Volkswagen is out testing the 7th generation Golf, as seen here in spy shots, and the new car looks like it will retain much of the current car’s styling, but get a lower, wider and more aggressive profile. For North America, expect the 2.0TDI diesel to carry over, but the base 2.5L 5-cylinder is out, to be...
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Gumpert is set to unveil a new supercar at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and the German carmaker has released a teaser for the world to enjoy. Not many details have been revealed by Gumpert on their new supercar, but the teaser image clearly shows some hints of resemblance to Gumpert’s Apollo. But let the...
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With the launch of BMW‘s next-generation i-models, the German car manufacturer is also looking for new ways to sell its lineup of green machines. Tim Abbott, BMW’s UK Managing Director, has expressed an interest in more flexible test drive times, a mobile sales force for the i-models, and turning to the Internet for online sales....
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Earlier in the month we reported that Volkswagen was testing their new WRC Polo R with Carlos Sainz behind the wheel, and now there’s video from Sainz’s testing sessions along with the official announcement of VW signing Sebastian Ogier as their first driver for the FIA World Rally Championship alongside Julien Ingrassia as his co-driver....
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BMW and Toyota are in talks for a technology sharing agreement, one that would reportedly see BMW provide Toyota with a diesel engine for its midsize cars in Europe. Specific timetables and other details were not announced, but Toyota is believed to be pursuing the deal to help offset the increased cost of importing Japanese-built...
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Another Mercedes-Benz model, another Brabus creation. Brabus unveiled their tuning program for the new M-Class and announced that its official debut will be at the upcoming Essen Motor Show. Brabus modifications for the new M-Class encompasses every facet of the vehicle, outfitting the M-Class with a body kit, engine upgrade and interior changes. Starting with...
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BMWs in certain markets may be getting a “Made In China” code in their VIN numbers starting at the end of 2011, as the company plans to export Chinese made 5-Series sedans to certain markets. The Truth About Cars quotes the CEO of BMW’s Chinese operations as stating “We will find some markets, maybe in the...
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Mercedes-Benz‘s Maybach luxury brand will be axed, much to the consternation of rappers (pictured above), athletes and insipid nouveau riche types everywhere. While Mercedes had high hopes for the brand, Maybach’s sales have slumped to around 200 units annually, whereas targets called for sales of 1,000 cars per year. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche told German...
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Even though this generation’s Audi A1 won’t be making it to North America, Audi has admitted that they’re considering launching the next-generation to us Americans. Nonetheless we have another variation to maybe look forward to, a five-door Sportback version of the Audi A1. Priced at a little under $23,000 based on today’s conversion rates, the...
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Brabus has announced a Roadster variant of their custom Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and it looks to be based on the tuning package for the 700 Biturbo SLS AMG Coupe. Its official debut will be at the upcoming Essen Motor Show on November 26th, 2011. No official specifications were announced, but based on the Biturbo 700,...
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The planned “Honda Pilot fighter” as Car & Driver puts it, should help bolster the appeal of VW CUVs amongst US buyers since the two-row Toureg is expensive and doesn’t fit the needs of the majority of shoppers in this segment.
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While automakers and outside research firms publish sales figures and earnings reports on a regular basis, one metric we rarely get a glimpse of is how profitable each vehicle is. In an era of re-badging and platform sharing, one would think that the most profitable vehicles are those with a large number of derivatives to...
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One of the most successful partnerships in the history of Formula 1 has to be the combination of a Honda engine in a McLaren chassis and body, with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost behind the wheel. It was the perfect partnership which saw the team win many races and championships. Over the last 16-years, McLaren...
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Consumer Reports recently compared four luxury sedans in the January issue of the magazine, pitting the Audi A6 against the Infiniti M35h, Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec and Saab 9-5, with the refreshed A6 receiving an overall test score of 93, tying Infiniti’s M37 at the top of the charts. The previous generation A6 had scored a...
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The very first Audi R8 LMS race car to compete in America has been announced. APR Motorsport will be the first team to campaign the special Audi race car during the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. APR Motorsports, a division of the famed Audi tuning shop, is becoming known for...
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The original Audi TT was beautiful, a styling icon and a design study of the 21st century. Audi plans to do it again, with rumors surfacing of the unveiling of the third generation TT at the approaching Tokyo Motor Show. Few details have been disclosed but we expect the TT to be taken slightly up-market...
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The BMW 5-Series ActiveHybrid will make its debut at this December’s Tokyo Auto Show, featuring BMW’s familiar twin-turbo I6 engine and an electric motor that will produce a total output of 340 horsepower. Backed by an 8-speed automatic, the car will be able to operate in pure electric mode up to 37 mph. The ActiveHybrid’s...
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Consumer Reports has made allegations against Volkswagen that the company provided press vehicles that were built to a higher standard than versions sold to consumers. Stories of “ringer” press vehicles are legend in the automotive world – most recently, Ferrari was accused of providing press cars that performed far better than customer cars. Now, the venerable consumer...
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As to why, the company cites the traditional argument that small cars have thin profit margins, especially when they have to be imported, as VW would have to do with the Up! and Polo, at least in the short term.
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During a recent statement, Girsky said that “in order to fully leverage [Opel’s] potential we will continue to work on optimizing the cost structure, improve margins and make use of economies of scale within the group.”
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In the case of the latter, Audi’s US President, Johann De Nysschen says that the pushing back the A6 and A8 Hybrids was largely done to “minimize complexity” in the lineup, since Audi is already planning to introduce a Q5 Hybrid for 2012.
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Subaru has the Legacy and Outback and now Volkswagen has the Passat and the Passat Alltrack. Essentially a high-riding version of the Passat wagon (“Estate”) offered in Europe, the car will make its official debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show. Along with flared fenders, a stainless steel-look front bumper garnish and some matte-chrome...
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The Volkswagen up! is now offering an incredible promo exclusively in Germany. According to Auto Express, a new VW up!, carrying a 10,000 Euro MSRP, can be leased for a mere 95 Euros a month. There are no strings attached either. There is no initial deposit necessary. Nor are there additional road tax, servicing, roadside...
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Mansory’s extravagant creations are becoming more hit-or-miss in terms of success, but thankfully their rendition of Audi’s R8 Spyder is tolerable if not elegant. Known to sometimes go over the top, we’re surprised by the subtle approach Mansory took with Audi’s exotic convertible supercar. Of course carbon fiber is incorporated, featured on the new front...
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