Automotive News (Page 1176)

Automotive News

This section of Torque News provides the latest auto news and updates from the car manufacturers. Every day number of news stories and editorials are published here that give our readers an overview of what is happening in the automotive industry. Read this section daily to find out about new cars, vehicle reviews and car pictures. Torque News is an automotive news website by Hareyan Publishing, LLC, dedicated to covering the latest news, reviews and opinions about the car industry.

The 2012 Ford Focus ST will debut at the LA Auto Show.

Ford Focus ST will bring racing badge to American streets next year

By Don Bain on November 3, 2011 - 4:15PM

The Ford Focus ST will bring a performance car previously unavailable on the continent to American drivers during 2012. As Ford’s first truly global performance car, the Focus ST is building on the Focus ST heritage in Europe, giving drivers worldwide the opportunity to share in the ribald performance, crisp handling, seductive sound and sporty design the ST badge represents.

BMW to unveil the BMW i3 and BMW i8 concept vehicles as cars of the future

By Frank Sherosky on November 3, 2011 - 3:45PM

BMW will host a special sneak-preview event on Nov. 9th in New York City to unveil for the first time in North America what it considers to be the cars of the future – the BMW i3 and BMW i8 concept vehicles.

Will the Fiesta ST concept be Ford's first global positioning success?

By Don Bain on November 3, 2011 - 1:30PM

The Ford Fiesta ST concept will be the automaker's second release under the new global positioning approach to the design and fabrication of their automobiles, following the Focus ST concept when both debut at the LA Auto Show later this month. Ford plans to build vehicles to compete in the global market without continental variants produced in Europe or Asia. Such vehicles are a break from the brand’s traditional business model.

The Ram 392 at SEMA could be the next SRT pickup in 7 easy steps

By Patrick Rall on November 3, 2011 - 3:17AM

Among the many high performance models at the Mopar display at the 2011 SEMA Show was the Ram 392 Quick Silver - a Ram 1500 equipped with the 6.4L Hemi from the current SRT8 lineup and while this truck is just an “image vehicle“, Mopar points out just how easy it was to make this truck, perhaps suggesting how easy it could be for Ralph Gilles’ SRT Group to offer a new high performance pickup.

Jeg Coughlin Jr's new Dodge Avenger Pro Stock car

Jeg Coughlin Jr. returns to Mopar

By Patrick Rall on November 3, 2011 - 2:08AM

Among the news of new crate engines and all of the sexy high performance show cars, the folks at Chrysler’s Mopar division used the 2011 SEMA Show to announce some massive racing news - that Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr would be making a return to a factory backed Mopar racing team after several years behind the wheel of a GM race car.

Rhys Millen brings a 5.0L powered Hyundai Genesis Coupe to SEMA

By Patrick Rall on November 3, 2011 - 1:11AM

Leading up to the 2011 SEMA Show, the good people at Hyundai informed the world that racer/builder Rhys Millen would be bringing something special to the Las Vegas show and when the sheet was pulled away from this mystery car we were introduced to the RM500 - a Hyundai Genesis Coupe powered by the 5.0L Tau V8 from the Genesis Sedan.

Chip Foose helps WD40, SEMA charities unveil new custom Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

By Patrick Rall on November 2, 2011 - 10:24PM

Last week we brought you the news that WD40 and the SEMA Cares charity group would be offering up a new vehicle that would be auctioned off with the help of the good people at the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction to benefit children’s charities and yesterday, the new 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 WD40 SEMA Cares vehicle met the world.

GM rolls out a life sized Camaro Hot Wheels model at the 2011 SEMA Show

By Patrick Rall on November 2, 2011 - 9:06PM

While General Motors devoted a huge portion of their 2011 SEMA Show display to their sporty new compact Chevy Sonic. The Chevrolet Camaro was also out in full force with one of the most impressive versions being the gorgeous green-chrome unit shown on the right - designed in the style of a vintage Hot Wheels racer.

2012 Ford Focus Electric at $40K implies poor marketing judgment

By Frank Sherosky on November 2, 2011 - 3:26PM

One would think before you make a statement to make a reservation for a 2012 Ford Focus Electric that the price range would be selected so the masses have waking chance of affording it. Not so with Ford.

Ford unveils 2012 Electric Ford Focus price tool

By Armen Hareyan on November 2, 2011 - 2:31PM

Electric Ford Focus vs Chevy Volt: this was one of the first question people immediately asked as Ford unveiled it's price and build tool for the 2012 Electric Focus.

The official photo from med.gm.com of SEMA Hottest Car, Camaro

GM pride beams as SEMA Show awards Chevrolet Camaro hottest car status

By Frank Sherosky on November 2, 2011 - 9:37AM

With Torque News’ senior editor, Patrick Rall, having a great time in Las Vegas already covering the SEMA Show, it's time to see what the OEMs are reporting from their end here in Detroit area. Well, it looks like the Chevrolet Camaro as "hottest car" now makes the brand even more proud as General Motors’ poster boy.

Chrysler profits soar as Jeep Compass sales rise 566%

By Hawke Fracassa on November 1, 2011 - 12:12PM

Chrysler cars and trucks sold mad crazy last month, up 27% over year-ago numbers and good enough to be the best October for the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automaker since 2007. Impact players: The Jeep Compass, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 and 300. Sales of the Compass rose an astounding 566%.

