Latest Super Cars Reviews & News

Th!nk Ox Concept Car All Electric, Mostly Recycled

2008-07-26T04:13:00.000-07:00

How green can a car really get? What about one which features a lot of recycled materials as part of the design? That's the idea behind the Th!nk Ox concept car, unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva International Motor Show.

What makes the Th!nk Ox interesting as a concept is that 95% of the interior is made of recyclable materials. Those materials aren't specifically spelled out, but I have to imagine you won't grow a third eye while you are driving this car.

The Ox, built on an EV platform similar to other Th!nk EVs, is a fully electric, five seater passenger vehicle. Design touches include a solar panel on the roof to either keep the car cooled while turned off or perhaps power the sound system, an upright tailgate which tries to provide more luggage space, large interior glass surfaces and in-built computer screens to provide all necessary systems information.

The designers of this concept vehicle see it being capable of going 0-60 in under 8.5 seconds and having a maximum speed of under 85 MPH. Driving ranges are said to be around 125 miles combined highway and city summer driving and 155 miles for strict city touring. A sports version of the Ox is seen going even faster and further.

2010 Ford Mustang To Debut at LA Auto Show

2008-07-26T04:10:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, when Ford announced plans to counter its largest ever quarterly loss, we also learned the 2010 Ford Mustang would be revealed to pumping bass and epileptic-unfriendly lights at the 2008 LA Auto Show in November. We know the car arrives in showrooms early next year, and what's a new car without the lasers and dry ice of an auto show unveiling? But why LA and not Detroit?

Our sources tell us the reason the Giugiaro concept-based 'Stang is coming to LA is partly due to the lucrative convertible market represented by sunny California, but also because it offers Ford the opportunity to become the star of the show.

Despite being located in the civilized world, LA is still eclipsed by Detroit's NAIAS, which sees a huge number of new models unveiled each year. By unveiling the Mustang in LA, Ford hopes to guarantee more coverage.

Surprise! Millionaires can still afford Lambos, profits rise

2008-07-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

It seems that well-to-do individuals who grew up staring at Countach posters on their bedroom walls are still finding a way to fulfill their childhood fantasies. Both sales and profits are up at Lamborghini, with most of the increases coming from emerging markets, including the Middle East, China and Hong Kong. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes that the key to its recent sales successes is its policy of producing fewer vehicles than it believes it can sell, thereby keeping demand high. Winkelmann also noted that costs go down as production goes up, a further boon to increased profitability.

With Lambo's latest Gallardo LP560-4 about to hit its 114 dealerships, the second half of the year is already shaping up quite nicely. Ridiculously expensive options with high profit margins like $19,000 carbon-ceramic brakes are sure to help the bottom line too.

Chrysler offering even more incentives to close out July

2008-07-26T04:02:00.000-07:00

The automotive sales sector is in a major state of flux as consumers continue to run from SUVs and pickup trucks into smaller, more fuel efficient cars. One manufacturer hit especially hard by this transition is Chrysler, a company that recently posted the worst fleet average fuel economy numbers of all major automakers in the U.S. due to its truck-heavy lineup. Still, the automaker has built up a large supply of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep utility vehicles that they have got to get off dealer lots somehow. To ease consumers into the fuel-thirsy utes, Chrysler has introduced new incentives of zero-percent financing for 72 months on the 2008 Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen and Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander.

While the lack of any financing charges will certainly impact the bottom line, it is nothing compared to the losses the automaker has been hit with over its past lease deals. In fact, truck and SUV residuals are so bad these days that Chrysler Financial has gone so far as to completely cut leasing out of its available portfolio starting August 1. The financing deals announced today are scheduled to continue through Thursday, July 31.

London 2008: Renaultsport Megane R26.R

2008-07-23T04:39:00.000-07:00

While most of our recent hot hatch affection has been aimed at the Ford Focus RS, Renault brought its own racy three-door to the London Motor Show party, and now we're torn. Admittedly, the Focus RS is easily the more suitable day-to-day driver – it's got a full interior and air conditioning -- but the Renaultsport Megane R26.R has all the kit for a serious track-day assault. Hell, it even has two Rs in its name.

With the new Megane slated to appear at this year's Paris Motor Show, Renault wanted to give the current model a fitting send off. To that end, it took the existing Megane F1 Team R26, left the engine, gearbox and limited slip differential intact, modified the suspension and hacked off 271 pounds from its curb weight. The diet included the removal of the rear seats, passenger side airbag, climate control, fog lamps, headlight washers, rear windscreen wiper and the majority of the soundproofing material. In exchange, the R26.R received a carbon fiber hood, polycarbonate quarter and rear windows and a titanium exhaust.

Inside, the Renaultsport hatch makes the RS look positively pedestrian, with a set of carbon fiber Sabelt seats, six-point harnesses, leather and suede swathed steering wheel and gear knob, and an optional four-point roll cage. While output remains the same, at 230 hp and 229 lb.-ft. of torque, the stripped R26.R lapped the Nurburgring in 8:17 – a new lap record for a front wheel drive production car.

Only 450 examples will be made available when sales begin in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Spain this October. And unlike the Chevy Camaro, Renault released a video of the R.26R doing it's thing around the 'Ring... three seconds faster. Check it, along with the press release, below the fold.

No new MINIs for '08? Manufacturers tapped, dealers sold out

2008-07-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

If you were planning on hitting one of the 82 U.S. MINI dealers to get your hands on a fuel-efficient Cooper or Clubman, it looks like you'll need to look at plan B. Skyrocketing fuel prices has lifted demand of the little British icons to the point that, with the except of pre-orders, all 2008 models are pretty much sold out. The MINI's cute looks and thrifty petrol-sipping discipline have made the retro hatch more attractive than ever. Year over year sales increases of 39%, 52%, and 24% from April-June have all but wiped clean the MINI's already tight inventory.

Although sales really picked up in April, the MINI has been on fire all year, as the 26,400 MINIs sold in the first half of 2008 represents a 33.6% increase over the same sales period in 2007. And thanks to the MINI's already tight world-wide demand, the BMW-owned automaker can only up US shipments by 2-3k units for the rest of the year.

Team MINI wants to keep its new-found fortune coming, too, as it plans to increase its dealer count to 95 stores by 2011. The British automaker will also introduce a diesel MINI once it can pass emissions in all 50 states.

Chevrolet Camaro SS laps the 'Ring in... 8:20

2008-07-23T04:35:00.000-07:00

In this automotive day and age, any vehicle that has even a trace amount of performance in its DNA has to make the rounds around the Nurburgring. The new Chevy Camaro SS isn't exempt. So after GM revealed the Camaro on Monday, one of the scribes at InsideLine ran up to an engineer to find out what kind of time the Camaro put down at the Nordschleife. According to Doug Houlihan, GM's chief engineer for global rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the Camaro SS ran the 'Ring in 8:20.

To put that into perspective, the recently released 2008 Cobalt SS did the deed in 8:22, along with the BMW E46 M3 and the last generation BMW M Coupe, followed by the Lotus Exige S and Porsche Cayman S at 8:25.

Ed Welburn, GM'S veep of global design, concedes that the Camaro's shape is merely adequate from an aerodynamic standpoint, with a coefficient of drag on the SS of 0.35 and on the LS/LT models of 0.36 – largely a result of the recessed headlamps and full-width grille.

Houlihan went on to say that their time at the 'Ring allowed them to dial in the steering response and suspension settings, and that the StabiliTrak traction control system on the Camaro will be the best GM can offer. Settings on the SS model allow drivers to choose between track and performance modes, along with completely disabling the system. A launch control feature will also be available on the

London 2008: Lightning GT EV in the flesh

2008-07-23T04:31:00.000-07:00

Remember the Lightning GT? We told you about this all-electric supercar a few months ago, and it popped up today in person at the 2008 British Motor Show in London. That officially moves it one step away from the pure vaporware it was yesterday, which is a good thing since we're eager to see the carbon fiber-bodied Lightning actually move under its own power someday. That power will be provided by the same Altairnano NanoSafe batteries used by the Phoenix SUT, though churning out the equivalent of 700bhp through four electric motors in this case. Those motors are also the same PML wheel motors used in the 640-hp electric MINI, so they should be able to handle the 700bhp Lightning. There's also regenerative braking, as well as pretty much every standard conveyance of luxury you would find in a normal supercar including air conditioning, sat nav, full leather, etc. Its maker is claiming a 4.0-second charge to 60 mph for the Lightning, but we'd also like to know what type of range they're expecting in such a positively charged coupe. Unfortunately, details like that and the Lightning GT's price are still pretty scarce, though as before, they are accepting £15,000 deposits. At least it's no longer vapor.

2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images

2008-07-22T04:33:00.000-07:00

You've waited long enough, so let's dispense with the pleasantries and get right down to the hard facts.

Three models - LS, LT, SS
LS and LT come with 3.6L direct-inject V6 (300 hp/273 lb-ft)
SS six-speed manual comes with 6.2L LS3 V8 (422 hp/408 lb-ft)
SS six-speed automatic comes with new 6.2L L99 V8 (400 hp/395 ft-lb) and Active Fuel Management
3.6L DI V6 gets 26 mpg highway
6.2L V8 with automatic gets 23 mpg highway
RS appearance package available on LT and SS (includes HID headlamps with integrated halo rings, spoiler, specific taillamps and 20-inch wheels)
Front and rear independent suspension
FE2 suspension for LS and LT, sportier FE3 for SS
Four-wheel disc ABS standard, SS gets four-piston Brembo calipers
SS model gets adjustable Competitive/Sport mode for stability control and Launch Control on manual models
Available 18-,19- and 20-inch wheels

You can read Chevy's full press release after the jump and browse the official, full-size image collection in the gallery below. Stay tuned for our post of live coverage from our team on the ground.

Spy Shots: 2009 Acura TL in the buff

2008-07-22T04:29:00.001-07:00

The 2009 Acura TL has been spied enough times to rival the Chevrolet Camaro and Nissan GT-R, and even though Acura has already released a teaser of the TL ahead of its official launch, the overly airbrushed glamour shot doesn't accurately reflect what the TL will look like in the flesh.

Our new friend Dariusz came across a handful of images of the TL hanging out in a parking lot, with only the badge on the bonnet and boot obscured by tape and the steering wheel cloaked in a towel. Check the gallery to get a detailed glimpse of the new TL and check back next month for our First Drive.

Honda cuts Odyssey and Pilot production; makes room for more Civics

2008-07-22T04:26:00.000-07:00

Honda has got to be happy that it has a hot selling compact car to take some of the pain out of the slowing minivan and SUV markets. Hurt by the sky-high price of gasoline, both the Odyssey and Pilot, both recently redesigned, are sitting on dealers lots longer than Honda would like. In order to match production with consumer demand, Honda will close its plant in Lincoln, Alabama for two days next month and cut second shift production at the plant every Friday in August through October. Displaced workers can choose to take either unpaid time off or use paid vacation leave. Some of that unused capacity will be taken up by the Ridgeline, which will now be assembled at the Lincoln plant instead of in Ontario where it is currently being built.

The Civic, on the other hand, will see its production boosted at the East Liberty, Ohio plant and in Alliston, Ontario, where capacity will be available due to the Ridgeline's departure. Score another point for Honda's modular manufacturing techniques.

Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car

2008-07-22T04:10:00.000-07:00

Over the past five years, Volkswagen has continued to tease us with sports car concepts that never seem to come to fruition. Back in 2003, VW unveiled the Concept R in Frankfurt to critical acclaim and two years later, the wraps came off the EcoRacer, proving that the automaker was still kicking around the idea of a lightweight, affordable roadster for the masses.

In the interim, VW had two similar concepts that never left the studio, but when the Los Angeles Auto Show rolls along later this year, a new mid-engine coupe will be revealed, and this one actually has a shot at production.

According to Autocar, this newest concept aims to be a budget alternative to the Lotus Elise, balancing performance and fuel economy in a low-cost package. Sources suggest that the coupe will feature either a 168 hp, 1.4-liter TSI gasoline engine or a 125 hp, 1.6-liter TDI mounted amidships and sending power to the rear wheels via a seven speed DSG gearbox. If and when the production version debuts in 2011, the coupe's curb weight is pegged at just over 2,200 pounds, allowing it to run to 60 in under seven seconds while still returning over 55 mpg.

If the project is given the green light, the same architecture that underpins the VW variant could form he basis for the oft-rumored and continually denied Audi R4. And with Porsche's stake in V-Dub, that means a 914 successor is just a badge and prayer away.

2008 Audi Q7 3.6 Premium Review

2008-07-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

Audi is renowned for its automobiles and quattro AWD system. In 2005, the company jumped on the SUV bandwagon by introducing the Q7, a boldly styled and massively sized vehicle that immediately turned a lot of heads.

A couple of weeks ago, I was handed the keys to a V6-powered 3.6 S Line model. Let me tell you right off the bat that the Q7 is comprehensively equipped and very sophisticated as far as premium SUVs go. Pretty much everything is included, though navigation is optional.Massive
The front grille of the Audi Q7 must be quite intimidating for other drivers; they get out of the way as soon as you approach behind them, even if passing is not what you intend to do. Is it really what Audi designers were looking to create? One thing's for sure: the Q7 rises above the crowd with its massive, commanding presence.

Due to the tall ride height (20-inch wheels in S Line trim), the automaker had the wise idea to offer a Convenience Package with advanced rearview camera. The latter is so perfectly positioned and easy to use that it's by far one of the best I've ever sampled. You can back up into a tight spot and correctly align the vehicle. The large outside mirrors further improve all-around visibility.

Artificially limited interior
The power door locks and power-opening hatch facilitate access to the cargo area. It's a good thing because the high threshold makes loading items more difficult. Of course, cargo capacity will vary depending on the number of passengers. If you need to carry seven people, you'd be wise to take the cargo cover off before leaving the house because there's no place to store it inside the vehicle. How awkward! As a last resort, you can keep it between the first- and second-row occupants. When all seats are occupied, needless to say that room for your luggage becomes quite limited.

Ford brings 2010 Mustang out to play at Road America

2008-07-21T03:50:00.000-07:00

Just as photos of the production version of the Camaro popped up on the web last week ahead of tomorrow's unveiling, Ford decided to trot out the 2010 Mustang this weekend. Unlike the fully-revealed Camaro, the '10 Mustang remained heavily camouflaged as it acted as the pace car for the Kohler International Challenge vintage race at Road America. The prototype 'Stang lead a plethora of ponies from throughout the nameplate's lineage around the natural terrain course at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The Saturday Mustang Corral also was treated as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Mustang GTP that won in its debut race at Road America. We won't be seeing the updated Mustang in its birthday suit until Ford drives it onstage at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. In the meantime, you can check out the photos that Ford took of this event in the gallery below.

