Honda’s newest Weapon in the Battle of the Minivans

The predictable wisdom is that the minivan is on life support, a victim of drive-by shootings by marauding gangs of part-truck, part-car crossover wagons. However some automakers now won’t pull the plug.

While General Motors and Ford deserted the sliding-door minivan in latest years, Toyota has doubled down with a new version of its Sienna that went on sale in February.

The new model is somewhat longer, lower and wider. It not only seems more jaunty, with a body-side character line extending ahead from the boldly shaped rear side window, its slicker aerodynamics aid fuel economy.

Every 2011 Odysseys come with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 248 horsepower. This is an enhanced version of the previous engine, with 4 more horsepower and 5 pound-feet of torque. The V-6 can still run on only 3 or 4 of its 6 cylinders when full power isn’t required.

The innovative Odyssey comes in seven trim levels with prices ranging from $28,580 to $44,030.

The Odyssey’s chief engineer, Art St. Cyr, said the 6-speed wasn’t presented across the board because Honda wanted to hold down the price of the LX while imparting a “more premium” driving think to Touring models with a smoother, faster transmission.

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Nissan evokes 2 million cars

Nissan said on Thursday that 2.14 million of its cars would be recalled due to a defective ignition which could cause the engine to stall and not start. March/Micra, Cube and a dozen other models are comprised in this recall which is the 3rd biggest for Nissan.

There are no accidents reported due to this imperfection. Though, in the worst case scenario, the engine will stall and won’t be able to start which might cause accidents on the road.

The recalls are typically in Japan, United States and Canada with 835,000 and 762,000 units correspondingly (US and Canada numbers combined). The affected vehicles were built among August 2003 and July 2006.

As big as the recall is, the fix for the fault is reported to be comparatively cheap. It is estimated that the repair will get less than an hour to realize. The surprisingly huge number of vehicles concerned in the recall is due to cost-cutting strategies wherein the same parts of a vehicle are used in various models.

Last week, Toyota also recalled 1.66 million vehicles worldwide for faults in the break master cylinder and fuel pump wiring.

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GM intensifying in Michigan for 2013 Cadillac ATS

GM is expanding an assembly plant in Michigan, where it will construct the latest small 2013 Cadillac ATS.

The Detroit News reports a formal declaration will come now for the expansion. GM will spend $190 million in its Grand River Assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan, and will include 600 workers to accommodate the new product.

GM hasn't inveterate that the ATS is the product to be added to the Grand River site.

The 2013 ATS will be the fresh entry-level Cadillac, slotting under the CTS. By the time the ATS enters late in 2012, the Cadillac sedan lineup will comprise the ATS four-door (and possibly a hatchback version), a revamped CTS, and the 2013 Cadillac XTS, a front- or all-wheel-drive large sedan to be built in Oshawa, Ontario.

Grand River Assembly currently builds the CTS lineup and the SRX crossover.

The ATS is being developed with European markets particularly in mind. Cadillac has presented a BLS model in Europe; however the lightly reskinned version of the Saab 9-3 sold inadequately and was discontinued as GM prepared to sell off the Saab division.

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Subaru Forester new car models

Following the Forester XT-S concept exposed at 2010 Australian motor show, Subaru released one more special version of the car which you can in fact buy. Fine, that’s a recline! You can’t purchase this one either except you live in Japan. This Forester has been specified the STi treatment which is no longer limited to the Impreza and is presented for all models.

The Forester tS STi appears to be the entire car you could ever desire! It is an elevated riding family car with a powerful engine, a rally-bred go-anywhere drivetrain, lots of equipments, and superb construct quality, all at a very reasonable price.

This STi model gets particular suspension components with sport springs and shock absorbers as well as supple strut bars. In addition it has a sporty cabin with red-stitched STi seats, steering wheel and aluminum pedals. One very cool characteristic is the large red starter button!

The car is powered by a 2.5 liter flat-four turbo emergent 263 bhp mated to a 5-speed auto transmission. And yes, it is also offered with the unique STi blue paint but the car is restricted to 300 units, all as stated earlier assigned to JDM.

