James Martinez, Author
Articles
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The Pagani Zonda is already one of the most dramatically styled and exclusive supercars in recent production but the man behind the car, Horacio Pagani, has more ambitious plans for a new model set...
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Chevy Corvette latest victim of auto industry downturnLuxury brands and halo models have in the past been resilient to the effects of industry downturns, usually because of their niche status and high desirability. However, the industry is currently in one of its worse downturns in decades, with the U.S. at the bottom of a 15 year slump in sales...
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Report: Chrysler to build new axle factory with ZFChrysler is planning an aggressive model offensive over the next couple of years, with up to nine new models in the pipeline including both model refreshes and all-new vehicles. To cope with the extra capacity required for the new fleet, Chrysler is reportedly planning to build a new factory north...
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O.CT Tuning takes on the Audi R8 and RS6 supercarsThe top-end models from Audi, the R8 and RS6, have received a lot of attention in their own right as well as numerous tuned versions since their release. O.CT is adding to the list with a pair of their own, but instead of following the pack with the usual slate of appearance and engine mods...
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Porsche may add four-cylinder engines to 911For better or worse, the governmental and social concern with fuel efficiency is a real and serious consideration for the world's major carmakers. Porsche being increasingly numbered among them with is full line of vehicles and strong sales, it is beginning to consider how it might make concessions...
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Lexus releases official details and pricing for 2009 IS faceliftThe current-generation Lexus IS sedan first went on sale in 2005 and in keeping with the carmaker’s practice of refreshing its models every three to four years the popular sedan has undergone a minor facelift for the 2009 model year. Changes to the car are minimal, and include a few minor...
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The Lamborghini Miura Roadster concept has spent the past 40 years doing the rounds of motor shows and sitting idle in the hands of private collectors, a footnote in the annals of one of the most...
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BMW's M Division working on CS-based 8-series flagshipThe 2007 Concept CS has been both admired and derided for its dramatic styling, but BMW is moving forward with plans to build an all-new range topping four-door coupe around the concept. The new model is expected to revive the 8-series nameplate and is reportedly set to launch in 2010, putting it...
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Crisp and edgy styling to differentiate future Kia lineupThe Hyundai-Kia automotive conglomerate is South Korea's leading force in the industry, and recently became the fifth-largest carmaker in the world. In the U.S., Hyundai and Kia have to date targeted very similar markets with their cars, seeking to establish a foothold in the value segments where...
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Ford previews Sync V2.0 ahead of November launchFord previewed its next generation Sync platform at a recent press event at its Irvine headquarters in California, revealing a number of new features that are set to appear this November. The new Sync V2.0 platform is coupled with Sirius Travel Link and offers greater support for the existing...
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Toyota cuts 2009 sales forecast by 700,000 vehiclesHaving already reduced its global sales target for this year, Toyota is trimming figures once again and pushing back its goal to become the first carmaker in the world to break the 10 million annual vehicle sales barrier. The carmaker has announced that it expects to sell about 9.7 million vehicles...
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BMW X1 & 7-series hybrid headed to Paris Motor Show, next-gen Z4 to be revealed in L.A.This October’s Paris Motor Show is expected to be very busy for BMW as the carmaker is reported to be preparing no less than four different reveals for the upcoming show. The lineup is set to include the world debuts for the 2009 facelifted 3-series range and the recently revealed 7-series...
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Mazda has released the first tentative details for its new Kazamai Concept, which will be on display this week at the Moscow Motor Show. Following in the footsteps of its previous concepts, the ... -
GM engines focusing on efficiency through technologyAmerican automobile manufacturers may be playing catch-up to their Japanese rivals in terms of engine technology, but GM is now making significant headway thanks to a number of initiatives to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Thanks to a new engine lab built in Detroit that operates 24...
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More Info And Pricing For 2009 Renault Twingo RSAfter first previewing the Twingo RS concept back at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, officials have now rolled out the production Twingo Renaultsport 133 high-performance hatch at the current Geneva event. Like the original concept, the new Renaultsport 133 features wider front and rear wings, sculpted...
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Chrysler sues battery supplier for over $15 millionThe downturn in the U.S. economy and automotive industry is taking its toll not just on the carmakers, but on their suppliers as well - or at least that appears to be the case, with news that Chrysler has sued Johnson Controls, a Fortune 80 company, for over $15 million in damages. Chrysler claims...
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Lotus reportedly considering Carlton comebackLotus could be resurrecting the Carlton according to the CEO of Lotus Group, Mike Kimberley. The Lotus Carlton was a special version of the Vauxhall Carlton (Omega in mainland Europe) built during the early 90's. The base Carlton was a rather timid four-door sedan from General Motors, who owned...
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Kovalainen records first win at Hungarian GPIt was another disappointing day for Ferrari at the Hungarian GP, with lead driver Felipe Massa suffering an engine problem with just three laps to go. This handed the win to McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen, who recorded the first win of his career. McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton was in second...
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Update: The Chevrolet Aveo's clone, the Pontiac G3, won't be part of GM's North American lineup, despite already being sold in Canada and Mexico. A Pontiac representative stated that the G3 has not... -
2009 Kia Sportage RevealedKia has revealed the first images and details for its 2009 model-year facelift for the Sportage compact SUV. The changes are minimal, consisting of a few minor styling updates and the addition of a new diesel engine, and should ensure the car remains competitive against the top-selling Toyota RAV4...
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MG TF production finally restarts in UKUpdate: Following a number of false starts and several niggling quality issues, new owners of the MG label, China’s Nanjing Auto, have finally restarted production of the MG TF roadster at the company’s Longbridge plant in the UK – three and a half years after the factory closed...
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Schumacher hits pedestrian while driving Fiat vanMichael Schumacher's spokeswoman has confirmed the retired seven time world champion was involved in a road accident in England. A car dealer in Kent, a county in southeast England, told the Mirror newspaper that he was struck as a pedestrian on Sunday by a modest Fiat Ducato van - which had the...
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Alfa Romeo rumored to be developing new V6 familyAlfa Romeo has a reputation for building brilliant engines, combining Italian passion and a sonorous soundtrack in vehicles that the average person can afford. However, in 2005, Alfa Romeo stopped building its own V6 engines and decided to use a unit supplied by General Motors. The engines still...
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IED Students Conceptualize The BMW Of The FutureThird-year students of the European Institute of Design (IED) in Turin were given the task of designing the BMW of 2015, with the goal of creating a vehicle that would appeal to someone aged in their mid-30s. The project was endorsed by BMW and a special commission was established by the carmaker...
James Martinez