Automotive News (Page 945)

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.

The Chevy Volt pounds the Nissan Leaf one last time in December 2012, claims sales title

By Patrick Rall on January 4, 2013 - 11:38AM

The Chevrolet Volt did in December 2012 what it did in 9 of the first 11 months of the year – soundly pummeling the Nissan Leaf in monthly sales en route to what amounted to a massive landslide victory in the 2012 electric vehicle segment sales battle after the Leaf claimed the title in 2011.

New Subaru Impreza fuels record sales for 2012

By Denis Flierl on January 4, 2013 - 9:34AM

Subaru has achieved record sales for December and 2012 and the new Impreza is leading the way along with the 2013 BRZ and new XV Crosstrek.

2014 Subaru Forester could get new hybrid powertrain

By Denis Flierl on January 4, 2013 - 8:20AM

Subaru is counting on two new vehicles this year to fuel sales growth, an all-new 2014 Subaru Forester and a new hybrid that could be coming in the new Forester.

The 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus. Image courtesy of Audi.

Audi pushing the envelope with two debuts at NAIAS

By Don Bain on January 4, 2013 - 2:27AM

On the heels of their best year in the US market to date, Audi shows no sign of resting on their laurels as the refreshed R8 lineup and the all-new American debut of the RS 5 Cabriolet arrive at NAIAS January 14 – and this is only the beginning.

Strategic Materials Advisory Council opposes A123 Systems sale to Wanxiang America

By David Herron on January 3, 2013 - 6:16PM

A coalition of former U.S. Government leaders and industry experts is opposing the bankruptcy sale of A123 Systems to Chinese autoparts maker Wanxiang Group on national security grounds.

2013 Ford Escape. Photo © 2012 by Don Bain

Ford given BBB International Torch Award marking 100-year association

By Don Bain on January 3, 2013 - 5:28PM

As a company that shares a penchant for doing business the right way, Ford Motor Company recently celebrated its 100th year of national association with the Better Business Bureau, receiving a 2012 BBB International Torch Award at the BBB National Assembly from the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

2013 Honda Accord in IIHS small overlap frontal crash test. (PRNewsFoto/Insuranc

Safest cars according to IIHS as industry adapts to small overlap testing

By Don Bain on January 3, 2013 - 2:50PM

When the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety initiated small overlap testing last year, many cars did not fare well in this test of a cars safety when hitting a pole, a tree or a foot-wide portion of another car’s front end.

Oregon considering per-mile road use tax on electric car owners

By David Herron on January 3, 2013 - 2:23PM

Following suite with Washington State, Oregon's Legislature is due to consider a bill to change gasoline taxes and to charge a per-mile fee on drivers of efficient vehicles, like electric cars.

2014 Mazda 6 pricing and fuel economy ratings announced

By John Goreham on January 3, 2013 - 2:05PM

Class leadeing highway fuel economy, and pricing in line with the competitor's upgraded models should make the all-new 2104 Mazda 6 a winner.

Subaru recalls 634k cars and SUVs over fire-causing lighting defect

By Anthony Faccenda on January 3, 2013 - 1:58PM

The recall concerns 2009-2012 Subaru Forrester, 2010-2011 Subaru Legacy, 2010-2011 Subaru Outback, and 2006-2012 Subaru Tribeca models equipped with defective puddle lights.

The first 2013 SRT Viper dyno video hits the web with big power numbers

By Patrick Rall on January 3, 2013 - 1:53PM

The 2013 SRT Viper might not be reaching the hands of happy new owners until next month but that didn’t stop Edmunds from taking a preproduction Viper GTS to the dyno to see what the newest Mopar supercar puts out at the wheels – with the results being 558 horsepower and 528lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels.

The 50th anniversary mystery Lamborghini

Lamborghini teases 50th anniversary celebration with new video showing a mystery supercar

By Patrick Rall on January 3, 2013 - 12:51PM

The people at Lamborghini have discussed how they have big things in plan to celebrate the company’s 50th birthday this year and their recent offering is a video history lesson featuring a wide range of past models in action but at the very end of the video, there is a shadowy vehicle that we presume is either the replacement for the Gallardo or perhaps the unique supercar that the company plans to introduce for their 50th anniversary.

The Audi R8 e-tron looks like it's back again.

Audi Talks About R8 Electric E-Tron Again

By Nicolas Zart on January 3, 2013 - 11:43AM

Audi has danced the one foot forward, two back with all-electric R8 e-tron. After holding back the project in October, it seems it is back on track, for now.

General Motors sells 1 million 30mpg highway vehicles, sales of vehicles with less than 20mpg city also up

By John Goreham on January 3, 2013 - 10:48AM

General Motors offers more fuel efficient choices than ever, and customers are taking note. However, the largest, thirstiest vehicles also continue their sales gains.

