Filed under: Recalls/TSBs, Safety, Volvo

It’s not a large recall, but the effort will correct a potentially serious problem. Slightly more than 1,000 C1 platform cars — C30, S40, V50, and C70 — are in need of a replacement power steering return line. The hose isn’t up to spec and could rupture, leading to a rapid loss of fluid and with it, power assistance, making steering dangerously difficult. Some drivers would welcome a blissfully simple and surgically accurate manual rack in their cars, but jettisoning power steering while underway might not be what they had in mind. Contact your Volvo dealer to see if your car is one of the roughly 1,020 affected, the fix is free of charge.

[Source: Inside Line]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchbacks, Renault

While French authorities go after the journalists and photographers who obtained images of the new Renault Megane, an undisguised, production-ready example of the vehicle was spied undergoing testing right here in the good old US of A.

The new Megane III was previewed by the Megane Coupe Concept unveiled at the 2008 Geneva show. The production version will be officially launched in October at the Paris show, where we’ll be on hand to bring you live shots, hopefully without test crews trying to block the car.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Filed under: Ferrari

In addition to its epic supercars and growing roster of motorsport victories, Ferrari has emerged as a branding and merchandising powerhouse. But with its range of licensed paraphernalia ever increasing, the company’s largest market has until now only had two retail outlets out of 20 worldwide Ferrari Stores. To that end, Ferrari has opened two more locations of its merchandising outlets in the United States: one in Miami and another in Hawaii.

The Miami location at the upscale Aventura Mall has 2150 square feet of retail space, while the Honolulu location has 3230 square feet of floor space on two levels at the Royal Hawaiia Center. They join the previous locations in Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, along with eight Italian stores and ten more around the world. Having recently strolled into a Ferrari Store at the Milan Malpensa airport, we can tell you the stores are packed full of Prancing Horse-emblazoned merchandise. Just don’t stop in there expecting to book a test drive.

The press release is below the fold.

[Source: Ferrari, photo by Noah Joseph]

Continue reading Ferrari opens two new stores in United States

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Filed under: Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Audi

There have been countless conflicting reports about what will power the next generation Audi RS4 and the forthcoming RS5. Fourtitude had heard the rumors and decided to go straight to its sources for clarification. While the four-ringed obessesives weren’t able to divulge the identity of their insiders (neither did CAR, which published of one the first stories about future RS powertrains), Fourtitude may have put to rest the rumblings that the next RS4 would ditch it’s V8 in favor of a supercharged six.

According to Fourtitude, the 4.2-liter FSI V8 will soldier on in the RS4, and will also find a home in the RS5, which is currently undergoing testing both in Germany and the U.S. While a boost in output wasn’t divulged, engineers will supposedly keep displacement the same, while decreasing frictional losses and possibly incorporating a new version of Audi’s Valvelift system. If all goes according to plan, expect at least 450 hp from the direct-injected 4.2 and don’t be surprised to find the tweaked V8 in the revised R8 around the same time.

Check out Fourtitude for the full report.

[Source: Fourtitude via AutoFiends]

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Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossovers/CUVs, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi Q5.

Taking a lesson from BMW, who have been successfully manufacturing cars and SUVs in Spartanburg, South Carolina for more than a decade, Audi may seek manufacturing capabilities for their A4 sedan and Q5 SUV in the States. The new Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, just announced last week, may be tasked with building upwards of 200,000 vehicles per year — including the two Audis. Estimated to cost $973.5 million, the 1,359 acre plant is large enough to handle the domestic production for VW, Audi, and even shareholder Porsche… although the proud automaker from Stuttgart vehemently denies even considering it.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

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Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Officials are hard at work trying to alleviate the notorious traffic congestion in California. Across the state, drivers sit still in traffic while carpool lanes sit empty, underused by public transit and vehicles carrying multiple passengers. The solution for the Bay Area, as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission sees it, is to allow solo motorists to pay for using the carpool lanes.

