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It's A (Natural) Gas, Honda To Offer Civic GX nationwide

Honda will offer the Civic GX, the Japanese manufacturer’s natural-gas-powered car, in the United States to retail delears beginning in the fall of 2011, according to a report in Japan’s business-oriented newspaper, Nikkei. The Civic GX is available nationwide to fleet sales, but it’s available for retail sales only in California, New York, Utah, Nevada and Oklahoma. Honda announced it will sell the vehicle nationwide because of the country’s increased interest in “green car” technology. The Civic GX has been rated first in the “Greenest Vehicle of the Year” list presented American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy for the past

Indy 500 tickets available for race's 100th anniversary

With the event and likely its most famous driver celebrating milestones, the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, arguably auto racing’s greatest events, will offer its share of memories. As such, attending the May 29 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is still possible. In addition to the race’s centenary, A.J. Foyt will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first of four Indy 500 wins in a special ceremony. Foyt has also been named to drive the race’s pace car. Race Day ticket prices start at $30. Fans can buy tickets online at www.imstix.com, by calling the IMS ticket office

A.J. Foyt will drive Indy 500 pace car; Donald Trump exits

A.J. Foyt, the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first triumph in the event, will drive the Chevrolet Camaro convertible pace car at the 100th Anniversary race Sunday, May 29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Donald Trump, the businessman, television show host and potential presidential candidate, withdrew his name as the expected pace car driver, citing a busy schedule. The choice of Trump as the pace car driver had drawn criticism via his political opinions and criticism of President Barack Obama. In addition to his Indianapolis 500 victory in 1961, Foyt

Chrysler 200, 2011 car review

Gone is the much-maligned Chrysler Sebring. Welcome its replacement, the 2011 Chrysler 200. The midsize sedan debuts in a crowded market featuring many of the most popular vehicles on the road. Available as a sedan or convertible, the Chrysler 200 retains the Sebring’s platform, but not much else remains cosmetically, not the powertrain nor the standard and optional equipment. Stiffer body mounts are new, for example, as are thicker seat cushions to a revised suspension. The Weekly Driver Test Drive In addition to its new exterior design and other changes, new for Chrysler is the 200 featuring a 3.6-liter V6

General Motors reveals broad recall, including Chevy Cruze

General Motors, the largest automaker in the United States, has announced three recalls across several brands — including economy cars to vans — and most notably its top-selling 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze, the top-selling GM car in April, is experiencing steering shift installation problems among 154,112 car built at its plant in Lordstown, Ohio, from last summer through April 21. The problem has since been resolved, but the recall is necessary on the Cruze editions sold in the United States and Canada since last September. Additionally, more than 120,000 Cruze models with an automatic transmission will also be inspected

Ford Taurus, 2013: Improved economy, more technology

The 2013 Ford Taurus, which debuted at the recent New York International Auto Show, delivers better fuel economy, more technology, design refinement, improved craftsmanship and enhanced driving dynamics. The new Taurus is the first car in Ford’s North American lineup to offer the advanced 2.0-liter EcoBoost(TM) engine, combining a turbocharger with gasoline direct injection. It is expected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of at least 31 mpg. Providing plenty of power, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will deliver an estimated 237 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. The standard Taurus 3.5-liter V6 is projected to deliver unsurpassed fuel efficiency among

Chevrolet Malibu, 2013: New style, better gas mileage

Chevrolet introduced the 2013 Malibu ECO, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in its 100-year history, at the recent New York International Auto Show. It features eAssist “light electrification” technology engineered to deliver an estimated 26 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway without compromising performance. The ECO is based on the 2013 Malibu sedan, which will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents. Sales of the new Malibu begin with the ECO model in the United States in early 2012. The Malibu LS, LT and LTZ trim level offerings join the ECO in summer 2012.

China's Hawtai invests in Spyker to prevent Saab's demise

Hawtai Motor Group of China seeks to invest about $220 million in exchange for stock to the Dutch carmaker Spyker in order for its Swedish brand Saab to continue plans for its 9-3 to be made in China beginning in 2013. A privately-owned Chinese carmaker, Hawtai makes SUV and passenger cars. Founded in 2005, it’s owned by Zhang Xiugen, among the country’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. Spyker took over Saab about a year ago from General Motors, although GM retains stock. Hawtai will now own about 30 percent of Spyker. Saab’s production has ceased in recent weeks after suppliers stopped delivery of

