Automotive Reviews

GM confirms first compact car in two decades with 2012 Buick Verano

GM, the largest U.S. automaker, said the Verano will be built alongside the Chevrolet Aveo at the factory in Orion Township, Michigan. The Verano, which means “summer” in Spanish, will be based on the recently launched 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, and will be the first compact Buick since the Skylark was discontinued 12 years ago. The Verano, which will debut as a 2012 model, is expected to feature a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while hybrid versions are pending. The Verano will expand GM’s lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles, which includes the 2012 Aveo and Spark. The Verano’s assembly plant, about 30 miles north of Detroit-based GM’s headquarters, previously built mid-sized cars like the Chevrolet Malibu and was idled last year for retooling. GM

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Honda Odyssey, 2011: Innovative redesign for best-selling minivan

“The all-new Odyssey is set to once again redefine the minivan segment as the ultimate family vehicle,” said Erik Berkman, vice president of Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda. “Never before has so much space, functionality and comfort been combined with this much style, technology and fuel economy.” Significant enhancements to the interior include a new “3-mode” second-row seat design to enhance center passengers’ comfort (Odyssey EX and above). The 2011 Odyssey is equipped with a total of five LATCH attachment points (four in the Odyssey LX), the most of any vehicle currently available on the market. The one-motion, 60/40 split 3rd-row Magic Seat®, one of the Odyssey’s original concepts and most versatile features, is positioned for more legroom

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Honda, Toyota lead Yahoo Autos top-100 'green' car list

The Green Rating was developed by Yahoo! Autos in consultation with Environmental Defense, a nonprofit organization that finds practical ways to protect the planet. The Green Rating covers all the major environmental costs of a motor vehicle, including: Unhealthy smog that comes from tailpipes; Emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming; The fuel a vehicle consumes; Pollution from manufacturing the vehicle and its components. The Green Rating measures a vehicle’s environmental friendliness on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher a vehicle’s Green Rating, the “greener” it is and the lower its harm to human health and the health of the planet. Here’s the list of Yahoo Auto’s top-10 (with ties) green cars: 1. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid

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Lexus LS 460, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports consistently praise the LS 460 for its dependability, with the 2010 model further adding to the car’s top-of-the-industry’s reputation. Unless they’ve driven or been a passenger, onlookers don’t know the powerful, smooth performance the LS 460 delivers. But the luxury sedan (my test vehicle had a finely finished black exterior) to the corner market or on the open road and people stare with a look of envy. It didn’t matter where I drove the car, it attracted near-constant attention. And once you drive the Lexus LS 460, it’s hard not to want to drive it. Get on highway and the 380-horsepower machine takes charge. From the push-button start to the effortless shifting and

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Volkswagen Golf TDI, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (video)

Who says diesel-powered cars have to be economy cars that get great gas mileage but are a fantastic bore to drive? Not VW. The 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI is a perfect example of a fast, frugal and fun car. Matthew WildeMatthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of cars, Matthew developed a strong foundation in automotive technology and design. His work emphasizes accuracy and depth, aimed at informing both enthusiasts and industry professionals with straightforward, precise reporting.https://theweeklydriver.com/

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Mercedes-Benz named official vehicle of Luxembourg-based cycling team

“We look forward to be supporting the ambitious goal of winning the Tour de France for Luxembourg with this new team”, said Gerhard Roth, Administrateur Délégué of Mercedes-Benz Luxembourg S.A. “This partnership with the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project fits well with our brand philosophy of ‘The best or nothing’.” According to the report, Mercedes-Benz will provide the new team with specially adapted cars, minibuses, trucks and and team tour buses. Nissan joined the cycling sponsorship as the second sponsor of the American team sponsored by RadioShack and featuring seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in 2010. Jaguar and Skoda, the Czech manufacturer, are also major sponsors and automobile providers in professional cycling. Jaguar is the official sponsor of the

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Toyota Sienna, 2011: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The new Sienna is available in five models: Sienna, LE, SE, XLE and Unlimited, and it remains the only mini-van in its class to offer all-wheel drive. The option is available on the V6 engine choice and in LE, XLE and Limited models. The 2011 Sienna has a standard 2.7-liter 187-horsepower 4-cylinder engine on the base and LE models, with a 266-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 optional on those models and the same as the standard engine on all other models. Both engines have six-speed automatic transmissions. With a detachable second-row jump seat, the Sienna seats seven or eight passengers, and the second-row captain’s chairs can slide fore or aft up to 23 inches to increase the already spacious cargo area. The

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Italian newspaper reports Fiat considering selling share of Ferrari

Fiat, based in Italy, reportedly is seeking liquidity to allow it to finance the acquisition of 51 percent of Chrysler. Selling Ferrari could be the solution, according to the daily newspaper’s sources in Fiat’s headquarters in Turin. FOR MORE FERRARI INFORMATION, VISIT: Ferrari According to the report, Fiat, which owns 85 percent of Ferrari, would keep a majority 51 percent stake in the sports car unit which, it said, is worth $3.1 billion. Ferrari this week is debuting its limited edition convertible sports car at the Paris Motor Show. A Fiat spokesman denied the report, commenting to Reuters: “There are no plans for any Ferrari listing.” Fiat, which owns 20 percent of Chrysler, is expected to increase its holding to

