Looks like I was correct, the 2010 Camaro recall list has began.  The only Camaro's affected by the recall will be the SS V8 models and ultimately pissing off only about 300 new 2010 Camaro owners.  The rest of the Camaro recalls can be performed in house before being delivered to their owners.

The 2010 Camaro recall is for a manufacturing defective battery cable.  Essentially this makes the Camaro completely die or in worst case scenarios catch fire.  As of this posting no fires have been reported due to the battery cable rubbing up agains the Camaro starter.

GM has agreed to not only fix the issue listed in the recall but also provide a free loaner vehicle and a free oil change for the new Camaro owners troubles.

2010 Camaro Recall

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The 2010 Kia Soul gives a first impression of a Toyota Scion rip off.  It's small, boxy, and looks like it would drive like my buddies gokart.  Now, depending on your taste for cars, this could be a good or bad thing.  For me, it's a bad thing, kind of like a coffin on wheels.

Now, for those looking to buy a cargo box that you can drive around the nighborhood, there is finally some competition in the market.  The Kia Soul is one such competitor and like the Nissan Cube, is much more of the same.  There is only so many lights, bells, and whistles you can cram on a card board box to make it look appealing.  Eventually you have to take a step back and say, 'Hey' this is still a cardboard box, why are we putting all these ugly interior lights in here?

2010 Kia Soul Interior Lights

Then there is the whole issue of actually being able to use such a vehicle.  I'm sure for those that don't have to actually haul more than their purse this would be  aperfect car, but for those of us with friends, golf clubs, or hell...even 2 bags of groceries this car isn't going to cut it.  Which then begs the question, who is the target audience for such a flashy tin can?  Is this audience willing to drop $15,000 plus for something that is not functional beyond it's driver looking like a cunt?

2010 Kia Soul

You may remember back to us reporting on risky endeavor of Porsche to create a stationwagonesque grocery getter, the Panamera.  Now, we have some pictures of the 2010 Panamera Turbo and my feelings haven't changed much.  It still looks like something the majority of people won't buy, unless all they want is a functional status symbol.

I would imagine those looking for real performance won't be interested in something as bulky as the Porsche Panamera.  Generally speaking my view is that there are two types of buyers, those that want performance, and those who buy what their wifes want.  These two types never mesh and it looks like Porsche's target audience.  I'm ready to be proved wrong.

Predictions

Every car manufacturers goal is to release a vehicle with zero recalls, but unfortunatley bugs make it through the system.  No doubt the upcoming release of the new Camaro will expose some problems, which will lead to a recall.  I decided to look back at the Camaro, to see if I can guess what kind of recall we might expect for the buyers of the all new hyped Camaro.

The very last year the Camaro was manufacturered it only had 3 recalls.  There were two exterior lighting problem and a structure frame issue.  The frame member recall with the Camaro was fixed by placing a few extra rivets into the frame, supposedly to conform to a specific safey requirement.  The exterior lighting recall on the 02 Camaro was simply an issue with not containing Amber reflectors, which failed to meet code of certain states.

The final hoo-ra for the Camaro was a good one, in terms of insignificant recalls.  Although safety is always important, the recall on the Camaro was not as serious as tire issues, combustible problems, which seem to plague other manufacturers.  And the exterior lighting problem has been an ongoing problem for the Camaro since 1997.  You'd think these guys would learn by now.

So, I predict that the first recall for the 2010 Camaro will be for an exterior lighting issue.  I'd also like to add that I suspect there will be more than 3 recalls on the newest release of the Camaro, considering it's 'all new'.  The last time we saw the Camaro it had already been through the gauntlet, so most bugs were worked out.  The end of this year, when the 2010's start showing up on our roads, will be a whole new ball game.

Discuss 2010 Camaro Recalls and Your Predictions

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Audi has released information on the upcoming update to their fresh faced Q7 SUV.  The Audi Q7 will be going under the scalp for 2010 and undergo some tweaks in the optional diesel power plant.  The newly designed Q7 will offer crazy luxury, high end technology, performance, and efficiency being demanded by the big spenders.

The Audi Q7 seems to answer the question,  'What can I buy that's BIG, shows I'm important, but maintain a green appeal as not to piss off my customer base?'

