Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

Never mind Tesla, Prius, Elio. Buy the Flatula Backfire

Forget the Tesla. Forget the pending Elio. Don’t even consider a Toyota Prius. The most efficient, least expensive and environmentally ideal car is the new Flatula Backfire. The Flatula Backfire runs on natural gas, much like the Honda Civic CNG. But it runs on the natural gas its passengers provide. The manufacturers are marketing the car with catchy slogans that make a lot of sense. “It runs like the wind, but it is your wind,” is clever. But more cleaver is the closing line of the video make to debut the cat to the world: “It’s not just a SmartCar, it’s a FartCar.” The Flatula Backfire has a good range as long as its passengers provide enough gas. But the

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Lexus signs on as USA Pro Challenge official vehicle

Automobile manufacturers have long been associated with bicycle racing sponsorship. The latest carmaker to join list is Lexus. The luxury brand has been named as the official vehicle of the USA Pro Challenge. The two-year arrangement with the fourth-year race will include several components. Through the Lexus Champion Giveaway, the brand will provide the overall race winner with a three-year lease for a CT 200h hybrid. Additionally, Lexus will be the presenting partner for the Sprint Jersey, which has been worn by some of the top sprinters in the world, including Cannondale’s Peter Sagan. The USA Pro Challenge, August 18-24, and will travel 550 miles from Aspen to Denver, making stops in 10 Colorado host cities. Lexus will 125 cars

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2015 Toyota Yaris debuts as Euro-styled entry level sedan

The 2015 Toyota Yaris has debuted with a new European-themed design, several new additional interior and exterior features and a manufacturer’s suggested retail price range from $14,485 to $17,620. The price range extends from three-door L with a manual transmission ($14,485) to the five-door SE with a four-speed automatic ($17,620). Like like the previous-generations, the 2015 Toyota Yaris comes in 3-door and 5-door liftback configurations. It features an aggressive new look with a horizontal chrome grill treatment that appears to continue into the headlamp. The 1.5-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder DOHC engine equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) produces 106 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission, made smoother by an improved hydraulic clutch, is standard. Also available is a four-speed electronically

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BMW joins massive airbag recall list

More than 1.5 BMW 3 Series vehicles from 2000 to 2006 are being recalled to replace passenger-side front airbags, the luxury carmaker announced. The manufacturer said the recall is a “voluntary precautionary measure” aimed at minimizing the risk of faulty airbag activation. This issue is airbag supplied to BMW by Tokyo-based Takata Corporation. The airbag could rupture under certain circumstances, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. If the rupture occurs, shards could fly out and cause injury. Several other automakers since 2009, including Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota, have recalled 10 million vehicles affected by the same problem. About one-third, or 574,000 of the BMW cars recalled, are in the United States. BMW said it

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PREVIEW: 2015 Aston Martin, more power, more luxury

Aston Martin, the luxurious British sports car manufacturer  long associated with James Bond films, has unveiled the 2015 V12 Vantage S Roadster. The new sports car, available globally at dealerships later this year, will become the luxury British marque’s most potent, fastest and fastest-accelerating series production roadster. Equipped with the latest 565 horsepower Aston Martin AM28 6.0-liter V12 engine, featuring state-of-the-art Bosch engine management, the car is capable of reaching 201 mph and sprinting from rest to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The car’s new car’s gearbox, the Sportshift™III ASM (auto-shift manual) transmission, is engineered to exploit the full sporting potential of the V12 engine, the latest generation Sportshift™III hydraulically actuated automated manual transmission provides motorsport-style paddle shift changes for

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Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno in cars getting Emmys?

Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld will be vying against each other in the Emmys. But it won’t be  competition of comedy. Instead, the two avid car collectors have been nominated in the Short-format Nonfiction Program category. Leno hosts, “Jay Leno’s Garage.” Seinfeld hosts “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” are nominated in the Short-format Nonfiction Program category. Leno’s car show has been nominated four times before, and won the category in 2011. Seinfeld, who collected several Emmys for his role on the celebrated TV sitcom that bore his name, has now been nominated twice for his “Comedians.” The “Cosmos” National Geographic special, a documentary piece on the Boston Marathon bombings and short pieces from ESPN and actor Steve Buscemi. The 66th

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Proper vehicle maintenance prevents catastrophe

Whether you are purchasing a new car or investing in a used vehicle through a reliable source such as HertzRent2Buy the key to its longevity lies in how well it’s maintained. Furthermore, effective maintenance also helps car owners achieve a significant level of safety when on the road and otherwise. Here are a few areas that demand regular checks in a vehicle: Regular Pollution Check It is important to regularly check on the emissions your vehicle is releasing. Internal combustion engines when not working efficiently emit more pollution. By regularly checking your engine and other related care parts, you not only ensure the health of your car but you’re also doing your part to conserving the environment. Tire Servicing Your

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Elio Motors markets fleet sales but still no cars

Elio Motors, the fledgling three-wheel vehicle company, continues to market itself with new ideas. The latest is a fleet sales division to capitalize on what the company describes as increasing interest from businesses, rental car companies and municipalities. Although the launch of the reported $6,800 car touted with a predicted 84 mpg has been delayed and funding isn’t established, Elio has announced Brendan Carey, Vice President of Fleet Sales, a former ADESA (KAR Auctions) employee who joined Elio Motors in 2013, with head the new division, The fleet division, Elio reports, will provide significant cost-savings to companies and government entities that have fleets for rentals, deliveries, service calls, and other travel-related needs. With the average price a new vehicle in

