Auto News 5

On and off the course, golf cars have become the new standard for convenient and green transportation. Full story...

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that where used vehicles are concerned, high-end, few-year-old German products tend to appeal more heavily on the bases of styling and driving enjoyment than those of bottom-line pricing and fuel efficiency. Despite expensive repair parts and a reputation for fussy electronics, a 5 or 10-year old BMW, Audi or Mercedes Benz is often a machine with dynamic pros that outweigh any reliability cons. Full story...

In Canada, no convertible can be considered a year-round, practical car unless it is quiet, warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Mercedes has introduced a few novel items on the 2011 E-Class cabriolets that contribute significantly to this type of motoring. Full story...

Even though Juan Pablo Montoya won the pole for the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last year he didn't think he had it again this year. Full story...

A few-year-old BMW formula one car could be used for initial Pirelli tyre testing. Full story...

Michael Schumacher this week accused British pundits of exaggerating their criticisms in the wake of his performance in the Canadian grand prix. Full story...

As reported by Toyota Canada Inc. Toyota Canada Inc. today filed a Voluntary Safety Campaign with Transport Canada to recall 2010 model year Lexus HS 250h vehicles to address a compliance issue with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 301. As part of its annual compliance testing program, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently conducted a test of the 2010 model year HS 250h. The test involved striking the vehicle with a deformable barrier from the rear at approximately 80 km/h. The vehicle is struck by a moving deformable barrier with a 70 per cent overlap. As part of the test, the vehicle was then rotated on its longitudinal axis incrementally to each successive increment of 90 degrees. During the rotation, the vehicle exhibited fuel spillage that exceeded the requirement in the standard. During vehicle development, Lexus tested the HS 250h using the same protocol and found the vehicles to comply fully with CMVSS 301. Lexus is currently working to identify the reason for the different test results and the cause of this noncompliance. At the present time, Lexus has not identified a remedy to address this Full story...

David Coulthard agrees with Jarno Trulli that the 'proximity rear wings' due to debut next year are potentially a risk to safety. Full story...

Two Red Bull on top in the qualifying session, Sebastian Vettel in front of Mark Webber with only 0.075 of seconde. Full story...

Nico Rosberg's face was thunder in Valencia on Saturday after qualifying just twelfth. Full story...

Kyle Busch's return to the NASCAR Nationwide series was a success as he became the only repeat winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and the all-time lap-leader (8117) in NASCAR's junior series. Full story...

2010 Acura ZDX - Four Seasons Introduction

Banging its head against a glass ceiling.

As Acura approaches its twenty-fifth year of existence, it finds itself looking up at a glass ceiling. The brand has grown well beyond its "Honda plus" roots, and yet it still trails competitors such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus in both sales and prestige.

Photo Gallery: 2010 Acura ZDX - Four Seasons Long Term Review, August 2010 - Automobile Magazine

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Tesla Motors' co-founder Elon Musk, who has staked his personal fortune to Tesla after making almost $300 million selling PayPal Inc. and Zip2 Corp. Full story...

During annual government crash testing, the hybrid exhibited fuel spillage that exceeds federal standards. Lexus dealers have also suspended sales of the HS 250h pending a fix for the problem. Full story...

Lamborghini has achieved a production record by producing its 10,000th Gallardo--a number the Italian automaker has never before accomplished with another model. Full story...

Visteon Corp, the bankrupt auto parts maker, won court approval today to send its plan of reorganization to creditors for a vote, according to a company spokesman. The company has proposed a plan that would put the former Ford Motor Co. Full story...

Volkswagen AG is negotiating with U.S. chief Stefan Jacoby over terms of his departure as the executive is set to become CEO of Volvo Cars, according to people familiar with the matter. Full story...

Volkswagen AG is negotiating with U.S. chief Stefan Jacoby over terms of his departure as the executive is set to become CEO of Volvo Cars, according to people familiar with the matter. Full story...

Affinia Group Holdings Inc., the former Dana Corp. aftermarket parts unit, today filed plans with U.S. regulators to raise up to $230 million in an initial public stock offering. Full story...

2010 BMW 335i Coupe

This is about as close to driving nirvana as semi-affordable cars venture.

This is about as close to driving nirvana as semi-affordable cars venture. The powertrain, chassis, and operator interfaces are honed to near perfection. The 2+2 accommodations are functionally useful, the trunk is amply sized and well proportioned. Searching diligently, I did find a trivial flaw: the left-front floor mat that had torn free of its attachments to foul the clutch pedal at the bottom of its travel. As a service to my fellow critics, I repaired that fault with an expeditious driveway correction. Nevertheless, as much as I respect this and most other BMWs, I'd give serious thought to Cadillac's new CTS coupe before I spent $40,000 for a 335i.

Photo Gallery: 2010 BMW 335i Coupe - Editor's Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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