Archive for April, 2010
‘American Idol’ 2011 Ford Mustang Commercial Is Here
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
The 2011 Ford Mustang. We’ve reviewed it. It’s heading to dealers right now. Buzz could not be greater. And then there’s the marketing behemoth known as “American Idol.” It’s doubtful that too many AI viewers are the right demographic for the new Mustang, but with nearly 20 million viewers each week — many likely against their will — there’s bound to be a good number of people who will be impressed by such an ad.
Above is a one-minute version of the spot, which debuts tonight during the AI results show. We’ll note we’re not sure the music is synched up right at the beginning, but otherwise it appears to be the real deal and was promoted via the Ford Mustang Facebook page. Overall, it’s the type of car commercial that muscle car fans will enjoy.
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Spy Shots: 2011 Audi RS3
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
We’ve seen spy shots of the Audi RS3–in test mule form, at least–since last year, but today’s new shots confirm Audi is indeed still working on it. The hottest A3-based model had been rumored for a debut at last year’s Frankfurt show, but when Audi didn’t deliver, some thought the project might be on ice. It’s alive and well, however, as these…
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Toyota Addresses 2003 Sequoia Recall
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
Earlier today, news broke that Toyota would initiate yet another recall, this time for the 2003 Sequoia SUV. Now, the company has released a statement on the problem and how and when it will fix owners’ vehicles.
Read the automaker’s statement below:
Toyota Announces Voluntary Recall on 2003 Model-Year Sequoia to Upgrade Program Logic in Vehicle Stability Control System
Torrance, Calif., April 28, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced it will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately 50,000 early-2003 Model-Year Toyota Sequoia sport utility vehicles to upgrade program logic in its Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system.
The VSC system can help control a loss of traction in turns as a result of front or rear tire slippage during cornering. In vehicles without the upgrade, the VSC system could, in limited situations, activate at low speed (approximately 9 mph) for a few seconds after acceleration from a stopped position and, as a result, the vehicle may not accelerate as quickly as the driver expects. There have been no reported injuries or accidents as a result of this condition.
Toyota instituted a running production change during the 2003 model year and published a Technical Service Bulletin to address this issue when it was first identified in fall 2003. Since that time, Toyota has been responding to individual owner concerns by replacing the Skid Control Engine Control Unit (ECU) in Sequoias impacted by this condition. Of the approximately 50,000 vehicles included in this recall, approximately half have already been serviced under warranty.
Steve St. Angelo, Toyota chief quality officer for North America, said: “Toyota is committed to investigating customer complaints more aggressively and to responding quickly to issues we identify in our vehicles. As a result, we are voluntarily launching this recall to ensure that as many 2003 Sequoias as possible are serviced to the full satisfaction of our customers.”
Starting in late May, Toyota will begin mailing letters to all 2003 Model-Year Sequoia owners included in this recall, including owners of vehicles that have been previously serviced. If a customer has previously paid to replace the Skid Control ECU for this specific condition prior to receiving a letter, the customer should mail a copy of their repair order, to the following address for reimbursement consideration: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Toyota Customer Experience, WC 10, 19001 South Western Avenue, Torrance, CA 90509.
Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
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New Bill Could Impose New-Car Fee to Raise Money for Oversight
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
The recent Toyota recalls have spurred Congress to draft new legislation to address federal oversight of auto safety, which could include a fee on new-car sales to pay for additional resources at oversight agencies.
The main aims of the bill — although separate versions are being drafted in the Senate and House — are to require automakers to install brake override systems, stop-start technology and black boxes. Lawmakers are also considering to impose a “small fee” on new-car sales that would provide additional funding to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Proponents of the bill point out that in 1980, NHTSA had 119 people working on enforcement, but due to budget cuts in the ensuing years, the agency now has roughly half that number. California Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman, the author of the House version of the bill, said the recent recalls show that NHTSA needs the proper “resources, expertise and authority” to oversee consumer safety.
The legislation also aims to raise the maximum fine for automaker misdeeds from the current $16.4 million, which is what Toyota will pay for its delay in ordering the recall of 2.3 million vehicles for sticking accelerator pedals. NHTSA chief David Strickland said he’d like to raise the maximum fine to more than $100 million.
Recalls Spur Congress to Act on Auto Safety (Detroit News)
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Future Tech: OLED Breakthrough Could Provide Cheap Night Vision For Cars
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
Night vision systems are already available in the higher-end luxury sedans from companies like Toyota, Volvo, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but it’s expensive technology that few drivers can afford. There are currently aftermarket night-vision systems available as well, such as the FLIR PathFindIR, but at $4,000 for the system without a display, it’s a…
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How Much Gas Per Capita Does Your State Use?
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
The graph above shows the amount of gas consumed per capita for each state, with green meaning low consumption, purple medium and red high. The graph is a bit counterintuitive because big, populous states like New York and Illinois are low-use. Even sprawling California is only middle of the pack.
Rural and Southern states make up most of the high-use states. But because it’s per capita, this likely reflects population concentrations. For instance, New York and Illinois have a large chunk of their populations concentrated in major cities, while driving across Georgia or Oklahoma requires much more time behind the wheel. This could also correlate to what types of cars people buy.
The lesson is that while populous states will always use more fuel, at least each driver is using less of it. Then again, with every state averaging more than nine barrels of gasoline per year for every man, woman and child, none of us really have bragging rights.
How Much Gas Does Your State Use Per Person? (The Infrastucturist)
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Review: 2010 Hyundai Tucson Take Two
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
Conventional SUVs are all but dead, yet interest in sedans has not been surging. Instead, car-based SUVs with some promise of respectable fuel economy are currently hot. So a redesigned, four-cylinder-only Hyundai Tucson could not arrive at a better time. But it’s a crowded field. Why buy this one?
Along with the new Sonata, the redesigned [...]
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Corvette Museum Planning Huge Motorsports Park
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
What would any ‘Vette fan want to do most after looking over some of the finest examples of the car’s motorsports history and memorabilia? Drive their own car on a track, of course–and that’s exactly the experience the Corvette Museum is looking to deliver with their new Motorsports Park. Just across the freeway from the museum itself, the park…
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Recall Alert: 2003 Toyota Sequoia
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
The Detroit News is reporting that Toyota will recall 50,000 2003 Toyota Sequoia SUVs due to problems with the stability and traction control systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has at least 64 complaints about the systems engaging at “inappropriate” times. Toyota counts 96 reports.
Toyota says there are several issues responsible for the problems that can include loss of throttle control, braking and brake light illumination once the traction control system engages.
We expect to hear more from Toyota directly about the recall.
The news comes just weeks after the company’s brand-new 2010 Lexus GX 460 was recalled for a stability control problem that was discovered by Consumer Reports.
Toyota to Recall '03 Sequoia (Detroit News)
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Top Gear USA Caught Filming In Los Angeles
Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by admin.
There’s a 2011 Jaguar XJ press event going on this week in Los Angeles (stay tuned for our take on the XJ shortly) and during one of the press drives, the team from Top Gear USA was caught out and about filming some of the show’s upcoming antics along Mulholland Drive. Among the cars in the Top Gear group were a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, a Porsche…
