Lexus adding over 150,000 RX crossovers to pedal entrapment recall, may face NHTSA investigation [UPDATE]

Filed under: Hybrid, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Lexus, Luxury

Remember the giant Toyota pedal entrapment recalls that all started in late 2009? Well, it's not over yet. No, we aren't just talking about the various lawsuits that the automaker still faces in connection with the recalls, we're talking about yet another set of vehicles that are being added to the list. Welcome to the gang, 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h.

Toyota states that the duo of Lexus crossovers are being recalled for "unsecured or incompatible floor mat entrapment of the accelerator pedal." In total, 154,000 RX models are affected by this latest addendum to the recall - 131,800 RX 350 and 22,200 RX 450h vehicles.

Between the two different pedal entrapment cases, Toyota has now recalled around 7.8 million vehicles.

The automaker will notify customers via first class mail beginning in August. Concerned owners can contact the manufacturer directly at 1.800.255.3987 or visit lexus.com/recall for more information. Scroll down to read the official press release.

UPDATE: According to the International Business Times, the National Highway Traffic Safety administration may consider launching an investigation on Toyota "regarding delays in notifying the agency about the problem." The government agency released a statement saying, "NHTSA is requesting additional documentation from the manufacturer and is considering opening an investigation into whether Toyota met its obligation to notify the agency and conduct a recall in a timely manner."

Continue reading Lexus adding over 150,000 RX crossovers to pedal entrapment recall, may face NHTSA investigation [UPDATE]

Lexus adding over 150,000 RX crossovers to pedal entrapment recall, may face NHTSA investigation [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/lexus-adding-over-150-000-rx-crossovers-to-pedal-entrapment-reca/

Greg Biffle David Gilliland Furniture Row Chevrolet Regan Smith Oklahoma City Thunder Travis Kvapil

NBA draft's biggest disappointments

To stay or go. It’s an easy decision if you’re a projected lottery pick. Not so easy when you’re not. Some of the players on this list would have been better off staying in school for another season. A few others had to leave. Still, their draft status is a disappointment when considering their collegiate production. Will Barton (Memphis). He fell to No. 40 overall. Portland, however, might have a steal here. He was one of the most versatile players in the country last season.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60676/top-nba-draft-dissapointments

Detroit Pistons Bobby Labonte Ryan Newman Atlanta Hawks UPS Ford Dirk Nowitzki

AP sources: Timberwolves making run at Pau Gasol (Yahoo! Sports)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying hard to land Pau Gasol.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12m2ahr0a/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/ap-source-timberwolves-making-run-070332673--nba.html

Mark Martin Orlando Magic Milwaukee Bucks Toronto Raptors Rajon Rondo Greg Biffle

Video: Reloading in college basketball

A look at Kentucky, Baylor, UConn and North Carolina as they head into 2012-13 season after losing players to NBA draft.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60599/video-reloading-in-college-basketball

Elliott William Ron Artest Sam Hornish Jr Roger Laurent Los Angeles Lakers Chicago Bulls

Official: Audi R8 E-Tron laps 'Ring in record-setting 8:09, celebrates silently

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Electric, Luxury

Two months ago, the Audi R8 E-Tron was caught at the Nürburgring, getting its gumption up for what everyone has come to consider The Obligatory Timed Lap of Destiny. The lap has been completed with Markus Winkelhock at the wheel, and the result is a world record for a series production electric car: eight minutes and 9.099 seconds. If you believe in Wikipedia's list of 'Ring lap times, that puts the R8 E-Tron with its 375 horsepower and stupefying torque 25 seconds behind the R8 V10, five seconds adrift of the eight-cylinder R8, and in the same company as the Audi RS4 and previous generation BMW M6.

If we ignore the fact that you can't buy an R8 E-Tron yet, the hot lap car "corresponds in every detail" to the one you will be able to buy at the end of this year. Well, not exactly: customer cars will be speed-limited to 200 kph (125 mph), but for the 'Ring run, the limiter was raised to 250 kph. More practical numbers for civilian jaunts are the 0-to-62 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a 134-mile range when fully charged.

More important to all of us will be the video footage of its triumph, which we hope to see very soon. In the meantime, there's the obligatory press release of destiny below.

Continue reading Audi R8 E-Tron laps 'Ring in record-setting 8:09, celebrates silently

Audi R8 E-Tron laps 'Ring in record-setting 8:09, celebrates silently originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/audi-r8-e-tron-laps-ring-in-record-setting-8-09-celebrates-sil/

Willi Krakau Pedro Lamy Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers 3M Ford

AP sources: Timberwolves making run at Pau Gasol (Yahoo! Sports)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are trying hard to land Pau Gasol.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12m2ahr0a/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/ap-source-timberwolves-making-run-070332673--nba.html

Luis Scola Kurt Busch Jason Kidd Oscar Larrauri Derek Fisher Mohawk Northeast Chevrolet

Report: Chrysler adding jobs at Toledo Jeep plant to boost Wrangler production

Filed under: SUV, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Jeep

New car sales have been on the upswing, and few vehicles have experienced more success than the Jeep Wrangler. The iconic off-roader set an all-time May sales record with 14,454 units sold, and its total sales are up 34 percent on the year.

That's good news for Chrysler, and it could lead to more high-wage manufacturing jobs in northern Ohio. Automotive News reports that Team Pentastar plans to add an unspecified number of jobs to its Toledo Jeep plant in the fourth quarter of 2012. The move should help Chrysler satiate demand for the perpetually hot Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, and it could help international sales, as well. CEO Sergio Marchionne is on record saying that he'd like the Wrangler to spur Jeep sales across the pond.

That said, there is a chance that this decision won't lead to many new hires in the near term. The Toledo, Ohio complex also builds the Jeep Liberty until August, when the plant will receive a makeover that will result in an additional 300,000 square feet of production space. It seems likely that the Wrangler jobs could come from the neighboring plant (the whole complex uses two facilities), but when production picks up at the renovated building, new jobs would have to be added. Chrysler has previously announced that up to 1,100 new positions will be available at the complex by the end of 2013.

Chrysler adding jobs at Toledo Jeep plant to boost Wrangler production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/29/chrysler-adding-jobs-at-toledo-jeep-plant-to-boost-wrangler-prod/

Dallas Mavericks Jonathan Edward Wood Carmelo Anthony Tracy McGrady Scott Speed Yao Ming

NBA draft's biggest disappointments

To stay or go. It’s an easy decision if you’re a projected lottery pick. Not so easy when you’re not. Some of the players on this list would have been better off staying in school for another season. A few others had to leave. Still, their draft status is a disappointment when considering their collegiate production. Will Barton (Memphis). He fell to No. 40 overall. Portland, however, might have a steal here. He was one of the most versatile players in the country last season.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60676/top-nba-draft-dissapointments

Ron Artest Sam Hornish Jr Roger Laurent Los Angeles Lakers Chicago Bulls Martin Truex Jr

Sophomores' fall suggests it's best to leave

Perry Jones III fidgeted as he waited for his name to be called. Jared Sullinger wasn’t even invited to Newark, N.J. Terrence Jones couldn’t crack the lottery. Harrison Barnes was picked seventh. A year can change everything. The 2012 NBA draft re-emphasized the risks talented freshmen (and talented players in general) take when they return. The four aforementioned players were projected lottery picks last season. Three of them weren’t even top-17 Thursday.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60654/sophomores-fall-suggests-its-best-to-leave

Hermann Lang Los Angeles Clippers Rasheed Wallace Jan Lammers Jason Terry Braun Racing Toyota

2012 Gemballa Porsche Cayenne 958 GT Aero 2 Styling Even More Purposeful Appearance

Press Release: The Next Stage of Evolution GEMBALLA GT AERO 2 styling package for the Porsche Cayenne 958 Nature’s way is to perfect its creations step-by-step. GEMBALLA has developed its GT AERO packages for the Porsche Cayenne 958 using a similar evolutionary process. The GT AERO 2 package is an extension of the GT AERO 1 kit introduced at the beginning of 2012, and further increases the presence of this premier SUV, while taking its aerodynamics to the next level. The second generation Porsche Cayenne is a more elegant design than its predecessor, and appears ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2012-gemballa-porsche-cayenne-958-gt-aero-2-styling

Jason Kidd Oscar Larrauri Derek Fisher Mohawk Northeast Chevrolet Shannon Brown Caterpillar Chevrolet

NBA draft's biggest surprises

For college hoops/NBA nerds like me, the NBA draft is an event. Chinese food. High-def TV. A comfortable chair. An iPad/laptop to follow Chad Ford’s “Matrix”-like draft coverage. (When I logged off, he was teasing his 2025 mock draft, which will likely feature the children of D-Wade and LeBron.) I anticipated more trades. And I had no idea David Stern would take on the hostile crowd the way he did. Fascinating stuff. And there were certainly some surprises with the various selections.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60662/the-nba-drafts-biggest-surprises

Ray allen Mark Martin Orlando Magic Milwaukee Bucks Toronto Raptors Rajon Rondo

Video: Who has the best NBA potential?

