Automotive News (Page 1119)

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.

Ford Explorer 2011 MPG Delivering More Than Promising

By Armen Hareyan on May 24, 2011 - 2:20PM

Normally when one looks at the reported MPG of a new car the expectation is that the numbers reflect the best driving scenario, but the 2011 Ford Explorer MPG seems to deliver more than announced by EPA.

Ford (NYSE: F) using avatar technology to reflect plant workers

By Frank Sherosky on May 24, 2011 - 2:05PM

Like the motion-capture technology covered by Torque News at SAE World Congress, Ford is using similar but more sophisticated, multinational avatars like Ford's North American virtual workers, Jack and Jill, and now reflects the sizes and shapes of workers at assembly plants across the globe.

Chat live with engineers from the Ram brand and Mopar group about off-roading tonight on TorqueNews

By Patrick Rall on May 24, 2011 - 1:13PM

Today (Tuesday, May 24th) Ram and Mopar engineers chat on the topics of off-roading, the Power Wagon and the Ram Runner high performance truck is set to begin at 6pm and you can join in the chat right here at TorqueNews.com!

Win a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible from GM

By Patrick Rall on May 24, 2011 - 12:37PM

General Motors has launched an online trivia contest with three very easy questions offering contestants a shot at winning the Ultimate Corvette Prize Package – including a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 24 Hours of LeMans race in France.

Honda recalls 2012 Civic sedan and coupe for fire risks

By Patrick Rall on May 24, 2011 - 11:51AM

The 2012 Honda Civic has just begun hitting the streets of North America and the Japanese automaker has already issued a recall to address a possible fuel system problem.

Celebrate Memorial Day keeping your dog or cat safe from cars

By Hawke Fracassa on May 24, 2011 - 11:30AM

Summer starts this Memorial Day weekend, and while sunshine makes drivers want to take to the road, it's also one of the most unsafe times of the year for the dogs and cats who live with us.

Early adopters of electric cars helping car manufacturers go forward

By Frank Sherosky on May 24, 2011 - 11:19AM

From the Nissan Leaf to the Chevrolet Volt, the Ford EV and the Tesla Roadster, manufacturers are still in uncharted territory. Their reliance on early adopters, those who are the first to buy the electric cars, is crucial to going forward.

Chrysler officially announces early repayment of the US and Canadian bailout loans

By Patrick Rall on May 24, 2011 - 10:55AM

This afternoon, Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne will speak at a ceremony at the automaker’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, where he will formally thank the US and Canadian governments for their financial support but more importantly, Marchionne is expected to announce that the company is paying off the $7.53 billion owed to the two governments.

Avoiding the most common summer driving car repairs

By Don Bain on May 23, 2011 - 7:25PM

Few things are as disconcerting as an automotive breakdown far from home. We only have so much vacation time and spending it awaiting parts and repairs can be a serious killjoy. Thanks to a slowed economy, many vehicle owners have put off regular automotive maintenance, increasing the risk of automotive malfunction.

2012 Toyota Prius v aims for family-friendly buyers

By Hawke Fracassa on May 23, 2011 - 6:30PM

Toyota's 2012 Prius v (v for versatility) goes on sale this fall as the consummate fuel-efficient midsize hybrid, with room for five people.

The original BMW M6 hits the block at the 2011 Mecum Indy Auction

By Patrick Rall on May 23, 2011 - 4:46PM

The majority of the major head-turners at the 2011 Mecum Spring Classic Auction were built by an American automaker; show goers had a chance to own a rare high performance German sports car in the form of the 1988 BMW M6.

The burgeoning British market for the Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf

By Don Bain on May 23, 2011 - 3:50PM

It’s seems the green revolution is coming to the British Isles as a leading online motoring website has announced the demand for greener and less polluting vehicles has hit an all time high while consumers are paying the highest price ever for diesel fuel.

Life Ball Mini 2011 by DSQUARED2, 'refashioned for adventures of all kinds'

By John Matras on May 23, 2011 - 3:33PM

Every year for Life Ball--called Europe's biggest AIDS charity event--Mini prepares a specially-designed Mini Cooper to be auctioned off for funds for Aids Life. The 2011 Life Ball Mini, nicknamed "Red Mudder," was "refashioned for adventures of all kinds" by Dean and Dan Caten, women's clothing designers otherwise known as DSQUARED2.

Americans feel high school dropouts should not get driver's licenses

By Keith Griffin on May 23, 2011 - 3:31PM

More than two-thirds of Americans feel that high school dropouts should not be allowed to have driver's licenses until they get their high school diplomas. It's an interesting concept who many feel should be enacted to get more kids completing high school.

Spyker to become Swedish Automobile N.V.

By Patrick Rall on May 23, 2011 - 2:49PM

Spyker has made some interesting moves over the past year, including buying the struggling Saab brand and selling off the Spyker brand to focus on Saab – only to run out of money and go on a desperate hunt for investors to resume production – and now it looks like the company will make another big move as they rename themselves Swedish Automobile N.V.

