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Chevrolet has reportedly issued a recall of 2,100 of its Cruze compact car in the U.S. and 400 units in Canada after one car was found to have an improperly attached steering wheel. While the defect sounds terrifying, Chevrolet says the mishap hasn’t caused an accident or any injuries.

According to The Detroit News, Chevy is confident that only one car had the issue, and the recall is a precautionary measure. According to the story, Chevy says it inspected more than 2,000 vehicles at the plant where the defective Cruze was built and several hundred more at dealerships and didn’t find any with a similar fault.

Those affected by the recall will be asked to take their Cruze in to the dealership to be inspected for the fault, which will be repaired for free if a problem is found.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: The Detroit News]

2,500 Chevy Cruze sedans recalled for “improperly fastened” steering wheels

We haven’t been behind the wheel of one yet, but we’re thinking that the normally aspirated 2012 Hyundai Veloster probably looks a little faster than it is – we say this only because a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower can only be so spirited. We’ve heard previously that a turbocharged version of the Veloster is on the way, but thus far, details haven’t been easy to come by.

If several new stories in Hyundai forums are to be believed, the Veloster Turbo will feature a 1.6-liter GDI turbo powerplant capable of 208 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. That’s not exactly game-changing power, but keep in mind that the little Veloster weighs all of 2,600 pounds, giving the little coupe a 12.48-pounds-per-pony ratio. And if the Veloster Turbo does indeed feature the 1.6-liter, we’re thinking the little ride’s laudable 40 mile per gallon highway fuel economy bogey won’t be affected all that much.

A 208-horsepower Veloster sounds just dandy to us, but we’re still looking forward to official word from Hyundai to confirm. Hopefully we’ll hear something more official about the boosted Veloster very soon.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Hyundai Blog via Inside Line]

Report: Hyundai Veloster Turbo to produce 208 horsepower

Subaru released a side profile shot of its 2012 Impreza sedan ahead of the car’s New York Auto Show debut, and now, our trusty spy photographers have caught the new Subie out in public, revealing its fresh face. Rather unfortunately, the production-spec Impreza looks to be a pretty drastic departure from the decidedly hot concept car that bowed in Los Angeles last November.

The automaker is keeping quiet about what’s under the hood of its new Impreza, but the brand has already confirmed that a revised version of the trusty boxer flat-four powerplant will be on hand and good for 36 miles per gallon on the highway – a figure all but unmatched in the all-wheel drive kingdom. Subaru will continue to offer the Impreza in both sedan and hatchback formats, and of course, AWD will be standard.

As for the design, we’ll wait until the 2012 WRX and STI present themselves before making the final judgments. Slap some more aggressive styling elements on this thing, along with rally-spec blue paint and gold wheels, and perhaps we’ll be singing a different tune.

[Images: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company]

Spy Shots: 2012 Subaru Impreza shows its face

On Thursday, Jeep unveiled a Mopar-modified Cherokee Overland. The safari-ready ute is actually a European market Jeep Liberty, right down to its 2.8-liter turbo diesel four-cylinder engine. The vehicle is only here for promotional purposes, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a diesel option for Jeep buyers on this side of The Pond?

The Detroit Free Press reports that Jeep President and CEO Michael Manley couldn’t agree more, but he’ll need to provide a rock-solid business case to move forward with oil burners in the States. The Jeep CEO said diesels could enter the U.S. market in two or three years if that business case is made, adding “diesel applications in the larger vehicles probably make more sense then they do in the smaller ones, purely because of the cost of the powertrains and the treatments that are required.”

Chrysler’s off-road brand already features diesel powertrains in Europe, and 80 percent of all Jeeps sold there are of the oil-burning variety. Those engines are becoming cleaner all the time as well, and the newest Euro diesels could soon also meet emissions standards in the U.S. and Canada.

We’re all for diesel-powered Jeeps, especially since the diesels tend to have similar fuel economy to a hybrid SUV, but with additional capability. And, hey… a Grand Cherokee with a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy doesn’t sound like a bad thing, either.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Report: Jeep still considering diesels for North American market

The Cayman S is considered by many to be the best-handling Porsche currently available. After all, the Cayman is 90 percent Boxster with just a teensy bit more power and a fixed roof. The all-new Cayman R, however, has still more power, is lowered by about an inch, loses about 100 pounds and adds the lightest wheels currently available on a production Porsche. So, which version of the Cayman really is the best-handling Porsche?

