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Recharge Wrap-up: Volvo's efficient truck concept, Tesla's updated mobile charger is cheaper

Mercedes-Benz plans to equip its gasoline-powered cars with particulate emissions filters, just like its diesel vehicles. Claiming to be the first automaker to apply the technology to gasoline motors, successful testing in the S500 led to the decision to expand the use of these filters. This announcement coincides with a $3.35 billion investment in clean diesel technology, including a new four-cylinder engine that adheres to strict emissions guidelines. It's not clear when Mercedes will begin including the filters on its gasoline vehicles, or if it intends to use them outside of Europe. Read more at Green Car Reports. Tesla has updated its mobile charger and given it a lower price. The 40-amp "Mobile Connector Bundle" – which used to sell for $650 – is now priced at $550 with two adapters and a storage bag, with an available $520 version offered without the adapters. Tesla's product description reads, "The Corded Mobile Connector has an integrated 240 volt 50 amp rated plug for high power output. A seamless design provides a low profile connection, allowing for use with covered outdoor outlets." Read more at Electrek. Volvo has developed a new truck concept that reduces fuel consumption by more than 30 percent. The modified Volvo FH 420 long-haul truck, simply called the Volvo Concept Truck, features 40 percent better aerodynamic efficiency, a weight reduction of about 4,400 pounds, and tires with lower rolling resistance. The truck's rear view mirrors have been replaced by cameras, which, in addition to reducing drag, also improve safety through better visibility. While the research vehicle won't reach market as-is, some of its aerodynamic features have already been included in real-world applications, with more to come as Volvo aims to improve the efficiency of its trucks by 50 percent. Read more at Green Car Congress, and in the press release below. Volvo Trucks' new concept truck cuts fuel consumption by more than 30% Almost one-third lower fuel consumption. Volvo Trucks' new concept vehicle shows how it is possible to drastically boost productivity in long-haul operations. Among the secrets behind these remarkable fuel savings are aerodynamic design and lower kerb weight. With support from the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo Trucks has developed a new concept vehicle, the Volvo Concept Truck. It is the result of a five year long research project aimed at creating more energy-efficient vehicles.

We want this Buick Regal wagon rumor to be true

The car we know in the US as the Buick Regal is sold as a Vauxhall/ Opel Insignia in Europe, where it's offered in four-door sedan, five-door liftback, and wagon body styles. Call it a case of wanting what we can't have, but we like the last two body styles a lot. Based on a report from a Buick/ GMC dealer meeting in Austin, one of them could be coming to the US soon. According to a poster identified as 97GreenRS on the forums at GM Inside News, GM showed dealers the 2018 Buick Enclave, Regal, and Regal GS, as well as the 2018 GMC Terrain, and then confirmed it would offer the Regal wagon here in the US. While that wouldn't normally be all that much to go on, we know Buick has been toying with the idea of a wagon for some time. A Regal-badged wagon was spotted way back in 2011. More recently, we reported on a trademark filing for "Tourx" and "Regal Tourx," which suggest a long roof (Tour) and all-wheel drive (x). If the Regal wagon arrives alongside the base sedan and GS as a 2018 model, we'd expect a debut within the next 15 or so months. That would place it right at the beginning of the 2017 auto show season, which starts next September in Frankfurt, Germany. With that in mind, it seems possible the new Regal would debut first as an Opel Insignia before appearing at a US show like Los Angeles or Detroit, although there's a lot of speculation going on there. We just want to see "Buick" and "wagon" in the same sentence again. Related Video:

Dodge Charger to slim down and run turbo four in next generation

The current Dodge Charger is getting long in the tooth. It was originally introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model. In car terms, that's an eternity, though it's been refreshed twice. Still, FCA US will keep the LX-generation car going, reportedly facelifting it one last time for 2019. After that, there are some bigger changes in store . Automotive News is reporting that the follower to the current LX Charger will lose almost 500 pounds and will once again offer a turbo four-cylinder. You might remember the front-wheel-drive four-banger Charger of the early '80s. The recharged sedan will be twin-turbo and it's going to use the 300-horsepower four-cylinder engine currently under development for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, AN says. The target weight for the future car is around 3,500 lbs, while the current car has a curb weight of nearly 4,000 lbs. Look for it to arrive in the early 2020s. The new platform will have a touch of Italian flair instead of the Daimler-Benz flavor embedded deep inside the LX cars. It will be built on an extended version of the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia's "Giorgio" platform, according to AN. Dealers were already shown a styling-buck almost a year ago. Related News: Featured Gallery 2015 Dodge Charger R/T View 42 Photos News Source: Automotive NewsImage Credit: AOL Alfa Romeo Dodge Future Vehicles Sedan FCA

Kia Soul getting turbocharged variant, say hamsters

Last week, we reported on the return of Kia's Soul-promoting hamster mascots. They took on "Dueling Banjos," and it was adorable and entertaining and everything we expect from our favorite spokesrodents. But that same spot also hinted at something strange on the end slide – a Soul Turbo, coming this winter. One Autoblog staffer said I must have been so overcome by the return of my favorite spokeshamsters that I missed the end slide the first time around, and that might be true. Instead of debating that, let's focus on just what Kia revealed here. The company has long hinted that a higher-performance Soul was in the works, embodied by the Track'ster and Trail'ster concepts from 2012 and 2015. Both cars used a version of Hyundai/Kia's 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, tuned to 250 hp in the Track'ster and 185 hp in the Trail'ster, which had the added bonus of a hybrid assist. Both added all-wheel-drive systems to the front-drive Soul package. A production Soul Turbo will likely fall between the hot-hatchback-like Track'ster and the off-road-focused Trail'ster. Expect Kia to pluck the corporate 1.6-liter turbo four for duty, with anywhere from 175 to 201 hp – we can hope for more, but that power spread covers Hyundai/Kia's current production trims for this engine. All-wheel drive seems like a given, based on Hyundai's approach to the Tucson, Kia's past few concepts, and the Soul's positioning as a sub-compact CUV. We've reached out to Kia for confirmation that the Soul Turbo is coming. As soon as we hear back, we'll update this post. And if you need a refresher on the video, we've embedded it below. The text in question pops up at 1:46. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Florida man runs down bikers in traffic

A Florida biker and his passenger got a nasty surprise when a road rage incident turned ugly on Monday. According to WTSP, Joe Calderazzo was returning from a Veterans Memorial Day motorcycle rally around 5:30 pm with a group of fellow riders. During their ride, the group got entangled with an overly aggressive driver in a Pontiac. Abe Garcia of Tampa watched the silver Pontiac attempt to run the pack of bikers off the road, which started the altercation. The bikers caught up to the Pontiac in stopped traffic, and a shouting match ensued between the bikers and the Pontiac driver. At this point, Garcia pulled out his phone and started recording. The exchange escalated, and suddenly the Pontiac driver floored it, turned hard to the right, and ran over Calderazzo's Harley. The Pontiac mangled the Harley and knocked Calderazzo and his passenger to the ground. The Pontiac then fled the scene. WTSP spoke to Calderazzo as he was on his way to the hospital. "I thought the guy was trying to kill us obviously," said Calderazzo. "You know you don't know what's going through your mind. Is he going to put the car in reverse? Is he going to turn around? Is he going to stop and pull out a gun? You don't know what's going on." The Pontiac driver, a serial traffic offender named Robert Paul Vance, was picked up by police soon after the incident. He is charged with hit-and-run, a moving traffic violation, and aggravated battery. Related Video: News Source: WTSP Weird Car News Pontiac Driving Safety Motorcycle Videos Sedan Navy road rage pontiac g6 Memorial Day veterans Florida Man tampa

Ferrari believes F1 title is still possible

Ferrari believes the changing shape of the Formula 1 championship battle, with points leader Nico Rosberg hitting a difficult patch, means its own title hopes are far from over. Despite more frustrations at the Monaco Grand Prix, where a poor qualifying showing left its drivers unable to fight for the win, both Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen remain within striking distance of the leading Mercedes driver. Raikkonen is 45 points behind Rosberg - and only five behind Daniel Ricciardo - while Vettel is just one point further back. With the title momentum appearing to have shifted in recent weeks as Rosberg's winning streak has come to an end, team boss Maurizio Arrivabene believes the story of the championship this year has yet to be settled, as he predicted some 'interesting' times ahead. When asked if he feared the title was slipping away, he said: "No way. You saw Ricciardo here was quite good, and Hamilton is coming back. "So what we have to do is to keep our concentration, to keep focus, concentrate and look forward. This championship is going to be quite interesting I think." Qualifying frustration Arrivabene thinks that key to Ferrari's campaign going forward is in getting to the bottom of what is going wrong with qualifying, as again the team was slower in Q3 than in Q1. "I don't want to find any excuses, but we were not good enough in Barcelona in Q3 and it has happened also here - and we paid the price during the race," added Arrivabene. "It was a heavy price to pay, but I take the lesson that we need to really understand where the problem is. "If you compare Q1, it was more or less similar. Here in Q1 we were 1m14.1s and were slower in Q3. So there is the problem that we have to look for."Related Video: This article by Jonathan Noble originally appeared on Motorsport.com. Image Credit: Motorsport.com Motorsports Ferrari F1 motorsport.com

Ferrari reveals extra 'speciale' 458

Ferrari revealed this creamy white riff on the 458 on Tuesday. But don't get too excited: It's a one-off creation built specifically for a British owner. Called the 458 MM Speciale, the supercar debuted at Fiorano, where Ferrari chief test driver Dario Benuzzi and the unnamed owner turned laps. The 458 MM Speciale is based on the 458 Speciale and uses its natural aspirated V8 paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. This one-off is painted a shade of white called Bianco Italia. The Italian flag colors are used for stripes that run down the center of the car. Designed by the Ferrari Styling Center, the car has blacked-out A-pillars that create a visor look, updates to the aluminum bodywork, and carbon-fiber composite bumpers. There is also a new side air scoop, new air intakes, and the radiators are mounted at different angles to aid cooling. There's a tasteful spoiler in back, and the speedster rolls on eye-catching wheels with a custom cluster pattern. Inside, the owner chose an upgraded audio system and Cioccolato leather with white stitching. The controls are accented with satin white rings. Related Video: Featured Gallery Ferrari 458 MM Speciale Design/Style Ferrari Coupe Supercars

