Author: autoevolution

The second generation Volkswagen Sharan broke cover last night, in the eve of the Geneva Auto Show, bringing with it new features, engines and design to a generation which is now probably the oldest in the automotive industry. And here’s how Volkswagen describes the differences between the two models.

"There are only two parts that the new and the old Sharan have in common: the sun visors. That’s it! Everything else – every screw, every exterior and interior part and all of the technolog… (read more)

As reported to you some weeks earlier, this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix will not only count for the season opening round of the Formula One championship, but also the place where all the living world champions of the sport will meet to celebrate the Great Circus’ 60th anniversary.

The officials of the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain revealed that all of them received invitations for this year’s event (there are currently 20 living champs), and will drive 20 old F1 cars on the aforementioned circuit. … (read more)

A few days ago, Opel has revealed through a press statement that a first prototype of the production Ampera will be driven to the 2010 Geneva Auto Show through a journey that started at Opel’s plant in Rüsselsheim. As the show is today opening its doors, the Ampera arrived in Geneva yesterday, with CEO Nick Reilly the one to park it in Opel’s very own booth at the venue.

Just as expected, Opel hasn’t missed the chance to praise the Ampera, a vehicle equipped with a 111 kW/150 hp electric moto… (read more)

Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti, announced it has become Corporate Partner of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and CBS Sports, following the carmaker’s recent sponsorships with ESPN, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and the Big Ten Conference.

As part of the agreement with CBS Sports, Infiniti is the exclusive sponsor of CBSSports.com’s marquee "Infiniti Bracket Challenge," which attracted 1.1 million p… (read more)

Daimler AG announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese BYD car manufacturer for the co-development of electric vehicles in China.
The two companies plan to create an electric vehicle destined for the booming Chinese market, which will have its dedicated brand. The new tie-up will also build a research & development center in China for this project.

With this announcement, we continue to push ahead as a global leader in electric mobility. Daimler’s know-how in ele… (read more)

We were just checking our dedicated timer to see how many hours separate us from the Geneva Auto Show’s start when we were literally hit by a piece of Lamborghini News: the introduction of the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera.

We have to start with the car’s weight: as it has been on a carbon fiber and polycarbonate (side & rear windows) diet, the new Lambo tips the scale at 1340 Kilograms (2954 lb), being 70 kilograms (154 lb) lighter than the Gallardo LP 560-4 it is based on. This makes it th… (read more)

Goodyear, the world’s third largest tire manufacturer, will assist the U.S. authorities in their effort to promote the 2010 Census.

The company’s fleet of blimps will display a special message on their generously-sized LED displays while flying over sports, entertainment events and various public appearances. This will offer the Census Bureau an important awareness advantage, as a large number of people will sew the campaign.

"Goodyear’s work with the Census Bureau literally and fig… (read more)

General Motors has developed an employee personal driving experience sharing program, aimed at increasing the company’s awareness and sales.

The GM Vehicle Plant Tour will train employees at 40 North American plants through a series of personal experiences, offering them the possibility to market the company’s vehicles in their local communities.

Four semi-trucks transporting six vehicles each will start a tour that will include monthly stops at important U.S. and Canadian GM plants that… (read more)

For those who consider that the Audi R8 V10 isn’t sharp enough, the Volkswagen Group dedicated tuner ABT Sportsline is offering the extreme R8 GT R kit.
The car’s tuning package is inspired from the motorsport world (Abt has a vast experience in the field), making the car lighter and more powerful than the series version.

The R8 GT R uses carbon fiber for the bonnet, front and rear aprons, rear wing, external mirrors and door panels. The hypercar’s windows are made of Makrolog, which not on… (read more)

After revealing that Cape Town will be the first stop of the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, Volvo today announced that Lisbon has been chosen as the first of the European ports for the event. The race will start in Alicante in the autumn of 2011. The next European port will be announced on March 3. 

Lisbon, located in the western Portugal, will be the finish of the Transatlantic leg of the race during the summer of 2012. 
 
Interest in hosting the Volvo Ocean Race in Europe was received from 34… (read more)

As announced since yesterday, Toyota’s CEO Akio Toyoda traveled to China to make amends for the company’s huge recall. Then CEO apologized in front of 300 reporters in Beijing but, unlike in the US, when emotion overcame him, Toyoda kept a calm tone and showed no emotion.

