Monday, 13 April 2015

GM Ignition Switch Death Toll Hits 84

GM Ignition Switch Death Toll Hits 84

GM Ignition Switch Death Toll Hits 84

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The General Motors' ignition switch compensation fund has approved another four deaths.

The total deaths related to the recall of 2.6-million cars is now at 84. The fund also approved nine new injury claims, raising that number to 157 approved.

Of those 157, 11 are for serious injuries while 146 are for less severe injuries. According to Camille Biros, deputy GM ignition fund administrator, 126 offers have been made to those eligible and 93 have been accepted with five rejected. A total of 73 claims have been paid so far. When an offer is accepted, that family or individual gives up their right to sue General Motors.

SEE ALSO: GM Ignition Switch Death Toll Reaches 80

The GM compensation fund has received 4,342 claims with 475 of those being death claims. The fund is still going through 1,136 claims, including 73 death claims. Each death claim will pay out at least $1 million.

Discuss this story at our General Motors forum

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Subaru Starlink Infotainment Adds 4G LTE

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Subaru is updating its Starlink infotainment system. 

The new system will be available on certain 2016 Subaru models and will now offer more connected services.

You will be able to get an AT&T 4G LTE wifi hotspot which allows the system to use Sirius XM Connected Vehicle Services, offering stolen vehicle recovery, automatic collision notification, remote vehicle services and monthly diagnostic reports.

Much like GM's OnStar, Subaru has advisors who can help Starlink users who call for help in an emergency or for roadside assistance. For entertainment, buyers can use Starlink's wifi connection to use music streaming services like Pandora and Aha. The system will also display and read text messages to the driver, while allowing you to respond using voice recognition technology.

The updated system will become available later this year.

Discuss this story at our Subaru Forum

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Are Run-Flat Tires Getting Better?

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You may have heard about run-flat tires, which are designed to allow you to continue driving for up to 50 miles after a puncture occurs.

They make a compelling case if safety and convenience are your main concerns, but it turns out that people tend to be less than pleased with how they fare in the real world.

SEE ALSO: Run Flat Tires: Why You Should or Shouldn't Buy Them

Run-Flats Deflating With Customers

According to a recent study by J.D. Power, customers with run‐flat tires are less satisfied overall and replace tires more frequently in the first two years of ownership than do customers that didn't buy run‐flat tires.

The report says the replacement rate for run‐flat tires is slightly higher in the first year of ownership with 10 percent of run-flat owners reporting a replacement versus seven percent with non-run flat tire owners. The difference becomes larger in the second year of ownership, where 27 percent of run‐flat tire owners replaced at least one tire, compared with 16 percent of non‐run‐flat tire owners.

"It's vital that auto and tire manufacturers address the ride and wear issues, which are still not meeting customer expectations," J.D. Power global automotive director Brent Gruber said. "Customers expect that run‐flat tires won't compromise tread life or the ability to provide a quiet and comfortable ride."

What's All The Complaining About?

It's easy to explain why customers aren't as satisfied. In order for run-flat tires to maintain their shape after a puncture, they need to be stiffer than regular tires. That stiffness in the tires leads to a rougher ride and noisier ride.

Furthermore, these tires are heavier, which can affect their rate of wear and the fuel economy of the vehicle.

In addition to that, the ownership experience of a run-flat isn't as simple as it sounds. Getting a punctured run-flat repaired isn't necessarily an easy process because shops need to be specially equipped to fix them and some aren't. And of course if they can't be patched, it's time to buy new tires.

That brings up another issue: price. On average, run-flats cost about 33 percent more than comparable conventional tires. Keep in mind that they also tend not to last as long.

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Fiat 500e Recalled Over Software Issue

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Fiat is once again recalling its all-electric 500e. 

The recall covers 2013-2015 Fiat 500e electric cars built between March 2012 and Nov. 1, 2014. If the affected cars go into limp home mode, a software issue between the electric vehicle control unit and the battery pack control module may cause the entire propulsion system to shut down.

SEE ALSO: Fiat 500e Recalled for Power Loss Issue

In March 2014, Fiat updated the 500e's software to improve the car's range estimation, charging system and to add the limp home mode. This update caused the software incompatibility issue that spurred this latest recall. A technical service bulletin posted in May of 2014 had dealers installing the faulty update on cars built before March 2014. The production line was updated on Oct. 31, 2014 to correct for this problem.

About 5,600 cars are affected by the recall. Dealers will update the software on older 500e vehicles to prevent the problem.

Discuss this story at our Fiat 500 Forum

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift Spied

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The Hyundai Santa Fe is getting a makeover. 

Our spy photographers caught the new Santa Fe testing, revealing some of the changes we will see on the new model.

Up front expect a new grille, bumper and LED headlights. The rear is set to also receive a new light design along with a new bumper. Overall, expect the design changes to mimic those seen on the recently revealed Hyundai Tucson.

SEE ALSO: Hyundai to Increase SUV Output

An interior shot reveals a slightly revised center stack with a new button layout.

Some light powertain updates are also expected, but there are no specifics to share at this time.

The updated 2016 Santa Fe will debut sometime later this year.

Discuss this story at our Hyundai Santa Fe Forum

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VW Teases New Vision Gran Turismo Concept

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Volkswagen is getting set to release another concept car as part of the Vision Gran Turismo program. 

The brand has released a teaser video and photos of the GTI Supersport Concept, a car that will be available as downloadable content in Gran Turismo, just like all of the other Vision GT concept cars.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen GTI Roadster Concept Debuts in LA

Without any details to go on, its a safe assumption that the car will debut at the annual GTI meet in Wörthersee, Austria, where Volkswagen likes to debut new concept cars to the VW faithful. At past meets, both the GTI Vision Concept and the GTI Roadster Concept were revealed. Both of those cars used a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 to crank out 503 hp.

The GTI Supersport Concept packs an aggressive looking aero kit along with a large rear spoiler, while engine upgrades and handling enhancements are surely in place.

Watch for the details to be revealed in early May.

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Discuss this story at our VW GTI Forum

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