Toyota is recalling 10,750 Corolla and Matrix models due to fault accessory belts, which drive the air conditioner, alternator and water pump. The defect is only present in models with the 1.8L four-cylinder which were assembled in North America between February and March of 2010. The belt is at risk of deteriorating, which could lead...
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The Toyota Yaris is an excellent point A to point B vehicle, with excellent fuel economy and an attractive price. Plus, it’s a Toyota, so it’s reliable. That being said, the reasons to consider buying a Yaris have never included its looks. Toyota appears to be ready to change that, with new photos from a...
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General Motors is increasing Chevrolet Volt production numbers in 2012, from 30,000 to 45,000 to a maximum output of 60,000 units. The increase in production to maximum capacity will conincide with the nationwide rollout of the Volt. Doug Parks, vehicle line director in charge of the Volt, said that “Starting in ‘12, we’ll be at...
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Brad Benson, owner of a Hyundai dealership in South Brunswick, New Jersey, is making good on his promise to donate a car to Terry Jones, a Florida pastor who threatened to burn the Quran, after he reneged on the planned destruction of the Muslim holy book. Benson had offered to give Jones a Hyundai Accent...
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For the first time the 2012 Honda Civic has been spied completely undisguised, with both photos and video showing the new compact sedan undergoing hot weather testing in Dubai. Looking not all that different from the current model, Honda seems to be moving away from its more provocative design language to a style that’s intended...
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While only a small percentage of buyers actually opt for a manual transmission, offering one usually indicates that a company seriously cares about how their products perform. The Chevrolet Cruze, with it’s 1.4L turbo engine, has all the right stuff to be a fun-to-drive compact, but the sole transmission choice, a 6 speed automatic, wasn’t...
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Volkswagen is apparently engineering their small car PQ25 platform to accept all-wheel-drive. The adaptation would allow for a new range of sporty hot hatches, among them the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo R. The all-wheel-drive modification would also allow for quasi SUV versions of the small hatch platform, such as a VW CrossPolo or even...
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BP is set to install charging ports at 45 gas stations across the United States, which will be able to charge a Nissan Leaf or Mitsubishi i-MEiV to 80% capacity in under 30 minutes. The charge stations use 480 volts rather than the 220 volts used in the home charging units. With the lower voltage,...
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Thanks to a few scans of an internal Toyota dealer brochure, we have our first look at what the 2012 Yaris will look like. Toyota is planning a new Yaris model in a bid to keep up with the likes of the Honda Fit and an onslaught of new subcompact products from Chevy, Ford and...
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With the launch of the all-new Swift in other markets, we’ve heard rumors that Suzuki will eventually bring the small hatchback back to North America, and if this concept makes it to production, we’ll really be crossing our fingers. Revealed well ahead of its planned official debut at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show, the Suzuki...
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Toyota is getting funky and has released details about the new iQ Disco model, available for the European market. So why is it called the Disco? Well, it kind of resembles a disco ball and it also comes with a professional DJ sound system – so you can get down with your bad self while...
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Here’s yet another example that money can’t buy taste. This little Italian number is garnering quite a bit of attention on JamesList where a limited number of these Fiat 500 La Dolce Vitas are up for sale in Deep Red Sportiva or Golden Pearl White Classica. Italian tuner Felice Milano aims to do the outlandish...
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Hyundai‘s Sonata Hybrid just had its launch in San Diego, and while driving impressions are embargoed until next Monday, we do have a bit of good news to report. According to Dave Thomas of Kicking Tires, the Sonata Hybrid will be eligible for a $1,300 tax credit from the federal government. The tax credit is...
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A man in East St. Louis, Illinois, went on a shooting rampage, armed only with an AK-47, a Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible and his birthday suit. The PT Cruiser ended up rolled over after the thief crashed it and used it as cover while he fired at police officers attempting to arrest him. While harming...
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Chrysler‘s much maligned Sebring is getting a new name and a new look for 2011. Re-branded as the 200C, the mid-size car from the Pentastar brand retains the Sebrings sillhouette but the new fascias and lights help make the car look substantially better than the outgoing Sebring. Power comes from a 2.4L four-cylinder or a...
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Last time we reported on Honda CR-Z sales numbers, we got a few incredulous comments from readers who couldn’t seem to fathom why anyone would want Honda’s hybrid/sports car mashup. But the numbers are in and it looks like the CR-Z is actually finding a customer base. According to a breakdown of September sales figures...
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Nissan has just released a single teaser sketch of the next-generation Versa subcompact with should make it to market next year as a 2012 model year car. Ranging from mundane to unattractive, Nissan looks to revamp the Versa with its more vocative styling language from some of its larger sedans and sports cars. This move...
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Buick‘s upcoming Verano subcompact, a twin of the Chevrolet Cruze, will be built at GM’s Orion, Michigan plant alongside the upcoming Chevrolet Aveo. The announcement comes as part of GM revealing details of their $145 million investment in the plant, which is expected to retain 1,550 jobs as well. The Verano is currently for sale...
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Ford has announced pricing for the 2012 Focus, and the car is set to start in the upper end of the price bracket, with a base price of $16,995. The base S model in sedan with the 6-speed automatic will cost likely $17,995, as the 5-speed manual is standard. The upper end Titanium trim starts...
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Struggling with diminished sales, Daimler’s Smart Car division will expand its lineup in the U.S. with a new Nissan-made small car. The subcompact five-door will be powered by a gasoline engine and go on sale late next year. As a B-segment car, this subcompact fits in a class with models like the Honda Fit, Ford...
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After rotting on the vine of General Motors for a few too many seasons, the Chevy Aveo has just been replaced with a new generation model sporting the same subcompact’s badge. Unveiled at the Paris Auto Show, the new small car retains many of the features from the Aveo RS Concept car, including the large...
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Abarth, Fiat’s in-house tuner, launched two new vehicles at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, both which feature the optional “esseesse” kits that give the cars a modest power boost. The Abarth 500C Esseesse is the most powerful version of Fiat’s 500 hatchback, and Abarth introduced a convertible version based on the 500C as a companion...
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Nissan‘s Townpod is a “pure concept”, but we wouldn’t be surprised if something like it ended up debuting from Nissan in the near future. A zero-emissions vehicle designed to meet the needs of young urban buyers (a familiar theme at this year’s show), the Townpod has rear doors that swing like an old Chevrolet Suburban, and the...
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While many North American enthusiasts lust after European hot hatches, we were privy to one somewhat ignored car in years past. The Ford Focus ST170, better known as the Ford Focus SVT, was sold here earlier in the decade, and it’s back after an prolonged absence. The previous generation Focus ST, not sold in North America,...
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