Automotive News

2014 Toyota 4Runner prices revealed, in dealers soon

Prices have been announced for the 2014 Toyota 4Runner and the popular mid-size SUV will begin arriving at dealerships in September 2013, according to the manufacturer. Currently in its fifth-generation, 4Runner continues as one of the few fully capable mid-size SUVs. The redesigned 2014 4Runner has a new exterior design and interior refinements that add comfort and convenience without sacrificing performance and value. The 4Runner combines body-on-frame construction with suspension technology that yields optimal off-road capability with a smooth ride and comfort more often associated with crossovers. The 2014 4Runner is available in three grades: a well-equipped, value-driven SR5; top-of-the-line Limited, and a Trail grade for those who want maximum off-road capability.  Optional third-row seats on SR5 and Limited allow

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Formula One racing, Ron Howard directing equals Rush

For the second time in four years, the famed and controversial Formula One race car circuit will provide the subject matter for a major motion picture. This time it will be called Rush. In 2010, it was Senna, the documentary on Brazilian race car driver Ayrton Senna nominated for an Academy Award. Rush is the theatrical portrayal of Niki Lauda and rival James Hunt. For months, Rush, directed by Ron Howard, the two-time Oscar winner for Best Director, the movie has been promoted on social media via YouTube, Twitter Facebook, among other outlets. More recently, network television commercials about Rush are airing with more frequency. Hunt, played by Chris Hemsworth, is the handsome English playboy. Lauda, portrayed by Daniel Brühl,

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2014 Toyota Corolla: New 12th edition icon debuts at $16,800

The Toyota Corolla, the best-selling car in history, has more competition than it once had. Which is at least one reason why the 2014 Toyota Corolla will offer, according to the manufacturer, a “dramatically elevated design, efficiency and renowned Toyota quality at an extremely attainable price.” The 12th generation of the car dating to its debut in 1966, the 2014 Toyota Corolla is available in four grades: L, LE, S, and the new LE Eco grade. The Corolla lineup offers a vehicle for broad range of customers, from the familiar value-minded to shoppers seeking a more premium compact car. The 2014 Toyota Corolla will have a starting MSRP of $16,800 for the L grade with a new 6-speed manual transmission.

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500 rare Chevrolets in Nebraska redefine barn finds for auction

About 500 Chevrolet cars and trucks, untouched for decades and some with fewer than 20 miles on their odometers, will go on sale via auction in September and will bring international attention for a few days to a small city in Nebraska. The auction will feature the vehicles owned by Ray Lambrecht who 17 years ago closed his Chevrolet dealership in Pierce, Nebraska, population 1,800. Lambrecht kept the vehicles that didn’t sell when new in warehouses at his farm and in other locations near where he worked for 50 years. He opened the downtown Chevrolet dealership with his uncle in 1946. Car enthusiasts from at least a dozen countries and throughout the U.S. are expected to visit the auction or

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Tesla Model S electrifies NHTSA, gets best safety rating ever

The Tesla Model S and the carmaker’s owner Elon Musk haven’t needed much publicity lately. The electric sports car and its innovative inventor are at the forefront of the auto industry. But the performance-oriented, expensive car is now getting another accolade. It’s been awarded an extraordinary, five-star overall rating — the highest rating ever determined  — by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Tesla Model S was given an overall 5-star safety rating and the same rating in every subcategory. The independent NHTSA does not publish a star rating above 5, however safety levels better than 5 stars are captured in the overall Vehicle Safety Score (VSS) provided to manufacturers. The Model S achieved a new combined record of 5.4

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Honda Civic proves small is huge in IIHS safety tests

Honda has long been known for its efficiency, reliability and resale values. And its stellar safety reputation isn’t too bad, either considering the Honda Civic just received  auto industry top honors among compact and sub-compact cars. Many of its competitors didn’t fare so well. The two-door and four-door Honda Civic have received “good ratings” front-end crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Half of the 12 compact and subcompact cars IIHS tested fared poorly and six performed well. Safety is critical in the fast-growing small-car market, with many buyers downsizing from larger vehicles. In addition to the two Civics, the Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and the 2014 Scion tC were “acceptable.” The Chevrolet Cruze

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Electric car wars heat up, Chevrolet Volt $5,000 less in 2014

The electric and green car wars between Chevrolet and Nissan continue to heat up in the carmakers’ pursuit of a bigger market share in their competition against the dominating Toyota Prius family. The latest move involves Chevrolet reducing the starting price of the 2014 Volt by around $5,000 for its fourth year on the market. The Volt will now have a starting price of $34,995 (*including $810 for destination), but when the 2014 model will be available is unknown. Nissan previously announced it had lowered the starting price of the Leaf by $6,400. The Chevrolet Volt can now potentially cost as little as $27,495 after $7,500 federal tax credit. Two  new colors of the Volt will be offered in 2014,

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Adam Carolla, vintage Nissan 300 set for Laguna Seca

Adam Carolla, the comedian and car enthusiast, will return to Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and compete in his 1988 Nissan 300ZX during the Aug. 16-18 event. This year, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will feature 550 historic race cars selected for their historical significance, authenticity and period-correctness. The cars are divided into 16 classes, based on type of car, displacement and era of origin. The Chevrolet Corvette, celebrating its 60th anniversary, will be this year’s marque, is the three-day event that offers vintage racing to auto-related exhibits. Carolla will also display his more humorous, off-track talents as he and Dr. Drew Pinsky team-up at the Sunset Center in Carmel on August 16 at 8 p.m. for a live performance of

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BMW debuts all-electric vehicle with 100-mile range

The BMW i3, the BMW Group’s initial model running on electric power alone, has debuted as the first premium car with an all-electric drive system. The BMW i3 is the result of an integrated development approach aimed at cutting fuel consumption and emissions in urban traffic. The substructure of the passenger compartment is made from carbon fiber and the chassis is aluminum. The carmaker says it will offer fast charging capability as an option, allowing i3 owners to regain up to 80 percent of charge in as little as 20 minutes, delivering 80 to 100 miles of driving between charges. Charging can be accomplished from a conventional domestic power socket, BMW i Wallbox or public charging station. The vehicle concept

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Chevrolet Impala: History of an icon, 1958-2014

The Chevrolet Impala was introduced as a 1958 model and was built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Fifty-five years later, the Impala has advanced to its 10th generation with the introduction of re-designed  2014 edition. It was recently honored by Consumer Reports as sedan of the year. Available in three trims as a coupe and convertible, the original Chevy Impala ranged in price from $2,586 to $2,724. The starting price for the 2014 model is just under $27,000. Named after the southern African antelope, the Impala became the best-selling automobile in the United States in 1965. Vying against the Ford Galaxie 500 and Plymouth Fury, about 1 million Impala units sold. (Double click on thumbnails to view full-sized

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Chevrolet Impala gets rare best sedan Consumer Reports honor

The newly designed 2014 Chevrolet Impala has received an automotive honor no other American-made car has achieved in at least 20 years. It’s been named best sedan by Consumer Reports. Dominated by models from Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and the German cars, editors of the publication rated the Impala at 95 out of 100. The magazine called the iconic Chevy “excellent,” the reverse of the magazine’s assessment of the car’s 2013 model. Last year, Consumer Reports said the 2013 Chevy model was “woefully uncompetitive and not worthy of driving even as a free upgrade at a rental company.” The Chevy Impala, introduced in 1958, debuted its 10th generation with 2014 models. The starting MSRP is $26,725, and the Impala TLZ model

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Consumer beware: Car theft rampant, often from driver error

A motor vehicle theft occurs every 44 seconds in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And the largest percentage of cars are stolen for a surprising reason — driver error. Between 40-50 percent of cars are stolen for the following reasons: keys left in the ignition in or on another location of a car; open or unlocked window; parking in a secluded area; valuables left in the car. July and August are the top-two months for vehicle thefts in the United States and only about 52 percent of all stolen cars are recovered. The top-10 cars stolen in the United States: 1. Dodge Charger 2. Pontiac G6 3. Chevrolet Impala 4. Chrysler 300 5. Infiniti

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Automotive Nirvana: Five best-selling cars in history

Combine fuel efficiency, affordability and reliability and the result is the Toyota Corolla. There’s no flash. It’s not particularly fast and nor does it have great maneuverability. But it does everything a car should do pretty well and that adds up to a lofty perch. The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in history. Its base price is $16,130. Its gets an EPA estimated 35 mpg. And many Toyota Corolla owners have achieved more than 200,000 miles on the original engine. The exact sales number for the Toyota Corolla isn’t known. The last official count was 37.5 million, but the total is approaching 40 million and the car is now in its 11th generation. According to an article on investopedia.com,

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Automotive catastrophe: Five worst-selling cars in history

The worst-selling car in history was such a catastrophe the brand’s name has become synonymous with failure. By most accounts, the Edsel was ugly, it was more expensive than its top competitors and in three years it was no more after fewer than 3,000 units of the car sold. The 1960 Edsel, as detailed on the website investopedia.com, has earned the specific dubious honor as the worst-selling car in history. Here’s what the website noted about the 1960 Edsel: “Ford created the Edsel brand in the late 1950s to compete with GM’s line of affordable midsized cards. Unfortunately, Edsels never lived up to the hype that Ford created for them.” “Edsel’s signature over-stylized bodies were panned as ugly, their “new”

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Honda Accord Hybrid, 2014: 49 mpg

The enduring Honda Accord will likely expand its popularity this fall with the debut of the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid that will achieve a predicted 49 mpg. Scheduled for delivery to dealers in the United States in October, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will be a close sibling to the Honda Accord gas model. The differences: hybrid badge, LED running headlights, a blue-accented grille, a spoiler and a more aggressive wheels. The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will be available in three options in its two-motor drive: EV, Hybrid, and Engine. In EV mode, in low speeds and medium to high cruising speeds, the 2014 Accord Hybrid will utilize its lithium-ion battery to run the car on electricity. The hybrid mode

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Chrysler relents, recalls 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty models

Chrysler has long promoted the Jeep Grand Cherokee as a rugged off-road vehicle with a practical side as a family people mover. But the influence of the NHTSA and public pressure have provided obstacles tougher than the enduring SUV. More than a week after refusing to comply with an NHTSA request to recall 2.7 million vehicles, Chrysler has relented. The carmaker announced a campaign to inspect and repair Jeep Grand Cherokee models from 1993-2004 and Jeep Liberty models from 2002-07. Chrysler Jeep recall dates to 1993 models The recall was prompted following an independent report fuel tanks in the Grand Cherokee can explode in rear-end collisions. The NHTSA requested a recall, but Chrysler refused. Chrysler believes the cars do not

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