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Fiat will be displaying its Panda Aria concept at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, a new vehicle highlighting green technologies the carmaker plans to unroll in its future production cars. The Panda Aria emits just 69g of CO2 per km and runs a 80hp (60kW) turbocharged 0.9L twin-cylinder engine capable of running on either petrol or methane-hydrogen fuel. Further enhancing its green credentials, the Panda Aria also uses recycled materials for both its exterior and cabin and packs Fiat's new fuel-saving ‘Stop&Start’ technology. The new Stop&Start feature turns the engine off...
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VW sets 10 year goal to catch up to ToyotaVolkswagen Group has given itself ten years to catch up with Toyota in terms of productivity and profit as part of CEO Martin Winterkorn’s pledge to close the gap in performance between the two carmakers. The timeframe is backed by Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, who sees Toyota’s...
Ralph Hanson -
Europe to get Smart ‘clone’ despite legal threatsThe Chinese built Smart Fortwo replica, Shuanghuan’s Noble minicar, will go on sale in Europe despite threats of legal action from Mercedes-Benz. Officials from Mercedes have threatened the European importer of the Chinese vehicles, Martin Motors, who says the cars will still go on sale as...
Ralph Hanson -
Volkswagen starts carbon-offset programVolkswagen in the US announced today that it has partnered with the not for profit organization Carbonfund to start a carbon emissions offset program covering the emissions of every car it sells in the States between September 1 this year through until January 2 next year. Programs like the one...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mercedes launches Search & Send downloadable mapsIn a bid to compete with BMW and its own Google Maps-based ConnectedDrive navigation package, rival Mercedes-Benz today announced that it has teamed up with both Yahoo and Google Maps to deliver an easy to use in-car navigation system. The system will be available on The C, CL and S-class models...
Ralph Hanson -
Lexus Announces GS460, V10 Planned For New GS F?Lexus has added a new model to its GS lineup, the new GS460 powered by the same 1UR-FSE 4.6L V8 engine as in the LS flagship. However, the GS doesn’t receive the new direct injection system used in the LS, meaning power levels are slightly down. The engine in the GS460 develops its max power...
Kenneth Hall -
Contestants for this year’s European Car Of The Year awards have been announced, with this year’s field comprising 32 entrants from around the world. Last year’s comp saw Ford’s S-Max MPV take top honors, edging out the Opel Corsa and Citroen’s Picasso. This year’s roundup includes cars like the Audi A5, Ford Mondeo, BMW X5, Fiat 500, Mercedes C-class, the Smart ForTwo and the Dodge Nitro. The cars will be picked by a panel of 58 judges representing 22 countries across Europe. The number of judges from each country will depend on the size of the country's...
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Spy Shots: Lamborghini LMX SUVLamborghini could have a successor to the original LM002 if the prototype in these latest spy shots turns out to be the latest test-mule from the Italian supercar manufacturer. Although the prototype is dressed in the sheetmetal of a Porsche Cayenne, the widened fenders and lowered front-end...
James Martinez -
G-Power packs the M3 CSL with an M5 V10German tuner G-Power has created a monster M3 CSL with a tweaked version of the M5 V10 under the hood. Ditching the venerable inline six in favor of the potent 5.0L V10, engineers then proceeded to modify the engine to an even higher state of tune. The V10 now produces a supercar-like 550hp (410kW)...
Siddarth Raja -
Strong showing for small cars in Euro NCAP crash testsIn its latest round of testing, Europe’s Euro NCAP testing body crash tested four newly launched models with all of them showing excellent results. The cars included the Fiat 500 and Renault Twingo superminis as well as the Kia Cee'd and new Peugeot 308 hatches. The stylish 500 mini managed a...
