Car News
-
Volkswagen’s partnership with Shangai Auto to build cars and develop new technology together will be showing off the fruits of its labor at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, with the unveiling of a hydrogen fuel cell powered Passat Lingyu sedan. The Passat Lingyu has been built by the joint-venture in China since last year and the new fuel cell model will be used to promote alternative energy mobility, with a view to mass production sometime in 2010. The fuel cell found in the Passat Lingyu has been developed jointly by Shanghai-VW, Tongji University, and Chinese technology firm...
-
Big Three CEOs speak before U.S. SenateThe three men at the head of Chrysler, General Motors and Ford are on the spot before lawmakers in the U.S. Senate today, pleading their case for a 'bridge loan' to help the automakers span the gap to a perceived future of prosperity. Remarks released ahead of the hearing before the Banking...
Nelson Ireson -
Technical details for Mini E electric HardtopMini has released the full technical details for the all-electric version of its two-door Cooper hatch, which is set to be delivered in an initial batch of 500 examples to customers in the United States later this year. BMW is using its Mini brand to test the waters with its electric powertrain...
Alex Kaufmann -
Ford offers employee discounts, cash rebates and 0% financing on most ’08 and ’09 modelsFord has announced that it will reduce its pricing tomorrow as part of an end of year clearance sale, with both employee pricing discounts and cash rebates being offered on most 2008 and 2009 models. Customers will also be able to choose from 0% financing on certain models that Ford is labeling as...
James Martinez -
Toyota unveils CNG Camry Hybrid concept ahead of L.A. Auto ShowToyota has revealed its compressed natural gas (CNG) Camry Hybrid concept ahead of the car’s debut at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show. Rising fuel costs have made CNG a much more attractive option for consumers, and Toyota is hoping to add the cheaper fuel to its "portfolio of...
James Martinez -
Prototype carbon fiber child seat takes inspiration from racingThe Art Center College of Design has turned out some of the most highly regarded designers in the automotive industry, including Chip Foose, Chris Bangle, Henrik Fisker and Frank Stephenson. One of the college's current students has now unveiled a prototype carbon fiber child seat modeled after a...
Ralph Hanson -
Kuwaiti investment firm, The Investment Dar (TID), has taken a 40% stake in Prodrive, the UK motorsports and technology company announced today. The investment is the culmination of a year's worth of planning and talks that identified the benefits of the buy-in to both TID and Prodrive. “Our business is ultimately about helping our customers to sell cars, not only their current models, but future products as well. I see a great opportunity to expand our current work developing the new generation of environmental technologies such as hybrid cars, hydrogen fuel cells and variable...
-
Breckland updates Beira V8-powered Kappa roadsterGeneral Motors' Kappa platform has been widely praised for its performance characteristics (if also found somewhat lacking in ergonomics), so its choice as the basis of a custom V8-swap is in many ways unsurprising. It is, however, sure to be inspiring with a 400hp Corvette engine under the hood of...
Nelson Ireson -
Infiniti releases third teaser for G37 ConvertibleInfiniti's parent company, Nissan, first hinted at the introduction of a convertible version of the new G37 Coupe when it released its GT 2012 company-wide strategy back in May. Late last month, the company formally announced that the G37 Convertible would arrive in the first quarter of next year...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Report: Updated S5 to feature supercharged V6Audi’s decision to downsize the engine in the recently revealed S4 range from a naturally-aspirated V8 in the previous model to a forced-induction V6 is set to be repeated for a number of important performance models from the Germany luxury carmaker. According to latest reports the facelifted...
Ralph Hanson -
Honda introduces automatic diesel Accord EuroRecognizing the growth in demand for fuel-efficient diesel engines, Honda has announced plans to launch its first automatic transmission for a diesel engine early next year. The new gearbox is set to debut in the latest Accord Euro, and unfortunately the automatic diesel option is unlikely to...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Porsche Cayenne GTS by JE DESIGNGerman tuning house JE DESIGN previously specialized in customizing cars from Seat, such as the Leon Cupra hot-hatch we reported on last year. Gradually, the tuner has taken its hand at customizing large SUVs from the Volkswagen Group, such as the VW Touareg and Audi Q7. The firm has now developed...
