For all the owners of Toyota Tundra trucks, it would be advisable to make a periodic check of your chassis. Reports have it that some owners have been complaining about severe frame rust which may eventually lead to broken brake lines and loosening spare tires. The year models affected are 2000 and 2001 and covers about 218,000 vehicles. There have already been reports of underbody-mounted spare tire separations from the rear crossmember and broken brake lines. Fortunately, no accidents have been reported yet so take the initiative and check or observe these parts from time to time.

If investigations reveal that these are indeed Toyota’s fault once again, it may become the second recall after the celebrated floormat design unintended acceleration defect. Worse, it can really dampen the brand image of Toyota, something it doesn’t need right now with their floundering sales due to the recession.

(Source) Press

Tags: acceleration, Accidents, brand image, chassis, floormat, initiative, investigations, models, rear crossmember, recession, rust proofing, separations, spare tire, spare tires, Toyota, toyota tundra, trucks

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There is no better vehicle today to epitomize the meaning of getting more power from a vehicle other than the 2010 Ford Shelby GT500. Ford’s Special Vehicle Team used the gains made on the Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustang as the performance starting point.

The design team, with a nod to the original Shelby Cobra from the 1960s, takes those cues even further with nuanced improvements in both the coupe and convertible, each boasting a more-refined interior.

Power comes from a supercharged and intercooled 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine that produces 540 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 510 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,500 rpm. The 2010 Shelby GT500 delivers improved straight-line acceleration, plus fuel savings when cruising on the highway in the top gears.

Gears 1-4 remain the same, but fifth gear changes from .80 to .74 while sixth gear goes from .63 to .50, meaning lower engine RPMs in those gears and improved fuel efficiency. The new final drive ratio, moving from 3.31 to 3.55, enables the improved acceleration in lower gears while complementing the revised fifth and sixth gear ratios.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 features AdvanceTrac, Ford’s stability control system, with several options for performance. The default “on” mode accommodates everyday driving, and a Sport mode delivers for those wanting to put the Shelby GT500 through its paces on the track. When turned off, the anti-lock brake system and other active safety systems remain in place.

Genuine materials such as leather in all seats, aluminum on the instrument panel and Alcantara suede inserts on the seats and steering wheel give the 2010 Shelby GT500 a precisely crafted yet functional feel. Customers can select racing stripes on the seats that match the exterior stripes.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 will be in dealer showrooms in spring.

(Source) Ford

Tags: acceleration, AdvanceTrac, Cobra, Coupe, Ford, horsepower, Shelby, torque

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At a time when hybrids and fuel efficient cars are increasing in demand, leave it to Kia Motors to come up with a vehicle to satisfy those areas. Kia Motors Corp. yesterday unveiled the liquefied petroleum gas-electric hybrid version of the Forte and its eco-friendly sub-brand Eco Dynamics.

Eco Dynamics is a sub-brand that represents ecology and economics and the company’s aim of developing environmentally friendly automotive technologies, the logo for which will be used on hybrid, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles to be launched in the future.

The hybrid Forte is equipped with a 1.6-liter LPG engine and an electric motor to support the internal combustion engine during acceleration and when the vehicle is started.

The LPI hybrid Forte is the world’s first hybrid vehicle to be fitted with a lithium-ion polymer battery, which is lighter and smaller but has higher output than nickel-metal hydride batteries. The company also altered the exterior and interior design of the hybrid Forte to set it apart from the normal version of the vehicle. The company said that it plans to develop a distinct tune that will be played when the hybrid Forte is started to further differentiate the car from conventional vehicles and use the tune in advertising campaigns.

The hybrid Forte will also be shown at the Seoul Motor Show that opens on April 2.

(Source) Korea Herald

Tags: acceleration, advertising campaigns, automotive technologies, conventional vehicles, hybrid vehicle, hybrid version, hybrids, hydrogen powered vehicles, internal combustion engine, kia motors corp, korea herald, liquefied petroleum gas, lithium, lithium ion polymer, lithium ion polymer battery, nickel metal hydride batteries, plug in hybrid, Seoul

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For the Lamborghini lovers, brace yourselves for the Lamborghini Mucielago LP650-4 Roadster. This is the new limited edition offering of Lambroghini which will reportedly be limited to only 50 units.

The car’s powertrain is still under wraps, but it’s expected to get a 650hp (485kW) V12 mill like that found in the Reventon. Typically ridiculous acceleration figures (about 3.4 seconds 0-62mph) are expected from the AWD platform.

The exterior is a special flat gray with bright orange accents on the side skirts and front lip, as well as in strategic locations inside the cabin. Dark alloy wheels finish off the dramatic exterior.

Inside, the car gets an asymmetric dashboard, acres of Alcantara and leather, and a few other unique touches. More information and photography is expected as the Geneva Motor Show draws nearer, though with the Superveloce already tipped for a Swiss debut, the Roadster may get pushed back to later in the year.

(Source) Motor Authority

Tags: acceleration, alloy wheels, Dashboard, geneva motor show, Lamborghini, lamborghini mucielago, lambroghini, limited edition, powertrain, roadster, side skirts

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