2011 Chicago Auto Show: Honda to debut 2012 Acura TL

2012 Acura TL
Price Range $35,605.00 - $45,085.00	Fuel Economy 17 city / 25 highway Base Engine 280-horsepower V6	Value Rating N/A Explore This Car More

Search Cars

Year201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977

Select Make

Select Model

Other Acura Cars

• Acura MDX		• Acura TSX
• Acura ZDX		• Acura RDX
• Acura TL		• Acura RL

Honda has announced some details of its showing at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show next month. Interesting, the announcement involves the automaker's luxury brand.

According to the press release, Honda plans to debut a "newly refined 2012 TL". Acura isn’t releasing any information on the 2012 TL just yet, but it’s safe to say the car’s front grille will be revised from the 2011 model shown here. Now that the MDX and ZDX have received the six-speed automatic transmission, don’t be surprised if the TL gets it, as well. Currently, the 2011 TL is rated 18/26 mpg city/highway in front-wheel-drive form, with a five-speed automatic. A six-speed automatic would likely increase those figures.


Newly Refined 2012 Acura TL To Debut At Chicago Auto Show

01/24/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif. Acura today announced it will debut the newly refined 2012 TL at the Chicago Auto Show. The TL, which recently received the 2011 ALG Residual Value Award for Best Near Luxury Car, further enhances its position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance.

Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales, will introduce the production vehicle at the press conference, to be held on February 9, 2011 in the Acura booth. The press conference will be webcast live on www.acuranews.com.


via Honda / Acura courtesy of Motor Trend Staff

Honda sees Higher Growth in Crossovers, SUVs Sales than Cars in February 2011

Honda Buyer's Guide
Honda Prices Get a free and easy price quote in minutes.	Honda Research • Photos • Videos • Rebates • Specifications • Reviews • Safety Ratings

Search Cars

Year201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977

Select Make

Select Model

Other Honda Cars

• Honda Element		• Honda Accord
• Honda Ridgeline		• Honda Accord Crosstour
• Honda Fit		• Honda Odyssey

Well, this is interesting. Possibly relating to the heavy winter storms that hit much of the country over the past few months, Honda saw its light trucks division grow by 31.8 percent, versus its cars only gaining 14.2 percent over last February. Its all-wheel drive Element crossover saw an upswing of 35-percent, or an additional 322 models over last year’s 919.

Still, Honda’s bread-and-butter vehicles -- which include the Accord, the Civic, and the CR-V -- all continue to be strong sellers this February selling 22,916, 19,121, and 19,096 units, respectively. The Fit subcompact saw gains of 43.6 percent, up to 4200 vehicles sold last month. At 8744 units, the new Odyssey minivan increased sales by 17.3 percent, selling just 520 more models than the Pilot SUV (up 23.3 percent compared to last year).



Source: Honda courtesy of Motor Trend Staff

2010 Lexus HS 250h Hybrid recalled for Failed Rear Crash Tests by the NHTSA

Besieged automaker Toyota has issued another recall. The Japanese automaker, which has recalled over nine million vehicles worldwide due to sudden acceleration issues across its lineup, has now issued a recall of its new 2010 Lexus HS hybrid sedan. The recall involves the vehicle's failure in rear crash tests administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration... Press Release: Lexus Announces Intent to Conduct a Voluntary Safety Recall on Certain 2010 Lexus HS 250h Models A Statement from Mark Templin, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, June 25, 2010 “We are concerned with the results of the annual National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compliance test on the 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid. Our engineers conducted similar testing during the development of the new HS 250h and the vehicle performed safely. “We take the NHTSA’s test results very seriously and appreciate the NHTSA bringing its concerns to our attention. We want to assure our customers that their safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. While we are investigating and vigorously working to understand the different test results, we have stopped delivery of the involved vehicles. As soon as the issue is better understood and/or a remedy is developed, we will contact every owner. “Customers who have any questions or concerns should contact their local Lexus dealer or Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987.” SOURCE: Toyota/Lexus Read more at Automotive.com: 2010 Lexus HS Hybrid Recall

2011 Lexus IS250/350 F-Sport Package - First Look

2011 Lexus IS250
Price Range $32,645.00 - $41,560.00	Fuel Economy 19 city / 27 highway Base Engine 204-horsepower V6	Value Rating Excellent Explore This Car More

Search Cars

Year201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977

Select Make

Select Model

Other Lexus Cars

• Lexus HS250h		• Lexus GS460
• Lexus IS-F		• Lexus IS250
• Lexus CT 200h		• Lexus IS350

Lexus released a revised version of their F-Sport Package for 2011 Lexus IS250/350 Rear-Wheel-Drive model. This package which is basically for those who want an ISF but can’t afford it, includes special suspension tuning, 18-inch alloy wheels with dark chrome finish and F-style body kit... Read more at MotorWard.com

2011 Lexus CT200h Hybrid Hatch

2011 Lexus CT 200h
Price Range $30,900.00	Fuel Economy 43 city / 40 highway Base Engine 134-horsepower L4	Value Rating Excellent Explore This Car More

Search Cars

Year201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977

Select Make

Select Model

Other Lexus Cars

• Lexus LS460		• Lexus CT 200h
• Lexus GS460		• Lexus RX450h
• Lexus GS350		• Lexus HS250h

AMAG - "The CT200h is both the least expensive and most fuel-efficient Lexus you can buy.

At $29,995, it undercuts the IS250 by $3500, and its EPA numbers of 43 mpg city, 40 mpg highway easily surpass the HS250h’s 35/34 mpg ratings."

What's sad is the Toyota Prius gets better fuel economy and also has a much roomier cabin and more cargo area.

The 2011 Lexus CT200h does have a premium-level interior and is extremely fun to drive. Faux leather comes standard, but the real thing is of course optional. The black and caramel colored cabin is well padded throughout which gives it a really rich look. Premium models come with a seat heaters and sunroof. GPS navigation, rear-camera, and active cruise are all optional. The navigation is a bit weird to use due to the mouse-like controller to choose things on the pop-up screen. This mouse-like control sits on the center console, which is convenient. Leg and headroom is very scarce in this vehicle.

A 1.8L, Aktinson-cycle engine with battery assist powers the CT200h. The shifter is a rinky-dink little nub with a side-button for "park", which makes me ask, "Why can't they just make a hybrid with a traditional gearshift anymore?"

Driving modes include the EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport. We think you'll leave it in "Sport" mode all the time, that's if you remember to select it each time you re-start the car.

Whoever thought of building this sporty hybrid is a bit over their head, because this car is not at all quick (0 to 60 time is just under 10 seconds).

Sorry to say this Lexus, but the Audi A3 TDI is arguably a much better vehicle. It's pretty much the same size, just about the same price, and is much more energetic.

Read more inside Automobile: 2011 Lexus CT200h

Mazda and Michigan Manufacturing Plant - Decisions, Decisions

2011 Mazda MAZDA6
Price Range $20,990.00 - $29,320.00	Fuel Economy 18 city / 27 highway Base Engine 170-horsepower L4	Value Rating Average Explore This Car More

Search Cars

Year201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977

Select Make

Select Model

Other Mazda Cars

• Mazda Miata		• Mazda MAZDA6
• Mazda MAZDA2		• Mazda MAZDA3
• Mazda Tribute		• Mazda CX-9

Located south of Detroit in Flat Rock, Michigan, the AutoAlliance plant — built from the remains of a former Ford stamping plant — has churned out Mazda products since 1987. Ford entered the project as a joint venture partner in 1992, allowing the plant to build Mazda and Ford models built from a similar platform (i.e. MX-6 and Probe).

Now the fate of its AutoAlliance factory hangs in the balance. Although Ford appears to be content with the Mustang’s sales figures, the 6’s slow sales rate has Mazda reconsidering their participation in what is panning out to be an unprofitable venture. In 2010, AAI not only cut 900 workers and a single production shift, but only cranked out 77,586 Mustangs and 45,000 Mazda6 sedans. Mazda CFO Kiyoshi Ozaki says in order to reach a profit, the plant needs to run at 70 percent of its capacity, and last year’s volume is roughly 40,000 vehicles shy of that goal.

Filling that gap with the 6, which faces increased competition in the U.S. midsize sedan segment, is certainly no easy task. As a result, Ozarki says the automaker is considering pulling out of the plant altogether, or perhaps retooling it for a different, more popular model (the 3 could be a good option). Although withdrawing from the venture is a possibility, it is widely seen as a last-ditch option, considering the rising strength of the Japanese yen. Since most Mazda models apart from the 6 and Tribute are built in Japan, the automaker is forced to import the majority of vehicles sold in North America. Subsequently, it attributed a $163 million loss over the last nine months to the exchange rate.

Should Mazda stop building its own products in Michigan, the company could investigate other means of producing vehicles in North America. Mazda hopes to increase domestic production by 33 percent by 2016, and according to Automotive News, is also investigating the option of opening an assembly plant in Mexico.


Source: Automotive News (Subscription required) http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110218/OEM01/110219852/1329 courtesy of Motor Trend Staff