Car News

Renault has joined its French rivals with the announcement today of a new hybrid concept vehicle set to grace the carmaker’s stands at next month’s Paris Motor Show. The latest concept is called the Ondelios and is described as a luxury crossover designed for the environmentally...

Last month Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli hinted that several “unexpected” models could be launched as early as next year to help meet shifting consumer trends, and now the company’s vice chairman Jim Press has stated that another eight or nine new models could follow in 2010...

Cindy McCain, wife of republican presidential candidate John McCain, first became intrigued with ‘drifting’ after watching a race on television more than six years ago. Thinking that it looked kind of “cool,” she began researching the then fledgling motorsport, even...

Not much has been heard or seen of Mini’s upcoming crossover model since independent vehicle manufacturer Magna Steyr confirmed last October that it would build the new car. Now, almost a year later, and just weeks out from the Paris Motor Show, Mini has released an official rendering of a...

For better or worse, the governmental and social concern with fuel efficiency is a real and serious consideration for the world's major carmakers. Porsche being increasingly numbered among them with is full line of vehicles and strong sales, it is beginning to consider how it might make concessions...

Earlier this month Chrysler revealed updates to the legendary 5.7L HEMI V8 engine to make it more powerful and more fuel efficient. Now that engine has been placed in the new 2009 Dodge Charger, which has also received a number of other updates including new colors and a special edition model. The...

The original two-speed Tesla transmission has had notorious reliability issues, in the end forcing the company to sell the car with the unit effectively locked in second gear. That was a temporary solution, however, and now that the California company has partnered with Borg Warner for production...

Mercedes-Benz has its BlueEfficiency line, BMW has EfficientDynamics, and now Volvo will be unveiling its DRIVe package of efficiency-enhancing technologies. A multi-faceted approach at optimizing vehicular efficiency, from aerodynamics to rolling resistance in addition to driveline enhancements...

More and more carmakers are considering diesel engines for the U.S. market, despite a traditional perception that the oil-burners would be unwelcome. The simple truth is that diesels are a cheaper and easier way to improve fuel economy without sacrificing much performance than just about any...

The Fisker plug-in hybrid saloon has officially been revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Click here for all the details and images. Despite the occasional lawsuit from competitors and some fairly lofty design goals, Fisker's Karma plug-in hybrid appears to be headed smoothly toward production...

For many teens in the U.S., taking the classes, lessons and tests to earn their driver's license is a rite of passage that can't come too soon. The sense of independence granted by personal transport is symbolic of the actual independence to come as they reach adulthood. But the Insurance Institute...

After several leaks of official images and even some insider patent mock-ups, Renault has released full details and images for its 2009 Megane five-door hatch just weeks out from its world debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show. Following the launch of the hatch, Renault is set to follow it...

The Detroit 3 are already getting as creative as they can to create liquidity as the downturn in the U.S. economy and car market push bottom lines lower and lower. Selling brands and cutting leasing programs, renegotiating deals with union officials and encouraging worker buyouts, the carmakers are...

General Motors’ performance flagship for the Pontiac G8 range, the all-new 2009 GXP saloon, will arrive in showrooms in the first half of next year with a 415hp (309kW) version of the Corvette’s LS3 V8 engine nestled under its bonnet. Peak torque, meanwhile, is rated at 415lb-ft (563Nm)...

Audi’s 2009 facelifted A3 will go on sale in the U.S. later this month, with prices starting at $27,745 for the A3 FrontTrak 2.0L TFSI model and going up to $37,800 for the A3 Quattro 3.2L V6. In addition to the revised styling and minor engine upgrades, the entry-level 2.0L TFSI is now...

Scratched from this season's Formula One schedule due to disagreements over the financial aspects of the event, the U.S. Grand Prix may be back for the 2010 season. Talk in the F1 paddock indicates that Bernie Ecclestone is holding discussions with a number of potential U.S. locations, though the...

The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be shown next week as part of General Motors' centenary celebrations, but it appears an advance copy of the photos to accompany the release has leaked ahead of schedule. The photos, which clearly depict the car alongside several executives, show the car has taken a...

While Japanese manufacturers such as Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru all work feverishly to get their electric vehicles on to the market, Honda Motors has decided to stay above the fray, arguing that battery development is too premature to make electricity logical for automotive use. The...

Already known for its entertaining and meticulously detailed modifications to the Fiat 500, Mini Clubman and more, Castagna has once again turned its hand toward the stylish Fiat 500 minicar with surprising results. Converting the car to a two-seat, teak-decked beach buggy was the easy part - the...

While German tuners generally tend to stick with a single marque, tinkering with the likes of BMWs, Audis, Mercedes or Porsches to the exclusion of others, American tuner Vorsteiner works with all three marques, and its latest creation has tuners from around the world sitting up and taking notice...