that the outgoing lump makes 240 hp, we’d expect Jaguar’s new six-pot to produce significantly more power, something comparable to the 300-plus-hp engines from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. It seems sensible that this engine would be paired to the eight-speed automatic that the company recently announced would be used in 2.2-liter diesel cars in Europe. We were told our wait for the engine wouldn’t be too long, so we figure that we’ll see it in the 2013 or 2014 model year.

soure http://blog.caranddriver.com/jaguar-planning-brand-new-v-6-engine-for-xf-and-maybe-xj/

Mercedes-Benz Drops Price on 2012 CLS-Class

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Just the Facts:

The redesigned 2012 CLS550 starts at $72K; the CLS63 AMG comes in at $95,775.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 costs $4,150 less than its predecessor.
Both 2012 CLS-Class four-doors reach U.S. dealerships this summer.

Source: http://www.insideline.com/mercedes-benz/cls-class/2012/mercedes-benz-drops-price-on-2012-cls-class.html

VW Amarok 2.0 TDI Short Review

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Volkswagen Amarok is the first pick-up of Volkswagen and also the competitor for the Toyota Hilux. The pick-up was built at the Pacheco factory in Buenos Aires, before it was sent to South America, Austalia and New Zealand, as well as Europe.

The VW Amarok looks classy and aggressive with the VW grille, locking centre and rear differentials. The interior of this all-wheel drive gives you well-textured surfaces. The seats height is unusual, prepared to give you an excellent driving position. Read the rest of this review http://www.dautobuzz.com/volkswagen/vw-amarok-20-tdi-short-review.html

Volvo S60 Voted International Sedan Of The Year

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The eternal problem with sporty Volvos has been their resemblance to the well-known IKEA breakfast. Less expensive than its continental counterpart, it’s also not particularly flavorful and much of its appeal comes from sheer novelty. But if the old S60 was like the mealy, grey meatballs served by the flat pack furniture chain, the new 2011 model is like the Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapon – a simple looking grey metal tube that is capable of destroying far superior weaponry. Continue reading http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/volvo/2011-volvo-s60-review-1519.html

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

2011 Buick LaCrosse Earns The NHTSA’s Top Rating

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Add another GM car to the roster of vehicles earning the Feds’ top safety rating.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the 2011 Buick LaCrosse is worthy of a five-star safety rating.

The NHTSA has toughened its safety ratings for the current model year; as a result, many five-star cars from the 2010 model year have fallen from the top of the rankings this time around.

In the crash tests leading up to its final scoring, the LaCrosse garnered five stars for front- and side-impact protection.

The mid-size sedan earns a rating of 8.2 from our editors, who note the sedan “isn’t just a good-looking vehicle; it handles and rides well, and when compared to its main rivals, it’s a value leader as well.”

Read the rest of this article here.

Mercedes-Benz slots 4 compacts for U.S.

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By DIANA T. KURYLKO, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS on 4/25/2011

Mercedes-Benz will launch four compact vehicles in the United States in the next three years with starting prices of $30,000 or below.

The vehicles will include a production version of the A-class coupe concept shown last week at the New York auto show. Three variants of Mercedes’ new-generation compact family also are headed for the United States.

Insiders say the three other cars are:

1. A small van that will likely be offered as an electric vehicle.

2. A small sedan to be called the CLC.

3. A small crossover to be called the GLC.

Mercedes-Benz initially decided not to bring the A class here. The decision was reversed several months ago after marketing boss Steve Cannon and a product committee that included dealers saw early versions of the new compact line.

The deciding factor was how different the new-generation A class is from the current A class sold in Europe, said Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

“The A class has a very European design, and they are doing well with it,” he said. “But for North America, it just didn’t appeal to the customer. This car does.”

The new small cars are expected to drive growth in the United States. Currently, the lowest-priced Mercedes is the C class, which starts at $34,865, including freight.

“There is huge potential for us there,” Lieb said.

