Automotive News

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Toyota facing $1 billion fine to end safety probe

Toyota could pay as much as $1 billion in a pending settlement with the Justice Department that wound end a four-year probe into accusations the carmaker made misleading statements about its safety problems. The issues relate to allegations of unintended acceleration in Toyota and its upscale brand Lexus in the late 2000s. In 2009, an off-duty California Highway Patrolman and his family were killed when their borrowed Lexus careened off the highway at around 120 mph. The recording of a passenger’s last minute 911 call captured the driver’s frantic efforts to stop the vehicle. If the settlement is finalized, it would be among the largest fines ever levied against an automaker. It would also allow Toyota to avoid criminal charges.

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PREVIEW: 2015 Hyundai Genesis: More tech, more room

The newly designed 2015 Hyundai Genesis is the first year of the second generation of the premium sedan. It will debut this spring with optional all-wheel drive for the first time as well as encompass available HID headlamps, LED indicators and fog lamps. The Genesis profile is more expressive, with fluid lines and blended surfaces, with a C-pillar helping to emphasize the sporty styling. The rear of the all-new Genesis benefits from a sculptural aesthetic with jeweled, full-LED tail lamps. Total interior volume is an 123.0 cubic feet, the best in class. Hyundai interior design principles – safety, intuitiveness and simplicity – guided the Genesis design team in redesigning all primary controls to deliver maximum ease of use. The steering

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God is good, but it’s no name for the Elio three-wheeler

Elio Motors is named after Paul Elio, an engineer who’s now the CEO of the company that makes the three-wheel vehicle. He has extraordinary plans for the high-mileage, low-cost machine as well as expectations for a superior safety rating. The $6,800 vehicle is scheduled for public availability in 2015. One potential issue (but a good issue to have) is what it will be called. Perhaps Elio and company insiders already know the name. And maybe some of the 11,700 interested buyers of the “autocycle” who have made deposits ranging from $100 to $1,000 to own the three three-wheel wonder, know the pending name. But certainly the name isn’t public yet. And thus, what about a campaign? It seems unlikely the

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Three-wheel vehicles like Elio: Who makes the rules?

With all the recent news of the pending debut of Elio Motors’ three-wheeler, the rules and other considerations governing three-wheel vehicles of all types has also been rekindled. Are three-wheelers legal? How are they registered and titled? What kind of license is required to operate a three-wheeler? Who makes the rules? Do they have airbags? Can they be operated on the freeway? Last November, the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators (AAMVA), a national authority on best policy for all state DMVs and Licensing Bureaus, recommended the Elio be driven with a standard driver’s license. In that regard, The AAMVA released their new “Best Practices” policy on licensing and registration of three-wheel vehicles certified as motorcycles by the National Highway

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History of Ambulance Vehicles

The ambulance is among the most recognizable and unique vehicles on the road. The history of the ambulance is long and developmental, dating to 15th century when in Spain wagons were used for the transporting the wounded. The modern word ambulance derives the French word ambulant. It means “ambulant field hospital” and its first known use was in 1809. Since then, ambulance vehicles have undergone a vast transformation. Ambulances in the Civil War Prior to the 20th century, most emergency transportation was done with horse-drawn carts or wagons. During the American Civil War, these wagons were used to transport wounded soldiers from the battle field. It wasn’t until William A. Hammond took control of the Office of the Surgeon General

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BMW drives itself better than some drivers drive BMW

BMW doesn’t have the first autonomous car prototype, but its modified 2014 M235i Coupe sure looks impressive. Several manufacturers have predicted the public will be driving driverless cars by 2020, and a few states have legalized the vehicles under certain conditions. In the meantime, BMW (and others) are showcasing their autonomous cars on tracks and doing so impressively. They corner well and pilot through cones at high speed. The BMW new ActiveAssist feature can bring a vehicle “back into line in demanding driving situations without any input from the driver”, using 360-degree radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. The German manufacturer revealed a modified version of the M235i Coupe at the recent 2014 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. The car

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Elio Motors: To reserve or not? Nearly 12,000 say yes

Interest in the yet-unnamed Elio Motors’ $6,800 three-wheel vehicle, scheduled for delivery in 2015, continues to steadily increase. According the the company’s website, nearly 12,000 prospective buyers have paid deposits from $100 to $1,000 and with refundable and non-refundable options. A non-refundable reservation provides customers with an additional discount worth 50 percent of the initial deposit (a $1,000 deposit would receive an additional $500 toward the price of a vehicle at the time of purchase). Although refundable deposits can be made, more than 80 percent of customers have opted for the non-refundable reservation Overall, the reservation options are varied and are offered with and elaborate formula. Here’s the link: Elio Motors Reservations The vehicle, according to the manufacturer, will achieve

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Massive GM recall oddity: 1.4 million cars still unfixed

The 10-year delay in the massive General Motors ignition switch recall is being investigated by Congress and the Justice Department. But the story has a second oddity. None of the cars among the five brands recalled have been repaired. The cars involved include: Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Saturn Sky and Ion and Pontiac G5 and Solstice. General Motors said it sent letters to the owners of cars from model years 2005 through 2007 involved in the problem. But owners haven’t been asked to schedule repairs because there aren’t enough parts available to fix all of the 1.4 million vehicles affected. General Motors has reported it will have the parts and will begin repairs in April. The repair will take an

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Fact or Fiction? 3-wheel, $6,800 Elio praised, panned

Reservations for the Elio Motors‘ three-wheel, $6,800 vehicle have surpassed 11,000, according to its website, with varying levels from $100 to $1,000 as the manufacturer  continues to market the futuristic concept around the country. Paul Elio, the company owner and CEO said in recent press release the increasing interest means the public is “clamoring for the new type of transportation.” Touting the unnamed vehicle’s estimated 84 mph in highway driving and hopeful 5-star crash test safety, Elio said: “The vehicle is perfect for individual commuters looking for an inexpensive and fuel efficient mode of transportation, but who also yearn for a unique expression of their passion for driving.” However, the pending machine, with an expected public release in 2015, has

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General Motors raises 2014 Corvette Stingray price

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, the car often known as America’s sportswear, just got more expensive. General Motors has announced the base price of the sports car just went up by $2,000, from $51,000 to $53,000. The manufacturer has also increased the price for the Stingray convertible by $2,000. It now costs $58,000. In addition, the price of the Z51 performance option package went up by $1,200. It now costs $4,000. The Z51 package adds larger wheels, performance tires and special aerodynamic features, among other things. “The consumer demand for Stingray has far exceeded our expectations, particularly for the Z51 package,” GM spokesman Monte Doran said. The Corvette was completely redesigned for the 2014 model year and has won a number

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Will the $6,800, 84 mpg Elio change the auto industry?

Paul Elio, founder of Elio Motors, has stressed his soon-to-be manufactured three-wheel Elio priced at $6,800, will change how consumers think about their daily commutes. Speaking at the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition Legislative Breakfast in Phoenix where he lives, Elio said his company will create more than 1,500 American jobs and help reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil. “Our high-mileage, low-cost vehicle is causing people to rethink how we approach transportation in the United States,” Elio said. “Many consumers buy vehicles based on the premise that they need to haul their entire family around. “But, on a typical commute to work, look at how many big, inefficient vehicles have just one person – the driver –

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Scion FR-S, Ford Fiesta Coolest Cars For Under $25,000

The Scion FR-S has for the second straight year top the list of 10 Coolest New Cars Under $25,000, according to editors of Kelley Blue Book. “Many of us aren’t in the position to run out and purchase a Porsche or Lamborghini, which is why we’ve crafted a list of affordable but fun cars, like two-time winner Scion FR-S,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Truly a driver’s car, the FR-S features a stylish looking exterior and modern updates on the interior.” As in previous years, for 2014 KBB.com editors look for the ever-subjective “cool factor” when rounding up candidates for the annual list, building a lineup of cars that

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Look up in the air! It’s a $94,000 Maverick flying car

The Maverick LSA design, touted with its logo, “Maverick: The Flying Car That Does,” has been developed as an easy-to-operate air and land craft. According, Beyond LLC, which has granted the manufacturing rights, it’s intuitive, safe to fly, drive and easily maintained.  Beyond Roads LLC will facilitate the development of a commercial market for multi-medium transportation vehicle. Here are some basics: Base price $94,000.00. FAA Certified S-LSA (Special – Light Sport Aircraft), E-LSA (Experimental – Light Sport Aircraft or E-AB (Experimental Amateur-Built) 190 horsepower, injected, 2.5-liter Subaru engine Dual Drive – transaxle/propeller. Public road licensable. Robust suspension for “off-roading.” Highway Speed range, 0 to 100 mph. Flies like a car with integrated controls. Airspeed: 40 mph. Wing deployment system. MODEL

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Peugeot unveils hybrid air engine with 125 mpg

It’s not the first time the idea of a modern car running on compressed air has emerged.  But it’s a recent first and this time it’s Peugeot. The french automaker has introduced a concept car that features a new Hybrid Air engine system which combines both a traditional petrol engine with compressed air. The new engine system is capable of running only on air for 80 percent of its driving time. As a result, fuel economy is estimated at 125 miles per gallon. The Hybrid Air system is expected to be installed into some existing models like the Peugeot 208 and Citroen C3, available only in Europe. According to a Peugeot press release, this is how the compressed air system

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2014 Ford Escape: Enduring crossover leads the pack

Now in its 15th year and second year of its third generation, the 2014 Ford Escape remains a versatile compact sport utility vehicle or crossover. It’s among Ford‘s five SUVs. Since its redesign in 2013 and its highest-selling year (nearly 300,000 units), Ford didn’t mess with a good thing for 2014. The only changes include the addition of a rearview camera and navigation Sync system as standard on all trim levels. Additionally, the highest-level titanium trim no longer gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as standard and the SEL trim was discontinued. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Every vehicle segment has increasingly intense competition, including compact crossover market. The Ford Escape is grouped in a particularly strong category. The Honda CR-V,

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Apple in your navigation system? Call it CarPlay

Apple has introduced CarPlay, which the manufacturer claims is an “incredibly intuitive way for iPhone users to make calls, use Maps, listen to music and access messages with just a word or a touch.” CarPlay allows users to easily control the car’s native interface or push-and-hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate the Siri voice command without distraction. Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo will premiere CarPlay to their drivers this week. BMW Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan Motor Company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corp., will also feature CarPlay soon. Once iPhone is connected to a vehicle with CarPlay integration, Siri will allow

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