Automotive News (Page 1142)

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.

Production begins of the Fisker Karma electric luxury sedan

By Patrick Rall on March 22, 2011 - 4:52PM

The sexy-sleek Fisker Karma electric-first hybrid sedan has been floating around the auto show circuit for a few years now but the reality of seeing a Fisker on the open road is about to go way up as production for the cutting-edge luxury sedan has officially begun in Finland.

GM slows production at another plant due to Japanese crisis

By Patrick Rall on March 22, 2011 - 1:51PM

General Motors was the first American automaker to shut a plant down due to the string of disasters in Japan and yesterday, GM announced more downtime as the Tonawanda engine plant in Buffalo, New York saw one of their production lines halted due to the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear explosions.

Chinese Chevrolet Camaro to debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011 with a new name

By Patrick Rall on March 22, 2011 - 12:37PM

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the most well-known names in the history of the American automotive industry but when General Motors’ famous sports car makes its debut in China it will known as the 科迈罗.

Jaguar recalls 2010 XF and XK models for a power steering fire risk

By Patrick Rall on March 22, 2011 - 12:05PM

Jaguar and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced that the luxury automaker is recalling select 2010 XF and XK models for a power steering line failure that could cause loss of power steering and in the worst cases, this line problem could become a fire risk.

Ford Racing 2011 Mustang GT sets production car world record

By Patrick Rall on March 22, 2011 - 10:53AM

Behind the wheel of a 2011 Ford Mustang GT modified with only (dealership available) Ford Racing parts, NASCAR driver David Ragan has set the production car world record at Bristol Motor Speedway as part of the World’s Fastest Half-Mile Speed Trials.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, C63 AMG Estate are 2011 F1 safety and medical service cars

By John Matras on March 22, 2011 - 10:50AM

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate have been chosen to perform safety and first medical service at Formula 1 races for the 2011 season.

Toyota and Honda extend shutdowns due to part shortages

By Patrick Rall on March 22, 2011 - 10:18AM

Mazda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki have re-opened plants in Japan as the country and deals with nuclear disaster risks and regular aftershocks but automotive giants Toyota and Honda have announced that their plants will remain closed until at least this weekend.

Volkswagen transparent factory in Dresden symbolizes quality build of Phaeton

By Frank Sherosky on March 22, 2011 - 9:48AM

The Volkswagen Phaeton is a full-size luxury sedan/saloon manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen, and is described by Volkswagen as their "premium class" vehicle. Yet, it’s the manufacturing plant in Dresden that is the force behind the premium status.

Tata expects to sell vehicles in the US for $7,000-8,000

By Patrick Rall on March 21, 2011 - 7:29PM

The Tata Nano is the cheapest new vehicle in the world but when Tata gets a car into the United States we can expect it to cost quite a bit more thanks to recent comments but company Chairman Ratan Tata.

General Motors unveils the next generation Chevrolet Colorado

By Patrick Rall on March 21, 2011 - 6:04PM

General Motors has offered up a full complement of images and details about the next generation Chevrolet Colorado but Chevy truck lovers in the US as this new midsized pickup doesn’t seem to be destined for the US market.

Top 5 Fuel-Efficient vehicles under $30,000

By Don Bain on March 21, 2011 - 3:35PM

NADAguides, the leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, has revealed the results of their vehicle comparison for the least expensive choices to achieve better mileage on your commute. Their report identifies the top five non-hybrid, high mileage vehicles under $30,000 that deliver more than you’d expect for the money.

Win a 2011 Ford Mustang GT from Bristol Motor Speedway, Ford and Scotts

By Patrick Rall on March 21, 2011 - 3:04PM

Bristol Motor Speedway, Ford Motor Company and Scotts have teamed up to offer the Bristol Golden Giveaway, offering the three individuals from general public the chance to win an all expenses paid trip to the Bristol Food City 250 and IRWIN Tools Night Race and one of those three winners will be chosen to drive home in the official 2011 Ford Mustang GT-Bristol Motor Speedway 50th Anniversary Edition Pace Car used in the Food City 250.

One in twenty British parking tickets groundless

By Don Bain on March 21, 2011 - 2:34PM

The British insurance agency, Liverpool Victoria, reports English motorists lost 58.5 million pounds sterling from unfair parking tickets last year. That’s over 92 million dollars. Only 22 percent bother to contest them, but of those, 88 percent win the case.

iPhone app lets you get auto prices, specs with a pic

By Don Bain on March 21, 2011 - 12:57PM

If you’re shopping for a car without many preconceptions, one of the first things you’ll notice is how many choices exist. Over 40 different manufacturers provide so many models to choose from. A new Swedish iPhone app allows users to snap a picture of a car’s license plate and instantly get the price and specs for that model.

Mazda3 Named Top Safety Pick by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

By Keith Griffin on March 21, 2011 - 12:38PM

The 2011 Mazda Mazda3 has been selected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as a Top Safety Pick.

