MotorAuthority

News, Jan 08 2009 to Jan 06 2009

Today

• Mercedes-Benz hit with second-largest fuel efficiency fine ever by NHTSA
  Mercedes-Benz has been fined $28.9 million for failure to meet federal fuel efficiency standards by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week. The a...
• Corvette ZR-1 rolling chassis to be auctioned from GM Heritage Collection
  The fund-raising process of auctioning off much of the contents of General Motors' historic Heritage Collection of cars hits a potential high-note, at least to a do-it-your-se...
• More details, photos of Honda Insight emerge ahead of Detroit
  Even as fuel prices plummet to a fraction of their peak figures, carmakers are ramping up their hybrid production plans, and Honda is not to be left out. The Insight Hybrid wi...
• Chevy Beat Concept headed to Detroit, U.S. production possible
  Despite adamant statements to the contrary, the production verion of the Chevrolet Beat could be made available for sale in the U.S. On this morning's Today Show, General Moto...
• Zolfe Orange sports car enters production
  The Zolfe Orange is a compact British sports car designed and built for racing enthusiasts looking for a fun and relatively low-cost entry into the world of weekend motorsport...
• Updated Ford SYNC provides personalized traffic, directory and news service...
  Ford is enhancing the connectivity capabilities of its vehicles by introducing exclusive new SYNC real-time information features that deliver personalized news updates to driv...
• Zele releases full specs for R35 GT-R ‘Complete Edition’
  The final details on Zele International's carbon-fiber bodykit and power enhancement for the Nissan GT-R have been released, with the tuning firm announcing that it plans to s...
• Audi cracks one million annual vehicle sales for the first time
  Audi has recorded sales of over one million cars in a 12 month period for the first time, and at the same time achieved its 13th record year of sales in a row. Worldwide, the...
• Toyota and Lexus announce plans for new telematics system
  Toyota has announced that it will launch a new telematics systems later this year for select Toyota and Lexus models, similar to the current service offered by General Motors�...

Yesterday

• Nissan showcasing sport, utility at Tokyo Auto Salon
  The Tokyo Auto Show gets underway this Friday, but already the exhibits of the major carmakers are hitting the web. Nissan released its set of show cars today, including a ran...
• 2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan unveiled
  A long series of teasers and spy shots have given hints at what the 2010 Buick LaCrosse would look like, but today General Motors has revealed the whole package just ahead of...
• Porsche 911-based W3 Triposto extreme custom
  Custom Porsche 911s are almost as common as the cars themselves, but the W3 Triposto is not likely to be lumped in with the crowd. With a center-seated driving position, speed...
• Nissan reveals 2010 GT-R SpecV
  Nissan today revealed details for its new limited-production GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale in Japan early next month and is expected to arrive in the U.S. later this ye...
• Spy shots: Barely disguised 2010 Jaguar XKR facelift
  Prototypes for Jaguar’s facelifted XK have been spotted testing in the UK and Germany ahead of the updated model’s world debut, which is expected to take place at next wee...
• Scion xB Release Series 6.0 priced, coming to 2009 NAIAS
  As the Detroit Auto Show approaches, more vehicles that will be on display are coming to light. Today Scion announced the xB Release Series 6.0, the latest in its limited-edit...
• Austrian design students envision range of KTM concepts
  Students of the FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences in Graz, Austria have designed a set of six KTM-inspired concepts. Using the edgy, futuristic design language made f...
• Bush administration defers CAFE decision to Obama
  In a reversal on Bush's prior commitment to make a decision on the issue of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today...
• Mazda6 'Circuit Trial' images surface before 2009 Tokyo Auto Show
  The Tokyo Auto Salon will feature a number of firsts from Mazda and many other carmakers, including a new range of 'Circuit Trial' track-ready concepts. The Tokyo show will be...
• KORS Design imagines Fisker Karma S 'Sunset' Concept ahead of Detroit unvei...
  Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid sedan may be one of the most attractive designs to take electricity to four wheels, and it's soon to get a stablemate. The company released infor...
• Preview: 2010 BMW X1 SUV
  The next couple of years will be very busy for BMW as it launches a handful of new models including new versions of current top sellers and some models we’ve never seen befo...
• Preview: Audi’s next-generation A8
  The current Audi A8 has been on sale since 2003 and since that time has only received a minor facelift to keep it fresh alongside the Mercedes Benz S-Class, Lexus LS and recen...
• Aptera delays delivery until October
  In March of last year, Aptera announced it had done all the development necessary to head to production, and that all it needed was to move into acquiring the right equipment...
• Fiat to launch 500-based Abarth Coupe
  Fiat, through its Abarth performance division, is reportedly working on a new sports coupe based on its 500 minicar to be launched sometime next year. The car will simply be c...
• Volvo adds new five-cylinder turbodiesel to S80 engine lineup
  Volvo is introducing a new 2.4L diesel engine in the Volvo S80, with the only commonality between it and the outgoing mill being the D5 badge and five-cylinder configuration.
• Porsche determined to acquire 75% stake in VW
  Earlier this week we saw Porsche finally acquire a majority stake in the Volkswagen Group, with its direct ownership in the German giant moving up to 50.76%. While Porsche is...
• Saleen reveals future plans for SMS Limited brand
  At the start of last year American performance workshop Saleen announced plans to establish its new SMS Limited brand. The company then rolled out a stunning supercar concept...

Tue Jan 6

• Project Kahn unveils modified Drophead Coupe
  With such an opulent base as a Rolls Royce to begin with, many modification houses - even Rolls Royce's own Bespoke program - end up with creations so extravagant they are nea...
• Report: Honda cancels next-gen S2000, V8 program and CR-Z convertible
  Tough times in terms of sales and profits are hitting the entire industry hard, but Honda appears to be taking it particularly badly if the latest report from Japan proves tru...
• Honda previews 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts
  While U.S. carmakers prepare for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Honda is readying a range of concepts to show off at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon, which celebrates Japan's modified...
• Protoscar releases teaser for Lampo electric roadster
  Yet another small start-up company is planning to launch a compact electric roadster, the latest being Swiss design company Protoscar, which plans to unveil the new Lampo conc...