Mitsubishi is recalling 39,711 Lancer and Outlander vehicles from the 2008 and 2009 models year to fix a faulty brake booster check valve. The valve can stick when the engine is off and when the car is turned back on, may cause a lack of initial startup braking under certain circumstances.
The situation was first noted by owners of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) models who stated that their brakes weren't working properly when setting off on their morning commutes.
Owners of those 15,023 Lancers and 24,688 Outlanders affected that were built between October 23, 2007 and January 20, 2009 will be notified immediately. Repairs are scheduled to occur in April at no cost to the owners.
Below is the full recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
MITSUBISHI / LANCER
2008-2009
MITSUBISHI / OUTLANDER
2008-2009
Manufacturer: MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mfr's Report Date: MAR 05, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V077000
N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 39711
Friday, April 24, 2009
Mitsubishi Recalling Nearly 40K Lancer, Outlander Models to Fix Brake Valve
Lighter, Faster, Meaner: 700-HP Ferrari 599XX Details Emerge From Geneva
Details of Maranello's track-menacing 599XX have emerged and as you can imagine, its more powerful, stickier and lighter that its tamer roadgoing sibling.
With 700 horses coming on in full force at a higher 9000 rpm, it's a sure bet the 599XX is a full blown Italian rocket. Engineers lightened the 6.0L V-12 engine itself with bespoke internals made from classified materials. Its transmission was also tuned to handle more power and of course, boasts quicker shift times -- around 60 milliseconds to be exact, officials claim. A second generation SCM suspension along with lightweight 19-in. one-piece forged wheels keep the 599XX tight on the racing line.
Its "Actiflow" aerodynamic package helps the most with beefing up grip levels. Numerous splitters, louvers, canards and diffusers were honed in Ferrari's own windtunnel in Italy and produce 440lbs of downforce at 124 mph. The Formula 1 derived "winglets" atop the C-pillar buttresses push the car down further to the tarmac depending on setup, while carbon brake "doughnut" shields aid in cooling and stopping performance.
No word on pricing or availability, but if you're looking to buy one, chances are you already got a call from Maranello to reserve your own.
Source: Ferrari
Revealed! Full Renderings of Production Aston Martin Rapide Hit the Web
More images of Aston Martin's stylish new four-door Rapide have hit the Web today along with some fresh details. The car appears to have picked up some slight styling changes, but remains faithful to the well-received 2006 concept.
According to Britain's Autocar, the Rapide will keep the 480-hp 6.0L V-12 engine found in the concept and it will still be mated to a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with Aston's Touchtronic manual shifting controls. To accommodate the second row of seats and doors, the VH architecture, which also underpins the DB9, has had its wheelbase stretched 10 inches and its roofline has been raised 2.5 inches to create more headroom for the rear-seat passengers. Overall, the car should stretch about 16.5 ft long, right in Mercedes-Benz S-Class territory. All that stretching has reportedly upped the weight by 287 lbs to 4277 lbs, but the extra power is expected to make up for the extra heft and keep the 0 to 60 mph time in the four-and-a-half second range.
Hyundai Equus Reportedly Coming to U.S., Should they Bring it Here?
Hyundai CEO John Krafcik says company officials are currently deciding whether or not to bring the brand's biggest and most luxurious offering -- thenewly released Equus sedan over from South Korea to the U.S. The Equus was on display at the 2009 New York Auto Show in large part so Hyundai could gauge U.S. reaction to the car.
But according to our own Angus MacKenzie,the Equus for the U.S. is essentially a done deal, with an expected time frame to market of two to three years.
Currently in the U.S., the top spot in Hyundai's lineup is filled by the successful Genesis sedan. "It's getting people past the stigma," Krafcik said of the Genesis sedan. "A third of the (Genesis) customers were cross-shopping BMW, Lexus and Mercedes."
In Korea, Equus is powered by a Lambda 3.8L V-6 (290-hp/264 lb-ft) and Tau 4.6L V-8 (375-hp/333 lb-ft) and features a handsome design. Its exterior is matched with many highly advanced creature comforts and safety options as well. There's even talk of a bigger 5.0L Tau V-8 coming to the model range for added performance.
Krafcik also reiterated at the show that Hyundai is pressing ahead with its electric vehicle efforts,plans for which he recently outlined . Insiders claim any future Hyundai all-electric model will likely take most of its styling and technological cues from the Blue Will concept displayed at last week's Seoul Motor Show.
"We have projects under way," Krafcik told reporters.
