ma section - featured
-
Corvette specialist Callaway first unveiled its C16 supercar in 2006 and then followed it up less than a year later with the launch of the open-top Speedster at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Back then, the car was already sporting a supercharged V8 engine and outputting more than 600hp but the guys at Callaway knew they could squeeze even more power. That’s why they’ve just released a new supercharging kit for the C16 range, lifting output to 650hp and 585lb-ft of torque. The C16 is powered by a hand-built version of the new Corvette LS3 engine, fortified with...
-
Infiniti plans global expansionIn an announcement that seemingly runs contrary to a previous decision to hold quality and brand recognition above sales, especially in Europe, Infiniti says it will push for global expansion, expecting ‘double digit sales increases well into the future.’ Specifically, Infiniti seeks to...
Nelson Ireson -
British MPs oppose biofuelsThe search for more environmentally friendly fuel alternatives is in full effect, and while a few promising candidates have been found, the full results are not yet in. Biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are the leaders among the new crop of ‘green’ fuels, but people are beginning...
Nelson Ireson -
Spy Shots: Barely disguised Aston Martin RapideMore images of Aston Martin’s upcoming four-door Rapide saloon have surfaced, this time depicting the car as it undergoes some cold weather testing. Not much is known about the car apart from the fact that it will be based on Aston’s familiar VH architecture and share similar...
Siddarth Raja -
Video: Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series testWe’ve always been big fans of the limited edition Mercedes CLK DTM, a car styled after the actual CLK DTM race car. Now, AMG has the CLK63 AMG Black Series to invigorate the passion, something it does with ease thanks to its aggressive widebody kit and screaming (507hp) 373kW V8 engine. Check...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
GMC To Display Dual-Cab Commodore Ute Concept In N.Y.With increasing speculation Holden’s VE Commodore Ute is headed to the U.S. as the new Pontiac G8 ST, there’s more reason to believe the dual-cab ‘Crewman’ model, which debuted in the previous generation (pictured), will be given the green light. The dual-cab Ute is...
Kenneth Hall -
Just five years ago GM was selling a little over 100,000 vehicles per year in China, and only two years ago the figure was 500,000. Today, GM’s sales tally in the rapidly expanding market is in excess of one million vehicles and a significant number of these are Buicks. The brand is so advanced in China that today officials took the wraps off a new hybrid version of the LaCrosse sedan, dubbed the Eco-Hybrid, and plan to start selling fuel-cell versions as well by as early as 2010. The Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid was developed by Shanghai GM, a partnership between GM and Shanghai Auto, and...
-
Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner updated for 2009The new model launches at the Detroit Auto Show may be over but that hasn’t stopped America’s carmakers from dishing out even more new models and updates. Ford, for example, chose to use this week’s Washington Auto Show and the coinciding Automotive News World Congress to announce...
Siddarth Raja -
Updated: More pics of 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL faceliftUpdated: We now have the first completely undisguised images of Mercedes’ facelifted SL convertible ahead of the new car’s world debut, rumored to be at March’s Geneva Motor Show. The current model is arguably one of the most stylish and elegant cars on the road but our initial...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
American made Astra in the works?The continuing story of America's devaluing dollar difficulties is one of ups and downs. While it's certainly disturbing for Americans to see their money worth less and less on the global scene, increasingly affordable American labor is drawing the eyes of many car makers. Already Mercedes-Benz...
Nelson Ireson -
Mystery prototype turns out to be MC1 supercarEarly last year, images of a heavily disguised prototype surfaced and led to speculation that the test-mule was in fact a future Lotus model. Most sites, including this one, concluded the car was the next-generation Esprit in testing but it appears it was actually the creation of a new joint-effort...
Alex Kaufmann -
Carmakers forced to add wider seats for America’s spreading waistlineAmericans - unlike their cars - are getting wider every year. Unfortunately, carmakers aren’t keeping up with the nation’s spreading waistline, especially when it comes to their seats, and passengers are starting to feel the pinch. That’s why at this year’s Detroit Auto Show...
