DIY Saturday A Look at Check Engine Lights

Check engine light - it’s just a very small light found on your dashboard, but it can cause panic and a lot of worry among car owners every time it illuminates, so much so that some drivers rush to the nearest mechanic shop whenever they see this light come on. Some drivers associate this light with engine trouble, and they can be correct in some degree. But, understand that the most innocent car owner can be ripped off because of this check engine light. This is especially true if you do not know anything about this light. The mechanic can easily tell you that the light means a huge repair and a lot of replacements, which mean more dollars for you.

But what is this light, really? Well, the check engine light is a simple indicator that will tell you when your vehicle computer notices a problem that it cannot fix on its own. But, understand that the said problem doesn’t always have to be critical or one that will cause engine breakdown. In fact, as simple as a loose fuel cap can cause the check engine light to come on. To find out what the exact problem is, auto repair shops use a scan tool. But, you should know that you can also DIY the code finding because there are available code readers that you can buy. The code will point you out to the specific issue.

Once you know the problem, you can take a look at the other symptoms until you determine which part is acting up. Once you already know that, you’ll be able to determine whether you can DIY the repair or replacement or whether you will need to bring your vehicle in for repair. By being sure of the problem, you can ascertain the cost and your risk of being ripped off will be reduced.

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A Decade Strong THANK YOU!

Today we celebrate 10 YEARS in business! 

We would like say a big THANK YOU to all of our amazing customers!

Customers are the top reason why a family auto repair business like ours is able to make it past the 10-year mark, so we are holding a customer appreciation month from today, September 20th until October 20th, 2012.

It is a our special way to show you, our customers, how much we value your auto repair business in Denver. We will be posting different offers from oil change package specials to brake specials and more! Stay tuned to shop specials on our website, blog, facebook and twitter pages for more information on great auto service and repair deals!

If you would like to hear what our customers are saying about us, please read our auto repair customer testimonials on our website. We currently have 90 customer reviews and counting! :)

If you are already a Mastermind Enterprises customer, THANK YOU!
If you havent tried us yet, we would LOVE to have your auto repair business in Denver. We offer FREE 1 hour diagnosis with repairs in our shop, FREE Estimates, an A+ Denver Better Business Bureau Rating, a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on auto repairs, friendliness, and much more. We are a local Colorado family owned and operated auto repair shop, too.

We appreciate the opportunity to continue to earn your business! 

Call us today 303-297-AUTO (2886)!

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Special Dindo Capello tribute display at Auto e Moto Depoca in Italy

By Johan Laubscher

Audi Sport Club Italia has a display at the Auto e Moto Depoca show in Italy this weekend. Their display includes a very special tribute to one of Audi’s legendary race drivers.

This is the fifth year that Audi Sport Club Italia has attended the show with a display of Audi cars. They normally attend the show with a theme. Last year it was a rally theme and this year their display is a tribute to a legendary Italian Audi race driver, none other than, Rinaldo Capello.

Four race cars are on display, all of which were driven by Capello. Audi Sport Italia provided three of the cars. The first two cars include the 1994 Audi 80 Competition and the 1998 Audi A4 STW, which were driven by Rinaldo Capello in the Italian Super Touring Championship. The third car is the Audi R8 LMS ultra which Capello drove during the 2013 Italian GT season, the car is displayed next to an Audi R8 V10 plus road car. Capello’s 2012 Sebring 12 Hours winning Audi R18 TDI is the fourth car on display, the car that now resides at one of Capello’s Audi dealerships in Italy.

The Auto e Moto Depoca show will be taking place this weekend, from 24-27 October.

We have included a set of photos from the show below, including photos of Audi Sport Italia loading the cars and heading to the show earlier this week.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Club Italia

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Infiniti G37 May be Hybrid Essence

Motor Trend is reporting a source inside Nissan may take the Essence concept vehicle and use it as the basis for the new G37 due out in 2012.

The G coupe may also get a hybrid powertrain option, inherited from the M35 that develops around 360 total horsepower. At the same time, another source is claiming the partnership with Daimler may lead to a hybrid diesel, which would likely go on sale outside of the US.

Ill file this under rumors for now.

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2011 Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda Jazz Hybrid

The 2011 Honda Jazz Hybrid is set to debut at the Paris Auto Show in in September and should arrive in dealers lots early 2011.  The Jazz Hybrid (known as the Honda Fit in Japan and the US) is undergoing a 2011 update and is set to receive the hybrid engine just as the Fit did in Japan.

Its expected to get similar gas mileage as the Insight, since it has the same underpinning as the Insight.  The IMA Hybrid system is the same as the Honda Civic Hybrid and Insight, which means the micro-car can travel for short distances on all electric power, while the electric motor assists the gas engine in other situations.  A start-stop system will turn the gas engine off when you are coming to a stop.

The 1.3 liter four-cylinder gas engine is mated to a CVT gearbox with the electric motor matched on.  The 2011 Hybrid Jazz will have a few distinctive features, including a new grill, blue tinted headlights, a tweaked bumper and clear taillight lenses.  The Honda Fit is the cheapest hybrid available, and the Jazz is expected to follow suit when it goes on sale in Europe.

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Prius Plug in Hybrid Coming to US

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) will be coming to the US in limiited numbers (150 in lease-fleet) for testing and marketing purposes. 350 other plug-in Prius models will be delivered in late 2009 across the globe.

The demonstration fleet will be placed in strategic clusters to create and evaluate various driving scenarios. The clusters will also be chosen based on a consideration of communications and charging structures. Toyota will be gathering customer feedback on their expectations and evaluations on how their plug-in does in real world driving.

The plug-in hybrid Prius will have 12 miles of all electric range, after which the plug-in will become just another Prius. The 12 miles of all electric range are powered by an (overnight) full charge from plugging in and powering up a lithium-ion battery pack.

That 12 mile range may be considered low, when you consider the Chevy Volt is supposed to get up to 40 miles of all electric range. But the 12 mile range will most likely allow the plug-in Prius to be sold at a much lower price. A recent study shows consumers would seriously consider a plug-in if it comes in at 12% over the current prices.

The Volt will most likely be priced at $40,000, which puts that way over that 12% limit. The Plug-in Prius then, with a smaller battery pack, is more likely to appeal on a financial basis.

Toyota is still evaluating the use of lithium-ion battery packs. According to the press release, part of the demonstration fleets purpose is specifically to evaluate lithium-ion batterys durability, reliability and performance. You can add an evaluation of the safety risks involved in using lithium-ion battery packs as well.

The 2010 Prius Plug-in will be on hand at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

"Although we like to be first to market with these technologies, it’s more important that we are best to market," said Irv Miller, TMS group vice president, environmental and public affairs. "This demonstration program will ensure that the vehicles we bring to market will not just meet customer expectations, but exceed them."

