Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Editor

Articles

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  Smart goes electric Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 13, 2006

  Despite the disappointing sales of Smart globally, DaimlerChrysler is pushing ahead with its plan to equip the petite city cars with electric motors.

  The lightweight and small engines meant the...

• Oklahoma, here we come

  Earlier this week we reported the announcement that Nanjing Automobile Group is to manufacture MG cars in the US. Nanjing has now planned a conference in Oklahoma to make their announcement to build a newly designed MG TF Coupe there, starting in 2008. A convertible version is to be manufactured...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 13, 2006
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  New world record for car number plate - US$600,000

  A idiot very wealthy person has paid £331,000 for the UK number plate "M1" for his 6-year old son. The number plate was expected to fetch £80,000-120,000, but with fierce bidding in the marquee and on the phones a new world record price was achieved. The previous top price of £285,000 was paid...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 11, 2006
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  SUV drivers wield "lethal weapons"

  Owners of SUVs are more likely to talk on a mobile phone and not wear their seat belts, according to a study from Britain. About 8 per cent of 4WD drivers were seen using hand-held phones, compared with just 2 per cent of drivers of other cars. Almost 20 per cent of 4WD drivers were seen driving...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 11, 2006
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  Renault Mégane F1 special edition debuts

  To celebrate the winning of the Formula One World Championship, Renault has launched the Mégane F1 special edition. Additions to the regular hatch include stripes on the bodywork and a plaque on the dash. Renault has even included stickers for the windows, which should sit nicely with the...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 11, 2006
• Pioneer joins portable sat-nav brigade

  Pioneer, famous for building in car electronic entertainment systems, are now moving into the world of portable satellite navigation with the launch of the AVIC-S1 aimed squarely at the US and European markets. Already a leader in car navigation systems, the move to a portable version is a sensible...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 11, 2006
• Rally legend Colin McRae creates car Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 11, 2006

  Pictured here is a computer rendering of a rally car currently being co-developed by former World Rally Champion Colin McRae, specialty manufacturer DJM Race Preparations and Millington Engines.
  
  A...
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  Aussie Ute Is The World's Fastest

  Americans may dominate in their love affair for SUVs, but when it comes to the world’s fastest utility, Australia has the yanks beat. The HSV Maloo R8, based on an everyday work vehicle from GM’s Australian subsidiary, Holden, has set the mark with a 271.44km/h blast in the Aussie...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 11, 2006
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  Veyron: World's Fastest Seller

  For all the doubters who thought the Bugatti Veyron wouldn’t even make it out of testing and that Volkswagen (Bugatti’s parent company) were kidding themselves by producing a world-beating supercar, prepare to get owned. Bugatti dealers across the U.S. already have a total of 30...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 10, 2006
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  Lexus Set To Release V-10 Coupe

  Remember Lexus' LF-A coupe concept from 2005? Well, we can confirm that this is luxury two-seat coupe will eventually be launched and made available to European markets as well as the U.S. and Japan. Set for launch in 2009, the new coupe will be powered by an F1-derived, 5.0-liter V-10 developed by...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 10, 2006
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  Audi Q7 Going Gangbusters

  Audi's late entry into the world of SUVs is doing much better than they expected. Their planned capacity of 60,000 units per year is already overstreatched so they've decided to add another 10,000 to that. Audi marketing man Ralph Weyler claims that a further increase to 80,000 units is on the...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 9, 2006
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  Audi set to build Lotus Elise-style roadster

  It appears the MINI wasn’t Audi’s only pint-sized target. Rumors are circulating that Audi plans to build a smaller roadster version of its iconic TT in a partnership with Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM. Initial plans were for KTM to work with Volkswagen rather than Audi, but this...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 7, 2006
• US Autoworkers busted selling trade secrets Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 7, 2006

  Industrial espionage has been a part of the automotive industry for decades, and now that eager Chinese companies are willing to do whatever it takes to get a foothold over their competitors,...
• Beat the rising cost of fuel

  The cost of vehicle ownership is increasing and now more than ever, it's important to find ways to stretch your fuel budget. Here are some tips on how to stretch your driving dollar: • Drive smoothly, avoiding heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 5, 2006
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  Move over Veyron: Meet the 1,000-hp M3 turbo

  Looking like an everyday, factory 1995 BMW M3, this yellow screamer from tuning house ICS Performance pumps out a Veyron-like 1,000 horsepower courtesy of its massive PT76-GTS turbocharger. Controlling boost via a Sias-tuned Electromotive TEC3R engine management system, the Bumblebee, as it’s...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran July 5, 2006
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  Audi triumphs with TDI power at Le Mans

  Audi has written an important chapter in the history of motor racing with its historic triumph in the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The new Audi R10 TDI was the first diesel car to win arguably the toughest car race in the world. In front of a record crowd of 235,000 spectators, Frank Biela...

  Viknesh Vijayenthiran June 22, 2006