Conventional gas engines will remain dominant in the U.S. market, but hybrids and diesels are steadily gaining market share, especially as gas prices and concerns about global warming rise and technology advances, concludes a report by J.D. Power and Associates (which, like Standard & Poor’s, is a subsidiary of McGraw-Hill Companies). Continue reading Hybrids and Diesel Engines Steadily Gaining U.S. Market Share

Honda’s Canadian subsidiary is facing an interesting choice: fuel economy at the expense of safety.  New federal regulations recently passed in Canada award a $1000 rebate for cars that fall below a fuel consumption threshold, set at 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers in that wacky metric system. While the competing Toyota Yaris tests at 6.3l/100km, Honda’s smallest offering, the Fit, sits just on the line at 6.5. Continue reading Fit for Debate, Fit for Rebate

Mmmm boy. Do we love us some Hemis. Knowing this, our boy Drew tipped us off to some of Mopar’s newest performance parts for the 5.7-liter, 6.1-liter and 392ci engines. Continue reading Mopar releases new hop-up parts for your Hemi

Just how well onboard controls can be operated is being investigated by the DaimlerChrysler researchers at a very early stage of vehicle development. Using a special simulator to determine whether systems can be easily and intuitively operated, they can thus offer recommendations for interior design at an early stage, thereby reducing costs. Continue reading Eyes on the road: User-friendly onboard operating systems

In addition to the Shooting Sport Concept, Chinese auto manufacturer Chery also had the A6CC Concept on display at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show. The A6CC appears even more production ready than the Shooting Sport, except for those faux disc brakes that could make decelerration interesting. Continue reading Shanghai Auto Show: LIVE shots of Chery A6CC Concept

Volkswagen announced new environmental goals for China at the inauguration of the engine plant in Dalian. These goals envisage a reduction of over 20 percent in fuel consumption and emissions for models built at the plants operated by the two joint ventures FAW-Volkswagen and Shanghai Volkswagen by 2010. Continue reading Volkswagen launches new initiative to reduce fuel consumption in China

With its sporty appearance and sumptuous level of appointments, the immediately available Sport Edition is a new highlight among the Coupés and Cabriolets of the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in an exclusive design, AMG styling features in the exterior and bi-xenon headlamps as standard give this special model a particularly distinctive appearance. The sporty, exclusive atmosphere of the interior is especially characterised by the grippy AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel, aluminium-look sports pedals and special velour floor mats. Continue reading Mercedes-Benz CLK Sport Edition