Kenneth Hall, Author
Articles
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Kia has released a second image of its upcoming Pro-cee’d, which is set for its world debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The new three-door hatch will be joining the cee’d... -
VW ends Bluetec diesel agreement with MercedesVolkswagen's deal with Daimler to use Bluetec engines in America is in trouble. VW, Audi, and Mercedes Benz had announced a collaboration where they would jointly market diesels under the Bluetec brand in November last year. However, VW is now announcing it will revert back to its own TDI branding...
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Preview: 2010 Audi A3Audi has pushed back the arrival of its next-gen A3 by one year as it tackles the launch of several all-new models such as the new Q5 SUV and A2 minicar. Originally slated to arrive in ’09, the next A3 will now hit the market in 2010, initially in a three-door bodystyle. Subsequent models...
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TechArt tuned Porsche Cayenne MagnumTechArt has released its latest Magnum upgrade for the facelifted Porsche Cayenne following the success it had with the original series based on the first Cayenne. More than 500 units of the Magnum were produced, spurring developers to create a new package for the facelifted model in time for a...
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Solstice coupe and new G5 and G6 planned for PontiacPontiac is to become GM’s ‘affordable performance’ brand, dropping vehicles like the Torrent crossover in favor of sporty sedans and coupes like the G8 and the upcoming Solstice coupe. The new coupe is due next year as a 2009 model and will feature a higher performance version of...
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Lamborghini posts record sales and profitsLamborghini continues to do something it was incapable of doing in the past – remain profitable. Under the ownership of Audi, the brand has gone from strength to strength and last year sold just over 2000 cars. Figures for the first half of this year have just been announced and it’s...
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GM is planning to reposition Buick as an affordable luxury brand with the help of a host of new Chinese designed vehicles. China has quickly become Buick’s number one market globally and execs... -
€11.4 billion merger of Continental and Siemens VDONormally we wouldn’t report this, but when two of the auto world’s biggest parts suppliers decide to merge in a deal that’s reported to top €11.4 billion, you can bet it’ll have a major effect on most of the carmakers. So, why should you care? First of all, together...
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Italy’s Tomaso Set For A RevivalThe legendary Italian marque De Tomaso may be revived if a group of American and Chinese investors have their way. In 2003, MG took over the label to secure a production facility for a new sports car but the plans went bust and Tomaso closed its doors just one year later. A new group of investors...
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VW to present new low-cost concept car at FrankfurtVolkswagen will showcase its new platform for a range of future low-cost vehicles in a new concept car that’s planned for September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. CEO Martin Winterkorn previously pledged to launch a sub €8,000 VW model by the end of the decade, which would also form the...
Kenneth Hall -
BMW name turns 90On the 21st of this month, the BMW name turns ninety. Back in 1917, on this date, the BMW trademark was registered for the first time and two days later a letter sent to senior management informed them of the new name with every product built by the enterprise from that date onwards wearing the...
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India’s Tata and M&M mull Jaguar and Land Rover bidIndian carmaker Tata Motors and tractor manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra are reportedly considering a bid for Jaguar and Land Rover in a deal estimated at roughly $1.5 billion. According to analysts, Tata is in negotiations with Fiat surrounding a deal to finance the bid for the British marques...
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Australia’s famous RWD 6-cylinder cars are under attack from high fuel prices. Aussies are moving to smaller cars and smaller engines and it’s just not worth building them locally when... -
Chrysler nixes plans for Imperial sedanHigh fuel prices and toughening fuel economy standards has forced Chrysler to axe plans for a production version of the Imperial concept that was unveiled at last year’s Detroit Auto Show. There were reports that the Imperial would enter production at a Chrysler plant in Canada but in an...
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AC Schnitzer R56 Mini CooperWe’re used to seeing the German tuners upgrade cars for the likes of BMW, Audi and Porsche, but it’s not often that you come across a Mini Cooper modified by one of Germany’s top customizers. This time it’s AC Schnitzer, whose engineers have created the new R56 Mini Cooper...
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Dutch firm Hansen planning GT-R supercarDutch firm Hansen has released details for its new GT-R track car that’s set to be launched later in the year as well as news of a milder GT version designed for road use. The GT-R is a mid-engined two-seater featuring a semi-monocoque chassis constructed from aluminum, steel and composite...
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McLaren knowledge may spell disaster for teamAt the specially-convened meeting of F1's World Council later this month, the FIA will ask McLaren how long suspended designer Mike Coughlan had in his possession confidential Ferrari information - and how many colleagues he told. As the media speculates as to how the powerful governing body will...
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E85 Viper breaks standing mile recordIn may we reported about the failed attempt of Karl Jacob to break the land speed record for the standing mile in an E85 ethanol fueled Dodge Viper. We can now report that on his second attempt, Jacobs and his team have claimed the record for a street legal vehicle with a top speed of 220.7mph...
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Ford is reportedly selling Volvo in addition to the Jaguar and Land Rover labels in its Premier Auto Group to help raise an extra $8 billion to help fund its turnaround plan and secure its... -
More details on the next-gen Range RoverDespite a possible sale of the brand, development work on the next-gen Range Rover is well underway with a launch date planned for 2012. The new model will be the first of a series of updates at Land Rover, with cars like the Range Rover Sport, LR3, LR2 and Defender and possibly even all-new models...
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Opel Calibra set to return, GTC leads the wayThe Opel Calibra hasn’t been in showrooms for almost a decade, but with the unveiling of the Opel GTC concept car there’s hope that the Euro coupe may make a return. Though it’s yet to be confirmed for production, a spokesman from Opel revealed that management is keeping its...
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Smart unveils new hybrid conceptsSmart has just released details about a couple of hybrid variants of its new Fortwo minicar, with the ultra-efficient offerings coming in three different flavors including one of the industry’s first diesel-hybrid drivetrains. It's likely these designs will eventually lead to new production...
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Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupé sells for £800,000A Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé has been bought at a charity auction for £800,000, more than triple the £260,000 sticker price. The successful bid was made at the 9th Annual White Tie and Tiara Ball charity event run by Elton John by a private buyer who’s expected to take delivery in...
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BMW hopes to work closer with Mercedes and PSABMW hopes to join forces with DaimlerChrysler and the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group to share the development burden for not only hybrid technology but also for new transmission and engine tech. BMW Exec Klaus Draeger revealed during an interview with Auto Motor und Sport that component sharing between...
Kenneth Hall