Automotive News (Page 1133)

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.

Big Brother watching, tracking your license plate

By Don Bain on May 2, 2011 - 12:00AM

Most of us are familiar with the intersection-mounted cameras used to ticket those who dangerously careen through red lights or simply monitor traffic flow for computerized systems. In Charleston, local police are using intersection-mounted cameras to create a database of vehicles and license plates and fielding cruisers with scanners that read every plate passing by.

Ford: Operation Drive One Integrates with Extreme Makeover Home Edition

By Armen Hareyan on May 1, 2011 - 10:07PM

Ford donated 2011 Explorer to a family in May 1 Extreme Makeover Home Edition integrating its Operation Drive One program with a popular reality show.

The future of hydrogen-fueled vehicles not burning so bright

By Don Bain on May 1, 2011 - 9:37PM

Just a few years ago auto manufacturers, scientists, engineers and even energy authorities were all talking about the promise of hydrogen and fuel cell propelled vehicles. It was an idyllic idea to keep combustion engines and simply burn something in them that would only emit pure clean, potable water right out of the tailpipe. However the application of what seemed a promising technology may have hit a snag.

2011 Bearing Burners Car Show and Swap Meet shines bright at GM Tech Center

By Frank Sherosky on May 1, 2011 - 5:11PM

The Bearing Burners Auto Club outshined the sun behind the clouds once again at the 34th Car Show & Swap Meet on the grounds of the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan.

Honda Odyssey named safest minivan of 2011 by IIHS

By Armen Hareyan on April 30, 2011 - 10:13AM

There is good news for Honda dealers that have new or used Odyssey minivans for sale as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named Honda Odyssey minivan as 2011's safest minivan.

First Mercedes-Benz Teen Driving School to open in Los Angeles

By Don Bain on April 29, 2011 - 1:00PM

Mercedes-Benz USA announced yesterday the opening of the company's first Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy in Los Angeles in October, a fully integrated driver's education program and school incorporating online, classroom and behind-the-wheel training for Los Angeles teens.

BMW to offer turbocharged 4-cylinder Z4 in the US

By Patrick Rall on April 29, 2011 - 12:52PM

BMW is using the on-going New York International Auto Show to feature the latest installment of their sporty Z4 roadster – the Z4 sDrive28i Roadster – which will feature the first turbocharged 4-cylinder engine offering in the US in decades.

Real shortage of Japanese cars coming soon as numbers speak

By Armen Hareyan on April 29, 2011 - 11:41AM

Automakers say their Japanese plants are operating at only 50 percent of their usual pace, as the country is struggling to recover from March 11, implying the situation will create a worldwide shortage of Japanese cars.

Spyker may join forces with Chinese to save Saab, GM approves Russian investor

By Patrick Rall on April 29, 2011 - 11:22AM

Saab has seen its Trollhattan, Sweden production facility shuttered for most of April due to inability to pay suppliers for the components needed to produce vehicles and with the parent company Spyker desperate for funding, the company is looking to Russian investor Vladimir Antonov along with a variety of Chinese automakers to save the Saab brand.

GM stock responding to Auto Shanghai 2011 awards

By Frank Sherosky on April 29, 2011 - 10:51AM

While Shanghai GM was named the Best Car Manufacturer and the new Chevrolet Malibu the Most Eye-Catching Car Model yesterday at the Auto Shanghai 2011 Grand Awards, GM stock has been awarded by investors with more buyers than sellers recently. The GM stock chart gives the technical picture.

EcoBoost technology proves popular in the Ford F150

By Patrick Rall on April 29, 2011 - 10:40AM

When Ford announced that they would be offering EcoBoost technology in the 2011 F150 pickups there was heavy speculation as to whether or not a twin turbocharged V6 would be well received by the truck-buying crowd but with gradual improvements through the first few months of 2011 – the EcoBoost F150 is a hit.

BMW leads Prince William's wedding as he drives away in Aston Martin

By Armen Hareyan on April 29, 2011 - 9:31AM

Updated on 12:28 PM ET - Prince William and Kate delighted the public by driving away in an open-top Aston Martin. This Aston Martin belongs to Prince William's father.

Corvette Z06 and ZR1 get performance upgrades for 2012, 'Vette fans get first look this weekend

By John Matras on April 28, 2011 - 7:55PM

Chevrolet announced today upgrades for the 2012 Chevrolet Corvette, including enhancements to the high-performance Z06 and ZR1 models and interior trim across the entire Corvette line. A special event this weekend at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky., will give Corvette fans their first look at the coming model year's Corvettes.

NYIAS 2011: The 2012 Kia Soul gets a mild makeover

By Don Bain on April 28, 2011 - 5:59PM

Ever since the Kia Soul and Nissan Cube began competing in 2008 with the Scion xB (which had a few years on them in North America), the ubiquitous urban utility vehicle (we’ll suggest U2V) has been hard to escape. They’re on the road, on the television and even the hamsters have taken a liking to them.