The new vehicles will come standard with many safety features Mercedes has on its larger cars, including adaptive cruise control, traction control and the Pre-Safe safety system that adjusts seat belts and head restraints when the car senses an impending crash.

“If we leave that segment for our competitors, they become stronger and they branch out and give us resistance in those segments,” Lieb said. “The time is overdue.”

Lieb is also convinced that even luxury buyers will shift to smaller vehicles. The initial response to the A-class concept in New York was overwhelmingly positive, he said.

“There is clearly an opportunity if we do everything right,” he said.

Together with its dealer council, Mercedes is developing processes for selling the small vehicles. Lieb said dealers who have completed the brand’s Autohaus facility improvement program and follow the new processes will get an extra percentage point in the dealer discount margin beginning next year.

AutoWeek

Mitsubishi plans to halt U.S. production of 3 models in August

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Production of the Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe (shown), the Eclipse Spyder and the Endeavor crossover will end in August.

By RYAN BEENE, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS on 4/25/2011

Mitsubishi will stop making three models at its Normal, Ill., plant in August.

Production of the Eclipse coupe, Eclipse Spyder and Endeavor crossover will cease, while the Galant sedan will continue to be built, said Yoichi Yokozawa, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America.

A decision on when to end Galant production will be made later, Yokozawa said.

Mitsubishi is retooling the Illinois plant to build the Outlander Sport starting next year. The automaker said in February that it plans to build about 50,000 units of the crossover annually at the plant and export about half of that.

Until now, Mitsubishi had said the vehicles would be phased out by 2013, without specifying when production would cease.

Yokozawa said the move is unlikely to hurt dealers. He said supply of the canceled vehicles is adequate.

On April 1, Mitsubishi had more than a 180-day supply of the Eclipse and Spyder, about a 23-day supply of the Endeavor and a 27-day supply of the Galant, according to the Automotive News Data Center.

Yokozawa, who replaced Shinichi Kurihara as CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America last month, said the Illinois plant builds about 20,000 vehicles annually. Read the rest of this article here.

Daily Kos: My Electric ride

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This is a little interesting.

I’ve spent $4.35 charging my electric car in the first week of my Nissan Leaf ownership experiment. I’ve put 221 miles on it replacing my Honda Fit that was conservatively getting me 31mpg. Average cost of Gas today in California was $4.197/gallon. I have a fully charged car. The equivalent cost of the gas I would have spent driving my old car was $29.92.

Week 1 results are amazing. 14.54% operating cost compared to an already fuel efficient car. Kep following the rest here.

2011 Chevrolet Volt wins 2011 World Green Car of the Year

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2011 Chevrolet Volt wins 2011 World Green Car of the Year

While the 2011 Nissan LEAF won the 2011 World Car of the Year award at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the Chevrolet Volt was named the 2011 World Green Car of the Year.

“The selection of the Volt as the World Green Car is a further proof point of the fuel-efficient technologies that are now being offered by the Chevrolet brand around the world,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “This award, and the others that have preceded it, validate the efforts of the development team to build a truly remarkable vehicle with the potential to transform transportation around the globe.”

The Chevrolet Volt beat out a list of 12 vehicles from around the world including finalists BMW 320d EfficientDynamics and the Nissan LEAF.

Refresher: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is powered by 16-kWh, ‘T’-shaped lithium-ion battery that powers the electric drive unit, which allows it to drive 40 miles on battery power alone. The system puts out 149-hp and a maximum torque of 273 lb-ft, allowing the Volt to go from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds, hitting a top speed of 100 mph. The battery can be re-charged by plugging into a household outlet and takes 4 hours to recharge on 240 volts, and about 10-12 hours on a standard 120-volt outlet. The Chevrolet Volt also carries an 84-hp 1.4 4-clyinder engine that allows the five-door, FWD sedan to travel additional miles while averaging a fuel-economy of 50 mpg. A fully charged battery and full tank of gas will allow the Volt to travel 379 miles. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA estimated 93 miles per ’gallon-equivalent’ when driving under electric power only, 37 mpg when in gasoline mode and over the long term it is estimated to get 60 miles per gallon in combined gasoline-powered and electric-powered driving. Prices for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt start at $41,000 but with a full federal income tax credit (which range from $0 to $7,500), the Volt can cost a total of $33,500.

