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While Toyota recalls are no longer the earth-shattering news they were back in 2009, they’re still news. And today’s announcement certainly qualifies for the modifier “big,” with nearly half a million Tacoma pickups being recalled under one campaign, and 116,000 Venza crossovers and 70,500 Camrys under another.

The 2009 Camry is the only model year covered by the recall, while 2009-2011 Venzas are affected. These vehicles may need a replacement stop lamp switch, which may have been installed incorrectly. Symptoms include warning lamps illuminating, a non-starting condition, and the inability to shift out of Park.

The Tacoma recall covers some 2005-2009 models that may need their steering wheel spiral cable assembly replaced. Symptoms include an air bag warning lamp that does not go off after the vehicle is started, which could result in the driver’s air bag being deactivated.

In both cases, Toyota says it is “obtaining the necessary replacement parts” and owners will be notified by mail. Owners may also visit www.toyota.com/recall or call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

See below for the full release.

Continue reading Toyota recalling Camry, Venza and Tacoma

Toyota recalling Camry, Venza and Tacoma

A replacement for the aging GranTurismo is still a few years out, so in an effort to keep the model line fresh, Maserati has released this all new Sport trim here at the Geneva Motor Show. Essentially replacing the GranTurismo S, the Sport falls directly in between the base car and the hardcore MC.

The most significant change is a boost in power from the 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V8. This free-breathing engine now produces 460 horsepower – up from 434 – which now puts it at the top of the GranTurismo power range. Of course, that means we can expect a more powerful MC to debut in the near future.

Exterior changes include a more aggressive front fascia with large air intakes flanking the pronounced grille. Additionally, the headlamps and taillamps have been smoked and LED running lights have been incorporated into the GT’s eyes. Inside, there are new sport seats and a revised steering wheel.

It may ride on old bones, but the new GranTurismo Sport’s enhancements are enough to keep the giant coupe exciting for the near term.

Continue reading 2012 Maserati GranTurismo Sport won’t make you blue

2012 Maserati GranTurismo Sport won’t make you blue

The successor to the Peugeot 207 line, the 208, made an appearance under the lights of the Geneva Motor Show this week. Buyers in the EU may choose from either the three-door body style you see above or a more functional five-door configuration. Both vehicles feature smaller exterior dimensions than the old 207 but with greater interior volume than their predecessors. Peugeot also shrank the available gasoline engine options in the 208. A 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine serves up a heady 75 horsepower, though consumers looking for a little more grunt may step up to a 1.2-liter three pot good for 100 hp.

All told, the 208 is available in five different configurations, including a range of diesel-powered options that include Peugeot’s next-generation stop/start system, which helps return nearly 83.1 mpg on the EU scale. Not too shabby.

Want something a little hotter? How about the Peugeot 208 GTi Concept (above left)? In addition to more aggressive body work, larger brakes and flashier 18-inch alloy wheels, the vehicle packs the same 1.6-liter engine as found in the company’s RCZ. That means buyers can expect to find somewhere between 156 and 200 turbocharged horsepower kicking through a six-speed manual transmission. How’s that for a win?

Meanwhile, the 208 XY Concept (above right)wears more flash than actual go. With a color-shifting purple paint, unique interior treatments and a 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine, this hatch is meant more for prowling city centers than corner carving.

Continue reading Peugeot brings the 208 party to Geneva

Peugeot brings the 208 party to Geneva

General Motors wants to become the second-largest shareholder in PSA Peugeot Citroen, and the gears of a deal for seven percent of the French automaker are beginning to mesh. It cost General Motors $423 million to buy into PSA, and the companies will remain competitors despite lashing their rafts together.

Both automakers would like to net cost savings over the course of the initial 10-year term of the partnership by leveraging their collective purchasing power for better prices from suppliers and also sharing economies of scale. GM and PSA are also looking to create vehicles, powertrains and/or components together within the next four years. The two companies have already started work on developing a low-cost small car to sell in emerging markets, and GM is looking to hook up with Peugeot’s Gefco logistics arm, as well.

