MotorAuthority

News, Dec 02 2008 to Nov 30 2008

Today

• GM requests $12 billion from Congress in viability plan
  The Chevrolet Volt captured the mind of the public and the press when it was revealed during the company's 100th anniversary celebrations in September, though even then it was...
• Eibach Dodge Challenger debuts at Essen
  The 2008 SEMA show featured no shortage of customized Dodge Challengers, and for good reason - the has been a rather solid success in the U.S., at least in SRT8 form, especial...
• GM will sell its jet fleet, Wagoner to drive hybrid to Washington
  Cost cutting, both in day-to-day operations and in static corporate overhead, is taking another step at GM today, with the announcement that the company fleet of jets will be...
• Ford submits plan to Congress, promises EVs, possible profits by 2011
  The return trip to Washington by the nation's key automotive CEOs will be a considerably more concrete happening, with real-world plans, hard numbers and specific goals. Ford...
• More details on Fiat's Topolino revival
  Talk of the revival of the Topolino nameplate has been circulating for nearly a year, and in April Fiat took a positive step in the process of building a new B-segment car by...
• EU reaches agreement on emissions reduction target
  The European Union has reached an agreement on a greenhouse gas reduction program for new vehicles, announcing today that carmakers must cut their fleet-wide emissions levels...
• More details on the Nismo-enhanced Nissan 370Z
  Last month we showed you a leaked image of the upcoming Nismo enhanced 2009 Nissan 370Z, and now we have official details for the tuner’s ‘S-Tune’ package. While the tea...
• Fisker previews production Karma plug-in hybrid ahead of Detroit
  California’s Fisker Automotive has confirmed today that its upcoming Karma plug-in hybrid will be shown for the first time in full production trim at next month’s Detroit...
• Corvette ZR1 buyers receive free advanced driving course valued at $3,400
  General Motors may be struggling for cash at the moment but that doesn't mean it’s skimping on the customer programs for its halo sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Eve...
• Ford CEO to drive Escape Hybrid to Congressional hearings
  Last week we reported that executives from the Detroit 3 plan to drive down to Washington for Congressional hearings in some of their most fuel efficient models, rather than t...

Yesterday

• Lamborghini's unique Miura Roadster for sale
  Only one original Lamborghini Bertone Miura Roadster was ever created, and now that special car is headed for sale in Switzerland. The Kidston auction house is offering the ca...
• Nissan dealers to fill corporate shoes at Detroit Auto Show
  Despite Nissan's widely-publicized withdrawal from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, a cadre of local dealers will bring cars to exhibit in the hopes of boosting sales. The typical...
• Review: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3
  Mazda’s rotary sports cars hold a near-mythical place in the hearts and minds of many aficionados. The ‘different-ness’ of the triangular Wankel design evokes a kind of...
• Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class ‘Estate’ wagon
  The next-generation Mercedes Benz E-class has again been spotted in testing but this time the prototype is for the ‘Estate’ wagon version. The images were taken near the c...
• Preview: Audi R8 ‘Spider’ convertible
  The convertible version of Audi’s R8 supercar has been spotted testing in Germany without a hint of camouflage material. These images of a prototype, plus a new computer ge...
• Lotus Carlton voted favorite Vauxhall ever
  Markets outside the UK and Europe were unfortunately not made familiar with the rip-snorting Lotus Carlton - a heavily modified Vauxhall Carlton - during its short lifetime. N...
• Aston Martin reveals it will cut up to 33% of its work force
  The tough times facing the car industry are not new, but the extended duration is beginning to take its toll on even the most luxurious carmakers. Aston Martin announced today...
• More details on Mitsubishi's 400hp Evo X ‘FQ-400’ for UK
  Mitsubishi in the UK has sold a number of special edition Lancer Evolution models over the past several years under the FQ name. The cars are essentially regular Evos with upr...
• BMW first carmaker to implement Microsoft's multi-touch Surface
  The customer experience at BMW - especially when taking delivery at the factory in Europe - is a unique one, soon to be made more unique by the inclusion of Microsoft's Surfac...
• Lewis Hamilton designs ultimate F1 circuit
  The youngest Formula 1 World Champion in history, Lewis Hamilton has no shortage of talent behind the wheel. Now that the 'silly season' has arrived, however, he's taken to a...
• Ford considering Volvo sale, joins GM to ask Sweden for aid
  General Motors has disavowed selling any of its brands but Hummer, but tough financial and market situations are bringing serious pressure to bear. Just this morning, Ford has...
• Lotus Evora attracts celebrity pre-orders
  Until the Evora came along in the middle of this year, Lotus hadn't introduced a truly new car to its ranks since the Elise/Exige arose 13 years ago, instead contenting itself...
• Audi posts record sales despite economic downturn
  The global economic crisis may have placed many carmakers on the proverbial knife's edge in regards to their financials, but German luxury marque Audi is expecting to have ano...
• Chrysler future model plans still on track
  Chrysler may be struggling financially but its product development chief Frank Klegon has assured reporters that the Auburn Hills carmaker will be coming out with new models o...
• Shanghai Auto Show debut for Porsche Panamera
  Porsche will use the Shanghai Auto Show in April next year to debut its new Panamera sedan, dropping its original plans to reveal it one month earlier in Geneva. The decision...
• Michelin partners with China’s MGL to produce Active Wheel powertrains
  Tire manufacturing giant Michelin is partnering with China's CITIC Guon Mengguli Corporation (MGL) to develop a new-generation electric powertrain systems based on its Active...
• Detroit 3 ready revised bailout proposals ahead of Tuesday's Congress heari...
  The CEOs of the Detroit 3 will be returning to Washington this week to present new business plans to Congress, all in the hopes of garnering a $25 billion federal loan package...
• Ford to preview ‘post-kinetic’ global design theme in Detroit
  Ford's drive for a new-generation of 'global' vehicles will receive a boost with the unveiling of a new model at next month's Detroit Auto Show, which will reportedly showcase...

Sun Nov 30

• 9ff boosts the Porsche Carrera GT with new GTT 900 package
  The Carrera GT may no longer be in production but that hasn’t stopped Porsche specialists 9ff from creating a new performance package for the stunning supercar. The tuning f...
• Skoda Octavia ‘RS+’ concept debuts at Essen Motor Show
  October’s Paris Motor Show saw Skoda unveil the facelifted version of its Octavia midsize sedan, and now less than two months later the carmaker has revealed a new concept v...