2009

Audi’s cheapest A3 comes with a 1.6L engine but this is soon to be replaced by an even smaller 1.4L model fitted with a turbocharger. Despite the smaller capacity, the 1.4L TFSI delivers 125hp and 200Nm of torque (respectively 10hp and 45Nm more than the outgoing engine). With the updated...

Jaguar’s XF saloon has been spotted while in transport ahead of its scheduled launch in the second half of next year. This the first time the car has been caught without major camouflage, giving us a full view of the rear styling and most of the flanks. From the images, it’s clear the...

Saab will be showing a new “Turbo X” model of the 9-3 at the Frankfurt Motor Show designed to evoke the iconic Saab 99 and 900 ‘Black Turbos’ with visual tweaks and performance upgrades. Saab originally showed its first turbo model at the Frankfurt show in 1977, so this show...

Saab’s union with GM has often been critisised but there’s no denying it does give them access to some mighty big engines. For the 2008 model year, Saab will introduce a new performance Aero variant of the 9-7X SUV fitted with a 6.0L V8 churning out 390hp (295kW) and 395 lb.-ft. (542...

Toyota has released a hotted up version of the Japanese domestic market Blade hatch featuring a 3.5L V6 engine with 280hp (206kW) and 345Nm (254lb-ft) of torque. The Blade is sold in Europe as the Auris and in other markets as the Corolla, and it’s expected that these markets will also get...

TechArt has released its latest Magnum upgrade for the facelifted Porsche Cayenne following the success it had with the original series based on the first Cayenne. More than 500 units of the Magnum were produced, spurring developers to create a new package for the facelifted model in time for a...

Following the release of its M5 derived CLR 500 RS and its more recent styling kit for the E92 BMW Coupe, Lumma Design has announced the addition of the M6 based CLR 600 S. The German tuner already had experience modifying the M6, having designed a unique wide-bodykit, and, now, it has used that...

To reduce its carbon footprint and improve the fuel-economy of its some of its vehicles, Porsche is developing new hybrid technology with sister brand Volkswagen that’ll be available as an option on its next-gen Cayenne SUV and Panamera four-door coupe. The new Cayenne is scheduled for...

The first car to feature Ford’s new TwinForce engine technology will be the 2009 Lincoln MKS, itself based on the MKR concept shown earlier this year. TwinForce is the name of Ford’s new range of fuel-efficient engines, labeled so because of the twin effects of improved power and fuel...

The Cadillac SRX has been officially revealed. Click here to view the story. Cadillac’s SRX is expected to come in for an update by 2011, by which time an all-new BMW X3-sized crossover may also see the light of day. Designed primarily for European markets, the new crossover will be based on...

GM Holden has announced today that the first Pontiac G8 engineering prototypes have been completed at the carmaker’s production site in the Australian state of Victoria, where they’ll undergo testing ahead of the G8’s US market debut early next year. The first production versions...

Volkswagen has revealed the first images of its Tiguan, the new compact 4x4 that will go on sale in early ‘08 following its world public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Slightly larger than the Volkswagen Touran compact MPV, the Tiguan is 4.4 m long, 1.8 m wide and 1.6 m in...

A near-production test-mule of Ford’s upcoming Flex crossover has been spotted testing, which reveals that designers have created an almost exact copy of the concept car (pictured), which appeared at April’s New York Auto Show. The only major difference will be a slight alteration to...

Visitors at this month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed were treated with a rare sighting of the 2009 GT-R prototype, with test drivers doing a couple of laps to entertain the crowd. The annual Goodwood event has definitely proven itself to be one of the most exciting car shows of the year, with...

Chrysler has announced the adoption of a range of new fuel-saving technologies to improve mileage rates of its vehicles. The major news is the development of a family of V6 engines with cylinder deactivation technology, similar to GM's displacement on demand. This means that three cylinders can be...

Opel’s aging Vectra sedan is well overdue for a major overhaul, but a replacement vehicle isn’t due until the second half of next year. Several prototypes, such as this one, have been spotted by spy photographers that reveal the new Vectra will have a wider and taller body than the...

Despite concerns over the survivability of development plans for a new range of rear-drive models from General Motors, the midsized Alpha project is reported to be well underway with the first model due by the end of the decade. Alpha is the name of GM’s midsized RWD platform, a global...

Jaguar’s engineers have been very busy with the development of the new XF, renting an entire house and garage behind a fuel station in Austria to work on the new car in privacy. Or so they thought. This latest barrage of spy images reveal several Jag prototypes, including two new XF saloons...

It’s hard to imagine that less than ten years ago Chrysler commanded a 16.1% share of the US market and was turning over billion dollar profits. In 1999 it reported a profit of $5 billion, which also happened to be the first year of its alliance with Daimler. Compare that with the $1.98...

Saturn will offer two different hybrid options for the 2008 Vue crossover, with both vehicles getting the Green Line badge. General Motors made the announcement last week that the new Vue would be its first FWD vehicle to feature its Two Mode hybrid transmission and that customers can expect a 45%...