You can't buy an Aston Martin GT8, but you can configure one

Aston Martin launched an online configurator for the Vantage GT8, a limited-edition sports car that will be sold in other markets. The GT8, revealed last month, is arguably the ultimate version of the Vantage to date: all the extreme aero from the previous GT12, but with less mass up front. Its atmospheric 4.7-liter V8 engine churns out 446 horsepower through a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic to the rear wheels. The overall package represents the most direct translation we've seen of Aston Martin Racing's victorious racers to the road. And with turbo power enveloping the factory at Gaydon (and the AMG engine workshop in Germany), it may be the last of the great naturally aspirated Astons ever. The company will make 150 copies. The configurator offers a choice of 35 exterior colors, along with eight "accent packs," four special racing-inspired liveries, a quartet of wheel choices, six colors of brake caliper, a whole mess of carbon-fiber exterior components, and an aggressive aero kit. On aesthetic grounds alone, we'd be inclined to leave off those oversized wings, spec most of the carbon trim pieces, go with a subdued shade of green, and just the right amount of red to make it pop. Waste a few minutes (or hours) with the web tool and see how you'd spec yours. Related Video:

Race recap: 2016 Monaco Grand Prix gets very wet, a little wild

More than at any other race, the Monaco Grand Prix question is: which combination of demolition derby, Safety Cars, and bad pit strategy will decide the podium? Last year Lewis Hamilton's late, confounding pit stop cost him victory. The year before, Nico Rosberg's qualifying "mistake" put him on pole and Mercedes-AMG Petronas' pit strategy sealed his win – good for Nico, bad for Hamilton and the rest of the field. In 2013 Hamilton dropped from second to fourth when he lollygagged in the pits. In all three years, Rosberg won. The new X factor for 2016: a Red Bull resurgence that helped Daniel Ricciardo clinch his first career pole. Nevertheless, bad pit strategy had its say in the results. Ricciardo built up a 13-second lead by Lap 15 in spite of heavy rains that forced the Safety Car to lead the first eight laps of the race. Ricciardo stopped on Lap 23 to switch to intermediate tires for the drying track, ceding the lead to Hamilton. Hamilton pitted from the lead on Lap 31 for softs, then Red Bull pulled Ricciardo in again on Lap 32 and made a snap decision to put him on ultra softs, but the tires weren't ready when Ricciardo reached his pit box. What should have been a three-second pit stop turned into a 13.6-second pit stop. Ricciardo left the pits as Hamilton came down the straight and the Aussie lost the lead into the first corner. Despite two attempts to pass later in the race, Hamilton finished first, the Aussie second. It's the second race in a row where pit strategy cost Ricciardo a near-certain win. Conversely, Force India nailed both tire strategy and pit timing with Sergio Perez. The Mexican started in eighth but got into third before half the race was done, passing four cars in the pits, and finished on the podium's final step. Otherwise the order barely changed from about half distance, with Ferrari driver Sebatian Vettel in fourth, followed by Fernando Alonso in the McLaren, Nico Hulkenberg in the second Force India, Rosberg in the second Mercedes, Carlos Sainz for Toro Rosso, Jenson Button in the second McLaren, and Felipe Massa taking the final point for tenth for Williams. Storms didn't only hover over the area, though – dark clouds hung around several teams and drivers. Mercedes' reliability is no longer so reliable. The Silver Arrows suffered engine issues on both cars in qualifying, and Hamilton's problem almost kept him from setting a time in Q3.

Weekly Recap For 5.27.16 | Autoblog Minute

Senior Editor Greg Migliore recaps the week in automotive news for 5.27.16. Acura Lincoln Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video Lincoln Zephyr

2017 Acura NSZ #001 Rolls Off Line In Ohio | Autoblog Minute

The first 2017 Acura NSX rolled off the assembly line this week in Marysville, Ohio. Marking the return of the iconic supercar. VIN #001 went to Nascar Owner Rick Handpick.

Lincoln May Rebadge Its MKZ As Zephyr | Autoblog Minute

Ford Motor Company applied this month to get the rights to the trademark for the word Zephyr. We think the MKZ might be rebadge as the Lincoln Zephyr.

2017 Acura NSX #001 is finally here | Autoblog Minute

The first 2017 Acura NZX rolls off the line in Ohio and Lincoln may be ditching some initials for a classic nameplate. Senior Editor Greg Migliore reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] The first 2017 Acura NSX rolled off the assembly line this week in Marysville, Ohio. Marking the return of the iconic supercar. VIN #001 went to Nascar Owner Rick Handpick. He paid $1.2M at auction for the first NSX. The proceeds went to charity. The 2017 NSX uses a twin turbo V6 teamed with three electric motors to make a total of 573-hp and 476-lb.ft of torque. The supercar also runs a nine speed dual clutch transmission and AWD. The starting price is $157,800 but you can option this thing out to well over $200k. Ford Motor Company applied this month to get the rights to the trademark for the word Zephyr. Lincoln is using some real names again aside from these MKC and MKX things that don't mean a lot to the general public. The Navigator is going strong and a new one comes on next year. Plus it brought back the Continental which was a well revived move. So Zephyr should ring a bell it was used in the 1930s and 40s, it was also used a little less memorably in 2006 on a Lincoln model that was essentially a rebadged Ford Fusion. Here's the take away: we think the MKZ might be rebadge as the Lincoln Zephyr. For Autoblog I'm Greg Migliore. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Acura Lincoln Coupe Luxury Performance Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video trademark Lincoln Zephyr

Guess what BMW's '30 Years M3' special edition celebrates

It's anniversaries on top of anniversaries at BMW in 2016. The company celebrated its 100th year of existence at an elaborate celebration in March, last week we got a new hommage concept to mark five decades since the iconic 2002 debuted, and now, in time for the holiday weekend, there's this limited-edition M3. Wait, that's not what this holiday is for? This celebratory sports sedan gets the not-quite-grammatical name of "30 Years M3," which is totally grammatical when translated back into German ("30 Jahre M3"), and BMW plans to build just 500 of them for the whole world. We don't yet know how many will come to the US, but seeing as ours is one of BMW's larger markets, we are at least banking on "some." What makes it neat besides rarity? It comes with pretty much everything you can get on a standard M3, including the Competition package with its 444-horsepower engine tune, Adaptive M suspension, and Active M differential. To that it adds an M exhaust with black tips, the requisite dash plaque, shouty door sills, and unique "30 Years M3" badges on the fender gills. The interior has special seats with gray or blue inserts and stitched headrests, plus seat belts with M three-stripe trim. (And yes, the cars in the photos say "30 Jahre M3," but we already explained that, right?) And then there's the paint. It will be available in Macao Blue metallic, a color that was available for special order on the E30 M3. And if there's any car that deserves some celebration, it's the original M3. Happy 30th, neat car. Related Video:

2017 Subaru BRZ gets more power, optional Performance Pack

Most of the recent action with Toyobaru sports cars has centered around the Toyota side, which saw the Scion FR-S replaced by the updated and rebranded 2017 Toyota 86 for our market. Now, Subaru's version of the rear-drive coupe is getting a similar set of updates. It gets to keep its name, though. Like its Toyota-badged twin, the BRZ sees some engine updates – changes to the shared 2.0-liter, flat-four's internals are aimed at reducing friction. A new aluminum intake and a redesigned exhaust bump output up from 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque to 205 ponies and 156 lb-ft on manual-transmission models. To go along with that, the manual's final-drive ratio has been changed from 4.1:1 to 4.3:1, so there should be an improvement in acceleration. (Incidentally, this must have been Toyota meant when it said the 86 gets different manual gear ratios for 2017.) It's not the turbocharged engine some have been craving, but we can all agree that a little extra output is better than none. Those paying for the automatic transmission are left out, though. The Subaru has also gotten a small set of suspension updates. There are new springs and dampers, a larger rear sway bar, and some adjustments to structural braces to increase rigidity, so nothing too dramatic. Subaru has reprogrammed the stability-control system to allow drivers more freedom, which has led to a showy rebranding of the Sport mode to a new Track setting. A new option is the Performance Package, which includes Brembo brakes with upsized rotors fore and aft, new Sachs-branded shocks, and black 17-inch wheels. The Performance Pack is only available on Limited models with a manual transmission, further strengthening the argument against the auto. The Performance Pack also helps differentiate the Subie from its Toyota pal, as those items aren't available on the 86. There are some subtle aesthetic changes too, similar to those on the 86. (Noticing a pattern?) Subaru restyled the front and rear fascias, and added LED lamps at all four corners. Limited models come with a new 4.2-inch LCD display that sits to the right of the tachometer; in addition to mechanical info like oil temp, water temp, and battery voltage, it can show a G meter, a steering-angle indicator, gas/brake meters, and a stopwatch. The 2017 BRZ Premium and Limited will hit dealers in September. You'll have to wait until winter of 2017 to get your hands on a car equipped with the Performance Pack.

Even Ferrari swept up in latest Takata recall expansion

The scope of Takata's deadly airbag problems continues to widen. Eight manufacturers announced recalls Friday that affect more than 12 million vehicles, according to documents filed with federal regulators. The automakers include Honda, which is recalling 4.5 million units, Fiat Chrysler with 4.3 million, Toyota with 1.65 million, and Subaru, which is recalling almost 400,000. Some of these cars include the Saab 9-2x and Pontiac Vibe that Toyota and Subaru made for General Motors. Mazda will recall 730,000 vehicles and Nissan has 400,000 affected units. The smallest numbers were posted by Mitsubishi, with 38,000 Lancers manufactured from 2006 to 2007, and as a noteworthy high-end manufacturer, Ferrari is calling back 2,800 vehicles. These are all US-market cars. Beyond America, the Japanese Transport Ministry has announced seven million additional vehicles will be recalled, which means 19.6 million vehicles across the globe are affected by recalls announced. The defects have been traced to an insufficiently manufactured airbag inflator, which lacks a drying agent that would prevent the inflators from deteriorating over time. Thirteen deaths have been linked to the faulty airbags, which have become unstable and are prone to exploding and showering vehicle occupants with lethal amounts of metal shrapnel. A private equity firm, KKR & Co., has been named in a possible buyout of the struggling Takata. Related Video: News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Shutterstock Government/Legal Recalls Ferrari Honda Mazda Automakers Mitsubishi Nissan Pontiac Subaru Toyota Saab Safety

Question of the Day: Most degraded car name?

When Ford came up with a not-so-sporty version of the Pinto and slapped Mustang badges on it in 1974, that was a low point for the Mustang name. When Chrysler applied the venerable Town & Country name on perfectly functional but unglamorous minivans, it saddened many of us. But perhaps the biggest demotion for a once-proud model came when, in 1988, General Motors imported a misery-enhancing Daewoo from Korea and called it the Pontiac LeMans. The original Pontiac LeMans was a great-looking midsize car with fairly advanced (for the time) suspension design and engine options including potent V8s and a screaming overhead-cam straight-six. The Daewoo-based Pontiac LeMans was a cramped, shoddy hooptie that served only to ruin the LeMans name forever, while stealing sales from the Suzuki-based Chevrolet Sprint. Sure, using the once-respected Monterey name on the Mercurized Ford Freestar was bad, but Mercury didn't have long to live at that point. I say the downward spiral of the LeMans name was the most agonizing in automotive history. What do you think? Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Auto News Ford Mercury Pontiac Automotive History Classics questions ford pinto names

Paul and Todd from Everyday Driver | Autoblog Podcast #477

Episode #477 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week, Dan Roth is joined by guests Paul Schmucker and Todd Deeken of Everyday Driver to talk cars, podcasting, and more. It's a freewheeling chat, and it all starts with the Autoblog Garage - check it out! Check out the rundown with times for topics, and thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #477 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics EveryDay Driver In The Autoblog Garage 2016 Buick Cascada Ford Mustang Boss 302 vs. Shelby GT350 Hosts: Dan Roth Guests: Paul Schmucker, Todd Deeken Total Duration: 01:08:20 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Podcasts Buick Ford buick cascada cascada

Bentley to retire aging 6.75-liter V8 with current Mulsanne

The massive 6.75-liter V8 in the Bentley Mulsanne is one of the oldest engines still in production. But it may not be around for much longer. According to Car and Driver, Bentley intends to finally put the big old pushrod V8 to pasture once the current Mulsanne is phased out, thus putting an end to a saga that goes back some 57 years. Powerful as it may be, ever-stricter exhaust emissions and fuel-consumption regulations will see that the L Series V8, originally introduced way back in 1957, doesn't stay in production forever. Whenever the Mulsanne is replaced, it will reportedly get a brand-new twelve-cylinder engine. Bentley is currently the world's largest producer of dozen-pot powerplants. Production of the British automaker's 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 far outpaces anything from Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ferrari, or Lamborghini. Over the decades since its introduction, Bentley's long-serving V8 has gone from making an "adequate" amount of power and torque to an impressive 530 horsepower and a positively massive 811 pound-feet (with the help of a couple of turbochargers). Its eventual discontinuation wouldn't be the first attempt on the life of the 6.75-liter engine. When BMW briefly took control of both Rolls and Bentley, it replaced the big engine by a smaller 4.4-liter V8. Customer demand led Bentley to bring the old engine back. It will likely be some time before we get details of Bentley's next powerplant. Models like the Mulsanne and Rolls-Royce Phantom tend to stick around for a long time, and the latest version of Bentley's flagship was just released earlier this year. Related Video:

Watch the Kia Soul hamsters take on 'Dueling Banjos'

The Kia Soul hamsters are back, but rather than bopping to the party tunes of LMFAO, they're delivering their own take on "Dueling Banjos." Thankfully, this commercial is more pleasant to watch than the film that helped make the banjo tune famous. Aside from the return of Kia's fuzzy mascots, this commercial also marks the welcome return of plumper hamsters. When Kia launched the Soul EV, it gave its spokesrodents a trimmer figure that made the anthropomorphic dancing hamsters even creepier. As Autoblog chief Mike Austin said when assigning this story, "Sexy EV hamsters were scary." Alongside from the two-minute commercial, Kia has included a three-minute, behind-the-scenes video called Soul Sessions: Making the Music. You can check out the main spot up top, and then get the peek behind the curtain below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Maserati recalls 26k sedans for rear suspension failure

The Basics: Maserati is recalling all 26,464 examples of the 2014-16 Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans it manufactured between February 1, 2013, and September 18, 2015 and sold or leased to customers in the United States. The Problem: The bolt securing the tie-rod to the hub carrier assembly in the rear suspension may not have been properly tightened during manufacturing, which could cause the suspension to fail and the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Injuries/Deaths: The manufacturer reports that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries to have resulted from this issue. The investigation was prompted by reports of excessive noise. The fix: Dealers will check the bolts in question and replace the hub carrier assembly if necessary. If you own one: Look out for a letter from the manufacturer to arrange service at your local dealer. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Improperly Torqued Rear Tie Rod Bolt Report Receipt Date: MAY 02, 2016 NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V264000 Component(s): SUSPENSION Potential Number of Units Affected: 26,464 Manufacturer: Maserati North America, Inc. SUMMARY: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles manufactured February 1, 2013, to September 18, 2015. During the assembly process, the rear tie-rod to hub assembly attaching bolt may not have been properly tightened. CONSEQUENCE: An improperly tightened rear tie-rod to hub carrier assembly attaching bolt may allow the tie-rod to separate from the hub carrier, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right rear tie-rod to hub carrier assembly attaching bolts to verify that they are properly tightened, replacing the rear tie-rod to hub carrier assembly as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-510-2369. Maserati's number for this recall is 303. 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. Featured Gallery 2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4: First Drive View 31 Photos News Source: National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationImage Credit: Copyright 2016 AOL Recalls Maserati Luxury Performance Sedan maserati ghibli

Recharge Wrap-up: QR code hints at Tesla Supercharger in Mexico, Lyft tests scheduling

