2005 Honda S2000 Base Convertible 2-door 2.2l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Boston woman's car finally free from 100 inches of snow

It's a car owner's worst winter nightmare: Snowfall so heavy that you can't dig your vehicle out of it. That's exactly what happened to Jillian Tenen, whose 2007 Honda Civic was buried in the snow in Boston for seven weeks after historic winter storms. Tenen's car was initially stuck after a snowfall in late January, but she didn't dig it out because she had the flu. "I'm 5' 2," and it was all ice, an iceberg on top of my car," she told the Boston Globe. "I couldn't reach it. I couldn't lift it. And even if I could, there was nowhere to put it. I just didn't know what to do," she said. Tenen reached out for help to the city, her insurance company and a tow truck company, but they refused to help her. Finally when the weather warmed up, Tenen used an ice chopper to get into her car. The windshield was damaged, however, the car started on its own. "If I had to do it again, I would definitely do one thing differently... I would not park on the corner," Tenen said.

Weekly Recap: Hyundai spins off Genesis as new luxury division

Hyundai is creating a standalone luxury division that will use the Genesis name in an ambitious move that could bring the Korean automaker more profits, sales, and prestige. The Genesis division launches in December in Korea, followed by a rollout in other markets, including the United States in 2016. The brand will have six models by 2020. They will all start with a "G" for Genesis, then have a number, like 70, 80, or 90 to represent their segment, Hyundai said. The vehicles will also get more upscale design to differentiate them from other Hyundais. Luc Donckerwolke, a veteran Volkswagen Group designer who joined Hyundai earlier this year, will oversee a new Prestige Design unit at the company. The current winged Genesis emblem will be restyled and worn by all of the brand's luxury vehicles. Hyundai says its new division will focus on technology, customer service, and will have "refined performance character." The current Genesis sedan offers a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 420 horsepower. Naturally, Hyundai is optimistic for its new Genesis brand, but it will face immediate challenges as it enters a crowded and competitive market with a long list of entrenched competitors. Brands with storied histories like Cadillac and Lincoln have struggled recently, and even top-selling brands Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus aren't immune to potential troubles. Rumors have persisted that Hyundai harbored luxury ambitions since it first launched the Genesis sedan in 2008. OTHER NEWS & NOTES SEMA shows aftermarket's strength Further evidence of the auto industry's momentum was on display at the SEMA show this week as carmakers and tuners again turned out in full force. The Ford Cobra Jet Mustang, a Chevy Silverado customized by Kid Rock, and a Kia Forte Koup Mud Bogger were among the prominent displays. The show attracts more than 140,000 people per year, including 2,400 exhibitors, who come to buy and sell products. SEMA is a barometer for customization trends in the aftermarket, a key reason automakers attend. "They represent things we are thinking about and want to get some exposure," Mopar boss Pietro Gorlier said. Honda previews next-gen Ridgeline In other SEMA news, Honda previewed the next generation of its Ridgeline pickup at the show with a race-prepped vehicle that will compete in the Score Baja 1000 this year. The hood, side profile, roof, and front fascia offer hints of what the new truck will look like in production trim. Art St.

Honda HR-V gets early reveal

If the Honda HR-V feels awfully familiar to you by now, you're not alone. We've seen it debut in Japanese form (dubbed "Vezel"), caught a prototype in Paris, and Honda first showed us the US-spec version in press-photo form all the way back at the New York Auto Show in April. We're finally going to get all the details on Honda's new subcompact crossover this week as part of the Los Angeles Auto Show, but first, we're getting an early look at the CUV today.
We met the Honda HR-V for a cup of coffee this morning at Randy's Donuts just outside of Los Angeles, and got our first look at the new CUV in the metal. It's a handsome little thing, offering a higher-riding, more butch alternative to the Fit hatchback on which it's based. We particularly like how the rear door handles are integrated into the pillars, for an almost three-door look from some angles.
Technical details are still scarce as of this writing, though we expect those to be revealed during Honda's press conference on Wednesday. For now, we just know that the HR-V should be an incredibly practical little thing, using the Magic Seat system that has made the Fit such a versatile and capacious subcompact. Stay tuned for more, and see the HR-V from all angles in our live gallery, above.