Technology
Nissan Leaf Surpasses 10,000 Units Sold
Nissan’s CEO, Carlos Ghosn reported back in late July that “with more than 10,100 electric Nissan Leaf vehicles already sold worldwide” the Japanese automaker is “clearly the global leader in zero emission mobility” but, these numbers were never verified. However, it has now been confirmed that Nissan has officially topped the 10,000-unit milestone globally. Nissan spokeswoman Katherine…
Honda Recalls 1.5 Million Accord, CR-V and Element Models
Honda has launched a recall for about 1.5 million vehicles in the United States to update the software that controls the automatic transmission. The recall will include the 2005-10 4 cylinder Accord, 2007-10 CR-V and 2005-08 Element models. The issue surrounds a bearing in the automatic transmission system that was not built with sufficient strength and as a result,…
MINI ‘Manualhood’ Marketing Campaign Aims to Get You Driving Stick
MINI has launched a new marketing campaign entitled ‘Manualhood’ which celebrates the manual transmissions found in the hardtop, Clubman, convertible, and Countryman. MINI is hoping to entice even more manual-friendly buyers into showrooms that feature a full line of vehicles offering manual transmissions. The campaign also provides a platform to teach drivers how to operate…
Chevrolet To Launch Spark Subcompact In First Half Of 2012
Today, General Motors confirmed that the Chevrolet Spark subcompact will be sold in the U.S. The Spark goes into production this month as the smallest car sold by Chevrolet. The General Motors executive director of North American production communications, Jason Laird, confirmed that the vehicle will launch between January to June 2012 as a 2013…
Infiniti May Develop GT-R Variant
Infiniti may develop its own version of Nissan’s famous GT-R sports car. Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan was asked if Infiniti would tap into the existing products through Nissan and use the brilliant GT-R sports car platform for a high- performance Infiniti. ‘Are we going to do that, I would say “no”, I…
Building A Sophisticated Ferrari Engine [Video]
Technology has significantly impacted the automotive sector especially when cars are produced in the factory. Computers and robotic platforms assemble engines and build the cars without much help from workers. However Ferrari has a different take on production, with their engines being entirely hand-built. This video shows the buildup of a 458 Italia engine starting with assembling…
GM Posts $2.5 Billion Second Quater Profit
General Motors has announced a second quarter net income of $2.5 billion or $1.54 per fully diluted share. By comparison, GM’s Q2 2010 performance showed a net income of $1.3 billion or 85 cents per diluted share. Revenue has increased from $6.2 billion to 39.4 billion compared to the second quarter of 2010. Earnings before interest and…
Jaguar XE Planned for Frankfurt Auto Show Debut as Boxster Rival
Jaguar has plans to reveal a new sports car in concept form at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show next month. The British automaker said the new concept was “likely” to form the centerpiece of its show booth. A spokesman for Jaguar said that a concept car is likely to be revealed at the show. Nothing…
2012 Infiniti FX Facelift Unveiled [Photo Gallery]
Infiniti has released photos of its refreshed 2012 FX ahead of its debut at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The luxury crossover gets a revised front grille and front fascia design that clearly draws inspiration from the Essence concept. Other changes on the vehicle include newly-restyled 20-inch wheels (FX35 Deluxe Touring package), an updated…
Imported From Detroit Project Launched With 8 Mile Style and Chrysler [Video]
The famous ‘Imported from Detroit’ Super Bolw ad staring rapper Eminem featuring the new Chrysler 200 was very successful for the automaker, and Chrysler is hoping to further this with yet another musical tie-in. Building on this success, the Chrysler brand and Eight Mile Style, a Detroit-based publisher of Eminem compositions, have partnered to release a…
Hyundai Builds 1 Millionth Sonata At Alabama Plant
The 1 millionth Hyundai Sonata rolled off the line on July 29 2011 at the Alabama manufacturing facility, marking a historic milestone for the Korean automaker. A small celebration last Friday was held at the plant, as a 2012 Limited Edition 2.0 Turbo with a radiant silver paint finish, marked the event . Employees of…
Nissan To Build Rear-Wheel Drive Electric Powered Sports Car
Nissan has plans to launch its own small sports car that will rival the Mazda MX-5. Nissan’s newcomer will have a rear-wheel drive system and will be powered by the Leaf’s electric drivetrain. At one point, Nissan wanted to revive the legendary rear-wheel drive 200SX but that was put on the back burner in 2008. However, the…
