James Martinez, Author
Articles
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The quality of Mercedes-Benz has undoubtedly dropped over the years, a fact the carmaker has admitted to, and only recently has it been brought back to a level one would expect from a car wearing the... -
Official Teaser For The Subaru Impreza WRX STIThis is the first official image of the potent STI version of Subaru’s new Impreza WRX. We won’t get to see the car completely revealed until its Tokyo Motor Show debut next month but there are quite a few details we can gather from this teaser. Clearly seen is the car’s new hood...
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Commodore Could Be Headed To EuropeThe success of Holden fully depends on its export programs, which is why the GM division is considering selling the Commodore sedan in more markets with the latest tipped to be Europe. Variants of the Commodore are already sold in the Middle-East, South Africa and parts of Asia, and will soon be...
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Porsche again rules out F1 returnGerman sports car manufacturer Porsche has once again ruled out re-entering formula one in the near future. In February, the marque's head of motor sport Hartmut Kristen denied that recent infrastructure developments were in preparation for a grand prix return. To the news agency...
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BMW offering factory performance partsIn an effort to capitalize on the lucrative aftermarket performance parts sector, BMW in the U.S. is offering a range of official modifications to improve the handling and braking of its cars. All the parts come with the levels of quality you’d expect from genuine OEM components and are also...
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2010 BMW X1 renderedIn addition to its new V-Series of cars, BMW is also rumored to be developing a new SUV model positioned below the current X3. Tipped to called the X1, the new model is expected to be unveiled in early 2010 and will be powered by a similar engine lineup as the 1-Series on which it’s based...
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Emails between Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa were central to the evidence that led to the disqualification and $100m fine imposed on McLaren. The FIA revealed a 15-page dossier of the evidence... -
Novitec Ferrari F430 Tu NeroIf modified Lamborghinis aren't your thing then perhaps a tuned Ferrari F430 may appeal. This sinister looking beast is the latest creation of supercar-tuner Novitec Rosso and is dubbed the F430 TuNero. Apart from the all-black paint scheme, the car sports a pair of race-grade superchargers with...
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McLaren tried to involve Renault in spy caseA FIA spokesman has strengthened speculation that McLaren tried to drag Renault into F1's escalating espionage affair ahead of the World Council hearing on Thursday. Following rumours that boss Ron Dennis is in possession of potentially explosive evidence that could incriminate the French team as...
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Aston Martin Shows V8 Vantage N400 And DB9 LMAston Martin previously announced that it would unveil two new special edition models in addition to its all-new DBS at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. We now have official details on the two new models, one based on the V8 Vantage and the other is another DB9 variant. First up is the new V8...
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Ford could put brakes on Volvo developmentEarlier this year, Ford offloaded Aston Martin from its Premier Auto Group, and, more recently, it confirmed the sale of the Jaguar and Land Rover labels. Now, attention turns to its remaining premium brand, Volvo. Previous reports suggested Volvo would be sold following the sale of Jaguar and Land...
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Photo Update: Nissan’s bizarro Mixim conceptNissan plans to debut two new concept cars at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Stealth Bomber look-alike Mixim Concept and the aptly named Micra Color + Concept. Also gracing the stands will be a heavily revised version of the current Micra minicar. The new Mixim is a compact vehicle that...
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In his first major public speech Chrysler’s new Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli confirmed there were no plans to drop any brands but warned some products may be cut. Speaking at a press event... -
Mercedes-Benz releases DiesOtto F700 Concept teaserMercedes will be presenting no less than seven hybrid cars, eight new Bluetec diesels and one DiesOtto concept car at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, arguably the biggest number of offerings from a single carmaker at this year’s show. There will be 19 new models in total as well as...
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Updated: Hyundai's hydrogen-powered i-Blue crossover conceptHyundai will join the group of automakers wearing their green cufflinks at the Frankfurt auto show when it unveils a new hydrogen powered concept. The i-Blue concept previews a future crossover and employs the Korean company’s new 3rd-generation fuel cell technology. Strangely, the concept...
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Preview: Audi TT-RA potent high-performance version of the TT Coupe and Roadster is not very far away, however, specific details of the future model are still hard to come by. There’s been much debate about the power source for the new super-coupe with most suggesting either a twin-turbo version of the current...
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NASCAR to 'mellow' old F1 foesThey nearly came to blows when their careers crossed paths in formula one, but Juan Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve could soon be friends. In the drivers' briefing before the Canadian grand prix in 2001, the pair had to be physically separated after arguing about one another's driving style...
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Spy Shots: Lamborghini LMX SUVLamborghini could have a successor to the original LM002 if the prototype in these latest spy shots turns out to be the latest test-mule from the Italian supercar manufacturer. Although the prototype is dressed in the sheetmetal of a Porsche Cayenne, the widened fenders and lowered front-end...
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While the Mini may be a sales success in nearly every way measurable, it’s causing major problems for BMW. The problem is that it’s still too expensive to produce, even though the MkII... -
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT 'S'Maserati is planning to unveil a new version of its Quattroporte saloon at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, with the new car carrying the title ‘Sport GT S.’ Based on the current Sport GT, the new ‘S’ nomenclature sees the car receive a host of upgrades including the...
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Three more US states miss out on Mercedes-Benz dieselsThree more states in the US have adopted the same strict emissions regulations enforced in California, which means carmakers like Mercedes-Benz who’s current diesel models don’t meet the new regulations are forced to temporarily suspend sales of the oil-burners. The new states include...
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2009 Dodge Journey crossoverDodge is preparing to debut the new Journey crossover at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, a new model marking the carmaker’s attempt to break into the burgeoning CUV market. The Journey will be an international player for Dodge, competing with the likes of Subaru’s Forester...
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Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz CLC SportcoupeA prototype of Mercedes’ upcoming CLC Sportcoupe has been spotted while filling up at a fuel station and with some surprisingly revealing camo-gear. The image, which turned up on the GermanCarZone forum, clearly shows the car’s new shape, including the new front-end, which appears...
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Maserati recalls Quattroporte because traction control may ‘trip out’Maserati has issued a recall for its Quattroporte saloon because of fears a software glitch could cause the car’s traction and stability control systems to switch off automatically. The only affected model in Maserati’s lineup is the Quattroporte but it concerns both the older Duoselect...
James Martinez