Aftermarket Leads

Chevrolet Volt owners have collectively driven more than 40 million miles on electricity

rastykas — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:53:55 +0000

General Motors has announced that Chevrolet Volt owners have collectively saved a supertanker of gas since the plug-in hybrid car went on sale. Owners have collectively traveled 40 million miles on electricity, avoiding more than 2.1 million gallons of gasoline – very impressive.

Read our review on the Chevrolet Volt.

“With each click of the odometer, Chevrolet Volt owners are measuring their contribution to reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and to preserving the environment,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. “Volt owners are also saving at the fuel pump with more than $8 million in combined savings.”

Check out more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

40 Million Total Electric Miles (EV) driven equivalent to:

16,373 trips across the United States (2,443 miles from New York to Los Angeles)
1,606 trips around the Earth (24,901 miles each)
167 trips to the Moon (238,657 miles each)

2,130,000 Gallons of Gas Saved equivalent to:

50,714 barrels of gas saved (42 gallons of gas per barrel)
$8,000,000 saved at the gas pump (based on $3.80/gallon of gas)
387 U.S. semi-truck tankers of gas saved (5,500 gallons of gas each)
One supertanker of gas saved (2 million gallons of gas)

- By: Omar Rana

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Chevrolet Volt owners have collectively driven more than 40 million miles on electricity

Report: Bentley to enter Dakar rally with new SUV model

DanitaTrick452 — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:53:32 +0000

While we have no idea what the Bentley SUV will be called when it enters production (we really hope it isn’t called the EXP 9 F SUV), new reports state that the model will enter the Dakar rally race in 2013.

CAR magazine has learned that Bentley is currently buying back the Race Touaregs that Volkswagen Motorsport sold to private teams after leaving the event to enter the Polo WRC. Bentley will then update these racer SUVs for a 2013 competition.

The production version of the Bentley EXP 9 F SUV Concept should hit roads next year.

Bentley recently outline possible powertrain options that are currently under consideration. Those include a 500-hp 4.0 liter V8 and a new V6 plug-in hybrid with an electric-range of 18 miles.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CAR

Charly Molinelli Design creates one depressing coffee table out of wrecked Ferrari

Nick Chambers — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:53:08 +0000

Pretty much any automobile enthusiast can relate to this bit of news in some way. For those who have lost great pieces of machinery to the inevitable, I being one of them, to make sure that we have some token of the past, we’d find a piece of our cars to keep.

For instance, when I lost my Mercedes, I kept the gauge cluster and the hood ornament to serve as a reminder of how much I loved it. And now, they serve as some nice paperweights on my desk.

One individual however, took this sort of reminiscing to a whole new level. Charly Molinelli Design decided to create a coffee table. But encased within that coffee table are crushed remains of what used to be a nice, bright red Ferrari.

It is a bit tragic to see and the story behind this creation remains a bit of a mystery. Charly Molinelli Design didn’t say how much one could acquire a coffee table like this. But if you head over to their website, you can have a closer look at what some are calling, the “world’s most tragic coffee table.”

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Molinelli Design via AutoBlog

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Charly Molinelli Design creates one depressing coffee table out of wrecked Ferrari

BMW M6 MotoGP Safety Car unveiled

WhileyKilson390 — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:52:41 +0000

At the upcoming M Festival, held at the 24 Hour Nurburgring race, BMW will be releasing the M6 MotoGP safety car, which will be heading the M Corso parade.

Check out more news on the BMW M6.

The only details available so far are some select highlights, which include a gloss black grille, pronounced rear wing, a front splitter and a light bar with BMW M livery.

No information has been provided yet on power upgrades, either, but the stock M6 rolls off the production line with a 4.4-liter V8 that makes 552hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. This, along with the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, move the car 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Link:
BMW M6 MotoGP Safety Car unveiled

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione gets tuned by Wheelsandmore

RomeoGolda885 — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:51:58 +0000

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione has been lightly tuned by Wheelsandmore with a mild power upgrade and a few quiet exterior mods.

The tuning company provides two power upgrade options. First is an ECU remap that adds 19-hp and 22 lb-ft of torque, making the total output 463-hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. A Stage II kit is also available that throws a sports exhaust system in the mix, producing 478-hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.

On the outside, Wheelsandmore kept the upgrades mild with matte black accents to the foil wrap on the body, a set of 21-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in Hankook S1 Evo rubber, and an adjustable coilover suspension.

On its own, this model is beautiful, and while tuning a model like this is debatable, I can’t ever say ‘no’ to an all black set of alloys.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: WorldCarFans

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco awarded IIHS’ Top Safety Pick award

ArehartCarpentier600 — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:51:33 +0000

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco has earned the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Award.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco, a midsize hybrid was awarded for good performance in front, side, rollover and rear impact evaluations.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Malibu.

Refresher: Power for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco comes from a basic 2.4L Ecotech direct-injection 4-cylinder mated to GM’s eAssist battery electric/gas propulsion system, which uses a lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor to enable regenerative braking, electric assist and start-stop functions. All of that power is transferred through a new 6-speed automatic. The result is a total of 182 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque from the four-banger with an extra 15 hp available from electric power. Prices start at $25,995.

- By: Omar Rana

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco awarded IIHS’ Top Safety Pick award

Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S 5-dr

sterorlessrog — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:20:47 +0000

Overview

SUBARU’S evergreen Impreza has been restyled for 2012 with a completely new drivetrain, redesigned interior and palpable improvements to noise suppression and refinement.

All help to bring the Japanese small car with all-wheel drive up to date, but has the company done enough against high-flying rivals like the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus?

