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VW Outpacing Toyota in Technical Innovations
According to a recent study by the Center of Automotive Management at the Bergish Gladbach University of Applied Sciences in Germany, Volkswagen ranks No. 1 when it comes to putting technical innovations into production. With 64 innovations that made it into cars last year, VW was ahead of second-place Toyota, which introduced 56 innovations that…
Fisker Latigo CS V10 Spotted For Sale on eBay
Montecito Motors in Santa Barbara, California has listed this 2008 Fisker Latigo CS on eBay. With a starting bid of $90,000, the coachbuilt BMW M6 was designed by Henrik Fisker who also designed the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage. It’s a small price to pay to own something so unique on the…
The Ultimate Euro Vacation: Audi’s R8 LMS Experience
If you’re planning on buying an Audi R8 and wondering about factory delivery options in Germany, the Audi R8 LMS Experience can offer you a lot more than a factory tour, a cup of coffee and a road map. As part of the Audi Driving Experience now available to U.S. customers, you can access the…
Peugeot Dominates Qualifying at Le Mans
One of the toughest and most prestigious endurance races in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has officially begun, with the third and final qualifying session running last night. Peugeot and their diesel-powered 908’s put on a dominating performance, claiming the top four spots on the grid and leading the way amongst the…
Porsche Planning Hard-Core Cayman Inspired by Boxster Spyder
Porsche is planning to introduce a hard-core version of the Cayman, inspired by its new Boxster Spyder model. According to information provided from a recent dealer meeting, the new model will be introduced in the Spring of 2011 (possibly at the Geneva Auto Show) with less weight, more horsepower and an overall design inspired by…
Saab and BMW in Talks Over New Small Premium Model for Swedish Brand
Saab‘s proposed 92 small premium model could ride on a BMW platform say recent reports. According to Swedish outlet Dagens Industri BMW and Saab are holding talks on sharing both platforms and engines. Saab CEO Victor Muller has commented that his company is in talks with several other automakers over sharing technology for the new…
Not Coming to America: The BMW 5 Series Wagon
In the market for a functional luxury car? Like the BMW 5 Series and excited about the new wagon model? Too bad. You can’t have it. That’s right, the big German bully from Munich is keeping the new 2011 5 Series Touring (aka wagon) for him and his European buddies. Blast! And you know what…
Valentino Balboni Drives His Namesake at California Speedway [video]
If you’re a fan of Lamborghini‘s, chances are, you’ve heard the name Valentino Balboni. Between 1968 and 2008, Valentino Balboni was Lamborghini’s most famous factory test driver, who once stated that he has been behind the wheel of 85 percent of all Lamborghinis built during this period. Some people think we, as automotive journalists, have…
GTHaus Makes Widebody M3 Kit Available To The Public
Oh boy – it looks like the gauntlet has been thrown down and G-Power now has a true challenger. We first showed off GTHaus’ Meisterschaft Widebody E92 BMW M3 and then G-Power’s Pair of Clubsport M3s available to the public. Probably given the hype that G-Power’s parts produced, GTHaus didn’t sit around to be overtaken….
