James Raia

Articles by James Raia

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Lexus LS 460, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports consistently praise the LS 460 for its dependability, with the 2010 model further adding to the car’s top-of-the-industry’s reputation. Unless they’ve driven or been a passenger, onlookers don’t know the powerful, smooth performance the LS 460 delivers. But the luxury sedan (my test vehicle had a finely finished black exterior) to the corner market or on the open road and people stare with a look of envy. It didn’t matter where I drove the car, it attracted near-constant attention. And once you drive the Lexus LS 460, it’s hard not to want to drive it. Get on highway and the 380-horsepower machine takes charge. From the push-button start to the effortless shifting and

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Europcar joins Mercedes-Benz among auto-related cycling sponsors

The squad has been part of the professional peloton since 2000. It was previously sponsored by and had the names of Bonjour and Brioches La Boulangère. “It’s a huge relief,” said Thomas Voeckler, the squad’s captain, who was set to join another French squad, Cofidis, if the deal with Eurocar wasn’t finalized. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars “Honestly, I didn’t believe anymore that a solution would come along,” Voeckler told the website cyclingnews.com “I’m thankful to the people from Europcar who have organised everything in a period of three days.” Mercedes-Benz recently announced it will supply a new pro team based in Luxembourg with vehicles beginning next season. Mercedes-Benz Luxembourg

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BMW, Rolls-Royce set to recall nearly 200,000 vehicles with braking issues

Nearly 200,000 luxury sedans from BMW and Rolls Royce and dating to 2002 are being recalled to fix a potential leak in the power-braking system. The cars included BMW 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series as well as the high-priced Phantom.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a power-steering probe of the BMW Z4 in July, following one crash and 107 complaints. The power-braking leaks create a vacuum loss that impairs a feature used when brakes are applied, BMW explained on its website. BMW will notify recalled vehicles owners by mail. Dealers will inspect the cars and replace the parts. Drivers who lose braking power should immediately schedule a service appointment. The recall covers the 745i/Li, 750i/Li and

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Lance Armstrong gets delivery of country's first Nissan Leaf

Armstrong, who has made two commercials for Nissan, a vehicle supplier to the cyclist’s cycling team, RadioShack, announced the delivery to his more than 2.6 million followers on Twitter via the following image. Nissan recently announced it’s no longer taking reservations in the U.S. for 2011 Leaf. The company had planned to keep its $99 reservation program open until December, but reservations for the 20,000 quota of cars was reached three months early. The general public is expected to begin receiving the LEAF in about three months. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004,

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Mercedes-Benz named official vehicle of Luxembourg-based cycling team

“We look forward to be supporting the ambitious goal of winning the Tour de France for Luxembourg with this new team”, said Gerhard Roth, Administrateur Délégué of Mercedes-Benz Luxembourg S.A. “This partnership with the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project fits well with our brand philosophy of ‘The best or nothing’.” According to the report, Mercedes-Benz will provide the new team with specially adapted cars, minibuses, trucks and and team tour buses. Nissan joined the cycling sponsorship as the second sponsor of the American team sponsored by RadioShack and featuring seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in 2010. Jaguar and Skoda, the Czech manufacturer, are also major sponsors and automobile providers in professional cycling. Jaguar is the official sponsor of the

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Toyota Sienna, 2011: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The new Sienna is available in five models: Sienna, LE, SE, XLE and Unlimited, and it remains the only mini-van in its class to offer all-wheel drive. The option is available on the V6 engine choice and in LE, XLE and Limited models. The 2011 Sienna has a standard 2.7-liter 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine on the base and LE models, with a 266-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 optional on those models and the same as the standard engine on all other models. Both engines have six-speed automatic transmissions. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars With a detachable second-row jump seat, the Sienna seats seven or eight passengers, and the second-row captain’s chairs can slide

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Italian newspaper reports Fiat considering selling share of Ferrari

Fiat, based in Italy, reportedly is seeking liquidity to allow it to finance the acquisition of 51 percent of Chrysler. Selling Ferrari could be the solution, according to the daily newspaper’s sources in Fiat’s headquarters in Turin. FOR MORE FERRARI INFORMATION, VISIT: Ferrari According to the report, Fiat, which owns 85 percent of Ferrari, would keep a majority 51 percent stake in the sports car unit which, it said, is worth $3.1 billion. Ferrari this week is debuting its limited edition convertible sports car at the Paris Motor Show. A Fiat spokesman denied the report, commenting to Reuters: “There are no plans for any Ferrari listing.” Fiat, which owns 20 percent of Chrysler, is expected to increase its holding to

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Ferrari limited series convertible will debut at Paris Motor Show

Only 80 of the 12-cylinder, front-engine roadsters will be manufactured. The first models are expected to reach the buyers by the end of the year and all of 80 new offerings have already been sold. According to a Ferrari release: “The SA Apera is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engine V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad.” The roadster has a low-profile windscreen and crouches lower to the ground, and has “exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness,” according to the Maranello, Italy, manufacturer. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for

