Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Acura, Honda

Honda has put out a recall of around 167,000 Acura TSX sedans to fix a power steering hose and o-ring gasket which could deteriorate prematurely. Previous generation (2004-2008) models are affected by the issue, which involves the hose cracking due to high underhood temperatures resulting in the power steering fluid leaking, contacting the exhaust components and potentially creating smoke or a fire.

Owners can expect to receive notification in the mail late next month, but you can get all the details in the release after the jump.

Continue reading Honda recalling 167,000 Acura TSX sedans

Honda recalling 167,000 Acura TSX sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports

One Lap of America 2010: Day One – click above for high-res image gallery

Spring has sprung and we’re at the Tire Rack in South Bend, Indiana, which can only mean one thing: the start of another One Lap Of America.

Every year we tell ourselves we’re crazy for embarking on another one of these eight-day ’round-the-country exploits, and for over ten years now we’ve been signing on to help run the event on the timing and scoring crew. And could you blame us? Every year, a great bunch of people gather together at the behest of none other than Brock Yates, and they bring with them all manner of machinery to compete on race tracks across the nation.

This year’s event starts off as usual, with a wet skidpad event at the Tire Rack, with the racers moving on to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for stints around Road America, one of the country’s most historic and challenging roadcourses. After the time trials at RA, it’s off to Mid America Motorplex, a fine 2.2-mile long roadcourse off in the middle of nowhere Pacific Junction, Iowa. On Monday, the racers will visit the surprisingly quick and engaging Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Oklahoma, followed by some drag racing at Tulsa Raceway Park. The next day will find the competitors at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis for a 1.6-mile road circuit. From there, it’s on to Mid Ohio on Wednesday, a circuit that needs no introduction. The increasingly bedraggled competitors will then make the drive to New Jersey Motorsports Park on Thursday and then jog back to Ohio’s Nelson Ledges for the last roadcourse events on Friday. After that, the teams will filter back to the Tire Rack in South Bend for the final event, a dry skid pad (weather permitting) and to unwind at the awards banquet on Saturday.

Got all that? Said another way, it’s another action-packed week that’s sure to test the racers’ mechanical, mental and intestinal fortitude.

Click through to the jump to read on.

Continue reading One Lap of America 2010: The warm-up

One Lap of America 2010: The warm-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks are expected to start next week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says.

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Filed under: Auctions, Marketing/Advertising, Ferrari

The Ferrari Enzo street clock is 8.3 feet tall and nearly three feet wide, and it could well be the perfect gift for even the most ardent Ferrari fan. The massive yet tastefully executed advertising time piece was reportedly shipped from Europe to the U.S. sometime after its 2003 creation, and now it’s available on eBay for just about anyone who has a strong love of the Ferrari brand and at least $5,000.

The yellow-faced clock is reportedly in working condition, with hour markers and hands that glow in the dark (at least temporarily) at night. Designers didn’t go easy on the spooked stallions, either, as we count seven instances of the famous horse on the substantial street clock. And although the clock is massive at over eight feet tall, the owner claims to be selling this item because he has found a “much larger” clock to replace it.

We can’t help but think of how cool this clock would look in the Autoblog Garage, but we’re guessing it would look far cooler if it were partitioning a pair of Ferraris we just don’t have right now. Head over to eBay to get a better look at the Enzo clock, and if you’ve got at least $5,000 and an itch for kick ass Ferrari memorabilia, happy bidding! Hat tip to Kevin!

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: Ferrari Enzo street clock looking for garage mahal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Crossover, BMW

Were you, like us, just thinking that BMW‘s U.S. lineup would be fully complete if only it had just one more crossover utility Sports Activity Vehicle that slotted in somewhere between the small X3 and midsize X5? If so, we have good news. Just such a vehicle – logically and tentatively named the X4 – is rumored to be in development. Again.

Just as the X6 was designed as a sportier take on the more traditional SUV-shaped X5, the new X4 would inject a bit more Bavarian flavor into the plain ol’ X3. Citing an unnamed source within the company, Autocar reports, “We haven’t made any firm decision… however, the X6′s success shows there is a continued demand for sporty off-roaders.”

