Toyota Aygo City Car Retouched for the 2012 Model Year [Video]

The prize for the least surprising announcement of the day goes to Toyota. That’s not to say that the number one Japanese carmaker has done anything wrong. It’s just that, after Peugeot and Citroen revealed their updated 107 and C1 respectively, it was only a matter of time before Toyota presented the 2012 version of its jointly-developed and built Aygo city car. Like its French siblings, this is the second time the Aygo receives a facelift, with the first being at the end of 2008, three years after its initial launch.
For 2012, the Aygo gets a redesigned front end that brings it closer to the family look established by models like the Prius and the new Yaris. Changes include a revised front bumper sporting a larger air intake and LED daytime running lights, darker-tinted rear windows and newly designed wheels.
In the interior, the dashboard has gained a new dark grey finish while Toyota claims to have reduced the noise levels. 
 
There's also a newly-design steering wheel with paddles for the MultiMode auto transmission-equipped models, new grey, orange or black surrounds for the speedo, tachometer and air vents, plus an optional audio system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
The Aygo's gets the same revised 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine as the two French models. Output remains unchanged at 68HP and 93Nm, but emissions drop from the previous version’s 105 to just 99 g/km while average fuel consumption is also reduced, from 61.3 to 65.7 mpg UK (4.6 to 4.3 lt/100 km).

PHOTO GALLERY

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How did he do that? Thief Lands Car on the Roof of an Apartment!

Benjamin Tucker probably got what he deserved but not before making headlines for landing a car that he had just stolen on the roof of an apartment in Fresno, California at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday night.
Police told reporters that the 26-year old stole the vehicle from a nearby house but apparently lost control on a curve and most likely hit landscaping rocks that catapulted him on Ralph White's apartment.
According to ABC news, the man then jumped down from the roof and even though he broke his leg in the process, he tried to run away. However, the police caught up with Tucker and arrested him. Fortunately, no one else was hurt.
As for Tucker, the police said that he already had two outstanding warrants for his arrest and that now he is facing more charges including a hit-and-run and running away from an officer.
You can watch the TV report from ABC in the video after the break.

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A Perfect Week with a Nissan GT-R through the Eyes of a Promoter

How would you describe your perfect week? If you’re a car fan, then it would surely include your favorite supercar - among other things, that is, but let’s not delve into that discussion since this a car site… The creative folks over at Format67 seem to agree, at least when it comes to their iPad application that includes a video for the 2012 GT-R, which was created for Nissan Europe.
The seven-minute long clip shows a man narrating his perfect week with a GT-R, but thankfully, it’s not the anorak kind with all types of expletives about the car’s awesomeness – God knows we’ve seen enough of those.
But don't take our word for it: you can judge for your own by scrolling down and to watch the video.

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2012 Nissan Cube gains New Limited Edition and Minor Equipment Enhancements

It's model year time for Nissan's Cube sub-compact. To cut to the chase, there are no mechanical or styling changes as Nissan simply enhanced the range with a new special edition version and added new colors and a couple of equipment features to certain trim levels. For the 2012MY, the tall hatchback with the distinctive asymmetrical rear window gains a new limited edition model named S Indigo. Among other features, it includes a bespoke Indigo seat color, a standard navigation system with a 5-inch screen, rearview monitor, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, intelligent key with an illuminated push button ignition and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
The SL trim level has been enhanced with the addition the Nissan Intelligent Key as standard while a front passenger seat armrest has been added on both the S and SL models.
Nissan also introduced five new colors for 2012 including Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Cayenne Red and Bali Blue.
Pricing for the 2012 Cube has slightly increased with the base model starting from $14,980 (not including handling and destination fees), or $240 more than the 2011MY.

Model/ Transmission – MSRP (not including destination and handling charges)
Cube 1.8 M/T -- $14,980 USD
Cube 1.8 S M/T -- $16,420 USD
Cube 1.8 S CVT -- $17,420 USD
Cube 1.8 SL CVT -- $18,520 USD

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BMW M10 GT4 CONCEPT [VIDEO]

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Honda Sued In Small Claims Court Over Mileage Claims

She’s had it with Honda, and Heather Peters, a former lawyer, hopes her unusual legal approach will garner as much as 10 times the cash reward and potentially serious consequences for the company if others follow her lead.
Peters, unlike the hundreds of Civic Hybrid owners who joined class action suits, decided to take Honda to small claims court over her 2006 Civic Hybrid achieving sub-par mileage. The car is said to get 50 mpg, but according to Peters, her car never came close and only managed 30 mpg as the battery wore.
Her choice seemed more attractive after finding out that people taking part in the suit would probably only receive about $200 cash and a $750 to $1000 rebate incentive to buy a new Honda. She aims to be awarded the maximum $10,000 allowed as of 2012 in California small claims court.
While taking the Japanese car giant to court might seem sort of senile, Peters is far from crazy. The first fist in her corner is that she has a legal background, so she will be able to prepare a case better than your average Honda customer. Second, California small claims court doesn’t allow lawyers, so Honda will have to keep their legal crack shots at home. Third, as Richard Cupp Jr., who teaches product liability law at Pepperdine University, told the associated press, ”the judge will have a lot of discretion and the evidentiary standards are relaxed in small claims court.”
It’s true that most people probably won’t have the time, education, or energy to take Peters’ path against Honda. If she succeeds and others choose to take similar action, she estimates that it could cost Honda as much as $2 billion. For now, she’s launched a site to promote her cause: DontSettleWithHona.org.
As for her future car plans, she is willing to trade her Civic for a comparable car with a manual transmission because it’s all she trusts anymore.

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Morgan Celebrates 75 Years with Special 4/4

Although the auto industry is generally seen as a fast-paced, every changing business, where the latest and greatest rule supreme, some vehicles and even automakers defy that trend, remaining true to their original concept of motoring.
A standout example is Britain’s Morgan Motor Company, based in Malvern, Worcestershire. For 75 years it’s been hand building essentially the same car, the 4/4, complete with a wood ash frame. And while the company has expanded into developing high tech models such as the Aero Supersport and zero emissions electric vehicle projects, the 4/4 remains a firm favorite with a substantial waiting list worldwide.
In celebration of its first four-wheeled machine to enter production back in 1936, Morgan is launching a special 75th anniversary edition, available in three exterior colors, Sport Black, Sport Red or Old English White, with a matte hood stripe and special “4/4″ and 75th anniversary emblems. Other features include narrow fenders, 9-stud windshield and black painted 15-inch wire wheels.
Powered by a Ford sourced 2.0-liter Duratec twin cam four, cranking out 145 horsepower, the 4/4 Anniversary, in part due to its light weight (a shade over 2000 lbs), is a relatively spritely machine and will do 0-62 mph in around 7.2 seconds and reach a top speed approaching 120 mph. In car that employs essentially 1930s technology, that kind of performance feels decidedly supersonic.

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