According to a recent survey from Ward’s Automotive, 75% of engineers believe safety will be compromised in order to meet the forthcoming CAFE standard by 2025. Carried out on 1,100 engineers, two weeks prior to the new fuel economy regulations , many showed scepticism in relation to the extent of consumer perceptive of how the new rules alter the cars offered for purchase. Hyundai is well on the way to meet the new regulations of 54.5mpg (4.3l/100km/65.4mpg UK) by 2025 Unsurprisingly, around 90% say that prices of vehicle will increase substantially, infringing upon choice, reducing safety and lead to much smaller vehicles. “A C-segment car will be considered huge by 2025,” one engineer remarked in the survey, “Bye bye to the CUV/SUV, light-duty pickup trucks and D-segment or larger cars.” The White House hopes to have the details of the regulations nailed and signed into law by July 2012. Read the rest here: Economy regulations may hamper safety (U.S) Read the original post:  Economy regulations may hamper safety (U.S)

It’s no secret that Google has been testing fully automatic cars on U.S roads, and while many thought automated cars would cause more accidents, none have been recorded, until now. Admittedly, this incident was caused by human error. One of Google’s computer-controlled Prii (the new word for more than one Prius ) was caught up in a collision with contradictory reports from Google stating two cars were concerned, with eye-witnesses saying five cars were damaged.  Google utilises 2007 Prii as automated vehicles  An informant said Google’s automated Prius came to a screeching halt and rear-ended a new Prius , which lunged into a Honda Accord , driven by the witness’ brother, which hit another Accord , and then hit another Prius , meaning two Accord ’s and three Prii were affected. Google official message claims that only two vehicle were involved and that the automated Prius was being navigated by a human being. If that’s the case, Google has covered over 160,000 miles (257,500km) of collision-free driving. Original post: Human error causes Google’s automatic car to crash More here:  Human error causes Google’s automatic car to crash

Mark Reuss, Chevrolet’s CEO, confirmed on Twitter that the Spark city-car will hit dealerships in mid-2012 as a 2013 model year. The Spark will slot underneath the larger Sonic when it goes on sale, giving Chevrolet full segment coverage for the first time as executive director of product communications for GM, Jason Laird tweeted; “ Spark minicar will give Chevrolet A-B-C-D-E segment coverage for the first time in the U.S.” Chevrolet launched the Spark at the 2010 North American International Auto Show as a 2011 model year. Look out for an EPA highway rating of 43mpg. Here is the original post: Chevrolet finally confirms Spark for 2013 Go here to see the original: Chevrolet finally confirms Spark for 2013

Ten years ago, Cadillac was an American luxury car brand barely receiving the respect its history established. Once renowned across the world on the same level as Rolls-Royce when it came to luxury, the General Motors luxury car line-up consisted of a collection including several outdated sedans, an unexciting mid-sized vehicle based on a European car and a full-sized sport utility vehicle with no identity. Faced with the reality their brand was fashionably uncool, Cadillac underwent a structural reshaping and image makeover. Led by the Cadillac CTS, the American luxury car company stood proudly as a rival to European and Japanese premium vehicles. Expansion of Cadillac’s renovated image will include two new vehicles destined for dealership showrooms for 2012. Through a presentation delivered in the Center of Automotive Research, some vague details on a large as well as a compact car was outlined. First announced is confirmation on the long-awaited replacement to the Cadillac DTS. Deriving inspiration from the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept vehicle, the production XTS will be sold with what General Motors calls an “advanced front-wheel drive” or an all-wheel drive layout. Rumours continue to swirl whether the Cadillac XTS will feature a V-8 or a just a high-output six-cylinder powerplant. Late last week, General Motors already declared construction of the XTS (in time for a spring 2012 release) will be directed from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Cadillac has eased the drop cloth covering the plans for their newest intentions for a premium compact sedan. Referred to as the ATS, the car has been revealed in a teaser photo as a four-door sedan. In 2009, a Cadillac ATS concept was shown to press as a sports coupe. Getting ready for sale in summer of 2012, Cadillac insists the ATS will be targeting the sales of other entry-level luxury cars including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the BMW 3 Series. Initially, the CTS was meant as Cadillac’s BMW 3 Series fighter but trends in automotive downsizing and the popularity of the mid-sized product (currently offered as a sedan, wagon or coupe configuration) has caused GM’s luxury brand to realize there is indeed room in the line-up for a smaller car. The Cadillac ATS is set also to compete with an already-announced premium...

