When production of the van started in March, 1950, the German carmaker had no idea it would become a world-wide hit. With more than 10 million built, the purpose-built load carrier has evolved through five-generations to become today's Transporter, Multivan and Caravelle.
However, many of the original Microbuses are still on the road and craved by collectors. The first T1 split-screen model was powered by a rear mounted four-cylinder, air-cooled, 1.1-litre petrol engine that developed just 19kW and had a top speed of 100km/h.
The newest Transporter gets a range of turbo-diesel engines from 2.0-litres to 2.5-litres with outputs ranging from 62kW up to 128kW and top speeds of more than 160km/h. Although the design has evolved, the oldest and newest Transporter share the same badge at the front and a generous load area.
VW has toyed with the idea of a 21st century Microbus and whetted appetites in 2001 when it launched the Microbus concept. Unfortunately it has never gone into production.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Toyota to Reportedly Recall Prius Hybrid in U.S., Japan
TOKYO — Toyota will recall 270,000 Prius hybrid vehicles over brake problems in the United States and Japan, a report said Friday, while the beleaguered auto giant launched an investigation into possible problems with the brakes in two more hybrids including the luxury Lexus.
The recall would affect the new Prius hybrid model, and Toyota Motor Corp. would soon notify Japan's transport ministry and the U.S. Department of Transportation of the recall, Japan's top business newspaper, Nihon Keizai, said Friday.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK also said Toyota was considering a recall of Prius hybrids in the U.S.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Honda expands airbag recall worldwide for some models
Honda recall related to airbags is more than half a million worldwide.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Honda has expanded an airbag recall worldwide to more than half a million vehicles
The global airbag-related recall now covers 514,000 vehicles
Last month, Honda announced a separate recall of 646,000 for power window problems
RELATED TOPICS
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Toyota Motor Corporation
Japan
(CNN) -- Honda has expanded an airbag recall worldwide, covering 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V, and selected 2002 Acura TL vehicles, the automaker said.
The recall also includes the Honda Pilot and Acura CL in the United States, and the Honda Inspire, Saber and Lagreat in Japan for the same model years.
On its Web site late Tuesday, Honda said the driver's airbag inflators might expand with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to break and could lead to injury or death.
There have been 12 incidents related to an airbag inflator problem, Honda said.
The original recall was issued in July 2009, and included 2001 and 2002 Accords and Civics, as well as some 2002 model year Acura TL vehicles.
The global recall now covers more than 950,000 vehicles.
Honda said it will notify affected customers by mail and phone with instructions on how to have their vehicles inspected and updated at an authorized dealer.
Last month, Honda announced a separate recall of 646,000 2007 and 2008 Fit, City and Jazz models worldwide, after a fire hazard involving a power window switch resulted in a death in South Africa.
Honda has expanded an airbag recall worldwide to more than half a million vehicles
The global airbag-related recall now covers 514,000 vehicles
Last month, Honda announced a separate recall of 646,000 for power window problems
RELATED TOPICS
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Toyota Motor Corporation
Japan
(CNN) -- Honda has expanded an airbag recall worldwide, covering 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V, and selected 2002 Acura TL vehicles, the automaker said.
The recall also includes the Honda Pilot and Acura CL in the United States, and the Honda Inspire, Saber and Lagreat in Japan for the same model years.
On its Web site late Tuesday, Honda said the driver's airbag inflators might expand with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to break and could lead to injury or death.
There have been 12 incidents related to an airbag inflator problem, Honda said.
The original recall was issued in July 2009, and included 2001 and 2002 Accords and Civics, as well as some 2002 model year Acura TL vehicles.
The global recall now covers more than 950,000 vehicles.
Honda said it will notify affected customers by mail and phone with instructions on how to have their vehicles inspected and updated at an authorized dealer.
Last month, Honda announced a separate recall of 646,000 2007 and 2008 Fit, City and Jazz models worldwide, after a fire hazard involving a power window switch resulted in a death in South Africa.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Toyota Camry Hybrid 2010
Toyota
2010 Camry Hybrid
2010 Toyota Camry
Toyota snuck this one in under the radar. Nowhere on any of the press schedules was there any mention of a Camry refresh for 2010 but, nonetheless, here it is.
Changes for 2010 include new front and rear fascias with a unique grille and bumper treatment for the Camry Hybrid to differentiate it from its less environmentally correct brethren. Larger headlamps and tail lamps are shared by both models.
2010 Camry Hybrid
Bigger changes lie under the hood where a new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine replaces the previous 2.4 liter unit and horsepower has been upped from the current 159 to 169 for the LE and XLE trim levels while the SE gets additional tuning tweaks resulting in an additional 10 hp. The current 5-speed automatic is also shelved in favor of a six speed unit.
2010 Camry Hybrid
2010 Toyota Camry
Toyota snuck this one in under the radar. Nowhere on any of the press schedules was there any mention of a Camry refresh for 2010 but, nonetheless, here it is.
Changes for 2010 include new front and rear fascias with a unique grille and bumper treatment for the Camry Hybrid to differentiate it from its less environmentally correct brethren. Larger headlamps and tail lamps are shared by both models.
2010 Camry Hybrid
Bigger changes lie under the hood where a new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine replaces the previous 2.4 liter unit and horsepower has been upped from the current 159 to 169 for the LE and XLE trim levels while the SE gets additional tuning tweaks resulting in an additional 10 hp. The current 5-speed automatic is also shelved in favor of a six speed unit.
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