Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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Having pledged last month to back a plan for nation-wide emissions standards for the car industry, presumptive U.S. presidential nominee John McCain today reversed his stance when he told a group... -
Report: Volvo develops 350HP C30 R prototypeThe C30 has been a hit with hatch fans since its introduction thanks to strong proportions and unique design cues, but something that has always been missing is a super-high performance variant. Like the Focus RS, the new C30 R could offer huge power in a small and sporty hatch. The C30 R shouldn't...
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GM windshield uses lasers to highlight road markingsAs the proportion of older drivers in the world’s leading nations grows, carmakers are finding new avenues for the technological advancement of safe driving. Taking a new angle on the head-up display (HUD) concept, General Motors is working on a prototype windshield system that enhances the...
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Jaguar ranks number one in J.D. Power customer service indexEven as the company changed hands from Ford to Tata Motors, Jaguar dealers delivered on their promise of top-notch customer service, topping J.D. Power's Customer Service Index Study rankings - for the second year in a row. The new XF's debut no doubt helped it secure a high finish in the recent...
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First U.S. Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 deliveredA renowned car collector has taken delivery of America's first Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. Benny Caiola received a white example of the all-wheel drive supercar this week at his home outside New York City. The new Gallardo will take its place in a garage that has housed several historical greats...
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GM focuses on crossovers and carsTurning away from niche vehicles and small-market cars, GM is looking to build nothing but high-volume cars for the near future. That means significantly cutting back truck output and focusing its energy on cars and crossovers. The company has had some recent success with high-volume products in...
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Downsizing engines and adding forced induction is the new wave in fuel economy engineering as companies strive to maintain performance levels and the latest reports indicate Audi is leaping into the... -
Update: BMW releases details for U.S.-spec 2009 3-series faceliftUpdated: Coinciding with the launch of the facelifted 3-series range will be the introduction of BMW’s first diesel model in the U.S., the 335d sedan, which is set to join the existing 328i and 335i sedan and wagon, plus their respective xDrive, coupe and cabrio variants. Like its European...
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California Is America's Car Theft CapitalFigures released today show that four of the top five cities for car theft are in California, based on 2007 statistics. The research, done by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, is based on reported thefts and ranks cities by the number of cars stolen per 100,000 inhabitants. The four highest...
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Tesla opening second store in Silicon Valley as production ramps upDespite having announced the start of production in March, only a few of Tesla's Roadsters have been delivered to customers due to rough patches in the assembly process. An update on the company's website this weekend confirms the 'logjam' has been broken and cars should start issuing forth at a...
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Report: E92 BMW M3 CSL due in early 2010Since the new E90 series BMW M3 was revealed at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, true BMW enthusiasts have been intrigued, but waiting for the CSL to come along. Standing for Coupe, Sport, Lightweight, those three letters name the most track-focused and pure driver's cars BMW has to offer. News...
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Volkswagen picks Tennessee for new U.S. plantVolkswagen confirmed today that its new U.S. plant will be constructed in the southern state of Tennessee. The new Chattanooga site in Tennessee beat out rival bids from Alabama and Michigan because of its cost and logistical advantages, and production is scheduled to begin in early 2011. The...
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Cars like Honda's Civic Hybrid and Toyota's Prius have long been known to use harder-than-normal tires as part of the overall package to improve fuel efficiency. Now U.S. carmakers, especially those... -
Update: Left-hand-drive only Cadillac CTS-V planned for EuropeUpdate: Despite reports from Top Gear claiming the CTS's brawny force-fed brother - the CTS-V - won't be sold in Europe, a rival publication has word from a senior GM official that the high-performance saloon will make it to Europe in left-hand-only drive and will even be sold in the UK. Autocar...
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FIA defends decision to start F2 feeder seriesThe FIA has defended its plans to resurrect Formula 2 next year as an ultra low-cost feeder category for formula one. Dismissed by some as a ploy amid Max Mosley's power struggle with Bernie Ecclestone, others - including one unnamed GP2 team boss - slammed the stated ideal budget of 200,000 euros...
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Ford developing new powertrain lineup in response to fuel pressureFocused on finding a sweet spot in the balance between power and economy, Ford is working new plans to expand its EcoBoost system while also improving its existing naturally aspirated engines across its entire range. Diesel engines will play a role, as will smaller petrol mills, with help from a...
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Update: Volvo denies plans to cut 30% of U.S. dealerships over 2009Update: Volvo today denied reports it was looking to cut 30% of its dealerships in the U.S. as weak sales push volumes further downward. Instead, the company says it is planning to 'persuade' some struggling dealers to voluntarily give up their franchises. Clearly, the difference is mostly one of...
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Chrysler's electric cars still 3-5 years offHybrids, plug-ins and electric vehicles are the current best bets for the future of the automobile industry, but Chrysler says its entry into the fray will take at least another 3-5 years to suss out. The carmaker's already woeful lack of small cars is hurting sales as fuel prices continue to rise...
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Formula one is not in Volkswagen's sights within the next three years, the German carmaker's motor racing representative Hans-Joachim Stuck insists. BMW-Sauber team boss Mario Theissen suggested last... -
Ford looking to move Lincoln upmarketSelling off all of its Premier Automotive Group (PAG) holdings except for Volvo left Ford with a handful of largely working-class brands, but that move may have been part of the bigger picture only being revealed now. Reduced to a closer core of nameplates, Ford is working to restore Lincoln to its...
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IMSA boosts the Gallardo LP560 to 584hpThe newly updated Gallardo LP560 has only been out for a few months, but already the tuners are having their way with it. IMSA is one of the first, with its version gently massaging output of the car's V10 to add 24hp (18kW), bringing the total to 584hp (435kW). The modifications are, for the most...
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Daimler updates its smart fortwo, adds micro hybrid start-stopStarting in October, smart's fortwo will get an update that includes a new micro hybrid drive (MHD) system to aid a pair of petrol engine variants. The micro hybrid system consists of start-stop technology, which the company says is good for an 8% reduction in emissions. Around the same time, the...
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Russia bumps Germany as Europe's biggest market, Chevy tops chartsTroubles at home aside, General Motors' Chevrolet brand has blazed a path to the top of Europe's biggest market - and it's not Germany. Russia's 2008 first-half sales surpassed Germany's, rising 41% to a total volume of 1.65 million cars. The incredible increase is driven directly by consumer...
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Luso Motors LM GT kit car design studyJust last week we brought you renderings of Luso Motors' LM23 track-day special kit car. The company has followed that up with a design study for a GT, and it comes in three flavors: convertible, shooting-brake and speedster. Like the LM23 the car is being designed as a lightweight sports car...
Nelson Ireson