Move over Crown Victoria, there’s a new cab in town.

Beginning in 2013 the familiar Checker cab will be back but this time it will be the Nissan NV200. This mini van is a modified version of the small commercial van that Nissan sells in Japan, Europe and China. This sharp mini van will have enough room for 4 passengers, extra leg room and it even boasts trunk space large enough for the luggage of 4 people. There is a panoramic overhead window for those who’d like stunning views of the skyscrapers during their ride. Professionals will appreciate charging stations that will allow them to treat the cabs like a mobile office. It is powered by a 4 cyl engine, has a sliding passenger door and a low annoyance horn designed to cut down on noise pollution.

The new Nissan NV200 cabs will begin replacing current taxis in 2013 as the older vehicles age out of service. All current taxis are to be completely off the streets by 2018.

If you have been waiting for the release of the Acura TSX sport wagon since it’s debut at the auto show, you won’t have to wait much longer. Set to go on sale December 21, the TSX Sport Wagon offers a five speed automatic transmission matched with a 201 Horsepower, 2.4 liter inline 4 cylinder engine. Fuel economy is estimated to get you 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPH on the highway.

If you opt for the technology package with your sport wagon, you will get Acura’s new navigation system and 15GB of music storage. Your standard features will include things like leather seating with heated front seats, XM Satellite Radio, power moonroof and 17 inch alloy wheels. Starting price for this sporty wagon is $30,960.

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration have enhanced the 5-Star Safety rating system for new vehicles. “More Stars equal Safer Cars,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. NHTSA is rating 24 passenger cars, 20 sport utility vehicles, two vans and nine pickups for the 2011 year under the improved system.  The rating process evaluates vehicles in three areas – frontal crash, roll over resistance and side crash. They have implemented the use of Female crash test dummies for the first time and are including side-pole testing and crash prevention technologies such as lane-departure warning and electronic stability control to their evaluation. Due to the fact that the new standards for rating are more rigorous, not all vehicles previously rated at 5 stars will remain at 5 stars. In fact, the only two vehicles to obtain the new overall 5 star rating were the 2011 BMW 5-Series and the 2011 (Later Release) Hyundai Sonata.

The BMW 5-Series 4DR RWD received a 4 in the Front Crash rating, 5 for side crash, 5 for roll-over and an overall score of 5. The Hyundai Sonata (Later Release) received the same ratings. The lowest scoring vehicles were the Toyota Camry (including Camry Hybrid) and the Nissan Versa. Both the Camry and Versa received a 3 for front crash and 4 for rollover. The Camry received a 3 for side crash while the Versa only received a 2. The overall rating for these vehicles were Camry: 3 and Versa: 2.

Vehicles that received an Overall Four Star Rating:

Audi: A4 FWD and Wagon; S4 FWD

Cadillac Escalade RWD, 4WD; Escalade Hybrid RWD, 4WD

Chevrolet Mailbu 4WD; Tahoe 4WD and RWD

Ford: Fiesta; Taurus AWD and FWD

GMC: Yukon RWD and 4WD

Honda: Pilot 4WD and FWD

Hyundai: Sonata (early release)

Infiniti: M37; M56

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD and RWD

Kia: Sorento AWD and FWD

Subaru: Legacy and Outback

Toyota: Sienna AWD and FWD

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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When you hear the name Lance Armstrong you probably think incredible athlete, cancer survivor or maybe even motivational speaker. Lance Armstrong is an inspiration to many people on living healthier and happier lives. He is a huge supporter of the new Nissan LEAF and explains what he likes about this 100% electric, zero emissions vehicle in a video posted here:

http://www.nissanusa.com/lance/index.html?tool=home.lance_armstrong.link

Photo: http://www.facebook.com/lancearmstrong

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Driver Error?

The investigation is still under way, however, early findings are pointing at human error. Toyota is not finding any malfunction in the electronics to be blamed for the acceleration. In fact, in most cases it appears to have been the driver mistakenly pressing the gas instead of the brake pedal!

