Toyota is conducting a voluntary recall for RAV4 and Highlander models in America, to replace the side curtain airbag sensor assembly.

On certain RAV4s built between 2007 and 2008 and Highlanders from 2008, there are two side curtain sensors that detect the side angle of a vehicle during a rollover. These sensors could fail and illuminate the airbag warning light, which would prevent the rollover detection system from activating. If both of these sensors fail, however, the side airbags could be fooled into thinking a rollover has actually happened, and deploy.

Only North American vehicles have this feature, and no other Toyota or Lexus cars around the world are affected. None of the 214,000 RAV4s or 94,000 Highlanders affected have actually deployed their airbags, but given Toyota’s recent history with recalls it’s fair to say that they are not taking any chances.

This week Nissan‘s UK subsidiary handed the keys of one of its Leaf Electric cars to London Mayor Boris Johnson.

The ceremony was part of a pilot program, initiated by Transport for London which will use the car on a trial basis for approximately one month, to determine the effectiveness of electric cars in city driving. Johnson has already pledged that London will become the ‘electric vehicle’ of Europe and a plan is in place to set up a network of some 1300 electric charging stations throughout the city by 2013.

At the handing over ceremony, Johnson remarked “I am pleased to accept a Nissan Leaf on Transport for London’s behalf so more of our staff can experience the silent, smooth electric experience for themselves, whilst carrying out their duties. We are looking forward to Nissan becoming one of our fantastic Source London partners helping us to make electric driving an easier, more convenient choice.”

The Leaf will join an existing fleet of electric vehicles currently operated by Transport for London and will be used primarily by Surface Transportation staff to inspect traffic signals and cameras.

The Leaf is currently one of the most talked about cars in the media and having already won the coveted European car of the Year award as well as the 2011 World Car of the Year honor.

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Joining the C-Class, C-Class Coupe and C63 AMG Sedan, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe is powered by the same 6.2-liter V8 from the sedan, making 451-hp and a serious 443 lb-ft of torque and can hit 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

But if you’ve got an AMG-type personality, then the AMG Performance package is the way to go with a modified engine that delivers 481-hp. Other upgrades include even more capable AMG brakes (painted red), a carbon fiber trunk lid spoiler, and an AMG steering wheel coated in Alcantara. AMG Performance Package equipped models shave a tenth of a second off to 60 mph, and raise the top speed from 155-mph to 174.

All models get a wider track with a more aggressive aero package, an upgraded suspension package, more direct steering, plus big 18-inch alloy wheels coated in 235/40/18 tires up front and 255/35/18 tires in the rear.

Keeping those tires gripped to the road should be a challenge, and making smokey burnouts all the more easy to achieve is a three-stage Electronic Stability Program that can be shut completely off.

For all the New York Auto Show news, see our coverage page here.

GALLERY: Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe

We think if you ask nicely, your wife will let you decorate your home with pieces from the Fiat 500 Design Collection. And just like the car, this furniture collection is designed to save space while making a bold style statement.

This uber-cool collection is sleek and modern, and it’ll be hard for your wife or interior decorator to make a case that they don’t go with anything else in the room. Taking its inspiration from the Fiat 500, the collection is designed by interior design company Meritalia and Lapo Elkann (the Fiat chairman’s brother and a potential future chairman of Ferrari.) You can furnishing your living space with the Picnic table (shown here), the Cin Cin bar counter and the Panorama sofa. Each of the pieces showcases the front end of the original Cinquecento and is available in red, white, green or black.

When you rely on another manufacturer to supply engines for your offerings, sometimes things can get a bit tricky. In the case of Lotus, that time has now come for the Elise and Exige.

With the supply of Toyota Twin Cam 2ZZ-GE four-cylinder engines now used up, the Norfolk based sports car maker is winding down production of these two models, though will send them out with bang, offering a run of Final Edition versions based on each car.

On the Exige front, this consists of a special model called the 260 Final Edition. Only 30 examples will be allocated for North American buyers, each retailing at a cost $67,500. For that you get the Lotus Tour Pack, Track Pack and Limited Slip Differential. In addition, for an extra $2400, 25 buyers will have the option of getting their 260 finished a menacing matte black exterior hue if so desired.

As for the Elise, well, in our neck-of-the-woods, just 15 examples of the SC Final Edition will make it to North American shores. Each of the cars will come fully loaded with options and the buyers will have a choice of four different exterior colors derived from that  used on the Euro market Elise Club Racer. Price? $57,500.

