FORD recalls several models due to multiple issues

FORD motor company has issued a massive recalls that is going to affect some 202,000 vehicles from various models sold in the US including the F-150, Expedition, Mustang, and Lincoln Navigator. It is understood that the recalls is due to multiple issues affecting models built from 2011-2012 for an issue with the output speed sensor on the transmission’s lead frame. Under certain conditions, the gearbox could force a temporary downshift to first gear and the driver could experience a speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up, which can increase the risk of an accident. Three accidents were reported due to the issues but thankfully there have been no injuries nor fatalities. 

Dealers will have to inspect the powertrain modules for diagnostic trouble codes linked to the issue. A software update to the powertrain control module is in development to prevent the gearbox from abruptly downshifting into first gear if no codes relating to the issue are found. Ford will also provide a one-time replacement for the transmission lead frame at no charge within 10 years or 150,000 miles from the start of the warranty. Dealers will replace the lead frame and perform a software update if a vehicle is found to have codes relating to the gearbox abruptly shifting to first gear.

FORD motor company has also issued a separate recall for 2014-2015 Ford Explorers and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace suspensions links. In certain vehicles, the left and right rear suspension toe links could fracture because of poor weld quality and could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering, or loss of steering control. Ford is aware of one accident and one injury caused by the issue. Dealers will replace the left and right suspension toe links and align the right suspension free of charge.

The third recall affects around 2,600 2016 Ford Super Duty trucks, which need to have their tires checked and replaced due to possible damage from a conveyor belt during assembly. The damage to the sidewall could cause a rupture and result in a rapid loss of air in the tire.


FORD has also issued a separate recall for 2014-2015 Ford Explorers and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace its suspensions links. In certain vehicles, the left and right rear suspension toe links could fracture because of poor weld quality and could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering, or loss of steering control. Ford is aware of one accident and one injury caused by the issue. Dealers will replace the left and right suspension toe links and align the right suspension free of charge.

BMW into autonomous car

German automotive giant BMW has revealed its car of the future, named the BMW Vision Next 100 Concept.

The car was unveiled at a special event in Munich on Monday, and is the first of four concept cars for its four brands, BMW, Mini, Rolls and motorcycles, which are being released to mark the company's centenary.

The concept car has two modes, called "Ease," an autonomous mode, and "Boost," when a person is driving it; the interior of the car changes according to which more it is being used in.

The Boost mode will enable the driver to tweak and play around with some setting. This will help "expands the driver’s range of perception and transforms him or her into the 'Ultimate Driver' – the best driver they can possibly be," BMW says.

The interior also has revolutionary "skin," or "alive geometry," scales which change color to alert the driver to incidents and objects ahead. The scales are also visible from the exterior of the car in the form of movable wheelhouse covers for optimal aerodynamics, the company explained.


In addition, the "heads-up display" projects signals and directional arrows on the windscreen, within the driver's field of vision.

Concept tires for autonomous car

Goodyear has revealed two innovative new concept tires which the company claims will reshape the future for autonomous (self-driven) cars.

The first is the Goodyear IntelliGrip, designed to communicate with autonomous vehicle control systems, sensing road surface and weather conditions for improved driving safety and performance.

The second concept is even more eye-popping: the spherical-shaped Eagle-360.






The Eagle-360 was designed with key features of maneuverability, connectivity and bio-mimicry for autonomous mobility.

Both tires are designed with safety in mind, which according to recent studies, is a key concern among consumers around autonomous vehicles.

“By steadily reducing the driver interaction and intervention in self-driving vehicles, tires will play an even more important role as the primary link to the road,” said Joseph Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer.

“Goodyear’s concept tires play a dual role in that future both as creative platforms to push the boundaries of conventional thinking and testbeds for next-generation technologies.”

US ordered 500,000 VW and AUDI to be re-called

The US government on Friday told car manufacturer Volkswagen to recall almost 500,000 cars after it was discovered the German brand had fitted its vehicles with special technology that can beat environmental tests for reducing smog, according to a new report. 

The recall, imposed after an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency, is expected to affect all models fitted with four-cylinder Volkswagen and Audi cars that were manufactured between 2009 and 2015.

The cars' altered emissions control computer, known as a “defeat device,” is designed to switch on when the vehicle is undergoing testing by environmental officials, and turn off when the car is being used normally by its owner. The upshot? The car actually pollutes far more heavily than is reported by Volkswagen, according to the EPA.

