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May
23rd

2015 Lincoln Navigator starts at $62,475: 4×4 models cost $3,000 more

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The 2015 Lincoln Navigator will cost $62,475, including destination, when it hits dealership lots.
May
23rd

One Lap of the Web: Motel kitsch, Bentley dragsters and rusting Porsches: Car news and videos from all corners of the Internet

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-- The roach motel lives on in these postcards from Petrolicious.
May
23rd

Film Friday: ‘The Fabulous 500’ shows the Indy 500 at its best : A vintage look at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing

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and#8220;The Fabulous 500and#8221; may have been a subtle plug for Firestone Tires, but it also happens to be a great look at the Indianapolis 500 during racing's golden era.
May
23rd

Who is the mystery motorcyclist in these vintage photos?: Automotive photographer buys vintage camera, finds old roll of film

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Automotive photographer Nigel Harniman was riding around the Costa Del Arcane in Spain when he chanced upon a flea market with a
May
23rd

Lexus NX price revealed

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Lexus NX revealed white front
News 23 May, 2014

Lexus reveals prices for the new NX, with the six-model lineup starting at £29,495 rising to £42,995

May
23rd

Police cars: the world’s best and worst – pictures

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Pictures See all 13 picturesLamborghini Huracan police carMercedes CLS Brabus police carMercedes CLS Brabus police car 24 May, 2014
May
23rd

Police cars: the world’s best and worst – pictures

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May
23rd

Renault’s EV plans hit by weak demand

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Renault has been forced to re-think its ambitious electric vehicle plans, a top executive said. "We're not in a situation where the market has followed our forecasts," Chief Performance Officer Jerome Stoll said.
May
23rd

Jaguar revives the legendary XKE racer

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Jaguar says it will complete a project started in 1963 by manufacturing six all-new XKEs with lightweight aluminum bodies at its plant in Castle Bromwich, England.
May
23rd

Aston Martin plans to build Lagonda sedan, reports say

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Aston Martin is planning to revive the Lagonda brand with a sedan, according to UK press reports. Lagonda has been owned by Aston Martin since 1947.
May
23rd

Zetsche on EU: Embrace the differences, relish the peace

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Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says it is important not to lose sight of the many benefits of a united Europe. One he never takes for granted is peace.
May
23rd

Spain’s Grupo Antolin expands U.S. footprint

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Spanish auto supplier Grupo Antolin has opened a 13,750-square-meter U.S. factory in Missouri that will produce headliners for the Transit van made nearby at Ford's Kansas City assembly plant.
May
23rd

Zetsche on EU: Relish the peace

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Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says it is important not to lose sight of the many benefits of a united Europe. One he never takes for granted is peace.
May
23rd

Google prepares for next phase of self-driving experiment

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Google has come so far so fast with its 5-year-old experiment in autonomous driving that the company is talking about the next phase of its ambitious research project: moving the technology into real-world vehicles.
May
23rd

Daimler CEO concerned by growing anti-EU sentiment

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Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche is concerned by rising anti-EU sentiment in Europe as voting begins for the European parliament.
May
23rd

Citroen C4 Cactus brings Madrid factory back to life

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PSA's Madrid factory was facing closure two years ago, but now the plant has a brighter future thanks to the C4 Cactus, which Citroen began producing there in April.
May
23rd

Incoming Ford CEO Fields’ past jobs include restaurant worker, caddie

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Ford's incoming CEO Mark Fields is well known in the auto industry as a dynamic executive, but residents in his U.S. hometown of Paramus, New Jersey, remember him as a bright, good-looking kid.
May
23rd

F1: Ferrari spokesman says Alonso is not considering an exit

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From GMM

Fernando Alonso will be "involved in future projects" at Ferrari.

That is the claim of a Ferrari spokesman, amid swirling rumours in the Monaco paddock that the Spaniard's patience with the Maranello team is finally at an end.

Alonso hinted strongly at his unhappiness on Wednesday, when he welcomed the praise of Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and said it was "curious" those closer to him do not make similar declarations.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo reacted swiftly, describing the 32-year-old as "the best driver in the world" and denying the existence of a "polemical situation".

Nonetheless, there are those who continue to doubt that Alonso will still be wearing red in 2015.

F1 Ferrari F14 T Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso, Ferrari F14 T. (Photo: WRi2)

Some think he could move to Mercedes or return to McLaren, and the latter British team's supremo Ron Dennis on Thursday reportedly said the door to Woking remains open, so long as the team can build a fully competitive car.

"With the 2015 Honda car we hope to have just that," Ron Dennis told the Italian press.

But a Ferrari spokesman told Spain's sports newspaper Marca that Alonso remains committed.

"He is commited to being involved in future projects, rebuilding the team to a winning one. He (Alonso) is not someone who is thinking about leaving," he said.

Many believe that Alonso would be appeased if Ferrari is successful in luring Adrian Newey from Red Bull.

Red Bull has tried to stop those rumours, issuing a statement quoting Newey as committing to the reigning world champions for "the foreseeable future".

