News feed - Page 248 of 253 - The Weekly Driver

California Fuel Cell Partnership: Worthy Of A Good Look Or Visit

The Sacramento Auto Show was largely underwhelming this year. Electrical difficulties prompted the shut down of two display building at Cal Expo. And manufacturers’ presentations were uninspired – like the reps were going through the motions of presenting new vehicles for the umpteenth time — which they were. There were a few exceptions, including the display and energy of the presentation at the California Fuel Cell Partnership booth. The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) is a collaboration of 34 organizations that believe fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen have the potential to change the future of transportation. The CaFCP web

Mazda RX-8, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Sports cars are rarely known for comfort or convenience. But Mazda does a good job of overcoming the stigma with the RX-8. It’s a coupe with four doors (sort of) and it’s about as comfortable as sports cars get. Mazda further differentiates itself in the sports car class via its signature rotary engine. It’s the system that replaces pistons pumping in cylinders with triangular rotors spinning in oval chambers. My weekly driver was the 2008 Grand Touring model, the most expensive of the three options, including the Sport and Touring. Each has a 1.3-liter, 232-horsepower engine with a six-speed manual

Cars Have Gone To The Dogs — Especially The Honda Element

It’s nice to “reconnect” with someone you used to know 30 years ago. Gina Spadafori and I were on the staff of The Hornet, the student newspaper at California State University, Sacramento. I recently contacted her after discovering her cool web site that combines two great subjects — dogs and cars. I may have seen Gina once since college, but I’ve read her work for a long time. Gina’s had a great career in journalism, specializing in writing about pets. She co-authors the syndicated column, Pet Connection, and she has written several animal-focused books. With several other journalists, Gina also

Cadillac CTS, 2008: The Weekly Driver (Video)

A mid-size entry level luxury car, the Cadillac CTS was introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the Cimarron. Five years, later it’s become the manufacturer’s first success story in recent market campaign to sell vehicles to younger buyers. The CTS, in fact, is credited with rekindling the popularity of the Cadillac, whose sales dipped heavily in the 1990s in favor or Lexus, BMW and Mercedes. After its debut at the North American International Auto Show, success arrived quickly for the CTS after its public debut last August. Motor Trend magazine selected the CTS as its 2008 Car of the

Total Recall: 2007's Surprising Most Recalled Car List

The auto industry had a lot changes in 2007. Many great vehicles continued to infiltrate the market. But according to a report on America Online, the total number of recalls nearly equaled the number of vehicles produced, mostly due to massive Ford and Volkswagen recalls. Last August, for example, Ford Motor Co., announced it was recalling 3.6 million vehicles, mostly trucks from the 1990s, to fix a speed control deactivation switch. And last spring, Volkswagen began recalling 1 million new Beetles from the model years 2001 to 2007 to repair a brake light problem. “Now almost any time you pick

Cadillac CTS, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A mid-size entry level luxury car, the Cadillac CTS was introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the Catera. Five years, later it’s become the manufacturer’s first success story in recent market campaign to sell vehicles to younger buyers. The CTS, in fact, is credited with rekindling the popularity of the Cadillac, whose sales dipped heavily in the 1990s in favor or Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.

Nissan recalls mass quatities of Altimas, Sentras

Nearly 700,000 Nissan vehicles manufactured since 2002 are being recalled because of a potential engine-stalling problem. The Nissan Altima and Sentra models manufactured in 2002 and in 2005- 2006 have a sensor that could overheat and prompt an interruption of the sensor’s signal. If the problem occurs, the engine could stop running without warning when the car is driven at low speeds. Jeannine Ginivan, a Nissan Motor Co. spokeswoman, said Monday there have been no reports of crashes or injuries corresponding to the issue. More than 650,000 of the recalled vehicles are in the United States, with the remainder in

Volkswagen Convertible, 2007: Weidel on Wheels

This is the ultimate cute car, which is why there aren’t many men tooling around in a Volkswagen Beetle convertible. While most women feel perfectly at home in this adorable vehicle, the majority of men liken it to driving a mini-van.

Saturn Vue, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

As the oldest and best-selling vehicle in the Saturn stable, the Vue has found a solid, well-deserved niche in the compact Sport Utility Market. But Saturn couldn’t leave well enough alone.

Honda Element, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Since its debut in 2003, the Honda Element has frequently been described with two succinct comments: “It’s ugly” and “It’s a box with four wheels.” There’s no disputing the Element has among the most conspicuous appearances on the road. But good looks (or lack of good looks) are subjective.

Ford Debuts Mustang (Again) To Honor Steve McQueen's Driving Legend

Approaching three decades since his death, Steve McQueen remains the “King of Cool,” most notably when it involves cars, motorcycles and high speeds. The latest homage to McQueen will occur Nov. 16-25 when Ford Motor Company introduces a special edition Mustang to honor the 1968 vehicle McQueen drove in the movie Bullitt.

Mercury Mariner, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Mercury Mariner and its nearly identical siblings, the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, are grouped in the popular and competitive small sport utility vehicle class. The Honda Element and CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn Vue and Subaru Forester are in the same category, and all have attractive attributes.

Did Roberto Clemente Drive A Chevy?

Did Roberto Clemente drive a Chevy? When the World Series between the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox begins tonight, advertisers will have spent considerable time and money to be part of baseball’s finest week.

Skoda Extends Tour de France Official Car Deal Through 2011

The daily procession of automobiles, trucks, motorhomes and bicycles in the Tour de France has reached its saturation point. Hundreds of officials’ cars, team vehicles, media cars and photographers’ motorcycles depart each stage of the race in a grand and often frantic ceremony more elaborate than the departure of the cyclists.

Hey GM, Chrysler, Toyota? Get Charlize Theron Behind The Wheel — Now

Forget about more horsepower, gadgetry, weird names and odd-colored paint. If one of the automobile manufacturers wants to immediately catapult its sales, hire Charlize Theron.

Another Auto Strike? How About Less Talk, Better Cars?

For the second time in two weeks, the country’s auto industry is facing a strike. While negotiations continued, the United Auto Workers (UAW) set a Wednesday morning deadline to agree on a new contract or 49,000 hourly workers for Chrysler could strike. What the pending strike means for the auto industry at large is hard to know. But it what is known is that tactics used both the company management and the UAW is growing old. Management gives its side of the equation to the media and the workers’ representatives follow with their thoughts. Or the scenario works in reverse.