Earlier this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), revealed documents concerning a safety investigation probe by federal regulators into a severe rear wheel rusting issue afflicting 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, driven in states where the roads are salted during the winter months.

So far, NHTSA’s Office of Defects has received approximately seven complaints concerning severe corrosion, a few in which rust has actually compromised the integrity of the anchor mounts that hold the third row seats in place, causing them to fail.

In response to the probe, Ford Motor Company has already said it will fully cooperate with the Feds on the issue, according to statement by company spokesman Dan Pierce. Approximately 63,000 Ford and Mercury minivans are believed to be affected by the problem.

Besides this, NHTSA is also currently investigating another potential van rust problem, concerning GM’s full-size Chevy Express, citing some 17,165 vans from the 2003 model year. In this case, the problem concerns corrosion of the fuel filler pipe on examples driven in snow belt states, a combination of salt, debris and moisture can cause the filler neck to rust and separate, creating a potential fire hazard.

As is the case with the Ford minivans, GM has said it is fully cooperating with NHTSA on the rusty fuel filler neck issue concerning the affected Chevy Express models.

[Source: Automotive News]

Out of all the current 2012 vehicles available, which would you think are the most suitable when it comes to winter driving?

Well, given that the snow, sleet, ice, hard rain and other glorious aspects of winter weather are now with us for the next few months, making motoring conditions rather dicey at times, that’s something the editors  at Kelley Blue Book.com decided to investigate.

When all was said and done, the results of their findings revealed a rather diverse range of vehicles. From cars to minivans, trucks and SUVs, all which shared a common trait, namely a user friendly all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive system, designed to maintain traction under slippery conditions.

According to KBB.com executive editorial director Jack R. Nerad, the top 10 winter driving vehicles were machines that  ”help keep you on the road, whether that journey involves a mundane commute to work or a well-deserved weekend getaway to a favorite ski resort.”

Ranked on the list from 10th place to number one were the following vehicles:

10th Subaru Outback; 9th, Toyota Sienna AWD; 8th, Acura MDX; 7th, Ford F-150 4x 4; 6th, Honda CR-V AWD; 5th, Audi A6 Quattro 3.0T;  4th, Chevrolet Traverse AWD; 3rd, Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2nd, Subaru Impreza.

And the winner? Well perhaps not surprisingly, considering the accolades it’s been receiving since launch last year, was the 2012 Range Rover Evoque.

According to KBB.com, the Evoque not only represents “the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient model to ever grace the Land Rover lineup,” it’s also a highly capable machine both on and off the tarmac thanks to its “intelligent all-wheel drive system, Terrain Response feature and Tri-mode Adaptive Dynamics suspension designed to maintain optimal ride and handling characteristics under all driving situations.”

Click here to read Autoguide’s review of the Range Rover Evoque.

[Source: Kelley Blue Book]

Although official stats are lacking for this beast, the video footage alone is enough to tell most of the tale.

This fake Lamborghini Diablo looks as impressive as the real thing from the outside, and when you see whats under the hood it begins to look like an enthusiasts wet dream. Outfitted with four turbo units attached to a BMW 5.0L V12 engine, this “Diablo” is a scary powerful machine that probably puts out more horses than anyone could ever want. But it certainly looks cool.

The video was uploaded by youtube user wcheck08 and comes from an undisclosed location which appears to be an auto show of some kind. Watch the video after the jump to see a walk around of this unique kit car.

[Source:GTSpirit]

Continue Reading…

It’s that time of year when lots of car companies are about to unveil new model’s at various auto shows around the world. Buick is no exception, and it will use the 2012 North American International Auto Show to unveil its latest creation, the Encore CUV.

Before the veil is fully lifted off this new model, Buick is using the same trick many other car companies have used, by releasing styling details one piece at a time. Well now they have shown us a lot more than before, by showing the entire greenhouse of the vehicle.

Their latest leak did not come courtesy of some spy shot or a car magazine that went to the printer a little early. No, this time it was Buick themselves who posted a half-revealing shot of the Encore on the Facebook page.

From what we can see, the vehicle looks quite attractive. No technical details are available at the moment, but since the official debut is on January 10th, you don’t have to wait too long to find out.

If you’ve got a full house, it means that you have a full car. And it probably means that you’ve spent a lot of frustrating time trying to fit three child-safety seats in the back seat of your car. It’s much easier with a minivan, but when you’ve got a car, it can drive you to distraction.

If you’re dead-set against getting a minivan, there are some cars out there that fit three child-safety seats in the back. In order to safely fit three of these seats in the backseat, there must be enough room between the booster seat and safety seat for a child’s hand to reach the seat belt buckle.

Here is a check list of cars that aren’t minivans that can fit three child seats in the back, following the safety specifications listed above:

2012 Honda Pilot
2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
2011 Chrysler 300 and 300C
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2011 Land Rover LR4
2011 Nissan Murano

[Source: Kicking Tires]

If you were disappointed with what you found under the tree on the 25th, you should get yourself something you really want – like Slot Mod’s RCR 917 slot car track.

