Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Ultimate Crossover: Samoa's plan to switch to left-hand traffic sparks motorist unrest [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/the-ultimate-crossover-samoas-plan-to-switch-to-left-hand-traf/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/the-ultimate-crossover-samoas-plan-to-switch-to-left-hand-traf/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/25/the-ultimate-crossover-samoas-plan-to-switch-to-left-hand-traf/#commentsFiled under: ,


Samoan traffic switches sides -- Click above to view the video after the jump

Samoa's prime minister has decided to do something for his constituents who want to buy cheap cars: swap driving from the right-hand side to the left-hand side. The reasoning behind the move is that Australia and New Zealand are Samoa's biggest trading partners, and driving in the same manner they do -- like the English -- will let Samoans buy cheaper cars from the antipodes. Intriguingly, the prime minister also said the switch will help Samoans avoid tsunamis.

It's not exactly a shock to find that more than a few Samoans aren't happy about it. A local attorney has formed a group called People Against Switching Sides, and he was able to get 30,000 petition signatures in a country with just 200,000 people. Samoa's roads are already dangerous, and his reasoning is that this will only mean more injured and killed citizenry, not to mention a huge bill.

The government wants to hear none of it, sticking to its September 7th changeover date and saying it will be a national holiday. If footage a bus full of people traveling the wrong way down a training road is any indication, though, our advice would be to stick to walking. You can watch a video on the reversing maneuver after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Reed!

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Continue reading The Ultimate Crossover: Samoa's plan to switch to left-hand traffic sparks motorist unrest [w/VIDEO]

The Ultimate Crossover: Samoa's plan to switch to left-hand traffic sparks motorist unrest [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaetcnew zealandNewZealandoceanasamoatrafficTue, 25 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/30/ebay-find-of-the-day-1967-nissan-prince-skyline-2000gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/30/ebay-find-of-the-day-1967-nissan-prince-skyline-2000gt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/30/ebay-find-of-the-day-1967-nissan-prince-skyline-2000gt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Long before Michael Jackson named two of his sons Prince, there was a Japanese manufacturer that went by that name. Actually, they were initially called Tachikawa Aircraft Company (builder of the Pearl Harbor-attacking Zeros) but then changed their name to Prince before changing it again to Fuji Precision Industries before finally switching it back to Prince in 1961, just in time to merge with Nissan in 1966. Stick with us, we're getting somewhere with all of this.

None of that would be important to non-WW2 buffs except for one Prince car - the Skyline. We were lucky enough to drive the latest and greatest Skyline (now known as the Nissan GT-R) the other day and noted how it reminded us of a Porsche 959. At that time, we were talking about the two cars' ground breaking technology and performance - but there's another similarity. Both supercars come from humble bloodlines. After all, the Porsche descended from a Volkswagen Beetle. Godzilla's ancestor is the Prince Skyline.

The second-generation S54 Nissan Prince Skyline is a particularly historic car, as it is the first time an inline-6 wound up under the hood. In fact, Nissan had to graft eight inches onto the front of the Skyline (all in front of the firewall) just to shoehorn in the 2.0-liter inline-six from the larger Gloria S40. The 1.5-liter inline-fours went into stumpier cars.

The car above is the S57 Skyline, slightly tweaked for 1967. Called the GT A200 in New Zealand - where this car hails from - the S57 is usually known as the 2000GT and came with three Weber carbs, a limited-slip diff and a five-speed manual transmission. Pretty sweet stuff for 1967... now you see where Godzilla gets it. The only drawback we can see is the 17-hour flight to Aukland.


