Author: autoevolution

The North American division of Honda Motor today released new ATV models for 2011, namely the FourTrax Recon, FourTrax Foreman 4×4, FourTrax Foreman Rubicon and FourTrax Rincon. All these machines will be produced at the Honda South Carolina (HSC) plant.

"We’ve asserted our leadership role by introducing 11 brand-new models for 2010, all of which have been received with great enthusiasm. Now we’re moving forward with the introduction of early-release 2011 models, beginning with these fou… (read more)

The US Grand Prix Engineering story seems to be coming to an end pretty soon, as several rumors and media reports in the US suggested that Ken Anderson’s and Peter Windsor’s organization has remained fund-less for their maiden campaign in Formula One.

The negative reports started earlier this week, when it was confirmed that the team’s head of business development Brian Bonner left the Charlotte-based organization because of lack of sponsorship for the 2010 F1 campaign. According to reports, … (read more)

Initially slated to be discontinued, Chrysler Sebring will live on. Only that it will continue to exist under a different name that will come into effect once the parent manufacturer rolls out the facelifted version. Although it was only a rumor, Sergio Marchionne, now CEO of both Chrysler and Fiat, confirmed that the Sebring will get a new name when the company introduces the facelifted model.

We’ve rolled up our sleeves and have torn apart that architecture. You’ll see a completely differen… (read more)

Just as rumors began pointing on early Wednesday, German group Daimler and its supervisory board extended the contract of Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board, until December 31, 2013.

In addition, Thomas Weber received the same extension of the contract, while Wolfgang Bernhard has been appointed to the newly created position for Mercedes-Benz Cars Production and Procurement, bringing the number of board members to six.

"In accordance with Section 84, Subsection 1 of the German St… (read more)

The US branch of German manufacturer Volkswagen announced yesterday it has appointed a new Customer Relationship Management agency of record, taking over activities previously handled by Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Euro RSCG Worldwide. The new agency, Draftfcb will have full CRM responsibility for the Volkswagen brand and products in the US.  

Volkswagen plans to reach 800,000 units sold by 2018. Launching new models, including a new compact and a mid-size sedan in mid-2010 will help reach t… (read more)

Everything seems to go just fine for Lotus F1 Team, following their first official test with the new T127 model. The Malaysian-backed team put reserve driver Fairuz Fauzy into the car for Day 1 of testing on the Jerez circuit, mainly because the GP2 racer needed the extra mileage in order to secure a FIA super license for potential F1 racing in 2010.

Although the car lacked power steering due to a last-minute problem from one of the team’s suppliers – added to the fact that Fauzy had to drive… (read more)

Tata Motor’s Jaguar Land Rover plans to reduce its future production costs by reducing the number of platforms used to a microscopic two, from the current six, including a platform share between the Jaguar XJ and the Range Rover, as autocar reports.

Jaguar Land Rover wants to use two platforms for all of its cars. The entry level chassis will be based on a traditional steel structure (developed on Ford’s C1 platform) which will have three versions, destined for the three members of the Freela… (read more)

Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has been chosen by DNV Certification as the 2010 Automotive Executive of the Year and the recipient of the Innovator Award, in "recognition of his technology leadership and innovation," as well as for "his enlightened vision for the automotive industry’s future."

"Elon Musk is a man who came from humble beginnings to accomplish the extraordinary," Robert Djurovic, executive director of the Automotive Executive of the Year Award program sa… (read more)

General Motors Europe is still negotiating with European governments hosting Opel factories the amount of state loans to be offered for helping the brand’s restructuring. But Spanish industry minister Miguel Sebastian says the country’s financial backing for GM’s Opel plans depends on their "acceptance" by local employees, just-auto.com reports.

Opel wants to eliminate 900 jobs at the Zaragoza production facility, which is going to remain the main plant for the GSV platform beyond 2… (read more)

The 2010 Geneva Auto Show will be the perfect venue for most carmakers to officially unveil their latest contraptions to the world. So is the case with German manufacturer Volkswagen, which is preparing the new 2011 VW Polo GTI for the upcoming event.

Volkswagen, however, did have the idea of previewing the fifth generation hot hatch ahead of the Geneva show by releasing the first photos and details of the car.

