Car News
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Germany’s political parties are waging war over a proposal to introduce a speed limit to the country’s world famous autobahn. In one corner is the Social Democrats Party (SDP), which has unexpectedly voted in favor of introducing a top speed of 130km/h (80mph) for the speed limit-free sections of road. In the other corner is German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who just days ago said she wouldn’t try to impose any speed limits while in power. The movement to impose a limit comes because of fears of global warming and the need to curb carbon dioxide emissions. Studies have shown...
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Toyota's overseas output passes domesticToyota’s overseas production will exceed output from its Japanese facilities at the end of the year for the first time in the company’s history. Global output for Toyota will top 8.6m units this year, with more than 4.3m cars planned for production in factories outside of Japan. Strong...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Europeans still choose petrol over dieselDiesels are known for their excellent fuel efficiency and strong torque characteristics so it’s not surprising roughly half of new car sales in Europe are diesel. However, the same can’t be said for the rest world where sales of petrol powered cars still dominate. A new study conducted...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
UAW deal means GM labor costs closer to Toyota'sLess than two years ago, the gap between the labor costs for a car made by GM versus one made by Toyota stood at a staggering $4,000. Most of the extra costs GM suffered included payments for health care, unitary wages and inefficient plants. However, with the signing of last week’s contract...
Alex Kaufmann -
New Saab crossover to be built in MexicoSaab is one brand whose roots are strongly fixed in its country of origin, Sweden, but, as the effects of globalization take hold, product planners will soon have us driving Saabs born from Mexico. The upcoming 9-4X crossover will manufactured at GM’s assembly plant in Ramos, Mexico...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Beginning of the end for MaybachIt’s no secret Maybach has been a major flop for Mercedes-Benz. At a time when Rolls-Royce and Bentley are both making record sales, Maybach has struggled to move less than 800 cars since its launch in ’02. The decision has finally come to cull a large portion of Maybach franchises in...
James Martinez -
It appears the up! concept car unveiled in Frankfurt last month was not the only minicar concept Volkswagen was planning. As previously reported, VW will be unveiling a new five-door minivan version of the up! concept at the Tokyo Auto Show in a few week’s time. This will be followed by a plug-in electric hybrid version at the L.A. Auto Show in November. Like the original up!, the new concepts will feature a rear-engine RWD configuration with efficient use of space inside and seating for up to five passengers. Last month, VW’s product development Chief Ulrich Hackenberg revealed...
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Mazda ‘Prestige Edition’ MX-5 roadsterThe MX-5 (Miata) roadster remains one of Mazda’s top performers and it’s set to become even hotter with the release of a new ‘Premium Edition’ styling package in the Japanese domestic market. The lightweight convertible gets fitted with new leather seats and 17in BBS forged...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mitsubishi launches the GSR and RS Lancer Evo XAfter months of spy shots, leaked brochures, and supposed official images, Mitsubishi has finally revealed all the final details and images for the new Lancer Evolution X. The car officialy goes on sale today at dealers across Japan sporting the new S-AWC system and a five-speed manual transmission...
James Martinez -
Next-gen Mini and Mercedes small cars to share common platform?More confirmation arch rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz could be planning a partnership is news that officials from Mercedes are considering using BMW’s next-gen Mini platform for the new A and B-class small cars due by 2011. Previous reports suggested Mercedes were planning to launch sportier...
Alex Kaufmann -
Spy Shots: BMW Z4 faceliftThe 2010 BMW Z4 has officially been revealed. Click here for all the details and images. This new prototype seen driving around the streets of Munich was initially rumored to be a new BMW-badged rival for the Mercedes-SL as well as the next-generation Z4 Roadster. It’s now thought to be just...
