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

After the vehicle’s fuel kya Borrego Cell electric (FCEV), Fort LPI hybrid, the gas “hybrid Sorento hybrid and twin-turbo diesel” Ray “was thought to progress is a partnership between the bold new design and engineering and creativity has a future four-seater small Calhoun’s platform is rooted kya Fort.

Done surrounded by lightweight materials and recyclables, as favorably as ègzagonal solar cell panel meeting room lighting the gas more quickly or climate control system, kya “Ray” is a term of up to 746 miles.

“It is important to predict the first part of the design approach and how owners can konvwat the coming years in light yellow. People want less carbon footprint in the blood while driving carbon copy,” said Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Office for a kya Motors Corporation.

“When yellow disease ‘t be a declaration of self-evident that kya day” Ray “shows a mixture of modern, the mental echo in today` s environmental awareness from consumers, “he added.

sleek, aerodynamic “Ray” combines the design and engineering for maximum effectiveness, incorporating clean, flush surfaces that minimizes bor required to provide a list of profiles and a pronounced shoulder after the end of low platform, even for less drag.

“Ray” as well as touch-screen controls part, steering-drive cable, the “cool-vitraj glass” solar battery and a lithium polymer battery - all possible indicators of technology comes kya years. As a coating unit plug-in hybrid, “Ray” is applied away from a crowd, as opposed to 50 km using only the electric motor with a single charge, and has an electric field to score! No! as opposed to 202 miles per gallon for 746 miles in general.

workers striking design inspired by aircraft èksteryeur

A smaller volume of requests mono and strong, curvaceous kya Silwet Post “Ray” worse aerodynamics residence as opposed to the cast profiles hybrid car.

strong, lightweight equipment costs ecodynamics justifikasyon a philosophy. Managed kya badges go down on a piece of ice also after a new cover with a piece of glass that was on the cover of the head of the windshield is in the back of an occupant spasyeuz feelings, Airy.

A cabin with a degresif be young Monte additionally reduce aerodynamic drag, get a panel based on an integrated piece, narrow width of the tire and wheel design queue.

projèkteur recession before the return shipping for the opening ideal for consumption when the engine when the fuel runs out and a sliding platform U-shape extends coverage to his dream car to improve the speed of the drag coefficient.

Instead of side mirrors and door handle, which detects motion cameras caught pink surrounded by people to ensure that policy influencing Lane and open the door. The result is a Seluler on wheels. parcel was a product design door open dekoup foot facility permission to enter. Decide behind the doors doors add coaching prostor proizvodne stilize address how to improve the situation and come and go.

“Ray” used in the new car “cooler” technology, Nano-film and equipment stratify fresh vitraj dramatically reduced solar heat and give evidence as to keep the inside temperature to reduce air-conditioning and many be allowed. When the car is parked in the sun, solar cells that ends with a group of credit that supports the execution of a fan to reduce the indoor temperature.

After Kia Borrego fuel cells for electric cars (FCEV), and Fort LPI hybrid, which Central and Eastern Europe `d hybrid gasoline and diesel twin-turbo Sorrento hybrid is” Ray, “the idea is a bold new collaboration between design, engineering and presents innovative future small four-seater car Kia Fort platform.

Designed from lightweight materials and recycling, as far as six cells embedded in the glass ceiling on gas or extra lighting control system for climate, Kia “Ray,” and a maximum of 746 miles.

“This is a principle to ensure that the initial approach to design how the owners of mortgage you may find in coming years based on what I read in the view of yellow, and people are looking for carbon emissions, the same effect without blow away,” said Peter Schreyer, Kia Head of Design Officer Motors.

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.

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