Automotive News (Page 1052)

Automotive News

This section of Torque News provides the latest auto news and updates from the car manufacturers. Every day number of news stories and editorials are published here that give our readers an overview of what is happening in the automotive industry. Read this section daily to find out about new cars, vehicle reviews and car pictures. Torque News is an automotive news website by Hareyan Publishing, LLC, dedicated to covering the latest news, reviews and opinions about the car industry.

Walking Dead contest for Shane's Hyundai Tucson

Win the Hyundai Tucson Shane Drives in The Walking Dead

By Keith Griffin on December 27, 2011 - 8:04PM

The wildly popular AMC show, The Walking Dead is giving away the Hyundai Tucson that Shane drives while fleeing the brain-eating zombies that have infiltrated the world – or at least the Southeastern United States.

Ford's EcoBoost F150 tops 100,000 units sold

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2011 - 7:57PM

When Ford introduced their new 3.5L twin turbocharger engine sporting the EcoBoost badges this year, some speculated that the American truck buyer wasn’t ready for a forced induction V6 as a premium engine but the F150 EcoBoost has proven the critics wrong – selling over 100,000 units this first year of production.

High School Students Design a Concept Car, Look for Investors

By Armen Hareyan on December 27, 2011 - 7:42PM

A team of high school students, comprised from various high schools in South Charlotte are in NC, has come together to build a concept car named named The Levibeat

Ford's New Year's resolutions for safer driving: Obvious and interesting

By Don Bain on December 27, 2011 - 6:58PM

The roads today are crowded and sometimes confusing, but the cars we drive are smarter and safer than ever. Understanding these technologies and using them correctly can help you drive more safely. Nevertheless, there is one thing you can do before even getting in the car that will make you a smarter, safer driver and that is simply leaving the stress at home or the office.

The MB execs at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show

Former Mercedes US CEO Lieb sues for wrongful dismissal

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2011 - 6:21PM

Mercedes Benz fired US Chief Executive Officer Ernst Lieb in October for improper use of company funds after he allegedly used over $100,000 to buy things for his home such as a home theater system and now, Lieb is taking Mercedes’ parent company Daimler to court to clear his name.

GM announces 2012 downtime for three US truck plants

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2011 - 4:12PM

Each year, auto plants around the United States deal with planned downtime as various maintenance and retooling tasks are handled and as 2012 nears, General Motors has announced planned downtime for their three American truck plants in Michigan, Texas and Indiana – with a total of 21 weeks of downtime across the three facilities.

The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 at SEMA 2011

The Lamborghini Aventador blows away the stated 217mph top speed

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2011 - 3:02PM

The Lamborghini Aventador is amazing in a variety of ways but now that various groups are getting their hands on the new supercar, the LP700-4 is not only exceeding the expectations of owners and test drivers around the world but the new Lambo is even exceeding the output expected by the automaker – with a recent test video showing the Aventador topping out at 230 miles per hour.

The upper half of the new Buick Encore teased on Facebook

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2011 - 1:22PM

Almost two weeks ago, General Motors offered up the first teaser image of the new 2013 Buick Encore followed by a four quadrant image of the new crossover on Facebook with the four sections covered b the Buick logo– the second of which was revealed quietly over the long holiday weekend.

GM gets Bailout, Why not Saab

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on December 27, 2011 - 1:17PM

It was recently announced that Saab, the venerable Swedish automaker, filed for bankruptcy protection. Saab did not need to do this though, as it had a chance with two Chinese firms to pull itself out from the dire financial situation it found itself in. However, General Motors (GM), blocked the deal. This begs the question... why can't Saab get a bailout?

The Battery Show 2011 in Novi, MI showed many products with rare earth materials

More intrigue behind scenes of Chinese quotas of rare earths

By Frank Sherosky on December 27, 2011 - 12:44PM

Wall Street Journal and other sources in China reported today on the country’s change in rare-earth export quotas. However, there really doesn’t seem to be much change, especially the Chinese rationale behind the quotas.

The Dodge Caliber Mopar Edition offered in South Africa

The Dodge Caliber meets its demise

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2011 - 11:51AM

While most of the American public was preparing for Christmas last week, the folks who have built the Dodge Caliber for the past 5 years saw the last compact hatchback roll off of the line at the Belvidere Illinois Assembly Plant but sadly – few people other than those who built the Caliber shed a tear over the death of this low priced 5-door.

Electric Superchargers allow boost at low rpm

Best of Best Advanced Automotive Technology 2011: Electric Supercharger of Controlled Power Technologies

By Frank Sherosky on December 26, 2011 - 6:59PM

As the second part of a new, end-of-year recognition awards, and hopefully the start of a TorqueNews tradition under the automotive technology category, the Best of the Best Advanced Automotive Technology 2011 goes to the Electric Supercharger of Controlled Power Technologies, which was recently acquired by Valeo.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Interior

By Keith Griffin on December 26, 2011 - 4:03PM

2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe on Consumer Reports recommended list

2012 Honda Civic Si Squeaks Onto Consumer Reports Recommended List

By Keith Griffin on December 26, 2011 - 3:17PM

Consumer Reports is out with fairly light praise of the 2012 Honda Civic Si coupe that, in the words of the popular consumer testing publication, is a good powertrain in search of a decent car to surround it. The car has been named to the magazine's recommended list.

