Rumormill: Adam Carolla to host <em>Top Gear</em> USA?

Filed under: Lifestyle, Celebrities

Recent news about NBC's quest to create a Top Gear for the United States has brought forth rumors of potential hosts. First, names like Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfield were offered up to great debate. Now another name with an extensive hosting resume but no previous ties to the peacock network is heading up the leader board. That name is Adam Carolla, formerly of Loveline and The Man Show. Carolla is no stranger to the land of automotive enthusiasm, either. He owns a BRE replica Datsun 510 that once graced the cover of Grassroots Motorsports. The rest of the horses in his stable aren't too shabby either, like an E30 BMW M3, for instance. No official word has come out of NBC on the matter, but an excited Carolla decided to spill the beans on his radio show, anyway.

[Source: 97.1 Free FM via VW Vortex, Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty]

 

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Geneva Leakage: Remaining 2009 VW Scirocco pics surface

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Euro, Hatchbacks, Volkswagen

Click above image to view all new high-res shots of the VW Scirocco

As we say in the biz, you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube, so you might as well squeeze out what's left. After two official images of the yet-to-debut 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco hit the web the other day, a couple of sites have decided just to publish the whole lot of pre-release images. There are seven in total now (VW will likely release dozens more after the car debuts in Geneva next week), including a pair of interior pics that show, surprise, surprise, a cockpit that appears remarkably similar to the one in the Golf and Jetta. Despite that, the deeply bolstered tan leather seats are stitched with a nifty retro pattern that makes us want to crank the cassette player to 11. There's more info about the 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco that we'd like to tell you, but it's embargoed until Monday. It's highly unlikely, however, that this tube of toothpaste won't be squeezed dry by then.

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[Source: Carscoop, The Car Connection]

 

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Not quite official: Infiniti dealer posts FX teaser online

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Infiniti

A certain sales manager from a certain dealership in Long Island was kind enough to take a little bit of the wind out of Infiniti's sails ahead of its unveiling of the redesigned FX CUV. The detailed headlamp shot above was posted on an Infiniti FX forum (who knew?), and pretty much confirms the styling tweaks the new fascia will get, particularly when you imagine it on the set of spy shots we've seen already. The only thing that's left to the imagination is the reconfigured rear end, which will likely sport some new tail lamps and a redesigned bumper. We'd be remiss not to point out that it's not in the dealer's best interest to include his name and contact information in his forum signature, lest Infiniti's corporate communications folks come calling.

Thanks for the tip Jonathan.

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[Source: InfinitiFX.org]

 

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Recalled Ford owners urged to get cruise control fixed

Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

If you drive a Ford product built before 2005, do us all a favor and give your dealership a call. Ask them if your car or truck is one of the 10 million vehicles out there recalled for repair of a cruise control switch. Trust us, this is not something you want to ignore, as there have been fires, lawsuits, and deaths attributed to this issue.

Word from Washington is that federal safety officials are concerned as less than half of the recalled vehicles have been returned to dealerships for repair (come on people, we told you about this in August, 2006!). This has triggered a rare "consumer advisory" from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who are urging motorists to take action. Ford is also re-notifying owners. The NHTSA is also quick to point out that there is no need to schedule an appointment for the repair as some dealers are even providing quick drive-through services for the fix.

The long list of recalled vehicles has been included after the jump.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

The full list of affected vehicles from the NHTSA:

• 1993-2004 Ford F-150


• 1993-1999 F-250 (gasoline engine)


• 1993-1996 Ford Bronco


• 1994-1996 Ford Econoline


• 1997-2002 Ford Expedition


• 1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator


• 1998-2002 Ford Ranger


• 1992-1998 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car


• 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII


• 1993-1995 Ford Taurus SHO with automatic transmission


• 1994 Mercury Capri


• 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer


• 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac


• 1992-1993 and 1997-2003 Ford E-150-350 gasoline or natural gas vehicles


• 2002 Ford E-550 gasoline engine vehicles


• 1996-2003 Ford E-450 gasoline or natural gas vehicles


• 1994-2002 Ford F-250 through F-550 Super Duty trucks (gasoline engine)


• 2000-2002 Ford Excursion (gasoline engine)


• 2003 Ford F-250-F-550 Super Duty, Ford Excursion


• 1995-2002 Ford F-53 motor home chassis


• 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood

 

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Those teens that do get their license prefer Mustang

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Toyota, Volkswagen

Research International USA's TRU branch has polled the youth of our country and discovered that they'd like a fun, stylish car more than anything (duh) -- namely the Mustang. Twenty-somethings posed the same question picked the Honda Civic above all else, mainly because they've had a dose of reality, and are now paying their own insurance and fuel.

So what exactly does this study say? As you mature, your experience leads to more practical decision making, perhaps? That there's a whole subset of spoiled brat high schoolers who have their insurance and fuel paid for and also expect that being handed the keys to a 3,500 pound wheeled liability is a birthright? Probably a bit of both, we suppose, but the fact remains that the Mustang is a flashy, fun car that even non-car people could point out in a crowd and undoubtedly has decent youth appeal.

The rest of the teens choices weren't earth shattering. Besides the Mustang, the cars that young drivers most desire are posted below the fold.

[Source: KickingTires]

• Honda Civic


• Honda Accord


• Volkswagen Beetle


• Toyota Camry (what?)


