Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
Subaru, long-known for its industry standard all-wheel-drive system, has received another safety honor. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has honored Subaru as the only car maker to have top picks in all four classes in which it competes. Subaru won five top awards overall for 2010.
Read morePopular Mechanics magazine has announced winners of the 2010 Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Awards. Chosen by the magazine’s expert editorial team, the awards recognize the best in automotive design, execution and technology for 2010 model year vehicles in 10 categories.
Read moreIn its yearly report on automobile reliability, Consumer Reports has released its 2009 model calculations. Asian automakers dominated the top results, Chrysler suffered a sharp decline and Ford overshadowed its Detroit rivals. Toyota’s Scion xD was named as the most reliable car, followed closely by Honda Motor Co.’s Acura and Honda Toyota and its luxury brand, Lexus, were next.
Read moreThe guy next to me in the supermarket parking lot caught my attention and said in a deep European accent: “Is that the BMW diesel? I didn’t know you could get it in the States?” He was right — until now. The 2009 335d is BMW’s first 50-state-legal diesel. Imagine that — a diesel sports sedan.
Read moreLike the Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Model T, Toyota considers the Prius an iconic car. Is Toyota correct? Unlike any other car made in the last 100 years, the Prius has brought back electricity as a viable way to power a car. It opened the door for the Chevy Volt, the Tesla, and hundreds of other cars that will soon join the Hybrid and EV car craze.
Read moreThe 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost ia unique car. It’s as luxurious as a . . . well, as a Lincoln. And it’s as fast as a Mustang — if a Mustang came with all-wheel drive. The MKT is equipped with about every modern convenience, including adaptive headlamps and cruise control, self parking, blind spot indicator, and duel sunroofs, to name a few. The Lincoln also comes with a 255 HP V-6 twin turbo that produces 0-60 mph in about 6 seconds. That’s as fast as the 385 HP Jaguar I recently drove. So does all of this luxury work in
Read moreOnce week after Toyota recalled 3.5 million cars, Ford Motor Co. has dubiously and decisively one-upped the Japanese manufacturer by expanding its massive vehicle recall linked to faulty cruise control switches by 4.5 million vehicles.
Read moreAs automakers prepare to roll out battery-run cars, how will they dodge the ultimate obstacle — changing the consumer perception that electric cars are more trouble than they’re worth? Adweek has published an article on what it describes “as the bumpy road ahead for electric-car makers.”
Read moreNot too many years ago, $30,000 was the launching price point for purchasing a new luxury car. Now, that’s about the average price of new car in the United States. But plenty of options abound for those who want a luxury vehicle in the $30,000 price range. But it’s going to be a used car.
Read moreDavid Letterman, comedian and late-night talk show host, is currently embattled in a sex scandal involving former employees. But like his former late-night counterpart Jay Leno, Letterman’s celebrity has catapulted his interest away from entertainment and into the automobile industry.
Read moreIt’s hard to rattle Volvo’s reputation. The Swedish manufacturer offers nicely designed, if undistinguished, vehicles. They’re great for confident, open-road driving in any kind of weather.
Read moreJaguar XF, 2010: Facts & Figures: Price as Tested — $63,875.00; Engine/Transmission — 5.0L V8 engine 6 SPD automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddles; Horsepower — 385; G-Tac Test Data test at 5430 feet above sea level; 1/4 Mile: 14.52 second at 101 mph; 0-60 mph: 6.08; 60-0 stopping: 118 feet; Max Acceleration: 0.83 g’s.
Read moreOne definition of scion is “a descendant often referenced when mentioning royalty.” It’s a heady name for a vehicle, particularly when the results are the vehicles made by Scion. That’s not a wisecrack. Scion makes edgy cars, including the 2010 Scion xB.
Read moreSince its new production tenure is about to end, why not take a took and the The Ferrari F430, the Italian sports car some enthusiasts have cited as the best-driving car every made? Manufactured since 2004 as a successor to the 360, the 430 debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. European left-hand drive sales began in November 2004, but right-hand drive sales did not start until Spring 2005, and the North American marketsdid not get the F430 until Summer 2005.
Read moreToyota Motor Corp will recall 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles manufactured in the last six years because of the risk that a loose floormat could prompt a stuck accelerator. The problem is suspected of causing crashes that killed five as well as 17 crashes and 100 related incidents.
Read moreAmidst news of the hotel closing in November, Quail Lodge announces preparations have begun for The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, scheduled for Aug. 13, 2010. The Quail brings together automotive enthusiasts for a day of friendship, legendary cars and culinary delights on the Monterey Peninsula.
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