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True to predictions, The Detroit News is reporting that Lexus has issued a stop sale on its LS 460, LS 600h (standard and long-wheelbase) luxury sedans due to a problem with the electronic steering system that can temporarily cause the steering wheel to become off-centered. Apparently, the wheel will return to its correct position after about five seconds of misalignment. Toyota issued a recall on Friday, May 21st to address the defect. Click here to see the recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Although Toyota has reportedly fixed the problem on new models rolling down the assembly lines in Japan, those recalibrated machines are not expected to hit dealership lots in America until the middle of June. In the meantime, the 3,800 or so owners of affected 2009 and 2010 LS sedans are being urged to avoid turning the steering wheel rapidly after holding it in full lock in the opposite direction.

We would imagine that there are certain scenarios where following such advice may prove difficult to follow, but Toyota is so far reporting that no injuries or accidents have been caused by the issue.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Lexus issues stop-sale, recall on LS 460 and LS 600h

Being in the market for a cheap new car used to mean resigning yourself to time bombs like the Chevrolet Citation or windups like the Geo Metro or Ford Aspire, but the times, they are a-changin’, and the good folk at Kelley Blue Book have worked up their very own top 10 list of cool cars for under $18,000.

Not surprisingly, the 2011 Ford Fiesta nabbed a mention thanks to its 28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway EPA rating and mile-long standard feature list. Likewise, the new 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring received a spot on the list. The Korean automaker’s new long roof manages 23 city and 30 mph highway thanks to its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The base Mitsubishi Lancer also made the cut – another 2.0-liter bruiser, the baby brother of the Evolution nabs 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Suzuki also got some love on the KBB list with its SX4. When optioned with the five-speed gearbox, the car walks away with 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Rounding out the list is the ever lovable 2010 Honda Fit. Just like the Suzuki, if you want a few more miles per tank, you’ll need to opt for the manual transmission. Thusly equipped, the little Honda can 28 mpg city and up to 35 mpg highway.

Want to see what else made the list? Hit the jump or visit KBB for the whole list.

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

Continue reading KBB names coolest cars under $18k… do you agree?

KBB names coolest cars under $18k… do you agree?

What we dig about European plants that build high-zoot cars is that it always looks like each car gets everyone’s full attention, every step presided over by workers who want to make sure they’ve done everything they could. Its most telling examples were the lab-coated workmen assembling the Carrera GT or SLR McLaren and the one-engine-one-worker method of AMG, but the gents looking after the Audi R8 Spyder keep up the tradition.

This peek around the production plant making Iron Man’s car is a little light on drama, but there are plenty of other nuts-and-bolt’s reasons for the enthusiast to spare three minutes to watch it. Follow the jump for the clip, and don’t forget to put a few pennies away today for a deposit on one of your own. Hat tip to Steals

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: A look inside the Audi R8 Spyder production plant

Video: A look inside the Audi R8 Spyder production plant

Lamborghini Murciélago – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve seen a rash of recalls in the past few months, but none of the cars and trucks under the spotlight of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have quite the cache of the Lamborghini Murciélago.

The Raging Bull is recalling 428 of its 2007 and 2008 model year Murcielago coupes and roadsters for a potentially serious problem that could result in a fuel leak and possibly a fire. The problem apparently lies with the welds holding the fuel pump support inside the fuel tank. If the welds fail to hold, the tank could detach – and nobody wants a $350,000 exotic with a detached fuel tank.

Owners of the potentially defective Murciélagos can take their supercar to the nearest Lambo dealer for a free repair. Hit the jump to read over the official NHTSA press release.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Lamborghini recalling 2007-2008 Murciélago models over possible fire risk

Lamborghini recalling 2007-2008 Murciélago models over possible fire risk

Any marketing person will tell you that coming up with the right name is one of the most difficult aspects of launching a new product. Big companies will spend millions of dollars researching names to make sure that they aren’t already trademarked or have strange or offensive meanings in other countries.

Renault, however, has a slightly different problem with the name of one its upcoming electric vehicles. The Zoe Z.E. is a compact, urban commuter due to be launched in 2012. Renault is not an uncommon name in France, wit its namesake, Louis Renault having begun building cars in the late 19th century. Unfortunately for a certain Parisian woman, having both her first and last names associated with a new car is apparently just too much. Thus, according to Autocar, Zoe Renault is threatening to sue Automaker Renault unless it changes the name of its forthcoming EV.

While we can certainly sympathize with Ms. Renault, her complaint here seems to be a bit of a stretch. The automaker apparently chose the name Zoe because it means “life” in Greek. Unless automakers start using nothing but made up or alphanumeric names, there is bound to be someone, somewhere that will have an issue with just about every name. It’s time to get over it.

[Source: Autocar]

Amusing: Renault pressured to change name of Zoe EV by woman named Zoe Renault

After spending a week circumnavigating the country in a pair of BMW sedans on One Lap of America a couple of weeks back, you might think that the drive home to Detroit from South Bend would’ve been a bit of a disappointment. On the contrary, we were glad to see our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT, and have been so every day since then. Not that we didn’t enjoy the 550i (2010 model) or remember why we absolutely love the 335d, but there’s a lot to be said for simplicity over unnecessary complication.

For one, the cruise control switchgear on the steering wheel spoke in the Subie is infinitely easier to use than the hidden stalk on the Bimmers. The Legacy’s arrangement is a model of ergonomic excellence, whereas the BMW necessitated that we give step-by-step how-to directions to our co-drivers from the back seat. Repeatedly.

And don’t even get us started on the differences in navigation systems. While the 2.5GT’s is far from perfect, its touchscreen is still much easier to negotiate than either of the two generations of iDrive we experienced in the BMWs – much improved though they are. We do wish that higher functions (address entry, etc.) could be accessed on the move – at least when there is more than one person in the car. Why can’t automakers learn that this safety ‘feature’ should have an automatic override tied to the passenger seat weight sensor that’s already there to govern airbag deployment?

Did we mention how much we like the utterly intuitive dual-zone HVAC controls? Crisp display, a couple of rockers and a handful of buttons – it’s simplicity itself.

One area where our Subaru is arguably oversimplified is with its sunroof controls: It has two single-function switches – one for tilt, and one for slide open/close. Unless it’s a small cost win, we can’t see why there isn’t a unified dual function switch as on most other cars. At least they are differentiated in look and feel for less fumbling about.

Autoblog Long-Term Introduction: 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT

Long-Term Update: Touring our Subaru Legacy 2.5GT’s birthplace

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Hill holder a great feature, but why an idiot lamp?

More Long-Term Updates:

• 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: The key is robustness and simplicity
• 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Less Wood, More Sport

Visit the our long-term 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT page

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT: Simplicity of switchgear a welcome trait

Bimmerfest 2010 – Click above for a high-res image gallery

Bimmerfest is billed as the celebration of being a BMW enthusiast – but to most it is simply the world’s largest BMW event held in North America. After starting as a small get-together at a BMW dealership in Santa Barbara just over a decade ago, the show has outgrown all of its venues… until now. The 2010 show, its 11th annual event, was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this weekend. Thanks to strong online forum support for Bimmerfest, this year’s show was packed with thousands of BMW models covering decades of production and dozens of vendors peddling accessories. If you have a Roundel on your hood, it’s worth the trip (some drove from as far as Alaska and Florida just to attend).

The best part of Bimmerfest – and the reason we enjoy the show so much – is that nearly every single BMW at the show is privately owned. Sure, BMW North America brought some cars to display (among them an X6 M and a 7 Series Alpina B7), but the diversity and customization of the owned cars meant no two were alike. We weaved our way through hundreds of freshly detailed 3 Series and 5 Series models to find dozens of real gems. Our favorites included the race-bred E30 M3 models, a sweet BMW Z8, and a rare BMW 850CSi six-speed manual. Check out our gallery to find some of your favorites.

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Bimmerfest 2010: The Rose Bowl hosts North America’s largest BMW gathering

There’s no doubt that the 2011 Mustang GT is one of the most potent ponycars to ever come from Ford, but to the Mustang faithful, a big part of its legacy will be how it takes to the aftermarket. The new 5.0-liter V8 seems to be off to a good start, with at least two different modified 2011 Mustangs already achieving ten-second time slips at the dragstrip.

The first to achieve the feat was JPC Racing, who had their 2011 Mustang out at the track within 24 hours of receiving the car. Using 4.56 gears, beefier upper and lower control arms, racing slicks and a 100 shot of nitrous, JPC’s ‘Stang nailed a best time of 10.96 seconds @ 125.75 mph. A short time later, the boys at Evolution Performance nailed a 10.88 @ 126.66 run using just 3.73 gears, a prototype cold air intake, Eaton Trutrac differential, D.O.T. approved racing tires and a 100 shot of nitrous.

While the numbers themselves aren’t all that impressive, the simplicity of the modifications and the brief time in which they were developed surely are. We can’t wait to see what the various tuners around the country can do once they have time to develop more parts for the new Mustang. You can watch both of the runs in the videos posted after the jump.

