The Hyundai Genesis Prada, a joint effort between the Korean carmaker and the trendy Euro fashion label destined for this week’s Seoul Motor Show, receives a host of updates, somehow managing to say both ‘subtle’ and ‘outspoken’ at the same time.

The result of more than four months work at both Hyundai’s Namyang-based R&D facility and Prada’s Milan design centre, the Genesis Prada features a stunning satin blue body finish (though it looks somewhat purple in these images), with similar effects to the grille and badges. Read the rest of this entry »

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Stunned 67-year-old Dave Stanisfield, who is 19 years younger than his Model T Ford, was snapped doing 35mph in a 30mph zone.

He reckoned it couldn’t go that fast so went to court in a bid to avoid the £60 fine – but ended up paying more.

He said: “When it was new it could do 46mph but it’s nearly 90 years old now.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got the letter. I was shocked. Read the rest of this entry »

General Motors and Chrysler have failed to lay out viable plans for their ailing companies, the White House said Monday, in a tough review which could shake up the nation’s key auto industry.

In two separate reports, a task force set up by President Barack Obama analyzed the future prospects for both companies and warned they had failed to comply with the terms of a 17.4 billion dollar government bailout.

Obama is due to unveil his plan for the future of the key industry at 11:00 am (1500 GMT) Monday with both companies seeking an additional 21.6 billion dollars to survive the economic downturn which has sent global car sales plunging.

The task force concluded both companies had failed to meet the conditions for the bailouts by a March 31 deadline, and as a result neither company had “satisified the terms of its loan agreement.” Read the rest of this entry »

The arrival today on U.S. shores of 100 new Ford Fiestas marks an important step in the rollout of the first of Ford Motor Company’s new generation of global small cars.

The European-built Fiestas arrived today at seaports in Baltimore and Oxnard, Calif., and will be loaned for six months to 100 young trendsetters chosen from more than 3,300 applicants as part of the “Fiesta Movement.” Those picked to drive the European Fiesta will share their experiences online through social media sites such as Facebook, Flickr and YouTube to build buzz and anticipation for the vehicle’s North American launch early next year. Read the rest of this entry »

[SinglePic not found]After the Polo, the BlueMotion offensive and the Golf GTI, Volkswagen is pulling the next arrow out of its quiver: this time it is the Golf GTD. It is extremely fuel efficient yet exceedingly sporty, and it is debuting as a world premiere at the Auto Mobil International in Leipzig (March 28 to April 05). The GTD code letters carry on a tradition: the first Golf GTD appeared back in 1982 – it was the GTI among diesels. Now Volkswagen has perfected the various aspects of sportiness. The new Golf GTD with its 125 kW / 170 PS is aimed at all diesel fans who value a maximum in dynamic performance. This is where the GTD shows a clear affinity to the new GTI (155 kW / 210 PS). While the GTI is in its own league with an efficient turbo gasoline engine that offers the same performance as far more expensive sports cars, the Golf GTD is making its appearance with phenomenal fuel economy. Every 100 kilometers, just 5.3 liters of fuel flow through the piezo injection valves of the common rail engine that can hardly be pegged as a diesel. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 139 g/km. This contrasts with a top speed of 222 km/h and 8.1 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h. Read the rest of this entry »

[SinglePic not found]The SL 63 AMG, as the Official F1™ Safety Car, and the C 63 AMG Estate, as the Official F1™ Medical Car, are to continue to help ensure maximum safety, this time for the 2009 Formula 1 season. AMG, the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz, will be on duty with the two specially prepared high-performance vehicles at all 17 of the new season’s Formula 1 races, starting with a first appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne (27 to 29 March 2009). The specialists from the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO are responsible for the development, production and servicing of the vehicles. Read the rest of this entry »