Peugeot stock has been forced down in value by the company issuing new shares for General Motors to buy, facilitating the deal. Peugeot has also suspended paying a dividend this year to keep cash on hand, further upsetting shareholders and the market in general. Market watchers suspect that any cost savings may be slow in coming, and there’s little detail of how GM and PSA intend to address both companies’ overcapacity problem in Europe or how they intend to find compromises with the typically strong labor unions there, as well.

Still, the hopeful need only look to Renault-Nissan for an example of the potential upside. Of course, GM’s deal with Fiat, which started in 2000 and ended with a $2 Billion payment in 2005, is a reminder of just one of the ways the bloom could fall off this rose.

GM stake in Peugeot will cost $423 million

Morgan isn’t typically one to embrace change. The company is still proudly building a V-Twin three-wheeler and sawing components from trees, but the Morgan Plus E on display at the Geneva Motor Show is a clear step into the blinding light of the future.

The vehicle features the automaker’s next-generation aluminum chassis as well as a 94-horsepower electric motor. If you’re frowning at the lack of gusto on hand, allow us to point out two figures. First, the Zytek electric motor cranks out 221 pound-feet of torque from the instant you breathe on the accelerator. Second, the Plus E tips the scales at a relatively light 2,755 pounds.

Batteries, controllers and the like are housed under the traditional bi-hinged hood, and a five-speed manual transmission puts power from the electric motor to the rear wheels. Morgan claims the vehicle can clip off a 62 mph run in a quick-enough six seconds, and top speed sits at around 115 mph. While there’s a 120-mile range with the Plus E, there’s no word on how long it will take to charge the machine. Likewise, Morgan isn’t saying whether or not the vehicle will make it to production.

Continue reading Morgan Plus E is all aluminum and fully electric

Morgan Plus E is all aluminum and fully electric

Volkswagen already offers quite a bit of fun in the small hatchback segment with the 177-horsepower, 40-mpg Polo GTI, but for those wanting even better fuel economy without sacrificing any fun, VW has announced the Polo Blue GT.

Fitted with the new 1.4-liter TSI inline-four, the Blue GT is capable of achieving up to 50 mpg thanks to direct injection, cylinder deactivation and stop/start technology. With 138 horsepower, the hatchback is capable of reaching 62 mph in 7.9 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 130 mph.

Distinguishing itself from the rest of the Polo lineup, the Blue GT features a mix of components from the VW parts bin including front and rear bumpers and a rear spoiler from the Polo GTI, as well as side sills from the BlueMotion model. The car also features unique 17-inch wheels, special badging and a lowered ride height of 15mm. Inside the Blue GT gets redesigned sports seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and instrumentation from the GTI model.

Read up on the Volkswagen Polo Blue GT in VW’s official press release below or browse through our live photos of the car in the gallery above.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Polo Blue GT mixes fun and frugality

2012 Volkswagen Polo Blue GT mixes fun and frugality

Ford is making it easier to access tablet devices in its cars, enabling users of iPad, Kindle, Nook and other tablets to control their devices with their voices instead of their hands.

The move is bound to set safety advocates atwitter, who argue there are already too many distractions behind the wheel. Just last month the issue again took front stage after the death of 18-year-old Taylor Sauer, who crashed her car into a tanker truck while texting. Ford, however, said the upgrade of its MyFord Touch system is out of concern for driver safety.

“Drivers are bringing these devices into the car already,” said Alan Hall, a spokesman for Ford. “We’re allowing them to access the content in a safer way.”

Ford began shipping upgrades to its voice-activated MyFord Touch entertainment system on Monday, with the tablet compatibility built in. The automaker has taken a big hit to its quality reputation because of MyFord Touch, which consumers have complained is slow, unreliable and hard to use.

