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We were captivated by the Karma plug-in hybrid when it was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. Its curvaceous, aggressive design combined with its ability to go 50 miles without using any gas seems like a bargain at the projected starting price of $80,000. Fisker is hoping to deliver its first Karma to customers in the fourth quarter of 2009, but to do that they will first need to find a place to build the cars (and get the drivetrain sorted and figure out that batteries and…). Vic Doolan, director of retail development for Fisker, says the company is considering metro Detroit to handle production. The combination of unused capacity, close proximity of suppliers, and availability of experienced workers make Detroit an ideal location.

Those interested in the Karma and unconcerned about the vaporware accusations can Read the rest of this entry

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Nissan\’s in-house tuning arm, Nismo, is looking to expand its reach both in its home market and abroad, beginning with an S-Tune package for, of all things, the Tiida.

Beyond the Tiida (Versa here in the States), Nissan plans to offer Nismo parts and professional tuning at every one of its dealerships in Japan, with plans to expand the network across the globe. That could mean that you\’ll be able to hit up your local Nissan dealer for a Nismo exhaust and intake, have it installed while you\’re there and possibly get an ECU reflash to make better use of the parts. It\’s the wave of the future and you can\’t deny getting factory-approved and installed parts that would provide piece of mind while keeping your warranty intact.

[Source: Nissan]

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So we know many of you will roll your eyes at this and let the charges fly, but the results of Consumer Reports\’ 2008 Car Brand Perception survey reveal that Toyota and Honda are \”best by a wide margin.\” The rankings, based on responses from 1,720 adults whose households own at least one car, ranked the amount of times a particular brand was mentioned in any one of seven categories (listed in order of importance to consumers): safety, quality, value, performance, environmental friendliness, design, and technical innovation.

Toyota rang up 189 points, with Honda following at 146. The next three vote-getters were domestics: Ford with 112, Chevrolet with 110, and GMC with 102. Mitsubishi (21), Audi (14), and… Read the rest of this entry

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We\’ll be honest. We didn\’t watch President Bush\’s State of the Union address last night, the final one of his second presidential term. Our disinterest can probably best be measured by the fact that the address being broadcast in high definition was the only draw for us, which got us to watch for about five minutes and then it was back to American Gladiators on the DVR. Apparently we didn\’t miss much as it relates to the auto industry. Automotive News reports that the president called for more federal research into advanced batteries and renewable fuels for cars and trucks of the future, and that was about it. It\’s a far cry from last year\’s State of the Union where President Bush declared that the U.S. is addicted to oil and made a little weed called switchgrass famous. The heavy-handed 2006 address… Read the rest of this entry

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Bob Lutz has just posted a photochop on his GM Fastlane Blog of what the Corvette ZR1 could look like donning Michigan State Police livery. Bound to be the bane of speeders in the Wolverine state, the Corvette is sporting all the cop car traits necessary to scare the living Hell out of law breakers, including the prerequisite light bar, bumper guard (!) and spotlights. We, however, are particularly partial to the blacked out 20-spoke rollers. Despite lacking nanotechnology and more spoiler blades than a Cuisinart, we think this imaginary ZR1 cop car could give the new sci fi-inspired GT500KR-based KITT car a run for its money.

UPDATE:GM let us know this is not a prototype or anything official that implies a ZR1 cop car would actually be built. Someone sent this photoshopped pic of the ZR1 cop car to Lutz… Read the rest of this entry

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It\’s full speed ahead for Jaguar, which seems determined not to miss a single beat even as it prepares to switch ownership from Ford to Tata. As if an all-new XJ flagship sedan weren\’t enough to keep the transitioning British automaker busy, rumors are now circulating that Jaguar is preparing a proper sportscar, more hardcore than the XK grand tourer.

You may recognize the image above as the F-Type roadster that Jaguar unveiled to rave reviews at the Detroit show in 2000. Unfortunately, Jag\’s lagging sales – and the Aston Martin ceiling – forced Ford PAG to cancel the program, but Jaguar is reportedly preparing to present the case to its new owners. However, while the F-Type would have competed with the Porsche Boxster, Jaguar is said to have its sight set on the elusive benchmark of the Porsche 911 for… Read the rest of this entry

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A different kind of \”fender bass\” gives noise, vibration and harshness a good rap for a change. (Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

BRENTWOOD, England — A new ad for the Ford Focus in the U.K. will have a fascinating soundtrack: a 31-piece orchestra with all instruments built out of parts from a five-door Focus hatchback. What Ford calls a \”harmonious masterpiece\” includes a transmission case cello/dulcimer, a rear suspension spike fiddle, a door harp and — cute — a fender bass.

The unusual ensemble was… Read the rest of this entry

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Could Toyota be ahead of the curve by predicting a return to popularity for compact pickups with its A-BAT concept? (Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.)

SANTA MONICA, California — Contrary to theories from critics with HOV-lane envy, results of a new fuel-price study by Edmunds.com indicate the chief concern of those buying hybrid-electric vehicles may not be to demonstrate their environmental credentials: They’re buying hybrids to save gas.

By analyzing the number of visits for every vehicle in the market to that model’s Vehicle Details page at Edmunds.com, company data-crunchers then played a little game, correlating to see what would happen if the price of gasoline rose from its $3.01 average price in December to a theoretical $4 per gallon.

Result: Consideration of hybrid vehicles skyrocketed — while interest in “traditional” SUVs and full-size pickups hid the skids.

The study, which… Read the rest of this entry

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The Tesla Roadster (pictured) is another step closer to reality now that the NHTSA has granted an airbag standard waiver for three years. (Photo courtesy of Tesla Motors)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tesla Motors dodged a major speed bump on Monday when the government granted it a waiver on a federal airbag standard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it would grant Tesla a three-year exemption from the rule, saying the automaker has made an effort to comply and noting that the vehicle is still equipped with standard airbags for all passengers.

Last week, Tesla Motors said it had received all regulatory approvals to import the first production Tesla Roadster (P1) for sale and said it had completed “all federal motor vehicle safety standards.” The first P1 is due to arrive at Tesla headquarters in San Carlos, California, sometime this week.

NHTSA estimates that… Read the rest of this entry

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The A7 is believed to share its mechanicals with the next-generation A6 sedan. (Photo courtesy of Hans G. Lehmann/Hidden Image)

INGOLSTADT, Germany — Audi is readying a competitor to the Mercedes-Benz CLS, a luxurious “quad coupe” that is expected to carry the A7 badge.

Due out in late 2009, the early A7 prototypes already are undergoing pre-production testing, both in northern Scandinavia and on Audi’s home turf in Bavaria.

Under the skin, the A7 will share mechanicals with the next-generation A6 sedan, including multilink suspension and all-wheel drive.

Engine choices are likely to include 3.0-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 gas engines, as well as two TDIs — a 2.7-liter V6 and a 4.2-liter V8.

What this means to you: Look for the A7 to be slotted in price just below the A8 flagship. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent