Automotive Reviews

Hyundai Genesis Coupe, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Yet the Genesis sedan and Genesis coupe couldn’t be two more different vehicles. Introduced at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, the 2010 coupe shares its sibling’s sedan chassis. And, of course, the two cars have the same name. But that’s where the similarities stop. Are the Genesis sedan and couple actually made by the same manufacturer? They just couldn’t be more different. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Genesis coupe is the manufacturer’s first rear-wheel sports car and it appears Hyundai has gone directly after the strong Infiniti G37 market niche. I would have liked to have taken the car on a longer haul, but maybe it was best my test week ended just prior to a week

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Ferrari red at its brightest: Rare 1963 GTO available in private England auction

In addition to being considered one of the most beautiful cars ever built by Ferrari, the GTO was tremendously successful in competition, securing multiple World Championships. In April 1963, the 4675 GT left the factory finished in Rosso Cina. It was raced by such drivers as Guido Fossati, Jean Guichet, Oddone Sigala, Vincenzo Nember and Luigi Taramazzo and proved itself a tremendously capable racing car, rarely finishing outside the top three in its class and achieving numerous race wins. It participated in the full range of competitive events, including hillclimbs, endurance races and rallies. For more information about the purchase of this car, contact Max Girardo at RM Auctions via telephone +44 (0) 20 7851 7077 or visit: www.rmauctions.com. James

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Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, amends 'stop driving Toyotas' statement

While speaking before a House Appropriation sub-committee on transportation, LaHood said, according to an Associated Press report, “Stop driving it. Take it to a Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it.” LaHood was referring to the eight Toyota models, including the top-selling Camry and Corolla, that were recalled in late January because of the potential of a faulty accelerator pedals. But at the risk of causing further confusion among Toyota owners, LaHood has corrected his statement. He now advises owners of recalled Toyota cars to “Stop driving your car if it shows signs of having a sticky accelerator.” LaHood also said the U.S. Transportation Dept. is investigating to see if other automakers might have the same

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Mercedes Benz GLK 350, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

Mica liked the Benz, the 2010 GLK 350. He calls it the Chuck Norris of the small luxury crossover segment. ” It just has that don’t mess with me snarling face,” says Mica is his video review. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast

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Ferrari confirms its hybrid will debut at Geneva Auto Show in March

Luca di Montezemolo, the automaker’s chairman confirmed at the presentation of the race team’s 2010 Formula One car. Montezemolo said the prototype 599 hybrid will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. The Italian magazine Quattroruote has reported the Ferrari hybrid new system will use lithium batteries and an electric motor to cut the fuel requirements of the 599’s V12 by 35 percent. Montezemolo said he wants Ferrari to lead F1 in the transfer of race technology to road cars. Experts report the Ferrari hybrid system is derived from the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) used in 2009 F1 racing season. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review

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Tesla Motors moves quickly again, announces $100 million IPO

The public offering has been rumored for months. Headquartered in San Carlos, California, Tesla makes the $109,000 Roadster sports car. It has plans to start selling less expensive models including the model-S at around $60,000, $10,000 less with tax credits. The model-S will have three battery pack options for a range of up to 300 miles per charge. Tesla has taken more than 1,500 reservations for the Model S and expects to begin production in late 2011 for the 2012 model-year. Tesla said it lost money between 2006 and 2008, and in the first nine months of last year reported losses of $31.5 million. Tesla has been selling its all-electric Roadsters for nearly two years, and it’s the only highway-capable

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Honda recall: Melting window switches in Fit potential fire hazard in nearly 650,000 cars

Honda Motor Co., has announced a voluntary recall of 646,000 Fit models, its globally popular sub-compact, to examine window switches that can melt or catch fire when exposed to an extreme amount of liquid. The vehicles affected are Fit models from 2007-2008. Honda reported 141,140 units with the potential window switch issues were sold in the United States. The problem stems from a master power window switch on the driver’s side. It will need replacement or retrofitting with a waterproof skirt. Seven cases of the part melting have been reported n the U.S., two involving fire. No injuries have been linked to the defect. “Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver’s window and

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Pirelli legacy: innovative tires to provocative yearly topless calendar

Pirelli was founded by Giovanni Battista Pirelli in 1872 in Milan, Italy, and throughout its more than 125-year history has evolved as among the world’s most well-known tire companies. In 1974, Pirelli debuted the “wide radial tire.” It was created after a request from the Lancia rally racing team for a tire strong enough to withstand the power of the new Lancia Stratos. The new tire attracted global attention. And Pirelli tires are now synonymous with the World Rally Championships, the British Rally Championship and the Superbike World Championships, among other prestigious races and motorsports events. Pirelli also received vast attention in 1974 for reasons it would liked to have avoided. But it’s all worked out. After a decade in

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Ferrari set to unveil new F1 car, team live via team's webcast

