2009
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Last year reports emerged claiming Nissan was seriously considering an Infiniti version of the GT-R supercar. The first hint came when Nissan’s global design Chief Shiro Nakamura revealed that managers were looking at the feasibility of a new high-end flagship saloon, and further speculation arose when a dealer in the United States confirmed that a meeting in Japan took place to discuss possible options for the future sedan. Those hopes have been shutdown for the foreseeable future today however, with an official statement on the matter. At the New York Auto Show, Nissan's senior VP of...
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Mitsubishi puts a Lancer face on the new Outlander GT PrototypeWhen the Mitsubishi Lancer's new design first appeared, sporting its huge trapezoidal grille area, the reactions were mixed. Now after about a year to grow accustomed to it, it looks at home even on the family-oriented Outlander GT Prototype, revealed today at the New York Auto Show. Aside from the...
Alex Kaufmann -
Audi reveals U.S. pricing for Q7 TDI Clean DieselAudi today released pricing for its 2009 model-year Q7 TDI SUV, the German carmaker's first clean diesel vehicle for the U.S. market. Featuring a 3.0L V6 diesel engine – the same unit as the Volkswagen Touareg TDI - the Q7 TDI is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships later this month...
James Martinez -
BMW adds V12-powered 760i and long-wheelbase 760Li to lineupWhile many doubted BMW was going to add a V12 option to its new 7-series, the carmaker has today unveiled its flagship saloon powered by a brand new twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine. The V12 engine option also sees the 7-series fitted with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, although the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Nissan adds Nismo-enhanced 370Z Coupe to U.S. lineupNissan will launch a brand new Nismo-enhanced 370Z this June, featuring a more powerful version of the standard 3.7L V6 engine and a host of cosmetic and performance mods. Like the limited production Nismo 350Z introduced two years earlier, the new 370Z version is a tuner-Z enthusiast's dream and...
Jeremy Weber -
Nissan reveals official details for FIA-GT1 GT-R race carNissan is just a year out from entering its giant-killing GT-R supercar into an FIA sanctioned GT1 race, with the company confirming that a race-prepped version will be available for sale to teams competing in the FIA-GT1 class early next year. We will get our first taste of the new car on May 3rd...
James Martinez -
Joining the Yukon Hybrid SUV and Sierra Hybrid Pickup this May is the all-new GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid SUV, which makes its debut this week at the New York Auto Show. The latest addition is an upmarket fullsize SUV that seats eight, tows up to 5,800lb (2,636kg) and according to GM achieves an impressive 21mpg (11.2L/100km) in city driving – comparable to a V6 Toyota Camry. Vehicles like the Yukon Denali are ideal for a hybrid application because of the greater fuel savings compared to smaller petrol-electric models like the Prius and Insight. This will be a crucial factor in showrooms...
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eBay watch: Dodge Challenger widebody convertible by West Coast CustomsDodge may have ruled out building a convertible version of its Challenger muscle car but if you’re determined enough to purchase one then there are a score of vehicle customizers across the country willing to serve your needs, for the correct price. One such customizer is California’s...
James Martinez -
Mitsubishi planning to reveal facelifted Outlander at New York Auto ShowThe centerpiece of Mitsubishi’s stand at next week's New York Auto Show will be the Outlander GT Prototype, a preview of the facelifted model due to go on sale later in the year. Mitsubishi has released two new teaser images of the upcoming show car, revealing a design similar to the Lancer...
Ralph Hanson -
Volvo cuts XC90 pricing by 8% for 2009The poor car market has led many carmakers to take drastic action with their workforces, to ask for government assistance or to offer unprecedented incentives, but so far most carmakers haven't taken the knife to their base pricing. Volvo bucks the trend today by cutting the price of their XC90 SUV...
Alex Kaufmann -
Hamilton stripped of Australian GP points for "misleading" stewardsStewards earlier today declared that Lewis Hamilton and McLaren offered "deliberately misleading" evidence that resulted in Jarno Trulli losing his podium in a post-race inquiry at the Australian GP last Sunday. The reconvened investigation in Malaysia resulted in Hamilton, the reigning world...
