Last Auto Reviews Blog

Faulty Cruise Control Switch leads Ford to Recall 3.6 Million Vehicles

Ford logo Whether it was federal pressure from the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) or that genuinely sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when something goes bad on your watch, but whichever the reason Ford is taking action… again.

In a recent step to address a faulty cruise control switch installed in many of their models Ford has announced a recall of 3.6 million vehicles. When you include prior recalls by Ford for the same reason that brings the total to 10.4 million total vehicles recalled for faulty cruise control switches. (more…)

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Electric-powered ‘72 Datsun is a Drag Strip Legend in Portland

If ever there was an inconspiquous sleeper car, a 1972 Datsun 2-door slipping silently into place at the drag strip would be the ultimate. We have mentioned here for a weeks that the ultimate test facility for hybrid technologies and electric cars would be on the track. If you want to go after American horsepower and topple it in the dealership you first have to be able to out-run it at the races. And that is just what John Wayland has been doing with his ‘72 Datson in Portland, Oregon since the 90’s.

We talked yesterday about the results of leaving a gearhead craftsman unattended with a CNC machine. This time you can witness what happens when a man gets a pentiant for electric motors, a ‘72 Datsun and the need for speed.

The key ingredients to the might that is White Zombie (the moniker earned by this winning racer) are 2 electric forklife motors, 36 inter-linked batteries, a controller component and nerves of high voltage. Those ingredients meld together to enable a zero-to-sixty in 3 seconds and a quarter mile time just over 11 seconds at 109-mph.

Watch the following clip from the Wall Street Journal for the back story of this 1972 Datson and to see just what John Waylands White Zombie is capable of against both modern and classic “Gassers.”

Source[WSJ]

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Mercedes-Benz Unveils AMG Safety Cars for 2008 Formula 1 Season

amg safety car
At the recent 2008 Geneva Auto Show, Mercedes unveiled the 2 AMG models to be used as safety cars for the upcoming F1 season. This is the 8th generation of safety car since 1996 when AMG started being the official F1 supplier.

Two different cars are used, each with a distinct purpose. One is usually a coupe that sits (idling the whole time, with driver Bernd Maylander inside in full race gear, air conditioning blasting) on the side of the race track waiting to storm out anytime there is a yellow flag and all the race cars have to be speed-limited and coast around behind it for a couple of laps. The other car is a station wagon that drives behind the cars for lap 1, and comes out like an ambulance when there is a severe crash.

This year, instead of a traditional coupe, the safety car is based on a convertible - an AMG SL63 replaces the CLK 63 used in 2006-07. This SL is a good 480 lbs lighter, thanks to a fixed roof and generous helpings of carbon fiber. Other significant upgrades include big carbon ceramic brakes, better cooling, a roll bar, racing seats, four-point harnesses, as well as redesigned front and rear fascias.

The medical car is a C63 AMG Estate, kitted with a bunch of sophisticated emergency safety equipment. It is always occupied by the same driver, and co-driver (both physicians) for every race. There are 2 additional medical personnel that ride in the back.

Both cars feature the venerable 6.2L AMG V8 - the SL coupe with 525 horsepower, and
the wagon with 457 hp. Both cars also feature dash mounted tv screens, so occupants can watch the race closely (without commercials) while parked trackside.

Another exciting season of Formula 1 kicks off in Australia next weekend.

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What Do You Think of Obama’s Auto Plans?

obama

I can’t wait to hear what tgriffith and jgoods think of today’s heaping helping of auto news, but since they’re both on vacation, I’m going to ask what you think. First, as you’ve probably heard, GM CEO Rick Wagoner stepped down yesterday, apparently having been asked to do so by the Obama administration’s auto task force on Friday, and Fritz Henderson, former COO, will take over. And here are some highlights of a speech Obama delivered this morning:

President Obama’s auto task force rejected the restructuring plans GM and Chrysler submitted to get more bailout money.
The government will cover GM’s operating expenses for 60 days while the automaker drafts a much more aggressive restructuring plan, and Chrysler will get 30 days to fine-tune its plan to partner with Fiat.
Obama noted that bankruptcy was still a possibility for both companies, but that the government very much wants them to stay in business and will now back both companies’ warranties.
Obama announced a tax incentive for new-car buyers and that he wants to implement a cash-for-clunkers program to encourage the owners of older cars to replace them with newer, more fuel efficient cars.
Obama appointed a Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, who will provide support to and pursue opportunities for those who’ve been most impacted by the auto industry’s difficulties.