Transformers Corvette concept shows some tush

2008-07-21T03:40:00.000-07:00

Someone slipped Jalopnik a new pair of shots of the mysterious Corvette concept that's appearing in next year's Transformers sequel. So far, we've seen good views of the car from the front and side, but rear-end shots had yet to surface. Well, that's over. The concept -- now a confirmed product of the GM Design studios (note the plate in back), has large ducts in back that mimic the openings in front and presumably also hide the car's taillamps. Four big centrally-mounted exhaust outlets poke through the bodywork as well. Frankly, the rear view is the car's least appealing, with that chunky boattail mixed in with all those sharp angles. There's also a new detail shot of the front quarter, which focuses on that very traditional Corvette fender shape. Is it just a movie character or also a concept that GM's going to drop on us somewhere along the line? Your guess is as good as ours, and the trickle of spy shots is probably far from over.

Seriously? Kiss my Astra?

2008-07-21T03:34:00.000-07:00

Need a new car? If you're the Saturn Astra is on your shopping list, be wary of saliva spots... and while you're at it, pucker up. GM is running a Saturn "Kiss My Astra" contest, in which entrants are directed to capture their adventures in Saturn smooching on camera and upload them to the I M Saturn website. There, the online community of Saturn fans (we know, we were surprised, too) will judge the photos and declare a winner in September. The prize is a Saturn Astra XR. You're free to make out with any Astra you like, even your neighbor's, though you might officially become the neighborhood weirdo if people catch you locking lips with their ride. GM's Bob Lutz demonstrates his man-car love technique in the enclosed galery. Somebody turn a hose on this guy.

$85k Gibbs aquatic car could be built in Auburn Hills, MI

2008-07-20T03:27:00.000-07:00

Gibbs Technologies, makers of vehicles like the Aquada seen above, has managed to snag tax breaks from both the state of Michigan and the city of Auburn Hills to open its world headquarters near Detroit, the U.S. capitol for automakers. While we're sure that Michigan's Oakland County is happy to see Gibbs' investment in the area and the additional jobs it'll bring along with it, one must wonder just how many $85,000 aquatic vehicles the company plans to sell to sustain itself. Though it's headquartering itself in the Detroit area, manufacturing may be done elsewhere. Michigan is still reportedly in the running, but we'd imagine a less seasonal climate may prove beneficial for the research, development and testing of its upcoming amphibious line of vehicles.

Rumormill: 350 hp Volvo C30 R in the works

2008-07-20T03:25:00.001-07:00

Volvo gave its C30 hatchback a pretty aggressive look when it introduced the R-Design package, but unfortunately none of that sportiness made its way beneath the hood. Adding some show to the go, Volvo has reportedly created a C30 prototype fitted with a turbocharged inline-5 pumping out 350 horsepower using the Ford Focus RS engine block as a base. Best of all, it would be able fully put down all that power combined with Volvo's AWD system, unlike the FWD system on the Focus RS. Unfortunately, Volvo has no current plans to bring the car to production, and with high gas prices and upcoming fuel consumption regulations, it would be tough to convince them otherwise.

2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG

2008-07-20T03:23:00.000-07:00

It sits there, all tension and sinew, ready to pounce on lesser cars. Start it up and it barks with a clear V8 voice that thumps off the neighbor's house, setting them discreetly peeking from behind their lace curtains. This is an SLK? Oh yeah. No longer a blocky Benz with dwarfism, the SLK55 AMG ripples with muscle and delivers speed like a spin kick to the temple. A bad-ass Mercedes, indeed.

Eaton tapped to produce superchargers for Audi

2008-07-20T03:16:00.000-07:00

Audi is using American supercharging muscle to give its new 3.0 liter TFSI V6 the desired wallop. Eaton Corporation has been enlisted by Ingolstadt to supply positive-displacement, Roots-type blowers that will work with direct injection to deliver 290 horsepower and fat, responsive torque down low on the tach. Roots blowers aren't anything new, but Eaton has refined the design with its latest Twin Vortices Series units. The TVS units add a fourth lobe to the rotors, and crank up the twist to 160 degrees for maximizing the amount of atmosphere the blower can pump out. Jettisonning turbochargers may help packaging when the V6 is crammed into the S4's engine bay, as well as reducing complexity by simplifying intake plumbing. 310 lb/ft of torque at 2,500 rpm will put a grin on anyone's face, and we'd expect to see this engine proliferate into many Audi engine bays. Press Release after the jump.

Toyota to roll out GeNext Corolla, Fortuner

2008-07-19T04:46:00.001-07:00

With an aim to increase its presence in the fast-growing Indian automobile market, Toyota Motor Corporation (TKC) plans to launch an array of new vehicles, and will roll out its next-generation Corolla sedan and new compact offroader Fortuner this year.

“We aim to become a full-range car company in the next few years, and, realistically, it’s a big task. We are finalising plans to introduce several new vehicles from the our stable, aiming a much higher market share in India than the current 3%,” said

Toyota’s newly appointed India head Hiroshi Nakagawa. “The new vehicles will be both imported and locally manufactured at our Bangalore facility,” he added.

The company is looking at products across the segments, including the luxury marquee Lexus and compact car Diahatsu, that could hit the market in the next few years. “We are in the final lap of bringing in new vehicles in the premium segment, the volume generating small-car segment will be rolled out sometime in 2010,” Mr Nakagawa said.

Priced in Rs 10-14-lakh range, the new Corolla will be pitted against the newly launched Volkswagen Jetta and Honda Civic. Fortuner, in the price band of Rs 15-19 lakh, will compete with Maruti’s Grand Vitara, Honda CRV, Ford Endeavour and GM’s Captiva.
Toyota chief said he was not too worried about the negative impact of rising inflation and galloping fuel prices. “We are closely watching the prevailing low sentiment in the auto market, but are bullish on the potential of the Indian market,” Mr Nakagawa said.

BMW revises sales target by 40%

2008-07-19T04:37:00.000-07:00

Enthused by the response from Indian luxury car buyers, Germany's BMW has upped its sales target in the country for the calendar year 2008 by 40 per cent to 2,800 units. Of these, 2,200 cars will be rolled out from the company's assembly plant near Chennai, while the remaining will be imported from Munich, the premium car maker's global head quarters.

Should BMW achieve its sales target, it would grow over last year's sales by 102 per cent. BMW's optimism comes at a time when the passenger car market in India is worrying about ending up with a single digit growth in the 2008-09 financial year.

The company measuring against its own stringent standards, believes that it has done better than expectation in India so far. While the sales target for 2007 was 1,000 cars, the Indian operations of BMW closed the year with sales of 1,387 luxury vehicles.

David Panton, senior vice-president, Asia-Pacific and president, South Africa, said "This is no small revision for a company like BMW", which prices its cars between Rs 27,00,000 (320i model) and Rs 1.31 crore (M6 convertible).

The company's assembly plant at Mahindra World City, near Chennai can roll out 3,000 cars a year. "This capacity should be enough for our sales target in 2008 and 2009. In any case the 3,000 cars-a-year capacity is on a single shift basis," said Panton. Revision of the current year's target by BMW is in response to the mid-year review of its performance and outlook for the rest of year.

Interestingly, BMW's upward revision of target comes at a time when the Indian car market is not in the best of its form. The domestic passenger vehicle market, after closing 2007-08 with a growth of 12 per cent, is in the midst of major price increases due to rise input costs. The industry is also hit badly by the spiralling oil prices.

The luxury car market, which is limited to a few thousand units in India, is clearly hotting up. This market is currently dominated by BMW and Daimler's Mercedes. Another German luxury marquee Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group, is also making its presence felt in India.

Pics Aplenty: 2009 Mazda6

2008-07-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

On the eve of our Mazda6 review, the self-declared Zoom-Zoom brand has offered up 133 images of its newest sedan for our perusal. Want some pretty action shots? There are almost 20 including the one above. What about the folding rear seats? Not only do they give us step-by-step shots of the back seat action (remove mind from gutter), they've also shown us how the pass-through can accommodate both a snowboard and a rug. Ingenious. How about the key? They've got it covered... in triplicate. The starter button? Done. Twice. Obligatory "golf-bag-in-trunk" shot? Check. And while we originally planned to leave out the massive pic of an ABS light set against a totally black background, we thought better of it, just because it was ridiculous.
Enjoy the gallery, and be sure to check out the pricing details and technical tidbits before you come back tomorrow to read our review of the 2009 Mazda6.

Russo and Steele to auction off rare 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV/J

2008-07-17T03:59:00.000-07:00

Most car enthusiasts know about the Lamborghini Miura, one of the most beautiful and desirable cars from the '60s and '70s, but few know about the one-off Miura Jota and subsequent SV/J models. The Jota was built in 1970 as an experimental car to test new ideas for the upcoming Miura SV. It featured a lightweight body with extra vents, a split sump engine (implemented on later SV models), "Megaphono" exhaust pipes, and a bevy of bespoke features. After the car was finished, it was sold to a loyal customer. Unfortunately, the Jota was involved in an accident and was completely destroyed when it burned to the ground. However, when several of Lamborghini's customers heard about the car, they asked if they could buy one of their own. Lamborghini decided not to officially build a production Jota, but they did offer conversions based on the SV model. The Lamborghini Registry lists only six "works" SV/J models, all featuring the Jota bodywork. The one seen here is chassis number 4892, and it will be auctioned off at the upcoming Russo and Steele classic car auction in Monterey. It's tough to tell what the car will go for since the SV/J models rarely ever change hands, but you can bet it won't be a paltry sum.

Goodguys Rod & Custom names 2008 Street Machine of the Year

2008-07-17T03:46:00.001-07:00

Every year, hot rodders from around the country gather for a huge custom car show, swap meet, and a night of drag racing put on by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. For many, it's a weekend of fun, but for others it's the chance to be named the Street Machine of the Year. The winner of the prestigious award this year went to Erv Roller's 1969 Chevy Camaro known as "RAZOR", built by the Ring Bros. of Spring Green, WI. If the Ring Bros. sound familiar, it might be because they built the Reactor Mustang, the car that won the award last year. It's the first time in the competition's 14 year history that the same builder has won the award two years in a row. Follow the jump to read more about Erv Roller's Camaro and how it came to be.

Formula Drift announces World Championship of drifting

2008-07-15T02:56:00.000-07:00

It always seems a bit presumptuous when a "world champion" is declared for a sporting event played in America. After all, other countries have leagues for baseball, basketball, football, etc. Formula Drift, the most well known drifting association in the United States, isn't about to declare world superiority in the art of maneuvering a car sideways through a course, but it does want to find out who's the best. Partnering with Red Bull Energy Drink, Formula Drift will be bringing together the best drifters from around the world to compete head to head in one single event. The competition will be held in November on the docks in Long Beach, CA and will feature a purpose-built course that will test the limits of each driver's skills.

AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs?

2008-07-15T02:54:00.001-07:00

It sure ain't pretty, though beauty, in this case, is likely in the eye of the beholder. A few years back, a new take on the taxi was provided by Standard Taxi, a company based in Troy, Michigan. The design for the purpose-built people hauler uses GM running gear and is able to haul four passengers in relative comfort. We hadn't heard a peep from the company until today when we learned that Standard is now working on negotiations with AM General to build the vehicle in its plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, where AM General builds the Hummer H2 SUV and SUT. So far, no announcements have been made regarding whether or not the plant would continue working full-time in the face of lagging Hummer sales, though we imagine that plenty of excess capacity is available. According to AM General, the deal would in no way impact the assembly of military Hummer models.

We can't say whether a production version of the Standard Taxi would feature the pushrod 4.3-liter V6 that the concept had underhood, though there are plenty of options from the GM parts-bin from which to pilfer. A Standard Taxi equipped with GM's 2-Mode hybrid system could prove to be extremely well-suited for taxi duty in some of the world's toughest environments.

Ford moving to three-year redesigns to keep things fresh

2008-07-15T02:52:00.001-07:00

Back when it was virtually guaranteed 20% US market share, Ford would redesign its vehicles every five or more years. The Ford Ranger, Focus, and Crown Victoria changed even slower, with mostly only new lights and grilles. When competitive pressures started to put the Blue Oval into an anaconda death grip, that once guaranteed share began to shrink. To battle those competitive forces, Ford is looking to do a major redesign on its vehicles every three years from now on. Ford design director Peter Horbury told Automotive News that minor styling changes just aren't effective, and that future redesigns will include changes to everything but the doors, roof, and glass. That leaves bumpers, hoods, trunks, lights, quarter panels and front and rear facias as some of the items that can be refreshed in a much more timely fashion.

Horbury claims the Dearborn, MI automaker listened to the press with regard to styling changes, which emboldens us to ask for more. We'd like a twin-turbo four-pot Mustang, a plug-in euro Focus, a 40 mpg F-150, a seat on the board, and free Mondeos for all.

UK to get updated RX-8 starting in late August

2008-07-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Buyers in the U.K. are about to get their first crack at the revised 2009 Mazda RX-8, as the quad-door sportscar officially goes on sale in late August. All RX-8's destined for the U.K. will get the full body-kit that's optional in other markets. We've already seen all the images of the only rotary-powered mass market car in the world that we can stand, so lets move on to what's changed under the skin. Shorter final drive gearing combined with a steeper (numerically lower) sixth gear will allow the high-strung engine to reach its power-band earlier in gears one through five while still maintaining reasonable revs when cruising in sixth. New Recaro sport seats spice up the cabin and 19-inch rims with rotor-shaped spokes add some flair to the exterior.

Though power levels remain unchanged, the Renesis rotary engine sees minor revisions as well, with improved cooling as one main feature. Also updated are the oil metering pump -- all rotary engines ingest oil during normal operation -- and computer software which limits high-speed operation until the velvety-smooth powerplant has reached a proper operating temperature, likely to improve reliability somewhat. All in all, the '09 update of the sports coupe is pretty thorough, though the result is still instantly recognizable as an RX-8.

Ford considering four-cylinder EcoBoost for F150

2008-07-14T02:29:00.000-07:00

According to sources speaking with Pickuptrucks.com, Ford is considering offering an EcoBoost four-cylinder engine on its F-150 pickup in 2013. The boosted mill is expected to displace around 2.5-liters, produce 260 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, and would only be available on the two-door Regular Cab F-150 4x2 and 4x4.

Ford's rationale for equipping its workaday pickup with a turbo'd four is partially due to the rising cost of gasoline, but is primarily fueled by new CAFE regulations that will require light trucks to average 28.6 mpg by 2015. Ford has already decided to drop its 4.2-liter V6 for the 2009 model year, only offering the 4.6-liter V8, which produces more power and more torque, while still offering similar fuel economy.

The EcoBoost range of engines are likely to find their way into several different models across Ford's line up, and according to Ford's director of powertrain research, Dan Kapp, EcoBoost engines could allow the automaker to reduce engine sizes by between 40- and 50-percent, so 3.0-liter V6s could be replaced by two-liter fours and a 2.5-liter four cylinder could be reduced to 1.5-liters.

