• Polish startup Arrinera set to begin producing Hussarya supercar

    April 2, 2014
    Polish startup Arrinera Automotive has reportedly moved forward with plans to produce a new supercar, the Hussarya.

    Originally revealed in 2011, the Hussarya has been developed with design assistance from Lee Noble and the Technical University of Warsaw. Many of the styling cues appear to take inspiration from the Lamborghini Aventador, with sharp edges and scissor doors.

    As expected, the company has embraced kevlar and carbon fiber to help keep the weight down to less than 2,900 pounds. The interior still gets a few luxuries that are omitted in some supercars, including a radio, air conditioning and leather upholstery.

    The Hussarya will be powered by a 6.2-liter V8 mill built by General Motors, tuned to produce 650 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission or optional sequential gearbox deliver power from the mid-mounted engine to the rear wheels, bringing a claimed 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds and topping out at 211 mph.

    The company plans to begin production in the next few months, according to Autocar. Approximately 100 are expected to be built each year, with price tags around $160,000 USD.

  • GM hires 9/11 fund architect to oversee customer compensation

    April 2, 2014

    General Motors CEO has testified before Congress, reiterating statements that were published yesterday and announcing plans to compensate customers who own vehicles affected by the ignition-switch recall.

    The company has hired attorney Kenneth Feinberg, architect of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, to oversee the efforts. Following the terrorist attack, he was tasked with creating a system to manage claims and calculate compensation.

    Today we will ask what GM and NHTSA are doing, not just to fix the car, but to fix a culture of trust within a business and government regulator that led to these problems,” said Pennsylvania Rep. Tim Murphy.

    Barra — accompanied by GM general counsel Mike Milliken – dodged many specific questions about the recall handling, frequently reiterating that the company’s own investigation is still trying to find the answers.

    The chief executive did admit that revising the part without changing the part number was an “unacceptable practice” and “not how we do business.” The move led the company to recently recall any newer vehicles that may have been unknowingly repaired with the old part.

    When asked about an internal GM document that raised concerns over the switch design, but rejected a redesign because it did not present a clear “business case,” Barra admitted that the correspondence is “very disturbing” and “inconceivable.”

    Many of the same questions are expected to be asked tomorrow at a Senate subcommittee.

  • GM CEO meets with victims’ families, rejects calls to stop driving "death traps"

    April 2, 2014
    General Motors chief executive Mary Barra has reportedly met with family members of individuals killed in accidents that have been blamed on defective ignition switches.

    Barra is said to have been extremely apologetic and tearful at the meeting, where she listened to stories and frustrations from relatives who described the recalled vehicles as “death traps” and the victims a “cost of doing business GM style,” according to quotes published by Fox News.

    The ignition switches were mostly installed in small, inexpensive cars that appear to have been popular choices for young drivers. Parents at the meeting told Barra how the defect caused the deaths of their sons or daughters.

    “Please help us in standing up for what is right,” said Ken Rimer, whose stepdaughter was killed in a 2006 accident in Wisconsin. “GM knew it was wrong. GM hid it during their bankruptcy proceedings. GM is liable for these young deaths.”

    The relatives reportedly asked Barra to take stronger action and warn the public that the cars should not be driven until fixed, however the executive allegedly reiterated the company’s confidence in the vehicles as safe as long as extra weight is removed from the ignition key.

    GM yesterday published Barra’s prepared remarks for her hearing today before Congress. She suggests the company is still investigating the situation and has already made changes to its policies, however it still can’t say exactly why it took ten years for a recall to be issued.

  • 2015 Hyundai Genesis to list from $38,000

    April 2, 2014
    Hyundai has announced pricing for its all-new 2015 Genesis sedan. The new Genesis will begin arriving in dealer showrooms by month’s end.

    Pricing for the entry-level 3.8L rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan will start from $38,000, representing nearly a $3,000 premium over the outgoing model. Adding all-wheel drive, which was not available on the last-generation car, bumps the Genesis’ MSRP to $40,500.

    Those wanting a Genesis equipped with Hyundai’s 5.0L V8 will have to cough up $51,500, or $4,100 more than last year’s V8 model.


    Although pricier than the outgoing car, the 2015 Genesis does offer an impressive list of standard features that includes an eight-inch screen with navigation, paddle shifters, rear-view camera, leather and power front seats.


    Three packages will be available for Genesis 3.8L RWD and AWD models – Signature, Technology and Ultimate. The trim levels are step-up packages, so you have to specify one to get to the next rung.


    Listing for $4,000, the Signature package adds goodies like a panoramic sunroof, blind spot detection, HID headlights and an upgraded audio system. The technology package, which carries an MSRP of $3,500, further adds ultra-premium leather, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist and a larger, 7-inch LCD display screen integrated into the gauge cluster.


    Packing on the Ultimate trim for $3,500 adds genuine wood and aluminum trim, full color head-up display, premium navigation with a 9.2-inch screen, 17-speaker audio system and a dual-mode climate control with CO2 sensor.


    The Ultimate package is the lone upgrade for the Genesis 5.0L. It includes all of the features of the 3.8L Ultimate package, plus continuous damping control suspension and a power trunk lid. It will retail for $3,250.


    All vehicle prices exclude a mandatory $950 destination charge.

  • Chrysler previews Moab-bound Easter Jeep Safari concepts

    April 2, 2014
    Chrysler has previewed several concept vehicles that will be headed to the upcoming Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

    The concepts, representing both Jeep and Mopar brands, include the Wrangler Mojo and Cherokee Dakar.

    Sketches show the Wrangler in a bright orange livery, outfitted with special wheels, Mopar’s “Power Dome” hood and a winch bumper that has been shown in earlier Rubicon concepts.

    Although Jeeps are a rare sight at the Dakar Rally, the company’s second Moab sketch shows its new Cherokee with a red and black color scheme and apparently lifted suspension.

    The annual Easter Jeep Safari event invites off-road enthusiasts to try out a variety of trails, with several day-long trips starting from Moab. Participants can choose which trails to drive, depending on their vehicle configuration and experience.

    Jeep will bring a total of eight show vehicles to the jamboree, which is scheduled for April 12 to 20.