Automotive News (Page 1103)

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.

Are CAFE requirements aimed at luxury European imports?

By Don Bain on July 14, 2011 - 2:35AM

The question is simple. Will the auto makers of brands like BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini be driven our of the U.S. market by standards requiring the average mileage of total vehicles sold in America to hit the currently discussed 56-mpg mark? To the lover of the exotic sports luxury car, it is a valid concern.

Saab 9-4X officially on sale

By Gordon Block on July 13, 2011 - 9:04PM

The first examples of the Saab 9-4X crossover are reaching US dealerships now.

Kizashi, Equator, SX4 drive Suzuki's success

By Hawke Fracassa on July 13, 2011 - 8:08PM

Consumers are using their money to acknowledge value when it comes to Suzuki automobiles. American Suzuki has won five awards for the quality of its cars and trucks in 2011, and those pats on the back for a job well done are translating into steadily growing sales.

Europe gets first converted Scion xB eBox

By Hawke Fracassa on July 13, 2011 - 6:48PM

The Technical University of Denmark, not far from Copenhagen, today took delivery of an AC Propulsion-powered eBox electric car. It is the first eBox to be shipped from America to Europe.

Honda aims high, thinks big with 2012 Civic Natural Gas car

By Hawke Fracassa on July 13, 2011 - 5:24PM

Business school instructors have forever preached that the way to succeed is to make and sell something unique. Honda, emboldened by this mantra, has taken the advice to heart with its Civic Natural Gas car, a new-and-improved version of the 28 mpg 2011 Honda Civic GX that makes its debut as a 2012 model this fall.

Toyota prices the 2012 Scion iQ, starting at $15,995

By Patrick Rall on July 13, 2011 - 2:38PM

Today is the official media launch of the upcoming 2012 Scion iQ and with it has come the starting price of this new subcompact Toyota model – starting at $15,995 for US buyers.

Power companies say Electric Cars are cheaper to drive

By Don Bain on July 13, 2011 - 2:37PM

Electric cars have been in the news for some time now with the advent of products from Tesla and Nissan already out while Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi follow close behind. Still the question on our mind has always been what does it cost to power these cars compared to a combustion car. According to a recent survey by a Washington, D.C. based research group, it can be as little as $40 a month. Will $40 worth of gasoline get you through even one week?

Detroit nonprofit, 4 others compete to win a free Toyota

By Hawke Fracassa on July 13, 2011 - 1:24PM

Detroit’s Focus:HOPE will be among five U.S. nonprofits competing to win a 2011 Toyota on Thursday as part of Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program. The point of the major philanthropic outreach from Toyota is to give away 100 cars to 100 American not-for-profit organizations over 100 days, with winners chosen on Facebook.

An automotive enthusiast's dream: working for Aston Martin

By Don Bain on July 13, 2011 - 1:22PM

Just imagine you are charged with engineering a part for the new V12 Zagato or sculpting the shape out of clay or planning the slick magazine ads Aston Martin will run when it is released next year. That could well be an emerging reality if you were among the students attending the premiere automaker’s See Inside Manufacturing initiative.

DOE supports next phase to recapture wasted energy from automotive exhaust

By Frank Sherosky on July 13, 2011 - 12:35PM

Automobiles waste more than two-thirds of the energy of the gasoline they burn; and most of that goes out the tail pipe as hot gas. The Department of Energy (DOE) sees the potential to recapture waste heat energy using thermoelectric semiconductors.

Fifty Chevrolet Volts to be added to NYPD fleet

By Gordon Block on July 13, 2011 - 12:28PM

The Chevrolet Volts are the first full-fledged electric automobiles to join the NYPD's fleet of 430 EVs.

Chrysler recalls 243,000 Ram pickups for tie rod issue

By Patrick Rall on July 13, 2011 - 11:33AM

The Chrysler Group and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall of select Ram Trucks from the 2003-2011 model years over an issue with the left side tie rod that could cause a significant loss of steering control in the worst case scenario.

Leonardo DiCaprio to get 1st Fisker Karma, convertible and shooting brake coming

By Patrick Rall on July 13, 2011 - 10:46AM

The first Fisker Karma to reach an American customer is expected to be delivered by the end of this month and when it does, Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio will be the first official owner of the Karma in the US.

Lux Research ranks automotive battery and capacitor suppliers according to partnership potential

By Frank Sherosky on July 12, 2011 - 11:20PM

Despite the hype and the growth surrounding electric vehicles and energy storage devices like batteries and ultra-capacitors, the sheer number of competitors in this already crowded market may force companies to consolidate or create new partnerships in order to compete and make a profit.