The upgrade to MyFord Touch and its underlying SYNC technology allows more devices to work with voice activation or through controls on the steering wheel, although most still won’t charge. Devices including the iPad, Kindle Fire, HP Touchpad, Nook Color and Sony Tablet S need more electricity than Ford’s outlets provide.

Ford hopes the iPad 3, set to be revealed today, will be compatible with the upgrade, Ostrowski said. He also said that Ford engineers will have to order iPad 3s like everyone else to find out.

Ford makes voice control easier for iPad and other devices

The Roding Roadster 23 is here, and having been faithful to its renderings, it looks like it’s come good. We knew it would have proper fenders from the latest drawings, but the red-and-black livery makes the little roofless coupe pop.

Roding still hasn’t decided to spill all of its secrets, not that it looks to have many, but we know there’ll be just 23 examples offered. Behind those huggy seats is a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine from BMW producing 320 horsepower and 332 pound-feet, charged with propelling a car that weighs just 950 kilograms (2,090 pounds). An installable hood goes in the trunk section up front.

In the information from the company’s site below, however, Roding indicates that “the first cars to be produced” are a limited edition of 23, which makes it sound like they’ll be around for more than a couple dozen cars.

Continue reading Roding Roadster is fit for a role in The Avengers

Roding Roadster is fit for a role in The Avengers

When American automakers release Carbon editions of their sports cars, buyers are treated to a few carbon fiber veneers, some fancy wheels and a few badges. When Pagani builds a Huayra Carbon Edition, the Italian manufacturer simply constructs every last piece of body work out of the composite and slathers everything in clear coat.

Pagani unveiled its latest sculpture at the Geneva Motor Show this week, and the vehicle is very possibly the definition of sinister sexy. Buyers can look forward to enjoying the same lethal drivetrain found in the “base” Huayra, which means there’s a 700-horsepower AMG-sourced 6.0-liter V12 behind the seats.

While the standard Huayra boasts a carbon-titanium monocoque, the wild carbon fiber body work on the Carbon Edition is something new entirely. We dig it in every way possible.

Pagani Huayra Carbon Edition is all things right in the world

GM Inside News has obtained a letter from Russel Clark, Director of Marketing for Chevrolet small cars, small utilities and performance cars, to dealers informing them that shipments of all 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 produced to date are being held by General Motors for a “quality assessment.”

There is no explanation as to what’s causing the hold or its duration, though the letter does say it “may last a few more weeks.” Motor Authority has Chevrolet spokesman Monte Doran on record saying, “We may have found a potential issue that we want to resolve.” If you think you know what the issue is, let us know in the comments or send us a tip.

Being one of the Bowtie brand’s halo cars, the Camaro ZL1 can hardly afford a hiccup in its roll out. Though with a 580-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 underhood and sub-$55k starting price, we’re certain that a few weeks wait won’t change the number of people in line to buy one.

See below to read the letter to dealers in its entirety.

Continue reading Chevy stops halts shipments of Camaro ZL1 over potential quality issue

Chevy stops halts shipments of Camaro ZL1 over potential quality issue

If you live in a warm weather state and haven’t experienced icy roads before, we’ve got some video that will show you what your northern friends have been talking about. Actually, if you’re a veteran of snow and ice, own a four-wheel-drive vehicle and don’t slow down when it’s slippery because you think your 4-high is infallible, we really have a video for you.

We’re thinking the good people of Columbus, Ohio know a thing or three about driving on snow and ice, but even the Buckeyes have trouble with black ice. Look below to watch several trucks and SUVs slip, slide and wreck themselves when encountering a patch of the invisible slick. It’s too bad whoever was holding the camera didn’t have the sense to put it down and go warn oncoming motorists to slow down.

Continue reading Patch of black ice terrorizes Ohio motorists

Patch of black ice terrorizes Ohio motorists

How many times have you said to yourself, “Self, I’ve modded every single part of my car, but those tires, they’re just so… black. And boring.” Bridgestone has the answer in the form of its Tire Printing Technology.