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Volkswagen Beetle presented at 0% APR Financing at NC VW Dealers

NC Volkswagen dealer Keffer Volkswagen gives customers with the 2010 New Beetle. The popular Volkswagen Beetle is being obtainable with 0% financing and low monthly leases.

Qualified buyers can finance a 2010 New Beetle for as small as 0% for 72 months. Customers can lease a 2010 New Beetle with physical transmission for 36 months for just $199 a month with $1,999 due at signing.

NC VW drivers will adore the New Beetle. The 2010 model is considered the New Beetle, as designers shaped a new look for it to appeal to a bigger crowd. The new design resulted in not only a more modern car, but a bigger one with more interior space.

The 2010 VW Beetle is available as a two-door coupe or adaptable. Both models come usual with 16-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, full power accessories, air-conditioning, heated front seats, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a premium audio system with a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.

The coupe has an existing power sunroof. The New Beetle comprises more safety features for a more secure feeling in the car. The 2010 New Beetle is available currently at Keffer Volkswagen.

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Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt among Green Car finalists

The Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf, two electric-powered vehicles that will go on sale in the United States afterward this year are among the five cars named on Thursday as finalists for 2011 Green Car of the Year.

Two hybrid versions names are Hyundai Sonata, and Lincoln MKZ.

Two of the models are designed to mainly use electric drive -- the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt.

Both the Leaf and the Volt will be offered in some areas of the United States later this year.

The one hybrid is from Korea's Hyundai Motor Co Sonata and other is from Ford's luxury brand Lincoln MKZ.

Ford says the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid has the most excellent fuel economy ratings for luxury sedans in North America, at 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.

The Sonata sedan will be the foremost Hyundai hybrid for the U.S. market. Hyundai says the sedan will acquire 36 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway.

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Toyota recalling 1.53 million cars internationally

Toyota is recalling 1.53 million Lexus, Avalon and other models, mostly in the U.S. and Japan, for brake fluid and fuel pump troubles, the newest in a string of worth lapses for the world's No. 1 automaker.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it will call back for repairs about 740,000 cars in the U.S. and 599,000 in Japan. The remainder is in Europe and other markets around the globe.

Over the past year, Toyota has recalled more than 10 million cars and trucks worldwide for a variety of troubles, from faulty gas pedals and floor mats that can trap accelerators, to braking problems in its Prius hybrid. In August, Toyota called back 1.33 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada as their engines may possibly stall.

The majority of vehicles this time around require to be fixed for a problem with the brake master cylinder, which could direct to weaker braking power, said spokesman Paul Nolasco in Tokyo.

The release said a small amount of the brake fluid could gradually leak from the brake master cylinder, resulting in enlightenment of the brake warning lamp.

Toyota will report owners around the world by mail to come for repairs at no charge, Nolasco said.

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Cadillac relaunches in Europe with innovative models for 2011

Cadillac is relaunching in the UK after a devastating year in which its European importer go bust locking its whole stock in the hands of the liquidators. Now Cadillac is back – and it’s expectant a wider range of more pertinent cars than before.

Though, the appeal in the UK will be foiled by the admission that only two models – the CTS saloon and estate – will be engineered for right-hand drive. Each other Cadillac sold here – the CTS Coupe, the SRX crossover and the Escalade – will be a left-hooker.

Another blow to European buyers is the news that diesel engines ‘will not’ feature in the instantaneous future. If the American market unexpectedly latches on to diesel, they will approach. If not, they won’t and as Europe only ever accounted for 2500 Cadillac sales, that won’t alter just for continental buyers.

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Porsche to establish a hybrid version of each of their models

Porsche tactics to commence a hybrid version of every model in its range in a bid to reduce its fleet average CO2 emissions.

This is according to the firm’s development chief Wolfgang Dürheimer and he told that in the upcoming we will have hybrid drive in each model.

With a hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV by now on sale, Porsche’s next step will be the preface of a hybrid Panamera in 2011. According to Porsche engine chief, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the Panamera hybrid should handle between five to six kilometres on electric power alone.

