Michael Schumacher has apologized to Rubens Barrichello after nearly running him into a retaining wall at the 2010 Hungarian Grand Prix. The apology came via a text message, but the actual words were not released. Schumacher, who defended his actions despite a massive outcry, published a statement on his website saying he was “sorry” and...
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General Motors is hoping that their Chevrolet Cruze compact car will increase sales in Europe, where Chevrolets have previously been re-branded versions of cheap Daewoos. While the Cruze sedan is a sharp looking vehicle, the most popular bodystyle over there is the hatchback, with three and five door versions of compact cars outselling sedans by...
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The Dakar rally doesn’t get a lot of love in North America, but some of the machinery used in it is extremely badass, and the Volkswagen Race Touraeg 3 is no exception. Looking like a Touraeg’s homicidal cousin, the Race Touraeg 3 is build for racing on sand dunes and features the appropriate jacked-up bodywork,...
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Honda has unveiled their Jazz Hybrid, which is sold as the Fit here in North America. We won’t be getting the Fit Hybrid in our part of the world, but it doesn’t look like we’re missing out on much. With mileage comparable to a CR-Z, and a nearly $5,000 premium over a regular Fit, the...
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Toyota has just announced a pedestrian warning system for its Toyota Prius hybrids that will be available as a dealer installed option in Japan. The system, which costs $148, will engage below 15 mph and change its tone based on vehicle speed. The noise is said to be a synthesized sound that’s designed to emulate the whirring...
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The 2012 Nissan GTR is getting more than just cosmetic changes. According to the NAGTROC, the 2012 variant of Godzilla will get a revised chassis and suspension along with a “RWD mode”. The front strut towers have been stiffened, for a more rigid chassis, while the brake rotors are 10mm larger up front. New spring...
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Despite the Chevrolet Volt’s carefully orchestrated PR campaign, TransLogic, an online publication, was given a GM-guided tour of the new Chevrolet Volt, but managed to reveal a couple interesting statistics. The Volt, as it turns out, delivers respectable straight line performance. It’s 0-60mph time of 8.53 seconds isn’t quick, but it’s faster than cars like...
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Chevrolet‘s Orlando micro-van has had its first pictures shown ahead of its debut at the Paris Auto Show. Based on the Cruze platform, the Orlando won’t make it to the United States, but is expected to be a strong seller in world markets, as well as Canada, where the compact minivan market has entries from...
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Audi’s A3 hatchback is a solid car that hasn’t quite transcended the hatchback stigma the way that cars like the Ford Fiesta have. While the 5-door layout is perfectly acceptable for European consumers, it’s still seen a bodystyle for economy cars on this side of the Atlantic. With the A4 steadily growing in size, Audi...
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The United States Federal Government’s cynical Keynesian vehicle scrappage program scheme was by all accounts a success (if you believe that blind consumption is a win), but some dealers apparently skirted the rules, and now the government is looking for dealers who may have gamed the system – and may withhold $94 million in rebates...
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India’s Mahindra has nearly completed a purchase of Korean carmaker circus freakshow Ssangyong, maker of the world’s ugliest vehicles. “We give the takeover candidate (Mahindra and Mahindra) an exclusive right for negotiation, and won’t be involved in any takeover-related activities with a third party,” Ssangyong said in a statement. Financial terms were not announced but...
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After receiving 1,100 complaints regarding the 2005-2007 Toyota Matrix and Corolla, NHTSA has decided to broaden their investigation into the vehicles, after launching a preliminary inquiry in November of 2009. According to reports, Toyota told NHTSA that a problem with the car’s ECU (engine control unit) that causes stalling, rough shifting and stops the car from re-starting...
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Hyundai CEO John Krafcik confirmed to Autoblog that their next generation of Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Equus rear-drive cars would also be offered with all-wheel-drive. While no powertrains have been announced for any of the cars, the news of AWD will be welcome for those in the Snowbelt states, where traction going to all four...
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Lexus is soliciting the advice of some 20,000 owners for opinions on product features, social media and demographic information. “This is a great way of listening to customers,” said Deborah Senior, Lexus corporate manager of marketing strategy and communications. According to Senior, incentives like cash cards as a monthly draw prize helped draw in the...
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FIAT CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters at a Chrysler event in Ohio that Alfa Romeo cars would be sold in the United States in joint Alfa/Fiat dealerships starting in 2012. The official statement pretty much puts to rest any rumors of a sale of the Alfa Romeo brand to Volkswagen, something was was reported by...
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An attendee at QuakeCon (a video game convention) recently became infamous for being caught on tape committing the blunder of a lifetime; selling a winning raffle ticket for a 2011 Ford Shelby GT500. This wasn’t your ordinary raffle either. To get the ticket (one of 100) you had to win one of the convention-sponsored tournaments or contests, which ostensibly...
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Lotus is readying plans to build two Evora hybrids but is waiting on funding for the project from the Technology Strategy Board, a publicly funded think tank in the United Kingdom. The prototypes, known as the Evora 414E range extending hybrid, will go forward, with at least one being built. However Lotus needs additional funding...
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Volkswagen looks to be following a brand strategy similar to Pokemon; “gotta catch ’em all”. The company is aiming to increase its stable to 12 brands, and one of those under consideration is apparently Alfa Romeo. While Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne denied reports that Alfa is for sale, the Italian sports car maker is considered...
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While General Motors initially abandoned their performance projects division at the height of the economic crisis, GM has re-instated their mandate, but with a new mandate; compact cars. “We have a tremendous opportunity in the small and compact car market,” said Jim Campbell, Vice President of GM’s performance vehicles and motorsports. “Small cars and compact...
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Chevrolet‘s Orlando compact van was spotted in China nearly uncovered, and looking very similar to the concept that debuted at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. The Orlando doesn’t exactly break new ground in the looks department but its a sharp looking vehicle outside and the interior looks to be carried over from the Cruze compact....
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Renault is currently testing prototypes from their upcoming electric vehicle range in Israel, with a view to selling them in the country by next year. The vehicles, known as the Renault Fluence Z.E. (for zero emissions), look just like normal Renault Fluence sedans, but run solely on electric power. At first glance, Israel may seem...
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Nissan‘s long-rumored Murano convertible is all but officially confirmed after the company presented it to dealers at their annual meeting in Las Vegas in August. The Murano convertible will be offered as a two-door with a soft-top, reminiscent of other spectacular failures like the Toyota RAV4 convertible, Isuzu Amigo and Suzuki X90, all of which...
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UAW President Bob King continued his asinine union politics by endorsing a measure that bans non-union foreign made cars from parking lots at UAW facilities. The story came to the surface after a reporter from a Kansas City-area paper was told to move his Kentucky-built Toyota Camry off the property while visiting a Ford truck...
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Scion‘s tC Coupe could see additional variants spun off from its platform, including a 5-door variant. The tC, which shares its platform with the Lexus HS250h and European-market Toyota Avensis, is available in sedan, wagon and hatchback variants throughout the world. “This platform has plenty of flexibility to do more with,” Jack Hollis, Scion vice president-Toyota...
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