2009
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Updated: Audi CEO Rupert Stadler hinted back in March that U.S. production could be a possibility for the premium brand at Volkswagen's new plant, which was confirmed this month to be constructed in Tennessee. Latest reports are now indicating that executives are seriously considering building the Audi A4 and Q5 models at the Chattanooga plant, with volumes of between 50,000 and 80,000 units needed to justify U.S. production. Executives had also considered building the VW Touareg/Audi Q7/Porsche Cayenne line of SUVs in the U.S. but have since ruled out the option due to the lack of suitable...
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Porsche introduces 2009 facelifted 911 Targa rangeFollowing the release of the updated 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models comes new details of the 2009 Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S models. The distinctive feature of the 911 Targa, as before, is the 1.54-square-metre sliding glass roof and tailgate. When opened completely, the roof slides within...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
GM testing Saturn Vue plug-in hybridsWhile all eyes may be turned towards Chevrolet's upcoming Volt plug-in hybrid, other brands under the General Motors umbrella are also set to offer plug-in hybrids to help improve the carmaker’s fleet average fuel economy levels and become more competitive in a world of record high fuel...
Ralph Hanson -
Dodge Challenger SRT8 not selling as well as expected?Despite claims at the car's debut that the run of 6,400 2008 Challenger SRT8s had almost sold out, the truth is that many of them are still available. The problem could be, at least in part, driven by dealer markups, though the general downturn in the U.S. market is also likely playing a role. Over...
Nelson Ireson -
BMW Z4 production coming to end next month?The low value of the U.S. dollar against the Euro has forced BMW to change its production plans for the next-generation Z4 sports car. At the moment the Z4 is built alongside the X5 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but the new model, due late next year, will be built in Germany, most likely at...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Update: BMW releases details for U.S.-spec 2009 3-series faceliftUpdated: Coinciding with the launch of the facelifted 3-series range will be the introduction of BMW’s first diesel model in the U.S., the 335d sedan, which is set to join the existing 328i and 335i sedan and wagon, plus their respective xDrive, coupe and cabrio variants. Like its European...
Nelson Ireson -
Kia Motors America has announced the sales launch of their all-new seven-passenger midsize SUV, dubbed the Borrego. Revealed at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, the new Borrego offers a compromise position between large capacity and fuel economy. The release brings new details of the SUV as well as pricing information. The Borrego runs on regular unleaded and achieves class-leading fuel economy of 15/22mpg city/highway for its V8 with two-wheel drive, and a respectable 15/20mpg city/highway for the four-wheel drive. The new midsize also houses Kia's most powerful engines to date...
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Chrysler's electric cars still 3-5 years offHybrids, plug-ins and electric vehicles are the current best bets for the future of the automobile industry, but Chrysler says its entry into the fray will take at least another 3-5 years to suss out. The carmaker's already woeful lack of small cars is hurting sales as fuel prices continue to rise...
Nelson Ireson -
First U.S. Nissan GT-R delivered in CaliforniaAfter months of anticipation the Nissan GT-R supercar has finally gone on sale in the U.S. with the first car being delivered this morning to a Southern California customer. The keys to the Black Obsidian GT-R Premium model were handed to Daryl Alison of Costa Mesa, California, by dealer...
Nelson Ireson -
Supercharged G-Power G4 3.0i EVO III BMW Z4While BMW has opted for a twin-turbocharger system to boost extra power from its 3.0L straight six engine, German tuner G-Power has decided to adopt a new supercharger design for its latest performance upgrade for the Z4 roadster. G-Power is no stranger to drawing big power from BMW engines. The...
Siddarth Raja -
GM considering more XFE efficiency modelsFollowing a trend started by a number of European carmakers, GM recently revealed a new ‘XFE’ (E)Xtra Fuel Economy labeling system which debuted on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and soon followed onto the Pontiac G5. The cars feature a number of modifications to their drivetrains and...
Ralph Hanson -
Update: Chrysler expands $2.99 gallon fuel offer furtherUpdate: Chrysler today extended its $2.99 a gallon fuel promotion through the end of July following the release of sales figures for the month of June showing a steep 36% drop for combined sales of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep over the past year. Previous reasons to extend the deal through June...
