Automotive News

2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.0T: Refined, well-equipped

The ultracompetitive mid-size sedan market heats up with the addition of Hyundai‘s new 2015 Sonata Sport. It’s been given a more refined design, inside and out, to draw additional mid-size sedan buyers. This seventh-generation front-wheel-drive Sonata swaps the previous model’s ultra-sporty look for a more conservative one. However, this four-door sedan has a purposeful shape, with a coupe-like roofline and horizontal lines in the rear that underscore the car’s width and give it a planted (spell “road-hugging”) look. Hyundai likens the styling to an athlete in a well-tailored suit. The new Sonata has a stiffer body structure, better ride quality, less noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features. A revised multilink rear suspension design enhances responsiveness, handling

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Honda Odyssey, Ford Flex among 10 best family cars

Minivans take a bad rap. They’re the ultimate family cars and have sometimes been referred to as “loser cruisers” or the vehicles of choice for overprotective soccer moms who carry endless supplies of juice packs. The less-than stellar reputation is unfair, however. Minivans make ideal family vehicles. They’re more economical in some instances than family sedans. And for long vacation hauls, comfort and cargo space are import. TheWeeklyDriver.com’s two favorite family are the Honda Odyssey and Ford Flex. The Odyssey is arguably the most versatile vehicle available in the United States. The seat configuration, high seating and, of course, it’s now famous accoutrement — a portable vacuum cleaner — make it the ultimate family mover. The Flex is likely the

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GM tough year continues, now 30 million recalls in 2014

General Motors has had a tough year. With its latest recall of Pontiac G8, Chevrolet Carprice and Cadillac models, GM has now recalled about 30 million cars in 2014. The latest recall includes about 60,000 vehicles. On certain Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Caprice models, the vehicles “may experience unintended key rotation from the ‘Run’ to ‘ACC’ position if the driver’s knee interacts with the ignition key,” according to GM. The recalled Cadillacs have fuel pump issues, repairable at dealers. The Caprice model is a police vehicle. No injuries or fatalities have been reported from the latest recall. GM reported one crash. Despite the high profile of the ignition switch recall earlier this year which has been tied to at least

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Elio Motors’ scam worries rise after recent woes

Elio Motors, the upstart three-wheel vehicle manufacturer, continues to attract potential buyers willing to place a deposit for an economic and performance wonderment that hasn’t been built. In September, according to the company’s website, more than 34,000 people have pre-ordered the vehicle with a variety monetary commitments, $100 to $1,000, to purchase the proposed $6,800 vehicle. Three months ago, the deposit list total was 28,000. Paul Elio, the company CEO, believes Elio Motors is getting closer the financial goal to make good on his proposed hiring of a production staff of around 1,500 to assist in the car’s manufacture starting next year. Elio Motors months ago purchased a former General Motors plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, where it’s planning to assemble

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2015 Honda CR-V: More features, new look, better mpg

The 2015 Honda CR-V, which is will debut nationwide Oct. 1, will include what the manufacturer describes as “the most significant mid-model cycle refresh in its history.” As the biggest-selling sport utility vehicle in the United States, the 2015 Honda CR-V will feature a new direct-injected Earth Dreams Technology i-VTEC engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a new suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver assistive features. The MSRP price range is $23,320-$32,770. Interior and exterior styling on the 2015 Honda CR-V will be enhanced. Many new standard and optional features will debut as well as a new premium Touring trim. Gas mileage estimates has also improved. The 2015 CR-V has increased EPA fuel economy ratings of 27/34/29 mpg

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Tony Stewart criminally cleared in Kevin Ward’s death

Tony Stewart, the controversial race car driver known for his aggressive style and fiery temper, will not face criminal charges in Kevin Ward Jr.’s death, a grand jury in New York has decided. Disrtict Attorney Michael Tantillo in Ontario County, N.Y., announced there was no basis for criminal charges. Stewart was racing Aug. 9 in the Empire Super Sprints Series at a half-mile dirt oval in Canandaigua, N.Y., on the night Ward was killed. Ward and Stewart were battling for position midway through the feature race, and Ward hit the outside wall and spun with a flat tire. Upset with Stewart, Ward scrambled out of his car and approached his car under caution while gesturing angrily. After being struck, he

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Top 5 fastest cars on the planet

The fastest car in the world? Doesn’t it seem like every niche, top-line manufacturer is always seeking the top designation? The current leader since February is Hennessey, but the achievement occurred with an asterisk. The Hennessey Venom GT achieved a top speed of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h) at the Kennedy Space Center on the Shuttle Landing Facility’s 3.2-mile runway in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Feb. 14. The “record” run was in a single direction, and since only 16 of the Hennessey models have sold to (30 is the minimum for record consideration), the massive speed achievement doesn’t qualify as the world’s fastest production car in the Guinness Book of Records. To showcase the top-five fastest cars in the world, Bloomberg

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2015 Honda CR-V unveiled, debuts October 1

A week away from its official unveiling, a glimpse of the 2015 Honda CR-V has been unveiled via one image and an uninformative brief press release from the Japanese automaker. In its press release, the redesigned Honda CR-V is described: “A new aggressive and bold appearance with unique Honda style portends the significant enhancements made to the 2015 CR-V. Going on sale October 1, complete information on the newest version of the best-selling SUV in America will be available September 30.” As the best-selling crossover in the United States, the Honda CR-V, had its best sales volume in 2013 with more than 303,00 units sold. The 2011 Honda CR-V was the last redesigned generation. The current CR-V features a 2.4-liter

