Car News

Mercedes engineers are working on a new B-class model that will likely be sold in the US for the first time, and which could be on the market by 2011. Prototypes are currently being developed to meet strict North American regulatory requirements according to Mercedes’ US Chief Ernst Lieb, who...

Kia has released the first preview image of its upcoming three-door hatchback model, which will make its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The new hatch will pick up the name Pro-cee’d. Based on the almost identical concept car displayed at last year’s Paris Show...

Fiat’s recently launched 500 minicar is proving so popular that management has decided to increase production. According to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, annual production for the 500 will expand to 140,000 from the current 120,000 level starting from next year. It’s hard to imagine that...

Normally we wouldn’t report this, but when two of the auto world’s biggest parts suppliers decide to merge in a deal that’s reported to top €11.4 billion, you can bet it’ll have a major effect on most of the carmakers. So, why should you care? First of all, together...

Porsche is adding a hybrid option to its next-gen Cayenne and new Panamera, but fuel saving technologies may also filter across to its iconic 911 range according to latest reports. Porsche is said to be trying to reduce fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emission levels of its 911 range, just as...

Maserati has finally released new images of its stunning GranTurismo, a gorgeous coupe penned by Italian design studio Pininfarina with inspiration clearly taken from Maserati’s larger Quattroporte sedan and its previous Birdcage concept car. With rumor there’s a new small Maserati...

Toyota has announced today that it has developed a new plug-in hybrid prototype based on the Prius and has started testing it in Japan with US tests to follow soon after. Toyota’s vice president in charge of powertrain development, Masatami Takimoto, revealed back in May that commercial...

Mercedes is attempting to beat rival Volkswagen to the market with the world’s first mass produced petrol engine that combines the torque and fuel economy of modern diesels with cleaner emissions. Efficient features that have been added to the engine include direct injection, turbocharging...

General Motors is planning to inject up to $6 billion in its Daewoo subsidiary over the next four years for both design work and engineering. According to GM Daewoo Chief Michael Grimaldi the South Korean outfit is a major export platform within the GM empire, and was also described as...

The notion of carmakers installing on-board breathalyzers connected with an interlock system to prevent you from starting your car if your blood-alcohol levels are above the illegal limit is not as far fetched as it seems. Nissan is currently testing such a system in a partnership with the Japanese...

Maserati has recorded its first profit in 17 years with a €1 million trading profit for the second quarter, up from the €7 million loss it made for the same period last year. The announcement coincides with news that parent company Fiat has seen its profits double for Q2 thanks to...

BMW has extended the range of the X3 SUV by adding a new 2.0L four-cylinder diesel engine to its European lineup. The new engine develops an additional 27hp (20kW) and 20Nm of torque over the previous diesel offering in the X3 and uses 10% less fuel. Peak output stands at 177hp (130kW) and a...

Fiat has reported record profits for the second quarter, with net income doubling for the period compared with last year’s results. Profits topped €593 million for the quarter, up from €280 million for the period one year earlier. The jump in results can mostly be attributed to...

The legendary Italian marque De Tomaso may be revived if a group of American and Chinese investors have their way. In 2003, MG took over the label to secure a production facility for a new sports car but the plans went bust and Tomaso closed its doors just one year later. A new group of investors...

Corvette specialist Callaway is set to unveil its latest C16 Speedster flagship at next month’s Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the third model in the C16 lineup joining the coupe and cabrio. The unique roadster features a 700hp supercharged 6.2L V8 engine, and a chopped roof with only a...

To reduce its carbon footprint and improve the fuel-economy of its some of its vehicles, Porsche is developing new hybrid technology with sister brand Volkswagen that’ll be available as an option on its next-gen Cayenne SUV and Panamera four-door coupe. The new Cayenne is scheduled for...

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to display several new frugal drivetrain concepts at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the latest being a new ‘DiesOtto’ engine that will be revealed for the first time later this month. The new engine features engine concepts that characterize both...

Ford is set to unveil a concept version of its new Kuga mid-sized crossover at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be powered by the Blue Oval’s latest petrol-electric hybrid technology. The new hybrid drivetrain will eventually flow on to production versions, making it the first...

Cadillac sales have been so slow in Europe that execs have been forced to readjust sales forecasts downwards. New targets for Cadillac’s European sales have been reduced to just 10,000 units per year in the short term with the hope that this lifts to 15,000 eventually. This is a significant...

Mercedes will match arch rival BMW and its green initiative by introducing carbon dioxide-reducing stop-start technology across its entire lineup and go one step further by installing integrated starter generator (ISG) systems to aid engine performance. The first stop-start equipped Mercedes models...