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Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry

Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry

Mazda MX-5 hits 100,000th UK sale

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:25:35 +0000

Mazda has sold its 100,000th iconic roadster in the United Kingdom - one of its biggest and most important markets.

Mazda - Mazda MX-5 - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos

Report: 2012 Malibu to offer only four cylinder power?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:00:38 +0000

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu might follow Hyundai's lead by dropping its V6 in favor of a two-tiered four-cylinder lineup.

Report: Kelley Blue Book up for sale?

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:24:32 +0000

The management at used car valuing guide Kelley Blue Book has reportedly put the brand and its assets up for sale.

Kelley Blue Book - Used car - Automotive - Business and Economy - Shopping

Mazda debuts Kodo language, Shinari concept [Image update]

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:09:54 +0000

We showed you the first images of the Shinari concept from Mazda, and now we have two more, including an interior image.

Mazda - MazdaNagare - Paris Motor Show - Nagare - Business

Back to life: Dodge unveils redesigned Durango!

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:30:47 +0000

After a brief hiatus, Dodge has finally taken the wraps off of its new, three-row unibody SUV, the third-generation Durango.

Dodge - DodgeDurango - BMW - Recreation - Durango

This Fiesta ad described with just one word: frightening

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:03:28 +0000

When we said this video could only be described as frightening, we meant frighteningly weird, funny, creative and disturbing. All good things in a commercial.

Recreation - Humor - Autos - Makes and Models - Ford

Ford readying Fiesta-based crossover, captured for the first time!

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:57:45 +0000

In Europe Ford's smallest crossover offering is known as the Kuga - similar in size to America's Escape - but our spies just captured a Fiesta-sized crossover in testing.

Ford Motor Company - Ford - Ford Kuga - Makes and Models - Recreation

California bill increases HOV lane vehicle accessibility

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:04:45 +0000

California caused an uproar when it announced it would not allow the upcoming Volt (among other green cars) to travel in HOV lanes, but now has reversed course.

High-occupancy vehicle lane - California - United States - GeneralMotors - Plug-in hybrid

Nissan set to reveal all-new concept at LA Auto Show

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:48:38 +0000

Nissan has big plans for Los Angeles this year, planning to reveal the production form Quest minivan, Murano CrossCabriolet, Leaf EV and an all-new concept car.

LA Auto Show - Los Angeles - NissanQuest - Nissan - Nissan Motors

New police cruisers to compete in Michigan’s grueling tests

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:52:23 +0000

Police departments all over the U.S. turn to the Michigan State Police, which puts cruisers through a series of tests to determine the best cruisers.

Police - United States - Michigan - Law - Michigan State Police

Collins wins court case to sell book revealing The Stig [Video]

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:15:16 +0000

Love him or hate, Ben Collins has been The Stig for the last seven years, and now his tell-all book will be coming to a bookstore near you.

Ben Collins - Stig - Top Gear - BBC - Auto racing

Official: Ferrari to recall 458 Italia for fire risk

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:43:26 +0000

Nearly a week ago Leftlane reported that a handful of Ferrari 458 Italia models had mysteriously burned to the ground, now, Ferrari acknowledges the problem.

Ferrari - Ferrari 458 Italia - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos

Bentley names new sales and marketing chief

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:30:20 +0000

While on the verge of unveiling the latest Continental GT, Bentley has swapped its head of sales and marketing with Alasdair Moray Stewart.

Bentley - BentleyContinentalGt - ContinentalGt - Business - Paris Motor Show

Chevrolet releases initial Cruze EPA ratings

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:52:10 +0000

Although some outlets have erroneously reported Cruze Eco model mileage figures, Leftlane has the true breakdown of the latest MPG figures coming out of GM.

General Motors - ChevroletCruze - Recreation - Chevrolet - Shopping

Subaru readying new boxer four family

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:48:20 +0000

After 20 years in production, it's time for Subaru to refresh its trademark flat four. According to a report, a new engine will debut this fall in the Forester.

Subaru - Subaru Forester - Recreation - Makes and Models - Autos

Ferrari 599 Spyder in the works, previewed

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:05:52 +0000

While most of the attendees at the Pebble Beach festivities last month were focused on cars from the past, Ferrari quietly and privately showed a car from the future.

Ferrari - Pebble Beach California - Recreation - Autos - Makes and Models

Toyota breaks Guinness record with parade of hybrids

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:15:42 +0000

Toyota Belgium managed to gather up 130 hybrids - and a Guinness representative - to break the world record for the longest train of hybrid vehicles.