Nissan resumes production after earthquake - Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki and Honda to follow

By Patrick Rall on March 21, 2011 - 12:32PM

Since the earthquake hit Japan on March 11th, the country has been battling strong after-shocks, a tsunami and nuclear power risks forcing Japanese automakers to cease production but starting today, Japan’s largest car companies attempt to get back into the swing of things.

Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid slated for production

By John Matras on March 21, 2011 - 11:50AM

The Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid may go from zero-to-sixty in around 3.1 seconds, but more importantly, it went from 2010 Geneva Motor Show concept to production-bound supercar in just over a year. Actually hitting the road will take a little longer. The first customer cars will begin arriving in the United States "near the end of 2013," says Porsche.

Honda Odyssey recalled for windshield wiper problems

By Patrick Rall on March 21, 2011 - 11:37AM

American Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall of 2011 Honda Odyssey minivans over a concern of damage to the windshield wiper arm control assembly caused by trying to operate the wipers when they are frozen to the windshield.

Leasing Sees Growth in Compacts, Pickups

By Keith Griffin on March 21, 2011 - 9:11AM

There's a growing trend in automotive leasing: compact cars and pickups, which until this year were a relatively scant part of the leasing market.

Hawaii selects AeroVironment for 320 public EV charging docks

By Frank Sherosky on March 21, 2011 - 8:01AM

Hawaii Lt. Governor Brian Schatz announced that AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) has been selected to help lead the way to a cleaner transportation future through an $820,000 contract from the Hawaii EV Ready Grants Program. The contract will fund the deployment of up to 320 AeroVironment 240-volt electric vehicle (EV) charging docks throughout the islands.

Freescale Semiconductor to make next generation ECU for Chery Automotive

By Frank Sherosky on March 20, 2011 - 8:27PM

Freescale Semiconductor announced it is providing advanced microcontroller (MCU) technology to Chery Automobile, one of China’s largest automotive manufacturers, for the engine control unit (ECU) in future Chery vehicle models.

Mercedes showrooms to debut 2012 C63 AMG Coupe in America by September

By Frank Sherosky on March 20, 2011 - 11:16AM

The new C63 AMG Coupe joins the successful C63 AMG Sedan and makes its U.S. showroom debut in September 2011.

Chevy Volt owners reporting positive gas mileage stories

By Frank Sherosky on March 19, 2011 - 2:33PM

News thus far is surely positive for the Volt. By recharging their Volt regularly, owners are easily surpassing the 93 miles per gallon equivalence, or MPGe, on full electric operation and an overall 60 MPGe composite fuel economy during extended-range operation.

Lingenfelter muscles up 2008-2010 Dodge ponycars with the Dodge Challenger Supercharger Package

By John Matras on March 18, 2011 - 11:56PM

There is that sinking feeling when the latest and greatest version of the car you already own comes out, as owners of 2008 through 2010 Dodge Challengers know all too well. Fortunately, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has a cure for that and then some. It's the Dodge Challenger Supercharger Package, and installed on the 6.1-liter Hemi, it's good for 500 rear wheel horsepower. Or using the usual estimates, about 590 horsepower at the flywheel, according to Lingenfelter.

Monkeys disassemble Mercedes

By Don Bain on March 18, 2011 - 8:26PM

The monkeys in England’s Longleat Safari Park had not seen a car in a long time so officials at the park decided to give them one of their own. What happened is exactly what might if you parked your Mercedes in one of the more questionable neighborhoods of any city in the world. The locals tore it apart.

Infiniti reports sales surge, launches M hybrid campaign

By Don Bain on March 18, 2011 - 6:30PM

If you were watching March Madness on St. Patty’s Day yesterday, you may have noticed an ad or two for he new Infiniti M Hybrid. Though not the first Asian manufacturer to add green technology as a performance enhancement, one look at the M Hybrid and you’ll know this is not your father’s green car.

Honda, Mazda, Suzuki update production stoppages

By Patrick Rall on March 18, 2011 - 3:16PM

Honda Motor Company announced today that they are extending their production stoppage caused by the Japanese earthquakes, tsunamis and chain of nuclear blasts; Mazda and Suzuki have both planned to restart production at a few of their plants originally shut down from the quakes.

Masuko says Mitsubishi Evo may not be dead yet

By John Matras on March 18, 2011 - 1:45PM

The Evo X - or as it's officially known, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X - is destined for the scrapheap of history. Those in the supposed know have reported that with Mitsubishi's new self positioning as a green company, the battery electric iMIEV a case in point, high performance cars are on the way out.

Hyundai recalls 190000 Elantra sedans for airbag risk

By Patrick Rall on March 18, 2011 - 1:39PM

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Hyundai have issued a recall for 2007-2009 Elantra sedans for an airbag system sensor that could cause the airbags to open incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury to smaller passengers (especially children) in the event of an accident.

Continental recalls tires on 65,000 Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty pickups

By Patrick Rall on March 18, 2011 - 1:00PM

Continental Tire has issued a voluntary recall of tires with the NHTSA from their Continental ContiTrac light truck tire series, pertaining heavily to the original equipment tires of the 2008 and 2009 Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty pickups.

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