Car Reviews: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE
Mar 2, 2010 Object
Let’s get this out of the way: The Range Rover Sport HSE isn’t an economy car. My test vehicle was $70,845, which isn’t a bargain-basement buy. With that in mind, and the sad knowledge that I’m not in a position to own a Range Rover anytime soon, I quickly shifted gears and embraced this car for all it’s worth during my test drive. It’s beautiful and comfortable, it can handle any and all driving conditions with ease, and it’s family-friendly.
Tags: a-simple-turn, all-wheel-drive, conditions, fuel-economy, instantly-adapt, power, quickly-shifted, rover, supercharged, test-the-rover, turned-the-dial, vehicles
News & Rants: Recall Alert: 905,000 Chevy Cobalts and Pontiac G5s
Mar 2, 2010 Object
GM announced its plans to recall 1.3 million cars worldwide for a faulty power-steering system. In the U.S., about 905,000 2005-2010 Chevy Cobalts and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5s are included. The problem is with the power-steering system’s motor, which can make turning the car at speeds below 15 mph harder.
GM says owners will be able to steer the car and that a chime and warning message of “Power Steering” should illuminate. The company says this is more likely to happen as the cars age.
Unfortunately, GM doesn’t have a remedy in place to fix the problem for so many vehicles. It will likely include power-steering motors being replaced. GM will contact owners when it has a plan, and we’ll make sure to update our readers when they can get their cars serviced.
For more information, owners can contact GM’s owner center at GMownercenter.com or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.
Excerpt from:
News & Rants: Recall Alert: 905,000 Chevy Cobalts and Pontiac G5s
Tags: cars-serviced-, chevy-cobalts, national, power, readers, steer-the-car, test-the-rover, vehicles, with-the-power
News & Rants: Recall Alerts: 2010 Mazda CX-9, 2005 Honda Odyssey and 2010 Hyundai Tucson
Mar 1, 2010 Object
Mazda has issued a recall for 12,300 CX-9s from the 2010 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The CX-9 is a three-row crossover that seats seven.
In extremely cold conditions, the seat heater control circuit could overheat and fail because of insufficient electrical grounding. This may cause burn damage to the seat cushion surface.
Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the seat control system. If necessary, the seat heater control circuit will be replaced and the seat will be repaired. All repairs will be done for free. This recall is expected to being on March 9. For more information, owners can call Mazda at 800-222-5500 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.
Recall Alert: 2005 Honda Odyssey
Honda has issued a recall for 21,776 Odysseys from the 2005 model year because of a problem with a power liftgate, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recalled vehicles are from the Touring trim level and equipped with a power liftgate.
The power liftgate’s gas struts may have deteriorated. Struts that have worn out prematurely may fail to hold the power liftgate in the fully open position, causing it to close unexpectedly. If this happens, a person in the liftgate’s path could be injured by the door.
Dealers will inspect the struts and replace them if they have deteriorated for free. This recall is expected to begin in March. For more information, owners can call Honda at 800-999-1009 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.
Recall Alert: 2010 Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai has issued a recall for 515 Tucsons from the 2010 model year because of a problem with an airbag sensor, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The redesigned compact crossover just started hitting dealer lots.
A front-row passenger weighing about 240 pounds can cause the Passive Occupant Detection System module program to illuminate the airbag warning light. If it’s illuminated, the passenger airbag won’t be deactivated if a child is seated in the front passenger seat. In the event of an accident, this could increase the risk of injury to a child.
Hyundai dealers will reprogram the PODS module for free. For more information, owners can call Hyundai at 800-633-5151 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.
Tags: a-has-issued, harness-on-the, hold-the-power, honda-odyssey, line-at-888, national, national-highway, passive, power, recall, touring, traffic, traffic-safety
Will China Weaponize U.S. Debt After Arms Sale to Taiwan?
Feb 28, 2010 Object
After the U.S.’s $6.4 billion arms sale to Taiwan in January, some Chinese military members have advocated retaliating by dumping China’s U.S. bond holdings. With $755 billion in U.S. bonds, China has the power to severely disrupt America’s economy. But such a move would hurt China big time, too.
Continue reading Will China Weaponize U.S. Debt After Arms Sale to Taiwan?
Will China Weaponize U.S. Debt After Arms Sale to Taiwan? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:00:00.
Filed Under: Economy
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Will China Weaponize U.S. Debt After Arms Sale to Taiwan?
Tags: a-big-time, china, china-weaponize, filed-under, news, power, taiwan, taiwan arms sales
Rumormill: Rear-drive Hybrid Lexus IS, V10-powered GS F on the way?
Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Lexus, Luxury
Lexus GS 450h - Click above for high-res image gallery
It looks like Lexus is planning to go to both extremes on the green-performance continuum. When the next-generation IS appears in a couple of years, it will likely add a hybrid powertrain option. Such a move would be in keeping with Toyota’s oft-stated commitment to having hybrid drive available in almost all of its platforms by the end of the decade. The IS hybrid may also spawn a new rear-drive hybrid sports car around the same time. If these IS based hybrids are consistent with the current GS450h they will definitely be biased more towards performance than efficiency, using the hybrid drive to enhance acceleration without consuming more gas.
Meanwhile, the GS - as rumored previously - could be setting its sites on the new BMW M5 and Cadillac CTS-V. Even though only 500 LF-As will be built, the 4.8-liter V10 may find its way into a much-rumored new GS-F model. The GS-F won’t arrive until 2013 so it should be based on the next generation sedan. In the LF-A, the V10 has the power to compete with the German and American models but falls short of the Cadillac’s torque. If the new M5 gets the uprated 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from the X5/X6 M, it would also be way ahead of the Lexus. Unless the Lexus engine gets boosted or the GS looses a lot of weight, this could be the only high-revving sports sedan of the pack left.
Gallery: 2009 Lexus GS 450h
Rumormill: Rear-drive Hybrid Lexus IS, V10-powered GS F on the way? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-friend-via, boosted-or-the, cadillac, hybrid-lexus, lexus is hybrid, lexus-unless, lexusgs, lexusgs-f, power, with-the-german
Rumormill: 2011 Ford Super Duty pickups to start at $28,995
Filed under: Truck, Ford, Rumormill, Diesel
2011 Ford Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery
We know a whole heck of a lot about Ford’s new 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickup truck lineup, but there are a number of important details that we’re still waiting to be revealed. For instance, we know that it will come with an optional 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 engine that’s capable of running on B20 biodiesel, but we don’t know how much power it will produce.
As is the case with most new model launches, we’re pretty sure the 2011 Super Duty will cost more than the truck it replaces, but we don’t know by how much. Or do we? According to a report from Automotive News, citing “a dealer and a source familiar with the program,” the 2011 F-Series Super Duty will carry a base price of $28,995.
If true, that would put the new truck exactly $2,145 over the 2010 model’s $26,850 asking price. If you’d like to add the powerful new diesel V8, you can tack on (according to our friends at PickupTrucks.com) about $6,500 to that baseline amount. We contacted Ford for comment and got a, “We’ve not yet released pricing on the new Super Duty.”
In any case, as with all heavy duty pickup trucks these days, expect options to drive up the price of the new behemoth from Ford into the stratosphere rather quickly. Will it be worth it? We’ll know soon enough - expect a full report on the new HD hauler from us early next month.
Gallery: 2011 Ford Super Duty
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
Rumormill: 2011 Ford Super Duty pickups to start at $28,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: entry, ford, fordf-seriessuperduty, friends, power, running-on-b20, series-super, super, super duty truck pricing, superdutytruckpricing, trucks
Spy Shot: Hennessey Venom GT to debut at Goodwood, U.S. debut in Monterey
Feb 18, 2010 Object
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows
Hennessey Venom GT - Click above for image gallery
We’ve just gotten word from Hennessey Performance that the Venom GT won’t be making the trip to Switzerland to debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Instead, the Lotus Elise-based supercar will make its official entrance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in April and make its first U.S. appearance in Monterey this August.
Testing of the 2,400-pound twin-turbocharged V8 coupe is underway, and according to our source, the reason for the delay was a lack of exhibition space in Switzerland. You can get the full details in our previous posts and expect more information to be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
Spy Shot: Hennessey Venom GT to debut at Goodwood, U.S. debut in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: debut-at-the, ford, fordf-seriessuperduty, misc-auto-shows, performance, power, series-super, superdutytruckpricing, switzerland-
Videos: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid uses Williams F1 flywheel KERS
Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Porsche, Racing
Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
The hybrid drive system being used by Porsche in its new 911 GT3 R isn’t what you find in your average Prius or Fusion. Instead of a battery for energy storage, the 911 will use an electro-mechanical flywheel. The system being used was actually developed by the Williams formula one team and its Williams Hybrid Power subsidiary.
The system is comprised of an electrically driven flywheel and a motor/generator on the gearbox. During braking the gearbox mounted generator drives the flywheel to spin it up to 40,000 rpm. When needed for extra acceleration, the flywheel drives its integrated motor/generator to spin provide power back to the unit on the gearbox.
In the case of the 911, a pair motor generators are actually on the front wheels instead of the single unit on the gearbox as it was on the Williams F1 car last year. This provides more regenerative braking capability as well as all wheel drive.
