Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Editor
Articles
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U.S. carmakers may be undergoing the biggest industrial structural reforms in decades but the instigators of the changes, rising fuel prices and a slowing economy, won’t be affecting... -
Volvo fearful of tougher emissions regulationsJust as carmakers in the U.S. are faced with tough new fuel consumption regulations, over in Europe the same companies have to deal with reducing the CO2 emissions of their vehicles by a much earlier deadline of 2012. Europe is looking to force carmakers to maintain a fleet-average CO2 emissions...
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U.S. FTC gives Porsche green light to increase VW stakePorsche confirmed last week it would increase its stake in Volkswagen Group beyond the 50% mark and thus gain greater control of the company and all its subsidiary brands, and now U.S. antitrust authorities have given their approval for the deal. The Federal Trade Commission placed the deal on a...
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2008 Opel Insignia revealedOfficial images and details of Opel’s all-new Insignia sedan have finally been revealed and as predicted the car picks up a number of design cues from last year’s Opel GTC concept. There’s a lot of significance riding on this model because this is the car that will be sold in the...
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Germany boycotts FIA due to Mosley scandal, U.S. may followThe fallout of Max Mosley's survival as FIA president has begun, with Europe's largest automobile club vowing to now boycott the Paris based governing body. After a clear majority of FIA affiliates voted to keep the scandal-gripped Briton as president on Tuesday, Germany's Allgemeiner Deutscher...
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Super lattice battery technology to boost EV rangeSuperlattice Power, a North Carolina based company, has announced a new development in automotive electric battery technology that, according to its creators, will "significantly increase operating voltage range and energy density." With the new tech, electric powered vehicles will be able to...
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Seat has taken the wraps off its new three-door Ibiza and introduced two new diesel engines as well as an optional seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The new car, dubbed the Seat Sportcoupe, is set to... -
GM seeks tax breaks to build Chevrolet Volt in DetroitGM is hoping its upcoming electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, will be the start of its economic turnaround and is committed to building the car in its hometown of Detroit. However, the General will need financial aid to keep its promise and recently met with Detroit City Council members to discuss...
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Mosley survives FIA vote of confidenceMax Mosley will remain FIA president, after achieving a clear win in the secret confidence ballot conducted in Paris on Tuesday. A statement issued by the locally-based body revealed that, of the 169 votes cast, 103 expressed confidence in the 68-year-old, who has been embroiled in a highly...
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VW CEO threatens resignation if Porsche interferes with the companyPorsche’s slowly tightening grip on Volkswagen is causing some ruffled feathers among upper management. Porsche is on the verge of increasing its stake beyond 50% in Europe’s largest carmaker and is expected to flex its muscles by controlling everything from product development to labor...
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Volkswagen to downsize Golf enginesClick here for all the official information and pictures for the 2009 Volkswagen Golf Mark VI Expect to see smaller engines for Volkswagen’s brand new Golf MK 6 when it's unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October. High fuel prices are pushing buyers towards engines with less...
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Ford completes sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to TataFord today completed the sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover operations to Tata Motors after first announcing the Indian carmaker as the next owner back in March. The sale is the culmination of Ford’s decision last August to explore strategic options for the Jaguar and Land Rover businesses, as...
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Next year will see the launch of two critical models for German labels BMW and Mercedes-Benz, with both the next-generation 5-series and E-Class sedans plus their different variants expected to be... -
Ecclestone asks Mosley to quitBernie Ecclestone has ended weeks of reluctance and ambiguity by clearly pleading for Max Mosley, his friend of 40 years and fellow F1 powerbroker, to step down immediately as FIA president. The F1 chief executive's appeal, via the pages of the British newspaper Daily Telegraph, comes mere days...
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Hyundai joins race to develop ultra-low cost vehicleHyundai has confirmed it will enter the burgeoning ultra-low cost vehicle market with the announcement that it’s planning to launch a small car for the Indian and Chinese car market by 2011, or 2012. The car will have a relatively low price tag to attract customers in the two rapidly growing...
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Chrysler planning to expand hybrid rangeThis year Chrysler will launch its first hybrid models with the Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango SUV's, both of which feature Hemi Hybrids. Chrysler may be a little late to the hybrid party, but that doesn't mean it will be left completely behind as the company is already planning to expand its...
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Porsche testing Cayenne diesel ahead of 2009 launchPorsche has stated in the past it would not fit any diesel powerplants to its cars but with toughening fuel economy and emissions regulations looming in both the U.S. and Europe the sports carmaker may not have a choice. Industry experts are predicting Porsche will use an upgraded Audi V6...
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Five star ratings for Seat Ibiza, Skoda Superb, Audi A4 and Ford Kuga in latest Euro NCAP testEuro NCAP today releases the results for seven cars in five different categories, mostly aimed at consumers with families. The latest tests showed that all of the cars in the line-up received four stars in Child Occupant Protection – currently the maximum safety protection available on the...
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Luxury brands have once again dominated an annual U.S. vehicle quality survey conducted by Californian research company Strategic Vision Inc. However, in a surprise result Hummer came second. The... -
First shakedown of Ferrari-powered A1GP race carFerrari recently signed a deal with the A1GP to supply the series with its Maranello-built race engines and design consultancy services starting from next year's season through until 2014. The new A1GP car powered by Ferrari had its first 'shakedown' at Fiorano, the Ferrari test track in Italy...
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Kicherer Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black EditionStraight out of the box the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series is already one of the most extreme production cars on the planet. With a full DTM-style wide-bodykit, carbon-fiber lined interior and a thunderous V8 engine pumping out 507hp (373kW), few would feel the need to lift the performance...
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Mercury dealers fear brand is back on the chopping blockThe future of Mercury, one of Ford's subsidiary brands, is once again the subject of open speculation and this time its Mercury's own dealers that are asking Ford the tough questions. Members of the Lincoln Mercury National Dealer Council have asked Ford to reveal their plans for Mercury in order...
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V10-powered Falen supercar in the worksThis latest supercar is the creation of Scottish design studio Dowdeswell & Hardie and has been named the Falen after a demon from folklore. The design shares a striking a resemblance with the Lamborghini Gallardo and, like the Italian exotic, the Falen is also powered by a high-rev V10 engine. The...
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Aston Martin DBS Crashed For New James Bond MovieOne Aston Martin DBS used for filming in the latest James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace, has already ended up at the bottom of an Italian lake, and now a second car has been crashed into a quarry. Unlike the first incident, which was actually an accident caused by poor weather conditions, the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran