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For years, Toyota was seen as an infallible, safe choice for consumers seeking high-quality, reliable and safe vehicles. That may still be the case, but recent events have made it abundantly clear that Toyota is as capable of making major mistakes as any other giant automaker.

Perhaps some of that lost image will be restored after a series of independent investigations into Toyota safety are concluded, assuming of course that the findings are favorable for the automaker. Steve St. Angelo, Toyota’s North American quality chief, believes they will be. At the Council for Automotive Research’s annual Management Briefing Seminars, St. Angelo said, “I can’t find a technician who has found a sticking pedal… I am 100-percent confident that there is nothing wrong with our electronic throttle control system.”

St. Angelo continued, saying that 80 percent of all owners of vehicles recalled for sticky accelerator pedals and bad floor mats have had their vehicles repaired. Interestingly, the quality chief added, “Recall is not a four-letter word,” suggesting that it’s best to admit to issues up front and repair them in a timely fashion – a practice Toyota hopes will keep customers returning to its showrooms.

[Source: Detroit News Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

Toyota quality chief: “I still think our electronic throttle system is perfect.”

Range Rover Evoque – Click above to enlarge

According to Autocar, Land Rover isn’t done expanding its Range Rover model lineup now that the Estoque has made its official debut. Citing so-called “well-placed sources,” the UK mag suggests that LR is surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the new entry-level Range Rover – enough that it’s now considering another model to slot in below the Range Rover Sport.

The report goes on to suggest that development of the proposed machine has barely begun and there’s no clear indication of what exactly is in store, though a seven-passenger “lifestyle” (whatever that means…) vehicle has been hinted at. It’s thought that the Range Rover Sport may be moved slightly upmarket from its current £46,000 (just over $60,000 U.S.) starting price to make room for this theoretical new model. In any case, considering that the Evoque is still quite a way off, we don’t expect to see this new rumor fulfilled any time soon.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Range Rover plans fourth model

You all know that the long-awaited U.S. version of Top Gear is headed to The History Channel, and now it’s time to get your first taste of the show. The first trailer for the show is online, and if it’s any indication, Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara are going to win over viewers, and the program will not stray from the BBC original’s successful formula of cool tests and zany challenges.

In fact, one of the new show’s challenges is the trailer’s centerpiece. In involves the hosts determining the best $1,000 car by putting a trio of them through a punishing “moonshine run” dirt course. The ride selected for the teaser is Ferrara’s, the airborne 1976 Cadillac Deville Calais seen above (it could be a ‘75, but we’re pretty certain that’s the ‘76 grille pattern). How does a malaise-era Caddy handle a landing after catching that much air? About as well as you’d imagine – this isn’t the make-believe world of ’70s cop shows, after all. It’s hilarious.

Bottom line: The hosts exude great chemistry and the motoring action is pretty much everything you’d want and expect from a program calling itself Top Gear. Still under wraps, however, is the Stig. The suspense is killing us. This looks like a completely fun show. Hit the jump to see for yourselves. Thanks to Chris for the tip!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: First trailer for U.S. Top Gear!

Video: First trailer for U.S. Top Gear!

With all-new powertrains debuting in the 2011 Ford Mustang, you knew it was just a matter of time before a new limited-edition model was introduced. Well, it looks like that time is next week. As you all know very well by now, the 2011 Mustang GT has the new Ford 5.0 V8 underhood. Since the new race version wears the Boss 302R moniker, a new street-going Boss 302 seems like a no-brainer.

During a recent Grand-Am race, the announcers let slip that the consumer-spec Boss 302 would be debut in mid-August at Laguna Seca as part of Pebble Beach week. (The exact date spinning around the rumormill is August 13.) The Boss reportedly delivers about 430 horsepower with a price in the low $30,000 range. Ford’s motorsports partner, Multimatic, is apparently building some special parts for the Boss 302, but we’ll have to wait until next week to find out those specifics. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Ford unveiling Boss Mustang on August 13th?

