Next Mazda Miata: Not Alfa, Not Fiat, Perhaps Abarth

Fantastico! The Alfa Romeo sportscar that was going to be based off the next Mazda Miata may be diverted to Abarth. Alfa instead will do its own thing with Maserati, and the new Alfa rear-wheel-drive architecture can be tweaked to serve Chrysler and Dodge.

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2014 Jeep Cherokee Four-Cylinder

2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

Base price $30,490 (including destination)
Price as tested $37,215
Engine 2.4-liter I-4
Power 184 hp
Torque 171 lb-ft
Transmission 9-speed automatic
Drive Four-wheel
Cargo capacity (seats up/folded): 24.6/54.9 cubic feet
Fuel economy 21/28 mpg (city/highway)

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Porsche and Hyundai Lead 2014 J.D. Power Initial Quality Results

DETROIT – Porsche leads J.D. Power’s 2014 Initial Quality Study with 74 problems per 100 vehicles in their first 90 days with owners. Hyundai, ranked fourth overall, is the best non-luxury brand with 94 problems per 100 vehicles. Jaguar was second overall with 87 problems, followed by Lexus with 92.

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1029hp 2014 Honda Odyssey - Bisimoto Power Van

The baddest minivan on the planet!

Parenthood has a funny way of reconstructing life's pecking order of what matters. All of a sudden, things like the consistency of diaper lumps are a whole lot more important than whether or not you might have a boost leak. Balancing the responsibilities of parenthood and your desire to slam your Honda Civic is essential to preserving any sort of sanity, though. And although parking a minivan in your driveway may not be easily avoided, mitigating whatever lameness is typically associated with the box-like platform can be - seen by this 1,000+hp Bisimoto Honda Odyssey.

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Mazda, Ford Racing Take Production Engines to the Track

Manufacturers have long regarded the racetrack as a testing ground. There’s a good reason for it, too — what better way to test performance technology than to see what it’s made of at the highest levels of speed, pressure, and heat, all against stiff competition? Proven technology then trickles down the ladder from race cars to production cars, and speed junkies like us get to feel like we’re driving a race car between stop lights and past baby-on-board Subarus.

Enter Mazda Motorsport and Chip Ganassi Racing, two manufacturer-affiliated race teams making waves in the United Sports Car Championship series by flipping this formula on its head. Mazda’s Skyactiv-D #70 prototype car and the Ford Riley Daytona prototype both use existing production engines, helping the brands demonstrate the viability and capability of their current technologies, all while gathering data to make future iterations more durable, reliable, and drivable. We visited both racing teams as they prepared for this weekend’s 2014 Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle.

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2014 Infiniti Q60 Coupe: Around the Block

2014 Infiniti Q60 Coupe Journey

Base Price $41,305
Price as tested $50,405
Engine 3.7-liter V-6
Power 330 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque 270 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
Transmission 7-speed automatic
Drive Rear-wheel
Cargo 7.4 cu ft
Fuel economy 19/27/22 mpg (city/highway/combined)

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Hyundai Veloster Midship has landed Korea

CAN YOU SAY CLIO V6 RENAULT SPORT FIGHTER?

It's hard not to respect the Hyundai Veloster. It's polarizing, sure, but it's different -- in an era of indistinguishable profiles and middle-of-the road styling, the radical hatch really stands out. It's fun.

But you know what would be even more fun? A hyper, midengined rear-wheel drive version of the Veloster.

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For sale: 1930 Ford Model A Coupe Roadster Phaeton

Might be a weekend or two away from roadworthy

This Model A was supposedly built for use as a mail truck in Montana. It's been popping up here and there for a few years now, but according to a practically unreadable eBay listing, it's for sale, again.

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2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited - Little Notes

2014 Hyundai Tucson Limited

Base Price: $27,075

As-Tested Price: $29,835

Drivetrain: 2.4-liter I4; FWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 182 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 177 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,294 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 21/28/24 mpg

AW Observed Fuel Economy: 23.0 mpg

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2015 BMW Alpina B6 Gran Coupe - 1st Drive

What Is It?