The folks at Autocar asked that very question, and they set aside some track time to find out. The S goes first, and Autocar’s Matt Prior gushes over the Porsche’s steering and handling while he slips and slides through the Silverstone Porsche driving experience track. Then comes the Cayman R, which very obviously has even less trouble keeping all four tires glued to the road. So, which one takes the cake? Hit the jump to find out for yourself.

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading Video: Autocar pits Porsche’s Cayman R vs. Cayman S

Video: Autocar pits Porsche’s Cayman R vs. Cayman S

The Tata Nano has enjoyed an increase in sales in the last couple of months, reportedly sparking Tata Motors to double production of its budget-minded microcar this fiscal year. In March, the Indian automaker moved 8,707 examples, pulling to within spitting distance of its 9,000-unit sales record for July, 2010.

After a summer selling record numbers, the Nano’s sales plummeted to just 589 in November, following numerous reports that alleged that the cars were mysteriously bursting into flames. After the mysterious fires, Tata offered free extended warranties on the cars, up to 90 percent financing on easy terms, and a comprehensive maintenance plan at just 99 rupees a month (about $2.25 U.S.).

The incentives seem to have struck a chord with buyers, and the Nano is right back where it was a year ago. Currently, Tata is building 9,000-10,000 cars a month at its Sanand, India plant, and had planned to increase that rate to 15,000 this fiscal year. In light of the sales spike, though, that number was bumped to 18,000 to 20,000 units a month.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Rex Roy / AOL

[Source: The Hindu Business Line]

Report: Tata to double Nano production amidst sales uptick

Infiniti is no stranger to motorsports. The Japanese luxury marque supplied engines to the Indy Racing League in the late 90s, and recently launched a sponsorship deal with the World Champion Red Bull Racing team in Formula One (which runs sister-company Renault’s engines). But rallying is new territory for the Nissan premium division.

Now before you let your imagination run wild, bear in mind that the G37 coupe you see here is not actually competing in any rally events. It is, however, being used as a safety car for the Spanish Rally Championship.

For the task, the G37 Coupe S dubbed “Work Car Zero” has been outfitted with roll-bar, dampers, brakes, bucket seats and harnesses, fire-suppression system, communications equipment and special lighting. Otherwise, it’s pretty much bone stock (save for the garish paint scheme).

Follow the jump for all the details in the press release and scope out the images in the high-res gallery below for a closer look.

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti goes rallying in Spain with G37 safety car

Infiniti goes rallying in Spain with G37 safety car

Ordering a special edition luxury vehicle from Germany can take some time. The plant needs to put you in the production queue with the rest of the orders, shipping across the Atlantic can eat up weeks and parts availability can also throw off timing. Such a protracted timeline played out for Audi forum member Datz as he waited for his brand new S4, except three months became five months and then his December order led to a July delivery.

Instead of sitting back and listening to excuse after excuse from the dealership, Datz reportedly took to the Internets in search of justice. The expectant owner even sent a note out to Audi U.S.A. chief Johan de Nysschen, and he says he focused his vitriol on Audi’s goal to be the global leader in luxury autos instead of complaining about his plight at the dealership.

Instead of ignoring the email, de Nysschen took action, calling the disgruntled buyer to see how he could hep. The Audi boss apologized for the delays, telling him that his $2,500 Daytona Gray paint job and trunk component delays were the issue, though he reportedly added that those issues are Audi’s, not his.

Calling the customer was a very cool thing for de Nysschen to do, but he went a monumental leap forward by providing a 2010 S4 loaner to use while he waited for his new vehicle. He also called the plant and had production moved up to April, with a June delivery date. Nicely done Audi, and way to use the Internet to your advantage, Datz! Now you can beat the snot out of the loaner to get it out of your system before you get your own S4 to coddle.

Photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Audizine.com via Quattro World via Motor Authority]

Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives

General Motors piqued our interest last week with a video glimpse of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu (albeit in highly stylized rendered form), as well as a teaser image of its taillights. In the video, GM tells us the new Malibu will be wider than the outgoing Malibu with a more rakish exterior design. The teaser image goes a step further, showing us that the 2013 model’s taillights are strikingly similar to those at the butt of the Camaro.

Fast forward one week and The General is ready to give us another peek at the interior. As you can see from the photo above, the new Malibu will feature a more fluid cabin design than the current model with fewer buttons and GM’s new touch-friendly MyLink infotainment system prominently displayed.

It’s difficult to judge the new Malibu’s interior by looking at one intentionally poor-lit teaser images, but we see some serious potential. Here’s hoping the materials can match up to the LCD screen.

