Ralph Hanson, Author
Articles
-
Updated with official video and pictures.
Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its iconic 911 range for the latest 2009 model year facelift, but... -
Spy Shots: 2009 BMW 7-series at the NurburgringDue for introduction later this year as a 2009 model, BMW’s next-generation 7-series saloon has been spotted in recent months undergoing testing on both sides of the Atlantic and we now have some very revealing shots of the car at the Nurburgring. As the images reveal, the styling of the next...
Ralph Hanson -
Toyota Prius tops major European J.D. Power and Associates satisfaction surveysThe Toyota Prius was rated the highest-ranking model in three of Europe’s most prominent and influential satisfaction surveys conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. The pioneering hybrid vehicle was picked as the most satisfying vehicle in separate surveys conducted in the UK, France and...
Ralph Hanson -
GM to suspend SUV and pickup developmentFalling demand for SUVs and pickups plus uncertainty over future fuel economy and emissions standards has forced GM to delay all future designs of its SUV and fullsize truck models while product planners focus on building lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles. In the meantime, the product...
Ralph Hanson -
Ferrari's next supercar rumored to be based on Millechili ConceptFerrari surprised many last year when it rolled out the FXX Millechili, a concept vehicle constructed from plastic and cardboard representing the supercar company’s strategy for improving its image in the eyes of environmentalists. With talk of biofuel capable models and even hybrid-electric...
Ralph Hanson -
Porsche 911 posts quicker Nurburgring times with PDKNissan’s new GT-R supercar has proven how beneficial a quick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox can be at shattering race track lap times, posting a blistering 7m 29s lap time for the Nurburgring Nordschleife and beating most other supercars on the planet including Porsche’s 911 Turbo and...
Ralph Hanson -
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced plans to create car-free zones in parts of Manhattan for three Saturdays this August as part of a new trial to see the effects on the number of... -
Mercedes-Benz to build new plant in Hungary, replace A and B-Class with four new compactsMercedes-Benz has confirmed today that it will release four new compact cars to replace the current A and B-Class models when they reach the end of their product cycles in 2010/11. The family of compact cars will be built at a new plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, and will likely include a coupe...
Ralph Hanson -
Chrysler prices new hybrids thousands below rivalsChrysler today revealed pricing for its new HEMI-powered hybrid SUVs, also boasting that its new prices will undercut the competition by as much as $8,000 on some models. The sticker price for a new 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid (pictured) is $45,340, including $800 for destination, while the...
Ralph Hanson -
Subaru Unveils New Seven-Seater ExigaSubaru’s new Exiga seven-seater MPV officially went on sale in Japan today, after first appearing in concept form at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The new Exiga sits on a 2750mm wheelbase and is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder boxer engine mated to either four or five-speed automatics...
Ralph Hanson -
Honda to back American F1 team - reportsFollowing Super Aguri's demise, Honda may soon have another satellite formula one team up and racing. Reports from Portugal claim that Ken Anderson, a well-known US engineer who has worked in prominent F1 roles, is in promising talks about setting up an American outfit. The reports said that while...
Ralph Hanson -
Mazda starts research project to develop advanced eco-plasticsMazda has signed a collaborative research agreement with Hiroshima University to launch a new ‘bioplastic’ research project with the aim to develop plastics formed from non-food-based cellulosic biomass for production vehicles by 2013. The bioplastic being developed will not consume...
Ralph Hanson -
Toyota will present a one-off sports concept based on its Aygo hatch at next month’s London Motor Show, which has been designed from the onset as a pure driver’s car. As such, the car is... -
Tesla to partner with DaimlerTesla has reportedly signed a technology deal with Daimler according to latest comments from the electric car company’s Chairman Elon Musk. The new deal is in its early stages but according to the Tesla exec it could potentially grow into something major. Elon Musk reportedly told Fox...
Ralph Hanson -
GM to build hydrogen fueling station in L.A.General Motors has confirmed it will open a hydrogen fueling station in Los Angeles together with Clean Energy Corp. in a bid to promote the benefits of the clean-burning fuel as well as GM’s progress in the field of alternative fuels and powertrains. The two companies are also open to...
Ralph Hanson -
Mitsubishi to boost 'world' engine production 35%Mitsubishi is planning to boost production numbers for its new global engine family to meet soaring demand for the fuel-efficient and lightweight engine as well as prepare itself for the launch of several important models over the next 12 months. The engine range has been dubbed the...
Ralph Hanson -
Spy Shots: 2009 Jaguar XK coupe and cabrio faceliftUpdated with new cabrio spy shots. Prototypes for Jaguar’s facelifted XK have been spotted testing in the UK and Germany ahead of the updated model’s debut at the Paris Motor Show in November. The new model will go on sale early next year as a 2009 model and will feature several styling...
Ralph Hanson -
Mitsubishi reveals production Lancer SportbackMitsubishi will use October’s Paris Motor Show to display the final production version of its all new Lancer Sportback wagon before the car goes on sale in Europe in the following weeks. The carmaker will also be displaying the Lancer Ralliart (first displayed at January’s Detroit Auto...
Ralph Hanson -
The U.S. auto industry may be going through its worst slump in decades but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good opportunity for investors. That’s the belief of Michael Dell, CEO of the... -
Chrysler's 'Lets Refuel America' offer a dud?Chrysler updated its $2.99 per gallon ‘Let’s Refuel America’ fuel offer late last month to extend through until July but the incentive program has proven to be a flop despite fuel prices continuing to rise. The program offers buyers of particular Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep models a...
Ralph Hanson -
Ford says Mercury is important, suppliers say otherwiseFord has denied all rumors that Mercury could either be up for sale or axed altogether but supplier sources reveal the Blue Oval subsidiary will be retired by 2012. As Ford’s market share and profits in the U.S. continues to dwindle, management are looking at ways of reducing costs and are...
Ralph Hanson -
GM reveals pricing for 2009 Chevrolet Aveo and new Aveo5 hatchChevrolet today announced pricing for the 2009 Aveo lineup and introduced the redesigned Aveo5 five-door hatchback in the North American market. Pricing for both the sedan hatch starts at $12,120 (including a $660 destination charge) for the LS level of trim, and despite the low cost the cars still...
Ralph Hanson -
Arden Range Rover AR7 packs 520hp punchElegance, discreet sportiness and understatement have always been characteristics of British cars. However German tuning house Arden hasn’t quite taken these into consideration while tuning Land Rover’s Range Rover, giving it an aggressive new look and the performance to match. The...
Ralph Hanson -
Spy Shots: 2010 Toyota iQ minicarToyota has since revealed its all-new iQ minicar, which you can read about by clicking here. Hoping to share in the success of the growing minicar segment, Toyota is planning to release a production version of its iQ concept car as early as 2009 with the future model destined for both the Japanese...
Ralph Hanson