NHTSA Doing Its Job

It seems like auto companies are just tossing out recalls left and right. With Toyota's ongoing acceleration issue, and now the Prius' braking problem. The Ford F-150's accidental airbag deployment. The knowledge of the Lexus, the luxury brand of Toyota, E350 unintended-acceleration issue that has been reported to be known since 2007. GM seems to want to jump in on the action.

With 1,132 complaints, and 11 reported crashes, the Chevrolet Cobalt is the newest addition to come under the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration scrutiny. Consumers have complained about a sudden loss in power steering. 905,000 vehicles are potentially affected; 2005 to 2009 Cobalts, and 2008 to 2009 Cobalt SS models, by the NHTSA investigation. GM has stated that it is "...cooperating with the agency in the investigation."

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2009 Chevy Cobalt XFE)

[Source: Autoblog]

Ford to Fix Fusion & Mercury Milan Hybrid Break Issue

Ford Motor Co. announced Thursday that it has a fix for the software that operates the brakes in its Fusion and Milan Hybrid models.

Drivers may feel a loss of pedal feedback, even though they still have full braking capabilities. The brakes in hybrid cars are more than just pads and rotors; the electric motors also help slow the car as well, helping to recharge the batteries. In some cases the Fusion bypasses the "regenerative braking" phase, causing the loss of pedal feel, while relying on the hydraulic brakes.

Owners are asked to bring their cars in for the patch, even if they have not experienced any braking problems.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: CNN Money]

Video of the Day: The R8: The Slowest Car Audi Ever Built

2010 World Car of the Year Nominees

There are three catergories for this years World Car of the Year: Car of the Year, Performance Car of the Year, and Green Car of the Year. Three finalists from each catergory are to be chosen at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. While the winners will be announced in March at the New York International Car Show, voted upon by 59 automotive writers from 23 countries.

2010 World Car of the Year

• Audi Q5
• BMW X1
• Chevrolet Cruze
• Kia Soul
• Mazda Mazda3
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class
• Opel/Vauxhall Insignia/Buick Regal
• Porsche Panamera
• Toyota Prius
• Volkswagen Polo

2010 Performance Car of the Year

• Astin Martin V12 Vantage
• Audi R8 V10
• Audi TT RS Coupe/Roadster
• BMW Z4
• Ferrari California
• Jaguar XFR
• Lotus Evora
• Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
• Nissan 370Z
• Porsche 911 GT3
• Porsche Boxter/Cayman

2010 Green Car of the Year

• Ford Fusion Hybrid
• Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid
• Honda Insight
• Toyta Prius
• Volkswagen Bluemotion model Range

-Anthony Alaniz

[Source: Left Lane News]

Panamera Helps Increase Porsche Sales

Porsche seems to have an odd way of proving its skeptics wrong, and the Panamera is no different.

The Panamera, which has been positively accepted by American consumers, sold a total of 534 units in the U.S. This allowed Porsche to sell 1,786 units in January; with 503 units of the 911 model, 590 units of the Cayanne, and 159 units of the Boxter.

-Anthiny Alaniz
(Photo: 2010 Porsche Panamera)

[Source: egmCarTech]

Ferrari Working on New Models

Ferrari CEO, Amedeo Felisa, recently announced that Ferrari is working on three new models in the coming years.

Felisa mentioned that a convertible version of the new Italia is currently in development. A production version of the 599 Hybrid, which is expected to improve fuel economy by 25 percent, is still five years away. Though a 599 Hybrid is still a ways out, a GTO version is "coming soon," though no specifications were revealed.

Ferrari is also working on an adequate replacement for its popular, and well known, Enzo.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Left Lane News]

Wolfgang Bernhard to Return to Mercedes-Benz

Remember the Tomahawk from the 2003 Detroit Auto Show? The 500 horsepower V-10, Viper powered motorcycle? Well the man that drove that into Cobo Hall, Wolfgang Bernhard is back at Daimler as a member of the Board of Management; and one of his chief responsibilities: Mercedes-Benz.

Bernhard has been with Mercedes-Benz since 1990 in various positions and forms, and his new appointment, not yet approved, should have a positive influence on the jumbled brand.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Daimler]

Next-Generation Camaro to Shrink

With the next-generation Camaro expected to debut in 2014 as a 2015 model, consumers should expect a smaller, more fuel efficient Camaro.

According to Motor Trend, GM has okay'd the development of the next-generation Camaro to be built upon the new rear-wheel Alpha platform. The wheel base is expected to remain the same, though the overall length of the car could be as much as a foot shorter.

With the downsizing of the body, the engine bay will also be shrinking. The next-generation Camaro will likely drop its V8 in favor of a supercharged or turbocharged version of GM's 3.6L direct injection V6 engine.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2010 Chevy Camaro Synergy Edition)

[Source: Left Lane News]