Car News
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Just two months ago the new 2010 Lexus IS Convertible went on sale in Japan, and with it came talk of a coupe version as well. That started rumors that Lexus could make IS-F versions of both, and a new report today confirms those plans. The report also includes hints of a possible soft-top variant of the Lexus SC. According to Car and Driver, inside sources at Lexus have revealed that the IS-F convertible will reach production by early 2011. The SC soft-top won't be available until the next gen-car arrives. A convertible and/or coupe version of the IS-F would almost certainly be welcomed by...
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Ford: Government loans to Chrysler, GM saved the industryIt's easy to look at the bailouts and bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler as a big-government bonanza. Some even see tints of socialism in the loans and subsequent government ownership stakes. But as Ford points out today, there was more at stake than just two companies. The entire...
Alex Kaufmann -
Mustang GT gets Track Pack, FR3 Handling package upgradesThe 2010 Ford Mustang is already in dealer lots, but now Ford is releasing a few new options to help enthusiasts get even more bang for their buck. A Track Pack upgrade from the factory promises to boost grip, while those that have already ordered or bought their 'Stangs can have a the even hotter...
Nelson Ireson -
Hummer won't stop U.S. production, sale to new owners complete by OctoberPoor sales, growing public concern for the environment and the recession have all added up to weaken General Motors’ chances of finding many buyers for Hummer but the struggling automaker confirmed last week that at least one company was interested in the sale. That company was Chinese...
Ralph Hanson -
Preview: Abt Sportsline turns up the wick on Audi's Q7 V12 oil burner to 560hpNot much is yet known about Abt Sportsline's latest take on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, but the numbers are enough to pique any enthusiast's interest: 560hp (412kW), 886lb-ft (1,200Nm) of torque and sports-car-like 0-62mph (100km/h) times of just 5.5 seconds. How Abt boosted the big V12 diesel from its...
Alex Kaufmann -
Status Design gives the Porsche Cayenne a bold new lookRussian tuners seem to have a certain fixation with modifying the Porsche Cayenne, with sensational Russian-designed takes on the high-performance SUV cropping up frequently. The latest team to take on the Cayenne comes in the form of Status Design, a Russian outfit that has taken what many...
Jeremy Weber -
Already a leader in advanced diesel engine technology, Fiat recently added to its arsenal a new advancement for petrol engines the company claims significantly boosts power and torque, while cutting emissions. The new technology has been labeled it MultiAir and it will be debuting in Europe this September in the Alfa Romeo MiTo hatch. More importantly, this technology could eventually end up in the U.S. once sales of the stylish hatch kick off locally. Compared to a traditional petrol engine with the same displacement, MultiAir engines ensure an increase in power (up to 10%) and torque (up to...
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Rolls-Royce Ghost Designer Reveals Plans For Coupe And Convertible VariantsJust as the Phantom has its Coupe and Drophead convertible variants, Rolls-Royce’s upcoming Ghost sedan is expected to spawn its own two-door variants. The legacy started with cars like the Carmargue and Corniche, both of which were based on the Silver Shadow, which itself is the forebear to...
Kenneth Hall -
Magna may use Opel as vehicle supplier for other brandsThe saga surrounding General Motors’ European subsidiary Opel continues to unfold as the struggling automaker ponders the bids that are on offer. Now, anonymous sources close to Canada’s Magna International have revealed that if the auto parts giant wins the bid it will be executing a...
James Martinez -
TVR legend Peter Wheeler dies at age 64Niche British sports car manufacturer TVR is known for its wild, off-the-wall designs and the formidable nature of its cars when pushed to their limits. Sadly, Peter Wheeler, the man who was instrumental in building the brand for over two decades has passed away at the age of 64, following a short...
Kenneth Hall -
Windsor V8 heritage lives on in Ford Racing’s new Boss 351 engine blockFord’s Windsor 351 small-block V8 is far from dead despite its origins dating back to the early 1960s. Ford’s motorsports division, Ford Racing, has just released a new performance engine block based around the original Windsor 351 design. Labeled the Boss 351, the engine block is...
Ralph Hanson -
New info reveals Lexus LF-A will be limited to 500 unitsThe supercar that almost wasn’t, and still might not be, the Lexus LF-A, was recently spotted again in prototype form ahead of a rumored debut at October's Tokyo Motor Show, and over the weekend new information about the car has emerged, confirming much of what was already suspected. The LF-A...
