James Bond, Jay Leno and Aston Martin legacy in Spectre

Jay Leno knows a lot about all kinds of cars, his favorite vintage Bentley sedans to the varied selection of James Bond cars. In a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the NBC automotive show in which Leno examines and drives new and old vehicles, the comedian discusses the legend of Bond cars, including the manufacture of 10 Aston Martin DB10 model for Spectre. The just-released film is the 24th movie in the James Bond genre legacy. It dates to 1962 with the original film, Dr. No and adaptation from the Ian Fleming book. For additional Aston Martin reading, visit:

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VW, Audi, Porsche diesels get ‘stop-sale’ as scandal widens

The ever-expanding Volkswagen scandal has gotten worse. The automaker has issued a “stop-sale” for more than 10,000 Audi, Porsche and VW SUVs and high-end cars with 3.0-liter diesel engines. Federal regulators have labeled the cars as having “defeat devices” dating to 2013. The stop-sale includes more vehicles than identified by EPA on Monday. It only labeled the specific model years of three vehicles it had tested as violating emissions rules by allowing the vehicles to emit up to nine times legally allowable levels. RELATED VW EMISSION SCANDAL CONTENT: More VW, Audi, Porsche models added to cheat list Volkswsgen can’t sell

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James Bond cars, Sunbeam Alpine to Aston Martin DB10

The cars featured in the 24 James Bond movies are arguably as famous as the actors who have played secret agent 007. Those actors, Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, have varying personalities in the films. And so do the cars they’ve driven, a Sunbeam Alpine II to an Aston Martin DB 10. In the the soon-to-be released movie Spectre, Aston Martin created 10 Aston Martin DB 10 models. The villain’s car is Jaguar’s hybrid supercar, the C-X75. According the several newspaper articles, filmmakers destroyed $36 million worth of cars, including seven DB10 models, during filming. In the original James Bond

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2016 Toyota Camry: Best-selling sedan gets sporty, better

Toyota has plenty to worry about. But the Toyota Camry, its best-selling vehicle, offers more cause for celebration than concern. The midsize sedan has for years also been the best-selling car in the United States. So what’s a manufacturer to do a model year after a new generation of one of the most successful cars in history was introduced? The answer is the new limited Special Edition of Toyota Camry. It’s the sports-oriented model that adds a new departure to the Camry stable. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A five-passenger midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry is now available in six

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Audi, Porsche, more Volkswagen models added to cheat list

Volkswagen is in further trouble. The scandal-plagued carmaker has received a second notice of violation of the Clean Air Act with emissions test violations expanding to additional VW vehicles as well Audi and Porsche models. The additional vehicles affected by the violation notice include the diesel versions of the 2014 VW Touareg, the 2015 Porsche Cayenne and the 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5. These vehicles are equipped with 3.0-liter engines that release emissions of nitrogen oxide up to nine times the EPA standard, the agency said. Additional Related Content: Volkswagen Can’t Sell 2016 Diesel in

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Ford Fiesta, Nissan Pathfinder among least reliable cars

The Pope gave Fiat the best press it’s ever had recently when he chose it as his preferred transportation during his visit to the United States. Consumer Reports, however, has just given the compact minivan/crossover some of its worst publicity — “least reliable car.” In a throwback to the 1970s when Fiat got the infamous slogan for the acronym of its name, “Fix It Again, Tony,” the Italian carmaker has been bombarded with problems from new owners. Broken tie rods, slipping transmission, shoddy electrical system and even engine failures have all been reported in the publication’s extensive yearly study. As

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Buying a new car? Be honest with yourself

Buying a new car for the first time can be intimidating. From the disreputable reputations of salespeople to the realities of financing fine print, how does a buyer know if they’re making the right choice? There’s plenty of advice available. Many industry experts are knowledgeable, cultivating years of data from buyers’ experiences. But other “experts” may lead a buyer toward a vehicle with their own financial gain as the top priority. Used cars have more potential issues, but first-time new car buyers should take note. The auto industry continues to collectively improve its products. There’s more competition, so carmakers have

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Aston Martin, James Bond DB10: Own It, Can’t Drive It (VIDEO)

Would you still want to own the only Aston Martin DB10 for sale if you couldn’t drive it? That’s exactly the scenario for the 10 bespoke Aston Martin cars made specifically for use in the new James Bond film, “Spectre.” The luxury automaker plans to auction off one DB10 next year, but the car doesn’t have the necessary road certifications for driving. “Spectre” marks a departure from past Bond films because the two main cars featured in the movie were created solely for the film and are not available to the public. “This is the first time we created a

