Marc Carter
More than 6,600 People Have Already Reserved the Nissan Leaf
It's only been a few days since Nissan has started taking reservations for the all-electric Leaf, but already more than 6,600 people have given their $99 deposit to reserve the vehicle. The 2011 Leaf starts at $32,780 and after available tax credits the price drops as low as $25,280. You can also lease the Leaf for $349 a month. Nissan hopes...
BMW Concept Gran Coupé Previews a BMW Four-Door Coupe?
BMW has unveiled the Concept Gran Coupé at this year's Beijing Motor Show. The Concept Gran Coupé is BMW's take on the increasingly popular four-door coupe. The four-door concept features coupe-like proportions and a body height that is flatter than the BMW 5 Series or 7 Series sedans. The concept also features LED lights on the front and rear...
2011 VW Phaeton Tries to Move VW Up-Market…Again
VW is going to try it again. The original VW Phaeton was introduced in 2003 without that much success here in the US, but VW remains determined to take the brand up-market. For 2011 the Phaeton gets a new front end with LED lights and styling that brings it inline with the current VW design DNA. The rear end...
GM Unveils Chevy Volt MPV5 Crossover Concept
The patent drawings that surfaced earlier this week showing an MPV version of the Chevy Volt were real. GM has unveiled the Chevy Volt MPV5 concept that is going to be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show. The Chevy Volt MPV5 concept borrows styling cues from the Chevy Volt, such as the headlights, grille and taillights. The overall styling also...
Ford Start Concept Unveiled in Beijing with new Three-Cyl EcoBoost Engine
Ford has used the Beijing Motor Show to unveil the Start Concept. "In an era of constant visual noise, we have created a car that conveys visual purity and harmony, in which every line has meaning and purpose. The Ford Start delivers a dynamic, personality driven design that stays true to the global Ford brand," said J Mays, group vice...
GM Repays Remaining $5.8 Billion in Government Loans Ahead of Schedule
GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre announced this morning that the automaker has made its final payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada, ahead of schedule. The announcement was made at a ceremony to highlight an investment of $257 million at GM's Fairfax, Kansas, and Detroit Hamtramck assembly centers. "GM is able to repay the...
Toyota Reportedly Raises the Price of the FT-86
The much anticipated Toyota FT-86 hasn't even been released yet, but Autocar is reporting that Toyota is going to raise the price of the RWD coupe. Rising development costs are the reason for the price hike. According to a Toyota insider the original goal was to have the price start around £13,000 ($20,000 US) but the base price has...
Kia to Release Wagon and Coupe Versions of the Optima…Maybe
Kia unveiled the all-new Optima (Magentis) at the New York Auto Show this month. Now Autocar has learned that Kia is debating about releasing wagon and coupe version. Chief designer Peter Schreyer said, "I would love to do station wagon and coupé versions of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe but the coupé would...
Honda Unleashes More Photos of the Euro-Spec CR-Z
Honda has released more photos and info about the European-spec Honda CR-Z hybrid. The Euro version of the CR-Z is essentially the same version that we will see here in the US, except for the fact that the hybrid features two very small back seats, making it a 2+2 coupe (the US version will only be a two-seater). Either way...
Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept Car Provides Hint of Next CLS
It was reported last month that Mercedes-Benz is working on a shooting break version of its next CLS and here it is at least in concept form. The Shooting Break concept is going to be officially unveiled at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show. Mercedes-Benz describes the concept as "a further insight by Mercedes designers into the possible future development of...
