Auto blog

Jeremy Clarkson names 10 worst cars for 2015 and 2016

When Jeremy Clarkson, outspoken automotive journalist, ex- Top Gear host, and co-host on The Grand Tour, drives a car he doesn't like he doesn't pull his punches. As Jezza harshly puts it, cars shouldn't just be a form of transportation. These 10 cars made Clarkson's "the terrible 10" list on his column in The Sunday Times for lacking imagination and not giving the journalist "the Fizz," which his list of top 10 cars did. In typical Clarkson fashion, the list is controversial. Some of the cars on Clarkson's list have received praise from other outlets, which shouldn't really come as a surprise since he usually goes against the majority's opinion. Nonetheless, there's at least one car that will catch you off guard. To get a glimpse at Clarkson's reviews and the entire list of cars, head over to his column in The Sunday Times. Vauxhall Astra SRi Nav Infiniti Q30 Premium Tech Skoda Superb SE L Executive Zenos E10 S Renault Kadjar Signature Nav BMW X1 xDRIVE25d SEAT Leon X-Perience SE Technology Nissan GT-R Track Edition Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDi Hyundai i800 Related Video: Featured Gallery Jeremy Clarkson's Terrible 10 For 2015 and 2016 View 11 Photos News Source: The Sunday TimesImage Credit: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images Celebrities BMW Hyundai Infiniti Nissan Toyota Performance bmw x1 infiniti q30

BMW predicts US will be biggest i8 market

BMW will be showing a production version of its new i8 plug-in hybrid supercar at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, and while we're quite excited about seeing the company's second i product in the flesh. According to a new report from Automotive News Europe, BMW is expecting its largest markets to be the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. Notable for its absence in that list is everybody's favorite mega-market, China.
Automobilwoche, a German-language publication of Automotive News Europe, spoke with the i8's product manager, Hendrik Wenders, who declared, "The US will be by far the largest sales market for the i8." Wenders stops short of actual mentioning what percentage of i8 sales will be in the US, but does mention that it should arrive in showrooms around the world in about nine months. The simultaneous rollout will occur in 50 different countries.
Check back for our full coverage of the i8's debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. If you just can't wait until September, then check out our first drive of the i8 Prototype.

18,000 BMW models recalled for potential fuel pump failure

BMW will be recalling over 18,000 vehicles from the 2, 3 and 4 Series families, including vehicles from model years 2014 and 2015, due to potentially bad fuel pumps. The full roster of vehicles includes four- and six-cylinder models of all hardtop 2 Series models, rear-, all-wheel-drive and Gran Turismo versions of the 3 Series, and coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe, rear- and all-wheel-drive 4 Series models. The 3 Series ActiveHybrid is also included in the recall, although the 3 Series diesel line has been left alone. According to the bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "improper" nickel plating on some of the parts could lead to a failure of the fuel pump, leading to a stall situation. BMW is planning to notify owners and will begin replacing the fuel pumps of affected vehicles at the end of the month. Scroll down for the official NHTSA bulletin, which includes a complete breakdown of individual models affected by the recall. Related Video: Report Receipt Date: MAR 31, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V189000 Component(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Potential Number of Units Affected: 18,054 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC SUMMARY: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing. CONSEQUENCE: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 30, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.