Technology
Hyundai Hunts Big Three in Global Sales Race
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2011 marked another year of success for South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and affiliate Kia. Having capitalized on its Japanese rivals’ year of challenges, sales for Hyundai and Kia have climbed like a rocket. Final global sales numbers for 2011 are 4.05 million and 2.54 million for Hyundai and Kia respectively. Boasting an increase…
BMW Smartphone App Previews Future i Electric Cars
Marking a new era for BMW, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car and BMW i3 electric city car were first unveiled as concepts last year. Set for release in 2013, BMW will also launch a new complementing smartphone app that promises new levels of technological sophistication. Previewed at the BMW i Facebook fan page,…
2013 Ford Fusion To Get Lane-Departure Warning Device
The lane-departure warning system will soon be found in a mainstream American family sedan as Ford introduces the new 2013 Ford Fusion at the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The 2013 Fusion will feature a digital camera mounted on the windshield that will detect lane markers and position itself between them. If the driver allows…
2012 Cadillac Escalade Gets New Security Features
Maybe it’s the price tag. Maybe it’s the chrome. Regardless of the reason, there’s a big risk that your Escalade won’t be making home. For the fourth year running, the iconic Cadillac SUV topped the list of vehicles most likely to be stolen. Thankfully, GM isn’t sitting idly by while their loyal mix of suburban…
Nissan Assures the Integrity of its Battery Cell In the Nissan Leaf
After the Chevrolet Volt’s battery fire hazard debacle, electric vehicles have received intense scrutiny over the integrity of battery cells. To answer these concerns, Nissan has stepped forward to address the strength of its Leaf electric vehicle without the direct mentioning of controversies. Nissan reported that while approximately 20 Nissan Leafs were damaged during the…
Toyota Prius c Gets the TRD Treatment
From the Toyota GT86 to the Tacoma, TRD has been hard at work developing performance accessories for Toyota’s line-up. In its latest project, TRD introduces a number of tuning upgrades for the new Toyota Aqua, known as the Toyota Prius c in markets outside Japan. Available performance mods include a sport exhaust system with chrome…
OnStar And Cadillac Will Exhibit New Tech At 2012 C.E.S. Show
General Motors is taking their Cadillac and OnStar brand to the 2012 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. The show, which runs from January 10 – 13, is a hot bed for all the latest gadgets and gizmos and GM wants to take advantage of that by showcasing their latest version of the OnStar system…
Interior of Lexus Concept Revealed: Detroit Auto Show Preview
Last week we received a macro image of a new concept car from Lexus that will be fully revealed at the upcoming 2012 North American International Auto Show. Lexus PR literature revealed only that the concept will introduce a new design direction for the luxury brand but did not hint what role the concept will…
Lexus Will Not Use BMW-Sourced Diesel Powerplants
Under a new partnership agreement between BMW and Toyota, engines and hybrid technology will be shared in order to spread development costs for future efficient vehicles. BMW confirmed its 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four cylinder diesel engines will be installed in selective Toyota models beginning 2014, but there is still a great deal of speculation as…
Cadillac ATS Confirmed With 270-HP 2.0T 4-Cylinder [Video]
GM has announced the official debut of the anticipated Cadillac ATS at the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show. According to GM, the Cadillac ATS will be available in three different engine trims. A new 3.6-liter V6, a 2.5-liter four cylinder, and a new-generation 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec four. While a relaxed, naturally aspirated V6 and a…
Opel Ampera Deliveries Halted Amid Chevrolet Volt Fire Investigations
Last month, GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the Chevy Volt’s fire hazards after the electric vehicle suffered collision. As investigations continue, GM’s Opel react by announcing the delay of Ampera deliveries throughout Europe until a solution to the defect is found. An Opel spokesman explains that Opel is, “not currently delivering the cars…
Mini Launches Driving Excitement App
MINI continues to use technology and connectivity to enhance the Mini driving experience with the release of a new app, called Driving Excitement, for its Mini Connected infotainment system. This new app allows the driver to do more than record their vehicle’s diagnostics. The first mode in the Driving Excitement app is the Condition Check….
