Automotive News

Filed under: Safety, Driving

Ever feel like one more day of commuting will kill you? You might be right, especially if you live in Riverside, California. Or Atlanta. Or Los Angeles. Those are the top three cities on Forbes‘ list of the 25 with the most unhealthy commutes.

The combination of dangerous drivers, the stress of dealing with them and high levels of air pollution is apparently taking a serious toll on big-city commuters’ health. Forbes quotes one study showing Americans commute an average of 25 minutes every day, but are exposed to 50% of the day’s pollution during their drives. One study found diesel particle levels four to eight times greater inside commuters’ cars than outside. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

Southern California gets four spots on the list, with Houston, Miami, Detroit and Washington, D.C., taking some of the others.

There are ways to make your drive to and from work healthier, though. Forbes recommends you roll up your windows and set the air to recirculate. That will reduce some of the incoming air, and maybe some of the particulates that clog up your respiratory plumbing. Another health-saving solution is to take the long way home. Taking that curvy road home will not only give your inner F1 driver an outlet, but it will also avoid all those particulates spewed by diesel trucks on the highways.

[Source: Forbes, photo by K.C. Hohensee]

 

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Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Crossovers/CUVs, Volvo

Volvo has revealed that it’s recalling 42,000 XC90 SUVs to inspect a suspect battery switch. Only North American vehicles had this switch, which apparently creates the risk of short circuits if the jack handle comes into contact with it. Volvo seems particularly concerned that this could happen on vehicles that were serviced by technicians in such a way that the potential for a short circuit was created. The recall is only for the 2005 Volvo XC90, though. Volvo dealers will check the recalled cars and slap a sticker on them somewhere to instruct future service technicians how to avoid the risk of a short circuit. Apparently it’s a preemptive strike by Volvo, as there haven’t been any reports of short circuiting so far.

[Source: Reuters]

 

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Wagons/Estates, Hatchbacks, Subaru, Driving

Although all the major media outlets have posted their reviews of the new WRX, nothing compares to actually getting some seat-time in Subaru’s latest iteration of the Impreza. If you’re willing to look beyond the stagnant styling, the new ‘Rex still has the potential of being every bit as good as its predecessors (although the plastic intake manifold concerns us), and there’s no better place to wring it out than on a closed course under the guidance of professional drivers.

Mark your calenders — on Saturday, August 11th, Subaru is allowing visitors to the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California to do just that. Beginning at noon and continuing through 8 PM, potential buyers, and anyone willing to put up with DJs from Blender, can head out on a closed course to get a feel for the new Impreza. Not only will you get some track time, but afterwards, you can play WRC co-pilot on a special “rally stage” to see how the pros work the 224-hp 2.5-liter boxer and AWD system to their full potential.

You can get all the details in Subaru’s press release after the jump. And if you do attend, leave a comment in this post with your Impreza impressions.

[Source: Subaru]

Continue reading In So. Cal.? Drive the new Impreza WRX on August 11th

 

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Filed under: Bentley, Earnings/Financials

First half sales reports have been rolling in and it looks like things are just peachy for the crew at Crewe. Bentley is reporting increased sales for the fourth year in a row. Sales were up nearly 19 percent compared to first-half ‘06, meaning 5,600 individuals called themselves new Bentley owners in the past six months. During that time, the company had its best month ever, delivering 1,200 Bentleys in March alone. Thanks in large part to the GTC and the new Brooklands, things are indeed good at Bentley, and its fortunes don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Being the ride of choice for jewelry thieves and setting ice speed records didn’t seem to hurt either. The brief press release is after the jump. Read on to find out about a turnover that was tagged at 739 million Euro, which seems awfully spendy for a pastry, and an operating profit of 85 million Euro.

[Source: Bentley]

Continue reading Bentley booming in first half of ‘07

 

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Filed under: Audio, Car Buying, Gadgets, Aston Martin

Beginning this August, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and DB9 buyers will start getting Sirius - as in Sirius Satellite Radio. It will be available as a factory installed option, and better yet - drumroll please - it will come with a lifetime subscription to the service. That would normally run you about $500. Maybe not a huge deal on a six-figure automobile, but every little bit counts, right? And you’ll also never worry about that $12.95 monthly bill should your fortunes ever reverse. It’s a nice little touch that might push some buyers into pulling the trigger, but will more likely come as a pleasant surprise when they find out about the bonus in the deal.

