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Honda recalls 962,000 Fit, CR-V models globally

Honda is recalling more than 950,000 vehicles worldwide including the Fit, Fit Aria, CR-V and CR-V hybrids because of faulty power windows and computer systems that could melt and and prompt fires. Honda will recall 936,000 units combined of the Fit subcompact, CR-V crossover and Fit Aria in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa totaling 936,000 units. The recall of the CR-Z totals 26,000 vehicles or an overall total of 962,000. The recall covers Fit vehicles produced in Japan from October 2005 to October 2009. The cars were shipped to China and other Asian countries. The CR-Vs affected are from

Volkswagen set to debut electric Nils at Frankfurt Show

The Volkswagen Nils, an all-electric, single-seat urban concept car not much bigger than a larger motorcycle, will make its debut in October at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Less than 10 feet in length, four-and-a-half feet wide and shorter than a Porsche 911, the Volkswagen Nils has 17-inch alloy wheels positioned outside of the main body. Volkswagen claim the Nils has a range of about 40 miles and a top speed of 80 mph. The Nils weighs about 1,014 pounds has laser-controlled cruise control, hazard avoidance systems and a full safety cell. More details on the new futuristic-looking Volkswagen are

Toyota Tacoma: Restyled, more features for 2012

The Toyota Tacoma, the best-selling compact pickup truck in the United States, offers a restyled exterior and a redesigned, upgraded interior in all models for 2012. The new Tacoma has a redesigned hood, grille, headlamps and front bumper, among other changes. Inside, there’s a new center-instrument panel design with a revised gauge cluster and a new steering wheel. A redesigned center stack adds new air conditioner/heater controls and power point locations. The 2012 Tacoma interior also gets a new look with a black high-contrast center console, switch plate covers, dash and upper door trim, while the SR5 grade features a

Acura TSX Sport Wagon, 2011 car review

The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is new to the luxury segment of Honda. The manufacturer has added versatility to its lineup, with a sleek new design, and more interior space — cargo areas to storage bins. The manufacturer hopes to offer an alternative to the more expensive wagon options from Audi and BMW. The Sport Wagon is equipped with the TSX 201-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. And it’s a limited supply offering for a debut vehicle; Acura will produce only 4,000 units in North America. The Weekly Driver Test Drive As a new design,

Cadillac: Once most prestigious, now most stolen

Four Cadillac Escalade models combined share the dubious honor with numerous pick-ups trucks as the vehicles in the United States with the most and most expensive theft claims during the past three years, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). The group’s latest study shows Escalades combine to have the most theft claims and the highest average amount ($114) per theft. That’s 10 times more than the average amount lost per car. According to HLDI, the theft data in compiled from insurance companies representing about 80 percent of all privately owned vehicles. Pickup trucks, including the Escalade EXT, had

James Bond and his cars: Aston Martin to Turbo Espirit

Paul Newman and Steve McQueen have plenty of inspiring car movie scenes. But neither has anything on the actors who played James Bond the cars the characters drove — Aston Martin to the Lotus Turbo Espirit. In one website description, the TurboEsprit is described: “As it took every single teenage and pre-pubescent boy’s inspiration and gave it a good shake. It spawned school-ground talk, made young men believe underwater driving was possible and let a new generation discover just how good the Bond films were.” But it was Sean Connery, the original James Bond in film, who started the coolness

Rare Presidential limousine offered for auction

A 1955 Cadillac Series 75 Presidential Limousine from the Eisenhower White House, unused for more than two decades, will go on auction Sept. 1 at Auctions America in Auburn, Ind. Custom built by Hess & Eisenhardt for the Eisenhower White House, the special order limousine, chassis 557555865, is one of approximately 1,200 collector cars on offer at the auction. The multi-day sale in Auburn, Indiana, will also present a select range of vintage motorcycles to cater for collectors of classic two wheelers. Commissioned in 1955 for the First Lady, Mrs. Eisenhower’s use, as well as to serve as a formal

Chevrolet Camaro, 2011 car review

Chevrolet finally has come up with a convertible model for its sporty Camaro, which is a car that certainly deserves a convertible version. That is, unless you don’t mind a rear seat suitable just for kids and a rather small trunk with a high opening that gets even smaller when the top is lowered. Convertibles long have been more expensive than coupes, too, and the base Camaro convertible starts at $29,150 with a V-6 and goes to $39,650 for the top-line 2SS V-8 version, which I tested with a manual transmission. My 2SS V-8 model cost $42,145. In contrast, a

Volkswagen Beetle, 2012 car review

Volkswagen has been selling its iconic Beetle model seemingly forever, but the 2012 version tops them all. The new third-generation Beetle won’t be mistaken for any other car because it retains the familiar shape of all Beetles ever built. But it’s larger and sleeker — or “longer, lower and wider” as Detroit’s automakers used to say. The new model also is more powerful and faster than the last model, which caused quite a stir when it arrived in 1998 as the second-generation “New Beetle.” The original, first-generation Beetle arrived in America around 1950 and underwent numerous small changes over the

Acura TSX, 2011: Chasing the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

The 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon may be the perfect car for a cross-state trip chasing a professional bike race. As contributing editor and videographer Roman Mice details, that’s exactly how The Weekly Driver is reporting on the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The inaugural event, Aug. 22-28, featuring 17 teams and the top-three finishers in this year’s Tour de France, covers 518 mile in seven days. Driving throughout Colorado, including well-known cities, Aspen to Vail to Denver, the Acura TSX advanced throughout the mountains as comfortable wagon. It appears it likes the challenge of chasing the riders of the 2011

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

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

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

Ferrari 250 fetches more than $16 million in record sale

A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold for $14.9 million establishing the record for the most ever paid for a car at a public sale Saturday night at the Gooding & Co., auction in Monterey, California. With commissions and premiums, the total purchase price surpassed $16 million, far exceeding the $12.2 million (total) paid for another 1957 Testa Rossa in 2009 at a public auction in Italy. According to Gooding’s description of the Testa Rossa (chassis No. 0666 TR) it is not only the first 250 Testa Rossa built, but was also campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari when new. It was

Audi, Kia most cost efficient brands says Kelley Blue Book

It’s not often Audi and Kia are mentioned in the same discussion. But the high-end Toyota division and the Korean economy manufacturer both offer the best value for owners during a five-year time frame At least that’s the determination of Kelley Blue Book, the vehicle assessment company. Based on such factors as depreciation, expected fuel costs, insurance, maintenance and repair costs and state fees, Audi is the most cost efficient luxury brand, while Kia is the most cost efficient economy manufacturer. Among the top-three luxury brands, Audi is the least expensive with a total five-year cost of ownership of $68,866.

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