ma section - normal

Mini is the latest car brand to launch a new green labeling system for its vehicles, with the company revealing this week its new ‘Minimalism’ tag. The new branding will be used to designate base models that have been fitted with several features to help reduce fuel consumption. Similar...

Despite a plunging global economy and tough economic times for the car industry as a whole, there are small bright spots where innovation and development are still burning brightly. Luso Motors appears to be one of those, as it has recently unveiled a working prototype of its LM23 mid-engined...

Toyota's North American car output will surpass Chrysler's for the first time during the first quarter of 2009. The two companies' downward trajectories will soon cross, leaving Toyota as the third largest domestic producer behind Ford and General Motors. Both Chrysler and Toyota are sharply...

Earlier this month word of Honda's decision to cancel its Honda/Acura V8 program, the CR-Z convertible and the next-generation S2000 emerged, but today Honda has officially announced that the 2009 S2000 will be the last. Produced for a full decade, from 1999 (as a 2000 model year car) through 2009...

Sometimes a growling, heady exhaust note is just what the doctor ordered - and sometimes it's just annoying. Porsche has both situations covered with its new sport exhaust system, which allows the driver to choose the exhaust's tone with a single button press. The new exhaust features a set of...

As the economy and the car industry transform to lighter, more compact versions of their previous selves, the primary agent of change is cash. Ford CEO Alan Mulally took an opportunity this weekend to re-affirm his company's ability to stand on its own, without government-backed loans, however...

Straight out of the box the Mercedes Benz SL is already one of the most stylish and sporty models in the luxury carmaker’s lineup, but it was never going to satisfy the guys at German tuner Kicherer. Applying lessons learned from its previous K60 Evo, the tuner has developed a new aerodynamic...

Despite the global economic crisis, no customers have canceled their Maybach orders but sales last year were still down on 2007’s levels. Maybach sold just over 400 vehicles in 2007 but this dropped to 300 vehicles last year, with the United States once again accounting for the bulk of sales...

Electric car company ZAP and its Chinese partner Youngman Auto have taken a step closer to getting its Alias electric three-wheeler onto driveways across the country, with the production version of the electric vehicle being displayed to dealers for the first time. The event took place at this past...

UK Garage is a specialty vehicle importer located in Italy that has a penchant for modifying cars such as this latest Lotus Exige, which has been given the V8 treatment. Called the Extrema, a nod to the serious modifications undertaken by UK Garage’s engineers, the new package takes the...

Brand new versions of both the Dodge Durango SUV and Chrysler 300 are coming in the next couple of years, kicking off a product renaissance at Chrysler that will include the launch of 24 new or updated models over the next 48 months. The information comes from the carmaker’s CEO, Bob...

The first $13.4 billion in auto industry loan funds have been disbursed to General Motors and Chrysler, but already Michigan's congressional representatives are seeking another $25 billion in industry loans. The funds would be targeted at suppliers and carmakers, with some funds set aside to help...

The crumbling U.S. economy and the plummeting price of fuel are two of the major factors behind a sudden drop-off in sales of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. market, and the falling popularity of hybrids has auto industry executives worried once more. Data from 2008 now shows the segment fell 9.9% for...

It’s been well documented that the Nissan GT-R has what it takes to beat its German rivals when it comes to speed, be it in a straight line or at the track. Cars like the BMW M3, Audi RS4 and Porsche 911 Turbo all fall by the wayside time and time again whenever Nissan’s new supercar is...

Mercedes Benz will launch its first ever hybrid model with the introduction of the all-new S400 BlueHYBRID, a petrol-electric hybrid based on the S-Class sedan, later this year. Its next hybrid, however, will reportedly be a more advanced diesel-electric model based on the M-Class SUV. According to...

The $17.4 billion bridge loan package signed into action by President Bush late in December has begun disbursement, with General Motors receiving $4 billion earlier this month and now the second instalment of $5.4 billion as well. This additional funding comes at a crucial time for the General...

Straight out of the box the Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG is already one of the sportiest models in the carmaker’s lineup, but the car’s heady 525hp (392kW) output was never going to satisfy the guys at German tuner Carlsson. Applying lessons learned from its previous CK50 kit based on the...

Following the announcement this week of a proposed acquisition of a 35% stake in Chrysler by Italy’s Fiat Group, Chrysler’s chief designer Ralph Gilles has given some insight into the thought processes going on behind locked doors at the two companies. Chrysler and Fiat execs are...

Tesla has delivered 150 all-electric Roadsters to its first lucky customers and still has another 400 or so eagerly awaiting their chance to hop behind the wheel of the ground-breaking sports cars. Unfortunately for those waiting individuals, Tesla has decided to increase the price of its Roadster...

Earlier this month we showed a 1,000hp bolt-on kit for the Porsche 911 Turbo from America’s Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), but the man behind the Ohio-based tuning shop is determined to show that his company is no one-trick pony. SPI also has a milder performance upgrade for...