Report: Toyota’s event data recorders have a history of problems

Toyota shadow logo with parked Camry

According to a report in The Washington Post, the event data recorders the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration used to investigate claims of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles have a history of problems. In one incident, a Toyota pickup that struck a tree in a single car accident was recorded as going 177 mph – far faster than any T100 we’ve ever seen. A separate reading from the same device put the truck’s speed at a more feasible 75 mph. The article even says that Toyota itself has warned about the reliability of data collected from the so-called black boxes by stressing that the recorders were not intended to be used as crash-reconstruction devices. In the recent past, Toyota has already been accused of being ’secretive’ about providing access to their black box data.

The EDRs in question apparently also have a history of being inaccurate about more than just speed. In another case, the device onboard recorded that both passengers had their seat belts unbuckled at the time of impact when in reality, one individual was safely buckled in.

Unfortunately, government researchers have little other recourse when it comes to substantiating or refuting claims of runaway Toyota products. NHTSA just recently released a preliminary report saying that over half of the instances in which the vehicles seemed out of control were actually attributable to the driver applying the wrong pedal at the wrong time. The Washington Post has indicated that the unreliability of the EDRs leaves some question as to the validity of those findings. They may have a point. Thanks for the tip, FYI!

[Source: The Washington Post Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Report: Toyota’s event data recorders have a history of problems

    



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    Report: Korean ambassador stumps for more U.S. car sales in home market

    S. Korean flagHan Duk-soo, the South Korean ambassador to the United States, recently urged the Detroit Chamber of Commerce to embrace increasing automotive imports from his country. Talk about a tough sell. However, the move would be part of a deal that would open South Korea to cars built in America – a market that has been notoriously protected by tariffs and other barriers. Duk-soo said that eliminating America’s 2.5 percent tariff on cars built in South Korea would allow his country to do away with its eight percent automotive import tax at the same time.

    Without a doubt, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler wouldn’t mind diving deeper into a new consumer pool, but according to Representative Sander Levin (D), the U.S.-South Korean Free Trade Agreement needs significant revision before it can provide “meaningful market access” between the two countries. Lawmakers and manufacturers currently say that the agreement isn’t adequate enough protection for U.S. exports to keep them from running into additional regulations that may hinder their sale in South Korea.

    Meanwhile, Duk-soo says that perception is a misunderstanding, and that while his country’s auto market was protected in the past, it’s now open to imports. The ambassador even pointed to increasing U.S. auto sales in Korea even despite the hurdles. According to The Detroit News, April U.S. auto sales in the country were four times what they were in 2009, driven largely by the popular Ford Taurus.

    [Source: The Detroit News]

    Report: Korean ambassador stumps for more U.S. car sales in home market

        



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      Report: UAW’s King holds the line on foreign car ban on union property

      UAW chief Bob King arms up

      Drive a non-General Motors, Ford or Chrysler product? Don’t try to park it any lot owned by the United Auto Workers. That has been the stance for many years, and new UAW President Bob King is making it known that he will follow that rule to the letter, regardless of situation. The Detroit News reports that Kansas City Business Journal reporter James Dornbrook learned this lesson the hard way as he was asked to remove his Toyota Camry from Local 249’s parking lot by an unidentified member. The scribe later wrote that his Camry was built at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant and that the popular midsize sedan contains more domestic content than the Ford F-150.

      Dornbrook may have a point, but King is standing strong on the union-made-only policy. The UAW leader wrote a long letter to Dornbrook – which the KCBJ published – accusing transplant automakers of refusing workers the right to organize. King then added that transplants have accepted millions in tax cuts to build factories in the U.S. while at the same time jeopardizing middle-class jobs. The UAW and its 300,000 members, meanwhile, still account for two-thirds of U.S. auto assembly jobs.

