Dodge Durango, 2011 car review

Except for its name, there’s virtually no resemblance between the old truck-based Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle and the redesigned 2011 Durango. The new four-door Durango is handsome and aerodynamic. It has Dodge’s “crosshair grille” and resembles the muscular, discontinued Dodge Magnum wagon. There are four trim levels: Express, Crew (also offered with a CrewLux lifestyle package), sporty R/T and Citadel. They come with rear or all-wheel-drive and have three rows of seats. List prices range from $29,195 to $43,945, without an $850 shipping charge. Add $2,000 for all-wheel drive. To emphasize the Durango’s upscale nature, Dodge says there are

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Golden Globe Awards: Chrysler shines with black & white ad

Chrysler has promoted its cars in recent years with several innovative commercials. It may have outdone itself with the primarily black-and-white commercial broadcast during the 68th Golden Globe Awards. The commercial is called “Whatever Happened to Style?” and it showcases numerous classic cars through different decades. The text begins with the words: “Whatever happened to style? Where has the glamour gone? Wasn’t too long ago. America had it. Looking and feeling like a million bucks. “It was practically a birth rite. We didn’t race from A to B. We cruised. Going for a drive was a big deal. And when

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Super Bowl XLV commercials: Audi touts A8 via kids' book

It’s no secret the automotive industry is back. The buzz around the current North America International Auto Show provides a prime example. And on Feb. 6, a more expensive example will be showcased in Super Bowl XLV. At last count, eight automakers —  Audi, BMW, Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen — have purchased advertising time. Several other automotive-related companies have also purchased commercial time. According to a report in AdAge, several automotive advertisers have purchased multiple 30-second commercial slots, others will have one-minute spots — the most expensive ad rate in any communications medium. Super Bowl commercials

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Nissan Leaf, Tesla Roadster top 2011 'gas' mileage honors

The influx of hybrid vehicles and intensified competition among manufacturers has shuffled the  annual listing of most efficient cars. For 2011, some cars are familiar, but there are a few surprises. Compiled by editors of the web site, thedailygreen.com and published on Huffington Post.com, the Nissan Leaf, the first standard production, all-electric car on the road in the United States, shares the best “gas” of any car in the country, the equivalent of 99 mpg, with the Tesla Roadster, the limited production electric sports car. Here’s the description of the Leaf and the list of the top-15 cars for 2011

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Ferrari owned briefly by John Lennon set for Paris auction

A restored 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Coupe, one of the least desirable models of famed Italian sports car but one briefly owned by former Beatle John Lennon, will be auctioned in February. The light-blue Ferrari is expected to attract a final bid of more than $200,000 in the Feb. 5 auction, according to Bonhams’ auction officials. The Ferrari 330, sometimes called the four-eye model, is not often considered a coveted model by collectors. The car was said to be Lennon’s first vehicle purchased after he passed his driving test in Britain. He purchased it at age 24 for 2000

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Volkswagen Jetta 2011 car review

Under any of its sorted names around the globe, the Volkswagen Jetta has been around since 1979 as a small, family sedan. It’s been called the Atlanta to Vento, Fox to Sagitar. But the Jetta is the current name in the United States and the 2011 edition adds to the car’s more than 30-year legacy. The 2011 Jetta is newly designed with larger exterior and interior dimensions and new styling. As Volkswagen‘s best-selling car, it’s more than 3.5 inches longer and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the 2006-2010 Jetta. Trim levels include S, SE, SEL, and the diesel-powered TDI.

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Chevy Volt gets reality check, like maybe its own TV show?

Clever 30-second television ads during the Super Bowl and other major telecasts are fine, and General Motors will return next month with spots for the biggest one-day event in sport. Sponsorship of pro sports is fine, too. General Motors is back this season sponsoring the PGA Tour after ending its relationship with embattled Tiger Woods, then world’s top-ranked player, as its spokesman for Buick. But GM has bigger plans. According to Steve Tihanyi, GM’s director of sports and entertainment, the carmaker is seeking to capitalize on the increasing popularity of reality TV. According to a Reuters interview with Tihanyi at

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Kia Optima tops BMW, Honda, Chevy, Nissan for Cars.com Best of 2011 award

Kia, the once not-so touted cousin of the equally once not-so lauded Hyundai, has joined its midsize brethren in the honors line. Cars.com has given the Kia Optima its “Best of 2011” award. The editors of the web site cited the Optima’s outstanding fuel economy overall driving. Hyundai, which owns Kia, has received its share of honors for its Sonata and other vehicles in the Korean manufacturer’s lineup. The editors of Cars.com said: “With its value, sharp packaging, outstanding fuel efficiency and lofty features, the Optima gives all family-car shoppers a shot at something far more compelling than the segment

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California company debuts circular Bluetooth headset