“Using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards is illegal and a threat to public health,” Cynthia Giles, the EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance, told the New York Times. “Working closely with the California Air Resources Board, EPA is committed to making sure that all automakers play by the same rules. EPA will continue to investigate these very serious violations.”



Computer software inside the defeat device is able to hide the cars’ output of the pollutant nitrogen oxide, which the EPA cites as the leading cause of health problems such as asthma and other respiratory issues.

California has also issued a notice of violation to the company on top of the federal government’s complaint.

The allegations against VW will affect 482,000 diesel cars sold in the U.S. since 2009. Among the models recalled are the Volkswagen Passat (model years 2014 and 2015), Volkswagen Jetta (model years 2009-15), Volkswagen Golf (model years 2009–15) and Audi A3 (model years 2009–15).

Sying on 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee “Trackhawk”

Rumours is spreading fast about a supposed 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee “Trackhawk” with the 707 horsepower Hellcat engine, AWD, and a ZF 8-speed automatic is really actually definitely on its way to production. 

An unnamed sources say it’s called “Project K” at Jeep HQ and its supercharged 6.2 Hemi V8 will get it from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds. Top speed is estimated at 200 MPH. Judging from the figure provided, it going to be one hell of an awesome truck.

It’s also reported that the 6.4 liter Hemi-powered Grand Cherokee SRT is not only sticking around too, but it’s getting an outboost boost to 490 horsepower.

Takata aibag issue claims new fatality

WASHINGTON-- Honda Motor Co. confirmed an eighth fatal victim of a ruptured Takata Corp. airbag inflator after completing the investigation of a September crash in Los Angeles.

Jewel Brangman was driving a 2001 Honda Civic she had rented in August when the accident occurred. Of the eight deaths in Honda vehicles, seven were in the U.S.

Eleven different manufacturers, under pressure from U.S. regulators, are recalling cars to fix Takata-made inflators.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been trying to speed the pace of repairs for a lingering defect that's now estimated to affect about 34 million airbag inflators.

Automakers and regulators have had trouble reaching every owner because the defect dates back years and many of the cars have changed hands.



Company records show the owners of the car Brangman was driving had never repaired its airbags, even though the vehicle had been recalled multiple times.

NHTSA investigators have also concluded the Los Angeles fatality was likely to have been caused by a Takata airbag inflator, the agency said Friday.

"This latest confirmed case underscores the necessity of NHTSA's actions to ensure that every American vehicle has safe air bags," Mark Rosekind, the agency's administrator, said in a statement. "The fact that this was a rental vehicle that had not been remedied is more evidence for why we are seeking authority to prohibit sale or rental of any vehicle with an open safety recall."

Eccentric Styling Updates for 2016 Corvette

Chevrolet is undergoing some major updates in the shape of the entire Corvette lineup with new color options, style elements and technology. Two new paint finishes, Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat and Long Beach Read Metallic have been added to the car’s palette, while a new graphics kit can be had that leaves a section of the hood unpainted to show off the carbon-fiber weave underneath. New standard wheels have been fitted to every Stingray, while the Z06 has a new Blade wheel design option.

The new eccentric design packages that outfit the entire car with a cohesive theme are now available on 3LZ Corvette models equipped with Magnetic Ride Control, which can now be had without ordering the entire Z51 performance package. Buyers can now get the Spice Red package, the Jet Black Suede package or the Twilight Blue design package.

On the technology side of things, a new front-facing parking camera can now be ordered on 2LZ or 3LZ trim cars. As well, a “power-cinching” hatch or trunk lid has been added to make sure the rear cargo hold closes tightly.

Moving inside, the Stingray receives a new flat-bottom steering wheel, new two-tone GT seats and your choice of red or yellow contrast stitching     (on 3LT models). Inside the Z06, a new Brownstone interior color is available on 3LZ models.


Pricing for the 2016 Corvette and its new options has not been released yet.

Ford Racing to offer Tuning Tools for EcoBoost

With Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost engines now installed in their performance models like the Focus and Fiesta ST hot hatches and the new 2015 Mustang, there has been lots of talk about the performance tuning potential of these new four-cylinder powertrains. Ford Racing is getting in on the action by announcing its plans for factory tuning kits and engine calibrations for EcoBoost engines in 2015.