Despite returning to the U.S market after a 28 year hiatus, customers are snapping up plusher 500 trim-levels and laying on the optional extras. Around a quarter of consumers are plucking for the entry-level Pop, which starts at $15,500 with almost half choosing the mid-level Sport at $17,500. In addition, 20% of clients are picking the range-topping Lounge. Additionally, clients are loading up on the car’s customisable options like decals. “A lot of what we’re seeing is customers really want to build their car,” Laura Soave, Fiat’s U.S CEO, said. “Customers are willing to wait the six to eight weeks to get the one they want.” Out of 130 outlets by 2011, Fiat has recently opened it 94th dealership. To date, 7,982 500 ’s have been sold with 50,000 units expected next year. Here is the original: Fiat 500 proving popular, customers loading with options View original post here: Fiat 500 proving popular, customers loading with options

A classic case of monkey see, monkey do. Although BMW’s M-Series performance vehicles aren’t volume sellers, they boost the firm’s image and profit margins. Audi has the desire to become the world’s largest luxury car maker and has checked out BMW’s strategy in which it will offer a number of RS models for the U.S market. Previously, the U.S market has been neglected certain RS models but Audi will launch two new models in the next few months. With the TT RS now hitting Audi outlets, it demands a $20k premium over the regular TT, at $56,850. The next model is the RS5, which is expected to launch in Spring 2012. Although pricing and specification has yet to be announced, the RS5 could be priced from $80,000. With the departure of the RS4 a few years ago, the TT RS and RS5 will will be Audi’s only RS models. “We’re now taking the first steps with the TT RS and the RS5,” Audi sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer said. “I could indeed imagine that we’ll continue along that route in the future.” View original post here: Audi considering more RS variants (U.S) Original post: Audi considering more RS variants (U.S)

Aston Martin’s lack of money is affecting its ability to create new models, a recent report suggests. While rivals like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche have Fiat and Volkswagen, Aston Martin is left fending on its own in the big, cruel wotld of the automotive industry. Aston Martin has been recycling its eight-year old platform, from which the DB9 was developed, to produce new models ever since being sold from Ford. “It’s still that same old basic design,” says Ian McCallum, the DB9 designer who now manages design at Jaguar-Land Rover. “Some will argue that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But you do get to a time when you have to move on.” Data monitor analyst Andrew Jackson said: “The models are starting to have a slight whiff of Sunday dinner being used in sandwiches later in the week. It leaves the impression of a company stretching itself as far as it can. In the industry that they operate in, with their competitors, they really need to be cutting edge.” The British firm still has time to make adjustments. It uses old technology and engines from Ford to save cost and has a profit margin of 20%, compared to where 10% is considered great. However, the marque runs a risk of getting caught-out in its segment where technology rules. Go here to see the original: Lack of capitol affecting Aston Martin Read the original here:  Lack of capitol affecting Aston Martin

