Omc 0315533 315533 Pinion Gear on 2040-parts.com

USAA reveals 'best value' cars and top picks for teens

The top safety pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety before being entered into the selection pool. Here are the results of USAA's research: Best value Large Sedan: Dodge Charger Midsize Sedan: Dodge Avenger Small Sedan: Mitsubishi Lancer Large Luxury Sedan: Lincoln MKS Midsize Luxury Sedan: Audi A4 Large SUV: Chevrolet Traverse Midsize SUV: Ford Explorer Small SUV: Kia Sportage Midsize Luxury SUV: Lexus RX 450h (hybrid) Large Pickup: Toyota Tundra Sports: Scion FR-S Coupe: Honda CR-Z Wagon: Audi A3 Minivan: Dodge Grand Caravan Top picks for teens 1.Dodge Dart 2.Dodge Avenger 3.Honda CR-Z 4.Chrysler 200 5.Honda Insight 6.Volkswagen Golf 7.Hyundai Elantra 8.Nissan Versa 9.Kia Optima 10.Chevrolet Malibu

Honda's future plans cut Acura TSX platform

The future of Acura's TSX appears uncertain as Honda Motor prepares to abandon the platform used for the compact sedan. Acura boss Jeff Conrad says the TSX will remain in the lineup "for the foreseeable future." But when Acura moved into the entry-luxury segment with the ILX last year it jammed up its sedan lineup -- both in terms of vehicle sizes and pricing ladders. The ILX and aging TSX are positioned close to each other, as are the TSX and mid-sized TL.

2013 Nissan LEAF updated

Nissan has updated the LEAF EV in Japan for 2013 with better range, less weight and a new LEAF S entry-level model. Revealed in Japan – but likely to come to the UK from 2013 when the LEAF starts rolling out of Nissan’s Sunderland factory – there are significant upgrades to the powertrain which result in both less weight and better range. Nissan has had a play with the electric powertrain and made it both smaller and lighter with a new motor that uses 40 per cent less dysprosium (a rare earth metal) than before, and comes in 30 per cent smaller and 10 per cent lighter, and a new streamline battery case and a few other tweaks drops the LEAF’s weight by 80kg.