Outside of Anthony Davis, who has the most pure potential in the 2012 NBA draft?

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60598/video-nba-potential

Robert La Caze Josh Howard Giovanni Lavaggi Michel Leclere Kobe Braynt LeBron James

Now Celtics Turn Attention To Free Agency

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/6/29/3125766/now-celtics-turn-attention-to-free-agency

Mikko Kozarowitzky Anthony Wayne Stewart Kevin Harvick Andrew Bynum Baron Davis Golden State Warriors

Cavaliers select Dion Waiters with No. 4 pick (Yahoo! Sports)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- The Cavaliers found a running mate for Kyrie Irving, just not the expected one.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12gent41s/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/cavaliers-dion-waiters-no-4-000700280--nba.html

Landon Cassill Boston Celtics kendrick Perkins Tony Raines New York Knicks Washington Wizards

Running NBA Draft Thoughts, Rurmors, and Picks (Open Thread)

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/6/28/3124693/running-nba-draft-thoughts-rurmors-and-picks

Jamie McMurray J.R Smith David Ragan Martin Lee Truex Jr Kenyon Martin New Jersey Nets

2012 Bowler Range Rover EXR & EXR S Ready for Extreme Off-Road Performance

Press Release: Land Rover and Bowler Sign Formal Brand Partnership Agreement Land Rover and Bowler, the UK-based manufacturer of all-terrain performance cars and rally raid vehicles, have agreed to a brand partnership, formalising a relationship that has been in place for over a decade. This new partnership will enable Land Rover and Bowler to realise even greater value from their relationship. Under the agreement, “Powered by Land Rover” badging on Bowler’s competition cars and across its marketing materials acknowledges the role that Land Rover technology plays in the performance and race success of Bowler ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2012-bowler-range-rover-exr-exr-s

Rajon Rondo Greg Biffle David Gilliland Furniture Row Chevrolet Regan Smith Oklahoma City Thunder

3-point shot: Coaches Newark-bound

1. Baylor coach Scott Drew said he is coming to Newark to witness history: three Baylor players taken in the NBA draft. All three -- Perry Jones III, Quincy Miller and Quincy Acy -- have a legitimate chance to be in the first round. Miller is on the bubble; Acy could yet climb into the back end of the first round. Acy is the best back-to-the-basket player among the three. What makes Drew’s appearance interesting is that none of the Baylor players were invited by the NBA.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60624/3-point-shot-coaches-feeling-the-draft

New Jersey Nets Pau Gasol Willi Krakau Pedro Lamy Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet Phoenix Suns

Cavaliers select Dion Waiters with No. 4 pick (Yahoo! Sports)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- The Cavaliers found a running mate for Kyrie Irving, just not the expected one.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12gent41s/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/cavaliers-dion-waiters-no-4-000700280--nba.html

Tayshon Prince Mike Bliss Denver Nuggets Mattias Ekstrom Jud Larson Memphis Grizzlies

Video: 39 seconds of Viper GTS-R testing at VIR. That is all.

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Chrysler, Dodge, Racing

The Viper GTS-R continues its march to a motorsports debut later this year in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series. Following its surprise debut alongside the new production SRT Viper at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the GTS-R underwent its first on-track test at Carolina Motorsports Park earlier this month. This time, however, the SRT crew took the GTS-R to Virginia International Raceway, an important track because it's actually on the ALMS schedule.

In fact, while we don't know the exact race at which the GTS-R will makes its competitive debut, we have been told it will race before the end of the 2012 season. The race at VIR occurs on September 15 and is the second-to-last race of the season, so the SRT Motorsports team could be getting some precious practice time in on the track at which they intend to unleash the new Viper GTS-R. All we know is that we're glad they brought their Go Pros along.

See the video yourself below.

Continue reading 39 seconds of Viper GTS-R testing at VIR. That is all.

