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

BMW revealed its all-new 2011 X3 crossover earlier this year, and it just went into production before sales start later this fall.

With the introduction of the 2011 X3, BMW relocated production of the small crossover from Magna Steyr's plant in Graz, Austria, to its own production facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Adding X3 production to the Spartanburg plant means that three of the four BMW X SUVs will be produced in the States. The X5 and X6 are already built at the South Carolina plant, prompting BMW to call it the "expertise center for the BMW X models."

Yesterday, the last current-generation X3, a red xDrive35d example, rolled off Magna Steyr's line in Austria yesterday, mere hours before the first 2011 model rolled off the line in Spartanburg.

The new X3 marks a significant departure, and improvement, from the old model. The new model is no longer a brutally harsh crossover with a lackluster interior. It's based on the current-generation E90 3 Series, and has grown in size to allow for a smaller sibling, the X1.

Initially, the X3 will be sold with two versions of BMW's 3.0-liter I-6, the normally aspirated N52 and single-turbo N55, but a hybrid is reportedly on the way. Other future powertrain additions could include small four-cylinder and diesel engines, as CAFE regulations approach. The sole transmission in the U.S. is ZF's eight-speed automatic, which is becoming familiar across BMW's lineup.

Expect to see the 2011 X3 at BMW dealerships around the country later this fall.

Source: BMW

Honda is a key player in the United States' minivan market and potential customers will be pleased to learn its new 2011 Odyssey has started to roll off the assembly line in Lincoln, Alabama.

The Odyssey furthers its legacy in Alabama, having been solely built and assembled in the South since its third generation. Now entering its fourth incarnation, the Odyssey has been significantly revised for 2011 and will be at dealers nationwide in about four weeks. The Japanese automaker calls its new minivan an "American Odyssey."

"What a beautiful vehicle we have created together," said Art StCyr, the Odyssey's chief engineer. "It's called the American Odyssey because -- for the first time -- the Odyssey minivan was designed, developed, and manufactured in the U.S. What a great sense of pride that brings to all of us."

For 2011, the Odyssey is both longer and lighter. The 3.5-liter V-6 remains standard and the minivan is expected to hit a fuel economy target of 19 city and 28 highway mpg. The interior has been redesigned to afford more passenger space and features galore have made it into the cabin, including 15 cupholders, four electrical outlets, and a dash-mounted "cool box."

The Odyssey is currently Honda's fourth bestseller after tallying 71,584 units sold for the year, trailing the Accord, Civic, and CR-V.

Source: Honda

Toyota's stepping up its B-segment MPV game at this year's Paris Motor Show, but they won't be without competition. Hyundai announced today it will unveil a competitor - the 2011 ix20 -- at the same show venue.

It's hard to glean precise details from the artistic teaser sketch released by the automaker this morning, but it's obvious the company's fluidic sculpture design ethos is prominently on display. The mini-minivan appears to be quite curvaceous, with a front fascia that bears significant resemblance to that used on the new Tucson (or ix35, as it's known in Europe). Those swoopy lines continue down the sides of the ix20, as designers seem to have blessed the ix20 with large, flared wheel wells, a dramatically curved windshield, and a subtly-sloped roofline. Snazzy indeed, and the curvaceous form may be enough to rival the likes of the stylish next-generation Opel Meriva.

Hyundai's presently mum on the technical details, but we wouldn't be surprised if the new ix20 rides upon a modified version of the B-segment platform used in the European i20 hatchback. If so, expect the small MPV to be powered by either a 1.4-liter gasoline or diesel I-4.

Although the ix20 will launch in time to battle Toyota's new Verso-S in Europe, we're doubtful the little crossover will come our way. Hyundai U.S. spokesman Dan Bedore tells us there are currently no plans to bring the ix20 to the North American market.

Stay with Automobile Magazine online for all the latest news, debuts, and buzz surrounding the Paris Motor Show.