The flywheel itself is made of a composite material that is infused with magnetic particles when it is being molded. This actually acts as the permanent magnet for the motor, helping to keep the overall weight down. The result is a very efficient system with less mass than a battery system and the ability to absorb energy more rapidly than a battery similar to an ultracapaitor. Like ultracapacitors the downside for automotive applications is limited energy storage capacity.
As a result, electric driving is limited meaning that this really behaves more like a mild hybrid system than a strong hybrid. However, the power output is closer to what is available from most strong hybrids. Williams Hybrid Power is working with a number of automakers on implementing its flywheel system although only Porsche has been publicly identified. Porsche’s has setup a microsite for its new Hybrid racecar, and for more details, make the jump for the release and a video explaining the system, along with two promo videos.
Gallery: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid
[Source: Williams Hybrid Power]
Continue reading Videos: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid uses Williams F1 flywheel KERS
Videos: Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid uses Williams F1 flywheel KERS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-friend-via, auto, chicago, chicago-auto, events-on-the, gearbox, history-on-the, porsche 911, porsche 911 gt3 r hybrid, power, unit-on-the, williamshybridpower, williamskers
Panasonic intros new 1080p video camcorders
Earlier this week, Panasonic just announced their latest 1080p video camcorders. The HDC-TM700 and the HDC-HS700 boast of recording 1080p videos at 60 fps. Both devices come equipped with a 3MOS sensor system, SD card slots, 35 mm-style wide angle lenses, Power O.I.S. image stabilization, 12x optical zoom, and 14.2 …
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Panasonic intros new 1080p video camcorders
Tags: 12x-optical, and-14-2, and-the, card-slots, from-cork-, geeks, hdc, latest, more-secure, now-being, panasonic, power, reaches, sensor-system, week
Toyota Corolla reportedly suffering from steering woes *UPDATED
Feb 9, 2010 Object
Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Japan, Recalls, Safety, Toyota
2009 Toyota Corolla, now power steering woes? - click above for high-res image gallery
Will it ever stop? Yo, we don’t know. And yes, we’re quoting Vanilla Ice because… well, at this point in the never ending Toyota tale of woe, why not? Anyhow, there have been 83 complaints about the power steering systems in 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corollas, most of which are claiming that the car will veer to the right or left at speeds over 40 mph. Coincidently, the Corolla is one of the eight Toyota models affected by the production and sales stoppage. The alleged problems have purportedly caused 10 accidents and six injuries. Here’s the gist:
Complainants have compared the movement to being buffeted by strong winds, sliding on black ice, or hydroplaning. They said that after trying to straighten the car, it can overcorrect — requiring the driver to use a tight, persistent, two-handed grip on the wheel to travel in a straight line.
Of course, you should always have a tight, persistent, two-handed grip on the wheel. That’s known as driving. Not that people aren’t actually experiencing problems with late model Corollas, but this kinda reminds us of the Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic.
If you don’t know, in the 1950s Seattleites began complaining en masse about pits (or holes) appearing in their windshields. Everything from hoodlums with BB guns to sand flea eggs to a million watt radio antenna to atomic testing were thought to be maybe causing the pitting. Also, shifts in the earth’s magnetic field and even gremlins (the fictional creatures, not the AMC product) were blamed.
Finally, after a full investigation Seattle Police Sergeant Max Allison announced that the windshield pitting was, “5 per cent hoodlum-ism, and 95 per cent public hysteria.” This happened on April 15, 1954. All reports of windshield pitting stopped on April 17. Is this related to reports about the Corolla’s power steering ills? More closely than we might think, we think.
UPDATE: There might be a little fire under all this smoke. Our friends at AOL Autos have also been reporting on this breaking story, and have discovered this:
“[I] notice the steeering wheel sometimes pulses only when my cell phone is…docked to the right of the steering wheel,” wrote one Corolla driver in an official complaint on June 26, 2009. “It’s strange I can sometimes tell if my Blackberry is going to ring or get an email. The steering wheel seems to shake or try to steer on its own. This is similar to my other 2009 Toyota Corolla that I resold to the dealer. I wonder if more shielding is needed to reduce any interference.”
If that’s the case, we take back what we said about Seattle.
Gallery: 2009 Toyota Corolla
[Source: USA Today]
Toyota Corolla reportedly suffering from steering woes *UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-little-fire, akio toyoda, akiotoyodaapologizes, and-dual-clutch, dealer, driver, feeling-it-must, power, quarter-century, related, sergeant, six-cylinderferrari, throttlegate, toyota-corollas, usa