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Carbon Motors creates Fortune top 10 list

Connersville-based Carbon Motors, which has previously made 56 tour stops in 20 states to show off the E7, its law enforcement patrol vehicle, has been named by Fortune Magazine as one of their selects of the 10 brands to observe.

"Founded by a former police officer and former auto executive in 2003, Indiana-based Carbon Motors tactics to create America's first purpose-built police car," reads the satisfying blurb, which shows off the new models that are poised to enter the North American market.

Carbon Motors says it has received 14,300 reservations from 425 police departments but won't be able to begin production until late 2013, Fortune reports.

The vehicle would be built in the former Visteon Corp. plant in Connersville if Carbon Motors obtains the federal funding for which it has applied.

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Honda recalls thousands of cars in Brazil due to imperfection

Japan's Honda Motor said Friday it was recalling almost 127,000 City and New Fit compact cars in Brazil as of potential troubles with accelerator pedals.

"City and Fit vehicles manufactured in Brazil (between 2008 and 2010) are being recalled in Brazil for faulty accelerator pedals," a Honda spokesman in Tokyo said, note down there were no exports of the vehicles from Brazil.

Dirt and dust can enter the accelerator system and attach to its sensor, avoiding the pedal from coming back promptly, he said.

No-one has been wounded because of the problem although it caused one property-damage accident, he said.

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The five most and least costly cars to insure

You ready for the day, Boned up on trustworthy dealerships, actual cost of accessories, and haggling systems. You walked in the sales room brimming with self-belief and a stone-cold poker face. You gave your conditions and threatened to walk. The salesman chased you down and approved to your terms. He shook your hand and explains you where to sign. Driving off the lot, you felt a personal success you've never felt before.

Then you conversed to your insurance company.

Medical insurance may be a basically broken industry; auto insurance firms are no angels either. While you don't have to convince an Aetna representative that a knife wound doesn't constitute a pre-existing condition, try dealing with Geico regarding a "no-fault" fender bender.

In both situations, you’re twisted.

Auspiciously, there's a system to game, as you've most likely gleaned in your pre-purchase research, different car models will take different insurance costs. However what are the most expensive and, in turn, the least expensive cars to insure?

Most Expensive

• Cadillac Escalade EXT 4WD
• Subaru Impreza WRX 4WD
• Hyundai Tiburon
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Scion tC

Least Expensive

• Ford Focus
• Buick Rendezvous 4WD
• Honda Odyssey
• Subaru Outback 4WD
• Buick Rendezvous

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Ford India thinks large for the next five years

Ford India is riding high on the achievement of its mini car the Figo. After factually wasting time for almost a decade on the sidelines of the Indian Automotive Industry, it is finally taken the centre stage and is viewing all the signs of a very concerned and focused player.

Ford has invested shut to a billion dollars in India so far, it prolonged its plant capacity 2 years back, built a flexi engine plant and commenced the Figo at a terrific price tag.

We told you past and we tell you again that Ford has established that it will launch 8 new models in the country by 2015. It also said that it will be building India as the export hub for its cars. The Figo is being exported to South Africa at present where it has received a phenomenal response and the company plans to at the present export cars to 50 more markets as well as African countries and also to Mexico from India.

Another attractive point that Michael Boneham (MD, Ford India) made at the commence of the Endeavour 4 x 2 Automatic was that the 15- 20 lakh segment is also vital for them. He said that they are working out tactics to be a serious player in that segment too.

Boneham also said that Ford India will be hiring more work forces in the near future.

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Lotus CEO says investment is in position for new onslaught of vehicles

Lotus Cars took the 2010 Paris Motor Show by tempest with a debut of six new models (in concept form) as well as the Elite GT, Esprit, Elan, Elise, Eterne and the City Car Concept. All models are predictable to hit the markets within the next four years – though, skeptics have questioned how Lotus plans on dealing with subsidy its new makeover and the speed at which it will progress.