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Honda Accord Sedan 2013

BY AARON ROBINSON

There were low points in the past few years when we doubted Honda, but Big H might be on its way back. The new, ninth-generation Accord is a convincing reminder of the company’s core values and—considering all Honda has been through, including an earthquake that smashed its Tochigi R&D center and floods in Thailand that crimped production—a triumphant return to form.

This latest Accord is 3.5 inches shorter bumper to bumper and 0.9 inch tighter at the wheelbase than its fleshy predecessor. Yet once again, Honda conducts a master class in packaging. Against its porcine predecessor, the 2013 car’s cabin dimensions vary hardly at all. The Accord still feels like one of the biggest cars in the segment, with two roomy and extra-comfortable front buckets and a back bench you and two friends can stretch out on. Moreover, the capacious trunk is even larger, maximum volume having increased by over one cubic foot.

The overhauled DOHC 2.4-liter four falls under the somewhat nonsensical Earth Dreams marketing slogan; more important, however, is that it represents Honda’s first whack at gasoline direct injection for the North American market. Your only automatic alternative to the six-speed manual with this engine is a Honda-built continuously variable transmission (CVT) called the G-Design Shift (Honda’s committee for cutesy names has been working overtime).

The 2.4-liter is quieter at idle than some other direct-injection engines with their clattering high-pressure injectors, particularly Hyundai’s. And the Honda likes to rev, sounding healthy and full throated at its 6400-rpm power peak. But it’s the CVT’s tuning that makes the Accord feel fleet. The typical rubber-band delay has been minimized, and the throttle responds curtly when you ask for acceleration (although sometimes with some audible transmission whine at high revs). In mountain snakers as well as on city streets, the CVT works so efficiently that it all but disappears, and you never notice the lack of a manual control. Of course, we’d prefer the optional six-speed stick, with its tightly spaced gates and short throws—but, finally, a belt-and-pulley transmission we can live with!

Somewhere between 15 and 20 percent of Accord buyers opt for a V-6, and for them, the 3.5-liter goes up slightly in horsepower to 278. But the news with this engine is its lighter weight due to items such as plastic cam covers and work on the Variable Cylinder Management system that increases the time the engine runs on three cylinders. In motion, the cylinder cutout is completely transparent, and the V-6 does what it’s supposed to: provide more sophisticated and effortless propulsion.

Once again, only in the Accord coupe can you pair the V-6 with a six-speed manual—a six-speed conventional auto is the only box in six-cylinder sedans. Out of corners, the car is a “one-tire fire” as the open differential sets the less-taxed wheel spinning madly. But it’s a very hot setup in eight-tenths driving, especially given that it’s front-wheel drive.

That’s because the Accord drives as if it were constructed of old-fashioned Honda “lightweightium.” It’s not the lightest car in its segment, but it feels it. The steering, the brakes, and the suspension work in harmonious balance to make the Accord seem agile and springy. Yes, instead of control arms, it now has struts in the nose, but so does a Porsche Cayman. The Accord hustles through turns with fog-free steering and little complaint from the tires and never seems to be working very hard. You wanted a mid-size family sedan that feels as if it were made of recycled CRXs? Here’s your car.

Lessons from the distressed Civic have been learned, and the Accord feels nicely appointed, with softer materials and better sound insulation. The dash is done to Honda’s familiar template of large, maxi-print gauges and many, many small buttons. You can pile on navigation and the associated extra panel of controls, which will be familiar to current-gen owners, or save your money and make do with a deep drawer hidden behind a somewhat clumsy-looking plastic door.

Our favorite option is a clever blind-spot camera that Honda calls LaneWatch. Mounted at the bottom of the passenger mirror, the camera switches on whenever you activate the turn signal or push the manual control button at the end of the turn-signal stalk. Another techie option is LED headlamps, Honda’s first and available on the top trim level. A regular hybrid model returns to the lineup, but not until next summer, some months after its plug-in variant arrives at dealerships. We’ve already driven a prototype of the latter.

With a flat roof and highly conservative rake to its glass, the Accord remains unapologetically a mid-size family car. You can complain about the design’s lack of sizzle but not its practicality. The door openings are wide, the step-over sills are narrow, and the beltline is kept unfashionably low to create huge glass portals. If people don’t see you because your vehicle is plain, at least you will see them.

There are more Accord models than ever. To chase younger buyers, there’s a 2.4-liter Sport trim with larger, 18-inch rims; a dual-tip exhaust; a rear spoiler; fog lights; and paddle shifters on cars equipped with the CVT. At the top end is the new Touring, a V-6–only model that is sort of a Honda Avalon with leather, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, a thumpy stereo, and so on.

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Price Increase Announced on Highlander Hybrid

Toyota announced a price increase for the Highlander Hybrid. The Base and Limited package will increase $200 (0.6%) to $34,900 and $41,220, respectively. Thats an increase of 0.6% and 0.5% respectively.  The MSRP shown excludes the delivery, processing and handling fee.


Press Release follows:

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., announced manufacturers suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the new 2010 Highlander V6 Special Edition (SE). MSRP adjustments were also announced on 12 current 2010 Toyota and Scion models including Corolla, Matrix, Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, Yaris, Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, Tundra, Scion tC, xB and xD.

2010 Highlander SE
The Highlander SE is the latest model to join Toyotas popular Highlander mid-size utility vehicle lineup, replacing the current Sport grade. The Highlander SE is a mono-spec vehicle with a wide array of standard features, creating an excellent value.

All Highlander SE models will be equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 engine with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and a five-speed automatic transmission. The powerplant will generate 270 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm while providing EPA-estimated fuel efficiency ratings of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway on 4x2 models, and 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway on the 4x4.

Among the standard features on the SE are leather-trim seats, heated front seats, Tri-Zone automatic front and rear air conditioning, power tilt/slide moonroof, AM/FM audio system with a six-disc CD changer, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Homelink(®) universal transceiver, heated outside mirrors, Daytime Running Lights, and a tow package.

The Highlander SE 4x2 will carry a base MSRP of $32,480 while the 4x4 model will carry a base price of $33,930.

The new Highlander SE will begin arriving at Toyota dealers in the beginning of January, 2010.

The price increases on 12 other Toyota and Scion models range from $100 for the Corolla, Scion xD, xB and tC, to $500 for the Sequoia and FJ Cruiser. A complete list of model-by-model price adjustments is attached below.

The new prices for North American-produced vehicles will become effective with vehicles produced on January 4, 2010. North American-produced models include Highlander (gas only), Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Tundra and Sequoia. Prices for Japan-sourced vehicles will become effective with vehicles arriving on vessels on or after December 17, 2009. Japan-sourced vehicles include Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, Yaris, FJ Cruiser, Scion xD, xB and tC.