The Malibu will be unveiled on April 18 at the Shanghai Motor Show, and you’ll be able to watch the reveal live from Chevy’s Facebook page.

[Source: Chevrolet]

2013 Chevrolet Malibu gives us a glimpse of its interior

Autoblog Returns For Another Crack At The 200-MPH Club

Driving 200 miles per hour has always been at the top of my bucket list. Unfortunately, accomplishing this dream has always eluded me as it is laden with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. First, the task requires a machine capable of the speed. Second, one needs a very long, straight piece of pavement. Lastly, there is the hurdle of the law – getting tagged at three times the typical legal limit will not only seriously ruin your weekend, but also take a sizable chunk of money (and probably a driver’s license) out of your leather wallet.

After decades of frustration, World Class Driving has come to my rescue. The same company that has been touring the nation with its fleet of expensive exotics, offering regular civilians the opportunity to drive on road and track, offers the “200 mph Challenge.” In a nutshell, they provide the cars, pavement and amnesty from the law in one turnkey package. It isn’t cheap ($4,995 for this program), but successful completion puts participants in a very exclusive group of non-professionals who have driven 200 mph. To put it into perspective, more people have been launched into space.

Participants are an eclectic group. Of the 16 in my class, there are prominent physicians, attorneys, CEOs and wealthy adventurists who do it for sport (you know, the kind who travel to Russia for a supersonic flight in a Mikoyan MiG-29). There is also young 16-year-old Alec Feintuch, attending through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Poignantly, I’m not the only one with the dream of driving 200 mph.

Continue Reading World Class Driving offers pieces to the 200-MPH puzzle. We assemble them…

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading World Class Driving offers pieces to the 200-MPH puzzle. We assemble them

World Class Driving offers pieces to the 200-MPH puzzle. We assemble them

We’re into camping as much as the next guy(s), and we’re really up for a few days of “roughing it” when it comes to a luxury coach motor home. And when we’re looking for the highest of the high end, few stand out more than the Ketterer Continental luxury motor home.

This monster motor home features a Mercedes-Benz truck chassis, a massive, luxurious cabin that includes a real kitchen, dining with seating for five, a master bedroom with a king bed plus a shower, toilet and sky light. Actually, the main bedroom features a bath tub, too, so you can soak after a hard day of… whatever it is that the wealthy do when they’re “camping.”

And if you’re on an extended trip through the local RV parks, you probably don’t want to troll around in your mobile mansion, so this custom motor home also features a garage large enough to swallow a Smart Fortwo. Fancy. Click on the gallery below to see an RV that’s nicer than most people’s homes.

[Source: Ketterer via Unfinishedman.com]

Ketterer Continental sure to net best spot at local RV park

Honda’s Japanese assembly plants are scheduled to come back online next week after a month-long hiatus caused by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11. That’s good news for a company that could soon run short on many vehicles, but Honda’s production woes are anything but solved.

The Detroit Bureau reports that Honda is also having trouble getting parts from Japan to plants here in the U.S., and the launch of the 2012 Civic could be impacted. The Civic, which is one of the most popular vehicles sold in the U.S., is supposed to begin a phased roll-out on April 20. But with parts trickling in from Japan at a snail’s pace, some of the automaker’s U.S. factories have experienced production slowdowns and shortened shifts. That means it would be difficult to supply enough ‘12 Civics to support the model’s current sales pace of about 30,000 units per month. The automaker reportedly already has 12,000 Civics ready for delivery, but that number represents less than a two-week supply.

American Honda Executive Vice President John Mendel tells The Bureau that the situation is “fluid,” adding that it “is changing every day.” With that in mind, Mendel says that the automaker might not spend as much launch money on marketing out of the gate. Instead, Honda could spend the money over a longer period of time, saving some of the ads for when dealers have proper stock of the latest Civic in showrooms.

We’re hoping that Honda’s part situation improves in time for launch, but given the current state of the supply chain, we’re not all that hopeful. Add in the fact that another 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Thursday, April 7th, and it seems production timing for many vehicles and parts could be in doubt for the foreseeable future.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Will quake-based parts shortages hurt 2012 Honda Civic launch?

Ed Welburn is the current head of design at General Motors, which means he has the tall task of pointing the company into the future without abandoning timeless designs by names like Harley Earl. As an exercise in getting in touch with his roots, Welburn has worked up a list of the top 10 Chevrolet designs of all time.

The list is populated with all the probable starters from Chevy’s century-long past. From the 1912 Classic Six, the first car to carry the Chevrolet name, to the 1936 Suburban and the 2011 Camaro, Welburn gives his impression of the importance of each design.

Welburn has been surrounded by cars his entire life, from his youth in his father’s body shop in Philadelphia to taking the helm at Chevrolet’s design department in 2003. Welburn has worked for General Motors since he graduated from Howard University in the early 1970s, so he his connection with Chevrolet designs, ahem, runs deep.

Feel free to click through the gallery below, which includes Welburn’s commentary on each iconic design. Alternatively, you can find it all in one place in the press release after the break.

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading Ed Welburn’s Top 10 Chevy designs of all-time

Ed Welburn’s Top 10 Chevy designs of all-time

The MG6, MG’s first all-new car since 1995’s MG F, will begin UK production next week in Birmingham, England. The new start of English production of the iconic brand marks its return from the dead after MG Rover folded and was bought by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation [SAIC].

According to MG, the first new English MG will roll off the line at 11:00 a.m. on April 13, almost six years to the day since the last MG Rover was built in April, 2005. This rebirth marks yet another chapter in MG’s rocky existence, from its inception as a sports car brand in 1924, to its Austin Metro-based econobox days of the 1980s, to the revival of the brand with 1995’s MG F, to its new identity as a subsidiary of a Chinese conglomerate.

The MG6 is a Chinese-designed four-door liftback sedan that shares similar dimensions with the Volkswagen Golf. Power comes from a 133-horsepower, naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder or a turbocharged 160-horse variant.

[Source: MG]

MG Motors to launch UK MG6 production next week

The BMW M3 Royal Edition may have been an April Fool’s Day hoax – the British royal couple will use a variety of coaches to travel between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey for the ceremony – but the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom isn’t the only prince getting married. So is Prince Albert II of Monaco – ruling monarch of the Mediterranean enclave – and for his wedding he’s gone a different route.

At the July 2nd wedding to Miss Charlene Wittstock, the royal couple will be riding in a specially-prepared Lexus LS600h, complete with integrated flashing lights, the royal insignia and the prized “MC 01″ license plate. The hybrid luxury sedan is particularly well suited to the task as it can parade around on pure electric mode. In the process, Lexus has become official supplier to His Serene Highness and his principality. Follow the jump for the press release.

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Monaco commissions a Lexus LS 600h for “the other royal wedding”

Monaco commissions a Lexus LS 600h for “the other royal wedding”

Jeep has a big year ahead of it. After finishing 2010 with a 24-percent increase in global sales versus 2009, Chrysler’s off-road capable brand is looking for even more in 2011. To make Jeep even more motivated, the brand is also celebrating its 70th anniversary later this year, and it unveiled an entire lineup of new Special Edition models at the Detroit Auto Show back in January.

Jeep also plans to show six new Mopar-tuned models at the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, from April 16 – 24, and we have the full monty from every model. There’s a ‘pork chop’ that went on an 850-pound diet, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8-packing Rambler, a diesel-packing Cherokee Overland and more.

We’ve got detailed descriptions along with full image galleries of each Mopar-tuned Jeep after the break for your viewing pleasure. So what are you waiting for?

Continue Reading Six Jeep models get the Mopar Makeover…

Photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Shunk / AOL

Continue reading Six Jeep models get the Mopar Makeover for 2011 Safari in Moab

Six Jeep models get the Mopar Makeover for 2011 Safari in Moab

Bremach has been pumping out rugged work trucks in Italy since the late 1950s, so it’s safe to say the company is clued-in to building no-nonsense, workaholic machinery. Its latest creation is called the T. Rex, and goes a long way to proving that EVs don’t have to be Dustbuster-shaped people carriers.

Just like the Tesla Roadster proved EV technology can work in a sports car, the Bremach T. Rex proves the instant torque of an electric motor is as handy as a pocket in a shirt off road as well. The T. Rex’s electric motor provides 100 kW of power at 0 rpm, with a claimed 150-mile range even under work conditions. Bremach will also warranty the powertrain for 30,000 miles or three years.

If full electric scares you or you want a little more range, the T. Rex is available with a traditional 6.0-liter gasoline-fired Chevrolet V8 with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic cog box. Even with the big-bore Chevy mill, Bremach claims the truck will achieve 20 mpg on the highway. For those who like to ride the middle line, there are compressed natural gas and hybrid options available as well. All of these powertrain options are available in a two- or four-door hardtop or a two-door convertible.