Buick eAssist was chosen by TorqueNews for best of Best Auto Tech for 2011

Best of the Best Production Automotive Technology 2011: Buick eAssist

By Frank Sherosky on December 26, 2011 - 11:42AM

As part of a new end-of -year recognition, and hopefully the start of a TorqueNews tradition, two recognition awards will be given under the automotive technology category based on a set of criteria. The first is the Best of the Best Production Automotive Technology 2011 which goes to the Buick eAssist.

OnStar FMV used to recover stolen Chrysler 300

OnStar FMV helps recover stolen Chrysler 300

By Frank Sherosky on December 26, 2011 - 12:04AM

Who knew that OnStar would one day help recover a GM competitor’s stolen vehicle? That’s precisely what happened to an owner of a Chrysler 300 in Oregon who purchased the new retail product called OnStar FMV.

The 2011 Nissan Xterra is one of the vehicles subject to recall

Merry Christmas Nissan owners – your car may have a serious defect

By Don Bain on December 25, 2011 - 2:41AM

Nissan is recalling 14,700 of its 2011-12 models because of troubling defect, which could cause the engine to suddenly lose so much oil the engine could seize, if the condition were ignored. Any owner who had to replace an engine before their car was two years old would not be likely to buy that brand again.

Hennessey's 800-horsepower modified Jeep Grand Cherokee

Hennessey's 800-hp Jeep Grand Cherokee will blow your mind

By Don Bain on December 24, 2011 - 5:34PM

Hennessey Performance is known for taking powerful vehicles like the Viper and boosting them to a mind-boggling level. This year they are releasing a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 whose 6.4-liter Hemi has been enlarged to a 7.0-liter displacement and added twin turbos to boost output to 805 bhp. This rocket sled on wheels will go from 0 to 60 in a heart-stopping 3.1 seconds.

A123 Systems finds problems in batteries for the Fisker Karma

By David Herron on December 23, 2011 - 9:04PM

Problem found in coolant system for battery packs A123 Systems is supplying for the FIsker Karma.

British couple completes Around-the-World roadtrip

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on December 23, 2011 - 6:03PM

Do you think taking a roadtrip is a great way to see the world? Geoffery Herdman and his wife Hilary, certainly agree! The British couple just completed an “Around-the-World” roadtrip racking up over 33,000 miles.

GM engineers design the squeal out of brakes

By Frank Sherosky on December 23, 2011 - 3:52PM

Just a few weeks ago we reported at TorqueNews on engineers from General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) doubling the life of brake rotors with metal treatment process used to treat power train parts. Well, a new design is now being developed by GM engineers in the form of an insert that practically eliminates unwanted brake squeal.

Chevy Volt turns one, what's next?

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on December 23, 2011 - 2:10PM

Recently the Chevy Volt, General Motor's (GM) venerable electric-hybrid car, turned one-year old. This marks an important occasion for GM that they have been able to sell and bring to market this electric-hybrid car. The real question for GM, what's next?

Craftsman bringing the slowest vehicles to NAIAS

By Don Bain on December 23, 2011 - 1:55PM

They’re not what you usually expect to see at the premiere auto show in America – vehicles with a top speed of 8-mph. It seems Craftsman is betting those who like to cruise the streets in a luxury automobile, will want the same comforts when they’re mowing their lawn, so they are bringing the new line of CTX tractors and mowers to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) next month.

Send GM Coal for Putting Saab in Bankruptcy

By Keith Griffin on December 23, 2011 - 12:57PM

In keeping with the themes of the season, the truth has to be told. GM is the Scrooge that has successfully put Saab into bankruptcy by refusing to let the company be sold to Chinese investors.

Chevy Volt vs Cruze cost comparison not appreciated by some Volt owners

By Frank Sherosky on December 23, 2011 - 12:49PM

Most buyers of electric cars such as the Chevy Volt are already shopping in the market segment whereby they can afford the vehicle without subsidies. So, why are they still getting them?

Ford designs sleigh for Santa

By Katherine Tompkins on December 23, 2011 - 11:50AM

EcoBoost powered concept sleigh would be greener than reindeer

Boston Globe Top Drives for 2012 Has Good Choices

By Keith Griffin on December 23, 2011 - 10:33AM

The Boston Globe is out with its list of the Top Drives for 2012 and it's a surprising collection of luxury vehicles, hard working pickups and sport utility vehicles and a brand (Kia) that just two years ago would probably be on no publication's top drives list.

This Ferrari Stretch Limo belongs to Limo Broker of London.

When you arrive in a Ferrari Stretch Limo, you know you have really arrived

By Don Bain on December 22, 2011 - 10:31PM

The FreeDictionary.com defines “putting on the dog,” as making things extra special or dressing formally for a special event. So the shoppers who arrived in the Ferrari stretch Limousine at Harrod’s Department Store in the Knightbridge area of London yesterday, could only be described as “putting on the diamond dog.”

Nissan's Leaf survived fine in Fukushima tsunami, no fires

By David Herron on December 22, 2011 - 7:27PM

Two dozen Nissan Leaf electric cars were mangled in the tsunami, with no battery pack fires, giving us anecdotal battery pack safety evidence compared with the Chevy Volt.

A scene from Happy Grad, submitted by Zachary Bors to the Route 66 contest.

You could win $10,000 by sharing your favorite Chevrolet Route 66 video

By Don Bain on December 22, 2011 - 6:29PM

Filmmakers from around the world have created video spots for the Chevrolet Route 66 contest in an effort to have theirs aired by GM during SuperBowl XLVI. Now fans have the chance to win $10,000 by sharing their favorite 30-second spot from the 35 finalists selected from over 197 entries and 32 different countries.

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