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BMW will test second electric car in four U.S. metro areas in 2011

The four-passenger ActiveE is based on the 1 Series Coupe and has a 32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Introduced at the Detroit auto show in January, the ActiveE has a 100-mile range per charge. It takes 8.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour and has a maximum speed 90 mph. BMW‘s Mini E, its debut electric vehicle, was deployed worldwide and now including more than 600 test cars in its second year. The ActiveE is scheduled for testing only in the United States. Mini E drivers will be given preference as test pilots for the ActiveE and could switch to the new car when their existing leases expire. The other cars will go to online applicants who live in the

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GM, Nissan dominate North American best car nominees

The 18th annual awards are chosen by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars Twenty-seven new cars were eligible for the 2011 North American Car of the Year award and 14 have been selected as semi-finalists. The jurors did not vote on the trucks because there were only 14 on the original list. The North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Audi A8 Buick Regal Chevrolet Cruze Chevrolet Volt Ford Fiesta Hyundai Sonata/2.0T/Hybrid Infiniti M37/56

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Hyundai recalls 140,000 Sonatas for potential steering defect

“Hyundai dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque and make corrections if needed,” Hyundai via a press statement. “Hyundai has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is voluntarily initiating this action to ensure the safety and quality of vehicles and the continued satisfaction of its customers.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The safety defect has affected fewer than 10 cars, according to Hyundai, and no accidents or injuries have resulted. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to

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Tata Motors set to debut first crossover Aria to Indian market

Tata Motors has not announced the price range of the Aria. Features Built-in GPS system, Multi-functioning steering wheel, Dual Air Conditioner, Automatic climate control, six SRS Airbags, ABS with ESP, Alloy wheels, Parking Sensors Specifications Model: EX, Car Body Type: Crossover, Displacement: 2179cc, DICOR, 16 Valve DOHC, Engine Type: Diesel, Maximum Power: 120 Bhp @ 4000 rpm, Maximum Torque: 250 Nm @ 1500 rpm, Gears: 5 Manual, Length: 3329 mm Width: 1710 mm, Seating Capacity: 7, Steering: Power, Brakes: Front Disk, Rear Drum, Ground Clearance: 150mm James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James

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Bugatti set to replace Veyron with Galibier in 2013

The four-seat Bugatti 16C Galibier sedan is expected to go on sale in 2013 for about $1.5 million. Only 300 will be produced. The Galibier, made of carbon fiber and aluminum, will use the Veyron’s 8.0-liter W-16 engine, but will employ superchargers rather than turbochargers and will produce 800 horsepower. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The limited-edition, two-passenger Veyron 16.4, introduced in 2005, is near the end of its 300-unit production run. So far, 260 have been built. The Veyron has 1,200 horsepower, 268 mph Super Sport edition debuted this summer at a price range between $2.2 million and $2.6 million, including shipping. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist

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Bentley bizarre hood ornament impalememt potential prompts recall

As such Bentley is recalling nearly 1,500 vehicles for fear that unwitting pedestrians could become impaled on the brand’s historic “flying B” bonnet ornament. Bentley reports: “It’s been discovered that in some cases, water ingress into the internal mechanism might prevent it from retracting. The recall will affect 1,436 cars worldwide, including 620 in the United States and Canada. The bizarre defect affects three discontinued Bentley models – the Arnage, Azure and Brooklands – which were produced between 2007 and 2009 and which cost as much as $300,000. The Bentley signature miniature statue ornament is an option. David Champion, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, commented that said safety regulations required a minimum radius for anything on a

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Honda Accord, Civic top 2009 most stolen car list

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the 1991 Toyota Camry joined the Accord and Civic in 2009 making the the country’s top-three stolen vehicles all from Japanese manufacturers. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars According to another just released report, the Uniform Crime Report, compiled by the FBI, 794,616 vehicles were reported stolen in 2009, the sixth consecutive year of lower car theft in the country. In 2008, 956,846 vehicles were reported stolen, then the lowest annual total in more than 20 years. 1. 1994 Honda Accord 2. 1995 Honda Civic 3. 1991 Toyota Camry 4. 1997 Ford F-150 pickup 5. 2004 Dodge Ram pickup 6. 2000 Dodge Caravan 7.

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Tata Motors plans 'luxury' Nano Plus for 2011

The Nano, predicted to be available in 2011, with feature a 1,000 cc engine instead of the 623 cc engine of the current Nano model. It will also include ABS brakes, alloy wheels, and integrated music system and an improved interior. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars Tata hopes the Nano Plus, for which reservations recently began, will compete with the Maruti Alto and Chevrolet Spark, but its price has not been announced. Tata Motor is also expected to fix the safety problems that caused numerous 2010 Nano models from catching fire. The Nano is projected to come in at the No. 2 spot in 2011 after Tata raises production. According

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