Car News

  • Next-gen Ford Focus to get global design

    In Europe the Ford Focus is an affordable, well-engineered and stylish small car available in hatch, sedan, wagon and convertible bodystyles. It also features latest technologies such as a Powershift dual-clutch transmission, flex-fuel engines, a folding hard top roof (cabrio models only), and a range of efficient diesel and petrol engines. Its American counterpart on the other hand has been around since the late ’90s and misses out on most of the options available in Europe. For the next-gen model due in late 2010 Ford will develop just one Focus model in line with its new global...

  • Force India taps Airbus for aerodynamic boost
    Force India taps Airbus for aerodynamic boost

    Force India is hoping to benefit from its new association with the aerospace firm EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). The company develops and markets civil and military aircraft, as well as missiles, space rockets, satellites, and related systems. And now they're helping out with...

  • Rare collection of Ferraris to be auctioned at Maranello factory
    Rare collection of Ferraris to be auctioned at Maranello factory

    One of the biggest collections of past and present Ferraris is set to be sold off next month at a special event at the Maranello factory dubbed the ‘Ferrari: Leggenda e Passione’ auction. Ferrari fans will have the opportunity to buy some of the marque’s rarest and oldest cars...

  • Cadillac working to build image with new models
    Cadillac working to build image with new models

    Over the last few decades the American auto industry - including Cadillac - has seen brand image slide steadily lower, both at home and abroad, while rivals in Germany and Japan have been becoming progressively stronger. It looks like we may already be seeing the pendulum swing back toward...

  • Ford Powershift transmission
    Half of Ford's U.S. lineup to get six speed autos, dual-clutch Powershift on its way

    No bolt is being left untouched as carmakers in both the U.S. and Europe strive to develop cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Everything from weight-saving measures to aerodynamic tweaks and even downsized engines are being investigated in the hope that engineers can come up with fuel...

  • GM, Toyota to fight in low-cost car sector
    GM, Toyota to fight in low-cost car sector

    Toyota has confirmed it will join what is quickly shaping up to be one of the toughest automotive segments to compete in, the ultra-low cost vehicle sector established with the unveiling of the Tata Nano in January. This is set to one of the fastest growing segments in the world with potentially...

  • Fiat expects to sell petrol and diesel hybrids by 2011

    While Japanese and U.S. carmakers have laid the ground-work for the sale of petrol-electric hybrid vehicles, European carmakers are taking a slightly different route by developing diesel-electric powertrains. BMW, PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Mercedes-Benz have all unveiled diesel-electric hybrid concept vehicles with the intention the cars will eventually enter production, and now Fiat has joined the list by announcing it will develop a range of petrol-electric and diesel-electric engines by 2011. The information comes from the CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies, Alfredo Altavilla, who told...

  • FPV releases final specs on new F6 and Boss V8 models
    FPV releases final specs on new F6 and Boss V8 models

    It's not just in America that GM and Ford are arch rivals. The competition between the two is just as heated down in Australia where Ford today announced that its new FPV range of FG Falcon sedans will get a performance boost to match the output of its Corvette-powered HSV performance rival. FPV...

  • Japanese tuner ASI announces Bentley GT range
    Japanese tuner ASI announces Bentley GT range

    Japanese tuning companies are increasingly looking outside their domestic brands to modify and the latest to join their ranks is ASI, who focuses purely on high-end Bentleys. Founder Satoshi Kondo has developed a program for the relatively popular Continental GT and its GTC and Flying Spur variants...

  • Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5 to debut in Beijing
    Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5 to debut in Beijing

    Chinese carmakers are planning to launch dozens of new models and concepts at next week’s Beijing Motor Show but in and amongst all the fanfare there will be a number of major international debuts as well. Two of the biggest reveals at the upcoming show will be the production Mercedes-Benz GLK...

  • Hennessey Lexus IS-F and Nissan GT-R in the works
    Hennessey Lexus IS-F and Nissan GT-R in the works

    Perhaps most famous - or infamous - for its even more over-the-top take on the already outrageous Dodge Viper, Hennessey Performance is considering expanding its collection of custom cars to include more foreign makes and top of its list at the moment is the new Lexus IS-F saloon and the Nissan...

  • BMW launches Google-assisted MyInfo service in U.S.
    BMW launches Google-assisted MyInfo service in U.S.

    BMW has made its navigation system faster, more convenient and easier to use with the introduction of the new ‘MyInfo’ address input service. The new addition to the BMW Assist Safety Plan allows subscribers to send business locations and street addresses as well as their associated...

