ma section - featured
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Starting in October, smart's fortwo will get an update that includes a new micro hybrid drive (MHD) system to aid a pair of petrol engine variants. The micro hybrid system consists of start-stop technology, which the company says is good for an 8% reduction in emissions. Around the same time, the new diesel fortwo cdi will also get a closed particulate filter that will eliminate almost all particulate emissions. The two engines available with the MHD system are rated at 45kW (61hp) and 52kW (71hp), while the cdi diesel engine is rated at 33kW (45hp). Emissions for all three are low, with both...
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Ferrari showing ultra-rare Californias at Pebble BeachWith the introduction of Ferrari's new California model, the Maranello company is planning to celebrate by showing off some of the new car's genetic predecessors, including the prototype that started it all at the Pebble Beach Concours this August. The range of California's spans half a century and...
Ralph Hanson -
Fiat 500 Abarth SS to debut at Paris Motor ShowThe sporty Abarth versions of the Fiat 500 may still be in the midst of their first release phase, but already an even more powerful model dubbed the '500 Abarth SS' is in the works that will lift power output to 160hp (120kW) and make the car even more aggressive than the just-released Abarth...
Alex Kaufmann -
Luso Motors LM GT kit car design studyJust last week we brought you renderings of Luso Motors' LM23 track-day special kit car. The company has followed that up with a design study for a GT, and it comes in three flavors: convertible, shooting-brake and speedster. Like the LM23 the car is being designed as a lightweight sports car...
Nelson Ireson -
Thieves targeting older cars in the U.S.They may be vintage rides with pristine paint jobs and immaculate interiors, or they may be beat-up jalopies held together with duct tape and hope, but the top 10 most stolen vehicles in the U.S. for 2007 include several cars that are 10, 15 and 20 years old. Older Toyota and Hondas are the prime...
Nelson Ireson -
Spy Shots: Ford Focus spied with new grilleFord’s second-generation Focus range (international model) first went on sale in 2004 and then underwent an extensive facelift last year as part of its mid-cycle refresh. However, new prototypes of the car have been spotted testing in Germany, distinguished by their camo gear and slightly...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Rising costs, shifting demand and a maturing market in North America, combined with high labor costs and tough union negotiations are pushing Ford to look for ways to improve its situation, and according the company's local CEO, Mexico is rising as an integral part of Ford's global future. The carmaker has even gone so far as to say it thinks Mexico could become the world's leading producer of automobiles. Ford is already ramping up production in the country, with total output expected to hit 500,000 complete cars, 700,000 engines and 300,000 transmissions by 2012, reports Automotive News...
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McLaren offering signed, diamond-encrusted Monaco F1 helmetsOne of the key identifying factors of the individual drivers in their cars, race helmets develop and evolve over a driver's career to reflect sponsorships, personality and nationality, among other things. For fans of McLaren-Mercedes F1 team, and especially those backing Lewis Hamilton, the team's...
Nelson Ireson -
Update: Fiat announces partnership with BMWUpdate: The long-awaited return of Alfa Romeo to U.S. sales is finally beginning to make some tangible progress - today Fiat and BMW announced a possible partnership with BMW's Mini dealerships that will allow the German company to sell Alfas in its stores. The news means that Alfa could have at...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Liquid petroleum gas and lithium batteries to power Hyundai's first hybridOn the back of news that Hyundai is now the world’s fifth biggest carmaker in terms of vehicle sales (when sales of its Kia subsidiary are included) comes the announcement that the South Korean carmaker will launch the world’s first hybrid vehicle powered by advanced lithium-polymer...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Update: Saleen officially announces Racecraft brand, 420S MustangUpdate: The long-standing Saleen in-house parts brand, Racecraft, has graduated to full standalone status, with the announcement today of the first set of Racecraft-branded cars focused at the everyday enthusiast, rather than the wealthy sportsman or collector. Three principles guide the design of...