39 seconds of Viper GTS-R testing at VIR. That is all. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/39-seconds-of-viper-gts-r-testing-at-vir-that-is-all/

Mobil 1 Dodge Red Bull Toyota Jeff Gordon Rudolf Krause Joe Nemechek Washington Scott Alan Wimmer

Davis taken No. 1, celebration on for Hornets (Yahoo! Sports)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The Hornets have officially made Anthony Davis the most popular big man in the Big Easy.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12hm1kahd/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/davis-taken-no-1-celebration-234044738--nba.html

Ray allen Mark Martin Orlando Magic Milwaukee Bucks Toronto Raptors Rajon Rondo

Kahn: Timberwolves are interested in Brandon Roy (Yahoo! Sports)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- David Kahn says the Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in signing Brandon Roy, who is seeking a comeback after knee injuries caused him to miss all of last season.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12tm32nsk/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/kahn-timberwolves-interested-brandon-roy-195756235--nba.html

Los Angeles Lakers Chicago Bulls Martin Truex Jr Bass Pro Shops Tracker Chevrolet Dave Blaney Kurt Kuhnke

Official: Meet Mercedes Jellinek, the woman behind the name

Filed under: Classics, Mercedes-Benz, Celebrities

Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach and Carl Benz are among those who have granted their names to the house of The Three-Pointed Star. The name the world knows best, Mercedes, is also an eponym but its owner has lived in a more obscure corner of lore. The personal effects of Hans-Peter Schlosser include photos of his mother, one Mercedes Adrienne Ramona Manuela Jellinek, the woman whose name continues to launch a thousand 'ships' about every seven hours. Schlosser was Mercedes' son, and his keepsakes have wound their way to the Mercedes-Benz archives, which had been missing an informative record of the woman herself.

Mercedes was the daughter of German businessman and gentleman racer Emil Jellinek. One of his ventures was selling cars, and when he discovered Daimler and Maybach's car, the Phoenix, he worked up a brisk business and an even larger fortune selling them. Details on how the DMG Phoenix became a Mercedes are hazy, but Jellinek's inclination to name things after his daughter - like his yacht and all of his homes - would eventually work its way around to the cars he sold, raced and drove.

In fact, Emil so enjoyed the Mercedes name and good fortune he believed it brought that the entire family clan name was changed to Jellinek-Mercedes when Mercedes was 13. Yet a name wasn't the only contribution Jellinek made, pressing Daimler and Maybach to build racing cars even before the turn of the 20th century, saying, "Victories make you world-famous. People buy the winning brand, and always will. It would be commercial suicide to stay away from racing." Scroll down to read more on his contribution to the brand and the world of motoring.

Continue reading Meet Mercedes Jellinek, the woman behind the name

Meet Mercedes Jellinek, the woman behind the name originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/meet-mercedes-jellinek-the-woman-behind-the-name/

Mike Bliss Denver Nuggets Mattias Ekstrom Jud Larson Memphis Grizzlies Lamar Odom

Woj: Celtics trying to move into lottery

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/6/28/3123334/woj-celtics-trying-to-move-into-lottery

Red Bull Toyota Jeff Gordon Rudolf Krause Joe Nemechek Washington Scott Alan Wimmer Hermann Lang

Official: Pikes Peak Hill Climb postponed due to Colorado wildfire

Filed under: Motorsports

The 90th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been officially postponed after race officials met with the U.S. Forest Service yesterday afternoon. The event was originally scheduled to run on July 8th, with technical inspections starting July 3rd, but a wildfire in the area, which began on June 23rd, is less than five percent contained and has currently burned over 18,500 acres. The decision to postpone the race was less about direct interference with the fire - the blaze is currently heading away from Pikes Peak - and more about taking away resources desperately needed by the city of Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.

"At the end of our meeting today, it was clear that we would not be able to go as scheduled," said Tom Osborne, Chairman of the Board of the PPIHC, in a statement released yesterday. "Our deepest concern is for the safety of the public and the competitors, and it was obvious that several agencies charged with public safety would not be able to commit the resources and manpower required to ensure those requirements because of the critical need for their resources at this time. Our city is in an unprecedented struggle right now and we are deeply sensitive to it."

The 211 competitors, many of them from outside the United States, have already been notified of the event's postponement, and a new date will hopefully be selected within the next two weeks. Race officials have assured that any tickets already purchased will still be honored and all agreements with sponsors and vendors will be fulfilled.

You can read the official announcement from the PPIHC below.

