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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…
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…
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…
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….
Lamborghini To Explore Hybrid Engines As It Promises 35% Emission Reduction by 2015
In an ambitions new emissions reduction strategy Lamborghini has just unveiled, the Italian exotic car maker says it will look to hybrid powertrains (among other things) to cut vehicle emissions by 30 percent by 2015. The company has already made a significant step in that direction with the launch of the LP560-4. Due to the…
Lamborghini Building Track-Oriented Murciélago
Recently spy photographers captured a Lamborghini out testing on the Nürburgring, and while it was speculated this model might be the upcoming replacement for the Murciélago, that seems unlikely – especially as that car won’t debut until 2012. Instead it appears as though Lamborghini might be resurrecting the Jota name and building a track version…
MINI Crossover Spy Photos: The Crossman?
MINI’s upcoming crossover has been rumored for quite some time and now thanks to the folks at Carscoop we have these spy photos off the small SUV out testing. Maybe we’re Doubting Thomases for not having fully believed MINI would build such a vehicle, or maybe we just didn’t want to believe it. Still, if…
Saab Buyers Now Down to Just Two
It seems like there is a new update in the Saab and Saturn sell-off every day… so why stop now. Yesterday we reported that the list of Saab buyers was down to three and now that list has been shortened to just two suitors. Saab CEO Jan-Ake Jonsson told Swedish business paper Dagens Industri that…
Porsche Struggling, Asks German Government for $2.5 Billion Loan
Porsche has reportedly asked the German government for a $2.5 billion loan, adding to speculation that the automaker is in financial trouble. Much of Porsche’s money problems stem from the company overextending itself in its failed bid to take over Volkswagen, a move that, if successful, would have added $10 billion to Porsche’s coffers. As…
Magna Deal Prohibits Sale of Opels In The U.S., But Not In Canada
Magna International will not be selling Opel cars in the United States or China, says company CEO Frank Stronach. The head of the Canadian auto parts supplier said that this was part of the deal he worked out with GM when purchasing its European Opel brand. Interestingly, however, there is no indication that the agreement…
Bentley Arnage Successor Expected to Debut at Pebble Beach in August
In December Bentley announced that after 10 years it would cease production of its Arnage, but didn’t even hint at a replacement for the ultra-luxury sedan. Now word comes that the car’s successor might be revealed as early as this August, at a typical venue – the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The car is expected…
Volvo Planning Plug-In Diesel Hybrid for 2012
In 2007 Volvo partnered with Swedish energy company Vattenfall to examine ways to work together and now the duo has agreed to develop a plug-in diesel hybrid for production by 2012. This summer Volvo will unveil three initial test vehicles based on the V70 wagon. “We are investing in an industrial joint venture to series-produce…
Koenigsegg In the Running to Buy Saab?
In a surprising move, a potential buyer for Saab has been found from the company’s home country. Nope… note Swedish automaker Volvo, but Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg. The news comes from the newspaper Dagens Industri and is so surprising because of Koenigsegg’s mass-market obscurity. Koenigsegg has, however, made a success out of its supercar business,…
Lamborghini Murciélago Successor Won’t Arrive Until 2012
According to a recent report in German auto pub Auto Motor und Sport the replacement for Lamborghini’s flagship Murciélago won’t arrive until 2012. This means the current Murcie will have to hold on for an additional two (or possibly even three) years before it bows out. This will give the raging bull a total production…
BMW M7 Spied Testing in Germany
Thanks to the folks over at WorldCarFans we have these spy photos of an upcoming high-performance version of the new 7 Series. Likely to be called the M7, BMW isn’t being shy about it as the vehicle was caught out testing without any real camouflage. A new front bumper reveals significantly-sized air intakes and a…
Magna Wins Opel Bid, Wants to Build Cars in Canada
By solidifying a deal to take control of GM’s European operations, Canada’s Magna International Inc. is eager to start producing Opel cars in Canada. “We want to build Opel cars in Canada,” said company founder and CEO Frank Stronach. “Canada should have its own Canadian company … a truly Canadian automobile industry.” The third largest…
Audi Attempts World Record Drive: Three Continents in Three Days
On June 8 auto journalist Gerhard Plattner and co-driver Franz Doppler will attempt to set a world record, driving from Africa, through Europe to Asia in just 72 hours. The duo will depart from Rabat, Morocco in an Audi A3 TDI e, traveling 3,044 miles (4,900 km) through 13 countries before the adventure ends on…
Ferrari Patent Reveals Plans For A Turbocharged Engine
Last week we brought you news on a new four-wheel drive hybrid system that Ferrari is working on and now it appears as though the Italian maker of exotic cars is exploring turbochargers for future production models. Much like how the 4WD Hybrid setup came to light, the new turbocharger system was revealed due to…
