Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Kia

Kia is just now beginning to roll out its sexy new 2011 Optima, with the 2.4-liter GDI version priced from only $18,995. Much like its sister car, the Hyundai Sonata, the Optima will be offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in EX and SX trims, and here at the LA Auto Show, the Kia has unveiled its third member of the Optima family – the Hybrid.

Much like the Sonata Hybrid, the gas/electric Optima uses the same 2.4-liter direct-injected inline-four, mated to an electric motor. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Optima Hybrid will yield 40 miles per gallon on the highway – besting its eco-minded competitors, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date early next year, and you can read the full details in Kia’s press release, after the jump. Check out our high-res galleries of live and stock shots, as well.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading LA 2010: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is good-lookin’, green-drivin’

LA 2010: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is good-lookin’, green-drivin’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is good-lookin’, green-drivin’

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Toyota, Electric

Proudly “Powered by Tesla,” the brand-new Toyota RAV4 EV made its debut at the LA Auto Show today, and it’s pretty much what you’d expect: a current-generation RAV4 with the heart of a Tesla Roadster. Or maybe a Model S. In any case, one of Silicon Valley’s electric cars. As we’ve known, Tesla’s role in the partnership is to develop the powertrain – including the battery, power electronics module, electric motor, gearbox and software – for Toyota’s popular CUV.

The RAV4 EV has a long history, as long-time plug-in vehicle fans are well aware. The first-gen version arrived in 1997 and was available for six years. Toyota said today that it sold or leased 1,484 units during that time – and that nearly 750 of them are still in operation – but could never make them a mainstream hit like the Prius. Making these alternative-power vehicles isn’t that difficult, said Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales’ president and chief operating officer, the hard part is bringing them to mainstream customers.

This is the goal of the RAV4 EV, which is scheduled to hit the market in 2012. The initial batch of test vehicles, the so-called Phase Zero machines, are already achieving 100 miles of range, but Toyota engineers are working hard to make sure that the Phase One vehicles (i.e., the next batch) will be able to reach that number no matter what the climate or outside condition is – or, in the words of the press release, “in a wide range of climates and conditions.” The engineering team is also focused on drivability and making the electric CUV feel, “as close to a conventional RAV4 as possible.” We’ll have a more complete post about the RAV4 EV later, but for now you can find plenty more information on Toyota’s dedicated RAV4 EV website and check it out from every angle in the gallery below.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / AOL

Continue reading LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Toyota RAV4 EV, powered by Tesla, hits the stage

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Nissan

Keeping up with the Joneses is a tough game to play, and Nissan’s third-generation Quest was getting jealous of the new Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. Los Angeles can change you, and that’s why we are staring at the all-new fourth generation 2011 Nissan Quest.

Arriving in dealerships in the beginning of next year, the 2011 Nissan Quest will be offered in four trims: S, SV, SL and LE. All four are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 253 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT unit. Each trim is also fairly well-equipped, with even the base Quest S receiving push-button ignition and a six-disc CD audio system. The top-level Quest LE goes all out with such features as a DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, a blind-spot warning system and HID headlights.

Besides the tech amenities, the Quest also offers a plethora of what-you-would-expect minivan features. The 2nd and 3rd rows of seating both fold flat to the floor, and a deep rear storage well adds even more cargo space if you are traveling with items other than passengers. See the whole shebang in our high-res image gallery below, and hit the jump for the complete press release.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading LA 2010: Nissan unveils fourth generation Quest; swagger-wagon wars heat up

LA 2010: Nissan unveils fourth generation Quest; swagger-wagon wars heat up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Nissan unveils fourth generation Quest; swagger-wagon wars heat up

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Toyota

A new incident involving a 2008 Toyota Camry is raising concerns about unintended acceleration once again. On November 5, 66-year-old Paul Vanalfen was exiting Interstate 80 in Utah when his vehicle drove through a stop sign and struck a rock embankment, killing Vanalfen and his son’s 38 year-old fiance Charlene Lloyd at the same time. Vanalfen’s son and wife were also injured in the accident. Early reports indicate that the Camry may have continued to accelerate, even as Vanalfen did his best to stop the vehicle. Skid marks at the scene indicate that this isn’t a case of pedal misapplication, leaving investigators to conclude that a malfunction may have caused the incident.

Vanalfen’s Camry was the subject of a total of three recalls, and at this point, it’s unclear whether or not the Toyota had undergone the repairs.

Toyota, meanwhile, says that it’s too early to draw any conclusions about the cause of the incident, and that it’s assisting Utah Highway Patrol investigators any way it can. Click past the jump to read the company’s statement.

[Sources: AP via MSNBC, Toyota | Image: AP/Utah Highway Patrol]

Continue reading Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls

Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Camry crash in Utah puts attention back on Toyota recalls

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Toyota

Toyota has given the Corolla a quick refresh for 2011, and we can expect to get our first in-the-flesh peak at the design at the 2010 LA Auto Show later this week. Toyota says it sought help from styling studios in Turin, Italy, in shaping the small sedan’s revised nose and tail section. With a new bumper cap, grille and headlights, the 2011 Corolla now wears a face that’s a bit more differentiated from the much larger Camry. Out back, Toyota designers also gave the car a reworked trunk lid and rear bumper.

