Automotive News

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Recalls/TSBs, Bentley

Speaking of recalls… It’s one thing for a full-line automaker like General Motors or Ford to announce a recall, as those companies produce thousands of vehicles a day. It’s quite another for a manufacturer like Bentley, which still primarily builds its entire lineup by hand, to announce a recall. The company from Crewe is reportedly recalling 520 examples of its ultra expensive Arnage that were built over the last 18 months due to incorrect bolts being used to attach the wheels, which could come loose as a result.

Bentley has reportedly already contacted owners of the affected vehicles, who no doubt include a number of wealthy and famous people who were bothered to discover their $221,000 sedan has issues. One of the reasons for paying that much for a car is so you don’t have to deal with recalls like the rest of us schlubs. But we’ll give Bentley a break, as anyone can have a bad day… for 18 months.

[Source: Scotsman.com via KickingTires]

 

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Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Volkswagen

BusinessWeek has trolled the NHTSA files to find out which automakers have had to recall their brand new 2007 models the most, and the winner is Volkswagen thanks to a recall of just over 1 milion 2007 New Beetles because of potentially faulty brake light switches. Of course, Ford announced a major recall of 3.6 million vehicles earlier this month for defective cruise control switches, but none of the vehicles affected were 2007 models and so don’t count for this list.

We’ve complied the rest of the data for you in a handy list after the jump, because we hate having to click through BusinessWeek’s 15-part slideshow, and we suspect you might, too.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

Continue reading What company has the most recalled 2007 models?

 

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Filed under: Etc., Chevrolet

An early ’70s Chevy El Camino at a car show wouldn’t usually get a second glance. Add a beautiful, airbrushed wild, wild west theme and it might get the judges’ attention. But no matter how detailed the cowboy’s Stetson, the painted pickup probably wouldn’t rank a post on Autoblog.

But take that Chevy, move it about 6,000 miles from the country that inspired its custom paint, and things get interesting. Especially on a slow news day like today.

Google’s Russian is really rough, so we can’t tell where in Russia this collection of ’70s Vettes, Camaros and El Caminos is gathered, but it’s just really odd to see that silver bow tie above a Russian license plate, and a JEGS sticker right next to characters not even in our alphabet.

Of course we’re aware there are American muscle fans worldwide, we just thought you, too, might enjoy the odd blending of America and Russia as much as we did.

[Source: Steer.ru]

 

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chery

As the entire industry looks towards China as a new vehicle for growth, Chinese automakers are investing heavily outside of the country in places as diverse as the Ukraine, Brazil and Egypt. The latest offsite location is Iran, where China’s largest automaker Chery Auto has announced plans to build a new $370 million plant in the northern city of Babol.

Chery is partnering with Iran’s biggest automaker Khodro, as well as Canadian investment firm Solitac, to start assembly of its compact S21 sedan in the Middle-Eastern country. The cars, which will arrive as knocked-down kits from China, will be sold in Iran and neighboring countries and could be followed by even more models in the near future.

This latest deal is just one of several international ventures that Chery has under its belt. Earlier this month, Fiat announced its plans with Chery to build Alfa Romeos for sale in China and you’d have to be living under a rock to not know about the deal between it and Chrysler to develop a new minicar for eventual sale in the US.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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Filed under: Subaru, RR of the Day

Our weeklong hiatus of Reader Rides has ended, giving our Flickr pool a bit more time to amass cars and, more importantly, descriptions. Today’s RR comes courtesy of Autoblog reader Neil and his 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport.

Although driven daily, Neil hits up his local autocross course on a regular basis, so a series of modifications were performed making it a more competent corner carver, while keeping a modicum of civility. On the sticky side of things, Neil ditched the stock suspension in favor of Megan Racing coilovers, a rear strut tower bar, a Whiteline adjustable rear sway bar, an IPD front sway bar, and new Kartboy endlinks in the rear, along with custom heim joint endlinks up front.

An ACT Street Lite flywheel mates to an Exedy organic clutch, while a Phanton Grip LSD takes care of power delivery out back (no pun intended). Inside, he’s replaced the stock seats and steering wheel with STI v5 pieces, along with a new stereo and a G-Tech Pro/SS performance computer.

You can read all of Neil’s mods after the jump, along with two more pics and directions on how to submit your own ride for selection.

Continue reading Reader Ride: 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport

 

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Filed under: Etc., Lamborghini, Driving

Chances are that if your “to-do” list for a given day includes picking up your new Lamborghini Murcielago, things are going pretty well. After all, taking delivery of a new Lambo generally indicates one has some serious coin and that the good life is being lived. But the trappings of the good life can be fraught with danger, as the Murci can be merciless to its pilot if not treated with the proper amount of respect.

