MotorAuthority

News, Dec 01 2008 to Nov 27 2008

Yesterday

• 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...
• PPI unveils Razor GTR Audi R8 at Essen Motor Show
  Following the unveiling of the original ‘Razor’ Audi R8 at the Essen Motor Show last year, German tuning firm PPI Automotive Design GmbH has unveiled an even more aggressi...
• Rumored full specs for Nissan GT-R Spec-V
  Nissan execs have confirmed the existence of a Spec-V GT-R, a lighter and more powerful version of the already extreme Japanese supercar, and we now have what is rumored to be...
• Lexus VP says four new models rolling out next year
  Lexus already launched the 2010 RX range of SUVs at the LA Motor Show a couple of weeks ago, and now Lexus' vice-president Mark Templin has revealed that the Japanese luxury a...

Sat Nov 29

• Elite Carbon works over the Maserati GranTurismo
  American auto accessory firm Elite Carbon has just released a full carbon-fiber bodykit for the Maserati GranTurismo, giving the car a much more aggressive look and increased...
• Ford Ranger Max Concept debuts in Thailand
  Ford has unveiled a pickup truck concept vehicle bearing the ‘Ranger’ name at this year's Thailand Motor Expo. Carrying the full title of Ford Ranger Max Concept, the new...
• VW updates Touareg engine range, adds 'North Sails' special edition
  Volkswagen has updated the engine lineup for its Touareg SUV to reduce its fuel consumption by up to 9%, as well as offering a new special edition based on the North Sails con...
• Rieger bodykit for the VW Scirocco
  German tuner Rieger has unveiled a stunning new bodykit for Volkswagen's sporty Scirocco coupe, a car that is proving immensely popular with tuners from Europe. The bodykit ad...

Fri Nov 28

• Audi R8 GT3 race car debuts at Essen Motor Show
  Audi’s motorsport division announced plans back in August to launch a 500hp-plus (373kW) version of the R8 for use in next year’s GT3 series, and today the car made its de...
• Ex-Pininfarina designer takes head job at Stile Bertone
  Italy's place in the automotive design business is legendary, inspiring passion for cars in generations of people all around the world via cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lanc...
• Audi considering delay of decision on U.S. production
  A number of European carmakers are considering starting production in the United States to take advantage of the low dollar and to improve production and logistic efficiencies...
• Report: Mercedes Benz to phase out V12 engine
  The push by governments around the world for stricter emissions regulations for new cars has all carmakers, from mainstream makes like Toyota and GM all the way up to exclusiv...
• Jaguar sheds 850 jobs, remains in aid talks
  Since Tata purchased Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford earlier this year, things have been looking decidedly up for both brands. Jaguar even posted its first sales increase in t...
• More details on the next-gen Audi A2
  Most of Europe’s carmakers are working on a new generation of ultra compact vehicles to help meet tough new emissions standards set to roll in over the next couple of years,...
• Mini unveils Mark II Cooper Cabrio
  Mini has released the first details about its second-generation Cabrio model, which is set to go on sale in the first half of next year in both Cooper and Cooper S trims follo...

Thu Nov 27

• Marangoni Alfa Romeo Mi.To inspired by the Ferrari F430
  One of the tuners at this year’s Essen Motor Show will be Italy’s TRC-Marangoni, which has modified the still-new Alfa Romeo Mi.To hatchback using the Ferrari F430 as its...
• Sir Jack Brabham considering legal action over use of his name
  Australian racing legend Sir Jack Brabham has revealed that he is disappointed that a company in Germany, which he has no association with, is using his name to promote a rang...
• Report: BMW M Division dropping high-rev engines in favor of turbos
  BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer recently revealed plans to phase out diesel V8 engines across the board, but as drastic as this sounds it could be just the tip of the iceberg for th...
• Volkswagen reveals modified range at Essen
  Germany's Essen Motor Show, which runs this week through December 7, is a European tuner showcase, and Volkswagen is taking the opportunity to show off a handful of modified c...
• Detroit 3 head back to Washington December 5 to offer plan for future
  The heads of the Detroit 3 headed to Washington earlier this month in the hope of securing a second emergency aid package to supplement the previously earmarked $25 billion fo...
• GeigerCars works over the Dodge Challenger SRT8
  Most German tuners usually stick with modifying European cars but one company, GeigerCars, has a well-documented obsession with the American muscle car. Now the firm has taken...
• Spy shots: BMW's bullet-proof 7-series
  BMW will soon be adding another model to its armored ‘Security’ division with the sighting of this 2009 7-Series prototype in Germany suggesting that development of an arm...
• Ford looking at asset sales in Europe
  Ford of Europe is currently in talks with an undisclosed European company regarding the sale of one of its factories in France. The French government is eager to ensure a posi...