Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency , a 15-percent ethanol and 85-percent gasoline blend, in vehicles from model year 2007 and newer. Now, nine food and farm groups, along with the American Petroleum Institute, are suing the EPA over this decision. According to the two lawsuits filed, the use of E15 in cars, SUVs and light trucks violates the Clean Air Act. API’s Bob Greco says testing on the safety of E15 being conducted by Department of Energy and automakers is not yet complete, therefore the ruling “puts consumers at risk.” EPA Deputy Press Secretary Betsaida Alcantara tells Green Car Advisor:
[The] decision was based on strict adherence to the Clean Air Act and was grounded firmly in science. The agency relied on rigorous testing that the Energy Department did on 19 car models, in consultation with automakers and fuel suppliers. This decision is sound, and the agency is confident that it will withstand legal challenge.
Results of studies conducted by the DOE on whether the new blend will be approved for use in 2001 through 2006 model year vehicles are expected later this month. Also opposed to the change from E10 to E15 are major motorcycle, auto and gasoline-powered off-road vehicle manufacturers who are worried that the additional ethanol may cause damage to parts made from plastic, rubber and metal in fuel systems in older vehicles, as well as in engines not made for ethanol use.
Nissan unveils its new JDM minivan, the Serena – Click above for high-res image gallery
has pulled the wraps off its updated Serena minivan, a feature-packed people mover that’s only sold in the Japanese market. For the past three years (2007 to 2009), the Serena has been the top-selling minivan in Japan. Now it appears to have gotten even better.
The all-new Serena is roomier, has updated user-friendly features and a newly-developed MR20DD engine. The MR20DD boasts direct-injection, twin valve timing control (VTC) and Nissan’s new Idling Stop control. Paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, the Serena achieves a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing model. Also, compared to the 2005 Serena, the new van produces 75% fewer exhaust emissions.
Full specs on the new Nissan Serena are available in the press release .
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento – Click above for high-res image gallery
Lamborghini’s , the carbon fiber beauty that debuted at the Paris Motor Show just two short months ago, has reportedly been given the green light by its Italian automaker. The two-seat “Sixth Element” exotic is much more than radical jet-fighter styling and a fixation with all things lightweight. Hidden under its flat-black composite panels is the same V10 engine shoehorned into the . With a power rating of 570 horsepower and a curb weight of just 2,200 pounds, the 5.2-liter engine is reportedly able to launch the all-wheel-drive Sesto Elemento to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. Keep the pedal down, and the Lamborghini should top 215 mph. With a price tag of about €2.5 million ($3.4 million at today’s exchange), and a production run limited to less than ten units, best of luck securing one for your garage.
London’s new double-decker bus – Click above for high-res image gallery
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, was on hand at the London Transport Museum today to unveil his city’s future of public transportation. A full-size mock-up of the bus was on display and the design is clearly a nod to the past. Modeled after the original Routemaster, this updated double-decker brings the style into the 21st century while keeping touches of the old bus’ charm. The new bus, which is being manufactured by Wrightbus, features an open platform in the rear, which marks the return of the traditional hop-on-hop-off service.
Quickly moving from to this mock-up, the first Wrightbus prototype is scheduled to be delivered next year. After that, five production buses will enter service in 2012, just in time for the Olypmics. Check it out in the gallery below or watch the video .
2010 Hyundai Genesis – Click above for high-res image gallery
During a recent powertrain briefing, revealed some more details about its new 5.0-liter Tau V8 and 1.0-liter Kappa three-cylinder engines that will be used in a variety of global markets in the near future.
Slated for use in the sedan as well as the larger , Hyundai’s new V8 will use direct injection to produce 429 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. That’s a healthy increase of 59 horsepower and 8 ft-lbs of torque over the 4.6-liter V8 it’s replacing, while also increasing fuel economy by one mile per gallon to 18/26 thanks to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai has not mentioned any plans to offer the new Tau 5.0 in any other products, though we’d love to see it shoehorned under the hood of a . (Full disclosure: We really want to see a 5.0 battle between the Genesis Coupe and .)
On a much smaller level of displacement, Hyundai also detailed a new 1.0-liter Kappa inline three-cylinder engine that will be offered in other markets in the new i10 subcompact. Currently, this engine produces 69 horsepower and returns around 55 miles per gallon on the United States testing cycle. And while this 1.0-liter engine currently isn’t slated for consumption here in the States, future versions of the Kappa engine could come to our shores. Hyundai says that we’ll see a turbocharged, 110-hp version of the 1.0-liter three in 2012, and that a turbocharged 1.2-liter Kappa will be released shortly thereafter. The 1.2T is estimated to produce around 130 to 140 hp, making it more suitable for American-sized vehicles.
