2009
-
Rather than go through all the associated development costs of building an electric car from the ground up, Cincinnati-based Advanced Mechanical Products (AMP) has decided to replace GM's four-cylinder petrol engine in its Saturn Sky roadster with its own electric motor. This effectively turns the Saturn Sky roadster into an all-electric vehicle you can charge up at home. Running on lithium phosphate batteries, the electric motor pushes the car to 60mph in 5.7 seconds but the trade-off is a lower top speed of 90mph. The car’s acceleration is significantly faster than the petrol Saturn...
-
Update: Work resumes at Kansas Chevrolet MalibuUpdated: Workers from UAW Local 31 will resume manufacturing the Chevrolet Malibu after voting in favor of a new deal with GM, ending a 17 day strike that threatened supply of one of the carmaker’s most important models. Malibu sales in the U.S. are up more than 30% this year despite...
Ralph Hanson -
2009 Subaru Forester gets 5-star safety rating from NHTSAThe 2009 Subaru Forester has proved its safety prowess once again following another five-star safety rating, this time from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 5-star rating reflected its flawless protection for all seats in both frontal and side-impact crash tests. The...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Next-gen Saab 9-5 to enter production at Opel plant in 2009The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997, but the next-generation model due late next year may not even be built at Saab’s traditional home in Sweden. Latest reports claim the new model will be sourced from Opel’s...
Alex Kaufmann -
GM study attempts to predict future of SUV and pickupsAs sales of heavy SUVs and pickups continue to dwindle and at the same time pull down the market share of the Detroit 3, product planners are now contemplating the final demise of truck-based designs and doing as much as they can to pick up the pieces. We saw earlier today that Ford is planning to...
Ralph Hanson -
Audi A3 TDI Clubsport quattro conceptAudi has prepped its second Clubsport quattro concept in just two years with the reveal today of the all-new A3 TDI Clubsport quattro concept, which is set to go on show at this month’s 27th annual Lake Wörther tuner show in Austria. Last year Audi presented the TT Clubsport quattro concept...
James Martinez -
The new Subaru STI has only been on sale for a few months or less in most parts of the world, but already the company has a special-edition STI version of the Legacy due to hit Japanese streets in just over a month. Carrying on a long tradition of special-edition Legacy models, the STI S402 takes the car to new heights. Featuring the same 2.5L twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder as found in the WRX STI, the Legacy STI S402 is unfortunately likely to be a Japanese market-only vehicle, and only a limited run is planned. Last time Subaru made the S402, in 2006, less than 1,000 of each body...
-
GM unlikely to build Cadillac CTS convertibleWhile the Cadillac CTS coupe is confirmed for production in June of next year a convertible version of the svelte two-door is shaping up to be just a dream as latest reports claim GM has dropped plans for such a model. Despite the positive reception received by the CTS Coupe Concept at...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
APS twin turbo kit pumps Pontiac G8 to 557hpThe performance bargain that is the Pontiac G8 is very nearly unparalleled in the American market. Eschewing the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' maxim for one more adulation-worthy the tuners at APS have seen fit to improve on an already good thing, increasing the output of the Pontiac G8's V8...
Nelson Ireson -
Nissan reveals 'GT 2012' five-year business plan, confirms Infiniti G37 convertibleNissan today announced its financial results for the 2007 financial year and released its official five-year strategy plan dubbed the Nissan ‘GT’ 2012 (‘G’ for growth and ‘T’ for trust). The carmaker made a net operating profit of $6.91 billion in the past year...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Ford updates N.A. Focus coupe for 2009 model yearFord will soon add a new version of its North American Focus coupe, which has been updated for the 2009 model year with a sporty new look, improved performance and a revised interior. The Focus has been a strong seller for Ford, with sales rising an astonishing 88% in the past year alone no doubt...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Dodge Challenger SRT8 enters productionProduction for Dodge’s long-awaited Challenger SRT8 muscle car officially kicked off yesterday at Chrysler’s Brampton assembly plant, with the first car’s scheduled to hit dealer showrooms next week. They won’t be sitting idle for long, however, as the SRT8’s entire...