Source: egmcartech.com

Shelby Builds A Mustang For The Masses: The Shelby GTS

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One of the biggest obstacles to owning a Shelby Mustang has always been the price of admission. Ford’s own Shelby GT500 Mustang starts at close to $49,000, and cars tuned by Shelby American (the tuning company backed by Carroll Shelby himself) begin at even higher prices. A Shelby GT350, for example, starts at over $64,000 and can easily top $80,000 if you enthusiastically check option boxes.

If you’re a performance Mustang enthusiast on a budget, owning a Shelby tuned Mustang may have seemed just a bit out of reach, which is why Shelby American is introducing the GTS.

Designed to be a post-title package (where you buy a stock Mustang, then ship it to Shelby American for the build), the GTS kit includes both appearance and performance upgrades. As you’d expect, there’s Shelby badging inside and out, and all GTS cars get a custom hood, stripe package and front fascia. There’s a black billet grille with a “Running Pony” emblem, too, and “Powered by Ford” badges grace the front fenders. GTS package cars get a Racing suspension upgrade, a cold air intake, a Borla exhaust and brake upgrade developed jointly between Shelby and Baer. This basic package runs $9,995 and can be bolted on either V-6 or V-8 Mustangs; in other words, the new price of admission for a Shelby GTS Mustang starts at just over $32,000 for a base V-6.

Speed costs money, and Shelby is happy to help you spend as fast as you want. There are supercharger upgrades available for GTS cars, as well as a wide variety of suspension and brake upgrades to cover the range from street to track. Shelby American offers interior and exterior appearance upgrades as well, which means that the GTS package possibilities are limited only by your budget. Thankfully, it takes a much smaller budget to put a Shelby in your garage now. Read the rest of this article here.

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Monday, April 25, 2011

Output to return to normal by December, says Toyota

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Till then, domestic factories to continue working at volumes equivalent to half of original plans.

Toyota Motor Corp has said it could take until the end of the year before production is fully recovered to levels before the massive earthquake and tsunami hit northeast Japan on March 11, disrupting the supply of key parts.

In the clearest forecast yet of how long it would take for the Japanese auto industry to recover, Toyota said output would start picking up in July in Japan and around August overseas, with a complete recovery expected in November or December.

Until then, Toyota’s domestic factories will continue to work at volumes equivalent to half of original plans, and at an average 40 per cent outside Japan, the world’s biggest automaker said.

“With this many aftershocks, including one last night, we’ve seen some of the recovery work thrown back to square one many, many times,” President Akio Toyoda told a hastily called news conference in Tokyo yesterday.

“In that sense, it’s difficult to say what the impact on production volumes or earnings will be.”

The news from Toyota came just hours after Japan’s Renesas Electronics Corp, a major supplier of chips to the auto industry, said it would resume operations at a damaged factory north of Tokyo on June 15 — a few weeks ahead of schedule — an easing of a key bottleneck for car makers. Continue reading here.

General Motors Likely to take top sales spot from Toyota this year.

With Toyota’s safety recall woes still lingering and production problems resulting from the Japanese earthquake General Motors is almost a lock for the title of biggest automaker this year. Retaking the top spot from Toyota will be a huge morale booster for the employees of GM and would be icing on the cake for a remarkable comeback after bankruptcy.