Jeremy Weber -
Kia previews all-new luxury sedan with KND-5 conceptThe 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...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
It's not every day that an automotive first is achieved - the industry is over a century old, after all. So that makes Acura's first-ever sweep of top marks in IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings impressive as a first as well as for the safety of its vehicles. The final vehicle to get the top scores was the new 2009 Acura TL (pictured above). With that, all of Acura's vehicles are now certified as 5-star (NHTSA NCAP) or 'Good' (IIHS) - the top marks possible in the U.S. But there's bound to be at least one asterisk next to the entry in the record books: Acura isn't really a full-line carmaker...
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MTM builds Audi TTS to 380hpAudi's TT platform has shown some seriously long legs, running in updated but still very familiar form from its debut in 1999 to the present. Now it's showing even more potential remains with the upgraded TTS and TT-RS models. But even that's not enough for the aftermarket, and MTM has answered the...
Alex Kaufmann -
Slow sales to keep Corvette plant closed through JulyRick Wagoner was sent packing earlier this week, then GM debuted a new buyer assurance program and guaranteed warranties, and Fritz Henderson put out a message of determination in the face of difficulty today, but Corvette's plant in Bowling Green won't be back in full operation until at least...
Ralph Hanson -
Cadillac now offering Escalade Hybrid in Platinum trimWhen it comes to maximizing fuel savings, a vehicle like the Cadillac Escalade is probably one of the best platforms for a hybrid drivetrain. The SUV’s are big and heavy and are mostly found in and around city suburbs. This means mostly slow traveling speeds and plenty of stop-start...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Geely goes for the gusto with throne-equipped GE limoBuilding a successful hyper-luxury limousine is a tricky game. While brands like Maybach and Bentley are struggling to find success, Rolls Royce is posting year after banner year of sales improvements. Now a newcomer has entered the game, and the result is catastrophically interesting. Built by...
Kenneth Hall -
Dodge adds special edition SE ‘Rallye’ to Challenger lineupTo mark the introduction of its five-speed automatic in the base Challenger SE, Dodge has unveiled a brand new special edition ‘Rallye’ model that is set to go on sale next month. By pairing the five-speed auto, which is normally found in HEMI-powered V8 Challengers, with the SE’s...
Jeremy Weber -
The Dodge Challenger was one of the most widely anticipated cars of the recent past but while the HEMI-powered V8 models stole most of the thunder, it remains a fact that a large portion of sales is for the entry-level V6 model. Sadly, the base Dodge Challenger SE is a little anaemic when it comes to performance and the car’s standard four-speed auto is really starting to show its age. Chrysler now plans to remedy the situation with a new gearbox for the entry-level SE V6. Rather than the current version's tired four-speed auto, the new Dodge Challenger SE models will be fitted with the...
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BMW Z4 Roadster priced from $46,575 in U.S.BMW’s striking new Z4 Roadster is set to arrive in showrooms across the U.S. in the following months and in the lead up to its entrance pricing for the entire range, including all options and accessories, has been revealed. The new car will be sold as a 2010 model and will be available in...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
B&B takes the lid off 500hp Volkwagen EosVolkswagen's Eos is something of a misfit - more luxurious than most of VW's lineup, but not as nice as the A5 Cabrio, and not quite powerful enough from the factory to run with the likes of the Mercedes and BMW competition. But it's definitely a step ahead of most of the American and Japanese...
Alex Kaufmann -
Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG returns as Official 2009 F1 Safety CarWith another season of F1 kicking off this weekend at the Australian GP in Melbourne, Mercedes Benz has confirmed that its two high-performance AMG safety cars from last year’s season will return to keep things order for ’09. The SL63 AMG will be staring once again as the Official F1...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Honda struggling to meet demand for Insight, U.S. production still a long way offHonda’s new Insight hybrid vehicle has been on sale in the U.S. for just over a week but demand for the car is already pushing production at the company’s Suzuka plant in Japan to the limits. Sales of the Insight in Japan are already triple what Honda had hoped for and with predictions...
Kenneth Hall -
Vin Diesel shows up at Fast & Furious premiere in Eibach Dodge ChallengerWhen rolling up to the premiere of the latest instalment of one of the biggest car movie franchises in recent history, what better car is there than the Dodge Challenger? Okay, maybe there are plenty of better options but considering the nature of the new Fast & Furious movie and Vin...
Alex Kaufmann