A QR code in a parking garage hints at an upcoming Tesla Supercharger in Mexico. The mysterious QR code directs to a tweet from Elon Musk where he affirms that Tesla will expand its charging network into Mexico "this year." The folks at Teslarati reached out to the automaker, and a spokesperson responded by saying, "Yes, we can confirm that we are planning on having our first Supercharger in Mexico in Cuernavaca City." That's about 50 miles south of Mexico City, where the country's lone Tesla store is located. Read more at Teslarati. Lyft is testing out a ride scheduling system for its ride-hailing service in San Francisco. When requesting a ride, users can select a pickup time up to 24 hours out, ensuring they'll be able to get where they need to go. Users can cancel or change the time up to 30 minutes before their scheduled ride. Lyft says it plans to expand the scheduling service to more users this summer. Read more from Lyft, or at Green Car Congress. Renault is partnering with other automakers and charging operators as part of the EU's Fast-E charging project. Fast-E seeks to install fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles along Germany and Belgium's main motorways, financed by the EU and nine companies, including Renault, BMW, Volkswagen and Nissan. The 278 charging stations will be installed every 50 miles along the major roadways by the end of the year, at a cost of about $20 million. A sister project in the Czech Republic and Slovakia plans to add another 30 charging stations in those countries. Read more in the press release below. Renault is a partner of the European fast-charging project Fast-E in Germany • Official launch of Fast-E project co-financed by the European Union and nine companies, including Renault, in Berlin and Brussels. • 241 charging stations installed in Germany and 37 in Belgium by the end of 2016. • A sister project between the Czech Republic and Slovakia adds another 30 charging stations. The 278 charging points set up every 80 km along Germany and Belgium's main motorways, will allow drivers of electric vehicles to "refuel" and extend their car's range. The total investment of the EU-funded cooperation is approximately ˆ18 million. Every one of the multi-standard fast-chargers spread out over four countries have AC and DC connections, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles' batteries easily and quickly. Electric vehicles can be charge up to 80% on the charging stations within an hour.

Bentley Azure could return for limited edition

Once upon a time, Bentley had two convertibles in its lineup – there was the Continental GTC, which you can still enjoy today, and the Azure, which you can't. The bigger offering, based on the Arnage sedan, went out of production several years back, much to the disappointment of those with ostentatious tastes and bottomless pockets. But if Wolfgang Durheimer has his way, the 20-plus-year-old nameplate could return in a limited run based on the Mulsanne. The last Azure demanded ridiculous wealth to purchase, but this new model would be on an entirely different level. According to Car and Driver, Durheimer said a reborn Azure "would be built in [a batch of] 20 units and sold to absolute connoisseurs at a very high price." He stopped short of actually confirming the vehicle or its cost, but that hasn't stopped Car and Driver from suggesting a price of $1 to $1.5 million per vehicle. The timing here is fascinating, largely because Bentley's arch-rival, Rolls-Royce, is preparing to phase out its Phantom Drophead Coupe – the Mulsanne Convertible's most natural rival – due to slow sales. Whatever this limited-edition vehicle is called, it'd be all on its own. This is not the first time this particular rumor has cropped up. In his first tour as Bentley CEO, Durheimer brought a full-size convertible, called the Mulsanne Vision (shown above) to Pebble Beach in 2012. The idea was shelved by his successor, Wolfgang Schreiber, in 2013. But with Durheimer back in his old position in Crewe (and heading up efforts at Bugatti, too), it wasn't long before Bentley was back in the convertible Mulsanne game with the Grand Convertible, a Speed-based droptop. When the Grand Convertible debuted, we said the company is "watching customer reaction to the car." And the press release says the luxury droptop was "developed to signify Bentley's intentions for the future." Consider this most recent story a reinforcement of that report, then. News Source: Car and DriverImage Credit: Bentley Bentley Convertible Luxury Performance wolfgang durheimer bentley azure bentley grand convertible

Does Lincoln Zephyr trademark mean a return to real names?

Lincoln's long history includes many legendary names, and despite its short life, Zephyr retains a spot in that pantheon. Perhaps its will return once again: Ford Motor Co. applied to trademark Zephyr on May 11. Trademark filings can have ambiguous meanings, and often they're legal plays to get or keep the rights to a name. But in the last year, we've seen signs Lincoln is looking to use real names on its vehicles again. Obviously, it's keeping Navigator for its flagship sport-utility vehicle with a new model due next year. Reprising Continental for the MKS replacement was also well received. That said, Lincoln still uses the MKX and MKC "names" for its crossovers. Zephyr is a dustier moniker. It was used in the 1930s and '40s on a mid-level model spearheaded by Edsel Ford. The stylishly aerodynamic model was set between the Ford V8 De Luxe and more expensive Lincolns. It returned in 2006 as the Lincoln version of the Ford Fusion before that model was renamed MKZ. Mercury also used Zephyr on its version of the Ford Fairmont in the late 1970s and early '80s. Ford last held a trademark on the Zephyr name in 2013. The filing says Ford seeks to use Zephyr for "motor vehicles and parts and accessories therefor." That could mean a new car — or just parts. Putting the Zephyr badge back on the MKZ is the most likely bet. Meanwhile, Ford also moved to get the Thunderbird trademark on May 11 for the same vehicles and parts purpose, and it filed for the Mustang trademark for shampoo and lotions on May 4. A Lincoln spokesman said, "In the normal course of our business, we file trademarks for names," but had no further information. Related Video:

