First Electrical Car

All-New Kia Carens Compact MPV Bows to the World, will Offer Seating for up to Seven

2012-09-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

Just ahead of its world premiere at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on September 27, Kia has nicked the covers off its all-new Carens MPV.

The new iteration of the Carens, which in its previous form was marketed worldwide under various nameplates, including the Rondo in the United States and Canada up until its demise in 2010, sports a fresh and far more modern design than the model it replaces.

The South Korean carmaker is keeping most details secret until the public unveiling of the car in Paris, but from what we understand, the Carens not only looks like a minivan variant of the Cee'd hatchback but is also based on a modified version of its platform and is likely to share the same engine lineup – at least in Europe.

Aston Martin Plays the 'Can You Spot the Differences' Game with 2013 DB9 Facelift

2012-09-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

You can rest assure that when Aston Martin presents a new model – let alone a facelift of an existing vehicle, you will have a very hard time telling the differences from their predecessors, which is the obviously the case with the refreshed 2013 DB9 in both Coupe and Volante (convertible) body styles.

According to the British automaker, the styling changes on the DB9 are "reminiscent of the outgoing Virage, which ceases production with immediate effect". We will remind you that the Virage was presented last year to close the ~~invisible~~ gap between the DB9 and the DBS, which has now itself been replaced by the new Vanquish.

We will start our tour of the 2013 DB9 with the exterior makeover that includes a redesigned hood, front grille surround and bumper, new front fender air vents, a new design for the rear bumper and the boot that incorporates a much more pronounced spoiler lip to improve aerodynamics.

Japanese Automakers Shut Down their Chinese Plants as Protests Get More Violent [w/Video]

2012-09-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

The Anti-Japan protests that have been raging in China for months due to a territorial dispute over some uninhabited islands reached critical mass today, September 18, a date which coincides with the 1931 Japanese invasion of mainland China.

In its latest report, Reuters says that riots in China have reignited by the anniversary and the locals’ anti-Japan feelings are stronger than ever. Protesters have gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Beijing and made their intentions clear, chanting Anti-Japan slogans and holding banners that read things like “Wipe out all Japanese dogs”.

New Volvo V40 Cross Country Photos Released in Advance of the Paris Motor Show

2012-09-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

The first official images and details of the new Volvo V40 Cross Country have dripped on the web revealing the Swedish carmaker's smallest crossover model.

Originally thought to be named XC40, the new Volvo is a taller standing and more rugged looking version of the brand's V40 compact hatchback, designed more or less around the same philosophy as the larger XC70.

The halfway (if not even less...) crossover model from Volvo gets some chunky black cladding around the redesigned front and rear bumpers that also feature silver colored protective plates, and side sills, along with silver roof rails, newly styled alloy wheels and a 40mm taller ride height than the regular V40.

Ouch…Jogging Man Violated by a Tram

2012-09-18T14:04:00.000-07:00

Seriously now, what was this man thinking when he started jogging on the tracks of a trolley car?

Though the video isn’t very clear about this, we are going to assume that he was wearing earphones listening to music or perhaps his favorite radio station when the tram came approaching from behind and well, let's just say rammed him off his feet…

Toyota Targets Younger Buyers with New Yaris Trend, will be Shown in Paris

2012-09-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

As it turns out, the new Yaris Trend won't be limited to the UK market as Toyota announced that it will bring the special edition model to the Paris Motor Show and offer it around Europe from early 2013.

Toyota describes the new version of the Yaris as a model "styled to targeting younger, design-conscious customers". What the Japanese company means by that is the Trendy features a distinct color scheme and options both on the outside and inside of the car.

U.S. Treasury Department Won’t Sell GM its Shares Back Until the Price is Right

2012-09-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

During the 2009 bailout, the U.S. Treasury Department invested more than US$50 billion in General Motors through Troubled Asset Relief Program. It currently owns a 26.5 percent stake in the company, a fact that has led bailout and government opponents deriding GM as “Government Motors”.

Now that the company is up and running for good (sans its European operations) reclaiming the number one spot from Toyota in 2011 and is posting profits, it wants to buy back its shares.

Hyundai Tries to Catch Star Dust Coming Off Korean Rapper PSY – Does it Make the Equus Look Cooler?

2012-09-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

Unless you have been living in a different planet for the past few months, you have probably heard, seen and perhaps some of you have even secretly tried to do the invisible horse dance featured in the wildly popular music clip "Gangman Style" from South Korean rapper PSY – if you haven't, fear not, you can find the video after the jump.

