Automotive News

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Three Jeep, two Nissan models among 10 cars to avoid at all costs

Forbes.com can’t stay away from car lists. Best compacts to worst gas mileage, the varied online publication is more well known for its business trends than its automotive expertise. But with its automotive coverage, Forbes.com doesn’t shy away from controversy. It praises manufacturers for innovation and craftsmanship and criticizes carmakers for lousy visibility and underpowered engines. In its latest automotive list, Forbes.com selects the 10 new cars to avoid. In its assessment, Forbes.com used the facts and figures of several automotive expert organizations, including Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Associates, the Highway Loss Data Institute, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here’s the list of 10 cars Forbes.com suggests consumers avoid as well reasons for each vehicle: Dodge Journey

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Tesla raises prices, offers new warranties for 2013

Tesla, the high-performance, all-electric sports car manufacturer, will increase prices of the four versions of its 2013 Model S luxury sedan by $2,500 beginning January 1, 2013. New prices are $59,900 for the base version with a 40-kilowatt-hour battery pack, $69,900 for the mid-range 60-kWh model, $79,900 for the top-end 85-kWh level and $94,900 for the Performance model, which also uses the 85-kWh pack. Tesla buyers who make a deposit after January 1 will get a premium – 12-way adjustable heated front seats — without charge. Extended warranties, maintenance Telsa has also announced prices for its replacement battery packs and a new warranty program. Replacement battery costs: 40 kWh ($8,000), 60 kWh ($10,000) and 85 kWh ($12,000). New warranty option

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Chevy Spark all-electric version scheduled for summer 2013 debut

An all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark, which has 130 horsepower and is powered by an electric motor and a 20 kWh lithium ion battery, will go sale next summer in California, Oregon, Canada and in South Korea, where it’s manufactured. General Motors didn’t disclose the range of the electric Spark, but said the electric version of the popular entry level car, will accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than eight seconds. The price of the Spark also hasn’t been released, but it will be eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. The gas-operated Spark starts at $12,245, while the electric could cost nearly double the amount of its sibling. According to the Chevrolet, which is showcasing the Spark at

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2014 Honda Accord plug-in hybrid rated at 115 mpg(e)

The Honda Accord plug-in hybrid, which will debut January 15 at dealerships in California and New York, will be priced from $39,780 and is expected to compete with the Toyota Prius, Chevy Volt and just released Ford Energi. The Ford Fusion is priced ($39,495), while the Volt is priced at $39,145. The Toyota Prius begins at $32,000. According to information released at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which continues through January 9 at the LA Convention Center, the EPA rates the new Honda at 115 MPGe in electric mode. The Chevy Volt is rated at 98 MPGe, and the Prius Plug-in at 95 MPGe. Ford has promoted the Fusion Energi at “over 100 MPGe.” The new Accord Plug-In will achieve

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LA Auto Show: Sexy models just wanna have fun at automakers' debuts

On the second day Media Day of the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Green Car of the Year (Ford Fusion Hybrid) was the morning highlight. But with the emphasis on alternative fuel and engine technology, the women who work as models at auto shows around the country seemingly didn’t have much to do. There was a dance troop promoting different decades of Volkswagen. And there were two women who were having fun at the Buick unveilings. No one was around when I stepped to take their pictures and the taller of the two models said: “Doesn’t she look like my personal “mini-me?,” a reference to the character in the Austin Powers movies. And yes, she did. I asked one model

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LA Auto Show: James Bond, DB5 returns in Aston Martin showcase

With this year’s release of Skyfall and the 50th anniversary of the iconic James Bond movie series, Aston Martin has received increased exposure. The original 1964 DB5 returned from its heyday in Goldfinger and was featured and subsequently destroyed in the current film starring Daniel Craig. Of course, it was a specially made, one-third scale DB5 that was destroyed in one of the movie’s climatic scenes. The original Aston Martin was displayed as part of the Aston Martin showcase at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Because of its status in Goldfinger, the Aston Martin DB5 became one most famous cars in the world. According to Bond film lore, book author Ian Fleming had placed Bond in a DB Mark III

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LA Auto Show: Lincoln looks back before moving forward with new design

Lincoln is approaching its 100th anniversary (the company was founded in 1915), and the iconic carmaker is taking one of the most unique approaches at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s showcasing its past before it showcases its future. On the first of two media days on Nov. 28, Lincoln is presenting seven of its iconic cars, a 1956 Continental Mark II once owned by Elizabeth Taylor to a 1937 Zephyr to a 1932 Lincoln KB Lebaron. On second media day and when the show opens to the public Nov. 30, the vintage Lincolns will be replaced several MKZ models. “We have new design team and Lincoln is moving forward,” said a Lincoln spokesman. “We got rid of Mercury to

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Nissan Versa keeps Cheapest Car in the U.S. title for 2013

It’s about five times more expensive than the Tata Nano, but the Nissan Versa maintains its unique position in the automotive industry. Including a $790 destination charge, the 2013 edition of the subcompact sedan is the cheapest new car in the United States with a beginning price of $12,280. The Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Sonic all have entry level prices of less than $15,000. But the Nissan Versa retains its current status despite an increase of $1,100 from the 2012 model. The top-of-the-line 2013 Nissan Versa sedan starts at $17,380, including shipping, which places it higher than comparable models of key competitors from Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet and Honda. Nissan recently announced improvements for the updated 2013 Nissan Versa include a

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2013 best sedans: Ford Fiesta to Audi A8

Sedans are arguably the most competitive car segment, and the uniqueness of the Edmunds.com list for 2013 is that Toyota, which manufacturers the Camry and Corolla, both perennially among the top-10 selling cars in the United States, is not on the  recommended list in any sedan price category. None of the members of the Toyota Prius family of hybrid cars are on recommended sedan list, either, although Toyota products are listed in other recommended categories. Here’s the top-three in eight price categories for Edmunds.com, the online automotive information resource guide headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Under $15K Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent Under $18K Mazda 3, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus Under $25K Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Ultima Under

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Hyundai, Kia face additional scrutiny from national consumer group

Hyundai and Kia are under further scrutiny. The nonprofit consumer group Consumer Watchdog is asking U.S. House and Senate Commerce committees to investigate false vehicle miles-per-gallon (mpg) claims against the two carmakers. The non-partisan group called the revelation about some Hyundai and Kia vehicle mpg stickers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “the first time in American history large numbers of vehicles carried window stickers with false mpg claims.” Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America currently face two U.S. civil suits seeking class-action status after the companies admitted to making bogus fuel-economy claims. Consumer Watchdog said it wrote to the EPA a year ago calling for retesting of the Hyundai Elantra after Hyundai’s self-tested mpg estimates “were far

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Tad Burness, automotive historian, author, cartoonist dies at age 79

Tad Burness, creator of the iconic syndicated one-panel automotive illustration “Auto Album” has died of pulmonary heart failure at his home in Pacific Grove, California. He was 79. Burness, whose cartoon panel depicted unique cars and trucks, began his feature in 1966. It was syndicated for many years in newspaper automotive supplements around the country, including the Monterey County Herald and Sacramento Bee. “Auto Album” was also featured in four book collections. Burness was also the author of more than 20 other books on subjects ranging from classic cars to homes built in the 1800s. The first books Burness published were “Cars of the Early ’20s” in 1968 and “Cars of the Early ’30s” the next year. He also authored

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Danica Patrick hits life’s obstacle course, divorce after 7 years of marriage

Danica Patrick, whose good looks and competitive, spirited personality brought new interest to IndyCar and NASCAR racing, has announced she’s getting a divorce from physical therapist husband Paul Hospenthal after seven years of marriage. Patrick announced the split on her Facebook page. “I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided amicably end our marriage,” she said. “This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.” Hospenthal and Patrick met while the latter was being treated by the former for a non-racing injury. The two were married in 2005.

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2014 Ford Fiesta by the numbers: 1 liter, 3 cylinders, 40 mpg, 123 hp

The 2014 Ford Fiesta, which will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will feature the smallest engine sold in the United States a — a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder with EcoBoost. Currently available in Europe and described by one car review site as “tiny enough to fit into an airplane carry-on bag,” the new Ford Fiesta will go on sale in the U.S. at an yet-to-be announced date next year. According to a report on GreenCarReports.com, the new Fiesta will have 123 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of peak torque at 1,400 rpm. Ford didn’t quote projected gas-mileage ratings, but it did say the 1.0-liter EcoBoost in the 2014 Fiesta would get the highest gas mileage rating “of any non-hybrid

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New Bugatti supercar pending: 1,600 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 1.8 seconds

Bugatti never rests on its new automotive masterpieces for long. Which is to say, the iconic carmaker is working on a lighter, faster car likely with 1,600 horsepower and 0-60 mph acceleration time of 1.8 seconds. According to an interview in AutoExpress with Jens Schlenburg, chief engineer for Bugatti, the automaker is considering using carbon fiber wheels to eliminate weight as one improvement component that will allow the car to achieve a maximum speed of 288 mph. Bugatti is also considering using a hybrid engine in its new car, according to the article. One obstacle: Hybrid engines are appreciably heavier than gas engines, providing a more difficult task of reducing the weight of the new car. The new Bugatti is

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LA Auto Show: Honda, Subaru, Toyota among 12 carmakers in new green technology showcase

The Los Angeles Auto Show for several years has been at the forefront of the automotive industry’s green car technology. The selection of the Green Car of the Year is a highlight of the year’s first major car show. But this year, under a new category, approximately 25 vehicles from a dozen manufacturers will participate in the Green and Advanced Technology Ride & Drive. The program will offer a preview and media test drive sessions of the latest in-car innovations and fuel-efficient vehicles. The participating vehicles will represent the latest evolutions of electric, hybrid, clean diesel and fuel cell. The latest driver assist platforms featured will include front crash mitigation, adaptive cruise control, radar-based object detection systems, blind spot monitoring

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Drivers often in the dark about difficulties on holiday nights

Holiday traffic often makes driving appreciably difficult. But driving at night during the holidays is usually even more difficult. In fact, nearly one of every three drivers reports tthey have difficulty seeing all or at least most of the time while driving in the dark. Eyecare experts warn against the potential pitfalls driving in the dark and offer tips to help alleviate problem while driving at night, particularly during the holiday. Consider: Common problems that affect nighttime driving: * Changing from seeing distance to near is difficult. A condition called night myopia makes it difficult for the eyes to focus on more than one thing; * When you look straight ahead, only the very center of your vision sees colots

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