  • Hamann-tuned E92 BMW M3 Coupe

    Hamann has released its latest performance and styling kit for the E92 BMW M3 Coupe, boosting performance of the high-rev V8 engine as well as adding a lift-reducing bodykit and brake package. The Laupheim-based tuner has been modifying BMW’s since 1986 both for motorsport use and personal individualization of road-going cars, and now this wealth of experience has been put to use for the latest M3 tuning kit. The first level of tune lifts the standard output of the V8 (420hp and 400Nm) by 20hp and 25Nm of torque. This is achieved by an optimized ECU remap, which also removes the stock...

  • Update: Caterham Superlight R500 final specs revealed
    Update: Caterham Superlight R500 Final Specs Revealed

    Caterham has finally revealed the whole story on its new R500 Superlight, and trackday enthusiasts will be salivating to get their hands on one if it drives like its stat sheet reads. Playing up the strengths of the Lotus Seven on which it's based, the newest Caterham brings a balanced mix of power...

  • Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli Edition
    Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli Edition

    Click here for all the official information and pictures for the 2009 Volkswagen Golf Mark VI If you're the type that can't get enough of special UK-edition Volkswagens, the Golf GTI Pirelli is just the fix you're looking for. Bringing back the GTI Pirelli edition 25 years after it first hit the...

  • Ferrari F1 to sell hybrid KERS system to customer teams
    Ferrari F1 to sell hybrid KERS system to customer teams

    Force India looks set to step up its relationship with Ferrari for 2009. Not only will the Silverstone based team continue to use a customer engine built by the famous Italian marque next year, Force India is reportedly planning to run a KERS kinetic energy-recovery system that is also developed by...

  • A.R.T. Tuning two-tone Mercedes S-Class
    A.R.T. Tuning two-tone Mercedes S-Class

    Mercedes-Benz specialist ART has developed a new performance and styling pack for the current S-Class saloon, combing the best of elements of its previous 221 Avantgarde and Sportline GTR models with a new two-tone paint scheme. Unlike the 580hp conversion for the Mercedes G-wagon we reported about...

  • Geely prepping 23 debuts for Beijing Motor Show
    Geely prepping 23 debuts for Beijing Motor Show

    Chinese car designers are rarely lauded for their efforts, mostly because of the country’s reputation for ‘borrowing’ designs from other carmakers, but one company, Geely, is helping to turn around the bad rep with a number of interesting concepts and new models it has planned for...

  • Microsoft launches Clearflow traffic avoidance service

    As internet technology and the auto industry continue to converge we’re starting to see more and more devices and online services start to spring up, most of which will likely become just another distraction to worry about while driving. However, some devices and services show a great deal of promise and could potentially change the way we all drive and plan our trips. Earlier this month we saw details about a new mobile phone-based speed trap and red-light camera avoidance system and now we have news about Microsoft’s new Clearflow traffic avoidance system. The Web-based service...

  • GM trials drive-in fitting room
    GM trials drive-in fitting room

    Most of us can admit to checking out our reflection in passing shop windows whilst in the car but for those drivers that can’t bear to see themselves behind the wheel GM has come up with a solution to avoid the problem. To help car buyers make the right purchasing decision, GM is trialing a...

  • Ford expected to sell 100,000 Flex crossovers annually
    Ford expected to sell 100,000 Flex crossovers annually

    Since the unveiling of the Flex crossover concept nearly a year ago and the subsequent reveal of the production model just one month later, Ford has been relatively quiet on production details about the new model. Speaking at a press event held in Las Vegas, Ford has finally revealed its new Flex...

  • Renault planning to expand 4WS lineup
    Renault planning to expand 4WS lineup

    Four-wheel-steering (4WS) is one of those technologies that never really made it past the 1980s in great success. It featured on a string of high-performance Nissan models through the ‘90s but the extra cost and the weight disadvantage of the system won it few fans considering its only real...

  • Limited edition Seat Leon 'Copa'
    Limited edition Seat Leon 'Copa'

    Seat has released details about its latest special edition based on its popular Leon, a new 285hp version dubbed the ‘Copa’. The new addition will be built in an extremely limited run of just 55 units and each will be priced from €38,500. The Leon Copa still relies on VW...

  • Mercedes-Benz: Cost no deterrent for alternative powertrain development
    Mercedes-Benz: Cost no deterrent for alternative powertrain development

    Mercedes-Benz is committed to delivering advanced diesel, hybrid, Diesotto and fuel-cell powertrains in the near future no matter the cost, revealed Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche. This is in contrast to statements from rival carmakers like GM, who predict such alternative powertrains can only be...

Follow Us on Instagram @motorauthority

News First Drives Auto Shows Photos Videos Spy Shots