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For many teens in the U.S., taking the classes, lessons and tests to earn their driver's license is a rite of passage that can't come too soon. The sense of independence granted by personal transport is symbolic of the actual independence to come as they reach adulthood. But the Insurance Institute...

After several leaks of official images and even some insider patent mock-ups, Renault has released full details and images for its 2009 Megane five-door hatch just weeks out from its world debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show. Following the launch of the hatch, Renault is set to follow it...

General Motors’ performance flagship for the Pontiac G8 range, the all-new 2009 GXP saloon, will arrive in showrooms in the first half of next year with a 415hp (309kW) version of the Corvette’s LS3 V8 engine nestled under its bonnet. Peak torque, meanwhile, is rated at 415lb-ft (563Nm)...

Audi’s 2009 facelifted A3 will go on sale in the U.S. later this month, with prices starting at $27,745 for the A3 FrontTrak 2.0L TFSI model and going up to $37,800 for the A3 Quattro 3.2L V6. In addition to the revised styling and minor engine upgrades, the entry-level 2.0L TFSI is now...

Scratched from this season's Formula One schedule due to disagreements over the financial aspects of the event, the U.S. Grand Prix may be back for the 2010 season. Talk in the F1 paddock indicates that Bernie Ecclestone is holding discussions with a number of potential U.S. locations, though the...

Australian-based manufacturer Bolwell recently made headlines for resurrecting the Nagari, a throwback to an Aussie-built 1960s supercar powered by a Ford V8 enigne. While the current Bolwell Nagari is still in the prototype stages, the company is already looking to the future and is considering...

Previously we reported on Chrysler cutting back its lease incentives, and instead attempting to increase retail purchases of their vehicles. In a surprise twist, GM has decided not to do this with Cadillac, revealing to dealers on Friday that new lease incentives will be coming soon. The lease...

Ford is struggling to meet sales targets in the Asia-Pacific region, due mostly to a less than optimum product mix balanced in favor of larger vehicles. The Blue Oval has even lost ground in the burgeoning Chinese and Indian markets this past 12 months, as well as other key regions. In fact, Ford...

With Project Genesis already underway at Chrysler the fat is truly being trimmed in order to turn things around for the ailing car maker. The latest step is an elimination of all 'twin' models - cars that look essentially the same, based on the same platform, that target the same buyers, but sold...

Updated with new information After a number of leaks, a sighting in a preview clip for the upcoming James Bond movie Quantum of Solace and an official announcement, Ford has revealed even more details about its new Ka minicar. The new model will make its official world debut at the Paris Motor Show...

Brabus is well-known for taking Mercedes vehicles to extreme states of tune, including the V12 twin-turbo Bullit, a tweaked version of the SLR Roadster and even the Daimler-produced Smart ForTwo. Now the company has taken on the C63 AMG, rebranded as the Brabus B63 S, and though the German tuners...

Lincoln's recent rebirth as Ford's focus for luxury, led by the 2009 MKS sedan, has targeted it for a market that doesn't focus heavily on compact cars. The game is changing, however, as even BMW and Mercedes are looking at four-cylinders and smaller cars for the U.S. market as efficiency and...

Germany's strongest premium brands in the U.S. sell cars at home that wouldn't fit their image abroad, including tiny city cars and any number of diesels. Nevertheless, the rise of fuel efficiency as a primary buying criterion has reportedly driven the company to consider introducing a...

Both Toyota and General Motors are committed to launching a new generation of plug-in hybrid vehicles over the next two years but they are far from being the only carmakers in the race to develop the ultra-efficient vehicles. A Nissan official has today revealed that his company has already...

Nissan has announced that its updated 3.7L VQ-series engine will make its way into the upcoming G37 Convertible as well as the 2009 G37 Sedan in the North American market, but the company never announced if there were any plans to update the M35 sedan as well. According to a new report, the...

Reports of former Super Aguri driver Takuma Sato's testing for Toro Rosso began springing up last week, and now the team has confirmed the Japanese driver will take the wheel for the Jerez test. Toro Rosso has not yet confirmed its drivers for next season, and is considering Sato and GP2 driver...

Ford has appointed a new CEO for its Volvo subsidiary amid rumors that the Swedish carmaker could be up for sale and reports that it lost more than $151 million in the first quarter of the year alone. Stephen Odell will replace Fredrik Arp as the carmaker’s president and CEO from October 1...

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) – the official in-house tuner for Holden - has launched the new ClubSport R8 Tourer into the Australian market, packing the same performance and luxury appointments as the R8 sedan into the Sportwagon body. The new model is the company’s first wagon since...

Building hundreds of quick-recharge power stations across the island nation is Japan's first step toward welcoming a new era of motoring. Expecting a rapid roll-out of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles beginning next year, the country is rapdily preparing to become a welcoming environment for...

While GM, Lexus and other manufacturers focus on improving mileage figures for their SUVs and large cars by installing hybrid engines, Honda is focusing its energies on bringing hybrids into small cars, believing that is where the technology is best employed. The company has even said it won't be...