Friday, February 5, 2010 4:01PM - By Chris Weiss
Well, misery loves company, and after weeks of dominating headlines with its own recall troubles, Toyota now shares them with Ford. Ford stated yesterday that it will need to update the regenerative braking software on some 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid models.
According to a Ford statement: “We have received reports that some drivers have experienced a different brake feel when the hybrid’s unique regenerative brakes switch to conventional hydraulic braking. While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes.”
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Friday, February 5, 2010 2:53PM - By Chris Weiss
What happens when you cram a 2.5-liter V6 Alfa Romeo engine into a Kraft Tech hardtail? You get a bike that is simply overflowing with engine–and looks pretty damn bad-ass.
The Alfabeast, as its known, is a customized bike created by Chris Barber of Crossbreed Cycles. In addition to the 156 hp Alfa engine, the bike features six separate exhaust pipes, water and oil radiators to keep everything cool, a Harley four-speed gearbox, and a kickstart. The forks and brakes of this melting pot come courtesy of the Kawasaki ZXR-750.
Check out more pictures after the break. [Bike EXIF via Carscoop]
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Friday, February 5, 2010 2:38PM - By Chris Weiss
We already know that texting while driving is a terrible idea, but Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is questioning the growing trend of automakers expanding the technologies offered inside vehicles. During CES, Ford added to its tech stables with the introduction of the MyFord/MyLincoln systems that promise to take in-car technology to the next level–but are complex systems like that growing hazard on roads?
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Friday, February 5, 2010 11:00AM - By Chris Weiss
The Ferrari 599 GTO has been stuck in the rumormill for a few months now, and Ferrari CEO Amedeo Feliza has made it official. In fact, Feliza made it clear that Ferrari will be issuing a variety of new models, getting started with the 458 Italia and following up with a 458 Spider drop-top.
Feliza said that the GTO is already in the works and will be a lighter, suped-up version of the 599 GTB. Feliza didn’t get too detailed, but previous rumors have the V12 engine from the 599 tuned up to pump out around 700 horses.
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Friday, February 5, 2010 10:00AM - By Chris Weiss
On its face, the Lamborghini may look plenty exclusive in its own right, but if you’re privileged enough to cohort with a circle of other Lambo owners, the exclusivity likely sheds away quickly. To provide an extra hint of ownership and originality, the Raging Bull has initiated the Ad Personam Program, which gives owners the opportunity to add their own personalized accents to their cars. Examples include a wide selection of colors for the exterior, interior and stitching.
To show you the potential of the program, Lamborghini released a promo video, which you can watch after the jump. [via WCF]
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Friday, February 5, 2010 9:00AM - By Chris Weiss
Clearly not as sleek or inviting as the Tesla roadster, but all-electric just the same, the LAMPO2 is destined to debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Some pictures and video of the electric roadster have surfaced ahead of that debut, and we’re not quite sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing–but it’s definitely worth a look.
The odd little body is partly made up for by impressive numbers–the car pulls 408 horses and 472 lb-ft out of its electric AWD powertrain and peels to 60 in about 5 seconds. The 32 kWh battery pack provides a range of 124 miles.
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Friday, February 5, 2010 2:42AM - By Chris Weiss
Well, you knew it was coming and it doesn’t seem that Toyota will disappoint. Japan’s Nikkei News Service reported last night that Toyota will indeed recall the 2010 Prius for the braking problem that have been getting more and more publicity of late. According to the report, 270,000 American and Japanese Priuses will be included in the recall, adding to Toyota’s already staggering recall numbers.
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Thursday, February 4, 2010 3:38PM - By Chris Weiss
We’ve seen the penciling of the exterior and interior, and now Audi shows the manufacturing behind its upcoming A1 hatchback. Do we care enough to sit through three teaser videos? Well, we’d rather just have the car, but we’ll settle.
Even if you’re not that excited about the A1 debut, the video shows some pretty impressive bright-yellow robotic arms in action. And it’s under three minutes.
Audi will debut the A1 hatch at Geneva. It is expected to feature a number of diesel and gas engines including 86 hp, 122 hp and 170 hp variants. [via Carscoop]
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Thursday, February 4, 2010 2:41PM - By Chris Weiss
During all the recall ruckus, one has got to wonder just how much all this is costing Toyota. According to a company estimate, the two recalls that it’s issued will cost $2 billion. That includes almost $1 billion in lost sales. Meanwhile, according to Inside Line, tanking stock prices have caused Toyota’s value to drop about $30 billion.
Inexplicably, Toyota also issued an optimistic sales forecast for the year and expects to sell 7.18 million vehicles (up from the 7.03 million prediction from earlier this year). The company expects to post a profit of $880 million.
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