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.

By Gordon Block Jun 14 2011 - 11:00am

Opel and Vauxhall not for sale, according to GM CEO Akerson

Opel and Vauxhall were rumored to be up for sale by German media sources, but GM CEO Daniel Akerson has reassured Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke they will remain under GM ownership.

By Patrick Rall Jun 14 2011 - 8:15am

GM to invest $47 million In Defiance casting facility

General Motors has announced that they intend to invest $47 million in their Defiance, Ohio casting facility to prepare the plant for increased output of components of the popular 1.4L 4-cylinder Ecotec and the next generation small block V8.

By Hawke Fracassa Jun 13 2011 - 10:39pm

AMSOIL introduces OE 15W-40 synthetic diesel oil

AMSOIL Inc. today introduced its new OE 15W-40 synthetic diesel oil to its family of lubricants for vehicles.

By Frank Sherosky Jun 13 2011 - 10:08pm

General Motors Venture LLC to invest $6 million in Protera Inc.

As part of a $30 million package to commercialize technology, including a rapid-charging transit system and other next-generation technologies that support innovation in the global transportation industry, General Motors Ventures LLC will inject $6 million, a 20 percent of the total stake in Proterra Inc., a leading maker of zero-emission commercial transit buses.

By Don Bain Jun 13 2011 - 7:32pm

Subaru WRX STI breaks 21-year record on Isle of Man track

Race driver Mark Higgins logged an all-time fastest lap by averaging 115.356 mph June 10 on the iconic Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. Higgins was driving a US spec 2011 Subaru WRX STI. The former record of 100 mph remained unchallenged for 21 years. His lap took 19 minutes 37 seconds with the WRX STI hitting speeds in excess of 162 MPH on the varied elevation course.

By Gordon Block Jun 13 2011 - 6:28pm

US production of Nissan LEAF electric car may be postponed due to Japan earthquake

The Nissan LEAF electric car is currently scheduled to start US production in December of 2012, but the Japan earthquake may cause a delay.

By Patrick Rall Jun 13 2011 - 2:24pm

VW announces special 2012 Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition

Volkswagen announced today that orders are now being taken on the 2012 Beetle via a new online Vehicle Pre-Order (VPO) system and to add some incentive for hopeful consumers to use this system, VW is offering the special 2012 Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition to the first 600 buyers.

By Gordon Block Jun 13 2011 - 1:07pm

Renault-Nissan Alliance to open second research office in Silicon Valley

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will be developing user-interface and smart-grid technology for future electric cars for both brands at the new facility located in Silicon Valley in California.

By Patrick Rall Jun 13 2011 - 12:19pm

GM to offer an auto trans, performance traction system on Camaro ZL1

While speaking at the Camaro homecoming at the Oshawa production facility, the lead man for the Camaro offered a few choice comments on the upcoming 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, including the fact that the super muscle car will feature the performance traction management system from the Corvette ZR- along with an automatic transmission and even more horsepower.

By Hawke Fracassa Jun 13 2011 - 10:36am

Toyota nurtures science in schools with cash

Toyota today awarded $500,000 in 2011 TAPESTRY grants to 50 U.S. science teachers, furthering a 21-year-old program that to date has given out more than $10 million to almost 1,200 teachers in America.

By Gordon Block Jun 13 2011 - 8:51am

Lincoln dealerships to invest $1 million in showroom renovations

Lincoln dealerships will be required by Ford to do up to $1 million in renovations to their showrooms in two years as Ford makes big plans for the luxury brand's future.

By Patrick Rall Jun 13 2011 - 8:32am

Saab joins forces with a second Chinese group

Saab and parent company Spyker Cars NV have announced that the group has entered into a second memorandum of understanding with a Chinese automotive firm – this time partnering with Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. as the Swedish automaker works to climb out of its recent cash crunch.

By Hawke Fracassa Jun 12 2011 - 9:50pm

How the Web will make jobs easier for Mich. truckers

The Michigan Department of State is now doing vehicle-registration transactions for truck drivers online with IRP Online.

By Frank Sherosky Jun 12 2011 - 9:26pm

2011 Metro Beach Blast from the Past Car Show roars with enthusiasts

Metro Beach on Lake St. Clair northeast of Detroit was the place to be today. The combination of cooler weather delayed the appearance of fish flies, but not the beach atmosphere, nor the hot rods and a fine crowd of people which made for a great day as the video and slideshow will tell.

By Frank Sherosky Jun 12 2011 - 11:46am

Pike Research says Stop-Start technology enables less fuel consumption at lower cost than full hybrids

Call them what you will, but stop-start vehicles (SSV) that go by the names of micro hybrids and idle-stop vehicles enable gasoline engines to turn off when vehicles are slowed down or stopped. The net effect per Pike Research is up to 10% less fuel consumption, less emissions and at a cost lower than full hybrids.

