ma section - normal

  • Hamann 2009 BMW 7-series

    Renowned German tuner Hamann has developed a number of heavily modified sports cars in the past, the most recent being the Mercedes-McLaren SLR ‘Volcano’ supercar. Lately, however, the tuner has decided to take a more subtle approach to customization, releasing a set of custom wheels designed specifically for the new BMW 7-series saloon and Maserati's handsome GranTurismo. The BMW gets two new wheel designs from Hamann, with both a Superleggera-style multispoke set as well as a less ornamental set with five spokes available. Both sets for the 2009 BMW 7-series are decked out in a...

  • High-output HH2 Water Fuel Cell system
    Hydrogen-based technology claimed to boost power and reduce emissions

    A company based in California is claiming to have developed an emissions-reducing product for conventional motor vehicles that it boasts could help the auto industry meet upcoming emissions regulations. The company is HydroLectricPower and the technology will be on show at this week's Los Angeles...

  • Hermes Smart ForTwo
    Hermès Releases Custom Smart ForTwo

    French design house Hermes is known in the fashion world for its premium leather goods, and now the luxury label has used its unique sense of style and material for the Smart ForTwo minicar, with the release of a new special edition model. The new model takes advantage of Hermes' specialization in...

  • audi c2c system 011
    Audi demonstrates inter-brand car-to-car networking in Germany

    The second CAR2CAR Forum at a testing ground in Dudenhofen, Germany, was the site of a new step forward in vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems. Among several other European carmakers, Audi presented a system that is able to interoperate with vehicles from other companies. The CAR2CAR Forum is...

  • Toyota Prius production
    Toyota contemplates delay of Prius production in Mississippi

    Just a few months ago Toyota was struggling to keep up with demand for its Prius hybrid in North America due to skyrocketing fuel prices. Waiting lists at some dealerships were stretching as long as eight months. But now Toyota may be rethinking its plan to supply more of the hybrids with U.S...

  • edo porsche cayenne gts 013
    edo modified Porsche Cayenne GTS gets 450hp

    The idea of a high-performance SUV seems oxymoronic to some, but Porsche's Cayenne, especially the GTS, Turbo and Turbo S variants, go a long way to quell any doubt. With the extra power and aggressive setup performed by edo, the matter is pressed even further. Cranking out 450hp (331kW) and...

  • University of Eindhoven electromagnetic suspension actuator

    The concept of an active suspension system isn't new - prototypes and testbeds have been in existence for decades. But now the technology is finally becoming compact and inexpensive enough to justify its use in mass-produced vehicles, or nearly so. To help arrive at a final concept, the University of Eindhoven has begun a project to work out all of the necessary functions, features and elements of such a system. The undertaking has arrived at a working prototype, tested for the first time this week. The basic design includes a passive spring with an electromagnetic insert that can regulate...

  • 2008 nyias nissan denki ev motorauthority 001
    Nissan electric car will require batteries to be leased

    Previously we reported on Nissan's electric car, which it plans to release in several markets in 2010 followed by global roll out in 2012. But the expensive nature of the battery technology means that Nissan will be selling its electric cars without batteries - requiring the consumer to lease the...

  • GM Logo
    Hummer is the only GM brand for sale, says CEO Wagoner

    Saab's slowing sales and delayed models from parent company GM have previously sparked rumors that the Swedish brand could be sold off by General Motors to raise some much needed cash for its operations. Today, GM's CEO, Rick Wagoner, said that the General is not looking to sell any of its brands...

  • vehicle-to-vehicle communications
    Toyota and Honda start testing vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems

    Earlier this year we reported on a vehicle-to-vehicle communications system being developed by a consortium of European manufacturers, and now Toyota and Honda have joined the growing ranks of carmakers working on the future safety technology. The two carmakers have now announced plans to show off...

  • Kia Borrego FCEV
    Kia to present Borrego FCEV in L.A.

    Kia will use next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show to debut a concept version of its Borrego SUV powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Called the Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the concept represents an important milestone for the South Korean manufacturer and is a sign that Kia is one of...

  • procharger dodge challenger 011
    ProCharger blower kits bump 6.1L HEMI to 575hp

    The 2008 SEMA show is over, but the aftermarket parts keep coming, and ProCharger's latest addition - a foursome of forced-induction systems and kits - promises to breathe 150hp (112kW) or more into the 6.1L HEMI V8, such as the one found in the 2008 or 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Two variations of...

