Hyundai’s seemingly unstoppable rise to the top has hit as stumbling block, as the company is forced to recall 140,000 of its mid-size Sonata sedans over a steering issue.

The Sonata, which recently hit third place in the mid-size sedan sales charts, is being recalled due to “the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections [that] may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened.” The defect could result in the parts separating, leading to a steering malfunction and possibly a crash.

Dealers are expected to send notices out in October, but in the mean time, customers can call the Hyundai Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-633-5151, or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

[Source: NHTSA]

With the launch of the new CT200h Lexus expects to grow the premium compact segment considerably says Lexus VP Mark Templin. Targeted sales in the U.S. are set at 1,000 units, which while miniscule compared to many other Lexus products, would represent a 70 percent growth in the segment. Currently the CT’s competitors (the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Volco C30) account for just 1,500 total sales each month.

And at 1,000 units, the CT would nearly double the sales of its closest competitor, the BMW 1 Series, which manages to account for just 550 sales each month. That is, if you consider the baby Bimmer a competitor at all, as it is most certainly not focused on fuel economy.

With a true luxury interior, dynamic driving experience and 42-mpg average fuel economy rating, Templin expects the majority of CT200h buyers to be new to the Lexus brand. Lexus also expects those customers to be younger Gen X and Gen Y types, and sees the CT as an integral aspect of a larger plan to grow the brand with younger consumers.

If Lexus is able to achieve its sales targets (something it wasn’t able to do with the HS250h), the brand’s fifth hybrid model would represent a 70 percent growth in the compact premium segment.

No pricing has yet been released for the CT200h, but Templin did say it will start below the IS, which currently retails for $32,145.

Get more CT200h news and info at CT200hForums.com

It’s time to double check your car seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is saying that many young children are still being placed in the wrong restraint or booster seat systems.

Last week was Child Passenger Safety week, so now is the right time to ensure that you have the right car seat for your child. It’s also important that these safety seats have been inspected to make sure they’re working properly.

NHTSA 2009 stats show that child fatalities from motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14. Last year, an average of four children age 14 and younger were killed and 490 were injured every day.

“Make no mistake about it: child safety seats save lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Children who graduate too soon from their safety seats are at risk of serious injury. Parents and caregivers should ensure that safety seats are installed correctly and should always use them. Their children depend on it.”

Children usually outgrow their forward-facing seats around age 4 and at about 40 pounds. At this time, they should graduate to booster seats until the seat belts in the vehicle fit properly. You know that a seat belt fits properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (they usually fit kids once they turn 8 or when they are 4’9″ tall).

The NHTSA released a survey on booster seat, which found that just 41 percent of 4- to 7-year-old children ride in booster seats, virtually unchanged from the prior year. In 2009, restraint use for children age 1 to 3 years increased from 92 percent in 200, while restraint use for all children under age 13 remained stayed the same at 89 percent.

[Source: Autoblog]

Built Ford Tough is a slogan that’s run for years and given that we still see tons of 20 plus year old F-series trucks on the roads, even here in the rust belt, there must be some truth to that statement. Now, having introduced its 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost as an option in the 2011 F-150, Ford is doing everything it can to illustrated that this high-tech engine can withstand the worst that’s thrown at it, in an effort to quell any doubts among truck fans.

As a result, the company has put together a multi-part documentary, in which it highlights the trials and tribulations of a particular EcoBoost engine. Narrated by renowned TV personality Mike Rowe (American Chopper; Dirty Jobs), the series begins with a randomly selected engine, that’s flogged on the Dyno for 13,000 hours and subjected to the equivalent of 150,000 miles and 10 years of hard use, under extreme temperatures and loads. Bolted into a random F-150 Crew Cab at the Kansas City Assembly plant, the truck is currently on display at the Texas State Fair, before traveling to Oregon, where it will be put to use hauling logs. That same truck will then be sent down to Homstead Miami Speedway, where it will pull two Ford Fusion race cars around the track at full throttle for 24 hours.

Once that task is completed, the engine will be removed and installed in a purpose built F-150 race truck that will compete in the Baja 1000. Once that truck finishes the race, the engine will be torn down and inspected to see how it held up. Sounds more exciting than most things on TV today if you ask us.

Click on the video below to watch the first installment of this series. Plus read AutoGuide’s 2011 Ford F-150 Review by Clicking Here

[Source: Ford Motor Company]

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For the first time ever, Lexus will offer a selection of F-Sport performance accessories for a hybrid model – the CT200h.

While it’s not designed to be a high-performance model, the CT is being billed as a driver’s hybrid; retaining the trademark Lexus ride quality while also offering a dynamic driving experience. And that’s just what a new line of F-Sport accessories for the CT are aimed at further enhancing.

As a part of a list of 17 accessories that include such mundane offerings as car covers and cargo nets, Lexus will offer a lowering spring and sway bar kit made by Toyota Racing Development (TRD). Lexus College National Manager Paul Williamsen did confirm that an upgraded brake system would not be offered, but didn’t comment on if other F-Sport accessories would be available. Items like an exhaust system are, however, unlikely due to the complex exhaust gas recirculation system used on the hybrid powerplant.

