Motoring News

General News
'Runaway Prius' case stalls

A report sheds no new light on wildly divergent explanations from Toyota and the driver about what happened on March 8.

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A California highway police officer responding to a report of a runway Toyota Prius last week arrived to find a Border Patrol agent near the driver with emergency lights on.

The Border Patrol presence raises the prospect that there were other witnesses. It is one of the few new details in a report released Wednesday by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that is consistent with what the CHP and the driver, James Sikes, have previously said.

But the seven-page CHP report, accompanied by dozens of photos, sheds no new light on wildly divergent explanations from Toyota Motor Corp. and Sikes about what happened when the driver called
emergency dispatchers on March 8 to report that his gas pedal was stuck on a California freeway, sending him to speeds topping 90 mph (145 kph).

Toyota has dismissed Sikes' account, saying its tests show he pressed the gas and brakes rapidly 250 times, the maximum amount of data that the car's self-diagnostic system captures.

The report revisits the harrowing ride that Sikes and CHP Officer Todd Neibert described to reporters shortly after the episode on the Interstate 8 highway, east of San Diego.

Neibert wrote that he approached the Prius from behind to find a Border Patrol agent in an unmarked Chevrolet Tahoe with emergency lights illuminated from the rear window.

"Pumping brakes"

"It was staying ahead of us and it was later determined that the agent driving the Chevrolet Tahoe was aware of the situation," Neibert wrote.

The Prius brake lights were on "for a period of time and would turn off, indicating the driver was possibly pumping the brakes," Neibert wrote. "I was within 1/4 mile of the vehicle and could smell the heated brakes which indicated they had been used extensively."

Neibert told Sikes to shift to neutral but the driver shook his head from side to side, indicating to the officer that it didn't work or he couldn't do it. Sikes later told reporters he didn't shift to neutral because he worried he might go into reverse or flip.

Neibert spoke on his radio with colleagues about how to rescue Sikes because the car was less than 20 miles (32 kilometers) from a steep downhill grade and a sharp left turn.

"If the Prius made it to that location, the ultimate result would have most likely led to a catastrophic ending," the officer wrote.

The officer said the Prius reached 95 mph (152 kph) before passing two trucks. As they went uphill, he told Sikes to apply the foot brake and parking brake simultaneously, and the car gradually slowed.

Stopped without help

Neibert had passed the Prius and was prepared to stop the car with his rear bumper but Sikes came to a stop without help, according to the report. Sikes was not injured.

After stopping, Sikes told Neibert he tried three times to lift the gas pedal with his hand but was unsuccessful.

"He thought he was going to die and knew that there were numerous areas where there were steep cliffs and embankments along with sharp curves," the officer wrote.

Sikes was initially reluctant to speak with reporters, but the officer urged him to go to the El Cajon station to "put the media at ease," according to the report.

"I advised him the media would most likely seek him out if he did not speak to them voluntarily," Neibert wrote.

Toyota has stopped short of saying that Sikes fabricated his story but has said his version of events is inconsistent with its technical findings. Tracy Segal, a company spokeswoman, said late Wednesday she had no immediate comment on the CHP report because she had not received a copy.

"Major recall"

The episode was among the highest-profile headaches Toyota has suffered in recent months. It recalled more than 8 million cars and trucks worldwide because gas pedals can become stuck in the down position or be snagged by floor mats. Dozens of Toyota drivers have reported problems even after their cars were supposedly fixed.

The report does not say how long the Border Patrol agent was in Sikes' proximity or whether the agent saw anything significant. CHP spokesman Brian Pennings said the agency is attempting to get a
statement from the agent.

The CHP officer does not recall the agent stopping after Sikes safely came to a stop, Pennings said. He said the CHP had notified the Border Patrol after the driver called authorities.

Pennings reaffirmed CHP's position that no evidence has emerged to doubt Sikes' version of events. The report was released the same day that investigators from Toyota and the U.S. government inspected a crashed 2005 Prius in a suburb of New York City to see if a black box-like device or its wreckage could point to problems with the brakes or accelerator.

The black box, known as an event data recorder, yielded information on engine speed and pedal position, Toyota spokesman Wade Hoyt said. Investigators were expected to return Thursday.

A housekeeper who was driving the car told police that it sped up on its own as she eased forward down her employer's driveway on March 9 and hit a wall across the street. She was not hurt.

Harrison Police Department Capt. Anthony Marraccini said driver error had not been ruled out or indicated.

General News
Porsche most expensive to insure

Which performance car takes the biggest debit charge off your current account for insurance?

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America, despite its domestic manufacturers having gone through some traumatic financial restructuring last year, still sets the tone for the global car market.

So, in this massive (yet diverse) market – what are the dearest cars to ensure? Those performance cars most likely to end up hugging some roadside furniture - like the odd lamppost?

Well, according the median figures for a 40-year-old male with a clean driving record the suicidal rear-wheel drive Porsche 911 GT2 tops the list – siphoning $2 943.78 off your salary annually for cover.

