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2014 Acura ILX Hybrid hits showrooms today

The 2014 Acura ILX Hybrid goes on sale today in dealerships nationwide. The ILX hybrid model starts at $29,795 including destination. This Acura is the only luxury model that made the top-10 list of Generation Y car shoppers, according to J.D.

Hyundai Performance Brand by 2015

The next gen Hyundai i20 will be the first performance Hyundai One Hyundai had made the tricky transition from budget to credible, there were only two routes open for progress – luxury and performance. The luxury route still looks like it will happen in the UK, with the next generation Hyundai Genesis Coupe heading our way, but we can also look forward to some proper performance cars from Hyundai too. That has been confirmed by Hyundai’s WRC boss, Michel Nandan, who told Australia’s Drive that all the money Hyundai is spending on Motorsport – including a new testing facility at the Nurburgring – is not just for the glow it will cast on Hyundai’s everyday cars, but for a new performance brand too.

Chrysler launches Autorama High School Design Competition for Michigan students

Michigan high school students with dreams of being a car designer have the chance to win themselves prizes and courses at the College of Creative Studies with the launch of a new competition from Chrysler. The Autorama High School Design Competition 2014, which is open to high school students currently attending a Michigan public school, asks entrants to ‘design a vehicle that satisfies the needs of young consumers while remaining eco-friendly'. Students are recommended to draw inspiration from any of the Chrysler Group brands: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Truck, Fiat or SRT (Street and Racing Technology).

Spyker B6 Venator to get 345bhp Lotus V6

Spyker B6 Venator (pictured) to get 345bhp Lotus V6 The Spyker B6 Venator arrived officially – at least as a concept – at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, and it’s a fine looking car with lots of promise. It did seem it might just be another flight of fancy by Spyker’s Victor Muller, but it does look like the B6 Venator really is heading for production. Not only that, but Victor has a B6 Venator Spyder in the mix too to add an extra bit of appeal to what looks like it will be an appealing, if still quite expensive, offering from Spyker.

BMW offers new M Performance accessories for M5 and M6

Tuners Alpina and AC Schnitzer aren't the only ones offering just about everything in carbon fiber for BMWs these days, and BMW has introduced performance accessories for their M5 and M6 cars, including the M6 Gran Coupe, Convertible, and Coupe. On the performance front, car owners will be able to purchase and retrofit an exhaust system developed by BMW's M division and engineering company Akrapovič -- one made entirely of titanium. This new exhaust system will be available for the M5, and all versions of the M6 and will result in a weight savings of approximately 22 pounds.

Car Sales On The Rise But Buyers Seek To Pay Less

LATEST industry data has shown that car buying is on the increase, however budget-savvy prospective buyers want to pay less for their new wheels. Data from Sainsbury's Bank has revealed that as many as 18% of adults are looking to buy a new car in the months up to and including February 2014. And while this is a healthy 28% increase on those who planned purchases in the last six months, those now thinking about buying are likely to pay averages out at £9,934, which is 3.5% down on the figure for the last six months.

Aston Martin eyes Lagonda comeback

The last time we saw an Aston Martin Lagonda on the street, it looked like its sharp angles could deflect not only police radar and laser, but give pedestrians a paper cut if they weren't careful. And the last time we saw a Lagonda concept -- at the 2009 Geneva motor show -- it looked like, well, like what you see above. We're still not sure what we see above, and leading scientists aren't sure, either.

Renderings hint at 2015 Ford Mustang appearance

We're still waiting to see what the 2015 Ford Mustang will look like. Spy shots only offer glimpses of undisguised sheetmetal between pieces of heavy camouflage, so until the debut, this set of renderings that appeared on Mustang enthusiast forum Mustang6G.com is the next best thing to an official reveal. Mustang6G forum member chazcron is responsible for the images, which are said to have been built from the growing number of Mustang spy shots circulating the Web.

Buy a brand new car on Amazon

Online retail giant Amazon is now promoting vehicle sales on its website, advertising the new Nissan Versa Note supermini for $13,990 (around £8,630) on the US arm of its Internet-based department store. However, the firm isn’t directly selling the cars – it is instead ‘promoting’ the vehicles. The Nissans do get a full listing, though, as opposed to the simple hosted advert often seen elsewhere online.

