Author: autoevolution

Just in time for the Oscars, the Harley-Davidson Museum will be the home to many iconic Hollywood movies starring motorcycles, beginning February 12. The exclusive and limited-time Harleys & Hollywood" exhibition will give visitors a chance to see up close and personal some of the famous Hollywood motorcycles.

Bikes on display include those seen in the films G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Star Trek, and Wild Hogs, as well as those owned b… (read more)

Sergio Marchionne’s decision to shut down production at Fiat’s Termini Imerese factory in Sicily seems to have serious repercussions, as the unions launched strikes in Fiat plants across the country. The automaker has serious arguments for closing the plant and moving the Lancia Ypsilon production to Poland. According to the company, no less than 1,000 Euros are lost per car.

Claudio Scojola, Italy’s industry minister, told Canale 5 that eight to ten offers are on the table for Fiat’s Termin… (read more)

If you were too young back in 2007, when the first appearance of this unlike mutant took place at the SEMA show in Vegas, let us tell you a little something about what Jameslist calls the "crown jewel" of their collection.

The 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Mustang Tractorri is not only a fancy name given to a car built in some obscure garage in the mid-west. It is, in fact, just what the name says it is: a Lamborghini Gallardo on the inside, with a Mustang attitude (and bodykit) on the… (read more)

With several media reports in Russia suggesting that Vitaly Petrov is in danger of losing his seat with Renault F1 Team prior to the season opening round in Bahrain, the management of the GP2 runner-up racer today came to deny these allegations.

Back in January, several media reported that Petrov had promised around 15 million euros to the Enstone organization, in exchange for a full-time drive in 2010. Consequently, he was confirmed by Renault F1 a couple of weekends ago.

However, accordi… (read more)

The automotive industry is determined to adopt the digital radio solution as a standard feature by 2015.

According to the Brits at Autocar, last year’s Digital Britain report confirmed the fact that analogue radio signal will no longer be broadcasted by 2015. However, this is a desired date and it is not known if the digital radio standard will actually be imposed by then.

Until now, the digital radio didn’t prove too popular among automotive manufacturers, but Digital Britain is determine… (read more)

As the Chicago Auto Show is getting closer, everybody’s expectations get bigger. The auto industry has had a good start this year, as most automakers reported important sales increase. So we’re all holding our breath, hoping to see CEOs speaking about the rough patch being over, the auto industry regaining its confidence and sales figures getting to satisfying levels.

Though we’re not sure anybody will share that kind of optimistic information, we’re still interested in the official perspecti… (read more)

With only one day remaining until the official start of the second test of the off-season, at Jerez de la Frontera, most of the teams have already confirmed their drivers’ lineup for the 4 days of testing on the Spanish track.

Since the Valencia meeting last week – when only 7 teams attended the first test of the season – three more teams have revealed their single-seaters for the 2010 season of Formula One. Virgin Racing showed their VR-01 last Wednesday, during an online presentation of the… (read more)

It’s been quite a year for the super car segment, as several automakers decided to enrich their line-ups with new models or versions that would further improve their image in the eyes of worldwide consumers. As two-seater cars have the disadvantage of leaving no room for a family, golf clubs or a dog, super fast sedans were launched.

Porsche presented its Panamera, which instantly became a sales hit, Aston Martin grabbed a few beauty awards with its Rapide, and Lamborghini seems to have a fou… (read more)

Designer Jamie Martin recently released details on a possible future eco-friendly model, dubbed SHC (Super Hatchback Concept). Drawing similarities between a supercar and a 3-door hatchback, the SHC surfaced with both styling and performance characteristics. The concept is offered in a choice of three next generation powertrains, including an electric / hybrid option.

The body is made out of 65% Steel and 35% aluminum used for front wings, bonnet & bumpers. Alternatively 30% glass reinforced … (read more)

Ford seems determined to offer alternative fuel options to several businesses out there. The automaker will unveil the all electric Transit Connect in order to help fleets reduce costs while "saving the planet". Alongside the EV Connect, Ford will also presented a Transit Connect converted to CNG and LPG as a solution for US taxi drivers.

