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Dodge Charger, 2011 car review

Six years ago, the Dodge Charger re-emerged from its famed muscle car heydays during the 1970s. For 2011, with a redesigned exterior and interior the Charger has now become a borderline oxymoron — a sedan sports car. The Charger name has been featured on several different Dodge products since its debut as a concept car in 1964. The latest addition is the new 3.6-liter V6. It replaces the outgoing 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter V6s. With an increase to 292 horsepower, it’s as if the muscle car returned alright, but in a refined version. The Weekly Driver Test Drive With its new

Ford, Toyota announce auto marriage for hybrids, SUVS

In perhaps the most overt example of the ever-changing automotive industry, Toyota and Ford Motor will collaborate to develop hybrid trucks and sport utility vehicles that will be available to the public by the end of the decade. Two companies announced Aub. 22 they will manufacture rear-wheel drive hybrids as well as telephone, Internet and entertainment systems for the vehicles. Developing the hybrids will help each automaker meet stringent U.S. fuel economy standards, said Takeshi Uchiyamada, vice president for Toyota research and development, and Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s product development chief. There are no plans for collaboration beyond rear-wheel drive hybrids

Ferrari 250 fetches more than $16 million in record sale

Automotive News

A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa sold for $14.9 million establishing the record for the most ever paid for a car at a public sale Saturday night at the Gooding & Co., auction in Monterey, California. With commissions and premiums, the total purchase price surpassed $16 million, far exceeding the $12.2 million (total) paid for another 1957 Testa Rossa in 2009 at a public auction in Italy. According to Gooding’s description of the Testa Rossa (chassis No. 0666 TR) it is not only the first 250 Testa Rossa built, but was also campaigned by Scuderia Ferrari when new. It was

Audi, Kia most cost efficient brands says Kelley Blue Book

It’s not often Audi and Kia are mentioned in the same discussion. But the high-end Toyota division and the Korean economy manufacturer both offer the best value for owners during a five-year time frame At least that’s the determination of Kelley Blue Book, the vehicle assessment company. Based on such factors as depreciation, expected fuel costs, insurance, maintenance and repair costs and state fees, Audi is the most cost efficient luxury brand, while Kia is the most cost efficient economy manufacturer. Among the top-three luxury brands, Audi is the least expensive with a total five-year cost of ownership of $68,866.

Steve McQueen's Porsche 911s sells for record $1.375 million

Specialty cars

The 1970 Porsche 911s formerly owned by actor Steve McQueen and featured in his film Le Mans sold August 20 for $1.375 million before a packed house at RM’s Monterey, California, auction, establishing a record price for a 911 sold at auction. Built to 1970 specification and with a full complement of factory options, the Slate Grey 911s stars in the film’s legendary opening sequence as McQueen’s character, Porsche driver Michael Delaney drives through the French countryside, reflecting on life, death, and racing. In addition to its starring role in the film, the Porsche 911s was used as McQueen’s personal

New Porsche 911 set to debut at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

The new Porsche 911 is set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. The Porsche 911 is an enigmatic vehicle which has a presence of its own, not to mention the breath taking power it holds in the rear engine. It’s the latest offering by the German auto manufacturer, well known for the fleet of Carrerras and Cabriolets. The new 911 will likely stand out among its automotive siblings. Above image is a “leaked” image of the automobile, although its specifications won’t be released until the Frankfurt Motor Show. Porsche has kept the designed as promised, without

India's Force Motors debuts Force One Sport Utility Vehicle

Force Motors, formerly known as Bajaj Tempo Ltd., has launched its Force One, the company’s first sport utility vehicle. The term Force One is reminiscent of India’s indigenous Formula One team. But it’s not related. Rather, the new SUV is built exclusively for Indian roads.

Cadillac unveils Ciel concept luxury convertible

Cadillac has debuted its Ciel concept car, a convertible luxury and king-sized sedan reminiscent of the manufacturer’s previous iconic convertibles, the Eldorado and DeVille. General Motors said the Ciel will provide direct competitor to the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes Benz S Class and Audi A8 — the three German stalwarts. The new Cadillac will have a 3.6-liter turbo-charged V6 engine, but it’s also a hybrid that partially runs via rear-mounted lithium ion-powered battery in the rear.

