As part of a major expansion plan that will see the Lotus brand leave behind its niche-market history and expand into a more mainstream automaker, Lotus is poised to sign-on two long-time industry execs: Bub Lutz and Tom Purves. Lutz needs no introduction, having worked in the auto industry most of his life, holding senior...
Continue Reading...
Fiat’s Abarth brand has been tuning economical pint-sized Italian runabouts for decades, but under a corporate restructuring the high-performance division is set to expand its expertise. The company’s marketing boss, Antonino Labate has confirmed that select Alfa Romeo products will get Abarth tuning packages. It’s not clear what models will be included, but Alfa does...
Continue Reading...
With plenty of lead up to its introduction at the 88th annual Pikes Peak Hillclimb, the Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis PM580 didn’t deliver on any of its promises and instead was overshadowed by the Suzuki of Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima. Rhys Millen had set out to break the 10 minute barrier on the treacherous mountain...
Continue Reading...
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a real VIP in the eyes of your dealership? Maybe your dealership just offers a free cup of coffee or perhaps they’ve got a luxury lounge with big screen TVs, snacks, massaging chairs and a nice espresso machine. That, however, is nothing compared to the treatment you’ll receive...
Continue Reading...
Several weeks back, while at Mosport International Raceway, we had the opportunity for a ride-along in one of the World Challenge race cars. The series provided a lineup of different models, including a race-prepped Acura TSX, a Dodge Viper and a Volvo S60. Under most circumstances, we’d choose the Viper – but not this time....
Continue Reading...
Hyundai has just announced that after the market launch of its new flagship Equus luxury sedan, it will offer an engine option above the planned 4.6L Tau V8. The optional engine will be a new 5.0L Tau V8, making 429-hp. That same engine will then also find its way into the Genesis luxury sedan. With...
Continue Reading...
With nearly one million models sold in six years, the last Chevrolet Cobalt will roll off the production line this week. The Cobalt has been manufactured at GM’s Lordstown assembly plant since its launch in 2004 but was never attained the success of the Cavalier it replaced. An uncompetitive vehicle compared to segment leaders like...
Continue Reading...
Saab is about ready to launch its second model since leaving General Motors, the 9-4X, and new spy photos of the crossover doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Caught by the folks at AutoExpress, the 9-4X looks much as we suspected. When it does launch, presumably at the Paris Auto Show this Fall, it will...
Continue Reading...
With Porsche refusing to take part in MINI‘s challenge to race at Road Atlanta (which was neither a real race, nor actually on the track at Road Atlanta), MINI decided to go ahead and stage the comparo anyway. And the plucky British automaker… lost? That’s right, the MINI Cooper S couldn’t best the German juggernaut...
Continue Reading...
Hyundai is extremely proud of the new 2011 Sonata‘s fuel economy, even making it the focal point at the car’s launch event earlier this year. To see just how fuel efficient it is, Wayne Gerdes of CleanMPG.com and a hypermiling expert is going to attempt to drive 1,000 miles on a single tank of gas....
Continue Reading...
American electric car maker Tesla is about ready to launch its IPO and go from a small niche market automaker to possibly a large international electric vehicle powerhouse. But in order to make hat next big step CEO Elon Musk needs money, and lots of it. So before he opens up his company to the...
Continue Reading...
Hyundai is aiming to achieve an EPA rating of more than 40-mpg with its new Veloster model. The stubby hatchback has already been likened to the Honda CRX of old by Hyundai Motor America president John Krafcik, and now it seems Hyundai is planning to really steal Honda’s thunder, by besting the Japanese automaker’s reborn...
Continue Reading...
Mercedes has just unveiled a new fully electric and emissions-free version of its SLS AMG flagship supercar, delivering 526-hp and a 0-60 mph time of just 4.0 seconds. To achieve this impressive output, the SLS AMG E-Cell is bursting with batteries, which are placed in the front firewall, center tunnel and behind the seats. This...
Continue Reading...
Lotus has chosen today, the first official day of summer, to announce (cryptically) the launch of a ‘new era’ for storied British sports car maker. What exactly the ‘new era’ will entail, will become much more clear in exactly 100 days at the Paris Auto Show says Lotus. Our minds are already racing with the...
Continue Reading...
Honda is planning a rival to the Toyota FR-S (formerly FT-86) sports car, combing the concepts of the S2000 and the Beat minicar. According to a report by Motor Trend, the new two-seater roadster would use a modified version of the Fit platform using a a rear-mid engine layout. What isn’t clear is if Honda...
Continue Reading...
Rumors of a Porsche 928 successor based on the Panamera and even a Panamera convertible have been floating around online for months now, but this might be the most credible evidence yet that such a car is in the works. Posted on the home page of Porsche Consulting’s website, the design sketch is no more...
Continue Reading...
By now were sure you’ve heard about MINI‘s challenge to Porsche to come out and race at Road Atlanta. A genius piece of marketing no doubt, but it appears two can play at this game as Hyundai has just turned the tables on MINI in a new YouTube video, offering to step in for the...
Continue Reading...
Lotus will launch two special editions models at the end of this year, both to celebrate the dedication of its long-time vehicle engineer Roger Becker, and to mourn the loss of the 1.8-liter engine. That’s right, new Euro 5 emissions regulations are set to mark the end of the 1.8L-powered Lotus Elise and Exige and...
Continue Reading...
The next-generation Saab 9-3 (rebadged the 93) will arrive in late 2012, marking the return of the 900’s classic hatchback style in a bid to compete with the Audi A3. According to a recent report by AutoCar, Saab is also planning to develop both a sedan and a convertible version of the car, which will...
Continue Reading...
Toyota appears set to return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) next year after an absence from the sport of over a decade. Last week we reported on Toyota’s fact-finding missions at several WRC races, and now the Japanese automaker has been linked to Prodrive – a motorsports company that helped Subaru rise to fame...
Continue Reading...
When Lexus first unveiled its LFA supercar, the V10-powered exotic was painted a pristine white – a popular choice for modern high-performance vehicles from the BMW M3 to Porsche GT3. The next time the LFA made an appearance, it was at the SEMA Show. Assuming just one vehicle was in production, we expected to see...
Continue Reading...
Audi has been hard at work on it’s E-Tron electric sports car, and it’s paying off, with new plans to deliver the car to market ahead of schedule. According to a report by Car & Driver, the E-Tron will arrive in 2012. The vehicle won’t be for sale, however, but for lease. Lexus recently announced...
Continue Reading...
The new Honda CR-Z will go on sale in the U.S. on August 24th, with a starting price of under $20,000 reports InsideLine. Unfortunately the car will not be eligible for a federal tax credit. Apparently the rules state that only 60,000 tax credits for hybrids are allowed per automaker and Honda spokesman Chuck Schifsky...
Continue Reading...
Audi execs have repeatedly said that the A1 mini-car will not be sold in the U.S. But now Audi boss Rupert Stadler has confirmed that it will be sold here, but not any time soon. According to a report by Car & Driver, Audi is planning to sell its second-generation of the MINI competitor in...
Continue Reading...
sidebar...
