Motorshow: 2010 LA Auto Show

At the recent LA motor show, there were several global debuts of numerous news cars, new concept cars like the Cadillac ULS and more.

Toyota revealed the revised Corolla sedan and the RAV4 EV. Hyundai debuted the all-new Elantra and Sonata Hybrid sedans. Check out the pictures after the jump.

 

NHTSA probes '07 Optima over transmission defect (U.S)

The feds are probing the 2007 Kia Optima after receiving three complaints stating that the automatic transmission cable could disengage. The investigation involves around 41,000 Optima sedan.

NHTSA "has received three complaints concerning automatic transmission shift cable detachment and inability to select and engage the gears (Park, Drive and Reverse) in model-year 2007 Kia Optima vehicles," it said. "One of the complaints also reported a rollaway incident after parking the vehicle."

The investigation could lead to a recall soon.

"Kia Motors America is not aware of any injuries as a result of a transmission failure in the subject vehicles and is cooperating with NHTSA in its investigation," said Kia Motors America.

In 2007, Kia delivered a technical service bulletin regarding imperfectly installed automatic transmission shift cables in some 2006 and '07 Optima’s. According to the bulletin, over time these cables can separate from the shifter assemblies' dowel pins, ensuing in the incapability to select or engage drive gears.

Land Rover recalls 2010 - '11 LR2 (U.S)

Land Rover will recall 2,956 LR2’s due to a faulty front airbag, which may not deploy.

"The shorting bar in the clock spring may become disconnected when the driver's airbag module connector is installed," said the NHTSA. "The driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injury."

Land Rover dealerships will put in a spacer into the driver's airbag clock spring harness connector. The recall is expected to begin on 13th December. Owners can contact Land Rover on (800) 637-6837.

Toyota working on turbos and direct injections to improve mpg

Toyota is working on more ways to improve fuel economy. While hybrid technology is all good and well, the Japanese car maker will start to use turbo charging and direct injection in the future as it looks to boost its overall fuel economy.

Toyota is developing turbocharged and direct injected petrol engines for its small and mid-size models.

“In the next five years, the general trend is downsizing of engines and the use of turbochargers,” head of Toyota’s R&D, Takeshi Uchiyamada, said. “Another development will be direct fuel injection.”

Uchiyamada added: “Eventually, we will see significant numbers of vehicles carrying engines with turbochargers.”

The turbocharged engines are likely to find their way under the Yaris, Corolla, Auris, Camry and Avensis models but no specific dates were given.

Toyota anticipates that just 10-20% of its new car sales in 2020 will contain hybrid vehicles.