Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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This is not the best year, or even the best quarter, to debut a new vehicle. Sales are slow and slowing further, the global economy is weak, and financing is hard to come by. That makes the vehicles... -
Modified Mercedes C63 AMG by Carlsson hits 565hpMercedes' C63 AMG is a ferociously powerful sedan, rated at a whopping 457hp (336kW) from the factory. But the tuners at Carlsson weren't satisfied, and decided to dump another 108hp (81kW) into the big V8 for an insanely powerful result, dubbed the CK63 S. Nearing the celebrated 100hp/liter metric...
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Canadian company unveils Energya three-wheeled performance vehicleThree-wheeled vehicles are a classic and quick way to get around the typical automotive certification standards, since such 'cars' are classified as motorcycles in many countries, including the U.S. In the case of the Energya, however, the three-wheeled design is also a performance feature, helping...
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Mercedes changing more model names including CLK and CLCConfusing alphabet-soup names like CLK, CLC, CLS SLK, GLK, CL, SL and SLR have made it hard for customers to keep track of Mercedes-Benz's vehicle lineup, and to fix that the company is looking at returning to more traditional names based around the A, B, C, E and S-Class names. Among the first to...
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Cadillac prices the CTS-V at $59,995, sales start Nov. 1Launching a come-back to sit among the world's best luxury sport sedans is no easy task, especially with the level of competition there is today from companies like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Lexus. But Cadillac appears to have done just that with its CTS, and now the CTS-V is poised to take the...
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Volkswagen confirms diesel car production for U.S. plantVolkswagen has one of the widest and most interesting engine range in the automotive industry but in the United States its offering consists of a paltry line of four, five and six-cylinder units that are mostly petrol. That is set to change, however, as construction of a plant in Chattanooga...
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Rumors are circulating of a possible Los Angeles Auto Show reveal for the upcoming facelifted Jaguar XK, but according to the company, there will be nothing new from Jaguar in Los Angeles.... -
Brabus modifies the Mercedes-Benz GLKUnlike some of the recently announced and soon-to-be-shown SEMA design concepts for the Mercedes-Benz GLK - one of which was even done by Brabus - the Brabus version of the GLK that will see public sale is considerably more restrained. With no gratuitous side-scoops, a minimal front-end redesign...
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Ford to produce B-Max for Europe, U.S. could be in the cards as wellSmall cars are the next step forward for better fuel economy and functional urban transport, and Ford has already announced it will be building six new models in Europe, and using them to broaden the U.S. lineup. One of those six is thought to be the all-new B-Max, designed to fit between the...
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Ferrari California official UK pricing releasedThe UK price of the Ferrari California has been released to a handful of media at a first-drive event for the car in Sicily today. Starting at £143,000 ($249,000) in the UK, the Ferrari is also revealed further in some new photos that flaunt the car's good looks from even more angles. While UK...
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Report: Cadillac may fit turbodiesel V8 to CTSThe American car buyer is reputed to be warming to the idea of diesel power after several decades of disinterest, though few carmakers have dared to test the strength of that demand. So far the primary candidates have been luxury and sedans, but now Cadillac is rumored to be working on a fitment...
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GM will close two SUV plants by end of 2008Cutting back on SUV and pickup truck production while shifting focus to smaller and mid-size cars means some reallocation of the workload among General Motors' North American factories. While many factories are just changing what they do, some will have to be closed to align with the new face of...
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Raring up for the 2008 SEMA show, where a handful of tuners will offer their interpretations of the Challenger, Dodge has let the covers slip from its own 2009 Challenger SRT10 Concept. Rather than... -
GMAC ceases all financing to buyers with credit rating below 700Automotive lending and mortgage firm GMAC has announced it will further restrict automotive financing by ceasing to offer any money to buyers with credit scores lower than 700. The move puts most American buyers out of contention for GMAC financing, as the average credit score in the U.S. is 680...
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NAIAS could leave DetroitThe North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), or Detroit Auto Show, could be leaving Detroit for good. The Cobo Center, which plays host to the show each year, is being rapidly outgrown and more carmakers and models vie for attention at the show, and the organizers of the event are now eying...
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More Details On Toyota's Plans For A Full Hybrid Lineup By 2020Earlier this year, Toyota claimed it would have a hybrid in every facet of its lineup by the decade beginning in 2020, and company executives have since confirmed that plan. Emphasizing the importance of the automobile’s environmental impact and the role hybrids can play in reducing the...
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iPod, Bluetooth connections available on record number of carsIt's no secret that cars have been growing to more closely resemble computers over the past decade. Now things have advanced to the point that over half - 58% - of all 2009 model year cars in the U.S. will feature some form media player or iPod interface. The 50% figure may not be particularly...
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Nissan trialling new camera-assisted telematics slip alert systemBuilding a vehicle that can react to the most minute changes in grip and stability, compensate for them and alert the driver of the situation has become almost the standard of the industry. Carmakers are now looking for ways to push beyond the simple traction control/stability control paradigm and...
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Teenagers are one of the highest-risk segments of the driving public due to inexperience behind the wheel. Now a new study in the UK has shown that getting several teenagers together in a car can... -
Elfin Type 5 debuts at Sydney Motor ShowElfin sports cars has unveiled its Type 5 Clubman roadster at today’s Sydney Motor Show, using the event to confirm that the final production version will be almost identical to the show car. The Type 5 replaces the Type 3, the last four-cylinder car by Elfin, which ceased production in 2006...
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Wiedeking says Porsche won't cut Audi's lineupThe Audi R8 has been a primary target of concern for Audi lovers ever since Porsche began posturing for a takeover of the VW Group. It was speculated that Audi products, such as the R8, that impinged to closely on what Porsche believed to be its territory would be cut. Porsche CEO Wendelin...
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No convertible for Dodge ChallengerThe era of the muscle car may be waning, but Dodge's Challenger is working to stay relevant with a broad range of engine and trim choices, including a relatively efficient V6 engine. One option that won't be available on the Challenger, however, is a convertible top. Ranging in price from $21,195...
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Citroen considering new super-green car based on C-Cactus ConceptThe rising influence of governmental and popular desire for more environmentally friendly vehicles is pushing carmakers to consider every alternative available. For Citroen, that means looking to its C-Cactus concept, which was designed from the ground up with ecologically sound production and...
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Honda shows V4 Concept motorcycle at IntermotThe Intermot, or Cologne Motorcycle Show, is being held this week and Honda has taken the opportunity to display a conceptual motorcycle. Dubbed the V4 after its innovative engine configuration, the bike is more of a design study than anything else - a highly stylized and non-functional sculpture...
Nelson Ireson