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GM spiralling, recalls another 7.55 million cars

General Motors is further scrambling in its massive safety issue, this time announcing new safety recalls in the United States involving another 7.55 million vehicles from the 1997 to 2014 model years. According to the Wall Street Journal, GM reported it’s aware of seven crashes, eight injuries and three fatalities in the latest round of recalled vehicles. The fatalities occurred in older model full-size sedans being recalled for inadvertent ignition key rotation. The latest round of recalls may increase GM’s financial cost to $1.2 billion in second quarter of this year in repairs. The tally included a previously disclosed $700 million charge for recalls already announced.   This year, GM has also detailed plans to recall more than 20 million

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Buying new and used cars: 11 buyer mistakes

There may be as many theories on the best way to buy a car as there are manufacturers. Edmunds.com is often praised for its detailed car reviews, but it also has a comprehensive section of service-oriented content — including tips for buying new and used cars. A recent article, titled “11 mistakes car shoppers make,” covers exactly what the title suggests. It’s a list of new and used car-buying “musts” — monthly payments to trade-in appraisals. Here’s what Edmunds.com editors wrote about monthly payments for new and used cars: “Many buyers go in with a set amount they’d like to pay every month, and are happy to share that figure with the salesperson.” “When you do that, you’re not actually

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Toyota unveils Fuel Cell Vehicle in Colorado

Seventeen years after the Toyota Prius became the first mass-produced hybrid car, Toyota is leading automotive innovation again. Its zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric car will makes it North American debut June 27 at the Aspen Idea Festival. With previous exterior details of the car, currently named the FCV, announced recently in Japan, the North American unveiling is the precursor to the car’s mainstream release. Interior features, along with the vehicle’s name, volume, and full specifications will be released later. Toyota has also announced the FCV will go on sale in the Japan domestic market before April 2015. It will debut in the summer 2015 in Europe and in California. The sedan will be priced in the Japan domestic market

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Rare Maserati gets rare drive at Laguna Seca

The last Maserati Tipo 151, one of only three made, will be driven by Derek Hill in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 14-17 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Maserati is this year’s featured marque and will celebrate its 100th anniversary at the motorsports gathering. Derek Hill is the son of former world titlist Phil Hill. Entered by Fratelli Auriana Racing from the collection of Lawrence Auriana, the Tipo 151 has been fully restored. Since its restoration, chassis 151.006 has competed in three successive Goodwood Revivals and last year in the 2013 Le Mans Legend. This will be the car’s first visit to Monterey and the challenging 2.238-mile road course.   The Tipo 151 will complement Maserati’s centennial display and

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Chevy Cruze, Ford Fiesta top U.S. fuel efficiency

Car and Driver has taken a unique look at the cars available in the United States with the best fuel economy. The publication has determined the Chevy Cruze and Ford Fiesta lead the top-10 most fuel efficient list. It’s take EPA’s list, removed the electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in hybrids because “they generally cost more and aren’t fun to drive.” What’s left are the gas and diesel cars the editors not only like to drive but would recommend to family and friends. The No. 1 fuel-efficient car in the country, according the Car and Driver, is the Chevrolet Cruze, at 46 mpg gallon in highway driving. Here’s what the publication’s editor wrote about the Cruze: “Perched all alone at the

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Meet Dale Earnhardt Jr., win a Camaro with eBay

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has as loyal a fan base as any driver in any racing discipline. But just like enthusiasts in many other sports, following favorite athletes in the auto racing is mostly done from a distance. Earnhardt Jr., and eBay Motors have joined to change that for one fortunate fan. A website for the global company, eBay Garage, is presenting a giveaway sweepstakes. The winner will be awarded a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro and receive a trip to to meet Earnhardt Jr., at his car dealership in Tallahassee, Florida. The contest, however, requires more than just completing an entry form. Participants are required to log-in to eBay Garage, add a vehicle profile, add additional images for additional entrants and share

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Recall madness: Honda, Nissan, Mazda . . . airbags

Honda, Nissan and Mazda combined are recalling about 1.3 million cars in North America and more than 3 million globally for faulty airbags manufactured by the Takata Corp. Honda is recalling 1.02 million Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Element models manufactured between April 2000 and October 2002. Nissan is recalling 228,00 vehicles. Mazda is recalling about 15,000 of the RX-8 and Mazda6. Takata airbags were last involved in a recall in 2013 when Japanese automakers recalled 3.4 million vehicles worldwide because of faulty airbags. In early June (2014), Toyota recalled 844,277 with similar problems. The exact cause of the airbag issue has not been determined. One theory is that defective inflators can explode when deployed because of the propellent’s sensitivity to

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Sonata

With a more refined look, better ride quality and a host of new features, 2015 Hyundai Sonata will be priced beginning at $21,150, the South Korean manufacturer recently announced. The 2015 Hyundai Sonata lineup ranges from the base model 2.4-liter to a new range-topping Sport 2.0T Ultimate. It offers hands-free Smart Trunk, Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. The Sonata’s new features include a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features. 2015 Sonata comes standard with seven airbags, including a new driver’s knee airbag designed to help prevent the driver from sliding down

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