There are some rather surprising positions within the rankings too.

Mercedes-Benz’s S65 AMG (number two on the list) is considered a riskier bet than the SL 65 Black Series (14th spot). The Black Series car is $207 cheaper to insure despite its limited edition billing.

Other notable peculiarities include the Porsche Panamera S being more expensive to insure than Zuffenhausen’s seminal supercar – the 911 Turbo.

Mercedes-Benz was the highest risk manufacture to insure, sporting an (un)enviable eight cars in amongst the top 20 most expensive vehicles to insure. This statistic goes some way to dispel the famous Germany luxury brand's image as a purveyor of stodgy sedans for retirees.

It would appear Merc owners are in actual fact rank hooligans.

Or perhaps American car thieves just happen to have a preference for the three-pointed star…

America's 20 most expensive production cars to ensure

1. Porsche 911 GT2: $2943.78
2. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG: $2863.03
3. Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe: $2851.89
4. Porsche Panamera Turbo: $2837.39
5. Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster: $2815.90
6. Mercedes-Benz CL600: $2754.80
7. Audi R8 V-8 Coupe: $2751.55
8. Porsche Panamera S: $2744.78
9. Mercedes-Benz SL600: $2715.86
10. Porsche 911 Turbo: $2706.04
11. Mercedes CL65 AMG: $2699.74
12. BMW M6 Convertible: $2689.13
13. Mercedes S600: $2667.48
14. Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series: $2655.15
15. Mercedes SL65 AMG: $2653.53
16. Mercedes CL63 AMG: $2646.92
17. BMW M6 Coupe: $2627.27
18. BMW 760Li: $2565.59
19. Jaguar XKR Portfolio SC: $2537.79
20. Jaguar XKR Supercharged: $2533.48

New Models
New Merc wagon hits SA

The new range of load-lugging Mercedes-Benz E-Classes has arrived with a host of new wagon-specific treats.

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The new range of load-lugging Mercedes-Benz E-Classes has arrived with a host of new wagon-specific treats.

The third addition to the latest E-Class family shows of the new face with the fresh take on the four-cluster headlight arrangement. Viewed from the side, the B- and C-pillars have been cleverly blacked out to make the glasshouse appear huge, while at the rear, the elegant new E-Class LED light cluster has been neatly transposed.

A number of technical features first shown on the sedan and coupe are carried across to the wagon, including drowsiness detection, PreSafe and adaptive high-beam assist. The Estate adds air suspension with a rear self-levelling function and a new system to arrange the load compartment.

Along with automatic operation of the tailgate, the Easy-Pack system also allows the load compartment cover to be lifted automatically and the load compartment floor to be folded and arranged in a variety of positions. Rear backrests to be folded down to create a level loading surface.

The new E-Class Estate is huge (length, width and height are about 4.9-, 1.9- and 1.5-metres respectively) and the generous 1950l load capacity shows this. Space for occupants within the cabin has grown, too.

Petrol engines

The engine line-up comprises petrol four units, including a BlueEfficiency model.

The E200 CGI BlueEfficiency is the entry-point to the new range using a turbocharged four-cylinder to generate 135 kW and 270 Nm. It is the only model fitted with a five-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel consumption is 7.9 l/100 km and CO2 emissions range from 183 to 189 g/km.

Two V6 units power the mid-range E300 and E350 models. Power and torque are 170 kW and 300 Nm for the 3.0-litre and 200 kW and 350 Nm for the 3.5-litre.

For now, a 5.5-litre eight-cylinder E500 is the headlining model with 285 kW and 530 Nm on tap. The V6 and V8s are all mated to 7G-Tronic automatic transmissions.

Elegance specification is standard across the range, while Avant Garde is an option providing additional, more athletic, equipment.

Extra equipment packages, including a driver assistance package, seat package and memory package, amongst others, are available, too.

Prices:
E200 CGI BlueEfficiency – R507 000
E300 – R597 000
E350 – R672 000
E500 – R833 000

Formula One
'Lighter' Red Bull for Webber

A lighter chassis is awaiting Mark Webber for when F1 track action resumes late next week in Melbourne.

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A lighter chassis is awaiting Mark Webber for when F1 track action resumes late next week in Melbourne.

The Australian, already in the southern city ahead of his ninth home race, told local media: "I was talking to my mechanics last night and they have got a brand new car for me.

"I have got a new chassis for this event, it's even lighter, making sure we make even more progress to go towards the front," 33-year-old Webber said.

His Red Bull teammate, Sebastian Vettel, set pole and was leading the season opening Bahrain grand prix last weekend when a spark plug glitch hit.

Webber made crucial mistakes in qualifying and was then a victim of the processional race to finish just eighth.

Meanwhile, he welcomed news that a 107% qualifying rule is likely to return in 2011.

"I think it's a good rule to get the ceiling of quality and preparation at the right level," said Webber.