BMW i gets in on ridesharing with Scoop investment

The ridesharing investments are starting to roll in quickly now, and BMW i Ventures is the latest to drop some cash to get in on the trend. The automaker's venture-capital arm put an undisclosed amount of money into Scoop, a ridesharing platform based in California and operating in the Bay Area. BMW i's investment in Scoop Technologies is part of a $5.1 million seed round that included several other firms. It follows news that VW put $300 million into a service called GETT and that Toyota has partnered with Uber for ridesharing and leasing. There's also GM's $500 million investment in Lyft and its own car-sharing service, Maven. Automakers may soon run out of startups to pump money into. Oh, and don't forget about Apple's billion-dollar investment in Didi Chuxing, the Chinese Uber. Scoop's app is designed to let commuters find each other and drive together to reduce traffic, something the Bay Area and California in general can benefit from; then there's the added bonus that packing more people into a car unlocks access to the carpool lane. Scoop also partners with employers, like Cisco, to help people that are all going to the same place get to and from work. Employers can subsidize the cost of the rides as a perk and to encourage the app's use. And because plans can change, there's a ride-home guarantee that will reimburse you for costs getting home if you find yourself stranded. The service launched in 2015 in Pleasanton, CA, and is still in a limited rollout that includes San Francisco, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and North San Jose. It's not clear how or if BMW i will integrate the tech into its vehicles. This could just be an investment to get a foothold into a young ridesharing company, or it could be a sign that BMW wants to build the app's functionality into i cars. Related Video:

Lexus CT 200h could be replaced by sub-compact hybrid CUV

The Lexus CT 200h is an interesting vehicle that never really caught on. It's a sporty Prius in sleeker hatchback clothing and was aimed at the Audi A3 when it hit the market in 2011. Since then, though, the CT has averaged a meager 16,000 sales per year. For that reason, the hybrid hatch won't be redesigned at the end of its life cycle. And according to Lexus' European brand boss, Alain Uyttenhoven, it could be replaced by a crossover. While you may lament yet another CUV hitting the market, Lexus needs a small car that sells in big numbers. Uyttenhoven told Autocar the brand aims to move 100,000 units per year in Europe to "give us visibility in the market." For 2016, European sales are on pace to hit just 70,000 units, with 10,000 of those coming from the CT 200h. He sees an opportunity for the right little Lexus based on the recent nature of the European luxury market. View 29 Photos According to Uyttenhoven, "a full 50 percent of the European luxury car market exists below the [$44,600] mark," and the only model Lexus has at that point is the CT. Put another way, the company has a remarkably slow seller as its sole representative for half of an entire continent's luxury market. Enter the crossover. Replacing the CT with a crossover makes a great deal of sense. The body style is getting more and more popular by the day, especially in the sub-compact and compact markets. Adding a smaller model – below the current NX crossover but larger than the LF-SA concept shown in Geneva – would allow Lexus to challenge the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the BMW X1, and the Audi Q3. We're betting the small crossover would use the Toyota C-HR as its basis and add a Lexus-correct heavily creased skin. Hybrid power is a given for the European market, where almost all Lexuses sold are gas-electric, but a conventional gas variant could join it in the US. That would give Lexus three hybrid CUVs in three popular sizes, alongside the NX and RX. With a forthcoming RX-based three-row on the horizon, the brand would have a full lineup of crossovers ready to take over the world. We'll miss the quirky CT when it goes, but it's hard to stop volume-driven progress. Related Video:

2017 Acura NSX No. 1 just rolled off the line in Ohio

The 2017 Acura NSX is officially in production. NASCAR titan Rick Hendrick, who paid $1.2 million at auction for the first one, drove it off the line Tuesday at the NSX factory in Marysville, OH. VIN No. 1 wears Valencia red pearl paint. It is equipped with carbon-ceramic brake rotors, leather and Alcantara trim, and uses carbon fiber for the engine cover, roof, and rear spoiler. Top that off with upgraded wheels, and it has every available option. The NSX is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that teams with three electric motors for a system output of 573 hp and 476 pound-feet of torque. It has a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. The NSX will start at $157,800 and maxes out north of $205,000 for a fully loaded model like this one. Hendrick's heady price came from his winning bid at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona in January, with proceeds going to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground. Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motor Sports and the Hendrick Automotive Group, has also paid hefty prices for the first 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 and 2014 Chevy Camaro Z/28 in support of charities. The NSX launch is a milestone for American Honda, which has built cars in Ohio for more than 30 years. The NSX is assembled at the company's Performance Manufacturing Center, and the engines are hand-built at a nearby facility in Ohio. "Today marks the realization of a big dream here at the PMC and the culmination of more than 30 years of manufacturing experience and expertise here in Ohio," Clement D'Souza, engineering large project leader for the NSX, said in a statement. "Our world class team of expert technicians, through their passion, has realized major innovations in the design and manufacturing of a next-generation Acura supercar that truly delivers incredible precision-crafted performance." Related Video: Image Credit: Acura Design/Style Green Plants/Manufacturing Acura Coupe Hybrid Performance Supercars rick hendrick

