According to a study conducted by the Department of Transportation, results revealed that Americans have been driving less now than they have over a year ago.

Travel on U.S. roads have declined by 1.3 percent through the first eight months of the year when measured against the same period a year ago. This 1.3 percent drop translates to about 26 billion vehicles miles traveled, a number that has not been recorded since 2003.

The result of many exterior forces at work, there are no clear indications to explain the decline. A likely assumption is the increase in fuel prices over last year as well as the recent economic times have encouraged more people to take daycations and staycations than to plan extended road trips.

[Source: usa today]

A new study shows that car owners who claimed a total vehicle loss with their insurance provider were much less satisfied then those who claimed a repairable vehicle.

The  J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study rates satisfaction based on 1,000-point scale, and the satisfaction average for those claiming a total loss is 811 – that’s 42 points lower then claimants with a repairable vehicle. The disparity between numbers can be blamed on the fact that total loss claimants weren’t happy with the settlement. Half of those polled said they didn’t receive enough to replace their wreaked vehicle with a similar vehicle.

“Auto claims resulting in a total loss tend to be more complex, compared with vehicle repair claims, because in addition to filing a claim, claimants also have to purchase a replacement vehicle,” said Jeremy Bowler, senior director of the insurance practice at J.D. Power and Associates.

To measure results, the study used the following factors to determine satisfaction: first notice of loss; service interaction; appraisal; repair process; rental experience; and settlement. It’s no surprise that the settlement category turned out to be the important factor in overall satisfaction with both total loss and repair claimants.

When it comes to actual insurance companies that claimants were most satisfied with, Auto-Owners Insurance took the top spot for the fourth year in a row with a score of 890. State Farm came in second with a score of 878, while Amica Mutual ranks third with 865. American Family and The Harford round out the top five, coming in with 862 and 858 respectively.

Toyota’s Yaris will be the next B-Spec Club Racer, joining the likes of the Honda Fit, Mazda Mazda2 and more recently, the Kia Rio, Fiat 500 and Ford Fiesta. Set to debut at this year’s SEMA Show, it’ll be the first race car built for competition in the United States from the next-generation 2012 Yaris SE.

Built by SportsCar Magazine and based on the new second-generation Yaris SE three-door hatchback, the Yaris Club racer will aim to compete in SCCA’s B-spec class race segment in 2012 with Jamie Bestwick, an Action Sports Star and BMX legend, behind the wheel. The livery on the first Club racer pays homage to Toyota’s 1998 LeMans pole-winning GT-One race car (though no pictures have been released yet).

Toyota did not mention if they plan on having B-Spec Club Racers readily available to the public for race teams interested in campaigning them. The one set to debut at SEMA however features Toyota’s 1.5L VVT-i powerplant that has minimal engine modifications such as a K&N air filter, Beta Motorsports cat-back exhaust and an AEM EMS Series 2 tuned by Church Automotive. It’ll be racing on 15×7-inch Enkei RPF1 wheels wrapped with 205/50/15 Hoosier Racing Tire A6, while Cusco’s Zero-3 suspension kit and center lock pillowball upper mounts gives the Yaris the handling capabilities it needs to succeed.

Look for photos with AutoGuide’s 2011 SEMA Show coverage starting here November 1st.

GALLERY: Toyota Yaris B-Spec

Ferrari is preparing to add more testosterone to its “chick” car, the California, for the 2012 model year. The mid-cycle update will see 30-hp added to the 4.3-liter V8 for a new total output of 483-hp, while torque will increase as well to 373 lb-ft. (That extra output may only be available with higher octane fuel, however).

But that’s not all. Boosting overall performance is a weight reduction by as much as 66 lbs, thanks to lighter wheels and new aluminum parts for some of the chassis.

In addition, Ferrari will offer a Handling Speciale package with new magnetic ride shock absorbers that can react up to 50 percent faster, with adjustments every 5 ms and total change from soft to full hard in just 8 ms.

