Automotive News

Volkswagen recall: Faulty transmission sensor possibly affects 13,500 recent models

Volkswagen of America has announced a voluntary recall on 13,500 VW models equipped with DSG transmissions which could have faulty temperatures sensors. If problematic, a phantom warning lamp could illuminate and possibly cause the transmission to shift into neutral. Models affected include the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009, which includes primarily 2009 MY and a small percentage of 2010 MY vehicles. Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Volkswagen of America to schedule an appointment at a local dealer to have their vehicle inspected, and if necessary, conduct repairs. Contact the Volkswagen Loyalty Center, 1-800-444-8982. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written

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Press Release: Air Alerts improve safety, save fuel

The Air Alert is an ingenious device that alerts drivers when their tires are getting low. When tire pressure dropped 4 psi from the original pressure, the small alert valve cap immediately flashes to improve safety and fuel efficiency. Air Alert replaces the standard tire valve cap and immediately flashes brightly, visible to the driver from any angle approaching the vehicle. More accurate and immediate than other tire pressure warning systems, and at a fraction of the cost of other systems, Air Alert is the best and most cost-effective tire pressure monitoring device available. Air Alert retails for $34.95 ($39.95 w/ anti-theft protection feature) for a set of four and can be purchased online at automotiveupgrade.com, via phone at 877 293

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Mitsubishi debuts expensive electric vehicle, i-MiEV

Still, Mitsubishi, Japan’s fourth-largest auto manufacturer, believe the i-MiEV will increasingly intensify global competition in the electric vehicle market. The i-MiEV is powered solely by electricity, and can be recharged from a regular home socket. The four-seater vehicle can run up to 100 miles after charging seven hours at 200 volts. Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV costs $47,560, which the manufacturer said “is a major hurdle to encouraging people to buy the car.” Its names stands Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle. In Japan, where the vehicle will debut to consumer in April, 2010,  i-MiEV buyers can receive hefty subsidies and pay no tax under a government program promoting the use of ecological vehicles. The vehicle is also tax-free for three years. James RaiaA sports,

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Toyota Yaris, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

And it’s one of many reasons the Yaris is firmly positioned among several economical vehicles ideal for tight budgets but that don’t scrimp on safety or workmanship. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (4) Cars in the sub-compact segment can’t be expected to be sports cars.  The Yaris is a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder vehicle with 106 horsepower. As such, it gets the job done steadily. But don’t expect much more. Braking/Steering/Handling (5) The Honda Fit is the segment leader in many areas, including these three categories. But the Yaris is no slouch. It has a small turning radius and ABS is standard on all models. Steering is fine, too. Again, it’s not a sports car, but fun in a sub-compact sort of

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Pontiac Aztek's Dubious Honor: Ugliest Among Top-100 Ugly Cars

But it also had some unique choices, Karmann Ghia to Citroen. And the top car was a beauty — the E-type Jaguar XKE. A month ago, results of the readers’ top 100 ugliest cars were released Scrolling through the list was as much fun and salivating over the most handsome cars. Telegraph readers cast votes for 309 cars for selection to the dubious 100 list, and here’s the final 20 on the all-ugly list. 20. Range Rover; 19. AMC Gremlin; 18. Nissan Micra; 17. Ford Edsel; 16. Trabant; 15. Audi Q7; 14. Triumph TR7; 13. Morris Ital; 12. Ford KA; 11. BMW 1-Series; 10. Chrysler PT-Cruiser; 9. Austin Princess/Ambassador; 8. Hummer; 7. Ford Scorpio; 6. AMC Pacer; 5. Porsche Cayenne;

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Hyundai unveils concept vehicle Nuvis at New York International Auto Show

Hyundai’s all-new, homegrown Hybrid Blue Drive architecture helps define the Nuvis concept. Hyundai‘s proprietary parallel hybrid drive system mates the already fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW (205 N-m) electric motor for maximum fuel economy. Hybrid Blue Drive has an all-electric mode and a parallel drive mode, meaning the wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, or the electric motor, or both together, as conditions demand. This parallel hybrid drive architecture will serve as the foundation for future Hyundai hybrid drive vehicles, starting with the next-generation Sonata in the United States. The Nuvis has an assertive face demonstrated by the strong, hourglass shape that frames the blue acrylic shield

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Acura sets car industry precedent with new safety rankings

Acura has become the first automobile manufacturer to simultaneously earn top government and IIHS safety ratings for every vehicle in its line-up. In late March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as part of its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) testing, awarded the 2009 Acura TL performance luxury sedan a 5-Star rating — its top rating — for side impact crash safety for both front and rear passenger seating positions. In November 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2009 Acura TL performance luxury sedan its top safety rating of “GOOD” for Frontal Offset Crash Test, Side Impact Crashworthiness Evaluation (SICE) and Rear Crash Evaluation. Furthermore, all Acura vehicles employ Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), an electronic

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Buick, Jaguar dethrone Lexus in J.D. Power reliability survey

For the past 15 years, Lexus had been the most reliable brand in the Vehicle Dependability Study. The  study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles. The study was redesigned this  to include 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Buick was ranked sixth last year; Jaguar placed 10th in 2008. Lexus followed the Jaguar-Buick tie, with Toyota and Mercury following closely. The J.D. Power research details owners of Buick and Jaguar models reported an average of 122 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to 126 problems per 100 vehicle for Lexus owners. Lexus can, however, still lay claim to the most reliable vehicle, the LS430, with the fewest problems reported – just

