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

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

Report: Toyota dropping 4Runner’s 4-cylinder

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:29:34 +0000

According to sources within Toyota Motor Company, the 4Runner will see the end of the four-cylinder engine for the 2011 model year.


Toyota - Toyota 4Runner - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos

Toyota to revive Supra nameplate?

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:08:00 +0000

Toyota's U.S. office recently applied to re-register its Supra nameplate. Is this a sign that the company will revive the badge?


Toyota - Toyota Supra - United States - Makes and Models - Vehicles

Obama’s first new car? A Jeep Grand Cherokee

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:49:55 +0000

While touring the assembly plant that builds Jeep's Grand Cherokee, U.S. President Barack Obama explained why he has a close connection to the SUV.


Jeep Grand Cherokee - Sport utility vehicle - Jeep - President of the United States - Chrysler

Confirmed: 2011 4Runner exclusively V6-powered

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:47:38 +0000

Confirming a report made yesterday, Toyota has now released pricing for the 2011 4Runner - confirming the removal of the four-cylinder engine from the model.


Toyota - Inline-four engine - V6 engine - Recreation - auto

Ferrari reports slow, yet steady growth

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:28:57 +0000

Ferrari has released its financial report for the second quarter 2010, touting great successes with individual models and the brand as a whole.


Ferrari - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos - Felipe Massa

Update: Jack Roush transferred to Mayo Clinic

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:30:54 +0000

Following a crash landing in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, while piloting his private plane, Jack Roush has now been transferred to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.


Mayo Clinic - Jack Roush - Wisconsin - Minnesota - Oshkosh

Porsche 918 Spyder heads to production

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:39:35 +0000

Confirming what many believed to be inevitable, Porsche has now surpassed the 1,000 letters of intent required to take the 918 to production.

Report: All-new Tundra to bow 2014

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:18:01 +0000

Inside sources have revealed that Toyota intends to continue on with the Tundra after this model's lifespan is up, despite sales falling far below initial goals.


Toyota - ToyotaTundra - Tundra - Recreation - Makes and Models

China approves Geely-Volvo deal

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:03:12 +0000

China's Geely Holding has received government approval to acquire Volvo. A final deal to acquire the Swedish brand from Ford is expected next week.


China - Ford Motor Company - Geely Automobile - Volvo Cars - Ford

Nissan to bring Murano Convertible to LA Auto Show?

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:58:32 +0000

The Nissan Murano Convertible is the rumor that seems to never die, with new reports suggesting it will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this year.


Nissan Murano - Nissan Motors - LA Auto Show - Nissan - United States

Toyota unveils SEMA-inspired Tacoma packages

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:14:47 +0000

For 2011, the Toyota Tacoma gains a pair of limited-edition SEMA-inspired TRD appearance packages.


Toyota Tacoma - Toyota - Shopping - Autos - Recreation

Nissan Cube recalled over fuel leak

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:42:13 +0000

Nissan joins the long list of recent recalls, this time for a problem similar to the Lexus HS 250h - excessive fuel leakage in the event of a rear-end impact.


Nissan Motor - Nissan - Nissan Cube - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Lexus HS

Porsche readying Panamera S Hybrid

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:54:56 +0000

Porsche is proving to be quite love stricken with the concept of vehicle electrification, now detailing the future for a gas-electric Panamera sedan for next year.


Porsche - Porsche Panamera - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos

Chrysler to retain Sterling Heights plant, add 900 jobs

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:01:23 +0000

After changing its mind, twice, Chrysler has now officially decided to retain its Sterling Heights plant beyond 2012, with plans to later add 900 more jobs.


Chrysler - Sterling Heights Michigan - Sterling Heights - United States - Makes and Models

Obama promises payback for taxpayers

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:16:53 +0000

While addressing dropping poll numbers by visiting the daytime talk show, "The View," Obama promised taxpayers that they will be fully repaid from the auto bailouts.


View - Talk show - Barack Obama - President - United States

Judge denies attempt to mandate hybrid taxis

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:38:32 +0000

As part of an ongoing legal battle in the state of New York, taxi fleet owners have won a small victory as a judge denied NY's attempt to mandate hybrid taxis.


New York - United States - New York City - Business and Economy - Government

Acura NSX depicted with unique drama [Video]

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:48:57 +0000

Filmmakers have created a very well-done dramatic short film that tells the stories of seven different people - each based on their own interpretation of the NSX.


Acura - Short film - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos

Presented By:

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:54:56 +0000

Nissan shows Health & Well-Being concept

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:03:03 +0000

As alternative technologies continue to work their way into vehicles, Nissan has decided to take a shot at developing technologies aimed at improving occupant health.


