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MG Rover has officially started production at its Longbridge plant in the UK today under the guidance of its new owner, China’s Nanjing Auto. Despite this major breakthrough in reviving the old label, many pundits still have their doubts surrounding the long-term viability of the project on...

The current Noble M15, which was first displayed last year, featured the most powerful engine ever fitted to a road going Noble and took over seven years to develop. The mid-mounted twin-turbocharged V6 developed up to 455hp at 6,800rpm and an identical 455lb-ft of torque at 4,850rpm, which was...

The latest findings from research conducted by UBS and Ricardo points to combined annual diesel and hybrid gasoline vehicle sales in the US of 2.7 million by 2012, 15% of the overall car market. The study goes further and purports that sales of diesels will outstrip gasoline hybrids by 1.5 million...

Since its launch back in 2003, Scion has insisted that three models were enough. But as the label becomes more popular, company execs are considering adding new models to satisfy that demand. Scion corporate manager Steve Haag, who spoke with The Car Connection, explained that management wants to...

Ford of Europe has apparently axed plans for the development of the sporty Focus RS hot-hatch because of concerns over carbon-dioxide emissions. The RS version of the facelifted Focus due next year was one of the most eagerly anticipated models in Ford’s Euro lineup, with some customers...

Roush has unveiled its 2007 Nitemare F-150 pickup, a 445hp supercharged steed that will be produced in a limited run of just 100 trucks. Based on the standard cab version of the F-150, the Nitemare picks up a ROUSHcharger that boosts output from the 5.4L engine to 445hp and 500lb-ft. of torque...

Could the new Corolla really get a V6 powerplant? According to one of its developers, the engine bay can fit anything from a 1.4L four-banger to a 3.5L V6. Toyota technician Soichiro Okudaira, who spoke with AutoTelegraaf.nl, revealed that execs are seriously considering launching a V6 powered...

French auto manufacturer PSA has released plans to cut fixed cost by 30% by 2010. This restructuring plan called “Cap 2010” includes cutting cost by 600 million Euros, as well as bringing 6 new models to bring the total to 41. Rather than cutting models like other troubled carmakers...

Germany’s largest independent carmaker and supplier, Karmann, has lost its contract to supply Audi with A4 Cabriolets. However, it will soon start building the smaller A3 drop-top. According to German publication Automobil Industrie, an Audi exec has revealed that Magna Steyr will supply...

Jeep will be displaying two new concept cars at this year’s SEMA Show, the four-door Wrangler Ultimate and the tough-as-nails JT Concept. The Wrangler Ultimate is based on the regular Wrangler Limited model but gets a 3in lift-kit and 35in BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires wrapped around forged...

It’s hard to imagine that Toyota’s Prius was first released almost ten years ago. Still today, most carmakers around the world lack dedicated petrol-electric models. This makes it difficult to believe that Toyota engineers were tooling around with development of the Prius as far back as...

Despite an updated model due soon, German tuners have released yet another performance package for the V12-powered Mercedes SL Roadster. Engineers and designers at Kicherer have upgraded the bi-turbo V12 engine to the tune of 605hp (445kW), lifting performance of the SL600 into supercar territory...

Updated:China's Chery Auto has denied claims that its deal with DaimlerChrysler to supply a Chinese built minicar to the US and Europe was put on hold. A spokesman for Chery today told Reuters that the deal was progressing, although he failed to elaborate on its current status or whether Chery...

It’s hard to imagine that less than ten years ago Chrysler commanded a 16.1% share of the US market and was turning over billion dollar profits. In 1999 it reported a profit of $5 billion, which also happened to be the first year of its alliance with Daimler. Compare that with the $1.98...

The Wörthersee 2007 tuner show was the site for the return of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli. First released in 1983 as a limited edition model, the original Pirelli featured specially designed alloy wheels with the “Pirelli P” on their outer edges and sold over 10,000 units in the...

Executives at Kia have decided to shelve plans for a drop-top version of the cee’d hatch, despite the project already being in an advanced stage. Product planners cite poor profitability and Kia's small market presence as reasons for axing the plans. During a recent visit to Kia’s...

After 23 years running his self-titled motorsports and tuning shop, Steve Saleen of Saleen Inc. has announced his official retirement. He leaves his position as vice chairman of the board but plans to stay on as a corporate spokesperson and ambassador for the brand. The company was made famous by...

You may remember reports last year about UK’s Project Kimber rejuvenating the famous AC badge with a new roadster based on the first-generation Smart car. The new model will be called the AC Ace and is said to have had Gordon Murray, of McLaren F1 fame, involved in its development as well as...

Suzuki’s has given us a preview of its new Splash minicar, a sporty little hatch with European styling that will expand the Japanese brand’s presence in Europe when it’s finally released in the first half of next year. Packed to brim with a bevy of standard features, the Splash...

The US will have to wait longer to see the introduction of some of Europe’s hot sellers because of a weakening in the US dollar against a strong euro. Ford bosses have had to drop plans to import a new European crossover to be sold under its premium Lincoln label because it simply became too...