Thursday, November 1, 2012

Smugglers from Mexico Learn that the Jeep Cherokee is Trail Rated, not Border Fence Rated...


What will they think of next? A group of suspected smugglers attempted to cross the U.S. border on Tuesday using an older Jeep Cherokee and two makeshift ramps on either side of the 14-foot fence at California’s Imperial Sand Dunes.

Their "Trail Rated" plan, however, hit a snag, when the Jeep became stuck on the metal barrier. Border Patrol spokesman Spencer Tippets told KMOV News that the Cherokee was spotted tangling over the fence just after midnight.

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Fresh Colors, Materials and Ergonomic Updates for the 2013 MINI Countryman


Two years after landing on the market as the first Mini model to offer all-wheel drive, and let's not forget, four doors and a length that exceeds 4 meters as well, the Countryman is entering the 2013MY with a host of minor modifications.

Scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. later this month, the 2013 Countryman will now be offered as standard with a three-seat rear bench, while a pair of individual seats will be available as a no-cost alternative.

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Buyers Disagree with Consumer Reports Recommendations, Civic, Passat Sales Soar


You may recall Honda’s 2012 Civic comprehensively hammered last year by Consumer Reports. The publication's verdict was such a big blow that Honda decided to speed-up its next redesign and its CEO took responsibility for its poor performance.

One would expect its sales to slump; but instead, they have gotten through the roof. Civic deliveries have increased this year by 40 percent through September, to 234,029 units and Honda’s compact car is on course to regain the segment crown in the U.S. after finishing third last year behind the Toyota Corolla and Chevrolet Cruze.

This brings up an interesting question: how much does automotive experts’ testing weigh on buyers’ decision when the time comes to buy a new car?

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New Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG with 350hp Turbo Engine and AWD Almost Completely Undisguised


The most hotly anticipated small Mercedes-Benz model since the 190E 2.3 16v (at its time, it was considered a small car for the German brand), the new A45 AMG, has been exposed for the first time with scarcely any camouflage.

In these fresh pictures, the final production model wears some black tape on the lower part of the front bumper, the grille wings, the Mercedes-Benz monikers, the center section of the rear diffuser and the side skirts, but other than that, it’s as naked as a newborn baby.

Those of you paying close attention to the new A-Class will likely have noticed that the A45 AMG's aero kit is identical to the AMG Sport styling package offered on the regular hatchback, with the only true differences between the two coming from the bigger, 18-inch multispoke alloy wheels, the honeycomb grille inserts, and the trapezoidal (instead of oval) tailpipes.

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Darker Style, Higher Price for UK Market New Audi A6 and A7 Black Editions


For Audi, a Black Edition version means applying dark shades to the details of a car along with a higher price tag, which is the case for the new UK market-only A6 Sedan, A6 Avant and A7 Sportback specials.

The three new Black Edition vehicles match their darker styling cues with the most extensive equipment list in each model's range, and are priced from £35,010 OTR to £56,785 OTR.

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VIP Style Cambered Lexus IS Loses Control, Hits and Overturns a Van


Who knew? An off-camber wheel setting will not improve your driving or your car's handling capabilities…

From the land that has brought us so much fun in the form of entertaining video footag comes yet another one of those incidents that just makes you want to slap your palm on your forehead.

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New Honda N-ONE Remembers its Past to Compete Against the Fiat 500 Today [50 Photos & Video]


The final production version of Honda's retro-styled N-ONE mini was officially unveiled today in the brand's home market of Japan, where it will go on sale on November 2, 2012.

Prices in Japan start at 1,150,000 Yen ($14,400 / €11,100) for the base 2WD, Type G model and rise to 1,707,750 Yen ($21,300 / €16,500) for 4WD, Premium edition.

The N-ONE belongs to Honda's new N Series mini-vehicle family and follows the N BOX and the N BOX + tall city vans that were both launched in the country earlier this year.

As many of you may recall, it is the production version of the N Concept_4 displayed at last year's Tokyo Motor Show with its styling directly inspired by the motif of the N360, the first mass-produced Honda mini passenger car that was introduced to the market in 1967.

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