Saturday 31 October 2015

Poll: Which concept car is hotter?

Poll: Which concept car is hotter?

Poll: Which concept car is hotter?

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The 2015 Tokyo Motor Show has come to a close, and it hosted the debuts of two of the hottest concept cars we've seen in a while.

The Yamaha Sports Ride concept was a huge surprise because, well, Yamaha doesn't make cars. The Japanese company is more famous for its motorcycles, ATVs and musical instruments than cars, but if this concept is any indication, Yamaha has some serious tricks up its sleeve.

The Mazda RX-Vision is the rotary-powered sports car Mazda fans have been praying for, and just one look at at gorgeous, swoopy design, and you know it means business.

But which concept car is hotter? Vote in our poll below.

BUT FIRST: Read more about the Yamaha Sports Ride concept here and the Mazda R-Vision here

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Kia Optima Loses its Top for 2015 SEMA Show

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A custom Kia Optima with its top sliced off will make its debut at the 2015 SEMA Show.

Called the A1A Optima, this custom sedan draws inspiration from the iconic Florida A1A highway and soaks in the sunshine with a convertible design featuring room for four. The Korean automaker had reinforced steel tubes hidden within the body to retain a rigid structure with the top cut off while the windshield has also been shortened to fit the design. The back doors of the Optima are now on rear-mounted hinges, opening in an opposite direction than a standard Optima.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Kia Optima Review

Lowering the Kia Optima is a set of Ksport coilover suspension while 20-inch wheels round off each corner in a bright, chrome finish. Inside are soft butter-cream leather bucket seats while the rear has also received custom double buckets that have been separated by an extended armrest and custom center console. Under the hood is the factory 245-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that breathes a little bit easier with a high-performance exhaust.

Find out more about Kia's customized rides at the 2015 SEMA Show when it kicks off next week. AutoGuide.com will be reporting live from Las Vegas with full coverage of the event.

Discuss this story on our Kia Optima Forum

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Fiat Chrysler Announces Two Recalls Affecting 900K Vehicles

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced two recalls affecting nearly 900,000 vehicles worldwide.

The first recall involves the 2003 Jeep Liberty and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee models with 284,089 units affected in the U.S. Those vehicles are being recalled to replace components linked to the deployment of airbags, although this recall isn't related to the massive Takata airbag recall. A total of seven injuries related to the issue have been reported and also affects 13,411 vehicles in Canada, 6,277 in Mexico and 48,212 elsewhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is in Big Trouble

The other recall affects 275,614 Dodge Journey crossovers from the 2012-2015 model years in the U.S. so that the American automaker can replace parts on the vehicle's anti-lock brake systems. According to Fiat Chrysler, water intrusion may disable the vehicles' anti-lock braking and electronic stability control systems. The Dodge Journey recall also affects 78,148 units in Canada, 36,471 in Mexico and 151,476 in other parts of the world.

Discuss this story on our Jeep Cherokee Forum

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Hyundai has Sold 10M Vehicles in the US

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Hyundai has announced that it has sold 10-million vehicles in the U.S.

The Korean automaker began in the U.S. market with a single nameplate in 1986, the Hyundai Excel. Within seven months, Hyundai sold its 100,000th Excel in the U.S. that set an industry record for the most first-year sales for an import car company. Three years later, the brand launched its longest-selling model to date, the Sonata sedan. It wasn't until 10 years ago that Hyundai expanded its operations in the U.S. by opening the doors to the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant. Since then, the factory has built 2,660,314 vehicles.

SEE ALSO: Hyundai Unveils New Hybrid Engine, 8-Speed Transmission

The company broke down sales data for its top five nameplates with the Sonata leading the way comprising 24.98 percent of Hyundai's sales in the U.S. A total of 2,498,203 Sonata sedans have been sold with 2012 being its best-selling year. Following the Sonata is the Elantra at 24.85 percent and 2,484,788 sold. In third is the Sante Fe and Santa Fe Sport models with 1,244,934 units sold and making up 12.45 percent of Hyundai's U.S. sales. Rounding out the top five is the Excel (11.47 percent, 1,146,962 sold) and the Accent (11.03 percent, 1,103,337 sold).

"The United States has been a key region of focus for nearly three decades, and this landmark achievement comes after years of accelerated growth and the strategic rollout of our product line," said Derrick Hatami, vice president of national sales, Hyundai Motor America. "Today serves as a testament to the design, quality and value of Hyundai's product portfolio. The American car market continues to be on the rise, with more than 17 million new car sales expected in 2015. Hyundai is well positioned for continued growth in this market, offering consumers a variety of vehicles that meet their needs."

Discuss this story on our Hyundai Genesis Forum

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Volkswagen Gives Dealers Price Guarantee on Used Diesel Vehicles

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Volkswagen of America is offering to buy back some used vehicles from its U.S. dealerships at pre-crisis prices.

According to three dealerships that have been notified of the plan, the German automaker will guarantee the value of certified pre-owned and other used Volkswagen models equipped with the affected 2.0-liter diesel engines that cheated on EPA emissions tests. Those vehicles in dealer inventory will have their prices set at what was seen before September 18 and if any of those vehicles stay in dealer inventory for 60 days or longer, Volkswagen will buy them back from the dealers at those set prices.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Group Lost Tons of Money Last Quarter

According to a memo sent to dealers, the program will roll out in three phases, starting with an inventory of diesel vehicles on dealership lots so that Volkswagen can determine which ones are eligible for the program. The first step is expected to be complete by November 13 and Volkswagen will detail the following phases over the next two weeks.

The German automaker hopes this will help set a pricing floor for used diesel vehicles, which have seen their wholesale and auction sales volume drop over the past month. By offering dealer buybacks, retailers will have certainty that used diesel vehicles sitting on their lots won't become worthless while they wait for Volkswagen to implement a fix.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story on our Volkswagen Forum

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2008-2009 Honda Accord Recalled for Airbag Issue

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The 2008-2009 Honda Accord is being recalled for inadvertent airbag deployment.

A total of 303,904 Accord sedans are impacted by the recall in the U.S., which addresses a flaw that could result in the side-door airbags deploying even if the vehicles are not involved in a crash. According to the recall notice, the affected 2008-2009 Honda Accord sedans may inadvertently deploy their airbags if the ignition is on and a door is slammed, or if there's a significant impact to the lower body of the car. Honda has received 19 reports of injuries related to the issue.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Honda Accord Review

The recall is separate from the massive Takata airbag recall that involves over 20-million vehicles. That airbag recall has been tied to at least eight deaths in Honda vehicles after exploding with too much force and spraying metal and plastic shards at passengers.

Honda will upgrade software in order to address the glitch in the affected Accords for free. This recall is not a hardware or supplier-related issue.

Discuss this story on our Honda Accord Forum

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