News

The Latest Automotive News from Around the World

• Investors Continue To Punish GM, Ford
  U.S. auto stocks among the biggest losers during a week of carnage on Wall Street.
• 2008 SEMA Show Preview: CGS Motorsports Tweaks 2009 Ford Flex
  The Pomona, California, tuner uses a light touch with its SEMA-bound "ReFlex."
• Japan: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Gets GSR-Premium Edition
  Cult favorite gets a top-of-the-line variant.
• It Gets Ugly as Bloggers Castigate Dodge for 2009 Ram's Perceived Shortcomings
  Dodge invited bloggers to test-drive the 2009 Ram and post their thoughts on the corporate Red Letter Dodge blog. The Dodge brass, however, may need a Valium after reading the latest vitriolic comments.
• Japan: Subaru Impreza Anesis
  Cousin to the U.S.-market Impreza sedan launches in home market.
• Volkswagen Jumps Back into Incentive Game on Many 2009 Models
  Volkswagen of America resurrects the "Sign Then Drive" leasing promotion on such vehicles as the 2009 Jetta SportWagen 2.5L and the 2008 R32.
• China: Beijing Will Ban Half of Cars From the Roads on High-Pollution-Index Days
  Government says it will "protect public health" by letting people drive their cars only on alternate days, based on license plate numbers.
• Magic Bus: Peter Townshend Gets a New-Generation Camper Van
  Rocker Pete Townshend of The Who trades in his old VW camper for a new Transporter Sportline.
• 2008 Paris Auto Show Wrapup: Hermès Version of Citroën's Classic 2CV Celebrates the Car's 60th Birthday
  The rumbly, chuggy downmarket icon of France celebrates its 60th birthday with an almost frighteningly tasteful designer version.
• 2008 SEMA Show Preview: Retro Looks, Roach Coaches Are Springboards for Scion Offerings
  Toyota's youth brand promises to be an amusing standout at the automotive aftermarket show, with such delights as the Roach Coach xB and the Neu-Vintage Scion tC.
• Still Not Convinced? Nissan Reveals Second GT-R 'Ring Video
  Nissan further refutes Porsche's cheating claim with a second video and image of the actual tires used.
• 2008 Sydney Auto Show: Honda City Concept
  Production version from Thailand goes on sale in February, priced starting at $12,000.

• Nissan to Porsche: Need GT-R Driving Lessons?
  Nissan has released an official statement that refutes allegations of cheating during its testing with the Nissan GT-R at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
• Nissan Hikes Price on 2009 350Z Roadster
  The $590 price increase on the 350Z Roadster, which is carried over from 2008, is blamed on "raw materials," says Nissan spokesman Darryll Harrison.
• Lotus Builds Ultralight Exige for Road and Racing Duty
  The new Lotus Exige Cup 260 drops 84 pounds on last year's car and offers a true racing car that is legal for the road.
• Spy Photos: 2010 Nissan 370Z Reveals Its Interior
  The future 370Z reveals its sporty new cockpit.
• Renault-Nissan Alliance Takes Another Step Toward Electric-Vehicle Infrastructure
  The Renault-Nissan Alliance and French electric utility EDF strike a deal that may lead to the development of an infrastructure to recharge electric vehicles and manage their range.
• GM Recalls 2009 Chevrolet Impala for Airbag Problem
  GM is recalling 79 of its 2009 Chevrolet Impalas because a piece of the front passenger airbag could break and strike and injure vehicle occupants.
• Peugeot Will Build Contest-Winning Design for Car To Suit "Megalopolis of Tomorrow"
  The winning design came from a 25-year-old Colombian.
• 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview: 2010 Mustang Tease Continues
  Latest image reveals revised instrument panel and steering wheel.
• Audi Confirms No RS6 for the U.S.
  Audi officials confirm that the RS6 super sedan will not come Stateside.
• Tuner Special: RDX Racedesign A8
  Aero add-ons available for Audi's "dreadnought."
• OnStar Puts The Brakes on the Bad Guys
  OnStar's new Stolen Vehicle Slowdown does just what it says. A signal can be remotely sent to the vehicle's engine, gradually slowing it down so the cops can do their work.

• 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show Preview: Beefier 2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Set for Debut
  The Japanese automaker confirms that the redesigned Mazda 3 sedan will make its appearance at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19.
• Spy Photos: 2010 Nissan 370Z Spotted in Germany
  The upcoming 2010 Nissan 370Z has shed most of its camouflage in preparation for testing on the Nürburgring.
• Tuner Special: Kicherer Mercedes CL600
  The CL600 gets some engine work and a hot new exterior package.
• $160,000 BMW 7 Series Featured in 2008 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book
  The "fantasy package," which is limited to only 31 vehicles, includes a drive along the French Riviera.
• Citroën Mulls Whether To Build Production Version of Quirky C-Cactus Concept
  The French automaker on Wednesday confirmed that it is looking into building the ultra-green C-Cactus concept.
• Formula 1 Axes Canadian Grand Prix and Will Skip North America
  The Canadian Grand Prix has been deleted from the 2009 Formula 1 calendar, meaning the international racing series will not compete in North America next year.
• Iran Khodro Will Build a Car Just for Women
  "Feminine" colors and parking and navigation aids are promised to help busy multitaskers in the Islamic country.
• Ford Releases More Details of Cobra Jet Mustang
  The Ford Motor Company is moving closer to release of the Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet, a limited-edition racing car inspired by the original 1968 Cobra Jet Mustang.
• 2008 SEMA Show Preview: RKSport Has Its Way With 2009 Hyundai Genesis
  The California tuner trots out a Euro look for the Genesis sedan. But the real goodies are under the hood as Hyundai takes the wraps off an enhanced version of the 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine.
• Volkswagen Moves Past Toyota as World's Most Valuable Automaker
  Financial turmoil sends Toyota shares plunging in Tokyo and New York City.