Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor

Articles

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  BMW M Division Boss: No M7 In The Works Nelson Ireson July 13, 2009

  Fresh off our experience with BMW's X6 M and discussions of future products with the M Division chief Dr Kay Segler, more news about the future of the M brand has emerged. Once again it's Segler...

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  Nissan prices 370Z Roadster from $36,970

  The 350Z Roadster caught a lot of flack for its awkward top-up proportions, and while the new 370Z Roadster has the top-down look nailed, the lack of official top-up shots has us worried it too will fall prey to poor design. Whatever the aesthetics, however, pricing is a known quantity, and it...

  Nelson Ireson July 13, 2009
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  Porsche GT3 gets new magnetic engine mounts from Delphi

  Magneto rheological (MR) fluid has some pretty amazing properties. It can change from a low-viscosity liquid to a very stiff, nearly solid substance in milliseconds with the mere application of a magnetic field. Now that technology is heading from shock absorbers to engine mounts, and the first car...

  Nelson Ireson July 13, 2009
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  2011 Jaguar XJ preview

  Though the current Jaguar XJ is only about 7 years old - a pretty typical vehicle lifespan - the body styling is derivative of the same basic shape that's been around since the 1970s, causing many to think the car lacked technical sophistication despite an all-aluminum chassis and an impressive...

  Nelson Ireson July 13, 2009
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  Video: Dodge Viper lives, will see production beyond 2009

  In the tumble of Fiat and Chrysler's alliance following Chrysler's bankruptcy, the future of the Viper has been a back-burner issue, but today, Dodge President and CEO Mike Accavitti announced that the Viper will in fact see continued production under the company's new leadership. In the video...

  Nelson Ireson July 10, 2009
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  There's a new carmaker in town, and its name is...General Motors

  Lighter, smaller, quicker and more responsive to customer needs - that's how the new General Motors Company is comparing itself to the now-defunct General Motors Corporation it replaces. Today's emergence from bankruptcy - just 40 days after it went in - marks the start of what the new GM hopes...

  Nelson Ireson July 10, 2009
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  First Ride: 2010 BMW 5-series Gran Turismo Nelson Ireson July 10, 2009

  This week Motor Authority had the opportunity to take a ride along in the new 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo at BMW's Performance Driving Center with chief instructor Jim Clark at the wheel. So what is...
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  2010 BMW 5-Series GT May Replace Wagon in U.S.

  BMW's controversially styled new 5-Series GT will be heading to U.S. showrooms later this year. When it does, it could take the place of the current 5-Series Wagon altogether. According to BMW's Martin Birkmann, head of product planning, "it's possible" that the hatchback 5-Series could be the...

  Nelson Ireson July 8, 2009
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  First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 M

  Hurtling along at a cool 143mph (230km/h) in BMW's 2010 X6 M at Road Atlanta just before you shut it down hard for turn 10A, there's a brief moment where you wonder if it's even physically possible for the 5,324lb (2,415kg) missile you're now a part of to slow down enough to make the turn and avoid...

  Nelson Ireson July 7, 2009
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  BMW's M Division head talks about M3 GT4 production, diesels and more

  Sitting down to dinner with Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M Division and former chief of Mini, is an engaging prospect for any performance and luxury car enthusiast, but this dinner proved not only entertaining, but enlightening. There's no better source for what's planned behind the scenes at...

  Nelson Ireson July 7, 2009
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  IND Distribution presents the first Dakar Yellow E92 M3 in North America

  Though it's often overshadowed by the fantastic E30, the E36 M3 has become a favorite of aficionados, and no color showed off that M3's pavement prowess as well as the brilliant Dakar Yellow. Now IND Distribution has taken that familiar color and laid it over the newest M3, and it's sure to stir a...

  Nelson Ireson July 2, 2009
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  Lotus Elise Black & White editions revealed

  While Lotus is certainly known for its minimalist philosophy of design, it is also increasingly known for the incredible multitude of special-edition models offered. Today we get to add another pair to the ranks - the Bell & Colvill Black & White editions. The pair of special cars features the...

