A slew of new product info and rumors have popped up, detailing big (and little) changes across Acura’s product portfolio. Updates are planned for the TL, while the there’s more news about the new sub-TSX model, as well as a new direction for Acura’s flagship RL. Starting with the new small sedan, a source tells...
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Honda‘s CR-Z sports hybrid has won the distinction of being voted Japan’s Car of the Year. Honda narrowly missed out on last year’s award when their Insight hybrid was beaten out by the mighty Toyota Prius. Hybrids enjoy a level of popularity in Japan that far exceeds the warm reception that they’ve been given in...
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Despite a slew of new hybrids joining the market this past year, the Toyota Prius retains the top spot as the most fuel efficient vehicle in the U.S. There is a catch, however, with no electric vehicles (like the Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt) being included in this year’s round of testing – yet. With...
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Lately we’ve seen more than a few creative commercials from Lexus and this latest one doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it’s not just innovative, it’s also aggressive, which is a refreshing change for Lexus. Toyota’s luxury arm invented the luxury crossover segment with the RX back in 1998 and currently dominates the market. They’re eager to...
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Ahead of its planned debut at the LA Auto Show next week, Mitsubishi has released photos and details of it’s U.S.-spec i-MiEV electric car. Normally there’s little differentiation between a U.S.-spec model and one from the brand’s domestic market, but in this case the tiny i-MiEV has been widened to meet the needs of U.S....
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Our second installment of the Best In Show series profiles the cars that made SEMA what it is – sport compacts. Yes, some of these cars push the boundaries of taste, but others are fairly creative and actually enhance the looks of the stock car. The dominant cars this year seemed to be the Mitsubishi...
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SEMA is so vast that it’s hard to truly see it all. Thanks to our eagle-eyed photographers, we’ve been able to cherry pick the best cars over the past few days, starting with the cars of the wheel and tire exhibit. Rather than the usual dubs and donks, the wheel and tire exhibit had everything...
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Despite its huge throngs of worshipers, the Nissan GT-R is a rarity at this year’s SEMA Show. The few we did cross paths with were, however, seriously impressive machines, representing some of the biggest GT-R tuners in the world. Among them we count AMS and Switzer as two of the biggest. The AMS Alpha 9...
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Toyota products have often been criticized for being a bit too tame, lacking in enthusiasm while operating more like appliances. In an effort to distract from that reality, Toyota and the RK Collection have built a custom NASCAR edition Camry that does more than just look the part. Powered by a massive 358 ci TRD...
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If the SEMA Show stands for anything, it’s that the aftermarket industry is as much about style as it is about performance. That being said, Lexus has decided to showcase its lineup of hybrid models at the world’s largest aftermarket expo next week. Several tuners will will take part, including Fox Marketing, EST Styling and...
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Scion has just released a selection of official pictures of its 2010 SEMA Show cars and while there’s the usual selection of over-the-top creations, were also pleased to see a few cars we’d actually like to drive. Topping the list is the GReddy modified 2011 Scion tC, sporting a turbocharger that the company even refers...
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Suzuki, everyone’s favorite forgotten automaker, is still alive and kicking, and set to bring a number of vehicles to SEMA, including two Kizashis and an Equator pickup truck. First up will be the Kizashi Bonneville Special, a 500 horsepower turbocharged Kizashi that was able to hit nearly 204 mph at the famed salt flats, setting...
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Nissan has announced a recall of 2.14 million vehicles worldwide relating to an issue with the ignition system that could cause the cars and trucks to stall. Included in the recall are models sold outside the U.S., like the March, Micra and Note, while here at home vehicles affected include the Titan pickup, the Versa...
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Despite pioneering the technology behind hydrogen fuel cells, Honda is lagging far behind arch-rival Toyota in the hybrid and electric vehicle segment. With the Toyota commanding over 70% of hybrid market share, and Honda’s Civic, Accord and Insight hybrid models all falling flat, the big H must do something quickly to avoid losing the segment...
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First there were rumors that Honda would axe the Acura RL, and then came the official word that it wouldn’t, but here is the first sign that the RL continues to carry on – even if the car has become irrelevant. While it’s not official for North America, Honda in Japan has announced that the...
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While there’s a long list of small upgrades to the 2011 Subaru Forester, no change is as important as what’s under the hood. For the first time in decades the Japanese automaker has introduced an all new version of its boxer 4-cylinder engine that will soon make its way into the rest of the Suby...
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Mazda‘s CEO is hoping to double American sales to 400,000 units within the next 5 years, thanks to new fuel-saving technology known as SkyActiv, as well as a push upmarket. The new SkyActiv gasoline and diesel engines, as well as weight saving technology, will help Mazda position their cars at a more premium price point....
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After the recently unveiling of the Forester XT-S concept for Australia, Subaru has just announced a sporty new Forester model for Japan. Called the Forester tS, it’s inspired by the STI and follows after the Legacy tS model with plenty of upgrades to provide a more dynamic driving experience. Included are STI shocks and springs,...
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Mazda execs are forecasting a bright future for the brand that will see sales volumes double by 2015. The plan to achieve this goal is multifaceted and includes much more than impressive new designs – as previewed in the Shinari concept (above). Mazda will also look to take the brand up-market with higher-grade materials and...
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Nissan‘s Oppama plant, located south of Tokyo, began producing the Leaf electric vehicle, with exports commencing in November. Nissan is also building plants in the United States and Europe to help with production, but initial vehicles will be built in Japan. Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn. plant will have the capacity for 150,000 units, while the Sunderland, England...
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Green Car Journal has announced its candidates for its Green Car Of The Year award, with the five car field being composed of some pretty serious competition, Naturally, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf are the leading contenders, with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid rounding out the field, and the Ford Fiesta being...
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For 2011 Infiniti has released a round of updates to its entry-level EX35 crossover, with one of the biggest changes being the addition of a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 7-speed box is used across the rest of Infiniti’s lineup and while we’re surprised the EX hasn’t been upgraded to the 3.7-liter V6 (from the current...
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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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After announcing earlier today that it would reveal the new 2012 GT-R at the LA Auto Show, Nissan has taken the wraps off the refreshed version of its halo sports car without disappointment. A long list of enhancements make the GT-R more capable in every way. Starting under the hood, the twin-turbo V6 gets a...
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