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Formula One season-opener in troubled Bahrain canceled

The government of Bahrain, in the midst political unrest resulting in several deaths and many injuries to protestors, has canceled the March 13 season-opening Formula One race. Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said in a statement that it’s “important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest.” Pro-democracy activists’ uprisings that have resulted in the ouster of leaders in Tunisia and Egypt have spread to Bahrain, Libya and Algeria. “It is obviously disappointing for everyone involved in the organization of the event, but it is clear that to race in Bahrain at this time would

Jaguar gets J.D Power cross industry service honor

Jaguar North America has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as one of only 40 companies in 2011 selected as a Customer Service Champion. To qualify, companies must excel within their own industries and stand out among leading brands in 20 major industries. Among the five key customer “touch points” measured, including people, presentation, process, product, and price, Jaguar was noted for standing out by satisfying customers with the new-vehicle sales experience. J.D. Power evaluated more than 800 brands. Companies were identified based on customer feedback, opinions, and perceptions gathered primarily from J.D. Power’s syndicated research as well as

Nissan Versa leads top-10 cheapest new cars to own

The 2011 Nissan Versa is the least expensive car in the United States to own and operate for five years, according to a new report on the website of the business publication, Kiplinger. The five-year cost of ownership assessment, published on Kiglinger.com, includes the purchase price, down payment, interest on the car loan, insurance, depreciation, taxes and fees, fuel, service and repairs. The Versa and the other cars on the list are all compacts or subcompacts because, according to the report, “They tend to have the lowest market price, the best fuel economy, and reasonable insurance rates since premiums tend

Geneva Motor Show: Rolls-Royce will debut electric Phantom

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is developing the 102EX, a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, 2011. The car will tour during 2011, serving as a test bed to gather a bank of research data which will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,” said CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos, speaking from the company’s headquarters in Goodwood. “With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable

McLaren MP4-12C, 2012: world's best sports car?

Dan Neil, the long-time automotive columnist whose feature Rumble Seat appears in the Saturday edition of the Wall Street Journal, has something to say. He believes the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is the best sports car in the world. The reason: “(It’s) an era-defining work of technical intelligence and jet-fighter performance that will — be warned — make you look look at the other cars in your garage like they were lawn mowers.” Neil bases his opinion on a variety of factors, most notably: the new McLaren accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile in 10.9

Honda Fit recall: nearly 700,000 globally for stalling issue

Honda is recalling about 97,000 of its 2009–10 Honda Fit hatchbacks in the United States and about 700,000 worldwide (also sold under the names Honda Freed and Honda City) because a part failure can cause the car to stall or damage the engine. The carmaker announced in a news release that “lost motion springs” within the engine’s valve train “may bend or break over time resulting in abnormal engine noise and potentially causing engine damage or stalling.” Honda said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries and would begin notifying owners early next month. The Japanese automaker said

BMW 1956-1959 507 car review

One of the most revered BMW models is the 1956-59 507 sports car, valued at $420,000 if in excellent (and not even show car) condition. Only 253 were built, but at least 200 have survived because the 507 isn’t the sort of auto that’s neglected and then thrown away. BMW made top sports cars in the 1930s, but suffered so much damage during World War II that it couldn’t return to auto production until 1951. The 507 revived its reputation for producing fast, durable, superbly engineered road cars. The 507 had everything you could ask from a sports car. It

Porsche set to debut second hybrid, Panamera S

Porsche will unveil its second production hybrid model, the Panamera S Hybrid, later this year, adding another chapter to the carmaker’s Intelligent Performance development philosophy. The new Panamera model produces 380 horsepower is the most fuel efficient Porsche in history. Optional low-rolling-resistance tires developed for the Panamera helps hybrid performance sedan deliver its impressive NEDC fuel economy figure. But even with standard performance tires, the Panamera S Hybrid’s estimated mpg will be just under 27 mpg. (The official EPA fuel economy estimates will be available closer to the car’s on-sale date.) The Panamera S Hybrid sets new standards in terms

Lexus video: Super car does donuts around super model

Like manufacturers featuring stunning models at auto shows, the same equation works in print and in video marketing. But throw in a performance Lexus and add a little suspense, and it’s a great way to sell cars — or at least yellow bikinis. In the video below, champion drifter racer Rhys Millen guides the Lexus LFA super car around super model around Rianne Ten Haken. Photographer Yu Tsai explains his concept in the video, Rhys does an extraordinary job getting the Lexus close to the model. And Ten Haken? She just stands there and then comments she had no idea

Million Dollar Baby, Pagani Huayra, will be sold in U.S.

Pagani, the niche Italian carmaker founded about 20 years ago, will sell the Huarya, its new more than $1 million sports car, in the United States later this year through a dealer network. The Zonda, Pagani‘s current model, is a perennial favorite for enthusiasts interested in top-speed and brute-power. But it’s not available in the United States. Pagani, based in San Cesario sul Panaro, near Modena, Italy, builds about 40 cars per year, and hopes to sell five of its new Huayra model in the U.S. this year. Named after Huayra Tata, an ancient God of wind, the Huayra has

Westminster Dog Show: Subaru ads again get best of show

Subaru, which debuted seven commercials during Super Bowl XLV featuring dogs rescued from shelters, was back with several of the favorite 30-second spots during the 2011 Westminster Dog Show. It was an ideal match. Since nearly 70 percent of Subaru drivers are pet owners, the commercials, including two of the most popular, “Snowballs” and “Donuts,” were nearly a continuation of the famous show. The two commercials, like other dog-related Subaru commercials, featured the text “Dog Tested. Dog Approved. Dog Love.” Subaru maintains an ongoing partnership with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Subaru also supports

Bugatti Veyron gets another honor — 'meanest' car

Manufacturers take pride in “green” cars honors and automakers like Honda, Nissan and Toyota aggressively use the accolades in various marketing and public relations campaigns. But not so much exotic carmakers like Bugatti and domestic truck manufacturers Ford, Dodge and Chevy. They’ve all been awarded positions on the dubious list of the “meanest” cars — the country’s biggest environmental losers. Bugatti‘s position on the top of the bad list is nothing new. It’s a notorious gas guzzler, which the Italian manufacturer doesn’t much care about since the Veyron is among the most exclusive and fastest cars made. Among gas guzzlers, the

Honda gets "green" car top honors, Chevy Volt shorts out

For the 8th year, the 2011 Honda Civic GX has claimed top honors as the “greenest” car in the United States, according to the 14th annual ratings for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Some newcomers — including an electric vehicle and a plug-in electric hybrid — did well, while several of the regulars held their ground and other cars, most notably the Chevrolet Volt, fared poorly. This year’s ratings reveal a face-off among plug-ins, gasoline hybrids, diesels, natural gas vehicles, and improving “conventional” gasoline vehicles. notwithstanding changes to Green Book® rating methods that boost. The all-electric Nissan

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX Car Review

Fast, rugged rally race cars are designed to go flat out on almost impossibly demanding back roads. While popular in Europe, few Americans know professional rally competition exists, although foreign automakers long have built cars to compete in that sport. In America — mostly a stick-and-ball sport country — the Indianapolis 500 and maybe the Daytona 500, particularly in the South, are the only mass-attraction auto races. Subaru’s street version of a rally car, the Impreza WRX, arrived for 2002. The first versions were bare-bones and marginally comfortable, but a kick to drive. They became more comfortable for American driving

Audi A6 2012 debuts, hybrid model pending

The 2012 Audi A6, a premium-midsize sedan, has been redesigned with new styling and a new gas/electric hybrid model. Initial A6 models will come in a single 3.0T trim level with Audi‘s quattro all-wheel drive and powered by a supercharged 300-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. The sole transmission is likely to be an 8-speed automatic. Due later in the 2012 model year is the A6 Hybrid. It pairs a 211-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 245 horsepower total. It’s predicted efficiency will be 38 mpg and with an expected price of about $50,000. The hybrid can

Fisker gets $150 million more funding, Karma built soon

Fisker Automotive, poised to begin production of its $87,000 Karma hybrid sports car sedan in March, has received another $150 million in funding, bringing its total financing to more than $1 billion. In addition to private investing, Fisker has received about $530 million from the Department of Energy. The Karma sedan is touted as the world’s “first true electric vehicle with extended range,” according to Fisker’s website. The car has an all-electric range of 50 miles when fully charged. After 50 miles, a gasoline engine turns an on-board generator for 250 miles before refueling or recharging. The car is slated