Automotive News (Page 1113)

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.

2012 Mercedes Benz M-Class: Less Mad Max, more James Bond

By Roman Rosa on June 8, 2011 - 2:33PM

Mercedes Benz's new 2012 M-Class is a handsome son of a gun. Not content to make just a pretty face with a square jaw, MB decided to send it to Africa for some fist fighting, teeth biting and face punch training.

Leasing a car or assuming a lease can help your budget

By Don Bain on June 8, 2011 - 2:27PM

Do you circle the block and stop to fill up when you see a sign declaring fuel at $3.89 a gallon? Is keeping gas in the car beginning to seem like paying your rent or mortgage – a serious demand on your budget? Perhaps the lease of a newer, higher mileage vehicle is the way you can free up money for those other pressing needs.

Over half British drivers have misplaced car at least once

By Don Bain on June 8, 2011 - 1:45PM

In an interesting study of why people call for roadside assistance, Confused.com discovered one of those reasons is forgetting where you parked the car and wanting the helpline operator to find it. Other significant reasons included running out of gas or putting the wrong type of gas in the tank, with potentially disastrous effects.

The 2012 BMW 1 Series is revealed

By Patrick Rall on June 8, 2011 - 12:19PM

The new 2012 BMW 1 Series is expected to make its formal debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show later this year, but after a handful of images of the new 5-door luxury car snuck onto the internet. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Public, ETR:BMW) has unloaded all of the major details on the redesigned 1 Series expected to hit showrooms next year.

Audi to stream live on-board footage of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

By Gordon Block on June 8, 2011 - 12:17PM

On-board cameras will capture live video and telemetry information from the Audi R18 TDI prototype race cars and stream it online; Audi will also update extensively on Facebook and Twitter.

Toyota requests dismissal of shareholder suits over unintended acceleration

By Patrick Rall on June 8, 2011 - 11:14AM

Toyota Motor Corporation has been hit with a great many lawsuits stemming from their concealing known problems of unintended acceleration and while the automaker’s requests for dismissal have been rejected several times, they have once again requested that a group of lawsuits be throw out – this time focusing on the claims filed by their shareholders over the drop in company stock when the massive wave of recalls hit.

BMW files trademarks for M2 titles

By Patrick Rall on June 8, 2011 - 10:30AM

The auto industry recently learned the sad news that the awesome new BMW 1 Series M Coupe would only see production this year, but fans of the most powerful letter in the world may not need to wait long for the predecessor, as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (Public, ETR:BMW) has filed a trademark for “M2” and “BMW M2”.

Cyclone-Williams' presents steam-powered LSR racer at American Veterans' Benefit

By Frank Sherosky on June 8, 2011 - 9:51AM

Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (Pink Sheets: CYPW), developer of the award-winning Cyclone Engine - an eco-friendly external combustion engine - and Team Steam USA presented to the public for the first time what is soon to be the "Fastest Steam Car on Earth" at the Disabled American Veterans Classic Car and Truck Show in Pompano Beach, FL.

Saab production stops again

By Gordon Block on June 8, 2011 - 9:34AM

A parts shortage brought the Saab assembly line to another halt yesterday, after the beleaguered Swedish automaker had only restarted production on May 27th after a month-long lapse in funding from Spyker.

GM CEO says higher gas taxes good for Americans

By Roman Rosa on June 7, 2011 - 8:53PM

In a two hour interview last week, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson told the Detroit News that he wanted to see the tax on gas raised by a dollar per gallon in order to pressure consumers to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles.

Used car buyers should still beware of flood damage

By Don Bain on June 7, 2011 - 8:43PM

The Eastern States and the Mississippi River Valley have been in the news since April with flooding or tornados and the worst may be yet to come as hot weather and record snowpack begin to collide in the Rocky Mountains. Sometime during the next 12 months, those attempting to recoup some of their losses to these events will be selling their cars across the country. Then again, there may be more floods yet to come, extending the buyers period of necessary wariness.

Subaru releases iPad apps for Outback, Forester, WRX/STI

By Don Bain on June 7, 2011 - 6:19PM

Mobile browsing has become quite popular, especially for consumers desiring knowledge about nearly every purchase, especially one with as much lifestyle and budget impact as the purchase of a car. In response, Subaru has announced new iPad applications for its 2011 model digital brochures. The free apps let consumers explore the new Outback, Forester and WRX/STI on the iPad interface, with 360-degree views, videos and interactive demonstrations.

American muscle cars outsell hybrids in May 2011

By Patrick Rall on June 7, 2011 - 6:05PM

According to the folks at USA Today, the Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang outsold all hybrid models sold in May by a margin of almost 10%.

Winnebago Towables picks managers for Brookside, Bristol Bay, Sunset Creek lines

By Hawke Fracassa on June 7, 2011 - 6:04PM

Winnebago Industries, a motor home manufacturer based in Forest City, Iowa, announced the appointment Tuesday of two newly hired product managers for Winnebago Industries Towables.