Combustion engine improvements threaten alternative vehicles, electric cars

By Don Bain on May 23, 2011 - 2:39PM

"We forget sometimes that the current contender continues to improve," said Linda A. Capuano, Marathon Oil’s vice president for emerging technologies, at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business’s 59th Annual Management Conference. If combustion engines continue to increase efficiency and lower emissions, alternative fuel vehicles may take longer to replace them than previously thought.

The 1974 Plymouth Cuda Tooling Car at the 2011 Mecum Indy Auction

By Patrick Rall on May 23, 2011 - 2:18PM

The 2011 Mecum Spring Classic Auction in Indianapolis is chock full of amazing vehicles but nothing Ive seen before at Mecum – or anywhere else – is such a unique piece of muscle car history as the 1974 Plymouth Cuda Tooling Proof Body.

Honda Test Flies Jet over North Carolina

By Patrick Place on May 23, 2011 - 2:07PM

If you are into cars you may know that some auto makers such as, Saab, Mitsubishi, Subaru and others, made airplanes. Well, turns out Honda wants in on the plane market. Go right ahead, every thing else they make is reliable. If you happen to live in North Carolina you may have seen it and not even known about it. Honda Aircraft has been test flying there since 2010.

Feds will buy energy-efficient cars, slash oil imports 33%

By Hawke Fracassa on May 23, 2011 - 1:32PM

The Obama administration on Tuesday will announce in an online broadcast how it will start buying more technologically advanced vehicles for use by the U.S. government while at the same time finding ways to considerably decrease federal agencies' reliance on foreign petroleum.

Paul Dehnert's 1994 Corvette ZR-1s sell at 2011 Mecum Indy

By Patrick Rall on May 23, 2011 - 12:39PM

The 1990-1995 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 effectively raised the bar for American high performance and with under 7,000 units made over the course of its 6-year run, it is also one of the more rare Corvettes - but the 2011 Mecum Indy Auction featured three red 1994 Corvette ZR-1s owned by the late collector Paul Dehnert.

Toyota stock trading within a technical range ideal for traders

By Frank Sherosky on May 23, 2011 - 12:14PM

Toyota stock (NYSE: TM) is still finding its way after the carnage of multiple recalls and a slowdown from the earthquake and tsunami. This swing action, though, is ideal for swing traders and option traders.

Obama's Cadillac defeated by speed bump

By Roman Rosa on May 23, 2011 - 11:37AM

A wedge on the exit of the American Embassy in Ireland exit defeated Obama's almighty Cadillac, rendering it completely stuck. All this in view of hundreds of excited onlookers.

New 'Friend' is Facebook for Toyota owners

By Hawke Fracassa on May 23, 2011 - 11:23AM

Toyota has become a Facebook wannabe, on a small scale, with "Toyota Friend." "Friend" is the fledgling interactive Internet gated community birthed today by Toyota and partners Microsoft and Salesforce.com.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato will award at Ville D'Este Concours

By John Matras on May 23, 2011 - 10:11AM

If you loved the Aston Martin V12 Zagato, you're in good company. The race-ready "concept" was voted best in class by visitors to the exclusive Concorso d'Eleganza Ville D'Este Concours, where it was shown for the first time on May 22.

NHTSA closes investigation of Toyota Corolla steering systems

By Patrick Rall on May 23, 2011 - 10:08AM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed a 15-month investigation into the electronic power steering system in the 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla, stating that no problems were found with the system and allowing Toyota to avoid yet another reputation-damaging recall.

Facebook comments negative on Chevy Cruze inflator replacing spare tire

By Frank Sherosky on May 23, 2011 - 10:05AM

Despite all the hoopla by GM marketing, one visit to GM and Chevy on Facebook tells it all. The public response is NOT overwhelmingly in love with replacing spare tires with inflators.

Autogas growing as economical alternative to gas, diesel

By Hawke Fracassa on May 23, 2011 - 10:05AM

A road show in North Carolina on Wednesday will feature three of the 15 million vehicles worldwide that are powered by propane autogas, a mixture of propane and butane that is the most used fuel by Americans after gasoline and diesel

New cars won't get fuel efficiency grades

By Keith Griffin on May 23, 2011 - 7:43AM

The Obama administration is abandoning a plan to cast "Scarlet Letter" type marks of fuel efficiency on new car window stickers that would have rated vehicles with grades from A to D for fuel efficiency.

Volvo on track to fast-track 3 green cars of the future

By Hawke Fracassa on May 22, 2011 - 6:58PM

Volvo is going green full tilt this spring with its enthusiast-driven V60 Plug-in Hybrid, C30 Electric and V50 DRIVe. The three environmentally friendly luxury cars were showcased and shown off this weekend at the 11th Michelin Challenge Bibendum rally in Germany.

Fame doesn't save big names in car crashes

By Hawke Fracassa on May 22, 2011 - 6:53PM

The death of a champion wrestler makes him next in a long line of celebs who died without warning on the road. James Dean, Lady Di, Grace Kelly and George S. Patton are victims; now, so is Randy Savage.

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