Krafcik gave no indication on when any decisions will be made, but make sure to stay tuned to MT Online for more details.
What do you think, should Hyundai bring the Equus to the U.S.? Will consumers be able wrap their heads around a Hyundai that could cost as much as $60,000?
Hyundai Says Plug-In Hybrid for U.S. by 2012; Aims For Volt and Prius
As hinted by Hyundai CEO John Krafcik earlier this week, officials in Korea have confirmed that the brand will bring over its first plug-in hybrid to the U.S. in late 2012.
"We want to be the world leader in fuel economy and alternative fuels," he said.
The Blue-Will currently shown in Korea sports a 106-in. wheelbase and 1.6L direct-injection gasoline engine, not to mention some edgy styling thanks to a solar-cell-clad panoramic roof. Supplementing the engine is a 100-kw electric motor powered by Hyundai's own lithium-ion battery pack.
Yang estimates the Blue-Will has a range of 38 miles on electric power alone and can achieve 106 mpg in plug-in mode and 55 mpg in hybrid-electric mode.
"Almost every part on this car has been developed in-house," Yang said. "That will make it possible to make this vehicle affordable."
Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)
Toyota prices the 2009 Corolla and Matrix
The 2009 Toyota Corolla and Matrix made their debut way back in November at SEMA in Las Vegas - in fact, we brought you live information and photos from the show floor. Three months later, Toyota has decided to release pricing details too, so now we can also tell you how much you can expect to pay for an '09 Corolla or Matrix when they hit showrooms later this year.
The standard Corolla (conveniently dubbed "Standard" by Toyota) will set you back $15,200 when equipped with a manual transmission and $16,050 with the automatic. Further up the food chain, a better-equipped LE model will start at $16,650, and an XLE will begin at $17,550 - each with a 132 horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. The Corolla range topper is the XRS version with a base price of $18,760, 158 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor, and manual transmission (or $19,950 with a sequentially shiftable autobox).
Toyota's Matrix, essentially a five-door hatchback version of the Corolla, will leave the showroom for a minimum of $16,190 in Standard trim with the Corolla's 1.8-liter fourbanger and five-speed manual. The middle-level Matrix S begins at $18,260 with five-speed manual. An all-wheel drive Matrix S is also available with an automatic tranny and 2.4-liter engine for $20,400. The flagship XRS model with standard automatic, 18-inch alloys, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and other goodies, will begin at $21,850.
Toyota's prices do not include a $650 destination fee.
Suzuki alto 2009
Changan Suzuki (Maruti counterpart of Shanghai), has confirmed that it has halted production of the existing Alto model back in July itself. This is to pave way for the next generation Alto model due to hit the roads in next September in China.
We won’t and can’t expect Maruti to follow suite and discontinue production of the Alto even though the new Alto will be rolled out here in a month’s time. The seventh-generation Alto, is an all-new upgraded version, which will be powered by the Suzuki-developed 1.0L aluminium petrol engine which meets Euro V emissions standards. It combines eye-catching style and easy urban mobility with great performance in high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions. So expect at least a minimum of Rs.80,000, price difference between the new and the old models. Speaking of low cost, why not have a look at the Tata Nano? It is certainly a bang for your buck!
Press Release after jump
Press Release-
Changan Suzuki has confirmed that it stopped production of the existing Alto model in July to reverse the slide in its small car sales, said Yangtze Daily today. The all-new Suzuki Alto is expected to be made by this joint venture in September 2009.
The low-priced Alto mini-car made by Changan Suzuki had sold well in medium- and small-size Chinese cities. But not upgraded for many years, this small car model couldn’t meet China’s new emission standards in place. This led to the shrinking sales of the Alto car, and Changan Suzuki was forced to discontinue the making of this model.
Changan Suzuki said it still has an inventory of about 5,000 Alto cars, which the company believes will be sold out by the end of this year. Meanwhile, the joint venture has produced enough spare parts to ensure a 10-year supply of components for the repair and maintenance of current Alto owners in China.
Suzuki Motor showcased its seventh-generation Alto at the ongoing 2008 Paris Motor Show this month as the world premiere of the all-new Alto model. The all-new Suzuki Alto will also be produced in Suzuki’s Chinese joint venture Changan Suzuki by September 2009, Chongqing Morning Post said last week.
The seventh-generation Alto, as Suzuki’s all-new upgraded version, will be powered by the Suzuki-developed 1.0L aluminium petrol engine which meets Euro V emissions standards. It combines eye-catching style and easy urban mobility with great performance in high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.
