Hyundai Recalls 2011 Sonata

Hyundai had to issue a recall after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed a problem in the car’s steering wheel column. Apparently some universal joint connections are either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened. And it’s a big recall with 139,500 units involved. The affected cars are built between December 11, 2009, through September 10, 2010.

On cars manufactured between Dec. 11, 2009, and Sept. 10, 2010, the steering column shaft universal joint may have been improperly assembled or not tightened enough. You can check your car’s manufacture date on a sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb.

The problem is significant enough that a complete separation could occur, leading to reduction or loss of steering. Dealers will inspect the cars, replace defective parts and update the steering software free of charge.

This is a significant recall for Hyundai. The automaker has been riding a wave of sales success spearheaded by the redesigned Sonata, which has been a top 10 best-seller for the past few months.

The recall is expected to begin in October but no specific date was given. For more information, owners can call Hyundai at 800-633-5151 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

Ducati On Top Podium

Australia's Casey Stoner notched up Ducati's maiden MotoGP victory of the season when he dominated the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to the chequered flag on Sunday.

The 2007 world champion, who started from pole for the 20th time of his career, finished 5.148sec ahead of Spain's Dani Pedrosa (Honda) at the Motorland Aragon circuit in north-east Spain.

American Nicky Hayden, also on a Ducati, made it a memorable day for the Italian bike manufacturers when he trumped Spain's Jorge Lorenzo on the final lap to claim third, at 9.496sec, and deprive the Yamaha rider a podium finish for the first time in 14 races.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 42m 16.53s

"It's been too long between wins, that's for sure," said Stoner, who last won in Malaysia in October last year.

"We started out pretty well this weekend, and we got on with the track. We progressed and got better."

Stoner admitted to having fallen in final preparations ahead of the race, taking a tumble over the white lines at turn 14.

"I was a little bit nervous this morning, but I'm really happy to bring it home," he said. "It was unexpected for us."

2. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team 42m 21.678s

"Ducati were very strong, with both riders on the podium.

"I tried everything, I didn't start well but I recovered," he said of his battle with Casey.

"But I was too far from Casey. We did many laps at the same pace but couldn't get him on corners. He did good."

3. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 42m 26.026s

"I didn't mean to leave it that late," said Hayden of his nail-biting fight with Lorenzo. "In the final laps, Jorge kept the doors shut.

"It's been a very good weekend for us."

4. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Fiat Yamaha Team 42m 26.11s

5. Ben Spies USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 42m 30.301s

6. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 42m 43.86s

7. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 42m 45.041s

8. Alvaro Bautista ESP Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 42m 51.784s

9. Marco Melandri ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 42m 51.923s

10. Aleix Espargaro ESP Pramac Racing 42m 51.997s

11. Hector Barbera ESP Paginas Amarillas Aspar 42m 52.052s

12. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 43m 1.89s

13. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Interwetten Honda MotoGP 43m 4.849s

14. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing 43m 14.577s

DNF:

Andrea Dovizioso ITA Repsol Honda Team

Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP

Kia to Introduce Electric Car in 2011

Kia Motors said Wednesday it would introduce its first electric car in 2011, a week after its bigger sister firm Hyundai Motor unveiled the nation's first full-speed electric car.

Kia, South Korea's second-largest carmaker, plans to introduce its first electric model in December 2011 and produce 2,000 units in the following year, spokesman Michael Choo told AFP.
Hyundai Motor last week unveiled the country's first full-speed electric car, designed to tap into the increasingly competitive electric auto market.

The country's largest carmaker introduced BlueOn, with President Lee Myung-Bak test-driving it at the presidential Blue House.

Hyundai, with its affiliate Kia, is the world's fifth largest carmaker.

Chrysler Reveals 2011 Jeep Patriot

Jeep Patriot’s classic exterior styling and capability are enhanced for 2011 with new front and rear fascias, a body-color grille, and an increased 4x4 ride height. Ride-and-handling is refined courtesy of retuned steering and suspension systems. Interior enhancements round out the new-for-2011 features, and include significantly upgraded touch points.

Mazda Shinari Concept (2010)

The Mazda Shinari is a pure design concept model of a four-door, four-seater sports coupe which perfectly expresses the 'KODO - Soul of Motion' design theme in a graceful and carefree form.

The Japanese word Shinari describes the powerful yet supple appearance of great resilient force when objects of high tensile strength, such as steel or bamboo, are twisted or bent. It also refers to the appearance of a person or animal as it flexibly transforms its body to generate a fast movement. Within this movement, Mazda designers discovered the potential to realize 'KODO - Soul of Motion'.

