Automotive News

2016 Toyota Camry: Best-selling sedan gets sporty, better

Toyota has plenty to worry about. But the Toyota Camry, its best-selling vehicle, offers more cause for celebration than concern. The midsize sedan has for years also been the best-selling car in the United States. So what’s a manufacturer to do a model year after a new generation of one of the most successful cars in history was introduced? The answer is the new limited Special Edition of Toyota Camry. It’s the sports-oriented model that adds a new departure to the Camry stable. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A five-passenger midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry is now available in six trims. My weekly driver was the above-mentioned Special Edition (SE) model. It takes the best of the LE and SE

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Audi, Porsche, more Volkswagen models added to cheat list

Volkswagen is in further trouble. The scandal-plagued carmaker has received a second notice of violation of the Clean Air Act with emissions test violations expanding to additional VW vehicles as well Audi and Porsche models. The additional vehicles affected by the violation notice include the diesel versions of the 2014 VW Touareg, the 2015 Porsche Cayenne and the 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5. These vehicles are equipped with 3.0-liter engines that release emissions of nitrogen oxide up to nine times the EPA standard, the agency said. Additional Related Content: Volkswagen Can’t Sell 2016 Diesel in the United States Volkswagen CEO Winterkorn Quits in VW Emissions Scandal Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Hits 11 Million Cars Globally The

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Ford Fiesta, Nissan Pathfinder among least reliable cars

The Pope gave Fiat the best press it’s ever had recently when he chose it as his preferred transportation during his visit to the United States. Consumer Reports, however, has just given the compact minivan/crossover some of its worst publicity — “least reliable car.” In a throwback to the 1970s when Fiat got the infamous slogan for the acronym of its name, “Fix It Again, Tony,” the Italian carmaker has been bombarded with problems from new owners. Broken tie rods, slipping transmission, shoddy electrical system and even engine failures have all been reported in the publication’s extensive yearly study. As the publication CheatSheet.com detailed, “Maybe the Fiat is just cursed. After all it’s built in the same Serbian factory that

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Buying a new car? Be honest with yourself

Buying a new car for the first time can be intimidating. From the disreputable reputations of salespeople to the realities of financing fine print, how does a buyer know if they’re making the right choice? There’s plenty of advice available. Many industry experts are knowledgeable, cultivating years of data from buyers’ experiences. But other “experts” may lead a buyer toward a vehicle with their own financial gain as the top priority. Used cars have more potential issues, but first-time new car buyers should take note. The auto industry continues to collectively improve its products. There’s more competition, so carmakers have improved their respective vehicles to keep up with each other. Still, the car-buying process should begin with three areas of

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Aston Martin, James Bond DB10: Own It, Can’t Drive It (VIDEO)

Would you still want to own the only Aston Martin DB10 for sale if you couldn’t drive it? That’s exactly the scenario for the 10 bespoke Aston Martin cars made specifically for use in the new James Bond film, “Spectre.” The luxury automaker plans to auction off one DB10 next year, but the car doesn’t have the necessary road certifications for driving. “Spectre” marks a departure from past Bond films because the two main cars featured in the movie were created solely for the film and are not available to the public. “This is the first time we created a car that was completely bespoke for Bond,” said David Adams, a spokesperson at Aston Martin. The villian’s car, Jaguar C-X75,

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Mercedes-Benz, Honda models among 10 cars gone in 2016

New year car models used to be available for the first time in September. But manufacturers now debut cars for different reasons at the different times of the year. While some 2016 models are still pending, some 2017 models have been available for months. But consumers beware. If you’re considering a 2016 model, it may no longer be available. Honda to Toyota, Mercedes Benz to Nissan, some models of prominent cars ended their tenures after their 2015 models. Here’s a list of 10 well-known cars available as 2015 models, but defunct as 2016 models: 1. Mercedes-Benz M-Class — The German manufacturer’s midsize SUV has been replaced by a sleeker-looker models, the GLE-Class. 2. Honda Crosstour — It was funny looking

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Blake Griffin benched by Kia as NBA season begins (VIDEO)

As the NBA season unfolds, Blake Griffin has been benched. But the all-star forward hasn’t done anything wrong. Rather, the Los Angeles Clippers’ forward will be featured in a new series of television commercials for Kia. Griffin, who began his relationship with Kia in 2011, will appear in four new commercials under the theme of “Next Level” for Kia’s best-selling Optima midsize sedan. With his dry sense of satire, Griffin has been “benched” in the commercial in a lounge chair “zone.” Griffin finds an eternally calm while reading the newspaper, playing chess, making the ultimate peanut butter and jelly sandwich or acting as a weather forecaster in the midst of an impressive basketball performance. BLAKE GRIFFIN JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS FOR

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Recall madness: Corolla, Camry among 6.5 million repealed (VIDEO)

The seemingly never-ending saga of Toyota recalls has expanded with the recent of announcement of the carmaker recalling 6.5 million cars globally, including the Corolla and Camry, to fix power window switches that can short circuit and catch fire. The driver’s side switches on some models have been found to malfunction if they did not receive enough grease during the manufacturing process. The recall includes 2.7 million cars in North America, 1.2 million in Europe and 600,000 in Japan. Toyota recall worries continue, this time Camry The affected cars were produced between 2005 and 2010, and include Toyota’s Yaris, Corolla, Matrix, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Tundra, and Sequoia models, among others. Scion xB and Scion xD models are also included in

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2016 Honda Fit: Hatchback shines as best car value in U.S.