Continue reading Pikes Peak Hill Climb postponed due to Colorado wildfire

Pikes Peak Hill Climb postponed due to Colorado wildfire originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/28/pikes-peak-hill-climb-postponed-due-to-colorado-wildfire/

Yao Ming Robert Kubica Landon Cassill Boston Celtics kendrick Perkins Tony Raines

Top 10 Thursday: Biggest draft questions

That headline ought to be fairly self-explanatory. Here are the 10 things I'm most intrigued to see in Thursday night's NBA draft: 1. Who goes No. 1 overall? (Kidding. I hope I have your attention now.) 2. OK, seriously, who goes No. 2? Now this is an intriguing question, one we've argued before in this space. With Anthony Davis such an obvious No. 1 pick, this is really the only top-two suspense in this draft, made all the more so by the simple fact that the Bobcats could pick just about anybody and become immediately better.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60614/top-10-thursday-biggest-draft-questions

Pedro Lamy Shell Pennzoil Chevrolet Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers 3M Ford Philadelphia 76ers

Official: New Mazda Flairwagon offers nothing of the sort

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Japan, Mazda

Joining the AZ-Wagon, AZ-Offroad, Carol and delightfully named Scrum Wagon, Mazda has completed its micro-mini line-up with this, the Flairwagon. Underneath the badging this is actually a Suzuki Palette, a five-door, four-seater kei car introduced in Japan in 2008.

It appears Mazda has maintained most of the Palette's option sheet, so depending on trim the Flairwagon is available with either a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 660-cc VVT engine, front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive, keyless entry and pushbutton start, Hill Hold Control and Stop/Start, a cold storage glove box, folding rear seat, and a power sliding rear door on the left. The only transmission on offer will be a CVT.

That's the top tier IS Limited Edition trim pictured above, and even it looks like it keeps its flair on the inside - which probably isn't such a bad thing. Scroll down to read a press release with more info on it.

Continue reading New Mazda Flairwagon offers nothing of the sort

New Mazda Flairwagon offers nothing of the sort originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/27/new-mazda-flairwagon-offers-nothing-of-the-sort/

Post 9 11 GI Bill Chevrolet San Antonio Spurs Mobil 1 Dodge Red Bull Toyota Jeff Gordon Rudolf Krause

Did You Know: NBA Draft Edition

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAnthony Davis and his Kentucky teammates have a chance to make history at the 2012 NBA Draft.Trivia question: Anthony Davis will become the second player in the common draft era (since 1966) to be drafted first overall the same season as winning a national championship and being the AP Player of the Year. Name the other. Here are a 10 more facts to impress your friends with as we get ready for draft night. Did you know that… Fewest PPG In Final College SeasonNo.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60538/did-you-know-nba-draft-edition

Kyle Busch Kenneth William Schrader US ARMY Chevrolet Elliott William Ron Artest Sam Hornish Jr

Official: McLaren Automotive looks back on its first year

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

It's been one heck of a first year for McLaren Automotive. Since setting up shop twelve months ago, the Formula One team's new sportscar-making unit has sold over 1,000 examples of the MP4-12C supercar, but that's not the sum total of its achievements.

To get there, McLaren set up a global network of 38 brand-spanking-new dealerships in a total of 22 countries, including those in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and right here in North America.

The newest British automaker orchestrated it all from its new facility in Woking, right next door to the F1 team's headquarters, which was officially opened by the British prime minister. And while it was at it, McLaren also set up the Special Operations division to build even more unique versions of its supercars like the High Sport, as well as its own racing division to handle the MP4-12C GT3 that's taking on racing series around the world. Oh, and Macca rolled out an upgrade of the 12C while it was still in its infancy as well.

Not bad for a year's work, and we can't wait to see what next year brings. Recent rumors have included a roadster version of the 12C and even a supposed shooting brake of some sort in the works, but the biggest splash will be made when the successor to the mighty McLaren F1 jumps into the pool. Watch this space.

Continue reading McLaren Automotive looks back on its first year

McLaren Automotive looks back on its first year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/27/mclaren-automotive-looks-back-on-its-first-year/

Joe Nemechek Washington Scott Alan Wimmer Hermann Lang Los Angeles Clippers Rasheed Wallace Jan Lammers

Official: New Mazda Flairwagon offers nothing of the sort

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, Wagon, Japan, Mazda

Joining the AZ-Wagon, AZ-Offroad, Carol and delightfully named Scrum Wagon, Mazda has completed its micro-mini line-up with this, the Flairwagon. Underneath the badging this is actually a Suzuki Palette, a five-door, four-seater kei car introduced in Japan in 2008.

It appears Mazda has maintained most of the Palette's option sheet, so depending on trim the Flairwagon is available with either a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 660-cc VVT engine, front-wheel drive or full-time all-wheel drive, keyless entry and pushbutton start, Hill Hold Control and Stop/Start, a cold storage glove box, folding rear seat, and a power sliding rear door on the left. The only transmission on offer will be a CVT.

