During an interview with AutoVisie magazine, Ulrick Hackenberg, a high ranking product exec at Audi, said that the TT-based Shooting Brake concept that debuted at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2005 will not make it to production. Continue reading Audi Shooting Brake won’t be produced
Pontiac’s foray into the tuner world has been partially stunted by the limited amount of available Solsti on the road. Fortunately for Pontiac, a Canadian customizing contingent that represents the best of what’s up north, took it upon itself to create the stereotypical tuner machine (with 500 horsepower, though) out of its coveted drop top. Continue reading Pontiac Top Tuner Solstice
Ferrari wins world championships and it applies the knowledge to building a beast like the 599 GTB Fiorano. Renault wins the championship and they make… a supermini. But that’s cool, we remind ourselves, because everyone does what they do best, and nobody makes hot hatches like Renaultsport, the performance division that builds the F1 cars and the hottest of pocket rockets. Continue reading Renaultsport hatches Clio Renault F1 Team R27
The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu delivers great performance, fuel economy and refinement, wrapped in a clean, tailored design that carries the new face of Chevrolet. The new Malibu will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. It arrives at Chevrolet dealerships later this year. “The 2008 Malibu rewrites Chevrolet’s midsize car strategy, offering a stylish, uncompromising package that stacks up against the most popular competitors,†said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. Continue reading 2008 Chevrolet Malibu: combination of style, performance and fuel-economy
Perhaps taking a note from DaimlerChrysler’s playbook, Ford will reportedly be importing a version of the Ford Transit Connect commercial vehicle to be sold in the United States. DaimlerChrysler began selling the Sprinter commercial van in the U.S. around 2004, and has enjoyed success selling it to large corporations that need workhorse fleet vehicles with large, enclosed cargo spaces. The Turkish news website Sabah is reporting that the Transit Connect destined for our shores will be built in Turkey at Ford’s Kocaeli facilities until production of the commercial van begins in the U.S. around 2009. Continue reading Ford Transit Connect to be sold in U.S.
We’re almost dead certain that Lexus will unveil the IS-F, a very high-performance version of its IS-Series sedan, in Detroit next week. Regardless of whether it does or not, we’ve been treated to a sneak preview of the car thanks to an online advertisement that’s been released revealing the entire car, albeit in low resolution. The ad tells us the car will have 400+ horsepower from a 5.0-liter V8 and reach 60 mph in under five seconds. This is certainly the most performance-oriented Lexus vehicle to touch rubber to road, and we’re eager to find out if Lexus could suppress it’s natural inclination to dampen this car to death. Continue reading Whoops! Lexus accidentally releases images of IS-F on web
After a rough few years full of significant recalls, Mercedes-Benz appeared (or appears, depending on your perspective) to be getting its act together by successfully addressing its quality issues. The automaker just announced a major recall in Germany involving 130,000 vehicles windshield wiper motors that could be defective. While one recall a return to quality does not ruin, neither does it help. Continue reading Mercedes-Benz recalls 130,000 vehicles in Germany
While we have nothing but love for the C30, apparently there has been a love it or hate it reaction to the car at recent auto shows. Volvo has come up with an interesting new ad campaign to harness the polarized reactions to promote its new premium hatchback. Using the tag line, “That’s one opinion. What’s yours?,” Volvo is breaking the 4th wall in its new commercials and asking people what they think of the C30’s styling. And the company isn’t cherry-picking the results, either. Apparently, it’s OK for some people to dislike the car. Continue reading Volvo: So tell us what you REALLY think about our new C30
Embargo breaking notwithstanding, there is still lots of information to share on the C-XF Concept that Jaguar will officially debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. The design finally breaks Jaguar away from the ball and chain of its own traditions with a decidedly un-retro shape that still manages to exude a feline quality. This cat is more like a lion, however, thanks to a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 420 hp and 368 ft-lbs. of torque driving the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Continue reading Officially Official: Jaguar C-XF Concept – pics galore
Ford and General Motors have lost their taste for the minivan wars, leaving the Chrysler Group to stand alone as the sole domestic player in the minivan arena. It’s just as well — DCX always had the best American vans, anyway. Having invented the segment, Chrysler has hunkered down and pushed their minivan to be a contender once again. The Caravan and Town & Country will sport new styling, squaring up the edges of the current look, and front-end appearances will offer more distinction between the Dodge and Chrysler brands. Continue reading The US Minivan’s last stand – Chrysler to debut 2008 Minvans at Detroit
Audi will introduce its new A5 coupe the Geneva Motor Show according to the UK’s Autocar. Quoting an unnamed “senior company source,” We’ve been following the progress of the A5 for some time now, and we’re ready to see the finished product, which is likely to bear a more-than-passing resemblance to the automaker’s 2003 Nuvolari concept (shown above). Continue reading Geneva Debut for Audi A5 set
Thank God it’s over. Goodbye Freestar, you won’t be missed. Ford has turned out its last head-gasket-consuming, transmission-torturing, flaccid minivan. It was a good try twelve years ago when it debuted as the Windstar, but time has not been kind to Ford’s efforts. Moreover, Ford was not kind to the Freestar, letting it die on the vine while the competition became ever more competent. Continue reading Lights out: Production ends for Ford Freestar