Ford unveiling Boss Mustang on August 13th?

The people at MSN Money have unearthed a little known stipulation in rental car contracts that allows the manufacturer of speed and red light cameras to directly charge your credit card if you’re caught breaking the law. How? Big name rental agencies like Hertz, Avis, Advantage and Budget have an agreement with a company called ATS Processing Services to share renters’ credit card and personal information. ATS operates a fair portion of the traffic enforcement cameras in the U.S., and when a rental car gets popped running a red light, the company immediately checks to see who was renting it at the time and charges his or her credit card. Oh, and they ding you for a $30 administrative fee.

This presents a few problems. Namely, it does away with that whole “due process of the law” thing on which our entire justice system is based. In their defense, the rental companies say that having ATS directly bill renters is an easier system than what used to happen. Once upon a time, when a rental car snagged a fine from a traffic enforcement camera, the rental car company was expected to pay it and then track down and charge whoever had incurred the infraction. Neither process is exactly reassuring for those who rent cars on a regular basis, but it seems to be the norm. Next time you find yourself at the rental counter, be sure to read the entire contract.

[Source: MSN Money Image: Tim Boyle/Getty]

PSA: Renting a car may result in unexpected speeding ticket charges

Of all the automakers in the United States, perhaps the one with the largest enthusiast following is Mini. Sure, brands like Porsche, BMW and even Subaru have their own clubs and cult followings, but when it comes to eccentricity and personality, no one does it like Mini.

In that spirit, the pint-sized automaker is once again embarking on its Mini Takes The States cross-country road rally, an event that first occurred in 2006 and then again in 2008. This time, Mini is gathering its owners to celebrate the launch of the 2011 Countryman crossover, and we’ve been asked to tag along. We’ll be scoring some seat time in the Countryman as well, so stay tuned for our initial impressions.

Our trip started in New York and will take us to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Columbus and finally Indianapolis before we hop a plane back home. Many of the other participants will head all the way out to Denver, where they will meet up with other groups doing similar drive routes in different parts of the country. Mini has a full host of festivities planned for the Denver crew, and many other local Mini enthusiast clubs are providing some entertainment along the way.

Mini has provided us with a Cooper S Camden Edition for the trip, which means we’ll experience turbocharged small car thrills along the highways of America. We already spent a considerable amount of time with the Camden-ized Cooper, and we’ve been getting many a thumbs-up from Mini owners out on the road. (We’ve opted to leave the Camden’s Mission Control system in the “off” position.)

Keep your eyes peeled for caravans of Coopers and Clubmans, folks. This not-so-mini road rally is taking America by storm. Want to vicariously join in on the fun? Follow the trip’s progress on Mini’s Facebook page.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Autoblog hits the road with Mini Takes The States 2010

In the months leading up to its 2009 bankruptcy filing, General Motors attempted to shut down about one third of its 6,049 dealers that were operating at the time. However, some 1,176 of the 2,046 stores slated for closure weren’t ready to quit just yet and filed arbitration claims to try and stay in business. GM has now completed the arbitration process, with 702 dealers reconfirmed to remain in business. For those keeping track, this will leave GM with about 4,500 stores as of the end of this year.

Of the remaining dealers, many will be getting upgrades to their showrooms and service departments in the hopes of being more appealing to customers. Service departments are getting waiting rooms with power outlets for phones and laptop computers as well as free WiFi so customers can get some work done (or play on Facebook) while they wait.

Storefronts are also getting an update and new signage to give them a more modern and consistent look. By the end of this year, about 1,300 dealers will have been upgraded. Now GM just needs to get the brand new Chevy Cruze and Buick Regal into those refreshed showrooms so that customers have something up-to-date to buy.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM confirms smaller dealer network, upgrades in the works

GM confirms smaller dealer network, upgrades in the works

Lotus will be more active than usual during next week’s festivities around the Monterey historic races and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Along with the North American Debuts of the Evora Cup race car (above) and Elise RGB edition, Lotus will give us the world debut of the 125 track car.

