Car News
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California may have a reputation for being one of the more 'progressive' states in the union, however the latest idea to come from the ever wise California Air Resources Board (CARB) had even the most die-hard environmentalists scratching their heads. Today the board backed down from its proposal, however, releasing a statement that it is "by no means interested in banning or restricting car colors." Last week, reports emerged that CARB, the body that can strike fear into the hearts of auto manufacturers at the mention of their name, had proposed to remove the color black from automotive...
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Auto industry task force rejects GM and Chrysler viability planThe Obama administration auto industry task force has rejected viability plans for General Motors and Chrysler and threatened that both may be forced into bankruptcy unless further sacrifices are made. The task force has consistently stated that its goal is to solve the industry's problems rather...
Ralph Hanson -
CEO Christian Streiff fired by Peugeot board of directorsDrastic changes at American carmakers have become not only normal, but expected - even encouraged - as the economy and industry worsens. Even GM's CEO Rick Wagoner has stepped down at the behest of President Obama's task force. But so far no U.S. CEOs have been forcibly removed from their position...
Nelson Ireson -
Spy shots: Barely disguised Opel Insignia OPCWe’ve seen a number of prototypes for the upcoming OPC Opel Insignia sedan and Sports Tourer wagon in the past 12 months but this is the first time that we have seen the car in its almost production ready state. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to...
James Martinez -
Dodge adds special edition SE ‘Rallye’ to Challenger lineupTo mark the introduction of its five-speed automatic in the base Challenger SE, Dodge has unveiled a brand new special edition ‘Rallye’ model that is set to go on sale next month. By pairing the five-speed auto, which is normally found in HEMI-powered V8 Challengers, with the SE’s...
Jeremy Weber -
Hyundai’s U.S. chief hints at plug-in hybrid sports carHyundai is moving into the hybrid business quickly, with its first petrol-electric model expected to debut in South Korea this July and the U.S. by next year. Now, the carmaker’s American chief, John Krafcik, has revealed that management is considering building a more advanced plug-in hybrid...
Ralph Hanson -
The Dodge Challenger was one of the most widely anticipated cars of the recent past but while the HEMI-powered V8 models stole most of the thunder, it remains a fact that a large portion of sales is for the entry-level V6 model. Sadly, the base Dodge Challenger SE is a little anaemic when it comes to performance and the car’s standard four-speed auto is really starting to show its age. Chrysler now plans to remedy the situation with a new gearbox for the entry-level SE V6. Rather than the current version's tired four-speed auto, the new Dodge Challenger SE models will be fitted with the...
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Hyundai releases new drift videos with Rhys MillenHyundai is trying extra hard to make its new Genesis Coupe, and the latest effort to promote the vehicle - as well as several upcoming ones – is a new series of videos whose release will be staggered over the coming months. The first of these videos focuses on the Genesis Coupe – in...
James Martinez -
One-two finish for Brawn GP in F1 season openerThe 2009 championship opener today lived up to its pre-season hype, with Jenson Button leading an eventful Brawn one-two at Albert Park. The Briton, after two awful seasons for the Brackley-based team's previous guise Honda, crossed the line less than a second ahead of his teammate Rubens...
Ralph Hanson -
Kia previews 2010 Amanti sedan with Seoul Motor Show conceptThe affordable large car segment is starting to get just a little overcrowded, and in a time where customers all around the world are downsizing to smaller midsize models, performance, fuel-economy and overall value is now more important than ever. South Korea’s entrants in this field have...
Jeremy Weber -
GM CEO Rick Wagoner resigns, Fritz Henderson takes the reignsGeneral Motors has confirmed that CEO Rick Wagoner will resign at the behest of President Barack Obama and his auto industry task force. Wagoner is stepping down from the top spot, effective immediately, and will be replaced by the company’s current COO Fritz Henderson. Wagoner confirmed that...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Heico Sportiv upgrades full Volvo XC60 lineupSpecialist Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv has just come out with what it’s claiming is the world's first complete upgrade program for the Volvo XC60. The program alters both the internal and external features of the car, with various engine upgrades for the different trim levels of the XC60. When...
