• Ford airbag death prompts another Takata recall expansion

    January 23, 2016

    Another death blamed on Takata airbag inflators has reportedly prompted yet another recall expansion.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently received a complaint from a South Carolina attorney alleging that a Takata inflator exploded in a 2006 Ford Ranger and sent shrapnel into an driver’s neck.

    “Metal from the inflator canister exploded penetrating my client’s neck resulting in death,” the complaint reads. “There is no doubt airbag shrap killed my client, as this has been confirmed by death certificate and autopsy report.”

    The driver is said to have “hit a cow in the middle of the road,” causing the vehicle to leave the road into a field. The attorney claims the South Carolina Highway Patrol is still working to complete its investigation of the late-December accident.

    The 2006 Ranger was already included in a Takata recall. A May 2015 campaign cited safety concerns with the Takata-sourced front passenger airbag. The driver airbag, which was blamed for the death, was not included in any recall campaigns when the death complaint was submitted.

    The incident has been associated with a wider review of two inflator types, including the suspect inflator in the 2006 Ranger, according to a Reuters report. The expansion is expected to affect five million vehicles from several automakers.

  • Spied: Next-gen presidential limo mule

    January 23, 2016

    We may not know who the next President of the United States will be, but we’ve got an early glimpse of the wheels that will carry him or her around.

    The details of the next presidential vehicle are even less clear than those of most test mules, but at first glance it seems pretty obvious that this new car will follow in the current car’s footsteps.

    The presidential limousine hasn’t been based on a car for a while. It doesn’t look like that’s going to change. An upright, raked stance and obviously staggered wheels give away this new limo’s roots.

    In its current iteration, it’s a Chevrolet Kodiak/GMC TopKick underneath all that Cadillac styling. With GM no longer in the medium-duty truck game, we the next limo’s chassis will be even farther removed from any production trucks.

    Superficially, it’s a Cadillac, and as such the front end is wearing the grille we’ve already seen on the XT5, which will no doubt sport the scaled-up new variant of the Caddy crest.

    What few details the Department of Homeland Security is inclined to share will likely become public after the next president is elected.

  • Leak reveals Jaguar F-Type SVR

    January 23, 2016

    Jaguar’s rumored F-Type SVR has been thoroughly detailed ahead of its official unveiling.

    The F-Type R‘s 5.0-liter supercharged V8 has been retuned to deliver 575 ps (567 horsepower) and 700 Nm (526 lb-ft) of torque, according to a leaked German brochure posted by Autovisie. The market-specific figures represent an increase of 25 horsepower and 15 lb-ft of torque over the R, suggesting the US-bound model could be rated at 575 ponies.

    The document also appears to confirm all-wheel drive for the SVR build, allowing the coupe to reach 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds — a half second faster than the lesser R. The extra power also allows the car to reach 200 mph.

    JLR’s Special Vehicle designers gave the SVR a more aggressive look distinguished by cavernous air intakes, prominent diffusers and a rear wing. Carbon ceramic brakes are listed as an optional upgrade, along with a lightweight Titanium and Inconel exhaust system.

    The company has not yet officially announced any details, though the brochure leak suggests a debut could be scheduled in the near future.

  • Ferrari California T gains Handling Speciale package

    January 23, 2016

    Ferrari has introduced a new Handling Speciale package for the California T.

    The HS option is said to deliver an even sportier driving experience, particularly on tiwsty routes with the manettino dial’s Sport mode engaged.

    Engineers increased the spring rates by 16 percent up front and 19 percent on the tail end, lowering roll and pitch for increased body control. Revised programming for the SCM3 magnetorheological dampers aims for faster reaction speed and higher efficiency, maximizing acceleration on bumpy surfaces and coming out of corners.

    Drivers will also be able to hear the HS package, thanks to a new exhaust system with redesigned geometry. The exhaust note increases progressively as engine speed increases, with a sportier timber than the basic California T plumbing.

    “The exhaust was developed in tandem with the engine and gearbox control software to underline the performance gains, with a more rapid response and improved sound and volume when driven hard,” the company notes. “The exhaust’s new timbre is instantly recognizable as soon as the driver hits the Start button. It is fuller, richer and more involving at all speeds and in all driving situations.”

    A new front grille in matte Grigio Ferro Met and a matching rear diffuser complete the package, along with matte black tailpipes to distinguish the upgraded exhaust.

    Ferrari has not yet announced pricing details for the HS add-on, which will be formally introduced at the Geneva Motor Show.

  • FCA highlights $63M stamping upgrades at Warren factory

    January 23, 2016

    Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has highlighted a $63 million upgrade at its Warren Stamping Plant in Michigan.

    The new high-speed servo tandem equipment represents the first new press to be installed at the plant in 15 years. It is the only servo tandem press currently operating in FCA’s entire North American manufacturing operations, though a similar upgrade is under development for the Sterling Stamping factory.

    The refined press technology is said to significantly increase output rates while improving reliability and minimizing maintenance requirements. Its servo drive enables full control over the ram speed at every position in the press stroke. Die changes are also much quicker, slashing the 20-minute switch-out process to just four minutes.

    The 180-inch press line will increase capacity by up to 12,000 hits per day, equating to an extra 3.6 million parts per year. Plant capacity will consequently rise to 84 million parts.

    The Warren Stamping Plant has been running for more than 65 years, currently providing parts that are shipped to seven assembly plants spread across the US, Mexico and Canada.