Chrysler Group LLC’s biggest U.S. investment in the year following its June 2009 bankruptcy exit is about to show up under more of its hoods: transmissions with additional gears to improve performance and boost fuel economy. Eight-speed transmissions, more common in luxury vehicles made by the likes of BMW AG and Volkswagen AG’s Audi, will spread throughout Chrysler’s lineup beginning late this year, said Mircea Gradu, vice president of transmission power train and driveline engineering. The company will introduce the industry’s first nine-speed transmissions by the first half of 2013, he said. “I’m convinced that, sooner or later, others will come up with similar solutions,” Gradu said. “Hopefully, the time will be as long as possible until they catch up with the technology.” While rivals tout hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids and pure electrics, CEO Sergio Marchionne is betting he can meet regulatory requirements continue
Mazda Motor Corp. is recalling 217,500 Tribute SUVs in the United States due to a problem with the throttle that could make it difficult to slow down a vehicle after a driver fully or nearly presses down the accelerator. The move comes a day after a similar recall by Ford Motor Co. of 2001 to 2004 model Escape SUVs. Ford and Mazda jointly developed the affected Escape and Tribute models, and they were assembled by Ford. The Japanese automaker’s recall affects vehicles made for the 2001 to 2006 and 2008 model years that were equipped with the 3-liter, V-6 engine and speed control. Ford recalled 423,634 Escapes in the United States and 484,600 worldwide for the problem. U.S. safety regulators are investigating whether the throttle issue was a factor in the death of a teenager driving an Escape in Arizona earlier this year. There have been 68 reported complaints of stuck throttles, including nine injuries and the Arizona fatality continue
Let’s start with Prius c hybrid’s colors: Habanero, Absolutely Red, and Moonglow. Finally, a sense of fun about the eco thing. And it’s from Toyota, usually so tame that boring would be more exciting. Then consider real-world mileage. The test car, government-rated 53/46/50 mpg in the city/highway/combined tests, came close to 50 mpg in our suburban thrash-about. That was with no attempt to drive for mileage, nor any appreciable time spent in the “Eco” mode or the EV setting, which lets you run battery-only slower than 25 mph for most of a mile. The trip computer, which can analyze each leg, showed 60 to 80 mpg for some 4-mile errands around the burbs. The c, smallest and newest of the Prius hybrid family, also handled with grace, composure, little body lean and enough brio to make a driver grin. And salute the drivetrain, which has axed the shudders that hybrids experience when the gasoline engine restarts. Though rated just 99 total horsepower, gas engine and electric motor combined, the c has enough pep continue
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