While meeting with taxi operators in cities throughout the U.S., we found considerable interest for vehicles that run on alternative fuels, said … (read more)

Australia received the 500th MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 edition. In 2009, MINI has released a special edition for its range-topping John Cooper Works model, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 – a tribute to both the brand’s 1959 birth and John Cooper’s first F1 title (same year). Only 10 units (including the 500th) of the 500 cars produced are destined for Australia.

The MINI John Cooper Works WC 50 will make its Australian debut at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide … (read more)

Ever since Kimi Raikkonen was confirmed by Citroen Junior Team for the upcoming season of the World Rally Championship, people started asking questions about his potential return to Formula One. Quite odd, we might think, especially since the Finnish driver continuously stated that his dream ever since he was a little boy was to compete in rallies.

Nevertheless, his backing from Austrian company Red Bull in the 2010 WRC immediately led to reports that the former F1 champion is considering com… (read more)

Mexico will become a strategic location for Chrysler’s financial recovery, as the Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne told Reuters that the company could build 130,000 Fiat 500s in the country, through a $550 million investment.

According to Reuters, the Fiat 500 will be produced at a Chrysler plant near Mexico City by December. Cars assembled there are destined for the U.S. and Latin American markets, Marchionne, who also leads Chrysler, added.

Chrysler’s investment will be financed t… (read more)

This year’s Volvo China Open, scheduled to be held from April 15 to 18 at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club, will get a boost in the prize money by adding another US$300,000 to the existing US$2.5 million. According to the Swedish carmaker, this makes it the richest event on the OneAsia Tour schedule.

Located in the Suzhou Industrial Park, about 90 minutes drive from Shanghai, the club is one of the most exclusive in the world with membership gained by invitation only.

Jinji L… (read more)

Being chairman of a big automaker is not the safest, most lucrative job in the world, as Chung Mong-koo found out today, after the Seoul Central District court decided to make him pay $60 million in damages to the carmaker for losses he has caused by taking bad business decisions.

To refresh your memory, Chung Mong-koo is the same man who back in 2008 was convicted of embezzlement and breach of trust and sentenced to a three-year suspended imprisonment. His sentence was later pardoned by Sout… (read more)

Dani Sordo will no longer have to play the lieutenant role for Sebastien Loeb for the 2010 season of the World Rally Championship. At least it won’t happen from the beginning of the season, as confirmed by Citroen World Rally Team’s boss Olivier Quesnel.

According to the French official, there are no plans to make Sordo the No 2 driver within the Citroen lineup, as long as the battle between them won’t affect the team in the manufacturers’ race. Additionally, one of the outfit’s aims for the… (read more)

After it has been the premium supplier of the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP Team for two seasons, Iveco has been named ‘Official Sponsor’ of the world championship winning squad which includes riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. The newly signed sponsorship agreement with Fiat Yamaha will run for two years and will benefit both sides.

This will provide worldwide high profile visibility for the Iveco brand and includes the supply of a further four Iveco Stralis Active Space Super heavy trucks… (read more)

Vitantonio Liuzzi will start his first season as a full-time race driver in Formula One in 3 years, after being confirmed by Force India for the 2010 campaign. However, according to the 28-year old Italian racer, this is actually the first time he’ll feel comfortable driving a Formula One car, as the atmosphere at the Silverstone-based factory makes him confident he can fully succeed in 2010.

In Force India I feel really good, the atmosphere is great and the team works well together. Even whe… (read more)

German carmaker Daimler previewed today yet another special edition of the smart fortwo, dubbed Edition Greystyle. In fact, as we got accustomed to by now, the same old smart fortwo, with new clothes and a few new accessories here and there.

Meant to be a demonstration of the fact that "a discerning individual style and joie de vivre are no contradiction," the new edition will be available in both coupe or a cabrio versions and with a choice of two powerunits: 52 kW (71 hp) engine … (read more)

Leaving the SEATs aside for a while, the German tuners at JE DESIGN decided it was time to work on a Volkswagen again, this time choosing the Polo V. The latest upgrade program for the witty hatchback includes styling enhancements only, to the disappointment of those who hoped for some extra horsepower under its hood.

The team behind the project says the components used for the body kit are made of high-quality ABS material and are all CNC-milled. The kit for 1,528 Euro including VAT includes… (read more)