We usually judge drivers by how well they handle themselves on the road and when trying to accomplish various maneuvers like the dreaded parallel parking. But the Insurance.com website recently made a study in which it tried to categorize bad drivers by the jobs they have.
The results were pretty straightforward, showing that people with high stress and busy jobs are usually worse drivers than those who don’t think about other things when they are in their car.
Curious to see the 10 worst professions a driver can have? Hit the jump to find out.
Read More: “10 most dangerous jobs for a driver”
As much as we’d want the title to be true, we have to mention that the chase is just a virtual one.
Let’s explain: Mothership, a company specializing in creating computer-generated videos, has decided that a fast paced police chase involving cars like an Audi R8, Range Rover Sport or a Hummer, would be make for some great footage.
The result is a short yet awesome video called “Chase”, which, at least at first glance, you wouldn’t even know it’s CG. Don’t believe us? Hit the jump and enjoy the video!
Read More: “Video: Audi R8 and Range Rover Sport get into huge police chase”
Many Lexus fans were extremely excited about the LF-Ch concept the Japanese company showed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Luckily for them, it seems they don’t have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show to get a glimpse of the production model, as it was leaked through brochure.
The new model, dubbed the Lexus CT 200h, looks pretty good from the pics included in the brochure, retaining much of the style from its concept phase. The model remains a five-door hatchback, a body style extremely popular in Europe.
What’s more important is that the future hybrid hatchback will use a 1.8-liter gasoline engine coupled with an electric motor, both delivering undisclosed amounts of power, through an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT). The motor will draw its power from a nickel-metal hydride battery, which will sit in the back.
Three driving models are offered with the new Lexus CT 200h, Eco, Normal and Sport, with the latter, according to the brochure, offering “superior handling ability”. Sadly, no other details about power figures or top speed has been given, so we’re left guessing.
Overall, the Lexus CT 200h is looking extremely good. Let’s hope its reveal next week will clear some things out. Until then, what do you believe about this new Japanese hybrid?
Read More: “Lexus CT 200h details leaked before its Geneva reveal”
Hyundai was extremely busy these past couple of weeks with the launch of the brand new 2011 Sonata in the US, a model which it hoped would generate big sales.
Sadly, it seems the launch didn’t go without a hitch, as Hyundai has just announced that it will recall all new Sonata models sold (around 1,300) and stop the sale of the ones already in dealerships due to a malfunction in the driver and passenger door latches.
“The [Sonata’s] front doors incorporate a convenience feature that allows a locked door to be unlocked and opened by pulling the inside door release handle without first unlocking the door with the inside door lock switch. If a front inside door lock switch is held in the locked position while the inside door handle is pulled to open the door, the door latch may malfunction. If this occurs, the inside door handle will not return to its normal, stowed position and the door latch will remain in the unlatched position when attempting to close the door.”
Hyundai also revealed that the rear doors aren’t affected by this problem, as they don’t have the specific mechanism fitted. Replacement parts are being shipped out to dealerships across the US, and it is expected that the fixing procedure will last around one hour per vehicle.
The few customers who already received their 2011 Hyundai Sonata are advised to contact dealerships and schedule a meeting. While the defect isn’t life threatening, I’m pretty sure some people would want to get out of the car fast in dangerous situations.
Read More: “Hyundai stops sale of 2011 Sonata, recalls units over door latch problem”
As we revealed a few weeks ago, Abarth, Fiat’s performance division, will bring two new models at the Geneva Motor Show which kicks off next week. Said cars are based on the Fiat 500C and the new Punto Evo models, which were recently launched.
Now, the company confirmed them and revealed a fresh batch of details surrounding these new pocket rockets, even though they won’t be so aggressive as the Hamann-tuned Fiat 500. The new Abarth 500C will see 138 HP and 152 lb-ft of torque squeezed out of the 1.4-liter T-Jet engine. The power unit will be coupled with a six-speed automatic gearbox, complete with paddle shifters.
It will be able to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds and reach 127 mph, all while you and your passengers will be feeling the wind through your hair.Those of you with a passion for more performance will be pleased to hear that an even more aggressive Esseesse edition will be launched, but at a later date.
The Abarth Punto Evo brings a bit more power, 161 HP, from the 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir engine, and will see an Esseesse version right from the get go, capable of 178 HP. The “simple” Abarth will be capable of 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds, and will top out at 133 mph. It will also be quite frugal, with a fuel economy of 47 mph and CO2 emissions of around 142 g/km.
