Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Mercedes-Benz engines under the hood of Infiniti Gs

2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe Front And Side

This will preety much translate into: you buy an Infiniti and on your engine will be written “Mercedes-Benz”. And it’s not a joke! Because of the alliance of Daimler AG and Renault-Nissan, Infiniti’s G series will be getting a Mercedes-Benz engine. This means that Romanian Dacia could get Nissan or Mercedes engines? Cool! (Dacia is owned by Renault).

The G series, which represents Infiniti’s highest-volume line, will use a Mercedes inline four-cylinder from Daimler to improve fuel economy and curb emissions, according to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. Ghosn didn’t say when production of the engine will begin or at what extent this engine will replace Japanese-made four-cylinder and V-6 engines used in the G sedan and coupe. In some C-class cars in Europe, Mercedes uses a 1.8-liter four-liter engine. Presently, Mercedes uses nothing smaller than a V-6 in its North American products but it has mentioned that it might bring a smaller engine soon. Mercedes-Benz wants to start producing the C class in Alabama in 2014. At a conference call, Ghosn told reporters that data show there is actually little cross-shopping between Mercedes’ and Infiniti’s US customers. The development of this Mercedes engine is a small part of a diverse product-sharing and technology- sharing plan to be accomplished within five years. The 3 carmakers in this tie-up said that their involvement was egged on by impending stricter fuel-economy demands and the potential for cost savings to comply to them.

Another Camaro limited edition: 2010 Chevy Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Replica

2010 Chevy Camaro Indy 500 limited edition

Another day, another Camaro variant. In addition to the Synergy Green Special Edition Camaro and (very cool) Transformers Camaro, we’ve been treated to an incredible number of third-party Camaro deviations. Now, Chevy just added one more to the list of limited edition models.

The 2010 Chevy Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car Replica Limited Edition you see above is based on the 2010 Camaro 2SS with RS appearance package, but with a few special adaditions. The base car comes with the excellent 6.2-liter V8 engine, although instead of 426 hp, it only produces 400 hp due to the wimpy automatic transmission that comes standard in this edition. That’s a dealbreaker! If you still want this special edition, you can expect the beautiful Inferno Orange paint finish with matching engine cover and front grill, white pearl decal rally stripes, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, different floor mats, and the 2010 Indianapolis 500 logo decal on the doors, embroidered on driver and passenger headrests, and logo badges on front fenders. (more…)

Audi R8 V10 named World Performance Car of the Year at New York motor show

audi r8 v10 5-2 fsi quattro

The Audi R8 V10 was named as the 2010 World Performance Car at the World Car of the Year Awards ceremony at the New York Auto Show. This is the second time that the R8 has won the World Performance Car award: the V8-powered R8 took this award in 2008.

  • Second win for Audi R8 in World Performance Car category at World Car of the Year Awards
  • Third win out of five for Audi in World Performance Car category

The World Car Awards jurors observed that: ‘In the opinion of many on the World Car Awards jury, Audi has at long last satisfied our hunger for a street car that lives up to the excitement of the original Le Mans series-dominating R8 LMP1 race car.’

Developed jointly with quattro GmbH, the Audi R8 V10 is powered by a 5.2 liter direct injection ten-cylinder engine which develops 386 kW (525 hp), enabling it to sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 3.9 seconds and then to a top speed of 316 km/h (196.35 mph). It features Audi technologies such as quattro permanent all-wheel drive, a lightweight aluminum body and the innovative all-LED lights.

This is the second World Performance Car award win for the Audi R8: the original V8-powered version won the same award in 2008. Whether a customer chooses an R8 with a V8 or a V10 engine, they will get a World Performance Car award winner.

This is also the third Word Performance Car award for Audi in the five years that the award has been on offer: the RS 4 was named as the 2007 World Performance Car.

The truly global nature of the World Car jury is evidence that Audi is hitting the performance car sweet spot of car lovers around the world. (more…)

Toyota and Mazda Agree to Hybrid System Technology License

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) have reached an agreement on the supply under license of hybrid technology used in the Toyota Prius. Leveraging this agreement, Mazda plans to combine the hybrid system with its next-generation SKY* engine that is currently under development, and develop and manufacture a hybrid vehicle in Japan. Mazda is aiming to commence sales of a hybrid vehicle starting in Japan by 2013.