Gallery: Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT


[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1867 Prince Skyline GT A2001867PrinceSkylineGtA2001967 Prince Skyline1967 Prince Skyline 2000GT1967PrinceSkyline1967PrinceSkyline2000gtGodzillaGT-RNew ZealandNewZealandNissanPrincePrince SkylinePrinceSkylineSkylineSkyline GT A200Skyline GT-RSkylineGt-rSkylineGtA200Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Crazy Kiwis: Buy a new Mitsubishi Triton, get a free goat with purchase]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/30/crazy-kiwis-buy-a-new-mitsubishi-triton-get-a-free-goat-with-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/30/crazy-kiwis-buy-a-new-mitsubishi-triton-get-a-free-goat-with-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/30/crazy-kiwis-buy-a-new-mitsubishi-triton-get-a-free-goat-with-p/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



New Zealand Mitsubishi wants you to buy a Triton ute, and to lure you into doing it they're using goats -- because really, who can resist a goat? Said Mitsu's New Zealand sales and marketing manager, Peter Wilkins, "three years of drought has severely depleted sheep and beef populations, so what better time to float the goat?''

But wait, there's more! If you don't end up taking the goat -- said to go well with the Triton because goats are "hardy, versatile units which will integrate directly into existing farm operations'' -- a goat-free package is available. That will get you a 5-year extended warranty, five vehicle fitness inspections, five thousand km of road user charges paid, five years of roadside assistance, and $500 worth of Triton accessories.

New Zealand Mitsubishi, working hard to... get your goat. (Sorry, had to...)

[Source: Courier Mail]

Crazy Kiwis: Buy a new Mitsubishi Triton, get a free goat with purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 May 2009 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goathumorincentivesmarketingmitstubishimitsubishi tritonMitsubishiTritonnew zealandNewZealandpickuptritontruckuteSat, 30 May 2009 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Chopper carrying <i>Top Gear's</i> Clarkson, Hammond makes emergency landing after seagull strike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/chopper-carrying-i-top-gears-i-clarkson-hammond-makes-emerg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/chopper-carrying-i-top-gears-i-clarkson-hammond-makes-emerg/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/chopper-carrying-i-top-gears-i-clarkson-hammond-makes-emerg/#commentsFiled under: ,



A chopper carrying Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond had to make an emergency landing after a seagull flew into the rotor after takeoff. The incident took place in Auckland, New Zealand. where the pair are currently on tour with the Top Gear Live show. As photos published by London's Daily Mail show, the helicopter appeared none the worse for wear, save for a spot of gore left on one rotor following the whirlybird vs. seabird matchup. Similarly, there were no injuries to any of the chopper's occupants. According to the newspaper, Clarkson and Hammond shrugged things off, took some pictures and resumed their sightseeing. No harm, no fowl... Thanks fot the tip, Jeremy!

[Source: Daily Mail]

Chopper carrying Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond makes emergency landing after seagull strike originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aucklandhelicopter crashHelicopterCrashjeremy clarksonJeremyClarksonnew zealandNewZealandrichard hammondRichardHammondtop gearTopGearSun, 15 Feb 2009 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Hero or Villain? Kiwi bandit filling "boy racer" exhausts with expanding foam]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/hero-or-villian-kiwi-bandit-filling-boy-racer-exhausts-with-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/hero-or-villian-kiwi-bandit-filling-boy-racer-exhausts-with-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/hero-or-villian-kiwi-bandit-filling-boy-racer-exhausts-with-e/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BRRRAAAAP! It's music to the ears of a subset of car nuts. Noisy exhaust setups are hardly a new phenomenon, but the fashion for mufflers that intentionally buzz as much as possible is a more recent development in the pantheon of annoying things others do. Exasperation with the muffler rap has led a New Zealand vigilante to start terrorizing cars equipped with what he or she describes as "boy-racer exhausts" in a written manifesto sent to the Marlborough Express.

Using the handle "Phantom Expander," the self-righteous vandal has taken to filling the tailpipes of offending cars with self-expanding foam. So far, the four-hour set time of the foam has been the saving grace for the Phantom's victims, most of whom have been able to clear the exhausts before the intended plug has dried. Vehicles with fully clogged exhausts will not start, and repairs could get expensive if other components are damaged.