Source: Hyundai

Driving styles depend greatly on a driver's mood. If you're angry, you might drive faster; calmer, more relaxed drivers might take a more relaxed route. This usually just depends on how hard you press the accelerator, but with the 2011 Lexus CT 200h, you will be able to select a driving mode to match your mood.

Hybrids typically offer drivers a choice of environmentally-friendly "normal" or super-environmentally-friendly "eco" modes, all of which are offered on the CT 200h. But with its sporty intentions, the CT 200h also adds a "sport" mode.

Like the Honda CR-Z, which also has a sport mode, sport mode on the CT 200h sharpens the CT 200h's throttle response, and the electronic power steering is changed to respond to driver inputs more quickly. Unlike the Honda hatchback, however, the CT 200h also increases total system output in sport mode to boost acceleration.

In addition to sharpening dynamic responses, the CT 200h's gauge cluster changes in sport mode. The normal hybrid power gauge is replaced by a tachometer and the backlighting changes to a red color, either to fit the driving mood or to yell at you for harming the environment -- depending on your view.

In the more environmentally friendly modes, the gauges are illuminated with blue backlighting and display a hybrid power gauge to let you know how you're driving. Eco and normal modes remap throttle response to aid smooth and efficient driving, as opposed to power for blasting down back roads. Steering feel is modified to aid smooth driving, and Eco mode also reduces air conditioning performance to reduce its impact on fuel economy.

More notable than the change in steering and throttle responsiveness are the changes to the drivetrain. Total system output is reduced to further increase fuel economy, and depending on circumstance, the drive system will also automatically switch into fuel-conserving EV mode. In EV mode, which is also driver-selectable, the CT 200h can travel at speeds up to 30 mph on electricity alone.

The 2011 Lexus CT 200h will appear at the Paris Motor Show in September before hitting dealership lots in October.

Source: Lexus

That didn't take long. Weeks after Ferrari announced it would investigate reports of its new 458 Italia going up in smoke, the automaker has reportedly found a fix, and is recalling nearly 1248 cars to rectify the issue. While the recall is not official or filed with the NHTSA, Ferrari is calling owners of 458 Italias to warn them of the issue and schedule their cars for a complimentary service to rectify the issue.

According to Ferrari officials, the crux of the matter lies within the car's heat shield, attached near the rear fender. The adhesive used to attach the heat shields is capable of melting, and even igniting at extreme temperatures.

For those keeping score, reports suggest such a fire has occurred at least five different times. Ferrari reportedly received several complaints from owners from California, France, Switzerland, and China, which spurred the automaker to quickly look into the matter.

"We are taking all the reports very seriously and are looking into them, but are treating them all as separate incidents," a corporate spokesman said late last month.

The solution? It's quite simple, actually. Ferrari technicians will replace the wheel arches and attach them with conventional metal rivets. Customers with burnt 458s will reportedly receive a replacement car, complete with the revised wheel arch design. The design has been changed in-line at Ferrari's production facility, so the flammable adhesive will only affect the very first run of 458 sports cars.

An unfortunate situation, certainly, but owners can take solace in the fact that Ferrari's engineers apparently move as quickly as their products.

Source: Ferrari, Reuters

We've seen several 2011 Dodge Durangos running around Michigan wearing heavy camouflage, but unlike Ford's striptease of images for its 2011 Explorer, Dodge has officially taken the covers off its fullsize SUV. 

Last month, we got our first official first glimpse of the next-generation Durango, but we're now able to see the muscular sport-ute in all its glory. Entering its third generation, the Durango looks less boxy, featuring a Charger-esque front end and a sleeker overall look. Rounded corners, a tall hood line, and a steeply raked windshield aid in keeping the Durango from looking too bulky. The large chrome rims featured on the model shown may signify that we're looking at a top-of-the-line trim package.

The 2011 Durango sits upon a lengthened version of the same platform that underpins the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Along with similarly-shaped taillights, the Durango will be powered by the same 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8 as the Jeep, but the Durango's extended platform allows for a third row of seating.

Come back later for our First Look at the 2011 Durango.

Source: Dodge