Alex Kaufmann, Author
Articles
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Late last year an official from Mini revealed there were plans to introduce five variants of the Mini by the end of the decade and it appears version number four will be a new SUV – the... -
VW takles servicing cost reputationVolkswagen suffers from a reputation for charging premium prices for both its cars and servicing when its true rivals, mainstream makes like Toyota, Ford or Chevy, offer similar products and services for significantly less money. Officials are hoping to change this by introducing a new price...
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Video: Nissan Pivo 2 Concept in actionNissan’s new Pivo 2 Concept is without doubt one of the strangest vehicles we’ve seen in a long time but it’s also packed with some innovative features that would actually improve day-to-day motoring. An efficient electric drivetrain, in-wheel motors, and 90 degree swiveling...
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Gallery: Jaguar’s exclusive XKR PortfolioWe first saw the Jaguar XKR Portfolio back in March but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ogle at these latest images of the car in our new gallery. The Portfolio cars are basically more exclusive versions of regular models that have been adorned with minor styling changes both inside and...
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Saab 9-1 hybrid arriving in 2010Saab’s first hybrid car will be based on its new entry-level 9-1 compact, which is due to enter production in 2010. CEO Jan Ake Jonsson hinted at the development of the new baby Saab last month and claimed it would be targeted at premium small hatches like the BMW 1-series and Audi A3. Now, a...
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UAW deal means GM labor costs closer to Toyota'sLess than two years ago, the gap between the labor costs for a car made by GM versus one made by Toyota stood at a staggering $4,000. Most of the extra costs GM suffered included payments for health care, unitary wages and inefficient plants. However, with the signing of last week’s contract...
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More confirmation arch rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz could be planning a partnership is news that officials from Mercedes are considering using BMW’s next-gen Mini platform for the new A and ... -
Preview: 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco CabrioVolkswagen's upcoming Scirocco is shaping up to be one of the most exciting cars to wear the VW badge in years, and now there are reports of an even hotter model being developed - a new convertible. If built, the Scirocco Cabrio would likely arrive one year after the hardtop in 2009 where it would...
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Updated: Porsche ‘Listens To Market’ And Cuts Canadian Prices By 10% Due To Exchange RatesUPDATE: Four residents in Toronto are planning to file a $2 billion class-action law suit against the major carmakers and their respective dealers because of claims vehicle prices in Canada are artificially higher than in the U.S. The suit covers consumers who bought cars between August, 2005, and...
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Xenon headlights help save livesA recent study in Germany has found cars equipped with xenon headlights are less at risk of being in an accident compared with cars using duller halogen bulbs. According to the results of the study conducted by Germany’s TÜV Rheinlands, if every car featured xenon lights, the number of...
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Audi R8s turn up on eBayOut of the 11 or 13 cars Audi of America has delivered, two have already turned up on eBay. Such is the power of the online auction house that car companies have begun using it as a way to gauge the prices they can charge for future models. One executive revealed to Automotive News how he had to...
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Volkswagen to offer hybrid option on entire lineupIn a similar move to Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen is to offer a hybrid option on its entire future lineup including both mild and full hybrid systems. In addition to its hybrid onslaught, VW also plans to expand its range of ultra-efficient BlueMotion diesels and could one day have it as an option for...
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In the lead up to next year’s Beijing Olympic games, the Chinese government is organizing a ‘no-car day’ in 108 of its cities scheduled for tomorrow to help clean its smoggy air. It... -
Hyundai Genesis sedan headed for ChinaHyundai has announced plans for the launch of its upcoming Genesis sedan in China in April next year to capitalize on growing numbers of affluent new car buyers. China is now the second largest car market and there are still plenty of opportunities for growth. The new car will likely cost around...
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BF Performance Lamborghini Gallardo GT 540Last week’s Frankfurt Motor Show saw a number of modified exotics grace its stands with several standouts like the Novitec Ferrari F430 Tu Nero and Hamann’s Lamborghini Gallardo Victory. One of the less radical conversions was BF Performance’s GT 540 kit for the Gallardo. The new...
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Nissan developing 78MPG carNissan has joined a growing list of carmakers promising new ultra-fuel efficient models but, unlike most, Nissan is placing its bets on a conventional petrol vehicle. Where most carmakers are developing new hybrids, clean-diesels and electric cars, Nissan claims it will release a vehicle by 2010...
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Chrysler opens 'ENVI' hybrid/electric divisionChrysler has jumped on the eco-technology bandwagon by launching an engineering division specifically for building electric and hybrid vehicles. The new division, dubbed ENVI, will operate as a ‘start-up’ with an entrepreneurial environment, according to new CEO Robert Nardelli, and...
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Tuner special: Le MANSory Continental GTCGerman tuning haus Mansory showed its latest modified cars at the Frankfurt Auto Show, with center position going to the Le MANSory Bentley Continental GTC, a car designed to pay homage to the famous 24h race. Exclusivity will be guaranteed with only 24 set for production at a heavy cost above the...
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Most people know Loremo for its ultra-fuel efficient LS Concept car (pictured), a vehicle with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 117mpg (2L/100km). However, Loremo is no one-trick pony. According... -
Frankfurt Motor Show day one highlightsThe Frankfurt Motor Show certainly lived up to its reputation of being one of the biggest shows of the year and as day two ramps up, check out our gallery of some of the highlights already showcased. Some of the more interesting photos include real-life shots of Jaguar’s new XF, the all new...
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Mercedes-Benz to be first with lithium-ion hybridsToyota says the risk of a lithium power source bursting into flames under stress is not worth the reward. Daimler and BMW, meanwhile, have joined forces to produce a new hybrid powertrain in an effort to prove Toyota wrong. Built to replace the Two Mode hybrid powertrain developed in conjunction...
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Revealed: Toyota iQ minicar conceptFollowing the debut of the Volkswagen up! concept earlier today, Toyota has revealed its own minicar rival with the unveiling of the new iQ. Toyota’s new concept is significantly smaller than the up!, measuring just 2,980mm in length, but still has room for four with occupants sitting in a...
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BMW Concept X6 Active HybridIn addition to the new X6 Concept, BMW is also presenting a modular two-mode hybrid version of the car dubbed the X6 Active Hybrid. The concept is running a new BMW drivetrain that integrates the batteries, electronics systems and power inverter all within the transmission. Compared with the...
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Volvo shows two unlikely SEMA carsIn a curious bit of timing, Volvo today released details of two cars it plans to exhibit at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show to be held in Las Vegas Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2007. Performance-tuned versions of the S80 and C30 will each be making appearances. The S80, tuned by Heico...
Alex Kaufmann