The new Polo GTI, promising to be the fastest, most focused and cleanest perfor… (read more)

After several years of struggling to secure a racing spot in the Formula One Championship, Japanese driver Takuma Sato decided to look elsewhere for a progression of his racing career. So he chose the next best thing, namely the North American version of the championship, the IndyCar Series.

We can now confirm that Sato signed a full-time deal with KV Racing for the upcoming season of the IndyCar Series, where he will make his debut in North American single-seaters under the close guidance of… (read more)

In what Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk calls the worst day in the company’s history, a plane crash which took place on Wednesday morning, February 17, killed three Tesla employees in East Palo Alto, California, sending shock waves throughout Tesla offices.

So far, the names of the people killed in the crash have not been released, but it would appear a high-ranking executive was among the three. The coroner’s offices hopes to have them identified by Friday.

We lost 3 employees in a plane crash tod… (read more)

A special delivery of a Chevrolet Corvette has recently taken place: Former U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff General Richard Cody was supposed to get 2010 Torch Red Grand Sport Convertible, but instead of driving it off a dealership lot, he took the car from the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz suggested that Cody should witness the car’s manufacturing process, an experience that would bring him even closer to the Vette’s spirit. Cody liked the idea and he als… (read more)

Hyundai will bring the 2011 Sonata Turbo and the Hybrid version at the 2010 New York Auto Show, with both models likely to hit the market by 2011. Product Planning head Scott Margason confirmed the news on the company’s Twitter page but said that more information will only be released at a later date.

The regular Sonata is offered in the US with Hyundai’s new Theta II 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission, developing 198 horsepower stan… (read more)

Nothing compares to getting your own Camaro than getting it for free and that’s exactly why sweepstakes are for. In honor of its 50th anniversary celebration, JEGS Mail Order announced it will be giving away a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro in the company familiar yellow and black trim, which brings it closer to the Bumblebee appearance.

However, JEGS say that instead of the car, the winner can chose to receive $20,000 in cash. We can hardly wait to see who is going to choose the money over the iconic… (read more)

Fisker Automotive, the manufacturer of the Karma plug-in hybrid, will showcase at next month’s Geneva Auto Show its advanced aluminum space frame underpinning which is featured on the car. Built around Fisker’s Q-DRIVE series-hybrid powertrain (2.0l turbocharged ECOTEC engine/generator set, lithium-ion battery pack and a rear-mounted 403hp traction motor assembly), the space frame balances weight and size.

"Our top priorities when we designed the Karma’s aluminum space frame were that it… (read more)

Stefan GP will not take too long in appointing their race drivers for the 2010 season of Formula One, despite the fact that the Serbian team is yet to receive an entry in the championship from the International Automobile Federation (FIA). According to the team’s owner Zoran Stefanivic, the announcement is expected to be made in the next few days.

We are in various negotiations, but it has not been sorted out completely now. We are very close to (deciding) and very shortly we will be announci… (read more)

Automotive safety systems manufacturer TRW Automotive recently announced that it is preparing to launch two new products on the market, namely an integrated Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) and Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring system (TPMS) receiver. The announcement came as the company has secured its first production contract with "a major Asian auto manufacturer."

"The integration of RKE and TPMS is another example of TRW’s drive toward enhancing value and performance through elec… (read more)

The type 64 Berlin-Rome Car, the icon that sits at the top of the Porsche sport cars family tree, will be exhibited in the U.S. for the first time in history.

To mark Porsche’s 60th anniversary in the U.S., the aluminum shell of the Type 64 will be showcased at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta from March 21 to June 20, during The Allure of the Automobile exhibition. It will be presented next to other motoring icons that are characterized by the same nobleness such as Bugatti, Duesenberg, Jag… (read more)

Renault has introduced the trim levels and the French Market Pricing for the upcoming 2011 Kangoo Maxi. The light commercial vehicle can be ordered with one of the two trim levels available: Confort and Grand Confort.

The first one offers a driver airbag, remote central locking, electric variable power-steering, ABS, emergency brake assist and MSR engine torque overrun regulation, all-round disc brakes, height-adjustable steering wheel, Titane upholstery, UV filtering tinted glass, immobilize… (read more)