The rotary engine is here to stay, but perhaps not as we know it. Mazda says it is committed to petrol rotary engines, but there is a question mark hanging over the long-term future of high-revving powerplants due to their thirst and high emissions. Regardless of what happens to petrol rotaries, Mazda is determined to keep the rotary engine spinning well into the future. Continue reading Hydrogen rotary engine spins for Mazda
Dodge has made a return to the Australian market after two decades with its crossover Caliber. However, the ram’s head brand is better known for its Dukes of Hazzard muscle cars and it could be some time before we see those cars in Australia. Dodge unveiled its Challenger “pony car” coupe concept at the Detroit Motor Show in January and recently announced it would go ahead with production in 2008. Continue reading Dodge Avenger JS for 2008
GM claims the new model is the most technologically advanced automobile ever built. It is the first vehicle to combine the hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system with advanced technologies such as wheel-hub motors, steer- and brake-by-wire controls, a lightweight aluminium structure and lithium-ion batteries. Continue reading Chevrolet Sequel hydrogen concept released
Over the past few days, we’ve seen a few scanned pics and blurry images surface of the Ford Mondeo Concept. Finally, Ford has released a full photo gallery of the wagon concept, due to be unveiled in Paris next week. The new Mondeo lifts several cues from the Iosis concept that debuted in Frankfurt, which, according to Ford, is defined as ‘kinetic design’. Continue reading Ford Mondeo wagon
Six races, six wins so far this year for the incredible (and eerily quiet) Audi R10 TDI: Sebring, Le Mans, Salt Lake City, Portland, Road America and Mosport. They’ve already clinched the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships. Now all that remains is to sew up the Manufacturers’ Championship in the “Champions League” LM P1 class for Audi. Heading into this week’s Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta they’ve decided to take no chances and have brought together the Le Mans-winning trio of Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro, and Marco Werner. Continue reading Audi reunites Le Mans winning trio for Petit Le Mans
It might not have as much sway as J.D. Powers or Car and Driver’s 10 Best, but UK-based Superbrands Limited has made a business of reporting on what the world thinks of different brands. Since 2001 they’ve also run what they call CoolBrands to honor what’s hot and happening. Continue reading Aston Martin becomes coolest brand in UK
When Lotus announced earlier this week that its intends to bring three new models to production over the next few years, we began day-dreaming of the myriad of possibilities that may come about. As good as the Elise and Exige are, and as good as the Europa and new Esprit hope to be, some of Lotus’ more intriguing offerings were vehicles that weren’t developed from the ground up by the boys in Hethel. Continue reading Lotus Carlton
Outrageous styling, Euro flair and retro features have taken a grip on this year’s Paris motor show, which starts next week. Many of the world’s leading carmakers will unveil futuristic concept cars as well as their next generation of production cars at Europe’s biggest show of 2006. Continue reading Paris Motor Show 2006 preview
The florid Yank leaned forward to emphasise his point, no mean feat given his girth. BMWs are fur the fellah whose makin’ his money. Mercedes, on t’other hand, are fur the fellah whose made his money,” he leered. This good ol’ – and no doubt oil-rich – boy was how a certain Merc buyer was described (well, more or less) by a marketing bloke when I asked him to define the marque’s demographic. Continue reading Mercedes E-class – all class
Theoretically, you could launch just about any motorised vehicle in Germany – a Korean sports car, a Yank tank, a hulky bulky SUV, you name it – and it would end up feeling fabulous. The joy of driving the country’s speed-limitless freeways and its smoothly surfaced and spectacularly twisty back roads is such that it rubs off a feeling of wellbeing onto whatever you happen to be piloting. Continue reading First test of BMW X3 SUV
Mitsubishi has finally released its Triton “urban sports pickup” truck in the Japanese market. Already on sale in Thailand (where it’s built), Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and many other global markets (but not the U.S.) the Triton has apparently been on Japanese customers’ wish lists for a while. Continue reading Mitsubishi Introduces the Triton pickup in Japan
We all know that in Europe you’re less likely to run across a full-sized van being used to haul around a plumber and his plunger than you are in the States. Over there commercial transportation is often based on smaller vehicles that are converted into city vans with just the right amount of space for a laborer and his tools. Continue reading Corsavan Concept redefines the work wagon