[Sources: Evolution Performance, StangTV]

Continue reading Videos: Tuned 2011 Ford Mustangs already in the 10’s

Videos: Tuned 2011 Ford Mustangs already in the 10’s

Mercedes-Benz has a pretty ambitious goal to grow its U.S. sales by 30 percent over the next five years, and execs apparently think they will need to expand downmarket to do it. According to Automotive News, Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, feels that the bringing in the B-Class hatchback and introducing additional C-Class derivatives will provide the best possibility of attracting more customer since growth opportunities for the E-Class and S-Class are likely limited.

Arch rival BMW already offers coupe, convertible and station wagon variants of the 3 Series in the States, along with the less costly 1 Series range, not to mention its ever-expending array of Mini products. In North America, surging Audi offers its A4 in sedan and wagon formats, along with the closely related A5/S5 Coupe and Cabriolet, and it also offers the less costly A3 hatchback.

For its part, Mercedes currently only offers the C-Class in a four-door sedan bodystyle in the States. A C-Class coupe is reportedly due to arrive here in 2011 with a convertible coming in 2013 off of the revised C-Class that’s due in 2012. And while the C-Class expansion makes sense, critics have feared for years that introducing the B-Class in America could lead to brand dilution (which is part of the reason that parent Daimler’s teetering Smart franchise has remained so distinct).

By comparison, in spite of its relatively slow sales here, the 1 Series arguably makes more sense in the context of the BMW lineup of performance luxury cars. So why isn’t brand dilution an issue for Mercedes overseas? In Europe, where the A and B Class have been available for a decade, Benz has a different, more mainstream image, with a much more comprehensive model range.

Despite a comparative dearth of entry-level products, Mercedes’ sales remain on a pronounced uptick in America, with sales through April increasing by 26 percent to 68,826 units. In 2009, Benz dealers sold through 190,538 units.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Report: Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup set to expand in U.S.

To the German government authorities who think General Motors is financially sound enough to pay for Opel’s restructuring without loan-guarantee assistance, Opel CEO Nick Reilly says that’s not the case. “You need to remember that GM is first of all founded by U.S. taxpayers,” Reilly was quoted as saying. “Frankly, GM needs the money it has got.”

Not surprisingly, GM has found an ally in Opel’s German workers. The General has come to an agreement with the local labor heads who have agreed to forgo €1.26 billion ($1.586B U.S.) in earnings over the next four years. The deal requires that the money ’saved’ be committed to developing Opel products, and if it isn’t, then GM has to pay it back.

To help everyone keep track of the money and perhaps make financial assistance a more attractive option, Adam Opel AG will become a listed company. Germany hasn’t given any indication of when it will declare its position on giving aid, but with 24,000 workers added to the plea and everyone unsure of how long GM can wait before it needs to take other measures, Germany will probably want to close this chapter out rather soon.

[Source: The Associated Press via Google]

Report: GM, Opel agree to restructuring, clearing the way for German loans

One day, we’ll be able to have wireless internet access from nearly every point on the globe. And while many cities and towns are making efforts to offer free wireless service across a broad range, automakers are now looking to bring WiFi connectivity to cars. Audi is on board, and it has just announced that the 2011 A8 will be available with factory-installed in-car wireless hotspot.

The WLAN hotspot is located within the rooftop antenna, and passengers can connect to the internet via any laptop, netbook or new-age tablet, like the Apple iPad. Audi says that the network is capable of speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/sec and that WAP2 encryption is on hand in order to securely transfer data. Audi claims that this is the first such factory-installed system, although other automakers offer WiFi connectivity with dealer installed accessories.

The new A8 is already packed to the brim with the latest and greatest in automotive technological achievements. Things like the automaker’s second-generation MMI control interface, the integration of Google Earth and an impressive LED lighting system up front set it apart from other vehicles in the class, and the addition of wireless internet will only strengthen the appeal to prospective buyers. The full details are available in Audi’s press release, after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A8 available with factory-installed wireless internet hotspot

2011 Audi A8 available with factory-installed wireless internet hotspot

Episode four of the Corvette Racing video series is out, with a focus on the Michelin Green X Challenge and how it’s helping to make the C6.R both faster and more efficient. We already knew that the Corvette C6.R has been running on cellulosic E85 for the past two years, but that’s just the beginning of the improvements to these race cars.

The engineers and technicians that create and maintain the racers have been working for a decade to make them better. When the original GT1 class C5.R started racing ten years ago, it would get about 10 laps per tankful at Le Mans. Today the cars get 15 laps per tank, meaning they spend a lot less time sitting idle in the pits and more time out running for position.