This seems to be the lesson learned by one Ronald Tridico of Florida. According to witnesses, Mr. Tridico was apparently speeding while navigating a curve on state Road 429 near Orlando when the Murcielago headed off the pavement into the grassy roadside area. Local6.com’s photo coverage seems to indicate that a speed limit sign got taken out during the impromptu off-roading excursion. Photos show a fair amount of damage to the lower bodywork, as those aero bits don’t take well to uneven and unpaved surfaces. Mr. Tridico was arrested and charged with suspicion of DUI and leaving an accident scene. His wife, who was in the passenger seat, reportedly suffered a minor arm injury, as well. And so a day that likely began with Mr. Tridico wearing a broad smile as he accepted the keys to his new toy ended with a less-enthused look on his face in the mugshot taken after the authorities caught up with him. Cue the music…

[Source: Local6.com]

 

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Filed under: Car Buying, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota

Earlier today we referenced Toyota disputing Edmunds.com claiming that the Tundra was sold in July with $6,861 of incentives per vehicle. That would’ve been the highest amount of incentives for any full-size pickup sold last month, but it turns out Edmunds made an error and last Friday printed a retraction on its AutoObserver site. Though Toyota does not release the official amount of incentives it offers for the Tundra, Edmunds is now claiming the amount offered last month is $4,625. That amount, while still high, makes it the third highest amount of incentives behind the Dodge Ram 1500 ($6,739 per vehicle) and Nissan Titan ($4,835 per vehicle). Edmunds further claims the 2007 Chevy Silverado was sold with $3,995 worth of incentives last month, and the Ford F-150 with $3,574. The Honda Ridgeline, if it can be rightly included in this group, was sold with $2,746 worth of incentives.

[Source: AutoObserver]

 

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Filed under: Etc., Euro, Driving

The Estonian driver who was arrested for driving while blind a week or so ago is back in the news. He’s been caught behind the wheel again, intoxicated and taking driving directions from three passengers. The police aren’t happy and are looking to take away his car and throw him in the clink for a month. As foolish as his quest for sightless driving is, his dumb friends really take the cake. It’s bad enough riding in a car with a drunk at the controls, but when said drunk is also blind — literally — it’s just a multiple Darwin Award waiting to happen. Not this time, though, but this Estonian and his cohorts seem like the types to keep trying until they achieve success. Mazel tov, boys. Maybe the third Reuters “Oddly Enough” piece will be the charm.

Thanks to Silver for the tip.

[Source: Reuters]

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivans/MPVs, Mazda

After three years of wearing the same clothes, Mazda’s anti-minivan minivan, the Mazda5, has been spotted trying out a new look.

This spy shot shows the six-seater with a revised grille, redesigned headlights that extend a bit beyond the fenders, a more rounded front bumper, flashy chrome trim around the fog lights and LED taillights.

Possibly the most interesting thing on this lightly-camouflaged car are the 17-inch wheels. They are much sportier than what the 5 wore previously, and, dare we say it, hint at MazdaSpeed possibilities. (Actually, they’re more typical Ford of Europe wheels.) World Car Fans says the 2008 version of the family hauler won’t be getting an engine change, though, so maybe it’s just wishful thinking on our part. WCF, however, does say the 2007’s 4-speed automatic gets upgraded to a new 5-speed auto in 2008, and the 5-speed manual will still be an option.

[Source: World Car Fans]

 

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Filed under: Motorsports, Audi

click above image for gallery of Audi’s battle with Porsche at Road America

Speaking of calling your shots, Audi said prior to Round Eight of the American Le Mans Series at Road America this past weekend that its LMP1 R10 diesel racers were poised to steal an outright victory from the LMP2 cars. The R10s, they surmised, were better suited to the 4.0-mile track with its long straights than the LMP2 cars. Though performing well in qualifying and leading most of the race, the Audis ultimately lost to a Penske Porsche RS Spyder in the LMP2 class, the nearest one 1.783 seconds back. Both Audis picked up fuel and tires in their final pit stops, while driver Timo Bernhard opted for only fuel in his Porsche. Ironically, what really did the Audis in was their lack of cooperation during the final laps. Rather than allowing one of the cars to charge ahead and overtake Bernhard in the LMP2 Porsche, the Audis passed each other multiple times, as if they were competing against each other for the LMP1 win. The R10 driven by Dindo Capello and Allan McNish ultimately finished first in LMP1, just 0.706 seconds ahead of the R10 driven by Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner. Lot of good it did them, especially considering Road America was their best change this season at an overall victory, which they haven’t enjoyed since March in St. Petersburg.

Check out a gallery of the Audi and Porsche battle below, complete with descriptive captions from Getty.

[Source: ALMS, Audi]

 

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