Your Say: Will You Remain with Zipcar as it combines with Avis Budget?

By Armen Hareyan on January 3, 2013 - 9:21AM

Comments from Facebook on Zipcar's announcement to combine with Avis Budget.

Impreza, BRZ, XV Crosstrek sales force Subaru to increase US production

By Denis Flierl on January 3, 2013 - 8:02AM

Subaru is experiencing such strong sales of the new Impreza, 2013 XV Crosstrek, and BRZ that they will need to increase U.S. production capacity.

US Nissan Leaf not in production, unveiling at NAIAS

By David Herron on January 2, 2013 - 10:44PM

The 2013 Nissan Leaf, due to be manufactured in Smyrna TN, is close to commercial production and expected to be unveiled in two weeks at the North America International Auto Show, NAIAS.

Giving Beyonce a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette at the Super Bowl would be GM's worst idea ever

By Patrick Rall on January 2, 2013 - 8:49PM

There is a rumor floating around the internet that General Motors plans to feature the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette during the halftime show of Super Bowl XLVII alongside star-of-the-show Beyonce Knowles and as the show draws to a close, GM will give the car to the R&B superstar – a move that I would find to be one of the dumbest marketing moves by General Motors in many moons.

Auto sales totals projected at 15.3 million this year

By Don Bain on January 2, 2013 - 8:05PM

Sales of autos in the US will continue to blaze the trail to economic recovery during 2013 with a 7 percent boost that will bring total unit sales to 15.3 million for the year.

Fiscal cliff bill preserves electric motorcycle and other tax credits

By David Herron on January 2, 2013 - 6:45PM

A long list of tax credits due to expire at the end of 2012 did not get lost in last weeks political insanity, and several clean technology tax credits including those for electric motorcycles and electric car charging infrastructure were extended until the end of 2013.

Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible

Bentley to unveil new Continental GT Speed Convertible at NAIAS

By Aaron Turpen on January 2, 2013 - 3:44PM

Billed as the world's fastest four-seat convertible, the new flagship performance will take its top down and show all at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Better performance, better MPGs for Hemi-powered Dodge Charger, Ram 1500 and more via new transmission

By Patrick Rall on January 2, 2013 - 2:25PM

The Chrysler Group has been making good use of an 8-speed automatic transmission for some time now in their Pentastar V6-powered vehicles including the Dodge Charger, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the new Ram 1500 but starting later this year, the versions of those vehicles powered by the mighty 5.7L Hemi will also feature the fuel-friendly 8-speed automatic transmission.

Avis buys Zipcar for $500 million, expands into growing car sharing business

By Anthony Faccenda on January 2, 2013 - 1:02PM

Avis says it will generate $50 to $70 million in 'annual synergies' as a result of the deal.

Hyundai and Kia will integrate Google Maps with their telematics systems

By John Goreham on January 2, 2013 - 12:46PM

Fans of Google shopping for a Kia or Hyunadi will rejoice at the pairing.

Dealerships dropping the Chevrolet Volt over increased costs

By Patrick Rall on January 2, 2013 - 11:30AM

While the Chevrolet Volt has quickly become the bestselling electric vehicle in America, some Chevrolet dealerships plan to stop selling the Volt over an increase in the cost of required tools needed to service the high tech sedan – claiming that with their low volume sales of the GM electric vehicle it just doesn’t make good business sense to make the hefty investment in new tools.

Paparazzo killed trying to snap pictures of Justin Bieber's Ferrari 458 Italia

By Anthony Faccenda on January 2, 2013 - 9:01AM

The photographer was reportedly struck by an oncoming vehicle while attempting to take pictures of Bieber's white Ferrari during a routine traffic stop in Los Angeles.

Washington state tries a $100 EV tax to recoup loss in gasoline money

Washington State Taxes Electric Car Drivers For loss of Gasoline Tax

By Nicolas Zart on January 2, 2013 - 8:52AM

States caught with the conundrum of electric vehicles not paying taxes are working to find ways to leverage loss income. Washington’s answer is a $100 EV tax.

Next-generation Ferrari California could have turbo power

By Denis Flierl on January 2, 2013 - 8:01AM

Ferrari is reported to be testing new powertrains for the next-gen 2014/2015 California and it could include a new turbocharger.

Discolor Tyre concept turns tires orange when they wear thin

By Aaron Turpen on January 2, 2013 - 12:07AM

Most drivers seem unaware of the built-in indicators today's vehicle tires have to alert them to the need for replacement. This conceptual for colored tires would make it obvious to even the most unobservant.

2013 Ford Mustang most researched car of 2012

By Denis Flierl on January 1, 2013 - 2:44PM

The 2013 Ford Mustang was the most-searched car last year and there are plenty of reasons why.

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