      While “union only” parking rules are the exact sort of thing that has many Americans rolling their eyes at the UAW, Wayne State University labor professor David Reynolds suggests that the current economic recession actually makes the public a bit more sympathetic to the UAW’s situation, adding “there seems to be a better understanding of buying products and supporting companies that benefit local communities.”

      [Source: The Detroit News, Kansas City Business Journal Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

      Report: UAW’s King holds the line on foreign car ban on union property

          



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        2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick’

        08c3e sportage630opt 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS Top Safety Pick

        2011 Kia Sportage – Click above for high-res image gallery

        When it comes to the 2011 Kia Sportage, there’s a lot to talk about. From where we sit, it’s one of the best-looking compact crossovers on the market, it’s reasonably priced (starting below $20,000) and as we found out in our first drive, it’s a pretty enjoyable steer, too. To add to these selling points, the Sportage was just named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning high marks in frontal, side, rear and rollover crash tests.

        Top Safety Picks are nothing new for Kia these days – the Soul, Sorento, and Forte sedan have all been given this seal of approval. Follow the jump to read Kia’s own words about the Sportage’s safety recognition.

        Gallery: 2011 Kia Sportage

        08c3e 01 thumbnail 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS Top Safety Pick08c3e 02 thumbnail 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS Top Safety Pick08c3e 03 thumbnail 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS Top Safety Pick08c3e 04 thumbnail 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS Top Safety Pick08c3e 05 thumbnail 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS Top Safety Pick

        [Source: Kia]

        Continue reading 2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick’

        2011 Kia Sportage bags IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick’

            



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          Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?

          2010 Kia Rondo

          2010 Kia Rondo – Click above for high-res image gallery

          “Thank you for inquiring about the Rondo. As the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end.’ But with endings, come new beginnings…”

          That’s the message visitors receive when they attempt to learn about the 2010 Kia Rondo from the Korean automaker’s U.S. website. Interestingly enough, when we contacted Kia officials for confirmation that the Rondo wouldn’t be around for 2011, we received the following response: “Kia has not yet decided on a 2011 model, but the 2010 is still available in dealerships.”

          Yes, that sounds like a typical canned response, and our best guess is that the Rondo is pretty much a goner. Taking a look at sales figures from last year, the Rondo was Kia’s third slowest seller just behind the full-size Borrego SUV and the faux-luxe Amanti sedan. Worse yet, the Rondo’s 2009 sales total of 14,206 units was less than half of the 28,645 sales it managed in 2008.

          Kia is naturally hoping it doesn’t lose out on customers that would otherwise have considered a Rondo. In lieu of the micro-minivan, Kia’s consumer website is pointing buyers towards its new-for-2011 Sportage cute ute, which does have a good bit of space for stuff but surely isn’t quite as family friendly as the apparently outgoing seven-passenger Rondo.

          Interestingly enough, Kia of Canada does not seem to have the same message on its site, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the MPV soldiers on with our neighbors to the north. If you’re still interested in getting a Rondo of your very own in these United States, there are massive incentives that remain active on the 2009 model, including $2,000 cash back, $1,000 for a competitive vehicle turn-in, $1,000 for Kia owner loyalty, and/or a $500 discount for military service. That’s a whole lotta cash on the hood. Hat tip to Michael B!

          Gallery: 2010 Kia Rondo

          8c50c 2010 kia rondo large003 thumbnail Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?8c50c 2010 kia rondo large006 thumbnail Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?8c50c 2010 kia rondo large004 thumbnail Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?8c50c 2010 kia rondo large007 thumbnail Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?8c50c 2010 kia rondo large001 thumbnail Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?

          [Sources: Kia; Kia Canada]

          Kia Rondo discontinued in U.S. market with nary a whimper?

                



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            Report: BBC blocking The Stig’s memoirs

            d1428 stig 630 Report: BBC blocking The Stigs memoirs

            Some say he’s a literary giant, and that a portion of his autobiography is featured on the Rosetta Stone. All we know is, he’s ticked off the BBC bosses by seeking to publish his memoirs. According to UKPA and ESPN, the tame racing driver has written the tale of his life and wants to share it with the world. The only problem is doing so would violate the confidentiality agreement in the Stig’s contract. The Beeb is also arguing that revealing his identity would ruin Top Gear for the millions of fans of the show around the world.

