Ram heavy-duty pickup gets higher towing rating

Ram has fired the latest salvo in the ongoing pickup war between the domestic automakers, releasing what the brand claims is now best-in-class towing capacity for its 2013 heavy-duty pickups. The 2013 Ram 3500 is rated to tow a 30,000-pound trailer, up from a maximum towing capacity of 22,750 pounds for the same vehicle and powertrain setup in 2012. According to their respective Web sites, similarly equipped heavy-duty 3500 pickups from General Motors are rated at a towing capacity of 23,100 pounds, while Ford's F-350 similarly equipped is rated at 22,800 pounds.

Blogs keep you in touch with the AutoWeek Fantasy Camp

The cars are lined up, the experts are ready and the campers are headed to Michigan for the second-annual AutoWeek/ZF Fantasy Camp, an event for car nuts to talk, test and write about cars. Only 20 campers will be in Dearborn, Mich., this weekend, but don't worry. You can still get in on the action.

Mazda's new design strategy revealed in autumn 2010

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 22 June 2010 21:56 Mazda will show off its first 'post-Nagare' concept car in autumn 2010 – providing a glimpse into the future design strategy under the new styling boss. Nagare has been the design mantra at Mazda since the series of concepts kicked off in 2006 with the eponymous show car, each influenced by flowing waves and patterns from nature. But since the departure of design chief Laurens van den Acker, who defected to Renault, the Japanese company is looking for a fresh direction, CAR understands.So when will we see the new Mazda design concept?At a Mazda 'Design Forum' to be held in Italy in September 2010.