Positioning response to environmental issues as a management priority, TMC began sales of the Prius, the world’s first mass-production hybrid vehicle, in 1997. Since then, over 2.3 million TMC-produced hybrid vehicles have been delivered to customers in over 70 countries and regions. (more…)

Year of recall: 2010 Frontier, Xterra and Pathfinder

Nissan  has contacted NHTSA to announce the recall of 4,038 2010 Frontier, Xterra and Pathfinder vehicles due to potentially loose fasteners securing both the front passenger airbag and steering column. The two issues each crate their own unique problem, but both stem from an improper torque specification being applied during manufacturing.

Nissan has announced that 2010 model year Frontiers, Xterras and Pathfinders built between February 22, 2010, and March 13, 2010, may have fasteners that require additional tightening.

“The fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module, and also the fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification,” said NHTSA.

NHTSA went on to describe the potential problems that may occur as a result of the improperly secured fasteners, including the possibility of a loss of steering or normal airbag function. “In the event of a crash, the passenger front air bag deployment trajectory might be affected. The fasteners could possibly come out of the steering column positioning bracket increasing the risk of a crash, ” explained NHTSA.

Nissan plans to inspect vehicles through its dealer network and replace or tighten all missing or loose fasteners.

Mazda will licence hybrid technology from Toyota

Starting in 2013, Mazda will become the second manufacturer (after Nissan) to directly use Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Mazda has signed a licensing agreement with the hybrid behemoth that will see the smaller company get a supply of hybrid hardware – presumably including transmissions, power electronics (including software) and battery packs.

The drive components will be paired up with the new-generation, direct-injected Sky engines that Mazda displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall. Mazda will build a new hybrid vehicle starting in 2013 using this equipment, the first it has produced on its own. The only previous Mazda hybrid was the Tribute, a re-badged Ford Escape.

Nissan has now produced its own in-house hybrid system and when the Altima is redesigned in the next few years it seems unlikely it will retain its current Toyota hybrid system. Click past the break to view the press release.

(more…)

Golf wins again: 2010 Car of the Year in South Africa

Volkswagen Golf

The Golf is the car of the year 2010 in South Africa. This was announced yesterday evening at a meeting of the Association of South Africa’s motoring journalists in Johannesburg. The Golf 1.4 TSI (90 kW) Comfortline prevailed against seven other models.

“It is an understatement that we are happy to have won the prize car of the year. We are absolutely thrilled,” said the Managing Director of Volkswagen South Africa, David Powels. “It’s a great honor for Volkswagen, that our world’s primary vehicle was excellent. The Golf remains the benchmark in its class “, continued Powels. (more…)

Volkswagen Exclusive options can now be ordered on the new Touareg

Volkswagen Exclusive Touareg

Select options of the Volkswagen Exclusive product brand can now be ordered on the new Touareg. Upgrades such as two-tone leather combinations and other high-end details add an even more individualized touch.

Volkswagen Exclusive options for the new Touareg include seat covers in a two-tone leather combination in ‘Nappa’ Cool Leather. This luxuriously worked leather is available in the combination Pepper Beige – Titan Black or Dark Burgundy – Titan Black. In addition to the visual charms of the two-tone leather seat covers, they also offer a very practical special feature. An innovative production process turns the leather into what is known as ‘Cool Leather’. This reduces heating of the seats from intense sunlight – an unbeatable advantage in the summer. (more…)

Year of recalls: 2003-2007 Cadillac CTS recalled in cold weather states over possible brake issue

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced the recall of 2003 through 2007 model year Cadillac CTS sedans for a brake issue that may lead to longer stop times and the increased risk of a crash. Recalled models reside in 21 cold weather states north of the Mason Dixon Line. NHTSA says snow and road salt could cause a front brake hose fitting at the caliper to corrode, with contaminants entering the routing sleeve. Significant corrosion could then result in a brake hose-tube interface that may develop a leak. That sounds bad because it is, but a fix is just a dealer visit away.

Owners of affected CTS models can take their vehicle to the nearest General Motors dealership to have both front brake hose assemblies replaced free of charge. Hit the jump to read the NHTSA press release, which includes all 21 states involved in the recall. (more…)

GM developing twin-turbo 3.0L V6 to fight Ford’s 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost

Oh, the epic “fight” between normally aspirated engines and turbo charged. Each one has its backers, arguing either on consumption, weight of engine or price. Truth is each one has its ups and downs.