For now, the foam bandit roams free, but it's only a matter of time before someone gets caught with a can of "Great Stuff" in their hand. Will it be the constabulary or a car owner that catches them? For the foamer's sake, it might be best to get nabbed by the police so that they can keep all of their teeth.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]

Hero or Villain? Kiwi bandit filling "boy racer" exhausts with expanding foam originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermarketaftermarket exhaustAftermarketExhaustboy racerboy racer exhaustboy racer new zealandBoyRacerBoyRacerExhaustBoyRacerNewZealandexhaustexhaust vandalismExhaustVandalismfoam banditFoamBanditkiwimodified exhaust new zealandModifiedExhaustNewZealandnew zealandnew zealand foam banditNewZealandNewZealandFoamBanditTue, 03 Feb 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Hulme CanAm makes track debut with 600-hp LS7 V8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/hulme-canam-makes-track-debut-with-600hp-ls7-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/hulme-canam-makes-track-debut-with-600hp-ls7-v8/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/hulme-canam-makes-track-debut-with-600hp-ls7-v8/#commentsFiled under:


Click either image to view the Hulme CanAm in our gallery

The McLaren legacy is a powerful draw. Bruce McLaren himself was a tour de force as a racing driver, engineer and team principal in his day, winning races and championships in Formula One, Indy cars and Can-Am. Ever since his passing in 1970, there has been no lack of supercars ready to lift up his mantle: McLaren F1, Mercedes SLR, Caparo T1...even the tuned Viper concept that recently hit the auction block all owe their origins to the Kiwi and the racing teams he established. Add to that list the Hulme CanAm, a lightweight supercar six years in the making.

The car is named after Denny Hulme, the New Zealander won the F1 title in 1967 before going on to win the Can-Am championship the following year. Appropriately, the car shown above is painted the same bright orange hue as the McLaren racer in which he did it. We've been following the development of the car, previously referred to as the Hulme F1, for a few years now. Along with the name change and the addition of an open-roof model, the Hulme has received a heart transplant in the form of a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 borrowed from the Corvette Z06 to replace the previous BMW unit, offering 600 horsepower. That's enough to push the supercar to sixty in less than three seconds and on to nearly 200 miles-per-hour. The Hulme CanAm recently underwent a public shakedown at the A1GP race in New Zealand, where it lapped the circuit at 123 mph without incident, and is expected to hit the market with a $700,000 price tag sometime next year. Follow the link for more details and check out the assorted images in the gallery below.

UPDATE: new hi-res images of the open-top Hulme CanAm on track added to the gallery

Gallery: Hulme CanAm


[Source: Hulme Supercars]

Hulme CanAm makes track debut with 600-hp LS7 V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>can amCanAmdenny hulmeDennyHulmehulmehulme can amhulme f1hulme supercarHulmeCanAmHulmeF1HulmeSupercarhulmesupercarsmclarennew zealandNewZealandTue, 03 Feb 2009 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[A1GP drag races a Boeing 777 in New Zealand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/a1gp-drag-races-a-boeing-777-in-new-zealand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/a1gp-drag-races-a-boeing-777-in-new-zealand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/a1gp-drag-races-a-boeing-777-in-new-zealand/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Car vs. Jet. It's an epic battle that never seems to end, with new contenders continuously lining up on the runway. And we love it. Top Gear raced a Bugatti Veyron down the runway and back against a Eurofighter, Lamborghini pitted its jet-inspired Reventon against a Tornado, Audi raced its Le Mans-winning R10 TDI against an RAF Harrier jump-yet at Goodwood and Spyker F1 faced off against a Royal Dutch Air Force F16 fighter. (Volkswagen even pulled a 747 jumbo jet with a Touareg V10 TDI.) Now meet the latest challengers: "Black Beauty", Team New Zealand's Zytek-powered Lola A1GP race car, against an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200ER.

