Technology
ZF Announces New Nine-Speed Gearbox Developed For Passenger Cars
ZF, a leader in automotive tranmissions, has announced a new nine-speed automatic gearbox for passenger cars. This gearbox was designed for a transverse mounted engine and will provide up to 16 percent better fuel economy compared to a six-speed automatic transmission. The nine-speed is referred to as the 9HP and is extremely flexible, capable of…
GM May Test EN-V In Detroit
General Motors may be testing the EN-V mobility concept vehicles in its Detroit hometown. GM North America President Mark Ruess said that Detroit would be a “perfect” area to test the futuristic machines. EN-V, known as the Electric Networked Vehicle, is GM’s answer to changing transportation in traffic choked cities such as Tokyo. The vehicle is a battery-powered…
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Priced From $18,995
Volkswagen has officially announced pricing for the 2012 Beetle. Pricing will start at $18,995 for the base model equipped with a 170-hp, 2.5-liter five cylinder engine ($19,765 including $770 in destination charges). The Beetle is capable of 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway when equipped with the standard five-speed manual transmission. The 2.0-liter 200-hp…
Remotely Control Your Volvo Via Smartphone App
Volvo has just released a fascinating new version of their OnCall app for iPhone and Android phones that provides the owner with a range of beneficial features. The features include a car locator, incase you forget where you parked, remote door lock or vehicle health check. This app works on 2012 Volvo models and can…
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Images Leaked
Images of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV were leaked through some brochure photos that grew a pair of legs, and decided to go for a walk. The rear end photo shows an refreshed new rear fascia, with flattertail lights and a revised bumper. The M-Class also looks like it will be getting a panoramic sunroof…
2012 Volvo S60 Recall: Potential Fuel Pump Problem
Volvo has officially released a recall for 7,558 2012 S60 vehicles because of a potental problem with the fuel pump. The fuel pump issue may lead to engine hesitation and stalling even if the fuel gauge idicates up to a quarter tank of gas. This issue could potentially lead to a crash. The software for the fuel…
Ford Launches 3 Cylinder Engine in B-Max Minivan
Ford has officially confirmed that its new ultra-efficient smallest ever engine, a 1.0-liter three-cylinder Ecoboost unit will be placed in the new B-Max MPV. Ford claims that its new 3 cylinder engine, “delivers the same performance as a four-cylinder, but with much higher fuel economy and lower emissions”. The three cylinder engine was developed by engineers…
Forza Motorsport 4 Features Head Tracking Via Kinect [Video]
With auto/gamer enthusiast eagerly awaiting the release of Forza Motorsport 4 for XBOX 360, they will be happy to know an new element to the gameplay has been implemented to enhance the experience. Head-Tracking is the brand new feature offered through the Kinect system, allowing the gamer to lean in and out of corners as well as look in…
Chevrolet Volt Earns Five-Star Overall Safety Rating
The Chevrolet Volt is the first electric vehicle to receive a five-star overall vehicle score under the new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. In addition, the Volt is also a 2011 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Safety is a key consideration for all buyers no matter…
Nissan Leaf NISMO Race Car to Make Le Mans Track Debut
Nissan has announced that its Leaf Nismo RC Concept race car concept will be making two demonstration runs at the Le Mans Vers Le Futur, in celebration of the 79th anniversary of the event (June 11-12). The 24 Hour of Le Mans is the world’s most renowned endurance race and is held on the Circuit…
Toyota Prius, Venza and Sienna Recalled
Toyota has announced a recall on 52,000 2001-2003 Prius’ as well as a handful of Venza and Sienna vehicles. The recall is regarding the possibility of nuts securing the pinion shaft for the steering box assembly. These nuts may become loose from repeated full-lock turning of the steering wheel. Toyota says that over time, the…
Kia Motors To Invest $100 Million In U.S. Plant, Amid Strong U.S. Sales
Kia is planning to boost U.S production capacity by one fifth next year, because of high demand for new models. The Optima sedan is one of the Kia models meeting high demand, and the south Korean automaker is excited to take advantage of the world’s second-biggest auto market. Kia stated today, it will invest $100 million to…
Fisker Karma Plug-In Hybrid Sales To Start In July
With much of the electric car attention being drawn by the first mass-produced Nissan LEAF and Chevy Volt, many have ignored the 2011 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan. Fisker dealers in Los Angeles previously claimed the first deliveries to paying customers would take place in March or April of this year. But the…
Ford Adds New Efficient 1.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine With Eight-Speed Transmission To Lineup
Today, Ford released details on its new fuel saving 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and eight-speed automatic transmission to its powertrain lineup. The engine will have three cylinders and deliver performance expected from a larger four-cylinder while getting better fuel economy and achieving lower emissions. The new three-cylinder engine will be available globally in the company’s smaller…
Ford Planning Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Mustang; The Return of the SVO?