Ralph Hanson -
Gemballa Mirage GT, now with added glitterHaving previously drooled over this hardcore Carrera GT modification we were shocked to discover someone had taken advantage of the company’s extensive individualization program and decided to coat the car with black paint and glitter. Gemballa says it’s the 11th car of a limited...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Unlikely bedmates BMW and the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group are breaking up - or at least asking each other for some space. The two companies had joined forces in recent years to produce a range of 1.4L to 1.6L motors, powering BMW's second-generation MINI and cars from Peugeot and Citroen. The venture was originally intended to help the auto makers to improve engine technology in the fiercely competitive compact car segment, while saving money by sharing development costs. BMW development executive Klaus Draeger recently told a German industry publication that cooperation with PSA was...
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BMW launches 1-series cabrioBMW has added a new model to its entry-level 1-series range with the introduction of the all-new 1-series cabrio, a stylish convertible that follows in the tradition established by the original BMW 2002 sedan. The new car features a conventional folding softtop, which can go up or down in 22...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
McLaren SLR 722 GTR spotted, now 300kg lighterThe Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 supercar - company car of the reigning back-to-back Formula One champ Fernando Alonso - just got a major upgrade. As if the 650hp (485kW) under the go pedal weren't enough to move the carbon-fiber and aluminum shell at breakneck speeds, McLaren put the silver supercar...
Nelson Ireson -
Details of GM's Alpha platform revealedThe news came from UAW officials who were supposed to keep quiet on the subject. Details of the project, which will begin production in 2011, were released as part of UAW publicity for the new labor agreement with GM. The car, code-named Alpha, will feature two body styles built on a completely new...
Nelson Ireson -
GM to take CTS global with right hand drive editionThe 2008 Cadillac CTS is being hailed as the best American car in 40 years by automotive journalists across the nation. Now GM is looking to take that success overseas. This week's UAW strike threatened to cut into production of the new right-hand drive CTS, which is being built at GM's plant in...
Nelson Ireson -
A1GP likely to get Ferrari engines, committed to biofuel futureA1GP is considered by many as the poor cousin to Formula One but this could change with news that F1 constructors’ champion Ferrari may supply engines for the series over the next three years and could also design some of the cars. Ferrari is yet to confirm the reports but released a...
Siddarth Raja -
Toyota has reached a new milestone with the unveiling of an upgraded version of its fuel-cell prototype claimed to be 25% more fuel efficient than the current model. The car also has the added benefit of using less electricity to power its onboard equipment than previous versions. After completing a test run on Friday, the new model was able to travel a distance of 480 miles on a singe tank of hydrogen. Two fuel-cell powered vehicles were able to travel the 350 miles between Osaka and Tokyo without needing to refuel and the tanks still had 30% of fuel upon arrival, reports the Associated...
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eBay Watch: Dodge Challenger No. 2 goes on saleThe Dodge Challenger isn’t officially set to go on sale until after its world debut at the Chicago Auto Show next February but if your keen to get your hands on one before then and are willing to pay a little extra then you can snap one up right now on eBay. The car up for sale on the auction...
Siddarth Raja -
Manchester cops crush over 10,000 carsFor those of you who thought having your car seized would be bad enough, imagine what it would be like to have it crushed. That's exactly what happened to thousands of motorists in Manchester, England, where local police claim to have crushed more than 10,000 cars since January last year after...
Kenneth Hall -
Subaru releases second teaser for new WRX STIThe debut of the all new 2008 Impreza WRX STI is still several weeks away but in the meantime Subaru has released another teaser shot of the car, this time from the rear. Like the first teaser, the new shot shows the car in barely any light. In addition to the flared wheel arches, we can see that...
Ralph Hanson -
MG finally brought back to the roadMonths after its partner SAIC launched the nearly identical Roewe 750, Chinese automaker Nanjing Auto has officially launched its own MG7. Based on the original British built MG ZT, the new Chinese version comes with a choice of two new engines. The first is a turbocharged 1.8L unit producing...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
China’s Brilliance launches new BC3 coupeThis odd looking and slightly stylish coupe is the new BC3 from Brilliance and has just gone on sale in China with a starting price of just under $15,000. Brilliance is BMW’s partner in China but the new BC3 is said to be an all-Chinese designed and manufactured vehicle, the first for the...
Ralph Hanson