Before the EcoBoost four-pot debuts on the 2013 F-150, Ford will launch a turbocharged V6 in the pickup in 2010. Displacement is expected to be around 3.5-liters, with output estimated at around 350 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. Partnered with a new six-speed transmission, fuel economy should be around 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.

And what of the rumored F-100 pick-up? It's conceivable that the range-topping version of the compact truck could be packing the same turbo'd four as its big brother, while a naturally aspirated version would power the entry level model.

Yanko Designs renders one-off Ferraris

2008-07-14T02:27:00.000-07:00

The designs that Yanko's got on its website are from a past Ferrari design competition, thanks to all the sharp eyed readers who caught it.

As we reported not too long ago, Ferrari is not stupid, and if you've got the obscene cashflow, you can get your own design rendered in Rosso Corsa with a gen-yoo-wine Prancing Horse on the fender. Trouble is, not everyone has a shelf full of sketchbooks with multitudinous supercar designs lying in wait. Even if you do, they're probably not very good. Mastering foreshortening and perspective is not a weekend project, and designing a body that's actually capable of production is also not something the common man, even the uncommonly rich common man, is familiar with. Yanko Design has done some of the heavy lifting for those talentless hacks wanting to join the Jim Glickenhaus society. The Glick went to Pininfarina, but Yanko's collected some former Ferrari design competition candidates to remind us of what could be. The designs are from students, and Yanko's showing some of the ones that didn't make the cut. If these are what students can do, just think of what experienced hands could come up with. Some actually look good, though others would be better off as Hot Wheels cars. Wouldn't it just be cheaper to get one of those Fiero bodykits and put the leftover millions into retirement accounts?

Audi A1 not bound for U.S. shores

2008-07-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

Despite the burgeoning popularity of small cars, especially with premium nameplates, Audi doesn't think there's a case for bringing its MINI-sized A1 to the United States. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler acknowledges that American customers are increasingly interested in fuel efficiency, but also contends that we want that frugality wrapped in larger sheetmetal than customers elsewhere might go with. In the interest of greener numbers, Audi's planning on going electric, launching an armature-motivated car around 2010, roughly the same due date as a Volkswagen electron-mobile. No decision has yet been made about a plant in North America, but that might reduce costs enough for attractive pricing to facilitate Audi's target of selling 1.5 million annual units by 2015. Without the A1, we're going to be forced to continue drooling all over the Alfa MiTo's roundy-round front fenders.

Class warfare: Exotic car owners in MA got massive tax break

2008-07-13T02:33:00.000-07:00

Owning a high-end car? Fun. Paying the hefty vehicle tax on it? Not so much -- that is, unless you live in the state of Massachusetts. From the late 1990s to 2007, the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles missed collecting $32 million a year in annual taxes because it used the NADA database to calculate them for some 131,000 exotics or otherwise premium vehicles. Unfortunately for the RMV, NADA's database excludes high-end luxury vehicles, so there was no proper way to tax those cars in the state. If, for instance, you purchased a Bugatti Veyron, instead of paying many thousands of dollars, you could have wound up paying no more than the owner of a Ford Focus.

This is going to suck for owners of affected cars, as the taxman comes to collect what he missed the first time around, right? Wrong. Folks who purchased an affected vehicle through 2007 are completely off the hook. The commonwealth has decided that trying to collect the over $300 million it missed over all those years would be an administrative and legal nightmare. That's a win-win situation for premium car owners in Mass. that's sure to torque off the regular guy, whom the government had no trouble finding and collecting from, as usual. What's scandalous is that no one at the RMV figured this out until now. Bay Staters, that's you're local government (and those tax dollars it collects) at work.

Lexus cancels next-gen SC, Toyota cancels next Avalon

2008-07-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

Sales of the bulbous Lexus SC 430, one of the vehicles that kick-started the current hardtop convertible fad in the U.S., have slowed so significantly that Toyota's luxury brand has reportedly canceled its replacement. The four-place, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicle never fit well into any specific niche, as it boasted neither the sportiness of the ragtop Jaguar XK and Porsche 911, nor the snob appeal of the BMW 6 Series. Through the first six months of this year, Lexus sold only 1,230 SC's, down 40% from last year. What fans the Lexus sport coupes/convertible does have need not worry, however, as the brand will be launching the much more potent (and substantially more impressive) LF-A supercar at some point in the future.

According to Inside Line, the SC isnt the only Toyota product without a future. The Avalon entry-level Buick luxury sedan is also on the chopping block. Fans of the boring unpretentious Avalon can instead look forward to an extended-length version of the Camry sedan to take its spot in Toyota's U.S. lineup.

Jaguar XF-R spotted at Goodwood Festival of Speed

2008-07-13T02:28:00.000-07:00

Less than two months after Jaguar XF-R spy shots (followed by a second set) emerged, our man on the ground at the Goodwood Festival of Speed spotted the real thing doing double-time in front of the crowd. He was quick enough to snap five good shots of the fast cat at speed. Power is speculated to be in the 500 hp range, courtesy of a supercharged 5.0-liter V8. Riding on performance rubber wrapped around 20-inch wheels, the sleek sedan will be sure to sink claws into its German rivals when it rolls into showrooms next year.

2008 BMW M3 MT6

2008-07-12T02:59:00.000-07:00

Third-party performance tuners like Alpina, AMG, Brabus, Ruf and others have thrived in the land of the autobahn, typically modifying cars from one particular brand. In the late '70s, BMW became the first of the German automakers to establish its own in-house tuning division, incorporating its motorsports arm into what's now know as the M division. The firm's racing knowledge disseminated down to its production cars with the introduction of the M1 and later the M535i. In subsequent years, M followed up with the M5 and M3. Eventually Mercedes followed suit by buying out AMG, while Audi launched Quattro GmbH. Over the past two decades, M has continued to create ever faster iterations of mainstream Bimmers and for 2008 the M brain trust brings us the fourth generation of the M3.

The original 1986 M3 used the boxy body of the E30 3-series coupe, equipped with a high output, 16-valve four cylinder engine to homologate the body and engine for Group A touring car racing. Over the years, M3s, like all other BMWs (and pretty much every other car on the road), have grown bigger, heavier and more powerful. The E36 and E46 M3s both drew motive force from in-line six-cylinder engines ranging from 240hp to 333hp. The new E90-based M3 has what could turn out to be the ultimate engine of the series, with an all-new 4.0-liter V8 generating 414 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. But what's it like to live with? Follow the jump to find out.

European hunting season cancelled: Cadillac CTS-V not crossing Atlantic

2008-07-12T02:56:00.000-07:00

Cadillac's wicked new CTS-V may have the likes of the BMW M5 in its sights, but it appears that it won't be hunting down the best that Munich, Stuttgart and Ingolstadt have to offer on their Autobahn home turf. According to Top Gear, Caddy's U.S. minders don't think the V's blown V8 is good for Europe, so the car apparently won't be making the boat trip across the Atlantic. Unfortunate, as it would have been interesting to see how America's ultimate muscle sedan would have fared when euro journos pitted it against all the hometown favorites. Sure, we'll see comparos done Stateside, but it would have been fun to see Cadillac put on the "away" jersey to try and add some luster to that long-tarnished "Standard of the World" mantle against Europe's top performance machines -- including the ones we don't see here, like the new Audi RS6.

Volvo to trim 30-percent of U.S. dealers by the end of next year

2008-07-12T02:54:00.000-07:00

Volvo hasn't been doing too hot lately, posting a $1.73 billion loss over the past five years as it flails to find its niche. Sales of almost every Volvo product have declined in 2007, with the S60 falling by 28.1 percent, the XC90 dropping 5.6 percent and the V70 station wagon losing 7.7 percent. For June of 2008, Volvo only moved 7,001 vehicles, down 14.2 percent compared to last year. Something has to be done on the retail side, and according to Automotive News, dealers are on their way out.

The automaker is looking to cut out approximately 30 percent of its U.S. dealer network by the close of next year, however, Volvo retailers won't be cut in Europe, nor Russia, where Volvo is a leader in premium vehicle sales.

Volvo recognizes that part of its problem is fuel efficiency, so it's focusing on producing smaller vehicles and pushing its C30 hatch hard in the States. A hybrid version of the XC60 is in the works, but that won't be out for at least another three years... in Germany, and as a stopgap, Volvo plans to implement start-stop technology on its smaller engines.

HUMMER H3T starting at $31,495, sales begin September

2008-07-12T02:49:00.000-07:00

HUMMER is on the skids and pickups aren't flying off dealer lots, but if you're smitten with the H3 and need to haul more than its covered cargo bay can handle, the H3T is yours for the taking. Pricing starts at $31,495, including a $745 destination charge -- $850 less than a comparable H3.

For that kind of cash, you get a five-foot-long bed covered with an integrated liner and built-in storage system, full-time electronically controlled four-wheel-drive, 32-inch tires, functional skid plates and the five-year/100,000-mile warranty. The base model will pack the 3.7-liter five-cylinder, but a 5.3-liter V8 will be available, along with Bluetooth integration and an upgraded OnStar system. GM hasn't released details on what that kind of kit will set you back, but you can hit up your local dealer to find out when the H3T goes on sale in September.

Ford Fiesta Zetec S to debut before RS version

2008-07-12T02:43:00.000-07:00

While the official unveiling of the 2009 Ford Fiesta is still a couple weeks away, that hasn't stopped Ford from tossing sneak peeks of a sportier Fiesta Zetec S out to the hot-hatch followers. Nowhere near as aggressive as the Focus RS, the Zetec S is differentiated by its body kit with new front splitter and side skirts. The European Fiesta will be offered with five different engines, but the Zetec S will feature only the Duratec 1.6-liter rated at 118 hp. Tuned for efficiency, yet designed to be fun-to-drive, the new hatch will scoot to 62 mph in less 9.9 seconds and squeeze an impressive 50 miles out of a single gallon of gas.

Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (supposedly) to start under $27k

2008-07-10T04:07:00.000-07:00

According to Greb Migliore, an Autoweek scribe attending the Ralliart's press launch, the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart will arrive in showrooms this September with a price tag under $27,000. The turbocharged middleweight sedan – aimed squarely at the Subaru WRX – is a clear choice for those that don't want to shill out $40k for its big brother the Evolution X.

Instead, you can get the same 4B11T/C engine (equipped with a smaller turbo) sending 237 hp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque to Mitsubishi's dual-clutch SST gearbox and on down to a modified version of the Evo IX's all-wheel-drive setup. Go crazy with the options, including Recaros, Sirius radio, sat nav and HID headlamps, and you'll be knocking on the $30k ceiling.

However, don't hold Migliore (or Mitsubishi) to that price just yet. The final cost hasn't been determined and will be dependent on currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen.

For the truly insane: 1800-horsepower Mosler MT900S

2008-07-10T04:05:00.000-07:00

The standard Mosler MT900S is a supercar by anyone's standards. It's got a sleek body made of carbon fiber, a 7.0-liter V8 with 550 horsepower, and can hit 60 mph in just over three seconds. But for one of Mosler's customers it just wasn't enough. The owner of this MT900S enlisted the help of Nelson Racing Engines in Chatsworth, CA to build the ultimate motor for his supercar: a twin-turbo 427ci V8 producing up to 1800 horsepower on race fuel and around 1100 horsepower using 91 octane. To help make the car more streetable, boost can be controlled every 100 rpm in each gear. The first few gears are limited to around 6-8 psi, while higher gears can take full boost -- over 30 psi! We recently got the chance to see the car in person at the NRE facility where they were doing final testing on the engine. The dyno run we witnessed netted nearly 1600 horsepower before the intake collapsed from the pressure. We were told that the car should be completely finished in the next couple weeks and that we could come back for a ride. We'll be sure to take them up on the offer!

Jaguar to celebrate 60 years of XK at Goodwood

2008-07-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is claimed to be "... the world's biggest and most diverse celebration of the history of motor sport and car culture." Held on the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex, England, the event was founded in 1933 and has grown over the years to include a hill climb race, rally stage, design competition, technology showcase, and air show (this year's show will feature a fly-over by the Airbus A380). To celebrate 60 years of the XK, Jaguar will be bringing more than a few special cars to Goodwood this week. They include the XKR-S (the fastest ever production XK), XK 140, XK 120 'Montlhéry' Fixed Head Coupe, D-type "Long Nose," and the XK 120 "NUB 120" (shown above). All will be accompanied by Jaguar's Le Mans winning XJR-9. This is an annual event you don't want to miss. Don't lose sleep if you can't be there in person this year... we've got someone on the ground covering everything beginning Friday.

Volkswagen mulls South for next auto plant

2008-07-10T03:57:00.000-07:00

If Volkswagen AG decides to build its U.S. assembly plant in the South, the German company will join other foreign automakers that are increasingly turning the region into a hotbed of car manufacturing.

The South offers automakers ample highway and rail systems and proximity to the large market of U.S. consumers. But its main attraction: Existing auto plant workers, even those who are victims of other industries exporting jobs, have rejected overtures by the United Auto Workers."Foreign-owned automakers have been a tough nut for the UAW to crack, and the South is particularly difficult," said Harley Shaiken, a University of California, Berkeley, professor who specializes in labor issues."That is without question an important part of their location decision," he said.

Volkswagen's plant will be part of the company's strategy to increase its presence in the U.S., where the maker of the Jetta, Golf and Beetle holds just 2 percent of the market.VW executives have narrowed their site options to Alabama, Tennessee and Michigan. All three states are offering financial incentive packages. The automaker's representatives and economic development officials won't discuss the site search.A Tuesday meeting of the company's management board in Frankfurt, Germany yielded no decision on where to build. Volkswagen's supervisory board, the equivalent of a U.S. board of directors, is to meet July 15, with an announcement expected soon afterward.

Industry executives and analysts say there is plenty of room in the South, where foreign auto assembly plants have been locating since Nissan Motor Co. set up shop in Smyrna in 1983.Analysts say the region can easily provide another 2,000 skilled workers, as can Michigan, where there are autoworkers idled by cost-cutting American companies.David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., said auto plants can locate within 40 or 50 miles of each other but "10 or 20 miles, that is too close," Cole said.

He said automakers "don't want to be competitive with someone who is a high-paying employer."Honda spokesman Ted Pratt said Volkswagen or anybody coming into the area "will find what we found: a great quality of life and a great work force."Honda set up operations in east Alabama in 2001, and the assembly plant Kia Motors Corp. plans for West Point, Ga., will be about 100 miles away. Two likely Volkswagen plant sites in Chattanooga and Huntsville, Ala., also are about 100 miles from the Honda plant.

Pratt said the plants seem "spread apart far enough so we are not pulling from the same labor pool."Spokesmen with Nissan Motor Co.'s North American plant in Nashville, BMW AG's plant in Greer, S.C., and Honda Motor Co.'s Lincoln, Ala., factory also said their companies have no reason to worry about the region becoming crowded with automaking.Nissan spokesman Fred Standish said competitors' locations haven't factored into Nissan's decision-making.Cole said a U.S. location is more competitive than ever in the current global economy and compared to Mexico, U.S. workers are better educated.

Volkswagen's only North American plant is in Puebla, Mexico, where 9,600 union workers staged a five-day strike in 2006 for better wages and benefits."They want an educated, motivated work force," Cole said.The issue with unions isn't wages. Auto production line work in the U.S. pays about $27 an hour in both union and nonunion facilities, Cole said.

Erich Merkle, vice president of auto industry forecasting for the consulting company IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich., said the issue with unions is they go on strike.Employees at Nissan's Smyrna, Tenn., plant voted down a UAW organizing effort on a secret ballot in 2001. The union has made failed attempts to get a foot in the door at the Toyota plant at Georgetown, Ky., and last year Honda executives sent letters to employees at its Lincoln, Ala., plant warning that any move toward organizing would "radically change" operations.

UAW officials did not return telephone messages seeking comment.Attica Scott, coordinator of the Kentucky Jobs With Justice organization that supports labor unions and has worked to organize the Toyota plant at Georgetown, said the UAW has to educate workers about the benefits of "having a voice on the job."Scott said union representatives help in cases of discrimination and job injuries.

The assembly plants benefit from going where suppliers are.Merkle pointed out the South already has German suppliers working with Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and a Japanese supply network sprouted in Kentucky around Toyota's plant.He said the close proximity is a "savings for both the suppliers and the automaker."

BMW spokesman Bobby Hitt said his company, which has operated in Upstate South Carolina since 1995, and likely its established supplier system, see no crowding on the southern landscape.Research and education resources that automakers want also are taking root in the Southeast.Seven universities — Tennessee, Auburn, Clemson, Mississippi State, Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham and Kentucky — have joined in an automotive research alliance.

The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, with BMW's U.S. subsidiary and Michelin as close partners, already offers master's and doctorate programs in automotive engineering.Foreign automakers have been pouring money into the region, accelerated in part by the weak dollar.

BMW has announced a $750 million expansion, with plans to add about 500 jobs."Obviously at the exchange rate right now, if one has a plant in the United States it is a good time to expand it," BMW's Hitt said.

Kia is preparing to spend $1.2 billion for its Georgia plant, and Toyota is investing $1.3 billion for new operations in Tupelo, Miss., to complement its Kentucky plant employing 7,000.The economic bounties for winning communities are substantial. Toyota estimates that payrolls for its new plant in Mississippi and related ongoing jobs will total more than $300 million a year by 2011.

Volkswagen no doubt has noticed the success in the region.Michael Randle, editor and publisher of Southern Business and Development magazine, said Volkswagen learned lessons when its assembly plant near Pittsburgh closed in 1988.Randle said this time "VW has got to make sure their decision is right."

Super Aguri assets to be auctioned

2008-07-09T04:41:00.001-07:00

In the fast-paced world of Formula One, teams come and go. Only most of the time, they're just changing names and management (in fact, Ferrari and Williams are the only teams still on the grid that were founded under the same name and same ownership as they remain today). So Jordan Grand Prix, for a most vivid example, became Midland F1 Racing in 2006, then Spyker in 2007 before its metamorphosis into Force India for 2008. Super Aguri was another story. Founded by former racing driver Aguri Suzuki, the team was the first in years to actually put up the bond necessary to start a completely new entry. Unfortunately, the uniquely Japanese-named team never had the money it needed to succeed, and after a little over two years, the team folded. But not before millions upon millions were spent on cars, equipment and everything else.

So what happened to all that stuff? Well, after Super Aguri went into bankruptcy administration earlier this year, the team's remaining assets are to be liquidated by British auction house SHM Smith Hodgkinson at the end of this month. Among the assets up on the block will be a dozen F1 racing cars, a fleet of transporter trucks and four autoclaves. So if you're looking to buy yourself the remains of an F1 team, this could be your chance.

GM shrinks Volt's gas tank, range drops from 600 to 360 miles

2008-07-09T04:38:00.000-07:00

One of the many things General Motors boasted about when it unveiled the Volt concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 was its 600-mile range. This was achieved partially by the battery pack, which could sustain a (theoretical) charge allowing the Volt to run for 40 miles without reverting to the gasoline engine/generator, as well as a 12-gallon fuel tank. According to Kicking Tires, GM has shrunk the size of the tank by an unknown quantity and the result is a reduction in range from 600 to 400 miles – or 360 miles without the aid of auxiliary (read: grid-provided) power.

The General maintains that since most owners don't travel more than 40 miles in one day, it wasn't necessary to fit the Volt with a larger tank. That reduction in capacity will save some weight, but what will it cost in public perception? The hype surrounding GM's supposed savior and game-changer are based on two figures: range and cost. If GM can deliver on both counts, they might have a hit on their hands. If not, the Volt will be DOA the day it hits dealers.

Chevy Volt to make an appearance in Transformers sequel?

2008-07-09T04:35:00.000-07:00

Just how important is the Chevy Volt for ailing General Motors? Obviously, that's a rhetorical as GM is making it out to be the second coming of the horseless carriage. The money being invested into the latest battery technology and the sophisticated platform which carries it proves that the General is placing massive wager on plug-in electric cars. And you can bet that it will be hyping the Hell out of them too. We already reported on the fact that the Volt will be a centerpiece of General Motor's upcoming Centennial celebration, and now we hear that the production Volt could join GM's other upcoming gas-saver, the Chevy Beat, by making an appearance in the highly anticipated Transformers sequel.

Die-hard Camaro fans have been anxiously awaiting its formal introduction since it strutted its stuff in concept form in the first installment of Transformers. Thankfully for Volt aficionados, along with just about anyone else looking to save a few bucks on their fuel bills, we shouldn't need to wait nearly as long after its big-screen debut for a shot at driving off the showroom floor in a shiny new electric car, assuming the Volt actually arrives on schedule for its 2010 launch.

General Motors swaps Hummers for mini-cars as fuel prices soar in the US

2008-07-08T04:37:00.001-07:00

General Motors, the maker of the iconic off-road Hummer, may be gearing itself up to sell mini-cars in the US, in order to win back market share as soaring fuel costs turn Americans off gas-guzzlers.

Usually sold only in Asia and Latin America, GM is thought to be developing a version of the Chevrolet Beat for America’s highways, according to a report by Bloomberg. Not much bigger than the Daimler Smart car, the Chevrolet Beat does 40 miles to the gallon - making its fuel efficiency second only to hybrid cars in the US.

The consideration by GM comes after the company’s US sales tumbled 18.5pc last month, while rivals Ford and Toyota also reported dwindling sales, down 28pc and 11.5pc respectively.

Yesterday, shares in General Motors plunged to their lowest level since September 1954 as fears for the company’s future escalated. One analyst at Merrill Lynch told the market that a GM “bankruptcy is not impossible if the market continues to deteriorate”. The group’s shares closed down 15pc to $9.98.

Meanwhile, fellow motoring giant Ford reported a 27pc fall in truck sales for June, with 59pc of sales now secured by cars and cross-over vehicles.

advertisementIn a further sign that cash-strapped Americans are downsizing, sales of BMW’s Mini jumped 25pc in June. BMW introduced the Mini to the American market in 2002, reaching record sales of 42,045 cars last year. The German carmaker sold 26,400 Mini’s in the first six months of this year - putting it on course for another record. Sales of small cars across the US rose 31pc in the first six months of the year, with sales of the biggest SUV’s falling a corresponding 31pc.

GM has reassigned many of its engineers to its new mini-car project, and has reportedly suspended SUV and truck programs until demand returns to the market. A GM spokesman told Bloomberg: “We are looking at and reviewing our entire portfolio, not just because gasoline is $4 (a gallon) but because of stricter government fuel economy regulations”.

The wait is over. First U.S. Nissan GT-R delivered at 12:01 AM

2008-07-08T04:35:00.001-07:00

After we've had to adore the turbocharged Skyline GT-R from afar for nearly two decades, Nissan is officially selling its game-changing super coupe on U.S. shores for the first time. In a late night ceremony at a Universal City, California dealership, Daryl Alison took delivery of the very first GT-R sold Stateside – by the automaker. The event included all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect, including an appearance by notorious hot-shoe, Steve Millen. Alison, a long-time Nissan fan whose garage has housed a number of sports cars, including several 350Zs, was grinning from ear-to-ear while he got a rundown on this black GT-R in Premium trim. Not surprisingly, Alison paid sticker price ($72,900) for his GT-R, likely to be the first and last to do so as owners begin taking delivery of their own GT-Rs in the following weeks.

Mopar unveiling Dodge Challenger drag race pack on July 13

2008-07-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

With a name like Challenger, Dodge's new muscle car had better put down some serious quarter-mile times or else be able to propel itself into outer space. Fortunately, Chrysler's performance parts division Mopar is preparing to do one (if not the other) when it unveils its new Drag Race Package for the Challenger at the annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals at the Bandimere Speedway in Denver next week.

While specific details on the package – which we previewed in our exclusive video last week – remain scarce before the official debut, the Challenger Drag Race Package marks the 70th anniversary of Mopar and forty years since the company's last factory-built drag-race package. Based on the Challenger SRT8, the Drag Race Package features a composite "Body-in-White" direct from the factory and a host of lightweight components, to say nothing of all the parts being deleted for drag-strip use. The engine has been repositioned and the wheelbase actually shortened to optimize weight distribution and driveline angle. Designed in cooperation with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) and previewed back in 2006 by the 392 HEMI Dodge Challenger Super Stock concept at SEMA (pictured above), Mopar will build 100 examples of the race-prepped Challenger with three different engine packages available.

Stay tuned for more information on July 13, but don't blink or you just might miss it. Press release after the jump.

Rendered Speculation: Lancia Delta HF Integrale

2008-07-08T04:30:00.001-07:00

Back when Japanese automakers like Mitsubishi and Subaru were still making awkward little econo-boxes, the Lancia Delta Integrale was the king of the hill on the rally circuit, kicking up dirt and taking championships in resplendent Martini livery. So when the Italian automaker revealed the new Delta, nostalgic rally fans began twitching with excitement.

Although Lancia has yet to reveal any plans to make a high-performance version of the new Delta, one such rally fan has drawn up his impression of what form such a gravel-chomping beast could look like. For our part, we're hoping Lancia will take note and give us a new Integrale, complete with jumbo-turbo power and all-wheel-drive... however unlikely that may seem while sister company Abarth runs the IRC circuit with their pumped-up Super2000 Puntos. Until that day comes, European customers will have to make do with the current front-drive 200hp 1.8-liter turbo to satisfy their longing for the good old days.

With crisis looming, GM may unveil Volt for 100th anniversary

2008-07-08T04:27:00.000-07:00

Sales of General Motors' one time cash cow, full-size trucks, are declining faster than the value of the US dollar, but with a birthday coming, GM still wants something to celebrate. This September, the world's largest automaker will be celebrating its centennial under a financial pall unlike any it has faced since its early days under Billy Durant. The car that GM management hopes will represent a new beginning is the Chevrolet Volt, which has been locked in for production for November 2010 and the shape of the production car has reportedly been finalized. The Volt team is apparently planning to unveil the definitive Volt shape as the star of the big party this September.

Early powertrain development mules have been running for several months now and GM insiders claim the lithium ion battery packs are exceeding performance expectations so far. The big question at this point seems to be cost. With everyone focused on GM's cash burn rate, the company is hoping that showing the production version of the extended range electric vehicle will divert attention to something positive. However, without some serious cost reduction of the battery and some hefty tax breaks from the government, the Volt may just end up making things even worse. GM desperately needs the Volt to be successful, but with the current financial situation, one has to wonder how long they will be able to build Volts at a loss?

LusoMotors LM23: 150hp, Honda CBR-powered track car

2008-07-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

Track cars powered by motorcycle engines are becoming increasingly popular as the superbike mills, usually mounted amidships, provide tons of power for their small displacement and low weight. Further evidence of this truth is seen in the LusoMotors LM23, a Lotus replica powered by a one-liter Honda CBR1000 engine making about 150 horsepower. Weighing just under 900 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio of this machine would be enough to scare just about any other car you are likely to meet at the track while its light weight would surely allow for plenty of grip in the corners. The high performance of the LM23 is fitting, as the Lotus 23B design on which its based was such a giant killer that it was banned at Le Mans in the early sixties for being too fast for its small displacement.

A quick glance at the chassis shows such track-ready details as inboard-mounted coilovers and a tube frame complete with integrated roll bar. The chassis sits under composite bodywork, just like the original Lotus, though the modern interpretation adds carbon fiber to the traditional fiberglass skin. It looks like we have another Lotus replica set to join the ranks of the numerous Seven variations already sitting in our fantasy garages.

Chrysler and Great Wall to share technology, distribution

2008-07-07T04:17:00.000-07:00

Most automakers are struggling with horrible US market conditions right now, but unlike competitors such as Toyota and Ford, Chrysler doesn't have sales in other areas of the world to fall back on. The Pentastar is looking to improve its fortunes overseas while also benefiting from low labor costs by partnering with the Great Wall Motor Company. The young Chinese automaker doesn't specialize in the small vehicles Chrysler needs here in the States, however, as the company's primary focus is on trucks and SUVs. The goal of the union is to share distribution channels, technology, and components, which should save both companies money in R&D and improve economies of scale. The deal is unrelated to a separate pact with Chery to produce a small, Dodge-branded car for sale in North America.

With sales down in the states by 28% in June, Chrysler appears to be in the most trouble of the Detroit automakers in the near term. Branching out to other markets to drive down costs and add sales could be the automaker's best hope for survival in the future.

The Maybach Exelero can be yours... for $7.8 million

2008-07-07T04:14:00.000-07:00

Big-bucks enthusiasts annoyed that they're not the only ones at the club with a Veyron can now ensure that they arrive in total exclusivity. That's because the one-off Maybach Exelero, commissioned by Fulda to act as a high-profile demonstrator for its tire line of the same name, is now for sale. The Exelero isn't some delicate flower of a show car. Based on the Maybach 57 and powered by a 700-horsepower version of that car's turbocharged V12, the Exelero reached 218 mph at Nardo. In many ways, Exelero represents what Maybach could have and should have been -- a place where daring styling and incredible performance could merge with extreme luxury to compete with Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Instead, while the marque's sedans clearly get the luxury part of the equation right, in terms of styling, they basically work in anonymity, looking like peculiar old S-Class sedans. There's nothing anonymous about the Exelero, though, and for €5,000,000 (around $7.8 million USD), you can drive the sybaritic supercar that Daimler should have given Maybach all along.