Nearing its 10th year of availability in the United States, the Honda Fit is quickly accelerating its way toward the iconic stature of the Volkswagen Beetle and Toyota Corolla. More than five million units have sold in eight countries since the vehicle debuted in Japan in 2001. After a year’s hiatus, the 2015 Honda Fit was redesigned and featured a more aggressive and stylized exterior appearance for the debut of is third generation. It also featured more standard features, increased cargo space and better gas mileage. For the 2016, why mess with new success? Honda didn’t, and the new Fits remains largely unchanged from its one-year older sibling. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2016 Honda Fit is a five-seat

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Toyota Prius, Chevy Volt green car of the year finalists

The pioneering hybrid Toyota Prius and the second generation of the Chevrolet Volt have been selected among five finalists for the 2016 Green Car of the Year. The 11th annual award will be presented as per tradition on November 19 as a preamble to the LA Auto Show. The Green Car Journal, which debuted the award in 2005, has selected the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic Hyundai Sonata as well as the Prius and Volt. According to the publication, and increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year program each year, a reflection of the auto industry’s expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact. “This is the strongest

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2016 Acura RDX: Compact SUV rules the family

Now approaching the end of its first decade, the Acura RDX is in the fourth year of its second generation. The 2016 edition arrived with a massive makeover. The exterior has a new grille, jewel-eye LED headlights and new taillights. The interior has been updated with a new trim, more standard equipment and a new optional touchscreen. The 2016 Acura RDX also has several new optional features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning and intervention, a blind-spot monitoring system and automatic wipers. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A compact SUV available in one trim, the 2016 Acura RDX features a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 279 horsepower. It’s matched to a six-speed automatic transmission

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Volkswagen can’t sell 2016 diesels in the U.S.

Volkswagen of American won’t be able to sell 2016 diesel 2.0-liter engine models in the United States, and the carmaker has withdrawn its application for EPA certification. If the manufacturer complies with U.S. emissions standards, it can again begin selling its vehicles currently in violation of emissions policies. Volkswagen had been awaiting EPA approval for the 2016 diesels, but withdrew its request as part of ongoing discussions with U.S. regulators following emissions violations. Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn disclosed the decision in written testimony he delivered at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce committee. In his testimony, Horn said part of VW’s emissions control strategy included a “software feature” that should be “disclosed to and approved by”

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700 Horsepower Ford Mustang too good to be true

Neiman Marcus, in its famed annual Christmas catalog, is offering 100 examples of the most unique Ford Mustang ever manufactured. It will be a supercharged 700 horsepower, 195 mph Mustang convertible. Powered by a specially tuned supercharged V8, the vehicle is rated at 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The exotic Mustang is further enhanced with unique chassis and suspension tuning, a dual exhaust system, lightweight forged 20-inch wheels, and body panels and aesthetic modifications specific to the Neiman car. The Neiman Marcus catalog lists the vehicle as having all-wheel drive. Several automotive website outlets are reporting that description was erroneous. Several other features of the limited Mustang have also been questioned by national automotive writers, but Neiman Marcus hasn’t yet

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Ford paces pick-up dominance in 2014 vehicle sales

Paced again by Ford F-Series trucks, sales of cars and trucks increased by about six percent in 2014 from the previous year with about 16.5 million vehicles sold in the United States. The total vehicles sold marked the automotive industry’s best sales total in nearly a decade with the Ford F-Series accounting for 753,851 sales. The Ford F-150 sells about two-thirds of the popular trunk’s family of vehicles. Overall, sales of the Ford F-Series of vehicles fell 1.3 percent from 2013, but the ever-popular truck, which has led sales for nearly 40 years, was still the dominating top selection. Pick-up truck overall had a superior sales year in 2014. Beyond the Ford F-Series, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Ram pickup and GM’s

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Hyundai, Infiniti among world debuts at LA Auto Show

Thirty global debuts, including the new Hyundai Elantra, Jaguar’s first luxury sport utility vehicle and the Infiniti QX30 crossover, will be among highlighted vehicles at the 205 Los Angeles Auto Show. More than 50 vehicles will debut from Alfa Romeo, BMW, Bentley, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru and Volkswagen. The show is scheduled November 20-19 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year’s global and North American debuts will deliver production and concept vehicles representing the ever-growing performance, mid-size cross over, electric and high-technology categories.  Debut categories range from luxury SUVs and flagship sedans to new compact sedans. CNET.com will live-stream and provide commentary about the latest debuts

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Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit among top-5 cars less than $20,000

For several years, the average price of a new car in the United States has hovered around $30,000. But it wasn’t too many years ago when the $30,000 plateau was the starting point of entry level luxury vehicles. But what if the average new car buyer can only afford to spend $20,000? Are there new 2015 vehicles with price tags of $20,000 worth purchasing? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose models are among the best-selling in history — all have quality new vehicles available with starting prices of less than $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, quality automobiles. Several quality cars have starting prices of less than $15,000. And some entry level cars have

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