Filed under: Motorsport Taking an embryonic WRC team to Rally Finland is a little like taking an U21 team to the senior World Cup. Raw talent is not enough on the ultra-fast, fluid, forever changing surface of gravel and grief that cuts through the rugged Nordic landscape; experience and local knowledge must be slowly accrued before dreams of a podium finish can become reality. Try too hard to tame Finland’s dips, crests, camber and forest banks, and she’ll exact her price in spectacular, bone-crunching fashion. BMW’s new Mini WRC team understood last weekend’s challenge all too well. Rally Finland may have only been its second event in a shortened developmental year, but the operation is run by Prodrive, the British firm which guided Subaru to three manufacturers’ championships. For now the team is not all that interested in the podium as this season is a dry run for next. Mini arrived in Finland with simple objectives: finish, gather vital data and equip its new British driver – Kris Meeke – with some vital experience of the rally’s idiosyncrasies. The Northern Irishman’s learning curve is arguably even steeper than his employers. He’s only been rallying for 10 years, and this is his inaugural season in WRC after taking the lesser IRC championship last year in a Peugeot 207 S2000. He must learn the new Mini Countryman John Cooper Works car while serving his ‘apprenticeship’ in Finland. We’re learning too. The importance of Meeke’s dress rehearsal is hammered home to us by an evening spent in the company of Rauno Aaaltonen, one of the original flying Finns, and the self-proclaimed inventor of both left-foot braking and the Scandinavian flick (apparently the only way of making an original Mini handle on a rally stage). His anecdotes fizz with enthusiasm and knowledge, and are interrupted only by the sudden presence of local well-wishers, drunk on their proximity to a national treasure. Rauno’s automotive ardour is infectious. The flying Finn describes slip angles and overhangs like a priest discussing the apostles, except the sermon is delivered with the mischievousness of a child telling a secret. Yet even the boisterous former Mini driver will not advance a prediction on...

Filed under: Formula One After McLaren and Ferrari fielded cars with winning pace in July, Red Bull could be challenged even more once this month’s summer break ends. That is the view of Mercedes’ Ross Brawn, who thinks the championship is likely to heat up at Spa-Francorchamps and beyond. “It’s impossible to predict what will happen from Spa,” he is quoted by Brazil’s O Estado de S.Paulo, “but I think that as we saw Ferrari and McLaren managing to make their cars faster over the last three races, they are likely to improve even more.” Agreed Renault’s sporting director Steve Nielsen: “Because Ferrari and McLaren are developing the aerodynamic exhaust later than Red Bull, they have more potential to improve it.” Toro Rosso’s veteran technical chief Giorgio Ascanelli, however, disagrees, and HRT’s Geoff Willis explains: “I know Adrian (Newey) well from Williams and how he works when the opposition gets tougher. “I predict they (Red Bull) will come back to dominating the races, although not like early in the season because the competitors have come to understand some of their solutions.” While McLaren’s drivers won the last two grands prix, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso would have won the championship by three points over Sebastian Vettel if the season consisted only of Valencia, Silverstone, the Nurburgring and Hungary. Red Bull, meanwhile, might struggle on the high speed sections at Spa and then Monza. “That’s right, those two tracks are not exactly our best ones,” Mark Webber told laola1.at in Austria this week. “So we need to limit the damage and then attack again when we can,” added the Australian.   View original here: Red Bull’s rivals to keep on improving – Brawn Read the original: Red Bull’s rivals to keep on improving – Brawn

When Toyota previewed the A-BAT (Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck) concept in 2008, it was nothing other than a design study. Sitting upon a uni-body architecture and powered by a hybrid powerstation, last year saw the first rumours emerge, suggesting the compact light truck will be greenlighted for production. Since then, the ute was on-off for production. Fast-forward to today and the latest suggest it will hit retailers soon. Although there has been no confirmation, the vehicle would sport a Scion badge and would hit the market after 2014. Power would come from a petrol unit, although a hybrid variant would be offered later. Numerous weight-saving measures would be expected, however, competitors like the Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma are posting a sales slump as the market for light-trucks slowly disintegrates, thanks in part to increasing fuel prices. If confirmed, the vehicle would wear the xT name-tag and would return market-leading fuel economy. See the original post: Toyota considering hybrid uni-body light truck for Scion Original post: Toyota considering hybrid uni-body light truck for Scion