We take an in-depth look at the range-topping (for now) 2.0i-S hatch to find out.

Model release date: February 2012

Previous model

SUBARU prioritised safety, value and function as the hallmarks of its third-generation Impreza, which initially launched as a five-door hatchback, with the sedan variant following in late 2008.

It was more spacious, better equipped and quieter than its predecessor and, for the first time, featured both six airbags and electronic stability control as standard across the range.

But purists complained about the move to full-framed doors, in the name of improved body rigidity and refinement.

Subaru’s permanent all-wheel drive was standard across the range, giving the Impreza a unique selling point among its peers – as was the 110kW/196Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol boxer engine.

Gearbox choices were a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

More conservative styling and increased interior space widened its appeal, helping the G3 Impreza to become a sales success for the Japanese brand.

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Subaru Impreza 2.0i-S 5-dr

Chery-JLR marriage going ahead, to see production of 130,000 units per year

Ash — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:05:42 +0000

The awaited union between China’s Chery and the UK’s Jaguar-Landrover is likely to go ahead later this year if the joint venture receives approval.

Various government ministerys have to approve the joint venture, the JV is expected to land in Changshu city, close to Shanghai, and will use the same facilities as Qoros, another Chery joint venture partner. Total investment is expected to peak at 12 billion RMB with both parties investing 6 billion RMB to see production reaching 130,000 units per year.

Chinese media reports indicated that Chery is currently looking to raise the funds for the JV with multiple Chinese banks, but this was denied by Chery’s General Manager Mr. Jin Yi Bo. Chery’s Chairman also revealed to Chinese press that Chery are preparing to IPO soon.

Rumors circulating on the internet last week indicated that Chery would supply the engines to Chinese made JLR products from their own expansive ATECO range which includes large displacement V6, turbo assisted mid range displacements and smaller sub 1.0L units, although the chances of Chery engines being fitted in England’s finest is still rather slim.

JLR’s move into the Chinese market comes somewhat late when compared to German manufacturers who introduced themselves into China over a decade ago, or in Audi’s case two decades ago. JLR’ has seen its sales figures rise in China considerably, last year Land Rover sold 34,993 cars in the Chinese market, a sales increase of 58% over 2010, Jaguar sold 3897 units.

Ash

Ash came to China at 18 on a whim and never left. Some 10 years later he collected a degree and a family along the way and now focuses his time on watching the Chinese car industry develop. He has witnessed the market change from being minor backyard market in to the world’s biggest and most important market for all car manufacturers. You can contact or connect with him via Linkedin by clicking the ‘Website’ link.

California lawyer pitches class-action services in wake of overturned Honda fuel-economy ruling

Danny King — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:39:10 +0000

Miles per Gallon (MPG) Fraud — Why Class Action Works Better than Small Claims

REDLANDS, Calif., May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — When it was announced that Heather Peters won her lawsuit against Honda for alleged MPG advertising violations, it drew nationwide attention and several more small claims against the popular car company. Now we hear that Peters’ small claims judgment was overturned in the Appeals process-a move that confuses consumers and begs the question, “How can a car company be held liable in a class action suit but not in Small Claims Court?”

“It has a great deal to do with legal knowledge and certain rights not available in a small claims action,” stated Richard McCune of McCuneWright, LLP, in Redlands, CA. “If you are filing against a big company, you are already at a disadvantage when you enter the small claims courtroom.”

According to McCune, whose firm has recently filed Class Action MPG-related lawsuits against GM and Hyundai, you lose three things in small claims court: 1) the right to an attorney; 2) the right to “Discovery” of evidence from the opposition; and, 3) the right to appeal. Only the defendant can file an Appeal and they can then have representation. For Honda that is an elite team of highly skilled attorneys.

“It appears Ms. Peters’ lawsuit challenged ads that fall within federal protective guidelines for window sticker and EPA mileage claims,” said McCune. “In contrast, when Hyundai made the same challenges in McCuneWright’s ongoing class action, we provided illustrations of ads without the required disclaimers. The Court found it could be actionable if the claims were proven false; that allowed us to continue class action proceedings for consumers who may have been misled.”

A class action attorney understands you have to show specific promises, not general slogans in advertising. That appears to be a mistake made by Peters in her case.

“If a company engages in practices not fair to consumers, the pressure of class action is one way to effect change,” continued McCune. “Plaintiffs in MPG Fraud cases have suffered substantial loss related to their vehicles-and they don’t want that to happen to anyone else.”

ABOUT MCCUNEWRIGHT, LLP
McCuneWright has a long history of success for clients. Their multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements include a $203 million trial verdict in consumer fraud class action and a $35 million settlement in consumer fraud class action.
Contact:
Richard McCune, Esq.
Phone: 909.557.1250
SOURCE McCuneWright, LLP
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1bsE8)

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California lawyer pitches class-action services in wake of overturned Honda fuel-economy ruling

IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:38:42 +0000

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crowned two eco-friendly new models as Top Safety Picks: the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco and 2012 Toyota Prius c. The redesigned 2013 Malibu joins its 2012 model-mate as a Top Pick, and the 2013 earned a good side impact rating even without its optional side airbags.

The Prius c also has siblings that have won the award, the Prius and Prius v. Also earning top honors in the latest round of testing is the redesigned Hyundai Azera. The Top Pick moniker is given to vehicles that score “Good” in the IIHS’s front, side, rollover and rear-impact tests.

Have a look below for video of the Malibu and Prius c going through their side-impact exams.

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IIHS crowns Prius c and Malibu Eco Top Safety Picks [w/video]