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  • U.S. distributor for Smart boosts 2008 sales forecast

    Soaring demand for compact and fuel-efficient vehicles in the U.S. has seen sales of the diminutive Smart ForTwo outstrip expectations, causing its distributor, Penske Automotive Group, to increase forecasts for 2008 sales. Original estimates for the ForTwo were pegged at just 20,000 units for the year when the car went on sale back in January. However, Penske has now revised that figure to between 24,000 and 27,500. Penske said surging gasoline prices had helped boost demand for the small, fuel-efficient car, reports the Associated Press. Currently, the only factor limiting the sales is...

  • Used Toyota Prius' averaging higher prices than new models
    Used Toyota Prius' averaging higher prices than new models

    Demand for the Toyota Prius in the U.S. is so high that most new models sit on dealer lots for an average of just five days, and waiting lists of or more than three months are becoming more and more common. Toyota is struggling to keep up with demand, and has started construction of several new...

  • Schumacher hits pedestrian while driving Fiat van
    Schumacher hits pedestrian while driving Fiat van

    Michael Schumacher's spokeswoman has confirmed the retired seven time world champion was involved in a road accident in England. A car dealer in Kent, a county in southeast England, told the Mirror newspaper that he was struck as a pedestrian on Sunday by a modest Fiat Ducato van - which had the...

  • Ford chooses Honeywell for first EcoBoost turbo
    Ford chooses Honeywell for first EcoBoost turbo

    The first EcoBoost engine to hit Ford's lineup will be powered in part by a Honeywell turbocharger. Lincoln's 2010 MKS (2009 model pictured) will feature a 3.5L V6 that is the first application of Ford's efficiency-enhancing downsizing EcoBoost strategy. Honeywell was chosen for its status as a...

  • GM has small engines ready, waiting for customer demand
    GM has small engines ready, waiting for customer demand

    The automobile industry - and especially the players in the U.S. market - have long been engaged in an all-out battle for more power and performance. The 2008 fuel crunch has shaken that strategy up somewhat, but General Motors says it still needs a signal from buyers that they are willing to...

  • GM planning Volt sneak peek for employees
    GM planning Volt sneak peek for employees

    General Motors has revealed that it will unveil the Volt plug-in hybrid in near-production form to employees in a special sneak preview this September. Celebrating 100 years in the car business on September 16th, GM is reportedly nearly finished with the car's basic design, and is now working on...

  • Audi boosts output of entry-level A5 in Europe

    Audi has updated its entry-level A5 model, adding more power while reducing fuel-consumption and emissions. The base A5 in Europe will now be available with a 178hp (132kW) 2.0L TFSI engine instead of the former 1.8L TFSI, and its average carbon-dioxide emissions have been reduced by as much as 9%. Derived from the 208hp (155kW) version of the turbo charged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder FSI engine already in the A5 range, the new engine benefits from Audi’s latest valvelift technology and holds a 10hp (7kW) power advantage over the old 1.8L TFSI. Torque also increases by 52lb-ft (70Nm) to...

  • Ford raises lease prices to combat losses
    Ford raises lease prices to combat losses

    Following on the heels of Detroit cohorts Chrysler and GM, Ford has announced it is having major lease difficulties as well. Unlike its competition, however, Ford will simply price its leases higher by readjusting residual values of several vehicles. The move will make it less affordable to lease...

  • Update: Progressive gets detailed on use-based insurance
    Update: Progressive gets detailed on use-based insurance

    Update: Progressive has announced a more fine-grained approach to use-based insurance pricing. Cars can be fitted with a ‘black box’-type device that records acceleration patterns, brake usage and other important data the insurance company believes contributes to a driver’s risk...

  • BMW introduces Competition Package for M6 Coupe
    BMW introduces Competition Package for M6 Coupe

    Along with the list of 2009 model year changes for the entire BMW M range is the introduction of a new ‘Competition Package’ for the M6 Coupe. The latest package includes increases the performance of the already strong car, with an updated chassis, lowered suspension, new aluminum...

  • BMW reveals 2009 model year updates for M range
    BMW reveals 2009 model year updates for M range

    BMW will be introducing a host of updates for its M range of cars for the 2009 model year, with a number of styling and mechanical changes, plus increased equipment found on the latest M3, M5 and M6 models. Major changes include the introduction of BMW’s new iDrive system throughout the range...

  • Update: GM paying Hummer dealers early bonuses, preparing to buyout stores
    Update: GM paying Hummer dealers early bonuses, preparing to buyout stores

    Update: With General Motors publicly announcing its doubts about Hummer's viability and plans to sell the brand, many dealers were upset about the carmaker’s seeming lack of care for the predicament they had been placed in by the comments and the potential loss of the multi-million dollar...