That's the top tier IS Limited Edition trim pictured above, and even it looks like it keeps its flair on the inside - which probably isn't such a bad thing. Scroll down to read a press release with more info on it.

Continue reading New Mazda Flairwagon offers nothing of the sort

New Mazda Flairwagon offers nothing of the sort originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/27/new-mazda-flairwagon-offers-nothing-of-the-sort/

Atlanta Hawks UPS Ford Dirk Nowitzki Michael Curtis Waltrip Richard Lee Rudd Hernandez Yeley

Danny Ainge: "No News To Report"

Source: http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/6/27/3120707/no-news-to-report-danny-ainge-on-everything

New York Knicks Washington Wizards Miami Heat Bradley Reed Sorenson Stanley Ford Robert La Caze

Report: Fisker loan spurs more questions from senators

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Fisker, Electric

Um, about that $337 million.

Fisker Automotive and its pending federal government loan has spurred a letter from two U.S. senators to Energy Secretary Steven Chu questioning the appropriateness of the loan, The Detroit News reports.

In their letter to Chu, senators John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reportedly question the $529 million loan in part because of Qatar's ownership stake in the plug-in hybrid automaker. The senators also inquired about the loan earmarked for Fisker partner A123 Systems, the company whose batteries have been subject to a recall.

Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher tells The Detroit News that the company is staying out of politics and focusing on creating U.S. jobs. California-based Fisker was granted the loan in 2010 but has drawn down just $193 million to date.

Energy Department spokesman Damien LaVera argues the loan was an appropriate part of the federal government's effort to help boost fleetwide fuel economy and said Fisker's delays are "common for start-ups," according to the report.

Last week, Fisker debuted its first national advertising campaign in a multi-page Wall Street Journal ad that included a statement from company founder Henrik Fisker proclaiming that the automaker has "set out to redefine and reshape how the world thinks about cars." Fisker also recently widened its European distribution network.

Upon securing the original loan grant, Fisker was slated to hire 2,000 people at a Delaware factory that was formerly run by General Motors. Production of the Fisker Atlantic shown above, which was originally scheduled to be produced at the Delaware plant, has been delayed until at least 2014.

Fisker loan spurs more questions from senators originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/27/fisker-loan-spurs-more-questions-from-senators/

Mark Martin Orlando Magic Milwaukee Bucks Toronto Raptors Rajon Rondo Greg Biffle

Williams works out, King meets media as Nets prep (Yahoo! Sports)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- While Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King was addressing the media Wednesday in advance of the NBA Draft, a familiar face poked his head into the media room at the team's training facility.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12k20c9jg/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/williams-works-king-meets-media-175808268--nba.html

Mikko Kozarowitzky Anthony Wayne Stewart Kevin Harvick Andrew Bynum Baron Davis Golden State Warriors

Five less productive players scouts love

In case you missed it -- or, as we say on Twitter, "ICYMI" -- Monday brought the third annual edition of the College Basketball Production-Only Mock Draft, which has an entirely silly name but is nonetheless a yearly treat to write. It tries to gauge the most productive college players in the NBA draft, and order them based on how they would be selected if their college careers -- individual production, contributions to wins, and so on -- were the only qualities scouts care about.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60520/five-less-productive-players-nba-scouts-love

Atlanta Hawks UPS Ford Dirk Nowitzki Michael Curtis Waltrip Richard Lee Rudd Hernandez Yeley

Pacers part ways with Larry Bird (Yahoo! Sports)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Larry Bird is calling it quits with the Indiana Pacers.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12g8gsbb4/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/pacers-part-ways-larry-bird-150956095--nba.html

Oklahoma City Thunder Travis Kvapil Old Spice Office Depot Chevrolet Nicola Larini Jamie McMurray J.R Smith

MSU, UConn organize another major event

The dead-November era in college basketball is officially over. Last year gave us the Champions Classic (a four-team rotating tournament featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State) and the season-opening Carrier Classic (the aircraft carrier game attended by President Obama, backgrounded by some of the more captivating images I've ever seen on live TV). This year, the naval ship game became an actual trend, as six other schools announced agreements to play in various docked U.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60509/msu-uconn-organize-another-major-event

J.R Smith David Ragan Martin Lee Truex Jr Kenyon Martin New Jersey Nets Pau Gasol

