Honda is preparing to recall an unspecified number of vehicles due to a brake-related issue similar to that announced yesterday in a Toyota recall of 1.5 million vehicles.

The automaker is currently in the process of notifying NHTSA about the recall and will release info on exactly how many vehicles are included soon. The recall will affect Odyssey minivan models from 2005 to 2007, as well as Acura RL models from the same years.

Like in the Toyota recall the issue surrounds a seal on the brake master cylinder that may leak, causing a lack of brake pressure. Honda does say that if the brake fluid does become low, a dash light will illuminate to alert the driver to take the vehicle in for service.

The first Fiat-based Dodge model is set to debut in late 2011 and is believed to be the replacement for current Caliber. Like the Caliber it will be a compact model and will be based on Fiat’s new Compact Wide architecture, which first debuted on the all new Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Power will come from Fiat’s 1.4-liter FIRE MultiAir engine and the engine, like the car will be produced in the U.S. Fiat is targeting a 40-mpg highway rating for the car, possibly as a special high-mileage model, although with Ford claiming 40-mpg highway for the 2.0-liter Focus, it’s possible all versions of the Caliber replacement will get 40-mpg highway if not better.

The Caliber is set to continue on in production until mid-2012 at which point it will be replaced by the Fiat-based model.

The same architecture is likely to be used for a Chrysler model in the future.

[Source: Automotive News]

BMW recently filed for U.S. trademarks for a selection of 2 Series badges, suggesting the German automaker is moving forward with plans to introduce several models between its 1 Series and 3 Series lineup. But not so fast. According to some reasonable speculation by the folks at Car & Driver, the 2 Series badge would actually be given to the next-generation of 1 Series models. Here’s why:

In the coming years BMW is set to introduce numerous new front-drive vehicles based off the same platform. That platform will also be shared with the next-generation MINI Cooper. BMW will also roll out a second generation of its current 1 Series rear-drive models and in a bid to avoid product confusion the front-drivers will get the 1 Series badge while the rear-drive performance models will wear the 2.

Over in Europe BMW currently offers rear-drive 1 Series hatchbacks, while here we get the coupe and convertible only. This plan would have all the hatchback models converted to the front-drive layout and, therefore, remain 1 Series models while the second-generation 1 Series Coupe and Convertible will be offered in rear-drive.

The trademarks filed for include the 228, 230 and 235, which seems to indicate the use of six-cylinder powerplants, however, BMW is likely to offer 4-cylinder units in the near future – most certainly with turbochargers. Possibly even more exciting is the June trademark application for the M2 badge. This model is likely to be the successor to the much-hyped 1 Series M Coupe.

[Source: Car & Driver]

While BMW has announced that it will axe the M3 Sedan after the current model’s production run, there’s a possibility that we may still get an M car with more than two doors. No, we’re not talking about the rumored X3 M, but rather an M3 GT.

That’s right, with BMW planning to build a Gran Turismo version of the next-gen 3 Series, the folks at Roundel have suggested we could see an M version of that car. While it would likely be a sales hit in Europe, we can’t say if the M3 GT would even make its way across the pond to our shores.

At this point it still just a rumor and even if the M3 GT does make it to market, we’re move likely to see the X4 or X3 M first.

[Source: M3Post]

With pretty much all the data on the new 2011 Challenger having already been leaked, Dodge has now dropped the official info, confirming the arrival of the more powerful and efficient Pentastar V6 as the new base engine. With a total of 305-hp and 268 ft-lbs of torque the base Challenger gains 55-hp and 18 ft-lbs over last year’s model. This also puts the Challenger in the same numbers gave as its two major competitors with the Camaro boasting 312-hp and the Mustang with 305-hp (although the Stangd weights 400 lbs less).

Paired with a new six-speed automatic the 2011 Challenger will get a bump in fuel economy as well, with Chrysler claiming that across its fleet the engine will represent a 7 percent increase in miles per gallon.

With the recent introduction of the Pentastar V6 in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger and Dodge Journey, Chrysler has announced that this new engine will replace seven other engines in the next three years, with those engines ranging in displacement from 2.7-liters to 4.0-liters. The plan is to not only improve fuel economy and power, but to reduce overhead costs by simplifying the engine offerings.

GALLERY: 2011 Dodge Challenger

Official release after the jump:

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The finalists for the 2011 Green Car of the Year award have been announced and unlike in years past there’s a lot of competition, not to mention a lot at stake. Some serious heavyweights are on the list for 2011 including the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. Other finalists include the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Interestingly, the Ford Fiesta has also made it through to the top five and is the only vehicle of the group that doesn’t incorporate some sort of electric drive. Notably absent this year are any diesel offerings.

The Leaf is touted as the world’s first mass-production electric car with a 100 mile range, while the Volt is able to travel anywhere from 20-50 miles on electric power before the gasoline engine kicks in to charge the battery packs and add an additional 300 mile range. Lincolns MKZ Hybrid is rated at 41/36-mpg (city/highway), while the Sonata Hybrid achieves 37/40-mpg. As for the Fiesta, it can achieve up to 40-mpg on the highway using conventional internal combustion technology.

“These five 2011 Green Car of the Year finalists reflect an auto industry in transition,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “It wasn’t long ago when electric drive was a novelty. Now, it’s expected that auto manufacturers will include electric drive in some form among their model offerings.”

According to the Green Car Journal nominees, “must stand out as exemplary models that forward environmental performance in meaningful and quantifiable ways,” while the “newness” of the technology and its ability to penetrate the market are also important.

The winner of the 2011 Green Car of the Year award will be chosen by a panel of judges that include Carl Pope, chairman of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society and Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA. And let’s not forget Jay Leno and Carroll Shelby and the editors of the Green Car Journal.

The winner of the award will be announced at the LA Auto Show on November 18th. We do, however, suggest you take the announcement of the winner with a grain of salt, as last year’s winner was Audi A3 TDI.

Official release after the jump:

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When we test drove the Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5 , we did our best to provide you with an accurate impression of what it feels like to drive something so completely different from anything else on the road.

Even with the limited range, the lack of practicality and the huge pricetag, we would still have one without thinking. This video should explain why.

The young auto enthusiast in this video best represents the mixture of fear and exhiliration when you put your foot down and feel the car just GO. Although we managed to get a giggle out of Peter Miller, our photographer for the Tesla review, Peter races go-karts at a high level and is used to going fast. For the average person, the video below is much more accurate of what it really feels like to hit warp speed in Elon Musk’s electric speed-demon.

Hit the jump to see the Tesla Roadster acceleration video.

[Thanks to Autoblog for the link]

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BMW is certainly rolling out a lot of special edition models lately. The Japanese have already seen the BMW X6 Performance Unlimited, while the Australians got the M3 Pure Edition and China got the M3 Tiger Edition. BMW has come back full circle by offering the Japanese market with another special edition vehicle, this time in the form of their popular E92 M3 dubbed Competition Package.

The exterior shade is the identical Fire Orange metallic shade as seen on the Chinese Tiger Edition M3. The car also features BMW’s 359M styling wheels, which are 19-inches in size and come in a black finish. Up front the air intake ducts on the hood are also painted black with a matching pair of kidney grilles. The rear exhaust receives some shiny chrome tips. The mirrors receive a carbon fiber cover while the interior is accessorized with carbon fiber trim throughout.

For the most part, it’s essentially the same as the China Tiger Edition M3, though there’s no word on how many will be produced for the Japanese market yet.

GALLERY: Japanese BMW M3 Competition Package

[Source: Autoevolution]

Fox Marketing has built some impressive Lexus projects in the past for SEMA, including their IS350C from last year’s show, and they teased us with their luxury sedan LS600hL project earlier this year. Now we’ve got some sexy snaps of the car ahead of its SEMA reveal.

On the exterior, the luxury Japanese sedan sports a full body kit from Artisan Spirits. The kit was imported from Japan and it looks like the fitment is pretty good. Once the kit was installed, the car received a coat of BASF Glasurit Glacier Green paint. The color seems to be a rich, dark-toned green that flows well with the luxurious vibe of the LS600hL.

SSBC ponied up a big brake upgrade for the sedan (which really just comprised of enhancing the stock components) while the factory air ride suspension was modified to allow the vehicle to go anywhere from 0-4 inches lower. The most interesting part of the car is probably the wheel choice; they’re 20×9.5-inch Rotiform Concave BLQ wheels in a candy copper finish. They’re definitely different and give the LS600 some much-needed sport to go with its elegance.

We’ll be sure to snap few extra pics of the car at the 2010 SEMA Show, with complete coverage starting November 2nd. Until then, check out our SEMA Preview here.

GALLERY: Fox Marketing Lexus LS600hL

[Source: Cardomain]

A few days ago we revealed that Stasis engineering would debut its 710-hp R8 Spyder in the Audi booth at SEMA and now Stasis has released full details on three more vehicles that will appear at their own booth.

Stasis will be bringing several of their Signature Series-tuned vehicles, showing off to the world just how great customized Audis can look and perform. An S5 Cabriolet will feature performance modifications that help it put out 410-hp instead of the factory 333-hp. These upgrades also enhance torque by 26 ft-lbs and SEMA visitors will be able to admire the six-piston Alcon calipers up close and personal. For the SUV lovers out there, Stasis’ Audi Q5 puts out 310-hp with upgrades to its handling and braking capabilities. Lastly, the popular S4 sedan has close to 80-hp more than the factory to go along with its suspension and brake upgrades.

Stasis Engineering products are all sold at Audi dealerships nationwide, offering up to a 25-percent increase in performance for various Audi models. This is in addition to their suspension, brake and driveline enhancing products. All Stasis Engineering products installed by a certified Audi dealership are backed with a 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty. (No wonder they’ve got such a good relationship with the folks at Audi corporate).

Look for photos of all the Stasis vehicles with AutoGuide’s complete coverage of the 2010 SEMA Show starting November 2nd. Until then, check out our SEMA Preview here.

Official press release available after the break.

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