Blog

  • New Generation Toyota Prius Unveiled

    A new chapter in the history of Prius opens at the Detroit motor show with the official unveiling of the all-new, third-generation of Toyota’s world-leading hybrid power car.

    With a heritage of more than one million sales worldwide since the original model was launched in 1997, new Prius takes the benefits of hybrid to a new level, promising even better fuel economy and performance and reduced full lifecycle emissions, from manufacturing through to ultimate disposal. These qualities are combined with sharper styling, improved interior space and comfort and a more rewarding driving experience. (more…)

  • Tesla Motors introduces Roadster Sport

    tesla-roadster-sport_thumbTesla Motors Inc. began taking orders today for the Roadster Sport, a high-performance sports car based on the world’s leading all-electric, zero-emission vehicle.

    The Roadster Sport accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. It comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama’s Ultra High Performance tyres, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver’s preference.

    The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries begin in late June.

    “This car can beat nearly anything in its price class – yet it is twice as efficient as compact hybrid sedans,” said Michael van der Sande, Tesla’s senior vice president of global sales, service and marketing. “If you refuse to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is your only option.”

    The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla’s proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla plans to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emssion Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.


    Tesla has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list. Customers who haven’t taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.

    “The Roadster Sport embodies Tesla’s spirit of continuous improvement,” said CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “The Roadster has been a great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the status quo.”

  • Lincoln C Concept: Big Luxury In Small Package

    Lincoln C ConceptLincoln is breaking new ground with the Lincoln C concept, a new big idea for a small luxury car. (more…)

  • IFR Aspid approved for Britcar racing championship

    The new IFR Aspid sports car has received approval to compete in the Britcar endurance racing car series.  The high performance road car, which already meets FIA security specifications, was sanctioned for the championship at a meeting between IFR founder Ignacio Fernández and Britcar founder James Tucker held at the Autosport International racing car show.

    “I’m delighted that teams will now have the opportunity to race the Aspid in this championship series,” says Fernández.  “The car was designed from the outset to meet FIA as well as EU regulations, so is unique in being a genuine ready-to-race high performance road car.  No additional preparation is required to go racing, so teams will find it extremely affordable.”

    “We welcome this all new player to the grid,” added Tucker.  “We created our endurance race car championship in 2002 with a new set of rules to attract a wide diversity of entries and the Aspid brings an exciting new addition to the series that will add to the racing and overtaking spectacle.”

    Tucker has confirmed that teams can enter the 270bhp naturally aspirated Aspid sport model in keeping with the series’ power-to-weight ratio regulation.  Due to the car’s extreme lightweight design, the 400bhp supercharged supersport model was considered at this stage to give too much of a performance advantage for Britcar racing, but will be considered for a possible new class of higher power-to-weight ratio race cars in the future.

    Racing car driver, Rob Hedley, has already expressed an interest in putting together the first team to race the new car and is lining up potential sponsors.

    Britcar founder James Tucker, race driver Rob Hedley and IFR founder Ignacio Fernandez, pictured with IFR Aspid at the Autosport International racing car show.

    “I knew I wanted to race it when I first heard about the car,” said Hedley.  “The Aspid is a brilliant piece of automotive engineering, developed from first principles, and should prove highly competitive.  It’s also immensely strong and offers a robust, reliable and cost-effective racing opportunity.”

    The car attracted a high level of interest at the Autosport and PistonHeads show, when it was shown for only the second time in the UK, following its debut at the British International Motor show last July.  Racecar enthusiasts and motor industry professionals had a rare opportunity to see it close-up and examine its exciting new technology and design features.  Ignacio Fernández, who put together the team of automotive engineers that created the car, was on hand to explain how the Aspid manages to outperform even a World Rally Championship car as well as most supercars … and at a fraction of the price.

    The award-winning Cataluña based company he founded five years ago, IFR Automotive, was established to help develop innovative green technologies based on new lightweight automotive designs increasingly required for the mainstream car market.

  • Lexus Stages World Debut of the 2010 HS 250h at NAIAS

    Lexus today revealed the 2010 HS 250h, the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid vehicle, at the North American International Auto Show. The HS 250h will be Lexus’ fourth hybrid and the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its lineup. It also will be the first Lexus to utilize carbon-neutral Ecological Plastic materials in a new futuristic cockpit and interior design. (more…)

  • Toyota Introduces 2010 Camry at the 2009 NAIAS

    The 2010 Camry is on display for the first time today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). As the best-selling passenger car in America for seven years running and 11 of the past 12 years, Camry continues to redefine standards for comfort and performance. (more…)

  • Toyota EV Concept Confirms Battery-Electric Vehicle in 2012

    Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it will display the Toyota FT-EV concept on opening Media Day at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), confirming its plan to launch an urban commuter battery-electric vehicle (BEV) by 2012. (more…)

  • New Touareg “Lux Limited”

    In just a few weeks, Volkswagen of America will be introducing one of the most economical and cleanest SUVs to the US market: the new Touareg V6 TDI with a powerful 165 kW / 225 PS Clean Diesel. In parallel to the debut of the pioneeringly efficient Touareg, Volkswagen is now presenting in Detroit an outstandingly exclusive special model of its high-end SUV: the Touareg “Lux Limited”. It will launch with the new V6 TDI and two highly advanced gasoline engines: a V6 FSI (206 kW / 280 PS) and a V8 FSI (257 kW/ 350 PS). All versions of the Touareg START share an exclusive interior that is only available on this edition that will be limited to 1,940 units. (more…)

