Archive for August, 2010
GM Working On A Crash-Proof Cadillac
Posted on 28. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Someday, we might not have to put so much emphasis on airbags, anti-whiplash seats, and roof crush. In an ideal world, we could simply avoid accidents altogether, right? Or better yet, our cars would. It’s not as far into the future as it sounds, according to GM. Looking ahead, Cadillac Global Active Safety director John Capp says that in-vehicle…
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Battery-Powered EV Goes 307 MPH, Sets New Record
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Who said electric vehicles have to be slow? A team from Ohio State University’s Center for Auto Research has set a new speed record for a battery-powered vehicle: 307.7 mph. Earlier this week at Bonneville Salt Flats, piloted by Roger Schroer, the car easily broke the standing record for a battery-powered vehicle, 245.5 mph, and on a single pass…
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Hydrogen Explosion Deals Blow to Fuel Cell Advocates
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
For the past decade or so, numerous automakers have been researching the use of hydrogen fuel for next-generation automobiles. Until the recent announcements of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, fuel-cell vehicles like the Honda FCX Clarity looked like the hydrogen promise would hit the market first.
Unfortunately, among the public at large, the first thing people think of when they hear the word “hydrogen” is the Hindenburg and explosions. While hydrogen in cars is no more flammable than gasoline, the perception could be even more of a reality after an explosion Thursday at a hydrogen refueling station in Rochester, N.Y.
During a swap of hydrogen tanks by a company that supplies GM with tanks for its fuel-cell fleet, one tank exploded, and the resulting fire led to a second tank exploding. One person was treated at a hospital with second-degree burns. The fueling station is at an airport that was shut down for 50 minutes after the explosion. Some flights were rerouted in midair.
The cause of the explosion hasn’t been determined, but this does not bode well for companies and energy companies looking to introduce fuel-cell vehicles to the masses.
Rochester Airport Explosion: Hydrogen Tanks Ignite (Democrat and Chronicle via Autoblog)
Related
Driving the Honda FCX Clarity: Video 1, Video 2
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Review: 2010 Lexus IS-F
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Robert Farago didn’t have many kind words for the cars he reviewed. But, while noting the car’s shortcomings, he lavished quite a few on the Lexus IS-F, even implying that he’d like to own one. How did Lexus’s first attempt at an ultra-high-performance car manage to melt RF’s normally stone [...]
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2011 Hyundai Genesis 4.6 Adds Equipment, Power
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Now in its third model year, the 2011 Hyundai Genesis gets more standard equipment and more power on the uplevel Genesis 4.6 trim. But you’re going to pay for them.
The Genesis 4.6 gets an added 10 horsepower to its 4.6-liter V-8, which now makes 378 hp with unleaded gasoline and 385 hp with premium. The boost in power actually occurred as a running change to the 2010 model year that occurred midcycle, according to Hyundai spokesmen Dan Bedore. It’s rated at 17/25 mpg city/highway.
Besides that, the Genesis 4.6 now comes with many more standard features, including a 17-speaker surround-sound audio system, 8-inch touch-screen navigation system, adaptive cruise control, electronic parking brake, ventilated driver’s seat, adaptive high-intensity-discharge headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera.
The added features mean a higher price tag. The 2011 Genesis 4.6 now starts at an even $43,000, which is a $3,500 price bump from the 2010 model. Hyundai essentially added the Technology Package as standard equipment to the V-8 Genesis, which is how much the package cost last year, so there is no price premium. But that leaves buyers with fewer choices when it comes to picking a V-8 model.
As for the V-6-powered Genesis 3.8, no content changes were made, and the model still starts at $33,000. You can get the Technology Package on the 3.8, but it’s a $5,500 option. Destination is $800 for both trims.
The 2011 Genesis is already on sale, and judging from Cars.com’s inventory page, there are plenty of 2011s. Hyundai is offering $1,500 in either competitive or loyalty cash back until Aug. 31.