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Mercedes-Benz, Honda models among 10 cars gone in 2016

New year car models used to be available for the first time in September. But manufacturers now debut cars for different reasons at the different times of the year. While some 2016 models are still pending, some 2017 models have been available for months. But consumers beware. If you’re considering a 2016 model, it may no longer be available. Honda to Toyota, Mercedes Benz to Nissan, some models of prominent cars ended their tenures after their 2015 models. Here’s a list of 10 well-known cars available as 2015 models, but defunct as 2016 models: 1. Mercedes-Benz M-Class — The German

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2016 Scion iA: A new small package with attitude

The Scion iA and its sibling, the iM, are new vehicles for 2016. The iA is a sporty entry level sedan; the iM is a five-door hatchback. The duo is manufactured to appeal to millennials. But there’s a surprise for consumers in the sub-compact market. Scion models are usually the less expensive offerings from parent company Toyota. The iA is actually a rebadged Mazda2. It’s offered in the United States since the Mazda2 isn’t. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Scion iA is a four-cylinder, 106 horsepower four-door subcompact with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. My weekly driver was

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Blake Griffin benched by Kia as NBA season begins (VIDEO)

As the NBA season unfolds, Blake Griffin has been benched. But the all-star forward hasn’t done anything wrong. Rather, the Los Angeles Clippers’ forward will be featured in a new series of television commercials for Kia. Griffin, who began his relationship with Kia in 2011, will appear in four new commercials under the theme of “Next Level” for Kia’s best-selling Optima midsize sedan. With his dry sense of satire, Griffin has been “benched” in the commercial in a lounge chair “zone.” Griffin finds an eternally calm while reading the newspaper, playing chess, making the ultimate peanut butter and jelly sandwich

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Tesla oddity: Safest car ever tested but unreliable? (VIDEO)

Telsa has revolutionized the automotive industry, but the super luxury electric car has just received its first major dubious honor. Consumer Reports has described $127,000 Tesla Model S has “worse than average” in reliability. The unexpected rating is odd considering the prestigious publication in recent months selected the Tesla as the safest car ever made. It’s also rated as the publication’s best performing car. According to the publication, results from the 1,400 responses from consumers detailed a long list of “maladies with the drivetrain, charging equipment, big-screen center console and evidence of a poorly-built vehicle with squeaks, rattles and leaks.” Tesla Model

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Recall madness: Corolla, Camry among 6.5 million repealed (VIDEO)

The seemingly never-ending saga of Toyota recalls has expanded with the recent of announcement of the carmaker recalling 6.5 million cars globally, including the Corolla and Camry, to fix power window switches that can short circuit and catch fire. The driver’s side switches on some models have been found to malfunction if they did not receive enough grease during the manufacturing process. The recall includes 2.7 million cars in North America, 1.2 million in Europe and 600,000 in Japan. Toyota recall worries continue, this time Camry The affected cars were produced between 2005 and 2010, and include Toyota’s Yaris, Corolla,

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2016 Honda Fit: Hatchback shines as best car value in U.S.

Nearing its 10th year of availability in the United States, the Honda Fit is quickly accelerating its way toward the iconic stature of the Volkswagen Beetle and Toyota Corolla. More than five million units have sold in eight countries since the vehicle debuted in Japan in 2001. After a year’s hiatus, the 2015 Honda Fit was redesigned and featured a more aggressive and stylized exterior appearance for the debut of is third generation. It also featured more standard features, increased cargo space and better gas mileage. For the 2016, why mess with new success? Honda didn’t, and the new Fits

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Toyota Prius, Chevy Volt green car of the year finalists

The pioneering hybrid Toyota Prius and the second generation of the Chevrolet Volt have been selected among five finalists for the 2016 Green Car of the Year. The 11th annual award will be presented as per tradition on November 19 as a preamble to the LA Auto Show. The Green Car Journal, which debuted the award in 2005, has selected the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic Hyundai Sonata as well as the Prius and Volt. According to the publication, and increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year program each year, a reflection of

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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander: Underdog SUV improved

Thirteen years since its North American debut as the replacement for the Montero Sport, the Mitsubishi Outlander is vastly updated from its predecessor. Most notably, there’s improved fuel mileage, more attractive exterior and interior designs and a standard third-row seat that translates into seating for seven. Still, Mitsubishi has long been an automotive underdog. And with the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, the Japanese carmaker is making a further attempt to gain a slice of the ever-popular SUV market. The heavily revised Outlander now includes what Mitsubishi calls “Dynamic Shield.” The standard improvements include: a steering wheel headliner, rear folding seats, door

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