The new 125 will be unveiled at the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion at Laguna Seca this weekend and then reappear several times during the week at various events. Lotus hasn’t given any hints of what to expect from the 125 other than it will be the ultimate customer track and racing experience. Stay tuned next week as we’ll share all the details as soon as we have them.

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus 125 track car to debut at Pebble Beach

Lotus 125 track car to debut at Pebble Beach

Continue reading Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Women, motorcycles and stunts throughout history [w/video]

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Women, motorcycles and stunts throughout history [w/video]

Never let it be said that this generation lacks imagination. Sure, these guys could have simply scrapped their diesel VW Golf when it started showing its age, but where’s the innovation? Instead, they did a fairly seamless job of shortening the wheelbase, bolted on a set of steel tube inverted rockers and called it a day.

What more could you ask for in terms of entertainment? Build up a head of steam, stab the brakes and watch as the sky and the ground switch places a few times. It’s very possibly the safest way to flip a car without having to answer to the law or your insurance company. And, to answer the inevitable question… why not?

According to the YouTube description, the builder still has a few tweaks to make to the design. We have to wonder exactly the mastermind behind the contraption has planned. If nothing else, it’d be a great way to get past those pesky tire strips on your next low-speed chase. Hit the jump to take a look at the video for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Joost!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Dutch VW ‘RollGolf’ proves that Yankees don’t have a lock on junkyard creativity

Video: Dutch VW ‘RollGolf’ proves that Yankees don’t have a lock on junkyard creativity

Leave it to the Germans to turn a real-life radio control car, a video camera with a wireless transmitter and an arcade box into the best 3D rendition of the old Playstation game Wipeout we’ve ever seen. If designer Malte Jehmlich and friends would have stopped after designing a massive multi-level carboard track for their remote control cars, we would have thought it was pretty cool. But the innovative crew attached a plate to their 1/28 scale car and mounted a video camera with a wireless transmitter that sends a video signal to an arcade racing cabinet to make this a truly multi-dimensional video game. The racing cabinet is equipped with a steering wheel and a monitor that displays the r/c car’s progress in real time. The whole project took them two months to put together.

Jehmlich and his friends are currently working on integrating force feedback and power-ups using sensors built into the track. Very cool, indeed. Hit the jump to watch video of the Great Room-sized arcade game in action. We’re thinking that we’d want one of these in the basement, but we’re not sure if our wives would approve.

[Source: Vimeo via Engadget]

Continue reading Video: Reverse-engineered Wipeout racing videogame is silly brilliance

Video: Reverse-engineered Wipeout racing videogame is silly brilliance

Koua Fong Lee, the man who was convicted in 2006 of killing three people when his Toyota Camry struck a vehicle at a stoplight, has been acquitted of any crime. Lee served a total of two-and-a-half years in prison after his defense attorney failed to adequately show that he had been applying the brake on his vehicle the whole time. In the wake of a number of unintended acceleration claims on similar Toyota vehicles and increasing outcry for his release (including a big ABC News feature), Lee’s case was reopened. In four days of testimony, his new counsel had a series of drivers who had experience unintended acceleration in their Toyotas take the stand. Eventually, the presiding judge heard enough and released Lee.

Lee served two-and-a-half years of an eight-year sentence for vehicular homicide after his first attorney actually suggested to the jury that Lee could have mistaken the accelerator for the brake pedal. Combined with the defendant’s limited English and the fact that few people had heard of unintended acceleration at the time of the first trail, the judge sentenced Lee to the maximum penalty under the law. Now that he’s been released, Lee says that he’ll focus on getting to know the youngest of his four children. Thanks for the tip, Brian!

[Source: MSNBC Image: Ben Garvin/Associated Press]

Report: Man convicted in fatal crash set free with Toyota sudden acceleration appeal

General Motors CEO Ed Whitacre was apparently quite chatty during his visit to the Management Briefing Seminar in Traverse City, MI this week. In addition to his comments about possibly selling all of GM’s stock during the upcoming IPO, he also revealed that the product planning staff under Stephen Carlisle is looking at getting back into market segments the company has or will soon abandon.

After 20 years of unsuccessfully trying to get traction in the minivan market, BusinessWeek reports that GM is considering trying again with stretched version of the European Opel Zafira. Oddly, this comes not long after the automaker decided not to offer the forthcoming similarly sized Chevrolet Orlando in the U.S. market. GM is also apparently revisiting the mid-sized pickup truck. A replacement for the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins is under development for overseas markets, but it’s not currently planned for sale here.

Freed of much of its debt, GM appears to now be at liberty to look at the entire vehicle market for new opportunities – particularly at the low end for Chevrolet, where it has always had a hard time making profitable products.

[Source: Bloomberg]

GM reportedly pondering new small truck, return to minivans

We’re gonna let you in on a little secret from our world over here. Most of the time we spend at auto shows, we’re pretty busy bringing you the latest from the show floor. But everyone deserves a coffee brake, and when we need our caffeine fixes there’s no shortage of automakers eager to one-up each other with the best cup of java. Ferrari’s espressos consistently rank among the best of ‘em. Only fitting then that the company of the Prancing Horse should have its own espresso machine, right?

Following in the footsteps of Lamborghini’s and Brunopasso’s (metaphorically) octane-infused machines comes this one from Nespresso, designed for that winningest of merchandizing brands. It comes, as you can see, packaged inside a racing helmet, the visor lifting to expose the spout, the chin pulling out like a drawer and various panels exposing the other compartments. Just the thing for when you need a dose of Vivalto Lungo to go with your Forza Ferrari. Unfortunately it’s only a concept for the time being, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s the boys from Maranello.

[Source: Yanko Design via RideLust]

Cappucino Rampante: Nespresso makes a machine for Ferrari (sorta)

	At Witz’ End – Electric vehicle progress, prospects and challenges We’re off to a great start, but there’s a long road ahead.		Tesla reports second-quarter loss of $38.5 million Will continue in this way for some time, we think.
	It’s a conspiracy! Cycling promotion a UN ruse to steal our freedom No, he’s not kidding.	Other news: General Motors’ wind tunnel turns 30, more important than ever Report: Peak coal could happen by 2011… if we don’t start any more mines! Hyundai CEO John Krafcik commits to 50 mpg fleet average by 2025

AutoblogGreen for 08.06.10

We know what you’ve been thinking: All the Bugatti Veyron needs is a little more flash. Are we good, or are we good? Anathematic as the thought might be to some, there are others on this planet who are always looking for another way to show off their wealth, instead of hiding it in offshore accounts. And for those flashy few, there is Mansory.

Along with such gaudy monstrosities as the Pepto-pink Bentley and the Polo Sport-on-acid Porsche Panamera, Mansory has modified the Veyron with the Linea Vincero range of accessories, including a full aero kit (in case the Volkswagen empire hadn’t invested enough in getting the Veyron’s aerodynamics just right) and highly polished carbon-fiber body panels that include copper threads interwoven into the material for even more flash. The Vincero d’Oro, unbelievably, upgrades with gold brightwork on the wheels, V-shaped grille, door handles, mirror housings, fuel filler cap, headlight washer nozzles, headlight surrounds and roof. Naturally, the interior has been subjected to the gilded treatment as well.

The good news is that Mansory has only created the one example. The bad news is that they’ll gladly perform the same on any existing Veyron. It’s at times like these we’re glad we don’t live in Dubai. Details in the press release after the jump, high-resolution images in the gallery below.

[Source: Mansory]

Continue reading Mansory’s Bugatti Veyron Linea Vincero d’Oro maxes out the gold card

Mansory’s Bugatti Veyron Linea Vincero d’Oro maxes out the gold card

It’s been confirmed for some time that Mercedes-Benz is developing a new two-door coupe version of its C-Class to replace the current hatchback CLC model. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Autocar is reporting that Mercedes-Benz is also working on an AMG variant of the coupe to go up against the Audi RS5, BMW M3 and Cadillac CTS-V.

The British magazine is reporting that the coupe will use the same AMG 6.2-liter normally aspirated V8 as one of our favorite Benz sedans, the C63 AMG. However, if this car is to debut later in 2011 as projected, it would seem logical that Mercedes might switch to the new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that’s going into the 2011 CL63.

The turbo V8 could the output from the current 451 horsepower to somewhere closer to 500 hp. Autocar also speculates that a C63 Black Series coupe could be a followup to an upcoming SLS Black Series.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mercedes planning C63 AMG Coupe

Tesla has reported its first earnings statement as a public company and, not surprisingly, the numbers don’t exactly paint a rosy portrait. The company announced that while it managed to bring in revenue around $28.4 million, it lost $38.5 million. That loss marks the second such dip in earnings for the company this year, though analysts are saying that the drop in cash flow is to be expected. The company just handed over $42 million to purchase a manufacturing facility for the Model S, and odds are the company will continue to funnel money into the structure as we get closer to the EV sedan’s production date.

Speaking of the Model S, it’s likely that a fair portion of the company’s funds are being shoveled into development of this second Tesla model. With those two hefty projects on the company’s plate, odds are we won’t see the electric vehicle manufacturer turn a profit for some time – possibly until after the end of this year. The news doesn’t seem to have had too much of a negative impact on the company’s stock price, though. As of this writing, TSLA stock was still at $20.18 – down around a dollar from opening.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Tesla reports second-quarter loss of $38.5 million

When it comes to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s crash rating system, earning a score of “Good” is the best any automaker can hope for. And if a vehicle receives a score of “Good” for front, side, rear and and rollover crash protection and the vehicle has standard electronic stability control that car, truck or SUV becomes an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The 2010 Cadillac SRX became the 15th midsize SUV to be awarded with the desirable designation after the hot-selling crossover passed the rollover crash protection test with flying colors. The SRX had already received a “Good” score for its performance in the other crash tests.

The current government standard for roof safety is that it needs to be able to support 1.5 times the overall vehicle weight. The roof of the SRX proved to be able to hold 4.14 times its weight, nearly tripling the standards required by the feds. The IIHS tests roof strength by pushing a metal plate against one corner of the roof at a constant rate of speed. The maximum force sustained by the roof before the roof collapses by five inches is compared to the vehicle weight to determine the strength-to-weight ratio. Hit the jump to read over the IIHS presser.

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading Cadillac SRX scores Top Safety Pick from IIHS

Cadillac SRX scores Top Safety Pick from IIHS

Before things went all tipsy in the auto market, the engineers at General Motors were apparently hard at work on some pretty interesting projects. How interesting? How about an actual mid-engine Corvette? Autocar says that an unnamed Saab engineer confirmed that the Swedish automaker had actually been charged with developing a transmission for such a beast when the company was still under The General’s wing. Evidently, the cog box used a wet clutch setup and was built to handle up to 590 lb-ft of torque. If you’re keeping score at home, you’ll likely note that those twist figures are just south of what the ZR1 puts to the pavement right now.

How about them apples.

As Autocar points out, that project was canned when credit went tighter than a fat man’s socks, but there may be a ray of light in this whole tale. The UK publication claims that GM has fired up the burners under the C7 project one more time, and that a mid-engine chassis will indeed be part of the recipe. If you’re buying what Autocar is selling – and we’re not necessarily in that group – a turbo V6 will supply the car’s grunt, too.

[Source: Autocar]

Mid-engined Corvette development confirmed… by Saab engineers?!