            Supposedly there are only a scant few people who actually know the Stig’s true identity, including Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. As the UKPA points out, each of those presenters has gone on to other money-making projects outside of the Top Gear realm, leaving the poor Stig to take out his frustrations on the reasonably-priced car. We don’t necessarily see what the BBC is so concerned about. It’s not like anyone reads Morse code these days anyway.

            [Source: UKPA, ESPN]

            Report: BBC blocking The Stig’s memoirs

                



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              Spy Shots: Audi S1 prototype has that ‘forbidden fruit’ thing going on

              2011 Audi S1 prototype spy shot

              Audi S1 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

              If you’re mad about the fact that Audi won’t be bringing its new A1 to the United States, you’ll want to look away – our spies have captured the hotter S1 version of Audi’s pint-sized hatch. This prototype may only look like an A1 in S-Line trim, but our spies point out that the larger tailpipes and heartier exhaust note are a dead giveaway of this car’s heightened sporting intentions.

              A five-door A1 is reportedly in the works, but the S1 will likely only be available in the three-door body style. Power is expected to come from a turbocharged, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine which will be tuned to crank out around 180 horsepower, and Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic gearbox will send that power to the front two wheels. That’s right, folks – no Quattro versions of the A1 (or S1) are planned, so front-wheel drive it is.

              This shiny red prototype looks to be nearing the final stages of development, which means we could see the production car as early as this year’s Paris Motor Show. The S1 will certainly be a hot little number, and you can see the high-res spy shots for yourself in the gallery below.

              Gallery: Spy Shots: Audi S1 Prototype

              42b6b audi s1 2 thumbnail Spy Shots: Audi S1 prototype has that forbidden fruit thing going on42b6b audi s1 1 thumbnail Spy Shots: Audi S1 prototype has that forbidden fruit thing going on42b6b audi s1 3 thumbnail Spy Shots: Audi S1 prototype has that forbidden fruit thing going on42b6b audi s1 4 thumbnail Spy Shots: Audi S1 prototype has that forbidden fruit thing going on42b6b audi s1 5 thumbnail Spy Shots: Audi S1 prototype has that forbidden fruit thing going on

              [Source: CarPix]

              Spy Shots: Audi S1 prototype has that ‘forbidden fruit’ thing going on

                  



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                Report: Barry Meguiar, host of ‘Car Crazy’ in serious condition

                Barry Meguiar with helmetOdds are we don’t have to tell you who Barry Meguiar is. Aside from producing a galaxy of high-quality, affordable car care products through his family’s Meguiar’s label, the man has been a Saturday morning icon in auto-obsessed homes for years. As the host of “Car Crazy,” Meguiar travels the country, stopping at auto shows both big and small to glean the stories behind the shiny sheetmetal. With his upbeat personality and obvious affection for the hobby, the man is a constant reminder that someday, your own rotting project just might be something worth an interview.

                According to AutoWeek, the 67-year-old Meguiar is currently in serious condition in the intensive care unit at the Monterey Community Hospital. At this point, details are scarce as to what exactly landed the enthusiast in the ICU. Whatever the cause, our thoughts are with Meguiar and his family for a speedy recovery, whatever the ailment.

                [Source: AutoWeek]

                Report: Barry Meguiar, host of ‘Car Crazy’ in serious condition

                    



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                  Lincoln, Buick top ACSI satisfaction study for first time ever

                  Buick Lucerne and Lincoln MKS

                  The annual American Consumer Satisfaction Index is out, and while the auto industry as a whole slipped this year, Lincoln-Mercury and Buick moved to the top of the heap for the first time ever. Each of the domestic brands was rated on a scale of 100, with Ford Motor Company’s LM outpost scoring an 89 (up one point from last year) and General Motors’ Buick holding steady at 88 points. Mercury capturing part of the top spot is somewhat bittersweet, of course, as the Blue Oval announced in June that it will shutter its mid-level brand.