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 -
In its quest to overtake Toyota in the sales race, especially in the lucrative U.S. market, Volkswagen is developing a new pickup truck to expand its line-up. These latest spy shots, depicting the new pickup, shows that VW will be targeting the midsize truck market. This particular variant features a short tray and quad-cab chassis. VW is keen to strengthen its image in the U.S., where sales of pickups are still high compared to the rest of the world. However, VW’s plan may be a little late as rising fuel prices and a slowing economy has seen the pickup truck market fall dramatically...
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Toyota to fit solar panels to next-generation PriusThere are already a number of independent firms that will retro-fit solar panels to the roofs of hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius to help extend the car’s electric-only driving range, however, from next year onwards the Prius will be available with the panels direct from the factory. The...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mopar prepping Challenger Super Stock drag specialThe Challenger has barely begun delivery to the first batch of retail customers and already Chrysler is working on a new drag-race focused special edition of the SRT8 called the Super Stock. The first Mopar-package car in 40 years, the Super Stock, or 'package car' as the Mopar guys refer to it...
Nelson Ireson -
One-off Maybach Exelero offered for saleWhat may be the world's most expensive mobile tire test bed, the Maybach Exelero Concept, is being offered for sale at a starting price of €5,000,000 ($7,843,000). The retro-futuristic twin-turbo V12 concept car is capable of sprinting to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 351km/h...
Nelson Ireson -
TAG Heuer announces Racing Awards driver competitionIn a potentially groundbreaking move, TAG Heuer is founding a competition this year to determine the 'best driver in the world.' A jury of ex-drivers, team principles race promoters and journalists decide the results and determine the best driver across five of the most popular race series in the...
Nelson Ireson -
VW 1-Liter Tandem City Car Tipped For 2010 ProductionAs outrageous as the idea of a production 1L/100km (235mpg) car sounds, more reports have emerged confirming the ultra-frugal car is in fact in development and that it could be on the market by as early as 2010. At last year's Frankfurt Motor Show senior VW exec Ferdinand Piëch claimed the car...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Germany’s Lumma Design has released a preliminary sketch of its upcoming performance pack for BMW’s new X6 SUV, with the debut of the first production version set to coincide with the Paris Motor Show in October. Dubbed the CLR X 650, the changes to the X6 will be led by an extreme bodykit with flared wings, an aggressive front bumper and oversized intakes. Other elements include new side mirrors, likely to be covered with carbon-fiber, and new headlights with attached eyelids. Rolling stock will consist of 23in alloys housing upgraded discs and multi-piston calipers, and the...
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Volvo looking to add more diesel and compact carsAs Volvo attempts to cope with tough new emissions regulations and its dire financial position, the carmaker’s chairman has revealed some of the strategies to help end the slump. Volvo has confirmed that it will cut up to 2,000 jobs worldwide and reduce production numbers, but that is just...
James Martinez -
300HP Senner Tuning Audi A5 White Speed TDIAudi’s Le Mans-dominating R10 race cars plus a recent string of TDI concepts have shown that diesels are capable of serious speed and are not out of place in performance circles. Thankfully for consumers, diesel engines are finally gaining a foothold in the performance car market as...
Alex Kaufmann -
GM reveals Corvette S-Limited for 100th anniversaryJapanese buyers are being treated to a special limited edition of Corvette, the S-Limited, in honor of General Motors' 100th anniversary. There will only be 30 of the cars made, half in Arctic White and half in black. Most oddly, the cars appear to be left-hand drive, like their American...
Nelson Ireson -
B&B boosts Audi TT-S to 362hpThe Audi TT-S has only been exposed to public view for six months, but already tuners are turning their attentions to the most powerful production TT. Beneath the odd peach-colored paint job of the B&B Audi TT-S lies a more potent powerplant than the original's already stout 272hp (203kW). The...
Nelson Ireson -
Dodge adding supercharger to 2009 ChallengerNovember's SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show will play host to Chrysler's unveiling of a supercharger it plans to fit to the 2009 Dodge Challenger. Available through dealers as a Mopar aftermarket kit, the supercharger will boost power and torque with little additional weight or...
Nelson Ireson