2009

For many auto enthusiasts, the golden age of automotive styling was during 1960s, when designers had virtual free reign on their designs and didn't have to worry about aerodynamics, pedestrian crumple zones and other such ‘nuisances’. At the same time, the ‘60s could hardly be...

What do you do with a supercar on the traffic-clogged streets of Los Angeles when the valet tosses you the keys to a $152,465 2009 Aston Martin Vantage? Hint: the answer isn't "flee to Mexico" or "scratch off the VIN plate and park it at home until the insurance report's filed." The proper answer...

New Jersey’s Cervini Auto Designs has just unveiled its latest modification for the Dodge Challenger - a custom ‘shaker hood’ system that helps give the car a more muscle feel, as well as proving functional by increasing airflow to the engine. The new system actually consists of...

Infiniti today announced pricing for its 2009 model year EX35 crossover, which officially goes on sale nationwide tomorrow and comes with a more generous list of standard equipment and new safety features. For 2009, the base RWD model, which retails for $33,800, now features standard...

The search for less-toxic alternative fuels is leading in many promising directions, one of which is bio-gas. Effectively a form of natural gas made from plants, the fuel was used this week to speed a modified B7 Audi A4 quattro to a new bio-gas world speed record of 226.6mph (364.6km/h). Despite...

Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis, offspring of one of Germany’s old and wealthy noble families and an avid race car driver, took delivery recently of a new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in Bonstetten, Switzerland. The car was a “must have” for the prince but despite his racing pedigree...

Custom-tuned turbocharged four-cylinder hatches are pretty common fare anywhere in the world. But it's not every day that a handful of young apprentices at one of the world's biggest carmakers turn out a car that turns heads like the Golf GTI Street Built around a heavily modified 2.0L TFSI engine...

There's something about a lowered Mercedes Benz S-Class with a bodykit that just looks sinister, and while there are some examples out there that can seem downright cruel others, such as this example from MEC Design, are much more pleasing to the eye. With one of the most comprehensive...

Chrysler's in-house accessories division Mopar has been sponsoring champion drifter Sam Hubinette for a number of years now, including for this year’s 2009 Formula Drift series where he is competing in a highly modified Dodge Challenger. Unfortunately, the relationship will be ending soon due...

In a move that can only be described as brilliant by anyone with a love of all things four-wheeled and fast, at least two buyers in the UK have swapped their clunkers in for cash, and used that cash to buy Nissan GT-Rs. They were among the very first to take advantage of the new scrappage...

Staking out a very safe place as Ferrari's highest development of the production mid-engine V8 berlinetta - thus far, at least - the F430 has seen a five-year lifespan, and will soon be replaced. When the final car rolls off the line later this year, it will be auctioned off to support the people...

Only a month ago we saw two of the rarest cars in the world being put up for auction - including a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4, as well as a 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe that was expected to sell for between $10 million and $15 million. Potential buyers will now also be able to bid on a handful of other rare...

It's a weird world we live in, but Nissan is apparently going forward with its plans to build a convertible Nissan Murano crossover SUV. Why? No one knows, especially in this market. Rumors initially popped up late last year, but nothing was heard since - until today. The report appears credible...

Toyota may have just sold its millionth hybrid vehicle in the United States last month, but that hasn't stopped the industry giant from getting trounced in its home market of Japan when it comes to hybrid sales. Last month the company has released official pricing for the 2010 Prius, starting at...

The 2009 TireRack One Lap of America challenge saw everything from an Ultima GTR to the winning Nissan GT-R hit tracks all across the U.S. in a modern-day homage to the legendary Cannonball. The win by the Nissan puts an end to a five-year stint at the top by Porsche 911s, and kicks the...

Though bankruptcy is looking more and more like the way General Motors will go, the company is fighting to preserve its most adored models - one way or another. In the case of the Camaro, the car will live on within GM as a 'core model' says CEO Fritz Henderson. The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky...

There is no shortage of special-edition Corvettes out there, factory-produced or aftermarket. In fact, General Motors itself has released several custom kits in the past few months. But the Hero Edition Corvette ZR1, built to benefit the Kids Wish Network, is the only one of its kind. Based on the...

Hybrid versions of all sorts of cars - even sports cars like the Nissan 370Z - are in the works or on their way, and now Audi is adding to the list with reports of an A3 hybrid confirmed for production. The hybrid hatch is expected to use an Audi-adapted version of Volkswagen's TwinDrive hybrid...

The Tesla Roadster proved that electricity and sport can mix well, but so far there's been little traction for hybrids in the performance space. Lexus, and soon Mercedes Benz, use the systems as power-adders for their larger sedans, but sports cars have been markedly devoid of hybrid assist. That...

For the past several years, Ford has been steadily raising its initial quality rankings, saving tons of money in warranty repairs along the way. This time around, the company has finally surpassed perennial top contender Honda in the 2009 Global Quality Research System (GQRS) rankings. Last year...