These Ford Racing performance modifications focus on recalibrating the engine computer for higher performance. Currently, a ProCal diagnostic tool is available for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine in the Ford Focus ST and the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine in the Ford Fiesta ST. The programming device costs $595 and plugs into the car’s diagnostic connector to control things like throttle response, idle speed, turbo waste gate control, and spark timing.

The owners can program in their own settings and tunes to modulate these various factors for increased performance, going beyond the restrictions of the stock computer settings. Ford Racing does give owners recommended limits so that they don't exceed the capabilities of the engine. Ford also offers its own tuning programs, one of which is said to result in an increase of 90 lb-ft of torque for the Focus ST engine which makes 270 lb-ft when stock. Unlike other aftermarket tuning tools, the Ford Racing ProCal does not void the car’s factory warranty.



Ford Racing is also working on a similar product for the 2015 Ford Mustang’s available 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which makes 310 hp and 320 lb-ft from the factory. Look for this diagnostic tool to be available sometime in 2015.

Volvo release triple turbo engine

The Volvo’s Drive-E engine family is already using forced induction in interesting ways, like the four-cylinder engine that’s turbocharged and supercharged, but the company is going one further with a new concept engine that uses three turbochargers to make more than 200 hp per liter.

This High Performance Drive-E concept engine starts with the same 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder that powers many current Volvo models, but adds three turbochargers: YES. youread that right, it comes with three turbochargers :two conventional units that are fed by an electric turbocharger. Essentially, the compressed air from the electric turbocharger is used to spool up the two parallel turbocharger units, which then feed the cylinders for greater power output. Volvo says this system eliminates turbo lag compared to traditional turbochargers that are spooled from the engine's exhaust.

Because of this, the triple-turbo Drive-E engine makes up to 450 hp, giving this engine a specific output of 225 hp per liter. That’s significantly higher than the turbocharged and supercharged T6 Drive-E engine that makes 302 hp in the S60 and XC60 models.

Volvo is not giving any details about potential production applications of this new technology, but does say that it is planning to work with suppliers including AVL, Denso, and Volvo Polestar for potential racing applications going forward. We would not be surprised to see this triple-turbo engine in a future high-performance Volvo model, possibly the S90 sedan that’s set to debut in 2016 as a 2017 model.

Stay tuned for more news about Volvo’s Drive-E engine family and this new turbocharger technology.

2015 Civic Type R Spied in Nurburgring

Honda Type R fans just have to wait a bit longer. Honda has not been seeing any true performance cars in a while, ever since they dropped the S2000 in 2009. The favourable FD2R was axed a year later in 2010, while the CR-Z was a car produce to stay in line with the current trend. What you’re seeing here is the European version of the CIvic Type R, still under going numerous testing.

Unlike the concept shown at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the production version of the upcoming Civic Type R will be toned down quite a lot, as evident in the photos. Although it has been toned down quite a lot, certain go-fast bits are still evident, like the quad-pipe exhaust, bigger sized rims, a rear diffuser and fatter wheel arches. Also notice the front mounted intercooler.

As we mentioned earlier, the new Type R is poised to go against the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus ST. Honda will drop their tried and tested K20A block due to emission regulations, and will adopt a turbocharged engine. This puts the Civic Type R on the same ground as the Focus ST, but not the Golf R, since the Golf R comes equipped with VW’s 4Motion system. Power of the new Civic Type R is rumoured to be above 276 hp, with about 400 NM of torque on tap.

Honda is also eyeing to dethrone Renault Megane RS as the fastest front wheel drive production car around the Green Hell.

Toyota reveals the all new FT-1

Toyota have caught the automotive community attention when they unveiled the FT-1 concept at the Detroit Auto Show last January. Coming from the same people who gave us the Lexus LFA, Scion FR-S and Toyota Supra, the FT-1 concept looked striking in its bright red livery. But the Japanese automaker isn't quite done with it yet.

We don't have the production announcement to share at the moment, but Toyota has revealed two new versions of the FT-1 concept that cast it in different light. Most notable is the graphite version pictured above. Replacing the bright red paintjob and two-tone red and black interior of the original concept, this second iteration – presented in the metal at McCall's Motorworks Revival in Monterey, CA – goes for a more upscale and refined graphite exterior and a tan leather interior with exposed metal elements.