Maverick Lifestyle, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based manufacturer of hands-free mobile phone solutions, has introduced the Nica Sunrise Bluetooth headset at Amazon.com and select Apple Stores and Best Buy Mobile Specialty Stores. A reinvention of the Bluetooth headset, Nica Sunrise features a light-weight, open-air and clean circular design that can be worn comfortably for extended periods of time. Nica Sunrise is a departure from unattractive bar-shaped headsets, stemming from Maverick’s goal to counteract the negative stigma associated with wearing an awkward, protruding earpiece. With an unobtrusive shape, it resembles an audio headphone. Mobile phone users can say goodbye to Bluetooth fatigue

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Volkswagen debuts bigger, cheaper, greener 2012 Passat

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat, a close sibling of the resigned Jetta in 2011 but larger and with a substantially lower price than last year’s model, was unveiled at the Detroit auto show. The vast changes will include a transfer of manufacturing locations to the new U.S. VW plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. The new Passat is VW’s latest attempt to infiltrate the former dominance in the midsize family sedan market shared by the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. In addition to its U.S. production, Volkswagen has dropped the Passat’s starting prices to around $20,000, about $7,000 less than the previous model.

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Honda says it's a gas, will offer Civic natural gas model nationwide in 2011

Some automotive industry experts believe Honda has been complacent in recent years with the Accord and Civic among the top-five best-selling cars in the United States. But while the Japanese manufacturer has rejuvenated its efforts the new Honda Civic hybrid, it’s all remained at the forefront in another “green” area — natural gas. Honda is among only a few companies that sell a natural gas-powered car in the U.S.. But Honda will soon do better than that. It’s natural gas-powered version of its new Civic sedan will soon be available in all 50 states, according to carmaker  representatives at the Detroit

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Toyota debuts two new Prius models at Detroit Auto Show

The Toyota Prius outsells all other hybrid cars combined. But Toyota knows its competitors have plenty to offer, which is why the carmaker debuted two new hybrid models at the Detroit auto show. The roomier Prius v and compact Prius c concept were introduced to complement the Prius and stable of 14 Toyota hybrid vehicles available globally. Toyota is also planning 11 more hybrid or other “green” vehicles during the next two years. Last year, sales of the Toyota Prius, first available in the U.S. in 1997, increased 36 percent last year to 140,928 units. “Prius has become to hybrids

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Honda Fit Shuttle images leaked for new stretched wagon

Honda is plenty busy at the North American Auto Show in Detroit showcasing new innovation for the U.S. market. But it appears the Japanese carmaker has another surprise for its global markets — the Honda Fit Shuttle. The website CarScoop.com is reporting a leak of brochure images showing a wagon-like version of the Honda Fit called the Fit Shuttle. One image, featuring Japanese characters across the bottom, showcases a vehicle with an extended body, taller roofline and a resigned rear. The Fit is called the Jazz in Europe, Australia, Asia and in other international markets. Other images and brochure information,

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Hyundai Veloster compact debuts at Detroit Auto Show

The Hyundai Veloster, a compact sport coupe first showcased as concept car by the South Korean manufacturer in 2007, has debuted at the Detroit Auto Show and is scheduled for sales in the summer of 2011. Hyundai says the Veloster, whose name is derived from the combination of the words “velocity” and “roadster,” will feature a direct-injected 1.6 liter 138-horespoqwe 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, and 40 mpg fuel economy. A 6-speed dual-clutch transmission is also available as an option. The transmission is the first dual-clutch transmission developed by Hyundai. A turbocharged 210 horsepower version of the same engine will

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Honda Civic 2012 creates more buzz at Detroit Auto Show

The buzz around the 2012 Honda Civic concept has continued at the Detroit Auto Show, with the ninth generation of the fourth best-selling car in the United States giving the Japanese manufacturer hope of a sales resurgence. Honda has been a top-seller manufacturer for many years, particularly based on the stalwart category leaders Accord and Civic. But three Honda models — the CR-Z hybrid coupe, Accord Crosstour hatchback and Insight hybrid — all had disappointing sales in 2010. Honda also recently announced it’s discontinuing the Element, it’s boxy SUV. The new Civic, according to Honda, has been redesigned and will be

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Honda Civic 2012 unveiled with new design, new engines

Honda has introduced the ninth generation of the Civic, the carmaker’s second most popular car, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It will go on sale this spring as a 2012 model. The new Honda will be available as a sedan and a coupe and with conventional gasoline, hybrid and natural gas drivetrains. The new shape of the popular Civic is more windswept and aggressive. The Civic Si concept coupe has a more angular front end, mesh grille and tapered rear roofline. The 2012 Civic hybrid version will be Honda‘s first use of lithium-ion batteries. The gasoline-powered

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