Ralph Hanson -
German car manufacturer Borgward, which went bankrupt back in 1961, is set to make a revival according to latest reports from Dutch media. Leading the company’s return is Christian Borgward, the grandson of Carl Borgward who was the original founder. Borgward, with the help of several investors, including key Asian players, will base the new operations at the company’s original home in Bremen, Germany. Speaking with Autovisie, Christian Borgward revealed that a prototype is currently being tested and that development of a new factory or outsourcing of production to manufacturers...
-
Canada set to make its own fuel-economy standardCanada’s economy and automotive industry may be closely linked with the U.S. but its government is adamant on establishing its own ‘made-in-Canada’ fuel economy standards rather than follow the U.S. legislation. Officials were quick to point out, however, that Canada’s new...
Siddarth Raja -
A1GP car drag races Boeing 777We’ve seen a number of cars go up against all sorts of aircraft over the past 12 months, including an F1 car and supercar competing against a jet-fighter and even a Volkswagen Touareg towing a Boeing 747. This time we have an A1GP race car taking on a Boeing 777 in a drag race at New...
Alex Kaufmann -
Preview: 2009 Renault Laguna CoupeThe new Laguna is a crucial model for Renault, so much so that CEO Carlos Ghosn has admitted the carmaker is staking its reputation on the success of the recently launched sedan version. Not surprisingly Renault plans to launch several variants of the car including a new two-door model set to...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Woman needed to break world land speed record
The Steve Fossett World Land Speed Racing Team have been struggling to break the world land speed record since they first announced their ambitions back in October, 2006. The racing team has suffered the loss of founder and famed adventurer Steve Fossett, who has been missing since September 3rd...
Siddarth Raja -
China’s ‘Detroit Fish’ showcases local design talentChina's motor industry has been frequently maligned in the automotive press for its less-than-original designs. And it's certainly true that several of China's more prominently advertised models share striking similarities with Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and BMW designs. But one Chinese designer is...
Nelson Ireson -
The Invicta S1 is a high-performance and luxurious grand tourer built in the UK since the early 2000s. It’s powered by a range of Ford V8 engines displacing either 4.6 or 5.0L and in its most powerful form develops over 600hp. The latest version of the car turned up recently at a motor show in Brussels sporting a revamped interior including a new 2+2 seating arrangement (former versions were strict two seaters). The S1 features a one-piece carbon-fibre bodyshell, bonded to a steel tube spaceframe chassis, and forming a lightweight but exceptionally strong monocoque structure. The final...
-
Greener racing from Corvette and ALMSAutomobile racing is probably one of the least 'green' things a person, or company, can do. Driving as quickly as possible just to wind up exactly where you began - it's the definition of waste. But we love it just the same. And thanks to the efforts of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and...
Nelson Ireson -
VW’s U.S. plant to build 250K per yearFor Volkswagen to be a genuine rival to Toyota it will have to increase its sales in the U.S., and the key to doing so will be to overcome its current reputation as a manufacturer of low quality and expensive cars. The biggest problem is the fact that most of VW’s lineup is currently imported...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Toyota lays down green offensiveGovernments around the world are bowing down to public pressure to reduce the levels of greenhouse emissions and one of the industries set to bear the biggest cost from impending changes to regulations is the automotive one. One of the most influential changes will be the stricter CAFE standards...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Another limited edition Maserati Quattroporte - the Collezione CentoThe Quattroporte saloon has proven to be a great success for Maserati, accounting for the bulk of the record 7,000 cars the company delivered in 2007. In the hopes of an even more successful 2008, Maserati is in Detroit for the NAIAS with a very special, limited edition Quattroporte 'Collezione...
Nelson Ireson -
Mitsubishi Concept-RA official detailsOne of the highlights of the Mitsubishi stable at this year’s Detroit Auto Show is the new Concept-RA eco-friendly sports coupe design study. Although the concept looks ready to roll onto showroom floors, officials assert that it was created solely as a ‘technology showcase’ but...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran