Toyota has asked a United States judge to throw out the majority of its pending lawsuits on the grounds that the cases are based on anecdotal and circumstantial information. The automaker is currently facing over 300 lawsuits that vary from personal injury to economic loss, nearly all of which are tied in one way or another to the company’s rash of unintended acceleration issues. To date this year, Toyota has recalled eight million vehicles globally for varying reasons, including accelerator pedals that could become entrapped. Some of the lawsuits have been bundled for pre-trial rulings. These consumer cases claim that the quality woes the recalled Toyota models face have driven down the value of those products substantially. Likewise, the company’s claims of quality, safety and reliability have been called into question. Toyota has responded by saying that any claims made in its advertisements were opinion and to be taken as such. The combined lawsuits are being handled in Santa Ana, Californa, where Toyota asked the judge to dismiss the cases against the company. -by Zach Bowman [Source: Bloomberg]
Ford to reveal Focus lineup in Paris; high-performance version planned
Ford Motor Co. plans to sell a high-performance version of the redesigned Focus compact car in the United States, the company said today. The automaker will reveal the three production-ready body styles of the 2012 Ford Focus compact at the Paris motor show late this month. It also will unveil a preview model of a high-performance 250PS Focus ST at the show. The high-performance Focus will launch in early 2012, likely as a 2013 model year. -Automotive News
2011 Shelby GT500 Super Snake: Now With 800 HP “Are You Ready for This on the West Side Highway?!” – Funk Flex
The 2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake made a slightly outrageous 750 hp. For 2011, Shelby’s offering an 800-hp option. C’mon, when there’s an 800-hp option is there really any option at all? You gotta check that box. Most of the 2011 Shelby GT500 upgrades are what they offered last year, including an upgraded supercharger kit, stronger brakes, short-throw shifter, a trunk full of Ford Racing suspension parts. They’re not yet saying how they’re getting from 750-to-800 hp, nor are they saying how much more it’ll be than the $30K 750-hp version. But they did say they’re getting new anthracite wheels, white stripes and side scoops. So that’s something. Words by: Matt Hardigree
Spy Shots: Secret Audi R8 RS – This is a really hot car! Funk Flex
Could this be the ultimate R8? When our spy photographer spotted this Audi supercar filling up at a petrol station just outside the Nürburgring test track in Germany, he initially didn’t think much of it. But then, closer inspection revealed some remarkable details which indicate it might be a new RS model – to sit above the mighty 552bhp 5.2-litre V10-engined R8 GT. by Zach Bowman