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Porsche, Honda, BMW, Chevrolet dominate Car and Driver's top-10 best car lists the past three years

* The car must be new or significantly redesigned from a previous year; * Its price can’t exceed more than 2.5-times the average price of a new in the year of the list ($71,000 for 2009); * If a car doesn’t make the list on its first year of eligibility, it must undergo a redesign for future eligibility; * Once a car makes the list, it’s on the list again the following year and can remain on the list indefinitely unless there’s a drastic reason why it should be removed — a major change in the vehicle or the spectacularly warranted debut of a new car on the list. There aren’t many changes year-to-year, but here’s the last three years

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General Motors Unveils Electric Vehicle Volt, Will Debut As 2010 Model

“The Volt symbolizes GM’s commitment to the future,” said Rick Wagoner, GM’s chairman and CEO. General Motors did not announce pricing for the car, which will have the equivalent of about 150 horsepower and a top speed of 100 mph, accordin to GM. To charge the batteries, drivers will plug a cord into one of the ports just ahead of each of the side mirrors. The cord can then be attached to an ordinary home electrical outlet. The car, according to a GM release, will cost “less than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee” to recharge. It will use less electricity annually than a refrigerator. The Volt should cost less than 2 cents per mile to drive on electricity,

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Cadillac Debuts CTS Sport Wagon For 2010

Cadillac’s upcoming wagon offers ample interior space and includes a range of six-cylinder engine choices, making it a compelling alternative to larger utility vehicles. Based on the hot-selling CTS sport sedan, and a sister vehicle to the CTS Coupe Concept, the Sport Wagon extends the design-driven renaissance of Cadillac. Following this special premiere at Pebble Beach, the CTS Sport Wagon moves to the worldwide auto show circuit this fall – and into Cadillac dealerships in spring 2009. “The addition of this dramatically-designed Sport Wagon is well synchronized with today’s changing consumer tastes as a compelling alternative to SUVs or other larger vehicles,” says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “This is an important step in Cadillac’s ongoing global expansion, and of

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BMW Recalls 200,000 Cars With Potential Air Bag Problems

The German automaker BMW AG, concerned front passenger seat airbags may not deploy, has recalled an estimated 200,000 X3 sport compacts in the United States made between 2004-2006. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported on its  web site that small cracks could develop in a seat detection mat and deactivate the front passenger air bags. NHTSA said the air bag warning lamp and the passenger air bag “on-off” light would remain on. The head protection system, however, would not be affected, the government said. According to BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky no injuries or accidents from the reported issue have occurred. If the seat detection mat fails to sense a person is sitting in the passenger seat, it deactivates

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Nissan Rogue, 2008: Nice Wheels, Bad Name

A few friends and I drove around the recent Monterey Auto Week in a 2008 Nissan Rogue. It’s a new sport utility vehicle that offers a lot for a good price point — around $23,000. What the Rogue doesn’t have is a good name. My friends and I had a pretty easy and fun time calling ourselves rogues. And there we were finding our way around Pebble Beach and Laguna Seca and parking next to wondrous machines with well-heeled nameplates like Bentley, Maserati and Ferrari. So why would Nissan call its new SUV Rogue? As a noun, rogue is defined: * An unprincipled, deceitful and unreliable person; a scoundrel or rascal. * One who is playfully mischievous; a scamp. *

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GM Plans To Invest $500 Million For New Economy Car, Cruze

The facility in Lordstown, Ohio, currently assembles the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 and is slated to begin building the Cruze in 2010. The compact car will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. The Cruze will be launched in Europe and Asia Pacific in 2009 and will also be manufactured in those areas. “Our goal for the Chevrolet Cruze is to lead in fuel economy in this very competitive car segment,” Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said in a written statement. The Cruze, expected to top 40 mpg, is another example of GM’s commitment to rearrange it lineup as drivers buy fewer trucks and SUVs. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45

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Toyota Announces New Strategies Including New U.S. Prius Plant

Toyota is responding to changes in consumer demand and improving the production efficiency and stability of its North American operations by adjusting production mix at three plants. The changes include the addition of the Prius hybrid sedan to its North American lineup. The changes include: * Prius will be built at a plant under construction in Blue Springs, Miss. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2010. Prius, which will join the Kentucky-built Camry Hybrid as the second Toyota hybrid built in North America, enables Toyota to better respond to increased consumer demand for hybrid vehicles. * The Highlander mid-size SUV, originally scheduled to be built in Mississippi, will now be manufactured in Princeton, Ind., beginning in Fall 2009. *

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Cool Toyota Prius Even Cooler In 2010 With Solar-Powered Air Conditioning?

Toyota plans to purchase the panels from Japanese electronics maker Kyocera. The panels would produce approximately the same kilowatts as a rooftop solar array on a typical house. Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco declined comment. The Prius is currently the most successful hybrid vehicle. In the United States, Toyota sold more than three times as many Prius models in 2007 than any other manufacturer. The Prius is also the commanding hybrid sales leader through the first six months of 2008. Toyota’s success with its hybrid has prompted the manufacturer’s promise to offer hybrids in every model in its line-up soon after 2020. Toyota has sold more than a million Prius models during the past decade and is planning to sell a

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