Honda extends airbag recall in six models dating to 2001

Honda is again expanding a recall for faulty airbags, with the issue now involving more than 1.7 million Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V and to Acura models dating to 2001. The Japanese manufacturer reports the airbags can inflate with too much force, causing a casing break and a risk of injury or death. Honda says it is aware of 12 incidents, including 11 injuries and one death. The latest addition to the recall includes 833,000 vehicles among the following styles: Accord (2001-02), Civic (2001-02), Odyssey (2002), CR-V (2002-03), Acura 3.2 TL (2002-03) and Acura CL (2003). The original Honda recall in

It's a small, cool world: Tata to Toyota, Rolls-Royce to Ford

Rolls-Royce gets it. Tata Motors and Ford get it. And so does Toyota and Volkswagen. Small cars are cool cars. That was one of the themes at the recent New York International Auto Show and the Geneva Motor Show. And the trend certainly didn’t go unnoticed by John Filiss of SeriousWheels.com. Filiss, in conjunction with CNBC.com has compiled a list of 10 cool small cars, some available now, some still in concept stages. Tata Motors, most well-known for its uber-cheap Nano, will in two years introduce the Tata Pixel, which looks surprisingly looks like a rabbit, not a Volkswagen by

Audi TT 2011: fast, quiet and turns heads

Few of my test cars turn heads or draw compliments, but the bright red 2011 Audi TT coupe I drove attracted an unusual amount of attention. I expected stares I got from young guys, but was surprised when a middle-aged lady, who looked like the Toyota Camry type, glanced at the zoomy TT and said “Nice car!” The TT is offered in a variety of trim levels, including a top-line $50,000 convertible. But I tested the base, well-equipped $38,300 TT model, which should satisfy most TT buyers. The latest TT has minor styling revisions, including redesigned front and rear bumpers

New royal couple take dad’s vintage Aston-Martin for a spin

In addition to inheriting his father’s appreciation for captivating women, Prince William also apparently shares family’s interest in vintage automobiles, like the Aston Martin DB6 his father owns. After his pending bride Kate Middleton arrived for the Royal Wedding in her future grandmother’s 1977 Rolls-Royce, her husband took her for a spin after the couple’s wedding reception and to the greetings of well-wishers in a pristine Aston Martin Volante DB6 MKII. The Seychelles blue convertible has been owned by his father, HRH The Prince of Wales, since 1969. The pictures included in this post don’t represent the Royal Family’s car,

Nissan Juke 2011 car review

The 2011 Nissan Juke, like its sibling Cube and the Kia Soul, is another automaker’s bold new style. But like two now infamous vehicles of yesteryear — the Pontiac Aztec and Ford Pinto — any new car design too risky prompts diverse opinions. With the Juke, the mini-crossover that debuted at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the reactions were immediate, strong and mixed: Is the Juke an automotive revolution? Is it so ugly it’s cute? Or is the Juke just ugly and ill-conceived? Regardless, the Juke from a sales perspective, is an unqualified success. In Japan, where the Juke debuted

Kate Middleton will rely on The Queen’s 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom to get to the Royal Wedding on time

After all the traditional considerations — the proper dress to the guest list to the perfect tiara — a pending princess has to get to her wedding on time. For Kate Middleton, that means more tradition — a 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom. Middleton will arrive at Westminster Abbey with her father in the Queen’s most famous car. It’s one of the only 374 manufactured. According to report in USA Today, the 34-year-old Rolls Royce was given to the Queen in 1978 as a gift for the 25th anniversary of her reign the British auto industry, a collective called the Society of

New York Auto Show: Beautiful women model new models

Automakers may not be willing to admit it, but who presents their new models at auto shows around the world may be as important as the cars presented. That means pretty women. Car show models at auto shows are a longstanding tradition, with its history chronicled in a 2008 book called “Sirens of Chrome” written by Margery Krevsky. Even National Public Radio produced a recent story about Auto Show Models called “Want To Chat Up An Auto Show Model? Talk Cars.” The recent New York City International Auto Show, of course, continued the car show model legacy. And certainly while

2012 Fiat 500C: Best gas mileage among convertibles

Convertibles, Automotive Reviews

It may not be a car designation that readily comes to mind or has the highest priority for car shoppers. The 2012 Fiat 500 Cabriolet has been designated as the best gas mileage convertible available — or soon to be available. Unveiled at the recent New York International Auto Show, the Fiat “500C”, which will be available early this summer, will average 30 mpg (city), 38 mpg (highway) and 33 mpg (combined) in three-door hatchback model with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Fiat 500C equipped with a six-speed automatic is less impressive, at 27 mpg (city) 34 mpg (highway) and