  Nelson Ireson July 1, 2009
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  Volkswagen CC picks up Red Dot Design award Nelson Ireson July 1, 2009

  The 2009 red dot design award winners were announced back in March, but last night the 'Best of the Best' award was handed out at a presentation in Essen, Germany, to Volkswagen for the Passat CC...

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  Preview: 2012 Mercedes Benz C-Class Coupe

  The switch in nomenclature from the CLK to the E-Class Coupe made a bit of a stir when word began to leak last year. Earlier this month, the issue was broken back open when it was revealed that the new E-Class Coupe is actually based on the C-Class platform - much like its CLK predecessor. So what...

  Nelson Ireson July 1, 2009
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  Germany says no to Porsche's request for aid

  Porsche Automobil Holding SE, the company that owns Porsche AG and has sought a controlling interest in Volkswagen AG, will not be on the list of government loans in Germany this year according to the latest reports. Porsche is already actively seeking help from outside sources, however. Porsche...

  Nelson Ireson June 30, 2009
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  Lamborghini unveils RWD Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni

  Modern supercars have pushed the envelope of performance so far that they require all sorts of technology to keep the average driver from instantly destroying themselves and the car. Hence all-wheel drive to deliver the power, self-shifting transmissions and, of course, traction and stability...

  Nelson Ireson June 30, 2009
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  Hurst announces Pontiac G8 H.O. 'Executive Hot Rod'

  The Pontiac G8 - and its entire brand - are nearly extinct, but there's time for one last hurrah at Hurst. The historic hot rod company has plans to build 52 special-edition Hurst/Pontiac H.O versions of the G8 as well as a G6 convertible. Like the Hurst Challengers released late last year, the...

  Nelson Ireson June 30, 2009
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  Germans, luxury marques lead diesel's U.S. comeback

  It's easy to blame the economy or the consequent poor car market for the delay of diesels from Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Toyota, but that hasn't kept the Germans at BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen from turning up the wick on oil-burners. In fact, it's quite the...

  Nelson Ireson June 29, 2009
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  Dealers say Camaro sales hot, average price $500 over sticker Nelson Ireson June 26, 2009

  Fans of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro have already placed orders for over 25,000 vehicles, only half of which have been filled since the car went on sale. Demand hasn't let up even a little bit despite...
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  Next-gen BMW M5 could get KERS hybrid, up to 600hp

  No one that's driven the current BMW M5 is likely to complain about a lack of power or technology, but BMW is fixing to up the ante on both accounts, according to the latest news. Replacing the current V10 with a twin-turbo V8 will boost power to around 600hp, while an F1-derived KERS system could...

  Nelson Ireson June 25, 2009
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  New details emerge on Alfa Romeo's plan for the U.S.

  Alfa Romeo is a brand remembered fondly in living memory, and in the case of the 8C, desired greatly in the present, in the United States. Fiat's reputation with Americans is a different story - and that's why CEO Sergio Marchionne is focusing his efforts on the Alfa Romeo nameplate. So far only...

  Nelson Ireson June 25, 2009
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  Mercedes AMG Driving Academy coming to the U.S., bringing 2011 SLS AMG

  If you're an AMG fan or just a fan of driving fast cars fast, you're probably aware of the Mercedes AMG Driving Academy. Unfortunately, those of us in the U.S. had to travel to Europe to take advantage of it - until now. Mercedes is bringing the AMG Driving Academy program, including Stage I, Stage...

  Nelson Ireson June 24, 2009
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  AT&T Releases Turn-By-Turn Navigation Service For iPhone 3G And 3GS

  Just a couple weeks ago we brought you news of the new turn-by-turn GPS navigation software that would be coming to the Apple iPhone with the just-released OS 3.0 update, and now AT&T, the official carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., has released its official app, for free - but with a string...

  Nelson Ireson June 23, 2009
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  U.S. DOE announces $8 billion in loans for fuel-efficient vehicles at Ford, Nissan and Tesla

  President Bush signed the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program into life last year, but for the past 8 months, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sat on the money, carefully evaluating applications to see which companies would make the best use of the funds...

  Nelson Ireson June 23, 2009