Alex Kaufmann -
For anyone unfamiliar with DC Design, the firm is an Indian automotive design and coachbuilding group that has a penchant for creating wild customized vehicles with styling inspiration taken from Rolls Royce cars. The firm is probably most widely recognized for its striking scissor-door Rolls Royce coupe from a couple of years back, but it has recently unveiled another wild coupe with Rolls Royce styling, this time based on one of the oldest cars to come out of India, the Hindustan Ambassador. The latest creation is the Ambierod, which was first unveiled at the New Delhi Motor Show at the...
-
Pontiac enhances G6 lineup with mid-year updatesThe L.A. Auto Show is just days away, and as it draws near more models, updates and reveals are coming to light. Pontiac will be bringing a revised family of G6 coupes, convertibles and sedans to the L.A. Auto Show despite General Motors' widely publicized pull-out of its featured show vehicles...
Nelson Ireson -
Ford Fiesta sedan debuts in ChinaThe all-new Ford Fiesta has been making the show car circuit rounds since its debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, and since then we’ve seen the introduction of a number of new variants including the standard three and five-door models, the sporty S, and the fuel-efficient...
Jeremy Weber -
Several Mercedes plant workers accused of corruptionSeveral employees of the Mercedes Benz plant in Sindelfinger are under investigation, following allegations of corruption and bribery, according to a number of German news sources. The beginning of a preliminary investigation was confirmed by the Stuttgart public prosecutor's office on Sunday...
James Martinez -
Hybrid option planned for new Lexus compactLexus is unlikely to launch a model positioned below the IS250 in the United States but that doesn’t mean it won’t develop a new entry-level car for other markets. One possibility is Europe, where premium hatchbacks sell in substantial numbers. The carmaker’s executive vice...
Alex Kaufmann -
Audi Introduces Long Wheelbase A4L In ChinaAudi has introduced to the Chinese market a long-wheelbase version of its A4 sedan, making it the first premium brand to offer a stretched model in the upper mid-size category in the country. The new model is called the A4L and its wheelbase stretches an addition 60mm (2.36in), with most of the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Germany on Monday confirmed it would be holding talks with Opel, General Motors' primary European brand, to discuss the topic of aid for the company should GM cease supplying cash. The concern on Opel's part is very real considering the state of GM's U.S. and global operations, and Opel's significance to Germany's workforce is immense. Germany's receptiveness to the idea of aid is good news following the win of the Insignia in the 2009 ECOTY competition. The western German state of Hesse, a locus of Opel operations for Germany and Europe, stands to lose much if Opel can't pay its bills...
-
Mercedes To Include BLK SUV In Upcoming B-ClassEarlier this year it was revealed that Mercedes-Benz was halting production of the current A-Class and B-Class after the current cycle and replacing the two aging models with a new family of small vehicles ranging from cabrios to sports coupes. We reported that this replacement would entail a whole...
Alex Kaufmann -
Fujitsu announces revolutionary 360 degree around-car camera systemFujitsu has developed a new video-processing technology that enables drivers to see a complete wraparound view of their vehicle's perimeter, in real time. The new driver assistance technology adapts to different driving situations, enabling the driver to view the entire surroundings of a vehicle...
Ralph Hanson -
2010 Ford Mustang pricing leaked ahead of L.A. Auto Show debutClick here for all the details on the 2010 Ford Mustang. With rising fuel prices and increased environmental concerns pushing customers towards smaller cars, Ford is well aware of the negative image its brawny Mustang projects on new car buyers. Due late next year for the 2010 model year, Ford will...
Alex Kaufmann -
GM sells remaining 3% stake in SuzukiAs a direct response to liquidity concerns, General Motors has sold its remaining 3% stake in Japan’s Suzuki, earning roughly $230 million for the parcel of shares on the open Tokyo stock market. Suzuki has responded with an announcement today, claiming it was a mutual agreement to continue...
Ralph Hanson -
Opel Insignia Wins 2009 European Car Of The YearThe 2009 European Car of the Year has been announced, and in the very closest of contests the Opel (Vauxhall) Insignia has taken out the top spot with 321 points, marking a very important victory for General Motors. The Insignia edged out the Ford Fiesta by a single point, while the Volkswagen Golf...
Nelson Ireson