Car News
-
Diesels are quickly joining hybrids and plug-in electrics as the new show-car theme. The reasons are simple: efficiency, both in terms of fuel and finance, is driving carmakers and consumers to give diesel-fueled vehicles another chance. In keeping with this, Volkswagen is once again showcasing its Touareg SUV equipped with a 3.0L V6 TDI clean diesel engine, this time at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. For the U.S. version of the vehicle, V6 TDI delivers 225hp (165kW) and 406lb-ft (550Nm) of torque and is rated at 18mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway for fuel economy. Europe’s version...
-
Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster Concept Debuts In DetroitVolkswagen has made no secret of its desire to revive the compact roadster market with numerous concept cars over the last decade, however the latest design, called the Bluesport, takes it to a new level with almost production-ready specs and a real possibility of getting the green light for global...
Jeremy Weber -
Chrysler presents Dodge Circuit EV at Detroit Auto ShowBack in September Chrysler showed off three vehicles designed to show the world that it too could keep up with Ford and GM as they developed low emissions powertrains for the future. One of those vehicles was essentially a Lotus Europa with Chrysler badging, but this was understandable as the...
James Martinez -
Mercedes-Benz Unveils All-New E-ClassIn and amongst all the releases for new vehicles and concepts for this month’s Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes Benz has decided to quietly reveal details for its all-new E-Class sedan, which is set to go on sale in Europe this March following a debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The new model...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Facelifted Jaguar XKR debuts at Detroit Auto ShowJaguar has updated its XK Coupe, Convertible and performance XKR range for the 2010 model year, and will showcase the new lineup at this month’s Detroit Auto Show. With all-new engines, revised styling, a new interior, an advanced lightweight aluminum body structure and a wider range of...
Kenneth Hall -
Toyota reveals iQ-based FT-EV ConceptToyota has announced that it will display its new FT-EV concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, while also confirming that it will launch an urban commuter ‘battery-electric vehicle’ (BEV) by 2012. The world's largest carmaker also revealed that it will start consumer trials of a fleet...
James Martinez -
Back in September Chrysler showed its commitment to designing and marketing a range of electric and hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of a trio of concept vehicles, one for each of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. Despite its current financial situation, Chrysler is keen to show its willingness to keep up with rivals, such as General Motors and its Chevrolet Volt plug-in, by unveiling updated designs of its electric vehicles at this month’s Detroit Auto Show. The first of these is the new Jeep Patriot EV, an plug-in hybrid SUV with a 400-mile total driving range and a 40-mile...
-
BYD to present world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle in DetroitChinese manufacturer BYD is planning to have plug-in hybrid vehicles on sale in the U.S. within two years, with similar ambitions for the European market. The company took a step closer to reaching those goals by launching the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle in China last...
Jeremy Weber -
GM delays Chevrolet Camaro production by one monthGeneral Motors has confirmed that the launch of its 2010 Chevrolet Camaro will be delayed by a month, but has refused to give a reason why. The reborn muscle car was originally due to enter production at GM’s Oshawa plant in Ontario, Canada, on February 16, but the date has now been pushed...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
GM releases three sneak-peek videos of upcoming Detroit vehiclesAs the 2009 Detroit Auto Show draws near, General Motors continues to prepare for its new-model onslaught. The latest salvo of information on its coming range of 2010 model-year cars comes by way of a trio of 'sneak peek' videos detailing the Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and Buick LaCrosse. Each...
Nelson Ireson -
Hurst releases images of 50th Anniversary Dodge ViperThe rebirth of the American muscle car was about as ill-timed as it could be given the industry's global meltdown, but Hurst Performance Vehicles is forging ahead with a limited edition run of 50 specially built Dodge Vipers to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The supercars started production in...
Ralph Hanson -
Reynard reveals Inverter street-legal trackday supercarThe popularity of street-legal trackday cars has waxed over the past decade, bringing such favorites as the Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow and any number of Lotus Seven-inspired cars. Now the legendary Reynard Racing is applying its chassis-building talents to produce the Inverter, a street-legal track star...