Additional accessories will include more stylish 17-inch wheels (17s are standard) as well as illuminated door sills.

Get more Lexus CT200h news and info at CT200hForums.com

Lexus is taking a close look at even more efficient versions of its new CT200h premium compact hybrid, while hinting that a high-performance version of the car is in the works.

During a product presentation of the CT200h at the car’s global launch just outside Paris, France, Lexus College manager Paul Williamsen went out of his way to point out that the current battery pack located in the rear of the CT doesn’t take up all of the space. The larger area, “could ‘theoretically’ be used to put a larger battery pack with increased capacity,” he said.

This news coincides with previous reports that Lexus has also filed for patents on the CT300h and CT400h names.

Currently the CT uses a hybrid powertrain similar to that found in the Prius, making 134-hp and delivering a 0-60 mph time of 9.8 seconds.

In addition, Osamu Sadakata, Chief engineer for Lexus hybrid vehicles told media present that both a plug-in hybrid version of the CT200h as well as a version using a more efficient and compact lithium-ion battery pack are possible. Sadakata said the shift to lithium-ion battery technology is, “the way of the future”  and that a Li-On CT is “technically possible,” but stopped short of confirming a CT using the more advanced technology.

As for a plug-in CT, following after the plug-in Prius, Sadakata said that it would depend on market demand, both for the system and for the CT in general. “If we have the demand, as Chief engineer, I could like to bring it to market as soon as possible.”

Get more CT200h news and info at CT200hForums.com

The short lists of nominees for the 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year have just been announced with GM and Kia boasting three models, while Ford and Nissan have four models nominated (if you include Lincoln and Infiniti).

On the list for the 2011 North American Car of the Year are the Audi A8, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Volt, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Sonata/2.0T/Hybrid, Infiniti M37/56, Jaguar XJ, Kia Optima, Mazda 2, Nissan Juke, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen Jetta and Volvo S60.

The 2011 North American Truck of the Year list includes the Dodge Durango, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Tucson, Infiniti QX56, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sorento, Kia Sportage, Lincoln MKX, Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Porsche Cayenne, Toyota Sienna and Volkswagen Touareg.

Of note, just three vehicles on the list contain unconventional powertrains, with those vehicles being the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. It’s also important to point out that Ford has just one car on the list and three vehicles in the truck category (if you include Lincoln).

The top three finalists in each category will be announced on December 16th with the winners being given their titles at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Last year the Ford Fusion Hybrid won the North American Car of the Year Award, while the Ford Transit Connect took home North American Truck of the Year.

Back in June we were already sold on the fact that Bugatti will inevitably release the 16C Galibier to the general public. And if this set of official photos isn’t enough to convince you, we guess you’ll just have to wait until you’re behind the wheel yourself. Then again, with a price well over $1 million, you probably won’t ever be behind the wheel.

The latest rumor surrounding the car is that the 16C Galibier will be released in 2013 to a limited edition tune of 300 and a price tag around $1,500,000 once the Veyron production line ends. We absolutely love the sleek black finish on this set of photos although we’re still not digging the look of the eight exhaust tips out of the rear. The 16C Galibier looks to sport the Veyron’s 8.0L W16 engine, but instead of the quad turbochargers it’ll sport a pair of superchargers.

It’s just a matter of time before Bugatti makes it official, but for now we’ll just have to continuously settle for this selection of new photos.

GALLERY: Bugatti 16C Galibier

With the huge success of their C4 rally car, Citroen has a lot to prove with their DS3 successor. Having already claimed three driver’s championships and two manufacturer’s championships in four quick years, the DS3 will have a ton to live up to.

Obviously the playing field is a tad different with the new 2011 World Rally Championship rules in place, so Citroen opted for a smaller, naturally aspirated engine to power their DS3 rally car. We’ll be on hand at the Paris Auto Show to check out the DS3 rally car in person (at its official debut) but before then we’ve been teased by Citroen with this video.

And it’s a real tease, never holding a frame for more than a couple of seconds. If you’re adverse to quick changes in light and picture, we don’t advise you to watch the video. It’s just a whole mess of flickering with very subtle hints as to what the DS3 will pack inside and out. But as with most things on the Internet and YouTube, you’ve got 33 seconds to spare, don’t you?

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: TopSpeed]

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If you can’t afford a Ferrari, perhaps you should think about purchasing the all-new Hasselblad H4D Ferrari Limited Edition camera. On second thought, you probably won’t be able to afford that either.

Created for those looking for the ultimate image quality, there are only going to be 499 units produced. The camera is outfitted in finished in Ferrari’s “rosso fuoco” color, and comes complete with the legendary Racing Shield. Equipped with an 80mm lens, the camera goes first class all the way – right down to an exclusively designed and engineered box with a glass top. The box features dual layers that keep the camera, lens and accessories separate, and each level is lined with a soft and rich material.

No price has been released for the Hasselblad H4D Ferrari Limited Edition camera, but since the regular version is priced at just under €10,000, this new edition isn’t going to come cheap.

[Source: Engadget]