With the music clip having been viewed more than 212 million times as of today, September 18, PSY's latest song has become an internet sensation, something that didn't go unnoticed by Hyundai Motors.

Even though the official video stars a Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster, South Korea's biggest automaker is attempting to position itself near PSY and his "Gangman Style" hit with a photo post on Facebook that shows the 34-year old singer leaning against a California license-plated Equus sedan with a "Swag-o-meter" positioned right beside it.

Brabus Tunes its Attention on the New Mercedes-Benz A-Class Hatchback

2012-09-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

You can be sure that whenever Mercedes-Benz presents a new model, the tuning crew at Brabus will follow up with a package of aftermarket goods.

As the latest generation of the A-Class premium hatchback begins arriving in showrooms across Europe, the German tuning specialist has released the first images of the car riding on a lowered sports suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels in the classic Brabus design.

Jaguar-Land Rover to Celebrate James Bond's Golden Anniversary at Paris Auto Show [w/Video]

2012-09-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

The last time we saw a Jaguar in a 007 flick it was 10 years ago in Die Another Day: the car was a previous-generation XKR convertible driven by the villain, while Bond drove an Aston Martin Vanquish.

It was the last Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan and at the time, both companies were part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group. Nowadays, Daniel Craig has replaced Brosnan, the fictional secret agent’s storyline has been rebooted and Ford has since sold Jaguar and Aston Martin.

Volkswagen Introduces Production Version of Amarok Canyon Edition at IAA

2012-09-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, Volkswagen's commercial vehicle division previewed a concept model of the Amarok named Canyon Edition, styled and configured for customers who enjoy outdoor sports and activities.

Volkswagen has now decided to offer a production version of the Amarok Canyon that was introduced at this week's IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany.

Thunderstruck: Russian Mayor's Toyota Land Cruiser Almost Hit by Lightning on the Road

2012-09-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

It’s never a boring day on Russian roads as there's always something interesting to be captured on film by the myriad of dashboard-mounted cameras used by local drivers.

Just the other day (never mind the 2100 date on the video), a resident of the Russian town of Zheleznogorsk, which as we learned, was established in 1950 for the production of weapons-grade plutonium, was minding his own business when all of a sudden thunder struck down on the road at the same time that a Toyota Land Cruiser was passing by.

New McLaren P1 Hypercar Design Study Reveals F1's Replacement, What do you Think?

2012-09-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long wait but after countless spy shots and teaser images, McLaren Automotive has finally taken the covers off the new design study named P1 less than two weeks before it makes its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show.

Previously referred to as the P12, the new P1 is essentially a pre-production version of the model that will succeed the famed F1. McLaren said that it would unwrap the final design next year and have it on sale within 12 months.

"The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage," says McLaren Automotive Executive Chairman Ron Dennis. "Twenty years ago we said the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again."

Toyota and Panasonic's Chinese Facilities Damaged After Anti-Japanese Riots Become More Violent

2012-09-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

The consequences of a territorial dispute over a group of islands in the East China Sea seem to become more serious as anti-Japanese sentiments grow stronger in China.

On Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda demanded that the Chinese government ensures the safety of Japanese citizens in the country after thousands of protesters took to the roads. Although most of the demonstrations were peaceful, Toyota and Panasonic reported damages caused by fire set in their Qingdao city facilities.

Nissan's 370Z Facelift, Juke NISMO and NV200 Taxi to Make European Debuts in Paris

2012-09-18T08:06:00.000-07:00

While the new TeRRA crossover concept will no doubt be the highpoint of Nissan's Paris Motor Show stand, the Japanese automaker will also bring several new production and prototype cars to the City of Light for their European premieres.

These include the subtly refreshed, 2013-specification 370Z Coupe and Roadster that receive a newly styled front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights lights on both corners of the bumper along with new color options and wheel designs.

Aston Martin Rapide Luxe Special Edition

2012-09-18T08:03:00.001-07:00

V12 / 5.935 cc / 476 PS / 443 lb/ft (600 Nm) @ 5.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,3 s / Vmax: 188 mph (303 km/h)

(click images for a larger view)

Aston Martin Rapide Luxe Special Edition

2012-09-18T08:03:00.000-07:00

V12 / 5.935 cc / 476 PS / 443 lb/ft (600 Nm) @ 5.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 5,3 s / Vmax: 188 mph (303 km/h)

(click images for a larger view)

Le Scoop: New Renault Captur Small Crossover Based on the Nissan Juke

2012-09-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

The success of Nissan's crossover models such as the Juke and the Qashqai in Europe has not gone unnoticed by its partner Renault, which is now preparing to duplicate the Japanese brand's recipe staring with a junior CUV.