  • Maserati Unveils New Quattroporte Sport GT S

    The New Quattroporte Sport GT S Debuts in Detroit

    The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S making its worldwide première at the 2009 North American International Auto Show sets yet another milestone in terms of sportiness in the high performance luxury sedan segment of the automotive market. Conceived and developed as “a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury sedan”, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s sportiness in the Quattroporte range. (more…)

  • New Supercharged XF Is Officially The Fastest Jaguar Ever At 225mph

    Jaguar today announces that during a secret speed trial at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, an XFR prototype recorded a stunning top speed of 225.675mph (363.188km/h), making it the fastest Jaguar ever. (more…)

  • Converj: The “Cadillac” Of Electric Vehicles

    General Motors unveiled a further glimpse at the potential of electric propulsion today, this time in the form of luxury transportation, with the Cadillac Converj Concept. The Cadillac Converj was developed as a well-appointed grand touring coupe with a bold design and a host of interactive technology. (more…)

  • Jaguar Reveals New XKR And XFR At Detroit Auto Show 2009

    Jaguar has revealed the new XKR and XFR at the Detroit Auto Show 2009 – two cars that are true to the heritage of Jaguar’s legendary performance, delivering a superb balance of high performance, dynamic ability and refinement.

    Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars said: “We’ve started 2009 with the introduction of advanced new generation petrol and diesel engines that set new benchmarks in terms of performance, economy and efficiency, including a new diesel for the XF that offers a marked improvement in CO2 and fuel economy. Our cars meet the challenges of the modern world and the needs of today’s consumers – and they’re also true to the Jaguar philosophy of creating beautiful fast cars.”

    XF and XFR 2010 MY

    The XF has already secured ‘Car of the Year’ awards from two major UK automotive magazines and more than 30 other commendations worldwide, so the new XFR, a new high performance diesel and a host of changes for the 2010 Model Year, including the launch of the new luxurious ‘Portfolio’ model, will make the XF an even more attractive proposition.

    Featuring all-new AJ-V8 Gen III petrol engines and new AJ-V6D Gen III diesel engines, the XF now delivers more power and more performance with comparable or better fuel economy and emissions than the engines they supersede.

    The XFR is powered by the all-new supercharged 510PS (510bhp SAE) V8 with acceleration from 0-60mph in just 4.7 seconds making it the ultimate Jaguar sport saloon. A naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8, producing 385PS, powers other V8 XF models.

    Distinguished by unique exterior and interior design features, the XFR includes revised bumpers and lower front air intakes, sill extensions, bonnet louvres and grilles, four tailpipes, a boot-lid spoiler, unique seats and 20-inch alloy wheels.

    The new XF 3.0-litre AJ-V6D Gen III diesel features a twin sequential turbocharged engine available as the 275PS/600Nm S or a 240PS/500Nm version. Both offer exceptional efficiency and refinement and in the case of the Diesel S accelerates from 0-60 in just 5.9 seconds.

    With 275PS, the new XF 3.0-litre diesel S is 33 percent more powerful than the acclaimed 2.7-litre TDV6 it replaces. Torque peaks at a substantial 600Nm, with 61 percent more torque available from 1500rpm.

    Every new engine for the XF range has highly competitive fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures. Both diesel versions deliver combined average fuel consumption of 42.0mpg – an improvement on the acclaimed 2.7-litre engine of nearly 12 percent – and a CO2 of 179g/km.

    In the UK, pricing of the new XF range starts at £32,900 for the 3.0-litre petrol. The 3.0-litre diesel model is available from £33,900 while the new 3.0-litre Diesel S starts at £36,900. The XFR is priced at £59,900.* These models are available from late March.

    XK and XKR 2010 MY

    The new generation of XK and XKR coupe and convertibles, with all-new V8 engines, deliver more power and performance with greater efficiency for 2010 Model Year. With interior enhancements, advanced lightweight aluminium body structure and a wider range of models, plus the new luxurious ‘Portfolio’ model, the new XK and XKR build on 60 years of legendary performance to deliver the best of everything Jaguar.

    The all-new AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engines are the most advanced and efficient petrol engines Jaguar has ever produced.

    The XKR features a 5.0-litre supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III delivering 510PS (510bhp, SAE), 625Nm of torque propelling it to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds.

    The XK features a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated AJ-V8 Gen III delivering 385PS (385bhp SAE), 515Nm of torque propelling it to 60mph in just 5.2 seconds.

    Both models have improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions which meet the forthcoming EU5 emissions legislation.

    Exterior changes for the XK and XKR include a distinctive and purposeful new front end design, new LED rear lights and a new lower rear body valance. Inside the cabin, both the XK and XKR feature the exciting, user-friendly JaguarDrive Selector™ that was first seen on the XF to further enhance the XK’s luxury sporting character.

    There are now three models in the range: XK, XK Portfolio and XKR. The XK is priced from £59,900 for the coupe and £65,900 for the convertible and the XKR starts from £72,400 for the coupe and £78,400 for the convertible.** These models are available from late March.

    *PRICING – XF, XFR, XK, XKR 2010 MY

    Model On the Road Price
    XF 3.0 V6 Petrol Luxury £32,900
    XF 3.0 V6 Petrol Premium Luxury £36,500
    XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury £33,900
    XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Premium Luxury £37,500
    XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Portfolio £41,500
    XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Luxury £36,900
    XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Premium Luxury £40,500
    XF 3.0 V6 Diesel S Portfolio £44,200
    XF 5.0 V8 Petrol Portfolio £49,900
    XFR 5.0 V8 Supercharged £59,900

    **PRICING – XK AND XKR 2010 MY

    Model On the Road Price
    XK Coupe £59,900
    XK Convertible £65,900
    XK Portfolio Coupe £64,900
    XK Portfolio Convertible £70,900
    XKR Coupe £72,400
    XKR Convertible £78,400