Polaris Snowmobile 1993-99 Trail Rxl Xlt Classic Xc Reverse Shift Shaft 1341093 on 2040-parts.com

Dodge Avenger replacement could go rear-wheel drive

Chrysler is pondering a shakeup for its midsize-sedan lineup. The Dodge Avenger replacement would shift to rear-wheel drive, and the next Chrysler Sebring would be based on a Fiat platform in an effort to differentiate two cars that currently share the same underpinnings, Automotive News reports. The Avenger replacement could be based on a modified Challenger platform, which itself is a modified version of the Charger and Chrysler 300 platform.

Fiat 500 gets 3-star safety rating from NHTSA

The slow-selling 2012 Fiat 500 now has another obstacle in its sales path: It has been tagged by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a three-star safety rating, the lowest of any new model tested so far. The two-door subcompact received four stars from NHTSA for frontal crash and rollover accidents but received just two stars for side-impact crash safety, the agency announced on its Web site, safercar.gov. The tests gave the car a combined overall safety rating of three stars, NHTSA reported.

Toyota 4Runner

Toyota unveiled the fifth-generation 4Runner at the 2009 LA Auto Show. The new design embraces its robust SUV identity more than its immediate predecessors, which also distinguishes it from the similarly sized but more urban Toyota Highlander sibling. To read our opinions of the new 4Runner's design see our 2009 LA Auto Show Highlights.