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25/05/2011 | By: Harry Lay

An updated U.S fuel economy label was unveiled today aimed at reducing gasoline consumption and exhaust emissions. These new stickers will be required on all 2013 models, allowing consumers to quickly glance at fuel consumption.

The sticker will also display estimates of fuel or electricity required to drive 100 miles as well as time needed to charge a plug-in vehicle such as the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.

Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says the reason for the redesigned labels is to give consumers, “the best possible information about which cars on the lot offer the greatest fuel economy and the best environmental performance.” The EPA developed the updated labels with assistance from the Department of Transportation.

Check out the video after the jump!

Continue Reading…

25/05/2011 | By: Nauman Farooq

The Jaguar E-Type is arguably the most beautiful sports car ever made. Ever since it was introduced back in 1961, many car companies have tried to copy its iconic shape, yet none have gotten the same effect.

Even Jaguar have tried to revive the E-type design in recent history with cars like their XK, but have failed to capture the elegance and beauty of the original.

A thing of beauty it might be, but an E-Type is hardly the most reliable car you can own. So what to do if you want to own a E-Type but also want modern technology and reliability thrown into the package? You get yourself an Eagle E-Type.

Eagle has been modernizing the E-Type since 1982 and their attention to detail have brought them much fame. Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson even named the Eagle E-Type as his pick for “The Car of the Century.”

Now Eagle is set to bring a new toy to the annual automotive party called Salon Privé. This annual event in London, U.K. attracts all the exotic car makes, and Eagle hopes to make a positive impression with their new E-Type Speedster.

Judging by the pictures, they should have no problem attracting admiring glances. It should perform as well as it looks also. The 4.7-liter, straight-six cylinder engine produces 310 hp and 340 lb/ft of torque, paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. Combine that with its weight of just 2,222 lbs., and it gives you the power to weight ratio of the new Porsche 911 Turbo.

Eagle believes this Speedster model will accelerate from 0-60 mph in under five-seconds, and can top 160 mph.

No prices have been announced yet, but if you happen to be in London between June 22 to 24, you can see this car in person in the Syon Park section of  Salon Privé.

[Source: World Car Fans]

25/05/2011 | By: Harry Lay

A poll has just been released asking Americans to rate their likelihood of making certain lifestyle changes based on different hypothetical gas prices. 57 percent of respondents refused to consider buying an “electric car that you could only drive for a limited number of miles at one time” no matter how high gas prices go.

Instead, they are more willing to buy a more fuel-efficient one if gas prices rise to the $5-per-gallon range. Only 12% say at that price, they would be willing to buy such a car that they could drive only a limited number of miles at one time.

High-income Americans are about twice as likely as those with low incomes to admit they would purchase an electric car if gas prices rose to the $5 range. Interestingly, no matter whether respondents view higher prices as temporary or permanent, or the degree of financial difficulty high gas prices are causing them, electric care are as equally unpopular as high gas prices.

One issue with volatile gas prices is that most Americans cannot respond immediately to them by significantly adjusting their lifestyles. However, change can be made over time. By asking Americans at what price they might react in a potentially significant way, an understanding into consumer price sensitivity(price elasticity) and the resulting future consumer behaviours can be studied.

Predictions have been made that gas prices will reach $4.52 a gallon this year. Even with this expensive prediction, most Americans seem unwilling and/or unable to significantly change their overall lifestyles. Most Americans suggest this will continue to be the case even if fas prices stay high or climb even more. To combat this expense, Americans will cut back in other areas by spending less on expenses like retail and household items, significantly affecting the US economy.

[Source: Gallup]

25/05/2011 | By: Blake Z. Rong

20 years ago, buying a Hyundai (and a used one at that) was seen as a sign of failure, as Glengarry Glen Ross alluded to. Now, mercifully, not so much. And to reiterate this bit of pop-culture-driven consumer advice, Hyundai is offering three months of free XM satellite radio on all Hyundais within their Certified Pre-Owned program.

“Hyundai drivers have come to expect high quality, reliability and safety across our entire model lineup,” said Jose Froehlich, manager of Hyundai CPO. “SiriusXM programming highlights the innovative features that make driving a Hyundai vehicle enjoyable.”

Hyundai already offers satellite radios on most of their new cars, and this is only available on cars already equipped from the factory; don’t count them to jam a new head unit in for you. Still, among non-luxury manufacturers Hyundai’s offer is unique: let’s see Alec Baldwin get satellite radio on his $80,000 BMW! Then again, that’s from 1992. Never mind.

25/05/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Celebrating the 10th year anniversary of its Honda Civic Tour, Honda has announced that this year’s event will be headlined by blink-182 and My Chemical Romance. For those that have been following the Honda Civic Tour throughout its years will know that blink-182 was also the headline band for the first ever Honda Civic Tour in 2001. This year they’ll be joined by My Chemical Romance as they trek through 40-plus stops starting on August 5th, 2011.

