News feed - Page 159 of 255 - The Weekly Driver

LA Auto Show: On the way in a 2013 Toyota Prius c, #1

The 2013 Toyota Prius c, which joined the Prius family earlier this year, is among five finalists for Green Car of the Year honors at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Which means it made perfect sense to drive one to the show. Which is exactly what I’m doing. The easy-to-use navigation system in the Prius c (the lowercase “c” is for “city”) dialed in the route from my home in Sacramento to Los Angeles as 380 miles and the time en route as 6 hours and 4 minutes. The route is primarily south on Interstate 5. I left at 6:10

2013 Cadillac XTS: New sedan best Cadillac ever?

The all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS is a big front-wheel or all-wheel-drive sedan based on the Buick LaCrosse and upcoming Chevrolet Impala. It replaces Cadillac’s DTS and STS models and is arguably the best Cadillac sedan ever. The XTS is handsome, despite a stubby hood. Its clean, elegant design doesn’t have the many sharp angles and creases found on other Cadillacs. The uptown interior is deathly quiet. It has everything from comfortable seats and easily read gauges to soft-touch, high-quality materials, with either wood or metal. No cheap plastics here. The XTS stresses technology, luxury and prestige, with no pretensions to

Mercedes-Benz 2013 GLK 350: Classic ride, style for newly designed SUV

Now in its third year, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350, the German automaker’s smallest sport utility vehicle, received a makeover. Improvements include more horsepower, better acceleration, revamped power steering, a more elegant interior design and a handful of new standard and optional features. The exterior improvements include new headlights and front bumper, as well as LED taillights and running lamps. The rear has also been redesigned with shades of bottom-heavy family sedans of yesteryear. All improvements were warranted because the segment has plenty of competition, including luxury people mover stalwarts like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Lexus RX350. The Weekly

Nissan Versa keeps Cheapest Car in the U.S. title for 2013

It’s about five times more expensive than the Tata Nano, but the Nissan Versa maintains its unique position in the automotive industry. Including a $790 destination charge, the 2013 edition of the subcompact sedan is the cheapest new car in the United States with a beginning price of $12,280. The Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Sonic all have entry level prices of less than $15,000. But the Nissan Versa retains its current status despite an increase of $1,100 from the 2012 model. The top-of-the-line 2013 Nissan Versa sedan starts at $17,380, including shipping, which places it higher than comparable models of

2013 best sedans: Ford Fiesta to Audi A8

Sedans are arguably the most competitive car segment, and the uniqueness of the Edmunds.com list for 2013 is that Toyota, which manufacturers the Camry and Corolla, both perennially among the top-10 selling cars in the United States, is not on the recommended list in any sedan price category. None of the members of the Toyota Prius family of hybrid cars are on recommended sedan list, either, although Toyota products are listed in other recommended categories. Here’s the top-three in eight price categories for Edmunds.com, the online automotive information resource guide headquartered in Santa Monica, California. Under $15K Chevrolet Sonic, Ford

Hyundai, Kia face additional scrutiny from national consumer group

Hyundai and Kia are under further scrutiny. The nonprofit consumer group Consumer Watchdog is asking U.S. House and Senate Commerce committees to investigate false vehicle miles-per-gallon (mpg) claims against the two carmakers. The non-partisan group called the revelation about some Hyundai and Kia vehicle mpg stickers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “the first time in American history large numbers of vehicles carried window stickers with false mpg claims.” Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America currently face two U.S. civil suits seeking class-action status after the companies admitted to making bogus fuel-economy claims. Consumer Watchdog said it wrote

Tad Burness, automotive historian, author, cartoonist dies at age 79

Automotive News

Tad Burness, creator of the iconic syndicated one-panel automotive illustration “Auto Album” has died of pulmonary heart failure at his home in Pacific Grove, California. He was 79. Burness, whose cartoon panel depicted unique cars and trucks, began his feature in 1966. It was syndicated for many years in newspaper automotive supplements around the country, including the Monterey County Herald and Sacramento Bee. “Auto Album” was also featured in four book collections. Burness was also the author of more than 20 other books on subjects ranging from classic cars to homes built in the 1800s. The first books Burness published

2013 Volkswagen Golf R: Turbo hatchback a smooth, powerful, fast gem

The new hot rod Golf R hatchback is for driving enthusiasts and is unchanged from its 2012 debut. Demand was strong for last year’s model, so Volkswagen said the R is being offered again in 2013 in limited numbers. The R is the heir to the 2004 and 2008 Golf R32 models. It’s up against formidable rivals such as the BMW X128i, Ford Focus ST, Mitsubishi Evo, Mazdaspeed3 and Subaru WRX STI . The Golf R’s turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder is the most powerful Golf engine ever offered in the United States. It’s a gem that produces 256 horsepower and 243

