Category Archives: new vehicle

New Regulations for Safety, Emissions Hurt Micro-Cars

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

While there is a clear emerging global trend of rising demand for small and inexpensive cars, regulations are increasing their costs. Since 2010, supply by automakers has been growing as they offer products in the range of €10,000 (~$13,000). Some vehicles in this price range are micro-cars, such as the Piaggio, NT3, Renault Twizy ZE, Tata Nano, and Opel Rak-e, all unheard of in the United States. However, there are two A-segment vehicles playing in this space, the Skoda Citigo and Daimler Smart ForTwo, which is on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

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2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS Debuts in New York Next Week

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

A refreshed Chevrolet Camaro SS will debut at the New York International Auto Show next week. The planned 2014 model is being called by GM the most significant change for the fifth-generation Camaro, which has been the most popular sports car in America for three consecutive years. Continue reading →

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Limited Run of 2014 SRT Viper TA Coupes Coming this Fall

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group’s SRT will offer 33 street-legal and single-spec 2014 SRT Viper TA (Time Attack) in special “Crusher Orange” beginning in the third quarter 2013. The performance package is designed to provide excellent road course handling. The SRT Viper TA makes its public debut next week at the New York International Auto Show. Continue reading →

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Cadillac Twin-Turbo Debuts in All-New 2014 CTS Sedan

Posted on 18 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Cadillac announced today a new 420 horsepower, turbocharged V6 engine and eight-speed transmission that will be used on the all-new 2014 CTS midsize sedan that debuts next week at the New York Auto Show. Cadillac said the force-fed V6 engine is the most power-dense six-cylinder engine in the mid-size luxury segment – displacing 3.6-liters at118 horsepower per liter (88 kW/liter). Continue reading →

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Peugeot-Citroen Hybrid Air Most Significant Intro at Geneva?

Posted on 8 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Struggling PSA Peugeot Citroën showed a light duty version of so-called hybrid-air technology that will be in production by 2016 using the group’s new EMP2 platform that will make its debut on the new Citroen Picasso. It potentially a breakthrough that will help PSA sell more cars globally, reviving its sagging reputation in the process. Continue reading →

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LaFerrari, a 900 Horsepower V12 Hybrid Unveiled at Geneva

Posted on 6 March 2013 by Ken Zino

LaFerrari promises to be the most sophisticated GT car with the highest performance ever achieved by a Ferrari. The Fiat-owned company said the technical systems would be incorporated in the rest of the Ferrari range over time. For the moment, only 499 wealthy customers will be able to buy the €1 million car, Ferrari’s first hybrid.. Continue reading →

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Spyker Plans for B6 Venator Concept Production in 2014

Posted on 5 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Dutch automaker Spyker N.V. showed its B6 Venator Concept, at the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show today. The ultra expensive gambit to revive the slumping company is a compact, 2-door mid-engine sports car. Currently Spyker sells the C8 Aileron, limited production 400 horsepower super coupe. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Debuts 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible

Posted on 5 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet revealed the 2014 Corvette Stingray convertible at the Geneva Motor Show. The 2014 model will have an all-new electronic top that can be lowered remotely using the car’s key fob. The top can also be opened or closed at speeds of up to 30 mph. A thick, three-ply fabric top, along with sound-absorbing padding and a glass rear window, should allow for a relatively quiet cabin. Continue reading →

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Cadillac XTS Now in Production in China, World’s Largest Market

Posted on 26 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Criticisms that auto companies are making vehicles in China or transferring jobs there are at best ignorant of, or deliberately ignore, Chinese industrial policy, which requires local partners and production for access to the market. There are also high Chinese tariffs on imports that effectively restrict volume exports of the kind that are now coming out of, say, South Korea under the U.S. Korean FTA. (I can only imagine the outcry if Mercedes-Benz was required to partner with the city of Detroit to build cars there – the ruling party in Detroit controlling the jobs – as a condition of access to the U.S., one of the world’s most lucrative luxury car markets. This is required in China.) Continue reading →

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Future Mustang and Lincoln Coupe?

Posted on 25 February 2013 by Jim Dunne

At first glance, this Mustang looks somewhat altered. Take a close look and you can spot the differences in this prototype and the cars in the showrooms. From the front there is little to see that’s different. However, that galloping horse set alone in the grille is a design not offered on current Mustang models. Continue reading →

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Jeep Cherokee Returns as 2014 Model. New York Auto Show Debut

Posted on 25 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Cherokee is inches wider and longer than its Italian donor platform and as you can see uses the traditional Jeep styling features such as a box-like body and the famous vertical slotted grille that goes back to Bill Mauldin’s Willie and Joe cartoons that won Pulitzer prizes during WW2. Continue reading →

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Caught Testing – the Revised 2014 Cadillac CTS?

Posted on 19 February 2013 by Jim Dunne

Look for Cadillac to unveil this car at the New York Auto Show next month. I caught these camouflaged versions while they were out on a recent prototype test run in the frozen north. The new 2014 CTS appears to be close to a full-size sedan, but still keeping Cadillac’s distinctive angular design themes. Continue reading →

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Shape Memory Alloy Replaces Electric Motor On C7 Corvette

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Ken Zino

While much of the news about weight savings on the revised 2014 Corvette coming this fall has concentrated on the aluminum chassis that saves 99 pounds when compared to its steel predecessor, GM is also using a heat-activated shape memory alloy that replaces a heavier motorized part. The electric wire will be used in place of a heavier motorized actuator to open a the hatch vent that releases air from the trunk to allow for easier closing by releasing trapped air through the opening. When the hatch is closed, the vent closes. Continue reading →

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Alfa Romeo 4C Debuts at Geneva – 2014 Model is U.S. Comeback Car

Posted on 12 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The new Alfa Romeo 4C will debut at the Geneva a Motor Show next month, the Italian sports car maker owned by Fiat said this morning. The two-seat, mid-engine designed sports car will be built at the Maserati plant in Modena, which is also the home of Fiat owned Ferrari. The 4C will go on sale in 2013, marking the return of the Italian brand to the United States. Continue reading →

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Corvette Stingray Convertible Debuts next Month in Geneva

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Given the well-publicized success of the Stingray debut at the NAIAS in Detroit last month, the move appears designed to bolster GM’s battered image in Europe that is the result of years of losses at Opel Vauxhall. It is also a counter thrust in Europe against the most successful global sports car of all time, the 911 of Porsche, which celebrates 50 years during 2013. This and the fact that 820,000 911s have been built since 1963, will no doubt be emphasized at the Geneva Show. Continue reading →

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