Recharge Wrap-up: GKN electric AWD, $8,500 for Tesla brake repair

A Tesla owner in Canada was quoted $8,500 to repair the brakes in his 2012 Model S. Tesla waived the labor costs, bringing the total price down to $5,824.75. Tesla said that since regenerative braking means the regular brakes get less use, occasional hard braking can help keep them working properly. Also, the salt on the roads in winter leads to corrosion of both the rotors and the calipers. Tesla suggests yearly brake service in harsh climates. Read more at Clean Technica. GKN is launching an electric all-wheel-drive system using its eAxle technology. BMW will be the first to use the system – which is optimized for compact vehicle platforms – in its 2 Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid. On its own, the electric axle drive offers up to 70 kilowatts (94 horsepower) and 1,475 pound-feet of torque, enough to propel a vehicle up to almost 78 miles per hour under electric power alone. It can also disengage from the driveline when it's not needed in order to reduce rotating losses at higher speeds. Read more from Green Car Congress. The Orange County Transit Authority's (OCTA) first zero-emission, hydrogen powered bus uses a fuel cell from Ballard. The 40-foot ElDorado National Axess bus, powered by Ballard's FCveloCity fuel cell, was funded by the Federal Transit Administration's National Fuel Cell Bus Program. "Clean energy mass transit alternatives, such as this new fuel cell bus in Orange County, are a tremendous example of what can be done to help address clean air challenges," says Ballard Vice President Karim Kassam. "We are excited by the progress being made at OCTA and by others in California." Read more in the press release below. Ballard Module Powers First Zero-Emission Fuel Cell Bus for Orange County Transportation Authority VANCOUVER, CANADA and ORANGE COUNTY, USA – On May 23rd representatives from Ballard attended a ceremony to unveil the first zero-emission fuel cell bus to provide service for the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), one of the largest transit agencies in California. The OCTA bus is the 6th American Fuel Cell Bus (AFCB) configuration delivered in California. Karim Kassam, Ballard Vice President - Commercial said, "Clean energy mass transit alternatives, such as this new fuel cell bus in Orange County, are a tremendous example of what can be done to help address clean air challenges.

2017 McLaren 570GT First Drive

The late, great LJK Setright used to rail at engineers who thought that "if you can't measure it, it doesn't exist." There's an element of that in McLaren's starter Sports Series, particularly the 570S, where spectacular performance doesn't quite fill the soul. What McLaren has so far failed to understand is that at this level ($198,950 before state and federal taxes) its products need to appeal to more than just number-obsessed track junkies. While incisive turn-in, roll-free handling ,and jet-fighter fast tick some boxes, others such as space and grace are left resolutely unticked. GT derives from The Grand Tour, a 17th-century European rite-of-passage cultural tour undertaken by well-heeled young blades anxious to see and hear the great works of art and music for themselves; food, wine, and other earthly pleasures might also have been involved. And while the name has been lifted by Clarkson, Hammond, and May for their forthcoming Amazon car show, true petrol heads will more properly associate Grand Tour with the Italian Gran Turismo, a car capable of high-speed, cross-continental peregrination in style, with space for expensive luggage. Whoops, did I mention Italy? Not something done lightly in the presence of McLaren, which has a culture of omerta when it comes to rivals: Ferrari, Lamborghini, and even Audi and Porsche. McLaren Cars might be passionate and fired with the winning spirit of its racing founder Bruce McLaren, the mercurial and talented Kiwi who died in a testing accident at Goodwood 46 years ago, but its clinical approach to the business of making cars leaves some cold. The new 570GT aims to change all that. It's basically a 570S with a glass rear hatchback that opens toward the according sidewalk for right- and left-hand-drive depending on the country of sale. Unlike the S owner cramming luggage behind the seats, the GT owner elegantly posts weekend bags into the leather-floored trunk. Actually the width of the rear fender means they'll likely be dragging them across the all-aluminum bodywork. At least McLaren offers a vinyl-coating service to protect the paint. Another advantage of space is a welcome simplicity to the coachwork. The GT transformation declutters chief designer Rob Melville's basically sound proportions, and they breathe a little better as a result. The hatchback gives an additional 7.8 cubic feet to add to the 5.3 cubic feet under the trunk lid, which added together is more room than in a Ford Focus.

Reid Bigland appointed CEO of Alfa Romeo, Maserati

There's been a big shakeup in Fiat Chrysler's leadership team, as head of US sales and FCA Canada CEO Reid Bigland will replace Harald Wester as the chief exec for Alfa Romeo and Maserati. Wester will retain his position as chief technical officer of FCA. Both men will hang onto their positions on FCA's Group Executive Council. The move is an interesting one considering the widely publicized issues at both Alfa and Maserati. Alfa Romeo's problems are almost too many to list. The brand has promised a full-scale return to the US market for more than a decade, but faced repeated delays. Its latest volume model, the Giulia, is being savaged by reviewers over quality issues, and the company has frequently pushed its upcoming CUV back. If that were the only problem, it'd be annoying, but according to Automotive News, Alfa's relaunch is also considerably over budget. Maserati is an entirely different can of worms. Alongside Alfa, it's been stung by a slow Chinese market. Profits are down, according to Automotive News, and it's been widely rumored that the company will delay its next sports car, the Alfieri, until 2018 – it was previously promised for this year. Meanwhile, two of its three other models, the Quattroporte and GranTurismo, are dangerously long in the tooth, and the Levante is still months away from US sales. Can Bigland sort these issues out? Maybe. As Sergio Marchionne said in his official statement, "[Bigland] has an extraordinary record of growing sales and market share in the US and Canada over the last 7 years at FCA, including leading the growth and positioning of the Ram and Dodge brands for part of that time."