Marc Carter
Kia Unveils Forte LPI Hybrid in South Korea
Kia has officially unveiled its first mass production hybrid model that is based on the new Forte sedan, the Forte LPI hybrid. The Forte LPI hybrid is powered by a mild-hybrid system that features a 1.6L engine mated to an electric motor. The Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) engine generates 114 hp and the electric motor generates an extra 20 hp....
IIHS Announces New Roof Strength Tests…Small SUVs are Tested First
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has launched a new roof strength rating system and has chosen to put 12 small SUVs up to the test. More than 10,000 people are killed a year in rollovers and SUVs rank higher compared to cars and minivans. In the Institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of...
Sixth-Generation VW Golf GTI Headed to the US this Summer
VW has announced that the sixth-generation of the iconic VW Golf GTI will be hitting dealerships in Germany in a few days. The more exciting news is that the new GTI will be available in North America by late summer. The Mark VI builds upon the successes of the current generation with slightly more aggressive styling and a front-end similar...
Rolls Royce Confirms 500+ HP V12 Engine for RR4
Rolls Royce unveiled the 200EX concept at the Geneva Moor Show earlier this month and now has officially confirmed that the production version, dubbed the RR4 will be powered by a new 6.6L V12 engine that will have "upwards of 500bhp." The V12 engine will be mated to a new ZF 8-speed transmission. CEO Tom Purves confirmed the details at a...
Upcoming Toyota RWD Coupe to Revive Celica Name?
The latest reports claim that Toyota and Subaru's on/off again jointly developed sports car is back on. According to L'Automobile Toyota is going to revive the Celica name for the Toyota version of the coupe. L'Automobile claims that Thierry Dombreval, Toyota's VP of sales and marketing in France released the details on the name of the new coupe. No other...
Infiniti M Hybrid to be Released in 2010
Nissan/ Infiniti has been slow to jump on the hybrid bandwagon with the firm's only hybrid being the Altima hybrid, which borrows its hybrid components from Toyota. Well according to a report by the Nikkei business daily in Japan, Nissan/Infiniti is going to release its first in-house hybrid in 2010 as the Infiniti M hybrid. The hybrid system that will...
Lamborghini Estoque Four-Door Reportedly Killed
Autocar is reporting that Lamborghini has shelved plans to build the Estoque four-door concept, an apparent victim of the current economic situation. Maurizio Reggiani, Lamorghini's head of research and development stated "The timing and market conditions are just not right for an additional model line." The Estoque concept was a four door, four seat concept that featured a front/mid engine layout...
Chevy Camaro Convertible Delayed and Z28 Canceled
The 2010 Chevy Camaro is finally starting to roll off the production line, but there are rumors that two of the hotly anticipated variants are in jeopardy. The Detroit Bureau is reporting that the Camaro convertible and Z28 variants are being delayed and may eventually be canceled due to the budget crisis hitting GM and its many suppliers. The main...
Buick and Jaguar Rank Highest in 2009 J.D. Power Study
J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study. This year Buick and Jaguar tied for the top spot dethroning Lexus from the top spot, which its held for the past 14 years. Lexus came in at no. 3 followed by Toyota at no. 4 and Mercury at no. 5. “Buick has ranked among the top 10 nameplates each...
Production BMW 5 Series GT Unveiled via BMW TV
BMW unveiled the 5 Series Gran Turismo concept at the Geneva Motor Show now we have our first unofficial look at the production version. As expected the production version remains mostly true to the concept, but with a much more toned down interior. Expect the production version to have its official world debut sometime later this year. Full Story:...