2011Hyundai Avante/Elantra – Click above for high-res image gallery
Hyundai has just announced that the 2012 Elantra, which will debut next Wednesday at the LA Auto Show, will achieve 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. The engine behind these impressive numbers will be a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder producing 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. We’re checking on transmissions options, but a five- or six-speed manual and six-speed automatic are the safe bets.
40 mpg highway ratings are “the new black” for small cars these days, with other vehicles like the and achieving 40 mpg or more on the highway and letting everyone know about it in their marketing material. The difference between those American small cars and the new Elantra is that only particular models of the Cruze and Fiesta can reach 40 mpg – more specifically the Cruze Eco, which , and the Fiesta with a special SFE package. Hyundai tells us that every Elantra model will achieve 40 mpg, from the base model on up, which means that you won’t have to pay extra for the privilege of joining the 40 mpg club.
2011 Buick Regal – Click above for high-res image gallery
is boasting that the new microcontroller in the ECM behind the Ecotec 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the is the ultimate power in the automotive universe. According to the company, the computer packs the quickest processing power of any microcontroller in any vehicle on the market right now. The ECU uses three megabytes of flash memory to handle a host of adjustments for things like air intake and “spark optimization.” The tech plays a big part in the amount of horsepower and fuel economy that GM has managed to squeeze out of the tiny 2.0-liter.
All told, the ECM is good for 125 million operations per second. Compare that to the 1 million operations per second of the company’s first powertrain control module, and you can see just how far on board computers have come since the 1980s. Of courses, given how quickly technology advances, something tells us the Regal’s brain won’t hold onto its title for long. for the press release.
In which we learn not to judge a book by its (very familiar) cover…
2012 Iconic AC Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery
We admit it – we nearly got it wrong. But can you blame us? We’ve seen dozens – nay, hundreds of Shelby Cobra homages and outright knockoffs over the years, and while many of them have offered road-bludgeoning performance, precious few have been high-quality efforts, and fewer still brought something new to the table. So when images of the Iconic AC Roadster first hit our inboxes along with blustery talk of 800+ horsepower and a massive price tag, we didn’t pay much attention. Here was yet another Cobra replica whose biggest innovation appeared to be a set of awkward looking head- and taillamps. Why bother?
And then we drove it. And oddly, just as importantly, we took a peek beneath its skin, only to realize that the car’s familiar shape is something of a Trojan horse whose familiar twin stripes mask a shocking amount of cutting-edge technology.
Few cars can hold a candle to the immense performance capabilities of the Pagani Zonda. Few can touch the number of versions that have come along the way, either. First came the C12, then the C12 S, the C12 S 7.3, the Zonda F, the and roadster versions of just about each one. But that’s not even accounting for the special editions – often limited in production to a single example – that have followed since.
The and the have been followed by the , , , and most recently the . Each has been built to the exacting specifications of the wealthy client who’s commissioned them, and now there’s another: the Zonda RAK.
Like previous editions, the Zonda RAK is distinguished by its unique color scheme: bright yellow in this case, covering the body, the brake calipers and even the top-stitching on the interior. It’s otherwise mechanically similar to the five-of-a-kind Cinque edition, packing a 700-horsepower version of the AMG-sourced V12 engine.
The Zonda RAK was reportedly commissioned by a dealership in Germany – – which is putting it up for sale at €1.85 million, equivalent to over $2.5 million. If you’ve got the cash sitting around it can be yours. Or of course Automobili Pagani would be glad to create one to your tastes.
2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – Click above for image gallery
It’s been an achingly long, three-year slog up until this point, but has finally taken the wraps off the production version of the 2011 Convertible ahead of its big day at the LA Auto Show.
The somewhat small images posted on Facebook give us our first view of the drop-top pony car with its canvas roof in place, but other than that, the ‘vert is exactly what you’ve come to expect. Both V6 and V8 models will be available at launch, with the six-pot RS putting out 312 horsepower and the range-topping LS3-equipped SS producing 426 ponies. Sales are set to begin this March, with an entry-level price tag of around $30,000.
While it may not have registered on the radar screens of many American racing fans, Czech automaker Skoda took the top honors this year in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. In the process they captured both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles against the likes of , , , , Peugeot, Proton and Fiat/Abarth on special stages across Europe (including the iconic Monte Carlo Rally) and a pair in South America. To celebrate, the subsidiary has launched a special edition of its Fabia RS hot hatch.
