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2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Official Promo Video Released
As we draw closer to the upcoming 2012 New York Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz continues promote its new 2013 GLK compact crossover. Featuring multiple shots, the automaker highlights the GLK’s versatility, road manners and its ground clearance over a range of conditions. Interior shots reveal a luxurious, welcoming, and airy interior. Competing against the likes of…
MINI Celebrates a Decade Selling Cars in America
American motorists’ mentalities were very different a decade ago. Gas was selling at $1.25 a gallon, and thirsty SUVs like the Hummer H2 were popular. Fast forward to today and gas prices are more than triple the old average. That translates to buyer’s increasing interest in smaller, more fuel-efficient models like the MINI Cooper. “MINI launched in the…
Opel Ampera Breaks 7,000 Order Mark, Nearly Sold Out Until Years End
Chevrolet Volt sales in America haven’t been what GM had hoped with the American automaker even stopping production to let inventory numbers subside a bit. But it appears that GM executives can let out a sigh of relief, as the European counterpart, the Opel Ampera, has broken the 7,000 order mark and is nearly sold…
Chevrolet Volt Charger Cords Being Replaced Due to Overheating
It sure beats having your Chevrolet Volt up in flames, but having your charger cord overheat and melt isn’t so great either. After complaints from Volt owners that their 120-volt charging cords were overheating, GM first insisted that the issue was with the wiring of the charging outlet, and not the car. Since then, however,…
Fiat Experiences Best Sales to Date in US
Funny little Italian cars are finally coming into vogue, or so it seems after Fiat reported its best month of U.S. sales to date in February. “I’m holding my breath, but to beat February would be a big, big win for us,” Fiat brand head Timothy Kuniskis told the Detroit Free Press. With 3,227 units sold last month,…
Chevrolet Sonic 1.4L Ecotec Turbo Now With Automatic Transmission
Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine equipped Sonic subcompact will now be available with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The quickest of its class, the 6-speed manual turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine propels the Sonic from 0-to-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than the comparable 2012 Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, or Hyundai…
Audi has A4 “Superavant” Crossover in the Works
Going by present product development trends, the number of luxury crossovers to choose from will continue to expand as premier automakers offer more vehicles to fit all sorts of niche markets. Despite the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo crossover’s lack of commercial success, BMW is moving forward with Gran Turismo body styles for its 1-Series and 3-Series…
Kia Rio Tops Consumer Reports List of Sub Compact Sedans
The Kia Rio EX got top honors in Consumer Reports’ latest tests in the sub-compact sedan category, besting the Hyundai Accent and the Chevrolet Sonic. Consumer Reports found the Kia Rio a solid and well-equipped car with nimble handling, simple controls and plenty of features for the price. Their test vehicle was a Kia Rio…
Volkswagen To Introduce Low-Cost Sub Brand For Emerging Markets
Volkswagen, the German automaker whose name translates to the “People’s Car,” is creating a low-cost sub-brand that will offer products to people in emerging markets. According to Volkswagen head of research and development, Ulrich Hackenberg, the automaker has garnered expertise in low-cost vehicles production and will create products that are tailored to these individual markets….