By Hawke Fracassa Jun 11 2011 - 8:04pm

GM, Ford, others may get 'connected vehicle' technology in 2013

Clinics are planned for drivers in six U.S. cities so the U.S. Department of Transportation can test technologies that show how drivers react to "vehicle-to-vehicle" communications that, if fine-tuned, will enable cars on American roads to avoid accidents and save the lives of occupants.

By Hawke Fracassa Jun 11 2011 - 7:08pm

Car companies team to further 'Future of Transportation'

About 10,000 professionals and politicians will meet in Orlando this fall to analyze and review future technologies and intelligent vehicles aimed at making transportation economically and environmentally better, safer and more convenient for everyday people.

By Don Bain Jun 11 2011 - 5:16pm

NHTSA Director stands squarely in the path to progress

The chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association showed his concern for the drivers of America at the annual 2011 Detroit Telematics Conference by stating, “A car is not a mobile device.” In so doing he also revealed a nebulous grasp of the industry’s current direction and the importance of technology currently under development to the future of transportation in the U.S. and beyond.

By Roman Rosa Jun 11 2011 - 3:36pm

2014 Ford Mustang: Lighter and faster, a pony car the whole world can enjoy

Rumors are exploding all over the internet about the future of the Mustang and the new model coming out in 2014. If true, we are going to see the Mustang dragged kicking and screaming to the tastes of the world.

By Gordon Block Jun 11 2011 - 12:06pm

GM adds free scheduled maintenance for two years for Certified Pre-Owned vehicle

Free scheduled maintenance, including oil changes, is now part of GM's Certified Pre-Owned program, which covers the Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC brands.

By Hawke Fracassa Jun 10 2011 - 6:29pm

Reality Internet: Porsche GT3 crew will dish on race day

Porsche Cars North America is entering a 911 GT3 Cup race car with a specially formed pit crew of six employee enthusiasts at the Porsche Carrera World Cup race on June 25.

By Don Bain Jun 10 2011 - 5:26pm

The continuing quest to covert automotive heat to electric power

It’s a simple concept with broad ramifications: combustion engines lose a lot of the energy in the fuel they burn to radiant heat, which in theory can be converted back to electricity by appropriately placed thermoelectric devices. Thus, heat in the engine compartment and exiting via the tailpipe could be redirected to recharge the battery and run the lights, wipers, steering and computer systems that make modern cars safer.

By John Matras Jun 10 2011 - 4:58pm

2011 BMW Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe loses its shine for a limited run build

Matte matters for BMW owners, or at least it will to the 19 lucky buyers of the limited-run 2011 BMW Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe that will sell out in a matter of minutes when a special phone line opens for reservations on June 16.

By Roman Rosa Jun 10 2011 - 4:49pm

Want to save money? Don't buy a motorcycle

With gas prices at the level they are, many of you might be considering buying a motorcycle to save a bit of money. While it's true that you can get enough performance to crush even the fastest super cars, while getting Toyota Prius gas mileage, the true cost of motorcycle ownership might startle you.

By Don Bain Jun 10 2011 - 1:12pm

Ford, Safety Leaders working to bring intelligent vehicles to market

Dr. Andre Seeck, president and chairman of the European New Car Assessment Programme, is visiting with Ford as the company works with global safety officials to create standards for intelligent vehicles that will eventually talk to each other, reducing crashes and congestion. Ford is working with other automakers and governments worldwide to create a common language so vehicles can talk to each other on a common communication standard.

By Patrick Rall Jun 10 2011 - 12:54pm

New York man tries to sell 2010 Camaro SS, wife on eBay

Divorce can be messy, often resulting in items like sports cars being sold off as the couple splits up the assets but one guy from Lancaster, New York has gone to eBay in an effort to sell his 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS – or his wife – going so far as to offer up a side-by-side comparison of the two.

Read more about New York man tries to sell 2010 Camaro SS, wife on eBay

By Patrick Rall Jun 10 2011 - 12:01pm

The 2011 Cadillac SRX recalled for airbag risks

General Motors has issued a recall of 2011 Cadillac SRX models because the explanation of how the airbag system works in the owner’s manual differs from how it actually functions – putting the popular SRX in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

By Patrick Rall Jun 10 2011 - 11:27am

Safety advocacy group demands recall of 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Center for Auto Safety is demanding that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration force the Chrysler Group to recall all Jeep Grand Cherokee models from the 1993 through 2004 model years – claiming that these vehicles post a significantly high risk of fire in the event of a rear-end collision.

By Gordon Block Jun 10 2011 - 11:07am

Renault Mégane RS gets even hotter Trophy version

The Renault Mégane RS Trophy will produce 265hp from its 2.0L turbo 4cyl and a very limited run of only 500 units.

By Frank Sherosky Jun 10 2011 - 10:44am

Designer Marlon Kirby and car builder David B. McMahan create LNG supercar

The Maxximus LNG 2000 has the looks of a supercar, but runs on compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas.

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