Toyota - Hybrid vehicle - Guinness World Records - Electric vehicle - Energy

Spied: 2012 Toyota Yaris hatchback in production form

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:05:02 +0000

Previous spy shots of the next-gen Yaris were of a cobbled-together prototype, but now we have shots of the actual vehicle in testing.

Toyota - Yaris - ToyotaYaris - Games - Video Games

Colorado Experience: Venturing down the notorious Black Bear Road in a Range Rover

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:30:44 +0000

On the second day of Land Rover's Colorado Experience, we take a 2011 Range Rover down the infamous and daunting Black Bear Road.

LandRover - Black Bear Road - Makes and Models - Range Rover - Recreation

Subaru’s FT-86-based coupe spied for the first time!

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:10:13 +0000

For the first time ever, we finally have pictures to show an existing prototype of Subaru's fabled FT-86 sports coupe.

Volvo seeks larger EIB loan for green cars

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:35:15 +0000

Volvo has applied for loans worth 600 million euros from the European Investment Bank in order to develop a lineup of "green" vehicles.

Volvo - Automobile - European Investment Bank - Makes and Models - Recreation

Trip down Honda’s memory lane: CRX, Del Sol, Mugen… [Video]

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:01:11 +0000

Every now and again someone manages to take an otherwise simple collection of photos and create something amazing - we think this is one of those times.

Honda - Mugen Motorsports - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos

Ford debuts Police Interceptor Utility Vehicle

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:37:38 +0000

Ford revealed its all-new Taurus-based Police Interceptor in March, and now the automaker has revealed a second model based on the all-new Explorer SUV.

Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor - Ford Explorer - Ford - Police - Law

Nissan: only 200 Leaf EVs to be delivered in 2010

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:02:33 +0000

Despite what appears to be an overwhelming amount of pent-up demand, Nissan says it will only release 200 vehicles to dealers this December.

Nissan - Nissan Motors - Nissan Leaf - Makes and Models - Recreation

NHTSA investigating 223,000 Jeep Wranglers for fuel hazard

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:50:46 +0000

Following a recall for 289,000 Wranglers nearly three months ago, NHTSA is now investing 223,000 Wranglers for an unrelated safety concern.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - United States - Jeep - Recreation - Autos

Mazda claims next-gen Sky engines will match hybrids

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:18:54 +0000

Mazda has been intentionally absent form the hybrid drivetrain arena, but the automaker hopes to make up for it with incredibly efficient gas engines in the near future.

Mazda - Automotive industry - Recreation - Technology - Business

Report: Jaguar to revive X-Type sedan, wagon on XK platform?

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:26:33 +0000

It's no secret that Jaguar is planning an entry-level model. Now, a report suggests that it will ride on the high-tech XK platform and will spawn both sedan and wagon variants.

Jaguar Cars - JaguarXk - Jaguar - Sedan - Jaguar X-Type

In pictures: Best selling cars of August 2010

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:00:15 +0000

Pickup trucks and Asian-branded sedans and crossovers dominated August's top sellers. Check out the full list inside!

Sedan - Autos - Recreation - Shopping - Sales

Has Top Gear already replaced Ben Collins as The Stig?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:55:04 +0000

Following a rather messy and less-than-stellar ending to a nearly eight-year run as The Stig, it appears as if Collins may be out of the white suit and helmet for good.

Top Gear - Stig - Ben Collins - BBC - Perry McCarthy

Saab shopping for platform to underpin 92

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:34:32 +0000

Saab had previously denied rumors that it was focusing on building an entry-level 92, but now the automaker has confirmed that it is shopping for partners.

Saab - Saab Automobile - Spyker Cars - General Motors - Victor Muller

Report: GM to make IPO, investor push after Nov. elections

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:44:00 +0000

A new report suggests that GM might not debut its IPO until after mid-term elections in early November.

General Motors - Initial public offering - United States - IPO - Automotive industry

Toyota iQ-based Aston Martin Cygnet coming to U.S.?

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:40:53 +0000

It appears as if Aston Martin has had a change of heart, as the latest report is suggesting the minicar will in fact be coming to a U.S. store near you after all.

Clunkeritis sets in; August sales dip to lowest since February [Updated]

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:00:59 +0000

Last year's Cash for Clunkers incentives artificially pushed down August 2010 sales for many mainstream automakers. Sales figures continue to trickle in.

General Motors - Chrysler - Car Allowance Rebate System - Business - Autos

Dodge’s new badge sees light of day

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:29:57 +0000

With Ram trucks on their own, Chrysler's Dodge division has a new logo to match its crosshair-styled grille design.

Dodge - Chrysler - Ram - Makes and Models - Recreation