Ford recalls 527,000 Escape SUVs

Ford is recalling 527,000 Escape sport-utility vehicles because of a problem in the antilock braking system that could cause fires, the company said Tuesday.

Missing or incorrectly installed wiring harness seals on the Escape's antilock brake connector could allow water and other contaminates such as brake fluid or road salt to enter the ABS connector causing corrosion.

The corrosion, in turn, could "lead to an illuminated ABS warning indicator, an open fuse, and in some rare instances smoking, melting or burning of the electrical ABS connector," the company said in a statement.

The recall affects 444,880 Escapes from the 2001-2004 model years in the U.S., as well as 82,000 Escapes in Canada, Mexico and Europe, Ford said.

The hybrid version of the Escape is not included in the recall, although the Mazda Tribute, which is essentially a twin of the Ford Escape, is being included, according to spokesperson Kristen Kinley.

Ford said there had been about no reported accidents or injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating the issue.

Under the recall, Ford dealers will inspect the antilock braking system for corrosion and replace it if necessary.

[Source: CNN]

New York Auto Show - Impreza saloon booted out in UK!

Neither the four-door version of the new car nor the sporty WRX variant will make it to British showrooms.

We revealed details of the all-new line-up last week (Top Story, Issue 955), and the family car was displayed at the New York Motor Show in both hatchback and saloon guises. However, the booted model won't come to the UK as the brand seeks to rival the Honda Civic and VW Golf, which both sell in greater numbers with five doors rather than four.

A spokesman said: "We've sold more saloons in the UK as our rally car has always been a four-door, but the next WRC Impreza will be a hatch."

While normally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0-litre five-doors arrive towards the end of the year, performance fans will have to wait until 2008 for the hot STi model. This will deliver 300bhp from its turbocharged 2.5-litre boxer engine.

That means the 225bhp WRX available in the US will be axed here. "We're trying to sell more normally aspirated cars and lower the range's average CO2 output," added the spokesman.

[Source : Auto Express]

The Best Cars of 2006 - Chrysler 300

This is a big, beefy sedan that's American and proud of it. Sounds simple, but that cupboard was bare for years before Chrysler released its award-winning 300.

Some say that the 300's success is only about its signature grille and muscle-man styling, but it's equally about the muscle under the hood, in the form of the optional 340-horsepower Hemi V-8. Some of the car's excellence can be traced to corporate sibling Mercedes-Benz, which had a hand in the transmission and suspension.

Flaws are few, including mediocre plastics inside and a center control panel with too many dinky buttons. The Hemi shuts down half its cylinders during cruising to boost mileage, though fuel- and price-conscious buyers should check out the 3.5-liter V-6 version.

Source: [cnn]

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The Best Cars of 2006 - Audi A6

Judging a luxury car comes down to how well it can juggle. Can it excel in design, performance, features, quality -- all while leaving you thoroughly entertained?

Among $40,000 to $65,000 sedans, the Audi A6 deserves top billing. The four-wheel-drive four-door topped our recent test of five mid-size luxury cars (January 2006) by perfectly balancing beauty and brawn, comfort and sportiness.

The body is modern but not too flashy; the sleek and comfy cabin again asserts Audi's leading position in interior design; the switches and knobs don't feel at all plasticky or flimsy. The 335-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 model is certainly potent, but it's the 255-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 that offers the most muscle for the dollar: That engine has a healthy amount of power but also delivers fuel economy of 21 mpg in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway.

Source: [cnn]

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The Best Cars of 2006 - Honda Accord

Despite strong new competition from Toyota and Ford, Honda still sits at the head of the family-sedan table. The Accord is as roomy, comfortable and safe as its main rivals yet still feels more sporty and refined whenever the road throws you a curve.

Four-cylinder, 166-hp models are so smooth, affordable and economical that there's little reason to opt for the 244-hp V-6. The 2006 model gets a mild makeover for the exterior and interior, including new rear-end styling, as well as a new steering wheel, driver's gauges and seat fabrics.

All Accords feature side- and side-curtain air bags, six-cylinder models add standard electronic stability control, and the EX V-6 now offers a six-speed manual transmission.

Source: [cnn]

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The Best Cars of 2006 - BMW 3 Series

After serious challenges from Infiniti and Lexus, BMW released a new 3 Series last year, and its subtle gains in power, braking and handling have vaulted the four-door to the top of the pack once again.

The new 3.0-liter inline-six engine now produces 255 horsepower for the 330i. The small four-door remains one of the best handling cars on the road, period.

The interior isn't groundbreaking, but at least BMW's oft-lambasted iDrive controller (a big console-mounted knob that operates almost everything in the car -- and does so in a confusing fashion) is an option here, one you can happily skip.

Source: [cnn]

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The Best Cars of 2006

In the next couple of days I will be covering the best cars of 2006, based CNN.

Today's car is Mazda 3. Here is what Money Magazine said about it:

Any shortlist of compact cars is sure to include the Toyota Corolla and the all-new 2006 Honda Civic, but the Mazda 3 is simply a cut above. It's practical and easy on gas, but also stylish and fun to drive.

Sedan shoppers can choose the 3i model's 150-hp, 2.0-liter 4 or the 3s model's 2.3-liter 4 with 160 hp. The handsome five-door hatch gets the 2.3-liter only; that engine is paired with a new five-speed automatic and anti-lock brakes, both of which are standard.

Options include a navigation system and satellite radio. Go easy on extras and a well-equipped 3 can be had for $16,000 to $17,000.

Expect more soon.

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