Automotive Reviews

Toyota Camry, 2012: More spacious, more powerful

Toyota has launched the seventh-generation Camry, the perennially best-selling sedan. The Japanese manufacturer hopes it will again fare well in the competitive car segment that includes top rivals Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata and Chevrolet Malibu. If history repeats itself, the Camry will sell well. More than 15 million Camry models have sold worldwide since the car debuted in 1983. The 2012 Camry features increased interior room and will offer improved driving and a quieter driver, according to the manufacturer. "The all-new 2012 Camry blends an evolution of the car's values — such as comfort, efficiency, reliability and safety — with a more appealing design and engaging driving experience," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general

Read more

Dodge Charger, 2011 car review

Six years ago, the Dodge Charger re-emerged from its famed muscle car heydays during the 1970s. For 2011, with a redesigned exterior and interior the Charger has now become a borderline oxymoron — a sedan sports car. The Charger name has been featured on several different Dodge products since its debut as a concept car in 1964. The latest addition is the new 3.6-liter V6. It replaces the outgoing 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter V6s. With an increase to 292 horsepower, it’s as if the muscle car returned alright, but in a refined version. The Weekly Driver Test Drive With its new front grille and Rallye Plus options, the Charger I drove for my weekly test drive was going to be the

Read more

Ford, Toyota announce auto marriage for hybrids, SUVS

In perhaps the most overt example of the ever-changing automotive industry, Toyota and Ford Motor will collaborate to develop hybrid trucks and sport utility vehicles that will be available to the public by the end of the decade. Two companies announced Aub. 22 they will manufacture rear-wheel drive hybrids as well as telephone, Internet and entertainment systems for the vehicles. Developing the hybrids will help each automaker meet stringent U.S. fuel economy standards, said Takeshi Uchiyamada, vice president for Toyota research and development, and Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s product development chief. There are no plans for collaboration beyond rear-wheel drive hybrids and on-board phone, navigation and entertainment systems. Toyota has been the world leader in hybrids (3.3 million) since it introduced

Read more

Steve McQueen's Porsche 911s sells for record $1.375 million

The 1970 Porsche 911s formerly owned by actor Steve McQueen and featured in his film Le Mans sold August 20 for $1.375 million before a packed house at RM’s Monterey, California, auction, establishing a record price for a 911 sold at auction. Built to 1970 specification and with a full complement of factory options, the Slate Grey 911s stars in the film’s legendary opening sequence as McQueen’s character, Porsche driver Michael Delaney drives through the French countryside, reflecting on life, death, and racing. In addition to its starring role in the film, the Porsche 911s was used as McQueen’s personal transport during the movie’s production, later joining his own stable of extraordinary motor cars in California. The sale of the

Read more

India's Force Motors debuts Force One Sport Utility Vehicle

Force Motors, formerly known as Bajaj Tempo Ltd., has launched its Force One, the company’s first sport utility vehicle. The term Force One is reminiscent of India’s indigenous Formula One team. But it’s not related. Rather, the new SUV is built exclusively for Indian roads. 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

Read more
,

Infiniti G37, 2011 car review

Want something different from the usual sports/luxury sedans? Try the often-overlooked Infiniti G. It’s from Nissan‘s upscale division and compares favorably with other sports/luxury cars. The 2011 G sedan comes as the G37 with a 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 328 horsepower or as the new G25, which has a 2.5-liter V-6 with 218 horsepower. That engine is from Nissan’s Japanese-market Skyline model. The G25 has the same exterior, interior and chassis as the G37, which means it has the same slick body but low front end that can be damaged by high curbs if a driver isn’t careful. The G25 does 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. That’s hardly crawling, but is nearly two seconds slower to 60 than the thundering

Read more

Honda Accord, 2012: Better gas mileage, more models

The 2012 Honda Accord, perennially among the best-selling cars in the United States but facing increased sedan competition, will include a new trim, better fuel economy and minor technology improvements. The Accord sedan has earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest score of 5 stars. The car scored a 5 for overall frontal crash safety, overall side-crash safety and rollover resistance. Sedans for 2012 are the 4-cylinder Accord LX, LX-P (Premium), SE, EX and EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V6 and EX-L V6. Coupes are the 4-cylinder Accord LX-S, EX, EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V6 and EX-L V6. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is available on all Accord EX-L models. There are 4 and 6-cylinder engines

Read more
,

Honda Fit, 2012: More standard features, sportier styling

The 2012 Honda Fit will include new standard features as well as “sportier” styling with a more aggressive front grille and bumper, blacked out headlights and dark alloy wheels. The 2012 Fit Sport will also feature an updated interior with new ambient lighting and new center console-mounted cup holders. The Fit Sport’s interior will be further enhanced with a sporty-looking dark metallic dashboard as well as chrome-ringed gauges. While the standard Fit will remain largely unchanged with the exception of new body-colored side view mirrors, the new Fit Sport will also feature standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and Bluetooth. The Fit’s 1.5-liter 117-horsepower four-cylinder engine remains unchanged for 2012. The read more about the Honda Fit, read: The Weekly Driver:

