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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.

Protean Electric to present value of in-wheel traction motors at the 2011 SAE World Congress
By Frank Sherosky on
Protean Electric will orally present “Unsprung Mass with In-Wheel Motors (IWM); the Myths and Realities – Closing the Circle” to address the skeptics of unsprung mass at the 2011 SAE World Congress in Detroit in April.
California dealer group files petition against Motor Village LA
By Patrick Rall on
Motor Village LA is one of Chrysler’s newest projects, combining all five of their American-sold brands in one (immaculate) LA-based dealership but according to the California New Car Dealers Association, Motor Village LA is in violation of California law that prevents automotive manufacturers from owning dealerships within 10 miles of any other related dealership.
Honda recalls 2011 Odyssey minivans – again
By Patrick Rall on
Last week, American Honda recalled over 33,000 2011 Odyssey minivans for a problem with the windshield wiper controls and with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda has now issued another recall for the 2011 Odyssey minivans – this time for a problem with the power front window assemblies.
You could be speeding your way to higher insurance premiums
By Don Bain on
Motorists convicted of speeding could see the cost of their motor insurance premiums rocket by 54 percent, warns moneysupermarket.com. Repeat offenders could find themselves uninsurable.
Safety, comfort trump environment when Americans pick cars
By Don Bain on
According to initial research performed by Mineta Transportation Institute, environmental concerns rarely influence vehicle choice in America. Buyers tend to rate safety, reliability and comfort higher, but that is largely because the impact of that choice is not readily apparent.
Evolution Performance’s 2011 Mustang GT runs a 9 sec ¼ mile
By Patrick Rall on
The 2011 Ford Mustang GT is powered by Ford’s new 5.0L V8 and Ford Racing offers a supercharger package to boost the power to 624hp – Evolution Performance has used those items and a handful of other Ford Racing and Evolution components to get their street legal 2011 Mustang GT into the 9 second range in the quarter mile.
Volkswagen Jetta recall issued for 2011 models
By Patrick Rall on
Volkswagen of America has announced a recall of the popular 2011 Jetta for an issue relating to the horn and anti-theft system but the company has been very vague as to exactly what the problem is with these recalls Jettas.
Chevy Cruze uses patented Regulated Voltage Control technology
By Frank Sherosky on
Regulated Voltage Control or RVC improves fuel economy on the Chevrolet Cruze by up to 1.5 percent, and enables the vehicle to get more than eight additional miles of driving range on every tank of fuel.
European Union considers banning cars in all major cities
By Don Bain on
In a move to cut CO2 emissions by over 60 percent the European Union may ban cars in all major cities, according to a report filed in The Telegraph. This follows on the heels of a report saying diesel vehicles may be forced off the road in Europe by higher parking permit costs, up to £150 per year.
Porsche promotes 'magic everyday' in new print and television ads
By John Matras on
Porsche is rolling out an new advertising campaign that doesn't emphasize the sports car capabilities of its sports car models. Instead, the new Porsche ads will feature the everyday utility of the Porsche 911 and Porsche Cayman. Porsche is also soliciting home videos of people using their Porsches for daily run-of-the-mill activities. The theme of the campaign, appropriately, is "Engineered for Magic. Everyday."
It's that time of year: watch out for potholes
By Don Bain on
As winter's snows recede and the buds begin to emerge on the trees, the potholes begin to grow in the blacktops. The Cherry Blossoms bloom and the tires go "kaboom" as they drop in and out of a 6-inch crater, two feet wide and half a yard long.
Volkswagen stock not severely affected by Jetta recall
By Frank Sherosky on
Despite the news from MarketWatch that Volkswagen will recall 71,043 Jettas to fix the wiring for the anti-theft alarm system and horn, VW stock which trades as an ADR in New York under the symbol VLKAY is holding its own.
Lightweight steel making cars more efficient, safer: FutureSteelVehicle program in May
By Don Bain on
A group of industrial steel experts will launch FutureSteelVehicle (FSV) at the 10th Annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) seminar May 18 in Livonia, Mich. FSV is a global, multi-million dollar program delivering auto body concepts that address radically different steel structures for modern powertrains, including advanced hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles.
AT&T reduces dependence on foreign oil with CNG powered Chevy vans
By Frank Sherosky on
In keeping with its 2010 ranking among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine, AT&T is now putting 101 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 vans powered by low-emissions compressed natural gas into its customer service fleet.
Right to Repair Act considered in Connecticut
By Don Bain on
Almost all the systems in the automobiles of today are monitored by an on-board computer. From the airbags to the tire pressure monitor, proprietary software is watching over it from under the hood. That fact tends to limit the vehicle owner’s options when it comes to repairs simply because only the dealer has the diagnostic codes.