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Ferrari limited series convertible will debut at Paris Motor Show

Only 80 of the 12-cylinder, front-engine roadsters will be manufactured. The first models are expected to reach the buyers by the end of the year and all of 80 new offerings have already been sold. According to a Ferrari release: “The SA Apera is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engine V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad.” The roadster has a low-profile windscreen and crouches lower to the ground, and has “exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness,” according to the Maranello, Italy, manufacturer. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for

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BMW will test second electric car in four U.S. metro areas in 2011

The four-passenger ActiveE is based on the 1 Series Coupe and has a 32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Introduced at the Detroit auto show in January, the ActiveE has a 100-mile range per charge. It takes 8.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour and has a maximum speed 90 mph. BMW‘s Mini E, its debut electric vehicle, was deployed worldwide and now including more than 600 test cars in its second year. The ActiveE is scheduled for testing only in the United States. Mini E drivers will be given preference as test pilots for the ActiveE and could switch to the new car when their existing leases expire. The other cars will go to online applicants who live in the

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Tata Motors set to debut first crossover Aria to Indian market

Tata Motors has not announced the price range of the Aria. Features Built-in GPS system, Multi-functioning steering wheel, Dual Air Conditioner, Automatic climate control, six SRS Airbags, ABS with ESP, Alloy wheels, Parking Sensors Specifications Model: EX, Car Body Type: Crossover, Displacement: 2179cc, DICOR, 16 Valve DOHC, Engine Type: Diesel, Maximum Power: 120 Bhp @ 4000 rpm, Maximum Torque: 250 Nm @ 1500 rpm, Gears: 5 Manual, Length: 3329 mm Width: 1710 mm, Seating Capacity: 7, Steering: Power, Brakes: Front Disk, Rear Drum, Ground Clearance: 150mm 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

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Bugatti set to replace Veyron with Galibier in 2013

The four-seat Bugatti 16C Galibier sedan is expected to go on sale in 2013 for about $1.5 million. Only 300 will be produced. The Galibier, made of carbon fiber and aluminum, will use the Veyron’s 8.0-liter W-16 engine, but will employ superchargers rather than turbochargers and will produce 800 horsepower. The limited-edition, two-passenger Veyron 16.4, introduced in 2005, is near the end of its 300-unit production run. So far, 260 have been built. The Veyron has 1,200 horsepower, 268 mph Super Sport edition debuted this summer at a price range between $2.2 million and $2.6 million, including shipping. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly

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Bentley bizarre hood ornament impalememt potential prompts recall

As such Bentley is recalling nearly 1,500 vehicles for fear that unwitting pedestrians could become impaled on the brand’s historic “flying B” bonnet ornament. Bentley reports: “It’s been discovered that in some cases, water ingress into the internal mechanism might prevent it from retracting. The recall will affect 1,436 cars worldwide, including 620 in the United States and Canada. The bizarre defect affects three discontinued Bentley models – the Arnage, Azure and Brooklands – which were produced between 2007 and 2009 and which cost as much as $300,000. The Bentley signature miniature statue ornament is an option. David Champion, senior director of auto testing for Consumer Reports, commented that said safety regulations required a minimum radius for anything on a

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Tata Motors plans 'luxury' Nano Plus for 2011

The Nano, predicted to be available in 2011, with feature a 1,000 cc engine instead of the 623 cc engine of the current Nano model. It will also include ABS brakes, alloy wheels, and integrated music system and an improved interior. Tata hopes the Nano Plus, for which reservations recently began, will compete with the Maruti Alto and Chevrolet Spark, but its price has not been announced. Tata Motor is also expected to fix the safety problems that caused numerous 2010 Nano models from catching fire. The Nano is projected to come in at the No. 2 spot in 2011 after Tata raises production. According to analysts’ expectations the top models by 2017 would be the Alto, Nano and Maruti

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Seven electric cars soon plugged into U.S. automotive industry

The Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are the two most well-known and extensively promoted electric vehicles, but the list also includes five additional cars — economical-based options to high-end sports machines. Here’s an alphabetical synopsis of the seven electric vehicles: Chevrolet Volt — Expected on the market nationwide in November, the Volt has two motors, a 149 horsepower electric motor and a 74 horsepower, 4-cylinder gas engine. The electric motor has a 40-mile range with the gas engine then engaging, creating electricity extending the Volt’s range to more than 300 miles. The Volt is a five-door hatchback that seats four. A full charge for the Volt’s battery will take eight hours from a standard 120V American outlet and three hours

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Eric Clapton’s rare Ferrari 250GT for sale via Hot Wheels replica

Hot Wheels Elite, a division of Mattel, will issue a limited edition 1:18 scale diecast model of Eric Clapton’s Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso later this year as part of its “Ferrari in Music” line of replica cars. In an interview with ferrari.com earlier this year, Eric said that even as a small boy he was crazy about motor racing, and that the car he’s always most fancied is Ferrari. The replica of Clapton’s silver 250GT Berlinetta Lusso will be a “faithful” reproduction. Limited to 5,000 individually numbered pieces, it will come in a dedicated package featuring pictures, EC’s facsimile signature and Ferrari‘s logo. It’s definitely not a child’s toy, but aimed at adult collectors as the Hot Wheels Elite

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