Archive for December, 2011
Public Hearings on New Fuel Economy Standards
Posted on 31. Dec, 2011 by admin.
Both the EPA (environmental protection agency) and NHTSA (national highway traffic safety administration) have announced they'll be holding three public hearings in January to allow the general public to weigh in on the proposed new fuel economy standard changes.
The EPA and NHTSA recently issued a joint proposal expanding fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for model years 2017 through 2025 passenger cars and light-duty trucks. The coming changes will effectively create two significant hurdles for truck makers to get over (2017 and 2025) where effective fuel economy averages for full-size pickup trucks could be as high as 40.3 mpg.
The first public hearing will be held in Detroit on January 17 at the Courtyard in downtown Detroit; the second is scheduled for January 19 in Philadelphia at the downtown Crowne Plaza; and the third will take place on January 24 in San Francisco at the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf. All three are scheduled to start at 10:00 AM.
Additionally, the agencies have created a conference call line where anyone can listen in to the meetings. Call 866-299-3188 and use conference code 734-214-4423#.
Continue Reading
2012 Audi A6 3.0T
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
“How ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paris?” So said the farmer to his wife about the chances that their sons would return home following the end of the First World War. The societal implications aren’t quite so large, but the same might be wondered about the redesigned-for-2012 Audi A6. …
Read more
Continue Reading
Pebble Beach-Winning Voisin Aerodyne Visits Jay Leno’s Garage: Video
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
When it comes to automobiles, the French have always gone their own way in terms of style and convention. Nowhere is that more evident than on the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance winning 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne, which is one part car, one part airplane and one part rolling sculpture. Built by Avions Voisin, the automobile brand…
Continue Reading
Morgan’s 4/4 Turns 75, Celebrates With Special Edition
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
If we asked you to name the oldest sports car in production that still resembled its original ancestor, which car would you pick? The Chevrolet Corvette is out, since the 2012 version doesn’t even bear a passing resemblance to the 1953 model. The Porsche 911 would be a good guess, since even the newest 991 variant still resembles its…
Continue Reading
Illinois Seat Belt Law Reminder
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
rear passengers to wear them. Starting Sunday, backseat passengers in Illinois must buckle up or face a ticket from police. The law, passed earlier this summer, allows police officers to pull over a vehicle if they notice unbelted passengers. Fines start at $25.
Illinois is one of 30 states with a primary enforcement law; it allows officials to stop and cite a driver solely for not wearing a seat belt. Other states use secondary enforcement, meaning they issue a seat belt ticket only after pulling over the motorist for another offense.
Illinois is the latest state to require backseat passengers to buckle up. Twenty-five other states and the District of Columbia require all rear-seat occupants to wear seat belts, according to IIHS. All states except New Hampshire mandate belt use by front-seat occupants.
IIHS also notes that using shoulder belts in the backseat reduces the risk of a fatal injury during a crash by 44% in cars and 73% in vans and SUVs. Unbelted passengers also put others in the car in danger during an accident and increase the other passengers’ rate of injury or death by 40%.
Continue Reading
2012 Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Passat Earn Five-Star NHTSA Ratings
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released another batch of 2012 model-year crash-test ratings today. Under the stricter guidelines, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic compact and the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan earned five-star composite scores.
NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.
The Sonic’s composite score was composed of a five-star frontal, four-star rollover and a five-star rating for the combined side pole and barrier tests. The Passat had a five-star frontal, four-star rollover and five-star combined side-impact score.
The two models join the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, Saab 9-4X, Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota Camry as the only other vehicles to earn five-star composite scores for 2012.
Also in this batch of testing were results for the 2012 Dodge Durango and Mazda6; each earned a four-star composite score. The Mazda6 had a relatively poor three-star rating in the side pole test and frontal crash test. The Durango received a four-star frontal, three-star rollover and a five-star rating for the combined side pole and barrier tests.
NHTSA said it will test 74 vehicles for the 2012 model year, including 42 passenger cars, 22 SUVs/crossovers, eight pickups and two minivans, representing 81% of the 2012 models by sales volume. So far, only seven models have earned five-star ratings for the model year.
Continue Reading
Cars.com Podcast: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, 2012 Buick Verano, 2012 Audi A6
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
This week's podcast covers three totally redesigned or new models, each of which is integral to its respective make. We start with the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, which features a radical interior design and the return of a mild hybrid system to the model. Next up is the 2012 Buick Verano, the brand's first compact vehicle in more than a decade. Finally, we talk about the new-for-2012 Audi A6 and its tech-centric focus. Recapping all our thoughts and insights on these models are Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder, Industry Analyst Kelsey Mays and editor Mike Hanley.
Download via iTunes
Download MP3
Continue Reading
New Indian Spec Racing Series Pairs F1 Stars With Local Talent
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
The general formula for a spec racing series doesn’t vary much worldwide. Teams and drivers compete in identical cars, powered by identical engines, with only driver talent (and a little luck) separating the winners from the losers. India loves its motorsports, so it’s a logical place to launch a new spec racing series with a bit of a…
Continue Reading
2012 Cadillac Escalade Gets Security Upgrades
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
Every manufacturer loves to rack up awards and media coverage of its vehicles. That’s assuming your product doesn’t make the list of “most stolen vehicles,” year after year. Such is the case with Cadillac’s Escalade SUV, which has been at or near the top of the “most stolen” list for several years. There…
Continue Reading
2012 Fisker Karma Sedans Recalled For Battery Coolant Leak
Posted on 30. Dec, 2011 by admin.
Fisker has announced the recall of certain 2012 Karma sedans to address a potential coolant leak within the battery compartment. Should the battery coolant solution drip on the high voltage battery assembly or surrounding circuitry, an electrical short and resulting fire are possible. Unlike the highly-publicized, post-crash-testing Chevrolet Volt…