The last time a four-cylinder turbo-charged engine was used in a Mustang, Ronald Reagan was president, but this may change. Ford is looking at producing a version of the EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder found in the upcoming 2013 Ford Taurus for the new Mustang. The mustang would be a 2.3-liter version with a different cylinder head…
Nissan Leaf To Compete In Pikes Peak Hill Climb
On June 26, an electric Nissan Leaf will compete in the 89th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb driven by Nissan off-road truck racing champion Chad Hord. The Leaf will compete in the Production Class for electric vehicles in factory shape. Other than a roll cage, racing seats and safety harnesses the car will be entirely…
Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster Priced at $183,000
Mercedes-Benz revealed the 2012 SLS AMG soft-top Roadster a few days ago, and this 563-hp sportscar demands a high price. Available later this year, the $183,000 Merc may be missing the signature gullwing doors, but it certainly does retain the coupe’s power and sex appeal. The SLS AMG will be powered by a 6.2-liter V8…
2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster: Video
Mercedes-Benz officially announced the new Roadster version of the SLS AMG sports car three days ago. Mercedes-Benz has also just released a one minute video detailing the highlights of the roadster that can be watched below. The AMG Roadster will be powered by the same 6.2-liter V8 that the ‘regular’ SLS producing 563-hp and 479…
2011 Lexus CT200h Receives IIHS Top Safety Pick Award
The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety today announced the all-new 2011 Lexus CT200h hybrid earned a “Top Safety Pick” award. The Lexus earned the award through enduring front, side, rollover, and rear impact evaluations and its standard electronic stability control. High-strength steel components are carefully located in the body structure to help ensure strength in key…
Volvo Engineering Flywheel KERS System that Adds Power, Saves Fuel [Video]
Volvo has announced plans to develop and test a new flywheel kinetic energy recovery system. Volvo says the KERS system (or FKERS as Volvo calls it) is “a light, cheap and very eco-efficient solution that makes a four-cylinder engine feel like a six at the same time as fuel consumption drops with up to 20 percent.”…
Toyota To Add Wrong Way Driving Alert To Navigation Systems
Toyota will be adding a function to its onboard navigation systems that gives on-screen and voice alerts to wrong way drivers. The system was developed with Aisin AW Co., Ltd. and Denso Corporation and the function will monitor the vehicle’s direction. This system will work on highways and selected toll roads, including tollgates, service area…
Updated Fuel Economy Window Sticker Unveiled: Video
An updated U.S fuel economy label was unveiled today aimed at reducing gasoline consumption and exhaust emissions. These new stickers will be required on all 2013 models, allowing consumers to quickly glance at fuel consumption. The sticker will also display estimates of fuel or electricity required to drive 100 miles as well as time needed…
US Government Buying 101 Chevrolet Volts For Federal Use
The Obama administration will announce today it is buying 116 plug-in electric vehicles and will install charging stations in government buildings in five cities. Of the 116 vehicles, 101 of them will be extended-range Chevrolet Volts. These vehicles are to be placed with 20 government agencies in five cities including Washington, D.C., Detroit San Diego,…
Nissan Teams Up With Carfax To Provide Car Shoppers With Recall Info
Nissan North America announced today it will begin sharing information for Nissan and Infiniti vehicles with Carfax, in an effort to provide used-car shoppers with improved access to information on open safety and emissions recalls. “We strive to have recall campaign work completed in a timely fashion,” said John Spoon, vice president, Parts and Service, NNA. “By…