Ralph Hanson -
A little over a week ago we reported on Porsche's financial troubles and the company’s attempts to seek a lifeline from both the German government and outside investors - namely in the form of an investment from the Gulf state of Qatar. More details have since emerged about Qatar's interest in Porsche, with reports indicating that CEO Wendelin Wiedeking is currently in discussions with the Qatar Investment Authority in regards to the sale of a 25% stake in the company. Now, Germany’s Der Spiegel is reporting that a majority of members in two families that control Porsche are...
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Plug-in hybrid option planned for Jaguar’s XE Roadster?Jaguar's transfer to new ownership last year had many, from customers to dealers to industry analysts, worried about what might come of it. But Tata Motors' ownership has so far proven reassuring in its commitment to the Jaguar brand. The latest word from Ratan Tata reaffirms the vision Tata has...
Kenneth Hall -
2009 Audi Q5 first drive reviewUntil the Lincoln Navigator plowed into existence in the late 1990s, the idea of a luxury sport-utility vehicle was largely limited to the Range Rover. Hideously expensive off-roaders were a perplexing thought: who’d want to wrinkle all that pricey sheetmetal, and get those lambswool carpets...
Martin Padgett -
Saab buyer to be revealed this week, most likely KoenigseggThe ongoing tale of Saab's sale may be drawing to a close, as early reports out of Sweden today have General Motors and Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, along with a group of Norwegian investors, agreeing to the deal in a letter of intent. GM confirmed in its February viability plan that it would...
Kenneth Hall -
G-Power one of the first to tune BMW’s new Z4 RoadsterThe all-new 2010 BMW Z4 is still on its way to most showrooms around the globe but the guys at G-Power have already had one in their workshop for some time now and have managed to develop several new mods for the car. When it comes to extreme performance mods for BMW cars, G-Power is one of the...
Alex Kaufmann -
HKS releases more powerful GT600 upgrade for Nissan’s GT-RHKS was one of the first major tuning houses to work on Nissan’s legendary GT-R supercar, developing performance kits and accessories as early as the 1989 R32 model right up to the latest R35 model. While many rival Japanese tuning firms specialise in simple off-the-shelf mods, the...
Jeremy Weber -
F1's governing body has given five of the eight FOTA teams another week to lodge unconditional entries for the 2010 world championship. McLaren, BMW, Renault, Toyota and Brawn were listed provisionally on the entry list for next year, which was published on Friday by the FIA. "The FIA has invited them to lift those conditions following further discussions to be concluded not later than close of business on Friday 19 June," a statement issued by the Paris based federation read. Ferrari and Red Bull's two teams also lodged unconditional entries on the May 29 deadline, but have been assigned...
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Spy shots: 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost in whiteRolls-Royce is currently developing a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in early 2010, with the new car expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year. The car will be called the Ghost and these latest spy shots confirm that it will be...
Alex Kaufmann -
HSV working on high-performance LPG systemEven V8 performance groups like Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) cannot afford to ignore the new spate of environmental consciousness that’s sweeping the globe. Whether it’s a case of consumers griping about how much they have to pay for fuel, or a genuine desire for greener performance...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Video: Hennessey previews the "world's most powerful" R35 Nissan GT-RAfter a high initial hurdle in cracking the GT-R's ECU, many tuners have taken their shot at improving on Nissan's latest interpretation of the GT-R, but now Hennessey is going for the title of "World's most powerful" R35 Nissan GT-R. They've already laid claim to the title of "World's fastest...
Nelson Ireson -
Mercedes C-Class Estate gets the Black Bison treatmentThe Black Bison line of appearance packages from Wald has won notoriety for its treatment of everything from the Nissan GT-R to the Lexus IS-F and even Toyota's Land Cruiser. This time out, they've taken on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, and come up with yet another extreme creation. If there's...
Kenneth Hall -
Michael Schumacher laps the Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE at FioranoMost people are satisfied with the performance and handling of a stock Ferrari. It is, after all, a Ferrari. But for those with even higher standards, Ferrari has created the Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) package, revealed in March at the Geneva Motor Show. This week, seven-time F1 champ Michael...
Ralph Hanson