Both versions of the virtually road-going FT-1 concept will be playable in Gran Turismo 6, but at the same time Toyota also revealed (in digital form, at least) a virtual racing version of the concept called the FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo. Looking like the original concept was prepared for Japan's Super GT series, the FT-1 Vision GT is retuned for racing, with wider fenders, more extreme aero, competition-spec alloys on slicks and the like.

VW with another recall of 189,000 Tiguan

Volkswagen AG is recalling 189,490 Tiguan small SUVs in North America for potential stalling issues.

The company said gas bubbles may form in the fuel system in the affected vehicles from model years 2009-14 when winterized fuel with high vapor pressures is used in warmer areas or during months with higher temperatures.

That could lead to reduced fuel pump performance and pressure, potentially resulting in vehicle stalling and could lead to an accident.

VW said no accident or injuries related to the issue have been reported.

Dealers will install revised electronic control module software on all affected vehicles at no cost. The recall is expected to begin later this month, a spokeswoman said.

Of the affected vehicles, 151,389 were sold in the United States and 38,101 in Canada, a spokeswoman said. No other markets are affected by the recall, she said.

3 time champs kills young racer in a racing horror show

Tony Stewart is not currently facing criminal charges over the on-track incident during a sprint car race that resulted in the death of a fellow racer Kevin Ward Jr.

Ontario County Sheriff Phillip C Provero told a media conference on Sunday that an initial examination of available evidence does not support the accident being considered a criminal matter.

"At this moment there are no facts or evidence that would support a criminal charge or criminal intent," he said.

"This is, right now, being investigated as an on-track crash, and I don't want to infer that there are criminal charges pending.

"When the investigation is completed we will sit down with the District Attorney and review it, but I want to make it very clear that there are no criminal charges pending at this time."

Stewart has been cooperating with authorities in the investigation and was described by Provero as "visibly shaken" by what had happened on Saturday night.

The incident began when Ward and Stewart made contact during a race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, an hour from Watkins Glen, where the NASCAR Sprint Cup was racing last weekend.

Ward spun out, climbed from his car, and walked down the track gesturing at Stewart as the three-time Cup champion looped back around. 

Stewart's car fishtailed as it passed the 20-year-old, hitting him with its right-rear wheel and flinging him to the side of the track. He was pronounced dead at nearby FF Thompson Hospital.

A statement from Ward's family read: "We appreciate the prayers and support we are receiving from the community, but we need time to grieve and wrap our heads around all of this."

Next Gen of the LEXUS LFA Supercar

The next generation of the Lexus LFA is already in the works. It is a known fact since 2012 that Lexus is already working on the next generation of the LFA. Now it is being confirmed by Mark Templin, the Executive Vice President of Lexus.

As with all of the new performance-focused products coming out of Toyota these days, the LFA II has the support of company CEO Akio Toyoda. “Akio believes that every generation deserves to have a car like an LFA” said Templin, “so we’re building an LFA for the generation we have today.”

Templin went on to comment that there may even be plans for a car after that.The LFA was introduced in 2010, featuring a carbon fiber chassis, a 552 hp V10 engine and a price tag of $375,000. Just 500 LFAs were made.

Lexus is currently in the midst of a strong product push, having just launched the new NX crossover with the RC and RC F models set to arrive later this year. Rumors have indicated the Toyota luxury division is also planning to launch a version of its LF-LC concept car with a choice of either a hybrid engine or a twin-turbo V8.

2008 Accord is near re-call status

United States transportation safety regulators have upgraded the investigation of an estimated 335,195 Honda Accord sedans a step closer to a recall after receiving almost 300 complaints that airbags can deploy when the car door is shut with too much force.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents filed online on Friday that it was upgrading the investigation to an "engineering analysis" from a "preliminary evaluation" of the 2008 four-door models made by Honda Motor Co.




An engineering analysis is a step that can lead to a recall if regulators determine that the manufacturer needs to address a safety problem.

NHTSA said it had identified 293 incidents of alleged inadvertent deployment of driver or passenger side airbags. Fourteen people were injured because of the problem, according to the agency's documents.

In some cases, the side seat-mounted torso airbag can deploy as well, NHTSA said.

NHTSA said it was investigating the risk of airbag deployment injuries to occupants in vulnerable positions. Regulators opened the initial preliminary evaluation in late January.