Ralph Hanson -
Land Rover is set to debut a new special edition Range Rover SUV at this month’s London Motor Show, which the company claims will be the most luxurious production Range Rover yet. The new model is called the ‘Autobiography’ and it comes equipped with 20in diamond-turned twin-seven-spoke alloy wheels, new paint colors and an optional half wood steering wheel with matching gearshift insert. There will in fact be three new wheel styles as well as a heated steering wheel option. Satellite navigation and television will now be available as standard from HSE specification, and an...
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2009 BMW 7-series teaser appears at Golf tournamentBMW has given us the first real hint of the new headlight and grille design for its next-generation 7-series saloon with the unveiling of this new teaser at a recent Golf tournament. The new image confirms that the same LED elements and angel-eye design from the striking CS concept car has been...
Kenneth Hall -
Chevrolet announces pricing for 2009 Traverse SUVRevealed in February, the replacement for the long-lived TrailBlazer comes in the form of the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse crossover SUV. Today Chevrolet announced pricing for the new vehicle, with prices to start at $28,990. The Traverse will share its basic build with the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia...
Nelson Ireson -
Next-gen Saturn Aura put on hold?The replacement for the Saturn Aura has already been revealed in the form of the European Opel (Vauxhall) Insignia sedan, which goes on sale later this year. The car was expected to reach North America in the second half of next year as a 2010 model but according to several sources at GM its...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Dodge reveals powertrain lineup for 2009 RamDodge has announced its new powertrain lineup for the 2009 Ram pickup, revealing improved fuel economy over the outgoing model and best-in-class power ratings, aerodynamics and performance. Engines available in all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 models include a range-topping 390hp (291kW) 407lb-ft...
Ralph Hanson -
2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S faceliftUpdated with new video. Following the release of the updated 911 Carrera and Carrera S comes new details of the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models. Launched simultaneously in both coupe and cabrio guises, the pair of AWD sport models receive the same series of styling and drivetrain...
Ralph Hanson -
Update: Rumors circulating around the web have indicated the 2009 Pontiac G8 GT was to receive a six-speed Tremec manual transmission option, but the official word from Pontiac's communications manager Jim Hopson is that no such option will be available. Only the G8 GXP, the LS3-equipped performance version of the Australian-built sedan, will have the option of a stick-shift. That car will make its debut late this year. Because the Pontiac is based on the Holden Commodore sedan, which offers both six-speed manual and automatic versions in several trims, it appeared a given that GM would...
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2009 Nissan Maxima priced to start below $30,000Having teased the new Maxima for several days before its New York Auto Show debut earlier this year with hints of bringing back the 4DSC - Four-door Sports Car - moniker, Nissan has finally released full pricing information on their new sedan. Starting at just under $30,000 in the U.S., the car...
Nelson Ireson -
2009 Acura TSX receives IIHS Top Safety PickThe new 2009 Acura TSX midsize sedan has won the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award in the Institute’s latest round of testing. To qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the institute's front, side, and rear tests and be fitted with...
Kenneth Hall -
Cadillac CTS coupe & wagon due next year, SRX SUV coming in 2010The Cadillac SRX has been officially revealed. Click here to view the story. Cadillac has three major model introductions planned for the next two years with the first new model, the CTS wagon, set to enter production early next year before going on sale in global markets by the end of the first...
Kenneth Hall -
Update: 2009 Audi A6 range facelift spy shotsUpdate: A few weeks back we spy images of an undisguised prototype for the upcoming facelifted Audi A6 sedan and now we have images of the car’s Avant wagon and Allroad siblings. As the images reveal, the only major changes for the updated model is the new front end with a single frame grille...
Nelson Ireson -
Update: 2009 Porsche 911 faceliftUpdated with official video and pictures. Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its iconic 911 range for the latest 2009 model year facelift, but the changes taking place under the new sheet metal are quite the opposite. This is because the new...
Ralph Hanson