Subaru BRZ Turbocharging Rumors Surface
Sources from Subaru of America revealed of a turbo in development for the Subaru BRZ’s 2.0-liter flat-four FA20 engine. Compact in size, FA20’s square 86x86mm bore and stroke plus a trick D4S port and direct injection system allow the engine to produce 197-hp and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. No word on the turbo’s engine output,…
2011 Nissan Rogue Recalled For Power Steering Defect
r 2011 Nissan Rogue models have been issued a recall due to possible incorrectly installed circuit boards within the Rogue’s electronic power steering assist control unit. According to Nissan and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this defect could cause additional stress on the solder of the terminal to the circuit board and may lead…
Mazda MX-5 And RX-8 Could Become One Says CEO
If a single rotary powered sports car were to materialize (there’s speculation it could be a hard top convertible in the idom of the Mercedes-Benz SLK, or possibly offered in both piston and rotary powered forms), it would be a ways off.
Volvo S60, XC60 And XC70 With T6 Engine Now Have Optional Polestar Package
Volvo‘s racing outfit, Polestar, has expanded its line of performance upgrades to Volvo’s turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder trimmed vehicles including the S60 sedan and XC60 and XC70 crossovers. The package reflashes the T6’s ECU, increasing power from 300-hp to 325-hp and from 325 lb.-ft. of torque to 355 without any sacrifice to fuel efficiency, effectively bumping…
Lotus V8 Engine For New Esprit To Pack 620 Horsepower
Little development has been revealed by Lotus since they first announced their line-up revamp at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. However, sources report Lotus has got all hands on deck to make sure its dedicated in-house V-8 will be complete by late-2013. The engine is designed to serve duty in the mid-engined Esprit as well…
BMW And Hyundai Working Together To Bring New In-Vehicle Networking
Once upon a time, the only in car entertainment offered was a simple radio. Those days are long gone, with the ubiquity of iPod connectors and Bluetooth devices. And the technology train is not about to stop anytime soon. Germany’s BMW is now working with Korea’s Hyundai, along with some tech companies to bring you…
Daimler, BYD to Preview Electric Vehicle Prototype At 2012 Beijing Auto Show
Last year, Germany’s Daimler AG and the Chinese BYD Auto have formed a 50-50 joint R&D venture called “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd.” to pursue a new brand that will focus on the development of pure electric vehicles for China. Now, the two automakers have revealed intentions to introduce a new electric vehicle concept…
For Teenagers, Smartphones Put Cars In The Backseat
A car has long been a tool of freedom. It allows an individual to reach any destination at anytime in whatever fashion desired. It’s a rite of passage and a sign of maturity and adulthood. So it’s no surprise, automakers have long directed its focus to the youngest demographic in hopes to instill brand loyalty…
Information Released On Upcoming Mercedes-Benz SL
Details on the next generation Mercedes-Benz SL have been announced, and the biggest Mercedes droptop is going on a serious diet. Since the outgoing model weighs 4,233 lbs., Mercedes-Benz is looking to have the SL return to its Sport Leicht roots, German for Sport Light. The next SL will undergo a redesign involving extensive use…
Nissan Juke-R Revs its 3.8-Liter Twin-Turbo V6 [Video]
22 weeks after the little Nissan Juke crossover was first abducted, the team of modern day Doctor Frankensteins from Nissan Europe’s technical partner, RML, finally released this video of their outrageous creation, the mighty and insane Juke-R. Proudly displaying their hard work before submitting the super crossover to rounds of shakedown and testing, the video…
Volkswagen To Phase Out 2.5 Liter 5-Cylinder With New 1.8-Liter Turbo 4
Reports from sources within Volkswagen has revealed intents to replace its less popular 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine for a new 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. This smaller turbocharged engine is based on the staple 2.0 liter turbo engine found in the GTI, and are already found in Volkwagen’s European offerings. Producing 158-hp and 185 lb-ft of torque,…
Porsche to Open Second U.S. Driving Center in Carson, California
Porsche announced at the LA Auto Show that it will be opening a new facility Carson, California, intended to become a “center of excellence for vehicle and human performance education from track experiences and driver training to car culture events”. This California based Porsche Experience Center will be the second one built in North America,…
