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Official: Fiat officially introduces seven-seat 500L Living

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Hatchback, Fiat

As Fiat prepares to expand the lineup of the 500 with the roomier 500L, the Italian automaker has just announced a further addition to its enlarged hatchback offering. While the standard 500L has a five-passenger seating configuration, the new 500L Living brings a third row of seats, upping capacity to seven passengers.

Based on the specs Fiat released, the 500L Living has had its overall length stretched by about eight inches to accommodate the extra seats, while width and height stay about the same. We still have no word on the wheelbase of this new model versus the 500L. Fiat also says that the 500L Living will have a luggage capacity of 22.5 cubic feet (we assume that number is with the rear seats folded, which is smaller than that of the five-passenger 500L (12.1 cu-ft with rear seats up and 46.2 cu-ft with rear seats down).

European sales of the 500L Living will commence this summer, but there is no mention as to if or when this seven-passenger Fiat could be offered in the US, to compete against the likes of the Mazda5, Ford Transit Connect Wagon and Nissan NV200. Scroll down for the more information on this new Fiat model.

Continue reading Fiat officially introduces seven-seat 500L Living

Fiat officially introduces seven-seat 500L Living originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Senate introduces amendment to keep youth motorbikes legal

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Motorcycle

youth dirt bike rider

In February 2009, it became illegal to sell children’s motorbikes in the United States. The reason? The amount of lead they contained exceeded the maximum allowance established by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). This law wasn’t aimed at the motorcycle industry and its youth products, but they became caught up in the issue.

Shortly thereafter, policymakers and the motorcycle industry came to a temporary agreement that put a stay of enforcement in place through the end of 2011. This workaround bought motorbike manufacturers and Capitol Hill extra time so that they could come up with a more elegant solution.

Now, that potential solution has been introduced to the floor in the form of Senate Amendment 264. Co-sponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D – MN) and John Tester (D – MT), SA 264 would amend CPSIA to exclude youth off-highway vehicles from the lead law provisions.

[Source: Motorcycle-USA]

U.S. Senate introduces amendment to keep youth motorbikes legal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CARS 2 introduces Rip Clutchgoneski from New Rearendia

Filed under: Etc., Toys/Games, Humor

Rip Clutchgoneski from CARS 2

Rip Clutchgoneski – Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest character from Pixar’s upcoming CARS 2 sequel is an ~~open-wheel~~ LMP-style racer (score one for commenters, we agree he looks more Le Mans than F1) from the former European colony of New Rearendia. Rip is the new republic’s best hope of getting its name on the map, and he’s managed to push his way into the World Grand Prix on the back of some impressive and improbable qualifying wins.

Rip has his work cut out for him, and attributes his successes to luck. The real reason for his success, however, is clearly his immense skill. Rip joins an already extensive cast of cars that make up the the characters of CARS 2.

Watch for Rip and the rest of the Lightning McQueen’s new buddies when Disney/Pixar’s CARS 2 hits theaters on June 24.

Gallery: CARS 2 Characters

Grem Acer Shu Todoroki Raoul ÇaRoule Carla Veloso

Gallery: Cars 2

[Source: Pixar]

CARS 2 introduces Rip Clutchgoneski from New Rearendia originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization

Filed under: Motorcycle

Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom – Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson has a knack for creating new models based on existing platforms by swapping out a matching set of components available from its own Parts and Accessories catalog. The tactic has worked well for years, but in today’s trying marketplace, the Bar-and-Shield brand has decided to let its customers do the picking before the motorcycle is even delivered.

Naturally, there are the requisite paint choices, which include seven solid colors, five two-tone options and two sets of custom graphics, and customers can also specificy if they want chrome or black engine covers and wheels in any of four options. That’ll keep the style-conscious buyer happy, but there’s plenty more customization where that came from.

H-D will allow the buyer to tailor the riding position of the 1200 Custom by offering three different handlebar options (standard Pull Back bars or optional Drag and Mini Ape bars) and a choice of mid-mount or forward controls. Finally, the buyer can switch from a two-up saddle to a solo seat, should they so desire.

The basic 1200 Custom platform comes with chunky Michelin Scorcher tires front and rear on 16-inch wheels, which necessitated wide-spaced front forks, and a 4.5-gallon tank. We’re pleased to see that H-D didn’t neuter the handling of the 1200 Custom by angling for an ever-lower seat height (28.5-inches unladed, 26.6 laden).

Also, though rear suspension travel is just 2.12 inches, there’s a reasonable 4.4 inches of ground clearance, which means normal riding won’t mean scraping hard parts on the asphalt. Lean angles are 26.2 degrees on the left and 28.3 on the right, for what it’s worth.

Check out the high-res pics in our image gallery below, and hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization

Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Ford

Ford's next-gen airbag system

Ford’s next-generation airbag technology – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has given us a sneak peek at its production-ready 2012 Focus, and while our lips may be sealed about its specs and our impressions, we can now give you the lowdown on the Blue Oval’s new airbag technologies that will debut in its forthcoming C-segment stunner.

For the driver, the new steering wheel airbag uses a tether system that pulls in the lower section of the bag back toward the dashboard. This creates a small pocket that Ford engineers say will soften the blow of the airbag to the driver’s chest and ribs, reducing the threat of bodily injury in a frontal crash.

The side airbags also work to prevent injuries to the driver and front passenger by adding shoulder vents that stay open during inflation, reducing pressure for smaller occupants. Taller folks will block these vents with their shoulders, and this added pressure can actually prove to be helpful.

Along with the shoulder vents, Ford has used an adaptive venting system in its passenger-side front airbag, which diverts some of the inflation gas outside of the bags. This better protects passengers by enhancing head and neck protection by matching inflation force with the size of the occupant, which is monitored by the weight sensors already built into the seats.

As you’d expect, these safety features won’t just be limited to the 2012 Focus. Ford says that this technology will quickly spread to the rest of its model range within the next few years. To see exactly how these systems work, follow the jump to watch an instructional animated video, as well as actual crash test footage. Ford’s press release is available for your reading pleasure, as well.

Gallery: Ford’s Next-Generation Airbag Technology

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video]

Ford introduces airbags with enhanced crash protection, debuting on 2012 Focus [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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