General Motors market share is up, mainly in the world’s top two markets, China and the U.S. But even though GM came within 30000 sales of Toyota last year and has had a strong start in 2011, any victory this year has more to do with Toyota’s problems than it does General Motors new found resurgence. Read the rest of this article here.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Muscles Into 2011 New York Auto Show

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Just the Facts:

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 debuted on Wednesday at the 2011 New York Auto Show, filling a gap in Chrysler’s SRT lineup. There was no 2011 Grand Cherokee SRT8.
It is being described by the automaker as “the most powerful Jeep vehicle ever” and comes equipped with a new 465-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine.
Pricing will be announced closer to launch in the third quarter of 2011.

Pricing was not announced. “All we can say about pricing is that we’ll announce it closer to the summer launch time frame,” said Dan Reid, Chrysler spokesman, in response to an e-mailed query from Inside Line.

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is equipped with a new 465-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2010 Grand Cherokee SRT8 was equipped with a 420-hp 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler said the new Grand Cherokee SRT8 sprints from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.

Chrysler did not provide fuel economy estimates on the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 but said in a statement that “a new active valve exhaust system allows standard Fuel Saver Technology to engage over a wider rpm range for an estimated 13 percent improvement in highway fuel efficiency.” The EPA has yet to rate the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8. The 2010 Grand Cherokee SRT8 returned 12 mpg in city driving and 16 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. Read the rest of the article here.

Source: insideline.com

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Toyota To Take Orders for Prius Plug-in Hybrid on Earth Day

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Just the Facts:

Orders for the plug-in Toyota Prius begin on Friday, which is Earth Day.
The catch is that Toyota has not yet released pricing for the 2013 Prius PHV.
It goes on sale in spring 2012 in 15 launch states, with a nationwide rollout in 2013.

Read the whole article here.

Source: insideline.com

Is This The 2012 Nissan Versa Hatchback? Photos From Shanghai

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At 10:40 am tomorrow, Nissan will kick off its press conference at the New York Auto Show.

We already know it'll display the Leaf Nismo RC Concept electric racer, but that's a sideshow. The real interest will be in the new 2012 Nissan Versa subcompact.

Today, at the Auto Shanghai show in China, Nissan unveiled its new Tiida hatchback model, which will go on sale there in late May. And the Versa is known as the Tiida in other markets.

The new hatch certainly looks like an evolution of the current Versa hatchback, with strongly pronounced styling influences from the 2011 Nissan Leaf electric car, also a five-door hatchback. You can read the rest of the article here.

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Daimler in talks with Renault-Nissan over fuel cell collaboration

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German auto giant Daimler is in talks with Renault-Nissan over the possibility of a collaboration in the development of fuel cell technology.

Speaking to news agency, Reuters, Thomas Weber, board member for research and development at Daimler said at the Shanghai auto show: "Fuel cell technology is also electric so it could make a lot of sense to join forces also in this field," Thomas Weber, board member for research and development at the maker of Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars, said at the Shanghai auto show.

"We are really concretely discussing this topic," he added.

The success of the Renault and Nissan alliance in developing and marketing electric cars has given the alliance a head start over much of the competition in the electric field. Now it appears the alliance could be looking to steal the lead in the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by aligning with Daimler-the parent firm of Mercedes-Benz and smart. Continue reading here.

Audi unveiling A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid concept in Shanghai

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Audi is set to unveil the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid concept in Shanghai. The A3 e-tron concept is propelled by two power units—a 155 kW (211 hp) 1.4 TFSI four-cylinder engine with turbocharging and gasoline direct injection and an electric motor with an output of 20 kW (27 hp).

The system provides a combined output of 175 kW (238 hp). Working together, the gasoline engine and electric motor accelerate the notchback to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.8 seconds, then on to 231 km/h (143.54 mph). A regulated oil pump, the intelligent Audi thermal management system, a start-stop system and an energy recovery system—technologies from the brand’s modular efficiency platform—all contribute to this high efficiency.

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The 12 kWh Li-ion battery pack is located behind the rear seats, supporting a range of up to 54 km (34 miles) on electric power alone. The batteries are charged by the standard energy recovery system when the car is in motion or directly from a household power socket when it is parked. This means that in most cases, the car is entirely emission-free in city driving. Continue reading here.