Achates Power Webpage: Opposed-Piston engine

Achates Power Opposed-Piston engine more fuel efficient than four-stroke diesels

By Frank Sherosky on November 1, 2011 - 12:01PM

Published data from extensive testing shows Achates Power engine is 20 percent more fuel efficient than a recently introduced, state-of-the-art, four-stroke diesel engine.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta responsible for most of sales increase

Volkswagen Sales up for October but Heavily Reliant on One Model

By Keith Griffin on November 1, 2011 - 11:50AM

Volkswagen is continuing its juggernaut to be the sales leader in the world by posting strong September sales numbers that show the German manufacturer exceeding 2010 sales with two months to go in 2011 but the sales strength comes on the back of one model.

2012 Toyota Sienna will be exported by Toyota from Indiana for first time

By Hawke Fracassa on November 1, 2011 - 11:10AM

The 2012 Toyota Sienna that's assembled by American auto workers in Princeton, Ind., will be sold in showrooms in South Korea, beginning this month.

Hyundai Veloster will have a 1.6 liter turbocharged motor

By Patrick Rall on October 31, 2011 - 10:40PM

The news about Hyundai Veloster having a 1.6 liter turbocharged motor just came out of SEMA and was announced at a dinner where Torque News was present. It is debuting soon in the United States and probably relates to the 2012 Hyundai Veloster.

Nissan NV200 on display at the "Taxi of Tomorrow" Design Expo

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 31, 2011 - 8:52PM

Tomorrow New-Yorkers and the general public will have the chance to fully experience the Nissan NV200, also known as the “Taxi of Tomorrow.” This forward thinking taxi will change the way people think of New York City's taxis.

GM introduces the Chevrolet Camaro COPO Concept ahead of SEMA

By Patrick Rall on October 31, 2011 - 7:16PM

Today, the folks at General Motors invited members of the media to attend a preview of their 2011 SEMA Show concept vehicles including the modified Camaros, Corvettes and Sonics that we brought you last week but after the GM execs were done talking about those concepts, the newest Camaro Concept roared to life in the form of the new Chevrolet Camaro COPO Concept.

China to decide how many BMW cars will be made in Germany

By Armen Hareyan on October 31, 2011 - 5:33PM

BMW says soon one of every two BMW cars will be made outside Germany and China will decide how many.

LeaseTrader.com says GM, Ford and Chrysler lease program policies rank high in impacting brand retention

By Frank Sherosky on October 31, 2011 - 2:17PM

Who knew that details of an automaker’s lease program and transfer policies could have a significant impact on brand retention? And online car lease website LeaseTrader.com has the stats to prove it.

Which 'Operation Repo' person would you be for Halloween?

By Hawke Fracassa on October 31, 2011 - 12:16PM

When viewers of "Operation Repo" on truTV were asked what repo man or woman they would like to be on Halloween, Facebook fans of the show that's videotaped in southern California chirped up in big numbers. Froy, Lyndah and Lou were left alone, for the most part. Who's left?

Best display in show on EREV system components

The Battery Show 2011 Message: Many forms of intelligent energy management

By Frank Sherosky on October 31, 2011 - 11:25AM

There is a time when technology transitions have to communicate a collective summary message; and this year’s The Battery Show in Novi, Michigan showed many forms of intelligent energy management, but the overall systems message still left as many questions as answers.

Licenses and plates can be renewed the Saturday after Veterans Day in Michigan

By Hawke Fracassa on October 31, 2011 - 11:17AM

All Michigan Secretary of State branch offices and the Office of the Great Seal will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Licenses and plates that expire that day can be renewed the following day without penalty

Kia shows commitment to Zero Emission auto technologies

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 30, 2011 - 10:48PM

Kia has been making significant advances and developments in alternative-powered vehicles. This includes development into hydrogen fuel-cells, hybrids, and fully electric cars. Other automakers should take note, and follow in Kia's lead.

Hyundai No. 1 for brand loyalty; Ford highest rated among Detroit Three

By Hawke Fracassa on October 30, 2011 - 10:09PM

The new Elantra, Accent and Veloster are bringing brand-loyal Hyundai owners into dealerships to see what the noise about these great cars is all about. This follows a Kelley Blue Book report that Hyundai has upheld its No. 1 spot for brand loyalty on kbb.com for the third quarter of 2011.

New Mazda plant in Mexico to make Mazda2, Mazda3 in 2014

By Hawke Fracassa on October 30, 2011 - 9:48PM

Mazda broke ground this month on a new auto plant in Mexico. The joint venture between the Japanese carmaker and Sumitomo Corp. creates the newly formed Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V. Plant workers will assemble the Mazda2 and Mazda3 for Central American and South American markets beginning in 2014.

Special $99.95 car radio brings globe to you

By Hawke Fracassa on October 30, 2011 - 9:23PM

Hammacher Schlemmer has come out with an all-purpose car radio that plays 45,000 stations and sells for under $100.

Interest in Detroit Three vehicles on the grow

By Hawke Fracassa on October 30, 2011 - 9:00PM

NADAguides said this week in its Brand Share Report that the Detroit Three were the only carmakers that showed growth in consumer interest on NADAguides.com during the third quarter of 2011, boosting their overall consumer share by more than 10%.

Hino, Cummins best truck engines in J.D. Power study

By Hawke Fracassa on October 30, 2011 - 8:26PM

Quality and reliability are Job One when it comes to overall satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Medium-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Customer Satisfaction Study.

Jeffrey DeFrank, co-founder and CTO of ALTe, at The Battery Show 2011

ALTe shows extended-range electric Ford F-150 conversion at The Battery Show 2011

By Frank Sherosky on October 30, 2011 - 7:08PM

Before there ever was an EcoBoost engine, Ford sold tons of F-150 trucks as fleet vehicles with engines that were far more gas guzzling. Now, ALTe is ready to convert many of those trucks with its proprietary ALTe Green Box as shown at The Battery Show 2011.

Subscribe to