Rumormill: Ferrari looking at turbo'd V6 to save fuel

2008-07-07T04:10:00.000-07:00

Dino fans rejoice, the rumormill is churning out plenty of grist about a V6 power unit in the offing for some future Ferraris. The California is already getting a V8, so Prancing Horse fans wishing for a "Dino II" will remain unfulfilled, but new approaches to high performance are key to keeping Ferrari at the zenith of autodom, lest it fall down the nostalgia hole that's seen Jaguar nearly suffocate on its own pillowy upholstery. The case for a V6 would be partly the banal issues of emissions and consumption, and a six might also offer weight and packaging advantages, though the rumors of a turbocharged mill add plumbing, weight, and complexity back into the mix. Additionally, anyone who's ever given the boot to a turbocharged engine can attest that forced induction's ability to make small engines flex big muscles, it can also lead to big-league fuel swilling, poking holes in the idea that a turbo V6 might save a lot of fuel over the direct-injected V8. Like any automaker, Ferrari is certainly looking at all sorts of "what if" ideas that will never reach production to find the right solution for the myriad technical challenges facing any automaker, let alone an exotic manufacturer. One thing's certain: a turbo V6 with Ferrari emblazoned along the cam covers would shriek with a proper Italian accent, and you have to respect any company that violently spits on the ground when the terms "SUV" or "Four-Door" are whispered.

Dissolution of Mercedes-McLaren partnership confirmed

2008-07-06T03:32:00.000-07:00

It's hard not to follow a story like the veritable fleet of new supercars set to follow the controversial Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The supercar came out of the partnership between Benz and McLaren in Formula One, but while the racing cars have been highly competitive, the SLR has been less so. As a result, Mercedes and McLaren are going their own separate ways for the next generation of high-performance exotica.

Mercedes, with in-house rodders AMG and its racing spin-off, HWA, is preparing two new models to succeed the SLR: the SL65 AMG Black Series (which has been spied many times over) and the SLC (which we've seen disguised in Dodge Viper bodywork). McLaren, meanwhile, is anticipated to produce the new P11 mid-engined supercar on its own, without Mercedes input. The dissolution of the car-producing enterprise between the two powerhouses is not expected to affect their joint grand prix racing program.

The last iteration of the SLR – following the original coupe, the Roadster and the 722 – will be a limited-production lightweight speedster, on which we recently reported. Despite all its available variants, Mercedes has sold fewer than 1600 examples of the SLR to date.

Suzuki SX4 Special Edition gets TRIP navigation

2008-07-06T03:28:00.000-07:00

As previously reported, Suzuki has decided to include navigation on its SX4 Sport and Crossover before you make the first mark on the options list. That will make the $15,999 car the lowest priced car in America to come standard with talking maps. And now they're set to arrive in the SX4 Special Editions that arrive in Suzuki showrooms this month.

To recap, the nav system is called TRIP -- Travel, Real-time traffic, Information, and Play -- and incorporates several Microsoft features. Drivers can get traffic info, weather reports, headline news, stock quotes, movie listings, the lowest priced gas in the area, and directions to 500 nationwide Suzuki dealerships. If buyers go for the expansion module, they'll also get Fodor guide reviews of eateries and nightlife spots. It sounds like an awful lot to do in such a little car, but that's the march of progress.

Move Over, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari!

2008-07-06T03:24:00.000-07:00

If you were told a sleek sports car is hitting the road that can go from zero-to-sixty mph in 3.9 seconds, that might catch your attention. If you were told it's totally electric, you might be shocked.

Not only does the brand new Roadster from Tesla Motors look good, it's totally green. It has a watermelon-sized electric motor -- not a engine -- and that motor produces no emissions as it kicks out 250 horsepower. It's also totally silent.

Tesla veep Darryl Siry showed off a Roadster on The Early Show plaza Thursday. With a price tag of about $100,000 and only 600 being made for 2008 model year, don't expect to see many of them on the road, but every one from this year has already been bought in advance.

The car can travel 220 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack. You have to plug it in for three-and-a-half hours to get a full charge. The Roadster gets the equivalent of 135 mpg. Tesla plans to make 1,800 Roadsters for the 2009 model year, of which 500 have already been reserved.

Saleen makes new value-oriented Racecraft brand official

2008-07-05T03:34:00.000-07:00

We got wind of Saleen's new value-oriented brand last week, and they made it official with a press release introducing Racecraft and its first product, the 420S. The sub-$40,000 Mustang will have a focus on pure performance and offers up a supercharged V8 with 420 horsepower as well as an upgraded suspension, lightweight wheels, exterior graphics, and a few interior accents. If buyers want a little more, they can also shop the Saleen Speedlab catalog for items like the 475 horsepower upgrade kit that retails for just under a grand and doesn't void the 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. That's near GT500 territory, but for $5,000 less (not including markup on the Shelby), and about 300+ lbs lighter. The car will be officially unveiled at Mustang Week in Myrtle Beach, SC on July 26, and if you're in the area we hear they will be offering demo rides. The press release and a full list of 420S features can be found after the jump.

Officially Official: 2009 BMW 7 Series

2008-07-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

BMW has officially announced the details pertaining to the 5th generation 7 Series, so let's cut right to the chase. In Europe, there are five models arriving on the market in November of this year: the 730d; the 740i and Li; and the 750i and Li. The latter two are powered by the same twin-turbo 4.4L V8 that debuted in the X6. In the U.S.-market 7 Series, the turbo eight is rated at 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, and it is the sole engine option being made available. If you want a BMW 7 Series in America, it will be a 750.

Europeans get more choices. The 730d's 3.0L diesel I6 pumps out 245 horses with nearly 400 lb-ft of torque. Despite the grunt, it boasts a combined fuel economy number of 32.6 U.S. miles per gallon (39.2 Imperial). The 740 models are powered by the now-familiar 3.0L twin-turbo gasoline engine. In the 7, the 3.0TT's power output is 326 horses and 332 lb-ft -- enough to hustle the 740Li from 0 to 62 mph in six seconds flat. All the engines are connected to a six-speed automatic. Follow the jump for more details and BMW's official press release.

Drifters upset with Formula D rule book

2008-07-05T03:16:00.000-07:00

Professional drifting series, Formula D, is trying to quickly win over fans and competitors in order to become one of the top forms of motorsport in the United States. As folks have learned in the markets this past year, though, rapid growth does not come without some giant bumps in the road. It looks like Formula D has now slid into a wall with a few of its teams. Confusion surrounding the series rule book has come to a head in discussions at Drifting.com. The rules state that any change to a vehicle's OEM suspension design must be approved by Formula D. Of course, a visual inspection of every car lined up for a run at a Formula D event proves that no one is utilizing 100% OEM suspension components. Aftermarket coilovers, adjustable control arms and urethane bushings are all-too-,common modifications seen throughout the pits. Therefore, there must be a list available to competitors outlining the approved components for all competing vehicles. No such list is available, however. That means teams have no method of verifying that other competitors are following the rules, other than the fact an entry passed Formula D's own tech inspection. Current discussion is making a case for the use of vehicle technical sheets as found in series such as SCCA Speed World Challenge to list all allowable modifications for approved competition vehicles.

One particular team lies behind the call for rule revisions, while other concerned competitors back up their request for clarification. The vocal team is the group behind the Super Autobacs Nissan Skyline, which was recently deemed ineligible for competition by Formula D. The series organizers claim the Skyline features illegal front suspension modifications by using the OEM parts off a Nissan Laurel. However, the RWD Scion tC campaigning in the series is eligible despite also using suspension parts from another Toyota vehicle that shares the same chassis. The rules become particularly unclear when other vehicles are allowed to run with obviously altered suspension setups. 350Zs have altered the mounting points of their rear axles and Chevrolet Corvettes have converted from leaf springs to coilovers. Hopefully, Formula D can learn from this tussle and develop a fair and documented method of approving vehicle,s rather than leaving everyone in the dark. Thanks for the tip MrCoolGuy!

Officially Official: 2009 Ford Focus RS

2008-07-05T03:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday brought the sneak peek, but today we've got the real deal. The new Ford Focus RS is is mean and green (we mean that in the literal sense, thanks to its killer-looking paint color), and it will make its debut at this month's London Motor Show. While the RS is still under development, the car being put on display isn't exactly a concept, either. Some details might change here and there before it reaches showrooms in 2009, but ultimately, what you see here is what European drivers are going to get. The wide, low-slung stance, intimidating fascia, racy dual exhaust, and requisite high-mount spoiler are all part of the package. Follow the jump for more

Track Test: 2008 Roush 427R Trak Pak Mustang

2008-07-03T03:58:00.000-07:00

We've driven our fair share of Mustangs, but it's a rare occasion that we get to drive one at the track. That's part of the reason why we made the seven hour trek from Southern California to Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, CA, to get behind the wheel of Roush's new 427R Trak Pak Mustang. What's so special about the Trak Pak? For starters, it's got a supercharged V8 packing 435 horsepower and an abundance of race-ready items like an adjustable suspension, carbon fiber wing, and 14-inch brakes that all make it ideal for the weekend warrior who wants his vehicle to handle the daily grind and track-day floggings. With only 100 being built, this may be one of the few opportunities to see one in the sheetmetal, let alone to drive it on the track. While inclement weather the night before threatened to ruin the trip, we were blessed with a rain-free day, allowing us to explore the limits of the Trak Pak'd 427R. Follow the jump to read our impressions.

Rendered Speculation: Fiat Topolino by Paolo Martin

2008-07-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

We see a lot of rendered speculation on upcoming models, but they're seldom penned by renowned designers. However as Fiat prepares to revive the classic Topolino, Italian magazine Ruoteclassiche commissioned designer Paolo Martin – former of Bertone, Pininfarina and Ghia – to render his interpretation of how the tiny retro runabout could (or should) look.

Martin says he strove to "maintain the original spirit" of the Topolino, "with similar proportions, protruding front end and fenders, a nearly-identical grille, circular headlamps, short rear overhang and spare tire covered and integrated in the rear tailgate." The Topolino will be built at Fiat's newly-acquired Zastava plant in Serbia as a budget city-car, positioned below the 500, and despite Panda/500 underpinnings could get a rear-engine layout for the 0.9-liter two cylinder engine with DSG and start-stop technology.

Mercedes runs out of gas by 2015

2008-07-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

Mercedes -- like a lot of other folks -- believes oil is going to run out eventually. But instead of waiting until the "Low on Oil" light comes on, the brand behind the three-pointed-star has set a goal to convert its entire fleet to run on alternative fuels by 2015. That's seven years to get off the drink we've all been addicted to for well over a century.

In the pipeline first are fuel-efficient technologies such as Stop/Start on the marque's next A- and B-Class models sold in Europe. Then come the BlueEfficiency vehicles with Mercedes' supremely parsimonious diesel engines, and eventually the Diesotto first shown in the F700.

And then come the real showstoppers: ethanol, electric, and fuel cell vehicles. There are electric smarts running trials in London right now, and the F600 Hygenius is expected to eventually spawn some sort of production variant. On the face of it, seven years to go diesel- and gas-optional for an entire fleet is somewhat hard to fathom -- but the prediction is coming from a company not previously known for wild daring. Even if they just get close to success, in only seven years, they might prove a nearby rival wrong about what's doable under the new CAFE laws.

Tokachi 24-hour Nissan GT-R build up underway

2008-07-02T04:16:00.000-07:00

Just a day after Nissan's formal announcement that it plans to campaign a race-prepped R35 GT-R in the Tokachi 24-hour race, GTR-World has procured a few pics of the coupe undergoing its transformation. The GT-R appears to be getting aligned at the NISMO Omori factory (about 60 miles from Tokyo), equipped with a full roll cage and a set of the same Volk TE37s originally spied on a mystery mule back in December. As with any competition car, weight reduction is high on the priority list, so NISMO has gutted the interior and fitted a carbon fiber trunk lid to help cut an estimated 273 pounds from the racer's curb weight. With NISMO producing parts for the GT-R race car, it's only a matter of months before owners can start individualizing their own super coupes abroad... and hopefully here in the States.

First Drive: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

2008-07-01T02:11:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to ride in the concept car two years ago, when the now Phantom Coupe was called the 101EX. Our words that day were "You have to build this car." And we've been waiting ever since the end of that sentence for this day to come. It was evident even as a concept that no other coupé -- with two syllables, please -- promised such a return to Jazz Age glamor, when a gentleman motored from Antibbes to Monaco in a Hooper bodied Phantom II to visit that Polish countess he'd had his eye on. So, when Rolls-Royce called with the invite to Goodwood to drive the new Phantom Coupe from England to Crozet, in the South of France, it would be our chance to see if the promise was delivered. Follow the jump to find out.

Is Nissan lying about GT-R horsepower? Pretty much.

2008-07-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

Back in the late sixties, automakers sometimes purposely under-reported the true horsepower that their solid-lifter, over-cammed and over-carburetor'd monster V8 engines actually delivered. More recently, some manufacturers have overestimated the real power of their vehicles, which has led some to distrust factory horsepower numbers. Owners of the uber-impressive Nissan GT-R have been wondering if they've been lied to regarding real horsepower figures too. But in this case they may actually be getting more than the 480 horses that they had bargained for. In fact, after considering that the coupe is capable of hitting 123 miles per hour in the quarter mile and the fact that it weighs roughly four-thousand pounds, the New York Times Wheels blog estimates that the GT-R really makes 550-580 horsepower at the crank.

While we are certain that the rabid horsepower wars and the debate over the GT-R's true power as compared to its rivals will rage on, NYT's estimates are actually pretty much in line with what Motor Trend got after putting the Nissan supercar on the dyno, and that's a figure that really can't be argued with. Thanks for the tip, Pete!

Audi R8 debuts as DTM safety car

2008-07-01T02:07:00.000-07:00

Audi has announced that its superlative R8 sportscar will serve as the safety car for the ever-popular DTM touring car championship, having also served in the same capacity for the recently-concluded 24 Hours of Le Mans. Audi's performance division quattro GmbH prepared a pair of R8s for the German racing series – with the second serving as a "racing taxi" – but noted that, "because the R8 possesses the genes of a perfect sports car", little in the way of modification for duty was required.

The pair of R8 support vehicles made its debut at the Norisring Speed Weekend yesterday, where Mercedes-Benz beat out the new Audi A4 DTM with a 1-2 finish. Follow the jump for the press release and click on the thumbnails below for our high-resolution image gallery.

Chrysler plans to idle minivan plant in St. Louis

2008-07-01T02:05:00.000-07:00

Now that General Motors and Ford have completely abandoned the minivan market for good, the American originator of the species faces only Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Kia and soon Volkswagen as manufacturers that also offer competitive choices. Perhaps you'd think that Chrysler would be benefiting as the only domestic automaker currently playing in the segment, but it seems that sales are down this year by 13 percent for the Chrysler Town and Country while the Dodge Grand Caravan is down an alarming 35 percent. High gas prices are the obvious reason why the minivan market is seeing such a harsh downward trend, and likely the culprit behind Chrysler's impending move to idle its St. Louis South minivan plant as early as December, which would leave some 1,500 employees jobless.