  • Electricity generated from exhaust promises 10% efficiency gain

    The rising cost of oil is making expensive fuel-saving technologies more and more viable as prices continue to go upwards at the pumps. Researchers at the Ohio State University and at Caltech in California have developed a method of increasing fuel efficiency by 10% using a special material that converts exhaust heat into electricity. Dubbed 'thermoelectric' material, the lead researcher for the project described it as performing the same task as "conventional heat engines that are coupled to electrical generators" but instead of using water or gases to make electricity it uses electrons...

  • Update: Fiat loses Chinese patent claim against Panda clone
    Update: Fiat loses Chinese patent claim against Panda clone

    Updated: In counterpoint to a recent Italian court's ruling prohibiting sale of Great Wall Motors' (GWM) GWPeri in Europe, a Chinese court has found Fiat's patent claim against the company to be without merit. Undeterred, Fiat is now weighing its options to continue prosecuting the matter. The...

  • Update: Audi A4 and Q5 being considered for U.S. production
    Update: Audi A4 and Q5 being considered for U.S. production

    Updated: Audi CEO Rupert Stadler hinted back in March that U.S. production could be a possibility for the premium brand at Volkswagen's new plant, which was confirmed this month to be constructed in Tennessee. Latest reports are now indicating that executives are seriously considering building the...

  • Porsche introduces 2009 facelifted 911 Targa range
    Porsche introduces 2009 facelifted 911 Targa range

    Following the release of the updated 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models comes new details of the 2009 Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S models. The distinctive feature of the 911 Targa, as before, is the 1.54-square-metre sliding glass roof and tailgate. When opened completely, the roof slides within...

  • WaM modified Audi R8
    WaM modified Audi R8

    German tuning company WaM, short for ‘WheelsandMore,’ is best known for its outrageous wheel designs but the tuner has proven that it can match the big boys like Brabus and Lumma with its latest performance upgrades for the Audi R8. The latest package includes the tuner’s...

  • Loremo updates design for 100MPG LS
    Loremo updates design for 100MPG LS

    Germany’s Loremo unveiled the most recent prototype of its super-efficient LS Concept car at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, but as with most prototype engineers are continuing to tweak the design ahead of the release of the production model expected sometime early next decade. The...

  • Mercedes-Benz S-Class Carlsson Aigner CK65 RS 'Blanchimont'

    Carlsson has kitted up the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with its latest CK65 tuning package, a race-proven kit that combines a host of performance modifications with high-end luxury appointments. The new kit is dubbed the ‘Blanchimont’ – named after a corner at the Spa Francorchamps race track in Belgium – and has been designed to fill the gap between the standard S-Class Maybach range. The vehicle picks up its ‘Aigner’ tag because of the cooperation between Carlsson and luxury goods brand Etienne Aigner AG, and as such the car is available with more than 30...

  • GM and Chrysler extend incentives, Chrysler cuts leasing
    GM and Chrysler extend incentives, Chrysler cuts leasing

    Detroit's carmakers announced their expected tough profit and loss statements this week, and now they're announcing another round of incentives in an effort to help push the bottom line back toward black. General Motors and Chrysler have both released word of their extended incentive programs...

  • Ariel adds a windscreen to the Atom
    Ariel Adds A Windscreen To The Atom

    The skeleton-framed two-seat open-top rocket ship that is the Ariel Atom has gained notoriety not just for its commanding performance and unique styling, but also for it's face-stretching capabilities. Outfitted with no wind-deflecting device whatsoever, the Ariel Atom is best driven at high speed...

  • GM in talks with China's Zhongxing
    GM in talks with China's Zhongxing

    General Motors may be looking to expand its links with even more international carmakers, with latest reports indicating the U.S. auto giant is talks with Chinese carmakers Hebei Zhongxing and First Automobiles Works (FAW) Group. Zhongxing is one of the biggest pickup truck manufacturers in China...

  • Small trucks crash tested, results not good
    Small trucks crash tested, results not good

    As more buyers in the market for a pickup truck eye the smaller, more fuel-efficient alternatives to the major brands' full-size offerings, the attention is beginning to reveal some unpleasant details. Safety ratings based on IIHS crash tests indicate that many of the smaller pickup trucks on the...

  • Schumacher signs off on Ferrari California development
    Schumacher signs off on Ferrari California development

    Ferrari announced today that Michael Schumacher has completed the track and road development stages of the new California, with the final specifications set and the car now ready for its Paris Motor Show debut in October. Speaking at the final test session, which took place at Ferrari’s...

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