Alex Kaufmann, Author
Articles
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British supercar manufacturer Ascari has launched its entrant for the new European GT3 racing series with its KZ-1R race car. The car will be competing in the new championship, which is only in its... -
Updated: Toyota reveals its Hybrid XThe Geneva Motor Show saw the unveiling of Toyota’s new Hybrid X concept car today, a crucial model that highlights the future design trend of its hybrid models as well as a showcase of upcoming technologies. The Hybrid X has been created and developed by Toyota’s European styling...
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SEAT’s new Altea Freetrack conceptThe new Altea Freetrack is design study that highlights the direction that Seat will be taking for a new crossover vehicle based on the Altea XL. The 4WD Freetrack concept picks up an electronically controlled multidisc system from Haldex and rides on a new suspension system that sits 310mm above...
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Interview with Nikolai Smolenski and TVR’s new ownersIn a surprise move, TVR’s former owner Nikolai Smolenski repurchased the assets and trademark rights to the former Blackpool based sports carmaker last week, only to sell it immediately to a pair of Florida businessmen. It’s been suggested the move was a shrewd business decision that...
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Ford to introduce next-gen Fiesta to USThe Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] has confirmed plans to introduce the next-generation Fiesta subcompact to North America, with the announcement coming from Ford’s Euro boss Lewis Booth during a meeting with analysts this morning. The move is part of Ford’s plan to rationalize the number...
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Koenigsegg’s New CCGT And 1,018-HP Biofuel-Powered CCXRTo comply with FIA GT1 series regulations, Koenigsegg were forced to reduce the output of its 806-horsepower CCX to the tune of 600 hp. To do this, engineers removed the standard car’s supercharger system but bored out the 4.7-liter V-8 engine to 5.0 liters. Labeled the CCGT in motorsport...
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Giugiaro will be showcasing its own Vadhò hydrogen concept car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the design house’s first attempt at an all-green vehicle. Built off a unique platform, the... -
First Look At Alpina’s New B3 BiturboThese images reveal Alpina’s new B3 Biturbo ahead of its expected unveiling at next week’s 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The car is based on the already potent 335i from BMW and is said to develop close to 360 horsepowere from its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine. That’s...
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Jaguar XJ facelift revealedJaguar has updated its conservatively-styled XJ saloon to inject some much needed excitement to the model range and help boost lagging sales of the big cat. For the update, designers revised the front end styling by adding a new grille with a more pronounced badge. Sitting below this is a more...
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Updated: Chrysler given the green light on Chery dealDaimlerChrysler’s supervisory board today approved the partnership between Chrysler and Chery to develop a new small vehicle to be manufactured in China and exported to global markets. However, the deal will only be finalized with the agreement of the Chinese government, which is expected to...
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Video: 2008 VW TouaregThe recently facelifted 2008 VW Touareg has a raft of changes, including new front and rear styling, upgraded interior, and better audio options. New safety technologies also include ABSPlus and anti-rollover protection. Check out this video of the Touareg in action off the road.
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Abarth Brand Revived With The Fiat Grande PuntoThe long-awaited Fiat Grande Punto Abarth will make its debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show alongside its rally-approved version–the Abarth S2000. This will be the first of a new range of sports oriented models from Fiat featuring the famous Abarth scorpion logo. The car on show in Geneva...
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Audi has released official details for its new A5 model, ahead of the car’s world debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Riding on an all-new platform that will spawn Audi’s next... -
Brilliance plans more models for EuropeChinese automaker Brilliance is planning to launch several new models in Europe to join its current BS6 sedan. German trade publication Euro am Sonntag reports that Brilliance is considering bringing in a middle class BS4 sedan by mid this year with the introduction of a coupe model towards the end...
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20-year old Romanian wins Peugeot Design ContestRomanian born Mihai Panaitescu has taken top honors in Peugeot's international design competition with his Flux Concept Design out of a field of over 4,000 entrants. The judges selected the winner from 30 projects that made the final round, and now the hydrogen-based prototype is set to be...
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Audi appoints new design chiefAudi has appointed the former head of design at Alfa Romeo as its new design chief. Wolfgang Egger takes over from Walter de’Silva, who was promoted to Head of Design at the Volkswagen Group on the first of this month. de'Silva has been one of the most successful designers in recent times and...
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Software upgrade gives Ford better mileageA Dutch scientist has found that a modern car can reduce its fuel consumption levels by more than 2.5% by adding a piece of software to the car’s engine management. Reuters reports that University of Eindhoven scientist John Kessels achieved optimal engine performance by using the software to...
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Subaru bringing its new turbo-diesel to GenevaSubaru will unveil the world’s first horizontally-opposed turbo diesel engine at next month’s Geneva Motor Show ahead of the launch of the all-new Impreza at the New York Auto Show. The first models to get the new diesel engines will be Subaru’s Legacy and Outback range early next...
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Completely undisguised images of the Pontiac G8 sedan have been revealed ahead of the car’s official launch at this week’s Chicago Auto Show. These images show the final design of the... -
Honda Hybrid Sports Concept planned for GenevaHonda will unveil several new concept vehicles at next month’s Geneva, the most dramatic of which will be the Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept. This latest concept is said to achieve an economy rating of just 3.5L per 100km as well handle and drive like a true sports car. The project was...
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Mazda boss unfazed by Solstice overtaking MX-5The Pontiac Solstice has overtaken Mazda’s MX-5 Miata in the 2006 sales race to become America’s most popular roadster. The Solstice ended the year with 19,710 sales in the US, while the MX-5 notched up 16,897 sales, which was still up a massive 72.4% on last year’s result...
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EU C02 targets deemed unrealistic by carmakersThe proposed carbon-dioxide emissions target put forward by the European Commission has been criticized by Germany’s three largest automakers including BMW, DaimlerChrysler and Volkswagen. The CEO’s of all three companies say the target to reduce average carbon dioxide emissions to...
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Chery and Fiat in possible collaborationChina’s Chery Auto is already reported to be in a deal with DaimlerChrysler to build a new small car for export under the Dodge brand, as well as a previous deal with Italy’s Fiat to supply a range of engines, but now the company is reported to be at the negotiating table once again...
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More details on Ford's Euro-US import plansTo fill gaping holes in its US lineup, Ford may import popular European models from across the Atlantic including cars such as the Mondeo, S-Max and Transit van. Automotive News is reporting the chances of this happening are highly likely, with Ford CEO Alan Mulally telling interviewers “the...
Alex Kaufmann