Porsche Shoots Down Proposed MINI Race At Road Atlanta
MINI’s challenge to race their Cooper S against a Porsche at Road Atlanta didn’t go over so well. The publicity stunt initiated by MINI USA’s Jim McDowell was met with a terse and dismissive response by Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev Von Platen today, as he issued a statement where he declined McDowell’s challenge,…
Bentley Mulsanne Sold Out Until 2012
Bentley has announced that all build slots for their new Mulsanne sedan are sold out until 2012, not bad for a car that retails for $285,000 in the USA. The British luxury car maker said that they will be increasing production in the future to help with the pent-up demand, but that’s not saying much;…
Mercedes to Launch 16 New Models By 2011 in “The Best or Nothing” Brand Offensive
Mercedes will introduce 16 new or revamped models by 2011 as a part of a new branding initiative to show the company as world leader in technology, safety and luxury. Included in this lineup are two compact models (presumably the new A-Class and B-Class). The same platform will also be used in the future for…
11-Year-Old Canadian Karting Champion Signed To Ferrari Driver Development Program
Lance Stroll, an 11-year old Canadian karting champion, has been signed to the Ferrari Driving Academy, a factory-backed driver development program run by the Italian manufacturer. Stroll, who has been racing since he was 8, has racked up wins in the regional, provincial and national karting championships. Stroll’s father Lawrence is also a motorsports enthusiast,…
BMW’s Active Sound Design Gives MINI Cooper V8 Sound [video]
Last week we brought you a story about an innovate technology BMW is working on called Active Sound Design. The primary use of the technology is in sound deadening using an electro-acoustic system (aka, your car’s stereo) to minimize or change the sound you here. This is particularly important for BMW when it comes to…
2011 Volkswagen Phaeton Mega Gallery: The Luxury VW from Every Angle
Volkswagen has just released a huge new selection of pictures of its all-new 2011 Phaeton luxury saloon. The new model, which was officially unveiled at the Beijng Auto Show earlier this year and we were able to share a few photos with you back then, but now those in love with the extra-large Vee Dub…
Aston Martin DB9 Replacement Coming in 2013
Aston Martin is planning to introduce an all-new DB9 model in 2013 or possibly 2014, with a new look, updated engine and reduced weight. The underlying structure of the car won’t be all-new, however, with Aston recently scrapping a plan to develop all-new chassis – instead opting for a significant refresh to the current lineup….
2011 Volkswagen Jetta to Debut on June 15
We’ve already seen numerous spy photos of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta and now we’ll get a chance to see the finished product next week. Volkswagen has posted a countdown on its U.S. webpage with the official reveal set for 11:25 a.m. on June 15th. Inspired by the New Compact Coupe (unveiled at this year’s Detroit…
Next-Gen BMW 3 Series to Get Turbo 3-Cylinder
News that BMW is developing a new direct-injection turbocharged 3-cylinder for the next generation of MINI models has been circulating for a few weeks now, but now it appears as though the same pint-sized powerplant will be used in the BMW lineup as well. According to a recent report by the well-informed MINI faithful at…
Lumma Design Goes Black and White On BMW X6 M
Finally! After all the bickering we have done on black demo cars, we have the chance to check out Lumma Design’s BWW X6 M styling on both a black and white platform. Lumma Design offers a plethora of kits for various Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, so their expertise is well varied. Their BMW X6…
BMW To Build Stretch 3-Series For Chinese Market
The Chinese auto market has a strange fascination with stretched versions of compact and mid-size sedans, the the stretched BMW 5-Series (pictured), the Audi A4L and the stretched Mercedes-Benz E-Class to name a few. BMW wants a bigger piece of the action and is teaming of with Chinese automaker Brilliance (yes, that Brilliance) to build…
BMW Recalling 2011 X5 And X6
A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association says that BMW is recalling an unknown number of X5 and X6 SUVs over incorrect tire pressure labels. According to Inside Line, NHTSA claims not only are the pressures wrong, but the wheel sizing is off as well. “The vehicles are equipped with 20-inch wheels, but…
Alfa Romeo SUV Details Emerging, Alfa Fans Cringe
Alfa Romeo fans are bracing themselves amid credible reports of an SUV joining the ranks of the Italian marque’s lineup. Autoguide previously reported on an Alfa Romeo SUV as a key product for their North American return. Targeting vehicles like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, the Alfa crossover will be built on an all-new…
Mini VP: Coupe, Roadster, To Arrive Within Two Years
Two stripped down models will join the MINI range within two years of the debut of the MINI Countryman crossover, one a Coupe, the other a 2-seat Roadster. “The Coupe will arrive six months after the Countryman, and the Roadster 12 months after the Countryman,” said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. The Countryman will…
Lotus, Bugatti, Ferrari Battle It Out At Laguna Seca (Video Inside
Gentlemen, turn up your speakers. The title really needs no further explanation. A Lotus Exige S, Bugatti Veyron and a Ferrari F430 get together and go toe-to-toe on Laguna Seca. There aren’t too many in-car shots, but the ones that do exist show the Ferrari driver shuffle steering (a big no-no among race car drivers)…
