has initiated a recall for some diesel-powered 2011 X5 sports activity vehicles. The German automaker says that faulty welds in the power steering belt tensioner could have “incipient cracks” that could lead to a malfunction over time. If that occurs, the vehicle could lose its power-assisted steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall involves 923 diesel-fueled X5 models manufactured from March 31
The safety-related recall is expected to begin in early July, with BMW dealers replacing the belt tensioners free of charge. Owners of affected vehicles are urged to contact BMW’s customer relations division with any questions or concerns. Hit the jump for the official recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safet

At first glance, the white “Eco” needle over an all-green background on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist feels wrong. The needle sits at the 12 o’clock position and there’s green on either side, which tells the driver nothing. Well, nothing until you understand what the needle is telling you, and then you realize that what GM has done here is reinvent the dashboard to now include the best possible and simplest green driving tutor. Here’s how it works:

When you’re stopped, the needle remains pointed perfectly upwards. This is the needle’s rest spot, and it matches the “auto stop” indicator over on the tachometer (the speedometer and tachometer are, in our opinion, on the wrong sides of the cluster, but that’s another story). When you gently accelerate, the eco needle doesn’t move, or maybe it moves a tiny bit off to the right. If you step on the go pedal hard, the needle goes past the green and into the black. Anyone who’s driven a car with an instant eco-driving gauge will find all this terribly familiar, even if you might expect there to be a red zone at some point. What’s much more interesting – and why the newhen you hit the brakes, a dashboard indicator will tell you that you’re now regenerating energy. This is true, but it’s not all that accurate, because often there is energy being wasted because the driver didn’t coast/decelerate enough before the stop light. In the LaCross eAssist, the paradigm is shifted. If you hit the brakes hard, you don’t get a happy fluctuation into the “recharge” zone. Instead, the needle goes into the black on the other end of the spectrum. Hypermilers should recognize this as a great visual example of spending too much energy to get going and then needing to burn some off just to come to a stop. If you drive the LaCrosse with eAssist in the most efficient manner possible, you will never need to slam on the brakes and that eco needle will never leave the green zone. Brilliant.

Apparently, Buick engineers spent a lot of time discussing whether or not this kind of information display was the right thing to tell the drive. A similar system is used in the Chevy Volt, where you’re trying to keep that digital ball floating, but the LaCrosse is intended to be a mass-market vehicle (one reason why the eAssist 2.4L version costs the same as the V6 3.6L model) and that means a different type of driver. For this broader audience, leaning to keep the needle in the green will automatically teach them be a more efficient driver.

This isn’t to say that the system is perfect. We’d like it to be bigger and more noticeable, for one thing. Also, it’s not entirely clear exactly how or when the needle moves far from “normal,” and it would be wonderful if you could adjust the sensitivity to be harsher or more gentle, depending on how
you want to be about your driving style. In general, though, we noticed that the needle reliably stayed in the green when we drove in what we thought was a sensible manner, both in the city and at highway speeds. The combination of effectiveness and simplicity while focusing on the deceleration side of the equation – and not just the acceleration – is completely laudable and we hope to see similar gauges used in other vehicles. Once peopleedle is such a good driving instructor – is what happens when you brake

fans like to point out that Chevy’s plug-in hybrid can go 25 to 50 miles without using a drop of gas. Then, the Volt shifts seamlessly into its “range-extending” mode. Not everyone is impressed by this. CNN Money recently had the audacity to call the Volt’s technology “obsolete.”

Here’s a rundown of the reasoning behind CNN Money’s bold claim: The Toyota Prius Plug-in has an estimated range of 13 miles in electric-only mode. Then, the plug-in Prius switches over to Toyota’s fuel-sipping hybrid mode. In the non-plug-in Prius, that system is good for 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, after the Volt switches over to its gasoline-burning mode, most road tests have shown it’s not that fuel efficient. In fact, Popular Mechanics found their Volt got just 32 mpg in the city and 36 mpg highway. As we all know, 51 > 32. Thus, CNN Money concludes:

On trips of 13 miles or less, the Prius plug-in and Volt deliver the same all-electric mpg: zero. On trips between 13 miles and 35 miles in length, the Volt beats the Prius. But after 35 miles, the Prius handily outscores the Volt.