2013 Ford Taurus / Taurus SHO Official Photos and Info – Auto Shows

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A new engine, an updated engine, an old engine, and a few tweaks for the 2013 Taurus.

On the eve of the New York auto show, Ford has unveiled the 2013 version of its full-size Taurus sedan, with tweaked styling, a new four-cylinder turbo engine option and a host of other improvements. Continue reading here.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

What Will the Toyota-Microsoft Partnership Do For Drivers?

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On April 6, 2011, Microsoft and Toyota announced that they were teaming up to bring next-generation telemetrics to our automobiles in a $12 million partnership. While this has been big news over the last few days, many drivers are wondering, ''What does it mean for me?''

Telemetrics is the automatic measuring and transmission of data from remote sources. Both Toyota and Microsoft have made hypothetical statements that could be very exciting for drivers if they can make the features work. The new automobiles will use grid technology so that as long as your hybrid is plugged into your home’s power grid you can start your vehicle and set the AC or heat level from inside your house. Continue reading here.

Toyota Unsure About Production For May To July

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In a letter sent to Toyota dealers on April 10, 2011. Toyota U.S.A. Division General Manager Bob Carter said, “Today we have good levels of inventory, but inventory will be getting tighter. What we don’t know are vehicle production levels for May through July. The potential exists that supply of new vehicles could be significantly impacted this summer.”

Currently, over 300,000 new Toyota’s are in stock, and the spare parts supply business is so far not effected. Production at Toyota’s North American plants is now running at three-days a week, and the Japanese production facilities are running at 50% of their normal capacity. Continue reading here.

Toyota Unsure About Production For May To July

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Feds Probe 2008-'11 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 for Possible Steering Loss

via onlineautobrochure.com

Just the Facts:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into an estimated 160,000 2008-'11 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks for outer tie rod failures that may result in loss of steering.
Chrysler last December recalled the 2008-'11 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 to replace the left tie rod end assembly.
NHTSA says the new investigation "will determine if the subject vehicles have a similar steering design that might also present a risk of ball joint failure."

Read the full article here.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Sneak Peek:

via onlineautobrochure.com

To say the new Malibu is an important car for Chevrolet is to engage in a daring bit of understatement. The mid-size sedan segment is a lynchpin to success in our market, and the Malibu will face stiff competition from the likes of Ford, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia. With a week until the full unveiling of the 2013 Malibu at the 2011 New York Auto Show, Chevy let slip an early preview of the car, and so far, things are looking good.

Fuel economy figures, available options and features, and all the other key information on the car will have to wait until the full unveiling, but from the aesthetic perspective, the Malibu is definitely a solid entry. It looks characteristically new-Chevy, while also not going too far into uncharted territory--a key for success with the typically style-conservative buyers of midsize sedans. Continue reading here.

Small Cars Getting Big Price Hikes Soon

via onlineautobrochure.com

If you're planning to replace your current vehicle with a new one at any point this calendar year—especially a small car—you might want to step up the timeframe and consider heading out to the showroom. Now.

Why? Because if price matters—as it should—you'll probably have to pay a lot more later this year for many models. And in a few cases, you might find yourself unable to get the exact model (or trim, or build) that you really want.

New-car prices are rising—and in some cases, they've already risen ten percent or more. Continue reading here.

Why Chrysler Is Rolling Out Natural Gas Vehicles In 2017

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Somewhere, oil tycoon and natural-gas cheerleader T. Boone Pickens is smiling. Chrysler announced this week that it will start selling compressed natural-gas vehicles by 2017. But why is the automaker investing in yet another alternative technology when electric vehicles have car companies, charge-station manufacturers, and even the government on their side? The answer: it's complicated. And money. The answer is always money.