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New Chevy Silverado Ad Campaign Will Highlight Brand Loyalty
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
General Motors plans to introduce a new advertising campaign for the Chevrolet Silverado in October that focuses on the strong loyalty truck owners have for their pickups and the brand rivalry that ensues with other pickup drivers, especially Ford, according to a report in AdAge.
The campaign is one of the first marketing efforts led by Joel Ewanick, GM’s new marketing chief. Ewanick spent three years at Hyundai, where he helped the Korean carmaker nearly double its share of the U.S. auto market. He had a brief three-month stint at Nissan before arriving at GM.
“There's really two big camps,” Ewanick said of Chevy and Ford pickups. “We're going to find interesting, creative and funny ways to take advantage of the fact that there's really the Hatfields and McCoys.”
Another change in direction: Longtime Silverado spokesman and former NFL player Howie Long is out as spokesman. So no more poking fun at heated steering wheels and “man-steps.”
We’ll be watching just to see if they call the trucks Chevys.
[Source: AdAge]
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Recall Alert: 1998-2003 Ford Windstar
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Ford is recalling 462,750 Windstar minivans from the 1998 to 2003 model years due to a rear axle that can fracture over time when exposed to corrosive materials used on roads in cold-weather areas.
The corrosion and stress can lead to cracks that can result in a “complete fracture” of the rear axle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If this happens while the van is driving, it could lead to a crash.
We found 10 complaints of completely cracked rear axles on NHTSA’s complaint website for just the 1998 model year. All were from 2009 or 2010, and a few mentioned mileage of 90,000 miles.
Ford will begin the recall on or before Sept. 27, and all service and parts will be covered free of charge if needed. Owners can contact Ford at 866-436-7332 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.
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2010 Acura TSX: Love/Hate
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
I’ve had the opportunity to drive a few luxury sedans over the past
month, making it easier than usual to see how the Acura TSX stacks up
against its competitors. After spending some time in the more expensive
Infiniti G37x recently, I wasn’t expecting to be wowed by the TSX. The
V-6 engine in our test car, however, won me over.
Love: V-6 Performance
The TSX looked nice enough at first glance. The exterior is sleek, and
the interior is well-appointed without being fussy. Before I realized
this car had a V-6, I figured the driving experience would be similarly
understated. What I discovered is that this car can move. Acceleration
to highway speeds was incredibly smooth and made merging onto the
interstate fun. What I initially thought of as a straightforward luxury
sedan began to look a whole lot more sporty to me. The V-6 engine
increases the price significantly, though, so shoppers may want to keep
that in mind when comparing cars in this segment.
Hate: Digital Display
The center LCD screen in the TSX can be used to display satellite radio,
CD and iPod information, assuming the driver isn’t using the navigation
screen. If the navigation screen is in use, you’re stuck with a narrow
digital display bar below the screen that is crammed with the time,
cabin temperature and satellite radio station number, among other
information. Unless you’ve memorized the station guide, it may take a
minute to ascertain exactly what station or song you’re listening to.
Sure, it’s a minor inconvenience (or major nuisance if Miley Cyrus’
music makes you see spots), but other systems have a nice split-screen
that shows both map and stereo information.
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Shelby Considering Twin-Turbo Package For Ford Mustang V-6
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
Smoky burnouts, lurid powerslides, brutalized rev-limiters and V-8 engines–those are the things that make Shelby-tuned Mustangs great. But as automakers and customers around the world bow down to environmental consciousness and switch to downsized engines, so must the tuning scene. According to the rumor mill, Shelby is looking at several…
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Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most recognizable luxury cars on the road. This current incarnation came to fruition more than four years ago, making it a proverbial fossil in the luxury class, yet the S-Class remains one of the most competitive and popular players in the segment, according to Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays. Kelsey does fault an inconsistent accelerator pedal, but overall you get the level of sophistication and comfort you’d expect from a $90,000 price tag. Continuing reading to find out how the evaluated all-wheel-drive S550 fares against competition from the Jaguar XJ, BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS.
2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review
2010|Mercedes-Benz|S-Class