                  On the Japanese side of the street, Lexus took a hit from the string of recalls that has haunted Toyota this year. Almost every recent Lexus model was affected by at least one recall, while a smaller percentage of Toyota brand vehicles were covered. Lexus was down five points for the year to 85 with Toyota down two points to 84.

                  Nissan took the biggest jump of all 19 brands, rising five points to 82, while at the same time, Chrysler dropped a similar amount to 80. Dodge and Jeep brought up the tail of the group with 78 and 77 points, respectively. The auto industry as a whole averaged 82 points – well ahead of the average of 75.9 for the entire U.S. economy. You can check out the complete ACSI results in the press release after the jump.

                  [Source: The American Consumer Satisfaction Index Photos Copyright (C)2010/ AOL]

                  Continue reading Lincoln, Buick top ACSI satisfaction study for first time ever

                  Lincoln, Buick top ACSI satisfaction study for first time ever

                      



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                    2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units

                    a99c9 2011edgesport000opt 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units

                    2011 Ford Edge Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

                    It goes without saying, but we’re going to go ahead and say it anyway: Crossovers are so hot right now. According to data compiled by Ford, the CUV industry has expanded 220 percent since 2006, which is the year the Blue Oval introduced the world to the Edge, its main player in the hotly contested market.

                    Ford also contends that the over 400,000 Edge CUVs have sold since late 2006, making it the best-selling mid-size crossover over that period of time. Don’t expect that growth to slow down any time soon, either, as Ford projects the CUV segment will increase another few percentage points in 2011. In fact, the market for CUVs will grow to be as large as that of full-size pickup trucks.

                    In order to meet the increased demand it expects for CUVs, Ford has sharpened its Edge (sorry, couldn’t resist) for the 2011 model year. Of special note are the two new drivetrain choices that join the standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 285 horsepower and a 3.5-horsepower 3.7 Ti-VCT V6 in the newly beefed-up Edge Sport.

                    The House that Henry Built is also quick to point out that its next-gen Edge will come with a full suite of technology options, including Sync and MyFord Touch. So, will all of this added goodness equal a worthwhile improvement to the hot-selling previous-generation Edge? Stay tuned for a First Ride report, and feel free to click past the break for Ford’s official press release.

                    Gallery: 2011 Ford Edge Sport

                    a99c9 2011edgesport000 thumbnail 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 unitsa99c9 2011edgesport001 thumbnail 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 unitsa99c9 2011edgesport002 thumbnail 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 unitsa99c9 2011edgesport003 thumbnail 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 unitsa99c9 2011edgesport004 thumbnail 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units

                    [Source: Ford]

                    Continue reading 2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units

                    2011 Ford Edge begins shipping to dealers as model hits 400,000 units

                        



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                      NPR: Fight erupts over ownership of ’stolen’ 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus

                      b4631 ferrari logo 250 NPR: Fight erupts over ownership of stolen 1954 Ferrari 375 PlusThursday is going to be a big one for the vintage automotive universe. This week, Ohio judge Norbert Nadel is expected to decide who is the rightful owner of a 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus – one of the most valuable Prancing Horses in the world. Right now, says NPR, one Jacques Swaters has possession of the vehicle and has performed an extensive restoration to bring the car back to life. Thing is, the family of the original owner, Karl Kleve, apparently still has the title as well as a bevy of parts that were on the car originally.

                      According to Kleve’s daughter, Kristi Kleve Lawson, Kleve bought the car in 1958 only to discover that it was a stolen vehicle 30 years later. Somehow, the car disappeared, and Kleve eventually managed to track it down in Belgium. For whatever reason, Interpol released the car to Swaters instead of Kleve. At least, that’s what Lawson says happened.

