by Henny Hemmes | Jan 12, 2010
Mercedes-Benz launched the new E-Class Cabriolet with much pizzazz and a fashion look from the past. The car rolled on the stage with three female passengers – all with “beehive” hairdos once the height of fashion in the sixties. With this demonstration the Germans...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 12, 2010
Here in Detroit, Subaru showed a concept that tells the world, once again, that they are planning to bring a hybrid vehicle on the market in the near future. Taken into account the size of the company, that will be a vehicle for worldwide markets, we think. We asked...
by Henny Hemmes | Dec 31, 2009
Conventional wisdom suggests that luxury automakers will have an especially tough time meeting ever-stricter emissions and fuel economy regulations. BMW has made a history of bucking conventional wisdom, and if the ActiveE concept is any indication, it hopes to do...
by Henny Hemmes | Dec 3, 2009
Even if it is no Centennial, turning 50 is a milestone for a car brand – and reason to celebrate, which Mini did in style over the summer, at Britain’s Silverstone race track, with the introduction of two new models, the Mini 50 Mayfair and the Mini 50 Camden. Both...
by Henny Hemmes | Nov 24, 2009
The Germans have a way of making the simple sound serious. Officially, the imposing building in the center of Munich is known as the Forschungs- und Innovations Zentrum FIZ of the Group. But Klaus Draeger prefers to just call it “the Project House,” as it’s where...
by Henny Hemmes | Oct 2, 2009
BMW has a way of pushing off into uncharted territory and coming back with a solid hit. Remember the X5? It was anything but a sure bet when the so-called “Sport Activity Vehicle” belatedly launched the automaker into the then-booming luxury SUV segment. But it...
by Henny Hemmes | Sep 14, 2009
Toyota is determined to keep its leading position as a manufacturer of “sustainable” with the ultimate eco car as one of its main goals, whatever that means. The Japanese company is striving for more diversity of energy usage and see the plug-in hybrid (PHV) as...
by Henny Hemmes | Sep 14, 2009
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG that will be revealed in Frankfurt now has official photos. The car has an aluminum space frame with gullwing doors, an AMG 6.3-liter V-8 front-mid engine developing 571 horsepower and 650 Nm (470 lb. ft.) of torque and dry sump lubrication....
by Henny Hemmes | Sep 14, 2009
How do you define a hit in today’s automotive market? Take BMW, which once limited its offerings to a handful of sedans, coupes and convertibles. These days, the Bavarians offer an alphabet soup of offerings, with still more models on the way – notably including the...
by Henny Hemmes | Jul 27, 2009
A new V-12 engine is something that gets my attention right away. Not just because I like big engines, but because the guys in Bavaria know perfectly well how to develop and build them. On my way to Munich, for my first drive in the all-new, 2010 BMW 760Li, I wondered...
by Henny Hemmes | Jul 9, 2009
Few new products have done more to polarize potential buyers than the BMW X6. Neither sports car nor sport-ute, it boasts a design that you either love or hate. In terms of luxury features, it’s easier to agree that the X6 delivers pretty much all you could...
by Henny Hemmes | Apr 22, 2009
It was great to see the new Nissan 370Z unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show, last November, but I was left with one nagging question: would it live up to its predecessor, a truly exciting and affordable sports car? To be honest, I was not instantly enchanted by the looks...