The showdown took place on the runway at Auckland International Airport between Kiwi racer Jonny Reid and Air New Zealand pilot Dave Morgan as a publicity event to promote the A1GP races in Taupo, New Zealand this coming weekend. The promotional event seems a little at odds with the recent announcement that the series was switching to bio-ethanol for environmental reasons, but you know what? We don't care. (That's what AutoblogGreen is for.)

Neither did the masses of spectators, who reportedly lined up in the light rain by the terminal windows and alongside the airport perimeter to see the race. Two drag races were staged down the runway: In the first run, the A1GP car had trouble gaining traction off the line in the wet and the 777 won (with a light load and a head start, mind you), but in the second round the racing slicks gripped onto the tarmac and the car took the checkered wind-stocking ahead of the jet. A draw, then - we'll just have to wait for the next showdown.

Follow the jump for the video and press release.

[Source: A1GP]

Continue reading A1GP drag races a Boeing 777 in New Zealand

A1GP drag races a Boeing 777 in New Zealand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>777a1gpblack beautyBlackBeautyboeingdave morganDaveMorganjonny reidJonnyReidnew zealandNewZealandtaupoThu, 17 Jan 2008 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/a1gp-switches-to-ethanol-mix-ships-fuel-to-new-zealand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/a1gp-switches-to-ethanol-mix-ships-fuel-to-new-zealand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/a1gp-switches-to-ethanol-mix-ships-fuel-to-new-zealand/#commentsFiled under: ,

Switching a racing series to ethanol? Smart. Shipping the ethanol around the world to show how green that racing series is? Less so.

A1GP has announced that its upcoming race in New Zealand will mark the inauguration of the series' switch to E30 Hiperflo ethanol-gasoline blend, which, as organizers point out, cuts CO2 emissions by 21% and, of course, reduces the use of fossil fuels. The mixture is specially made for use in A1GP and consists of 30% ethanol and 70% gasoline. While IndyCars and Champ Cars have run on methanol since the '60s, both series are based in the US and have to ship their fuel to fewer races abroad than A1GP.

Logistical considerations aside, overall we say it's a good thing that motorsports are shifting to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly fuel sources. At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show this week we heard all about the American Le Mans Series and its green intentions. Ferrari, which is set to begin supplying the engines for A1GP in two years, revealed its bio-ethanol-powered 430 Spider in Detroit, as well. Meanwhile, the FIA has revealed a preliminary timeline for introducing a new F1 engine formula that's anticipated to include environmental measures.

Excerpt from the press release after the jump.

[Source: A1GP via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand

A1GP switches to ethanol mix, ships fuel to New Zealand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a1gpbioe30e85emissionsenvironmentalethanolgreennew zealandNewZealandracingWed, 16 Jan 2008 10:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/holden-recalls-86-000-zetas-equipped-with-v6/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



GM's Australian subsidiary Holden has recalled 86,000 rear-wheel-drive Zeta cars with the V6 engine to correct a potential fuel leak that could lead to fires. The CNN Money article says that the recall doesn't impact the Pontiac G8, GM's North American Zeta variant, because that car's underhood layout is different. We should also mention that the G8 is not even on sale yet, so there are none in customer hands to recall.

VE and WM Commodores in Australia and New Zealand, Chevrolet Lumina and Caprice models in the Middle East, as well as the Chevrolet Omega in Brazil are all affected. When a clip chafes on the fuel line, it can apparently cause a leak with nasty results if the gasoline ignites. The risk is low, says GM's John Lindsay, but they're calling the cars back, nearly all of the Zetas with V6 engines sold since the car's redesign, and fixing them free of charge just to be on the safe side.

[Source: CNN]

Holden recalls 86,000 Zetas equipped with V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabrazilcapricechevroletcommodorefirefuel leakFuelLeakgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmholdenluminamiddle eastMiddleEastnew zealandNewZealandomegarecallzetaTue, 08 Jan 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford wants New Zealand safety ad pulled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/ford-wants-new-zealand-safety-ad-pulled/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Safety campaigners and law makers in New Zealand have consistently complained about car ads showing any sense of speed and have since had them banned. Now the tables have turned with Ford reportedly unhappy over the latest anti-speeding ad from Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) because of the way it portrays one of its new cars.