Look for other minor upgrades like a larger hard drive and an optional silver front grille.

GALLERY: Ferrari California

[Source: CAR]

Chevrolet is doing it big at the 2011 SEMA Show as it will releases multiple Camaros and Corvettes this year. Chris Perry, the vice president of Chevrolet global marketing and strategy, says, “Go to any Corvette or Camaro enthusiast event and you will have a hard time finding a factory-stock vehicle. These are cars that owners treat as canvases to express their personalization and high-performance dreams– and have been for decades. The SEMA Show is the perfect venue to test new customization concepts and to inspire new owners to start modifying their cars.”

One of the highlights for Chevrolet at SEMA will be the “Custom Camaro,” a full-size tribute to the original Hot Wheels 1:64 scale model line back in 1968. Other Camaros present at the upcoming SEMA Show include the Red Zone Concept, Camaro Synergy Series Concept, Camaro 1LE Concept and finally, the Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept.

The Red Zone Camaro convertible features a new-for-2012 Crystal Claret red exterior paint job. A showcase of Camaro style, the convertible will display the personalization options available through a collection of carefully selected accessories including a new heritage stripe graphic, body-color grill and convertible wind screen, “RS” underhood liner, polished strut tower brace, Chevrolet licensed Pedders suspension lowering kit, and 21 inch silver polished wheels.

For its interior, the Red Zone will receive a Titanium leather interior with Silver Ice accents, “Camaro” logo floor mats, soft black instrument panel inserts, and Silver Ice door and instrument panel inserts. Designer Adam Barry tells us, “This is a Camaro for those who want great looks and a performance personality. It’s a simple yet dramatic statement that is uniquely Camaro.”

Now for the Camaro Synergy Series, GM aims to put on the best of the best of Camaro accessories and present the concept in a distinct red accented silver color scheme. Chevrolet will pay close attention to the latest Synergy concept as it could be brought to production if it receives the desired amount of positive reception. Highlights on the Synergy include a Silver Ice exterior with Synergy Black stripes along the hood, body color ground effects, 21 inch black wheels with red accents, Chevrolet licensed Pedders suspension lowering kit, red Brembo brakes, a red engine cover, SS underhood liner, polished strut tower brace, a short-throw shifter by Hurst, Black leather on red stitching interior, and “Camaro” logo floor mats. Synergy decals will be prominent displayed on this Camaro while SS or RS exterior badges will be removed. Anything to set this beast apart!

The 1LE option code was first available in the third generation of the Camaro. Further refined, the new 1LE concept will be a track focused package and will feature production components from both the Camaro SS as well as the upcoming ZL1. Victory Red paint and a matte black hood with hash mark decal flatters the Camaro 1LE’s exterior. Satin black accents will highlight the LE’s splitter, rocker panels, rear spoiler and its side mirrors. The 1LE also gets black leather interior with Light Stone stitching, door and instrument panels in Graphite Silver, a ZL1 shifter and flat-bottom steering wheel and a custom pedal kit. For its performance components, the close-ratio six speed manual 1LE will get lighweight 20 inch racing wheels wrapped around by sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G asymmetrical tires. Brakes are a set of hardcore six pot Brembo brakes in the front and four pot in the rear. Finally, the 1LE’s suspension will feature a trick Magnetic Ride Control set up as well as electric power steering.

Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser explains that the, “Camaro 1LE concept is all about the track. It’s an all-out race car package that pays tribute to that special option from the past.”

Finally, a ZL1 Carbon Concept Camaro will be featured as well. As advertised, the ZL1 will receive layers of naked carbon fiber to present a car that’s all about function. The ZL1 Carbon gets exposed-weave carbon fiber trim on its “Mohawk” hood, rear spoiler, and instrument panel and interior inserts too. A set of 20 inch wheels in satin black complete the aggressive look of the ZL1′s exterior. Performance components featured in the ZL1 Carbon are the same Brembo brakes found in the 1LE, a dual exhaust kit with active exhaust and diffuser, Manetic Ride Control, short throw shifter, flat bottom steering wheel, and a sporty Jet Black leather interior with sueded microfiber seat inserts and Torch Red stitching.