The Fabia RS Edition S2000 packs a 177-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbo four mated to a seven-speed DSG for a 7.3-second sprint to 62 and a 139 mph top end. What sets the S2000 edition apart, however, is the livery: rally green paint, white roof, white wheels, and decals inspired by the competition version that claimed the title with Juho Hänninen behind the wheel. Only 200 examples of the special edition hatch will be offered, and you can read more about it in the press release after the jump.
2011 Buick Lucerne – Click above for high-res image gallery
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall for 2010 and 2011 model year and models. A total of 13,780 vehicles, all equipped with V8 engines, are subject to this recall which effects power steering return lines.
According to NHTSA, the starter or alternator cable can wear through these lines, causing a power steering fluid leak. This can not only result in the loss of power steering, but the liquid could drip onto hot engine parts, resulting in a fire.
Owners can bring their cars to dealers to have the problem fixed free of charge. Technicians will either secure or reroute the power steering return lines in order to prevent contact with these cables. The recall is expected to begin later this month, and the full details are available at NHTSA’s website.
A sample from Gooding’s 2011 Scottsdale Auction – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’re coming up on big time auction season again, and Gooding & Co have a few highlighted entries for its 2011 Scottsdale auctions, including two cars being offered for public consumption for the first time. Those would be the 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic (pictured), and a 1948 Tucker with chassis #1010. The Fiat was a Ghia creation, the first of 12 Supersonics produced and kept in the collection of a single owner for the last 55 years. The Tucker has spent 50 years in a barn, which explains why it has but 10,000 miles on the odo.
Three other notables from the gaggle of metal crossing the stage will include a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton with coachwork by LeBaron – this done before the LeBaron name became irrevocably associated with a very different kind of car – a 1933 Stutz DV-32 Dual Cowl Phaeton, and bringing up the 21st century, a 2005 Saleen S7 from Iron Man.
As far as price goes, the Saleen looks to be the least expensive of the collection with a pre-auction estimate of $300,000. So unless you’re on the angelic list, you might want to put your call into Santa now if you wish to have any hope of carting something home.
2011 Kia Sedona – Click above for high-res image gallery
Minivans are back in the spotlight again, thanks in part to the large effort put forward in reintroducing its , the . Since then, has released its all-new , has teased its all-new , and ’s reworked and twins are set to hit dealerships in the next few months. , on the other hand, isn’t making great strides in improving its minivan, the , though the friendly family-hauler does get some modest updates for the 2011 model year.
Most significantly, the Sedona is now powered by Kia’s 3.5-liter V6 with output rated at 271 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. This represents a gain of 27 hp versus the outgoing 3.8-liter mill, though torque output is actually down by five pound-feet (we doubt you’ll even notice). Power now runs through a six-speed automatic transmission, and because the Sedona retains its front-wheel-drive-only setup, the Sienna is the only minivan to offer four-wheel power.
Visually, the Sedona now wears Kia’s new corporate grille, and LED turn indicators have been added to the side mirrors. Aside from that, no other major updates have been made for 2011, save the addition of standard Bluetooth connectivity across the model range. Pricing starts at $24,595 for the base Sedona LX, and the full details are available in Kia’s press release, .
2011Opel Ampera – Click above for high-res image gallery
is ready to begin taking orders for the 2011 Opel Ampera, the European cousin of the . The MSRP has been set at €42,900, which equals roughly $58,718 USD based on current exchange rates, or $18,438 more than a Volt here in the States. Sure, the front end is more aggressive and the wheels are better but is the Ampera nearly $20,000 better than the our all-American electric sedan?
The answer lies with Europe’s Value Added Tax, otherwise known as VAT – add German’s 19 percent VAT, and the final price becomes €42,900. Take away the VAT and the price is €36,050 or about $49,280, which is a bit closer to the cost of the Volt.
Those interested in purchasing an Opel Ampera can register at to become “ePioneers.” Those brave, electric pioneers will have access to updates on the car, a chance to test drive one and the first opportunity to purchase the Ampera when it goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2011. More information can be found in the press release idling silently .
Shelby GT500 “Code Red” – Click above for image gallery
There’s so much going on at SEMA it’s all-too easy to miss a few things. And while there are a ton of Mustangs, one would think that this Shelby prototype would have caught our attention – particularly since we were aware of its existence. Back in September we reported that on some , one of which was a 1,000 rwhp twin-turbo GT500.
Nicknamed “Code Red,” this particular GT500 was created in collaboration between Shelby American and Nelson Racing Engines – the same firm responsible for the . The heavily modified 5.4-liter V8 features twin 61mm Turbonetics turbochargers along with a dual fuel system that includes cells for both race and street gas as well as an electronic boost controller that can vary boost for each gear.
If Shelby offers a production of the “Code Red” GT500, expect plenty of other goodies to be included like Baer 14-inch brakes, Shelby/Eibach adjustable suspension system, 9-inch Currie rear end, 10-point roll cage, and plenty more? Price tag? Shelby estimates that the package (car not included) would cost around $100,000.
You can get a better look at the Code Red from the photos below courtesy of Nelson Racing Engines, and we’ve also included a video with Tom Nelson and Shelby’s Gary Patterson testing the car out on the street .
2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Continental has become the default choice for the upper crust of car buyers that it’s become known as the of the luxury market. The thing is, not everyone wants to pull up the country/yacht/private club in the same thing everyone else is driving. It’d be a shame, though, if more individualistic customers were deterred from considering the Bentley, because it’s one heck of a car. So to offer a little extra touch of individuality, Crewe has rolled out the Series 51.
Already on the coupe and convertible, the Series 51 edition can now be ordered as well on the Continental Flying Spur sedan. The choice trim level gives customers a broader range of color options, including two-tone exteriors, three-tone interiors, special veneer choices, and new nine-spoke, graphite-finish 19-inch alloys unique to the Series 51 (and different from the 14-spoke dubs on the coupe and convertible versions). Crewe’s design team has put together 14 special color combinations for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51 (which also challenges for the title of longest name yet), but buyers can specify an infinite array of combos of their choosing.
Along with the Series 51, Bentley has announced new front-fender air vents for any Flying Spur, as well as blue brake calipers, and the inclusion of a new touchscreen infotainment system on the Spur or the coupe and convertible – an upgrade that was far overdue. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, along with the high-resolution images in the gallery below.
We two next-generation prototypes out testing, showing off its slightly revised shape and new exterior features. We can only imagine what sort of rigorous testing procedures are involved with creating a new 911, so it doesn’t surprise us to see the the almost-naked back out on the road again.
Mum’s the word on exactly what lies underneath the 911’s new skin, though have stated that the 3.6- and 3.8-liter flat-sixes will carry over unchanged, though a new electro-hydraulic steering could be on hand in an effort to improve overall efficiency. We’ve heard rumblings about more spacious rear seats and an electronic parking brake being fitted to the new 911, as well.
We expect Porsche to take the wraps off of the new 911 sometime early next year, possibly at March’s . Until then, get another glimpse at Porsche’s pride and joy in our gallery of spy snaps below.
2011Chevrolet Cruze Eco – Click above for high-res image gallery
has released official fuel economy numbers for the , and the automaker’s original target of 40 miles per gallon (highway) has been surpassed. The is officially rated at 28/42 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission, making it the segment-leader in terms of efficiency.
To achieve this, the Eco uses GM’s latest 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, rated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. On its own, the engine is efficient enough to deliver 24/36 mpg, but a host of aerodynamic changes and weight reductions on the Eco account for the extra bump in fuel economy. In addition to a lower front air dam extension, rear spoiler, lowered ride height and revised underbody panels, the Cruze Eco rides on lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling-resistance tires. What’s more, a front grille shutter has been developed to improve airflow at higher speeds, thus accounting for a 10 percent coefficient of drag over standard Cruze models.
The Cruze Eco is priced from $18,895 and hits dealerships in January of next year. For the full details, hit the jump for GM’s press blast.
Haven’t we seen this play called before? Take a well-regarded European model, tweak it for the U.S. market, slap on a badge from a beleaguered North American brand, and hope for a touchdown. Indeed, the conforms to what has become ‘ version of the spread offense. Never mind that this wasn’t a winning strategy for , which tried selling various derivatives of Opel models from The General’s European operations before its demise – GM is back at it with the Regal.
Dredging up a name from the past is a curious move for a brand that wants to reinvent itself to appeal to a younger audience. (Even more curious is that the Regal moniker has dubious value, having been hung on all manner of mediocre and mostly badge-engineered cars over the past four decades.) Yet for all the skepticism inherent in the “new” GM going back to its old playbook, the Regal might actually be the car that makes this offense click.