Those that are members of the blink-182 and My Chemical Romance fan clubs will have access to purchase tickets before the general public on June 6th. Public ticket sales will be available on June 10th at both Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

The tour will be perfect timing for Honda to celebrate the release of its ninth generation (2012) Civic with a blink-182 customized Si Coupe on display at all the events. My Chemical Romance will also have their CBR250R motorcycle on display. Unfortunately Honda didn’t disclose any word that the Civic will be given away this year.

GALLERY: 2011 Honda Civic Tour

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Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Honda Civic Si Review

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Honda Civic Review

25/05/2011 | By: Derek Kreindler

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The Nissan Leaf became the first EV to get a five star crash test rating from the Euro NCAP program, after scoring well in all categories involving passenger safety, on-board safety systems and pedestrian safety.

Also notable was the car’s lithium-ion battery system, which according to Nissan “completely withstood all the impacts.” “The Nissan Leaf proves that EVs can achieve the same safety levels as traditional cars. The standard is now set for the next generation of such cars on the European market,” said Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen.

The Leaf scored better than the Volvo V60, the Lexus CT200h and the Ford Focus for pedestrian safety. The Leaf scored 65 percent on the pedestrian safety test, better than the 60 percent required to gain a top score in the category.

[Source: Autocar]

25/05/2011 | By: Colum Wood

From the video experts that brought us the GoldRush Rally Trailer (and coverage of the entire event) comes a compilation of cars, guns and beautiful women that will awe you with cinematographic genius.

There isn’t much this video montage is missing, with cool music, amazing cars from all genres and some incredible shots that might get Jerry Bruckheimer to take notice.

Watch the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

25/05/2011 | By: Harry Lay

With the recent recession and high fuel prices, car buyers are placing a higher priority on fuel efficiency. To save at the pump, buyers are willing to sacrifice purchase, price, amenities and size but not safety, according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

1,764 random adult car owners were interviewed between April 28-May 2, 2011 regarding car buying and fuel economy issues. The surveyed said that nearly twice as many consumers expected to choose a model with much better or somewhat better fuel economy(62 percent) relative to those who are targeting about the same fuel economy (32 percent).

Survey respondents expect their next car should deliver an average of 29 mpg. More than 10 percent said they expect 40 mpg or better in their next car.

It was also interesting to note that only 17 percent of those interviewed will buy a car next year. As well, the state of the economy played a factor causing a significant shift in the age of the average car driven by respondents has increased by eight years.

With America’s passenger cars continuing to age, less than a fifth or car owners will look to replace their car any time soon. When buying a new car, fuel economy will be the deciding factor. To reach increased fuel economy, shoppers will compromise on size and even consider paying more for a diesel or hybrid.

New car Used car
Pay more for fuel-efficient car 58% 49%
Compromise amenities or comfort 44 54
Compromise size or capacity 47 48
Compromise performance 27 35
Compromise safety 11 14

[Source: Consumer Reports]

25/05/2011 | By: Derek Kreindler

A McLaren MP4-12C was involved in a severe crash at the Nurburgring race track in Germany, prompting speculation that the car was attempting to record a lap time on the famed circuit before the first cars were delivered to customers.

Reports  from Evo magazine state that the MP4-12C was travelling extremely fast around the track before the incident, and squealing tires and the sound of an impact could be heard at one point. A covered truck then apparently collected the damaged McLaren. Meanwhile, Evo spoke to a McLaren representative claimed that there was no attempted made at setting a lap time, stating ‘The run came as part of the development program. The car was out there completing laps as part of ongoing tests and wasn’t trying to set a benchmark time. At this point we’re not trying to set lap times but we’re confident that the car will be very fast around the Nürburgring when the time comes.”

The representative later claimed that the car would be analyzed at the McLaren Technical Centre in England, and that it was not a production-spec vehicle.

[Source: Evo]

25/05/2011 | By: Harry Lay

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NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, is raffling a one off 2011 Charger R/T. However, this is no ordinary Charger. There have been some performance modifications added to the Charger to make it quite  unique.

This Charger is outfitted with door scoops inspired by the 1970 Charger R/T, unique rear spoiler and front fascia, black chrome 20-inch rims as well as a Mopar performance lowering kit. Under the hood is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 coupled with a Mopar Cat-Back exhaust system. The interior is outfitted with Mopar Katzkin leather seats incrested with Busch’s signature and number.

“This is one fabulous Dodge,” said Busch.  “I’m delighted with what Dodge and Mopar have done and how they’ve helped the Foundation. They’ve done a stand-out job on this car. Someone is going to be very happy driving this amazing Dodge around town.”

Only 5,000 raffle tickets will be sold and they can be purchased online at www.kurtbusch.com for $100.00 each. The raffle is part of the Kurt Busch Foundation, and all the proceeds of the raffle are used to support health care, education, career training and the rehabilitation of individuals.

GALLERY: Dodge Charger R/T Kurt Busch Foundation

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[Source: Red Letter Dodge]