Kurt Ernst, Contributor
Articles
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The Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG will make its official, in-the-flesh debut at this year’s New York Auto Show, but the car is also being teased in a new video game called Driveclub, set to launch... -
The Corvette Stingray Driving Experience: VideoAs Corvette’s chief engineer, Tadge Juechter, explains, “race inspired” is a phrase used by manufacturers trying to establish a link between a race car and a road car. Since the new Corvette Stingray is developed from technology pioneered through racing, the phrase simply...
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Tesla Sells 2,650 Model S Sedans in 2012, Predicts Q1 ProfitAs CEO Elon Musk explained in yesterday’s Tesla conference call, 2012 was a pivotal year for the electric automaker. It began with the firm still producing limited quantities of the Tesla Roadster, and ended with the Model S sedan achieving an annualized production rate of 20,000 units. Along...
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Jay Leno Drives A 1971 Datsun 510: VideoIn the early 1970s, Nissan (then branded as Datsun) sold a truly remarkable car in its showrooms. Few families purchasing the Datsun 510 shopped it for its racing pedigree (1971 and 1972 Trans Am champion) or independent rear suspension; instead, they shopped it because it was economical and fuel...
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Edsel Ford's Custom Boattail Speedster Featured At Amelia IslandThe 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is set to take place on Sunday, March 10, and we’ve seen enough of the featured cars to know that founder Bill Warner will be producing another exceptional event. One of the more influential cars to be displayed this year is Edsel...
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Red Bull Racing To Aid Future Infiniti Performance ModelsIt would be easy to write off the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version (which, sadly, never made it to the U.S.) as nothing more than your basic grocery-getter, albeit one with just a bit more bling and a few additional badges. With most automakers, releasing a signature edition rarely involves...
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When the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) kicks off its 2013 season at Sebring International Raceway on March 16, BMW Team Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing won’t be campaigning its familiar BMW M3.
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Audi Plans To Double Its Crossover Offerings: ReportThe universal truth, according to German automakers, is this: American consumers don’t want station wagons. Instead, American buyers favor crossovers and SUVs, as these deliver a high seating position for better visibility, as well as a more rugged image. Whether you agree or disagree with...
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Inside Koenigsegg Looks At Future Engine Technology: VideoAs advanced as internal combustion piston engines have become over the past few decades, they’re still hampered by a few basic design limitations. Chief among these is the camshaft, which opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves via a mechanical linkage. In the days before variable...
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Touring Superleggera Disco Volante To Enter ProductionOne of the most intriguing cars at last year’s Geneva Motor Show was a modern interpretation of the 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante, originally crafted by a firm called Carrozzeria Touring, which has evolved into a company called Touring Superleggera. Touring Superleggera’s modern...
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Did Mercedes-Benz Outsell BMW In The U.S. Last Year?Based on the U.S. sales numbers reported at the end of 2012, BMW, excluding its MINI and Rolls-Royce brands, sold 281,460 cars and SUVs last year. Mercedes-Benz, excluding the Smart brand and its Sprinter vans, sold 274,134 cars and SUVs here. Simple math shows that BMW outsold Mercedes-Benz by...
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PDK-Equipped 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 Spotted In The WildPorsche’s latest Type 991 variant of the 911, the high-performance 911 GT3, is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Earlier this week, we brought you camo-free spy shots of the car in winter testing, and even speculated that a PDK dual-clutch transmission would replace the formerly...
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If you’re concerned about Volvo’s aging product line, here’s some good news: over the next few years, the Swedish automaker will revise or replace nearly every model in its current... -
Citroën C1 Connexion Offers U.K. Drivers Free Insurance - At A PriceIf you’re a new driver, you know that the cost of car insurance can, in some cases, be more than the cost of your first car. Get a ticket, or have an at-fault accident, and you may find yourself with the kind of insurance rates that would make Bill Gates wince, if your company doesn’t...
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BMW M Cars To Stay Rear-Wheel DriveAudi has earned its performance reputation on the strength of its quattro all-wheel drive, and Mercedes-Benz is now building its 2014 E63 AMG with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. While Europe will still be able to get 2014 CLS63 AMG models in rear-drive, those imported to the U.S. will likely be...
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First Details Emerge On Next Corvette Z06 And ZR1: ReportThe 2014 Corvette Stingray isn’t even in the hands of customers yet (though we have seen its first crash), but details are beginning to emerge about the next generation of higher-performance Corvette models. The good news is this: Chevrolet appears to have plans to launch both a Z06 and ZR1...
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More Forced Induction For Future Cadillac Performance Cars: ReportIf you’ve never driven the current generation of Cadillac CTS-V (in coupe, sedan or wagon variants), take our advice and find a way to beg a test drive from an owner or local Cadillac dealer. Not only are the cars impressive for their performance and handling, they’re equally-impressive...
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Rolls-Royce Ponders A V-16 Roadster: ReportGiven the fact that automakers worldwide are faced with ever-tightening fuel economy and emission regulations, upsizing a new engine hardly seems like a prudent thing to do. Rolls-Royce, however, hasn’t earned its sterling reputation by being prudent; it’s earned it by being...
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Unlike limousines, which are generally designed to coddle occupants in over-the-top luxury, livery cars are meant to get passengers to and from airports or business meetings in reasonable comfort.
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Ford Announces Its Final Mustang Customizer WinnerFord’s “Mustang Customizer” contest allowed fans to build the Mustang of their dreams on a dedicated website, then go head to head against others on Facebook to rack up points. The more points you earned, the more entries you received into a contest that could deliver your dream...
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Hamilton Smashes Vettel's 'Top Gear' Lap Time: VideoIn 2007, F1 star Lewis Hamilton drove what can only be described as a “remarkable” lap around the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome. In wet conditions, with oil from a broken gearbox coating Gambon corner, Hamilton cranked out a lap of 1:44.7 behind the wheel of a Suzuki Liana...
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Chinese Automakers Geely And Dongfeng Competing For Stake In FiskerStruggling extended-range electric automaker Fisker had a difficult year in 2012. Shortly after its Karma sedan hit the market, it was plagued by a series of recalls for battery, software and cooling issues. Fisker lost access to previously-committed Department of Energy loans for failing to meet...
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Danica Patrick Earns Daytona Pole For Stewart-Haas RacingDanica Patrick seems to have nearly as many detractors as she does fans. Those against the Stewart-Haas driver are quick to point out that during her entire IndyCar career, Patrick managed just one win, at Motegi, Japan, in 2008. On the other hand, her fans will remind you that she’s the...
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Alfa Romeo To Debut Gloria Concept In GenevaConcept cars are meant to be breathtaking examples of what’s possible, not necessarily what’s practical. Sometimes, concepts are designed for a specific reason in mind, like relaunching an iconic model from years past, or re-igniting a market’s passion for a particular automaker...
Kurt Ernst