Ralph Hanson, Author
Articles
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The late Paul Newman, the Academy Award-winning actor, successful race car driver, entrepreneur and philanthropist, has deemed in his will that his collection of cars and private airplane should be... -
Nissan GT-R still manages 3.9s 0-60 sans launch controlMuch noise has been made over the effect of the Nissan GT-R's hidden launch control feature, known to break transmissions and void warranties when abused. The Series II GT-R, due for 2010, won't even have the option to enable launch control, and so the tests to determine the GT-R's accelerative...
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Mindset E-Motion hybrid car takes another step toward productionThere seems to be no end to the number of ecological concept cars being developed across the globe. Tough governmental standards and popular demand for clean cars are driving innovation in ever-greener directions, and the Swiss designer behind the Mindset E-Motion is tapping into that movement with...
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BMW considering diesel 7-series for U.S.A growing demand for more fuel efficient cars in the United States, as well as impending CAFE regulations, may prompt German luxury carmaker BMW to bring a diesel variant of its redesigned 7-Series to the North American market. The news came from BMW's president of North American operations, Jim...
Ralph Hanson -
BMW Performance goes online: 1-Series and 3-Series get first upgradesBMW has released a video on its website promoting its new 'BMW Performance' range of accessories, which is designed to allow customers to purchase factory-backed performance and aesthetic upgrades for their cars. We first saw details about the new BMW Performance range in September of last year...
Ralph Hanson -
Tesla Motors applies for $400 million government aidFledgling electric car company Tesla Motors has encountered financing problems recently, prompting the firm to apply for a $400 million aid package from the Department of Energy. The DOE has already approved a $25 billion loan package designed to help American manufacturers create more efficient...
Ralph Hanson -
Nissan's electric vehicle (EV) involvement in Project Better Place programs in Denmark and Israel, plus test fleets in its home market of Japan will be joined by a new agreement with the state of... -
VW powertrain boss expects 90% take up rate for dual-clutch transmissionsCarmakers in the luxury and sports segments are finding it extremely difficult to increase fuel savings without compromising the quality and performance of their product, but one company, the Volkswagen Group, is banking on dual-clutch gearbox technology to help achieve the all-important fleet-wide...
Ralph Hanson -
Jaguar ranks #1 in J.D. Power sales satisfaction surveyFor the fourth of the last five years, Jaguar has taken the top spot in J.D. Power's Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI), which measures satisfaction with the sales process. The turnaround from the doldrums of the 1990s and early 2000s is remarkable, establishing the Leaping Cat as the dominant leader...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: Nissan to remove launch control for 2010 ‘Series II’ GT-RThe Nissan GT-R has finally filtered its way into the retail channels of most global markets, with a fair number of customer cars on the streets. But just as those owners are getting familiar with their cars, Nissan appears to be working on a slightly revised and upgraded version for sale in 2009...
Ralph Hanson -
Renault-Nissan still looking for US alliance, supports Detroit 3 bailoutSpeaking at the Los Angeles Auto Show today, the boss of Renault-Nissan Carlos Ghosn has reaffirmed his company’s need for a “full North American partner” and pledged support for more federal aid for the Detroit 3 as a way to fuel growth in the industry. While Renault-Nissan is...
Ralph Hanson -
BMW acknowledges N54 engine turbo lag, releases software updateIn an effort to address specific noise concerns, BMW in the United States updated the turbocharged engine software on 335i/xi and 535i/xi models built from June 2006 through March 2008. However, the updated software caused a small amount of increased turbocharger lag under certain circumstances...
Ralph Hanson -
The Art Center College of Design has turned out some of the most highly regarded designers in the automotive industry, including Chip Foose, Chris Bangle, Henrik Fisker and Frank Stephenson. One of... -
Report: Updated S5 to feature supercharged V6Audi’s decision to downsize the engine in the recently revealed S4 range from a naturally-aspirated V8 in the previous model to a forced-induction V6 is set to be repeated for a number of important performance models from the Germany luxury carmaker. According to latest reports the facelifted...
Ralph Hanson -
Fujitsu announces revolutionary 360 degree around-car camera systemFujitsu has developed a new video-processing technology that enables drivers to see a complete wraparound view of their vehicle's perimeter, in real time. The new driver assistance technology adapts to different driving situations, enabling the driver to view the entire surroundings of a vehicle...
Ralph Hanson -
GM sells remaining 3% stake in SuzukiAs a direct response to liquidity concerns, General Motors has sold its remaining 3% stake in Japan’s Suzuki, earning roughly $230 million for the parcel of shares on the open Tokyo stock market. Suzuki has responded with an announcement today, claiming it was a mutual agreement to continue...
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Hummer is the only GM brand for sale, says CEO WagonerSaab's slowing sales and delayed models from parent company GM have previously sparked rumors that the Swedish brand could be sold off by General Motors to raise some much needed cash for its operations. Today, GM's CEO, Rick Wagoner, said that the General is not looking to sell any of its brands...
Ralph Hanson -
Expert says electric grid ready for plug-in hybridsPlug-in hybrid cars, like the Chevrolet Volt or the upcoming Toyota Prius plug-in, are viewed by many as the way of the future. Offering the possibility of exclusively electric transport to the bulk of drivers, but with the possibility for the extended range afforded by a reserve of combustible...
Ralph Hanson -
General Motors announced last week that it would be delaying development work on several new models to help cut costs in the near term, but Ford has a different idea for future success. Rather than... -
Saab 9-3 Special Edition commemorates 25 years of convertiblesGeneral Motors' withdrawal from press activities at the Los Angeles Auto Show made waves yesterday, but it turns out the General won't be completely without new models out west. In addition to the production Volt and two-mode hybrids on display, Saab is planning a Special Edition 9-3 Convertible to...
Ralph Hanson -
Toyota launches microsite for 2010 PriusThe 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid has officially been revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Click here for all the details and images. Toyota has launched a new microsite for its 2010 Prius hybrid, along with the requisite debut countdown clock for the exact second when the car will finally be...
Ralph Hanson -
Official U.S. prices announced for BMW 335d and X5 xDrive35dBMW’s first U.S. diesel was spotted testing earlier this year in California’s Death Valley in the form of a slightly disguised 3-series sedan packing a twin-turbo 3.0L straight-six oil-burner. The new diesel is the 2009 335d sedan, which is set to arrive at the end of the year as part...
Ralph Hanson -
GM pulls back LA Show plans even further, cancels press conferenceGeneral Motors had already announced it wouldn't be showing the Cadillac CTS Coupe and new Buick LaCrosse at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show as it had previously planned, and now the company has announced it won't be doing anything significant at the show at all, canceling its press conference and...
Ralph Hanson -
Mystery Ferrari confirmed as first car in portfolio coachbuilding programThe mysterious Ferrari [NYSE:RACE] we reported about back in August, spotted lapping Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in Maranello, has been confirmed as the initial car in the company's new 'Portfolio' coachbuilding program. Delivered to Japanese businessman Junichiro Hiramatsu, the car is...
Ralph Hanson