Five less productive players scouts love

In case you missed it -- or, as we say on Twitter, "ICYMI" -- Monday brought the third annual edition of the College Basketball Production-Only Mock Draft, which has an entirely silly name but is nonetheless a yearly treat to write. It tries to gauge the most productive college players in the NBA draft, and order them based on how they would be selected if their college careers -- individual production, contributions to wins, and so on -- were the only qualities scouts care about.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60520/five-less-productive-players-nba-scouts-love

Josh Howard Giovanni Lavaggi Michel Leclere Kobe Braynt LeBron James PRISM Motorsports Toyota

Did You Know: NBA Draft Edition

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAnthony Davis and his Kentucky teammates have a chance to make history at the 2012 NBA Draft.Trivia question: Anthony Davis will become the second player in the common draft era (since 1966) to be drafted first overall the same season as winning a national championship and being the AP Player of the Year. Name the other. Here are a 10 more facts to impress your friends with as we get ready for draft night. Did you know that… Fewest PPG In Final College SeasonNo.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60538/did-you-know-nba-draft-edition

Chicago Bulls Martin Truex Jr Bass Pro Shops Tracker Chevrolet Dave Blaney Kurt Kuhnke Nate Robinson

3-point shot: Spartans' Dawson healing well

1. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said forward Branden Dawson is making significant progress after an operation to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. Dawson, who will be critical to the Spartans’ chances of replacing Draymond Green in the lineup, is ahead of schedule, according to Izzo. “He doesn’t look like had an operation,’’ said Izzo of the four months since the knee surgery. “The swelling is down. He’ll start working out with us in August.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/60461/3-point-shot-spartans-dawson-healing-well

Jordan Farmar Kyle Busch Kenneth William Schrader US ARMY Chevrolet Elliott William Ron Artest

Report: Bellwether California market sees share growth for Detroit automakers

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota

Ask any sales and marketing executive from Chrysler, Ford or General Motors what their company's greatest challenge is and they will unequivocally reply, "California." The Golden State accounts for 12.5 percent of all new car sales in the United States, but even more importantly, it is seen as a bellwether for the nation. As the home of the entertainment and consumer electronics industries, California has an outsized reach into our nation's popular culture - but Californians have historically been among the least receptive to domestic products.

There's some evidence that trend may be changing, as domestic market share has been improving in the recent years, according to Forbes. Ford has seen its Blue Oval brand improve from seven percent in 2008 to over nine percent last year. Chevrolet topped six percent last year after three years of growth. Even Chrysler, which had a market share of less than four percent in 2010, has seen growth - to five percent in 2011 and almost six percent so far this year.

Still, those numbers are a pittance compared to the import brands. According to The Detroit News, domestic automakers have a combined 30.8 percent share in California, well below their 44.3 percent national average. The domestics' recent growth in California - the Japanese and Korean manufacturers' "home turf" - has certainly been helped by supply shortages at Honda and Toyota, companies beset by natural disasters last year.

If domestic automakers are going to continue to take share from foreign competition, they're going to have to have more success stories like the recent surge in Chevrolet Volt sales, a phenomenon spurred by the availability of High Occupancy Vehicle lane stickers for GM's plug-in hybrid. There's also an inevitable demographic shift that could benefit Detroit, as domestic-hating Baby Boomers give way to younger buyers with no memory of Detroit's dark decades in the 1970s and 1980s.

Bellwether California market sees share growth for Detroit automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/26/bellwether-california-market-sees-share-growth-for-detroit-autom/

Dwayne Wade Cleveland Cavaliers Elliott Sadler Masami Kuwashima Luis Scola Kurt Busch

Report: Larry Bird leaving Indiana Pacers (Yahoo! Sports)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- David Morway resigned Tuesday as general manager of the Indiana Pacers amid reports that Larry Bird is on the way out, too.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nba/SIG=12mb060m3/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/report-larry-bird-leaving-indiana-154016392--nba.html

Yao Ming Robert Kubica Landon Cassill Boston Celtics kendrick Perkins Tony Raines

Official: Seat officially unveils new Toledo

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, SEAT

One week after leaked images appeared online and just a few days after its sister car, the Škoda Rapid, was revealed, the Seat Toledo has taken a bow. Expected to "write a whole new success story" for the Seat, the five-door and its "timeless personality" has a mission to be "a great car for a great price." All of which sounds like the Spanish marque really has very little to say about their new model, eh?