Danica Patrick hits life’s obstacle course, divorce after 7 years of marriage

Danica Patrick, whose good looks and competitive, spirited personality brought new interest to IndyCar and NASCAR racing, has announced she’s getting a divorce from physical therapist husband Paul Hospenthal after seven years of marriage. Patrick announced the split on her Facebook page. “I am sad to inform my fans that after seven years, Paul and I have decided amicably end our marriage,” she said. “This isn’t easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that’s how we will remain moving forward.” Hospenthal and Patrick

2014 Ford Fiesta by the numbers: 1 liter, 3 cylinders, 40 mpg, 123 hp

Auto Shows-Museums, Automotive News, News Service

The 2014 Ford Fiesta, which will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will feature the smallest engine sold in the United States a — a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder with EcoBoost. Currently available in Europe and described by one car review site as “tiny enough to fit into an airplane carry-on bag,” the new Ford Fiesta will go on sale in the U.S. at an yet-to-be announced date next year. According to a report on GreenCarReports.com, the new Fiesta will have 123 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of peak torque at 1,400 rpm. Ford didn’t quote projected gas-mileage ratings, but

New Bugatti supercar pending: 1,600 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 1.8 seconds

Bugatti never rests on its new automotive masterpieces for long. Which is to say, the iconic carmaker is working on a lighter, faster car likely with 1,600 horsepower and 0-60 mph acceleration time of 1.8 seconds. According to an interview in AutoExpress with Jens Schlenburg, chief engineer for Bugatti, the automaker is considering using carbon fiber wheels to eliminate weight as one improvement component that will allow the car to achieve a maximum speed of 288 mph. Bugatti is also considering using a hybrid engine in its new car, according to the article. One obstacle: Hybrid engines are appreciably heavier

LA Auto Show: Honda, Subaru, Toyota among 12 carmakers in new green technology showcase

The Los Angeles Auto Show for several years has been at the forefront of the automotive industry’s green car technology. The selection of the Green Car of the Year is a highlight of the year’s first major car show. But this year, under a new category, approximately 25 vehicles from a dozen manufacturers will participate in the Green and Advanced Technology Ride & Drive. The program will offer a preview and media test drive sessions of the latest in-car innovations and fuel-efficient vehicles. The participating vehicles will represent the latest evolutions of electric, hybrid, clean diesel and fuel cell. The

Drivers often in the dark about difficulties on holiday nights

Holiday traffic often makes driving appreciably difficult. But driving at night during the holidays is usually even more difficult. In fact, nearly one of every three drivers reports tthey have difficulty seeing all or at least most of the time while driving in the dark. Eyecare experts warn against the potential pitfalls driving in the dark and offer tips to help alleviate problem while driving at night, particularly during the holiday. Consider: Common problems that affect nighttime driving: * Changing from seeing distance to near is difficult. A condition called night myopia makes it difficult for the eyes to focus

Fiat 500 electric, decked in orange/white, debuts at LA Auto Show

The Fiat 500e, electric edition of the Italian hatchback first rumored two years ago, will debut November 30 at the Los Angeles Auto Show with a unique orange and white theme. First shown as the Fiat 500 BEV concept at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the zero-emissions Fiat 500 hatchback will go on sale in California in 2013 and other United States markets from 2014. The Fiat 500e is distinguished from its conventional petrol-powered sibling by its white lower front intake panel, unique side skirts, aero-enhancing alloy wheels and low rolling-resistance tires. The orange and white theme is reversed in

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander: New design for economical SUV

The newly designed 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, the fuel-efficient seven-passenger SUV, will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show via a press conference and unveiling November 29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Outlander, according to the manufacturer, features a new design that emphasizes exterior aerodynamic efficiency. The engine is a new version of Mitsubishi’s MIVEC continuously-variable valve lift timing system for increased fuel economy. The new interior design and new technologically-advanced features include Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the sharply-styled all-new 2014 Outlander elevates the level of

Chevrolet Corvette 2014 set for Detroit debut with global social media

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, which has been described by the manufacturer as “precisely sculpted” will be unveiled January 13, 2013 in Detroit and with a vast social media campaign. Chevrolet has heavily touted the new design and the manufacturer says the car “delivers more than just stunning good looks – every line, vent, inlet and surface has been optimized for performance.” “The all-new Corvette integrates more high-performance aerodynamic features than ever before, many taken directly from Corvette Racing,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “For example, the front grill and radiator flow paths reduce lift, improving vehicle stability at high