Comprised of two layers of ink – one below and one above a protective coating – you can fully customize the design of your sidewalls using any kind of vector-based graphics. Bridgestone claims the outer most layer won’t succumb to scrapes and scratches, and neither the durability or the weight of the tires are compromised by the technology.

Bridgestone hasn’t set a date for production, but the tires could be available as early as this summer. And if it hits in time, there’s little doubt we’ll be seeing plenty of horrid designs lining the halls of SEMA.

The Next Big Thing: Bridgestone prints patterns on tires

If there are words for the Gemballa Tornado and the vehicle’s spiritual twin, the Mistrale, we can’t find them.

If you like air vents, the Tornado has you covered. The vehicle boasts more intakes than your favorite industrial air conditioner, with the majority of them crafted from carbon fiber. At least the bodywork is lightweight. The abomination creation, based loosely on what was once a Porsche Cayenne, puts a lofty 721 horsepower to the ground and relies on a set of aggressive Brembo brakes to bring the party to a stop.

And what of the Mistrale? As much as we love the Porsche Panamera, the car certainly didn’t need another go-around with the ugly stick. Like the Tornado, the Mistrale boasts a slew of carbon fiber work, epic 22-inch forged alloy wheels and and a completely reworked interior. Buyers can expect to find the same 721 horsepower under the hood, too. And here you thought SEMA was the only place to this level of insanity.

Gemballa Tornado and Mistrale are the faces of excess

It’s been said before, but Jaguar doesn’t seem to know how to make a bad-looking car these days. Take the current XK, for example. It’s been around since 2006 and has largely gone unchanged aside from a slight nip/tuck for the 2012 model year, but it’s arguably one of the most beautiful coupes in the luxury GT segment.

To further enhance the XK’s good looks, Jaguar has launched the new Artisan Edition that makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Available in both naturally aspirated and XKR trims (in both coupe and convertible body styles, no less), the Artisan package incorporates some special paint colors including the Celestial Black you see here, as well as unique 20-inch wheels. Inside, there are new performance seats with “scraffito” leather, not to mention a host of interior upgrades like a 525-watt Bowers & Wilkins stereo, stainless steel pedals and new veneer trim pieces.

It’s sexy and sophisticated, and sadly, it’s only available in the UK (for now, at least). See it for yourself in our attached high-res image gallery.

Continue reading 2012 Jaguar XKR Artisan Edition proves there’s nothing wrong with a sexy black dress

2012 Jaguar XKR Artisan Edition proves there’s nothing wrong with a sexy black dress

It isn’t only the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class that’s celebrating its 60-year milestone, the S-Class coupe – now called the CL-Class – has been around (sort of) since the 1952 300S. Its birthday cake comes in the form of the CL Grand Edition, a hand-finished version of the already monumental CL550 or CL600 that adds exclusive paints and leathers, the AMG Sports Package and 20-inch wheels.

The Grand Edition options start at €4,850 (about $6,368 based on current exchange rates), and adding that to the €119,773.50 (about $157,300) price of the CL is probably what you call a bargain. In certain circles, at least.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL Grand Edition is exactly that

2012 Mercedes-Benz CL Grand Edition is exactly that

In the fine tradition of the Celebrity Wagon, the Bow Tie brand brings you this: The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Wagon.

We kid, but in all honesty, the Cruze Wagon isn’t just a more utilitarian take on one of our favorite C-segmenters – it’s an attractive one to boot.

And speaking of boots, the Cruze wagon uses its extra inches to good effect, expanding the cargo capacity of the standard sedan and hatchback models to 17.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and blowing out to 52.9 inches with the rear thrones folded flat.

Chevrolet MyLink comes along for the ride, and in Europe, buyers get a choice of three gasoline engines and two diesels. But here in the U.S. we get nothing. Chevy has no plans to bring the Cruze Wagon to the States.

