James Raia

Articles by James Raia

Toyota Avalon, 2012: New year, no changes from 2011

One year after its redesign, the 2012 Toyota Avalon arrives unchanged with a 268-horsepower V6 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and an EPA highway estimate of 29 miles per gallon Avalon’s 106.9 cubic feet of passenger space and 14.4-cubic foot trunk put it in the EPA’s "large car” category and it's about nine inches longer than the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata. The 2012 Avalon is available in two grades, Avalon and Avalon Limited. Both are equipped with leather-trimmed interior, eight-way power driver’s seat, back-up camera, dual zone automatic climate control with air filtration, moonroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Avalon Limited in addition features heated and cooled front seats, an eight-way front passenger’s seat with lumbar support,

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Toyota Sienna, 2012: More gadgets, options, space

The Toyota Sienna, which in 2011 debuted in its third generation with more versatility and a four-cylinder engine option, has added in 2012 in its XLE grade a standard power passenger seat and auto on/off headlights. The 2012 Sienna is available with a 3.5-liter V6 or 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Both DOHC engines offer Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), roller rocker arms and an Acoustically Controlled Induction System (ACIS) that changes the intake tract length to optimize torque. The 3.5-liter V6 generates 266 horsepower at 6,200 rpm, with EPA-estimated mileage ratings of 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway (16 mpg city/22 mpg highway on AWD models). It also has a 3,500-pound towing capacity. With 187 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, the

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Buy pink tires? It's Radar Tires' way to fight breast cancer

Radar Tires, the flagship automotive tire brand of Singapore-based Omni United, is supporting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in a unique way. It's asking its customers to buy pink-walled tires. The manufacturer, via a campaign called "Mobilizing Hope," will donate $1 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) for each set of four Radar RPX800 and DIMAX tires purchased during the next year. Radar Tires has committed a minimum annual donation of $250,000 and has a goal of raising $1 million. To raise awareness of the initiative and to further support the BCRF, Radar has turned to its campaign affiliated retailers across the country. The goal is to “Mobilize Hope” in their respective communities throughout the month of October, which

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Ford F-150, 2012: Bigger gas tank, fewer stops on long hauls

The Ford F-150, perennially the top-selling vehicle in the United States, will take its owners farther in 2012 — up to 756 miles on one tank of gas. The Ford F-150 EcoBoost 4×4 now comes standard with a 36-gallon fuel tank. With an EPA rating of 21 mpg in highway driving for the four-wheel-drive model, the F-150 can now be driven nearly the length — and perhaps even the entire length — of California between fill-ups. The length of California in 770 miles. "We know the majority of our customers use their F-150s daily for work or play. It’s an essential tool that enhances their productivity," said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group Marketing manager. "Reducing downtime for fuel stops can

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Nissan Versa 2012 keeps cheapest car in the U.S. status

The 2012 Nissan Versa, equipped with a standard transmission, air conditioning, electronic stability control and AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo, is the cheapest car in the United States for the second straight year and is priced at $10,990. The 2012 model year marks the first time a new car is available in the United States for less than $10,000. For 2011, the base models of the Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent, both categorized as subcompacts, were both priced at less than $10,000. The increase of $1,000 for the base Nissan Versa in 2012 reflects two items: air conditioning wasn’t standard in the 2011 model. Additionally, government regulations now require that new cars are equipped with electronic stability control. The 2012 Nissan Versa is

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Kim Kardashian dumps Range Rover for Ferrari Italia 458

If celebrities and superstars — Michael Jordan to Ralph Lauren and Eric Clapton to Nicolas Cage own Ferraris — then Kim Kardashian has to own one, too, right? According to the online site of X17, the celebrity photo agency, Kardashian recently traded in her Range Rover SUV for a white Ferrari 458 Italia. The much-revered Ferrari can accelerate from 0-60 mph in about three seconds and has a top speed of 202 mph. The site reported Kardashian bought the customized Ferrari for $300,000 with the specialty work completed by Platinum Motorsports, a custom shop that caters to celebrities. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly

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Infiniti M, 2012: Luxury hybrid sedan no longer oxymoron

The 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid may be the first hybrid that simultaneously features some of most advanced technology in the "green" industry while also eliminating many of the cumbersome traits of the expanding automotive segment. Infiniti, of course, is a luxury brand and the new hybrid M with its plush interior, stylish wood trim and sculpted interior and exterior designs only adds to the manufacturer's reputation. Speed was rarely mentioned in hybrids a few years ago, but now it seems important. And that's another big plus for the Infiniti Hybrid M. With its 360 horsepower engine, the four-door season now holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s fastest accelerating full hybrid. It covers the standing quarter mile in 13.9031

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Chevy Volt gets coveted Consumer Reports recommendation

The Chevrolet Volt has received a recommendation from Consumer Reports magazine adding to the growing list of honors for General Motors' plug-in car, described by the carmaker as a "range-extended electric vehicle." The Volt has also been named Motor Trend Car of the Year and North American Car of the Year. Consumer Reports, highly regarded, anonymously purchases all the cars it tests from dealers rather than using cars provided by manufacturers. The magazine does not accept advertising. The magazine tests cars at its Connecticut track as well as on roads. To be "Recommended" a car must perform well in several tests and must be deemed to have at least average "predicted reliability." "Predicted reliability" is based on surveys taken by

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Mercedes-Benz Superdome: new turf for luxury carmaker

Three of the largest upcoming sporting events in the United States will have prominent relationships with Mercedes-Benz with the announcement of the luxury carmaker's new relationship with the New Orleans Saints and the National Football League team's home playing facility. Via a 10-year agreement that provides official naming rights among other sponsorship benefits including being named the Official and Exclusive vehicle of the NFL’s Saints, the newly named Mercedes-Benz Superdome will play host to the 2012 Men's Final Four and BCS Championship Game and the 2013 Super Bowl. The agreement is the first naming rights deal in the U.S. for the luxury car maker and also for the New Orleans sports and exhibition stadium. It recently underwent a six-year $336

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Toyota Tundra, 2012: Simplified technology, more variety

The 2012 Toyota Tundra features simplified option package selections as well as enhancements throughout the lineup, including a standard back-up camera available in the Limited and TRD Rock Warrior editions. The Tundra offers three engine choices, a 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V6, a 310-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 and the 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower. For 2012, all Tundras have standard heavy-duty battery, heavy-duty starter, windshield wiper de-icer, daytime running lights (DRL), front and rear mudguards, and heated, power, outside mirrors. All Tundra grade models feature standard styled steel wheels for 2012. The Tundra DoubleCab and CrewMax models offer an optional Chrome Package that includes chromed exhaust top, side mirrors, door handles and chrome-clad 18-inch steel wheels. The 2012 Tundra is offered in two

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Lexus announces 2012 limited special edition models

Lexus has announced the details of option packages offered and pricing for its Special Edition models of the the 2012 LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h The MSRPs for the respective new models: LS 460 Sport Special Edition ($77,000), ES 350 Touring Edition ($40,475) and 2012 CT 200h F Sport Special Edition ($37,995). The CT 200h Special Edition will arrive at dealerships in October and the LS and ES Special Editions will arrive in November. Production of the Special Edition models will be limited to 250 units of the LS Sport Special Edition, 2,000 units of the ES 350 Touring Edition and 900 units of the CT 200h F Sport Special Edition. To receive The Weekly Driver newsletter via

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Fiat 500, 2012: Small, cute, fun and still Italian — sort of

After a 37-year absence, the 2012 Fiat 500, the Italian subcompact, marks its return to North America with its new business relationship with Chrysler. First offered in Italy in 1957, the 2012 Fiat 500 (Cinquecento in Italian) is reminiscent of its deceased sibling and is currently available as a 2-door hatchback or 2-door convertible and with a high-performance Abarth model awaiting for 2012. Like its predecessor, the Fiat features a small engine (1.4-liter, 4-cylinder and 101-horsepower) with a short-shifting, five-speed manual transmission. What the Fiat lacks in speed, the manufacturer has more the compensated for with a host of standard features and personality. The trim levels have the unique names of Pop, Lounge and Sport. A five-speed manual transmission is

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Honda Civic Natural Gas 2012: more states for October debut

Honda has announced the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas will have an MSRP starting prices of $26,155 with the manufacturer hoping to expand the only natural gas car made in the United States to 200 dealers across the country. Formerly called the Civic GX, the Natural Gas will go on sale October 18th at dealerships in 38 states. The car, set to be built in Indiana, was previously only available in California, New York, Utah, and Oklahoma. Honda claims the Civic Natural Gas emits almost zero smog-forming particles and is the cleanest internal-combustion vehicle certified by the EPA. It will receive a decal that qualifies for single-occupant access to HOV carpool lanes in several states across the country including California.

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Tesla plans faster model S with 0-60 mph, 4.5 second speed

Tesla has announced it's making a faster sport edition on the Model S, the already quick luxury electric sedan, according to company CEO Elon Musk. The new Model S, according the company literature released in Fremont, California, the sport model will accelerate 0-60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, more than one second faster than the current model. The sport version of the Tesla features the same 85 kilowatt-hour, 300 miles-per-charge battery pack found in the 2012 Model S Signature series. The additional model, complete with enhanced powertrain to cope with the additional current required for faster acceleration, will be available from launch alongside the 120 mile, 230 mile and 300 mile 2012 Model S cars. Tesla says 6,000 buyers

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Senna: Famed F1 driver film in Academy Award pole position

"Senna" is a documentary about Formula One race car driver Ayrton Senna of Brazil, the three-time world titlist who died in a racetrack crash in 1994 at age 34. The film has several edge-of-your-seat driving scenes that alone justified the admission. But like other great sports-themed documentaries ("When We Were Kings" comes to mind) Senna transcends sport. A moviegoer without any knowledge of the top level of auto racing can and likely will appreciate the detailed biography of Senna as a driven driver. The boxing movie examines the personalities of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and their intense, complicated relationship. Likewise "Senna" is more about the famed Brazilian underneath the racing helmet as well as his rivalry with long-time teammate

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Scion debuts 2012 limited production models in Texas

The Scion 2012 xD Series 4.0 (xD RS 4.0) and xB Series 9.0 (xB RS 9.0) debuted Sept. 29 State Fair of Texas, with limited release models featuring as standard equipment a new Pioneer audio system that features Bluetooth hands-free, streaming audio and HD Radio technology. The two Scions will begin arriving at dealer showrooms in October and the debuting will be available for viewing at the Scion booth at the State Fair of Texas until October 23. The 2012 xD Release Series 4.0 The 2012 xD Release Series 4.0 (xD RS 4.0) comes exclusively in a premium Blizzard Pearl exterior paint and is upgraded with 16-inch alloy wheels finished in a smoked platinum color. Scion will only build 800

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