Auto News 5

Dodge says that the Ram 1500 can tow 10,450 pounds. Ford claims that the F-150 can tow 11,300 pounds. Which pickup pulls more? Answer: It's impossible to say, because, believe it or not, there is currently no established standard for setting tow ratings. Manufacturers each can use their own criteria to come up with any figure they want. It's as if there were no EPA testing for fuel economy, and each carmaker could use any procedure it wanted (e.g., downhill, engine-off coasting) to establish and advertise its cars' mileage.inline_mediumwraptextright32110368/features/news/1003_dodge_ram_1500_vs_ford_f150_towing_capacity1003_01_z+dodge_ram_1500+towing.jpgTrue

With 510 hp on tap and a top end of 155 mph, Jaguar’s XKR is certainly quick. But buyers hankering for a faster pussycat will love what the automaker has in store for 2011.inline_mediumwraptextright26896316/features/news/1002_2011_jaguar_xkr_speed_pack1002_01_z+2011_jaguar_xKR_speed_pack+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

The rumors were correct -- Volkswagen has been wrenching on a GTI version of its Polo subcompact, although its output isn’t quite as extreme as once was suggested.inline_mediumwraptextright26895788/features/news/1002_2010_volkswagen_polo_gti1002_03_z+2010_volkswagen_polo_gTI+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

An all-new RAV4 may be a few years away, but Toyota is refreshing its compact SUV with a mild facelift -- at least for Europe, anyway.inline_mediumwraptextright28150597/features/news/1002_2010_toyota_rav4_european_model1002_01_z+european_2010_toyota_rAV4+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Although we still haven't seen photos of the actual concept car, Opel decided to release additional information and images of its new Flextreme GT/E show car, which will debut at the 2010 Geneva motor show in March.inline_mediumwraptextright26894858/green/news/1002_2010_opel_flextreme_gt_e_concept1002_03_z+2010_opel_flextreme_gT_e_concept+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Yes, Geneva, there will be two hybrid Peugeot concepts premiering at the 2010 Geneva motor show. The latest, billed as the “5 by Peugeot,” is said to be a preview of future Peugeots.inline_mediumwraptextright26893994/green/news/1002_2010_5_by_peugeot1002_02_z+2010_5_by_peugeot+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

After two years of trying (with BMW/Mini and also with Peugeot/Citroën), Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and his engineering chief Thomas Weber have finally struck a deal with Renault-Nissan to develop the next generation of Smart microcars by late 2014. The partners will market distinctly different derivatives under the Renault-Nissan and Smart nameplates.inline_mediumwraptextright32091867/features/news/1003_smart_renault_nissan1003_06_z+smart_forTwo+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue