Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor

Articles

• 
  Report: Euro Jetta May Come To U.S. Mid-Cycle Nelson Ireson January 27, 2011

  So you're a Jetta fan, but you can't quite wrap your head around the cheaper, decontented, less refined American-spec 2011 Volkswagen Jetta? Don't lose hope just yet--we may yet get the real...

• 
  When Ice Racing Goes Wrong: Subarus Don't Float

  Ice racing is, simply put, one of the most awesome and ridiculous forms of motorsport around. Rooster tails of snow and ice, studded tires, and frozen lakes add up to quality entertainment for many. But it can go wrong. Very wrong. SCCA Forums member maxjns aptly described the incident: "This past...

  Nelson Ireson January 27, 2011
• 
  2011 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger Get IIHS Top Safety Pick

  The new 2011 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, revealed late last year and already on sale, both received new looks and a host of updates. Among the improvements are better safety devices and structures, enabling both cars to make the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick list...

  Nelson Ireson January 27, 2011
• 
  2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Facelift Leaked

  The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG has once again leaked onto the Web, and this time in more detail--though still without key information--than before. Fortunately we've got you covered--on power, at least. Though rumors early on held that the next C63 AMG could get power from a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 in...

  Nelson Ireson January 27, 2011
• 
  Report: Proposed 1950s Le Mans TV Series Is 'Mad Men' For Racing

  A new television series, hailed as the "Mad Men" of racing and called "The Drivers," is currently being developed by British directors Ridley and Tony Scott. It will focus on 1950s and 1960s Le Mans racing, based on the book Shelby: The Man, The Cars, the Legend by Wallace A. Wyss. We can't wait...

  Nelson Ireson January 26, 2011
• 
  2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview: European 2012 Honda Accord

  A revised version of the Honda Accord for Europe will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show with a short list of updates, some minor, some more significant. Unfortunately the European Accord Tourer (wagon) still eludes us, leaving us with the apple-bottomed Crosstour instead. The list of...

  Nelson Ireson January 26, 2011
• 
  Video: BMW Previews Documentary On Jet Packs, Flying Cars Nelson Ireson January 26, 2011

  Well known for its dalliances with short-form cinema, BMW is planning a new four-part documentary about the future of transportation entitled "Wherever You Want To Go." Feature elements? Jet packs,...

• 
  Ford Previews Vehicle-To-Vehicle Tech At Washington Auto Show

  The Washington Auto Show isn't known as the place for hot new concepts or production models, but it does have its share of future vehicle tech, and the latest from Ford previews its plans for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) tech aimed at improving traffic, safety, and efficiency. The first prototypes...

  Nelson Ireson January 26, 2011
• 
  Special Volkswagen Race Touareg 3, Gold Edition Shown In Qatar

  Two new Touaregs made their debut in Qatar today, with a special take on the Race Touareg 3 and, for the driver that can't get enough of anything, the Touareg Gold Edition. Yes, that's real 24-karat gold. Bling is not a worn-out term in Qatar, it appears--or at least not a worn-out concept...

  Nelson Ireson January 26, 2011
• 
  Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Bicolore Unveiled In Qatar

  What better way to entice oil-rich supercar lovers to buy your hardware than dressing it in a unique set of two-toned duds? Apparently none, if you're Lamborghini. The Gallardo LP560-4 Bicolore made its debut todayahead of display at the Qatar Motor Show. Sporting the same potent V-10 engine...

  Nelson Ireson January 26, 2011
• 
  2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview: Toyota Teases FT-86 II

  Wait for it....wait for it. No, really, keep waiting for it. Toyota's FT-86 concept just got a second concept by way of a teaser, and we'll have to--you guessed it--keep waiting for it until Geneva. The new concept? The FT-86 II. Creative, Toyota. No details accompany the new shot, but judging by...

  Nelson Ireson January 26, 2011
• 
  U.S. Grand Prix Edges Closer To Reality, Groundbreaking Soon

  Reports emerging from Austin, Texas, future home of the U.S. Grand Prix, are looking good for Stateside F1 fans. According to a local newspaper, actual digging and earthworks will be able to begin soon once a $900,000 permit is approved. The permit fee has already been paid, and is apparently...

