2011
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Despite the faltering economy - or maybe because of it - Ford will be refreshing the majority of its lineup in various regions around the world over the next three years. According to the company's CFO, Lewis Booth, Ford will be refreshing as much as 90% of its vehicle lineups in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Africa. The figure of 90% refers to volume, rather than actual model numbers, indicating that Ford will be focusing on refreshing its highest selling vehicles in those various regions over the next few years. Booth explained to The Detroit News that the strategy of bringing...
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May 2010 launch confirmed for new Cadillac CTS CoupeGeneral Motors' Cadillac brand has long aspired to be 'The Standard of the World,' and for a period, it was. Over the last four decades, however, innovation, consistency and quality haven't been hallmarks of the brand. Now, as the auto industry faces some of its bleakest times ever, Cadillac is...
James Martinez -
Audi jumps on the clunkers bandwagon, offers $1,000 off qualifying modelsWith sales skyrocketing in July to almost pre-crash levels for many carmakers - and beyond for a few - it's no surprise that Audi's joining the fray today with its own $1,000 incentive on top of the federally-funded CARS program for its qualifying models. The discount applies to no fewer than 18...
Alex Kaufmann -
GM Chairman wants to see models on sale ahead of scheduleIn a market where only about 10 million cars are expected to be sold annually - down from 16 million last year - every tenth of a percent of market share counts. That's why Board of Directors Chairman Ed Whitacre sees a strong need to act quickly to prevent further market share erosion. Despite the...
Ralph Hanson -
Infiniti teases next-gen M sedan ahead of Pebble Beach Concours debutIt looks like the new 2010 Jaguar XJ and upcoming ‘Grand Bentley’ Arnage replacement won’t be the only major highlights for next month’s annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California. Also set to appear, although not in physical form, is the next-generation...
James Martinez -
There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is. Or at least that's the story Nissan is pitching. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100mi (160km) on a charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle. Nissan says that 100mi range is enough to satisfy the daily needs of 70% of the drivers in the world. "Our car...
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Report: Next Audi A8 to get handwriting recognitionWindows Mobile devices have been doing it for years. Palm devices for even longer. So why haven't high-end luxury cars offered handwriting recognition as a standard feature yet? That question may soon be answered - whether for the good or the bad - with the next-gen Audi A8. Set for a debut at the...
Kenneth Hall -
Report: Toyota planning production of two new hybrids in EuropeToyota has some bold plans for its hybrid lineup in Europe. The auto giant will reportedly launch a new entry-level, dedicated hybrid Lexus hatchback in Europe next year and now it’s claimed Toyota will also start production of another hybrid model in France. While the Lexus version will be...
Kenneth Hall -
2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: New Lexus Compact for Europe?We've told you about the new Lexus compact car being developed for markets outside the U.S. Now, Autocar magazine reports the new vehicle will have a fall debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The proposed new Lexus would challenge the likes of the BMW 1-Series and the new Mercedes A-...
Ralph Hanson -
Preview: Mercedes Benz SLS AMG ‘Gullwing’The successor to the Mercedes Benz SL Gullwing (and replacement for the SLR) has been spotted in prototype form in and around Germany’s Nurburgring test circuit for several months now, but what only a select few knew is that the car is being developed completely in-house by Mercedes’...
Alex Kaufmann -
Spy Shots: MINI Crossover Nearing CompletionMini unveiled a new crossover concept at last year’s Paris Motor Show and within just four weeks after its debut the vehicle was given the green light for production. Numerous prototypes have since been spotted testing across Europe, but despite a scheduled debut for September’s...
Jeremy Weber -
Ford's new Fiesta won’t be arriving in local showrooms until early next year, but the company is pulling out all the stops to promote the stylish compact with various motorsport and social marketing campaigns to build excitement. To further this, the Blue Oval recently announced a goal to get 100,000 people to test-drive the new Fiesta before the North American production version is released, and now the company has announced that its Rallycross racing version will tackle the arduous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this Sunday, July 19. A new burnout-laced video and mega-gallery...
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Spy shots: Mercedes Benz SLK caught at the NurburgringThe SLK roadster has served Mercedes Benz well over its life since introduction in 2004, and like all cars its once-cutting-edge design has become somewhat tired, despite a mid-cycle facelift. An all-new SLK is in the works, however, and it's been spotted testing in the still-wintry German weather...
Alex Kaufmann -
Bob Lutz confirms Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, hints at Sport WagonA rebadged Pontiac G8 isn’t the only new model General Motors’ new marketing czar Bob Lutz is shouting about. During a Web-chat held on GM’s own FastLane blog, Lutz was open to a number of questions about the company’s future plans and went as far as confirming a couple. One...
James Martinez -
Spy shots: Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Gullwing up closeThe successor to the Mercedes Benz SL Gullwing (and replacement for the SLR) has been spotted in prototype form in and around Germany’s Nurburgring test circuit for several months now, but what only a select few knew is that the car is being developed completely in-house by Mercedes’...
Alex Kaufmann -
More details on Mercedes’ all-electric SLS gullwingNot only is the horsepower war not over - contrary to AMG's own declaration last year - the latest reports say it has moved into a whole new range of armaments: electric vehicles. The latest development is a possible all-electric powertrain for the 2011 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG, which is expected to...
Alex Kaufmann -
2011 Jaguar XJ previewThough the current Jaguar XJ is only about 7 years old - a pretty typical vehicle lifespan - the body styling is derivative of the same basic shape that's been around since the 1970s, causing many to think the car lacked technical sophistication despite an all-aluminum chassis and an impressive...
Nelson Ireson -
Audi is working on a handful of new models set for launch over the next 12 months but despite the prominence of the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show two of the key models won’t be appearing. The cars are the all-new A1 minicar and next-generation A8 flagship. Both cars are expected to be revealed in production form before the end of the year but this September’s Frankfurt event won’t be used, reports Automobilwoche. Instead, the event will likely be used for the world debut of new A5 Sportback. We won’t have to wait until September to see the A5 Sportback however, as the...
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Trio of rally-spec Ford Fiestas to tackle X GamesFord's Fiesta small car is just beginning to make its mark in the U.S. with a trial-run for social-media types ahead of its expected American debut early next year. To help get the car's identity - if somewhat loosely interpreted - out to its target audience, Ford is taking on ESPN's X Games with a...
Ralph Hanson -
Preview: Mercedes Benz C-Class faceliftThe latest generation W204 Mercedes Benz C-Class has been on sale since 2007 and will be due for its mid-cycle facelift around 2010. As this computer generated rendering suggests, the car’s designers won’t be mucking around with the stylish look of the current model, instead choosing to...
Ralph Hanson -
Preview: 2012 Mercedes Benz C-Class CoupeThe switch in nomenclature from the CLK to the E-Class Coupe made a bit of a stir when word began to leak last year. Earlier this month, the issue was broken back open when it was revealed that the new E-Class Coupe is actually based on the C-Class platform - much like its CLK predecessor. So what...
Nelson Ireson -
BMW edging past Lexus to become America’s top-selling luxury brandSince as far back as 2000 Lexus has been the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S., a positioned it appeared the Toyota premium division would be to hold on for years to come. Despite top marks in dependability and satisfaction surveys, Lexus has conceded its number one spot to BMW based on...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Report: Aston Martin V12 Vantage not ruled out for U.S.Aggressive carbon fiber louvres, a bold engine note and the sheer speed of the thing are all that's needed to distinguish the Aston Martin V12 Vantage from its V8 sister, but sadly the super-coupe is only destined for showrooms outside the U.S. Why? Apparently the car’s low volumes, expected...
Ralph Hanson