Siddarth Raja -
General Motors, owner of Opel and Saab among others, is being tight lipped about its production for the next-gen Saab 9-3, but now German newspaper the Handelsblatt is claiming that the next 9-3 will be produced in Sweden rather than Germany as originally planned. The General has been talking as far back as 2005 that the production contract for the next Saab 9-3 would land at the Opel factory in Russelsheim, but this could all be changed in lieu of the Saab 9-3's downgrade to a smaller platform. The next-gen 9-3 will no longer be on the same platform as it is now, but rather it will be based...
-
Rieger Tuning Audi A4 debuts at Tuning World BodenseeGerman based car customizer and bodykit specialist Rieger Tuning has presented a new styling and performance upgrade for the new B8 Audi A4 saloon at this week’s Tuning World Bodensee event in Germany. The Rieger A4 is a saloon redesigned for daily use with a kick and manages to keep the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
U.S. pricing for 2009 Mitsubishi EclipseMitsubishi has finally announced pricing details for its 2009 Eclipse and Spyder after first unveiling the new model back in February. Set to go on sale in the U.S. from next month onwards, the new Eclipse coupe will start at $20,099 for the GS four-cylinder. Upgrading to the more powerful V6 with...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Lutz: Buick LaCrosse will look like Invicta, no more badge engineeringBob Lutz, writing today on GM's FastLane blog, discussed the Buick Invicta Concept (pictured) and its relation to the upcoming Buick LaCrosse production car. The GM CEO also gave a look into the future of GM's model-sharing plans, focusing on differentiating cars that share platforms, rather than...
Nelson Ireson -
Audi unveils Q5 S-LineThe new Audi Q5 was revealed less than a month ago but already we have images of the new S-Line package from quattro GmbH for the midsize SUV. The S-Line pack helps to improve the Q5’s handling thanks to the addition of a stiffened suspension kit as well as optional 20in alloy wheels wrapped...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Official: Nissan GT-R laps Nurburgring in 7m 29sIf you thought the GT-R’s previous recorded lap time of 7m 38s at the Nurburgring was shockingly fast get ready to be stunned again as Nissan has confirmed today that its latest supercar has achieved a blistering lap time of just 7m 29 seconds - making it one of the fastest ever production...
Ralph Hanson -
Mazda’s new Mazdaspeed (MPS) range offer performance levels comparable with much more expensive cars and has quickly become the bang for your buck standard in many segments. Now the range is set to expand with two new models in works – performance versions of the recently revealed Mazda6 sedan and award-winning Mazda2 hatch. Last December images of a Japanese-spec Mazdaspeed concept based on the new Mazda6 were leaked, revealing a lower a sleeker looking body, aggressive ten-spoke 18in alloys and huge intake vents under the headlights. AutoExpress is now reporting that the concept...
-
Jaguar XF by Loder1899Although not as dramatic as the Arden and Galpin modified Jaguar XF saloons, Loder1899’s new kit for the car manages to preserve the svelte lines of the original while also adding a sportier edge. Joining the new body alterations is a suspension lowering kit and power upgrade, designed...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Hyundai Sonata frames rust, U.S. NHTSA investigatesOver 40 reports of severe corrosion of Hyundai Sonata frames has prompted the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate the matter. The rust problem is reportedly so severe it is causing suspension failure and 'fist-sized holes' in the frame. The problem affects...
Nelson Ireson -
Nissan Murano concept with X-by-wire technologyX-by-wire technology, a feature that uses wires and electrical impulses to replace mechanical linkages for the control of major systems such as steering, braking and gear changes, has been used in the past by Mercedes-Benz and Toyota but has never really taken off because of safety concerns and the...
Ralph Hanson -
Video: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 hits 205MPHLate yesterday GM revealed official power ratings for its Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 supercar – 638hp (476kW) and 819Nm (604lb-ft) - and now we have a video showcasing the potential of the car. GM hasn’t released any top speed figures for the ZR1 but here we see it go all the way to 205mph...
Ralph Hanson -
2009 Porsche 911 details leakedUpdate: click here for OFFICIAL information on Porsche's new 2008 911 facelift New documents resembling official internal specification lists for the upcoming 2009 Porsche 911 range have appeared on a number of internet forums, revealing crucial details about engine outputs, a new dual-clutch...
Siddarth Raja