Yes, we’ve heard this rumor before, but not since 2008. Why the possible change of heart? Despite drawing ire from what seems to be a vocal minority, BMW reports that the X6 is handily outpacing its own initial sales projections. In fact, it’s 80,000 sales worldwide is twice what the automaker had expected to sell. And one good turn deserves… something.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: BMW X4 back on the table? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Volkswagen

If a report from Autocar India is to be believed, the upcoming four-door version of the Volkswagen Polo may be badged as the Vento in India. Vento is not a new name for VW – the Mk III Jetta sedan used that badge in the European market throughout the mid-90s.

Volkswagen has reportedly increased the wheelbase of the three-box Polo by two inches to provide rear seat passengers a bit more space. The lengthened roof should also aid head room out back, although eliminating the hatch will surely cut down on cargo volume and accessibility.

The Indian Vento is powered by either a 1.6-liter inline-four or a 1.6-liter common rail turbodiesel. If and when this car makes it to America it will probably use the 105 horsepower turbocharged and direct injected 1.2 TSI four-pot available in Europe.

Although Volkswagen still hasn’t officially committed to selling the Polo in the U.S., VW of America officials have said that they would probably wait until a four door sedan is available with a probable launch in 2011. The Vento is expected to launch in India this summer.

[Source: Autocar India]

Report: Volkswagen Polo sedan to be dubbed Vento in India, coming in July originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zambia is pushing forward with formulating an anti-counterfeit draft law which will include medicines, despite the controversy that has surrounded similar laws in East Africa and despite having existing legislation which has been used to successfully prosecute counterfeiters of medicines.

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Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, UK, Celebrities, Design/Style

If the Fiat 500 does as well here in the U.S. as it has in the rest of the world, Chrysler is going to have plenty to celebrate. Fiat just announced that it has sold a staggering 500,000 500s in just three years. To mark the occasion, the company is creating a special edition, complete with fan photos incorporated into the paint. Sadly, only UK residents can submit their pictures, though Fiat says it is reserving a total of 70 percent of the car’s surface for actual owners.

Alfa Romeo is rolling out a similar program to mark a special occasion of its own. The company has officially been in business for 100 years, and as such, it plans on plastering a Giulietta hatch with images from the brand’s history books. Expect to see shots from The Graduate to make the cut, as well as a handful of owner-submitted pictures and celebrity photos, too.

At this point, it’s not clear whether Fiat and Alfa are planning on working up some sort of photomosaic or simply slathering the cars with the photos and hoping for the best. Either way, the finished product should be something to behold. Hit the jump for the details.

[Source: Fiat via Moto Bullet]

Continue reading Your Face Here: Fiat celebrating half a million 500s with owner-inspired paint job

Your Face Here: Fiat celebrating half a million 500s with owner-inspired paint job originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports

Here’s a story you might expect more from Formula 1 than NASCAR: team owners say that you simply can’t be competitive in the sport if you don’t have a plane to shuttle your crew around. Rick Hendrick, for instance, has three 50-seat regional jets, Joe Gibbs has another three, and Jack Roush has two Boeing 727s. Meanwhile, Formula 1′s Jensen Button and Ross Brawn left the Malaysia after the grand prix on commercial flights.

The key is the schedule: NASCAR has races just about every weekend, making every available moment to work on the car an awfully precious one. Having a transportation fleet that can fly crews out the morning of the race, land and get them straight to the garage a few hours before the race, doing so without all those commercial glitches, can make the difference between podium and also-ran. Team owners say they actually save money using the planes, not having to book hotel rooms and pay for food. That means NASCAR has opened the door for us to use “it’s thrifty” and “we’ll need a private jet” in requests to our bosses from now on…

[Source: Jacksonville.com]

The key to NASCAR competitiveness is… an airplane? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Minivan/Van, Ford, Autoline on Autoblog, Specialty

The Ford Transit Connect could soon start plying the streets of America’s cities in taxi garb following the decision by Boston to approve the compact van for the new application. Ford announced the taxi package for the Transit Connect at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

The Transit Connect is expected to start replacing traditional Crown Victoria sedans and will be a more practical alternative to the smaller Escape Hybrid. While the Escape is fuel efficient, it’s rather small for cab duty. The Transit Connect can more easily carry three passengers and plenty of luggage or other cargo. Ford has also moved the rear seat back three inches in the taxi version for extra leg room.

The Transit Connect taxi can also be ordered with a package that preps it for conversion to either propane or natural gas fuel systems. Check out video of the Transit Connect taxi after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Boston becomes first city to approve Ford Transit Connect Taxi [w/video]

Boston becomes first city to approve Ford Transit Connect Taxi [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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