In China, the accelerator problem experienced by Toyota’s RAV4 vehicles led to 75,552 vehicles being recalled. Toyoda emphasized the fact that owners of Prius or Lexus need not worry, as faulty parts did not find their way … (read more)

In the eve of the Geneva Auto Show, where the Volkswagen group will field a line-up of hybrids and EVs unlike anything it ever assembled, the company’s chairman of the board, Martin Winterkorn, stepped up and announced what we’ll see in Geneva is only the beginning.

According to Winterkorn, what are today concepts will turn production version starting 2011. But not necessarily as the cars and concepts we already know. First, will have an electric Golf, shaped as a testing fleet 500 units st… (read more)

Recession forced car dealers to pay more attention to the customers, so most of them had to improve their customer service. Then again, brands like Mercedes-Benz didn’t need improvements, as they are recognized for their commitment to customer satisfaction.

This year’s UKCSI survey published by the Institute of Customer Service showed Mercedes-Benz as the best car manufacturer in providing customer service. The survey is conducted by the not-for-profit organization every six months through an… (read more)

The largest recall in the history of Toyota, as well as the recent revelations caused by the release of the Biller documents keep on causing interesting effects, some more unlikely than others.

In what may turn out to be another blow to the carmaker, Koua Fong Lee, sentenced to eight years in prison for killing three people in an accident, presses for his case to be reopened and reexamined.

In 2006, Lee was driving a 1996 Toyota Camry, when for some reason the car suddenly accelerated an… (read more)

Ever wonder what would you do with all that cash if you were a lottery winner? Of course you did, and we bet that a bunch of extravagant supercars were on the top of your shopping list, alongside overalls and a helmet. But that’s not always the case.

According to pistonheads.com, UK’s National Lottery winners would rather go into a Vauxhall dealership that into a Range Rover, Porsche, Rolls-Royce or Ferrari showroom. Though this story might seem made up, it’s not.

Ipso MORI questioned 100 … (read more)

The newly born company Erik Buell Racing (EBR) has just launched the most powerful Buell to date, the 1190RR machine. With this new bike, EBR will continue to race in the AMA American Superbike series which has a 1,200cc capacity limit for twin-cylinder engines.

Riders like Alex Barros, Chris Ulrich, Taylor Knapp, Cory West and Jeremy McWilliams have been involved in the development of the 1190RR, which should be enough to make you want to get on its saddle at least once.

"The 1190RR … (read more)

German carmaker Mercedes Benz detailed a new version of its 31-year old G-Klasse off-roader. The version, dubbed G 350 BlueTEC, promises to be one of the most eco-friendly in its class.

The G350 features AdBlue, an aqueous urea solution which is injected into the exhaust-gas stream. As a result, ammonia is released, converting some 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water by a process of reduction in the downstream SCR catalytic converter.

According to Daimler, … (read more)

Toyota has revealed the official fuel consumption and emissions figures of the Auris HSD full hybrid, ahead of the car’s imminent Geneva debut.

The Toyota Auris HSD returns a combined cycle fuel economy of 61.8 mpg (3.8 liters / 100 km) and emits 89 grams of CO2 for every driven kilometer.

Toyota says that customers will be able to buy full hybrid petrol and diesel versions of the Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive. Furthermore, the car will set a full hybridization trend that will be followed by… (read more)

This may turn into an annoying series of articles linked with MotoGP team San Carlo Honda Gresini, but it seems the Italian team keeps signing new sponsors for the upcoming season of the premier motorcycle racing series. According to a media release from Fausto Gresini’s team, a new sponsor has entered the boat ahead of the season opening Qatar round.

Cotton Joy, an Italian bed linen and household accessories firm, decided to partner the Italian team on their new MotoGP adventure, while promo… (read more)

After months of teasing, Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha finally pulled the wraps off its latest machine, the XT1200Z Super Tenere. First teased at the 2009 EICMA Show in Milan, the bike is considered to be a worthy rival to BMW’s GS range.

The new adventure touring bike is destined to be used for transcontinental expeditions and boasts various high-tec innovations, such as traction control, ABS and a 270-degree, 1,199cc 115 bhp parallel twin engine, among others.

The bike’s tract… (read more)