But it all boils down to price. Stickered with a base price of $ the Volt ain’t cheap. Pricing for the Prius Plug-In, though not officially confirmed, is expected to start at approximately meaning thatwill likely undercut the Volt’s MSRP by more than . Yes, rebates alter that number, but CNN finds it difficult to justify the hefty premium for what amounts to less than 30 miles of added electric-only range

at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the company claimed its new badge would begin to appear on U.S.-bound models soon. In fact, Kia promised that its eco-friendly moniker would be attached to several models sold worldwide. Now, Orth Hedrick, director-product planning at Kia Motors America, tells Ward’s Auto that the company has nixed plans to introduce the EcoDynamics name in the U.S. Hedrick cited cost issues as the primary reason for the company’s reversal, stating:

The issue is it’s yet another brand. And given the fact we’re trying to allocate our resources to other areas that make the most sense, does it make sense to introduce another brand out there?

The U.S. automotive market, in its still-depressed state, simply cannot support additional brands. The Detroit Three have pared down by axing Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and Mercury, so Kia’s move to drop EcoDynamics fits the trend. Jim Hume of Phire Branding Co. says Kia’s decision makes sense. Hume told Ward’s:

My guess is that they realized the concept of EcoDynamics created not only another brand, but also created the need to educate consumers - an expensive proposition. In this particular case the delineation is tricky. Kia setting apart Earth-friendly vehicles via a sub-brand may have taken away from any Earth-friendly story in Kia-branded vehicles. It is better to highlight everything Kia is doing under one strong brand umbrella.

Though the EcoDynamics badge will not adorn Kia’s U.S.-bound models, the fuel-saving innovations and other elements that were to be featured under the new sub-brand are already appearing on some Kia models headed to dealerships across the natio

If the plug-in hybrids” Ray, “are programmed to make funny things instead of driving 50 miles with clear authority on a single charge on the screen and contains the largest number of gas compared to 202 miles per gallon for a total of 746 miles.

Hit the aircraft abroad, and inspired

Conducted a single-volume orders and strong, silhouette curve provides “Kia Ray” characteristics of a good vehicle and air HD various mixed.

Strong and lightweight means of supporting fatigue ECODYNAMICS philosophy. Valley Kia badge on the believer with a piece of glass stretching across the hood of a car and a new piece of glass that stretches from what I read in the chimney of the windshield to the top of the rear, giving residents a large, airy feeling.

A tapered cabin, greenhouse gases and tail “again” to support the aerodynamics: 1 the withdrawal of additional losses realized in the framework of an integrated base of each, the narrow tire and wheel spindle design.

The collapse of the light back to the slot to produce a large amount of air when you use a gasoline engine to provide cover deck U-shaped extension of a slide down the back of the car speed is ideal for increasing the drag coefficient.

Instead of side mirrors and door handles, and motion detection cameras built for the people in secure job and opened the door to influence legislation. The result is a shell on wheels. And opened the door and only one of the aspects of the design cut off his legs for easy access. Aimed at the doors are rear-hinged training to add a touch of elegance and form, such as points and to improve access roads to get out.

In “Ray,” used cars “cool new” technology, as well as films and means of nano-coated glass pours cold to a large extent from the sun and how to maintain domestic support from the cool, the excess water and greenhouse gas emissions. When the cars parked in the sun, solar cells provide credit excessive dripping Assistant hello how are you? Cooling fan to reduce the internal temperature.

Light and airy interior

In “Ray,” made of recycled resources in the sense of eco-friendly gray cold of purity and the behavior of the resulting additional rays of the sun, while reducing the temperature and power consumption of air conditioning. Front and rear seats of lightweight composite materials, where it was installed in the territory of threshold, as long as the effect of floating in the cockpit and the use of resources to maintain the weight of the individual plastics.

Fresh and reduce the environmental reservoirs for the collection through a light touch of style assessment instruments, with button operation and equipment switches. Side of the center console provides an all-new Kia UVO support of Microsoft ® voice, touch activated controls to manage music files and run the hands-free cellular phones.

