2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel to go on Sale in the States officially

On Wednesday, Porsche confirmed that it will bring the Cayenne Diesel to the U.S. by 2013, but the German company isn't the only automaker with plans to sell a diesel-powered SUV in the States. The Chrysler Group announced today that it would add a diesel version to its Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup in the United States and Canada. The North American diesel model will be manufactured at the firm's Jefferson North Assembly Plant [JNAP] in Detroit.
In addition, Chrysler revealed that it would add a third crew and 1,100 new jobs at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant next year. Current employment at the plant is approximately 2,890 workers.
"We believe that investing in Detroit is not only the right thing to do, but it is a smart thing to do as we work to write the next chapter in our shared history," said Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.
The automaker did not divulge any more details but there's a good chance that the North American market Grand Cherokee Diesel will be offered with the same engine as its European counterpart.
The latter is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 CRD common-rail turbo diesel available in two states of tune delivering 190HP at 4,000rpm and 440Nm (324.5 lb-ft) at 1,600-2,800rpm, and 241HP at 4,000rpm and 550Nm (405.7 lb-ft) at 1,800-2,800rpm. Both versions of the V6 are matted to a five-speed automatic transmission. 
 
The 190HP model accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 191km/h (119mph) while returning a combined fuel consumption of 8.3 lt/100km (28.4mpg) in the European cycle.
The more potent 241HP variant goes from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.2 seconds en route to a top speed of 202km/h (126mph) but returns the same fuel economy at 8.3 lt/100km (28.4mpg).

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You should not overtake trams always

Who would ever think that a driver could have so many levels of stupidity? For starters, the person behind the wheel of this white van entered an enclosed section of the road reserved only for trams. Now you'll agree that's a real stupid move in itself, but it gets even worse as the driver then attempts to overtake the tram at the same time that another trolley car is coming on the opposite rails! Do we really need to tell you what happens next?
Video follows after the jump.

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2013 Toyota Land Cruiser 5.7 V8 Announced for the U.S.

As we anticipated, after the December launch of the updated 2012 Land Cruiser 200 in its home market of Japan, Toyota has announced details on the North American version that will go on sale in the States as a 2013 model later this year. While Toyota's U.S. arm released photos of the European specification model, the same styling changes apply for the 2013 Land Cruiser that will be sold here and which we will most likely have the chance to see for the first time at next week's Detroit Auto Show.
Beginning with the exterior, the Land Cruiser gains an updated front grille and headlamps with HID low-beams and LED Daytime Running Lights, enlarged front and rear fenders, chrome side moldings, and redesigned outer side mirrors and tail lamps.
The revised model rides on newly designed 18-inch alloy wheels with a high-gloss finish that are shod in P285/60 R18 mud-and-snow steel-belted radial tires.
Inside, Toyota refined the interior of its eight-seater model with a higher gloss wood grain finish, brighter silver instrument panel ornamentation, chrome-plated air registers and updated meter-cluster lighting.
New features for the 2013 model include: a Multi-terrain Monitor with front, side or rear selectable views; a redesigned Multi-information Display; an Eco Driving Indicator light and zone display; heated steering wheel; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control; an additional power outlet (DC 12V) at the rear of the center console; and an AC 120V rear cargo deck power outlet.
There's good news for those that like their vehicles well equipped as the Japanese company decided to make all previously optional safety and convenience features standard. 
 
These include the rear-seat DVD entertainment system, color-keyed rear spoiler, rain-sensing windshield wipers, center-console cooler box, headlamp cleaners, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift lever, multi-information display, voice and Bluetooth hands-free controls, and heated second row seats plus Toyota’s Premium Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Navigation with Entune multi-media system and JBL audio.
While the Land Cruiser continues with the 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Japanese brand has made changes to the 4x4's various electronic systems.
New for the 2013MY is a Multi-terrain Select system that dials in wheel slip control to match the conditions of the terrain. For example, in loose terrain such as mud and sand, the system allows for more wheel slip than normal while on solid rock, wheel slip is minimized with the system acting more like a limited slip differential.
Toyota also introduced a new five-speed CRAWL Control with an Off-Road Turn Assist feature.
The CRAW Control system is activated when the transfer case is shifted into low range regulating engine speed and output along with braking force to help the driver on extremely rough level ground or steep grades. As for the Off-Road Turn Assist feature, it pulses the rear corner brakes to help the 4x4 make sharper turns when steering through tight quarters on rugged terrain.
Finally, there's a new four-wheel multi-terrain anti-lock braking system while Toyota has added a Trailer Sway Control to the standard equipment of the Land Cruiser.

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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).

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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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