Porsche’s Wendelin Wiedeking announced in an interview just days ago that the automaker’s new Panamera four-door “coupe” began its testing marathon at the challenging Nürburgring over the last week. Now, spy photographer Brenda Priddy has snapped some photos of one of the first prototypes, still wearing heavy disguise. Continue reading 2009 Porsche Panamera
Chrysler has official unveiled the 2007 Dodge Avenger Concept, which will see production in the coming months. Initial photos of the car leaked from a Chrysler facility earlier this month. The sedan will be offered with the choice of a 173 hp four-banger, 189 hp flex-fuel V6, or a 235 horsepower high-performance V6. Continue reading Dodge Avenger Concept unveiled
Ford has exercised its right to acquire the Rover brand name from BMW. When the American automaker purchased Land Rover from BMW, it obtained the right to buy the related Rover name if BMW ever elected to sell it. When BMW announced it had come to an agreement to sell Rover to Chinese automaker Shanghai Automotive in late August, Ford was given 90 days to intervene and make the acquisition itself. Continue reading Ford buys Rover brand name from BMW
The new hybrid from Lexus is a smooth ride, but it’s a hefty price to pay to feel eco-friendly with good diesels around. Remember Betamax video recorders, those lumbering, top-loading titans of terminal technology? They went from old hat to dead format in the blink of an eye. Now picture the Lexus GS450h, a car that may just be the equivalent of a $121,900 Betamax recorder. Continue reading Lexus GS450h hybrid
Audi took an outback odyssey this week to launch its Q7 4WD and CARSguide was there.
DAY 1: Birdsville
A handful of permanent residents and one of the greenest footy fields anywhere west of the mountains … Birdsville is one of those places every Aussie knows of and precious few ever visit. Continue reading Audi Q7 outback adventure
BMW’s new 335i coupe is not class leading, It’s in a class of it’s own. WISER heads than mine sagely say that a car ought not -indeed cannot -be judged by the cossetted drive that is typical of media launches. No, they continue – usually unbidden and often at considerable length – you must take the newcomer in question and spend days comparing it with other cars of questionable Continue reading New BMW 335i coupe
In an effort to meet the increasing demand for product in North America and especially China, Toyota will increase their production levels by 40 percent over 2005 levels. According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a business daily in Japan, Toyota expects overseas output to exceed domestic production by 2009, even as output from their home country is set to increase by 9.5 percent by 2008. Continue reading Toyota to increase overseas output by 40 percent
Is Jaguar getting a bum wrap in the surveys? Autospies has uncovered yet another survey in which Jaguar out places even the highly respected brand such as Mercedes and BMW. German motoring magazine Auto Zeitung has published its 2006 Quality Report and Jaguar has come out on top over strong competition from European and Continue reading Jaguar Tops the Chart In Yet Another Quality Survey
Seventeen years ago, the automaker unveiled its first LS flagship. It was a surprisingly well-equipped four-door, boasting trendsetting quality. But the big selling point was price. The LS400 cost thousands less than European competitors, like the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series. And that was enough to win over legions of fans. Continue reading 2007 Lexus LS460 Breakthrough
French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen SA said Monday it has agreed to study possible cooperation with Malaysian state-controlled auto group Proton that would give the French group a strong foothold in Asia. Both companies have signed a letter of intent to examine possible collaboration in product development, manufacturing, quality initiatives, vendor development, contract assembly and distribution, Peugeot Citroen said in a statement. Continue reading Peugeot Citroen and Malaysia’s Proton consider link
Volkswagen’s Czech subsidiary Skoda is set to unveil a new concept car called the Joyster Concept at the Paris Motor Show later this month. Not much is known about the vehicle, or whether it will lead to a production model for the European market. Rumors have suggested the Joyster is based on the VW Golf platform. Continue reading Skoda Joyster Concept
The Korean shark car is up on the block at Hyundai. The Tiburon coupe — its name means shark — has just been tweaked and updated as the company works through its whole range to set the course for the next 10 years. Hyundai should hit 48,000 sales in Australia this year and is aiming to power past 50,000 next year with its all-new model line-up providing the power. Continue reading New Hyundai Tiburon for 2007