Automotive News (Page 1160)

Automotive News

This section of Torque News provides the latest auto news and updates from the car manufacturers. Every day number of news stories and editorials are published here that give our readers an overview of what is happening in the automotive industry. Read this section daily to find out about new cars, vehicle reviews and car pictures. Torque News is an automotive news website by Hareyan Publishing, LLC, dedicated to covering the latest news, reviews and opinions about the car industry.

Idling vehicles waste gas and befoul the atmosphere

By Don Bain on July 31, 2011 - 7:54AM

You’ve seen it yourself - if indeed you’re not guilty - someone idling their vehicle for no apparently good reason. Nice weather, waiting for junior at the middle school and listening to the radio with the motor running. Then there’s the lines of people at the Taco Bell drive-up, six or seven deep, who will sit in their car for up to 20 minutes just to avoid parking and walking 20 feet. No wonder America has a weight problem!

Ford uses wild weather to test cars and trucks indoors

By Hawke Fracassa on July 30, 2011 - 5:25PM

America's dangerous heat wave hasn't slowed down Ford Motor Co. engineers in suburban Detroit. They're busy doing extreme-weather testing of Ford vehicles. They're using blizzards right now in a special climactic wind tunnel to ensure their wheels won't wither in simulated winter weather.

Maker of Chevy Volt charging stations invests $30M in HQ

By Hawke Fracassa on July 30, 2011 - 4:16PM

Sunlogics Inc., an automotive parts supplier selected by General Motors Ventures to provide solar-powered electric charging stations (pictured) for the Chevrolet Volt to 3,000 Chevrolet dealerships in North America, has built its global headquarters and a manufacturing plant in Rochester Hills north of Detroit.

Volkswagen Opposes Present Fuel Efficiency Proposal

By Richard Gray on July 29, 2011 - 6:14PM

Volkswagen said it does not endorse the White House’s proposal to increase fuel efficiency for vehicles sold in the U.S over the next 15 years.

Ford to stick with Fusion for 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

By Patrick Rall on July 29, 2011 - 6:02PM

In February, TorqueNews brought you the news that Ford Racing had submitted a stock car body for the approval of the NASCAR Sprint Cup officials but before the governing body passed judgment on the Mustang race car; Ford has announced that they will stick with the Ford Fusion stock car body for the 2013 season.

Army rallies round robotic vehicles to supply infantry

By Don Bain on July 29, 2011 - 5:42PM

Very soon, when a combat squad advances in Afghanistan, the Lockhead Martin SMSS will follow one particular soldier, recognizing their 3D profile, carrying up to a half ton of needed gear for the advancing troops. This will lighten the soldiers’ load and free their minds for the serious business at hand.

Chevrolet now installing solar power stations in dealerships

By Don Bain on July 29, 2011 - 4:29PM

In a somewhat inspired bit of marketing savvy, Chevrolet has begun installing solar powered Green Zone charging stations for the Volt, which will also create spare power for the dealer. The solar units will generate enough power daily for 12 full vehicle-charging sessions.

Audi settles dispute with rapper Eminem over A6 commercial

By Patrick Rall on July 29, 2011 - 2:12PM

The Chrysler Group made big news when they introduced their new “Imported from Detroit” ad campaign with a new television spot during the Super Bowl featuring rapper Eminem and his popular song Lose yourself but when Audi released a very similar commercial a short time later – Eminem and his people weren’t too happy since they didn’t have permission to use the familiar guitar riff.

Introducing the new all-electric BMW i3

By Patrick Rall on July 29, 2011 - 1:03PM

This morning in Frankfurt, Germany, the folks from BMW unveiled the newest chapter in the saga of the automaker as they introduced the new BMW i8 sports car and the BMW i3 – marking the first all-electric BMW and the formal introduction of the new BMW i-series.

Here's what Obama told carmakers today

By Hawke Fracassa on July 29, 2011 - 12:21PM

President Obama invited 13 car companies to come to Washington today to hear what he will do to raise fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles sold in America between 2017 and 2025. What follows is complete text, unedited, of what he had to say face-to-face with the Detroit Three of Ford Motor Co., Chrysler and General Motors, and 10 leading import and transplant car companies.

European Investment Bank refuses access of Saab to Russian Antonov

By Patrick Rall on July 29, 2011 - 12:10PM

Another day – another problem for Saab as the European Investment Bank (EIB) has reaffirmed that Russian investor Vladimir Antonov will not be permitted to buy a portion of the company while Saab still owes money to the European lending institution.

The BMW i8 makes its grand debut

By Patrick Rall on July 29, 2011 - 11:45AM

This morning in Frankfurt, Germany, BMW unveiled the next generation of the fabled luxury brand with a pair of innovative new vehicles including the all-electric BMW i3 and the high performance i8 hybrid sports car.

President Obama will change America as we know it with new fuel rules

By Hawke Fracassa on July 29, 2011 - 11:32AM

President Obama today delivered on a promise to elevate fuel-efficiency standards for the automotive industry while at the same time pledging to find new ways to cut down on carbon pollution.

Coalition on a roll to upgrade fuel rules

By Hawke Fracassa on July 28, 2011 - 8:42PM

Friday could be historic for the auto industry as President Obama creates future fuel rules for new vehicles that will be assembled in the U.S. from 2017 to 2025. Lobbying has been intense. Protagonists in the movement are Honda and other OEMs, economists and the National Wildlife Federation. All expect to make higher fuel standards happen.