Kenneth Hall -
More info on Mercedes’ upcoming 300SL successorEarlier this month, reports emerged outlining details about a new high-end sports car from Mercedes-Benz that would likely be the spiritual successor to the classic 300 SL gullwing. The car will be developed by Mercedes engineers but there will be many influences from the AMG performance division...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mercedes-Benz updates the SLK 55 AMG Black SeriesMercedes’ latest SLK 55 AMG Black Series has officially gone on sale, complete with a new 400hp (298kW) version of the 5.4L V8 and a 45kg lighter kerb weight. The increased performance figures see the car accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and its unrestricted top speed increase to...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
At its recent TechDay 2007 seminar in Germany, Audi talked up a new system under development that’ll analyze driver behavior and give fuel saving driving tips to help curb fuel consumption. Some of the initiatives include plans for a satnav system that records “consumption-relevant data” as well as the previously mentioned electronic driver trainer that will be “able to analyze the current driving style and give tips accordingly.” Audi wants to emphasize the point that individual driving styles can dramatically affect fuel-consumption levels, mentioning that...
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Future Jaguars dropping company nameJaguar design boss Ian Callum confirmed today that future Jaguars won't sport the wording of the actual Jaguar name on its cars. Instead, the cars will simply feature the carmaker’s iconic ‘leaper’ cat. The latest XF Jag still keeps the Jaguar label but also gains a flattened...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Honda planning Accord Tourer Concept for FrankfurtHonda will present a new Accord wagon concept at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, a new model that'll likely replace the current model pictured above. The Accord Tourer Concept gives an indication of the design direction for the next-gen Accord that’s expected to go on sale in Europe by the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Audi's RS6 will get <i>more</i> than 571hpWe recently reported that leaked vehicle chassis codes for the new Audi RS6 specced the output from its twin-turbo V10 engine at 571hp (426kW). Recent information from a source at Audi, however, has put this figure in doubt. The reliable source claims that the 571hp will only be the specified...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW to sue Chinese clone manufacturer, tooIndustry heavyweights BMW and Mercedes-Benz are planning to take legal action to stop Chinese copies of their cars being shown at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. China’s Shuanghuan, whose motto is “Fly your character - Run with your heart”, currently manufactures the CEO...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Lotus Oz presents world’s fastest ExigeLotus’ Aussie division has announced plans to launch the fastest Lotus Exige ever created, designed exclusively for the Australian market. With 240hp (179kW) on tap, the aptly named Lotus Exige Sport 240 adds a torque sensing LSD between the rear wheels, electronic launch control and Lotus...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
To emphasize its global ambitions for the next-gen Fiesta compact, Ford is considering dropping the longstanding nameplate in favor of the new Verve label. Due to hit the streets towards the end of next year, Ford’s replacement for the Fiesta will be displayed in concept form at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The new concept, also called the Verve, is in fact the first of three new concept cars previewing a future hatch that’ll be sold in Europe, Asia and North America. Ford execs in Europe are believed to be backing the name change, reports BuinessCar. However, Blue Oval CEO...
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Aston Martin looks to Rapide and new DBX flagshipAston Martin is on track to expand its lineup with the new Rapide sedan as well as a new flagship code-named the DBX. Following the market launch of the DBS coupe next year, management will focus on bringing the hotly anticipated Rapide four-door to showrooms. However, the car won’t arrive...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2009 Dodge Journey crossoverDodge is preparing to debut the new Journey crossover at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, a new model marking the carmaker’s attempt to break into the burgeoning CUV market. The Journey will be an international player for Dodge, competing with the likes of Subaru’s Forester...
James Martinez -
Peugeot’s 69MPG 308 Hybride HDi conceptPeugeot will unveil a concept version of a new diesel-hybrid powered 308 hatchback at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Until now, most carmakers have relied on petrol engines for their hybrid cars but it makes sense to use a diesel as the oil-burners are already more efficient than...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Porsche most popular with the wealthyA new study conducted in the UK by an insurance company has found Porsche to the brand of choice among the nation’s wealthiest for the second straight year in a row. SwiftCover insurance has released a list of the ten car brands wealthy people would most likely buy as well as a list of the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Land Rover Launches The 2008 LR2 HSEThe all-new Land Rover LR2 has only been on sale in the US since April and it’s now joined by the better equipped 2008 model LR2 HSE. The new variant gets body color bumpers and side sills, a rear spoiler, titanium door handles and 19in alloy wheels. Changes to the interior include new...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran