James Raia

Articles by James Raia

Chrysler 200, 2011 car review

Gone is the much-maligned Chrysler Sebring. Welcome its replacement, the 2011 Chrysler 200. The midsize sedan debuts in a crowded market featuring many of the most popular vehicles on the road. Available as a sedan or convertible, the Chrysler 200 retains the Sebring’s platform, but not much else remains cosmetically, not the powertrain nor the standard and optional equipment. Stiffer body mounts are new, for example, as are thicker seat cushions to a revised suspension. The Weekly Driver Test Drive In addition to its new exterior design and other changes, new for Chrysler is the 200 featuring a 3.6-liter V6 matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and generating 283 horsepower. It’s called the Touring Edition. It was my test driver

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General Motors reveals broad recall, including Chevy Cruze

General Motors, the largest automaker in the United States, has announced three recalls across several brands — including economy cars to vans — and most notably its top-selling 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze, the top-selling GM car in April, is experiencing steering shift installation problems among 154,112 car built at its plant in Lordstown, Ohio, from last summer through April 21. The problem has since been resolved, but the recall is necessary on the Cruze editions sold in the United States and Canada since last September. Additionally, more than 120,000 Cruze models with an automatic transmission will also be inspected to ensure the transmission shift linkage was properly installed. GM said. General Motors said no accidents or injuries had been

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Chevrolet Malibu, 2013: New style, better gas mileage

Chevrolet introduced the 2013 Malibu ECO, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in its 100-year history, at the recent New York International Auto Show. It features eAssist “light electrification” technology engineered to deliver an estimated 26 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway without compromising performance. The ECO is based on the 2013 Malibu sedan, which will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents. Sales of the new Malibu begin with the ECO model in the United States in early 2012. The Malibu LS, LT and LTZ trim level offerings join the ECO in summer 2012. Pricing hasn’t been announced. The eAssist system uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking

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China's Hawtai invests in Spyker to prevent Saab's demise

Hawtai Motor Group of China seeks to invest about $220 million in exchange for stock to the Dutch carmaker Spyker in order for its Swedish brand Saab to continue plans for its 9-3 to be made in China beginning in 2013. A privately-owned Chinese carmaker, Hawtai makes SUV and passenger cars. Founded in 2005, it’s owned by Zhang Xiugen, among the country’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. Spyker took over Saab about a year ago from General Motors, although GM retains stock. Hawtai will now own about 30 percent of Spyker. Saab’s production has ceased in recent weeks after suppliers stopped delivery of parts because of unpaid bills. The Hawtai deal is the second time a Chinese company has invested in a Swedish

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Honda extends airbag recall in six models dating to 2001

Honda is again expanding a recall for faulty airbags, with the issue now involving more than 1.7 million Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V and to Acura models dating to 2001. The Japanese manufacturer reports the airbags can inflate with too much force, causing a casing break and a risk of injury or death. Honda says it is aware of 12 incidents, including 11 injuries and one death. The latest addition to the recall includes 833,000 vehicles among the following styles: Accord (2001-02), Civic (2001-02), Odyssey (2002), CR-V (2002-03), Acura 3.2 TL (2002-03) and Acura CL (2003). The original Honda recall in 2008 included 3,940 of its 2001 and 2002 models. Honda expanded the recall to about 443,000 vehicles in July 2009

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It's a small, cool world: Tata to Toyota, Rolls-Royce to Ford

Rolls-Royce gets it. Tata Motors and Ford get it. And so does Toyota and Volkswagen. Small cars are cool cars. That was one of the themes at the recent New York International Auto Show and the Geneva Motor Show. And the trend certainly didn’t go unnoticed by John Filiss of SeriousWheels.com. Filiss, in conjunction with CNBC.com has compiled a list of 10 cool small cars, some available now, some still in concept stages. Tata Motors, most well-known for its uber-cheap Nano, will in two years introduce the Tata Pixel, which looks surprisingly looks like a rabbit, not a Volkswagen by the same name, but the real creature. Here’s what Filiss said about the Tata Pixel: “This car concept capable of

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Nissan Juke 2011 car review

The 2011 Nissan Juke, like its sibling Cube and the Kia Soul, is another automaker’s bold new style. But like two now infamous vehicles of yesteryear — the Pontiac Aztec and Ford Pinto — any new car design too risky prompts diverse opinions. With the Juke, the mini-crossover that debuted at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the reactions were immediate, strong and mixed: Is the Juke an automotive revolution? Is it so ugly it’s cute? Or is the Juke just ugly and ill-conceived? Regardless, the Juke from a sales perspective, is an unqualified success. In Japan, where the Juke debuted to the public in June 2010, strong sales were immediate. Likewise, in Europe and the United States, early sales have

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Kate Middleton will rely on The Queen’s 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom to get to the Royal Wedding on time

After all the traditional considerations — the proper dress to the guest list to the perfect tiara — a pending princess has to get to her wedding on time. For Kate Middleton, that means more tradition — a 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom. Middleton will arrive at Westminster Abbey with her father in the Queen’s most famous car. It’s one of the only 374 manufactured. According to report in USA Today, the 34-year-old Rolls Royce was given to the Queen in 1978 as a gift for the 25th anniversary of her reign the British auto industry, a collective called the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The Rolls Royce Phantom VI is equipped with a 6.7-liter, 200-horsepower engine, the same as in

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New York Auto Show: Beautiful women model new models

Automakers may not be willing to admit it, but who presents their new models at auto shows around the world may be as important as the cars presented. That means pretty women. Car show models at auto shows are a longstanding tradition, with its history chronicled in a 2008 book called “Sirens of Chrome” written by Margery Krevsky. Even National Public Radio produced a recent story about Auto Show Models called “Want To Chat Up An Auto Show Model? Talk Cars.” The recent New York City International Auto Show, of course, continued the car show model legacy. And certainly while visiting the New York Auto Show or any major auto show is an eye-opening experience for car fanciers, none of

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2012 Fiat 500C: Best gas mileage among convertibles

It may not be a car designation that readily comes to mind or has the highest priority for car shoppers. The 2012 Fiat 500 Cabriolet has been designated as the best gas mileage convertible available — or soon to be available. Unveiled at the recent New York International Auto Show, the Fiat “500C”, which will be available early this summer, will average 30 mpg (city), 38 mpg (highway) and 33 mpg (combined) in three-door hatchback model with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Fiat 500C equipped with a six-speed automatic is less impressive, at 27 mpg (city) 34 mpg (highway) and 30 mpg combined, with the convertible model the same rating or one mpg lower. Two 500C convertible versions will be

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Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet lead 40 mpg new breed

Automakers a couple of years ago were directed to increase fuel efficiency by about eight miles per gallon between 2012 and 2016. A report on GreenCarReports.com expertly details the progress of the fuel efficiency improvement. The site reports in 2009 only one non-hybrid or non-diesel averaged at least 40 mpg — the 2009 Smart ForTwo. With 2011 and 2012 models, 10 non-hybrid, non-diesel cars available in the United States achieve a 40 mpg average. In part, this is what the wrote about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco: “The Eco is one of the largest and heaviest cars in this group. But, at 42 mpg on the highway, also the most efficient. Key to fuel economy in most Cruzes is a

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Hyundai Accent 2012: 40 mpg, 138 horsepower, $12,445

With the new 2012 Hyundai Accent debuting this summer, the South Korean carmaker will have an industry-leading four models expected to receive 40 mpg mileage estimates. In addition to the Accent, which had another unveiling at the New York International Auto Show, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Veloster are predicted to join the 40 mpg fraternity. The 2012  Hyundai Accent, will feature a a 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine paired with standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety will include: six airbags, stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes. The Accent GLS with a six-speed manual ($12,445), will place the entry level Hyundai in rare company as among the lowest priced cars available in

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BMW 335d gets diesel car of the year honors over VW duo

BMW dominated voting over two Volkswagen models and its 335d was named 2011 Diesel Car of the Year by a global vote of readers of The Diesel Driver magazine and as announced at the New York International Auto Show. The BMW 335d received 29.6 percent of 3,669 votes cast by readers from 43 countries. Eighty-three percent of the voters were from the United States. The Volkswagen Golf TDI finished second (16.1 percent) with the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (16 percent) third. Each year, the Diesel Driver’s readers select the Diesel Car of the Year and recognize the top three diesel automobiles offered in the U.S. For the 2011, votes wer cast among 12 passenger vehicles and sport utility vehicles and

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Chevrolet Volt chosen Green Car of the Year in New York

The Chevrolet Volt has been selected ahead of the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition and the Nissan Leaf as the 2011 World Green Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. To be eligible for the 2011 World Green Car* award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or substantially revised, in production and introduced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30th, 2011. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle’s environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration. The Chevrolet Volt is

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Aston Martin Rapide gets Design of the Year honors

The Aston Martin Rapide has joined a diverse group, including the Fiat 500 and Chevrolet Camaro, and has been honored with the 2011 World Car Design of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show. “Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide’s rear haunches are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful look,” said Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman. “There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit; the new double grill gives more presence on the road while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear doors to

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Ferrari 458 Italia honored as Performance Car of the Year

The Ferrari 458 Italia, the replacement vehicle for the F430, has beaten out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porrsche 911 Turbo, and named as the 2011 World Performance Car at the New York International Auto Show. The World Car Awards jurors said about the Ferrari: “The replacement for the F430 Fiorano has been voted by nearly every possible ranking this past year as the best performer hands down. The WCA’s would love to break ranks with the crowd, but we also put the 458 Italia squarely among our top three world performance cars. “Whether on the track or on a loosely policed winding two-lane mountain road, the technology on board the 458 sets it and its 570 metric horsepower far

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