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- NHTSA says Toyota planted the unintended acceleration driver error story
- 2011 BMW X3 M Sport package already revealed
- Video: President Obama checks out and recommends the Chevrolet Volt
- 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 production limited to just 5,500 models
- Video: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ad aims for the hearts of Americans
- 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec revealed
- Video: First 2011 Buick Regal ad isn’t shy about the car’s German roots
- Toyota also offers to fix 235,500 2001-2003 RAV4 crossovers over gearbox problem
- Mansory presents surprisingly tasteful Rolls Royce White Ghost tuning project
| NHTSA says Toyota planted the unintended acceleration driver error story Posted: 16 Jul 2010 03:23 AM PDT  At the beginning of the week, the Wall Street Journal posted an extremely interesting story, according to which the Toyota unintended acceleration incidents that are currently being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration were mostly caused by driver error. More specifically, according to the WSJ’s sources, most of the drivers were stomping on the accelerator pedal, instead of the brakes, right before the crash. Now, it seems that the NHTSA has decided to counter that specific story, saying that it was actually planted by Toyota itself, in order to clean up its own image. Speaking with Just-Auto, a spokesperson for the NHTSA revealed that: “The story was planted by Toyota. Toyota is the source – yes we know that for definite [sic]. It is [the] Toyota PR machine. We knew they were going to put it out.” There might be evidence to sustain this, as the NHTSA remains tight lipped about the unintended acceleration investigations, and will report its own findings in the future. As such, it would’ve been tricky for the WSJ to find reliable federal sources. Also, the story benefited Toyota, as its share price rose by 1% after the article ran at the beginning of the week. For what it’s worth, Toyota replied to the NHTSA accusation, saying that “We’ve been supplying information and sending it to NHTSA. We are not aware of any study. We are not aware of any report. We’ve been compiling our own field reports on unintended acceleration and as we investigate them, we send them to NHTSA. The WSJ report was news to us.” We may never know for sure just what happened with the story, but the most important thing to take out of it is that drivers should really know what their pedals do. Even if right before the crash you can’t afford to look down and slowly place the foot onto the brake, you should build that reflex before anything serious happens. Source: Just-Auto via Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 BMW X3 M Sport package already revealed Posted: 16 Jul 2010 02:52 AM PDT  After yesterday’s official presentation of the 2011 BMW X3 (F25), the Bavarian company has already decided to showcase the M Sport accessories package. As you can see above and below, the M Sport kit brings all of the usual upgrades to the X3. First off, you can see a slightly more aggressive body kit, with color-matching front and rear aprons. The exterior appearance is completed by the 19-inch M alloy wheels, which are bolted to a lowered suspension setup.  On the inside, customers will get the standard three-spoke M steering wheel, as well as an M-badged gear shifter. If you have opt for the xDrive35i version, with the standard eight-speed automatic gearbox, the M package throws in paddle shifters behind the wheel. Sports seats make sure to comfort the driver in those sharp corners, while new trim materials are available. According to BMW, the X3 M Sport package will be hitting dealerships in the second quarter of 2011, so you’ll have a lot of waiting to do. Source: BMW via BMWBlog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: President Obama checks out and recommends the Chevrolet Volt Posted: 16 Jul 2010 02:31 AM PDT  Hot off two major news about the Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle, that it will not be rated at 230 mpg and that it will have an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty for its battery pack, GM has now revealed another story about its upcoming model. It seems that none other than the President of the United States, Barrack Obama, visited the Compact Power battery plant in Holland, Michigan, where the Volt’s batteries are being made. At the plant, Obama didn’t miss the chance to hop into a Chevrolet Volt, which was on display. He checked it out for a bit, and then recommended it to the rest of the press. It seems that he forgot about the Chevrolet Cruze, though. Still, GM’s very excited about this push from Obama and has even revealed a video of the president’s interaction with the Volt. Check it out after the jump. Source: Chevrolet Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 production limited to just 5,500 models Posted: 16 Jul 2010 02:07 AM PDT  Ford has just announced that the top of the Mustang range, the 2011 Shelby GT500, will see its production limited to just 5,500 units. The measure, according to the Blue Oval, is to maintain exclusivity. In order to bust speculation about low sales, Ford also revealed that over 3,300 orders have been received. Better yet, it seems that people who want the 550 HP Shelby GT500 want it with a lot of options. Statistics from Ford point out that three times as many coupes have been ordered with the $1,995 glass roof option than regular ones. Also, people are ordering the $3,995 performance package like crazy, with more than 68% of new