News Service

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Safest Cars For Pets? Dodge Journey to Mazda 5 to Volvo XC70

As part of its Pet Safety Program, Bark Buckle UP and Edmunds.com have collaborated to determine the top 10 vehicles whose features make them best suited for safe pet travel. Here are the top-10 choices with a brief comment, about the first listing, the Dodge Journey: Dodge Journey Ford Flex GMC Acadia Hyundai Tucson Jeep Liberty Kia Borrego Mazda 5 Mitsubishi Outlander Subaru Tribeca Volvo XC70 The complete story is available on www.edmunds.com. The synopsis of the Dodge Journey “To ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and pets, all gear must be secure when driving, and the Journey offers in-floor storage bins that elegantly achieve this objective. “Sadly, many pets are injured by drivers who unknowingly run them over while

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Maserati Clunker? How about Maserati Biturbo junker?

While the 25-year Italian sports car can be categorized as rare, it’s certainly not in high demand. In fact, the 1984 Maserati Bitiurbo has a dubious distinction. It’s listed as No. 37 on the Time Magazine list of Worst Cars in History. The same Maserati is also made the dubious list called “Crap Cars” compiled by the BBC. It’s also cited on some lists as the worst car made in 1984. The 1985 Maserati Biturbo is, however, unique. Among the thousands of old largely American pick-up trucks and SUVs turned in across the country in the “Cash For Clunkers” program, it currently rests majestically in a Colorado car dealership lot graveyard waiting for its demise. The man who turned in

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Tour de France revisited: Daily caravan of buses, cars and motorhomes

This year’s race began in Monaco and advanced into Andorra, Spain, Switzerland and Italy and France. I drove a 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso min-MPV. It’s a boxy crossover with a five-speed manual transmission, decent acceleration and a lot of storage room. It used diesel fuel, which in France (and other European countries) is more than $1 cheaper gallon than standard grade unleaded gas. It’s sold in liters, with 3.8 liters equaling a gallon. Prices varied from .88 to 1.15 euros per liter, or $3.34 to $4.37 per gallon. During my 23 days at the Tour de France, I drove the Citroen 6,625 kilometers (4,115 miles). Someone stole a hubcap and  small press sticker was peeled off the from rear window.

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Press Release: Air Alerts improve safety, save fuel

The Air Alert is an ingenious device that alerts drivers when their tires are getting low. When tire pressure dropped 4 psi from the original pressure, the small alert valve cap immediately flashes to improve safety and fuel efficiency. Air Alert replaces the standard tire valve cap and immediately flashes brightly, visible to the driver from any angle approaching the vehicle. More accurate and immediate than other tire pressure warning systems, and at a fraction of the cost of other systems, Air Alert is the best and most cost-effective tire pressure monitoring device available. Air Alert retails for $34.95 ($39.95 w/ anti-theft protection feature) for a set of four and can be purchased online at automotiveupgrade.com, via phone at 877 293

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Ferrari expands brand popularity with new retail store in London, more Prancing Horse outlets planned

Set in two stories of a columned, stone building in the heart of London, the 5,705-square-foot store will have all the usual Ferrari goods, including spaces devoted to car and F1 products, such as clothing and model cars. Räikkönen, the team’s most recent world champion in 2007, also signed the counter, the now-traditional way Ferrari breaks in its new outlets. The store will be managed by the Percassi Group, an Italian retailer which also owns the Ferrari store in Milan. There are other Ferrari stores in Rome, Venice, Barcelona, San Francisco, Miami, Abu Dhabi and Macao (China). Ferrari plans to open more than 40 stores around the world in the next three years, as it seeks to capitalize on the

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Pontiac Aztek's Dubious Honor: Ugliest Among Top-100 Ugly Cars

But it also had some unique choices, Karmann Ghia to Citroen. And the top car was a beauty — the E-type Jaguar XKE. A month ago, results of the readers’ top 100 ugliest cars were released Scrolling through the list was as much fun and salivating over the most handsome cars. Telegraph readers cast votes for 309 cars for selection to the dubious 100 list, and here’s the final 20 on the all-ugly list. 20. Range Rover; 19. AMC Gremlin; 18. Nissan Micra; 17. Ford Edsel; 16. Trabant; 15. Audi Q7; 14. Triumph TR7; 13. Morris Ital; 12. Ford KA; 11. BMW 1-Series; 10. Chrysler PT-Cruiser; 9. Austin Princess/Ambassador; 8. Hummer; 7. Ford Scorpio; 6. AMC Pacer; 5. Porsche Cayenne;

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Hyundai unveils concept vehicle Nuvis at New York International Auto Show

Hyundai’s all-new, homegrown Hybrid Blue Drive architecture helps define the Nuvis concept. Hyundai‘s proprietary parallel hybrid drive system mates the already fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW (205 N-m) electric motor for maximum fuel economy. Hybrid Blue Drive has an all-electric mode and a parallel drive mode, meaning the wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, or the electric motor, or both together, as conditions demand. This parallel hybrid drive architecture will serve as the foundation for future Hyundai hybrid drive vehicles, starting with the next-generation Sonata in the United States. The Nuvis has an assertive face demonstrated by the strong, hourglass shape that frames the blue acrylic shield