And new Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci issued a simple "no" on Thursday when asked if he has invited Newey to Maranello.

"We are working a lot with (technical director James) Allison, someone extremely competent who has a future at Ferrari," Mattiacci told Italian television Sky in Monaco.

He also hailed Alonso's contribution.

"Fernando Alonso is a great champion and I am absolutely delighted to have him on our team. I like people who are fighters and are always pushing for better," said Mattiacci.


May
23rd

F1: Nico Rosberg might have signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes

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From GMM

Mercedes is set to deal a knockout blow to speculation it might replace Nico Rosberg with Fernando Alonso in 2015.

When the Alonso rumours first emerged in Barcelona two weeks ago, team chairman Niki Lauda insisted Mercedes has "long term contracts" with both German Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.

However, it was previously believed that Rosberg, 28, was contracted only until the end of this year.

But on Friday, the BBC reported that Rosberg's deal has been extended for at least two years.

"We have long term relationships with both our drivers," a Mercedes spokesman confirmed.

F1 Mercedes AMG Nico Rosberg
Nico Rosberg. (Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team)



May
23rd

2014 Toyota Camry hybrid review

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It has long since been the way to deliver different powertrain technologies: Include a huge amount of kit to partly justify the boost in price for a hybrid or a diesel car.

What Toyota has done, in a similar fashion to that of the Prius, is essentially de-content the Camry to lower the price. In this and the Prius' case, it works against it especially as the competition offers or makes available much of the bells and whistles that everyone wants.

The 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a very decent car to drive, comfortable and quiet and with appreciable road manners. As a daily driver it works, but in its current state there are numerous arguments against it and for its rivals. I expect, though, that the 2015 Camry will address all issues and send the competition looking to improve upon their products in time.


What is a Toyota Camry hybrid?
The Toyota Camry is another in the long list of go-to cars. As one of Toyota's superstars, they've made sure that it offers something for almost everyone. With three powertrains on tap, the Camry remains a very popular midsize sedan.

2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid Price and Specs
Getting into a new 2014 Toyota Camry is easier than one might think. At $23,750, the base LE features everything the average car user needs. The Camry Hybrid piles on more technology on top of the base LE and rings in at $27,760.

The XLE trimmed Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $29,615 and as tested, with the Moonroof package, retails for $32,115. I might repeat this but at this price, the car doesn't have heated seats. Repeat: does not.

The hybrid synergy drive powertrain consists of an Atkinson Cycle 2.5L 4-cylinder engine mated to a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor, which stores and takes its juice from a sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride battery pack. System output is rated at 200 horsepower. This is a gain of 22 hp over the regular 2.5L and we all know about electricity and its effect on torque.

The only available transmission is a CVT and it drives the front wheels. Fuel consumption numbers are rated at 4.5 / 4.9 / 4.7 (City / Highway / Combined) litres per 100km.

Driving the 2014 Toyota Camry hybrid
How about I begin by telling you about how this car behaves on the road by declaring that this thing is fast? If you occasionally read up on hybrids, you'll likely have read that these green things are surprisingly fast.

Although the Camry hybrid is quick on its feet it is, without a doubt, efficient. At least, it is on paper or on the screen for that matter. My returned average was closer to 7L/100km. As always, this was in part due to the cold weather, the defrosting and some wheel spinning. In reality, you should expect to average around 6L or more or less what you would get from a VW Passat TDI.

The Camry is pleasant to drive with few flaws. Of all the Camrys I've tested over the last 15 years, this latest car, introduced in 2012, is the best handling, sharpest in fact, by comparison. It remains smooth and very comfortable even during spring-thaw pothole season.

Steering and brakes equally operate as expected. The regenerative brakes require a short adjustment period, but are quickly assimilated as part of the daily commute. You'll not discover a car that you can point and shoot around a bend as steering is light, but you'll never be wanting any extra sharpness.

As Toyota are essentially royalty where hybrids are concerned, the Camry Hybrid functions nearly flawlessly. From EV to gas or any combination of both, passengers will likely never notice the changes unless throttle is highly solicited.

Inside and Out of the 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a Camry. I'm no fan of the car's overall design especially where the odd fang-shaped taillights are concerned. As for the Clearwater Blue Metallic colour, I could also do without.

Be that as it may, the Camry Hybrid is instantly recognizable as what it is... A Camry. Thankfully, the 2015 Toyota Camry is fully revised and looks far more contemporary (in other words: attractive).

The cabin also does little for me. In an age where subtle elegance and class are a must, Toyota prefers the chunky, boxy and multi-layered and colour approach. I'm no fan. Same thing goes for the new Corolla. Although not to my taste, every control falls well in hand.

The issue I have has to do with too few controls falling under hand. At this price, the Camry does not have front heated seats or auto up-down front windows (should be all four) and no satellite radio. These are three huge fails in my books.

Comparing the 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a tough contender in a segment where it plays against its own brethren, the Prius, and the likes of the Accord and Sonata hybrids.

Content is important in the latter two cars as are a contemporary design that is far more pleasing to the eye.
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