Volvo C30 Electric could reach production in 2014
By John Matras on
Volvo could have a battery-electric car in production and on the market as early as 2014, according to Leonard Stegland, president Volvo's Special Vehicles. That's dependent on Volvo being able to make a business plan for the Volvo C30 Electric, but beginning in the first quarter of 2012, Volvo begins testing a fleet of the battery-electric Volvo C30 coupes in daily tests in the U.S. Volvo will place fifty on the east coast and fifty on the west coast.
Tsunami, earthquake not impacting Nissan Americas
By Keith Griffin on
Nissan Americas says it is well positioned to weather the problems caused by the Japanese earthquake and the ensuing tsunami and might be in a position to supply engines to Japan.
Buick LaCrosse with eAssist on par with highway fuel economy of compacts
By Frank Sherosky on
The public is aware the new 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist™ is a luxury sedan that comfortably seats five adults, but few realize it will deliver highway fuel economy on par with compacts like the Mini Cooper.
Toyota to resume Japanese production of Prius, Lexus Hybrids Monday
By Don Bain on
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced this morning production would resume for three models in their plants in Japan. TMC will resume Japanese production on Monday for the Prius lineup along with the Lexus CT 200h and HS 250h.
Strangely, the best way to the New York Auto Show is by boat
By Don Bain on
Though it seemingly defies logic, the quickest and easiest way to get to the New York Auto Show is via the NY Waterway. You can even book combo tickets online to jump the ferry to Manhattan's West 39th Street Terminal plus Auto Show admission at the nearby Jacob Javits Convention Center.
Subaru revs up for Denver Auto Show Mar. 30 - April 1
By Don Bain on
Denver Auto Show is the Rocky Mountain resident’s best opportunity to see the cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs on the market today, despite not getting much national attention. Subaru, who has their best market in the Centennial State, is bringing an interactive cutaway display of the popular Legacy sedan, among other special features.
Carfax for Dealers app now available to Android smartphones
By Don Bain on
On the heels of the Carfax app for dealers release for Apple iPhone and other devices last January, the Android app is now available so those who shop auctions have this invaluable resource at their side. With most Android-based mobile devices, dealers can access their Carfax account anytime and anywhere to enhance their evaluations of used cars.
BMW X3 uses 3D commercial technology developed by emotion3D
By Frank Sherosky on
emotion3D provides BMW with a high-quality service for retargeting existing stereoscopic 3D content for viewing on glasses-free 3D screens. The BMW X3 is the first automotive commercial to use the technology.
Mazda MX-5 GT takes on heavyweight racers in Britcar endurance race series
By John Matras on
The Mazda MX-5--commonly known in the U.S. as the Mazda Miata--will be playing giant killer as it takes on heavyweight names in racing including Aston Martin, Porsche, Lotus and BMW in the 2011 Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship. A specially-prepared lightweight MX-5 GT will compete in the "endurance" class, which allows heavily modified production car as opposed to the production class, which allows mods mostly related to safety.
Concepts NREC to focus SAE 2011 World Congress on matching turbochargers to engine designs
By Frank Sherosky on
Concepts NREC will focus SAE 2011 World Congress on the importance of matching turbochargers to engine systems in meeting performance requirements. It will exhibit in booth 1112, April 12-14 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Mich.
General Motors talks up the Corvette ZR1 in a new ad
By Patrick Rall on
This past weekend brought the racing world the 59th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring but before General Motors was permitted to enter their race-built Corvette ZR1 in the American LeMans Series (ALMS), they were asked to modified the ZR1 for the race - by removing 168 horsepower.
Japanese earthquake and tsunami may cause domestic delays of Prius V minivan
By Patrick Rall on
The 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan on March 11th caused a great deal of damage, complicated by the ensuing tsunami, aftershocks and nuclear power risks and because of the impact to the Japanese supply chain, Toyota may be forced to delay the Japanese launch of their new Prius V minivan.
Car computer, GPS can be hacked, research shows
By Don Bain on
If you have a modern car with GPS, emergency call service, computerized starting, braking and so on, the possibility is quite real criminals are now learning to circumvent your security and take control of such systems, open doors, start it up without a key and disable locator signals as they go for a joy ride to your friendly neighborhood chop shop.
Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy for Teens
By Keith Griffin on
The news that Mercedes-Benz wants to start a teen driving academy all of the sudden makes being 16 again sound appealing.
GM stock sell-off pushing against the 30 level
By Frank Sherosky on
In its 19th week of trading since its IPO, GM stock has broken all levels of IPO price support; and now amid a general market sell off and a new low, is testing the psychologically significant 30 price level.
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