Vehicles: Page

Micro-Hybrid Segment in ‘Start’ Mode

The market for start-stop systems is in its infancy, but Valeo expects 4 million micro-hybrids on the road in Europe by 2010 and a 30% penetration rate by 2012.

By Tom Murphy • Nov. 27, 2007

TRW Developing Antitheft Electric Parking Brake

TRW’s antitheft device has the potential to save OEM customers money, reduce weight and free up space in their vehicles.

By Byron Pope • Nov. 21, 2007

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from WardsAuto

Automakers are evaluating their long-term strategies, revisiting their product mix, and approach to both retail and manufacturing approach along the way.

By WardsAuto staff

Jaguar XF to Sticker Under $50,000

The high-end Premium Luxury XF will base at $55,975, while the Supercharged XF with a 420-hp engine will retail for $62,975.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 15, 2007

Mazda Focuses on New Powertrains, Technology for the Masses

Ward’s discusses trends with Mazda research and development chief Seita Kanai.

By Roger Schreffler • Nov. 15, 2007

Daimler, Ford Forge Fuel-Cell Development Company

The company will be headed by Andreas Truckenbrodt, a former Ballard employee who currently serves as executive director-hybrid development at Daimler.

By Ward's Staff • Nov. 8, 2007

E20 Coming to Thailand

Beginning in January, the Thai government is cutting excise taxes on E20-compliant cars 5% to 25%-35% depending on engine size.

By Alan Harman • Nov. 8, 2007

Turbocharger Market Getting Crowded

Between Europe's booming turbo-diesel market and the growing popularity of gasoline direct injection in small-displacement engines, the outlook for turbochargers could not be brighter. According to one estimate, demand for turbochargers for light and commercial vehicles is expected to more than double over the next 10 years to 35 million units annually. Strict new emissions regulations requiring drastically

By Tom Murphy • Nov. 1, 2007

Delphi to Spin Off Interiors Business by Year’s End

Delphi Corp.'s $1.3 billion automotive interiors and closures business is on track to spin off from its parent and become an independent company by year's end, an executive says. Lon Offenbacher, business line executive for interiors and closures at Delphi, tells attendees at the recent 2007 SPE Automotive TPO Global Conference that employees have selected a new name for the company, soon to be announced.

By Drew Winter • Nov. 1, 2007

ZL-1 Big-Block Revived After Tooling Rescued From Scrap Yard

GM will sell duplicates of the engine, beginning in spring, for about $20,000.

By Tom Murphy • Oct. 31, 2007

Delphi Nears 20% Diesel Market Share

Solenoid-actuated common-rail fuel injectors, which are a third less expensive than more sophisticated piezo units, prove valuable in Delphi’s product portfolio.

By William Diem • Oct. 18, 2007

Toyota Hopes Flex-Fuel Option Will Boost Midwest Tundra Sales

Sales of Toyota’s fullsize pickup have increased the most on a percentage basis in Illinois and Missouri since the new-generation truck went on sale in February.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Oct. 18, 2007

Tweaks, New Platform Allow Vue Hybrid to Hold Mileage Ground

GM says it was able to hit the 32-mpg mark even though the Vue went up in weight when it migrated to the new Theta Epsilon platform for ’07 and its hybrid powertrain is a carryover from the old model.

By Ward's Staff • Oct. 12, 2007

Vehicle Histories Dug Deeper

Experian Automotive is enhancing information on its AutoCheck vehicle-history reports.The added information draws from new and expanded accident data resources, increasing Experian's current data sets by tens of millions of records.

Oct. 1, 2007

BMW Says 3.0L Twin-Turbo Diesel U.S.-Bound

Like its competitors at Mercedes and Volkswagen, BMW’s technology relies heavily on a sophisticated urea injection aftertreatment process.

By James M. Amend • Sept. 28, 2007

The Most Elaborate Public Relations Ploy Ever?

Comedian and political pundit Bill Maher frequently jokes, “We’ll all be dead” before hydrogen-powered vehicles hit the road. If that’s the case, the push to develop emission-free, fuel-cell powered vehicles may be the most elaborate public relations ploy ever.

By Drew Winter • Sept. 13, 2007

Lexus GS Gets Bigger V-8, Updated Interior

To give the top-end GS a boost in the marketplace for ’08, Lexus has borrowed the 4.6L V-8 from its LS flagship model.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Sept. 11, 2007

Nissan Maxima Diesel Basis Unveiled by Renault in Frankfurt

The 3.0L V-6 was jointly developed by the alliance, but Renault had lead engineering duties.

By Ward's Staff • Sept. 11, 2007

Inside Denso’s Cornerstone Kota Plant

Of Denso’s ¥720 billion in global electronics sales last year, the lion’s share originates at Kota.

By Roger Schreffler • Sept. 10, 2007

Malcolm’s X-Prize Bid

The 5-passenger, plug-in hybrid vehicle will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds and have a range of 850 miles, Bricklin promises

By Herb Shuldiner • Sept. 6, 2007

Peugeot 308 Larger, More Fuel-Efficient Than Predecessor

A concept car that reveals the shape of the 308 station wagon will be unveiled at the Frankfurt show in September, along with a diesel-hybrid concept PSA plans to make.

By William Diem • Sept. 4, 2007

ICE Is Here To Stay

The internal combustion engine is going to be around a lot longer than most people realize. With its roots in the 19th century you might have thought the ICE would have been surpassed by now. But the tried-and-true, piston-driven, spark-ignited, gasoline-fueled engine has more than 100 years of development going for it. Thanks to even greater use of electronic technology, the ICE will see significant

By John McElroy • Sept. 1, 2007

’08 CTS Casts Light on Cadillac’s Interior-Design Strategy

While the exterior of the CTS borrows a number of design elements from the Cadillac Sixteen, the vehicle’s interior puts a modern spin on the mostly retro cabin of the celebrated concept car.

By James M. Amend • Aug. 31, 2007

DIG, AWD, 6-Speed Highlight New 304-HP CTS

The engine represents the most powerful naturally aspirated V-6 the auto maker has ever brought to market.

By James M. Amend • Aug. 30, 2007

NVH Chief Concern for GM Engineers on ’08 Chevrolet Malibu

Engineers started with the chassis, strengthening and lengthening the same Epsilon-based frame that underpins the Aura and Pontiac G6.

By James M. Amend • Aug. 21, 2007

Chevy Debuts Turbocharged HHR at Dream Cruise

The ’08 HHR SS boasts a turbocharged, intercooled 2.0L Ecotec I-4 that makes 260 hp.

By Christie Schweinsberg • Aug. 16, 2007