Ralph Hanson, Author
Articles
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GM is understandably proud of its direct-injection system that helps its vehicles be more frugal while churning out extra power, and according to the company it’s now the brand with the most... -
Redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee makes 2009 New York auto show debutChrysler has given us an early look at its redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee at this week's New York Auto Show, despite the new SUV not going on sale until sometime next year. Coming in as a 2011 model, the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee will ride on an advanced car-like unibody platform and feature...
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510hp supercharged V8 added to Range Rover SportJoining the facelifted Range Rover SUV on Land Rover’s stands at this week’s New York Auto Show, which has also undergone a subtle styling update and powertrain transplant. First and foremost, the updated SUV is now available with a supercharged 5.0L V8 churning out more than 510hp...
Ralph Hanson -
Renault launches new 'Black Edition' Laguna CoupeRenault has just launched a new 'Black Edition' of its Laguna Coupe, a practice that carries on from the earlier special editions produced for the Laguna sedan and estate variants. The package includes special metallic paint available in Pearlescent Black, Cassiopée Grey and Platine Grey. Other...
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Chrysler picks A123Systems as battery supplier for future electric vehiclesChrysler has announced today that it has signed an agreement with American battery supplier A123Systems for new nanophosphate lithium-ion batteries for its future generation of plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. A123Systems plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Michigan, and via this...
Ralph Hanson -
Ford patent reveals plans for turbocharged pushrod V8A new patent filed by Ford may give us a clue as to what the next-generation of 'Scorpion' V8 engines for the company’s Super-Duty trucks will look like, thanks to this diagram taken from the patent application. Showing a pushrod V8 with four valves per cylinder, the diagram also reveals a...
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Finding an efficient and affordable way to move families around in the increasingly post-SUV American car market is not as easy as it might sound. For some, the answer is a minivan and for others, it... -
Mitsubishi planning to reveal facelifted Outlander at New York Auto ShowThe centerpiece of Mitsubishi’s stand at next week's New York Auto Show will be the Outlander GT Prototype, a preview of the facelifted model due to go on sale later in the year. Mitsubishi has released two new teaser images of the upcoming show car, revealing a design similar to the Lancer...
Ralph Hanson -
Saturn's Franchise Operations Team leader says brand has partner, will surviveNews that makes or breaks a carmaker's future isn't typically found in Danbury, Connecticut, but these aren't typical times. Saturn's Franchise Operations Team (FOT), a group of eight dealers, has a task force being led by Todd Ingersoll of Saturn of Danbury, and Ingersoll is saying that Saturn...
Ralph Hanson -
Ford continues to look toward Toyota, Honda for inspirationThere's no denying Toyota's rise to power has been as close to meteoric as things get in the lumbering automotive industry. Though it's decades younger than its Detroit rivals, it is healthier, larger and more technologically advanced in almost every way. That's why Alan Mulally is trying to guide...
Ralph Hanson -
Vorsteiner lifts aerodynamic efficiency of the BMW M3 SedanCalifornian tuner Vorsteiner has just announced the firm’s latest aerodynamic kit for the BMW M3 Sedan. Like its earlier work with Porsche and Mercedes Benz models, Vorsteiner’s new aerodynamic accessories are all made from lightweight dry carbon-fiber to keep weight to a minimum while...
Ralph Hanson -
Hyundai teases new Nuvis crossover conceptHyundai has given us a preview of its new HCD-11 ‘Nuvis’ concept planned for next week’s New York Auto Show, revealing just a profile shot of what appears to be a compact crossover. Hyundai has confirmed that it has plans to add a crossover to its lineup and the latest Nuvis...
Ralph Hanson -
In a bid to stimulate the stagnating U.S. economy and give the domestic car market a boost, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that taxpayers who buy a new passenger vehicle this year... -
Slow sales to keep Corvette plant closed through JulyRick Wagoner was sent packing earlier this week, then GM debuted a new buyer assurance program and guaranteed warranties, and Fritz Henderson put out a message of determination in the face of difficulty today, but Corvette's plant in Bowling Green won't be back in full operation until at least...
Ralph Hanson -
Early look at new Mercedes Benz E63 AMGThe all-new 2010 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG is scheduled to make its world debut in just a few days at the New York Auto Show but the performance saloon has already been revealed thanks to the premature leak of all the crucial details and images. Mercedes and its AMG engineers have tested prototypes for...
Ralph Hanson -
Honda develops technology to control robots using the mindWhile it may not be strictly car news, we just couldn't resist writing this story up about Honda's new 'Brain Machine Interface' technology. While it may sound like something out of the Terminator movies at first, the technology is an amazing step forward and could have huge implications for almost...
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America’s Sigma working on new all-electric sports carIt seems like almost every other day another fledgling car company announces plans for a new all-electric sports car. This time around its American start-up Sigma Motorworks, which is currently developing a new prototype for its GTE sports car due early next year. There must be something inherently...
Ralph Hanson -
Gold Bugatti Veyron defines excessWe've seen gold-plated Aston Martins and even Fiat 500s, but until now the cars receiving the treatment have largely been worth less than their paint jobs once all was said and done, save rare specimens like the gold-ensconced Rolls Royce Phantom - but not this time. A gold Bugatti Veyron out of...
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Volkswagen’s Mark VI Golf hatchback will lose the Rabbit nameplate when it goes on sale in the U.S. later this year. VW of America decided to bring back the Rabbit nameplate three years ago... -
CARB backs off bid to get rid of black cars in CaliforniaCalifornia may have a reputation for being one of the more 'progressive' states in the union, however the latest idea to come from the ever wise California Air Resources Board (CARB) had even the most die-hard environmentalists scratching their heads. Today the board backed down from its proposal...
Ralph Hanson -
Auto industry task force rejects GM and Chrysler viability planThe Obama administration auto industry task force has rejected viability plans for General Motors and Chrysler and threatened that both may be forced into bankruptcy unless further sacrifices are made. The task force has consistently stated that its goal is to solve the industry's problems rather...
Ralph Hanson -
Hyundai’s U.S. chief hints at plug-in hybrid sports carHyundai is moving into the hybrid business quickly, with its first petrol-electric model expected to debut in South Korea this July and the U.S. by next year. Now, the carmaker’s American chief, John Krafcik, has revealed that management is considering building a more advanced plug-in hybrid...
Ralph Hanson -
One-two finish for Brawn GP in F1 season openerThe 2009 championship opener today lived up to its pre-season hype, with Jenson Button leading an eventful Brawn one-two at Albert Park. The Briton, after two awful seasons for the Brackley-based team's previous guise Honda, crossed the line less than a second ahead of his teammate Rubens...
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N2A Motors working on modern Stingray coachbuilt carWe all have a soft spot in our hearts for at least one type of car, though it's different for each of us. For some, it's a mid-engine turbocharged Toyota MR-2, for others it might be an oddball Citroen DS. For a lot of people, it's the Corvette Stingray, and looking at the plans for the N2A...
Ralph Hanson