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The Dodge Challenger SRT8 has been a welcome arrival for many muscle-car fans. Willing to overlook its hefty weight for the old-school looks and meaty Hemi power, they've already purchased just about every car scheduled to be made for the next year. But Hurst wasn't content to leave the Challenger alone, and has decided to prep a high-powered version complete with a collection of Hurst accessories available soon through Dodge dealers. The range kicks off with the Challenger Series 2 R/T, which is listed at $18,350 and pumps the 5.7L HEMI V8 to 352hp (263kW) and 408lb-ft (553Nm) of torque. In...
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Mercedes to debut 'Splitview' technology in facelifted S-Class
Mercedes Benz today announced the availability of a new display technology that allows driver and passenger to see two totally separate programs from the same screen, at the same time. The equipment will debut on the facelifted S-Class, Mercedes' perennial platform for innovation, in the first half...
Nelson Ireson -
Extended Maybach 62 becomes six-seat Maybach 72
Daimler's Maybach brand of super-luxury executive vehicles doesn't have the sales strength of rivals Bentley or Rolls Royce, but it's no less an opulent and sizable piece of machinery. Despite the Maybach 62's 242.7in (6.17m) length, some intrepid modifiers decided it wasn't quite large enough, and...
Alex Kaufmann -
Ford enthusiast site conflict rooted in alleged sale of counterfeit goods
A number of Ford-brand enthusiast sites today revealed that at least one other site, TheRangerStation, has received a letter from a law firm claiming to represent the Blue Oval, demanding that they relinquish any domain names with Ford brands in them, as well as turn over for destruction all...
Nelson Ireson -
Tesla will be forced to delay Model S sedan without federal loan
Fledgling electric car company Tesla Motors has encountered financing problems recently, prompting the firm to apply for a $400 million aid package from the Department of Energy. The electric sports carmaker has now revealed that without the loans the introduction of its Model S sedan will have to...
Ralph Hanson -
Ford refuses to comment on talks with Chinese firms over Volvo sale
Earlier this week reports emerged that Ford was in talks with Chinese carmakers Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and Changan Auto over a potential sale of Volvo. The Blue Oval has now confirmed that the struggling Swedish carmaker is up for sale but refused to comment on whether...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
As set out in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, basic survival must first be established before one can move on to worry about the esoteric concerns of philosophy, morality or ethics. In an odd twist of logic, however, America's car companies have been forced to premise their immediate survival on their past work on a long-term future in hearings before Congress. At the core of General Motors' plan lies the ongoing development of the Volt plug-in hybrid, which will have cost the company about $750 million by the time it hits the road in 2010. Called before Congress to present plans for viability...
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Iacocca, Lutz speak out on possible Wagoner ousting
Rick Wagoner could be spending his final few days as CEO of General Motors if Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut and his supporters have their way. Already speculation as to which of the world's proven corporate leaders could take Wagoner's place at the helm of the struggling automotive giant has...
Nelson Ireson -
GM, Chrysler bankruptcy up to 400% more expensive than bridge loans, says study
If you listen to the CEOs and PR spin-doctors, bankruptcy has never been an option for America's carmakers, despite behind-the-scenes talk of 'Plan B' scenarios. It turns out that such aversion to bankruptcy isn't just head-in-the-sand reactionary behavior. If General Motors and Chrysler were to...
Nelson Ireson -
Covini C6W six-wheel supercar to enter production in 2009
The Covini C6W (short for Covini 6 Wheeler) is an Italian two-seat, two-door supercar with a removable roof section. The vehicle was first conceived more than 30 years ago by Ferruccio Covini but was later ditched until the late 1980s. With the development of new hydro-pneumatic suspension...