GM’s Latest OnStar Feature: Parents Can Track Their Teens, In Real Time
Teens are going to have to work harder to hide their whereabouts, once GM wraps up a pilot program that lets concerned parents track the location of their precious ones, in real time. The program is part of the OnStar system, and over 10,000 of its current subscribers have been chosen to take part. Parents…
Hackers Can Now Unlock and Start Your Car With Cell Phone
Technology has progressed so much that sometimes it can be unsafe, even for your car. Mobile apps can now allow drivers to unlock car doors and remotely start their engines. However two hackers have exploited this convenience and now have access to vehicles with remote starters. Researchers Don Bailey and Mathew Solnik managed to use a laptop…
Jeremy Clarkson’s Voice Will Appear In Forza Motorsport 4
Auto enthusiasts who enjoy gaming will be happy to know that Top Gears Jeremy Clarkson will be spicing up Forza Motorsport 4, as he will be featured in the XBOX 360 game. Top Gear UK and Microsoft have been working to create a partnership between the witty British motoring show and Forza Motorsport. The partnership…
2007 Volvo S80 Recalled Over Power Steering Concern
Volvo is recalling the 2007 S80 built between March 2006 and May 2007 due to the power steering reservoir return hoses that may been incorrectly routed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an incorrectly routed hose can result in increased pressure within the power steering. If there is a failure, it’s possible for the hose…
Mercedes-Benz’s B-Class Interior Images Revealed
The all-new Mercedes-Benz B-Class is to debut at the Frankfurt auto show this September, and the German automaker has just released interior photos of what the luxury hatchback will look like. The interior appears to be very simple and well laid out. The B-Class interior can be outfitted with high end materials including the ARTICO…
Fiat 500 Mopar Accessory Line
‘Today, it was announced that Mopar will be offering more than 150 accessories including key covers, graphics, body kits, bike carriers, roof racks and seat covers for the new 2012 Fiat 500. Prices will range from $21 for a locking gas cap to $1,400 for a body kit. “The FIAT 500 is one of the…
Updated Toyota Tacoma Arriving In October
The compact pickup segment is interesting because major updates are rare compared to other sectors of the auto industry. The RAM Dakota hasn’t received a refreshed look since 2007, and the Nissan Frontier hasn’t changed since 2005. The outgoing Ford Ranger hasn’t really changed since 1998. This isn’t the same story for the Toyota Tacoma…
Lexus GS Gains 4-Cylinder Diesel Engine
For over a decade now, Lexus has been the most popular luxury brand in the U.S, but the Toyota-owned company has struggled in the European market due to a lack of diesel engines. Lexus hopes to change this in the coming years as a diesel option becomes available for the next-gen GS model. Lexus will…
Toyota Has Been Named “World’s Greenest Brand”
A new global survey from the international brand consultancy Interbrand, has named Toyota, the world’s greenest brand. The award was based on environmental performance coupled with public perception of a brand’s environmental sustainability. Data was collected from the world’s leading markets, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Brazil and India. The report gave…
Redesigned Hyundai Azera To Debut At L.A Auto Show In November
Hyundai’s upscale 2012 Azera sedan will debut at the Los Angeles auto show this November. The redesigned Azera will feature the brand’s “fluidic sculpture” design, a vast improvement over the tame current design. “We’re in the final stages of ride/handling tuning for the 2012 Azera, and it’s dialing in nicely. Look out for it at the…
2012 Cadillac SRX Gets Boost In Power, Priced at $36,060
GM has announced the pricing details for the 2012 Cadillac SRX and the crossover will get a new, more powerful engine. Pricing for the 2012 SRX will start at $36,060, including a destination charge of $875 and the model adopts a new 3.6-liter V6 producing 308-hp. The SRX will be get an improved six-speed automatic…
Hennessey Builds 1000-hp Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Hennessey, the famous Texas tuner of Corvettes has just created the Frankenstein of Cadillacs. It’s called the V1000, and the 1000 stands for 1000-hp. The twin-turbo CTS-V Coupe is fitted with a 427 cubic-inch LS V8 featuring upgraded internals like forged low compression pistons, forged steel connecting rods, forged steel crank and ARP main studs and head…