Toyota and Scion MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $750 for Toyota passenger cars, $800 for Toyota small/medium trucks, and $950 for large trucks (Sequoia and Tundra only). The DPH fee for Scion vehicles is $670. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Vehicle MSRP Change Summary (Toyota)

  Vehicle/                   Body           MSRP    New     MSRP %
Model Number  Grade  Doors  Style  Trans  Increase  MSRP   Increase  MY

YARIS
     1421     Base     3   Liftback  5MT   $250   $12,605    2.0%   10MY
     1422     Base     3   Liftback  4AT   $250   $13,405    1.9%   10MY


     1461     Base     5   Liftback  5MT   $250   $12,905    2.0%   10MY
     1462     Base     5   Liftback  4AT   $250   $13,705    1.9%   10MY


     1441     Base     4    Sedan    5MT   $250   $13,365    1.9%   10MY
     1442     Base     4    Sedan    4AT   $250   $14,165    1.8%   10MY


COROLLA
     1831     Base     4    Sedan    5MT   $100   $15,450    0.7%   10MY
     1832     Base     4    Sedan    4AT   $100   $16,250    0.6%   10MY
     1833     S        4    Sedan    5MT   $100   $16,520    0.6%   10MY
     1834     S        4    Sedan    4AT   $100   $17,350    0.6%   10MY
     1838     LE       4    Sedan    4AT   $100   $16,850    0.6%   10MY
     1835     XRS      4    Sedan    5MT   $100   $18,960    0.5%   10MY
     1836     XRS      4    Sedan    5AT   $100   $20,150    0.5%   10MY
     1840     XLE      4    Sedan    4AT   $100   $17,750    0.6%   10MY


MATRIX
     1931     Base     5    Sedan    5MT   $150   $16,700    0.9%   10MY
     1932     Base     5    Sedan    4AT   $150   $17,510    0.9%   10MY
     1933     S        5    Sedan    5MT   $150   $18,610    0.8%   10MY
     1934     S        5    Sedan    5AT   $150   $19,800    0.8%   10MY
     1935     XRS      5    Sedan    5MT   $150   $20,920    0.7%   10MY
     1936     XRS      5    Sedan    5AT   $150   $22,110    0.7%   10MY


     1938     S AWD    5    Sedan    4AT   $150   $20,910    0.7%   10MY


RAV4
     4430     Base     4     SUV     4AT   $175   $21,675    0.8%   10MY
              2WD

     4431     Base     4     SUV     5AT   $175   $23,710    0.7%   10MY
              V6
              2WD
     4440     Sport    4     SUV     4AT   $175   $23,375    0.8%   10MY
              2WD
     4441     Sport    4     SUV     5AT   $175   $25,305    0.7%   10MY
              V6
              2WD
     4450     Limited  4     SUV     4AT   $175   $24,665    0.7%   10MY
              2WD
     4451     Limited  4     SUV     5AT   $175   $26,585    0.7%   10MY
              V6
              2WD


     4432     Base     4     SUV     4AT   $175   $23,075    0.8%   10MY
              4WD
     4433     Base     4     SUV     5AT   $175   $25,110    0.7%   10MY
              V6
              4WD
     4442     Sport    4     SUV     4AT   $175   $24,775    0.7%   10MY
              4WD
     4443     Sport    4     SUV     5AT   $175   $26,705    0.7%   10MY
              V6
              4WD
     4452     Limited  4     SUV     4AT   $175   $26,055    0.7%   10MY
              4WD
     4453     Limited  4     SUV     5AT   $175   $27,985    0.6%   10MY
              V6
              4WD

All prices listed exclude the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee (DPH).

Vehicle MSRP Change Summary (Toyota -continued)

  Vehicle/                    Body           MSRP    New     MSRP %
Model Number  Grade    Doors  Style  Trans Increase  MSRP   Increase  MY

FJ CRUISER
       4702   2WD        5    SUV    5AT    $500    $24,180    2.1%  10MY

       4703   4WD        5    SUV    6MT    $500    $25,360    2.0%  10MY
       4704   4WD        5    SUV    5AT    $500    $25,770    2.0%  10MY

HIGHLANDER
       6942   Base L4    4    SUV    6AT    $150    $25,855    0.6%  10MY
              2WD
       6946   Base V6    4    SUV    5AT    $150    $27,750    0.5%  10MY
              2WD
       6951   SE V6      4    SUV    5AT            $32,480          10MY
              2WD
       6954   Limited    4    SUV    5AT    $150    $33,220    0.5%  10MY
              V6 2WD

       6948   Base V6    4    SUV    5AT    $150    $29,200    0.5%  10MY
              4WD
       6953   SE V6      4    SUV    5AT            $33,930          10MY
              4WD
       6956   Limited    4    SUV    5AT    $150    $34,670    0.4%  10MY
              V6 4WD


HIGHLANDER HYBRID
       6964   Base       4    SUV    CVT    $200    $34,900    0.6%  10MY
              4WD-i
       6966   Limited    4    SUV    CVT    $200    $41,220    0.5%  10MY
              4WD-i


SEQUOIA
       7916   SR5 4.6    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $39,030    1.3%  10MY
              2WD
       7917   SR5 5.7    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $39,655    1.3%  10MY
              2WD
       7927   Limited    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $49,140    1.0%  10MY
              5.7 2WD
       7931   Platinum   5    SUV    6AT    $500    $56,180    0.9%  10MY
              5.7 2WD


       7918   SR5 4.6    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $42,255    1.2%  10MY
              4WD
       7919   SR5 5.7    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $42,880    1.2%  10MY
              4WD
       7929   Limited    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $52,365    1.0%  10MY
              5.7 4WD
       7933   Platinum   5    SUV    6AT    $500    $59,405    0.8%  10MY
              5.7 4WD


       7940   SR5 5.7    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $42,880    1.2%  10MY
              FFV 4WD
       7942   Limited    5    SUV    6AT    $500    $52,365    1.0%  10MY
              5.7 FFV
              4WD
       7944   Platinum   5    SUV    6AT    $500    $59,405    0.8%  10MY
              5.7 FFV
              4WD

All prices listed exclude the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee (DPH).