Reducing friction and parasitic losses throughout the car has helped tremendously. The team has worked with its air conditioning supplier to reduce the compressor power draw from five horsepower to just 1.8 hp. Similarly, going from traditional steel wheel bearings to ceramic bearings has added three mph of straightaway speed and improved durability. The next big change that could eventually make its way to road cars is zero viscosity engine oil to cut internal engine friction. Check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading Video: Corvette and the Green X Challenge, making the C6.R faster and greener

Video: Corvette and the Green X Challenge, making the C6.R faster and greener

	Reuters: UAW pressuring Tesla/Toyota to hire union workers at former NUMMI plant Will the Model S be a union car?		IIHS condemns use of mini trucks and low-speed vehicles on public roads Don’t get in crash with one of these, dummy.
	Report: Mitsubishi i-MiEV on sale in Hong Kong, priced at $50,000 U.S. Mitsubishi is only looking for 50 buyers, though.	Other news: Ferrari Boss Felisa: “Hybrid means we can protect the V12″ Electric cars can’t stay silent forever, noise is coming soon Nissan Leaf’s fast-charge capability optional. Why?

AutoblogGreen for 05.24.10

Look at any legislation related to cars, and it seems pretty obvious that lawmakers hate automobiles. While it seems odd that people who get driven around Washington D.C. gridlock in full-size SUVs are railing against the same kind of vehicles, there’s also a contingent of legislators on the state level who understand that “suck, squeeze, bang, blow” has nothing to do with Clinton-era interns.

For the last five years, SEMA has partnered with state lawmakers interested in preserving and protecting the automotive hobby in the form of the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. If you’re a gearhead interested in knowing who your friends are at your state’s Capitol when it comes to the love of cars, SEMA’s list of state Senators, Reps and Assemblymen who are members of the Caucus is where to go.

There are even photos of some members posing with their personal rides. It’s a .pdf-based e-document, but you can easily figure out where to send your greasy-fingerprinted, crayon-composed love letters.

[Source: SEMA.org]

SEMA lists pro-auto hobby lawmakers in your state

It’s not often that a race car manufacturer gets to celebrate the production of its 1,000th unit, but that’s exactly what happened at Radical Sportscars this week. It has taken Radical 13 years to reach this milestone, and the SR2 has accounted for over half that volume. Radicals compete in a wide variety of series worldwide, including four runs in the 24 hours of Le Mans with the LMP2-class SR9 model.

Radical has also shown off a concept for a battery-powered race car dubbed the SRZero. Developed in cooperation with the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College London, the SRZero sends energy from its 550-volt battery through a pair of electric motors that produce a combined 400 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The SRZero appears to be based on the SR3 chassis, and whether it will ever compete is unclear. Also unknown: how far the SRZero can go on a charge. Evidently, it supports simultaneous charging from two outlets.

[Source: Radical Sportscars, EVO]

Radical celebrates 1,000th car, shows off electric SRZero racer

There are many, many words you could use to describe this car, but the one we’ll use comes straight from the seller: “unreal.” Indeed. This 1979 Datsun is also called “The wildest Z on the planet period,” which we would never contest based on looks alone. When you add the custom headers into side pipes, four-barrel Holley carbs, full roll cage and the Subaru rear end we might even throw “embarrassment of riches” into the mix. And we thought we knew what a rear wing was, but oh, we had so much to learn.

It’s in Nevada if you’re interested, and the sound is said to be so glorious that the seller will play it over the phone for you if you wish. At the time of writing, the bids were up to $13,105, but you don’t have long on this one, so check it out in the gallery below before heading over to eBay to make your move. And please keep it above the belt when commenting on the photographic embellishment…

[Source: eBay via Hooniverse]

eBay Find of the Day: World’s most absurd custom Datsun Z

Today’s eBay find of the day is a particularly rare Porsche, a 1967 910 Spyder coupe. “Spyder Coupe,” you say? But that makes no sense! This particular car began life in early 1967 as the third of five 910 Spyders built by the factory for European hillclimb competition. After winning two of four races in ‘67 as part of the factory team, the car was rebuilt and offered for sale. It was purchased by John von Neuman, who raced it for the next two years in the U.S.

Eventually, the original Spyder bodywork was replaced with a coupe shell and the car passed through several collections over the next 30 years. It currently resides at Symbolic Motor Cars in La Jolla, California, where we stumbled across it a couple of months ago while browsing. If you happen to be in La Jolla, Symbolic has a pretty impressive inventory; at the time of our visit, it included two Bugatti Veyrons, a Lamborghini Reventon, a 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra and a number of Ferraris whose vintages range the 1960s to the present.