Read More: “Fiat 500C Abarth and Fiat Punto Evo Abarth revealed before Geneva debut”
Remember the statement that the V10 engine used by the Lexus LFA won’t be making its way under the hood of another model? *Sicilian accent* Forget about it!
New reports from the guys at Autocar show that the Japanese engineers are pretty busy improving and detuning the V10 engine from the LFA, decreasing its displacement by around 200cc, and enhancing it for everyday use. The goal of such a “softening”? To make a GS-F capable of taking down the next BMW M5 of course.
The new 4.6-liter unit would output around 450 HP, enough to make it the most powerful Japanese sedan built by Lexus. The model, set to appear in 2013, will also employ a new torque vectoring differential, which will improve handling quite a bit and even put it on par with the future 2012 BMW M5.
Another new project coming from Japan will be a Lexus SC, set to rival the Mercedes-Benz SL. It will be a completely different beast than the current SC, which will end production in July. According to the rumors, it will be revealed in 2014 as a hybrid sportscar, combining a 5.0-liter V8 with an electric motor.
Overall, these will be some highly awaited new models from Lexus. It will also be interesting to see if they will be able to rival their intended targets.
Read More: “Lexus prepping new GS-F with LFA V10 engine and new SC”
Chrysler is definitely learning a few things from Toyota, and in order to play it safe, has just issued a “safety improvement campaign”, or in simpler terms, a recall without being forced by the NHTSA.
The source of this recall is an airbag sensor in the front of the 2005-2006 Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan models, or around 312,000 vehicles. It seems water can leak in the sensor, given certain “environmental conditions”, most likely melting snow. This water will cause the airbag sensor to glitch, which in turn will make the airbag fault warning light appear on the dash. If left unattended, the sensor can fail altogether, effectively disabling the airbag system completely, which, needless to say, is quite severe.
Customers are advised to take their vans to an authorized service to have the sensor swapped out with a better one. The recall campaign is scheduled to start in June, but you can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 for more details.
We were pretty excited about the Chevrolet Aveo RS concept we saw at the Detroit Auto Show last month, but courtesy of Bob Lutz and KickingTires, we now have the first two images of how the production variant of the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo will look.
The sedan version, as you can see, is pictured above, but it will also receive a hatchback variant soon after that. Either way, we really like what we see, especially the more aggressive design and the new “open grille”. The front fascia is a bit boxy, but at least according to the popularity of the new Chevrolet Cruze, it will definitely catch on.
The interior also look extremely good, finally delivering some nuances of style against the current ones which don’t make sitting inside the Aveo very exciting. According to GM, the 2012 Chevy Aveo will set its sights on the Ford Fiesta, more specifically the sedan variant, which will arrive this spring in the US after some huge sales all over the world.
Expect the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo to be formally unveiled and detailed at the end of the year, and will appear on the US market sometime in 2011.
Read More: “2012 Chevrolet Aveo revealed, targets Ford Fiesta”
In a rather peculiar move, but which will be definitely welcomed by many fans, Mercedes-Benz announced a new accessories program, dubbed MercedesSport, which will run in parallel with the AMG one for existing MB models.
The new styling programs will be showcased next week at the Geneva Motor Show on the E Class models, including the sedan, estate and coupe. They will include new 18-inch alloy wheels, either in glossy black or silver, and aerodynamic upgrades with a new front apron and spoiler, side skirts and even roof or decklid spoilers, depending on your preferred variant.
The MercedesSport package will also include performance upgrades, with features like sportier brakes or suspension, as well as lowered ride height. For the inside customers can opt for things like perforated leather, four-spoke steering wheel, paddle shifters or stainless steel pedals.
Overall, for people who got tired of the same old AMG accessories, the new MercedesSport ones will offer some variety.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
This is one of those tuning projects which once it has been seen, it cannot be unseen. While it is commendable that Mansory upgraded the new Rolls Royce Ghost to 710 HP, the paint scheme for the preview, blue and gold, will forever burn the car into your eyes.
First, let’s talk about what we like: the performance boost. From the stock 562 HP and 575 lb-ft, the Mansory Rolls Royce Ghost is now capable of 710 HP and 752 lb-ft of torque. This increase is due to an upgraded engine manifold, larger turbochargers and an optimized ECU. Performance figures include a 0 to 62 mph sprint of just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph (310 km/h) for the big British saloon.
Next are the aerodynamic improvements, and while we can’t say anything about the 22-inch wheels, the restyled front and rear fascias, side skirts or rear spoiler, the paint scheme leaves us completely without words.