For one, compressed natural-gas vehicles are cheaper than electric cars. The vehicles contain compressed gas tanks instead of pricey lithium-ion batteries. Honda's Civic GX CNG vehicle costs $25,490--compare that to the Chevy Volt, which cost $41,000 before tax credits, or the Nissan Leaf, which starts at $32,000 before credits (these are considered the most affordable of the new batch of electric cars). Continue reading here.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Audi R8 GT Pictures

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Audi R8 GT Spyder Revealed In Sketches

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Nissan Investigates Starting Problems With Leaf EVs

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Owners of the first mass-market electric vehicle are experiencing delays, but now some are faced with the car's first mechanical glitch, Nissan confirms.

Some Nissan Leaf owners, in both the United States and Japan, have reported occasional starting problems with their vehicles, and Nissan has diagnosed the car’s air conditioning system as the source of the problem. Nissan isn’t sure if the flaw is software- or hardware-related, and they’re not planning a recall since the issue isn’t safety-related. Once the root cause is found, the automaker will determine its next steps in resolving the issue. Continue reading here.

Source: thecarconnection.com

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Kia wants a roadster...but not yet

via onlineautobrochure.com

Peter Schreyer, the German styling honcho at Kia who designed the original Audi TT 15 years ago, says his dream of adding a roadster to Kia's lineup must wait at least another year.

Kia first must overhaul the two models in the lineup still not bearing Schreyer's trademark tiger nose grille: the Rondo crossover and Sedona minivan. Those makeovers start next year.

Schreyer wants "some sort of roadster or convertible," but "we have to do our homework and replace our complete product range." Also, he says, "A car like that needs to make money, and this is not so easy."

But the former Audi designer, who took over Kia's global design in 2006, has his heart set on a sporty car and says, "I won't give up until we have one."

Subaru says 2012 Impreza, headed for New York auto show, is roomier and more refined

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Subaru is launching a roomier and more modern looking Impreza compact--the brand's smallest car sold in the U.S. market.

The redesigned 2012 sedan and five-door hatchback Impreza will be unveiled at the New York auto show later this month.

The Japanese-built vehicle goes on sale this fall. Pricing hasn't been disclosed.

Subaru didn't release many details today but said the Impreza will have an estimated highway fuel economy rating of 36 mpg.

It will be the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive car sold in the U.S. market, Subaru says.

The 2012 Impreza is expected to use Subaru's new four-cylinder boxer engine and a new continuously variable transmission.

Subaru showed the concept Impreza at last year's Los Angeles auto show with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder version of the engine. A 2.5-liter engine powers the 2011 Forester.

Subaru -- without providing dimensions -- said the car will have more interior room and "improved levels of comfort and refinement."

The current Impreza has been criticized for its lack of rear-passenger room.

Subaru has been improving the interior room of its vehicles as they are renewed, giving vehicles like the larger Legacy more competitive rear leg-room space.

The Impreza competes with segment heavyweights such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and the Chevrolet Cruze. Unlike the competition, all-wheel drive is standard on the Impreza -- and all Subaru vehicles.

The 2011 model-year four-door Impreza starts at $18,220 including destination and the five-door at $18,720

Report: Fiat to up stake in Chrysler to 30 percent

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Fiat currently owns 25 percent of Chrysler, but that stake will reportedly jump to 30 percent in the next couple weeks. Automotive News reports that the Italian automaker is weeks away from satisfying additional requirements needed to bump the ownership stake by another five percent.

Unnamed sources claim that Fiat has already met a requirement that states that Chrysler receives $1.5 billion of its revenue outside of North America. The next step is to offer Chrysler vehicles to 90 percent of Fiat's Latin American dealers. Fiat will reportedly meet that goal by rebadging Chrysler vehicles as Fiats at Latin American dealerships. One vehicle that will reportedly receive the rebadge treatment is the Dodge Journey, which will be built in Mexico and renamed the Fiat Freemont. Fiat currently holds the largest share of the emerging Brazil market, with a substantial 22.3 percent share. Continue reading article here.

