• Nissan recalls Juke over defective timing chain

    May 16, 2014
    Nissan is reportedly preparing to issue a voluntary recall for its 2011-2013 Juke crossover.

    The company has discovered an issue with the timing chain, which can deteriorate and distort over time, according to Cars.com. Owners may be presented with a warning light, however the chain is prone to eventually fail if the alert is ignored.

    It is unclear if the issue has been associated with any accidents or injuries, though one complaint filed last week with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims a 2011 Juke died in the middle of the road due to chain failure.

    The owner that filed the complaint claims the vehicle did not make it out of the parking lot after repair. The service manager reportedly blamed the second failure on metal shavings from the defective chain. Other reports also claim the engine needed replaced due to damage to other components as the chain broke.

    At least 14 similar complaints were logged for 2011-model-year Jukes, one for the 2012 edition and none for the 2013 model. One report claims failure at 28,000 miles.

    The company will replace the timing chains, chain guides and crank sprocket at no charge to the customer.

  • Nissan teases new 370Z Nismo for May 16 unveiling

    May 16, 2014
    Nissan is preparing for a “special global Nismo debut” at the ZDayZ enthusiast jamboree in North Carolina.

    The company has released a teaser image with a 370Z label, suggesting the 2015 production model — or a close conceptual approximation — may be revealed at the event.

    The image shows the front corner of the vehicle, with a boomerang headlight matching the current 370Z and a thin LED strip that appears to be borrowed from the GT-R.

    Nissan was expected to preview the 370Z successor late last year in Tokyo, however the company instead unveiled retro-styled IDx concepts that are expected to serve as the basis for a different production model.

    The next-generation 370Z is rumored to be built upon an updated version of Nissan’s rear-wheel-drive FM platform, with a focus on lighter weight via expanded use of aluminum. It is expected to be powered by the same VQ engine that powers the current models, though it is unclear if the company will re-tune its V6 for the update.

    The mystery Nismo vehicle will be completely revealed on Friday, May 16 at the Fontana Village Resort in North Carolina.

  • Scion improves FR-S suspension for 2015; tC gets paddle shifters

    May 16, 2014
    Scion has introduced minor updates to its FR-S and tC coupes for the 2015 model year.

    The FR-S sports coupe will get the same suspension refinements that were recently announced for the European-market Toyota GT86. The front suspension has been strengthened and the rear shocks retuned, reducing body roll and improving responsiveness.

    The 2015 refresh also brings a new shark-fin antenna to replace the pole antenna of the 2014 model, while the exhaust tips are now larger and flush with the rear bumper. Owners will also be greeted with automatic headlights and an updated interior panel with faux carbon fiber.

    The 2015 tC remains mostly unchanged from the current model, save for new paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. Customers will also be able to purchase two new colors: Cosmic Gray and Blizzard Pearl.

    Base pricing for both vehicles remains unchanged at $24,900 for the FR-S and $19,210 for the tC (excluding $755 destination fee).

  • VW considers fastback design for next-gen CC

    May 16, 2014
    Volkswagen is currently considering a fastback design for its next-generation CC sedan.

    VW of America president Michael Horn has confirmed that the company may take inspiration from the Audi A7. Fully embracing the fastback profile would further differentiate the CC from its Passat stablemate.

    “Two versions are being studied, and we’re seriously looking at a fastback version as one of them,” Horn told Motor Trend.

    The executive also suggested VW may try to bring CC production over to North America, helping to minimize import costs and mitigate the effects of a strong Euro.

    With the cost of production going up, we’re looking at the business case, but maybe there’s another option, of waiting 2-3 years and getting the CC built here in the U.S. or in Mexico,” Horn added.

    A launch window for the next-generation CC has yet to be confirmed, though the manufacturing comments hint at a 2016 or 2017 arrival.

  • UK drug dealers stealing Range Rover LED headlights

    May 16, 2014
    Police officers in England are advising Range Rover owners to park their SUVs indoors after more than 40 sets of LED headlights were stolen in an alarmingly short amount of time.

    Sources close to the investigation told British newspaper The Telegraph that the stolen headlights are being sold to drug dealers who use them to help their cannabis plants grow faster. The thieves primarily target Range Rovers and select Land Rover LR4s because their lights can be removed in as little as a minute without needing to open the hood.

    “It is rife. But it is such an easy crime – it is so fast. They put a crowbar in between the front fender and the headlight. They wrecked the fender. There was no noise. They know how to disable the alarm on the cars,” explained Michael Roper, a pub owner whose Range Rover was recently vandalized.

    The vandals caused about £8,000 (approximately $13,400) worth of damage to Roper’s Range Rover.

    A special task force within the West Yorkshire police department recently arrested 14 individuals that it believes are connected to the thefts and recovered several stolen parts. One man was charged with theft, but the other 13 were released on bail.

    The stolen lights recovered by the police will likely get scrapped because the mounting brackets were undoubtedly broken when the headlights were forcefully removed.