Posted: 9.48am, 7 November 2007

What’s this? A Cadillac I like the look of? What’s going on? Strange things indeed. Oh-so-US Cadillac has long spoken of being a BMW alternative, offering look-at-me impact for less shy and retiring types. But while the Art & Science styling theme had plenty of drama on the 1999 Evoq concept car, it’s always appeared a bit like cheap Christmas tree baubles in production. However, by evolving the theme to include the more organic element of – shock – contours between the straight lines, Cadillac may have hit on something.

continue reading "Cadillac CTS"

Posted: 4:04pm, 26 October 2007

I’m seeing a lot of talk about EfficientDynamics from BMW…You are, because while we’ve read all about the technology – intelligent alternator control, glass mat battery, low-rolling-resistance runflats, regenerative braking (actually nothing of the sort, but still smart) – and have seen it put into practice with the remarkably abstemious 118d, BMW has even bolder aspirations. It wants one in every three cars sold to be fitted with the fuel-saving kit. Heck, even the new M3 has regenerative braking.

continue reading "BMW’s EfficientDynamics"

The Tokyo show press days are barely over, and it’s already time to turn our attention to the 2007 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association show in Las Vegas. Here’s what we know so far about what the automakers are up to at the industry’s biggest trade show.

Chrysler will debut eight customized Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, including a Jeep Wrangler JT, a Hemi-powered Wrangler, tuned Ram pickup and Avenger and even a tuned Caravan minivan.

Ford is pulling out all the proverbial stops and will have some 25 vehicles on display, running the gamut from small cars and coupes to large trucks and family haulers. Some of the cars and trucks will come from people such as Chip Foose and hip-hop guru FunkMaster Flex.

continue reading "SEMA Preview: What can you expect at the industry’s biggest, wildest, trade show?"

The Tokyo show press days are barely over, and it?�s already time to turn our attention to the 2007 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association show in Las Vegas. Here?�s what we know so far about what the automakers are up to at the industry?�s biggest trade show.

Chrysler will debut eight customized Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, including a Jeep Wrangler JT, a Hemi-powered Wrangler, tuned Ram pickup and Avenger and even a tuned Caravan minivan.

Ford is pulling out all the proverbial stops and will have some 25 vehicles on display, running the gamut from small cars and coupes to large trucks and family haulers. Some of the cars and trucks will come from people such as Chip Foose and hip-hop guru FunkMaster Flex.

continue reading "SEMA Preview: What can you expect at the industry?�s biggest, wildest, trade show?"

�Posted: 12.41pm, 16 October 2007

So Vauxhall reckons the VXR8 isn’t fast enough?You got it in one. Vauxhall’s UK performance arm VXR (sister division to the Continentals’ OPC Opel brand) is becoming seemingly more power-crazed by the day. It’s all very out of keeping with the caring, sharing zeitgeist - think tarmac-rubbing spoilers, lairy exhausts and horsepower adulation.

continue reading "Vauxhall VXR8 Supercharged"

Mercedes-Benz announced today it is making a version of its E320 Bluetec diesel sedan available immediately to California customers through a special two-year/24,000 mile lease only program. The announcement was made on the runway at the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles.

Californians have been unable to buy new diesels for nearly a decade because of the state’s stringent emissions requirements. The new E320 Bluetec is among the cleanest diesels available in the world.

“In order to be able to provide the power and economy of diesel technology throughout the world, we had to make the diesel version as clean as the gasoline model,” said Dr. Leopold Mikulic, head of powertrain development at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “With Bluetec, nitrogen oxides can be reduced to such an extent that our diesel vehicles will satisfy the strictest emission regulations in the world-even in the future. This makes Mercedes-Benz the first manufacturer in the world to fully bring all exhaust gas components under control.”

continue reading "Mercedes brings diesel back to California: E320 Bluetec available for two-year leases"

Editor’s note: The following is an official press release from the American Le Mans Series. We’ll have more on these developments later.

The American Le Mans Series mapped its vision toward 2010 at the annual State of the Series address at Road Atlanta in conjunction with the 10th annual Petit Le Mans by announcing a new three-year television agreement with Speed channel, the leader in motorsports television.

In addition, ALMS president and CEO Scott Atherton spoke of maintaining the Series’ worldwide leadership for alternative fuels within the auto racing industry, introduced new team and auto manufacturer content in the all-important independent team category, and unveiled a 12-race schedule similar in scope to the one in 2007 that has lead to an attendance surge of more than 40 percent over 2006.

continue reading "ALMS Announces TV Deal, New Teams and 2008 Schedule :"

BMW North America says that Tonight Show host and avid car guy Jay Leno became the latest person to receive keys to a BMW Hydrogen 7, the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan. Leno will drive it for a week, and report his findings back to BMW.

Leno took delivery of the car at his famous garage in Burbank, California, which by the way is a “green garage” that receives a lot of its energy from steam power.

“As an avid car enthusiast I’m always interested in the future of automotive technology,” Leno said. “With the BMW Hydrogen 7 I can experience all the fun and great features of a performance car, yet know that I’m being environmentally friendly at the same time! I look forward to driving the Hydrogen 7 and learning more about hydrogen as a fuel for our future.”

continue reading "Best of Frankfurt: AutoWeek honors the very best from the 2007 motor show"

BMW North America says that Tonight Show host and avid car guy Jay Leno became the latest person to receive keys to a BMW Hydrogen 7, the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan. Leno will drive it for a week, and report his findings back to BMW.

Leno took delivery of the car at his famous garage in Burbank, California, which by the way is a “green garage” that receives a lot of its energy from steam power.

“As an avid car enthusiast I’m always interested in the future of automotive technology,” Leno said. “With the BMW Hydrogen 7 I can experience all the fun and great features of a performance car, yet know that I’m being environmentally friendly at the same time! I look forward to driving the Hydrogen 7 and learning more about hydrogen as a fuel for our future.”

continue reading "Jay Leno Set to Drive the BMW Hydrogen 7:"

Toyota and Honda struck a deal for the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix to alternate between Fuji International Speedway and Suzuka. Toyota purchased Fuji five years ago and massively upgraded the venue to make a pitch for the race, which will be held there this year for the first time since 1977. Honda, which built Suzuka in 1961 as a test facility, lost out. Under the terms of the deal, the race will be held at Suzuka in odd-numbered years, starting in 2009.

autoweek.com