Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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Set to debut at the Tokyo motor show, Honda's PUYO concept seems like the friendliest concept in ages. Named after the sensation of touching the vehicle's exterior, the name is supposed to evoke... -
FPV Cobra strikes AustraliaAustralia's love affair with muscle cars is nearly as long, and recently much more ardent, than America's. The 1978 Ford Cobra XC, based on the 1977 winner of the Bathurst 1000 endurance race, kicked off the Aussie Cobra brand in style. Carrying on the tradition of big power and big iron is the new...
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World premiere: BMW M3 SedanThe speculation, spy shots, and waiting are finally over - the BMW M3 Sedan is here. In the thirteen years since the first M3 Sedan debuted, much has changed. Developed from the ground up as a separate car, the M3 Sedan bears several unique features and key differences from the M3 Coupe. The new M3...
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'Two-faced' Toyota takes heat from environmentalistsToyota gained its first real foothold the U.S. auto market during the oil crisis of the 1970s by offering small, efficient cars. Since then, it has come to dominate the global hybrid market with its green-machine Prius. But some see the company's environmentalism as little more than lip-service, as...
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Blast from the past: AMC GremlinThe 1970s was a wild and revolutionary period for America. The cultural tsunami of the Summer of Love was sweeping across the nation. Concepts such as pre-marital sex, gay rights and feminism were being introduced into the average American home. It was a time when Sonny and Cher were discovered...
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Ferrari Trademarks 'GT California' For New Model?The rumors surrounding Ferrari's Dino-that-can't-be-called-a-Dino have dominated much of the Ferrari-related press lately, but it looks like Ferrari has something else up its sleeve for Detroit. As we reported two weeks ago, it is widely speculated that the so-called GT California will be a 2+2...
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The EU's proposed alternative to the U.S.-run GPS system, the Galileo satellite project, is now facing strong opposition from some of its strongest backers. The Galileo project has consistently run... -
Christmas Comes Early: Neiman Marcus Lexus IS FLike a five-year-old kid, Lexus apparently just can't wait for Christmas this year, and is already offering a special edition car for the still-distant holiday season. The Neiman Marcus IS F Special Build Sedan (the name just rolls of the tongue) will be offered in the Neiman Marcus 2007 Christmas...
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BMW to offer twin-turbo diesel in U.S.Diesel engines have had a long history of success in Europe, where BMW has offered them for the past 24 years. Now the German auto maker is looking to bring that success to America, and to do it in style: the 3.0L six-cylinder twin turbo mill makes 286hp (213kW) and a massive 427lb-ft (578Nm) of...
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Pontiac G8 to start under $28K in the U.S.The G8, GM's Pontiac-badged version of the successful Holden Commodore, was already primed to be one of America's best rear-drive sedans to date. Now it's going to be one of the most affordable as well. Pricing of the base-level G8 will start at $27,595 and the V8 powered GT model will start at...
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Hummer H3 released in UK despite anti-SUV movementWhether you love it or hate it, the Hummer certainly has a unique look. Boxy and aggressive, every incarnation has looked like it's ready to punch onlookers in the face. Purchasers of the UK's new right-hand drive Hummer H3 should expect onlookers to return the favor, in a nation known for its...
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BMW and PSA to end joint engine development?Unlikely bedmates BMW and the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group are breaking up - or at least asking each other for some space. The two companies had joined forces in recent years to produce a range of 1.4L to 1.6L motors, powering BMW's second-generation MINI and cars from Peugeot and Citroen. The venture...
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The Mercedes-McLaren SLR 722 supercar - company car of the reigning back-to-back Formula One champ Fernando Alonso - just got a major upgrade. As if the 650hp (485kW) under the go pedal weren't...
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Details of GM's Alpha platform revealedThe news came from UAW officials who were supposed to keep quiet on the subject. Details of the project, which will begin production in 2011, were released as part of UAW publicity for the new labor agreement with GM. The car, code-named Alpha, will feature two body styles built on a completely new...
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GM to take CTS global with right hand drive editionThe 2008 Cadillac CTS is being hailed as the best American car in 40 years by automotive journalists across the nation. Now GM is looking to take that success overseas. This week's UAW strike threatened to cut into production of the new right-hand drive CTS, which is being built at GM's plant in...
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BMW kills Space Functional concept, plans new sedanAn R-Class style MPV does not fit BMW's image and will not be produced, according to CEO Norbert Reithofer. The announcement was made as part of BMW's unveiling of its 10-year business strategy. Instead of building upon its previously reported Space Functional concept, BMW will produce a car that...
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Toyota Europe drops Land Cruiser citing climate concernsEurope's CO2 regulations are strict, and becoming more so, and car makers are taking action to meet the tough standards. For Toyota, that means cutting back on RAV-4 sales, and eliminating the Land Cruiser from Europe altogether. The Japanese maker seeks to reduce its fleet average CO2 emission to...
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Mitsubishi Releases New Lancer Evo GSR PicsMitsubishi released four new shots of the Lancer Evolution today--three of the JDM Evolution GSR's exterior, and one of the U.S. market's Evolution MR's interior. The latest images are a timely foil to the official teaser shot of the Subaru WRX STI that hit the web last week. The same 295hp...
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After a negotiation deadline passed this morning, UAW workers went on the first nationwide strike to occur during contract negotiations since 1976 - and the first strike against GM since 1970.... -
Lotus: 3 new U.S. models, new Exige S Club RacerLotus has announced a new 5-year plan for the U.S., which will include three all-new models. The Lotus model lineup has been more or less stagnant for the past few years, introducing only variants of established models like the Elise and Exige. The announcement coincides with the appointment of...
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Crossovers to hit it big in 2008Auto makers have long sought the perfect balance between power, room, efficiency, and style. The crossover is the industry's latest find. With estimated sales of the category to exceed 3 million next year, it seems the industry has found a winner. More and more people are finding a sedan simply...
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Mercedes launches short-film ad campaign: sex, spies, and videotapeSeeking to improve its already impressive reputation for innovation, Mercedes has partnered with Loaded Films to produce The Illusive, a short film about a spy photographer and his prey. The new method of content delivery aims at a younger, more tech-savvy target audience, while improving brand...
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Nissan Skyline GT-R a Porsche and Lambo killer?During testing at the Nurburgring this week, the Nissan Skyline GT-R was spotted putting in some very hot laps. Although the numbers are unofficial, and reportedly hand-timed, the initial times are impressive. Putting the Skyline GT-R in a class with the Porsche 911 Turbo and substantially ahead of...
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Ford extends bid period for Jaguar and Land RoverFinal bids for the two premium brands were to be due at the end of this month, but Ford has now extended the deadline by two weeks. Credit issues are suspected as the root cause for the delay. No official reasons were given for the move, but the bidders are thinking it's planned to give them more...
Nelson Ireson