Toyota continues to suffer from recalls with the Japanese automaker just announcing a recall notice for an additional 2.3 million vehicles. Recently Toyota recalled 4.2 million vehicles for a gas pedal that could get stuck due to incorrect placement of accessory floormats. This recent recall is for actual accelerator pedals that could stick.

“In recent months, Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats,” said TMS Group Vice President Irv Miller. “Our investigation indicates that there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. Consistent with our commitment to the safety of our cars and our customers, we have initiated this voluntary recall action.”

Toyota did not give a date by which owners of vehicles would be notified, but has said that anyone with questions should call Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Models affected by this latest recall include:

• 2009-2010 RAV4,
• 2009-2010 Corolla,
• 2009-2010 Matrix,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• 2007-2010 Camry,
• 2010 Highlander,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

Models not affected include: the Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser select Camry models including all Camry hybrids. There are also no Scion or Lexus vehicles involved in this recall.

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Mitsubishi’s next generation EVO will be a plug-in hybrid. Yup, according to a recent report by Motor Trend, a source inside the company has confirmed the rumors that the EVO XI is going green.

This news will most likely have EVO enthusiasts about ready to jump ship to Subaru, but worry not says the report, Mitsubishi isn’t building a Prius. The EVO XI will ride on the same AWD platform as the Concept PX-MiEV (above) – itself a plug-in hybrid. A 2.0-liter MIVEC engine from the current Japan-spec Galant will be used, along with lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor donated from the dorky-looking i-MiEV electric city car.

Interestingly, the main power source will be the electric motor, driving the front wheels for optimum fuel economy. When required, the gasoline engine will kick in to power the rear. The electric motor is expected to be a more powerful version of the i-MiEV’s, which already makes 63-hp. As for the gasoline engine, it should pump out roughly 320-hp, a 29-hp improvement over the current EVO. In total this could mean as much as 350-hp. Mitsubishi engineers have apparently targeted a time of 4.5 seconds to 60 mph as their goal.

In addition, the Motor Trend reports suggest added handling capabilities will help to win over enthusiasts. Expected to be included on the EVO XI are Active Steering and a Roll Control Suspension, as well as a new electronically controlled active yaw control system (E-AYC).

The biggest problem Mitsubishi engineers face is the added weight of the electrical components, especially after the EVO X already gained 250-lbs on the previous generation model.

[Source: MotorTrend]

Ford is planning an independent rear suspension (IRS) for the next-generation Mustang. Due out in 2014, this next model will celebrate 50 years of the iconic pony car.

The news comes from Motor Trend after discussions with several Ford execs and one unnamed company insider. It is also based on several assumptions, which include the fact that a new global independent rear end platform is in the works after Ford canceled plans for a different rear-drive independent platform that was to underpin the Mustang, next generation Ford Falcon (in Australia) and an upcoming Lincoln model.

A new Mustang-based IRS platform would mean that the Falcon and Lincoln models would be canceled – which Ford has indicated is already the case for the Falcon, a model that has seen sales slum considerably over the past several years.

In order to make a new IRS platform affordable, Ford would have to take the Mustang global. While this does meet with Ford’s new One Ford approach for global platforms, in our recent discussions with Ford marketing boss Jim Farley, he indicated that the Mustang wasn’t likely to ever become a global seller.

Many of the details are still unclear and the report suggests the next Mustang may simply be an evolution of the current car or that it may go in two other very-different directions. The first would be along the lines of the BMW M3, shrinking the size of the car and using a twin-turbo EcoBoost V6. The second would be to take the car to an almost exotic level and take on cars like the Nissan GT-R.

[Source: MotorTrend]

Mazda pretty much owns the MPV market on this side of the Atlantic, but it faces stiffer competition in Europe and is about to get more rivals in North America from models like the Ford C-Max and Chevy Orlando. So to stay ahead of the competition, the Japanese automaker will debut an all-new second generation Mazda5 model (called the Premacy in some markets) at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

Mazda gave the 5 a facelift in 2008 and while this model looks only like a cosmetic tweak (like the new Mazda3) there’s more to it than that. In Europe the new 5 will be offered with either a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder or a 2.o-liter 4-cylinder with direct-injection and Mazda’s i-stop start-stop technology, which will reduce emissions by 15 percent. Both engines will come with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard.

As for the aesthetic changes, they include some swoopy lines on the side of the car, inspired by Mazda’s recent concepts like the Nagare and Furai. In addition, it’s hard to miss the aggressive (or, as some might, say, excessively happy) front end.

Once it arrives in North America, we expect to find the company’s 167-hp 2.5-liter engine under the hood, most likely mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2011 Mazda5

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Buick has announced pricing for its 2011 Regal. The Regal will first be available some time in the second quarter 2010 with a 2.4L engine with a sticker price of $26,995. A turbo-charged 2.0L version will come in the late summer at $29,495.

The Regal will initially offered only in the premium CXL trim, with a CX trim coming as a 2012 model, likely after production shifts from Russelsheim, Germany to the Oshawa Car Assembly Plant early in 2011.

The standard Regal CXL will be powered by a 2.4L Ecotec direct injection engine claiming 182-hp while the turbo-charged version will be powered by a 220-hp 2.0L Ecotec direct injection engine. Both engines are paired to six-speed automatic transmissions with Driver Shift Control. According to Buick, the 2.4L version gets an estimated 30 mpg on the highway while the 2.0L turbo engine takes a slight dip with a fuel efficiency of 29 mpg.

“The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and we’re excited to bring this Buick sport sedan to market,” said Craig Bierley, Buick Marketing Director. “The dynamic driving experience and intuitive, personal technologies offer customers a premium sport sedan for great value.”

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal

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Kia has just released a single teaser image of a new plug-in hybrid concept called the Ray. Set to debut at the Chicago Auto Show next month, little is known about the new vehicle other than that it was created by the team at the Kia Design Center America. It appears to feature a solar panel roof and has a bit of a Honda CR-Z flare to it with a chopped-off back end.

Kia parent company Hyundai has been showing its Blue-Will hybrid concept at several auto shows recently and so we expect the Kia Ray to be similar in many ways. The Blue-Will is powered by a 152-hp 1.6-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine and a 100kW electric motor and uses a lithium-polymer battery pack to achieve 50-55 mpg in standard hybrid mode, or as much as 106 mpg in plug-in hybrid mode.

Hyundai has said the Blue-Will could see production as a Prius competitor and so we have to think Kia has similar plans. Hyundai has also said it will deliver a hybrid version of the new Sonata later this year.

We’ll be sure to bring you more on the Kia Ray PHEV concept with live coverage of the Chicago Auto Show starting February 11th.

It hasn’t been a good week for BMW when it comes to keeping a lid on things. Yesterday, pictures of BMW-owned MINI’s new Countryman crossover were leaked onto the Internet. And now, images of the 2011 BMW 335is have also surfaced on the Interwebs.

In the case of the Countryman, MINI responded by officially releasing pictures and details overnight. It wouldn’t surprise us then if BMW makes an official announcement about the 335is in the next few days.

Documents labeled “BMW Canada Sales Update”, also leaked earlier this week, say a cabriolet version of the 335is will begin production in March with the 335is coupe starting in May.

The BMW 335is will also reportedly be powered by a twin-turbo engine claiming 322-hp and 332 ft-lb. of torque (369 ft-lb. with over-boost). A seven-speed double-clutch transmission will be available as an option. Expect an M Sport package, blacked-out grille and glossy black mirror caps as well.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 335is Leaked Images

[Source: e90post.com]

General Motors’ vice chairman of global product operations is so strong a believer in his company’s product he’s willing to prove it in a tug-of-war between the GMC Heavy Duty and the Ford F-Series Super Duty.

Vice Chairman Tom Stephens made the bold statement in an interview with PickupTrucks.com about the new Duramax engines powering the 2011 Chevrolet and GMC Heavy Duty. The site’s editor was surprised by the statement, he asked Stephens three times if he was serious, but Stephens remained adamant.

“You’re going to love our new diesel Duramax engine in the new Heavy Duty,” Stephens told PickupTrucks.com. “You know what I want to do to prove it? I want to take our truck and Ford’s [new Super Duty] and chain them together back -to-back. Then I want to have them pull against each other. I know our truck will beat theirs.”

PickupTrucks.com passed the challenge on to Ford but has yet to get a response. We’re not sure if Ford is willing to take the bait, but this is one challenge we would love to see.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

A day after pictures of its new crossover were leaked out to the web, MINI has officially released details and photographs of the 2011 MINI Countryman. Originally scheduled to be unveiled at next month’s Geneva Auto Show, the Countryman was originally supposed appear at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show but was unfortunately delayed. It is a little ironic then that MINI was forced to move ahead with its announcement after yesterday’s leak.

The 2011 MINI Countryman (the car may take on other names in other markets) becomes the fourth model in the MINI family, the first with four doors and a widened rear door. Despite the foray into the crossover segment, the Countryman retains signature MINI design elements, only on a larger vehicle. Key characteristics such as the roofline, grille and wheel arches remind us the Countryman is still very much a MINI.

The MINI Countryman will come standard with four seats arranged around a front-to-back center rail. An optional three-seat bench available at no additional cost. Depending on how the seats are adjusted, MINI says the Countrymanhas a storage capacity of 12.2 to 41.0 cubic feet.

MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system will be available as an option on both the Cooper S and Cooper D Countryman. The ALL4 system provides half of the engine’s power to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions but when needed, can transfer 100% of the power to the rear for added traction.

MINI will offer three gasoline and two diesel engine options, though only the gasoline engines are likely to make it over to North America. The base MINI One D Countryman will have a 90 hp four-cylinder turbodiesel engine while the top-level MINI Cooper S Countryman option will have a 1.6L turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection and fully variable valve arrangement, claiming 184 hp. All models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission while the gasoline engine models will be available with a Steptronic six-speed automatic transmission.

We’ll bring you more on the all-new MINI Countryman with live coverage of the Geneva Auto Show starting March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

Gallery: 2011 MINI Countryman

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Carroll Shelby’s own tuning company Shelby American has announced the return of the GT350 model, debuting it at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale 45 years after the original GT350 was released.

Based on the new 2011 Mustang GT, the GT350 gets a Ford Racing supercharged mated to the stock car’s 5.0-liter V8 to make roughly 500-hp – which shouldn’t be hard considering the stock motor already makes 412-hp. The engine also gets some bling with Blue Shelby GT350 valve covers and billet caps.

In addition, the GT350 conversion includes a complete aero kit with a dual central-exit exhaust system, 19-inch Cragar wheels, Goodyear tires and a Baer six-piston front brake setup up front. Several changes have been made to the suspension with Ford Racing springs, struts, sway bars and adjustable camber/caster plates.

“In 1964, Ford Motor Company asked Shelby American to turn their secretary’s car into a race winner to help them sell Mustangs,” said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby American. “Our Shelby GT350 ruled its class at the track and was feared by GM and Chrysler owners on the street. Enthusiasts have anticipated the GT350′s return since it went out of production in 1970. Now my band of hot rodders has created a car worthy of the name.”

All GT350 conversions are performed at Shelby American’s facility in Las Vegas for a price of $33,995 (plus the cost of the car). Yikes!

GALLERY: Shelby American GT350

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