Vehicle MSRP Change Summary (Toyota -continued)


Vehicle/
Model                      Body             MSRP    New     MSRP %
Number     Grade   Doors   Style   Trans  Increase  MSRP  Increase  MY

TUNDRA 4x2
     8202  V6         2     Reg     5AT    $300   $23,455   1.3%   10MY
                            Cab
     8204  V6         2     Reg     5AT    $300   $23,785   1.3%   10MY
                            Cab
                            LB
     8222  V8 4.6     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $24,655   1.2%   10MY
                            Cab
     8224  V8 5.7     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $25,655   1.2%   10MY
                            Cab
     8226  V8 4.6     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $24,985   1.2%   10MY
                            Cab
                            LB
     8228  V8 5.7     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $25,985   1.2%   10MY
                            Cab
                            LB
     8215  Tundra     4    Double   5AT    $300   $25,795   1.2%   10MY
           grade V6         Cab
     8239  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $25,940   1.2%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           4.6
     8241  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $27,240   1.1%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           5.7
     8243  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $26,870   1.1%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           4.6              LB
     8245  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $28,230   1.1%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           5.7              LB
     8250  Limited    4    Double   6AT    $300   $35,570   0.9%   10MY
           4.6              Cab
     8252  Limited    4    Double   6AT    $300   $36,860   0.8%   10MY
           5.7              Cab
     8259  Tundra     4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $28,765   1.1%   10MY
           grade V8
           4.6
     8261  Tundra     4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $30,065   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8
           5.7
     8270  Limited    4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $38,105   0.8%   10MY
           V8 4.6
     8272  Limited    4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $39,395   0.8%   10MY
           V8 5.7


TUNDRA 4x4
     8322  V8 4.6     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $27,705   1.1%   10MY
                            Cab
     8323  V8 5.7     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $28,705   1.1%   10MY
           FFV              Cab
     8324  V8 5.7     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $28,705   1.1%   10MY
                            Cab
     8326  V8 4.6     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $28,035   1.1%   10MY
                            Cab
                            LB
     8327  V8 5.7     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $29,035   1.0%   10MY
           FFV              Cab
                            LB
     8328  V8 5.7     2     Reg     6AT    $300   $29,035   1.0%   10MY
                            Cab
                             LB
     8331  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $30,290   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           5.7 FFV
     8335  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $31,280   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           5.7 FFV          LB
     8339  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $28,990   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           4.6
     8341  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $30,290   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           5.7
     8343  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $29,920   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8         Cab
           4.6              LB
     8345  Tundra     4    Double   6AT    $300   $31,280   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8        Cab
           5.7              LB
     8350  Limited    4    Double   6AT    $300   $38,620   0.8%   10MY
           V8 4.6           Cab
     8352  Limited    4    Double   6AT    $300   $39,920   0.8%   10MY
           V8 5.7           Cab
     8354  Limited    4    Double   6AT    $300   $39,920   0.8%   10MY
           V8 5.7           Cab
           FFV
     8359  Tundra     4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $31,815   1.0%   10MY
           grade V8
           4.6
     8361  Tundra     4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $33,115   0.9%   10MY
           grade V8
           5.7
     8363  Tundra     4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $33,115   0.9%   10MY
           grade V8
           5.7 FFV
     8370  Limited    4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $41,155   0.7%   10MY
           V8 4.6
     8372  Limited    4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $42,455   0.7%   10MY
           V8 5.7
     8374  Limited    4   CrewMax   6AT    $300   $42,455   0.7%   10MY
           V8 5.7
           FFV

All prices listed exclude the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee (DPH).

Vehicle MSRP Change Summary (Scion)

 Vehicle/                     Body            MSRP    New     MSRP %
Model Number  Grade  Doors    Style  Trans  Increase  MSRP  Increase  MY

xD
     6233              5   Hatchback  5MT    $100    $14,900  0.7%   10MY
     6232              5   Hatchback  4AT    $100    $15,700  0.6%   10MY

xB
     6203              5   Hatchback  5MT    $100    $15,850  0.6%   10MY
     6202              5   Hatchback  4AT    $100    $16,800  0.6%   10MY

tC
     6221              3   Liftback   5MT    $100    $17,100  0.6%   10MY
     6220              3   Liftback   4AT    $100    $17,900  0.6%   10MY

All prices listed exclude the Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee (DPH).

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FIA GT Pole position for Belgian Audi Club Team WRT at Slovakia Ring

By Tarek Ramchani

The FIA GT Series is in Slovakia this weekend, hosted at the Slovakia Ring. Only four Audi R8 LMS ultra cars are entered in this fourth meeting of the season. Phoenix Racing decided not to enter the event, however the qualifying session gave Audi great satisfaction.

Belgian Audi Club Team WRT took a fantastic pole position today. For this meeting the team decided to race with the 2012 specification Audi R8 LMS ultra, to take advantage of the different 2012 vs 2013 specification BoP. It was a good decision as WRT was among the fastest during the sessions. In the end it was René Rast who was the fastest in Super Pole, driving the #12 Audi R8 LMS ultra. The three-time Porsche Supercup champion is sharing the car with Niki Mayr-Melnhof. Another car from team WRT also did very well, the #11 R8 LMS ultra of Laurens Vanthoor and Stépahne Ortelli. The series points leaders ended in fourth place, behind the two Sebastien Loeb Racing McLaren MP4-12C cars.

The two remaining Audi R8 LMS ultra cars were outside of the top 10. The #13 car of Frank Stippler and Edward Sandström from Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, and the #14 Audi from Team Novadriver driven by Carlos Viera and Cesar Campanico.

The Qualifying and Championship Races are set for tomorrow, with live stream coverage offered on the official FIA GT Series website.

Photo credit: FIA GT Series

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2010 Infiniti M Hybrid Engine

Nissans new hybrid system will be better than Toyotas.  Thats a big deal, since Toyota has the most efficient hybrid motor on the road today.

Powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, the newly developed hybrid motor may be the "most efficient 1-motor, 2-clutch parallel full hybrid system."  Its important to keep in mind when comparing to the Toyota hybrid engine is a good part of what makes it the most efficient is its use of lithium-ion battery pack.

In other words, if Toyota makes the switch to lithium-ion, its unclear whos engine would be the more efficient one.

According to Nissan:

The Nissan Hybrid System

Nissan Hybrid Engine

The hybrid system allows for the elimination of friction by completely disconnecting the engine from the system during motor driving or deceleration. It is highly energy-efficient because the battery is charged efficiently by the engine while driving, while the rotational energy of the wheels is used for energy regeneration. When the clutch is engaged, the engine, motor and wheels are directly connected, so the system also achieves responsive acceleration for sporty driving. In addition, accurate control allows the engine to be stopped more frequently. During test demonstrations conducted in city conditions, it was found that the engine was in a halt condition for almost 50% of the driving time.

The motor is powered by a laminated lithium-ion battery featuring the same structure as the one used on LEAF, Nissans electric vehicle. The powerful lithium-ion batteries are used to deliver high-response linear acceleration and fuel consumption equivalent to that of compact cars. The batteries are supplied by Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), a subsidiary jointly established by Nissan and NEC Corp. of Japan.

