Federal investigators are looking into faulty airbags on the 2005-06 Mercedes-Benz E-Class luxury sedan. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said that it has received four complaints regarding a wiring harness in the steering column, that could lead to the aig bags failing to deploy in a front-impact crash. No injuries have been...
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BMW is planning to introduce its 5 Series ActiveHybrid next year and deliver a 3 Series hybrid after that. BMW chief Norbert Reithofer told company shareholders yesterday in Munich that, “As early as next year, the new BMW 5-series will also be available as a full hybrid. And we are anticipating the hybridisation of further...
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Compared to Volkswagen‘s MkV Golf platform, the current MkVI is really more of a a large update than an all-new model – particularly in North America where some of the more exciting new items found in European models aren’t even offered. That is set to change for the MkVII (seventh-generation) model, however, with AutoExpress reporting...
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The Japanese are known for their calligraphy. The Swiss invented Helvetica. Now the Russians are creating beautiful stenciled art work – on the bodywork of an E36 BMW 3-Series. With AK47s. Apparently, the BMW in question was headed to a museum exhibit dedicated to the political turmoil of the early 1990’s, when Russia was a...
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Volkswagen has just released a selection of new images of the Golf Blue-e-motion concept, with diagrams and even under-the-hood photos of the brand’s upcoming electric car. Set to debut in 2013 along with the Up blue-e-motion and Jetta blue-e-motion, VW will first test a fleet of 500 cars next year. The concept is powered by...
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Well, we probably could have called this one. German super-tuner Gemballa finally closed up shop this week, ending a 30-year reign as one of Europe’s top tuners. Gemballa was known as one of the most outrageous tuners of Porsches and Ferrari’s, and with cars like the Mirage GT and Avalanche GTR800, have proven themselves...
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A month ago we put the spotlight on VW’s Scirocco GT24 CNG Race Cars, announcing that they’ll be competing at the Nurburgring 24-hour race in the class for cars with alternative power. The race has come and gone and VW has made a solid statement with the sweep of the podium with a 1-2-3 finish....
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Mercedes-Benz‘ awesome SLS supercar isn’t even out yet, but the company is already getting a smaller variant ready, with a more modest powertrain that its big brother. The new car will reportedly use a 3.5L V6 with, surprise surprise, a hybrid system. Rather than being a typical “mild hybrid”, the baby SLS will use two...
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Volkswagen, looking to take advantage of their tie-up with Suzuki, is apparently angling to use the Suzuki SX4 as a new crossover, designed to compete with the Hyundai Tuscon and the Europe-only Nissan Qashqai. The crossover would retain Suzuki’s AWD system, but likely use Volkswagen’s TSI and TDI engines, rather than the pedestrian Suzuki motors....
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BMW is rumored to be working on an even more hard-core version of the newly released M3 GTS. According to supposed BMW insider “SCOTT26” on M3Post, the M3 GTS-R will be the final and most hard-core M3 yet. Included in the package will be wider rear fenders and new lighter-weight wheels. There will also be...
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With a field stacked full of Porsches and Audis, it was BMW that took the top spot at the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hour race in the No. 25 BMW M3 GT2. Drivers Jörg Müller, Augusto Farfus, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy managed 154 laps on the Green Hell to claim BMW’s 19th victory at the...
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In any sort of scientific test, it’s important is to control the conditions to make sure that any variables are neutralized, and that the experiments can be repeated with consistent results. An experiment that gives the same data over and over again can usually be seen as an accurate way of obtaining information on a...
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Audi‘s new R8 supercar has taken the top four grid spots at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, with the Porsche 911 GT3 R taking fifth through seventh. Porsche’s GT3 R Hybrid placed an impressive ninth, followed by yet another R8 in 10th. The R8 represents a new challenger to the traditionally dominant 911, however the...
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SEAT, Volkswagen‘s Spanish subsidiary, has been given five years to restructure or else VW will be forced to shut down or sell the ailing Spanish brand. While SEAT’s cars are known for offering excellent value with an emphasis on performance rather than luxury. But despite positive reviews from auto journalists, this hasn’t translated into sales...
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Mercedes-Benz is conducting customer clinics to determine whether their B-Class compact car is suitable for sales in the U.S. market. The B-Class is currently sold in Canada, where its five-door quasi-hatchback bodystyle is extremely popular, but small cars have traditionally struggled in the United States. If the B-Class does come to America, it won’t make...
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BMW is working with its dealer network to help get U.S. customers to pre-order vehicles. The concept of pre-ordering has all but vanished from the U.S. auto market, although its not clear if that is due to impulsive consumers or because of dealerships that would rather sell what’s on the lot. This is in stark...
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Volkswagen has a long history of unveiling wild SEMA-esque cars at the annual Worthersee GTI Meet and this year proved to be no different. While its not the Bentley W12-powered widebody GTI, the GTI Excessive is a more realistic street car and certainly gets our motors running. The car features flared fenders and a complete...
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The upcoming lineup of front-drive “small premium” BMWs will will share the 1 Series badge with their RWD counterparts. According to a report by AutoCar, the new models, which will share the same underpinnings as the next-generation MINI Cooper, will also be hatchbacks and are likely to be offered in both 3-door and 5-door trim....
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So how do you go about making something good, better? How about after it’s better, even more better? Well, that’s exactly what Brabus has done with its T65 RS Tuning for the SL65 AMG Black Series. Mercedes-Benz‘ SL65 is good. The AMG Black variant is better. Arguably much better. Now comes Brabus’ package on the...
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BMW‘s M3 GTS track machine has been officially approved for sale, in Europe. The M3 GTS has 6 more horsepower than a stock M3, but is 154 lbs lighter than the standard car, and comes loaded with important track bits like one-piece bucket seats, harnesses, a roll cage and a fire extinguisher system. The only...
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The 2010 One Lap of America – an 8-day cross-country motorsports bonanza covering 3500 miles (at legal speeds) with time trial competitions at some of America’s most famous racing circuits including Mid-Ohio and Road America – always attracts an eclectic mix of motorheads and machines. This year’s event, sponsored by Tire Rack and Motor Trend,...
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Vorsteiner has slowly been building themselves up as a premier North American-based European tuner. Their recent releases have generated a lot of buzz and have made great splashes in the aftermarket ranging from various BMW models to Porsche, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz. Their newest entry to the world is the V6E Aero Package for the newly...
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BMW has confirmed that it will offer a diesel version of its new 5 Series luxury sedan in North America. What isn’t clear is when BMW plans to launch the vehicle, or which diesel engine will be offered. The decision would seem to be a clear cut one, with BMW currently using its twin-turbo 3.0-liter...
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Hot on the tread marks of the GT2 RS reveal, Porsche has just released a stunning new promo video of its fastest sports car yet. With 620-hp and a curb weight of just 3,020 lbs, the RS model gains 90-hp on the standard GT2 and drops 154 lbs of weight. And according to Porsche it...
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