As Tony Roma, Camaro ZL1 program engineering manager, said, “If its styling doesn’t intimidate you, its performance on the track will.”

We begin the Corvettes with the Corvette Carlisle Blue Grand Sport, celebrating 30 years of “Corvettes at Carlisle,” one of the largest annual Corvette events in North America. The concept Corvette will feature a new Carlisle Blue exterior with Pearl White racing stripes, rocker panels, and new Torque 2 wheels. The special Corvette will receive a hand built dry sump 6.2 liter LS3 engine mated to a six speed manual transmission. The Corvette will also get Magnetic Selective Ride Control, gray six-piston brake calipers, Goodyear F1 Supercar Gen 2 tires, dual mode exhaust, and a racing pedal package. The Carlisle Blue Concept will also get a “4LT option” Ebony/Titanium leather color interior and blue stitching, a new Bose nine-speaker audio set up, USB port, audio input, touch screen iPod integration, and Grand Sport console lid and floor mats.

Finally, following the success of Corvette Racing C5.R and C6.R racing driver Ron Fellows, who is honored with the induction into the National corvette Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2011, Chevrolet pays tribute to Fellows’ achievement by creating the Torch Red Corvette Z06 Ron Fellows ‘Hall of Fame’ Tribute. The special edition Corvette features the Z06 performance package, Magnetic Selective Ride Control, CFZ carbon fiber package with splitter and rocker moldings, carbon fiber raced hood, red brake calipers, black headlamp housing and mirrors.

As for its interior, ebony leather with red stitching set a theme for performance and racing pedals, Alcantara steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake handle complete the look. Check out the gallery below and see the complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here.

GALLERY: Chevrolet at SEMA 2011

With photos leaking yesterday, today comes news of what the Toyota FT-86 is like to drive. But first, the specs. According to one of the journos at CAR Magazine, who had some seat time in the affordable sports car, look for the 2.0-liter to boxer 4-cylinder to develop around 200-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. The car’s curb weight should be around 2,645 lbs, although the final production number has yet to be released and will differ from market to market. That said, look for a 0-60 time of around 7 seconds.

As for the driving experience, it’s good says CAR‘s Ben Barry after a first-drive of a prototype model. In fact, he says it, “trounces its closest rival, the Mazda MX-5, in the fun stakes.” That’s quite a statement.

Highlights include throttle response and steering with a rev-happy 7500 rpm redline, a soft rev limiter and a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. Less impressive is the feel of the shifter and the car’s willingness to understeer at higher speeds. Also in the negative column is the ‘Sport’ setting for the stability control system, which is still too intrusive – although engineers are reportedly working on a less restrictive version. And finally, there’s the Torsen limited slip differential, rather than a mechanical one, although Toyota engineers are reportedly also planning on offering a version with a mechanical LSD, as well as other upgraded components, like Brembo brakes.

The drive was of a prototype model and Toyota intended to use the info to help develop the final production version, so we’ll await our first chance behind the wheel and relay our impressions as soon as possible.

Under neath the bodywork is a MacPherson front end and a double wishbone rear suspension setup and the test car even had pricey Sachs shocks. The car’s weight balance is projected to be around 53/47.

Other items of note is a standard keyless ignition system, while a six-speed automatic will be offered, reportedly based on the 8-speed in the IS-F, so look for some pretty quick shifts.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 Concept

[Source: CAR]

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Just days after announcing that he had rebuffed a full takeover of Saab by Chinese investors Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., company CEO Victor Muller has proven that he can change his tune, in a hurry. Swedish Automobile N.V. has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with both Pand Da and Youngman to sell the Swedish automaker to the two Chinese companies, in its entirety.

The deal announced is for the total sale of Saab for the sum of $100 million Euros, or roughly $142 million and is contingent upon Pang Da and Youngman funding the automaker.