The $2 million television ads shows a late-model Ford Falcon XR6 (pictured) sliding out of control and ending up in a ditch, and, according to a Blue Oval spokesperson, the ad breaches an agreement between the automakers and the LTNZ, which stipulates the make and model of cars in road safety ads are to be concealed.

The LTNZ is standing by its ad, claiming it doesn't breach any rules because the car's badging is gone, and expects it to air for the next 18 months. Fortunately for Ford, a new version of the Falcon is due to go on sale early next year.

[Source: The Age]

Ford wants New Zealand safety ad pulled originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ford FalconFordFalconLand Transport New ZealandLandTransportNewZealandNew ZealandNewZealandTue, 18 Sep 2007 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Kiwi supercar coming in 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/kiwi-supercar-coming-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/kiwi-supercar-coming-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/17/kiwi-supercar-coming-in-2008/#commentsFiled under:


The recently launched Caparo T1 may already have met its match, and it comes from an unlikely source. New Zealand based Hulme Supercars Ltd. is planning to build an extreme race-car-for-the-road called the Hulme. Powered by a 5.0L V8 engine sourced from BMW, the Hulme develops 550 HP, but weighs in around 1175 kg, which is quite a bit more than the Caparo. The company hopes to begin production next year and claims it can build 25 cars a year. List price is an eye-watering £310,000 (US$620K).

Hulme Supercars states that the idea behind this car is to make it as close to a Formula 1 experience as possible, so the car comes with a mid-mounted engine and full carbon fiber construction. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the car is RWD only with a LSD.

The company and car are named after Danny Hulme, who won the Can-Am championship almost 40 years ago. There are even plans to commemorate this with a Can-Am convertible version, as well as an engine designed more for American tastes. We're not sure what they're talking about, as big V8s from BMW are universally appealing.

[Source: EVO]

Kiwi supercar coming in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HulmeHulme supercarsHulmeSupercarsNew ZealandNewZealandMon, 17 Sep 2007 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[More hysteria over suggestive ads: Hyundai yanks ad featuing baby behind the wheel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/more-hysteria-over-suggestive-ads-hyundai-yanks-ad-featuing-bab/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/more-hysteria-over-suggestive-ads-hyundai-yanks-ad-featuing-bab/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/more-hysteria-over-suggestive-ads-hyundai-yanks-ad-featuing-bab/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Aw hell, here we go again. Hyundai is pulling its spot called "Restless" after the Advertising Standards Bureau of Australia banned it. The ad, which appeals to people's warm, gooey centers by adultifying toddlers, shows a baby snatching the keys to the Santa Fe and hitting the highway. Along the way, he picks up a girl who happens to be hitching to the beach. He surfs, she watches, world hunger and strife are nearly wiped out in the span of sixty seconds. It's a great spot and was voted the most popular ad in New Zealand last year (what a dubious distinction!)

The ASB argues that the ad shows illegal activity (and there's nothing else on TV that shows illegal stuff?), and may entice youngsters into copycat behavior. Right. Like nobody in the history of the car ever had a kid yank the controls before this ad suggested it? Kids love to pretend like they're adults, so you can be sure that if you plop your toddler in the driver's seat, they're going to have a grand old time. Not that there's much watchable content on television anymore, but these situations go beyond the ridiculous and will just lead to more whitewashed, mamby-pamby crap for us to have to sit through. What's next, banning talking animal spots because no animal really talks? Come on people! There's got to be a more fulfilling pursuit than getting all wadded up over an ad - this is one of the most harmless, charming spots we've seen in a while.