• Toyota Corolla (double-what?)
  


• Chevy Impala (triple-WTF?)
  


• Ford Focus


• Ford F150


• Jeep Wrangler


• Chevy Silverado


• VW Jetta


• Nissan Maxima

 

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Those teens that do get their license prefer Mustang

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Etc., Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Toyota, Volkswagen

Research International USA's TRU branch has polled the youth of our country and discovered that they'd like a fun, stylish car more than anything (duh) -- namely the Mustang. Twenty-somethings posed the same question picked the Honda Civic above all else, mainly because they've had a dose of reality, and are now paying their own insurance and fuel.

So what exactly does this study say? As you mature, your experience leads to more practical decision making, perhaps? That there's a whole subset of spoiled brat high schoolers who have their insurance and fuel paid for and also expect that being handed the keys to a 3,500 pound wheeled liability is a birthright? Probably a bit of both, we suppose, but the fact remains that the Mustang is a flashy, fun car that even non-car people could point out in a crowd and undoubtedly has decent youth appeal.

The rest of the teens choices weren't earth shattering. Besides the Mustang, the cars that young drivers most desire are posted below the fold.

[Source: KickingTires]

Continue reading Those teens that do get their license prefer Mustang

 

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Acura recalls 273,000 TLs due to fire fears

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Acura

Honda put out two recall notices today that affects some 273,000 2004-2008 Acura TLs. One of the recalls addresses a windshield wiper issue, where a potentially faulty circuit breaker on 129,600 '04 and '05 TLs could fail, rendering the wipers useless.

The other recall is a bit more compelling. Apparently an issue with high temperatures under the hood can cause the power steering hose to degrade to the point that it could crack and leak fluid onto the catalytic converter. This could result in a fair amount of smoke, or, at worse, a fire.

Neither issue has resulted in a crash or injury, but Acura dealers have been instructed to replace the power steering hose and, in the case of the windshield wiper motor, inspect the unit and replace it if necessary. Naturally, there's no charge for either recall.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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Acura recalls 273,000 TLs due to fire fears

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Acura

Honda put out two recall notices today that affects some 273,000 2004-2008 Acura TLs. One of the recalls addresses a windshield wiper issue, where a potentially faulty circuit breaker on 129,600 '04 and '05 TLs could fail, rendering the wipers useless.

The other recall is a bit more compelling. Apparently an issue with high temperatures under the hood can cause the power steering hose to degrade to the point that it could crack and leak fluid onto the catalytic converter. This could result in a fair amount of smoke, or, at worse, a fire.

Neither issue has resulted in a crash or injury, but Acura dealers have been instructed to replace the power steering hose and, in the case of the windshield wiper motor, inspect the unit and replace it if necessary. Naturally, there's no charge for either recall.

[Source: Detroit News]

 

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Proton preparing Satria Neo S2000 racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Hatchbacks

The FIA's Super 2000 formula class was designed to reduce costs in rally and touring car racing and appears to be living up to its aim, as Malaysian automaker Proton joins the growing list of carmakers jumping aboard that already includes Toyota, Ford, Skoda, MG, Peugeot, Volkswagen and Fiat/Abarth. Currently the British Touring Car Championship, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the Production Car World Rally Championship, as well as national rally series in Australia, Italy and South Africa, operate under the Super 2000 formula. While it is not yet known for which series the Proton Satria Neo S2000 is being prepared to compete, it's thought to be prepared by Mellors Elliot Motorsport in Derbyshire, England for a race debut by midyear. Although Mellors Elliot prepared the car with which Proton took the Production Car World Rally Championship in 2002, it wouldn't be entirely unreasonable to infer that Lotus might lend a hand in developing its parent company's new contender.

Amidst all this speculation, specs for the Proton Satria Neo S2000 remain unknown, although the Super 2000 formula calls for engines no larger than two liters, naturally aspirated and sending no more than 280 horsepower through the mandated six-speed sequential gearbox

[Source: Yahoo Eurosport and Livincars via paultan.org]

 

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Proton preparing Satria Neo S2000 racer

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Hatchbacks

The FIA's Super 2000 formula class was designed to reduce costs in rally and touring car racing and appears to be living up to its aim, as Malaysian automaker Proton joins the growing list of carmakers jumping aboard that already includes Toyota, Ford, Skoda, MG, Peugeot, Volkswagen and Fiat/Abarth. Currently the British Touring Car Championship, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the Production Car World Rally Championship, as well as national rally series in Australia, Italy and South Africa, operate under the Super 2000 formula. While it is not yet known for which series the Proton Satria Neo S2000 is being prepared to compete, it's thought to be prepared by Mellors Elliot Motorsport in Derbyshire, England for a race debut by midyear. Although Mellors Elliot prepared the car with which Proton took the Production Car World Rally Championship in 2002, it wouldn't be entirely unreasonable to infer that Lotus might lend a hand in developing its parent company's new contender.

Amidst all this speculation, specs for the Proton Satria Neo S2000 remain unknown, although the Super 2000 formula calls for engines no larger than two liters, naturally aspirated and sending no more than 280 horsepower through the mandated six-speed sequential gearbox

[Source: Yahoo Eurosport and Livincars via paultan.org]

 

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