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Continental Automotive recalls 5 million airbag control units

Takata isn't the only supplier having airbag problems. Rival manufacturer Continental Automotive Systems announced a recall of 5 million airbag control units fitted to vehicles from Honda, Fiat Chrysler Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, and even a certain Chrysler-based Volkswagen. This sweeping recall has actually been in progress for some time, although the exact scope is only now becoming evident. In October of 2015, Mercedes-Benz recalled 2008 and 2009 model year C- and GLK-Class vehicles because their Continental-made airbag control units could corrode. Such a condition could cause the airbags to deploy without cause or warning, or in the event of a crash, not deploy at all. You can read all about it in our post from last year. Now, Continental's recall is going wide. Alongside the already recalled C and GLK, you've already heard about the 2008 and 2009 Honda Accord airbag recall, which we reported on yesterday. Now, Fiat Chrysler is announcing the recall of the 2009 Dodge Journey, as well as the 2008 and 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, and their rebadged counterpart, the Volkswagen Routan. Yes, one manufacturer is recalling another manufacturer's vehicle. The models listed above only amount to about 580,000 vehicles out of 5 million bad airbag control units. And since Continental will notify manufacturers who will then issue their own recalls, it's extremely likely that more brands and vehicles will be ensnared. Stay tuned. Related Video: News Source: NHTSA via Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Fabian Bimmer / Reuters Recalls Chrysler Dodge Fiat Honda Mercedes-Benz Safety Crossover Minivan/Van Sedan FCA

Mercedes-Benz V-ision e Concept ups the plug-in hybrid van game

The various V-Class vehicles from Mercedes-Benz don't get a lot of press around here, but when the German automaker brings something as unusual as the Concept V-ision E (yes, there's a dash in the name) to the Geneva Motor Show, we're happy to make an exception. The standard powertrain V-Class was first unveiled in Geneva last year and it returns in 2015 as a decidedly Daimleresque take on a plug-in hybrid van with a whole heap of cool new technology under the hood. C'mon, you know you want a luxury plug-in hybrid van. Well, if you think you don't want a van like that, listen to the specs and maybe you'll change your mind. It's got an all-electric range of up to 31 miles (if you're going no faster than 50 mile per hour), roughly 78 miles per gallon equivalent (based on the stated fuel economy of 3.0 liters burned per 100 kilometers) and a top speed of 128 mph. That should be plenty to get the basketball team to the tournament on time and in style. The powertrain has a total system output of 333 horsepower thanks to a four-cylinder engine and a 90-kW electric motor. If those numbers sound vaguely familiar, that's because Mercedes said it's "the same advanced drive system" as what's found in the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e, even though some of the performance figures differ. Stylistically, Mercedes has pulled no punches, adding two sun roofs, a real wood floor, nappa leather and executive seats along with something shiny and silver called "designo titanium alubeam" paint. In short, this is an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach to PHEV design, and we like it. It's just a concept, though, so don't go asking to buy one just yet. Instead take a better look in the gallery above and dream of going to the auto show prom in a van like this. V-Class concept car with a PLUG-IN HYBRID drive: Mercedes-Benz Concept V-ision e - Higher Performance at Lower CO2 Emissions Stuttgart, Mar 03, 2015 At the Geneva International Motor Show the Concept V-ision e from Mercedes-Benz presents a preview of the great variety of development potential offered by the V-Class. The concept vehicle combines environmentally friendly performance with the lightness of modern luxury. The most advanced PLUG-IN HYBRID technology available ensures extremely powerful propulsion in the model, as the highly efficient drive-system duo consisting of a gasoline engine and an electric motor delivers total system output of 245 kW (333 hp) and system torque of up to 600 Nm.

Leno shows off his current project cars

When your car collection grows to the enormous size of Jay Leno's, adding the usual muscle cars or European exotics loses the allure. It becomes necessary to start taking the things in weird directions. Leno is proving just that with his latest tour of many of the ongoing projects currently happening in the garage. With everything from Harley-Davidson generators to '50s hot rods on display just in this short video, there's something any fan can love. The place is like an automotive wonderland. For most people any one of these projects would be an absolute dream. For example, Leno has a copy of a one-off Mercedes-Benz racecar transporter that is nearly ready to drive. Another project hasn't even started yet but already seriously piqued our interest. Leno obtained a very ratty 1966 Volvo 122S wagon, but rather than just a restoration he's has a plan to get a V8 with a flat-plane crank from Volvo performance specialists Polestar. Another project on the way should provide a significant upgrade in performance, while still being quite green. Leno's team has already rebuilt the frame and wooden body from a 1914 Detroit Electric, and with that work done they've started dreaming of a modern drivetrain for it. One proposed candidate for the swap has been to install motor from a Nissan Leaf and a bank of lithium-ion batteries. News Source: Jay Leno's Garage via YouTube Aftermarket Celebrities Mercedes-Benz Volvo Electric Performance Classics Videos Jay Lenos Garage detroit electric