Porsche launches Instant Intelligence for smartphone users

By Gordon Block on July 12, 2011 - 10:24PM

Porsche customers can now use their smartphones to scan QR codes in a new Porsche's window for information and multimedia on the go.

Interest high in Porsche's Laguna Seca race

By Hawke Fracassa on July 12, 2011 - 6:24PM

The Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway in October is in line to draw one of the largest crowds in track history. More than 50 drivers have said yes to the race so far.

The Dodge Viper sets the NJ Motorsports Park record

By Patrick Rall on July 12, 2011 - 5:59PM

The Dodge Viper has officially been out of production for over a year now but in the last Viper-less 12 months, the Mopar supercar has continued to set track records around the country – this time shattering the old track record at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Most Claims Dismissed from Toyota's Acceleration Defect

By Richard Gray on July 12, 2011 - 5:03PM

A U.S. District Court judge dismissed all but seven claims against Toyota Motor Company arising from the unintended acceleration issues that harmed the company’s reputation and worried consumers.

Mercedes-Benz Classic Center polishes the past’s jewels

By Don Bain on July 12, 2011 - 4:38PM

They are the classics that have shone bright over a long history of 125 years – the owners of these vintage Mercedes-Benz want them to shine just as vibrantly today. That’s when the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center (MBCC) becomes an asset as valuable as gold or platinum. There, over 50,000 parts from the model lineup over a century are available, not too mention restoration services from the company that built the vehicle originally and knows what the owners want now.

Chevy Volt Takes on Alaska's Wilderness

By Richard Gray on July 12, 2011 - 1:31PM

Despite Alaska's wild dangers, where a car can run out of fuel on highways, Chevrolet thought the Last Frontier state was a great place to showoff Volt’s capabilities.

New DeTomaso Pantera to debut in Frankfurt – with video

By Patrick Rall on July 12, 2011 - 11:18AM

The DeTomaso brand was reincarnated at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with the Cadillac SRX-based Deauville crossover but the sports car that the brand is best known for will seemingly make its return at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show as the new DeTomaso Pantera storms onto the supercar scene.

2011 CAR Management Briefing Seminar to share future vision of auto industry

By Frank Sherosky on July 12, 2011 - 9:26AM

The CAR Management Briefing Seminars have been flagship events for more than 45 years, and one of the critical connection points for North American automotive participants and, by extension, the global industry. Leaders this year will share their vision of the industry’s future and its connection to success in Traverse City from August 1 - 4.

High-End Cars Insured as Farm Vehicles

By Richard Gray on July 11, 2011 - 9:40PM

A Jaguar XJ6 isn’t designed to plow a field, nor is a Mercedes SL550 good for hauling manure, but expensive sedans and sports are being insured as farm vehicles registered in unlikely farm towns such as Brooklyn, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Chevrolet to offer diesel Cruze in the US

By Gordon Block on July 11, 2011 - 8:53PM

An inside GM source has squeaked about the arrival of a diesel-powered Chevrolet Cruze in the US market in two years.

Nissan Unveils Solar Charging System

By Richard Gray on July 11, 2011 - 6:19PM

Nissan Motor Company joins the rush for solar powered charging stations in unveiling a new charging system that draws energy from the sun and stores it in lithium-ion batteries that the company uses in its electric LEAF.

BMW opens virtual Art Car gallery online

By Patrick Rall on July 11, 2011 - 5:00PM

Since 1975, BMW has featured 17 of their vehicles clad in custom artwork done by famous artists from around the world but rarely have you been able to see them all in one place so to offer the automotive world a closer look at the history of the BMW Art Car, the German automaker has put together the BMW Art Car Collection online.

Chrysler launches RedLineDodge.com at the 2011 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals

By Patrick Rall on July 11, 2011 - 2:49PM

Since separating from the newly formed Ram Truck brand, the Dodge brand has gone away from the Ram’s head logo to a bold font logo bearing the Dodge name with two red lines along the back and to recognize the new logo and new era of the Dodge brand, Chrysler Group has re-launched the official Dodge brand blog – RedLineDodge.com.

General Motors offers free car insurance on new models

By Patrick Rall on July 11, 2011 - 12:43PM

Automakers are always trying to one-up the competition with various incentives and features by General Motors has announced that they will be the first company in the US to offer free auto insurance on new vehicles – but only in two states.

AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV) achieves UL certification for its EV fast charging system

By Frank Sherosky on July 11, 2011 - 11:22AM

This is a significant milestone for AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV) and the EV industry as it is the first within the industry to receive certification and listing from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for six groundbreaking EV charging systems.

Porsche ramps up technology to woo busy buyers

By Hawke Fracassa on July 11, 2011 - 10:55AM

Porsche Cars North America today began giving customers the option of using mobile tags and smart phone tag readers to shop for the luxury cars of their dreams.

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