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Go to SEMA for FREE and meet Rampage Jackson

Have you ever wanted to go to SEMA, but can’t because you don’t work in the automotive industry? Well here’s your chance to do just that thanks to the folks over at Kelderman Manufacturing.

VW debuts 2nd Gen Touareg with hybrid powertrain at NY Auto Show: 3 engines to be offered

Volkswagen of America, Inc., unveiled its second gen Touareg, Wed., March 31, showcasing the brand’s first-ever hybrid at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.

The largest Mini, Countryman, debuts at NY Auto Show

It may sound like an play on words – being the biggest Mini ever made – but Mini’s all-new Countryman will boast 4 doors, 4 seats, and a 4-wheel-drive system (caooed Mini All4), a 102.2-inch wheelbase that’s about 6 inches longer, stretch out to 161.3 inches long and nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space, when it debuts early next year.

[NY Auto Show] BMW launches new, fourth-gen 2011 X5 with 4,000 new parts

It’s often called the Ides of March – a tough and cruel time of year – moreover referred to unfavorable seasonal weather patterns.

Yet, the weather in South Carolina – where the all-new BMW X5 is made – might have stirred the wishes for both good and bad weather for the consumers desirous of this premium SUV that’s been under way for the previous 18 months. BMW used to call it an SAV – in perhaps a nod to it being a Sport Activity Vehicle – which it is – or perhaps to correctly break it free from the then-widening SUV nomenclature that’s now changed course to CUV – but, I digress.

BMW sets prices of 2011 535i ($50,475) and 550i ($60,575) all-new sedans ahead of debut at New York Auto Show

In an effort to excite, and surely drive – pun intended – (foot) traffic to the New York Auto Show, BMW announced the prices of its 535i ($50,475) and 550i ($60,575) sedans ahead of the show’s opening its doors to the public at the cement palace known as the Javits Center in the Big Apple.

Mazda 3, Chevy Camaro and Equinox win big in Internet Car and Truck of the year awards

Awards handed out in the automotive industry are as easy to come by as penny on the sidewalk. Some, such as Car and Driver’s “10-Best” and Motor Trends “Car and Truck of the Year” are merely automaker sponsored advertising packages passed off as reputable achievements. That’s why when an actual honest award comes around, we think you should know about it.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition” to debut at Geneva

It might be hard to wonder how you can top the building of a Maserati Quattroporte … unless you produce a “special edition” that features even more bells and whistles.

Thus, Maserati will show off the Quattroporte Sport GT S “Awards Edition”, at the prestigious Geneva Auto Show.

Fisker Karma to makes its Windy City debut at Chicago Auto Show Feb. 12-21

One of the world’s most electrifying cars, the Fisker Karma, also known as the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, will make its Chicago debut at the Chicago Auto Show, February 12-21.

It’ll be a boon for two area dealers – Fields Auto Group and Patrick Dealer Group, as well as auto aficionados who may be eager to view the $87,900 base MSRP vehicle up close and personally. Fisker notes that Illinois buyers will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, plus additional state incentives of up to $4,000 under the Illinois Alternate Fuels Rebate Program.

You’ll need to be belted-in after it’s been plugged in at take-off. Fisker lists a 0-to-60 mph time of 6 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph that its generated from the 403-horsepower engine. On top of all this heart-pounding excitement are the economics of scale: 100 miles per gallon and zero emissions are sent through the tailpipe.

2010 NAIAS: The booth babes of Detroit

You didn’t think we were going to go and let NAIAS coverage pass without a good old-fashioned booth babes article, did you?

By the way, we resisted adding a picture of Nancy Pelosi just for kicks. You can thank us later.

2010 NAIAS: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe doesn’t replace Scirocco in our hearts

Call us spoiled, but we’ll just take the Scirocco. Not that the Concept Coupe (props on the creative name guys) is a terribly ugly vehicle, but it’s like putting ground chuck in a steak mold if you are a performance person. That being said, next to the Volt this is one of the better looking hybrids out there.

Going with the unofficial theme of concept cars for NAIAS this year, this is another hybrid. Fire power comes from a turbocharged 1.4L inline four with 150 horsepower, which is backed up by 27 horsepower electric backed up bu lithium-ion batteries. The grand total of 177 means this car scoots to 60 in 8.1 seconds which is not to bad considering it should get around 56 mpg or so. Great figures, but we know you guys can put this tech in the Scirocco. Aiding in those high mpg’s is VW’s ‘coast down’ technology that automatically disengages the transmission after the driver lets off the throttle and allows the car to coast for longer periods of time, as well as regenerative braking.

Although it’s still in the concept stages it looks far too polished to stay there. We wouldn’t be surprised if the Concept Coupe showed up in your local Volkswagen dealerships.