“I always had a weakness for this brand,” said Dany Bahar, who newly became CEO of the company 12 months ago. Even though I was working at Ferrari, I knew Lotus was special. But to me, the products weren’t doing justice to the immense name and legacy.

Bahar said that the company’s investment is established. “Our shareholders have lost a bunch of money at Lotus over the past 14 years, and they required stopping that. There were two options: sell the company or run it to its prospective. They made the second option,” he said.

Bahr said that he wants Lotus’ new onslaught of vehicles to be as large as the brand itself. The preceding management tried hard to do that with the Evora, but they had to go away everything else the same.

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Toyota enlarges Prius lineup to three hybrid models

Earlier this year when Toyota inked a partnership with Tesla to build up plug-in cars, many thought that it would be the end of the line for their hybrid technology establish in their wildly successful Prius. Toyota is appearing to spin off the Prius as a sub-brand of sorts with two new hybrid models by the end of 2012.

A major beef that car buyers have when it comes to hybrids is size. While the standard Prius model presents ample space to take some everyday stuff, it isn’t always appropriate for growing families. One of the new models in the lineup will address the concern with 50% more room than the 2011 Prius and the capability to seat seven people. The design won’t be a reinterpretation of the Prius as a monster SUV but rather a mixture of a Prius and a station wagon as speckled by DailyTech.

In addition the present Prius and new plus-sized model, there will also be a more compact version of the hybrid. There are questions if the minor model will be more equivalent in design to the Yaris or the FT-CH concept car that was shown off at the Detroit Auto Show.

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Honda Fit Hybrid moves to sale in Japan

Honda's new hybrid Fit subcompact went on sale in Japan on Friday as the automaker spread outs its green car lineup that already comprises the Insight and CR-Z sports car.

The Fit hybrid will begin at 1.59 million yen ($19,160), the cheapest of the automaker's gasoline-electric cars, Honda said.

The launch comes just following government subsidies designed to increase demand for green cars ended in September.

Japan's No. 2 automaker has no campaign to sell the Fit hybrid in the U.S., but will commence it next year in Europe, where the model is known as the Jazz.

Honda on Friday also commenced a remodeled version of its regular Fit, one of the company's most admired models, selling more than 3.5 million of the cars as it was introduced in 2001.

The hybrid version uses a 1.3-leter i-VTEC conservative gasoline engine and electric motor, allowing it to achieve a mileage of 30 kilometers per liter, according to Japanese calculation methods, Honda said.

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New Lotus Elan discovered

Lotus puts its crosshairs on the Porsche 911 with its new Elan sports car.

The Elan has been through a few embodiments since the first one appeared back in 1962 as a front engined, rear wheel-drive roadster. A short foray into front wheel-drive for Lotus bring back the Elan badge in 1989, however by the time the third generation goes on sale in 2013, the name will be over 50 years old.

Together with the Esprit, the Elan will be the foremost of the new Lotus' to go on sale and its timing and positioning is conscious. It's designed to go head to head with the Porsche 911 - arguably the toughest task that any of Lotus' five latest sports cars faces.

The aspire here, according to Lotus, is everyday usability and versatility with high-quality refinement, but a weight of no more than 1300kg in spite of the fact it uses a seven-speed double clutch gearbox and optional KERS system, providing a more power boost.

As a result the engine is probable to deliver less than 200g/km of CO2, whilst propelling the Elan to 60mph in under 4sec (3.5 in the case of the R). Of all the cars Lotus is developing, it's this one that has the toughest task, in undertaking the Porsche 911.

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Lotus disclose five new models

Lotus surprised everybody at the Paris Motor Show and revealed five new models. These new models are Lotus Elise, Lotus Elite, Lotus Esprit, Lotus Elan and Lotus Eterne will all be on sale by 2016.

The new Lotus line up ranges from a four door grand tourer the Lotus Eterne to the lightweight sports cars that Lotus are eminent for. All the new models will exploit hybrid technology.

