News

The Latest Automotive News from Around the World

• 2010 Ford Mustang To Debut at 2008 L.A. Auto Show
  Take that, Motor City. Ford's new Mustang is going Hollywood.
• IL Insider: 2009 Audi R8 Sold Out Despite a Price Hike
  The 2009 Audi R8 Quattro manual model now starts at $113,700 in the U.S., $3,500 more than the outgoing model. But it doesn't matter because the waiting list now is over 18 months, says Audi of America.
• Toyota Edges GM in First-Half Global Sales
  Japanese automaker expected to seize crown from longtime champ in 2008.
• Tech Watch: Audi's Travolution Team Comes Up with Fuel-Saving Concepts
  The German automaker on Tuesday unveils what it calls a "functioning prototype for the traffic control of the future," with an emphasis on being eco-friendly.
• Toyota Says 2009 Yaris Five-Door Coming in August
  The Japanese automaker continues to dole out details about the launch of its 2009 Yaris five-door hatchback, with word late Tuesday that the newest model will arrive in showrooms this August.
• 2008 British Auto Show: Land Rover's 2009 Lineup and Future Models
  The high-spec Range Rover Autobiography model makes its debut in London next to the eco-friendly compact LRX concept.
• Ford Recalls 2008 Edge, Lincoln MKX for Potential Fire Hazard
  NHTSA said Ford is recalling 142 2008 Edge and Lincoln MKX all-wheel-drive vehicles to correct a possible fuel leakage that could result in a fire.
• Tuner Special: IMSA Gallardo LP560
  More power and a stiffer suspension mark the subtle changes to the baby Lambo.
• 2008 British Auto Show: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
  High-mileage diesel with special modifications returns average fuel economy of 64 mpg.
• Audi RS 6 Avant: Still Fast and Still Not Coming to the U.S.
  We lap the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in 2008 Audi RS 6 Avant, and wish Audi would export this twin-turbo V10 wagon to the U.S. But there's little chance of that.
• 2008 British Auto Show: Renault Mégane R26.R
  A new showcase for Renault Sport Technologies, as the current Mégane comes to its swan song.
• Candidate Obama Backs $4 Billion in Government Aid to U.S. Auto Industry
  Obama announced his support for low-interest loans to U.S. carmakers as part of stimulus plan being proposed by Michigan's congressional Democrats.

• IL Insider: JCW Mini Softtop for 2009 Geneva Auto Show
  Mini execs spill the beans on their future open scooter.
• Cadillac Escalade Still the Ride of Choice for U.S. Grand Prix Winner Valentino Rossi
  When five-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi comes to the U.S., he has only two requests when to comes to his car: it needs to be a Cadillac Escalade and it needs to be black.
• Nissan Celebrates New Corporate Headquarters Opening With a Green Initiative
  It was more than a party on Tuesday as Nissan showcased its new North American headquarters. The Renault-Nissan Alliance and the state of Tennessee announced a new zero-emission vehicle partnership to speed the development of electric vehicles.
• Mini Will Launch Electric Car, Maybe Other Models, Too
  Mini has big plans for the future. Maybe as many as three new models.
• 2008 British Auto Show: Lotus Evora Fit for "American Males" Debuts
  The British marque unveils Project Eagle, a midengine 2+2 coupe with a 3.5-liter V6 and an emphasis on creature comforts.
• 2008 British Auto Show: Subaru Impreza WRX STI 380S
  "Concept" puts out a thumping 375 horsepower and "could be available in the next six months."
• NürburBring It On: 2010 Camaro Cuts a Hot Lap
  The numbers keep coming for the all-new Chevy Camaro, and one GM insider tells us that yes, the 2010 Camaro has been thrashed at Germany's Nürburgring torture-track, and he provides the all-important lap time.
• 2008 British Auto Show: Eco-Friendly Honda OSM Makes Debut
  There are supposedly no production plans for the Honda OSM, says the Japanese automaker, but rumors persist that this green "design study model" could be a precursor of the next-generation S2000.
• GM Announces Collaboration with Electric Utilities to Speed Introduction of Plug-In Vehicles
  With the Chevrolet Volt's introduction looming on the horizon, the Detroit automaker partners with more than 30 electric utilities in North America to work on such critical elements as infrastructure.
• U.S. Insurer AIG Buys 13.5 Percent Stake in China's Lifan
  Fledgling automaker hopes to raise additional expansion capital this year with an IPO on the Shanghai stock market.
• Tuner Special: Hartge 1 Series
  Aero body kit now available for the baby Bimmer.
• First Look: Elfin Type 5
  New Australian sports car will make debut in August at the Sydney Auto Show.

• 2010 Chevy Camaro SS: 0-60 in 4.6 Seconds
  GM reveals 0-60, quarter-mile and brake stats for its new Camaro.
• 2010 Chevy Camaro To Begin Production in February '09
  First production Camaro coupes will be built next February.
• More 2010 Camaro Details Unveiled during Afternoon Webcast
  Chevrolet officially takes the wraps off its 2010 Camaro.
• New Details on 2010 Porsche Panamera
  The 520-horsepower turbo 4.8-liter AWD variant priced at $198,000 will top the range, according to the latest reports from Germany.
• 2008 British Auto Show Preview: Jaguar Wants To Leap to $200,000-Plus Bracket
  New XK60 marks the 60th anniversary of the XK series, with stickers starting at $121,000.
• Custom-Made Foose Coupe Delivered to First Customer
  The first standard customer has taken delivery of the definitely nonstandard 500-horsepower, hand-painted Foose Coupe hot rod.
• 2008 British Auto Show Preview: Giugiaro's Electric Nice MyCar Makes World Debut
  The electric two-seater, which will be formally unveiled on Tuesday in London, is expected to go on sale in the U.K. in the fall, priced at around $18,000.
• 2009 Kia Borrego Squeezes Out Better Fuel Economy Numbers Than 2008 Ford Explorer
  A new EPA posting notes that the 2009 Kia Borrego 4WD with the 4.6-liter V8 gets 15 miles per gallon in city driving and 20 mpg on the highway, besting a similarly equipped 2008 Ford Explorer.
• Tuner Special: Hamann 6 Series
  German tuner Hamann got its hands on a face-lifted BMW 6 Series and gave it a new look as well as a few performance goodies.
• Tesla Founder's Series Roadster Makes Its Way to an Emotional Martin Eberhard
  Despite what he calls an "internal conflict," the deposed co-founder of Tesla Motors finally takes delivery of a special edition of the Tesla Roadster on Saturday. "It is the culmination of a dream," Martin Eberhard says on his blog.
• Volvo Issues List of Greatest Road Trip Songs — With Emphasis on ABBA
  In an odd missive, the Swedish automaker assembles a list of the "all-time greatest summer road trip" songs. But it may be more notable for what it excludes.
• Camouflaged 2010 Ford Mustang Leads the Pack at Road America
  The next-gen pony car shows up at Road America and serves as the pace car for one of the events.
• Only for Europe: Audi Offers New S tronic Dual-Clutch Gearbox in 2009 Audi Q5 and S5
  Audi is rolling out its new S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox in the 2009 Audi Q5 and 2009 Audi S5. But for the near future, it's only for the Europeans.
• Malcolm Bricklin Sues Chrysler's Chinese Partner, Chery Automobile
  Entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin says he has sued Chinese automaker Chery Automobile Co. for reneging on a deal to make him the exclusive North American distributor for China-built Chery cars.
• 2008 British Auto Show Preview: Lotus Eagle To Metamorphose Into Evora?
  New coupe may get new name when it's unveiled Tuesday at British auto show.