Alonso, the former two-time world titlist, is switching this season to Ferrari from Renault. The presentation is scheduled for 9:30 (GMT). Alonso will be joined by Felipe Massa, Luca Badoer and Giancarlo Fischella and other key personnel are part of the naming of the new vehicle. If weather is cooperative at the Ferrari Fiorano test track, the new team hopes to use the new car for a promotional video. Ferrari has launched its new car online every year since 1996. The webcast lauch will available in Italian, English and Japanese, according to web site information. To view the Ferrari launch, visit: Ferrari.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car

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2011 Ford Explorer: Revamped SUV plans helps manufacturer create 1,200 jobs in Chicago

Providing another key example of the rebounding automotive industry, Ford Motor Company will create 1,200 jobs in its Chicago, Ill., plant to help facilitate the production later this year of the revamped 2011 Ford Explorer. “Tomorrow, in one day, we’re going to get 1,200 new jobs for Illinois,” Illinois Governor Pat Quinn told the Associated Press. According to several news reports, Ford wants the new Explorer to become “greener.” The fuel economy of the Explorer will increase and CO2 emissions should be reduced by as much as 25 percent. The Explorer is an integral part of Ford’s lineup. But it’s no longer the sales magnet of yesteryear. During the SUV boom in 2000, the Explorer had sales of 445,000, and

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Maybach mistake: Sean P. Diddy Combs buys son $360,000 car, Haiti charity gets $10,000

It’s hard to understand what motivates a father to buy his son a $360,000 Maybach for his 16th birthday. But rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has few equals when it comes to extravagance and bad taste Combs gave his son Justin Dior a new Maybach during a lavish celebration last weekend. The occasion was filmed by MTV for the reality series My Super Sweet 16. The show is about teenagers’ over-the-top birthday celebrations. The birthday party also featured performances by the rapper’s friends Fabolous, Lil Kim and Juelz Santana. In addition to the Maybach, Combs gave his son a check for $10,000 which the boy gave to singer Wyclef Jean’s foundation, Yele Haiti. Combs bought the car for his son because

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Mattel will debut a Hot Wheels first — pocket-sized Stealth Riders

“Containing a fully functioning vehicle . . . kids can play anywhere, anytime,” said Geoff Walker, senior vice president with Mattel Brands, in an interview on www.CNNMoney.com  “The vehicles provide a unique and cool level of play experience that was not previously possible.” According to the report, the new Hot Wheels model is the size of a credit card and has about the thickness of a cell phone. But it’s also 3D operates, and the features works with the push of a button. When the button is engaged, the flat car expands into a remote-controlled vehicle. The Stealth Riders model Hot Wheels will including two cars, two tanks and a “Batmobile Tumbler.” The toymaker will debut the models next month

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Tesla Motors receives $465 million DOE government loan

The Palo Alto facility will assemble electric vehicle battery packs, electric motors, and related electric vehicle control equipment, both for Tesla’s own electric vehicles and for sale to other automobile manufacturers. The agreement was negotiated and signed by the Department’s Loan Programs Office, which supports the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies to create thousands of clean energy jobs while helping reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Tesla’s planned Model S will consume no gasoline and will not produce any tailpipe emissions. It is being designed to offer a variety of range options depending on the battery pack used, from 160 to 300 miles on a single charge. Volume production of the Model S is planned to begin in

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Chevrolet showcasing Cruze, Aveo, Spark at Washington Auto Show

Here are the cars’ details: Chevrolet Spark: The five-door Chevrolet Spark is the manufacturer’s smallest car. It combines style, roominess and versatility to a segment of extremely fuel-efficient small cars. Spark will provide great fuel economy, and its trim size makes it agile. The U.S. production version of the Spark will debut in early 2012. Chevrolet Aveo RS show car: The Aveo RS show car provides a glimpse of what designers have in mind for the production car. Its electric Boracay Blue finish, motorcycle-inspired exposed headlamps and taillamps, low roofline, fender flares, large wheels and tires, and dual-cockpit interior hint at the next-generation Aveo. The Aveo has a sporty aggressive front fascia; clean, uninterrupted body side lines; an integrated rear

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Chevrolet expands Volt initial debut distribution to Washington, D.C.

On the eve of the Washington Auto Show, Chevrolet said it will deliver more than 100 Volts to several utilities across the U.S. – including Pepco and Dominion, which serve Washington D.C. and its suburbs – as part of an extended demonstration program. The overall program includes 500 charging stations that will be installed for residential, business and public use. They will be used to learn more about the installation process, vehicle charging and to gauge customer feedback. The program is made possible with a grant of more than $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the Transportation Electrification Initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Chevrolet Volt is designed to drive up to 40

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Lexus RX 350, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

But instead of mining for gold, town’s folks now make their money selling coffee and homespun desserts. So what kind of a car is best suited for visiting a striving, hidden gold mining town like Gold Hill, Colorado in the high valleys of the Rocky Mountains? Usually. the new Lexus RX 350 is mostly seen in the low parking lots of America’s malls. But how well does this king of crossovers do when it has to tackle the steep icy and snow-cover roads of Colorado high country? Roman Mica, a contributing editor to TheWeeklyDriver.com shows and tells us in his latest video from TFLCar.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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