Utility vehicles have been the biggest gas-price casualties, and slow sales are said to be forcing the Jefferson Avenue assembly plant in Detroit where the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander are assembled and the Toledo, Ohio North assembly plant which builds the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro into extended shut-downs, as well.

McCain has no plans for Detroit bailout

2008-06-30T03:50:00.000-07:00

Back in the late seventies and into early eighties, Chrysler had gotten itself into such horrid financial shape that the U.S. government decided to step in and fix the situation itself. Considering the sorry state of affairs that all three of the Detroit automakers find themselves in today, some may wonder if a government-funded bailout is in the cards. Not so much... at least according to John McCain. "Frankly I just don't see a scenario where the federal government would come in and bail out any industry in America today," says the Republican.

So, what plan does McCain have in store for the Detroit 3? More Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s for one, as the Arizona Senator said the above words after touring the plant in Lordstown, Ohio where the GM compact cars are made and a where third shift has just been added. "I am convinced that what is being done at the Lordstown assembly plant is the future of the American auto industry," added McCain.

In more related good news for the U.S. automakers, McCain says he supports nationwide CO2 standards and would oppose any state's individual plans -- California, we're looking at you. The Presidential hopeful also wants to see more fair-trade standards implemented with the other various auto-building nations and quicker violations for unfair practices. We await a response from the Democratic side.

Ferrari California assembly underway at Maranello

2008-06-30T03:39:00.000-07:00

Several months ahead of its scheduled debut at this fall's Paris auto salon, production of the new Ferrari California has already begun at the Ferrari factory in Maranello. The news comes after previous speculation suggested that the California might have to be assembled off-site – potentially at sister-company Maserati's nearby facility in Modena – because the existing Ferrari assembly lines were already at full capacity. However, having now unveiled its newly-retooled manufacturing facility under the Formula Uomo program, the company has apparently increased production capacity to accommodate the assembly of the California, thus securing its legitimacy in the eyes of enthusiasts and potential customers alike.

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top

2008-06-30T03:36:00.000-07:00

Just as it appeared that winter was finally drawing to close here in Michigan, one of the definitive summertime cars turned up on our doorstep -- the Mazda MX-5 Miata . Somewhere back in the middle part of the last century, small, lightweight, roadsters flourished with a variety of models available from mostly British manufacturers. Names like MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey and Lotus defined the genre. Unfortunately, a number of factors such as random intermittent windshield wipers, intermittent headlights, intermittent ignition, persistent oil leaks and predisposition for the bodies to convert to iron oxide soured the reputation of these and other car builders. This was followed by the consolidation of the most of the British car industry into British Leyland and then the onset of safety and emissions regulations. By 1980, the classic British sports car had become all but extinct.

Then a strange thing happened. Mazda, always had a reputation as being slightly offbeat (witness its dedication to the Wankel rotary, which exists to this day) introduced a new model dubbed the MX-5 Miata . This compact, rear-drive two-seat roadster bore a strong resemblance to a '60s vintage Lotus Elan. However, unlike the Elan and its compatriots, the Miata started every time you turned the key, didn't leave you drenched when it rained, and didn't leave puddles of oil on your garage floor. In other words, it was a classic British sports car that worked like a modern Japanese car. Read on after the jump to find out how the latest incarnation fares.

New Porsche 911 Targa next in the 997 pipeline

2008-06-30T03:33:00.000-07:00

When Porsche introduces a new 911 update, you know exactly what that means: derivatives. The Porsche 911 has more derivatives, body-styles and variants than just about any other automobile in production, and after unveiling the latest 911 Carrera and Carrera S, Carerra 4 and Carrera 4S, in both coupe and cabrio formats, the next version due for release is the 911 Targa.

Porsche defined the term Targa when it borrowed the name from the famous Sicilian race, the Targa Florio, and applied it to its lift-roof-section model, bridging the gap between its convertibles and coupes. The outgoing 911 Targa features a sliding panoramic roof section, but we'll have to wait and see what tricks Porsche has up its sleeve for the newest version.

Buick Reatta a design flop?

2008-06-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

The Buick Reatta a design flop? That's what a University of Michigan professor told The Wall Street Journal recently. Really? The Reatta is the one car that he could find to pick on as an automotive design flop? Sure, the high-tech coupe was overweight and underpowered, overpriced and under-appreciated. But a design flop? I think most of us would agree there are uglier, slower, more poorly-made cars in the history of automobiles. Our Dan Roth even called it a Future Classic not too long ago.

The story is part of a larger collection of design studies that looks at everything from blue jeans to concrete saws. One other automotive element of the series is a gushing story and video about Buick's Invicta concept car. If the piece is to be believed, the LaCrosse that may be based on the Invicta, will surely never make it onto a list of design flops.

So by that logic, fake, plastic portholes insure design success, but sexy, restrained style doesn't.

Aston Martin suits up a Kilgour V8 Vantage for Paris fashion show

2008-06-28T03:45:00.000-07:00

Supercars and high fashion go together like super models and getting high, so for its first ever fashion show in Paris, bespoke tailor Kilgour of Savile Row has presented its spring/summer collection alongside a bespoke Aston Martin V8 Vantage coupe. The haute couture Aston is dipped in a one-off Morning Forst Satin paint described as having the texture of fine silk, which would be quite a feat if true since metal usually feels nothing like fabric. The interior is also done up in Kilgour Midnight Blue with polka-dotted seat inserts. Apparently circles are Kilgour's trademark shape, hence the gaudy pattern on the seats. We don't understand high fashion very much, like why people care about apparel that's completely impractical and overpriced, but we suppose some could say the same thing about the cars we like. For instance, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Well, those people just don't understand.

Nissan GT-R deliveries begin July 7th, 70-percent spoken for

2008-06-28T03:43:00.000-07:00

For the lucky 1,700+ people who have already preordered their 2009 Nissan GT-R, the wait is about to end. On Monday, July 7th, Nissan will begin delivering its first allocation of GT-Rs for the U.S. market to dealers. According to a Nissan spokesperson, the 70-percent preorder rate for the GT-R exceeded the automaker's expectations, and we somehow doubt Nissan will have a hard time finding buyers for the remaining 30 percent.

Pricing for the GT-R remains the same, with the base model coming in at $69,850 and the premium model listed at $71,900. Destination and handling costs amount to $1,000 and the only options available on the 2009 model are an iPod converter ($360), GT-R floor mats ($280) and the "Super Silver" special paint ($3,000). Make the jump for the press release.

Chrysler LLC Launches Umbrella 'uconnect' Name for Connectivity Technologies

2008-06-28T03:41:00.000-07:00

Today's consumers are passionate about staying in touch and want to be connected no matter where they are home, work, school or vehicle. To focus on the experience and connect customers to the things that matter the most, Chrysler LLC will now bundle innovative consumer technologies under one umbrella name - "uconnect." The function of the feature is directly in the name - uconnect phone, uconnect tunes, uconnect gps, uconnect studios and uconnect web.

"We set out to connect customers to the things that matter most to them," said Deborah Meyer, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer - Chrysler LLC. "The role for 'uconnect' in the 2009 model year places the focus on the customer experience and how the features will make their life easier."

What it does: Uses Bluetooth(R) technology to provide voice-controlled wireless communication between the occupants' compatible mobile phones and the vehicle's onboard receiver. New for 2009, the hands-free system automatically downloads up to 1,000 phone book entries from supported phones. The system also recognizes three languages, and is capable of learning. Voice commands can manage onboard phone book entries, select radio stations and access voice mail. Voice memos can be recorded using the microphone that's integrated within the rearview mirror. Three memos of up to thirty seconds each can be stored in the system. The hands-free option promotes safety, freedom, value and flexibility.

Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen, PT Cruiser, Sebring and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan, Caliber, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Journey, Nitro, and Ram; Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee, Commander, Compass, Liberty and Patriot

Part of uconnect phone on select Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles is an iPod interface, which allows an iPod to be plugged into the vehicle's sound system to play music through the vehicle's speakers, charge/recharge the iPod when the ignition is on, display artists and music choices on the radio and pause play when uconnect phone receives a phone call. The iPod can be controlled through the radio controls and the remote steering wheel switches (if equipped). The system uses a Universal Customer Interface (UCI) connector located either in the glove box or in the center console, depending on vehicle model.

uconnect tunes

What it does: uconnect tunes includes the following features for music, movie and personalized picture display:

A 30-gigabyte hard drive for ripping up to 6,700 songs from CD or USB memory devices in compressed format (either MP3, AAC or WMA file formats)

Photos can be loaded onto the hard drive, allowing the customer to personalize the home screen

Movies can be displayed on the screen for entertaining passengers when the vehicle is in Park (as permitted by the state regulations)

Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen, Sebring and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Grand Caravan, Challenger, Charger, Journey, Nitro and Ram 1500; Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot

uconnect gps

What it does: uconnect gps combines the features of uconnect phone and uconnect tunes with navigation and real-time traffic. The system includes an integrated voice recognition system and touch screen for easy operation. The voice recognition system also recognizes more than 100,000 words and can input addresses, which allows the customer to enter destinations while the vehicle is in motion.

Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen, Sebring and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Grand Caravan, Challenger, Charger, Journey, Nitro and Ram; Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot

uconnect studios

What it does: uconnect studios offer optional SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM), featuring three channels of family TV programming, and optional SIRIUS Satellite Radio, with more than 130 channels of the best music, entertainment and information coast to coast. The systems can be bundled or opted for independently depending upon model availability, and either can be operated from the rear-seat entertainment unit or from the radio head unit.

Chrysler's uconnect studios offer optional SIRIUS Satellite Radio which provides more than 130 channels, including 69 channels of 100 percent commercial-free music, plus sports, news, talk and entertainment. Station selection with the radio is easy, using the same familiar method as choosing an AM or FM station. Consumers are able to scan channels or have preset buttons for their favorite channels. They can also search both by music category and channel, which is displayed on the radio screen.

Availability: SIRIUS Satellite Radio is available on all Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles

Chrysler's uconnect studios offer optional SIRIUS Backseat TV which features three channels of family TV programming: Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. SIRIUS Backseat TV operates via an in-vehicle satellite video receiver and two small roof-mounted antennas. Programming is displayed on the vehicle's second- and/or third-row video screens, and channel name, program title and rating is broadcasted and displayed on the screen. In addition, when the vehicle is in Park, programming can be displayed on the uconnect tunes or uconnect gps screen for front-seat viewing (as permitted by state regulations). New for 2009 in the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are larger nine-inch rear-seat video screens that swivel.

Availability: Chrysler 300, Aspen and Town & Country; Dodge Grand Caravan, Charger, Durango, Journey and Ram 1500; Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee

uconnect web

What it does: The system will provide high-speed data transfer and flexibility, combining WiFi and cellular connectivity for a new level of wireless technology. The system transforms the vehicle into a "hot spot" to deliver the Internet directly to the vehicle, for instant access to Web sites, e-mail, personalized music, online gaming, photo albums, and more.

Availability: Chrysler plans to offer aftermarket in-vehicle "hot-spot" wireless Internet capability through Mopar(R) for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.

At Reva launch, govt welcomes hybrids

2008-06-28T03:25:00.000-07:00

Governments do not usually launch cars. Companies do. Wednesday, however, was different as Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit launched the battery-operated vehicle Reva and announced a 29.5% discount on the vehicle. The Delhi government also announced that it would consider incentives for and subsidies on hybrid cars the automobile industry's latest answer to environmental pollution and rising fuel prices.

"We will certainly consider concessions for the hybrid cars and welcome any new technology that helps improve air quality," Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said after unveiling a new version of 'Reva', India's only electric car that is getting concessions from the government.

In April this year, the cabinet had decided to give a 29.5% concession to purchasers of battery-operated vehicles. The concession includes a 15% subsidy on the base price of the vehicle, a VAT refund of 12.5% both of which will be paid through the air ambience fund that was created out of the 25p cess the state government had imposed, about three months earlier, on every litre of diesel. A 2% concession on road tax and registration expenses will also be sourced from the same fund. The state government has already earned Rs 10 crore from the cess, Dikshit said.

Reva is the first car to be accorded that benefit. After the concession, the price of the Rs 4.25 lakh vehicle will come down to Rs 2.99 lakh for the base model. Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) Deputy Chairman Chetan Maini said the company planned to increase the production of electric cars over the next three years as it would be launched across many metros in India and even targeted at markets in Europe and South-East Asia.

Dikshit said that buyers of battery-operated two-wheelers might also be able to avail of similar concessions soon. The government's decision to consider similar concessions for hybrids come as good news for companies that plan to launch hybrid vehicles. Honda launched India's first full hybrid vehicle in a new petrol-electric version of the 'Civic' sedan, although the high cumulative duties on the model have doubled the price of the vehicle to Rs 21.5 lakh from Rs 11 lakh for the petrol-only version. Others like Toyota, Mahindra and even Tata are likely to follow soon.

"We welcome the intention of the Delhi government to consider concessions for hybrids. We have already apprised the central government about our technology and are open to approaching the Delhi government," a spokesperson for Honda said.

Pointing out that almost 1000 new vehicles were registered in Delhi every day, Dikshit said, "We are deeply concerned about what will happen to the air quality with the increasing number of cars in Delhi. Diesel as we all know is the greatest polluter." People who could afford more than one car should explore options like electric vehicles, she said.

Objection! Burberry edition Maserati Quattroporte spotted in Saudi Arabia

2008-06-25T03:49:00.000-07:00

Think "Maserati" and "Burberry" and there are so many ways this could have gone classy. But this isn't one of them. Seems some fool with too much oil money and not enough taste has plastered his Quattroporte in what appears to be perforated Burberry-plaid gift-wrap paper. If this were some sort of new camouflage on a test mule for the newly revised Quattroporte, we'd say it was effective (who could focus on the details in between the bouts of vomiting?), but somehow we don't picture the Italians doing anything this horrendously tasteless. In fact, we'd encourage Maserati to track down the owner and repossess the vehicle immediately. Click on the thumbnails below to see more of the Burberry-spangled Maser... if you must.

Ferrari California: new images hit the net

2008-06-25T03:45:00.000-07:00

For the unveiling of its first front-engined V8 sportscar, Ferrari rolled out a dedicated launch site. But up until now, the site (as well as the company's media portal) only gave us a glimpse at a handful of studio shots. Germany's AutoBild, meanwhile, managed to obtain a handful of new shots of the California out in the open, inside and out and front to back. Natural sunlight seems to soften the sportscar's lines a fair deal... but don't take our word for it: Check out the images in the gallery below to see for yourself.

