Car News

  • Volkswagen Touareg Lux Limited SUV

    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...

  • 2009 Volkswagen Bluesport concept
    Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster Concept Debuts In Detroit

    Volkswagen 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...

  • 2009 Dodge Circuit EV
    Chrysler presents Dodge Circuit EV at Detroit Auto Show

    Back 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...

  • 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
    Mercedes-Benz Unveils All-New E-Class

    In 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...

  • 2010 Jaguar XKR facelift
    Facelifted Jaguar XKR debuts at Detroit Auto Show

    Jaguar 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...

  • 2009 Toyota FT-EV concept
    Toyota reveals iQ-based FT-EV Concept

    Toyota 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...

  • 2009 Jeep Patriot EV

    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 F3DM plug-in hybrid vehicle
    BYD to present world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle in Detroit

    Chinese 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...

  • 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
    GM delays Chevrolet Camaro production by one month

    General 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...

  • 2010 cadillac srx crossover 005
    GM releases three sneak-peek videos of upcoming Detroit vehicles

    As 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...

  • hurst 50th anniversary dodge viper 001
    Hurst releases images of 50th Anniversary Dodge Viper

    The 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...

  • reynard inverter 015
    Reynard reveals Inverter street-legal trackday supercar

    The 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...

  • 2009 Dodge Dakota

    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...

  • 2012 BMW 3-Series test-mule spy shots
    Spy shots: Test-mule for next-generation BMW 3-Series

    The 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...

  • Blitz GT-R with manual gearbox and RWD
    Blitz unveils rear-wheel-drive GT-R with manual gearbox

    The 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...

  • Ford SYNC
    Ford to launch SYNC in Europe by 2010, Asia Pacific and Australia to follow

    Late 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...

  • Switzer Sledgehammer 1000hp Porsche 911
    America’s Switzer Performance releases 1,000hp Porsche 911 package

    Oberlin, 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...

  • BMW 1-series three-door hatch
    BMW's new 116d tops 53mpg, rivals hybrids

    The 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...

  • Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

    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...

  • Ford's Sync system
    Updated Ford SYNC provides personalized traffic, directory and news services

    Ford 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...

  • Zele Complete Edition Nissan R35 GT-R
    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...

  • 2009 Audi A4
    Audi cracks one million annual vehicle sales for the first time

    Audi 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...

  • Lexus Enform and Safety Connect
    Toyota and Lexus announce plans for new telematics system

    Toyota 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...

  • nissan 2009 tokyo auto salon 001
    Nissan showcasing sport, utility at Tokyo Auto Salon

    The 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...

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