Made famous by Vic Elford and Gerald Larrousse who drove it to win 1971’s 12 Hours of Sebring, this limited edition RCR 917 opens to reveal a cool slot-car racing track.

Staying true to its original shape, the RCR 917 features fiberglass body panels that keep its original form. Equipped with rolling aluminum three-piece original-style center lock wheels, race-worn tires, working headlights and taillights, Slot Mod’s RCR 917 is crafted with superb attention to detail. Inside, you’re treated to a 1/32 scale wooden slot car raceway, complete with period-correct signs, banners, aluminum Armco railing, trees and structures – all of which are handcrafted.

There’s no word on a price for it, as it’s made based on custom specifications unique to each customer, but we’re sure it’ll cost you all of your Christmas money. If you’re serious about ordering the RCR 917, you can find out more at Slot Mod’s site.

[Source: Gizmodo]

Car companies that sell their vehicles in Europe have to deal with the toughest emission standards in the world, and they are about to get tougher still.

The European Union has just announced that it wants to improve emissions by 20% in 2015, and to achieve that goal, it is tightening emission regulations starting from 2012.

As of January 1st, all automobile manufacturer’s who produce more than 10,000 vehicles per-year, will need to sell 65% of their annual sales of cars that produce less than 130-grams of Co2/kilometer (0.621-miles).

Automakers who cannot comply with this regulation will pay a fine of $6.50 per-gram for each car that is over. This could add to millions by the end of the year, making survival in the auto industry even tougher than before.

Renault’s Romanian brand Dacia will be in trouble with these new regulations in 2012, and Daimler is expected to be in even more trouble, as it would have to pay a fine of $2500 per vehicle.

Not all car companies will be in trouble however. Toyota, Peugeot and Fiat produce vehicles that produce between 112 to 119 grams/km.

While this regulation favors companies that produce small cars, those who produce large SUV’s will either have to cut production or start offering a small commuter car to bring their average down.

[Source: Left Lane News]

10. Fiat Returns to America

As another calendar year draws to a close it’s time to take a look back at the top 10 biggest stories of the year in the auto industry. It’s been a busy 12 months, starting all the way back in March when the Fiat 500 officially went on sale, marking the return of the brand to America. The last time an Italian car was sold here that didn’t cost six figures (or close to it) was 27 years ago. Since then, Fiat has introduced the 500C convertible model and most recently the Fiat 500 Abarth, aimed at enthusiasts.

The jury is still out on the Fiat brand’s success in North America, although the first year has failed to live up to expectations, with Fiat predicting sales of 50,000 units, while according to automotive data firm GoodCarBadCar only 17,444 have been sold in the first 11 months of the year (add 5,000 more if you include Canada). Some of this may be the result of Fiat’s marketing initiative with several ads featuring Jenifer Lopez, which the Fiat faithful rejected and many believe cost the brand boss Laura Souve her job. Getting the Fiat dealer network up and running also proved a challenge.

With more models coming, and Alfa Romeo set to return in 2013, Fiat is here to say. More importantly, perhaps, is the Fiat connection to Chrysler – a company it saved from bankruptcy and which it is now slowly rebuilding back into a profitable automaker.

2012 is starting to look like the year of the new hachi roku as both Toyota and Subaru ready for an onslaught of marketing events for their joint sports car. For the upcoming Tokyo Auto Solon, held from Juanuary 13 to 15th, two special Subaru BRZ’s will be on display.

First the BRZ Concept STI will feature suspension upgrades, Brembo brakes tower bar, front and rear spoilers, sport muffler, 18-inch rims, as well as prototype carbon-fiber components including carbon front hood and a carbon roof.

Next, Subaru has collaborated with aftermarket tuner Prova for a BRZ Black Edition. Despite carrying over a name meant for elite AMG cars, Prova and the fellow tuning community will no doubt continue to create exciting new products for the new sports car.

As for factory Subaru, a new Impreza G4 STI will join the exhibition floor with all manners of performance upgrades. A GT300 BRZ and the outgoing GT300 Legacy will join the floor as well. What’s more, Subaru has announced its motorsport resurgence with the entry of an Impreza STI in the Nurburgring 24 as well as the return to rally competition with its participation in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Discuss this story at SubaruBRZForum.com

Toyota has done a stellar job getting us grossly excited about the release of their newest sports car – the Scion FR-S in America (read our review here) – and now we can add yet another video to their endless promotional material.

This time however, we get to see the GT 86 out on the road along with behind the scene test drive clips. But what’s really awesome is the tribute appearance by Toyota’s S800, which was first introduced to the Japanese market in 1965. Back the, the sports car featured a 0.8L, two-cylinder boxer engine with a mere 45-hp and a top speed of just 100-mph. Only 3,131 examples of the S800 were produced from ’65 to ’69 and it’s a nice appearance alongside Toyota’s new future, the GT 86.

Check out the video after the break.

Continue Reading…