U.S. auto giants race to go small

2008-06-25T03:42:00.000-07:00

The auto industry is rushing to adapt to the world of $4-per-gallon gasoline, but the effort is a costly one that could tax America's homegrown carmakers most of all.

From Honda to Ford, all the automakers are ramping up production and design of high-mileage small cars and gas-electric hybrids. But consumers shouldn't hold their breath for hot deals on 50-mile-per-gallon vehicles.

The challenge: Product line make-overs can't be accomplished overnight, and a deep slump in current sales is burning through the cash available for investment.

In the past few days, Ford Motor Co. has announced production cutbacks for its light trucks, General Motors has unveiled big incentives to unload showroom inventory, and even Toyota has warned that it may have to scale back its sales target for the year.

In this climate of an overall sales decline, the US brand names are the hardest hit: For the first year ever, they may account for less than half the nation's car sales.

"That is certainly possible," says Tom Libby, an analyst at J.D. Power in Detroit. "In May we saw a dramatic shift in the marketplace."

For months now, high gas prices have been pushing consumers toward smaller cars and from sport-utility vehicles toward so-called crossovers, which offer SUV amenities on a lighter frame.

In May, it became clear that this could be a crossover year in other ways as well. If sales patterns for that month continue for the rest of the year, it's possible that Asian brand names alone could outsell Detroit-based Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

It's also possible that Toyota could capture the top spot in global car sales from GM.

Moreover, May marked what could be a crossover moment in consumer preferences. Car sales moved decisively higher than light-truck and SUV sales – which plunged after months of slowly cooling.

"It seemed to us that we reached a tipping point where customers began shifting away from these vehicles at an accelerated rate," Ford chief executive Alan Mulally said in a recent conference call with analysts.

As if the pressure from consumers isn't strong enough, new automotive technology is rising on the Washington political agenda for environmental and energy reasons. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, proposed Monday that $300 million in federal prize money go to whoever can develop a leapfrog improvement in electric-car batteries.

Even as large and small companies push for breakthroughs, automakers' near-term plans are fairly straightforward: Emphasize the most fuel-efficient cars they can produce now.

"It is very important ... for all manufacturers to have hybrids in their lineups," says Mike Omotoso, another analyst at J.D. Power.

Here are some of the product-line shifts under way at major automakers:

•Honda announced a month ago that it will launch a new gas-electric hybrid model, like Toyota's Prius, in 2009. It also plans new hybrid versions of the Civic and Fit, and is ramping up production of the gas-only Fit. A key Honda goal, according to news reports: keeping the extra cost of the hybrids below $2,000 per car.

•GM is pushing to launch its new Chevrolet Volt by 2010, a plug-in hybrid to compete against hybrids whose batteries are charged while in motion. "An extended range electric vehicle like the Volt will cost about two cents a mile for electricity from the grid," GM executive Troy Clarke said this month. A new fuel-efficient compact car will launch with Ohio-based production. One GM specialty: "Mild hybrids" that boost mileage by a little less than rivals but at a lower price.

•Ford said last week that it is adding a third shift at a Kansas City plant making its Escape hybrid and Mercury Mariner hybrid. And it said the European Ford Focus and Fiesta, next-generation small cars, will begin production in North America in 2010.

•Toyota is also ramping up its hybrid production – including plans for a plug-in model. The Prius and hybrid Camry have made Toyota No. 1 in the industry's hybrid sales, with 1.4 million customers as of March.

Another fuel-saving option for consumers is diesel. Mr. Omotoso says diesel's fuel economy can be nearly one-third better, but the fuel's price has also been approaching $5 per gallon. Volkswagen's 2009 diesel Jetta is one option for consumers.

Flashier advances, such as fuel-cell vehicles, may not be available on a mass scale anytime soon, analysts warn.

The marketplace is sending a big signal to carmakers. It's just that developing new products takes time. And it takes money that is suddenly in shorter supply as sales fall.

"Everything has shifted faster than probably everyone predicted," says Karl Brauer, editor in chief at Edmunds.com. "Ford had a definite turnaround plan. I think that is starting to get heavily compromised by what's going on."

Honda, by contrast, appears to be bearing up the best in the current climate. One reason: Its lineup is not heavy on trucks, which have been a drag on profits not just for the US Big Three but also for Toyota.

"Hybrids will keep getting more popular," predicts John Wolkonowicz, an auto analyst at Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.

But even as carmakers roll out new models and put pickup trucks on sale, it's not necessarily an easy time for consumers. Some sticker prices are actually going up, as automakers adjust to higher costs for things like steel. And the new hybrid technologies come at a cost.

"You're not going to save any money on any of this," Mr. Wolkonowicz says. "This whole situation is simply going to cost consumers money."

Ford cuts production as it braces for big losses

2008-06-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

FORD Motor has announced cuts in production for the second time in two months and has given up on ending its losses by next year, as the scramble by all three Detroit car makers to switch to smaller cars begins to raise questions about how they will get enough cash to ride out the storm.

Ford said the plunge of US truck and SUV sales -- due to record-high petrol prices -- was forcing the new cuts. It even pushed back the launch of its redesigned F-150 pickup truck that once was expected to drive the company's recovery.

The moves suggest the company is bracing for a greater loss in 2008 than its $US2.7 billion loss last year, and Ford said it no longer expected to break even by next year.

In the past few days it has emerged that Ford and General Motors are seeking ways to raise new capital, while Chrysler has slashed costs to conserve cash.

GM CEO Rick Wagoner said the company had enough cash for 2008 but he declined to elaborate any further.

On Friday, Ford chief financial officer Don Leclair said the company had enough liquidity to see it through the year. But earlier in the week CEO Alan Mulally met billionaire investor and major Ford shareholder Kirk Kerkorian and the two discussed Ford's likely need for more capital.

Beyond the next 12 months it would be uncertain what cash the three car makers would have, said Moody's analyst Bruce Clark. "We're looking at 24 months that could stress the liquidity positions," he said. "There could be an unabated burn for every quarter for the next eight, nine or 10 quarters."

Credit ratings firms on Friday warned of impending downgrades of the Detroit Three, raising further concerns about their future cash positions. Standard & Poor's said it was likely to cut ratings on Ford, GM and Chrysler, while Moody's put Ford and Chrysler on the path to a downgrade. GM and Ford led the market down on Friday to its lowest close since mid-March. The Dow Jones 500 slid more than 220 points, or 1.8 per cent, in a broad market rout.

Ford's stock has dropped more than 36 per cent in the past year and, as of March 31, it had cash reserves of $US33.8 billion, with GM's reserves at $US23.9 billion. Both companies are burning cash and spending billions to develop new models.

Making matters worse, Ford and GM's credit arms, which buoyed the car makers in the past, are now suffering losses on truck loans and leases as a result of declining values for used vehicles.

Ford executives said the company had cash for at least a couple of years, and that despite the current problems, Ford would rebound. They said at least some buyers would return to trucks after this year, including the F-150. Ford plans to increase passenger car production by 15 per cent in the third quarter. Ford is also working to bring small cars from its European unit to the US and is looking at converting at least one US truck plant to car production.

Like Ford, GM is slashing production overall to try to stave off a revenue implosion from fast-falling US sales of pickups and SUVs, which generate a huge chunk of Ford's and GM's revenue and profits.

Chrysler, which as a private company no longer reports earnings, faces similar problems and is looking closely at additional cuts to its truck production. Each of the Big Three is likely to report big falls in sales in June. GM, the US market leader for decades, could fall behind Toyota for the month for the first time, according to a report by JD Power & Associates on sales in the first half of the month.

On Friday, Ford said it would delay the much anticipated F-150 launch for two months, until November. It also said it no longer expected to break even in 2009. In April, Mr Mulally said the company expected to make money next year, and in May, after the drop in truck sales worsened, scaled that back to break even.

The retreat represents a black eye for Mr Mulally.

He had appeared to have the company heading in the right direction when Ford surprised investors with $US100 million in net income in the first quarter. Now the former Boeing executive is working on an effort to cut its cash outflow and ramp up production of more fuel-efficient vehicles like cars and hybrids.

"Clearly, we are working our way through changes in the marketplace," Mr Mulally said. "We're trying to give the best guidance we can."

The rise in petrol prices set off a dramatic shift among US car buyers. Trucks that used to be strong sellers suddenly piled up in dealer inventories and consumers started flocking to small cars. Those had appealed to a smaller segment of the market dominated by Toyota and Honda, which had already battered the US makers with their lower cost structures, higher margins and rising sales.

In addition to funding ongoing operations, each of the Big Three has agreed to put billions of dollars into a trust fund over the next few years to cover the costs of health care for their retired UAW workers.

"They (car makers) need to come up with a funding plan, and need to prove to Wall Street they have a strategy to back that plan up," said one large car industry investor.

In recent weeks, GM said it would shutter four truck and SUV assembly plants by 2010, and cancelled development of new pickups and SUVs slated to hit the market in 2012.

Ford is pushing back the F-150 launch, in part to gain more time to clear its inventory of current model trucks. Ford is struggling to sell the 2008 versions with consumers fleeing to cars and hybrids. Even a move this month to offer "employee pricing", discounts Ford offers employees, did nothing to move F-150s out of dealerships. "It's been a blip on the radar screen," said Carlos Garcia, a sales manager at North Country Ford Lincoln Mercury in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, of the incentive program.

Fiat group preparing new sports cars for Abarth, Lancia, Alfa

2008-06-24T04:46:00.000-07:00

Any day in which we bring you news of a new Italian sports car is a good day by any account. Today we bring you news of three new sports cars under development under the Fiat group umbrella, which we needn't point out controls most of the Italian automotive industry, including Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Ferrari.

First up to bat is the unique sports car which, as we reported back in March, Fiat is developing for its recently revived Abarth performance brand. Reports now suggest that the Abarth roadster would take an Elise-style approach, and could even borrow underpinnings from Lotus. Power could come from the turbo four in the Punto and 500 Abarth, mounted amidships, but unburdened by a lightweight two-seater chassis.

While we wait for more news on that front, there are parallel reports of a new Lancia coupe-cabrio on the horizon. (This in addition to the rumored Aurelia flagship, anticipated for unveiling in Geneva next March.) Previewed by the Fulvia concept from Frankfurt 2003 (pictured above), the Lancia convertible could also spawn an Alfa Romeo variant. The stage is set, and we'll be keeping a sharp eye out for more news as it emerges.

Hamann Stallion: re-turbocharging the Porsche 911 Turbo

2008-06-24T04:41:00.000-07:00

You wouldn't be mistaken for thinking that the Porsche 911 Turbo was already one of the fastest, best-performing sportscars on the road today. But that's where uber-tuners like Hamann – who've tuned everything from the MINI Cooper to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti – come in to confound expectations and shatter assumptions.

Not satisfied with "only" 480 horsepower, the Hamann Stallion packs a whopping 630 of its namesakes. To achieve that 150hp boost in output, Hamann swapped out the variable nozzle turbochargers and replaced them with... bigger variable nozzle turbochargers. They've also fitted a new stainless steel exhaust, a new air filter and, of course, tinkered with the ECU. But they didn't stop at the engine. Hamann also chopped the roof down by 8 cm (about two and a half inches), bolted on a new aero kit and fitted huge 20-inch three-piece modular rims. They've also done up the interior in ostrich skin, applied some racing stripes and, oh yeah, also Lambo'd out the doors. The result? Well, the suddenly ordinary Turbo hits sixty in 3.9 seconds, but the Stallion cuts that down to 3.3. Not too bad for a day's work, but we dare not ask how much all these mods would cost over the price of a stock Turbo.

NHRA driver Scott Kalitta killed in NHRA qualifying

2008-06-22T02:30:00.000-07:00

It is never pleasant to report auto-related tragedies. Thats why it's particularly saddening to report the death of NHRA driver Scott Kalitta, who suffered a horrific crash during Funny Car qualifying at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ on Saturday. Witnesses pegged his speed to be in the range of 300 mph when his engine exploded, engulfing the car in flames. Kalitta was the '94 and '95 Top Fuel champion and his presence will certainly be missed in the NHRA. He is survived by his wife and two sons. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Kalitta's family and friends. Thanks to all who sent tips.

Pics Aplenty: Maserati GranTurismo S, in all its glory

2008-06-22T02:27:00.000-07:00

The world was stunned when Maserati unveiled the GranTurismo at the 2007 Geneva show, but as beautiful as it is, critics said it wasn't tough enough to take down the competition. The folks from Modena were evidently listening, and one year later laid the beefed-up GranTurismo S on us, complete with 440-hp engine straight out of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

We brought you a slew of images before and during the show, but now Maserati has been kind enough to grace us with a whole mess of new shots. You know, just in case you didn't want one enough already. Check out the images in our high-resolution gallery by clicking the thumbnails below. Your desktop will thank you.

Auto Dealer Embraces New Generation

2008-06-21T04:04:00.000-07:00

Owner of New Port Lincoln Mercury, Dennis Murphy will celebrate 29 years in business with the unveiling of the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Murphy, pictured in his showroom stands next to the MKX, Lincoln's current hot-seller.

Reaching higher and into the future is where Dennis Murphy, owner and president of New Port Lincoln Mercury is heading.

A native of Miami, Murphy relocated to New Port Richey in May 1979 to open New Port Lincoln Mercury.

As a sharply dressed Murphy sat in his office last week, he explained that the car industry is the only business he has known. Murphy, and his partner at the time, Bob Nunn, sold their first car at the end of July 1979.

Over the intervening 29 years, New Port Lincoln Mercury has sold more than 22,500 new and 18,000 used vehicles.

Murphy smiled when asked about the 2009 Lincoln MKS.

A vehicle filled with technology he continued that the vehicle will attract an entire new generation of buyers.

Four years in development, Murphy looks for the MKS to launch the Lincoln nameplate forward.

Lincoln created the new sedan with comfort and convenience in mind and claims the MKS to be "technologically breathtaking."

Lincoln designers wrapped the package in sleek, stylish sheet metal with clean smooth lines, which at first glance, could pass for a high-end import, according to the company's Web site.

The MKS is geared toward technology geeks, 50 years of age and under that lives to have the latest technology fads at their disposal.

Equipped with a 10-gigabyte hard drive based navigation system, owners will be able to display photos on the Global Positioning Satellite, or GPS, screen, burn CD's, watch DVD's and upload music.

Individuals will be able to connect their Bluetooth mobile phone, MP3 player and flash drive via the SYNC's USB port, giving one seamless integration and control of the voice activated communications entertainment system.

An added feature is the MKS radar system with Adaptive Cruise Control.

The system's radar unit comes with preset "safety" gaps. If the MKS and another vehicle come too close to each other the sensors automatically take over and reduce the speed to maintain a safe distance, only to return to the preset speed once a safe gap is achieved.

The MKS comes standard with a 3.7 liter V-6 engine including a fuel-efficient six-speed transmission and has a starting price of roughly $38,000.