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Cadillac, Autonet debut new Wifi router for 2009 CTS sedan

The companies jointly debuted the new router at the New York International Auto Show, April 10 – 19 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. The partnership will deliver the first internet entertainment system for Cadillac, and one of the first in the luxury auto market. Branded as Cadillac WiFi by Autonet Mobile, the system is based on the company’s latest generation mobile router, a new smaller unit that allows consumers to easily transfer it from car to car via a new docking station. The system is one-third smaller and incorporates an internal WiFi antenna which fits the sleek new Cadillac interiors. Now Cadillac customers will have instant internet access anytime and anywhere for work during the week to check email,

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1988 Honda Accord, 1992 Dodge Spirit: Odd cars for two great movies, Frozen River, Wendy and Lucy

Frozen River features the story of Ray Eddy, an upstate New York trailer mom lured into illegal immigrant smuggling when she meets a Mohawk girl who lives on a reservation that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border. In Wendy and Lucy, leading actress Michelle Williams lives in her 1988 Honda Accord. But as she make her way across the country en route to Alaska, the Honda Accord breaks down in a small Oregon town — and that’s when the plot of the movie begins. It’s unlikely either General Motors or Honda is seeking the kind of publicity the manufacturers are getting in the respective movies. But it’s also a perfect example of the  axiom: “all publicity is good publicity.” James RaiaA sports,

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Honda Insight 2010 set for earlier distribution, lower price than Toyota Prius

The 2010 Honda Insight will be available sooner than previously announced, according to the New York Times. The gas-electric hybrid will be available beginning March 24 at a starting price for the base LM model of $19,800. According to the newspaper, the total price (with destination charge) will be $20,470 or about $2,250 less than Toyota Prius, the best-selling hybrid in the United States. A new Prius is also scheduled to soon debut, but its price has not been announced. In the Times article, Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda, said: “Insight is the most affordable new hybrid available in the U.S. In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where

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President Barack Obama's new Cadillac limo: Options include shotguns and extra blood

The accompany image “speaks volumes.” President Obama will be transported in the limousine by a Secret Service driver, another long-standing U.S. tradition. President Obama currently owns a Ford Escape hybrid, and the Ebay auction for his soon-to-be previous car, a 2005 Chrysler 300C, is scheduled to end today. 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 columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to

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Nissan To Soon Offer No-Frills Versa For Less Than $10,000

The new Versa model is made in Mexico and will be available beginning Nov. 18, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times. The sub-$10,000 price is $3,000 less than the current cheapest Versa available. The cheapest car now sold in the U.S. is the Hyundai Accent at just over $11,000. “A sticker price under $10,000 is certainly appealing to customers in an economy where people don’t have money anymore,” Robyn Eckard of Kelley Blue Book told the newspaper. The new Versa will have a 1.6-liter engine, rather than the 1.8 liter offered on the current Versa. It will get 34 mpg on the highway, compared with 33 mpg currently. General Motors was the last automaker to offer a

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Cars of Presidents & Candidates: Roosevelt to Clinton, Obama to McCain

The top-10 most interesting cars list coincides with what’s among the most historic presidential elections. Hagerty Insurance researched the personal vehicles of America’s past presidents and current candidates and selected one car for each individual most attention-grabbing for his time. The result is a fun and informative look at what drives American presidents or what American presidents (and candidates) drive. 1. William Taft (1909-1913): Baker Electric — Taft was the first president to own and drive cars during his presidency. One of the most interesting cars he owned was, ironically enough, “green” — a Baker Electric. This electric vehicle was especially popular with women in the era, as it did not require any cranking and was virtually maintenance-free. 2. Franklin

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Car & Driver Magazine's Top-10 Cars For 2008

The magazine has just released its 2008 results,  and the list emphasizes an influx of sedans and sports cars in several price categories. As the magazine detailed, it judges cars as follows: “We judge each car in three general areas, the first being how well the vehicle performs its intended functions. We expect sports cars to be fast and exhilarating, whereas we presume a family sedan will be frugal and practical.” “Second, we show all preference for the more engaging cars in each category, be it athletic driving manners, a seductive look, or a powerful engine sure to induce a grin every time we climb behind the wheel. Finally, we are suckers for a good deal, so an inexpensive car

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CarMax, Young Drivers Non-Profit Pick Safest Cars For Teenagers

Each vehicle on this list is rated on affordability, style, and has at least a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in each of the past three years. The list, in alphabetical order by manufacturer, includes: Chevrolet Malibu (2008 only), Dodge Caliber (models with optional side airbags and ABS), Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta. Not a bad list, not at all. 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

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Legendary Paul Newman, Passionate Race Driver, Dies At Age 83

Newman’s first professional event was in 1972, in Thompson, Conn., and he was a common competitor in Sports Car Club of America events for the rest of the decade, eventually winning several championships. In the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1979, Newman drove in Dick Barbour’s Porsche 935 and finished the race in second. Newman rejoined Barbour in 2000 to compete in the Petit Le Mans. From the mid-’70s to the early ’90s, Newman drove for the Bob Sharp Racing team, racing mainly Datsuns (later rebranded as Nissans) in the Trans-Am Series. He became heavily associated with the brand during the ’80s, even appearing in commercials for them. At age of 70, Newman he became the oldest driver to

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