The commission is working up a proposal that would start with a pilot project in 2010 or early 2011 on I-680 S over the Sunol Grade and in both directions on I-580 between Livermore and the I-680 interchange. To implement the project over the entire 12-highway system would require the approval of state lawmakers (who are currently considering such a bill for Sacramento), as well as an investment of an estimated $3.7 billion. That would be recuperated and then some in the long run, generating an estimated $6 billion over the course of 25 years, the balance of which would be reinvested into the transportation network. If implemented, drivers running late and motivated to pay the fee would be able to move into the carpool lane at designated spots and pay with in-car transponders. Although the fees have yet to be determined, they are estimated at between 20-60 cents per mile at the outset of the program, eventually ramping up to as much as $1 per mile by 2030. Similar systems in place in southern California got the nickname “Lexus Lanes” because of the perception that the rich would use them all the time, leaving those with less means stranded in traffic. However officials cite studies that indicate that the system would be used by a wide cross-section of the socio-economic populace.

[Source: SF Chronicle via All Cars, All the Time, Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, AMG

Eyebrows were raised when a photograph from the Rockies began circulating the interwebs. The rare shot shows a pair of delectable supercar test mules - the next-generation Pagani Zonda and the new Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series - undergoing testing side-by-side on public roads. Aside the from the rare occurrence of a non-homologated Zonda on American tarmac, speculation began to ramp up as to what the two were doing together. Conclusion: they must be sharing the same engine.

While that may be the case, it could be a simple instance of AMG doubling-up on their test time, since Pagani renewed its engine deal with the Mercedes tuning house. Previous reports suggested that the supercharged V8 from the outgoing SLR McLaren could be flipped around for duty in the next-gen Zonda, however the SL65 Black uses a much larger 600hp twin-turbo V12. Of course it’s impossible to tell at this point, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled in the meantime.

[Source: Fast Lane Daily]

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Green, GM

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Opel Flexstreme.

The first Chevy Volt and its E-Flex brethren are still more than two years away, but vice chairman and corporate quote machine Bob Lutz is already targeting 2020 for 1 million annual worldwide sales. The lofty target would go a long way towards the General’s goal of meeting tough fuel economy and CO2 standards in the U.S. and Europe, while also providing customers a mass-market choice that can run mainly on electricity. While E-Flex will be a big part of GM’s long-term plans, the technology will be slowly introduced to the buying public and ramped up as battery costs drop. Europe will get 30,000 E-Flex equipped vehicles in 2011, but at a starting price of about £32,000. GM introduced its E-Flex based Flextreme concept last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

We’re excited about any vehicle that promises 40 miles on electricity alone and 150 mpg or more for extended driving. Here’s hoping we see 1 million units in 2020 or even before, and lets hope Mr. Lutz, who will be nearly 90 by that time, is around to see it.

[Source: Times Online]

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Filed under: Motorsports, Dodge, Humor

Following the closure of his Sprint Cup ride last month, Dario Franchitti will run several races in the second-tier Nationwide Series before the end of the season. The Scottish driver was reportedly offered several options by Chip Ganassi, and chose to concentrate on NASCAR rather than move back to open wheels or elsewhere.

Franchitti will begin campaigning in the Nationwide Series after the season’s road course races are wrapped up in Montreal and Watkins Glen. The No. 40 Fastenal Dodge he’ll be driving has been a bit of a transient car, which will have been shared with Scott Pruett, Reed Sorenson, Bryan Clauson and Juan Pablo Montoya before the season is finished. By then, the former Indy 500 winner and IRL champion may have made one more drive in the Sprint Cup at the Pep Boys Auto 500 in Atlanta this October.

[Source: Autosport, Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images]

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for high-res gallery of the new E Class from Automotive Traveler.

Our friend Rich Truesdell over at Automotive Traveler just sent us some pics of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E Class that he shot in the desert. While there’s still a bit of camo on it, you can clearly see a lot of the new sheetmetal. The car is rumored to be making its official debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show next September, but the final form appears to be set. It looks like the S-Class wheel arches haven’t made it to the new E, which resembles M-B’s C Class instead. It’s handsome, but nothing revolutionary. While there were no badges or underhood shots to confirm it, Rich suspects this to be a mid-level V8 model based on the wheel/tire combo. This might end up being the car that introduces us to Mercedes’ rumored diesel-electric hybrid in 2011. For now, check out our mini gallery, then click over to see the rest of the photos and to read the interesting tale of how a spy photog goes about capturing something like this new Benz in the wild.

[Source: Automotive Traveler]

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