  • 2010 chevrolet volt 005

    Plug-in hybrid cars, like the Chevrolet Volt or the upcoming Toyota Prius plug-in, are viewed by many as the way of the future. Offering the possibility of exclusively electric transport to the bulk of drivers, but with the possibility for the extended range afforded by a reserve of combustible fuel, the plug-in hybrid powertrain has many advocates. But skeptics point to the strain such vehicles could place on the power grid. An expert for the Electric Power Research Institute, Eladio Knipping, said at this week's Automotive News Green Car Conference, "Yes, the grid can handle it," referring...

  • James Glickenhaus Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
    James Glickenhaus takes delivery of first Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione in U.S.

    Alfa Romeo’s full on assault on the North American car market has been pushed back until 2011 due to the current financial crisis, however the first trickle of Alfa cars went on sale in the United States last month and late last week the first of these was delivered to its expectant owner...

  • zobin ferrari design study 011
    Zobin design study imagines Ferrari F1 for the street

    Ferrari designs have been instant classics for the last five decades, inspiring imitators, fans and even competitors both on track and on the street. In that spirit, but on a somewhat more whimsical note, the Zobin Concept gives a glimpse at what a modern single-seater Ferrari might look like...

  • mercedes mansory renovatio 003
    Mansory acquires Rinspeed's Porsche modification business

    Mansory GmbH, a tuner specializing in customizing ultra-luxury cars such as the Mercedes-McLaren SLR and the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, have announced that they have "absorbed" the Porsche tuning division of Rinspeed - the same company that brought you the James Bond Inspired sQuba submersible...

  • Ford Flex grille
    Ford plans new model onslaught to fight sales slump

    General Motors announced last week that it would be delaying development work on several new models to help cut costs in the near term, but Ford has a different idea for future success. Rather than cutting back, Ford is betting its future on its ability to design a new generation of must-buy...

  • brabus tesla roadster essen 020
    Brabus presents modified Tesla Roadster at Essen show

    Germany's Essen Motor Show is an opportunity for the country's tuners to show off their handiwork, and Brabus has used it as a platform to launch its first attempt at a modified electric car - the Tesla Roadster. Obviously tuning the propulsion system, as would normally be the case, is out of the...

  • Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid

    The Fisker plug-in hybrid saloon has officially been revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Click here for all the details and images. Fisker Automotive has confirmed today that Finnish independent vehicle manufacturer Valmet will build the upcoming Karma plug-in hybrid saloon, having first announced the deal back in July. Known for producing high quality cars like the Porsche Boxster and Cayman and with more than 40 years of experience in the business, Valmet should ensure the new Karma will meet the demands of its luxury positioning. The first cars will begin rolling off the Valmet...

  • Inden Design CLK DTM replica
    Inden Design DTM replica bodykit for the Mercedes CLK

    Specialist Mercedes Benz tuners Inden Design has just released a new tuning package for the CLK cabrio that is inspired by the limited-edition CLK DTM AMG model that Mercedes released a couple of years ago. The Inden Design package is essentially a replica of the CLK DTM package, and like the...

  • Mazda RVMS
    Mazda implementing rear-facing radar system from 2009

    Safety technology is going increasingly high-tech as companies and governments get into the business of making cars ever safer. Advanced features like radar are making their way into everyday cars, evidenced by a report that Mazda will begin including its Rear Vehicle Monitoring System (RVMS) as a...

  • mercedes e s class safety 2009 014
    Mercedes demonstrates array of safety technologies in Leipzig

    The S-Class has long been known as a Mercedes' platform for innovation of all kinds, especially technology and safety features. That's never been more true, and for 2009, the E-Class will join it with some of the most advanced systems yet. Those systems were demonstrated today at a safety...

  • saab 9 3 special edition convertible 011
    Saab 9-3 Special Edition commemorates 25 years of convertibles

    General Motors' withdrawal from press activities at the Los Angeles Auto Show made waves yesterday, but it turns out the General won't be completely without new models out west. In addition to the production Volt and two-mode hybrids on display, Saab is planning a Special Edition 9-3 Convertible to...

  • 2010 toyota iq motorauthority 005
    Toyota iQ takes top honors in Japan's COTY award

    Though it was up against the likes of Godzilla, the tiny Toyota iQ has come out on top at the 2008 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) awards. The win is seen as a potential selling point against competition like Daimler's Smart ForTwo micro car, especially in a segment that's differentiated largely on...

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