News Service

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Volvo S60 R, 2012: Sporty sedan with multi-national flair (video)

The Volvo S60 was introduced 12 years ago as the carmaker's first major departure in a few decades from its box-on-wheels reputation. Now in its second generation. the Volvo S60 2012 edition is offered in three trims, including the most-sports-car-like Volvo yet, the S60 T6 AWD R. The R means "R-Design Elements" and that translates into the car's sportiness with a handful of features — 18-inch alloy wheels to sport tuning and lower front and rear spoilers to the signature Volvo blue watch dial instrument cluster. That's a lot of numbers and letters for a model. But what the alphabet soup name means for potential buyers is 325 horsepower, a turbo-charged six-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2013 and Azera 2012 pricing announced

Prices for the refreshed 2013 Genesis Coupe have been announced, starting at $24,250 for the 2.0T model paired with a six-speed manual transmission and extending to $34,250 for the 3.8 Grand Touring model with a V6 and 8-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission. The facelifted Genesis Coupe features more aggressive exterior styling. The 2013 Genesis Coupe interiro has been enhanced with distinctive, upscale features. The 3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine adds direct-injection technology for improved horsepower, better fuel economy and lower emissions. Peak horsepower rises to 348, a gain of 42, and peak torque increases to 295 lb.-ft. on premium fuel. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine now generates 274 horsepower, a 64 hp improvement, and 275 lb.-ft. of torque on premium fuel. Automatic transmissions

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Jaguar XKR-S, 2012: New kitty has big teeth, purrs

Text/Images By Conrad Dodd Jaguar has stepped up its game with its quickest car ever, the 2012 XKR-S. With its 550 horsepower and 4,100-pound curb weight, that's an easily believable boast. This car is properly fast. Jaguar claims a 0-60 mph dash will take only 4.2 seconds. For once, that feels like an understatement. The current XKR has been tested around the 4.0 second mark already. Doing the math, a 4.2 second 0-60 mph for the XKR-S seems silly. After all, it pumps out an additional 40 horses over the XKR. The exhaust note is violent under full acceleration thanks to some changes to the standard plumbing. Thank you very much Jaguar, it's fantastic. The 295/30R20 Pirelli P Zero tires

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Lexus, Toyota, Scion shine in 2012 J.D. Power dependability study

Paced by Lexus, which earned the No. 1 overall rating, eight Lexus, Toyota and Scion models captured segment awards in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study Lexus is the number one nameplate improving by 23 fewer problems/100; Toyota is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate and tied for third place overall, improving by 18 fewer problems/100; Scion achievrd its highest ever position at fifth place, jumping 17 positions and improving by 55 fewer problems/100. Lexus was the highest ranking nameplate in the industry in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study and earned more segment awards than any other premium brand. The Lexus IS won the entry premium car segment in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive

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Kia releases illustrations of new flagship, rear-wheel drive sedan

Kia Motors has revealed the first official sketches of its all-new flagship sedan, Codenamed KH. It's expected to establish new standards for design flair in the large sedan segment. Based on the Hyundai Equus platform, the new model is Kia’s first rear-wheel drive sedan and combines innovative design with high-tech features. KH is among the company’s eagerly anticipated new models and will be launched in Kia’s domestic market in the first half of 2012. Soon-Nam Lee, Kia’s Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, says, “Our all-new flagship sedan integrates all of our key capabilities such as design, performance, high-tech features and infotainment into one striking model. According to Kia, the KH’s profile was a key focus for the design team.

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Sports Illustrated, Lexus team with supermodel Tori Praver in 2012 swimsuit issue

While Kate Upton has been unveiled as the cover model for the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, SI as per tradition will feature many other models, including Tori Praver in the yearly best-selling issue. In an ideally time public relations move, Lexus has announced the campaign TORI 500. With the headline, “Lexus Throws Sports Illustrated Swimsuit a Curve”, the multi-faceted campaign showcases an actual racetrack the automaker created in the shape of Praver’s body. “Admiring the curves of a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model is one thing, but actually driving it — that’s something only Lexus and its all-new 2013 GS sport sedan could do with style,” begins the campaign. The campaign elements include: iOS app—Available at Lexus.com/tori500 and iTunes, SUPERMODELED

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2012 Kia Rio, Optima get MotorWeek best subcompact, midsize honors

The 2012 Kia Rio and Kia Optima have been designated with Drivers' Choice Awards as the best subcompact and midsize sedan by MotorWeek at the Chicago Auto Show. The long-running television program recognized the Kia models for their performance, fuel efficiency and overall value. The Rio and Optima bring many convenience features to their respective segments, including Bluetooth wireless technology with steering wheel-mounted controls, USB and auxiliary input jacks and SiriusXM satellite radio capabilities with three months complimentary service. The annual MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards represent the editors' best automotive picks for a range of lifestyles. This year, a team of 15 judges comprised of MotorWeek's editorial staff, evaluated more than 150 cars, trucks and utility vehicles. Decisions are based

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Chrysler, Clint East Super Bowl commercial parody: Bailouts, Madonna, Polar Bears

It's halftime. Both teams are listening to a Madonna performance that sounds eerily similar to a Lady Gaga song they'll hear 10 years from now. It's halftime in America, too. People are out of work and they're hurting. And they're wondering where all their money went. Well, $12.5 billion of it went to Chrysler. In the form of a bailout. But it's okay, because Chrysler is all-American. Though technically 58.5% of Chrysler is owned by an Italian corporation. And Chrysler manufactures many of its vehicles in Canada. And Mexico. But I guess that doesn't make for a great commercial. Unlike polar bears. Or dogs. Or that digestive yogurt. Yeah, Americans are hurting. And their dollars are being used to bail

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Chrylser, Clint Eastwood Super Bowl commercial parody: It's halftime in Grand Rapids

In this parody of the Clint Eastwood's commercial for Chrysler, the voiceover isn't as strong as it could be. Nonetheless, it's about Grand Rapids, Mich., and it's halftime. Public art, graffiti, odd road signs and locals walking the streets are teased, and the parody works well. The video ends on a positive note, with its maker professing his love for Grand Rapids. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness

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NHTSA investigating Toyota Camry RAV for door fires

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating consumer complaints of driver’s side door fires in 2007 Toyota Camry sedans and RAV4 crossovers. "Based on the available information, it appears the fires are originating from the power window master switch located on the driver's side door," the filing reports. Six consumers have complained, according to the investigation NHTSA began this weekl. This probe is not officially a recall, but may lead to one in which an estimated 830,000 cars and SUVs may be affected. Toyota’s safety team is cooperating with the investigation, but will not comment until more information from NHTSA is revealed. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Tesla Model X revealed: Fastback with wings, room for seven

Stealing some thunder from the Tesla Model S, even before it arrives at showrooms, was the reveal of the Model X at Tesla’s Los Angeles Design and Engineering offices. Fastback designs, such as the Audi A7, Porsche Panamera, and Acura ZDX, are becoming more popular with buyers. Tesla now has its own fastback model with a few differentiating features. In an attempt to make it minivan-easy to load the rear passengers and cargo, the aft "Falcon Wing" doors lift and fold upward, not unlike Ralph Macchio's arms during his celebrated crane kick at the end of The Karate Kid. Inside is room to fit seven full-size adults. In front is what some people would call a trunk, but Tesla calls

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Hyundai Elantra, 2013: European functionality, more standard features

Hyundai has introduced the 2013 Elantra GT in a North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show. The Elantra GT, which brings five-door functionality and European driving dynamics to the expanding Elantra lineup, is scheduled for dealerships in the summer of 2012 The lineup now includes Elantra Coupe – also making its world debut – and the Elantra sedan, the 2012 North American Car of the Year. Elantra GT is based on the new-generation i30 model designed for the European market. Hightlights for the 2013 Elantra GT include: Fluidic Sculpture’ design, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed automatic or manual transmission, 148 horsepower, EPA estimated 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway, driver knee airbag, hidden rear camera. Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille

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Buick Regal eAssist mild hybrid, standard engine for 2013

The Buick Regal will come with eAssist hybrid technology in 2013 as standard equipment. A system that provides a light, but effective, secondary electric motor that assists to either motivate the car during slow traffic or to provide an additional boost to the engine, eAssist was initially a $2,000 option for Regals equipped with the Ecotec 2.4 liter engine. According to EPA ratings, the eAssist Regal reaches 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. GM will phase out the base 2.4-liter engine which delivers 19 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. No word yet on the 2013 Regal eAssist pricing, but the 2012 model starts at $28,490 excluding an $885 destination charge. If the thought of conservation takes away the

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Toyota reinvents Camry, babies, DMV and pizza curtains in Super Bowl ad

Toyota made one of the best commercials for the 2012 Super Bowl. It's toutig the 2012 Toyota Camry, carmaker decided to do more. In the one-minute commercial, here's what Toyota has done: This is the re-invented couch. It also comes in male. This is a re-invented police officer. He's also a masseuse. This is the re-invented baby. It doesn't poop. It it also a time machine. The re-invented DMV. It's a little nicer. The re-invented blender. It plays Lionel Ritchey. The reinvented plant. It fights crime. The re-invented curtains. They are made of pizza. This is re-invente rain. It makes you skinny. And this is the re-invented Toyota Camry available with everything you could possibly want. James RaiaA sports, travel

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Clint Eastwood gets down and dirty for Chrysler, America in Super Bowl ad

With Clint Eastwood and his still powerful but raspy voice as the audio and images of Detroit and its people draped in shadows and often in darkness, Chrysler for the second straight year presented the only two-minute commercial in Super Bowl XLVI. Like Eminem last year, Eastwood was hired to star in a two-minute movie. Eastwood's role was in “It’s Halftime in America.” Unlike most carmakers, Chrysler didn't release the video or a tease to it prior to the same. Its absence only added to the suspense of its pending broadcast. And when Eastwood emerged from the shadows just before the start of the second half, he was captivating. With some overt and some subtle references to both his movies

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King Elton John gets dethroned in campy Super Bowl commercial for Pepsi

Sir Elton John has seemingly mellowed in recent years. He's a married guy now and his once flamboyant Liberace-Gone-Wild approach has transitioned into a more Wall Street-executive-with-hair-weave style. One exception is his new Super Bowl commercial for Pepsi. The over-the-top Elton is back with his one-minute commercial with X Factor winner Melanie Amaro. They act out a epic, medieval music showdown. Elton has his outrageous Kings clothes, platform heals and some oversized glasses, circa the performer's signature look from 30 years ago. Amaro's blasts out the beginning of "Respect," the epic pop tune made famous by Aretha Franklin. Amaro gets the last laugh, plunging Elton in the dungeon. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years,

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