CSR Wi-Linx to show Telematics Detroit 2011 how to turn cars into rolling Wi-Fi hot spots

By Frank Sherosky on June 7, 2011 - 4:36PM

Just before the opening of Telematics 2011 in Detroit, CSR plc. (LSE: CSR) announced the availability of Wi-Linx, a software module for the CSR6000 family of Wi-Fi chips that makers of in-vehicle infotainment systems can use to add Wi-Fi hot spot, Wi-Fi client and Bluetooth 3.0+HS capabilities to any vehicle.

The 10 most unlucky makes & models on the market

By Don Bain on June 7, 2011 - 4:28PM

It’s a simple fact – some makes and models of vehicles report a higher percentage of accidents and insurance claims than others. While these rarely are caused by mechanical breakdown, if you’re thinking about purchasing one of these it might be a good idea to examine your driving habits – the statistics really say more about the drivers than the vehicles.

2012 Chevrolet Impala Police Gets Better Fuel Economy, Lots More Power

By Keith Griffin on June 7, 2011 - 4:23PM

When it comes to police cruisers, the last thing most beat cops worry about is fuel efficiency but the bean counters have to be happy that the 2012 Chevrolet Impala police edition gets a combined 3 mpg better fuel economy than its predecessor.

Chicago, Atlanta, Tampa, San Jose best places to park our cars

By Hawke Fracassa on June 7, 2011 - 3:24PM

The International Parking Institute on Tuesday chose a dozen outstanding parking places in North America by handing out its 2011 Awards of Excellence. The best places to park, experts are saying, are in Illinois, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, California and Saskatchewan.

Gotcha! Mayors eye cams to catch drivers who run red lights, have a need for speed

By Hawke Fracassa on June 7, 2011 - 2:48PM

The nation's mayors will meet in Baltimore June 17-20 to discuss issues of shared importance, including the value of creating natural gas vehicle fleets, how to improve transportation in America and nurturing economic development. One topic sure to capture everyone's attention is a Transportation Committee proposal to consider purchasing cameras whose job will be to catch speeders and people who run red lights.

Chrysler announces management changes along with SRT brand

By Patrick Rall on June 7, 2011 - 1:12PM

Chrysler has just announced that the Street and Racing Technology division will be split off into its own cross-brand unit, moving former Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles to the head the new high performance brand but along with this move, Chrysler has made a handful of other management changes with an impact across North America.

Chrysler Group forms new independent SRT Brand and Ralph Gilles runs it

By John Matras on June 7, 2011 - 12:41PM

Just as Dodge trucks were split off from Dodge to form the Ram brand, now SRT--Street and Racing Technology--becomes a brand of its own, with performance enthusiast Ralph Gilles transferring from president and CEO of Dodge Brand to the new Street and Racing Technology Brand.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle pricing announced

By Gordon Block on June 7, 2011 - 12:15PM

Volkswagen has release pricing and drivetrain information on the 2012 Beetle; diesel engines will be available next year.

Cadillacs to be built outside of North America in 2012

By Patrick Rall on June 7, 2011 - 12:07PM

While speaking with a group of media before the first annual shareholders meeting since the company IPO, General Motors Dan Akerson stated that they plant to begin building Cadillacs outside of North America by the end of 2012.

Aston Martin Rapide production will move from Austria to the U.K. in 2012

By John Matras on June 7, 2011 - 11:11AM

Production of the Aston Martin Rapide will move to the U.K. in the second half of 2012 after having been built in Austria since reaching full production in 2010. Aston Martin's four door sports car has been built by Magna Steyr because it lacked sufficient production capability of its own.

Volvo recalls 2012 S60 over fuel system problems

By Patrick Rall on June 7, 2011 - 10:42AM

The curvy new 2012 Volvo S60 has only been on the market for a short time and the Swedish automaker is already recalling a group of the S60 sedans over a fuel system issue that could cause stalling in the right situations.

How Ford avoided bankruptcy and targeted 50% production increase

By Armen Hareyan on June 7, 2011 - 9:17AM

When major car companies were seeking bankruptcy protection, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) skillfully avoided Chapter 11. Today the company plans to announce a strategy to increase its production growth by 50 percent.

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) goes solar route to power its England plant

By Frank Sherosky on June 7, 2011 - 8:57AM

Has the earthquake and tsunami forced Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) to rethink it relationship to the power grid? According to the BBC, thousands of solar panels are now being installed at Toyota's Derbyshire manufacturing plant in a bid to bypass the grid, cut bills and save energy.

SAE webinar to teach compliance with J1772TM Conductive Charge Coupler

By Frank Sherosky on June 7, 2011 - 12:50AM

Thanks to the internet, designers, engineers and technicians will be able to view a web-based seminar called a webiner for the SAE J1772TM-Electric Vehicle and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler.

Get Your Dad's Picture on a NASCAR Team Car

By Keith Griffin on June 6, 2011 - 10:07PM

Here's a great idea for Father's Day – get your dad's picture on a NASCAR team car courtesy of blu Cigs, the electronic cigarette manufacturer but make sure your dad has a clean criminal record before doing so.

A little kid drifting in a Power Wheels Ford Mustang

By Patrick Rall on June 6, 2011 - 6:23PM

While the internet is chock full of other people’s kids doing things that only the parents think are cute, this video of a little boy showing off intense drifting skills in a Power Wheels Ford Mustang is one of those viral videos that is worth the watch.

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