CAR INFO

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Pick Truc

There is big, like this extended wheelbase Mercedes-Benz G500 pickup truck, and then there is really BIG, like the premium 4x4's over-the-top sibling you see pictured above. Built by German customizer GWF, this oversized G500 pickup truck conversion measures a little over 6.3 meters (248 inches) in length or some 210mm more than a Rolls-Royce Phantom Long Wheelbase limo!
It also stands 2.2 metres (86.6 inches) tall and 2.25 metres (88.6 inches) wide, while it tips the scales at 2,800kg (6,173 pounds) empty.
The 5.0-liter V8-powered model is finished in a menacing matte black color and rides on special off road tires. The seller says the interior has not been touched and features the same amenities and space as the regular G500.
The donor car was a G500 from 2002.
In pickup truck form, the G500 has a price to match its ginormous dimensions at €125,000 or about US$157,800 at the current exchange rates.

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Lexus Ceased Production of HS 250h in 2012

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Just because the Toyota Group is the king of hybrids does not mean that all of its products are a runaway success. Take Lexus' HS 250h dedicated hybrid sedan, which was introduced in North America in August of 2009, for example. In 2010, Lexus sold a mediocre 10,663 units of the HS 250h, which at the time was priced from $34,200. The following year was worse, much, much worse with sales plummeting 73 percent to a pitiful 2,864 units or less than 240 cars per month.
Apparently, Lexus evaluated that sales would not get any better so it made the decision to quietly pull the plug on the HS 250h. In a response to an email from InsideLine, Lexus told the website that it ended production of the HS 250h in January.
"Production of the HS 250h ceased in January, 2012. Lexus continues to monitor sales for each product and we make adjustments to make sure that we meet market demand, and the discontinuation of HS was part of that adjustment," said Lexus in a statement.
Interestingly, the company noted that the new ES 300h will not take the place of the HS 250h.
"The ES 300h is not replacing HS in our lineup. It's merely part of the hybridization of many of our existing vehicles in the Toyota and Lexus lineups."
Lexus still has the HS 250h listed on its website at $37,030 excluding handling and destination, most likely because it has yet to deplete its inventory.

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GM Replacing 120-volt Charging Cords on Most Chevy Volts, but Don't Call it a Recall

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All owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and some of the 2012 model will soon be notified by GM to replace their 120-volt charging cords with new ones after certain consumers complained about overheating problems. GM spokesman Randal Fox told Reuters that he did not know the total number of the vehicles affected, but said it was fewer than the 11,000 or so Volts sold so far in the States. He also made a point to note that this was not a safety recall.
"It's just an effort to offer a more consistent charging experience. It's not a safety recall. It's more of a customer-satisfaction program," Fox said.
"We made some enhancements to the design to add some durability and reliability. For example, GM increased the cord's cable size to enhance durability," he added.
In most cases, Volt owners will receive the new cords when they bring their cars in for the battery enhancement's to address safety concerns over fires, according to Fox. He added that the new 120-volt cords will not change recharging time and the swap does not involve the 240-volt cords.

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