  Nelson Ireson January 25, 2011
• 
  Report: Mercedes-Benz C-Class, GLK Diesels In U.S. Due By 2012 Nelson Ireson January 25, 2011

  Mercedes has been talking about a diesel GLK and C-Class in the U.S. since at least 2008. There's even the possibility they'll be built in the company's Alabama plant. The timeline has largely been...

• 
  2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Weighed: 3,351 Pounds

  Manufacturer curb weights and real-world on-the-scales weights often vary wildly; the 2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe, not so much. Listed at a "preliminary" 3,296 pounds in the official release documentation, the actual car was recently thrown on the scales, registering 3,351 pounds with a full tank of...

  Nelson Ireson January 25, 2011
• 
  Next MINI Cooper Design To Start From Near Scratch

  The iconic original Mini, of British Motor Corporation origin, is inimitable in its proportion and style. The new BMW MINI, as much as it pays homage to the original, is an entirely different beast. The next-gen MINI will take the car's design even farther, however, according to the latest reports...

  Nelson Ireson January 25, 2011
• 
  2012 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 Coming To Chicago Auto Show?

  The big, bawdy, supercharged version of the reborn Chevy Camaro has been brewing for ages now, but the latest rumor is that it will finally make its debut in just two weeks at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Excited? Don't get too wound up just yet. The information is anything but official, though it...

  Nelson Ireson January 25, 2011
• 
  New Photos, Video Of Ferrari FF

  Love it or hate it, Ferrari's new shooting brake grand tourer, the first to sport all-wheel drive from the Prancing Horse, is here. New photos and videos of the car show it in a different light--and color. As for ourselves, we wouldn't kick it out of the garage for any reason.

  Nelson Ireson January 25, 2011
• 
  2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Unveiled

  Is it possible to tire of special-edition models of luxury sport coupes? We don't think so, and apparently neither does Aston Martin, which keeps cranking out the Vantage variants. The latest, the V8 Vantage S, makes its Web debut today. With a small bump in power to 430 horsepower and 361...

  Nelson Ireson January 25, 2011
• 
  Porsche Restoring Classic 911T For Fan Giveaway Nelson Ireson January 24, 2011

  
  
  

  Porsche wants to "Revive the Passion" for its classic cars, and it's using its restoration and antique maintenance arm, Porsche Classic, to turn up the heat. The end result will be a fully restored...

• 
  Lamborghini Murciélago replacement gets pushrod suspension

  Lamborghini's venerable Murcielago is due for retirement, with a car variously named the Aventador or the Jota tapped to take its place. Part of the new car's appeal for the enthusiast will be the first production application of a pushrod suspension by Lamborghini, and the system will be on show...

  Nelson Ireson January 24, 2011
• 
  2012 Infiniti M35h Specs Released--For Europe

  First revealed last summer, Infiniti's 2012 M35h hybrid has been awaiting full specs and details for almost six months, despite a small dose of info from the L.A. Auto Show--but the wait is over. The first hybrid from Infiniti won't be a wimpy little green thing: the 2012 M35h's specs, released...

  Nelson Ireson January 24, 2011
• 
  This, Sadly, Is The Pagani Huayra

  Magazine cover leaks followed by the shot above reveal the new Pagani Zonda successor, the Huayra, in all its gull-winged, gap-toothed glory. It's a bit more Spyker and a bit less sexy than we'd have liked. Busy doesn't even begin to describe the car's design, and though the Zonda was also a...

  Nelson Ireson January 21, 2011
• 
  First Three 2012 Lexus LFAs Delivered To U.S.

  The first three Lexus LFAs to roll off the production lines and cross the salty seas to our shores have arrived, and they're silver, black, and white. They're also packed like a nuclear missile. Test-driven and signed by an engineer before leaving their point of origin, each LFA is strapped to its...

  Nelson Ireson January 21, 2011
• 
  Report: Porsche Le Mans Bid More Likely Than Formula 1

  The past several months have seen the silly season live up to its name, with rampant speculation about any number of Volkswagen Group brands potentially entering Formula 1. Porsche was understandably at the top of the list, though Audi and VW were both included in the melee. Now reports are turning...

  Nelson Ireson January 21, 2011