Toyota‘s iQ microcar will get a fully electric version in 2011, the Japanese automaker has confirmed. The iQ will come as part of a plan to launch 11 hybrid or electric vehicles by 2012, including a hybrid version of the Yaris hatchback, a plug-in version of the Prius Hybrid and a Prius-based minivan. In a...
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The Honda Accord Hybrid is now the focus of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over possible faulty brakes and ‘unintended acceleration.’ NHTSA is currently looking into a crash involving a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid, where the driver reports the brakes failed to work and the vehicle accelerated on its own,...
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After unveiling the U.S.-spec i-MiEV production car at the LA Auto Show last week, Mitsubishi has confirmed the electrification of its vehicles won’t end there. Next up is the Outlander SUV, which is set to get a plug-in hybrid powertrain when it launches in 2012. According to Mitsubishi electric vehicle manager Yoshikazu Nakamura, the next-gen...
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The EPA has just released its fuel economy figures for the first mass-production electric car and the Nissan Leaf gets a very impressive 99-mpg. Better yet, that’s 99-mpg on average, with a 106-mpg city rating and 92-mpg listing for highway cruising. That number is well ahead of the former industry leader, the Toyota Prius, with...
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The recent switch to “down-sizing” technologies like turbocharging and direct-injection have allowed automakers like Chevy, Ford and Hyundai to leap past Toyota in the fuel economy race in recent years. During that time Toyota’s focus has been on hybridizing its lineup of vehicles, a move that does allow for more significant fuel economy gains, but...
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Honda is currently working to bring to market a new sports car that will serve as a successor to the famed NSX. According to a new report Honda never gave up on its plans for an NSX, but rather put a hold on development during the economic downturn. The next NSX won’t be at all...
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We’ve got to say that this winter, Infiniti is really going downhill… in a good way. How is that possible? By partnering with Volant to offer a limited edition ski pack. The luxury Japanese automaker has teamed with Volant, the Austria-based manufacturer of premium ski equipment, and the result is 100 Infiniti-Volant limited edition ski...
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The Acura TSX is still a solid if overlooked choice in the entry level sports sedan segment, and possibly the only luxury sedan that’s used as a race school training car. For 2011, Acura has slightly upgraded the interior and exterior styling as well as given the car a minor bump in mpg. The front...
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Rarely, if ever, does a mid-cycle refresh get the attention that it has with the new 2012 Nissan GT-R. But there’s a very good reason the GT-R is making headlines half way through its production cycle. A lot is new about this updated version of Nissan’s Porsche killer, and what’s most important might be the...
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Okay, maybe we’re reaching a bit with these “debuts” but that’s how Infiniti is billing the American auto show unveiling of the new G25 sedan at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show today. Of course, we’ve seen this G25 before, but…it’s a perfectly fine looking sedan so we’ll humor them here a bit. As its...
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Infiniti brought out their new M35h, a hybrid version of the M sedan, packing a big V6 motor and the ability to hit 40 mpg on the highway. With 360 horsepower and a 7-speed automatic transmission, the M35h can get up to highway speed quickly, and can even cruise as fast as 62 mph on...
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After the car first broke cover in Euro-spec form at the Geneva Auto Show, Mazda has finally rolled out the second-generation of its Mazda5 model at the LA Auto Show. The car’s clever packaging has yet to catch on, which is surprising when it delivers as much space as a mid-size crossover and comes with...
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A full four years before the Mitsubishi 3000GT Spyder debuted, another Japanese sports car with a folding hardtop made its debut. You may not have heard of the Nissan 300ZX Spyder, partly because they only ever made one example. While the 300ZX came in either hardtop, t-top and convertible variants, the folding hardtop was a...
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Every auto show brings a Scion debut of some sort, and while we don’t always get to see a new tC or some wild concept, you can count on something from Toyota’s youth brand. Debuting at the LA Auto Show is the latest special edition of the popular xB model. Dubbed the xB Release Series...
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It’s been several months since Mazda first announced its new Shinari concept, but the car has finally made its world premiere at the LA Auto Show. Looking even more stunning in person, the Shinari shows just how capable Mazda’s design team is. In fact, there’s enough talent over at Mazda that we’d politely request they...
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Now with Ford offloading 7.5 percent of that interest (the shares will be transfered to Mazda’s busines partners in off-auction trading through the Nikkei stock exhange); Chase Manhattan Bank is set to become the largest individual shareholder in the company.
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Nissan has completely revamped its Quest minivan for 2011, getting away from its quirky ugly past and moving towards Toyota’s “Swagger Wagon” Sienna when it comes to road presence and interior luxury. Powered by Nissan’s 3.5L V6 (what else?) the van makes 253-hp and will start at a rather competitive $27,750. Features of the new...
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Toyota‘s collaboration with American electric car maker Tesla Motors has been described by many as a publicity stunt, but Toyota’s announcement to build 35 test models with plans for a full production model in 2012 is silencing doubters. Debuting at the LA Auto Show, the RAV4 EV Demonstration Vehicle looks like an Acura RDX thanks...
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Along with the debut of the new Fit EV Concept at the LA Auto Show, Honda provided details on its first-ever plug-in hybrid powertrain that will hit the market over the next few years. While Honda has already said the system will be a two-mode hybrid and will be designed to work with a mid-size...
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The 2011 Nissan Quest may not be the official holder of the “Swagger Wagon” title, but it looks pretty damn good. On sale in early 2011, the new Quest is a radical departure from the old model, which was as exciting as vegan meatballs. All the usual minivan conveniences are present, like flat-folding seats, power...
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Honda has revealed its new electric vehicle concept at the LA Auto Show as an EV version of the Fit sub-compact. Classified as a concept for now, Honda will send the small electric city car into production for 2012. Later this year, Honda will begin testing the Fit EV Electric Vehicle Concept in a pilot...
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In an industry filled with me-too entries and uniform designs, the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is a bold, unique product that is sure to find a home in the driveway of exactly nobody. Sorry, it’s true. We hate to punish anyone for taking a risk – hell, we love to see big gambles succeed, just like...
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The press release for Nissan‘s Ellure concept invokes the name of the sacred Datsun 510, but while the 510 was a diminutive, boxy sports sedan, the Ellure is swoopy and muscular, like a futuristic Maxima. With a front end supposedly inspired by the formal coat worn by Samurai, Nissan asserts that the Ellure makes no...
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Toyota‘s venerable Corolla gets a mild refresh for 2011, and the updated compact will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Toyota claims it enlisted the help of stylists in Turin, Italy, and the result is still somehow Toyota-like in the front, with the back end looking pretty good for a Corolla. Engine choices remain...
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