Ford Audio Engineers Create Concert-Hall Quality Sound In 2013 Escape Crossover
When it comes to the next generation of its popular Escape compact crossover, Ford is leaving nothing to chance, perfecting every aspect of the all-new 2013 model. In order to make owning the all-new Escape as enjoyable as possible, a team of sound engineers was assembled to create a concert-hall quality audio experience in the…
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Preferred by Men Over Predecessor
There’s no doubt that the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is sportier and less “bubbly” than the previous model, but is it really attracting more male buyers? When Volkswagen released its New Beetle in 1998, it was clearly built for the female demographic with its cute, round body and flower vase. Try as it might, the…
Toyota Prius C Sold by Dealer at Crazy Markup
Charge as much as you can, when you can — that seems to be the mentality at Al Hendrickson Toyota of Coconut Creek, Fla. where the sought-after Toyota Prius C is marked up by a whopping $7,000. A Twitter user with the handle Miami4me2c posted a picture showing the dealership’s “Market Value Adjustment” which brings the car,…
Lithium-ion Batteries to Cost 30% Less By 2017
Despite the fuel efficiency benefits of a hybrid vehicle, the average cost premium of purchasing a hybrid over a conventional internal combustion vehicle is still approximately $2,000. In order to begin seeing the cost benefits of fuel frugality, an ownership period may be as long as 6 years before money saved at the tank can…
Opel Ampera To Participate In 2012 Rally Monte Carlo
Six Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the identical twin to the American Chevrolet Volt, will make an inaugural appearance at this year’s International Rally Monte Carlo. Entering the Monte Carlo Rally for Alternative Energy Vehicles, the six Amperas will race against 150 other green cars in a series of stages starting March 22 from…
Datsun Lives! Revival Confirmed by Nissan
Datsun made its debut in the U.S. all the way back in 1958, and lasted almost 25 years in North America before it was phased out. Today, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has confirmed that Datsun will live, and carry Nissan’s products into new and emerging markets such as Indonesia, Russia and India. Indonesia will see…
Toyota Struggles To Boost Prius C Capacity as Demand Grows
Introduced for the Japanese market last December, the Toyota Prius C had only hit U.S. showrooms on March 12. In only its first three days in the U.S. market, the Prius C sold 1,201 units, eclipsing the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf’s complete February sales performance of 1,023 and 478 units respectively. However, demand for the…
Chinese Team Sets World Record Loop-the-Loop – Video
Three years ago, British motoring show Fifth Gear organized a daring loop-the-loop stunt special that presenter Tom Ford described as, “the biggest and bestest thing Fifth Gear has ever done.” In preparation of the stunt, Fifth gear and a team that included a Cambridge physicist laid the plans for a massive 40-foot loop in a Suffolk…
Auto Sales In India Poised To Overtake Japan
At one point, Japan was among the world’s leading auto markets but the country has yet to regain its stride after last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. Japanese auto sales dropped to half the peak rate and a recovery has yet to take hold. Global information company IHS Automotive conducted a study that shows sales in India…
New V6 Ford Interceptors Offer Huge Fuel Economy Gains
Ford‘s Panther chassis, platform for the iconic P71 Police Interceptor, is anything but a slouch, but after more than 30 years of service both Ford and police recognize the need for a change. Ford started building police variants of the LTD Crown Victoria in 1979, by 1992 the company’s cars evolved from modified civilian sedans…
Hyundai Elantra Blue on the Horizon?
Hyundai offered a 2010 model year Elantra Blue briefly, featuring a manual transmission and special gear ratios helping it to achieve better fuel economy than a standard Elantra. Now it appears that the Korean automaker might revive the Blue package for its compact Elantra. On the EPA’s fuel economy website, Hyundai has a listing for…
2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Gets New Fuel Efficiency and Safety Upgrades
Mercedes-Benz has announced a number of improvements for its popular Sprinter commercial van. In an effort to improve the Sprinter’s fuel efficiency without compromising its rugged dependability, Mercedes-Benz has introduced an optional seven-speed automatic transmission, capable of delivering “silky smooth gear changes” at temperatures as low as -30ºC or -22ºF. Additional fuel saving updates that help…
Pininfarina Cambiano Concept May Become Reality
Along the same vein as the Fisker Karma, the plug-in hybrid Pininfarina Cambiano concept may receive the “go-ahead” for low-volume production. According to Pininfarina CEO Sergio Angori, “We are evaluating the potential for companies and private buyers interested in a high-performance, low-emission luxury model such as the Cambiano.” The Pininfarina Cambiano concept was first unveiled at…
Toyota Prius c Commercial Features The Game of Life
Board games aren’t popular like they used to be, thanks to the wealth of electronic entertainment available today. Still, many of us probably remember the Game of Life which is probably what Toyota is banking on with their new ad campaign for the Prius c. Targeted towards first-time car buyers, Toyota leveraged its partnership with…
Ford Fiesta B-Spec Racing Upgrade Kit Now Available
The new B-Spec class was created to help give motorsports enthusiasts an affordable place to race their compact cars from automakers like Honda, Mazda, Kia, and Ford. The B-Spec class gives enthusiasts the chance to compete in SCCA and Grand-Am racing with less financial commitment. Ford is helping make it even easier to become competitive in…