2012 Chevrolet Cruze Wagon blends style with utility

The relentless expansion of M-engineered and branded wares doesn’t just stop at the M diesel quadruplets and the M135i. Here in Geneva, BMW announced the latest line of M performance parts that spans the spectrum from appearance bits to powertrain upgrades.

M Performance exhausts will be available for the new 1 Series (in Europe), along with the 3 Series and 5 Series. Carbon fiber front splitters join black kidney grilles in the catalog, as does a new version of the M Performance steering wheel. BMW also claims to have some suspension components are in the works, and all this kit will be on sale and ready for installation at BMW dealers in the United States this summer.

BMW M Performance Parts continue to expand the brand

Do you love the notion of the 507-horsepower, twin-tubocharged Alpina B5 Touring, but just can’t get behind a high-performance family wagon? Alpina has good news for you. The company has officially pulled back the curtain on the new B5 Sedan, and the vehicle boasts the same wicked driveline as its long-roof twin. That means there’s a dizzying 516 pound-feet of torque pouring out of the same forced-induction 4.4-liter V8. A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission takes care of gear-swapping duties while a range of subtle aesthetic tweaks set this bruiser apart from its more mundane counterparts.

There is no mistaking the flashy, 20-inch Alpina wheels, however. According to the company, the combined kit allows the B5 Sedan to clip off a 0-62 dash in just 4.5 seconds. That’s plenty quick by our estimation and about on par with the new 2012 BMW M5. Which would you rather have? Hit the jump for the brief press release while you mull it over.

Continue reading Alpina B5 Biturbo sedan looks the M5 square in the eyes

Alpina B5 Biturbo sedan looks the M5 square in the eyes

What’s the next Tata Nano going to look like? The Megapixel concept is a good indication of where the Indian brand’s ultra cheap micro-car could be headed in the next few years, and if the onboard tech makes it to production, the Megapixel could be one of the most compelling – and most affordable – city cars in the world.

Measuring in at a scant 138 inches, the Megapixel combines a small footprint with four electrically powered and individually articulating wheels that help it achieve an impressive nine-foot turning radius.

Power is provided by the aforementioned wheel-mounted electric motors which can deliver a maximum of 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 13kW lithium-ion battery pack providing the juice. A 325cc single-cylinder gasoline engine will refill the batteries for trips longer than 54 miles, giving the Megapixel a theoretical range of over 560 miles. A production model is still a ways out, but with Tata’s continued expansion and ambition, we wouldn’t be surprised to see something like the Megapixel on sale in India and other developing markets by the end of the decade.

Tata Megapixel is a high-res effort on a low-res budget

One way to ensure that your brand-new Porsche 911 (a.k.a. 991) won’t look like the one in your neighbor’s driveway is to give TechArt a call. The famed German tuner has rolled out its version of the latest Carrera and Carrera S at the Geneva Motor Show and trust us, it won’t be mistaken for anything from the factory in Stuttgart.

Up front, TechArt has fitted its own unique two-part spoiler with integrated splitter while more aggressive side skirts adorn the rocker panels. The rear has a new lower diffuser, wrapped around the TechArt exhaust, and a large fixed rear wing (complete with an integrated third brake light). Look more closely to notice the subtle trim panels on the exterior mirrors and front headlights. The wheels are lightweight forged 20- and 21-inch alloys with matching paint on their rims.

Inside the heavily modified cabin are even more drastic enhancements (let’s say TechArt has gone over the top). Don’t let the aluminum pedals be a distraction as you inspect the black Alcantara and high-grade leather covering nearly every square inch. Flirting with gaudy, the dark upholstery is contrasted by vehicle-color-coordinated stitching and painted trim splashed throughout. However, the icing on the cake is an insanely thick TechArt three-spoke sports steering wheel.

We donned our darkest shades and shot a full live gallery on the Geneva floor. Plus, you can also check out the detailed press release below the fold and a handful of official pictures below.

Continue reading 2012 TechArt Porsche 911 is visually dazzling, both inside and out

2012 TechArt Porsche 911 is visually dazzling, both inside and out