Suzuki SX4, Kizashi Recalled Slipping out of ‘Park’

Suzuki SX4, Kizashi Recalled Slipping out of ‘Park’
Hyundai Smartwatch App Includes Voice Commands
There are Just Eight Bugatti Veyrons Left to Buy
BMW Bumps up Prices on Three Nameplates
Corvette Stingray Has Top Residual Value of 2014
Top 6 Things To See At CES 2015

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Suzuki is issuing a recall for two if its models in the U.S.

Though the company is no longer selling vehicles in this country, it is still compelled to ensure that people driving its vehicles are safe on the roads. As a result, the SX4 and Kizashi models are being recalled because the gearshift lever can be moved from park without anyone depressing the brake pedal. The affected SX4 models are from the 2010-2013 model years and were manufactured from July 16, 2009 to November 1, 2012 while the recalled Kizashi vehicles are also from the 2010-2013 model years and were manufactured between October 13, 2009 to October 31, 2012.

Naturally if the gear shift selector moves out of park unintentionally, the vehicle can roll away increasing the risk of a crash. The company will notify owners and dealers will replace the shift lever assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 19, 2015.

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Hyundai Smartwatch App Includes Voice Commands

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Hyundai is set to debut a new smartwatch app at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

"This new app expands Hyundai's exploration into how wearable technology and Blue Link fit into a customer's lifestyle," said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, customer connect and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. "Connecting to your car through a smartwatch and voice recognition was previously something seen only in science fiction movies. Now, we can provide this capability to owners of Hyundai vehicles equipped with Blue Link."

In announcing its next-generation Blue Link system, which will launch on the 2016 Elantra GT and Veloster models, the Korean automaker also revealed a new smartwatch app that will allow features such as remote start and service information to be quickly accessed from a wearable device as well as a smartphone. Hyundai owners can act like James Bond, speaking into their watch and saying commands such as "start my car," "lock my car" or "find my car."

SEE ALSO: Top 6 Things To See At CES 2015

All the features of the smartwatch app are voice activated and in addition to remote engine start and stop, users will also be able to remotely lock and unlock their vehicles, flash the lights or honk the horn, locate their vehicle, call Roadside and Blue Link. Check back with AutoGuide.com for more details on the smartwatch app as we'll be reporting live at CES 2015.

Discuss this story at our Hyundai forum

There are Just Eight Bugatti Veyrons Left to Buy

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If you've been wanting to purchase a brand new Bugatti Veyron, you better act quickly.

The French automaker has revealed to CAR that just eight units are left available and after that, the limited production Veyron will no longer be on the market. Recently we've spied photos of the rumored Chiron testing using a Veyron as a mule and it's likely that the company is well into development considering Wolfgang Dürheimer also confirmed that there would be no downtime at the factory once Veyron production is completed.

According to Dürheimer, Bugatti will "get ready with the pre-series cars to support the launch of the next car," which means we could see the Veyron's successor later this year even though production won't commence until 2016. Little is known about the Veyron's successor, other than that it'll be faster and more powerful than the current supercar which has a 268 mph in Veyron Super Sport trim. The 16-cylinder engine is expected to carry over but will be fine tuned to offer over 1,200 hp.

[Source: CAR]

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BMW Bumps up Prices on Three Nameplates

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BMW announced today that it is increasing the prices on three of its nameplates for the 2015 model year.

The 4 Series, X1 and X5 will all come with a marginally higher base price that BMW is calling an "inflationary increase." The 428i will now start at $41,700 including delivery, which is a $250 increase. The same uptick will apply to the all-wheel drive model as well as the same change to the 435i and 435i xDrive.

An increase of $300 will apply to the X1 and the X5 is going up by $700 across teh line except for the V8-powered xDrive50i, which will be $1,000 more expensive to start at $71,050. Across the board, BMW's choice to increase the prices on 11 models represents a roughly one percent increase to each of the vehicles affected.

Corvette Stingray Has Top Residual Value of 2014

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If you purchased a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, there's some good news for you.

According to NADA Used Car Guide analysts, the 2014 Corvette Stingray has the best value retention of all-new or heavily revised vehicles from the 2014 model year. In fact, the Corvette Stingray dominated the competition, according to Jonathan Banks, Executive Analyst at the NADA Used Car Guide. "The 2014 Corvette dominated other models by retaining 84.7 percent of its typically-equipped manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP), while the more practical Mitsubishi Mirage performed the worst, holding only 54.5 percent of its original MSRP."

Second on the list for best value retention is the Subaru Forester at 81.8 percent while Toyota claimed the third and fourth spots with its Highlander (78.8 percent) and 4Runner (77.1 percent) models, respectively. Rounding out the top five is the Nissan Rogue at 73.1 percent.

As for the five worst value retention vehicles, the Mirage is the first at 54.5 percent while the Fiat 500L came in second at 55.3 percent. Rounding out the top five is the Kia Cadenza (56.5 percent), Chevrolet Impala (59.9 percent) and Kia Forte sedan (61.8 percent).

Discuss this story at our Chevrolet Corvette forum

Top 6 Things To See At CES 2015

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The Consumer Electronics Show might not be the first place you would expect to see automotive news, but it's quickly emerging as a hotspot for upcoming vehicle technology to debut.

Next week we will be reporting live from the show floor, but these are six things we are especially excited to see in Las Vegas.