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Chevrolet Volt, 2011: General Motors’ radical new green machine

The new compact Chevrolet Volt hatchback sedan is the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle with extended range. It’s the most radical General Motors high-volume car since the 1960s Chevy rear-engine Corvair, which was virtually buried by the then-new conventional Ford Mustang. The front-wheel-drive Volt is the most mass-produced aerodynamic car Chevrolet has made to get maximum fuel efficiency. One aerodynamic trick is giving the car a phony grille. Air is fed to the engine compartment via an “under-grille” scoop below the bumper. The futuristic aerodynamic 1960s Studebaker Avanti used the same type of air induction. Still, the Volt drew few

Rare Porsche models honored for automaker’s 60th anniversary

As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, Porsche Cars North America embarked on a quest to find the oldest Porsche sold in America via The Porsche Classic Search. It encouraged individuals to submit documentation their Porsche was one of the earliest in its category sold in the United States. With awards and bragging rights at stake, the entries are an impressive collection of finalists, including the oldest U.S.-retailed model found, a restored 1952 Strawberry Red 356 Cabriolet. Among the hundreds of submissions from Porsche owners across the country since last August was a rare 1952 356 Cabriolet owned by Dr.

Toyota announces largest recall in history, 1.6 million cars with brake issues

Recalled plagued Toyota Motor Corp. has announced its latest and largest recall to date, this time 1.66 million Avalon and other vehicles, including Lexus models, for brake cylinder issues. The new recall includes the 2005 and 2006 Avalon sedan, 2004 through 2006 Highlander (the non-Hybrid model) and Lexus RX330 crossovers, and the 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 sedans. Additionally, the latest recall, mostly in Japan and the United States, comes less than two months after a recall in Canada and the United States of 1.3 million Corolla and Matrix cars. In that instance, the vehicle had defective engine control

Suzuki Kizashi, 2011: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Now in its second model year as Suzuki’s most expensive vehicle, the Kizashi is a value-priced sedan trying to find a niche in the crowded mid-sized segment. Its name in Japanese means “something great is coming.” What’s great about the Kizashi is that Suzuki is offering the vehicle in the near-luxury category with a top-of-the-line price ($25,000) that’s still about $5,000 less than the average price of a new car in the United States. Suzuki attracted a buzz when the car debuted a year as a cheap (but not cheaply built) alternative to an Audi 4. With a few exterior

Super Bowl 2011: Cars.com joins GM among car-related advertisers

Cars.com has announced it will join GM among perhaps at a half-dozen automakers and other car-related companies advertising during Super Bowl XLV in 2011. A popular automotive site, Cars.com will return to the Super Bowl for the fourth straight year. It will debut two 30-second commercials, one each in third and fourth quarter of the Feb. 6 broadcast of FOX from Arlington, Texas. “The unique attention paid to Super Bowl ads ensures our messages are delivered,” said Carolyn Crafts, Cars.com vice president of marketing. “Our ad during last year’s Super Bowl reached more than 106 million viewers – the largest

Electric car curious? Rent a LEAF, CODA or Renault from Avis, Enterprise, Budget soon

If you’re not quite sure if you want to buy an electric car, there’s an alternative to a test drive at a dealership — renting a Nissan Leaf, a Renault Fluence, Kangoo Express of CODA sedan. Depending up rental car company preference — Avis, Budget or Enterprise — and where in the world you live, several electric vehicles will soon be available for a business trip, vacation or for fun. Avis Budget Group, which also owns Budget Rent A Car, has ordered 500 Renault Fluence Z.E.’s and Kangoo Express Z.E.’s to rent in France, Spain, Belgium, England, Germany, and Portugal in

Ferrari World iconic theme park set for early opening in Abu Dhabi

The much-talked about, long-anticipated Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, will open Oct. 27 — one day earlier than expected — in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Ferrari World is the only theme park dedicated to the renowned racing cars and features the world’s fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, which can hit top speeds of up to 150 mph. Ferrari World is home to 20 Ferrari-inspired rides, race simulators and attractions, all nicely package in the 2.2 million square floor edifice covered in famous Ferrari red and styling of a Ferrari GT. Ferrari may have

GM recalls 300,000 Chevy Impalas for faulty seat belts

For the second time in two years, General Motors has investigated faulty seat belts in Chevrolet Impalas and this time the examination has resulted in a recall of more than 300,000 of the longstanding vehicle. The automaker said that in 2009 and 2010 Impalas, the front safety belt straps may not be not secured to the lap belt anchor pretensioner that is mounted on the side of the doors. Thus, passengers may not be properly protected. GM also said straps can separate from the anchor in a crash, no longer restraining the passenger. No injuries or deaths have been reported,

Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, 2011: Roman Mica’s video review

Heavy duty pick-up trucks were once the work horses of the Chevrolet fleet. They were brawny trucks used by brawny men to do brawny jobs. But that’s changing fast as more recreational buyers are opting for vehicles like the Silverado 2500 HD to haul campers, horses and boats. Chevrolet redesigned the Silverado 2500 HD in 2011 to make it even more brawny with a sturdier frame for more towing capacity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap3QsRGzMy8 Roman Mica, contributing editor of TheWeeklyDriver.com, recently test drove the new Chevy truck. And as a sell-admitted non-truck-kind of guy, he was both surprised and not-so surprised with the

Automotive history celebration for 100th Indy 500 anniversary

A century of automotive heritage will be honored and judged May 13-14, 2011 during the 100th Anniversary Indy 500 Celebration of Automobiles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Ten top deals on 2010 cars, Ford to Mitsubishi, BMW to Nissan

With 2011 car models now infiltrating and in some instances already saturating the market, now is a good time for a bargain on a new 2010 vehicle. Hybrids to pick-up trucks, Ford to Mitsubishi, there are at least 10 good buys on the markets, according to the web site, TheStreet.com.

New hot rod photography exhibit, book gets Jay Leno video praise

The Art of the Hot Rod, featuring photographs by Peter Harholdt, from the book, The Art of the Hot Rod, written by Ken Gross (published by MBI Publishing Company and Motorbooks, 2008) and is now on exhibit at Annmarie’s Garden in Solomons, Maryland.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, 2011: It's Superman

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is among the most rare production cars in the world, with perhaps only 40 manufactured. Dan Neil, automotive critic of the Wall Street Journal, is the first journalist to test drive the powerful machine that recently set the speed record for a production car at 268 mph.

Tips to help keep cars' engines clean, environment, wallets green

With nearly four in five car owners planning to drive their current vehicle for at least 50,000 more miles longer than they drove their previous car, AutoMD.com has released a list of tips to keep the environment clean and drivers’ wallets green.

Google driving hard into the future with artificial intelligence cars

Google is the undisputed internet monolith. But who knew its engineers were working on artificial intelligence that might make the search engine pioneer equally important in the automotive industry?

Toyota announces plans to debut two Prius siblings by 2013

Toyota plans to debut two siblings to the current Prius hybrid in the United States by 2013 to further advance its gasoline-electric drivetrain technology to meet stricter emissions standards.