But while we most certainly won’t approve of such a model, I’m sure that it will find plenty of customers in “certain” parts of the world. What do you think? Leave us a comment with your thoughts.
Read More: “Mansory-tuned Rolls Royce Ghost can’t outrun bad taste even with 710 HP”
The Fiat 500 is a very sporty little model, especially with its 1.4-liter engine. In case the stock options don’t really tickle your fancy, then you can always opt for either the Abarth edition, which outputs 133 HP or the even sportier Abarth Esseesse, which generates 158 HP.
But those numbers can’t make a true pocket rocket, at least according to the tuners at Hamann, which revealed a five-stage tuning kit for the two cars, ultimately taking the output to a whopping 271 HP and 380 Nm of torque.
The multiple upgrades all target things like the ECU, the turbocharger or the air filter of the 1.4-liter engine and the exhaust system. Performance brakes, with larger discs have also been fitted behind a set of 18-inch wheel which can be ordered in either glossy or matte black.
Of course the aerodynamics of the small city car have been tweaked, with Hamann fitting a new body kit with front skirt, LED daytime tunning lights, wider wings and side skirts.
Read More: “Hamann tunes the Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Esseesse to 271 HP”
Perhaps some of the most important parts in any car are the tires, because, obviously, they are what keeps your precious vehicle going on the road.
We’ve already talked about the various advantages and disadvantages of certain types of tires, all-season, summer and snow ones, in various conditions. Now though, we’ll tackle a new type of tire technology, which is slowly becoming more and more present on the roads: run-flat tires.
Hit the jump to find out how they work and, more importantly, if they are any good.
Read More: “Run-flat tires – how do they work and are they any good?”
In case you dropped by our site over the weekend, you were pleasantly greeted by a batch of photos with the furious Audi RS5 model, which were leaked from a brochure before its official announcement.
That announcement arrived pretty fast, and we can confirm the rumors we reported on in the weekend: the RS5 will be powered by a massive 4.2-liter V8 engine capable of 450 HP. It will be mated to a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, which will be sending power through the Quattro AWD system to all four wheels.
There’s a catch though, as the system will be replacing the Torsen center differential with a new crown gear one boasting electronically-controlled clutch pack. What do these technical terms mean? The torque of the engine, 317 lb-ft, can be transferred to the wheels in a variety of ratios, from the stock 40:60 to as much as 70:30 or 15:85.
Hear that? It’s the sound of Audi fans everywhere rejoicing for such an option. Expect the model to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, and reach either 155 mph, or 174, if you pay a little extra to unlock the electronic limit. Base price will be €77,000, but the price in dollars, $104,000, won’t be of much use, as Audi isn’t planning to bring this BMW M3 Coupe rival in North America.
Europeans can enjoy the photo gallery below until they get to see it at the Geneva Motor Show, while Americans can just look at the pretty pics.
Photo Gallery: Audi RS5
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Read More: “Audi RS5 officially detailed: 450 HP 4.2-liter V8 brute coming to Geneva”
Many Mercedes-Benz were quite pleased yesterday with the announcement of the newest concept coming from the company, the F800 Style, which previews the next generation CLS range.
Now, you’ll be happy to hear that we found five new videos showcasing everything you might want to know about the innovative concept, from its looks, to its exterior and interior design, to even its hybrid powertrain.
Hit the jump to indulge yourself in these videos of the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style.
Read More: “Videos: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style presents all of its secrets”
Well here’s a refreshing piece of news which doesn’t involve the Geneva Motor Show or the New York Auto Show, BMW will premiere the 2011 5 Series Touring variant at the Auto Mobil International (AMI) convention in Leipzig, this April.
The company already revealed the new 2011 5 Series F10 sedan at the end of last year, and will no doubt display it in Geneva, but it seems it wants to keep something for Leipzig, and will unveil the Touring edition at that location.
Bear in mind that these estate models are extremely popular in Europe, and guarantee big sales with every new generation. With the recent launch of the 5 Series GT though, many voices revealed that it spelled the end for the traditional hatchback.
This is only partly true it seems, as the presence of the 5 GT means that the already dwindling market for such cars in North America is too small to justify the launch of the F10 Touring in that region. As such, only Europeans will get to taste this edition of the 2011 BMW 5 Series.
No official pictures were released, so you’ll have to do with the back of the current 5 Series Touring.
Read More: “BMW set to premiere 2011 5 Series Touring in Leipzig”