The hybrid system is scheduled to be available on the Infiniti M in late 2010.

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Audi R8 LMS Cup Action packed days for Audi customer racing in Malaysia

Audi R8 LMS Cup Press Release

•          Audi R8 LMS Cup debuts at Sepang International Circuit
•          Four Audi entries in the 12-hour Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race (MMER)
•          Activities underline expanding Audi motorsport program in Asia

Beijing/Sepang, August 29, 2013 – The Audi R8 LMS Cup debuts in Malaysia with Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2013 season to be held at Sepang International Circuit on August 30 and 31 (Live broadcast on:www.audir8lmscup.com). Following the cup, four Audi customer racing entries will compete in the 12-hour Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race (MMER) on Sunday, September 1.

"Our expanding customer racing activities in Asia are diverse and interconnected at the same time. Three Audi entries in the 12-hour MMER come from the Audi R8 LMS Cup, one from an Audi supported team of the GT Asia series. I expect exciting but also challenging days of motorsport", says Rene Koneberg, Director of Audi Sport customer racing Asia.

The MMER was held in Sepang for the first time in 2000 and has since become one of the leading endurance races in Asia. Eight of the Audi R8 LMS Cup drivers - including the Top 3 in the overall standings - will also get behind the wheel for the 12-hour race. All four Audi MMER entries (J-Fly Absolute Racing, Tiger Absolute Racing, plus two entries from Chinese team BRT) are supported by Audi Sport customer racing Asia and serviced by Absolute Racing.

The Audi R8 LMS cup races in Sepang will be the sprint series first visit to South East Asia. Ahead of Round 7, Adderly Fong tops the leaderboard of the cup with 105 points. Fong comes to Malaysia straight from Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium where he competed in the GP3 Series. Behind him and second overall is his Hong Kong compatriot and last years overall winner Marchy Lee (91 points). In third position and determined to give his fans at his home circuit something to cheer about is Malaysian racer Alex Yoong (89 points). The former Formula One driver lead the overall cup standings for the first four rounds, before a dismal qualifying session saw Yoong relinquish crucial points during the previous race weekend in Inje, South Korea.

The Audi R8 LMS Cup is the first brand cup in the history of Audi. After its successful maiden season in China in 2012, the sprint race series is expanding in Asia this year, with new stops in South Korea, Malaysia and Macau. Alongside the overall classification of the 2013 Audi R8 LMS Cup, there are categories for amateurs, teams and a special dealer trophy for Audi dealership teams. Coming to Sepang, Alex Au from Hong Kong is leading the amateur class.

The Sepang International Race Circuit in Malaysia is a F1 certified track and about 5.5 kilometers long. With 15 turns and 8 straights, the circuit is allowing for plenty of overtaking opportunities. It was officially opened in March 1999.

Entry List, Audi R8 LMS Cup 2013, Round 7, Sepang, Malaysia

Audi entries, Malaysia Merdeka Endurance Race (MMER)

Car 777 (Audi R8 LMS Ultra – GT3) - J-Fly Absolute Racing
Jeffrey LEE / Marchy LEE / Adderly FONG

Car 66 (Audi R8 LMS Cup car – GTC) - Tiger Absolute Racing
Jacky YUENG / Alex YOONG / Ashraff DEWAL

Car 5 (Audi R8 LMS Cup car – GTC) BRT Team
REN Wei / SUN Bo / YANG Xi / WU Zhou / HE Yi

Car 15 (Audi R8 LMS Cup car – GTC) BRT Team
SUN Zheng / ZHANG Zhi Qiang / CHENG Cong Fu

Audi R8 LMS Cup Official Website: www.audir8lmscup.com

Audi R8 LMS Cup, 2013, Upcoming Races

28–31 August, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia

25–27 October, Shanghai International Circuit, China

09–10 November, Guia International Circuit, Macau

Photo credit: Audi R8 LMS Cup / Absolute Racing

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2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Nissan announced some details on their 2010 Altima sedan including the hybrid model. Starting October 5th, the 2010 model year will be available at Nissan dealerships.

The hybrid Altima comes with the QR25 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine with continously variable transmission (CVT) mated to electric drive motor. The overall hybrid system is the hybrid synergy drive from Toyota.

The Altima Hybrid is rated to be an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), while still providing 198 hp. The overall fuel economy stands up well to comparison at 35 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

The Altima sedan is getting a estyled hood, grille and front bumper, new wheel designs, and standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). Nissan is also revising the interior fabric and finishers, new exterior colors and revised option package content.

A new available premium audio packages includes a Bose® AM/FM audio system with nine speakers, 4.3-inch color display, USB port with iPod® connectivity, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, MP3/WMA CD-ROM playback, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor.

You can also get the next-generation Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 6.5-inch VGA color touch-screen display (replaces the 4.3-inch display), 9.3GB Music Box for music storage and playback, advanced map data including speed limit advisories, Zagat restaurant guide, XM NavTraffic® and XM NavWeather® (XM® subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth® Streaming Audio, DVD player and an RCA input for auxiliary audio/video connectivity.

The 2010 Altimas Manufacturers Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) are:

2010 Altima Sedan        Engine/Transmission     M.S.R.P.
    -----------------        -------------------     --------
    Altima Sedan 2.5 S       2.5L I4 CVT             $19,900 USD
    Altima Sedan 2.5 S       2.5L I4 CVT             $21,840 USD
    Altima Sedan 3.5 SR      3.5L V6 CVT             $24,520 USD


    2010 Altima Coupe        Engine/Transmission     M.S.R.P.
    -----------------        -------------------     --------
    Altima Coupe 2.5 S       2.5L I4 6MT             $22,440 USD
    Altima Coupe 2.5 S       2.5L I4 CVT             $22,940 USD
    Altima Coupe 3.5 SR      3.5L V6 CVT             $27,270 USD
    Altima Coupe 3.5 SR      3.5L V6 6MT             $29,600 USD


    2010 Altima Hybrid       Engine/Transmission     M.S.R.P.
    ------------------       -------------------     --------
    Altima HEV               2.5L I4 eCVT            $26,780 USD

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Skoda Yeti 1 8 TSI SE

Skoda does a good line in half sizes. The Octavia is a bit bigger than Focus types, but not as chunky as a Mondeo. And so the new Skoda Yeti is larger than its Fiat Panda looky-likey, but not quite as big as the Nissan Qashqai-set soft-roaders it’s aimed at. It’s a handy point of distinction and the Yeti looks pleasingly trim as a result: not as bolshily bulky as some threatening SUVs yet with a whiff of go-anywhere potential in its raised ride height and Blomqvist-spec driving lights.