Shelby GT500 models being equipped with it. In case you’re thinking about getting your own performance Mustang, then you should know that the Shelby GT500 starts from $49,495, without any option. Also, you might want to hurry up, as the remaining muscle cars are definitely going to sell like hot cakes. Source: Ford Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ad aims for the hearts of Americans Posted: 16 Jul 2010 01:38 AM PDT  GM’s own supercar, the Chevrolet Corvette, has been relying only on its heritage to sell models for quite some time. Now, it seems that the General has realized that an ad or a marketing campaign wouldn’t hurt, and revealed the latest commercial for the Corvette. In it, the top-of-the-range Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 proves that American engineers are still building rockets (subtle, right?), and aims right for the hearts of patriotic Americans, just like Chrysler recently achieved with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee ad. Check it the ad after the jump. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec revealed Posted: 16 Jul 2010 01:16 AM PDT  Without a doubt one of the most exciting models in the Hyundai range is the stunning Genesis Coupe. Even though it’s been on the market since last year, the South Korean company wants to keep it interesting, and has just revealed a special, more hardcore version of the car. As such, the 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec is, like its name suggests, based on the 3.8-liter V6 edition, and adds the R-Spec package previously only available for the 2.0-liter Turbo version. The power output is the same, 306 HP from the V6, and the same six-speed manual gearbox is present. Besides that though, the R-Spec brings a lot of new upgrades. First off, we have 19-inch wheels, housing Brembo brakes, then we have a stiffer suspension coupled with a limited-slip differential and, last but not least, sports seats. As you can image R-Spec badges are also standard.  Those that don’t want this hardcore version will be pleased to hear that all 2011 model year Genesis Coupe cars will benefit from a revised interior, using new materials, as well as softer leather for the steering wheel and chrome accents for the gear knob. The new revised 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe will go on sale later this year. Source: Hyundai Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Video: First 2011 Buick Regal ad isn’t shy about the car’s German roots Posted: 16 Jul 2010 12:52 AM PDT  Buick is stepping into a new age, thanks to the upcoming launch of the 2011 Regal model. As such, the Tri-Shield brand is slowly distancing itself from the traditional marketing methods, and trying some new things. For the first Regal ad, the company decided to wave proudly the fact that the car is based on the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, one of the most popular models available in Europe and the UK. It also claims that the new Buick Regal is more than enough to warrant American Autobahns. Curious to see the first commercial? Then hit the jump and check it out. Source: Autoblog Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Toyota also offers to fix 235,500 2001-2003 RAV4 crossovers over gearbox problem Posted: 16 Jul 2010 12:26 AM PDT  After revealing at the beginning of the week that it will start to fix over 749,000 2009-2010 Corolla and Matrix vehicles over a steering problem, Toyota has also announced that it will fix another model, for free, but not during an official recall. The vehicle in question is the 2001-2003 RAV4 crossover. Around 235,500 models are affected by a so called ‘hard shift’ problem. In certain conditions, drivers revealed that the gearbox would shift out of gear or wouldn’t respond to input properly. According to Toyota, this isn’t a problem that would warrant a recall, but a free fix will be offered in services across the USA. Mechanics are advised to reinstall the engine control module or, if the damage is already done, swap the gearbox altogether. RAV4 owners that have already paid for such repairs can now file for reimbursement. Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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| Mansory presents surprisingly tasteful Rolls Royce White Ghost tuning project Posted: 15 Jul 2010 11:50 PM PDT  Mansory is definitely one of the most eccentric tuning companies in the world, as it combines some very interesting and impressive projects with some that are … let’s just say out of the ordinary, like the Porsche Panamera or the Bentley Vitesse Rose. We’re sure many of you are still recovering from the awful blue and gold Rolls Royce Ghost project, but Mansory has modified the British luxury limousine once more. You won’t need to shield your eyes this time, as the Mansory Rolls Royce White Ghost limited series is surprisingly tasteful. A subtle body kit was added, as were LED daytime running lights and a set of dual exhaust pipes. On the inside, the same luxury options as on the Ghost were kept, with just a few new materials making an appearance.  Performance fans will be thrilled to hear that the power of the White Ghost has been increased to 629 HP, and the torque rating is now 634 lb-ft. This allows for a 0 to 62 mph sprint of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. Only three models will be made, each with a tag of €119,800 ($152,407), not counting in the price of a stock Rolls Royce Ghost. It may be tasteful, but who said it was cheap? Source: Mansory Post published on Rpmgo.com Related posts:
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