The Lotus Eterne will be powered by a 5.0 litre forced induction V8 engine with 610bhp and competent of a top speed of 196mph. The Lotus Elise will utilize a 2.0 litre four cylinder engine with 316bhp and the Lotus Elan will have a 4.0 litre V6 engine plus the choice of being a two seater or a two plus two.

The Lotus Elite will be offered in 2014, this will be a rear wheel drive and also present two plus two seating, it will be powered by a 5.0 litre V8 engine and have a retractable hard top. There is also the go back of the Lotus Esprit supercar this will have a 610bhp V8 engine and will be capable of 0 to 60mph in just 3.4 seconds. Prices for this model are likely to begin at £110,000.

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Audi A4 obtains Euro NCAP Advanced award at Paris show

The previously five-star-awarded Audi A4 has just been upgraded to Euro NCAP’s ‘Advanced’ status at the Paris Motor Show in recognition of its Side Assist technology.

The NCAP team all granted the Audi Side Assist is a technology that does help decreases the chances of a car accident by alerting the driver of hazardous situations.

Audi’s Side Assist technology alerts the driver by communicating any exterior movement behind the rear corners of the car. Using sensors, the on-board computer can tell if a car is in the blind spot and can also identify a fast approaching car, for example, coming down the overtaking lane on a motorway.

If a car is in the blind spot or approaching, the system will notify the driver through the exploit of a series of flashing LED lights located on the equivalent side mirror. If the driver then stimulated the indicator turn signal whilst another vehicle is still in the blind spot, the LED lights become very bright and quite apparent to the driver to assist deter the lane change.

The Audi Side Assist system is offered on all Audi models except on the A1 and A3 range.

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Hyundai discloses Four New models for Europe

This year’s Paris Motor Show saw Hyundai’s stand raise 66 percent, with a total of 18 models on exhibit. This is a company on grow and the Japanese giants should be more than a little concerned.

The all-new sub-compact ix20 made its globe debut. This is an immense looking sports mini-van, which differentiates itself from the ‘boxy’ styles already in market.

Red Bull have even sponsored New Zealand born drift king, Rhys Millen, in a race spec Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which he troop to a world record run at the overwhelming Pikes Peak in 2009.

Hyundai have built a new Pikes Peak contender, the PM 580, looking more similar to an LMP1 car, also powered by Genesis, in an effort to break the 10-minute barrier.

The fourth and final new model on show this year at the Hyundai stand is the ix35 Blue with an extra competent and brand new 1.7-litre diesel engine, which release just 135 g/km of C02 as a benefactor of the company’s efficient ‘Blue Drive’ technologies.

Joining the ix35 Blue is a ‘mild diesel hybrid’ version of the SUV, which will produce even less C02 than it’s green ix35 sibling at just 117 g/km.

The irony is that today’s skeptics of this powerhouse Korean brand will most probable be tomorrow’s Hyundai drivers.

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Paris Motor Show 2010: five latest models from Lotus

Lotus stuns Paris showgoers with a handful of new models and gravely ambitious plans for the future.

Lotus astonished everybody on Paris Motor Show Press day by unveiling not just one, but five new models.

The Norfolk-based sports car manufacturer declares that the Elise, Elite, Esprit, Elan and Eterne will all be on sale by 2016.

The aspire is that the new model line-up, which ranges from a four-door grand tourer (the Eterne) to the type of lightweight sports cars Lotus is prominent for will make the brand a rival for the likes of Porsche. All will use hybrid technology, and as if all that wasn't sufficient, Lotus also revealed a concept city car.

Lightweight they may be, but the development of the new cars will see Lotus abandon any notion of being a brand that's accessible to buyers lacking huge budgets. Prices for the next Elise (scheduled to arrive in 2015) are set to be around £35,000, rather than the £27,450 for the current entry-level model, while the rest of the model range will be priced between £75,000 to £120,000.

The money to construct these cars is reported to be coming from parent company Proton. Investment will total £770-million over the next decade and comprise total redevelopment of the Hethel factory. Production there will rise from the current level of sub-3,000 cars per year to 6,000-7,000.

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