Ralph Hanson, Author
Articles
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The all-new Chevrolet Camaro was unveiled in July at GM's Design Center, but until now the high-performance SS variant had remained unofficial - despite numerous official photos being released. The... -
Text messaging deemed more dangerous than alcohol or cannabis behind the wheelWhile driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has long been demonized by safety groups and the government, it turns out a much more dangerous vice is lurking on our roads - text messaging. Research carried out by the UK's Transport Research Laboratory confirms what common sense tells us -...
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VW takes preemptive steps to protect against PorscheAlready tension and hostility between two of Germany's most important carmakers is reaching the boiling point. Boardroom dramas and stock acquisitions have supplanted spy scandals as Porsche continues its takeover of Volkswagen, and the latest development involves VW building barriers between...
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ASI reveals new bodykit for Bentley drop topJapanese tuners Accuracy.Spirit.Imagination (ASI) have revealed a new kit for the Bentley Continental GTC drop top. ASI's exclusive work with Bentleys has given the Japanese company a well-earned reputation amongst other tuners, and their latest kit gives the British-built Bentley Continental GTC a...
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Toyota hints again at new Prius brandThe 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid has officially been revealed at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Click here for all the details and images. We first heard about Toyota using its Prius nameplate for a family of hybrid vehicles as far back as March, but since then there has been little indication that the...
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Victory for 21-year-old Sebastian Vettel in Italian GPToro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel has clinched victory at a rain-soaked Monza, becoming the youngest winner in F1 history at the tender age of just 21. The young German led for most of the race after starting from pole and ended up finishing a full 12 seconds ahead of second placed Heikki...
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Jaguar engineers are currently testing a new version of the XK in Germany that has some very peculiar traits, leading to suggestions that the car could be a prototype for a new diesel model or... -
Database for vehicle deaths, injuries and property claims finally made publicIn what consumer rights groups are calling a major "victory for consumers," a database operated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been opened to the public for the first time. The database lists thousands of deaths, injuries and property claims made to auto and tire...
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Ford receives more than 1,000 orders for new Focus RSFord dealers in the UK have been inundated with orders for the upcoming Focus RS hot-hatch, which was previewed recently in concept form at July’s British Motor Show. So far more than 1,000 customer orders have been placed, with close to 40% of the applicants requesting the new...
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Update: Lexus IS 250C to be unveiled at ParisClick here to see the debut of the Lexus IS250C Convertible at the Paris Motor Show. The secret about Lexus' upcoming convertible hardtop IS variants has been out for some time now, with spy photos and registered names tipping the company's hand. The latest news of the Japanese carmaker's plans for...
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Renault Ondelios concept combines luxury with eco awarenessRenault has joined its French rivals with the announcement today of a new hybrid concept vehicle set to grace the carmaker’s stands at next month’s Paris Motor Show. The latest concept is called the Ondelios and is described as a luxury crossover designed for the environmentally...
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MINI Previews New Crossover Concept Ahead Of Paris Motor Show DebutNot much has been heard or seen of Mini’s upcoming crossover model since independent vehicle manufacturer Magna Steyr confirmed last October that it would build the new car. Now, almost a year later, and just weeks out from the Paris Motor Show, Mini has released an official rendering of a...
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After several leaks of official images and even some insider patent mock-ups, Renault has released full details and images for its 2009 Megane five-door hatch just weeks out from its world debut at... -
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP officially rated at 415hpGeneral Motors’ performance flagship for the Pontiac G8 range, the all-new 2009 GXP saloon, will arrive in showrooms in the first half of next year with a 415hp (309kW) version of the Corvette’s LS3 V8 engine nestled under its bonnet. Peak torque, meanwhile, is rated at 415lb-ft (563Nm)...
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Audi releases U.S. pricing and specs for 2009 A3Audi’s 2009 facelifted A3 will go on sale in the U.S. later this month, with prices starting at $27,745 for the A3 FrontTrak 2.0L TFSI model and going up to $37,800 for the A3 Quattro 3.2L V6. In addition to the revised styling and minor engine upgrades, the entry-level 2.0L TFSI is now...
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Next Cadillac Escalade to move to Lambda platform?The Cadillac Escalade has been one of the most popular and profitable models for General Motors and accordingly Detroit bosses have no plans to cancel the model any time soon. Rather, they see future generations moving to smaller and more fuel-efficient platforms. The original Cadillac Escalade was...
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Bolwell considers electric version of Nagari supercarAustralian-based manufacturer Bolwell recently made headlines for resurrecting the Nagari, a throwback to an Aussie-built 1960s supercar powered by a Ford V8 enigne. While the current Bolwell Nagari is still in the prototype stages, the company is already looking to the future and is considering...
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Nissan to unveil Nuvu concept and all-new Pixo city car at Paris Motor ShowNissan will present a new concept vehicle at next month’s Paris Motor Show that the carmaker claims is a preview of a future production model due in the middle of the next decade. The concept is called the Nuvu, short for ‘New View,’ and is described as a compact city car aimed at...
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Ford Europe first launched its ‘Individual’ vehicle customization program at the start of last year for a select number of models sold strictly in Germany and Switzerland under a pilot... -
Hyundai planning i20 and new i-blue concept for Paris Motor ShowHyundai has taken the wraps off the latest addition to its stylish i-range of compact cars, the all-new i20 five-door hatchback, which is set to go on sale in global markets early next year. Designed at the carmaker’s European design center in Russelsheim, Germany, the hatch follows the...
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Update: GM extends employee pricing through SeptemberUpdate: General Motors originally planned to run its employee discount pricing though until today but the company is reportedly planning to extend the program for another four weeks due to its success. GM’s sales so far this year in the U.S. are down 18% on last year’s levels, while...
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BMW cutting V8 production in favor of four-cylindersBMW has been forced to cut production of its large displacement engines in the wake of sluggish world demand. Despite the luxury segment usually remaining fairly resilient to environmental concerns and rising fuel costs, BMW hasn't produced its V8 engines at full capacity for the past year and...
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Toyota joins race to build all-electric vehiclesNext year will see the launch of Toyota’s third-generation Prius, and the year after that the introduction of what could possibly the world’s first mass produced plug-in hybrid, however the carmaker is also working on a third eco-friendly technology – the all-electric car. Until...
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100MPG Automotive X-Prize passes the 100-entry markOfficials for the Automotive X-Prize (AXP) challenge have announced that over 120 teams have signed a letter of intent to compete in the competition for the $10 million purse. Registration is now officially open for the X-Prize competition, which will involve a multi-phase series of tests and races...
Ralph Hanson