President Obama campaigning on a 'magic' $1.1 million bus

The monolithic bus that transported President Barack Obama through Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois for three days as one of two purchased for the Secret Service, cost an estimated $1.1 million and was built by Prevost based in Quebec, Canada. The New York Post provided the details. The top-of-the-line bus is the VIP H3-45, the same model used by many rock bands and country music acts and owned by Kid Rock, David Lee Roth and Kenny Rogers. Like the presidential limousine, made by General Motors and nicknamed “The Beast,” the bus carrying the President has armored doors. Inside is a large,

Infiniti G37, 2011 car review

Want something different from the usual sports/luxury sedans? Try the often-overlooked Infiniti G. It’s from Nissan‘s upscale division and compares favorably with other sports/luxury cars. The 2011 G sedan comes as the G37 with a 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 328 horsepower or as the new G25, which has a 2.5-liter V-6 with 218 horsepower. That engine is from Nissan’s Japanese-market Skyline model. The G25 has the same exterior, interior and chassis as the G37, which means it has the same slick body but low front end that can be damaged by high curbs if a driver isn’t careful. The G25

Monterey Auto Week: Concours on the Avenue back in style

The Concours on the Avenue was an ideal way to begin Monterey Auto Week. The nearly 200 showcased cars and trucks ranged from new and vintage Ferrari models to collectors’ Mercedes-Benz sedans and Porsche cabriolets. The free one-day show in Carmel, which returned Aug. 16 after a one-year hiatus, offered arguably the most varied selection of cars scheduled in the weeklong automotive celebration. There were myriad muscle cars, iconic Packard and Rolls Royce models and restored Volkswagen bugs to attainable Volvo coupes all presented on Ocean Ave., the quaint city’s main “thoroughfare,” as well as several side streets. Officially, the

2012 Fiat 500 and 500 convertible Gucci editions to be available by December 2011

News Service

Fiat announced it will be launching 2012 Gucci editions of the Fiat 500 and the 500 convertible toward the end of this year. The Gucci editions have colorful interiors and the will come with Gucci collections featuring track suits, sunglasses, a watch and other travel accessories. The cars will be officially launched at the New York Fashion week on September 8th. The new Fiat cars will be made available in North America by December 2011. The 2012 Fiat 500 will feature a 101-horsepower, 1.4-liter FIAT MultiAir engine with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions. The car will have 16-inch

Honda Accord, 2012: Better gas mileage, more models

The 2012 Honda Accord, perennially among the best-selling cars in the United States but facing increased sedan competition, will include a new trim, better fuel economy and minor technology improvements. The Accord sedan has earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest score of 5 stars. The car scored a 5 for overall frontal crash safety, overall side-crash safety and rollover resistance. Sedans for 2012 are the 4-cylinder Accord LX, LX-P (Premium), SE, EX and EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V6 and EX-L V6. Coupes are the 4-cylinder Accord LX-S, EX, EX-L, and the 6-cylinder Accord EX V6 and

Honda Fit, 2012: More standard features, sportier styling

The 2012 Honda Fit will include new standard features as well as “sportier” styling with a more aggressive front grille and bumper, blacked out headlights and dark alloy wheels. The 2012 Fit Sport will also feature an updated interior with new ambient lighting and new center console-mounted cup holders. The Fit Sport’s interior will be further enhanced with a sporty-looking dark metallic dashboard as well as chrome-ringed gauges. While the standard Fit will remain largely unchanged with the exception of new body-colored side view mirrors, the new Fit Sport will also feature standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and Bluetooth. The

Seven car electric charging stations installed in Portland

Electric and Hybrid

Owners who have electric cars will enjoy Portland Street, (Portltand, Oregon), particularly since the street has also been dubbed as the “Electric Avenue.” This street will also help automakers to study the use of electric cars. Seven electric car-charging stations have been put up by around six manufacturers for a two-year study at Portland State University. The interesting component about the Electric Avenue street is that drivers can charge their cars for free for the same time allotment as they pay standard parking meter rates. Among the sevn-quick charge stations, one station has a quick-charge which will charge a car

GM recalls 16,000 Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impalas

Luxury cars

General Motors (GM) announced it;s recalling around 16,000 Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impalas across the United States and Canada because of related to the power steering as well as sensor issues The manufacturer has not reported any injuries and crashes related to the two recalls. The company will recall the Impala and inspect its power-steering hose. GM said that if the hose was misrouted then it will probably spray hot fluid on hot engine parts and it could lead to a possible fire. The American automaker discovered the problem in its production plant in Ontario, Canada. The company is expected