The memorandum of understanding is not a finished deal, but it will stand until November 15, by which point the final transaction is expected to be completed. Knowing Saab’s tumultuous history, however, this roller coaster of a business story is likely far from over.

This move represents the latest push by the Chinese to break into the global automotive market. In July of 2010, the Chinese government approved a deal that saw the sale of Volvo (the other Swedish automaker) to Geely for the sum of $1.8 billion.

Today’s total nonsense rumor comes from Chrysler fansite Allpar, which is reporting that the 2013 Dodge Viper will get an 8.7L V10 and doesn’t cite any source, anonymous or otherwise.

While Chrysler boss Ralph Gilles has said that the Viper will retain a V10 engine, we have a hard time believing that an 8.7L motor would appear during a time when everyone is downsizing. Sure, the Viper has never been about fuel economy, but there’s no reason for Dodge to go this route whatsoever.

[Source: Allpar]

Snow or no snow, BMW will be braving the Detroit winter to show off the 2013 F30 3 Series in its public debut January 12.

The announcement comes after the initial debut earlier this month in Munich and reveals that there will be the standard and M Sport packages along with three new lines: sport, luxury and modern.

The exterior design is courtesy of Christian Weil, who also designed the 5 Series GT, while the interior comes from Christian Bauer who designed the current generation 6 Series coupe and convertible, ultimately offering a melting effect that shares features of both designers previous projects.

The exterior design builds on the pervious model’s rounded shaping but there’s a new face to look at. The headlights now stretch to the nose, just touching the grill, which also has a more pronounced and aggressive look borrowed from the 6 Series. The rear end will stay much the same, maintaining BMW’s L-shaped design.

The interior materials will vary based on trim level, but an instrument cluster tilted seven degrees towards the driver will add to the driver-oriented feeling of the car.

GALLERY: 2012 3 Series

[Source: BMWBlog.com]

If you aren’t familiar with the gravely rumble of a diesel powered vehicle you probably will be soon.

They’re commonplace in Europe thanks to better milage and will be in the same position on American shores thanks to increasingly stringent government standards.

Jeff Breneman, executive director of the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars, said to the Midwest Automotive Media Association that if manufacturers make more diesel cars available, people will hurry to buy them.

He’s probably right, considering big North American car suppliers like Chevy and Mazda are rolling diesel siblings of their popular Cruze and Mazda6 in 2013. Cummins is also ramping up its engine production in anticipation of greater demand.

It’s hard to think North Americans will turn their noses up at diesel considering the government’s pending 54.5 mile-per-gallon standard to be in place by 2015.

The end result is an incredibly efficient car that offers immense pull from a stop and satisfying top-end power. To say the least, we were impressed.

“The fact that Chevy will offer a diesel Cruze in 2013 is huge,” Brenenman said. “The gas-powered Cruze will get 40 mpg (5.9 L/100 km), so the diesel is expected to get 50 mpg [or more] (4.7 L/100 km), and that will make it a game-changer.”

He also speculated that Ford Toyota and Honda will have introduced diesel variants by 2014.

If you’re don’t want to wait for Mazda to release their new engines, or the new Chevy Cruze, you could always look to Volkswagen. They’ve been selling diesel siblings to their cars in North America for decades, with significant improvements per generation.

Brenenman said that a third of consumers will opt for the diesel version of the Jetta or Passat because of their better fuel economy. The trouble comes in when supplies run out because it takes six to eight weeks for a new shipment.

Of course in a little more than a year that issue will be a thing of the past, but that isn’t the only thing driving diesel into the future. Brenenman said because emissions standards between Europe and North America are on par, it’s easier for already-existing cars to be sold on both continents with little change.

If you’re still skeptical take a look at our review of the Mazda prototype using their new SkyActiv-D engine, it provides a relatively low compression ratio and  tall redline with 340 foot-pounds of torque.

[Source: Wards Auto]