Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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In terms of factory-built near-race cars, the Porsche GT2 is a legendary beast - its current generation generates 530hp (395kW) in stock form, and its raw, unbridled character is famous (or infamous)... -
GM announces $2.5 billion Q3 loss, may run out of cash by mid-2009Trading of General Motors stocks halted at 11:04am EST this morning in anticipation of a major announcement concerning the company's financial situation. The substance of that announcement revealed that high fuel prices, slumping sales and a tough finance market have led to a net loss of $2.5...
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Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series launched in U.S. at Laguna SecaAlongside the pair of modified ML63 AMG SUVs shown today, the SL65 AMG Black Series was launched for the U.S. at Laguna Seca raceway in California. The 661hp (493kW) V12-powered German supercar also received European pricing today, though Americans will simply be left to apply the adage "if you...
Nelson Ireson -
Shelby to auction unique 1968 EXP500 CSS MustangElectronic fuel injection, independent rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes are just a few of the technologies tested and proven on Carroll Shelby's 'Green Hornet' rolling testbed. To support the Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, the man himself will offer a car from his personal...
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Tesla Roadster eligible for $5,000 CARB rebateThe Federal Government has already approved a number of different tax breaks for electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars, but now California's CARB is getting in on the act in a more direct way - offering a $5,000 rebate to purchasers of qualifying electric vehicles. A confirmation letter received...
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VW shows CC Eco Performance Concept at SEMAHeralded as the car that will bring the haute four-door sedan form factor to the masses, the VW CC sedan has already been the basis for the CC Gold Coast Edition, and now it gets a green power treatment as the Eco Performance Concept. Using an adjustable turbocharger system for a range of power and...
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The ongoing merger-acquisition talks between Chrysler and General Motors are expected to bear fruit in the form of an announcement this Friday revealing some of the details being discussed. The... -
Congress weighs new aid talks as U.S. sales reach 25 year lowsIt's no secret that the U.S. economy, and not least the automotive industry, are in the midst of some of the most difficult times in recent history, and the U.S. Congress is now considering additional aid to the industry to help preserve it in the face of sales at 25-year lows. Sales dropped to a...
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Kumho launches world's first 15-series low-profile tireThe race for ever shorter sidewalls and ever wider contact patches is nearing the limits of what is possible with Kumho's debut of a tire with a sidewall height aspect ratio of 15 in its new ECSTA SPT KU31. Designed for super-high-performance models like the Ferrari F430, Dodge Viper and Corvette...
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Hyundai reveals all seven Genesis SEMA conceptsA wide array of Hyundai Genesis Coupes have been on the SEMA charts for the past several months, and today the company finally revealed them all in full pictorial detail. The high-resolution photos show the car in both sedan and coupe form and spanning the range from full-on race car to genteel...
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BMW cancels plans for production version of Concept CSOn the back of weak financial results announced today, BMW has decided not to risk the launch of an expensive model like the production version of the Concept CS. The car had been conceived as a new range-topping super-sedan for the company, but its business case simply isn't convincing enough...
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14 R35 Nissan GT-Rs on the SEMA show floorAmerican carmakers are putting a heavy emphasis on the 2008 SEMA show starting in Las Vegas today. Bringing a dozen or more cars and trucks of varying types, companies such as Ford and GM will have plenty to see, but neither will have the single-model impact that Nissan will make with its fleet of...
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Volkswagen is joining the throngs headed out to Las Vegas for the SEMA show starting tomorrow. Among its offerings will be a 2009 Jetta TDI Cup Car, a TDI Cup 'Street' Edition concept, the CC 'Gold... -
Sam's Club offering single chance at $100,000 electric sports carRetailers like Nieman Marcus are well-known for offering special editions of vehicles around the holidays, and just last Friday Bloomingdale's announced they would be offering a special edition Infiniti G37 Convertible. Now Wal-Mart's bulk-package store Sam's Club is getting in on the act, offering...
Nelson Ireson -
Full details on Mercedes-Benz's four custom GLKs for SEMAThe GLK crossover SUV hasn't yet reached the U.S. retail market, but already specialty aftermarket equipment companies are set to brandish their treatments of the new Mercedes-Benz at the 2008 SEMA show, which gets underway tomorrow. All four versions of the GLK have already been previewed, but now...
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Classic Design Concepts widebody Dodge Challenger joins SEMA ranksLike Ford's flotilla of concepts, seemingly dozens of Dodges will be making the SEMA show this year as well. Its muscle-car stance a ready platform for modification, the Challenger is first among them, and the Classic Design Concepts Group 2 widebody kit will certainly catch its share of attention...
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Lincoln driving MKS to strong showing at SEMAAmong the many turbocharged tuner cars and monster-truck four-wheelers crowding the SEMA showfloor next week, there will be a cadre of Lincoln MKS sedans, suitably modified but standing somewhat back from the extremism of the rest of the show. Three of the cars will be on display, each offering a...
Nelson Ireson -
Subaru releases the Forester XTI SEMA show carCombining the 2.5L turbocharged powerplant from the WRX STI with the Forester's roomy platform, the Forester XTI show car is one of the highest-performance SUVs this side of a Cayenne. Due for debut at the 2008 SEMA next week, the Forester XTI also lays claim to a 0-60mph (96km/h) time of less than...
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The United States Treasury Department has put an end to any hope that additional federal money will be lent to either General Motors or Chrysler to help aid a merger. The Bush administration's... -
Corvette ZR-1 shaves four seconds at the 'Ring for 7:22.4 lap timeSince the Nissan GT-R scorched the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes 29 seconds and change earlier this year, speculation about the 650hp (485kW) Corvette ZR-1's potential times has run rampant. That speculation was brought to an end in July with the mighty American powerhouse lapping the Nordschleife...
Nelson Ireson -
Custom Lotus 2-Eleven track car gets historic designLotus' aggressive yet diminutive track-focused two-seaters, like the Elise and Exige and their many variants, are widely known for their excellent handling characteristics. The 2-Eleven takes the theory of better performance through added lightness even further, and now a UK dealership has given...
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Ford debuts SmartGauge tech on new Fusion hybridHybrid drivetrains are all the rage among the buying public, being fitted to everything from economy sedans to luxurious SUVs, but it's still the driver's input that can have the most dramatic effect on fuel economy. That's why Ford has developed its SmartGauge technology, designed to help drivers...
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Report: 2010 Pontiac G8 ST to start in the 'low $30K' range in U.S.The Australian-built Pontiac G8 will soon be getting its Sport Truck (or Ute, as the builders would call it) variant in the United States. According to the latest reports, the ST will start somewhere around the $30,000 mark, like its sedan counterpart. How far below the $30,000 line the V8-powered...
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Report: GM seeks $10 billion in federal aid to fund Chrysler mergerAs the potential merger between General Motors and Chrysler becomes clearer in detail, it is beginning to look less and less likely due to problems with the financing necessary for GM to complete the deal. Government aid could bridge the gap, and recently we saw reports that the Treasury was...
Nelson Ireson