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Audi made a bit of a splash earlier this year with the announcement that the new-for-\’09 S3 would be available in either the three-door style or the more practical Sportback five-door hatch. Equipped with a high-pressure 2.0-liter turbo engine with 265-horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the S3 can scoot to sixty in just 5.5 seconds, all while getting nearly 30 miles per gallon. Making the most of that power is the firm\’s new seven-speed twin-clutch S-Tronic gearbox, which we\’ve had nothing but good things to say about in its past six-speed incarnation. That gearbox will command a ?1,450 premium over the standard manual transmission for our European friends. That price will also include twin steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, another first for the S3. Total cost for the three-door stands at ?28,920, while ?29,420 will get you an S3 with Sportback. Of course, Quattro all-wheel drive comes… Read the rest of this entry

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California recently banned talking on cellphones, and then followed up by making texting illegal, while driving. For a moment there, it was looking like all you were going to be able to do behind the wheel in California was, you know, drive. But thanks to the dedication of Governor Schwarzenegger, individual freedoms have not been extinguished. Promising to only sign bills that are \”the highest priority for California,\” Arnie vetoed a bill that would ban driving with dogs in your lap.

While we understand the spirit of the veto — California does have much bigger issues to deal with than lapdogs — we do sometimes wonder why a 40-pound kid has to be in a child seat, but a 40-pound, unpredictable animal can take a nap between you and the steering wheel.

[Source: AP, | Photo CC | Credit: Katrinkles]

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These days, when discussions turn towards the cars we\’ll be driving a few years from now, efficiency and emissions are two unavoidable topics. Such is the case with the next-next generation of the VW Golf, following the sixth iteration that will hit European dealerships later this year. So, what will the seventh version have in store for us? Smaller engines and a smaller structure. For the last few decades, every succeeding redesign was just a bit bigger and more powerful that its predecessor. Expect that trend to end with the Mk VII Golf. You can bet that diesels will account for a larger percentage of sales too, possibly even in the States.

Just when are we likely to see Golf v7.0? Rumors point to 2012, but… Read the rest of this entry

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Harley-Davidson introduced its first official trike in years earlier in 2008 and now looks to flip things around a bit with a new reverse-trike that leans into corners. Rumors indicate that the huge American Motor Company will bring the corner carving trike in concept form to a motorcycle show set to take place next month in Cologne, Germany. If that debut indeed takes place, the machine is likely to be powered by the liquid-cooled Revolution V-Twin engine from the Rod series as opposed to the 45-degree air-cooled mill powering most of its bikes. We\’ve known that the company has been working on this design for the past few years, filing patent drawings way back in 2006. The market is definitely ready for it now that Piaggio and Can Am have toed the waters. We look forward to seeing just how accurate these rumors prove to be next month.… Read the rest of this entry

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Dodge is looking to spur sales in Germany while at the same time increase the country\’s birth rate in a new marketing campaign that\’s one for the ages. German women who come to a Dodge dealership with proof of procreation and the resultant pregnancy will get a discount on the Dodge car or minivan of their dreams. Apparently, the birth rate in Germany is precariously low, which has led Dodge to, ahem, conceive this idea. Expecting moms get nine months (clever) deferred financing if they can present proper proof of their pregnancy. Considering women have to pee on those sticks to find out if they\’re preggo, we hope local German dealers have plenty of latex gloves and disinfectant on hand. When my wife had some odd cravings when she was pregnant, but never once did she ask for a Dodge. She did… Read the rest of this entry

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STUTTGART, Germany — Bonuses are going up this year at Porsche AG. The German automaker said in a statement that it will give all of its employees €6,000 bonuses, the equivalent of $8,667. In 2007, Porsche handed out €5,200 bonuses, the equivalent of $7,511.

Porsche is one of the most profitable automakers in the world. In comparison, hourly Ford employees who are members of the United Auto Workers received checks for $1,000 in bonuses earlier this year.

Porsche cited “the company’s exceptionally positive business development this year” in its bonus announcement. The company also noted that “workers will receive €1,500 in honor of the 60th anniversary of the brand, which the sports-car manufacturer is celebrating in 2008. The Executive Board intends this jubilee payment as a ‘thank you’ to all employees for their high degree of commitment and their special dedication.” The U.S. equivalent of €1,500 is $2,165.… Read the rest of this entry

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WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush is expected to sign a bill shortly that will give automakers a $25 billion loan to help them retool factories to build more efficient models, such as the electric Chevrolet Volt. The U.S. Senate voted over the weekend to pass a stopgap budget bill that includes a $7.5 billion appropriation to cover $25 billion in federally guaranteed low-interest loans to the auto industry.

The House of Representatives passed the bill last week. The loans, which must be repaid and are not a free bailout, are designed to help automakers retool to build more fuel-efficient vehicles to meet the stricter fuel economy rules passed last year. Under the loan rules, only vehicles that get 25 percent fuel economy than their competitors can qualify for the aid.

However, the cash flow may be impeded a bit to the Motor City, since… Read the rest of this entry

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Ford is questioning the image of its company in regards to the movie\’s \”inaccuracies.\” (Photo courtesy of Flashofgenius.net)

DEARBORN, Michigan — The Ford Motor Company has issued a statement on its Web site, griping about \”inaccuracies\” in the movie
Flash of Genius, which is set for release on Friday. The film tells the story of Robert Kearns, who said he invented the intermittent windshield wiper and sued Ford, Chrysler and other automakers for patent infringement.

However, the complaints appear to have little bite and it appears that Ford will not try to stop the release of the film. \”While there are inaccuracies in the film, Ford sees no value in rehashing the history of a legal case that was resolved… Read the rest of this entry

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Warren Buffett, whose financial acumen is unquestioned, has bought a 10 percent stake in China\’s BYD Co., China\’s largest maker of rechargeable batteries. (Photo courtesy of BusinessWire
/Berkshire Hathaway)

SHANGHAI, China — Berkshire Hathaway, owned by U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett, has agreed to pay $230 million for a 10 percent stake in BYD Co., Ltd., China\’s largest rechargeable battery maker and the parent of BYD Auto.

Berkshire Hathaway will buy 225 million BYD shares through its MidAmerican Energy Holdings unit.

Shenzhen-based BYD, primarily engaged in making rechargeable batteries for cell phones and other portable devices, has been diversifying into auto manufacturing, including electric and hybrid vehicles.

BYD Auto made… Read the rest of this entry

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A set of Hamann 21-inch wheels, along with lowering springs, complete the sporting look for the Hamann V8 Vantage. (Photo courtesy of Hamann Motorsport)

LAUPHEIM, Germany — Hamann has created a kit for the V8 Vantage Coupe and Roadster, which adds Aston Martin to its list of tuned exotics.

A retuned ECU gives the 4.3-liter V8 23 extra horsepower and the 4.7-liter a 30-hp boost. Buyers can also opt for Hamann\’s sport exhaust system that supplies the already powerful Aston Martin with… Read the rest of this entry