Now these are early and raw findings but in a statement from Toyota they conducted studies on over 4000 on site vehicle inspections and not a single one was found to have any problems with the electronic throttle controls.

Photo: http://www.toyotarecall.org/

Interesting study results to say the least! Should we feel more safe or less? Are you more comfortable with driver error or electronic malfunction to blame?

More information can be found at:

http://www.toyotarecall.org/

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/business/11auto.html?_r=2&scp=2&sq=toyota&st=cse

http://blogs.automobilemag.com/6674074/editors-soapbox/toyota-is-the-new-audi/index.html

If you have gone camping you probably followed the rule that you keep your food locked up and away from your immediate campsite. This is supposed to keep you from running into unwelcome guests such as bears or other wildlife residents. Well, for the Story family of Larkspur, Colorado leaving a peanut butter sandwich in their Toyota Corolla was enough to attract a very curious and apparently hungry bear. The very large, adult black bear not only stopped in for a snack but decided a joy ride would be fun also.

Bear Trapped In Corolla

The bear managed to get into Ben Story’s Toyota Corolla, put the car into neutral and send the vehicle skidding over one hundred feet into some trees on the family’s property. All this happened while the Story family was sleeping safely in their home. A neighbor heard the car honking shortly after 2am. When Sheriff’s deputies arrived they found the bear still in the Corolla. Deputies attached a rope to one of the car doors and opened it from a safe distance which allowed the bear to run off. The bear left quickly but not before doing massive damage to the Story’s Corolla. The car is being considered a total loss. The Story’s say that bears are part of Larkspur but they have never experienced an encounter quite like that before!

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Damage done to Corolla by Black Bear

Source and Photos: http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-bear-in-car-txt,0,6571855.story

2011 Subaru Outback owners won’t have to go far to find their favorite WiFi spot. No longer with they be heading off to their favorite local coffee shop, they will simply head out to their driveway. Now you can access Facebook, Twitter and all your favorite blogs from the comfort of your passenger seat in your Outback.

Remember – no tweeting and driving!

2011 Subaru Outback offers 3G Wi-Fi access

2011 Subaru Outback

The WiFi service is provided by Autonet Mobile. Autonet Mobile is the first wireless internet service provider designed for your car.

The morning of July 20th was a big moment for the Marysville, OH Honda plant. The production of a Honda Accord Sedan made them the first plant outside of Japan to produce 10 Million vehicles. The milestone Accord was immediately moved into the plant’s West Cafeteria for display alongside the first generation of the Accord produced at the plant. The Marysville plant has been producing vehicles for 28 years and in 2010 was ranked #4 by JD Power and Associates in their Initial Quality Survey. In addition to the Accord Sedan and Coupe, the plant currently produces the Acura TL and Acura RDX models.

Marysville Plant Produces 10 Millionth Vehicle

If you drive an Accord, chances are it came from Marysville. Nearly all Accords sold in North America are manufactured at the Marysville plant. The TL, RDX and Accord Coupe are produced there exclusively. In fact, more than 84 percent of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2009 were produced in North America.

Source: http://www.hondanews.com/categories/939/releases/5548

Cars.com might be the place to start!

CHICAGO and FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire/ — Cars.com and Hyundai Motor America today announced that Hyundai Motor America will supply a live feed to Cars.com of all certified pre-owned Hyundai automobiles currently available at more than 790 Hyundai retailers nationwide.  Source: www.prnewswire.com

WOW! So what does that mean for you? One stop shopping, right? Every certified pre-owned Hyundai has to be less than 5 years old, have less than 60,000 miles and pass the 150 point inspection. It also gives you the balance of their warranty which provides you with the remainder of the 10 year/100,000-mile powertrain protection. Wait, there’s more…

All certified pre-owned Hyundai vehicles come with roadside assistance, as well as rental car, towing and travel breakdown coverage.

If you are in the market for a used Hyundai, your search just got a little easier!

Sonata Hybrid

Links:

www.cars.com

www.prnewswire.com