The Yeti is a reminder that Skoda has come of age - with its democratic pricing, competitive line-ups and inoffensively distinctive designs. Clever product planning or a stroke of luck? Whichever, the Yeti lands in a zeitgeist shying away from the excesses of SUVs and City types, serving up some 4x4 attributes in a more modest, bijou package.

So which Skoda Yeti is CAR reviewing here?

As with many compact crossovers, Skoda offers the Yeti in two- and four-wheel drive. Hardware is pilfered from the Skoda Octavia Scout, so 4wd Yetis - like ours - have the latest Haldex traction system, shuffling torque to the axle with the most traction. It works well on road and we were able to elicit only the briefest of chirrups from the tyres even on full boost. The fourth-gen Haldex system can theoretically turn the Yeti rear-drive, with 90% of drive going to the back tyres.

CAR tested the 1.8 turbo petrol, one of the punchier models in the range. Ours came in £18,910 1.8 TSI SE spec, although we suspect many buyers will plump for one of the diesels starting from £15,565 in 2wd trim. We haven’t driven the starter 1.2 yet, which we suspect may feel slightly breathless despite being turbocharged to 105bhp/129lb ft.

And what’s the new Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI like?

Bordering on brilliant! I’ve had to pinch myself before writing that about a Skoda, but the Yeti is one of the fantastically judged cars I’ve driven all year. From the very moment I climbed in, the Yeti feels right.

For starters, it’s well built in that solid, Skoda fashion. The VW Group provides its finest parts bin ware and the whole is wrapped in tactile, quality plastics with a no-nonsense design that makes the cabin feel from several rungs higher up the range. The Yeti isn’t on stilts, but still affords a hint of the command driving position so favoured by SUV drivers.

It’s seriously roomy and the rear seats slide back and forth upon request, with enough space to make this qualify as a serious family car. The boot’s generous at 416 litres and bigger than a Focus’s or Qashqai’s loadbay. And those rear seats remove individually to turn the tallboy Yeti into a veritable removal van on the cheap (we managed to move a double mattress in it with ease).

(By Tim Pollard)

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Suzuki Swift Plug in Hybrid

Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid

Suzuki is testing 60 Swift plug-in hybrids in Japan this autumn. The Swift plug-in was first seen at the the Tokyo Motor show in October. The small K-car may not have the range of the Volt, but the price should make it an attractive option if it gets to production.

The hybrid engine combines a 600cc ICE with an electric motor.  The car runs off the battery pack exclusively (like the Chevy Volt), while the gas engine is used to recharge the battery pack after it runs low. The battery pack runs down the center center of the car and the electric motor can produce 55kW, while the gas engine can produce 40 kW.

The plug-in hybrid (really, its an Extended Range Electric Vehicle or E-REV) can run 9 miles (15 km) on a fully charged battery (Ive seen some reports saying 12 miles or 20 km).  After that, it relies on the gas engine to recharge the battery pack.  Sanyo announced they will be providing the lithium-ion battery pack for the Swift.

Compared to the Chevy Volt, thats a low range (the Volt is expected to run 40 miles on a full charge before it needs the gas engine to kick in).  But for a mini city based car, 9 miles may be enough.  It should also keep the costs way down, as the lithium-ion battery pack may end up being the most expensive part in the car.

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Chevy Impala Hybrid

Bob Lutz talked to the Inside Line about the Chevy Impala. Apparently, GM may create an Impala hybrid sometime in the near future.

It sounds like this would be a mild hybrid, akin to the Aura or Malibu hybrid.

Lutz also said the next Impala would be front-wheel drive, get a little bigger and add other equipment.

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Fisker Gets 500 Million From the Government

Fisker has closed its loan with the federal government, giving it $528.7 million to help develop the Karma and NINA programs.

The NINA program is its new development, a family sedan to be built in the old Delaware GM plant.

"The story of Fisker is a story of ingenuity of an American company, a commitment to innovation by the U.S. government and the perseverance of the American auto industry," said Vice President Joe Biden. "The Boxwood Plant is opening again, employing workers in Delaware, and is serving as a roadmap for all we can accomplish if everyone works together. Thanks to real dedication by this administration, loans from the Department of Energy, the creativity of U.S. companies, and the tenacity of great state partners like Delaware—were on our way to helping Americas auto industry reclaim its top position in the global market."

Fisker says the NINA will cost consumers just under $40,000 after federal tax credits.

"Not only will the Fisker projects contribute to cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions, these plug-in hybrid cars will help put American ingenuity at the forefront of automotive design and production," said Secretary Chu. "And they will bring innovative cars to the market place while putting American workers back on the job," Secretary Chu added.

Fiskers plug-in hybrid products will be among the first to market and will help to accelerate the introduction of fuel-saving electrified vehicles in the United States. When full production is reached in 2015, Fisker estimates annual sales at up to 115,000 vehicles. Combining Fisker projected sales volume with the expected sales volume of the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Model S, sales of electric and PHEVs funded with DOE ATVM loans could exceed 300,000 annually.

Initially, Fisker Automotive will use the proceeds of the loan for qualifying engineering integration costs as it works with primarily U.S. suppliers to incorporate components into the Karmas design. The engineering integration work will be conducted in Irvine, California, where engineers will design tools and equipment and develop manufacturing processes. The Karma is scheduled to appear in showrooms in late 2010. The second stage will involve the purchase and retooling of the former GM plant to manufacture the Project NINA line of PHEVs, which is expected to begin rolling off the assembly line in late 2012.

Fisker automobiles are driven by electric motors that get their power from a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, or, when that is depleted, by a generator driven by an efficient gas-powered engine. The Karma and Project NINA models will have an all-electric, tailpipe-emission-free range of 40 to 50 miles on a full charge, more than most Americans drive each day. The battery can be charged at home overnight. Using gas and electric power, Fisker plug-in hybrids are expected to have a cruising range of up to 300 miles.

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2013 Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition

2013 Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition launched on the end of November a very exclusive version of the Panamera to market.

The Platinum Edition brings Porsche Panamera an even more luxurious and more exclusive version of its Gran Turismo on the market. The elegant special edition of Panamera, Panamera 4 and Panamera Diesel is distinguished by subtle unique design features in Platinum Silver Metallic.

Executed in platinum silver metallic, the exterior mirror lower shells, the air intake grille slats, the side Luftauslassblenden in turbo-specific design, the trim strip on the boot lid and the rear diffuser.

A particularly harmonious and elegant appearance is the interaction with one of the five available paint colors. Choose from plain black and white color and the optional Basalt Black Metallic paintwork, carbon gray metallic and metallic mahogany.

Many, frequently requested options with a price advantage of around 8% for the Porsche Platinum Edition Panamera already standard. These include the bi-xenon headlights, a front and rear park assist, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, and 19 "Panamera Turbo Wheels with colored Porsche crest.