The T. Rex was designed to be as capable as possible while staying extremely fuel and space efficient. Partly by leaving the truck’s spaceframe skeleton exposed, Bremach’s designers were able to jam three seats into the T. Rex’s narrow cab, which the company claims will withstand five Gs of force. Bremach says that’s two Gs more than most of the competition… we’ll have to take their word for it. The price for all this is fairly steep, with a loaded EV version of the T. Rex hitting the register at just over $120,000. Awesome don’t come cheap.

Click past the jump for videos of the T. Rex in action.

[Source: Bremach]

Continue reading Bremach T. Rex is World’s Most Badass EV [w/video]

Bremach T. Rex is World’s Most Badass EV [w/video]

Bremach has been pumping out rugged work trucks in Italy since the late 1950s, so it’s safe to say the company is clued in to building no-nonsense, workaholic machinery. Its latest creation is called the T. Rex, and goes a long way to proving that EVs don’t have to be Dustbuster-shaped people carriers.

Just like the Tesla Roadster proved EV technology can work in a sports car, the Bremach T. Rex proves the instant torque of an electric motor is as handy as a pocket in a shirt off road as well. The T. Rex’s electric motor provides 100 kW of power at 0 rpm, with a claimed 150-mile range even under work conditions. Bremach will also warranty the powertrain for 30,000 miles or three years.

If full electric scares you or you want a little more range, the T. Rex is available with a traditional 6.0-liter gasoline-fired Chevrolet V8 with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic cog box. Even with the big-bore Chevy mill, Bremach claims the truck will achieve 20 mpg on the highway. For those who like to ride the middle line, there are compressed natural gas and hybrid options available as well. All of these powertrain options are available in a two- or four-door hardtop or a two-door convertible.

The T. Rex was designed to be as capable as possible while staying extremely fuel and space efficient. Partly by leaving the truck’s spaceframe skeleton exposed, Bremach’s designers were able to jam three seats into the T. Rex’s narrow cab, which Bremach claims will withstand five Gs of force. Bremach says that’s two Gs more than most of the competition… we guess we’ll take their word for it. The price for all this is fairly steep, with a loaded EV version of the T. Rex hitting the register at just over $120,000. Awesome don’t come cheap.

Click past the jump for videos of the T. Rex in action.

[Source: Bremach]

Continue reading Bremach T. Rex is World’s Most Badass EV (w/video)

Bremach T. Rex is World’s Most Badass EV (w/video)

The Volvo C30 is a bit of a divisive design. Some love the radical P1800ES-inspired hatch, while others find it awkward. But maybe the brand’s latest special edition can help.

Called the C30 Black Design, it’s limited exclusively to the Italian market and to just 600 examples. What sets it apart is the application of a 3M carbon-look film to the roof, pillars, grille surround and wing mirrors. There’s also 17-inch matte black wheels (upgradable to 18-inchers) and a specially trimmed interior with individualized dedication plaque.

Italian buyers can choose between the 115-horsepower D2 or 150-hp D3 turbo-diesel engines, or a 145-hp 2.0-liter gasoline four, and specify theirs in white, gray or orange. The question is, does the faux-carbon trim make the C30 look better or worse? Cast your vote in our poll below after looking over the gallery.

View Poll

[Source: OmniAuto.it (translated)]

Volvo rolls out exclusive C30 Black Design for Italy… does it look better? [w/poll]

In the lead-in to the Shanghai Motor Show, BMW has teased an upcoming plug-in hybrid 5 Series that will be exclusive to the Chinese market. The prototype of this greener version of BMW’s midsize sedan is based on the China-only long-wheelbase 5 Series platform.

The car is part of a joint venture between BMW and Chinese automaker Brilliance. The car is the tip of an eco-friendly iceberg BMW has aimed squarely at China, a country with an increasing appetite for premium-segment cars and a serious need for green-focused, energy-efficient vehicles.

Despite its size, BMW says the plug-in 5 Series will manage nearly 250 miles on a single charge and tank of gas, with up to 47 miles of those on electric power only, provided you don’t creep past 37 miles per hour. Those numbers certainly aren’t what you’d call impressive, but they’re a step in the right direction and they’d likely be a major help in the thick traffic snarls that China’s major cities are famous for. As for the U.S. market, a full plug-in 5 Series is unlikely, but BMW is understood to be planning to bring a traditional mild hybrid version of the car to our shores. For now, check out the prototype in our gallery below and via the press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Brilliance Automotive previews 5 Series plug-in hybrid prototype

BMW Brilliance Automotive previews 5 Series plug-in hybrid prototype