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10 Best Cars Gone to the Dogs

Traveling with the family dog in the car is great. But some carmakers make it easier and safer than other manufacturers to travel with an animal. A blanket in the back of a station wagon can still work with a calm dog. But it’s not really safe if a driver is forced to stop suddenly. And arguably the bigger the dog, the more difficult it is to accommodate the family pet on a vacation or just on a trio the veterinarian or the local park. Fortunately for all parties involved, an increasing number of carmakers understand. It’s a good thing, too. About 47 percent of households in the United States own at least one pet, according to the American Veterinary

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Easy Rider fantasy? No problem for $1 million

The chopped motorcycle ridden by Peter Fonda in the iconic 1969 movie “Easy Rider” is for sale and could attract a selling priced of more than $1 million. The auction house Profiles in History told The Associated Press the motorcycle will go on Oct. 18 online and at its gallery in Calabasas, California. The seller is Michael Eisenberg, a California businessman who once co-owned a Los Angeles motorcycle-themed restaurant with Fonda and “Easy Rider” co-star Dennis Hopper. Eisenberg bought the bike year from Dan Haggerty, perhaps best known for his roles in the “Grizzly Adams” TV show and movies. Haggerty was in charge of keeping the custom-designed working properly in the movie’s filming. The stars-and-stripes panhead chopper with chromed hardtail

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Best new cars for about $20,000

The average price of a new car in the United States is about $30,000. Doesn’t that still seem like a lot? What if the average car buyer can only afford around $20,000 on a new car? Are there new cars with price tags of $20,000 that are worthy purchases? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose iconic cars are among the best-selling cars in history all have models available for about $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, some worthy automobiles. Here’s a list and a synopsis of two of out favorite cars among the 10 Best New Cars with price tags of about $20,000. To reiterate, that’s about two-thirds of the average cost of a

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What’s in a badge? Everything for carmakers

By any name — badge, emblem, insignia, logo, nameplate — whatever symbol a car manufacturer uses to market and showcase its vehicles means a lot in the automotive industry. Some car badges are globally recognizable, while other a far less well known but remain distinguished among collectors and automotive insiders. A car badge is some ways is no different from a badge on a law enforcement officer. In different ways, it means the same thing — authority. The three-point star of Mercedes-Benz means the authority of the open road and Germany engineering. The Leaping Jaguar is unmistakable as the symbol of the authority of elegance of Jaguar. Corvette has used several different badges, including the one below Not all automobiles

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Michael Schumacher rests at home with police assist

The media didn’t want to leave former race car driver Michael Schumacher alone in his home near Lake Geneva, so Swiss policemen have been detailed to ensure the legendary race car driver is allowed to recover in peace. According to a report on AutoWeek.com, Schumacher returned home this week after eight months of hospitalization in France and Switzerland following a ski accident. The report detailed that “swarms” of photographers and television crews gathered at Schumacher’s home in Gland, Switzerland. The mass assemblage of media apparently included a Russian news agency seeking to establish a live stream outside the Schumacher’s home. According to Germany’s Bild newspaper, “The police of Gland responded quickly. They patrol Schumacher’s estate on Lake Geneva all night,

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2015 Honda Fit: New best subcompact?

It looks like Honda has hit another bases-loaded home run with its new 2015 Honda Fit. The feisty subcompact was love at first sight to many when it arrived for 2007. It was affordable, economical, nicely sized and — importantly — fun to drive. The redesigned 2015 Fit four-door hatchback tops the first and second-generation Fit models and doesn’t cost much more than the 2014 Fit. List prices for the more refined LX, EX and top-line EX-L models range from $15,525 for the base LX with a new six-speed manual transmission to $19,800 for the better equipped EX-L with a new CVT automatic transmission. Add a navigation system and the EX-L stickers at $20,800. New, improved interior Standard items in

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PREVIEW: 2016 Mazda MX-5, longer, lighter

With events held simultaneously in California, Spain and Tokyo, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 was unveiled Sept. 3 as a lighter, more angular fourth generation of the best-selling two-seat roadster in history. Introduced 25 years ago, the Mazda MX-5, formerly known as the Miata, had reached total production of 940,000 units in July to correspond to the car’s 25th anniversary. The Mazda MX-5, which is expected to go on sale next year, is also expected to make its North American debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Mazda didn’t announced many details despite its three-city extravaganza. Engine specifications, for example, were not available. But the roadster is expected to

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Joan Rivers, comic, Dodge spokeswoman, dead at 81

Throughout her long and often raunchy career, Joan Rivers maintained the ability to laugh at herself. She even did so as a spokesperson for what seemed out of character — promoting Dodge. Rivers, who died Sept. 4 at the age of 81, didn’t know anything but full-speed ahead. She ripped celebrities. She told dirty jokes. She had more plastic surgery than Tammy Faye Baker. And in this 30-second commercial for Chrysler, she compares the car’s leather to the leather on her face. Rivers could be polarizing. Her humor was funny, biting, and often cruel. Johnny Carson helped make Rivers famous, with the late night legend booking Rivers on the The Tonight Show often. But comedy duo never spoke in the

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