One glance at Mazda Shinari Concept stirs the emotions. Its form expresses the powerful movement of a lean body with highly developed muscles, supple but at the same time filled with tension. Mazda's desire is to reach car lovers' hearts and go beyond the notion of rational logic. This form purely embodies that desire.

2012 Mazda 6 Diesel?

Volkswagen's monopoly on affordable diesel passenger cars in the U.S. is about to end. Starting in late 2011, American buyers will have at least one fuel-efficient diesel to choose from at the Mazda dealer. While the Mazda team refuses to officially acknowledge that the 6 sedan is the diesel engine's destination, the company has previously announced the engine will first appear in a "next-generation midsize sedan."

The 6, though, might not be the only diesel Mazda. The CX-7 crossover seems a natural candidate and U.S. executives seriously want a Mazda 3 with a diesel, but that compact car presents a pricing challenge.

2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI V10 on the track

Inside Line got behind the wheel of the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI V10 and took it for a little test run out on the track.

Volvo SC90 Concept

Designer Nouphone J. Bansasine has proposed a four-door futuristic sporty coupe and it goes by the name Volvo SC90. Bansasine, who spent his internship at Volvo last 2007, said there is a growing trend for a four-door, four-seat premium sports car which would perhaps become a reality by 2015.

This concept car is expected to blur the thin line between the sedan and the sports car. When it becomes a reality, this model is a fitting competitor to the likes of the Aton Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera.


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Touareg R Hybrid Rumour

According to a recent report, Volkswagen is developing a Touareg R Hybrid.

While details are limited, the model is rumored to use a 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS) turbocharged V8 and a 47 hp (35 kW / 48 PS) electric motor. This would give the sport-ute a combined 547 hp (408 kW / 555 PS) which would put it on par with the BMW X5 M / X6 M, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and Mercedes ML63 AMG.

Besides the new powertrain, the R Hybrid would boast an aerodynamic body kit, a sportier suspension, and beefier brakes.

The SUV could be unveiled at 2011 North American International Auto Show with sales starting in the spring.
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5 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Auto Insurance Rates

Many people go for years without comparing rates or adjusting their policies, which often leads to overpaying. Here are five easy ways that you can reduce your auto insurance rates:

1) Bundle your insurance. Many insurers give big discounts to customers that bundle their auto insurance with either their homeowners or renters insurance policy. Some offer rates up to 20% lower when combined, while others only 5%. If your current insurer doesn’t have a bundled rate, call an agent or do some quick online quotes to see if a competitor can do better. You’ll also see very low rate increases on a second (or third) car on a single policy, so check that any vehicles you are insuring are together in one policy for added savings.

2) Drive a safe car. Not necessarily a boring car, but one that is considered safe by the insurance industry. Check with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (http://IIHS.org), who do crash testing and safety ratings specifically for the insurance companies. Sometimes you’ll be surprised by the results, so when shopping for a car, it’s a great place to start.

3) Take a class. This goes for young drivers and more experienced drivers alike. Driver training courses are a great way to get your auto insurance rate reduced and are available all over the country, and for every skill level. Programs for young drivers are often offered by schools or local communities at very low cost.

4) Pay for the whole year. I know that it’s sometimes difficult to pay the large sum of your auto insurance up front, but you can save a bundle over the year if you do. Most insurers have long-term payment options, but push for monthly payments that can add $5 or $10 fees per payment. Doesn’t sound like much, but by the end of the year it’ll be nice to have that $60-$120 in your pocket instead of theirs.

5) Remove distractions. We’re all guilty of driving distracted these days, but do what you can to reduce distractions in the car. Talking on the phone and texting alone cause about 30% of traffic accidents, and some studies show distracted driving to be responsible for up to 80% of all crashes in the US. There’s no easier way to reduce rates than keeping a clean driving record!

With these few tips, you should be well on your way to saving some money on your car insurance policy.
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The 2011 Audi R8

The 2011 Audi R8 is one good-looking sedan. This car got a lot of good reviews on it. Its 5.2-liter locomotive propels out 520 horsepower that goes from 0-60 in three seconds and can attain a top velocity of 195mph. The exterior styling looks sophisticated and the interior styling appears great as well.

Hyundai RB concept

Hyundai has unveiled the RB sub-compact family sedan concept for the 2010 Moscow International Motor Show. Basically a repackaged Verna / Accent with redesigned bumpers, grille, hood and headlights, the RB is virtually production ready for the Russian market.