Nelson Ireson -
Earlier this week General Motors announced the death of the G8 ST program because it wouldn't make money for them and the 'sport truck' didn't fit the Pontiac brand image. Today news has emerged that Chrysler is now considering building its own car-based pickup truck as a solution to its need for an efficient and profitable alternative to compact pickups. Compact pickups have been slow-sellers even in good times, but of late they are particularly hard to move. Chrysler's prospective solution to that problem, voiced by Frank Klegon to The Detroit News, emphasizes low pricing and efficiency as...
-
Spy shots: Test-mule for next-generation BMW 3-SeriesThe current E90 BMW 3-Series has only been on the market since 2005 but details about the next-gen model are already circulating with most agreeing that the new version will feature styling lifted from the Concept CS. Due in late 2011 as a 2012 model, the next BMW 3-Series will be the first of a...
Alex Kaufmann -
Blitz unveils rear-wheel-drive GT-R with manual gearboxThe highlight of this weekend’s Tokyo Auto Salon will undoubtedly be Nissan’s brand new SpecV GT-R, but as expected Japan’s big name tuners have not stood idly by and let Nissan take all the spotlight. We’ve already seen custom GT-Rs from the likes of Zele International and...
Jeremy Weber -
Ford to launch SYNC in Europe by 2010, Asia Pacific and Australia to followLate yesterday Ford revealed its latest-generation SYNC in-car connectivity system, which for 2009 is updated with a new personalized Traffic, Directions and Information system. The new services will be available on nearly all 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, however, their availability will...
James Martinez -
America’s Switzer Performance releases 1,000hp Porsche 911 packageOberlin, Ohio, isn’t the likely site for a company specializing in high-output power upgrades for German exotics like the Porsche 911, but the state is home to Switzer Performance Innovations (SPI), a company churning out mega horsepower cars. Started by Tym Switzer several years ago, the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
BMW's new 116d tops 53mpg, rivals hybridsThe 1-series has been a popular staple among premium small-car buyers in Europe for some time, but it has only hit the U.S. recently. The fun-to-drive and attractive compact has just gained a new sibling in the form of the 116d, powered by an efficient four-cylinder diesel. Unfortunately it's only...
Nelson Ireson -
Mercedes-Benz has been fined $28.9 million for failure to meet federal fuel efficiency standards by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week. The amount is the second-largest in the history of agency. Part of the U.S. CAFE standards, enforced by the NHTSA includes a provision for fines when the requisite levels of efficiency aren't met. That power of enforcement also saw Porsche Cars North America, Maserati Automobiles and Ferrari North America pay fines of $1.1-1.2 million apiece, reports the Detroit Free Press. In 2008, over $37 million in total fines were...
-
Updated Ford SYNC provides personalized traffic, directory and news servicesFord is enhancing the connectivity capabilities of its vehicles by introducing exclusive new SYNC real-time information features that deliver personalized news updates to drivers’ mobile phones while also helping them navigate around trouble spots in the hope to save time and fuel. SYNC is an...
James Martinez -
Zele releases full specs for R35 GT-R ‘Complete Edition’The final details on Zele International's carbon-fiber bodykit and power enhancement for the Nissan GT-R have been released, with the tuning firm announcing that it plans to start taking orders for the completed car globally at the end of March. On display at this weekend’s 2009 Tokyo...
Jeremy Weber -
Audi cracks one million annual vehicle sales for the first timeAudi has recorded sales of over one million cars in a 12 month period for the first time, and at the same time achieved its 13th record year of sales in a row. Worldwide, the carmaker’s sales increased 4.1% through 2008, with 12 new models and expansion into new markets helping to boost the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Toyota and Lexus announce plans for new telematics systemToyota has announced that it will launch a new telematics systems later this year for select Toyota and Lexus models, similar to the current service offered by General Motors’ OnStar system. Named ‘Safety Connect’ for Toyota, and Lexus Enform for the carmaker’s luxury...
Ralph Hanson -
Nissan showcasing sport, utility at Tokyo Auto SalonThe Tokyo Auto Show gets underway this Friday, but already the exhibits of the major carmakers are hitting the web. Nissan released its set of show cars today, including a range of custom packages for the 370Z, GT-R and Cube. Nissan's GT-R super-coupe is shown off by NISMO in Club Sports form...
Nelson Ireson