[Source: Sirius]

 

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupes, Audi

Even though the Audi A5 and S5 won’t be available until spring of ‘08, H&R, purveyors of all things sprung and stiff, have announced the availability of lowering springs for both models. When you do finally get your hands on Audi’s newest hotness, you’ll be able to choose a drop of 10-35 mm, depending on the package.

Additionally, you can push your 18- or 19-inch rolling stock out with a set of aluminum wheel spacers sized between 6mm and 60 mm, and H&R has announced the development of a full coilover setup and anti-roll bars. Can’t wait to see the first widebody kit on these cars.

You can view all the available options at H&R’s site, and click on through for the suspension wizard’s press release.

[Source: H&R]

Continue reading H&R drops the Audi A5/S5, before you can even buy one

 

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Filed under: Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford

Does anyone really think the world needs another tiny hatchback posing as a sport-ute? We were hoping nobody did, but apparently some guys over at Ford Europe thought this was a good idea. And so they’ve rolled out the Fiesta Crossroad.

We’ll preemptively answer your first question in the negative: it does not have all-wheel-drive, or any real off-road equipment to speak of over the standard Fiesta. It comes down basically to some body cladding: the very worst kind of product engineering. The Fiesta Crossroad might look taller or higher off the road than its standard counterpart, but alas, it’s all an illusion.

For an approximately one-thousand-euro premium, buyers get new bumpers, wheel arches and lower door panels in a contrasting shade, some roofr ails and (ooh, get this) special floor mats. We’d venture that the latter was to prevent getting mud all over the interior when the poseur driver mistakenly tries to tackle a dirt road only to get stuck like any ordinary car.

[Source: AutoWeek - translated]

 

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Filed under: Etc., Nissan

Click image for photo gallery

Nissan’s got a good thing going with its official shop, which actually does sell some pretty cool stuff. In addition to all the execu-type items (like leather goods and pens), branded wearables, and miscellaneous tchotchkies, they have a nice selection of die-cast cars. This week, two new ones were added to the roster: the Dualis crossover (Qashquai in Europe), and V36 Skyline sedan (a.k.a. Infiniti G35). Both cars are offered in 1/43 scale in a selection of factory paint colors. The detailing, as you’ll see in the attached gallery, is pretty good, too. They’re priced at ¥2,900 (around $24 bucks before shipping).

They join a raft of other cars in the automaker’s die-cast stable, like the Fairlady Z, Cube, and several others. Collectors who browse the website should be sure to click on the Gr.A Skyline GT-R banner/button, as the first three in a series of six 1/18 scale die-cast Group A Skyline GT-R racers are available as well. At ¥13,000 yen (around $108 USD, not including shipping), they’re not cheap, but they are cool.

[Source: Nissan]

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Cadillac

We thought we knew almost everything there was to know about the new 2008 Cadillac CTS, but as these latest spy pics reveal GM still has a few tricks up its sleeve for the upcoming sedan. First up, these fresh-off-the-line production cars feature clear taillights for the first time. Look a little closer and you’ll also notice the new ‘CTS4′ badges denoting that these are the new AWD variants.

According to the guys who photographed the cars, a second little badge was attached just above the CTS label that said ‘Direct-Injection’, meaning these new AWD versions were equipped with GM’s new all-aluminum 3.6L V6 engine. With the direct-injection feature on board, the new V6 will develop up to 300hp.

Full production of the ‘08 CTS is expected to start by the end of summer with the first cars hitting showrooms by the fourth quarter.

The new taillamps certainly look striking in the picture, but we’ll have to wait till we see them in real life to pass our judgement.

[Source: The GM Source]

 

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Filed under: SUVs, Auction Action, Chevrolet

Click image for photo gallery

Long before Tony Soprano rolled in his Escalade, a red Suburban was his ride of choice. Fans of The Sporanos will remember it very well, of course, and as the truck Tony drives in the opening credits, it lived on even after he traded up to the more boss-worthy Caddy. Two identical cars were acquired for use in the series, and now die-hard fans have a shot at parking one of them in their own garage. Movie Time Cars, which leased the Suburbans to the production, is offering one of them in an eBay Live Auction. It’s got 53,743 miles on the odometer, and according to the listing, the faint smell of cigar smoke still lingers in the interior. It comes with a certificate of authenticity, and a surprise awaits the new owner when he or she flips open the vanity mirror. A note from James Gandolfini himself is written on the lid in permanent marker. The message? “Be nice to my car.” We’d recommend you listen.

The auction begins August 3, and the mobbed-up SUV is expected to fetch between $30,000 and $50,000. You’ll have to provide your own Paulie, Christopher and Sil.

Thanks for the tip, Tool!

[Source; eBay]

 

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