Think a sports car makes you more attractive? Think again

It’s a favourite stereotype: a man driving a flashy sports car is more attractive to women – or at least, so he might think. Now a survey by Motors.co.uk suggests that exactly the opposite could be true. While the same research reckons 48% of men subscribe to the stereotyped view, in actual fact women are more likely to find a man driving an eco car more alluring.

Cyber threats targeting your car

There has been a mass-casualty terror attack in Washington, D.C. A sophisticated, well-funded threat actor has executed the attack. Lives have been lost and more hang in the balance.

Volkswagen's Golf grabs Car of the Year award

THE VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has been crowned the Scottish Car of the Year, the first time VW has lifted the title north of the border. Awarded by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, the Golf won the title thanks to its choice of body styles, frugal engines, quality and excellent driving manners. It beat off strong competition from the likes of the Range Rover Sport, Jaguar F-type and Renault Clio, which won their respective categories.

Tribute to Briton killed in crash

THE GOVERNING BODY for UK motor sports has paid tribute to a "hugely promising" young British driver killed in a crash. Sean Edwards was a passenger in a Porsche when it reportedly hit the barriers at Queensland Raceway in Willowbank, west of Brisbane, Australia, during a private test session. The driver, a 20-year-old man from Brisbane, was pulled from the burning wreckage and is in intensive care with life-threatening injuries.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez on the Mercedes tie-up, the rise of turbo cars and the end of the Lagonda SUV project

MSN Cars is in Palm Springs, California, to drive the new Aston Martin Vanquish Volante and V12 Vantage S. Aston Martin, voted the second coolest brand in the world behind Apple, is celebrating its 100th year. Over an informal dinner, MSN Cars was given an exclusive chance to talk shop with Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez to see what the future holds for the Gaydon-based company.

Stylish 4 Series Convertible announced by BMW

BMW revealed its new 4 Series Convertible that will cost from £36,675 when it reaches UK showrooms in March 2014. With styling closely related to the 4 Series Coupe’s, the Convertible has a folding metal roof that can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 8mph. BMW has also introduced a new Air Collar to keep front seat passengers’ necks toasty by blowing warm air on to them from vents in the headrest.

Double Success For Ford At Scottish Car Of The Year

FORD is celebrating a double victory at the Scottish Car of the Year awards, where its Fiesta ST took Best Hot Hatch title and Ford’s MyKey technology was judged Innovation of the Year. Commenting the Fiesta ST’s win, Alisdair Suttie, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers president, said: “Buyers of affordable ‘pocket rockets’ are spoiled for choice these days, with power and fuel economy light years better than ever before. Our winner is not the most powerful of the shortlisted cars but its ease of driving and superb chassis won over the judges.” The judges were also impressed by Ford’s MyKey, an industry-first technology which allows parents to programme a key for younger drivers that limits their top speed, reduces maximum radio volume, disables the radio until seat belts are fastened and prevents deactivation of driver assistance and safety technologies.

New System Needed To Highlight Risks Of Prescription Drugs, Says IAM

THE Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has raised the issue of prescription drug labeling, after finding that many drivers believe the product information could be more comprehensive. In a survey based on 2,376 responses, only half of drivers asked felt prescription drug labelling is clear enough on medicines. This exercise comes after the government announced earlier this year that a drug-driving bill will be introduced, and will include chemicals which can be found in prescription drugs.

New i10 city car annouced by Hyundai

THE NEW HYUNDAI i10 goes on sale in the UK from the end of January and prices will start at £8345, which is the same price as the outgoing model. Hyundai promises a big step forward in the comfort, quality and equipment of the new i10. All models will come with six airbags as standard, plus electric front windows, CD stereo and daytime running lights.

New Hyundai i10 will cost from £8,345 – the same as the old i10

The New Hyundai i10 (pictured) will cost from £8,345 – the same as the old i10 The 2014 Hyundai i10 – the new generation of Hyundai’s supermini – arrived officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, and manages to offer a lot more than the old i10. Despite growing in size, getting better looking and offering more, not just in terms of size, than the current/last i10, Hyundai are starting pricing for the new i10 at the same level as the old model – £8,345. The new i10 will come with a choice of two petrol engines – the 1.0 litre 3-cylinder with 65bhp and 0-62mph in 14.9 seconds and the 1.2 litre with 86bhp and a 0-62mph of 12.3 seconds – as well as a choice of three trim levels – S, SE and Premium.

Aston Martin still aiming for a Lagonda SUV

Aston Martin still aiming for a Lagonda SUV (pictured) Aston Martin has never had the easiest of financial journeys, and that’s no different today than it ever was in the David Brown days. Only last week we reported that Aston Martin made a thumping big loss in 2012, despite its cars having iconic status and generally considered to be the most beautiful cars made. But there is light at the end of the very long tunnel of AML’s financial woes, and that revolves round the recent investment by Investindustrial in Aston Martin and its subsequent tie-in with AMG.

One Lap of the Web: Drop the (AMG) Hammer, Superbirds and Sir Mix-A-Lot's Porsche

-- It's the mid-1980s. You have bottomless pockets and the need for speed. Do you buy a Countach or stick with a sleepy-looking W124 Mercedes-Benz station wagon?

2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S drive review

What is it? The 2015 V12 Vantage S is the latest evolution of the sports car introduced in 2005, as the entry point to Aston Martin's lineup. It essentially melds the current, track-tuned V8 Vantage S with the range-topping V12 Vantage, which the V12 S replaces.

Hyundai JPE Genesis Coupe looks like BRZ fighter

Hyundai’s next SEMA trick is a joint effort with tuner John Pangilinan. The pair has linked up again for the JP Edition Genesis Coupe in Atlantis blue. The JP Edition will be on display in Las Vegas Nov.

2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed & Revival dates announced

2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed & Revival dates announced It’s only seems a few weeks since the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival were drawing petrolheads to Sussex for their annual fix of high octane thrills, but now they’re done and dusted for 2013 Lord March has already announced the plans for 2014. The Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place from Friday 27th June to Sunday 29th June with the Moving Motor Show taking place on the Thursday before – 26th June – to complete perhaps the best ‘car’ weekend on the planet. Lord March hasn’t revealed the theme for the 2014 Festival of Speed – although it will be revealed shortly – but you can be sure the Festival will be as action-packed as ever with the best of cars, ancient and modern, thrills and excitement as Goodwood resounds to the sound of the internal combustion engine.

2014 Ram 1500 diesel is the new Truck of Texas

In addition to being one of the largest automotive markets in the country, Texas is also Truck Country. So when members the Texas Auto Writers Association talk about the trucks they like, we tend to listen -- as do automakers. This year, following what we can only imagine was an extra-dusty, extra-gritty Truck Rodeo, TAWA has chosen a new Truck of Texas: The 2014 Ram 1500 pickup.

2014 BMW 4-series convertible coming next year

The 2014 BMW 4-series convertible will feature a three-piece hard top, both four- and six-cylinder engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission when it arrives in dealerships in the first quarter of next year. The BMW 428i Convertible will cost $49,675 including destination while the 435i Convertible will start at $55,825. The new 4-series, which replaces the 3-series coupe and convertible but not the sedan, is larger in width and wheelbase than its predecessor.

Kia going rear drive

Kia told its dealers it will launch a new full-size rear-wheel-drive flagship sedan in the U.S., and it is expected to be in showrooms here early next year. Kia's first-ever U.S. RWD production sedan will be called the K900 and is the same vehicle sold as the K9 in South Korea and as the Quoris in other overseas markets.

2014 Cadillac ELR goes on sale in January

The 2014 Cadillac ELR extended-range electric vehicle will cost $75,995 when it comes to all U.S. metropolitan areas in January. Remember that the ELR is basically the Cadillac-skinned version of the Chevy Volt hybrid.

Trio of Range Rover Hybrid prototypes completes trek from Solihull to Mumbai

A team of three Range Rover Hybrid prototypes has just completed a 53-day journey from Solihull, England to Mumbai, India. The route retraced the centuries-old Silk Trail, taking the team through 13 countries. The trucks and drivers experienced just about every type of terrain, as well as temperatures ranging from -10 degrees Celsius to 43 degrees Celsius, the latter translating to a very uncomfortable 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

One-of-a-kind De Tomaso Pantera 'ADRNLN' to debut at SEMA

The De Tomaso Pantera, a perfect mash-up of classic Italian styling and American underhood brawn, struck a chord when it debuted at the 1970 New York auto show. Inspired by the Pantera's unique character, custom vehicle builder Ringbrothers decided to restomod and rechristen it “ADRNLN.” It's set to re-debut at the 2013 SEMA show on Nov. 5.