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NHTSA closes book on Ford, GM probes of 600,000 vehicles

US safety regulators have closed a pair of investigations into some 500,000 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Marauder sedans built between 2004 to 2007, and 100,000 Chevrolet Impala models from 2014. The Ford investigation focused on rusting heat shields, which may become dislodged and jam the steering, according to Reuters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that this happened very rarely. In fact, of the ten incidents filed with the government safety watchdog, six came from a single police department, which evidently had some sort of problem with its reporting. As for the Impala, the NHTSA investigators attributed two incidences of "unintended autonomous braking" to user error. In both cases, the vehicles were involved in rear-end collisions. According to GM investigators, it's believed that drivers accidentally activated the electric parking brake, causing the collisions. The vehicles in question were rental cars. Featured Gallery Ford Crown Victoria Related Gallery 2014 Chevrolet Impala View 10 Photos News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Ford, Chevrolet Government/Legal Chevrolet Ford Safety Sedan ford crown victoria mercury grand marquis

Opel Ampera-e brings a Bolt of EV driving to Europe

The Chevrolet Bolt will take a trip across the Atlantic in 2017 to become Europe's Opel Ampera-e. General Motors won't release any specs for the foreign version yet, but these photos suggest very minor styling tweaks to the upper level of the grille and to the hatchback to add the appropriate brand emblems. We would expect the same electric motor with 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque and 60-kWh battery as the US model, too. However, the 200-mile range number might change, but only because of the differences in European testing. GM CEO Mary Barra announced the Ampera-e at the CAR Symposium in Bochum, Germany. "GM and Opel have always been convinced that electric cars will play a defining role in future mobility. The game-changing technology of the Ampera-e is a significant step toward realizing that vision," she said. The Ampera-e is also proof that General Motors loves confusing naming for its green models. If the Volt and Bolt aren't perplexing enough, the Ampera-e is just one letter off from the Ampera – the previous-gen Volt in Europe. GM no longer sells the range-extended vehicle there, so at least both names can't be in showrooms simultaneously. However, the similar monikers still might confuse some customers who think the new EV hatchback is closely related to the old sedan. Related Video: OPEL GROUP ANNOUNCES GAME-CHANGING AMPERA-e BATTERY ELECTRIC CAR New battery electric vehicle will break down barriers to electric mobility Five-door, five-seat Ampera-e will have longer range than most electric cars Fun to drive, outstanding connectivity and affordably priced Russelsheim. Opel Group will launch a revolutionary new battery electric car next year, as the company continues the biggest, most far-reaching model offensive in its history with 29 new models between 2016 and 2020. The new five-door, five seat will be called "Ampera-e". It will not only have a longer range on a full charge than most electric cars, it will also be affordably priced. Building on the electrification expertise established with the original Ampera, which set the benchmark for modern electric cars in 2011, the new Ampera-e combines innovative electric-mobility with state-of-the-art connectivity and exciting driving dynamics. Announcing the Ampera-e today at the CAR Symposium in Bochum, Germany, GM Chairman & CEO Mary Barra said: "GM and Opel have always been convinced that electric cars will play a defining role in future mobility.

Corvette Stingray Shooting Brake under consideration by Callaway [w/poll]

Callaway has released a few renderings of a design study for a shooting brake version of the C7 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The company says it wants to create a long-roof version of America's sports car to offer buyers more interior room and a vehicle with "unique style." The company says it will use structural carbon fiber for the new body bits, which suggests the conversion shouldn't add too much more weight to the Corvette. Along with a few mechanical tweaks, the Callaway Corvette Stingray AeroWagon could breeze past the 200 miles per hour barrier.
Provided that they get enough interest, Callaway estimates they will be able to effect the changes on the Chevrolet for around $15,000, and says the conversion work should be available through its network of dealers. You can check out the brief press release below for more information, or head over to the Callaway site to plunk down a deposit - but before you do, we want to know... do you find this C7 wagon interesting? Vote in our poll below, then feel free to leave a few lines in Comments.
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