EV pioneer seeks online interaction

By Hawke Fracassa on July 28, 2011 - 8:03PM

AC Propulsion, a pioneer in electric-car technology founded in 1992 that specializes in electric drive design, development and manufacturing, has joined the social media world with new Facebook and Twitter pages. Besides designing electric cars, the niche company sells them. Actor Tom Hanks bought AC's first car.

The Audi RS line returns to American soil

By Don Bain on July 28, 2011 - 7:19PM

It was 2008 when the last Audi models with an RS badge were sold in America – namely the impressive RS4 and its matching Cabriolet. After three years of absentia, the RS line returned to America this week as Forth Worth Audi in Texas handed over the keys to the first 2012 Audi TT RS in the country to veteran racecar driver Don Istook.

Fiat announces new managerial format

By Patrick Rall on July 28, 2011 - 3:59PM

Fiat had moved one step closer to their official merger with the Chrysler Group as CEO Sergio Marchionne has unveiled his new managerial plan with includes a group of 22 management members who will form the "group executive council" – including 4 individuals who will head up the company’s efforts in the various geographic regions.

Proposed Natural Gas Act running out of fuel

By Don Bain on July 28, 2011 - 3:30PM

Known as the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act, or the NAT GAS Act, the bill intended to jump-start the use of natural-gas-powered heavy-duty trucks by giving tax incentives and subsidies to purchasers and manufacturers of such vehicles seems likely to expire.

Husband of drunk, stoned driver and killer of 7 sues New York

By Patrick Rall on July 28, 2011 - 1:25PM

On July 26, 2009 Diane Schuler drove her brother’s Ford Windstar the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway in New York for 1.7 miles while other motorists veered to avoid her, only to have her slam head-on into a Chevrolet Trailblazer – killing herself, the four of the five children in her van and the three adult occupants of the SUV. Now, her husband Daniel is suing the state of New York, claiming that it is entirely the fault of the state and not his drunk, stoned wife.

The 2012 Ford Explorer EcoBoost models to yield 20/28mpg

By Patrick Rall on July 28, 2011 - 11:35AM

The redesigned For Explorer has been selling like hotcakes since being introduced even though it was only offered with one engine option but all along, Ford has promised that there would be a 4 cylinder EcoBoost model coming in 2012 – and now we have the official fuel economy numbers for the new engine option for the Explorer.

Kia finds a smart way to compete with Fiat 500 and Ford Ka

By Armen Hareyan on July 28, 2011 - 10:59AM

How many nail bottles of nail polish will it take to pain a new Kia is one of the questions the company tackles in a new Picanto ad by targeting women and competing with Fiat 500, Ford Ka and Renault Twingo. It's called Kia Picanto nail art animation.

2011 CAR Management Briefing Seminar Update: Economic plan overriding Obama mileage plan

By Frank Sherosky on July 28, 2011 - 9:39AM

As leaders of the auto industry share their vision of the industry’s future and its connection to success at the start of the CAR Business Seminars in Traverse City tomorrow, running from August 1 - 4, many wonder if President Obama's new mileage proposal is being drowned in the news by the debt plan, or lack of it.

Mercedes-Benz MLC 2015 takes aim at BMW X6

By Armen Hareyan on July 28, 2011 - 7:31AM

Although the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML has just presented to us, the German manufacturer decides to give it a big brother, which should be called C and ML. Its mission is to confront the popular BMW X6.

Economists push U.S. to elevate fuel rules

By Hawke Fracassa on July 27, 2011 - 10:53PM

The U.S. government on Friday will announce fuel rules for new cars and trucks that will be assembled in America from 2017 to 2025. As politicians weigh what makes sense, economists are lobbying hard for substantially better fuel-economy standards.

Auto dealer's video inventories linked to Facebook users

By Don Bain on July 27, 2011 - 8:58PM

Liquidus, a multimedia and video marketing firm, announced the launch of its new Socialink Facebook application yesterday, enabling car dealers to provide customers a video of every vehicle in inventory to the multitudes of Facebook users.

British Green Racing gets a boost from HaloIPT

By Don Bain on July 27, 2011 - 7:12PM

Remember racing those little 1/32nd scale cars around an electrified track? Now drivers will be maneuvering their full size race cars about a track using inductive power transference to charge the vehicles as they race. Electricity is powering the future of British Green Racing thanks to an agreement between Drayson Racing Technologies and HaloIPT.

Infiniti builds QX-powered luxury boat with the help of Tennessee technical students

By Gordon Block on July 27, 2011 - 12:16PM

Infiniti has donated a QX56 to the Nashville State Community College to give automotive technicians in training the chance to be part of a very unique project: to build a luxury boat powered by the SUV's 400hp V8 engine.

The 308hp 2012 Cadillac SRX priced at $36,060

By Patrick Rall on July 27, 2011 - 11:31AM

When the 2012 Cadillac SRX hits the streets later this year, it will be powered by a new 3.6L V6 churning out 308 horsepower – more power than either of the 2011 model year engines offered – but that comes with a slight price increase as the 2012 SRX starts at $36,060 including a destination charge of $875.

Chrysler’s SRT brand could offer supercharged 2013 models

By Patrick Rall on July 27, 2011 - 10:43AM

The 2012 SRT models including the Dodge Charger SRT8, the Dodge Challenger SRT8, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 are just hitting the streets but an exciting rumor has Mopar lovers looking to next year as it has been whispered by the masses that the SRT brand could offer a supercharged package for the 2013 model year.

White House revises 2025 CAFE Standard proposal from 56.2 to 54.5 mpg

By Frank Sherosky on July 27, 2011 - 10:06AM

Who knew that a 1.7 mpg change in CAFÉ standard proposal could make such a difference in attitude and acceptance by the auto industry?

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