2008

While some industry analysts are predicting that the auto market will not recover until 2011 or 2012, Bentley is certain that its customer base will be ready to buy again as early as next year. In fact, the luxury British brand is so confident in this prediction that it’s bumping up its...

Rally racing has taken some of the hardest hits of all of the major motorsports during the ongoing economic and automotive downturn, but being down doesn't mean being out. MML Sports today unveiled their Group N Mitsubishi Evolution X rally car, to campaign for the World Rally Championship...

Just a few weeks ago, Mazda was adamant that diesel engines would be enough to satisfy its needs for more fuel-efficient cars - but now, in a major shift in strategy, the carmaker will be embracing hybrids and electric powertrains in the coming years. The change in heart was revealed by Mazda's CEO...

Following this past week’s unveiling of the GranTurismo MC GT4 comes a second Maserati race car, this time based on the four-door Quattroporte saloon. The new car is set to debut in the 2009 Superstars Series and driving it, on behalf of the Swiss Team, will be former F1 driver Andrea Chiesa...

Audi’s R8 already delivers stunning performance in standard guise, coming close to rivalling the cars from Ferrari and Lamborghini, but with a little help from Germany’s Motoren Technik Mayer (MTM) there would be no stopping it. The tuner’s latest program for the R8 is without...

Named for a Titan in Greek mythology, the Pininfarina-etched Hyperion from 2008 was designed to evoke memories of cars from the 1930s with its long majestic bonnet, short rear overhang and low rooflines. Based on the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, the changes needed to create the Hyperion included the...

German tuner Reiter Engineering specializes in taking Lamborghini models and making them formidable racing machines. Previously we've seen their work on this road-going Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT model, as well as this Gallardo GT3 Strada. The company has moved on from these two projects, and its...

By now we've all probably heard of Project Kahn, a British outfit that specializes in customizing certain models from prestige automotive brands such as Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes Benz among others. Now, the folks at Kahn have unveiled their latest transformation, this time taking the...

German tuner and custom coachbuilder Hamann is perhaps best known for its work with BMW's machines, but now it has unveiled a new kit for the Bentley Continental GT and GT Speed. Called the Imperator, designers have completely reconstructed the front-end of the car for the latest addition to...

Hyundai is preparing to launch the world’s first hybrid vehicle powered by advanced lithium-polymer batteries and capable of running on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Now ranked as the world’s fifth-largest carmaker in conjunction with its Kia subsidiary, Hyundai is making strides to...

It seems like just yesterday that Ferrari's 599 GTB Fiorano took over for the 575 M Maranello, but it's been three years already - time for a mid-cycle restyling. That restyling is expected to be primarily focused at the front of the car, with a focus on giving the car an edgier, more...

Californian tuner Vorsteiner has just announced the firm’s latest aerodynamic kit for the BMW M3 Sedan. Like its earlier work with Porsche and Mercedes Benz models, Vorsteiner’s new aerodynamic accessories are all made from lightweight dry carbon-fiber to keep weight to a minimum while...

Audi’s A8 flagship will have to soldier on in its current form for just a little while longer as the all-new 2011 model is a little more than a year away, so to help it along in showrooms Audi has released two new packages emphasizing the car’s comfort and sporting qualities. Starting...

It seems like every year the list of special-edition hatchbacks, sedans, wagons and SUVs grows for Europe while every year Americans see fewer and fewer on the road. Maybe it's a 'grass is always greener' syndrome, but there a definite sense of cross-pond jealousy when it comes to up-rated versions...

The affordable large car segment is starting to get just a little overcrowded, and in a time where customers all around the world are downsizing to smaller midsize models, performance, fuel-economy and overall value is now more important than ever. South Korea’s entrants in this field have...

Swedish media are reporting today that Steve Mattin, Volvo's design director, is leaving the company. The departure marks the end of a four-year tenure during which time Mattin was responsible for designs including the 2010 XC60 and the highly controversial S60 Concept shown a this year's Detroit...

Land Rover's Range Rover Sport has long been a popular choice with celebrity and pop-culture icons, but with the modifications that Tiret New York and LSE Design have managed, the Tiret Coupe takes the vehicle to another level. Wider flared arches, LED lighting, 22in LSE alloy wheels and a full...

Production of the Volvo S60 is coming to an end as the current model will soon be phased out in the lead up to an all-new model due next year. Production of the car at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium, is scheduled to end next month, marking the end of a eight year product cycle that saw more...

Ford has its new Fusion, Honda has the Insight, and Toyota's new Prius is about to hit the streets. But already the next generation of the hybrid wars is drawing up its battle lines, and this time it's smaller. Toytoa is planing a Yaris-based hybrid to take on Honda's Fit hybrid, due around...

British police have discovered the world's fastest unmodified Lotus Elise, having clocked motorist Tex O'Reilly at the phenomenal speed of 173mph - almost three-and-a-half times the speed limit for the area where he was 'caught'. Unfortunately for the Derbyshire police, the Lotus Elise they managed...