Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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It wasn't so long ago that the superior fuel efficiency of diesel-powered vehicles could be rationalized away due to the higher per-gallon price of the fuel compared to gasoline. Now, however, a dip... -
Tesla slashes production cost of Roadster, claims profitability within reachDespite its small size, Tesla Motor Company, builder of the famed Roadster electric sports car, is as embattled as any major manufacturer these days. Between a lawsuit from a former CEO and materials costs far beyond the asking price of the Roadster, things haven't been going well lately. But today...
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Video: BMW cuts ribbon on new high-tech Aerodynamic Test CenterBMW is celebrating its Technology Day today, and as the central feature of the event, the carmaker is launching a new Aerodynamic Test Center (ATC), where future cars will be made both more efficient and more sporting. The high-tech facility presents a striking appearance from outside, leaving...
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GM sees possibility for early exit from Chapter 11Much talk over the messiness of so-called 'surgical' bankruptcies has spun about the web, and before Chrysler and General Motors went into the process, there was a lot of doubt that they'd be out within the planned 60 days. But Chrysler is already working with Fiat and now GM sees itself possibly...
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GM denies any plans to license Toyota's hybrid Synergy Drive systemEarlier this week news broke that General Motors would in fact be discontinuing the Pontiac Vibe, built alongside the Toyota Matrix at the California New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) the two carmakers share. Since then, speculation as to what sort of joint GM-Toyota project might emerge...
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2010 Subaru Legacy scores 31mpg highway in EPA testsSubaru has been curiously unaffected - or nearly so - by the tremors shaking the foundations of so many other carmakers' sales figures. And despite the 2010 Legacy's not-so-adorable face, it's developing its own following already. Today, that following will have a fairly tough pill to swallow with...
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Many gearheads remember fondly the days when something like a first-gen Saab 900 Turbo might rumble past, sounding vaguely like the airplanes that were its ancestors and wearing an endearingly...
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Study: High-end cars don't attract womenWhether it's a mid-life crisis, a teenage dream or just a personal milestone, many people, especially men, mark their life changes with a car - often an expensive one. But that won't do anything to attract women, according to a new study. Flying in the face of decades of conventional wisdom, the...
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Porsche: Cayenne Hybrid on the streets by late 2010It's no secret that Porsche's planning a range of production Cayenne hybrids, but today Porsche board member Wolfgang Dürheimer told the German daily Rheinische Post that the vehicle would be in dealerships and on the street by the second half of 2010 with a starting price around €90,000...
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Limited-edition $315K Audemars Piguet watch styled after Maserati MC12Complete with matching colors and the Maserati Trident, the Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12 Tourbillon Chronograph is a fine Swiss watch modeled after the Italian Maserati MC12 Corse. Like most car-themed watches, it's not readily apparent exactly what the two have to do with each other aside from...
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Survey: New York City is the road rage capital of the U.S.We've all seen it, we've all done it: a stupid move on the road prompts angry reactions. It's really not much different than standing in line, except everyone weighs 3,000lb and is moving at 60mph - which raises the stakes a bit. But some places are worse for road rage than others, and a study...
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Ferrari Chairman to auction personal 599 GTB for charityFor a lot of people, any car that wears a Prancing Horse badge is good enough. And no one can deny the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is one of the best examples of a GT car available. But to have the car owned by the man at the helm of the legendary brand, that's on another level. But that's exactly what...
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The 2010 Ford Mustang is already in dealer lots, but now Ford is releasing a few new options to help enthusiasts get even more bang for their buck. A Track Pack upgrade from the factory promises to... -
Video: Hennessey previews the "world's most powerful" R35 Nissan GT-RAfter a high initial hurdle in cracking the GT-R's ECU, many tuners have taken their shot at improving on Nissan's latest interpretation of the GT-R, but now Hennessey is going for the title of "World's most powerful" R35 Nissan GT-R. They've already laid claim to the title of "World's fastest...
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Ford Racing prepping new 2010 Mustang Cobra JetFord's re-packaging of the Mustang into its 2010 model-year form factor has pleased the critics with a sleeker look, but now Ford Racing is getting ready to please the folks that live only to see quick ETs with the 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet (2008 model pictured). The 2010 car will wear the FR500CJ...
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U.S.-spec Lotus Evora details leakedPre-release spec sheets detailing a new performance/luxury car like the 2010 Lotus Evora are, for many fans, just a degree or two short of holy relics. For the intrepid gang at Lotus Enthusiast, they're fodder for the fires of the web, and fair game for release. We're glad they let the data loose...
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Brawn GP auctioning off Honda F1 cars at Silverstone Classic eventThe meteoric rise of Brawn GP under 2009's new technical regulations - juxtaposed against the equally precipitous fall of Ferrari and McLaren - has put them in the limelight both on and off track. But despite their massive success and key sponsors, Brawn is still a relatively small...
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ACEA calls for new FIA constitution, Ferrari rejects 2010 F1 entryToday the FIA published the 2010 Formula 1 entry list to a cold reception from Ferrari and the Red Bull/Scuderia Toro Rosso teams as all three were included when they'd submitted written notice to be left off the list. As a result, the European Automobile Manufacturer's Association (ACEA) has...
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Building 1,500,000 of just about any complex machine is a serious milestone, but it's much more than that to the motoring spirit of America when it's the Chevrolet Corvette. Today General Motors... -
Role reversal: China bans four Renault models for safety concernsIn an odd and somewhat comical reversal of the usual state of things, China has today announced the halt of import of four Renault models on the back of 'serious safety risks' and non-compliance with regulations. The models affected include the Laguna, Scenic, Megane and Megane Coupe-Cabriolet - in...
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Fiat-Chrysler deal official, Marchionne takes helm as CEOAfter a dramatic courtship, government intervention and the odd Supreme Court order, Fiat and Chrysler have finally tied the knot. The new 'global strategic alliance' expands Fiat's reach back into the U.S., while offering the 'new' Chrysler - which is already in operation - the support it needs to...
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Superior Glass Works turns Corvette parts into retro-styled wagonStart with a pile of C5 Corvette parts, some tube steel and a wealth of experience fabricating hot rods, drag racers, custom cars and resto-mods, and you might end up with something like the Superior 54 Sport Wagon. Using donor parts where it matters most and linking it all together with a custom...
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Audi Q5 takes top marks in both IIHS and NHTSA safety testsSafety is no joke, especially to families on the go, and the arms race to get top ratings from the key safety evaluators - the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - is a never-ending battle to include the biggest standard...
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Marchionne says Fiat will stick with Chrysler deal despite delayAlthough Fiat's purchase of Chrysler seemed almost a done deal last week, today the U.S. Supreme Court has issued an indefinite stay on the sale until it can decide whether to hear an appeal from some of Chrysler's creditors. But the delay won't stop Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne from sticking to the...
Nelson Ireson