Fiat 500 to launch in the U.S. with Abarth performance model

With every passing week comes another report of how Fiat and Chrysler will be sharing products. If it's not Chrysler-badged Lancias then it's Lancia-badged Chryslers or an Alfa-badged Jeep. As for the Fiat division itself, the emerging strategy appears to be to bring the 500 retro-mini over and set it up as something of a brand of its own, with sights set squarely on BMW's Mini and forgoing the rest of the Fiat line-up.Earlier reports indicated that...

Read More

First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT

In 1998, Lincoln's overall sales made it the number one luxury brand in America. The Navigator, Continental and Town Car weren't exactly world beaters � let alone an enthusiast's cup of Darjeeling, but the typical Lincoln buyer was getting precisely what he or she expected: soft, cozy, squishy cruisers for soft, squishy old people. In the decade that followed, Ford's U.S. luxury arm has seen about as much success as a modern day typewriter salesman....

Read More

First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD

Back in 1993, truck drivers had no choice but to depend on domestic automakers for work-ready pickups, and only Ford and General Motors offered competitive haulers. That all changed a year later when Dodge set the pickup truck market on its leaf springs with the introduction of its all-new Ram. With a big-rig appearance thanks to an imposing front grille that looked ready to kick you in the Truck Nutz, Dodge's truck sales tripled inside of 12 months...

Read More

Mitsubishi sketches out Concept-cX-influenced compact crossover for 2010

It's been two years since Mitsubishi took the wraps off its Concept-cX crossover at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, but before we see the production version at next year's Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi has released a teaser sketch of its all-new compact CUV.Aimed at competing with segment stalwarts like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the Compact Crossover will be built atop Mitsubishi's new mid-size global architecture with power likely provided...

Read More

Zagato marks the end of an era with custom Ferrari 550 GTZ Barchetta

When Ferrari took the wraps off the 550 Maranello in 1996, it represented an important step in the company's evolution. Replacing the aging F512M (nee Testarossa), the 550 Maranello marked a shift back to front-engine V12 GTs for Ferrari � the niche market for which the company became known. But if the 550 Maranello was a pivotal product for Ferrari, the 550 Barachetta Pininfarina was even more desirable.Characterized by its open-top format with...

Read More

Russian designer pens Maserati Kuba concept

It was only a few years ago, but how quickly we forget. Maserati actually toyed with the idea of building a crossover back in 2003, even going so far as to unveil a concept for the project called the Kubang GT Wagon at the Detroit Auto Show. The shape was penned by Giugiaro's ItalDesign, but project was scrapped, preserving the Trident marque's chastity in the eyes of many a purist. Now, an ambitious designer out of Russia has revived the idea with...

Read More

Review: 2010 Kia Forte

It's not that there was much wrong with the Forte's predecessor. In fact, the last time we drove a Kia Spectra, we walked away wondering if anything more might be overkill. The Spectra was good but tended to blend in with a crowd, and Kia's not into playing the role of wallflower anymore. In contrast, the Forte boldly saunters into the middle of the dance floor, comfortable in the hot glow of the pin spot, with the confidence of Tony Manero after...

Read More

Introducing the Expression Motorsport Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Widebody

Those of you well heeled Halo players looking for an upmarket version of the Warthog, here you are: the Expression Motorsport ML63 AMG. Hailing from Belgium, the gents at Expression planned to "differentiate this ML from those of a more traditional variety," and to that we say, "Mission Accomplished!"Things get a bit tricky up front with a snowplow masquerading as a front air dam, then Lorinser-esque around the front wheels, and just plain thick...

Read More

Convertible Toyobaru FT-86 in the works

In news that will only shock those that haven't been paying attention, Toyota has reportedly confirmed that if the market demands it, there will be a convertible version of the new FT-86. Though Toyota still hasn't settled on a name for the upcoming budget rear-drive sports car, the announcement of a drop-top option lends a bit more credence to the rumor that the Celica nameplate might be brought back from the dead.Now, the notion of a convertible...

Read More