Auto News archives

The AC Schnitzer Limited Slip Differential for BMW 1, 3 series and MINI

There's no driving pleasure without the right engine power: But what's the use of pressing the gas pedal hard, if the power doesn't get to where it's needed? On rapid acceleration out of corners or in the wet, or on loose surfaces such as ice, snow or dirt, you soon find one wheel spinning helplessly on the spot. For smooth forward progress, AC Schnitzer offers an after-market limited slip differential for the BMW 1-series and 3-series and for th

Fiat confirms plan for 35% Chrysler stake

Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler LLC confirmed Tuesday that the Italian company intends to acquire an initial 35 percent stake in the U.S. carmaker. The deal will give Fiat the scale it needs to survive, while Chrysler can expand its product portfolio to include small, less-polluting cars. Chrysler said on Tuesday the deal, which involves no cash investment, formed a key component of plans to secure its future, and would grant it access to Fiat's more fuel-efficient vehicle platforms, engines and transmissions. Ac

Blistering Cts-V Launches Into The Uk: Cadillac Supersaloon’s Prices Announced

The all-new CTS-V ‘supersaloon’ – the most powerful Cadillac ever – is available from February 2009 and will be priced from £56,495 on-the-road (£58,995 for the automatic transmission model). CTS-V’s supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine delivers 564 ps (415 kW) and 747 Nm, launching the car to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and on to 191 mph where legal (175 mph for the automatic transmission). Its incredible performance capabilities enabled the CTS-V

Jaguar Land Rover Unveils New Energy Efficient Academy

Today, Jaguar Land Rover unveiled its new, environmentally advanced, Technical Academy for Jaguar and Land Rover dealer technicians and apprentices. The Academy, in Warwick, coordinates and conducts all product and systems training for technical staff (principal service technicians) employed in the Jaguar Cars and

New Ford Focus RS Production Starts

The first production example of the exciting new Ford Focus RS rolled off the production line today at Ford of Europe's Saarlouis plant in Germany. The 305 PS (224 kW) / 440 Nm top of the range performance version of the Focus extends the flexible production mix at the Saarlouis Plant. The German facility already produces the Ford Focus range in 3- and 5-door hatchback, wagon and sporty ST bodystyles, plus the C-MAX and Kuga models. Saarlouis is one of Ford's seven vehicle assembly plants

50 Years Of The Bentley V8 Engine

Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board for Engineering at Bentley Motors, will chart the progress of one of the world's most remarkable and enduring automotive engines at the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation lecture on January 22nd. Fifty years after its introduction in the iconic Bentley S2 Continental, Bentley's V8 engine continues to power the company's powerful, flagship luxury motor cars including the 530bhp Bentley Brooklands coupe, the Arnage and Azure convertible models in 2009.

PPI PS Audi TT Sport

PPI Automotive Design GmbH is one of the first addresses when refining automobiles by Audi. Already since 1997, the company based in the Southern German town of Waiblingen, develops and produces powerful performance enhancements, lift-reducing aerodynamic components and perfectly finished interiors. Due to the large interest in different optical programmes for the Audi TT, the company designers developed another aerodynamics kit called PS TT Sport. It turns the Audi Coupé into an impressive r

An Ikon That Truly Stands Out!

Since going on sale in 2007, the Captiva SUV has become very much the figurehead of Chevrolet’s model range. In fact, you could say it has become something of an icon... If not, then you could definitely say it has become an Ikon, for Chevrolet has just introduced an all-new special edition Captiva that offers unbeatable value for money. On sale now, the Captiva Ikon is based on the generously equipped LS model, meaning it gets such goodies as air conditioning, electric windows, remote locki

honda insight

Honda Insight

Honda first marketed the original Insight Hybrid in 1999 and has been working on the technology for almost two decades. The motivation behind pursuing this technology is fundamental and basic, avoiding waste. In simple terms, the energy from braking on a car with a conventional drivetrain is lost by being converted into energy that disappears into the atmosphere as heat and noise. The task Honda's R&D engineers set themselves was to harness this energy to the benefit of the customer and t

Lexus Announces A Welcome Cut In Production

Lexus moves into new territory this winter with revisions to the IS 220d that bring a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, leading to even more significant cost of ownership savings. In bringing the CO2 figure down from 163 to 148g/km, the IS 220d enjoys a more advantageous position in terms of Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rates and the allowance companies can write down against Corporation Tax.  The new BIK rate is 20 per cent and for the 2009/10 tax year the reduced CO2 level allows companies

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Announces Use Of MINI E Electric Cars

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced in his State-of-the-City speech that BMW Group will loan a fleet of 10 MINI E electric zero-emissions cars to the City of New York. These vehicles will be used in its Street Condition Observation Unit, known as SCOUT, and will be among the 500 MINI Es the BMW Group is producing as part of a one-year pilot field study to determine the viability of electric vehicles in real life use. The MINI

honda fury

2010 Honda Fury

On Friday, January 16th at the New York International Motorcycle Show, American Honda introduced to the world what many have deemed the most radically styled production Honda ever built: the 2010 Fury. The Fury radiates attitude and delivers a total riding experience approaching the outer limits of motorcycling. The Fury opens the door to the most extreme level of custom looks. But once you're rolling, the Fury experience is all about that special bond between rider and machine: the unmistaka