| Torque News

Focus Race Concept Next Ford Global Track Car

At the L.A. Auto Show, Ford is introducing the Focus Race Car Concept, its next global track car. Unlike other concepts debuting at the show, this has to be considered practically production ready with the technology it embraces including the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost turbo engine. The first race appearance for the car is anticipated to be in the 2011 British Touring Car Championship.

Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept: Cool, Compact Elegance

Cadillac has introduced its Urban Luxury Concept, which is best described as cool, compact elegance with seating for four, scissor-type doors that extend outward and rotate forward when opened, and a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that gets a projected fuel economy of 56 mpg in the city and 65 mpg on the highway.

Neil Young's Classic Lincoln Damaged in Fire

Neil Young's classic 1959 Lincoln has been heavily damaged in a warehouse fire. The legendary rock star had converted a 1959 Lincoln Continental to run on electricity. Called the LincVolt now, it is the world's first Micro-Turbine powered Bio-Electro-Cruiser. Designed in 1959 to travel in style and grace, this timeless, beautiful and spacious Electro-Turbine Series-Hybrid now draws its power from a multi-fueled Capstone Micro-turbine generator, a UQM 150KW prime mover and Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries.

Major Changes to Dodge Charger, Grand Caravan and Journey

Dodge has managed to extend the sports car design DNA of its now iconic Dodge Challenger across its entire 2011 lineup with major changes to the Charger, Grand Caravan and Journey. At the same time it delivers an air of refinement to its interiors that had long been lacking. Models such as the Charger and the Grand Caravan are no longer just beautiful on the outside. They have become complete packages – something that the brand has been lacking for years. Dodge is no longer the ugly duckling at Chrysler.

Win a Year of Free Taxi Rides in New York City

The New York Taxi and Livery Commission along with The Design Trust for Public Space are sponsoring a contest where you can win a year of free taxi rides in New York City. It's actually an easy contest to enter. All you have to do is take a survey, answer a few questions, and you're going to be cruising the five boroughs for free for 2011. Say goodbye to the Metro and hello to a bouncy ride in a beatup Crown Victoria.

Test Drive a Kia and Go to Australia

If you are planning on shopping for a new Kia, you might just want to practice saying that. No, Australia's Holden hasn't become part of Kia. Instead, customers in 24 countries will be selected through local test drives & special showroom visit events to enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open Jan. 17-30, 2011.

Chevy Volt Motor Trend Car of the Year

Motor Trend has selected the Chevy Volt as its 2011 Car of the Year. Keeping with a trend common in automotive awards, the magazine has selected a car not yet available to the public for purchase. And, it has managed to select a car that has limited availability, too. When it rolls out in December, Chevrolet will only launch Volt in seven markets, in limited quantities: California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan and Washington D.C.

South African Artist Turns BMW into Art

Lots of vintage BMW owners consider their cars to be works of art but 17 really are. The latest is a classic BMW 521i that has been turned into a piece of art by South African artist Esther Mahlangu at the Museum of Art and Design. Over the 35 years of the BMW Art Car program, 17 art cars have been added to the collection, the most recent is the BMW M3 GT2 by Jeff Koons that was unveiled earlier this year. Mahlangu was the first female and first African BMW Art Car artist to join the program.