Burkhard Bovenseipen rebuilt his first Bimmer in 1961, adding Italian-sourced dual Webers onto his BMW 1500 Coupe and recording a then-remarkable 100 hp out of the little screamer. Soon, everyone wanted one. By 1965, he was cranking out enough of them to officially incorporate Alpina as a legal entity. Alpina has been legally classified as a manufacturer since 1983, applying its own VIN to all the cars it makes.

Now, more than 50 years after those dual Webers, the Bovenseipen family still owns Alpina, and the cars make over 500 hp, not 100. Though it's an entirely separate entity, Alpina has full access to BMW future models, CAD drawings and all specs at least two years before the models go on sale to the public. The Alpina B7 has been on sale at BMW dealers in the U.S. for several years, and right about now, Alpina is introducing this car, the B6 Gran Coupe, in our market.

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Small Review - 2015 Honda Fit EX-L Navigation

 


What is it?

The 2015 Honda Fit marks the beginning of the third generation of the company's popular subcompact hatchback. Our tester, an EX-L with navigation, comes with all the goodies, including a sunroof, leather-trimmed heated front seats, fog lights, heated side mirrors and push button start…and, of course, navigation.

The new model has 4.9 cubic-feet more passenger space than the outgoing model and more legroom to boot. That's made even more impressive by the fact that overall the car is 1.6 inches shorter in length. The new body structure is also more rigid than the outgoing model, and lighter, too.

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2014 Chevrolet Sonic LT Hatchback - Little Notes

2014 Chevrolet Sonic LT Hatchback

Base Price: $16,380
As-Tested Price: $20,405
Drivetrain: 1.4-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed manual
Output: 138 hp @ 4,900 rpm, 148 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 2,712 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 29/40/33 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 33.4 mpg
Options: 16-inch black painted aluminum wheels ($995); exterior black flash package including mirror caps, grille surround and spoiler ($710); Ecotec turbo 1.4-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine ($700); advanced safety package including forward collision alert and land departure warning ($395); Chevrolet MyLink ($200)

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2014 Chevrolet Sonic RS sedan drive review

Base Price: $20,530

Drivetrain: 1.4-liter, 138-hp, 148 lb-ft, turbocharged DOHC I4, FWD, six-speed manual

Fuel Economy (EPA city/highway/combined): 27/34/30

Curb Weight: 2,847 lb

Options: Advance safety package including forward collision alert, lane departure warning ($395)

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2016 Audi A3 TDI Hatchback Joins Lineup

The 2015 Audi A3 lineup gained one new member at the 2014 New York auto show -- a diesel hatchback. Although Audi had planned to only sell the upcoming e-tron plug-in hybrid A3 as a Sportback model in the States, and to only sell the TDI diesel as a sedan, enthusiasts and prospective buyers convinced Audi to sell the diesel as a hatch, too.

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2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 - Little Review

2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4: Around The Block

Base Price: $104,300
Price As Tested: $119,150
Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6
Power: 404 hp
Torque: 406 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive: 4-wheel
Cargo Capacity: 18.7 cubic feet
Fuel Economy: 15/24 mpg (city/highway)

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5 tech secrets of the 2016 Mazda Miata chassis

The tech secrets of the 2016 Miata chassis 

The tweaks that will make the roadster even better. 

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2014 Mitsubishi Mirage ES - Review Little Notes

Mitsubishi keeps it real simple with the Mirage

Base Price: $15,990
As-Tested Price: $16,890
Drivetrain: 1.2-liter I3; FWD, continuously variable transmission
Output: 74 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 74 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 2,051 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 37/44/40 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 35.7 mpg

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2015 Honda Fit ~ Small Review

Versatility is the 2015 Honda Fit’s strong suit, and it always has been. You’d think someone else would’ve caught on by now.

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Ford to Build Limited Edition Mustang to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

The prized ponies will be released next year to celebrate 50 years of the iconic muscle car and will be outfitted with chrome highlights around the windows, tail lights and grille, and a faux gas cap badge in the back

 

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For Sale : David Beckham's Used BMW 6 SERIES 645Ci on Auto Trader

 David Beckham is selling his BMW on Auto Trader. You'll probably never be able to look like him or hang out with him so hopefully driving like him is a consolation prize.

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Scottsdale luxury car dealership raided by IRS

Federal agents with the Internal Revenue Service raided a luxury car dealership in Scottsdale on Wednesday, according to an agency spokesman.

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VW Phaeton returning to America as early as 2018

Fans of German over-engineering, rejoice!

Though the Volkswagen Phaeton -- the brand's range-topping, understated luxury sedan -- disappeared from the United States market in 2006, never actually died. The tech-laden luxobarge is still offered overseas , and it has seen a number of revisions and updates since it was last offered here.

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Mazda unveils Miata special edition

Mazda unveiled the chassis that will underpin the next Miata, known as the ND Miata (the current model being the NC). At a glance with the current chassis, not much has changed on the surface. The Power Plant Frame -- that trellis bridging the transmission tunnel and the rear -- looks to be taller and straighter, with larger cutouts. The rear subframe looks more compact, nestling underneath the PPF. The rear strut assembly has been simplified and runs a more aggressive angle. The engine looks like it's in the same front-midship place -- this is good. Mazda claims the center of gravity is the lowest of any Miata yet. The current model is heavily based on an RX-8 chassis; much of it might remain up front, but overall the next chassis appears less complicated.

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2015 Ford Mustang convertible appears on the Empire State Building

 

2015 Ford Mustang convertible appears on the Empire State Building observation deck: Video shows how Ford accomplished the feat -- again

The 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang is upon us, and the Blue Oval is celebrating in style not too far from the floor of the New York auto show -- though about 1,000 feet higher up in the air.

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Toyota to launch hydrogen-powered car

The 2015 launch culminates a 20-year zig-zag quest during which Toyota first struggled to get the technology to work and then strained to lower manufacturing costs enough to permit realistic pricing. Photo: Bloomberg

The firm will launch the hydrogen-powered car in the United States, Japan and Europe in 2015

Toyota City (Japan): In 1997, Toyota caught its competitors by surprise with the revolutionary Prius, the first commercially successful gasoline-electric hybrid car. Now, the Japanese firm is trying to do the same with a technology that seems straight out of science fiction.

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Video of ‘Ghost Car’ spooks the world ~ Is it a ghost or not?

THERE are some things that you just have to see to believe. 

 
Take ghosts for example. If you don’t believe in ghosts, you will after you see a video of what many are calling the “ghost car”.

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South Dakota girls missing since 1971 killed in car crash

ELK POINT, S.D. – Two South Dakota girls on their way to an end-of-school-year party at a gravel pit in May 1971 drove off a country road and into a creek where their remains lay hidden until last fall when a drought brought their car into view, authorities said Tuesday.

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2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible review notes: Supercharged Chevy Camaro goodness

The 2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 starts out at $63,750, our Autoweek tester topped out at $66,630. Photo by Chevrolet.  Supercharged Chevy Camaro goodness Base Price: $63,750 As-Tested Price: $66,630 Drivetrain: 6.2-liter supercharged V8; RWD, six-speed automatic Output: 580 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 556 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm Curb Weight: 4,374 lb Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 12/18/14 mpg AW Observed Fuel Economy: 12.8 mpg Options: Six-speed automatic transmission ($1,185); 20-inch aluminum wheels ($900); navigation system ($795)

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2015 Jaguar F-Type Coupe drive review: The F is for fantastic

The F is for fantastic

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The sportiest mass-produced road-going Jaguar ever.

On Sale: May 1
Base Price: $65,925
Drivetrain: 340-hp, 332-lb-ft, 3.0-liter supercharged V6; eight-speed automatic
0-60: 5.1 seconds (mfg)
Curb Weight: 3,477 pounds (mfg)
EPA Fuel Economy: 20 city/28 hwy/23 combined

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Birth of an Icon: How Icon CEO Jonathan Ward builds Broncos, Land Cruisers, FJs and Derelicts

How Icon CEO Jonathan Ward builds Broncos, Land Cruisers, FJs and Derelicts

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The Derelicts await their maniacal upgrades. Photo by Blake Z. Rong.

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Set sail in the Fiat 1100 Boat Car by Carrozzeria Coriasco : Why commute when you can cruise?

Why commute when you can cruise?

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Juri�n Minke/Wikimedia Commons

The 1953 Fiat 1100 Boat Car combines lots of nautical flair with a total lack of actual nautical capability.

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2014 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Sedan / Hatchback

Building on an excellent foundation with slightly less excellent technology.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback
BASE PRICE: sedan, $14,795; hatchback, $15,395
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection
Displacement: 97 cu in, 1596 cc
Power: 120 hp @ 6350 rpm
Torque: 112 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
TRANSMISSIONS: 5-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

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2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo S UK Review

The Turbo S is the range-topping Panamera variant in the UK

Better at crushing your windpipe than appealing to your heart, but this Turbo S is nonetheless impressive

Price £131,152;
0-62mph 3.8sec;
Top speed 192mph;
Economy 27.7mpg (combined);
CO2 239g/km;
Kerbweight 1995kg;
Engine V8, 4806cc, turbo, petrol;
Power 562bhp at 6000rpm;
Torque 553lb ft at 2250-5000rpm;
Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch automatic

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Sam Posey on what made Senna so fast

He was the greatest. Here's why.

Ayrton Senna will, for so many, be remembered as the greatest driver to ever live. He certainly was the most talented of his era. But what is it that gave him his otherworldly greatness?

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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel : Around The Block

Price as tested: $57,190 (including destination)
Engine: 3.0L turbodiesel V-6
Power: 240 hp
Torque: 420 lb-ft
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive: Four-wheel
Cargo Volume: 68.3 cubic feet
Fuel Economy :21/28 mpg (city/highway)

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2014 Honda Civic EX-L Navi Coupe - Little Review

Base Price: $24,830
As-Tested Price: $24,830
Drivetrain: 1.8-liter I4; FWD, continuously variable transmission
Output: 143 hp @ 6,500 rpm, 129 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm
Curb Weight: 2,916 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 29/38/33 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 27.2 mpg
Options: None

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Ford Skyliner Concept debuts ahead of New York auto show

Mega-high-roof limo has all the comforts of your stately pleasure dome… to go!

To call attention to its coming 2015 Transit full-size van, which arrives in midsummer, Ford commissioned a concept version of the big people mover. And when you say “Ford,” “concept” and “it better be done right,” there's only one place you trust to do it: Galpin Auto Sport, or GAS.

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Toyota and GM recall nearly 1.3 million vehicles over air bag issues

Corolla, Highlander, Yaris, Tacoma, RAV4 and Pontiac Vibe among the cars affected

Toyota is recalling certain RAV4, Yaris, Highlander, Tacoma, Corolla, and Matrix models in the U.S. market, part of a larger global recall campaign, for an issue that that could the airbag to not deploy in the event of an accident. General Motors is recalling Pontiac Vibe vehicles for the same problem, since the Vibe is mechanically similar to the Matrix, as the two shared a platform and were built at the same plant.

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Watch the Koenigsegg active aero in action

The new, top mounted, active rear-wing of the Koenigsegg One:1. Inside Koenigsegg 2, hosted by Christian von Koenigsegg. Shot on location in Angelhom Sweden.

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2014 Audi A4 2.0T - Little Notes

The Audi A4 is as tech-savvy and trim--and, in S4 form, sporty--as ever, back for the 2014 model year with minor updates to a proven car. Continually refining and improving its vehicles is an Audi trait, and the A4 family continues to stand out from the American and German crowd with its own unique sense of style and sophistication.

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Somebody Did THIS to a Mercedes-Benz SL500

Check out the ass on this freak.

If you have never heard of the Filandi Ever S, that’s because this is a one-of-a-kind rendition of a classic Mercedes-Benz SL R129. What used to be the definition of sleek, understated elegance has been morphed into this horrid beast by an Italian man named Moreno Filandi. And while it looks like the lovechild of Frankenstein and alien zombie monsters, it retains all of the Benz’s mechanical underpinnings, meaning its 5.5-liter V8 is still good for 306 horsepower. Unfortunately, all that power won’t help anybody behind the wheel escape from the car itself.

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Aston Martin DB9 Goes Black Carbon in Geneva

Special edition carbon-clad beauty is turning heads at the Swiss show.

With no new models to show, the British carmaker is restricted to bringing special editions to the Swiss expo. Along with the Vantage N430, Aston Martin has arrived in Geneva with the DB9 Carbon Black edition. The limited edition model uses strong body colors to contrast the carbon-fiber detailing, and comes fitted with 20-inch ten-spoke alloys, a carbon-fiber splitter, mirror caps and rear diffuser, as well as windows with black surrounds.

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2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Video Photos Gallery

The updated 2014 Giulietta features a new 2.0-litre diesel engine, improved trim and more equipment

ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA 2014 - TEST DRIVE

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2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD | Video Photos Gallery

2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid Review and Road Test

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2013 Acura RDX | Video Photos Gallery

Acura's compact upscale SUV is much more refined this time around. The potent V6 is also fuel-efficient. However, the Acura RDX's handling falls short compared to some more sporty rivals.

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Optimus Prime invades...Louisville? - Mid-America Trucking Show

The annual Mid-America Trucking Show wraps up today, but if you happen to be in the vicinity of the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville before they shut the doors, you may want to pop in. The Western Star display has a special guest in the form of Optimus Prime.

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Smart Car Tipping By Vandals - San Fransisco

As you may know, “cow-tipping” is mostly at the stuff of rural legend. As Modern Farmer explains, “Cow tipping, at least as popularly imagined, does not exist. Drunk young men do not, on any regular basis, sneak into cow pastures and put a hard shoulder into a cow taking a standing snooze, thus tipping the poor animal over.”

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Mitsubishi to end Lancer Evolution production, another potential setback for U.S. dealers

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will pull the plug on the Lancer Evolution, the brand’s all-wheel-drive performance sedan, at the end of the nameplate’s current generation.

The move, which eliminates the company’s last sporty offering in the United States, comes as Mitsubishi shifts its global lineup toward utility vehicles and electrified cars.

A spokeswoman would not say when Mitsubishi would stop building the Lancer-based car, but it won’t introduce a successor to the current generation, which is in its 10th iteration. The Evolution nameplate debuted in 1992; the latest version arrived in 2007.

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David Brown Automotive unveils the Jaguar XKR-based Speedback

Too retro by half.

The David Brown Automotive Speedback looks like exactly what it is—a Jaguar XKR with some grafted-on approximations of classic Aston Martin design cues. As the teaser images we shared last month hinted, it's an obvious homage to the DB5, but unfortunately, it's a little too obvious. Like so many other new cars trying to look old, the Speedback's retro details are much too at odds with its modern silhouette.

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US Mazda6 recall caused by petrol-sniffing spiders

Spider infestation could cause fires in 42,000 US Mazda6 cars

Petrol-sniffing spiders have forced Mazda to recall around 42,000 of its 6 family car in the US market.

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New Mercedes SL due in 2019 with revolutionary new platform

The new Mercedes SL roadster will get an advanced new platform shared with the new SLK

The new Mercedes SL drop-top– due in 2019 - and revealed here in our exclusive images – will clean up its act considerably, and share more than ever before with its baby brother in the range, the SLK roadster.

Mercedes is on a mission to improve the efficiency of its new models, even sports cars, both in terms of the CO2 they emit and the speed at which they can be built.

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