Oh, and the asking price for the Porsche 910? A cool $995,000.

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: Stunning 1967 Porsche 910 with competition history

More tech in your car? Oh, that’s inevitable. But automakers are trying to figure out the best way to implement it. There are two main architectures currently; tethered and embedded. Ford’s SYNC is an example of a tethered tech-integration system that uses Bluetooth to connect to mobile devices consumers already own and carry with them. General Motors’ OnStar system is an embedded setup that builds the technology into the car. Going forward, the consensus seems to be that we’re going to see systems that combine elements of both.

A tethered system is typically less costly than an embedded alternative, and it works with equipment you already own and know how to use. Systems like Sync can extend the functionality of your gear and is an attractive option to tech-savvy consumers. The lower cost makes it possible to proliferate these kind of features into more models, instead of just being a high-end feature. However, embedded systems offer advantages of their own. With communications hardware built in to the vehicle, performance is more reliable, and safety can be enhanced by tying in to the vehicle’s crash sensors and stability control to automatically call for help if it detects a severe accident.

True to the cliche, it seems that the young’ins are more comfortable with tethered systems, while older generations prefer embedded systems. OnStar is already starting to do this, opening up the system in Chevrolet Volt applications with a mobile app that lets drivers connect to their car even when they’re away from it. The future likely holds a system that combines aspects of both, enhancing safety, beating back obsolescence and drawing on the strength of each technology to deliver the best experience as cars continue to become more sophisticated.

[Source: AutoObserver.com]

The Next Big Debate: Hardware or software?

In the Eighties, you wanted your MTV. Now that you’re a little older and a lot richer, you want your naturally aspirated V12 Italian cars, and both Ferrari and Lamborghini plan to deliver. The raging bulls at Sant’ Agata are incorporating more lightweight materials into their cars in order to get over emissions hurdles, but Ferrari has different plans, likely including a road-going iteration of its kinetic energy recovery system, as seen fitted to its 599 HY-KERS concept car at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

According to Autocar’s quote from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, “Hybrid means we can protect the V12,” suggesting Ferrari believes its unassisted 12-cylinder will live on. Autocar’s theory is that the next Enzo could see its V12 paired with an electric motor to keep the government watchdogs happy. Of course, this contradicts Autocar’s Ferrari piece from about ten days ago when, after speaking with Felisa, it wrote, “Felisa also hinted that the new Ferrari Enzo will be powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V8 when it is launched in 2012.”

It could be that Ferrari will use a naturally aspirated V12, only not in the Enzo – the F40 was a V8 while the Testarossa/512 received the big-engine treatment. Frankly, we’re all for a hybrid Enzo, though. Provided they can keep the weight down, a silent supercar at low speeds with 600-plus horses that could bolt at a half-second’s notice would make the most awesome getaway car ever.

Live Photos: Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari Boss Felisa: “Hybrid means we can protect the V12″

Italian design house Pininfarina unveiled its Nido EV prototype today as the starting point for a new modular platform for electric and hybrid vehicles. The Nido EV is an update of the design of the 2004 Nido city car concept with proportions very similar to that of the Smart ForTwo. The Nido platform has been developed entirely in-house at Pininfarina’s Style and Engineering Centre of Cambiano with the intent of being able to affordably produce different bodystyles, including both two- and four-seat cars, as well as pickup and van models. Although the prototype uses a steel tube frame chassis, production versions will apparently migrate to a lighter aluminum space frame.

This particular Nido uses a 30 kilowatt permanent magnet electric motor driving the rear wheels, while future variants may include a small engine at the front for a hybrid configuration, or a front mounted electric motor. Unlike pretty much every other EV currently under development, Pininfarina has elected to use a nickel-salt Zebra battery that has good energy density but high operating temperatures. Despite the 21.2 kilowatt-hour capacity, the battery weighs only 400 pounds. Zebra batteries are also fully recyclable and contain no toxic materials (assuming you discount the issues with mining nickel). The Nido is claimed to have a range of 87 miles and 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds.

No production timetable has been given for the Nido, so Pininfarina is likely looking for a partner or someone to license the design to. Check out the high-res gallery below and official press-release after the jump.

[Source: Pininfarina]

Continue reading Pininfarina unveils Nido EV prototype for modular EV platform

Pininfarina unveils Nido EV prototype for modular EV platform