http://www.carspin.net/wordpress Automotive News, Commentary, and Community Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:00:57 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just released crash test results for the new Ford Edge crossover and for the updated Ford Fusion midsize sedan, and the results are good for Ford. The Edge (and the mechanically identical Lincoln MKX) join five other SUVs as IIHS "Top Safety Picks", which ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/02/05/ford-edge-and-fusion-perform-well-in-iihs-crash-testing/ The Associated Press reports that Honda is recalling 81,000 2004 and 2005 Accord sedans for a potential defect in the airbag sensors, and that Toyota is recalling 533,000 2004-2006 Tundras and 2004-2007 Sequoias for a steering flaw. The Honda recall concerns the housing for the sensor wires that determine the force ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/19/honda-and-toyota-announce-recalls/ The 2008 Buick Enclave, the third of the GM Lambda crossovers, will go on sale in the early summer of 2007 with a base price of $32,790 including destination charge. The Enclave joins the Saturn Outlook, which starts at $27,990, and the GMC Acadia, which starts at $29,990. To compensate for ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/19/buick-announces-enclave-pricing/ The Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota has settled a class-action lawsuit brought against it by owners of Toyota and Lexus models who were refused warranty work after a buildup of oil sludge destroyed their engines. Many owners who suffered sludge-related engine damage under warranty were informed that a lack of ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/18/toyota-oil-sludge-lawsuit-settled/ The Car Connection reports that the Volkswagen Jetta is set to receive a Bluetec common-rail diesel engine that will meet emissions requirements in all 50 US states in 2008. The previous diesel Jetta was discontinued for the US market after the 2006 model year after it did not, but because ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/17/diesel-jetta-to-return-to-the-us-in-2008/ While the Big Three languish in UAW-induced financial hell, Toyota is having trouble meeting demand - and may open as many as five new American plants. Anonymous sources at Toyota have confirmed that one plant will located in the U.S. southeast and one will be located in Mexico. (The photo ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/12/toyota-considers-five-new-american-plants/ The company that pioneered hybrid technology is getting more intersted in diesel-powered engines.  One Honda honcho, according to a report in Business Week, stated that while hybrid systems work best in small cars, midsizers and SUVs would benefit more from a diesel system. He hinted that the next-generation Accord may ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/12/honda-to-pursue-more-diesel-offerings/ In case you missed it earlier this week, Honda gave NAIAS visitors a sneak peak at the 2008 Accord Coupe.  But, to many enthusiasts, the new Honda flagship was lost in the shuffle of more exciting vehicles, such as the Mazda Ryuga and the new BMW 3-Series convertible. Surprisingly (or not) ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/12/first-look-2008-honda-accord-coupe/ A short-but-sweet report by the AP today reported that: German automaker BMW AG said Friday its 2006 sales in China rose 51.3 percent amid a luxury car boom. Even more impressive, the same report recalled: BMW's Rolls Royce unit announced earlier that its China sales rose 60 percent last year, though it did ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/12/chinas-got-taste/ Could this be Peugeot's rumored Audi killer?  Discuss this in the CarSPIN Forums! http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/12/75/ Nissan has increased horsepower to 306 for it's flagship sports car. In addition to the engine upgrades the Z sports a new refined nose. Here's Nissan's press release: "The Nissan 350Z continues to offer sports car lovers high performance excitement and dynamic driving experience. For the 2007 model ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/11/nissan-updates-the-350z/ Call me crazy, but I always thought that the previous-generation Volvo S40 was one of the most interesting cars in the world. Why? Because it was the ultimate illustration of globalization at work. Just think: A car from a Swedish company (Volvo), owned by an American ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/10/as-american-as-sushi-cloudberry-wienerschnitzel-pie/ The funny thing about European SUVs is that they're every bit as tough (if not tougher) than their domestic and Japanese competition - but they just seem... too nice... to be put to the test. Sure, you'll see one at a boat ramp or parked near a beach every ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/10/bmwx-x3-put-to-the-dirty-test/ The fine folks at Nissan Sport have given us a first look at the 2008 Infiniti G35 coupe - complete with analysis and commentary. The lines seem to be sleeker,  including a "bump" over the headlights, down the hoodline to the rearview mirrors. Significant changes can be seen in the bumper.  We'll ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/10/first-look-2008-infiniti-g35-coupe/ I've been to loads of auto shows; not just new car shows either, I've even spent some time with a press pass at a SEMA show. I've stood in the wake of massive introductions. I've touched the paint of cars that cost six figures while they were sitting ... http://www.carspin.net/wordpress/2007/01/09/jaded-as-a-concept/