The Kia Soul’s speakers that pulse to the music appear to be part of a new recall affecting 2010 Souls and 2011 Sorento SUVs.

2010 Kia Soul and 2011 Kia Sorento

The problem: A select number of wiring harnesses used for the advanced lighting speakers in the Soul and for the interior accent lighting in the Sorento may have been improperly soldered. Under certain conditions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says, an electrical short could lead to a fire.

The fix: Kia dealers will replace the wiring harnesses for the affected interior parts.

Number affected: 35,185. A recall is expected to begin this month.

Source: NHTSA

Earlier today, Dodge took the wraps off its new-for-2011 Durango sport-utility vehicle. A platform-mate of the also-new-for-2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, we were pretty sure about powertrain and styling details before the launch. More interestingly, however, we were treated to a surprise on the hub of the Durango’s steering wheel.

According to the manufacturer, the shield-shaped “Dodge” emblem is not the company’s official logo. Since dropping the ram’s-horns icon — picked up, instead, by the Ram brand — Dodge’s official logo has been the word “DODGE” with two angled, red stripes. The official word from Dodge is that the graphic on the steering wheel isn’t a new logo for the brand.

So, what exactly are we looking at here? We’re not entirely sure, but we’re not opposed to the design. It fits somewhere near the Chrysler Pentastar logo, and works well to evoke the chrome brightwork in and out of the SUV. In its nearly century-long history, this is not the first time the Dodge logo has been modified.

But what do you think? Is the design attractive enough to stand across the Dodge lineup? Or should Dodge have made a more active push for its two-stripe design?

Today’s Snap Judgment:
Is this going to be the new Dodge logo, or should Dodge stick with the stripes?

Let us know what you think in the comments section.

In crafting a replacement for the Defender SUV, known around the world for a stop-at-nothing attitude, Land Rover is at a crossroads. Although it has received funding from parent company for the project, the development team is at odds on the character of the successor to the icon.

According to British magazine Autocar, a replacement for the sexagenarian Defender is being delayed until a decision is made regarding its manufacture and production. Although parent company Tata has invested to build a new Defender by 2014, Defender faithful are fighting to ensure the model retains a prominent place in the lineup. The introduction of the front-wheel-drive Evoque was a departure from the brand known for go-anywhere utility vehicles.

In April, European editor Georg Kacher came out against the use of the T5 platform, which underpins the larger LR4 and Range Rover. His proposal? To “to come down in price and go up in volume” and “introduce more on-road-focused, comfort-oriented, and user-friendly values to support the traditional hardcore off-road magic.”

In June, Kacher updated his report on “Project Icon,” the codename for the next Defender, adding to the uncertainty of its future. Kacher suggested three options for a future Defender: to employ a car-based platform, similar to the one used on the current LR2; to find a new partner for manufacturing and distribution; or building a rugged version for farmers, and a “chic” version for fashionistas.

East Coast bureau chief, and noted Defender aficionado, Jamie Kitman has also weighed in with his vision of a revised model. Kitman’s note to Tata: “Instead of dreaming up ways to lard the next Defender with more luxury, the company will fast-forward two generations to bring us the full green monty – a solar-powered, go-anywhere, plug-in hybrid that also runs on previously digested sunflower seeds and sardine oil.” We don’t believe Land Rover has yet perfected sardine-oil technology, however.

Which route is best for the Defender? Should Land Rover develop a new, lighter platform, or use a current platform to speed up production?

Source: Autocar