Honda officials were not immediately available for comment.

In June 2008, near the end of 2008 model-year Accord production, Honda changed the crash parameter for door-closing force in the electronic control unit's software code to reduce the incidents of inadvertent side airbag deployments, NHTSA said. Regulators found the number of inadvertent airbag deployments had fallen significantly after that.

Honda said the two-door Accord used a different software crash parameter than the four-door model, according to NHTSA.

In one incident last fall, an owner said he had stopped at a gas station so his fiancée could purchase a drink. When she closed the door, the passenger-side curtain airbag deployed, striking their 9-year-old son, according to a complaint filed with NHTSA.

Mitsubishi to follow others footsteps and make a recall

Mitsubishi Motors has announced a recall for an undisclosed amount of 2004 through 2005 Lancer sedans over malfunctioning airbags supplied by Takata.

Mitsubishi is the ninth automaker to recall cars that use Takata airbags in the United States. The issue stems from an inflator which can rupture, causing metal fragments to shoot at the passengers. Over the last five years, more than 12 million vehicles with faulty Takata have been recalled.

“Due to NHTSA’s belief that humidity is a contributing factor to the inflator condition at issue, the (recall) will be limited to affected vehicles that are registered in, or were originally sold in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Mitsubishi wrote in a letter to NHTSA.

Mitsubishi says that it knows of no injuries or crashes caused by the Takata airbags, and the company says it hasn’t found a safety defect in its own testing but will issue the recall anyways as a “good faith” gesture towards NHTSA.

NAZA KIA introduces KIA Cerato KX

Naza Kia Malaysia has added a new variant of the Cerato to the range, the third new product to be launched this year after the Optima K5 and new Sportage. Priced at RM89,888 (Peninsular Malaysia), the new variant, known as the CeratoKx, is positioned as a more affordable offering.

“The CeratoKx caters to the practical needs of daily use based on the extensive features offered which, in turn, gives more value added to the new price range,” said Datuk Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, COO of Naza Kia Malaysia. The CeratoKx has the same looks as the other Cerato variants, including Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ radiator grille with a geometric lattice pattern.

Projector halogen headlamps provide illumination at night with bright LEDs acting as day-running lights to make the car more visible to other motorists during the daytime. Additionally, there is a Smart Welcoming Light system using small lamps that automatically sense the Smart Key and illuminate the ground adjacent to the door, while pocket lights illuminate the door handle.

Though having a lower price, the CeratoKx still comes with some nice features such as the flex steer system, rearview camera, front and rear parking assist system, pushstart ignition, smart key and keyless entry, an 8-inch touchscreen LCD with audio GPS navigation and Bluetooth, and controls on the steering wheel.

Power is provided by Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre MPI D-CVVT Engine which produces 130 ps/157 Nm that goes to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission with a conventional torque converter.

The Cerato accounts for 37% of Kia sales in Malaysia, with 1,784 units sold to date. The CeratoKx is expected to add another 200 units each month.

For a limited period, customers who book and register a CeratoKx will receive a petrol card with RM1,000 credit for fuel purchases. A full 5-year warranty is also provided which has no limit on mileage.

BMW preview the wireless charging technology

Just a few days ago it emerged that the next-generation Audi R8 e-tron could utilise wireless charging. Now BMW has confirmed that it is working on wireless or inductive charging for the i3 and i8 as well as future plug-in models.

To put it simply, wireless charging work with a base plate fitted to the underside of the car with a coil and a plate on the garage floor with a primary coil. The resulting alternating magnetic field between the two coils enables electrical energy to be transmitted into the car without the need for a conventional power lead and socket. 

BMW currently says its system has an impressive charging rate of 3.6 kW. Consequently, the batteries of the BMW i8 for example can be fully charged in less than two hours with many other plug-in hybrids fully charging in under three hours. Impressively, BMW claims the system is 90 per cent efficient meaning just 10 per cent of the electrical energy is lost during the process. To ensure that the car is parked perfectly over the base plate on the ground, WiFi connects the charging pad with the infotainment system to help guide the driver into place

In the future, BMW hopes to increase the charging rate to 7 kW to provide even faster, contact-free charging. The technology is currently being developed alongside Daimler with manufacturers like Nissan and Toyota also working on wireless charging systems.