Alex Kaufmann -
White House voices concern over bailout plan
The Bush administration and congressional Democrats have made a tentative agreement for a $15 billion emergency loan for the Detroit 3, but there remains concern in the White House that the carmakers may still not survive. President George W. Bush has reportedly questioned the ability of the...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: UAW seeking seat on GM board
The UAW is reportedly seeking a major stake in General Motors as well as a seat on its board in return for making concessions under the carmaker’s latest restructuring proposal presented to Congress last week. The latest news contradicts statements from UAW president Ron Gettelfinger, who...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
A decision on the U.S. government's loan package is expected to come from Congress sometime today, but already carmakers are approaching the Canadian government, seeking more aid. The $6.8 billion sought from Canada would still fall short of the $25 billion originally asked for from Congress, even when added to the expected $15 billion loan package. “North American economic conditions now make it necessary for us to seek government assistance to sustain our business and supply chain,” said Arturo Elias, president of General Motors Canada. The total of about $22 billion falls even...
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Terrafugia Transition flying car taking pre-orders
Flying cars have been one of the primary disappointments of the 21st century's expected innovations. The fact remains that nothing approaching what so many enthusiasts had hoped - and been promised - is yet available. We do not fly to work in stylish car-jets, and we do not drive to the shops with...
Ralph Hanson -
Volvo lays off 2,700 workers, in sale talks with China's SAIC
Labor negotiations between Volvo and Sweden's auto worker union have come to a close today, resulting in the termination of 2,721 emloyees, the vast majority of which are blue collar workers. The layoffs come as Ford has engaged Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) in talks to buy the...
Nelson Ireson -
Obama and Dodd tell Detroit CEOs to move on
A senior Democratic Senator has demanded that the CEOs of the Detroit 3 step down if they want their companies to be given federal aid. Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut singled out General Motors’ chief Rick Wagoner as someone that "has to move on". President-elect Barack Obama was not...
James Martinez -
Ward’s Auto reveals '10 Best Engines' list for 2009
As we approach the next Detroit Auto Show, one of the events mainstays for the past 15 years, the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines awards, has once again been announced. The list, which is the North American auto industry’s only award for powertrains, is selected by Ward’s editors, who...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
FIA picks Cosworth as official F1 engine supplier
Critics of Formula One have long complained that the series is too expensive and lacks real competition. Rule changes, including a ten-year engine development freeze, to help combat those tendencies of the world's premier road racing league have helped, but now the FIA is taking radical steps to...
Kenneth Hall -
The first official non-Nismo aero package for the 370Z was revealed today, dubbed the 'Stylish Package' and intended for the JDM Fairlady Z. Though the translation may be a bit awkward, the design is less so than the Nismo S-Tune package, finding a happier medium of aerodynamic design and styling. The rear spoiler sits unobtrusively on the rear hatch, cradling a third brake light with its secondary supports. New clear tail lights, side sill elements and a front lip spoiler complete the visual package, though an audible element is also included: what Nissan calls a 'sports horn'. What that...
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Mitsuoka's Himiko Mimics The Morgan Roadster
Mitsuoka, arguably the most interesting car company in Japan, has released another Japanese homage to a classic British automobile, this time their unique take on what appears to be a Morgan Roadster. Sitting on the body of a Mazda MX-5, the Mitsuoka Himiko even manages to squeeze a folding hardtop...
Kenneth Hall -
Washington: Automakers, Senators working on solution
The CEOs of America's major carmakers, before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee today, are acknowledging their past shortcomings but also projecting future strategies based on lessons learned. Lawmakers thus far appear to be more receptive to the idea of loans now that the...
Nelson Ireson -
Project Better Place expands to Hawaii
Shai Agassi's Project Better Place has gone on an expansion spree of late, enveloping two new sites in the U.S. and one in Australia in addition to the previously announced locations in Denmark and Israel. Now the initiative is moving its plans to Hawaii, working with the governor and the state's...
Nelson Ireson -
GM CEO will head to Washington in a Chevrolet Volt
Previously we reported that GM CEO Rick Wagoner would be driving a Malibu hybrid to Washington for this week's auto industry bailout hearings, however it has come to light that he will actually be driving the company's much anticipated Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. Wagoner will be driving a...
Ralph Hanson -
Volkswagen unveils Golf BiFuel at Bologna Motor Show
Volkswagen has unveiled the first ever Golf to be factory-fitted with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) system at this week’s Bologna Motor Show in Italy. Using a simple switchover system, the Golf ‘BiFuel’ is capable of being driven with either regular petrol or LPG depending on...
Alex Kaufmann