The new bi-color combination black / Luxor Beige interior also provides for an especially noble ambience. It is exclusively for the Panamera Platinum Edition as standard as part leather trim and available as an optional full leather interior.

In addition, include also the power steering plus, heated seats and the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with navigation mode, and sound system with 11 speakers and 235 watts of power as standard.

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2013 Kia Forte K3

New generation of the C-segment car with surprising sporty.
Kia is on the rise worldwide. The South Korean automaker currently achieved growth rates, many of which others can only dream of. Thus, the success continues to come, is introducing new models on the market that make its predecessor look pretty old. The latest example is the successor to the 2013 Kia Forte/K3, which is mainly in the U.S. and in Asia extremely popular.

Dynamiker
World premiere of the celebrated rookie in the fourth quarter of 2012. As the first official sketches now show the new Kia Forte/K3 will turn out extremely dynamic. He carries forward the updated brand Grill clasp design. Narrow headlights and a wide air intake in the lower part of the front bumper emphasize the sporty appearance. The side view is characterized by a distinctive light edge and a sharp bend at the bottom of the doors. Fall behind the split rear light and the rear end to squat shape. According to Kia is the production model almost indistinguishable from the sketches. Only the hidden door handles have probably no chance of mass production.

Release date
The international launch of the new Kia Forte/K3 is early 2013. Details about engines, dimensions and features have not yet been revealed.

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2013 Porsche Boxster S

New edition of the 2013 Porsche Boxster S are the times was held in which the small Stuttgart for a poor imitation of the super-soft washed forefather and 911, a thing of the past. Deeper, harder, faster, seems to be the motto of the new Boxster, which tries to be so successful, as the unfortunate image of his dentist wife car secede. At some point, give all children grow up, the same goes for the little ones from Porsche.

Visually speaking, the new Porsche Boxster S crouch and squat, as you would expect from a true roadster with serious sporting ambitions. Impressive air intakes on the flanks and the rear is crowned by a retractable rear spoiler, which provides additional downforce. 20 "alloy wheels with wide tires provide maximum traction, large-sized drilled rotors and red painted brake calipers provide not only top-delay values, but also visually make her a lot.

The interior is typical of Porsche luxury flair. Leather and high quality engineering plastic leave no wish unfulfilled. The center console is located, as usual, the navigation screen, and the selector lever for the optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a particularly amusing gimmick is there in the Sports Chrono package includes a stop analog Clock. Leather sport seats are an extra charge, but they offer excellent lateral support even during rapid cornering.

For the appropriate propulsion in the new Porsche Boxster S is a 3.4-liter boxer engine with an output of 315 hp, the Boxster S accelerates in 5.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h and a top speed of 279 km / h is good. The average consumption by the manufacturer with 8.0 to 8.8 liters per 100 km indicated. Driving program and damper setting can push of a button to your own needs and the substrate to be adjusted, so that will always be teased out the optimum performance of the Boxster.

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Fisker Recieves 528 Million in DOE Loans

Fisker Automotive has been approved to receive $528 million in low-interest loans from the Dept of Energy (DOE) as part of the $25 billion dolloar loan program set up by the federal government.

$169.3 million will be used to finish development and production of the plug-in hybrid sedan Karma which is due out next summer. The Karma is being sold at $87,900 a piece.

The rest of the loan will be used in Project NINA. NINA is part of Fiskers plant to bring a family oriented, user friendly plug-in that will cost $47,400, or $39,900 after tax credits (if you qualify). Fisker is targeting Global sales are predicted to exceed 100,000 units annually starting in 2012.

Fisker estimates the loan will help create or save 5,000 US jobs among auto suppliers and thousands more to manufacture a plug-in hybrid in the US.

NINA comes from the trip by Christopher Columbus, and "is symbolic of the automobile industry’s transition from old world to new"

The $528.7-million low-interest loan "is another critical step in making sure we are positioned to compete for the clean energy jobs of the future," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Tesla received $465 million from the same loan program.

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Porsche Boxster Spyder First Drive Review 2011

When James Dean set out to a race in Salinas, California, on that fateful morning of September 30, 1955, he and his beloved Porsche 550 Spyder were already viewed by many as icons. Of course, in years to come, iconic status would be cemented for both Dean and Porsche, with the German company becoming known as the quintessential sports-car manufacturer. So on our maiden voyage with Porsche’s newest, lightweight 2011 Boxster Spyder—said to be a successor to the 550 Spyder, as if there really could be such a thing in modern times—it seemed only fitting to ditch the planned press-trip route and hustle from Carmel, California, to the Dean memorial in Cholame, some 150 miles distant.

Cutting the Fat

Typically, the “spyder” moniker denotes a roofless model. But given that the Boxster is already a convertible, “spyder” is simply a marker that this iteration is unique. (A version of the Cayman could wear the spyder badge properly, but what sense would that make?) With the reworked-for-2009 Boxster S serving as the starting point, Porsche engineers set their sights on a distinctive design and saving weight, pulling out a claimed 176 pounds. Ditching the conventional convertible-top mechanism was the first step. In its place sits a 13-pound, manually operated, two-piece bikini-like cover that can be fully sealed in dire weather—it’s not approved for carwashes, though—flanked by newly shaped windows that match the pitch of the new lid.

With the top stowed, the most visually alluring detail becomes the new one-piece aluminum decklid with two aero humps like those found on the Carrera GT, saving 6.5 pounds over the regular car’s rear trunk and half-tonneau. Aluminum doors from the 911 Turbo and GT3 shave 33 pounds, and the 10-spoke, Spyder-specific 19-inch wheels are actually lighter than the Boxster S’s 18s. The gas tank is reduced in capacity by 2.6 gallons to 14.3, and an optional 13-pound lithium-ion starter battery ($1700!) can save 22 pounds. Additionally, the LED running lamps are smaller, the side scoops are done in black mesh, and the standard exhaust is now finished in black. Porsche says its engineers improved the aerodynamics of the Spyder through a modified front lip and fixed rear spoiler, and a lower trim bar bearing the Porsche name is affixed to recall the 908 and 909 race cars of the ’70s.

Like the exterior, the interior is purged and reworked, and—as with all Porsches—it can be customized to each owner’s request. Standard are the new carbon-fiber-backed sports seats that reduce weight by 26 pounds and add a healthy dose of bolstering, which nicely snugs up the seats but does make ingress and egress a challenge. Customers can opt for normal seats at no cost. The radio and the cup holders are deleted unless requested at no cost, but buyers will have to pay to get the air conditioning reinstalled. The center console and dash trim are color-matched to the body, and the inside door releases are now cloth slings finished in red to match the seatbelts. There is an optional steering wheel with proper paddle shifters for cars equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual (PDK). It has yet to be officially confirmed, but expect to see the new wheel available as an option on all Porsche sports cars in the near future.