These are the days when V6 engines are getting all the love, and the reasons are obvious. Chrysler has finally got its Pentastar V6 on, and down under General Motors recently rolled out the facelifted Commodore line with its 3.0-liter SIDI V6. The point is to provide solid power and go easy on the gas, and in the U.S. the V6 that’s been making that point very well is Ford’s 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost found in the Flex and Lincoln MKS and MKT. (more…)

2006-2007 South Korean production Chevrolet Captivas recalled for steering wheel issue

We should vote 2010 as the “year of recalls”! Toyota opened the way, then Ford, Citroen or Peugeot followed. Now, GM Daewoo has announced a recall of the Chevrolet Captiva and the Chevrolet Cruze – we’re talking about a total of nearly 60,000 units. Of that number, 45 957 are Captivas while 12,604 are Cruzes. The Cruze is being recalled to correct defective fuel hoses while the Captiva issue involves steering wheels that can become detached. Apparently the steering column and steering intermediate shaft on some Captivas were not fully connected. Daewoo said no accidents had resulted from any of the problems and the company itself elected to initiate the recall.

A Reuters report says the affected Captivas were produced between April 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2007. For the Cruze, it affects cars produced between Sept. 25, 2009 and March 2, 2010. The Cruze has just been released and it is being recalled…very promising! (more…)

Device for Dorks: Michelin Smart Jumper Cables

Michelin Smart Jumper Cables

When Michelin created these cables, they thought of dorks that blow their batteries off cause they don’t know how to correctly connect negative and positive terminals. And I’m neither a misoginist nor a feminist here, even if I KNOW many of you think that women are a disaster when it comes to cars and driving. No! There are just people who simply can’t understand cars and aren’t made for driving. For them, Michelin created Smart Jumper Cables. (more…)

Transformers 3 cast: Ferrari 458 Italia to be newest Autobot

Ferrari 458 Italia red

Hot cars, great visual effects, SF, powerful robots and…Megan Fox. So far Transformers has been an awesome movie! Now we’re gearing up for the release of Transformers 3, even though it won’t be hitting the big screen until July 1, 2011.

Though almost all cars/visual effects/robots will pass many of you guys by as the wind passes by your years – cause I know amusemnt no. 1 will be pulse-quickening Megan Fox – here’s a tip I’m sure will not pass unnoticed: at a Ferrari charity event this week, director Micheal Bay confirmed that the sexy 458 Italia will join the cast of Autobots. We can’t wait to see Ferrari’s new stunner put into action. I trully find Megan + Ferrari 458 Italia a very cool combination. Cool as in HOT!

 

Honda joins Toyota, recalling 410,000 Odysseys and Elements for brake problem

Lately, there has been a trend for automakers to recall cars due, especially, to brake issues. Though everything swirled around Toyota and people have hinted their attention on Toyota’s problems, there are some other carmakers that face recalling.
Honda has announced a recall for some 410,000 vehicle due to a defect with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) module. According to the automaker, 344,00 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements (MY 2007-2008) are affected by the problem and owners will be notified via mail this April to take their vehicles into dealers. (more…)

Mitsubishi’s Ralliart division to cease business?

Should we cry for goodbye over Ralliart or is Mitsu’s divion just having a spring break?

Mitsubishi’s Ralliart is one of the more famous performance divisions, thanks to the brand’s rally winning exploits and the Lancer Evolution series’ cult following. So it’s sad news to hear that Ralliart is the latest to succumb to the changed environment the automotive world had to face ever since the global financial crisis hit. It is winding down operations.

“The business circumstance surrounding our company radically became worse and so, this time we have reached the conclusion that we Ralliart Inc, would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010,” according to Ralliart Inc’s president Masao Taguchi, in a “farewell letter” to customers, which you can read for yourself after the jump.

Mitsubishi’s quit the WRC in 2005, and more recently abandoned its Dakar Rally exploits last year, including all rally raid events. Mitsubishi is the most successful manufacturer in the Dakar, with 12 wins in 26 appearances, including a record seven back-to-back victories from 2001 to 2007. With this latest development, Ralliart will no longer lend support to motorsport customers and privateers. Also put to a stop is the planning, development and selling of Ralliart products.

(more…)

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