Hamann has created an exciting performance and visual upgrade for the new Abarth 500 and the Abarth 500 esseesse, offering a power increase of up to 271-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque – a significant upgrade from the models standard output of 133-hp and 158-hp respectively. The lowest level of upgrade for the Abarth 500s [...]
After failing to strike a deal with BMW and Mini along with Peugeot and Citroen, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has finally struck a deal with Renault/Nissan to produce the next-generation of Smart minicars by 2014. According to Automobile, both plan on producing different derivatives under the Renault/Nissan and Smart brands. The Smart will retain its [...]
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who fought strongly from keeping GM and Chrysler going under, said yesterday that she supports Toyota as it struggles at Congress hearings on its recall of more than 8.5 million vehicles worldwide. “We support Toyota,” Granholm said in an interview with The Detroit News. “We’re very supportive of them. I hope [...]
Hyundai announced today that it is putting a hold on the sales of the 2011 Sonata after discovering that the front door-lock modules on some units can stick under certain circumstances. The 2011 model of the Sonata went on sale only two weeks ago and there are currently about 5,000 units in U.S. inventory – [...]
After the first-year sales of the 100 factory-produced program vehicles in 2009, Mopar is back again with the new 2010 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak program. New for 2010 is the availability of the 6.1L HEMI that can be mated with a 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual. “We”re proud of our drag racing heritage at [...]
Jim Lentz, sales chief for Toyota USA said before a congressional committee today that the recent recalls for the acceleration issues leave more to be addressed on the issue. This statement before the House Energy and Commerce Committee is in contrast with Lentz”s earlier statements on Feb. 1 when he told TV interviewers that Toyota [...]
Akio Toyoda is set to stand before Congress tomorrow, at which he time he intends to shoulder the responsibility for the company having let down its consumers. Toyoda plans to address customers’ growing uncertainty with regard to quality and safety in Toyota products, and assert to the House Oversight Committee that Toyota has never run [...]
The 525-hp Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro is ready to hit showrooms this fall, with a price tag that will probably make your wallet lighter than it is now. Of course, you’ll enjoy such benefits of going from 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds with the wind blowing through your hair. But if you’re not [...]
Whatever happened to the funky looking Land LRX Concept? According to Land Rover, the SUV is scheduled to go on sale in the third quarter of 2011 after making its debut in June at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the company told dealers at a breakfast meeting earlier this morning. The production LRX (an official [...]
Earlier this morning we brought you Akio Toyoda’s article from the Wall Street Journal. The House Committee has now released a copy of the opening statements from CEO Akio Toyoda and Yoshimi Inaba, President and COO of Toyota Motor North America and chairman and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales. Both will testify before the House [...]
