by Import RPM on May 19, 2012
When the Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept went on display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, it didn’t receive too much fanfare. But it’s certainly worth a second look considering that is may be the inspiration for the next-generation WRX.
According to Motor Trend, the concept “was actually an early look” at Subaru’s upcoming sporty hatchback. The magazine’s sources suggested that the Advanced Tourer’s front fascia would be carried over to the next WRX, while its aggressive stance would also be mimicked to match the personality of Subaru’s rally-bred racer. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 18, 2012
You can’t fault Lexus for trying, but the brand’s first attempt at a high-mileage compact luxury hybrid just didn’t work. Lexus will officially end product of its HS 250h due to abysmal sales.
Production on the HS 250h ceased back in January and subsequent slow sales led Toyota to finally discontinue the vehicle all together. After selling 10,663 units in 2010–still well below initial projections–HS sales dropped a staggering 73-percent to just 2,864 in 2011. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 15, 2012
Hyundai continues to be praised for its fuel-efficient lineup. This time around, the kudos comes from the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA), in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The organizations recently honored Hyundai for its industry-leading direct injection technology.
Direct injection continues to be embraced by automakers for its role in boosting fuel efficiency and curbing emissions. By taking its own direct-injection tech and infusing it throughout its lineup, Hyundai has widely been recognized as the most fuel efficient car company in America today. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 14, 2012
Wagons have seen a slight resurgence recently in the U.S. market, which is probably why BMW is eager to bring its all-new 2013 3 Series Sport Wagon to our shores. The new wagon was just unveiled to whet our appetites, but it will be about a year before we’ll see it in showrooms.
When it finally does arrive, the new 3 Series Sport Wagon is likely to come with the same powertrain options as its sedan counterpart. That means it’s safe to assume it will get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that’s good for 240-horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It will probably boast the available N55 3.0-liter turbo-six as well, which produces 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque in the 335i sedan. Transmission options will likely include a six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 13, 2012
Although a full redesign is due in 2014, Hyundai decided to make some changes its beloved Sonata for the 2013 model year. Prices will increase slightly, by $100 to $150 or more per trim, to reflect some of these updates.
For starters, the base 2013 Sonata will have more available features. Standard features now include a six-speed automatic transmission, as Hyundai has ditched the manual gearbox completely. Without the manual, mileage has also changed and all Sonatas now get 24/35 mpg city/highway. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 12, 2012
Once again, Volkswagen proved that its clean diesel engines can easily keep motorists away from the pump for a very long time. John and Helen Taylor were determined to break the record for the farthest distance traveled on a single tank of fuel. Using a a stock 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI, they did exactly that.
The “world’s most fuel-efficient couple” successfully set a new record of 1626.1 miles The feat was made possible by the Chattanooga-built Passat’s 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel inline four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. When mated to a manual transmission, this unit offers an EPA estimated 43 miles per gallon on the highway. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 9, 2012
Honda has officially won the reversal of a small-claims-court loss to a California woman who dropped out of a class-action lawsuit and pursued her own claim that the company overstated the fuel mileage of its Civic Hybrid. Although the automaker won the court battle and successfully fended off other potential legal woes, its reputation has certainly taken a hit.
Earlier this year, a small-claims court in California ordered Honda to pay Civic Hybrid owner Heather Peters $9,867.19 for falsely advertising 50 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway. Honda successfully appealed her win after hiring a national law firm with more than 800 lawyers on staff. Needless to say, Peters was incredibly disappointed by the decision. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 8, 2012
The new Toyota RAV4 EV will save drivers from spending cash at the pump, but that efficiency won’t come cheap. Toyota’s new electric vehicle will feature a price tag of $49,800. Despite the lofty price and unconventional powertrain, Toyota promises it won’t compromise on performance, comfort or versatility.
Toyota’s electrified RAV4 boasts a range of 100 miles and is capable of recharging from empty in just six hours when using a 240V/40A charger. Charging performance is also complemented by decent on-road performance. The front wheel drive EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 7, 2012
Both Nissan and Infiniti have opened a cutting-edge dealership in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Last week, a grand opening was held for both the new Infiniti of San Francisco and Nissan of San Francisco.
The 200,000 square-foot facility is located on Van Ness Ave., one of the Bay Area’s most famous and well-traveled automotive retail corridors, the dealerships are owned and operated by Penske Automotive, one of the largest automotive retailers on the planet. [click to continue…]
by Import RPM on May 5, 2012
A rear-wheel drive, lightweight driver’s car is finally hitting Toyota dealerships in the guise of the Scion FR-S. The coupe was a long time in the making as Toyota has gone years without having a sports car in the lineup. After years of concepts on the auto show circuit, the production model is finally here, but there’s continued buzz around one nameplate that has yet to return to the Toyota lineup.
According to Motor Trend, a Toyota Supra successor is still in the works. It was believed that Toyota’s FT-HS concept (above), which debuted in Detroit in 2007, would be the inspiration for the new Supra. However, the financial crisis all but killed the coupe. With the economy back on track, Toyota is reportedly back on track to develop this next-generation sports car. [click to continue…]