Next year will also bring a host of standard safety tech, including vehicle stability control and traction control. Otherwise, buyers can expect to be met with the same 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as the 2010 model. While we have no qualms with the company’s workhorse four-pot, we are more than a little disappointed to see that the archaic four-speed automatic will stay on for 2011 as well. At least the five-speed manual gearbox is still available. Hit the jump for a look at the press release.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading 2011 Toyota Corolla will debut in LA with new nose

2011 Toyota Corolla will debut in LA with new nose originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Toyota Corolla will debut in LA with new nose

	Fisker says “Karma is the first and only true electric vehicle with extended range” Oh, snap.		Revenge of the Electric Car trailer will be released today Or maybe not.
	Toyota exec feels Chevy Volt’s gas-engine assist won’t affect sales Says, “it’s still an interesting car, a challenging car and all congrats for them to do it.”	Other news: Neil Young’s Lincvolt severly damaged in warehouse fire Chevrolet returns to Indy; will supply 2.4-liter twin-turbo E85 V6 Jay Leno drives the Think City, wishes it would break down

AutoblogGreen for 11.16.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 06:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The last of a sideways era occurred when Travis Pastrana drove his final rally races behind the wheel of a Subaru this past weekend. We didn’t know it at the time, but the U.S. Rallycross championship double header held at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Saturday and Sunday would be the last time anyone got to see Pastrana drive his iconic Impreza rally car. The jack-of-all-tail-out trades is moving to NASCAR next year and will ditch his Subaru for a Toyota. He’ll be driving in the Nationwide Seriesfor the newly formed Pastrana-Waltrip team.

Thankfully, we have some video highlights of last weekend’s U.S. Rallycross races that focuses on Pastrana. So this is your last chance to watch the rally driver with the most X Games medals, the guy who jumped his car over 250 feet onto a floating barge last year, and the dude who recently smashed the Mt. Washington Auto Road record, do his thing behind the wheel of a 550-horsepower Subaru. Here on out, It’s all left turns for Pastrana.

For those who care, Pastrana finished fourth in both Saturday and Sunday’s races, which secured him enough points to finish third in the 2010 U.S. Rallycross Championship points standings. Check out the video after the jump.

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Toyota, Celebrities, Racing

Yesterday we learned Travis Pastrana had officially left Subaru and has teamed up with Michael Waltrip to run a Toyota in the 2011 NASCAR season. What we just found out, however, is that Pastrana is not simply a driver for the Waltrip team – the two have joined forces to create Pastrana-Waltrip Racing. Running in the NASCAR Nationwide series, Pastrana plans to compete in seven races during the 2011 season, followed by 20 more races in 2012.

Pastrana’s appeal could give NASCAR a shot in the arm by attracting a raft of new fans to the sport. His racing background is varied, but he has done quite well behind the wheel of a wide assortment of cars, including multiple stints at the annual Race of Champions. Typically, those events involve left and right turns, and thus, Pastrana has pasted reminders on his car not to turn right (seriously).

Check out Travis Pastrana showing off his new Toyota racer in the video after the jump.

[Source: Pastrana-Waltrip Racing]

Continue reading Travis Pastrana and Michael Waltrip join forces to form Pastrana-Waltrip Racing Team [w/video]

Travis Pastrana and Michael Waltrip join forces to form Pastrana-Waltrip Racing Team [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Travis Pastrana and Michael Waltrip join forces to form Pastrana-Waltrip Racing Team [w/video]

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota

For the 2011 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. The new test is known as the NCAP, or New Car Assessment Program, and the first batch of cars were evaluated earlier in the year. Ten more vehicles have been subjected to the NCAP, and the results are promising… for most.

General Motors received high marks for its Lambda triplets – the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia – with all three netting five-star ratings. Not all GM products received a gold star, however – the aging Buick Lucerne only received a three-star rating under the new test procedures. Honda’s Accord sedan also received a five-star rating, however its main competitor, the Toyota Camry, didn’t fare so well. Both the gasoline- and hybrid-powered Camrys only received three stars.

During the first batch of testing the average score was four stars, so the five-star ratings here are good news for GM. Previously, only the Hyundai Sonata (after being revised and retested) and BMW 5 Series received the coveted five-star rating.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration plans to test 55 cars in total before the year is over, and the full results of the latest testing can be viewed at SaferCar.gov.

[Source: SaferCar.gov via The Detroit News]

NHTSA releases second batch of crash test ratings under new system originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA releases second batch of crash test ratings under new system

Review: 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible

The GT500 is the undisputed King of the Pony Cars, but what happens when you lop the roof off a 550-hp, RWD coupe?

Subaru, Travis Pastrana part ways

Travis Pastrana has cut his ties with Subaru on the eve of a new deal to race NASCAR with Waltrip Racing.

Land Rover reveals five-door Evoque ahead of LA debut

As cool as the three-door Evoque is, Land Rover realizes it needs to offer more functionality to U.S. ‘ute buyers.

Also of interest:

• Toyota and Tesla to debut RAV4 EV love child at 2010 LA Auto Show
• Audi to skip the S and go straight to RS1?
• Lamborghini developing Q5-based LM00X crossover
• Pricing announced for 2011 Chrysler 200, Town & Country
• General Motors announces Q3 profit of $1.96 billion ahead of IPO

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.10.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.10.10