Sales remain in solid recovery mode despite consumer jitters. See year to date sales report

Table sorted by year-to-date sales

			Mar.			3 mos.
	Mar.	Mar.	percent	3 mos.	3 mos.	percent	Mar.	3 mos.
	2011	2010	change	2011	2010	change	(+/-)	(+/-)
Ford division	203,794	159,009	28%	475,253	381,868	25%	44,785	93,385
Lincoln	8,501	8,693	-2%	20,007	22,410	-11%	(192)	(2,403)
Mercury	-	10,486	-100%	248	23,424	-99%	(10,486)	(23,176)
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury	212,295	178,188	19%	495,508	427,702	16%	34,107	67,806
Volvo	-	5,237	-100%	-	14,006	-100%	(5,237)	(14,006)
Ford Motor Co.�	212,295	183,425	16%	495,508	441,708	12%	28,870	53,800
Buick	15,663	12,954	21%	44,739	32,136	39%	2,709	12,603
Cadillac	12,164	11,639	5%	40,513	29,352	38%	525	11,161
Chevrolet	148,197	132,889	12%	416,505	337,785	23%	15,308	78,720
GMC	30,597	27,389	12%	90,789	68,619	32%	3,208	22,170
Continued brands	206,621	184,871	12%	592,546	467,892	27%	21,750	124,654
Hummer	-	294	-100%	-	855	-100%	(294)	(855)
Pontiac	-	109	-100%	-	582	-100%	(109)	(582)
Saturn	-	2,737	-100%	-	5,924	-100%	(2,737)	(5,924)
Saab	-	-	-	-	606	-100%	-	(606)
Discontinued brands	-	3,140	-100%	-	7,967	-100%	(3,140)	(7,967)
General Motors Co.	206,621	188,011	10%	592,546	475,859	25%	18,610	116,687
Lexus	20,682	20,219	2%	47,356	49,523	-4%	463	(2,167)
Scion	5,540	3,511	58%	12,759	9,573	33%	2,029	3,186
Toyota Division	150,000	163,133	-8%	373,809	326,590	15%	(13,133)	47,219
Toyota/Scion	155,540	166,644	-7%	386,568	336,163	15%	(11,104)	50,405
Toyota Motor Sales	176,222	186,863	-6%	433,924	385,686	13%	(10,641)	48,238
Acura	12,611	11,722	8%	31,368	27,793	13%	889	3,575
Honda Division	121,039	96,540	25%	276,610	228,619	21%	24,499	47,991
American Honda Motor Co.	133,650	108,262	24%	307,978	256,412	20%	25,388	51,566
Chrysler Division	20,463	19,780	4%	42,796	47,148	-9%	683	(4,352)
Dodge	44,102	29,506	50%	101,977	82,434	24%	14,596	19,543
Ram	23,510	18,944	24%	56,824	41,186	38%	4,566	15,638
Dodge/Ram	67,612	48,450	40%	158,801	123,620	29%	19,162	35,181
Fiat	500	-	-	500	-	-	500	500
Jeep	33,155	24,393	36%	84,853	63,447	34%	8,762	21,406
Chrysler Group	121,730	92,623	31%	286,950	234,215	23%	29,107	52,735
Infiniti	11,287	9,942	14%	27,836	23,694	18%	1,345	4,142
Nissan Division	109,854	85,526	28%	257,522	204,535	26%	24,328	52,987
Nissan North America	121,141	95,468	27%	285,358	228,229	25%	25,673	57,129
Hyundai division	61,873	47,002	32%	142,620	111,509	28%	14,871	31,111
Kia	44,179	30,522	45%	104,774	76,696	37%	13,657	28,078
Hyundai-Kia	106,052	77,524	37%	247,394	188,205	31%	28,528	59,189
Audi	9,818	8,589	14%	25,383	21,315	19%	1,229	4,068
Bentley	137	131	5%	320