Murphy went on to explain that unlike other dealers he has strived to build a dealership that invests in employees for the long term.

Murphy has a son and daughter, which will be involved with the dealership in one capacity or another

A family-oriented business that started out with 19 employees, New Port Lincoln Mercury now employs around 50.

The company slogan, "The Dealership of Choice," was developed by his employees he commented with pride. Murphy, along with his employees strives in creating a dealership that reflects those words.

He believes, as do his employees, that they have built a dealership in that customers choose to purchase their vehicles, and that his employees make the choice to work, on a long-term basis.

A testament to creating this environment exists with the Employee of the Year Award that was given to him by his employees.

MKS Unveiling

New Port Lincoln Mercury is celebrating their 29th year in business with an unveiling of the 2009 Lincoln MKS from noon until 6 p.m. Friday, June 27, at 4727 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, just north of S.R. 54. Lincoln representatives will present a demonstration on the feature-rich MKS at 2 p.m.

Ford delays launch of new F-150

2008-06-21T04:01:00.000-07:00

Big pick-up sales are hit by high gas prices and reduced construction spending. Automaker also expects more production cutbacks.

With sales of full-size pickups in a steep decline, Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is delaying the launch of its new, redesigned Ford F-150 pick-up by two months.

The full-size pick-up, which had been due to enter showrooms in early fall will now come out in late fall, instead.

Ford also announced more production cutbacks. The company said it will produce 25% fewer vehicles in the third quarter of this year than it did in the same quarter of 2007. The cuts will be among Ford's large trucks and SUVs.

Meanwhile, Ford said it is working to boost production of its small cars and crossover SUVs, products that have been attracting more sales this year even as overall auto sales have dropped.

The Ford F-series has been the top-selling passenger vehicle in America for 26 straight years. Big pickups have been a popular and profitable item for Detroit Automakers. But high gas prices and a declining home-construction market have hit truck sales hard.

In May, the F-series fell to fifth place for the month as the Honda Civic compact car became America's best-selling model, followed by the Toyota Camry. General Motors' (GM, Fortune 500) Chevrolet Silverado, usually a second-place seller behind the F-150, ranked sixth.

Overall sales of full-sized trucks like the F-150 are 23% lower this year than they were by this time last year, according to market analyst Power Information Network.

"Our plan all along has been to introduce the new F-150 after our dealers had a chance to sell down inventory of the existing model, and - with the current slowdown in the marketplace - we decided it was prudent to adjust the start of public sale for the new truck by about two months," Mark Fields, Ford's President of The Americas said in a statement.

Despite all this, when 2008 comes to a close, the F-series could still be number one in sales for the year, said Tom Libby, an analyst with Power Information Network.

"This is a very important model for Ford," said Libby. "Ford will do whatever it takes to protect that model."

That could mean aggressive incentives as the automaker tries to clear out 2008 trucks and keep its sales crown.

George Pipas, a sales analyst for Ford denied that the company is at all concerned with ranking. "If we were going to do whatever it takes, why would we do what we did today?" he asked.

Ford cut F-series truck production by 40% as of today, he pointed out. Meanwhile, the Toyota Camry mid-size car is just 37,000 sales behind it so far this year and closing in fast. That's close enough to easily take the top spot by the end of the year, said Pipas.

"We're going to do whatever it takes to meet the market," he said.

Ford (F, Fortune 500) said it would further cut large SUV and truck production for the remainder of 2008. The cuts will be made through additional downtime, shift reductions and slowing assembly line speeds.

At the same time, Ford reiterated that is taking steps to more quickly boost production of small, fuel-efficient cars.

"We sell some of the best smaller cars and utility vehicles in the world in our profitable European and South American operations, and our plan is to introduce these same vehicles in North America as quickly as possible," said Alan Mulally, Ford's president and chief executive, in a statement.

Ford will increase production at plants that make the Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge, Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape crossover SUVs, as well at plants producing the Ford Focus compact car.

The automaker says it will reduce overall third-quarter production by a further 50,000 vehicles. It now plans to produce 475,000 vehicles, 25% fewer than the third quarter of last year.

Fourth-quarter production will drop 8 to 14% compared with the same quarter last year.

The company also said Friday it expects industry-wide U.S. sales this year to drop to a range of 14.7 million to 15.2 million units. The company previously had predicted 15 million to 15.4 million units.

Ford's small car for India by 2010

2008-06-21T03:59:00.000-07:00

The US automobile giant Ford Motor Co proposes to launch its small car for the Indian market by 2010 and will set up a new unit soon to manufacture engines, top officials said on Thursday.

"Small car segment holds 75 per cent in Indian market and when we launch the small car that's when the real volumes will come in," Ford India managing director and president Michael Boneham told media at the launch of the company's new car.

He also said Ford's new engine manufacturing facility will be set up in 2009-10 with a capacity of 250,000 units per year. "The plant will fulfill the entire domestic demand and will also cater to the needs for ford in the Asia Pacific region."

The company also launched a new sports variant of the mid-sized sedan here Thursday - the Fiesta S that clocks 0-100 km in 11 seconds. Also launched was an upgraded SXI variant of the Fiesta featuring new front grille and head lamps.
Boneham said the company has now increased the warranty for all its cars to two years or 40,000 km to two years or 100,000 km, whichever was logged first.

Fiesta SXI will be priced at Rs.700,000 and Rs.814,000 for the petrol and the diesel variants, respectively, in Delhi. Fiesta S will come with a price tag of Rs.715,000.

Boneham said that the mid-sized sedan, since its launch in the country two-and-a-half years ago, and has sold more than 65,000 units.

The company, however, had a 19 per cent fall in sales during 2007-08, which he attributed to the sluggish Indian auto industry in the last financial year.

Scion to go road racing in KONI Challenge

2008-06-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

Four years after it first hit showrooms, the Scion tC will finally make a showing in a professional road racing series. And no, factory optioned and equipped vehicles being tossed around Long Beach by B-list celebrities cannot be considered professional. A tC has already been heavily modified to compete in the Formula Drift series, but the peppy compact's road race profile, outside the annual celebrity race of course, has been relatively low. This weekend though, Toyota's sporty little coupe will be moving up from amateur abuse to make its big time debut in Grand-Am's KONI Challenge Series. This week's race will take place at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH and the tC will be part of the ST (Sport Touring) class.

The Scion's venture into the KONI series is being fueled by communications firm Jackson-Dawson, TRD and BGB Motorsports. Driver and team manager Dan (pronounced Don) Gardner has taken his Scion's setup through the NASA club ranks to prove its worth. Having already tackled that territory, moving onto a production-based national series is the next logical step for the team. In the KONI Challenge ST class, Dan and his tC will face formidable foes such as Mazda RX8s, BMW 330s and Acura TSXs. While Toyota may be competitive on the ovals, hopefully this one can do better on the curves than the company's F1 effort. Check out the gallery below for snap shots of the Jackson-Dawson Scion tC and hit the jump for the full press release.

Fiat apologizes to China for Richard Gere commercial

2008-06-21T03:52:00.000-07:00

According to Olivier Francois, Chief Executive Officer of Lancia, Richard Gere was chosen for a recent ad for the Lancia Delta because he "is not merely a fine actor; not merely one of the most famous men in the world. He is a man with a great difference: the ability to combine talent, fame and style with great character. I'm talking about his commitment to peace." That affinity for peace stretches especially towards the people of Tibet, a people who's autonomy from China Gere supports.

This commercial, which you can watch after the break, features Gere driving a new Lancia Delta from Hollywood to Tibet in just 30 seconds and aired in Italy. After reports of the commercial appeared in Chinese newspapers, China was apparently none too happy about it. Fiat has decided to apologize, with a company spokesman saying, "Fiat Group extends its apologies to the Government of the People's Republic of China and to the Chinese people."

Our opinion? Gere's alright in Pretty Woman, but not much else after that. Apologies are usually pretty lame, but we'd appreciate one for Gere's horrible singing in Chicago as long as they are being handed out so freely. And how 'bout one for that Lancia's front end?

Honda launches Indias first hybrid car

2008-06-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

First the good news for those caring for environment: Japanese auto giant Honda Motors Co. on Wednesday introduced India to the first hybrid vehicle-- the Civic Hybrid that runs on a petrol engine assisted by an electric motor.

The bad news: Thanks to a hefty 104 per cent duty that the government levies on imported cars, the hybrid version would cost Rs 21.50 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), almost double the price of the conventional variant.

The prohibitive pricing may keep out buyers, but Honda hopes it would make a strong statement about the future of the auto industry in the backdrop rising oil prices and concerns of growing carbon emissions.

"We are not looking for volumes here but showcasing our technological prowess. We want the Indian consumers to experience this new technology which surely is the future of cars," said Masahiro Takedagawa, President and CEO at Honda's Indian subsidiary.

A hybrid vehicle is basically driven by a conventional petrol engine with an assisting electric motor that is powered by a battery. Due to the assisting electric motor the petrol engine is smaller but it delivers the same performance with lower emissions and higher fuel efficiency. The Civic hybrid for example has a smaller 1.3 litre gasoline engine (the normal Civic is powered by a 1.8 litre engine) but delivers around 50 per cent higher fuel efficiency.

The car uses regenerative braking as well which ensures that the energy lost when the vehicle is decelerated is used to recharge the batteries powering the electric motor. This also does away with restrictions of range and charging that need to be done in a conventional electric vehicle.

Despite the many advantages of hybrid technology, the pace of growth in India has been slow due to its high cost and lack of incentives. Though the government has reduced excise duties on hybrid cars to 14 per cent earlier this year, import duties remain steep. And Takedagawa said his company "will not be able to manufacture the car here due to technological reasons."

eBay Find of the Day: 2008 Shelby Super Snake

2008-06-19T04:37:00.000-07:00

Despite the Shelby GT500KR's claim of supremacy over the dominion that is the open road, there is yet another Mustang that is even more extreme. Shelby's Super Snake package for the GT500 offers up to 725 horsepower and even more aggressive options for the suspension and braking systems. Available as a post-sale conversion for the GT500, the transformation can be performed at the Shelby facility in Las Vegas or at one of the official mod shops around the country. There have been a handful of owners who have already converted their GT500s, and one is already for sale on eBay. Something seems wrong with the seller's math, however, because a "Buy It Now" price of $200,000 is far more than the cost of a GT500 plus the $31,995 needed for the 725 horsepower conversion. We could understand the markup if these were in high demand, but pretty much any GT500 owner can send his car to get converted. So unless you really can't wait, keep your mouse away from the bidding button and just enjoy the gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Brad!

New low-emissions London Black Cab to be based on Mercedes-Benz Vito Traveliner

2008-06-19T04:32:00.000-07:00

Londoners could be swapping out black cabs for black vans pretty soon. EcoCity vehicles, through its subsidiary KPM-UK, has worked with LTI, the maker of the famous black cab, for almost 20 years. Now EcoCity has signed an agreement with Mercedes-Benz to produce cabs out of Vito Traveliner vans, which produce lower emissions than the LTI offering.

With 93-percent of the London taxi market owned by black cabs, we wouldn't expect to see Traveliners dominating The City any time soon. For EcoCity, it was more about offering a more environmental choice for drivers and customers. Former mayor Ken Livingstone was a big proponent of that, if you'll remember. And for the city of London, it could mean less of the brown stuff in the air. The Traveliner taxi will be launched next week, and go on sale shortly after.

Be One with the Stars in Driving a Toyota Prius

2008-06-18T04:16:00.000-07:00

Toyota is one of the major players when it comes to hybrid cars. In fact, some of its hybrid models are well-preferred by environmentalist celebrities. Among them is one of my favorite actresses, Julia Roberts. A Toyota Prius costs around $22, 305, but I’m sure Julia is not after the cost or the savings she can get from driving a gas/electric hybrid vehicle. For her it’s more about helping save the environment with less emission.

Aside from being a hybrid, what other characteristics make Prius a great car to have? As you can see, it has a great and streamlined form. It features spoke-alloy wheels, multi-reflector halogen headlamps, and color-keyed front and rear bumpers. With the chrome-type finish grille no one can mistake your Toyota Prius for anything else. It is also of a modest size that can seat five persons and still have enough space left for luggage. Advanced airbag system and anti-lock brake system are only some samples of how the Prius keeps you safe on the road.

And you know what? Toyota Prius is not only a great choice for women like Julia Roberts. This is also the preferred vehicle of hot Hollywood actors, like Leonardo DiCaprio.

French auto giants drive down to Indian roots

2008-06-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

Selling cars is also about cultural considerations. Ask the French, who are focusing on the Indian cultural aspects to sell automobiles in the country .

France's top business and engineering schools have sent their students to India to learn various aspects while working in the Indian cultural scenario. Renault, the French automobile manufacturer, is sponsoring the trip, and guiding them are students from the IIM-A .

Students from top-notch HEC School of Management and Ecole Polytechnique are visiting Mumbai and Chennai to study the cultural diversity between the two countries as part of a project funded by Renault under its chair in multicultural management set up a few weeks ago. India and Japan are the first focus area for the company, which will be followed up by other countries, because the two countries are “strategically important and yet complicated for being culturally different” , said professor Eolic Godelier, who is leading the team of students from Ecole Polytechnique.

PT Cruiser will survive through 2009, barely

2008-06-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

It seems as if earlier rumors of the PT Cruiser's death may have been slightly exaggerated. According to PTCruizer.com, the retro-style hatch from Chrysler is still alive, though perhaps on some sort of artificial life support. At least for the 2009 model year, the Cruiser is expected to be built alongside the Dodge Journey, though this could change in the blink of an eye. The plant in Toluca, Mexico where the two vehicles are built is capable of switching at a moments notice between the Journey and the Cruiser. So, if the Journey picks up sales or Chrysler does the unthinkable and launches its own version of the Dodge crossover, the PT could wave good bye for good.

If you are in the market to do some Cruisin' of your own, our suggestion would be to act fast. Reports indicate that Chrysler is reducing the options on the vehicle as much as possible to make them as easy, and therefore as cheap, to build as possible. For instance, the Limited is the only way to get the turbo engine, though air conditioning is now standard across the line. And if the PT makes it all the way through 2009, Chrysler will almost for certain cancel it after that.

No surprise here: Expedition, Navigator production stopped for nine weeks

2008-06-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

May was apparently a tough month for Ford's big SUVs. With consumer demand understandably cold for the gargantuan utes and their hard-to-swallow 12 mpg city ratings, Lincoln Navigator sales slid 37 percent while Ford Expedition sales were down 43 percent. As a result, Ford Motor Company has announced that its Wayne, Michigan, plant that assembles these vehicles will close down for nine weeks starting on Monday. While the plant sits idle, Ford will increase production of its passenger cars to better meet market demand for smaller and much more fuel efficient vehicles. Like we didn't see this coming...