Details on Lexus’ product line-up have emerged, indicating that the majority of the range will be either redesigned or facelifted. Firstly, there’s the new GS that goes on sale in Spring 2012. Secondly, the next-generation ES mid-sized sedan will sit on the revised Toyota Camry platform, itself due to be launched early next year. The ES will show up in Summer 2012 with an optional hybrid system, that will return 40mpg U.S (48mpg UK/5.9l/100km). Thirdly, the compact IS-Series will underpin the new GS and will feature sportier styling, revised engines, and better handling. Look out for a late Winter 2012 launch. Lastly, the full-sized LS sedan will be completely redesigned before it goes on sale in Spring 2013. Expect better fuel economy, lower emissions, and a substantially lower kerb-weight. The mid-sized RX SUV will receive minor restyling adjustments, with a new model due in 2014. The same year also brings the LFA Roadster to the market. The smaller GX and larger LX will be untouched until 2014. Read more from the original source: Lexus confirms LF-A Roadster for 2014 Read the original here:  Lexus confirms LF-A Roadster for 2014

Former Carroll Shelby employee Angelica Smith filed a lawsuit today in L.A. County Superior Court alleging she was groped by the automotive legend, forced to bring him pornography, raped by another employee at his home, and finally fired by Shelby for complaining about the assault according to TMZ . UPDATE. More » Go here to read the rest: Woman claims she was groped by Carroll Shelby; raped at his home [Carroll Shelby] Read the original post:  Woman claims she was groped by Carroll Shelby; raped at his home [Carroll Shelby]

Mercedes has quietly killed-off the range-topping SL65 AMG, ahead of the next-generation, due in 2013. The moves comes as the German marque axed the SL600, again, to make way for the next-generation SL. The SL65 AMG sported a wild twin-turbo 6.0 litre V12 petrol engine that produced 604bhp (612PS/450kW) and 1,000Nm (737lb-ft) of torque. The death of the SL65 AMG raises concerns on whether the 6.0 litre V12 will live on, as stricter fuel-economy regulations loom ever-nearer. More here: Mercedes kills-off SL65 AMG Read the rest here:  Mercedes kills-off SL65 AMG

If you’ve always wanted the look of a vintage Jaguar but they were too big, left hand drive, unreliable or easy to get parts for in America, one Japanese company created a not so perfect solution. Behold the Mitsuoka Viewt. Built on the body of a Nissan March by a Japanese company that specializes in unique automotive design interpretations , this strange vehicle is currently for sale on Ebay. More » See original here: Miniature Nissan modified to look like vintage Jaguar on Ebay [Found On EBay] Read more: Miniature Nissan modified to look like vintage Jaguar on Ebay [Found On EBay]

Filed under: Formula One Yet again, he finds himself staring at the rear end of a Red Bull. At the Nürburgring, Lewis Hamilton had Mark Webber in front of him on the grid; in Hungary it will be Sebastian Vettel. For most of qualifying, it had looked as though the McLaren driver would grab his first pole position of the year. But at the last moment, Vettel booked it for himself. So Hamilton will now be starting from the dirty side. Is this going to be a problem for the 26-year-old? “It’s not so bad,” says Hamilton calmly. “I’ve already done that a couple of times before on this track. Anyway, our KERS packs a bit more punch than Red Bull’s.” He believes that McLaren can get a result providing they get off to a good start. “We are strong contenders,” he adds with conviction. “At the Hungaroring, it is hugely important to come out of the first corner well placed,” he explains, “because it’s so difficult to overtake here. With DRS, it’s perhaps a bit better to sit on the tail of the man in front for a couple of laps.” However, Hamilton sees tyre management as the key factor for success in the last race before the summer break. Pirelli have once again supplied the supersoft compound which has reacted with hypersensitivity in the past: “We had a good long run yesterday with them, which fills me with confidence.” McLaren were consistent throughout Friday, so Hamilton is hoping for a good points haul. “Hopefully we can nick a few off Red Bull and Ferrari,” he adds with a chuckle.   See the original post: Hamilton: Nicking points off Red Bull and Ferrari Read the original post:  Hamilton: Nicking points off Red Bull and Ferrari