Read more

Seven car electric charging stations installed in Portland

Owners who have electric cars will enjoy Portland Street, (Portltand, Oregon), particularly since the street has also been dubbed as the “Electric Avenue.” This street will also help automakers to study the use of electric cars. Seven electric car-charging stations have been put up by around six manufacturers for a two-year study at Portland State University. The interesting component about the Electric Avenue street is that drivers can charge their cars for free for the same time allotment as they pay standard parking meter rates. Among the sevn-quick charge stations, one station has a quick-charge which will charge a car battery in 30 minutes; The other six stations will take 4-6 hours for a full charge. James RaiaA sports, travel

Read more

GM recalls 16,000 Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impalas

General Motors (GM) announced it;s recalling around 16,000 Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impalas across the United States and Canada because of related to the power steering as well as sensor issues The manufacturer has not reported any injuries and crashes related to the two recalls. The company will recall the Impala and inspect its power-steering hose. GM said that if the hose was misrouted then it will probably spray hot fluid on hot engine parts and it could lead to a possible fire. The American automaker discovered the problem in its production plant in Ontario, Canada. The company is expected to resolved the problem with a protective abrasion protection. The LaCrosse has a sensor problem that affects the car’s speed

Read more

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet: Most hated car of 2011?

There’s plenty of time left for a surprising challenger, but the overwhelming front-runner for the dubious honor of “Most Disliked 2011 Car” is the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. A report on CNNMoney.com from Fortune Magazine details, “Not since the Mercedes R-class, and, before that, the Pontiac Aztek has the overall verdict been so bruisingly negative. The CrossCabrio has been tarred for being lumpy, dumpy, shaky, and sluggish.” The Murano CrossCabriolet is an all-wheel-drive Murano crossover in which an automatic folding fabric top replaces the metal roof, and the two rear doors have been eliminated. It’s billed as the first convertible crossover and has a raised suspension and high deck lid. The CNNMoney.com author commented the CrossCabrio looks “somewhat like an artichoke

Read more

Fifty Ferrari owners set for SF to LA charity great escape

It’s not often 50 Ferraris, new models to rare vintage offerings, are available for viewing in one location. But having same collection advance across the Golden Gate Bridge and caravan to Los Angeles is even more rare. But that’s exactly what the Ferrari Owner’s Group (FOG) has organized for charity. In conjunction with CarWoo.com., 50 iconic Ferrari models — the new 458 Italia, a F430 Scuderia, 599 GTB Fiorano, 512TR, 328 GTS and a classic 250 GT California Spider — among others, will depart Sept. 22 from Ferrari of San Francisco. The Ferrari group will progress along Highway 1 and arrive in Los Angeles for a Sept. 24 for a charity auction and banquet. All proceeds from the rally and its

Read more

PGA Championship: 4 shots, 1 hole in one, 1 Mercedes-Benz

Spectators attending the PGA Championship this week will not only watch their favorite PGA Tour pros, but they’ll have a change to win a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML 350. The chance will be slim, but all spectators attending the PGA Championship can participate in the special hole-in-one competition from Thursday’s opening round through Sunday’s final 18 holes at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Each guest will receive one shot per day on the par-3 — 165 yards for men and 145 yards for women. In addition to the opportunity to win the new Mercedes-Benz ML 350 as the hole-in-one prize, a closest to the pin prize is being awarded each day. The attraction is part of the PGA Performance Center presented by

Read more

Subaru Forester, 2011 car review

In its 17-year tenure, the Subaru Forester has transitioned to having one of the coolest names in the automotive industry from having one of the worst names. The name Forester implies “Of the forest.” But when the vehicle debuted in 1995 at the Tokyo Motor Show as a concept, it was called the “Sutoriga” or Stalker. The reason for its first name is subject to interpretation, but a decade-and-a-half and several editions later, the Forester is fully ingrained in Subaru‘s practical, if unspectacular, lineup of sedan and utilitarian sports vehicles all featuring symmetrical all-wheel drive. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Introduced to the United States market in 1998, the 2011 Forester is now available in six trims, including the 2.5X

Read more
,

Ford invests $900 million, seeks to challenge Maruti Suzuki

Ford has taken direct financial aim at the quickly expanding Indian auto market dominated Maruti Suzuki by announcing plans to build a $900 million production plant in Sanand, the same city in which the Tata Nano is built. Maruti Suzuki currently leads India car sales with about 45 percent followed by Hyundai (18 percent), Tata (13 percent) and Mahindra & Mahindra (6 percent). Ford‘s planned factory in Sanand, in the business-friendly western state of Gujarat, will be operational by 2014 and employ 5,000 people, according to Ford. With initial annual capacity of 240,000 vehicles, the plant will bring Ford‘s total capacity in India to 600,000. It will reduce the cost of getting vehicles to domestic market and give the company

Read more

Honda recall: 2.26 million Accords, CR-Vs have shifting woes

Honda has announced the recall of more than 2 million vehicles in the U.S. and China, including popular Accord, CR-V and Element models because of automatic transmission software issue. The recall in the United States affects 1.5 million Accords and from model years 2005 through 2010, the CR-V (2007-2010) the Element (2005-2008). According to the automaker, shifting between the reverse, neutral and drive positions can damage a bearing in the automatic transmission system. The problem could cause the engine to stall or make the parking gear difficult to engage. Honda will also recall 760,515 Accords, Odysseys and Spirior cars in China, according to a statement on its Chinese website, as well as a smaller amount of vehicles in the Middle

Read more
Previous Next