Jaguar reveals redesigned 2012 XF at NYIAS

By Don Bain on April 28, 2011 - 4:06PM

The Jaguar XF for 2012 has come a long way from its introduction in 2007 as a concept car and release in 2008 as a somewhat differing production vehicle. The new incarnation is much closer to the promise it showed in 2007 – it has recaptured the spirit of a Jaguar.

Nielsen names Kia Soul hamster commercial Automotive Ad of the Year

By Cheryl Phillips on April 28, 2011 - 3:37PM

The Nielsen Company named its “Automotive Ad of the Year” winner at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, giving Kia’s popular rapping hamsters, the Soul, the top award for the second year in a row.

Mercedes, Toyota Plants in Alabama Shut Down by Violent Southern Storms

By Keith Griffin on April 28, 2011 - 2:55PM

Mother Nature continues to shut down production at Toyota, but this time the affected plant is in Alabama and the problem is a series of violent storms and not the Tsunami and earthquake that struck its home production facilities in Japan. Mercedes was equally hard hit by the horrific storms that have killed more than 268 people as of Thursday afternoon.

Lamborghini rolls out their second Aventador LP700-4 video

By Patrick Rall on April 28, 2011 - 1:36PM

Since the formal introduction of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the Italian automaker has been offering up high quality videos of the new supercar in action and with this newest video, we get a look at two Aventadors playing around on an Italian countryside road.

The Big 3 passes on the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

By Patrick Rall on April 28, 2011 - 12:27PM

We reported in February that both Chrysler and General Motors had decided not to make an appearance at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and with the final lineup announced for the big Japanese show, Ford Motor Company will also not be in attendance.

Buick declared one of fastest-growing passenger car brands in China

By Frank Sherosky on April 28, 2011 - 11:39AM

Shanghai GM announced that sales of Buick products have surpassed 3 million units since the joint venture began offering its original vehicle brand in 1999.

Part two of the 2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Premium review

By Patrick Rall on April 28, 2011 - 10:46AM

The 2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Premium package includes pretty much everything that you could possibly want including the monstrous dual panel sunroof and monitors in the rear of the seatbacks.

Chrysler announces bailout loan repayment plans

By Patrick Rall on April 28, 2011 - 10:24AM

The key roadblock preventing Fiat SpA from possessing their desired 51% of the Chrysler Group is the amount of debt owed to the US and Canadian governments but the American automaker announced this morning that they will be paying off the entirety of these loans – freeing up Fiat to make the final moves to have their majority stake in the Chrysler Group.

GM new engine plant in Brazil to supply two assembly pants

By Frank Sherosky on April 28, 2011 - 9:43AM

GM do Brasil on Monday laid the foundation stone for a new engine plant in Joinville in south Brazil that will make engine components beginning in 2012.

Zagato honors Alfa Romeo with the Viper ACR based TZ3 Stradale

By Patrick Rall on April 28, 2011 - 9:02AM

In 2010, Alfa Romeo celebrated their 100th anniversary and to commemorate the centennial, Italian coachbuilder Zagato has announced the TZ3 Stradale – a limited edition supercar based on the record-setting Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0: Giant with the largest engine ever in a Porsche 911

By John Matras on April 28, 2011 - 8:47AM

The Porsche 911 has always been known as a giant killer, extracting a huge amount of power from a small displacement engine, but is some is good, more is better. At least that is what's behind--literally--the largest engine ever in a Porsche 911, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 limited edition.

One Lap of America Begins Saturday at Tire Rack

By Keith Griffin on April 28, 2011 - 7:44AM

The Tire Rack.com One Lap of America kicks off this Saturday in South Bend, Indiana, at the tire company's wet skid pad. It then travels 3500 miles in seven days before returning to Tire Rack's dry skid pad.

African Americans Prefer Toyota Over Other Brands

By Keith Griffin on April 27, 2011 - 10:32PM

Polk, a provider of automotive information, has determined that Toyota was the most popular brand among African American new car buyers in 2010. Ford, Chevrolet and Honda were all practically locked in a statistical tie for second place.

Designer Calvin Klein’s Porsche 911 for sale on eBay

By Don Bain on April 27, 2011 - 8:43PM

You’d think if you could afford to purchase and provide tender loving care to a 1985 Porsche 911, you be happy just to find one in fair condition. But what if you found one, not only in excellent shape, but previously owned by fashion king Calvin Klein with only 59,000 miles being auctioned at a current bid of $24,100?

Ford: Teens see right through parental safe driving claims

By Don Bain on April 27, 2011 - 6:50PM

Almost all parents perceive themselves as safe drivers, but 82 percent of their teenage kids profess witnessing careless driving by parents. Ford is expanding their award-winning teen driving program in response to the 25 percent of teens with no formal driver education and the concerns of parents who see such education evaporating due to budget cuts.

Report: Americans ready for electric cars with normal auto range

By Don Bain on April 27, 2011 - 3:09PM

It seems U.S. consumers are changing their minds about electric cars as analysis of a Nielsen Energy Survey conducted by Boulder CO based E Source reports 85 percent claim they will buy an electric car either right away, when their current car needs replacing or when the technology becomes mainstream.

Subscribe to