MotorAuthority

News, Nov 21 2008 to Nov 19 2008

Today

• Honda may build Fit in U.S. to meet spiking demand
  The vagaries of the automotive market in the current economic situation are such that while some models, and even entire brands, sell poorly, some individual cars are going ga...
• Renault-Nissan announces Oregon to host EV pilot program
  Nissan's electric vehicle (EV) involvement in Project Better Place programs in Denmark and Israel, plus test fleets in its home market of Japan will be joined by a new agreeme...
• Spy shots: 998 Porsche 911 Turbo
  The current 997 generation Porsche 911 is still being updated for its mid-cycle refresh, with only the standard Carrera, Carrera 4, and Targa variants, receiving the update.
• Spy shots: Porsche Boxster Speedster
  Just this week Porsche unveiled its updated Boxster and Cayman range but there are several other models based on the same Boxster/Cayman platform still in the works. One of th...
• Ford reveals pricing for 2010 Fusion range
  Ford took the covers of its updated Fusion range at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, introducing a new Sport version and a range-topping Hybrid model. The carmaker has ann...
• Tuner VW Sciroccos revealed ahead of Essen Motor Show
  A pair of modified Volkswagen Scirocco coupes scheduled to appear at the upcoming Essen Motor Show in Germany have been revealed, one of them inspired by the Need for Speed Un...
• UK, France, Germany, Italy agree on CO2 limits
  Italy has reportedly dropped its objections to a European Commission plan to introduce softer CO2 emission limits on new cars, leaving the door open for an EU-wide agreement o...
• BMW CLR X 650 by Lumma Design
  German tuner Lumma Design will be unveiling an extensively modified BMW X6 at this year's Essen Motor Show in Germany. Set to debut near the end of this month, the Lumma Desig...
• BMW insider reveals details about ‘green’ supercar based on M1 Homage
  Despite BMW not having built a true supercar for 30 years since its original M1 model, a "high ranking insider" at the firm insists management is trying to reinvent its perfor...
• VW powertrain boss expects 90% take up rate for dual-clutch transmissions
  Carmakers in the luxury and sports segments are finding it extremely difficult to increase fuel savings without compromising the quality and performance of their product, but...
• Nissan 370Z official details, prices start at $29,930
  Earlier this month Nissan released the first official image of the upcoming 2009 370Z Coupe, which is making its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, and now th...

Yesterday

• Jaguar insider reveals plans for XF Roadster and Coupe
  Coinciding with similar statements earlier this month from Ratan Tata, the boss of Tata Motors and the current owner of Jaguar, is a new report claiming plans for coupe and co...
• Mazda KAAN wins 2008 L.A. Design Challenge
  Today, the design entry from Mazda R&D of North America was chosen as the winner of the Los Angeles Auto Show's 2008 Design Challenge. This year's theme, Motor Sports 2025, as...
• Government rejects bailout plan, offers second chance
  The heads of the Detroit 3 headed to Washington this past week in the hope of securing a second emergency aid package to supplement the previously earmarked $25 billion for mo...
• 2010 Mercedes Benz GLK priced from $33,900 in U.S.
  After a string of concept versions and the first reveal of its new GLK in full production trim at this year’s Beijing Motor Show, Mercedes Benz has finally revealed pricing...
• Honda previews ‘Eco Assist’ driver aid for next-gen Insight Hybrid
  Honda has revealed its new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology, which will appear in the next-generation Insight Hybrid vehicle next year. The new...
• Porsche confirms 2009 February launch for Cayenne Diesel in Europe
  Porsche is only a few months away from launching its first ever diesel model with the carmaker announcing today that it will launch an oil-burning Cayenne SUV in Europe in Feb...
• Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe
  The current Mercedes-Benz CLK is something of an enigma - built around the C-Class platform, styled like the E-Class, and priced in between the two, the car sits in its own un...
• Jaguar ranks #1 in J.D. Power sales satisfaction survey
  For the fourth of the last five years, Jaguar has taken the top spot in J.D. Power's Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI), which measures satisfaction with the sales process. The t...
• VW Jetta TDI wins 2009 Green Car of the Year
  The Los Angeles Auto Show is winding down its press events today, but this morning's first feature was the revelation of the winner of the 2009 Green Car of the Year award. Vo...
• Report: Nissan to remove launch control for 2010 ‘Series II’ GT-R
  The Nissan GT-R has finally filtered its way into the retail channels of most global markets, with a fair number of customer cars on the streets. But just as those owners are...
• Kia releases full details for U.S.-spec Soul hatch
  Kia has used this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show to display the North American version of its new Soul hatch, which is scheduled to arrive on the market in the second half of...
• PPI previews new Razor GTR Audi R8
  Following the unveiling of the original ‘Razor’ Audi R8 at the Essen Motor Show last year, German tuning firm PPI Automotive Design GmbH has announced plans to launch an e...
• Preview: Seat, Skoda and Audi minicars
  Even as fuel prices slide back down to pre-crunch levels, the automotive industry knows it's only a temporary respite and continues its gear-up for a new layer of high-quality...
• More images of Toyota’s next-gen Prius leak
  Toyota’s next-generation petrol-electric Prius hybrid is expected to make its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, however new images of the car have made their...
• Report: September 2009 U.S. launch for VW Rabbit and GTI
  Volkswagen will reportedly bring its sixth-generation Golf (Rabbit) and the more performance oriented GTI to the United States by September of next year, with production sched...
• Guangzhou Auto unveils new roadster concept
  Chinese state-run carmaker Guangzhou Auto has unveiled a handsome roadster concept at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China this week. The concept car was revealed by Guangzhou and...
• Final Lamborghini Reventon delivered to customer in UK
  Lamborghini's Reventon supercar is one of the most exclusive cars on the planet, with just 20 examples produced by the Italian marque. This week, Lamborghini announced that th...

Wed Nov 19

• German solar power company makes surprise bid for Opel
  The struggling auto industry is feeling the pressure of slow sales and a tough global economy in many markets. Rumors of bankruptcy and pleas for government aid are the norm -...
• VW reveals Red Bull Baja Racing Trophy Truck, launches Touareg V6 TDI in U.
  Volkswagen showcased the breadth of its diesel powered technology today, with the unveiling of two different vehicles both carrying the Touareg nameplate. One is a new clean-d...