First images of the Chevy Cruze hatchback.
Hey, speaking of the Chevy Cruze (see the post below this one), today saw the release of the first images of the hatchback version, and we have to say -- not bad at all.Volvo, can you please take note on the properly executed rear end for your C30? I want so much to love that car even more than I do now, but man did you guys make an ugly back view. It's all saggy and dumpy and flat at the same time, while the rest of the car boasts a deceptively sleek, sculpted front and profile. It's like walking past Elin Nordegren, then turning to check her out and seeing Christopher Walken's backside in running shorts.
Anyway, one more shot after the jump.
GQ interviews GM President Mark Reuss.
By Izzi Bendall
Traditional vacation protocol tells us that unplugging from technology is essential for a relaxing holiday.
We beg to differ.
About 31.3 million Americans will be sharing the road this Labor Day Weekend according to AAA--and your smart phone may be just what it takes to save your sanity.
Reports say MINI may enter the same 2-door off-road category as Land Rover's Evoque.
As we reported yesterday, Land Rover will roll out its Range Rover Evoque 2-door SUV in fall of next year -- and it looks like MINI might be planning a competitor the form of a Countryman off-road coupe.The first version of the 4-wheel-drive Countryman, of course, isn't slated to hit until Sept. 18, and then only in Europe. (We should see models stateside in February). Third-generation MINIs, expected in about three years, are slated to share a BMW platform for small front-wheel-drive cars with 4-cylinder engines.
By Jake Lingeman
A larger standard engine and more seating capacity are the big changes for the 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor pickup.
For starters, all 2011 Raptors will come standard with a 6.2-liter V8, rated at 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2-liter engine was an option on the 2010 Raptor, while a 320-ho 5.4-liter V8 was the base engine. The change gives the brawny Raptor an additional 91 hp.
Ford says the 2011 Raptor will tow up to 8,000 lbs., making it suited as a support and chase truck, as well as a race truck.
Faulty wiring harnesses could cause blaze; no injuries reported.
Kia is recalling about 35,000 Souls and Sorentos from the 2010-2011 model years due to faulty wiring harnesses, which could short-circuit and result in a fire. The recall is partially based on four reports to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the fires.The recall affects mostly the 2010 Soul, at 23,972 affected vehicles versus the 11,213 Sorento crossovers from model year 2011. Both affected models are equipped with a special lighting system that illuminates the front speakers in the interior door panel. Affected Sorento models with this feature are those with the "Limited" options package.
By Diana T. Kurylko, Automotive News
New owner Tata Motors promises that Land Rover will add smaller vehicles and hybrid powerplants, but it hasn't said much about the timing.
Land Rover will continue to share components with Jaguar, which is also under Tata ownership. Land Rover already uses Jaguar's 5.0-liter V8 engine in all but one of its vehicles.
Here are Land Rover's product plans:
No pricing and few details, but a picture is worth a thousand words.
Chrysler is rolling out a new version of the Dodge Durango based on the same unibody platform on which the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is based -- a departure from the truck-based platform that was the previous basis for the model -- and it will be available at the end of the year.No pricing or fuel-economy numbers are available yet, but here's what we do know about the large SUV: Both rear-wheel and 4-wheel drive will be available, and electronic stability control will be standard, as will a full range of airbags. Buyers will have two engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6, which in the Grand Cherokee gets 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway, and a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which in the Grand Cherokee gets 14/20.
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Contributors
Clifford Atiyeh has spent his entire life driving cars he doesn't own. Raised in Volvos, he has grown to love fast, irresponsible vehicles of all kinds. He is the senior news editor at MSN Autos and also reports for Car and Driver, Road & Track, The Boston Globe and other publications.
In the garage: 21-speed Iron Horse, 2002 Jeep Wrangler X (not his)
Doug Newcomb has covered car technology for over 20 years for outlets ranging from Rolling Stone to Edmunds.com. In 2008, he published his first book, "Car Audio for Dummies" (Wiley). He lives and drives in Hood River, Ore., with his wife and two kids, who share his passion for cars and technology.
In the garage: 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS, two 1984 Chevrolet Blazers, 2008 Honda CR-V
James Tate learned to drive stick at age 13 in a 1988 Land Cruiser - in La Paz, Bolivia. He's since been a mechanic, on a pit crew and has wrenched on every car he's owned since his first 1989 Honda CRX Si (and won't stop until the car is a 1973 Porsche 911 RS). His work has appeared in Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics, Automobile and others.
In the garage: 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera, 1988 BMW M5