In contrast to the Škoda's seven powerplant options, three will be on the Seat menu at launch: two petrol-flavored offerings in the form of a 1.2-liter, 73-horsepower TSI and a 1.4-liter, 119-hp TSI, and an oil-burning 1.6-liter, 102-hp TDI. Next year, a less potent 1.6-liter, 88-hp diesel will be added to the range.

We'll have live shots of it from the Paris Auto Salon floor later this fall, after which it will appear in Spanish and Portuguese showrooms before exports expand to other parts of the world. Prices will be announced closer to launch, so scroll down for a presser with the other details on Seat's new baby.

Continue reading Seat officially unveils new Toledo

Seat officially unveils new Toledo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/26/seat-officially-unveils-new-toledo/

Kurt Busch Jason Kidd Oscar Larrauri Derek Fisher Mohawk Northeast Chevrolet Shannon Brown

2013 BMW ALPINA B7 More Performance, Fresh Design Features & Improves Efficiency

Press Release: The 2013 BMW ALPINA B7 super-high performance luxury sedan with enhanced features, efficiency, and individuality for discriminating customers. Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 15, 2012…. Today, BMW announced updates to the second generation of the successful BMW ALPINA B7 super-high performance luxury sedan with more performance, fresh design features, and improved efficiency. The new B7 is slated for a North American debut at the historic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August and will go on-sale immediately thereafter. Pricing will be $128,495 (B7 Standard Wheelbase), $131,495 (B7 SWB with xDrive), $132,395 (B7 ...

Source: http://www.distrocars.com/2013-bmw-alpina-b7

Dallas Mavericks Jonathan Edward Wood Carmelo Anthony Tracy McGrady Scott Speed Yao Ming

Report: Infiniti still wants halo car, GT-R variant ruled out

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Infiniti, Electric, Luxury

Take a good look at the lineup of cars at Infiniti. Notice anything interesting? We see sedans of multiple shapes and sizes, wagon-like crossovers, a hybrid and even a massive SUV, which is the most expensive machine the company has on offer. What we don't see, though, is a clear range-topper.

According to Car and Driver, that fact doesn't sit very well with Andreas Sigl, the man at the head of Infiniti's Formula 1 relationship with Red Bull. "A halo car would help us ... It could bridge the gap between Infiniti and F1."

With an Infiniti version of the Nissan GT-R apparently off the table, we're not really expecting any kind of halo car that will bring to mind the raw performance of an F1 racer. Still, the options available to Infiniti are intriguing: the Emerg-E and Essence concepts are reportedly being considered for production.

The Essence Concept was powered by a twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 and electric motor hybrid combination that was good for 592 brake horsepower. That sounds perfectly halo-esque to us, but a V8 may have potential, too. Meanwhile, the Emerg-E concept was co-developed with Lotus with componentry borrowed from the Evora. The range-extended electric vehicle could reportedly run from 0-60 in four seconds flat while offering a 300-mile range.

So, which direction might Infiniti go? Beats us, but C&D poses a nice solution: How about both?

Infiniti still wants halo car, GT-R variant ruled out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/26/infiniti-still-wants-halo-car-gt-r-variant-ruled-out/

Blake Griffin DuPont National Guard Military Intelligence Johnny Andrew Sauter Detroit Pistons Bobby Labonte Ryan Newman

First Drive: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Hyundai, First Drives

Adding More Fun And Function To A Winning Formula



Truth be told, we've always had a soft spot for the Hyundai Elantra Touring. Rather than being just another compact hatchback, the Touring was a bona fide small wagon - the sort of thing commonly reserved for the European market. It was a less-expensive alternative to the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen with an impressive warranty, though its milquetoast demeanor and somewhat odd styling never really made it a hit with the masses.

Nowadays, also-ran status is absolutely unacceptable for Hyundai, especially with anything in the Elantra family. After all, the compact sedan was named the 2012 North American Car of the Year and has been selling like hotcakes ever since it launched. So when we got word that a successor to the Elantra Touring would be on deck, out interest was indeed piqued.

Well, here it is - the 2013 Elantra GT. And while it's wholly different than the Elantra Touring that came before it, Hyundai hopes that its new GT will appeal to the buying public in a much larger way, even besting stiff competition from the likes of class-favorites like the Ford Focus and Mazda3.

This new five-door certainly has a lot riding on its (hatch)back. But does it deliver? We hit the roads outside of San Diego to find out.

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/26/2013-hyundai-elantra-gt-first-drive-review/

Michel Leclere Kobe Braynt LeBron James PRISM Motorsports Toyota Paul Fiercer Air Guard Ford