Needless to say, all this news has generated a lot of reaction. Some think Obama went too far by forcing the exit of Wagoner, particularly since Wall Street has offered much less in the way of compromise and collaboration in return for its bailout money. Some think the government bailout of both industries may be the beginning of a march toward socialism. Many are simply alarmed by the amount of money Obama plans to spend saving GM and Chrysler. And some take a simpler, more practical view, pointing out that now may be the best - and perhaps the last - time to buy a new American-made car with a powerful V8 under the hood.

Do you think GM and Chrysler need to be saved? Do you think Obama and the steps he announced today can help save them?

-Steve Halloran

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Francine Dee: The Bee’s Knees with DD’s

Francine Dee: The Bees Knees with DDs
Francine Dee has certainly made a name for herself since her humble beginnings. Francine is known as one of the best, hottest and most popular import models on the scene, but now has mostly moved onto to bigger things like Playboy and even movies. Francine still hasn’t forgotten her roots as a car girl though.

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2012 Volkswagen Up: Simple & Charming

2012 Volkswagen Up: Simple & Charming
Mini cars have been evolving and German automaker, Volkswagen smartly creates its own version. Starting its production sometime in 2011, the Volkswagen Up 2012 will be naturally engineered for safety and emission rules. It is predicted that the VW Up will have three 1.2-liter 4-cylinder units with power outputs that range from 60 to 86 hp. It will be equipped with a six-speed manual and an optional automated-manual transmission. The low-cost mini car doesn’t look or feel cheap since it sports a few sophisticated features such as the antiskid system. Even if the engine isn’t in the rear, still in the 21^st century terms it’s charming!
2012 Volkswagen Up: Simple & Charming

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Oona O’Connell: Driven By A Dream

Oona OConnell: Driven By A Dream
Unlike most of us, Oona O’Connell will forever be satisfied with her life because she is living her dream. That dream might just be the same for many of us, which is to host our very own car show on TV. Oona is doing exactly that, reviewing, testing, and actually riding some of Florida’s hottest rides. A quick search in the interwebs reveals some very tantalizing videos with Oona on some hot rides. This lady has two ways of getting out of a ticket - one is of course her heavenly looks, and another is she can argue her way out because she is a lawyer!

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Does the Peugoet 308 RC Z Concept look like a wide-mouthed TT to you too?

Frankfurt Auto Show: Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept Car

At this years Frankfort auto show Peugeot will roll out their latest concept, the 308 RC Z. If you are thinking that this Peugeot looks a lot like the Audi TT but with its mouth opened wide to catch the breeze you are not alone. However, with a closer inspection there are enough tweaks and nuances to differentiate the two coupes.

By looking at the numbers for this car it seems that efficiency comes first and then the thrill of the drive. With the light composite body formed from the mixed use of aluminum, carbon fiber and the polycarbonate roof that molds down into the rear window the 308 RC Z comes in at a mere 2,650 lbs. When that light design is mated with a 218-hp 1.6 liter twin-turbo engine you have just enough play to make it exciting and yet still achieve something around 30-mpg.

Frankfurt Auto Show: Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept Car

The design features do not end with the shell as the entire interior shows the same attention to detail as the exterior. With the sleek dash and race inspired seating the TT… oops, I mean Peugoet built a cockpit surround that should give you the feeling of purposed oppulance. And with a second row of seats big enough to hold a grocery bag or two you will not have to worry about any unwanted double dates.

Frankfurt Auto Show: Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept Car

Judging from the proportions of the 308 RC Z it appears to be a mid-engine car. If so that shift in weight should help keep those rear tires planted to the ground for better accelleration that the zero-to-60 time of 7.5 seconds advertised. However, a lightening fast take-off is not the intent of this Peugoet. With the 308 RC Z the impetus is all about the guiltless thrill of getting there, wherever there is, and in doing so at a price below the competition.

Source[CarScoop]

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Reader Review of the Week

Consreviews_2

This week we discovered by far the best review submitted by any Cars.com user so far. Allan from Acton, Mass. delivers an eloquent “defense” of the all-new Jeep Wrangler he recently bought. We’re currently working on full reviews of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, but until then Jeep enthusiasts can sit back and relish in this submission or write their own.

"You don't shop for a Wrangler because it's quiet. You don't drive Wrangler to work because of the optimal cupholder to cell phone holster angle. You drive it because it's a Jeep. It isn't designed to attract chicks, or save you from your own poor driving habits or inattentiveness. It is an off-road capable vehicle with four seats, a lot of power to weight ratio and the kind of ground clearance to let you drive over various obstacles.

I love my Jeep, but I don't know why people keep brining up all of the Wrangler's various scores on various surveys that are given to drivers of minivans and sedans. See, Wranglers are a different animal, serving a different animal. They aren't like the other kids. They don't mind them being around, but don't profit from comparison.

Don't be confused. Shop for what you want, don't compare it to what it isn't.

PS: I clicked on all of the buttons in your survey, even though many of them don't mean the same thing on this vehicle as they do on others. You can't compare a cheeseburger to falafel. There isn't enough common ground."

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Goodwood Gathers New Cars

In just two weeks time Britain’s largest annual ‘moving motor show’ opens its doors as the Festival of Speed gets underway (3-5 July). Goodwood has firmly established itself as the best place to see the latest motoring marvels and best supercars in action from around the globe.

Supercars set to make their UK debuts will include the targa-top Bugatti Veyron Gran Sport, the awesome Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Mercedes Benz SLR Stirling Moss, Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M, Pagani Zonda R and the wild Tramontana from Spain. Other Goodwood debutants include the Porsche Panamera S, Audi R8 V10, Morgan Aero SuperSports, Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Lotus Evora, Lexus LF-A and Nissan’s new GT-R Spec V and 370Z.

[Source: Misc]

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Consumer Reports Applauds New Vehicles From Ford and GM

Fordfusion

Toyota and Honda still rule the annual car issue of Consumer Reports, but this year Ford and GM are happy to be gaining ground as important models like the Ford Fusion and Chevy Tahoe topped future reliability rankings. However, only six of the top 47 most reliable models were domestics. The issue is on sale now and includes results from surveys of 1.3 million vehicle owners.

Customer satisfaction greatly favored the Japanese, who were responsible for 26 of the 45 top-rated vehicles. European automakers followed with 11, and the domestics moved from four to seven of the top vehicles in satisfaction ratings.

[Ford, GM Gain With Redesigns, The Detroit News]

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Lexus IS C: Be Everyone’s Envy

Lexus IS C: Be Everyones Envy
Aggressive and stunning, that’s the new Lexus IS C convertible. Its three-piece aluminum retractable hardtop comes sleek and stylish while it retracts in about 20 seconds. It has available Bi-Xenon High-Intensity discharge (HID) headlamps that are brighter than halogen lamps and use less energy that lasts longer. The Lexus IS C maintains pre-set following distance from the car in front of you with its Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Enjoy the increased ventilation as well as heating in the shoulder areas with its ventilated front seats. You will also find a range of available luxurious appointments, including beautiful available wood trim and your choice of available perforated semi-aniline leather or standard leather trim. Who will never raise an eyebrow when they see you driving a V6 engine? $43,900+.
Lexus IS C: Be Everyones Envy

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Last Auto Reviews Blog

Faulty Cruise Control Switch leads Ford to Recall 3.6 Million Vehicles

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2012 Volkswagen Up: Simple & Charming

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