On certain early 2013 model year GS 350 F-Sport RWD vehicles, the ECU for the VGRS system could cause the steering wheel to become off-centered when restarting the vehicle immediately after the vehicle is parked with the steering wheel turned. Dealers will update the VGRS ECU calibration to address the condition.

Owners of the involved vehicles will receive a safety recall notification by first-class mail beginning in early June 2012.

Any authorized Lexus dealer will perform this update at no charge to the vehicle owner. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes depending on the dealer’s schedule.

Source: http://www.lexus.com/about/news/index.html#/view-0/model-0/page-1/article-Lexus_Announces_Voluntary_Safety_Recall_of_Certain

Availability of high torque at relatively low engine revolutions means the Swift diesel is extremely responsive at mid-range and medium road speeds. The DDiS boasts 46 per cent more torque than the 1.4-litre petrol Swift, has a maximum speed of 166 km/h and reaches New Zealand’s open road speed limit of 100 km/h in less than 13 seconds. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard and the gear ratios and final drive gearing are unique to the Swift DDiS. In the official Combined fuel cycle test simulating both urban and open road driving the diesel Swift averages 4.2 litres/100 km (67.3 miles per gallon).

The Suzuki delivers an outstanding 3.6 litres/100 km (78.5 mpg) in the Extra Urban highway only cycle and 5.1 litres/100 km (55.4 mpg) in the Urban city and suburban street cycle. A recent independent fuel test from Auckland to Wellington produced even better economy than the Extra Urban fuel test cycle, with an average of 3.27 litres/100 km (85.5 mpg). “We originally estimated the Swift DDiS would have a driving range of around 800 kilometres, but in open road running, it has since been found the 42-litre fuel tank is good for up to 1,000 kilometres,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. The standard fit 12-spoke aluminium alloy wheels are shod with 185/55 R16 tyres and the engine complies with the latest Euro 5 emission standards.

In line with market demands, the well equipped Swift DDiS diesel is high on safety and equipment levels. It comes with ABS anti-lock and brake assist, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), foot protecting brake and clutch pedals, ISOFIX child seat anchorages and child seat tether anchorages. There are driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags (incorporated into the front seats), curtain airbags and a driver knee bag giving the Swift Diesel the highest possible 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating. This rating considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts as well as child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids.

Source: http://www.suzuki.co.nz/News/Automotive/2012/05/15/Swift+Diesel+Goes+on+Sale+in+New+Zealand/

Yaris helps protect its occupants with a reinforced cabin that integrates front and rear crumple zones and energy-absorbing materials in the roof and doors. All-five seating positions are equipped with height-adjustable head rests and three-point seatbelts. Also standard are driver and front passenger advanced dual-stage front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, driver- and front-passenger seat-cushion airbags and first and second row side-curtain airbags.

Toyota’s Star Safety System is standard on all models. It includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make these features standard on all vehicles.

The comfortable cabin provides rear seating for three with headrests in all positions. The interior also features easy-to-reach controls, high center-mounted instrument cluster for excellent on-road visibility, and an array of storage spaces and cup holders. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, rear-window defogger and intermittent wipers.

For an added measure of utility and luggage space, the rear seatback folds down to expand cargo capacity from 9.3 cubic feet to 25.7 cubic feet. A 60/40 split rear seatback is standard on LE and SE grades. Exterior styling is crisp and contemporary. The grill is accented by sharp character lines that flow into the sleek hood and windshield. To improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise, outer moldings on the windshield and door glass have been eliminated. In the rear, the tail lamps frame a wide trunk opening.

For those seeking a sportier look and driving experience, Yaris offers an SE model with five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic, 16-inch alloy wheels and tires, sport-tuned suspension, quicker-ratio steering and integrated fog lamps. All Yaris models come with complimentary Toyota Care, which covers normal factory maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Yaris is available at Toyota dealers nationwide with manufacturer’s suggested retail prices starting at $14,115.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2012+yaris+great+blend+convenience+mpg+safety.htm

With room for five passengers and class-leading cargo space, Trax will meet the needs of customers in more than 140 markets. Mexico and Canada will be the first markets to launch the crossover in the fourth quarter of this year. Because of the strong position of the Equinox, there are no plans to introduce the Trax in the U.S. market.

Chevrolet has recently introduced a new Malibu mid-sized sedan, Colorado pickup, TrailBlazer mid-sized SUV and Cruze station wagon. When it joins its siblings in the showroom, Trax will possess the same pioneering spirit and expressive design that defines each new Chevrolet.

Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance. While its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic, Trax’s interior and details will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/May/0514_trax

Like its Sedan sibling, the new 3 Series Sports Wagon is slightly larger than its predecessor, most notably its wider track (front + 37 mm/1.46 in., rear + 48 mm/1.85 in.). The car’s length (+ 97 mm/3.66 in.) and wheelbase (+ 50 mm/1.96 in.) also accentuate its sporting promise. Inside the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon, rear passengers will appreciate the noticeable increase in space made possible by the larger dimensions. These larger dimensions also pay dividends in utility with nearly ten percent more cargo volume both with the rear seats up and when folded.

The new 3 Series Sports Wagon will be the next model to offer BMW Lines as a way to tailor the car to individual tastes, just as with the Sedan, by choosing from a trio of trim and equipment variants – the Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. Each presents its own individual take on the character of the Sports wagon, with exclusive, high-quality trim and material combinations. For the enthusiast who wants to go beyond even the Sport Line, the M Sport Line will also be offered because it is, after all, a BMW 3 Series at its heart.

Source: http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/newsfeed/post/2012/05/14/All-New-BMW-3-Series-Sports-Wagon.aspx