At the 2011 Geneva Salon, Renault hinted at its intentions to enter the small crossover segment with the fancy Captur Concept. Later on, the French automaker confirmed the development of a production model loosely inspired by the study to replace the Modus and Grand Modus small minivans in its European lineup.

Now, we have the first scoop photos of the prototype model that will lead to the production version and which was nabbed while testing in Europe. As you can see, the only resemblance to the concept is the car's front-end styling with the rest of the body being completely different.

New Ford Fusion Hybrid Delivers 47MPG, Bests Toyota Camry Hybrid by up to 8MPG

2012-09-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

Ford has added one more selling point to the new Fusion Hybrid that will begin arriving at dealers across the United States later this fall.

According to the Blue Oval, the hybrid variant of the Fusion (to be sold as the Mondeo in Europe) is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America with an EPA-certified 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg (5.0lt/100km or 56.5 mpg UK) combined fuel economy rating.

You May Want to Slow Down Next Time…

2012-09-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

If you are going to speed on a road that you shouldn't in the first place, you ought to at least pay twice the attention to things like, oh say, vehicles that are in front of you and stop lights.

That's a lesson learned the hard way by the motorcyclist featured here and who imprinted his helmet on the rear window of a Porsche Cayenne in Russia.

Honda Presents New Limited Edition Civic Ti with Cosmetic Upgrades in the UK

2012-09-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

A little over a year after releasing a limited run of the previous generation Civic Ti in Britain, Honda has applied the "Ti" treatment to the new iteration of its five-door compact hatchback.

Said to be inspired by Honda's British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) Civic, the Ti is based on the 1.8-liter i-VTEC SE petrol model adding cosmetic enhancements such as 17-inch "Le Mans" alloy rims and color-coded wheel arches on the outside and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearknob, plus Bluetooth connectivity on the inside, but no chassis or engine modifications.

Jesu...

2012-09-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

As per usual I've been sleeping under a rock and somehow completely missed that something interesting was brewing. Weird-named Danish act The Late Great Fitzcarraldos has been doing pretty well recently on indie radio chart Barometerlisten with this track named Jesu and deservedly so. I do however (as always) find it pretty damn close to impossible to describe the music...but it's a meditative, groovy and electronic piece that at the same time somehow manages to be pretty catchy as well...and really, really cool!

Dacia Officially Unveils New 2013 Logan Sedan and Sandero 2 Hatchback

2012-09-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

After proving its worth in many markets around the world for eight years, it's time for the Renault's Group's affordable Dacia Logan small sedan to give its place to a new model that will debut alongside a replacement for the hatchback version of the series named Sandero at this month's Paris Motor Show.

While retaining the simplicity and affordability that have made the Logan and its five-door sibling popular on the lower end of the market, the French group has upped the game a notch higher by giving both models a more distinct and modern look inside and out compared to their predecessors.

The exterior styling for both cars borrows design elements from Dacia's more recent vehicles such as the Lodgy minivan and Duster SUV.

"One of the main qualities behind the brand’s new styling identity is to give a sense of quality and strength," said the Romanian brand in a statement.

Historic Fletcher Viaduct: Circa 1904

2012-09-18T05:04:00.000-07:00

Photo: Ralph Morris, circa 1904. Red Car Trolley crossing the Fletcher Viaduct looking north on Riverside Drive. (Click on photo to enlarge.) I've been talking about the Pacific Electric Fletcher Viaduct a lot lately, so thought it was a good time to run one of the first photos of the historic viaduct. It was over 453' long and originally, 41' high. The viaduct's center section was

Redesigned 2013 Mazda CX-9 Crossover Gets the 'Kodo, Soul of Motion' Styling Treatment

2012-09-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

Most car manufacturers will launch their new or updated models at the Paris Auto Show, which opens its doors to the public on September 29.

Mazda, however, has skipped the French capital for the unveiling of the 2013 MY version of its CX-9 crossover, opting instead for the Australian Motor Show to be held in Sydney from October 18 through 28, 2012.