Pavement Performance

With brisk 50-degree temperatures, our California environment has declared its intention to remain chilly. Nonetheless, the top is down as we begin our journey on scenic Highway 1 near Monterey. With the Pacific Ocean crashing into the cliffs below us, we waste no time putting the Porsche to work. Any doubts about the Spyder’s performance enhancements drift out to sea among the breakers as the extra 10 ponies in the now 320-hp, 3.4-liter flat-six are put to work. Carving through the tight and twisted sections of Highway 1, we find that the reduced weight of our six-speed-manual Spyder—at about 3000 pounds, it’s the lightest in the entire Porsche fleet—is easily apparent. The 0.8-inch lowered suspension includes shorter and stiffer springs, firmer dampers, modified front and rear anti-roll bars, and a slightly wider track, and it all combines to noticeably improve the Boxster’s already stellar handling. The car is just itching to turn in at every corner, and the steering is effortless, as if it had been engineered just for this road. Well, that impression could also be because the suspension work did lighten the steering, but the rack is quicker and even more communicative than before, allowing us to feel the pavement texture more intimately.

The Spyder can tackle 25-mph switchbacks at double that speed. The grippy seats hold you in place and the body shows no signs of pitching or rolling, yet the ride is never harsh. Traction into and out of the turns is hardly lost, with the standard mechanically locking differential enabling high exit speeds. And in a straight line Porsche is claiming a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.6 seconds on PDK-equipped cars with launch control, which seems a bit conservative considering we managed 4.3 in a less-powerful Boxster S weighing 3220 pounds with the PDK. Figure 4.1 or quicker to 60 and about 12.7 seconds in the quarter-mile once we strap test gear to a Boxster Spyder.

Carbon-ceramic discs are optional, although the standard iron rotors carried over from the Boxster S work fine, as we found out when a Mini Cooper one car ahead of us attempted to overtake slower traffic at the same time we did and nearly ran us off the road as we neared our destination.

With a pulse rate high in our personal tachometer, we arrive at the Dean memorial, where reflecting on the drive keeps us from focusing on the numbness in our extremities caused by the cool California air. We did wish for a louder exhaust on our car—an optional sport system provides a remedy—but we were, to say the least, impressed with the car as a whole. Mostly, we were stumped as to how Porsche can keep improving its entry-level model, but this Spyder, which goes on sale in February at $62,150, a mere $3200 more than a Boxster S, is an even sharper sword. Chalk it up to brilliant engineering, the greatest constant from mind-blowing early Porsches like the 550 Spyder to the mind-blowing models of today. Indeed, it’s on the back of engineering that the brand achieved its status as an icon—and became a preferred method of transportation for icons, too.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster

BASE PRICE: $62,150

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve flat-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 210 cu in, 3436cc
Power (SAE net): 320 bhp @ 7200 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 273 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 95.1 in Length: 172.1 in
Width: 70.9 in Height: 50.9 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3000–3050 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.7 sec
Top speed (drag limited): 166 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway driving: 19–20/26–29 mpg

(BY JON YANCA, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON YANCA, AARON ROBINSON, AND THE MANUFACTURER)

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Honda Fit Hybrid for 2010

The Nikkei is reporting (via GCC) that Honda will have a Fit Hybrid on the road in Japan in the fall of 2010. The new Fit will cost less than the Insight, which will make it the cheapest hybrid sold.

According to the Nikkei:

The company had initially planned to introduce the hybrid Fit in 2012, when the vehicle will be fully remodeled. Instead, it opted to develop the hybrid version based on the current subcompact and roll it out sooner to tap the anticipated market expansion.

The hybrid Fit is to be equipped with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine and the same type of hybrid system found in the Insight hybrid. It is expected to deliver a fuel mileage of more than 30km per liter [3.33 L/100km, 71 mpg US] which is similar to what the Insight hybrid offers.

This is big news for anyone whos excited by the renewed competition between Toyota and Honda. If Honda keeps lowering the bar by introducing cheaper hybrid vehicles, Toyota is going to have to continue to follow suit.

It will make it harder for other automakers to break in and compete, though. With a decade of research and development into just their hybrid engines, Toyota and Honda can afford to cut the prices to compete with each other. Ford, GM and so on may not be able to do the same. Theyll have to find some other way of making their own hybrids stand out... say the E-REV Chevy Volt way?

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2013 Ferrari California

He is the golden boy with the super sports car, because really the 2013 Ferrari California was not yet removed the necessary sharpness. Sure, the 4.3 liter V8 engine had 460 hp with its beautiful always enough steam, and with a top speed of 310 km / h can be the most open Porsche or Mercedes loosely behind.

But the smell rather than brutally honest Beau drawn from the pen of veteran Pininfarina the PS-purists with its luxurious ambience and the retractable hardtop, too much consumption and too little for rubber. But not anymore. Because half of the term, the Italians have the pretty boy again sent to bodybuilding and issued a storm warning on the sunbed.

More power and less weight
The basic idea of ​​the care model, which takes place in the design was hardly any rainfall, more power and less weight. Go get the engineers in Maranello, the now eight-cylinder 30 hp more and the torque curve also Lupfen to 505 Nm, whilst at the same time they have saved 30 kg. The difference can be felt on the road, but barely, but you can read about it in the data sheet. Accordingly, creates the California to sprint from zero to now h in 3.8 seconds and reaches a maximum of 312 km /

The main change
The most important change, however, can be found on the list of options that might be involved primarily changes to the software. But the Roadster gets the two tiny auxiliary seats in the rear Sun actually a different character. The steering is noticeably more direct, and the electromagnetically adjustable suspension proves that hardness which has so far lacked the purists.

Now you can with the ferrari California actually ride on the edge through tight turns and enjoy winding roads with that mixture of gasoline and adrenaline, the sports car is so special: Willig follows the athletes of the course, loud roars of the engines ode attention to performance and is the car on the road when the legendary Manettino is in the position of sports. The comfort remains of course a good bit more on the way. You need both hands on the wheel and not left on the inadequacy of road in the dark.

Nevertheless, the golden boy has not lost its charm. Because when you switch back to the comfort mode, the V8 does not sound just quieter and the gear or come on. But the fighter becomes a glider, you can stroll the streets along the coast to relish.

Conclusion
Although Ferrari California has the handling package noticeably gained focus and now so is like spicy penne alArrabiata, he has cars like a BMW M6 convertible or a Mercedes SL 63 AMG closer than a Lamborghini Gallardo. But so can the Scuderia live well. Who is still sharper and more pointed, needs which the Italians eventually sell since last year, the F 458 Italia.

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