Alex Kaufmann -
Earlier on in the year we reported on British company Ecotricity's plan to build an electric sports-car that could be charged from wind-generated power. That company has now involved itself with wind-powered cars a little more directly, this time sponsoring a British man who has broken the world speed record for a wind-powered car. Richard Jenkins, the man behind the wind-powered 'Greenbird' managed to take his awkward looking creation to a phenomenal speed of 126.1mph, beating the old record of 116mph by over 10 miles. The record was broken on a dry lake bed in Ivanpah, California, and...
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Virgin announces sponsorship deal for Brawn GP, may rename teamMere weeks after rising from Honda's ashes as 'Brawn GP', the Brackley based team could be set for yet another name change. Following the eleventh-hour sponsorship deal with the Virgin brand, Sir Richard Branson in Melbourne admitted his company might take over the name of the new team. The British...
Kenneth Hall -
BMW Z4 Roadster priced from $46,575 in U.S.BMW’s striking new Z4 Roadster is set to arrive in showrooms across the U.S. in the following months and in the lead up to its entrance pricing for the entire range, including all options and accessories, has been revealed. The new car will be sold as a 2010 model and will be available in...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Cargraphic uses racing know-how to improve Aston Martin’s VantageGerman tuning firm Cargraphic has launched a new performance upgrade for the V8 Vantage that sees improvements in power, handling, and design. The company’s engineers have modified the 4.5 litre V8 engine to raise peak power from 426hp (313kW) to 466hp (342kW), as well as increasing peak...
Kenneth Hall -
Steve Mattin, designer of Volvo S60 Concept, leaves companySwedish media are reporting today that Steve Mattin, Volvo's design director, is leaving the company. The departure marks the end of a four-year tenure during which time Mattin was responsible for designs including the 2010 XC60 and the highly controversial S60 Concept shown a this year's Detroit...
Nelson Ireson -
B&B takes the lid off 500hp Volkwagen EosVolkswagen's Eos is something of a misfit - more luxurious than most of VW's lineup, but not as nice as the A5 Cabrio, and not quite powerful enough from the factory to run with the likes of the Mercedes and BMW competition. But it's definitely a step ahead of most of the American and Japanese...
Alex Kaufmann -
Another day, another wacky UK speed camera ticket. This time, a young woman was busted for driving 37mph in a 30mph zone. The catch? The car was parked, and the woman was asleep in her house at the time. After a car triggered a speed camera but wasn't caught in the frame, an operator noted the only license number in the image and sent the ticket out anyway. It almost sounds too stupid to be true, but the Merseyside Police issued a £60 speeding fine, and didn't realize the problem with ticketing a parked car until Emily Davies, a 19-year-old, pointed out the inanity of it all, reports The...
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N2A Motors working on modern Stingray coachbuilt carWe all have a soft spot in our hearts for at least one type of car, though it's different for each of us. For some, it's a mid-engine turbocharged Toyota MR-2, for others it might be an oddball Citroen DS. For a lot of people, it's the Corvette Stingray, and looking at the plans for the N2A...
Ralph Hanson -
Tiret New York and LSE Design team up for Range Rover based Tiret CoupeLand Rover's Range Rover Sport has long been a popular choice with celebrity and pop-culture icons, but with the modifications that Tiret New York and LSE Design have managed, the Tiret Coupe takes the vehicle to another level. Wider flared arches, LED lighting, 22in LSE alloy wheels and a full...
Kenneth Hall -
U.S. raises fuel economy floor to 27.3mpg for 2011You might disagree with his methods, but you can't deny President Obama's determination to improve the U.S. car industry's situation and to remedy the nation's current energy policy. Part of both plans is a rise in the fuel economy requirements to 27.3mpg fleet-wide by 2011. It's actually a step...
Ralph Hanson -
Shocker: Women find expensive cars more attractiveReaders, you may want to hold on to your rocking chairs as the following news will likely come as a stunning shock to you. There's no easy way to put it, but women find men with expensive cars more attractive than those with cheaper cars. The 'groundbreaking' study, led by a UK university, revealed...
James Martinez -
Brabus first off the block with complete upgrade for new Mercedes Benz E-ClassNoted for its sleek, stylish and almost stealthy modifications of Mercedes Benz vehicles, Brabus occupies a special place in the German tuner scene. Apparently that place is very special because the performance workshops is one of the first tuning firms to develop a complete upgrade package for the...
Kenneth Hall