                      The story is a little different from Swaters’ point of view. According to him, he bought the car for $100,000 from an auto dealer in 1990. At the time, it was little more than pieces of a derelict shell. When Swaters learned that the Ferrari was reportedly stolen, he had a lawyer arrange a settlement with Kleve. Swaters says that paid the former owner $600,000 and that Kleve cashed the check.

                      Lawson says that’s just not true, and that if Swaters has a canceled check, the signature on the back must be a forgery. Meanwhile, Swaters has sued the Lawson family for failing to transfer the car’s title.

                      Whatever happens, you can bet someone’s going to be very unhappy by week’s end.

                      Ferrari only built six 375 Plus models. Of those, only four survive today. The car in question is estimated to be worth around $15 million in its current restored condition.

                      [Source: NPR]

                      NPR: Fight erupts over ownership of ’stolen’ 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus

                          



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                        GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect

                        2010 Buick Enclave

                        2010 Buick Enclave – Click above for high-res image gallery

                        The summer of 2010’s recall hit parade continues unabated today, with General Motors having just announced that it is asking 243,403 owners of its 2009-2010 Lambda crossovers to bring their three-row haulers in for inspection. The culprit? Second-row seat belts in select Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook CUVs have “failed to perform properly in a crash.”

                        GM seatbelt recallAccording to GM, a second-row seat-side trim piece is to blame, as it can impede the upward rotation of the buckle after the seat is folded flat. As a result, if the buckle makes contact with the seat frame, cosmetic damage can occur, potentially requiring additional force to operate the buckle properly. So far, no great shakes, but in the process of applying that additional force, the occupant may push the buckle cover down to the strap, potentially revealing and depressing the red release button. As a result of this, the belt may not latch, or in certain cases, it may actually appear to be latched when, in fact, it isn’t.

                        GM will be working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to administer the recall, which will see owners receiving letters beginning later this month to schedule an appointment for a no-cost inspection and repair of the affected belts. Click through to the jump for more details. Top tip, NOS879!

                        Gallery: 2010 Buick Enclave

                        58d36 000 2010 buick enclave thumbnail GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect58d36 001 2010 buick enclave thumbnail GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect58d36 002 2010 buick enclave thumbnail GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect58d36 003 2010 buick enclave thumbnail GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect58d36 004 2010 buick enclave thumbnail GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect

                        [Source: General Motors]

                        Continue reading GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect

                        GM recalling over 243,000 crossovers over possible seat belt defect

                            



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                          Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

                          170ca 001 2010taurusselreview opt Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

                          2010 Ford Taurus SEL – Click above for high-res image gallery

                          While most of the major mechanical systems of the Ford Taurus were unchanged from the 2009 to 2010 models, the all-new styling and interior has inspired people to more people to buy the shapelier four-door than its bland predecessor. Through the first seven months of 2010, sales of the Taurus have jumped by 116 percent, and apparently that newfound enthusiasm also extends to early secondhand sales of the big sedan.

                          According to Ford, average auction prices on used 2010 Tauruses are now 39 percent higher than comparable 2009 models. That’s a jump of $7,100 and, as the Blue Oval dutifully points out, a $2,500 premium over a Toyota Avalon of the same vintage. The Taurus, like its crosstown rival, the Buick LaCrosse, clearly demonstrates the benefits of injecting a healthy dose of style and substance to a mainstream sedan. The volumes may not match the Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords of the world, but the design has inspired people to pay more, generating profits for their manufacturers. Check out Ford’s official press release after the jump.

                          Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Taurus SEL

                          170ca 001 2010taurusselreview thumbnail Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%170ca 002 2010taurusselreview thumbnail Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%170ca 003 2010taurusselreview thumbnail Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%170ca 004 2010taurusselreview thumbnail Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%170ca 005 2010taurusselreview thumbnail Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

                          [Source: Ford]

                          Continue reading Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

                          Ford says 2010 Taurus resale value up by whopping 39%

                              



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                            GAZ Siber to switch from Chrysler Sebring to MB E-Class?!

                            4bde1 volga siber 630 GAZ Siber to switch from Chrysler Sebring to MB E Class?!
                            Russian automotive manufacturer GAZ is being courted by a number of handsome suitors, according to Inside Line. While the company currently produces the Volga Siber at its Gorky Automobile plant, there’s some indication that Daimler may want the facility to switch to building the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The move would kinda sorta be an all-in-the-family affair as the Siber is currently built off of the old Chrysler Sebring platform. With Chrysler out of Daimler’s portfolio and Mercedes-Benz looking to take the Russian assault to its rival BMW, the move would make plenty of sense. It would also seem to be a rather large step up from its current configuration.

                            The thing is, GAZ has also been spending late nights on the phone with the likes of Tata to produce that company’s Indicar. At the same time, General Motors has been wooing Tata to manufacture any number of its vehicles. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess as to which company will win the GAZ plant’s heart, but Inside Line seems to think that GM has the best bet out of the field of potentials. The reason? Bo Anderson, the new chairman of GAZ, used to be the head of worldwide purchasing for The General. How’s that for a love trapezoid?

                            [Source: Inside Line]

                            GAZ Siber to switch from Chrysler Sebring to MB E-Class?!

                                



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                              Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars

                              6d8e5 02 hurst 630 Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars

                              Hurst personalized Dodge Challenger – Click above for image gallery

                              If you’re like us, you certainly wouldn’t mind being able to park a neo-Hurst muscle cars in your garage. Unfortunately, we’d have to sell the farm, most of our loved ones and a kidney or two just to lay claim to one of the company’s individually-numbered bruisers. How ’bout some good news, then?

                              For a fraction of the cost of a gold-and-white beauty, Hurst will be more than happy to convert any new Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang into a genuine Hurst creation. All you need to do is have the vehicle delivered to the Hurst Garage in Irvine, California, pick which parts you want installed and let the shifting gurus take care of the rest.

                              Hurst will even go so far as to give each vehicle an individually numbered dash plaque and record the car’s VIN for posterity. Customers can choose from suspension components, sport-tuned exhaust, wheels, spoilers and the like as well as the typical trick shifters. If you’re planning on swapping in a few aftermarket parts on your new pony car, this would seem like a fine way to go about it.

                              Gallery: Hurst personalization program

                              6d8e5 02 hurst thumbnail Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars6d8e5 01 hurst thumbnail Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars

                              [Source: Hurst via Motor Trend]

                              Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars

                                  



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                                Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]

                                046f0 durango 630 Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]

                                2011 Dodge Durango teasers – Click above for high-res image gallery

                                Only days after our readers stumbled upon Dodge’s test site for the 2011 Durango, the official word has been given from Chrysler that its new unibody SUV/crossover will, in fact, wear the Durango nameplate. As you’ll recall, this new Dodge sport-ute was rumored to serve as a rebirth for the Magnum moniker, but it appears that those plans – if indeed they ever existed – have been scrapped.

                                The 2011 Durango shares the vast majority of its architecture from the new Jeep Grand Cherokee (which isn’t a bad point to work from), and we expect both the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 to be available underhood. Curiously, Dodge refers to the new Durango as a “three-row performance SUV” in its press release, which leads us to believe that Chrysler might have another trick or two up its sleeve. Durango SRT8? Makes sense, especially since the new 6.4-liter Hemi is slated for use in the Grand Cherokee. We also note that Dodge doesn’t appear to be playing up the Durango as an off-road model, either, at least where badging is concerned – instead of proclaiming the new model available with four-wheel drive, they’ve added an all-wheel drive badge (as seen above).

                                For now, you can see plenty of teaser images of the 2011 Durango in the gallery below, and Chrysler has even provided a slideshow of images for your viewing pleasure after the jump. Expect the full details on the new Durango to be released in the next few weeks.

                                Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango Teaser Website

                                046f0 rear81510 thumbnail Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]046f0 grille281510 thumbnail Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]046f0 driverside81510 thumbnail Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]2c7ed 11durangosite1 thumbnail Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]2c7ed 11durangosite2 thumbnail Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]

                                [Source: Chrysler]

                                Continue reading Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]

                                Officially Official: Dodge keeps Durango nameplate for 2011 [w/video]

                                    



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                                  MotoGP 2010: Getting back on track in the Czech Republic [Spoilers]

                                  a0ce5 motogp czech MotoGP 2010: Getting back on track in the Czech Republic [Spoilers]

                                  For us, the mid-season break in GP action seemed reminiscent of the Monday night following the Superbowl, something is just missing. As the hot tires penciled in the fast lines around the Brno circuit, we remembered just what it was: lightning fast motorcycles of course! High winds and poor weather conditions slowed the race pace – the fastest lap of the actual race was over a second slower than Dani Pedrosa’s fastest qualifying run.

                                  For much of the field, the Czech Republic represented a chance to get back on track and realize the goals they have set forth, and for others those goals seem just out of reach.

                                  Take, for example, the stark contrast of the top two finishers. For winning rider Jorge Lorenzo, the goal of clinching his first world championship seems solidified by his outstanding performance, leaving the Czech round with a 77-point buffer as the show heads back the States. For runner up Dani Pedrosa, the goal of not only emerging victorious but also putting the heat on Lorenzo seemed far off, as he cleared the checkers ahead of third place finisher Casey Stoner, but yielded almost 5.5 seconds to Lorenzo’s Yamaha in the process.

                                  Off the box, Ben Spies made good use of a front-row start, clinching fourth position by edging out Valentino Rossi, who rounded out the top five. If Spies lands in The Doctors’ vacated Fiat Yamaha seat, as expected, he could become the man to watch in 2011. As the official news of Rossi’s departure to Ducati (and subsequent Italian Stallionry) sets in, we can’t help but wonder if we will continue to see reserved performances from Rossi for the remainder of this season as he focuses on staying healthy for his Desmo-debut.

                                  Also worth noting was the performance of Randy de Puniet, who became the second rider this year (the other being Rossi, of course) to return from a badly broken leg and finish within the top ten, even if it was just barely. It’s good to see the Frenchman back in the game. If its official results and championship standings you’re after, click past the break. If you yearn for an up close look at the action, pack your bags and head to Indy for the next round August 29th!

                                  [Source: motogp.com Image: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images]

                                  Continue reading MotoGP 2010: Getting back on track in the Czech Republic [Spoilers]

                                  MotoGP 2010: Getting back on track in the Czech Republic [Spoilers]

                                      



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                                    BREAKING: At least 8 dead in California 200 off-road race tragedy

                                    Crash at California 200 off-road race

                                    Crash at California 200 off-road race – Click above for high-res image gallery

                                    The Associated Press is reporting that eight people are dead after an off-road racing truck hit spectators near the start of the California 200 off-road race Saturday evening. Witnesses say the truck had just completed a jump called “the rockpile” that occurs about two miles from the start of the race when it lost control, struck spectators and came to a rest on its roof. Six people died at the scene, two others after being airlifted to the Loma Linda University Medical Center and 12 others were injured. It reportedly took rescue vehicles and helicopters a half hour to reach scene, during which time spectators tried to help the injured. Witnesses say the driver of the truck, who remains unidentified, had to flee the scene after some spectators became hostile and began to throw rocks at him. [UPDATE: Reports of the driver being pelted with rocks have not been verified, with some witnesses claiming it never happened.]

                                    The California 200 is a 200-mile off-road race that occurs in the Mojave Desert close to the city of Lucerne Valley, just 100 miles away from Los Angeles. As with most off-road races of this type, there are no barriers separating spectators from race vehicles that can rocket by at near triple-digit speeds while facing obstacles like jumps that are designed to get all four wheels off the ground.

                                    While the California Highway Patrol normally does not investigate crashes at organized motorsport events, AP reports that the CHP has taken the lead on this one due to its “scope”. The Federal Bureau of Land Management is also assisting. At this point, it’s not known what caused the driver of the truck to lose control, though we expect that and the driver’s identity to be revealed in due time.

                                    The families of the victims will be in our thoughts as we try to process this tragedy, and we’ll let you know as soon as more information is available.

                                    UPDATE:
                                    The non-profit organization FAST-aid is accepting donations to assist families of the victims. 100% of the donations will go to assist the families, which is pretty great.

                                    Gallery: Crash at California 200 off-road race

                                    Crash at California 200 off-road raceCrash at California 200 off-road raceCrash at California 200 off-road raceCrash at California 200 off-road raceCrash at California 200 off-road race

                                    [Source: Associated Press]

                                    BREAKING: At least 8 dead in California 200 off-road race tragedy

                                          



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                                      Video: Bear steals car for peanut butter sandwich, trashes interior, poops on seat

                                      Bear steals car
                                      Click above to watch the video after the jump

                                      Having food in your car is usually a bad idea, as leaving your lunch on the seat can make the whole interior stink, or, even worse, attract bears. One Colorado teen recently learned this lesson the hardest way possible, as a peanut butter sandwich left on his back seat attracted a black bear with the unusual skill of grand theft auto.

                                      Police estimate that the bear was searching out a midnight snack and opened the door of this kid’s unlocked Toyota Corolla on his own and entered the vehicle. When the door somehow closed on its own, the bear went from Yogi looking for a pic-a-nick basket to something out of the Exorcist. At some point during the bear’s utter smackdown of the Corolla’s interior, the transmission made its way out of Park, sending the compact sedan and it’s assuredly un-licensed driven rolling down the driveway and into the woods. There’s no explanation of how the bear eventually exited the Corolla, but we do know he left behind a large steaming present on the driver seat.

                                      Follow the jump to check out the carnage. The first clip is of a British news show that provides most of the details, including images of the bear inside the Corolla, and the second clip is a grand tour of the devastation from the Colorado teen himself.

                                      [Source: YouTube]

                                      Continue reading Video: Bear steals car for peanut butter sandwich, trashes interior, poops on seat

                                      Video: Bear steals car for peanut butter sandwich, trashes interior, poops on seat

                                            



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                                        Tivo Alert: Mid-Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu-drama

                                        c2403 029621492815 Tivo Alert: Mid Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu drama

                                        Last week’s American Le Mans Series race at Mid-Ohio was a nail-biter right down to the checkered flag with lots of action in each of the four classes. Unfortunately, the race wasn’t shown live on TV… though it was streamed over the interwebz. If you missed the action the first time around, you can catch yourself up this Sunday in an interesting new way.

                                        Intersport Productions, the creators of one of the greatest racing films ever, Truth in 24, has applied its skills to the Mid-Ohio footage. The cameras were rolling throughout the weekend and the editors have spent this week putting together a 90-minute special that apparently goes beyond just the race to tell a narrative about the whole process of competition. The docu-drama, called Road Warriors, will air this Sunday, August 15, at 12:30pm EDT on CBS.

                                        Gallery: American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio 2010

                                        c2403 029523384630 thumbnail Tivo Alert: Mid Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu dramac2403 029523384229 thumbnail Tivo Alert: Mid Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu dramac2403 029523383728 thumbnail Tivo Alert: Mid Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu dramac2403 029523383227 thumbnail Tivo Alert: Mid Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu dramac2403 029523382826 thumbnail Tivo Alert: Mid Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu drama

                                        [Source: American Le Mans Series]

                                        Tivo Alert: Mid-Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu-drama

                                            



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