Don’t believe the hype: Suzuki won’t be producing roadgoing rally-inspired SX4

A number of rumors began circulating the Web yesterday that contend Suzuki is in the process of building a homologation special out of its SX4 AWD hatch to take on the WRXs of the world. The idea was that Suzuki would enlist some of the technology derived from its WRC contender and it would form […]

KTM builds plant exclusively for X-Bow

The X-Bow is a light weight roadster offering the kind of performance you’d get from a supercar for a fraction of the price. Little surprise then that demand for the new roadster has forced its manufacturer, Austrian motorbike specialist KTM, to build a new factory specifically to supply enough X-Bows to meet the growing list […]

Audi calls unnecessary roughness on Mercedes in DTM racing

For those unfamiliar with the DTM, it’s a European touring car series that sees major carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Opel compete against each other using race cars based on their regular production models. At the series’ most recent event in Barcelona, Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich instructed all his drivers to park their […]

Nice CD player, Grandpa: Blaupunkt unveils SD card-based car stereo

Blaupunkt USA GM Lutz Marschall said “For more and more people, compact discs have become obsolete.” For those of you who think “CD” stands for civil defense or Christian Dior, Blaupunkt has your stereo. The Melbourne SD27 dispenses with the digital disc, replacing it with an SD card slot and a glut of options for […]

GM signs $800mil deal to send U.S.-built Buick Enclave to China

Amidst all the fury surrounding the UAW strike today, General Motors released a statement announcing an $800 million deal with its Chinese joint-venture company to supply the Chinese market with U.S.-built vehicles and components. It’s the second such agreement GM has signed, the first being an agreement worth $700 million to supply Cadillacs and components […]

Ford Escort may return as 100mpg hybrid

What would it take for Ford to get you interested in a new Escort? In its heyday, the Escort was quite popular, but managed to build up a bundle of negative brand equity. In less than three years, Ford reportedly hopes to woo Escort buyers back with a 100 mpg plug-in hybrid model. Numbers like […]

Frankfurt 2007: WORLD PREMIUM ZENITH! SsangYong Wz Concept

We’ll just begin by directly quoting SsangYong’s press release. “In particular, Wz stands for “World Class, World Standard, World Premium Zenith.” And so begins the Chinese-controlled (SAIC has a 51% stake) Korean automaker’s journey down a road ultimately leading to a more diverse lineup. By “diverse” we mean one that apparently includes fairly attractive if […]

Did Lamborghini “blow” it with the Reventón?

As many commenters have noted, the Spanish name of the million-euro Lambo, Reventón, is a bit of a surprise. The accent over the ‘o’ changes the stress, but it apparently doesn’t change the meaning of the word in Spanish: blown tire. As one reader wrote, not exactly the right name for a car you plan […]

Frankfurt Preview: AC Schnitzer GP3.10 Concept

One of AC Schnitzer’s Frankfurt debuts mixes very high performance with a little bit of a greenish tint. Behold the GP3.10, a 3-Series coupe that has been completely transformed with a full interior and exterior overhaul (which you will either love or hate). The car’s name tells you the rest of what you need to […]

New Pagani Zonda R renderings released

It might look very similar to the Zonda F it’s replacing, but in truth, there’s only about 10% carryover from Horacio Pagani’s previous creation to his latest. No matter. Awesome is awesome, regardless of everything else, and the Zonda R belongs next to the term in the dictionary. As these latest computer renderings show, the […]

Frankfurt preview: Bioconcept Mustang GT RTD

While we’re a bit weary of the green-theme that seems to be pervading the Frankfurt Motor Show, this latest preview seems to meld both environmental aspects and performance offerings into one cohesive package. Germany’s FourMotor will be showing off its BioConcept Mustang GT RTD to the masses next week, although the moniker “concept” doesn’t quite […]

Saab 9-5 Nordic Edition added to Euro range

Saab’s offering up a Nordic Edition 9-5 for 2008, and no that doesn’t mean an integrated sauna in the SportCombi and a complimentary copy of ABBA’s Greatest Hits, alltför dålig. The package is available as an upgrade for mid-level Vector versions of the sedan and wagon, and consists of cosmetic, equipment, and comfort enhancements. Leather […]

Unofficial Porsche powered Fabcar to run in Grand Am finale

The factory-backed Porsche RS Spyders of Penske Racing have been leading the ALMS LMP2 class and even captured some overall victories this year. In the competing (well, kinda) Grand Am series, the official Porsche engine in the Daytona Prototype class is a 3.8-liter flat-six. The Spirit of Daytona team, however, wants to take a different […]

Frankfurt Preview: Saab Turbo X (turbo)charges in

Though scheduled to debut next Tuesday at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the special edition Saab Turbo X has arrived a bit early courtesy of one particular Swede-o-phile over at Trollhattansaab.net. Actually, only three more images have arrived, but in addition to the front teaser shot that Saab had already released, the new pics show […]

Tuner Focus: Enthusiasts tour plant, express (some) enthusiasm

Despite being derided by all and sundry for the restyled Focus, Ford invited some the model’s biggest fans to tour the plant and sample the new coupe’s wares. Members of both Focaljet.com and Focus Fanatics made up the dozen or so enthusiasts that were able to watch the Focus’ production from start to finish, as […]