Add to the list of red in terms of technology, “Ray” as GreenEdgeTM an entirely new approach of Infinity ® sound. Loudspeakers and the effect of drying temperature heating only without a combination of audio performance to increase collaboration between the sound amplifier speakers, and a car. And used loudspeakers, as well as to reduce gas consumption by 50 percent idle speakers Infiniti renewable smallest to achieve significant savings dispel &wshyp; heavier overall.

Affect the body weight over all the equipment and a pistol / honey in order to achieve the ultimate cabin, exhausted from the re-design: additional material between the subject of interior design. Used on the doors and current Chairman of records network, lightweight and breathable to refer to the total weight of the empty and very patient when making a strange design elements.

Other resources located in the cabin with the completion of soft-touch matte, with gray skin, and produces a large amount of fancy, but friendly atmosphere is peaceful.

Hybrid Architecture

In “Ray,” and produced this concept, driven by direct injection of the all-aluminum gasoline 153 hp (GDI) Engine 1.4-liter in addition to a strong working relationship lasting sustainable variable transmission (CVT), published together in a medium cars electric 78kw.

Depending on driving conditions, the gas is sent to the front wheels based on information from a gasoline engine, electric cars, or both.

In “Ray,” is equipped with a dynamo engine Save energy management and the shift indicator switch equipment to pay for the boom. Specially designed frames with low rolling resistance with the pattern of a narrow-inch revolver in 20 (195/50R20), and construction and improve efficiency.

A five speed manual transmission is standard with the 4 cylinder, although you can upgrade to an automatic as an option. The V6 will be coupled with the five-speed automatic. Depending on which trim level you choose, fuel mileage should be between 21 and 30 mpg.

Kia didn’t mess with the interior design as much as they did the outside. The only upgrades were added connectivity options for ease of MP3 players and such, and a slightly redesigned instrument panel. However, Kia now also offers a navigation system on the Optima as an option. Unfortunately, if you want more than just the most basic safety features, you’ll have to upgrade to an option package that includes an electronic stability system and traction control. Several of the Optima’s leading competitors already offer these things as standard equipment.

The Optima is a mid-size sedan whose main competition includes the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The redesign was in an effort to keep up with these two wildly popular cars and only time will tell if Kia will be successful in that endeavor. Once again, the 2009 Optima is available in three different trim levels, the LX, EX, and SX, which is the sport model.

The biggest changes on the 2009 Optima are in the exterior design, especially the front end. If the tail was reworked, it was not enough to merit a mention. The grille and headlights have been the focus of the upgrade. However, for some reason, the face of this car is now slightly reminiscent of each of its chief competitors. The reshaped face also adds a few inches to the overall length. 16″ wheels are standard on each of the first two trim levels. They jump up to 17″ on the sporty SX model.

Asia, which means that their name can be loosely translated as Rising out of Asia. Kia, which is South Korea’s oldest car company, did indeed rise up.
It was founded in 1944 as a bicycle and steel tubing manufacturer. After changing its name from Kyungsung Precision Industry in 1952, Kia built motorcycles, trucks and cars, eventually partnering with Ford in 1986, to produce cars derived from Mazda platforms, both for domestic sales in Korea, and imports into other countries. These models include the Pride and Avella, which are better known in North America as the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire.

Kia produced several Mazda derived vehicles for both domestic sales in South Korea and exports into other countries. These models include the Pride (based on the Mazda 121) and Avella, which were sold in North America and Australasia as the Ford Festiva and Ford Aspire.

In 1992, Kia Motors America was incorporated in the United States. The first Kia-branded vehicles in the United States were sold from four dealerships in Portland, Oregon in February 1994. Since then, Kia expanded methodically one region at a time. Dealers in 1994 sold the Sephia, and a few years later the United States line expanded with the addition of the Sportage.

Its CEO is Chung Eui-sun. The American arm is Kia Motors America. On October 20, 2006, Kia Motors America formally hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its first US assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, at an initial cost of over $1 billion. Since 2005, Kia has started to focus on the European market and is currently the UK’s fastest growing car company and had various other successes in the European market.