The 350 horsepower V8 will reportedly get just over 18 miles per gallon.  Not too shabby considering all the options you can cram into the large Q7.  Think interior bicycle mount, electric luggage cover, pivoting trailer hitch, and all sorts of combinations of roof carriers.  If James Bond ever aged, had a high maintenance wife, and 3 kids that had to get to soccer practice, the 2010 Audi Q7 is what he would drive.

2010 Audi Q7

Any day now the 2010 Toyota Tundra should be available for ordering or purchase at your local Toyota dealership.  However, finding good 2010 Tundra pictures has proved difficult, even for those of us savy in the ways of the web.  Below are a few pictures of the 2010 Tundra assembled from various press releases and industry analysts.

To me, the 2010 Tundra looks like more of the same and possibly emphasis on the more.  In a market that is currently trying to get away from V8 power and look more green, why would Toyota still produce this work horse?  Oh that's right, because people still buy them and because you can't haul 500 lbs of tools around in the back of a Prius.  Oh yeah, how many trips does it take to help a buddy move their furniture in a compact?

As a bonus, here is video from the 2009 San Diego Auto Show, where the 2010 Toyota Tundra was on exhibit.

That's right, the new minivan from VW, the Routan, was built and designed by our domestic buddies Chrysler.  Volkswagen, trying to attract as many customers as possible, rushed the Routan onto the market and brought a quality mini-van option to the dealership floors.  Rush is not a bad thing, especially when you consider the Routan, which is based off of the wildly popular Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

The VW Routan gets almost everything right, safety, options, cargo space, and thanks to VW some decent styling.  Basically the only thing touched by VW was the exterior styling ques and some of the upgraded seat options.  Even more impressive is that the base price for a VW Routan is only about $26,000.

Brooke Shields has been doing her best to get the word out about the new Routan.  However, according to VW only a little over 4,000 units have been sold to date.  Looks like Brooke has a little ways to go before baby making becomes a Routan past time.

VW Routan

The upcoming 2010 Kia Sporta was caught in camouflage testing in what appears to be offroad snow.  The production model won't be available in show rooms until late 09, with plenty of upgrades not found in previous year models.

Most notable change is in the transmission, which in 2010 will feature a 6-speed gear box.  The Korean car manufacturer hopes that this change will help improve fuel economy.  Equipped with a turbo-diesel power plant the compact SUV should please the green spotters.  According to experts the 2005 makeover was the most successful in the Sportages 14 year life span and hopes are that the power train change will prove a selling point in an otherwise slumping market.

The all new 2010 Acura ZDX is being released to compete directly with the likes of the BMW X6 and Infinit FX35.  The upcoming 2009 New York auto show will be it's world debut, where Acura will show off the all new prototype ZDX.  However, don't expect to order the Acura ZDX until some unannounced time in the fall.

Speaking of placing an order for the Acurz ZDX, there still has not been any pricepoints announced.  However, industry analysts feel that the ZDX will be priced in the $42k to $50k range.  Not a budget throw away car, but still priced right below the competing target brands.  Not to mention the radical teaser images of the Acura ZDX indicate it will have a little extra to offer those looking to drop a cool $50k.

"The ZDX prototype is unlike anything you have ever seen before from Acura," said Jeff Conrad, Acura sales vice president.

Even performance wise, no imformation has been released.  Speculators suspect that the engine will be the Acura popular TL SH-AWD 3.7 liter V6.  If this engine is choose, expect power output to be around the 300 horsepower mark, coupled with a 6 speed transmission.

Yummy.  But personally, I'm still waiting on them to bring back the NSX.

NSX on eBay

Acura NSX ACURA NSX    US $11,800.00

Acura NSX 95 red im 2nd owner alot of upgrades call 228365 0332    US $37,000.00

Acura NSX Widebody 1993 Acura NSX Coupe Widebody Conversion Forged Wheels    US $21,900.00

MotorAuthority.com has just released some great spy pics of the all new 2010 Volkswagen Golf R20.  These spy pictures of the 2010 Golf are unhindered by typical spy camouflage and instead show off the new VW Gold design ques.  This sporty Golf will come packed with a surprisingly powerful 2.0 litre Turbo Charged engine.

Obviously it looks like it will still have the famed VW handling, at least in the TDI trim.  The hatch pictured below is expected to produce a whopping 270 horsepower, unheard of in typical 4 cylinder engines...even turbo charged ones.  This golf is already sizing up to be a huge hit and great follow up to the wildly popular R32 model Golf of years past.