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Toyota Finally Axes Solara Convertible
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Toyota has finally made the decision to stop producing the Solara Convertible. It’s not likely to be missed. The Coupe model was discontinued last summer (in case you hadn’t noticed), but Toyota decided to keep up convertible production as there were no other drop-top models in the entire company’s vehicle lineup. A few months later…
Lotus Threatens Legal Action Against New Formula 1 Team Using Its Name
In press release issued by Lotus Cars, the British exotic car maker takes issue with recent reports that a new Formula 1 team for 2010 will run under the banner of Team Lotus. The new team, however, says that’s not the case. U.K.-based Litespeed Racing has already secured a sport on the 2010 F1 lineup…
Volkswagen Planning Assault on Toyota With Camry and Highlander Competitors
We’ve known for some time now that Volkswagen is planning to build a new mid-size sedan, but as details of the German automaker’s future product lineup emerge, it appears as though VW isn’t just interest in taking on the Camry, but the entire Toyota lineup. Volkswagen has the potential to overtake Toyota as the world’s…
Hyundai, Kia Planning More Fuel-Efficient Accent, Elantra and Forte Models
Hyundai and Kia have announced plans to build more fuel-efficient versions of the Accent, Elantra and Forte. These “blue” models will be much like GM’s XFE (Xtra Fuel Efficient) cars and trucks and use many of the same techniques. For starters, fuel-economy will be improved through the use of a five-speed, rather than the standard…
Scion Releases xD Release Series 2.0
Scion has just rolled out its final special edition model for 2009, the xB Release Series 2.0, starting at $14,650 – just $1,270 over the base price. What you get for that amount is a long list of extras, not to mention Electric Wasabi green paint and the knowledge that only 1,600 such models will…
Ford’s Twin-Fuel ‘Bobcat’ Engine Could Replace Power Stroke Diesels
At a recent engineering conference Ford representatives gave a presentation on secret new engine the company is developing. Code named “Bobcat” the new twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 engine is seen more as an alternative truck engine, although as it is similar to Ford’s EcoBoost engine, passenger car applications are possible. The Bobcat engine is a twin-fuel…
Turbocharged Ford Fiesta: Marketing Hype or EcoBoost Reality?
Ford recently launched a new website dedicated to the 2011 Fiesta (due out in early 2010) and the option sheet lists a turbocharger kit! Don’t get too excited, however, as the site is aimed at gauging consumer interest and isn’t necessarily a list of the options Ford will offer. Most likely the automaker just wants…
Volkswagen to Offer Routan Minivan With Wi-Fi
Behind the Volkswagen badge on the front of the Routan minivan, everything else is pretty much standard Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country equipment. So why buy the VW? The German automaker hopes the option of wireless internet will be enough to win over a few buyers, and they’re probably right. Thanks to Autonet Mobile, Routan…
Bentley Teases Arnage Successor
Just one photo. That’s all Bentley has released of its upcoming successor to the Arnage, but it’s all we need to start getting excited. While we love the classic style of the Arnage, it will be nice to see what appears to be a more progressively and aggressively designed super luxury sedan. We expect the…
Pontiac To Offer the Vibe (and Nothing Else) in 2010
The 2010 model lineup for the soon-to-be-terminated Pontiac brand will consist of just one model – the Vibe. Recently GM interim CEO Fritz Henderson reiterated the company’s position that the G8 would not carry on as either a Buick, Chevy or Cadillac. The G3 and G5 will also cease production this year, while the G6…
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“Cash for Guzzlers” Approved by House
Late yesterday the House of Representatives approved a bill that would offer consumers up to $4,500 to trade in their vehicle on a more fuel-efficient machine. The legislation must now go before the Senate before President Barack Obama is expected to give it final approval. The bill passed with a strong majority of 298 to…
Toyota Planning iQ Cabriolet
Toyota appears to be readying a convertible version of the iQ minicar that is currently on sale in Japan and Europe. The report comes from Japan’s Best Car magazine, which suggests much of the basics will be kept including a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 99hp and 92 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel-economy for this engine…
Buick LaCrosse Will Get Turbo 4-Cylinder
GM’s interim CEO Fritz Henderson is starting to open up on some of the company’s fuel-efficiency plans and the future involves a pair of turbocharged four-cylinders. The first turbo-four will be offered in the new Buick LaCrosse but won’t be available immediately. Currently the LaCrosse is slated to get a standard 3.0-liter V6 that makes…
Audi Working to Reduce Weight of Vehicles Considerably
As much improved as Audis have become over the past few years one consistent complaint about the German luxury cars is how much they weigh. Audi aims to eliminate that critique by removing the problem – weight. According to Audi technical development boss Michael Dick the automaker is currently working on its next modular longitudinal…
Fiat Says It Won’t Walk Away From Chrysler Deal
When the U.S. Supreme Court delayed the sale of Chrysler to Fiat yesterday it put the whole contract in jeopardy, giving the Italian automaker the opportunity to walk away if the sale isn’t approved by June 15th. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has, however, confirmed his commitment to the purchase, saying that it would not deter…
Ferrari Confirms Hybrid Concept Car Coming
Ferrari has confirmed that a hybrid model is in the works and that a concept car will debut as early as the LA Auto Show this December. The news comes directly from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa just weeks after a patent application for a hybrid system by Ferrari was uncovered. At almost the same time…
Lotus Returns to Formula 1… in Name Only
Team Lotus will return to Formula 1 after a 16 year absence… sort of. While two cars scheduled to run in the 2010 season will proudly wear the Lotus name, the team will actually be owned and operated by Litespeed, a U.K.-based Formula 3 team. Team Lotus rights holder David Hunt has allowed the company…
There’s Still Hope for the Pontiac G8
There is hope, be it ever so slight, that the Pontiac G8 may live on even though the brand it’s attached to is most certainly slated for elimination. “I know there’s still discussions on it,” GM’s product boss Tom Stephens told Automotive News, giving some hope to the legions of G8 fans that haven’t had…
U.S. Supreme Court Delays Chrysler Sale to Fiat
A U.S. Supreme Court judge has delayed the sale of Chrysler to a new Fiat-run company. The move by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg came just before a 4 p.m. deadline set by a New York appeals court would have seen the sale completed. The statement by Justice Ginsburg was just one sentence and gave no…
U.K. Vehicle Satisfaction Survey Rates Fiat Last, Just Below Chrysler
A new survey out of the U.K. by J.D. Power & Associated in association with automotive resource What Car? might be great new for Lexus… but it’s quite the opposite for both Chrysler and its new bosses at Fiat. The Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSS) lets owners of three year old cars rate those vehicles…
Chrysler May Reduce Brands to Just Dodge and Jeep
Chrysler, the brand that carries the name of the corporation behind it, may not do so for long. According to a report on AdAge.com, Fiat executives are looking at if they should keep all three Chrysler brands (Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep) and the most likely candidate to get axed is Chrysler itself. A spokesperson for…
General Motors to Cut Number of Cadillac Dealers
The long list of General Motors dealerships got a lot shorter recently, but it will get shorter still as the company has made known plans to reduce the number of Cadillac dealerships in its network. “Our current footprint of 1,400 Cadillac dealers, most of which are dualed, is out of sync with modern luxury automotive…
BMW to Expand 1 Series Lineup Significantly With 13 Different Versions Including Roadsters and SUVs
According to a rather detailed post on BMW 1 Series forum 1addicts, BMW is aiming to significantly expand the future 1 Series lineup as a part of the company’s Efficient Dynamics approach. Using a new versatile modular architecture, BMW will be able to build 12 and possibly even 13 different vehicles based on the new…
Volkswagen Launches Golf GTD: The High-Performance Diesel
Today Volkswagen officially launched the return of the Golf GTD – a Golf that is high in both performance and fuel economy, thanks to its diesel engine. With 170hp it outstrips the TDI model by 30 ponies. The real difference, however, is in the torque where the GTD makes 258 ft-lbs of the good stuff….
