Category: Cars

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From Autoblog: Report: Fisker Karma owned by Consumer Reports breaks down

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Like pretty much any driver, we’ve had our share of car trouble over the years, both with vehicles loaned to us for review by automakers and our own private rides. What we haven’t experienced is being the first media outlet to plunk down over $100,000 for a luxury plug-in hybrid, only to have it konk out before we even put 200 miles on it.

That “honor” goes to Consumer Reports and their brand new Fisker Karma, which broke down during calibration tests, just a few days into CR‘s ownership period. After the dashboard flashed a warning, the driver stopped to see what was wrong, and then couldn’t get the PHEV into gear again. Self-repairs (i.e., let’s leave it alone for an hour and see what happens) didn’t work and the manual was no help, so the nearby dealer sent out a flatbed truck to haul the Karma away. As CR writes:

We buy about 80 cars a year and this is the first time in memory that we have had a car that is undriveable before it has finished our check-in process.

The Karma’s problems are widespread. It has been plagued by a variety of problems, including two recalls, one for a software glitch and one for battery issues, following a long delay getting the car to market. Owners commenting on the FiskerBuzz forum are also reporting various issues. Not exactly behavior that leads to a “Recommended” rating.

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Fisker Karma owned by Consumer Reports breaks down originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Autoblog

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From Engadget: Tesla Roadster EVs accused of ‘bricking,’ Tesla responds

Tesla Roadster

Last night we were sent an interesting report about Tesla Roadsters falling into an unfortunate state — a very terminal, very expensive state. According to theunderstatement a Tesla Roadster that is left to discharge completely, a process that could take many weeks, will need to have its entire battery pack replaced (pictured above) — at a cost of approximately $40,000. There are said to be no countermeasures that can prevent this short of keeping your car topped up, and while that may sound simple enough, it becomes tricky if you need to put the thing in storage for a few months.

While we haven’t been able to confirm all the “several” supposed cases of this happening, we did hear back from Tesla issuing a statement (after the break) that more or less affirms this could happen. Tesla uses a number of so-called “countermeasures” to prevent this, up to and including a representative from the company calling the owner should a battery pack trail dangerously low. Worryingly, though, this situation is said to be possible in both the upcoming Model S sedan and Model X SUV. Here’s to hoping for a little more clarity on this issue — and maybe a solution — before those two come to market.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Tesla Roadster EVs accused of ‘bricking,’ Tesla responds

 

from Engadget

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From Autoblog: Video: How Forza Motorsport 4 gets its cars

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The ladies and gentlemen at Turn 10, the studio behind Forza Motorsport 4, take their cars just as seriously as their gaming. They’re not the only gamers to invest heaps of time rendering metal into pixels, but you might be surprised just how much travel, how many microphones, how long on the dyno and what kinds of owners go into gathering the selection of rides.

If you’ve wondered what goes into taking a Bugatti Veyron, or even a Honda Civic Si, from the parking lot to the game’s custom Bernese Alps track, then there’s a video just for you after the jump.

 

from Autoblog

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From Technology Review RSS Feeds: Self-Driving Tech Veers into Mid-Range Cars

Sensor technologies once limited to luxury cars are increasingly available in the mass market.

Fully autonomous self-driving cars are still far from the market, but a wide range of features—including sensor systems that warn of lane departures and imminent crashes, and can even apply the brakes if you don’t—are rapidly showing up in midmarket cars.




from Technology Review RSS Feeds