We just don't get it, but apparently there's a large contingent out there who yearns to be protected from themselves. Life is no fun if you don't collect a few bumps and scrapes. Yes, I drove mom's '68 Rambler into the garage and out into the street a couple times as a kid. I couldn't help it - that column shift was just asking for it!

Thanks for the tip, Anton!

Check out the spot after the jump

[Source: duncans.tv]

Continue reading More hysteria over suggestive ads: Hyundai yanks ad featuing baby behind the wheel

More hysteria over suggestive ads: Hyundai yanks ad featuing baby behind the wheel originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adaustraliabanbannedcommercialcontroversyhyundainew zealandNewZealandpullrestlesssanta feSantaFespotFri, 23 Feb 2007 14:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda recalls 270,000 vehicles in Japan and elsewhere]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/honda-recalls-270-000-vehicles-in-japan-and-elsewhere/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/honda-recalls-270-000-vehicles-in-japan-and-elsewhere/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/06/honda-recalls-270-000-vehicles-in-japan-and-elsewhere/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Honda announced yesterday that they would recall 270,000 vehicles throughout Japan and China. The two vehicles affected by the recall are the Odyssey minivan and Life kei car.

In the case of the Odyssey, a problematic electrical circuit in the windshield wiper unit has resulted in two minivans catching fire. Of the approximately 117,000 affected Odysseys, 85,000 are in Japan and the rest are spread throughout China, Australia and New Zealand.

The Life kei car (pictured) is also suffering from electrical maladies that can cause the engine to shut down suddenly. So far 104 cases of engine failure have been reported and Honda is expecting to recall 153,000 examples of the popular city car.

[Source: Today Online]

Honda recalls 270,000 vehicles in Japan and elsewhere originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiachinacity carCityCarhondajapankei carKeiCarnew zealandNewZealandodysseyrecallFri, 06 Oct 2006 06:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Rally driver and co-driver narrowly escape death in the drink]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/rally-driver-and-co-driver-narrowly-escape-death-in-the-drink/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/rally-driver-and-co-driver-narrowly-escape-death-in-the-drink/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/26/rally-driver-and-co-driver-narrowly-escape-death-in-the-drink/#commentsFiled under:



Rally racing is easily classified as one of the most insane forms of motorsport out there. The thought of running through a series of poorly maintained cow paths at break-neck speed, surrounded by a variety of immovable objects that don't particularly like to give on impact, may not be your idea of fun, but for others, its what they live for.

For two participants of New Zealand's Rally of Nelson, what they live for quickly changed into what they might die from. Following an off road excursion, the duo found themselves upside down in a nearby creek/river. Both the driver and co-driver escaped without injury (the STI was less fortunate), but the video at Stuff.co.nz is enough to make even the most hardened gravel thrasher cringe.

Follow the 'Read' link for all the details, along with an in-car video of the crash.

Rally driver and co-driver narrowly escape death in the drink originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new zealandNewZealandrallyrally of nelsonRallyOfNelsonsubaruTue, 26 Sep 2006 18:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Tiger Woods set to roll around in the dirt with Kiwis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/tiger-woods-set-to-roll-around-in-the-dirt-with-kiwis/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/tiger-woods-set-to-roll-around-in-the-dirt-with-kiwis/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/20/tiger-woods-set-to-roll-around-in-the-dirt-with-kiwis/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Tiger Woods is used to long, commanding drives-- in fact, one could say he's made a habit of them. But the PGA's biggest star is set to trade in his golf clubs for a dirt oval stock car -- and in New Zealand, of all places.

The Buick spokesman will dice it up with other celebrities (including professional racers and his own caddy, in a 12-lap charity race where bumping and grinding is apparently the order of the day.

Tiger will suit up and strap in next Monday at Huntly Placemakers Speedway, and the race will raise money for the Steve Williams Foundation, an organization that helps give impoverished youth the opportunity to pursue their sporting joneses.

[Sources: Seven.com.au; Buick]

Tiger Woods set to roll around in the dirt with Kiwis originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Apr 2006 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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