Nissan Motors - Health - Nissan - Alternative - Electric vehicle

Toyota recalls 373k Avalons for steering bracket

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:37:30 +0000

Toyota has just announced a voluntary recall for 373,000 Avalon sedans, model years 2000-2004, in order to replace a faulty steering column bracket.


Toyota - Automobile - Makes and Models - United States - Home

Ford’s rally Fiesta X-Games ad [Video]

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:43:50 +0000

As the X-Games kick off for 2010, Ford and Ken Block have created a new commercial to show off the rally Fiesta, as well as announce a chance to win a Fiesta.


Ken Block - Ford Fiesta - Ford - Ford Motor Company - Fiesta

LA Auto Show promises 20+ world debuts

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:23:31 +0000

Auto Show season is just around the corner, and the Los Angeles Auto Show says that the public can count on over 20 world debuts taking place this November.


LA Auto Show - Los Angeles - United States - California - Counties

Viagra, Drooping Decklids, Man As Endangered Species [Op-Ed]

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:00:39 +0000

Just as the original Explorer kicked off an SUV supernova, the original CLS virtually ensured that imitators would multiply like rabbits throughout the marketplace.


Recreation - Supernova - Universe - Sildenafil - Muscle

NASCAR’s Pocono Raceway goes solar

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:45:55 +0000

Laying claim to the world's largest solar-powered sports facility - providing enough excess electricity to power 1,000 nearby homes.


NASCAR - Pocono Raceway - Energy - Renewable - Solar

Volt orders prompt production increase

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:08:00 +0000

Before production models have even hit the market, Chevrolet has upped its target production projections for its extended-range EV Volt.


Chevrolet - ChevroletVolt - Business - Nissan Leaf - Electric car

Mercedes builds last current-generation CLS

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:50:18 +0000

The one that started it all - the CLS four-door coupe - has finally reached the end of its production run, with the final unit destined for U.S. consumption.


Mercedes-Benz - Coupé - United States - Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class - Makes and Models

Presented By:

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:16:53 +0000

GM closes final Windsor production plant

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:32:20 +0000

Today marks the final day of production at General Motors' transmission plant in Windsor, Ontario, marking the end of a 90-year presence in Windsor.


General Motors - Canada - Windsor Ontario - Windsor - Ontario

Strategic Vision’s 2010 Total Quality winners

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:36:25 +0000

Following the recent reports on vehicle problems and satisfaction by J.D. Power, Strategic Vision has now released its own comprehensive report for 2010.


J. D. Power - Business - JD Power - Management - Strategic Management

Presented By:

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:58:32 +0000

VW self-censors to appease pressure groups [Op-Ed]

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:01:53 +0000

Fearing legal and public backlash thanks to a select group of terrified viewers, Volkswagen has pulled its "Shoot the gap!" ad.


Volkswagen - auto - Makes and Models - Recreation - Clubs

Lexus recalls LX 470 over steering shaft issue

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:09:38 +0000

Lexus has just announced a voluntary recall that covers roughly 39,000 model year 2003-2007 LX 470 SUVs regarding possible steering shaft disengagement.


Lexus - Lexus LX - Sport utility vehicle - Automobile - Makes and Models

Nissan to reveal 2011 Rogue to ‘Z’ enthusiasts

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:54:03 +0000

Nissan's smallest crossover was due for a makeover, and the automaker decided to pull the sheets in front of a special gathering of Nissan fairlady Z enthusiasts.


Nissan - Nissan Motors - Makes and Models - Automotive industry - Recreation

First Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage [Review]

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:00:06 +0000

Hyundai's new Tucson made a splash in 2009 with a fresh design and now it's Kia's turn with the all-new 2011 Sportage subcompact crossover.


Hyundai Tucson - Kia Motors - Hyundai - United States - Kia

Toyota: Sequoia to live out life cycle

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:36:52 +0000

Toyota says that its biggest SUV will stick around for at least a little longer.


Toyota - Sport utility vehicle - Lexus - auto - Canada

Five life-saving Toyota safety features

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:10:30 +0000

[Sponsored Post] There are dozens of reasons to feel safe behind the wheel of a new Toyota. Here's a list of five critical technologies that help prevent collisions.


Toyota - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos - United States

NHTSA releases new crash test details

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:03:23 +0000

In an effort to continually improve - and confuse - the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a new crash test for 2011 vehicles.


National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Crash test - United States - Government - Transportation Department

Pagani Zonda R laps Nürburing in 6:47

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:06:09 +0000

Pagani offers up a complete lap video at "the ring" with its frighteningly fast Zonda R - and after watching the video, you will agree it is exactly that - frightening.


PaganiZonda - Pagani - Zonda R - Video - Business