Production of the Elise/Exige is scheduled to end in July, so if you want one of the Final Edition cars, better sign up now!

[Source: Golden Gate Lotus Club]

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Unveiled at the New York Auto Show the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC is an electric race car concept based loosely on the world’s first mass-produced EV. Sitting over a foot lower and using a chassis made of carbon fiber, there wouldn’t at first seem to be much similar between the two vehicles – although the headlights and taillights do share some of the same design cues.

Build by Nissan’s NISMO racing division the car does, however, make use of an electric drivetrain similar to the one found in the production Leaf with a 80 kW electric motor that produces 107-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-62 mph time of 6.85 seconds due to a curb weight of just over 2,000 lbs. Nissan claims it can be recharged up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes and can run for 20 minutes at a time.

More than just a shiny auto show token, the car looks race ready and Nissan claims it is considering setting up a NISMO RC spec racing series to prove just how serious it is about electric car cars.

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Calling it, “the most powerful and technologically advanced Jeep ever,” Jeep brand CEO Mike Manley today unveiled the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 at the New York Auto Show. And he isn’t kidding.

Transforming the capable off-roader to a serious street machine, the team at SRT revamped the entire package to deliver sports car statistics. Impressive numbers include a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds and a quarter mile time in the mid 13 second range. And it’s not just a straight-line monster either, with a 0.9 G rating on the skidpad and a 60-0 braking distance of just 116 feet.

To achieve all that performance Jeep completely reworked the Grand Cherokee with a new 465-hp 6.4-liter V8, that makes an equally incredible 465 lb-ft of torque. Its been fitted under the hood of the GC chassis that’s been dropped one inch on new 20-inch wheels and features an adaptive suspension as well as the Quadra-trac AWD setup that can deliver up to 100 percent of the power to one rear wheel.

Adding plenty of style is an aggressive aero package, LED running lights, a sculpted hood with air vents. And inside there’s a custom interior with leather and Alcantara seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel and real carbon fiber trim.

GALLERY: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

The Mercedes stand at this year’s New York Auto Show had plenty of attractions, including the bi-turbo E63 AMG, the A-Class Concept and the C63 AMG Coupe. As impressive as these models are, the custom baby blue SLS proved an unusual attraction.

Looking like it had been outfitted in Gulf livery, the color is actually called Boudalis Blue, while some minor orange detailing was evident. Other style highlights included the matte-black detailing on the fender gills, matte-black “6.3″ logos, black wheels and golf-painted calipers.

Inside the custom Designo interior featured tame black leather seats, but with light orange stitching.

The car is a showpiece to let potential customers know the level of individuality Mercedes offers on such high-end models.

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS Individual

The Chevrolet Sonic actually looks like a good vehicle, and not just in relative terms to the outgoing Aveo that it replaces. In a classic case of misplaced good intentions, Chevrolet decided to take things up a level with their Sonic Z-Spec package, that combines questionable visual patterns with the color palette of a Creamsicle.

In addition to the goofy graphics, the Z-Spec package includes exhaust tip, roof spoiler, mirror caps, grille surrounds and a choice of 16″ or 17″ wheels, while the interior gets a an aluminum door sill kit and aluminum pedals. While the Sonic Z-Spec is supposed to capture the hearts and minds of young buyers, we think that the 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 40 mpg rating are much better ways to sell your product, as opposed to slathering your new car in orange-and-white polka dots.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec

The Mitsubishi i electric vehicle will start at $20,490 after a federal tax credit, coming in at nearly $5000 less than a Nissan Leaf.  The $20,490 sticker price is for a base ES model, while the upgraded SE trim with an 8-speaker 360 watt stereo, leather wrapped steering wheel, 15″ alloys and fog lamps will cost $22,490.

Mitsubishi will also offer an option packing for $2,790 that features a DC quick charging port, allowing the car to recharge to 80 percent battery level in 30 minutes. Other features include a navigation system, backup camera, steering wheel audio controls and a FUSE hands-free system.

Customers will be able to order their i starting on April 22nd via Mitsubishi’s online ordering system. Potential buyers will then have to PayPal $299 for a refundable deposit, and $99.99 for a home inspection fee (waived for the first 2,000 customers) to make sure their home can handle EV charging equipment. Once this process is complete, customers will be able to take delivery of their car as soon as it reaches our shores in November, 2011.