2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG photos

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG interior

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG photos

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG interior

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Pictures

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren pics

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren dashboard

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class picture

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class dashboard

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC images

2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4 MATIC interior

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 Pictures

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 Pictures

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 interior

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG interior

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 Pictures

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 pics

2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 images

2008 Maserati GranTurismo Pictures

2008 Maserati GranTurismo

2008 Maserati GranTurismo pictures

2008 Maserati GranTurismo interior

2008 Lotus Elise Pictures

2008 Lotus Elise

2008 Lotus Elise pictures

2008 Lotus Elise dashboard

2008 Lexus IS F Pictures

2008 Lexus IS F Pictures

2008 Lexus IS F

2008 Lexus IS F interior

2008 Jeep Liberty Pictures

2008 Jeep Liberty

2008 Jeep Liberty pictures

2008 Jeep Liberty interior

The ten finalists for the 2009 World Car of the Year Awards announced

Last week, the ten finalists for the 2009 World Car of the Year Awards were announced and here the list of car from which the 59 international automotive journalists will pick the winner, which will be announced on April 9, at the New York International Auto Show.

The 2009 World Car of the Year will be selected from the following cars listed in alphabetical order. Eleven cars are listed as there is a tie.
- Audi A4 / Avant
- BMW 7 Series
- Citroen C5 Sedan / C5 Tourer
- Fiat 500
- Ford Fiesta
- Honda Fit / Jazz
- Jaguar XF
- Mazda Atenza / Mazda6
- Nissan GT-R
- Toyota iQ
- Volkswagen Golf VI

The 2009 World Performance Car, presented by Mobil 1, will be chosen from one of these top ten finalists:

- Audi RS 6 Avant
- BMW 135i Coupe / Cabriolet
- Corvette ZR1
- Lamborghini LP560-4 Gallardo
- Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
- Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG
- Mitsubishi Evo X / Evo MR
- Nissan GT-R
- Porsche 911 Carrera
- Subaru Impreza WRX STI

So, what do you think, who’s going to win? Feel free to drop a comment For the World Car of the Year we’d go with the Ford Fiesta and for the World Performance Car award we’d place our bets on the Nissan GT-R.

Tesla customers angry over price increase

According to AutoExpress, a lot of Tesla Roadster buyers are angry at the company’s decision to ask them to pay for a kit that initially came as standard. The kit includes extras like High Performance Charger or alloy wheels and US deposit holders are now required to pay an extra $7,000 (around £4,900). As far as we know, the decision is only available in the US, an UK spokesman saying that prices won’t rise in the Kingdom.

Opel Ampera EV: European Chevy Volt to be Unveiled in Geneva Motor Show

Opel Ampera EV: European Chevy Volt to be Unveiled in Geneva Motor Show

As many anticipated, General Motors announced that it will take the wraps off an extended-range electric concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (March 5-15). The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera will feature GM's electric propulsion technology, called Voltec, that allows the car to run exclusively on lithium-ion battery power charged via a standard 230v outlet for up to 60 km (37 miles). For longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine.

"With the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometers of non-stop electric driving," said Alain Visser, GM Europe Chief Marketing Officer.

While Opel did not make any references to the Chevy Volt, judging by the mechanical and styling similarities between the two cars as seen in this teaser sketch, and taking into consideration a previous statement from GM Europe's president, Carl Peter Forster, who openly admitted that Opel will reveal an electric vehicle derived directly from the Volt, we think that it wouldn't be too farfetched to support that the two cars are if not entirely, heavily related.

Hartge Introduces New Aerodynamic Add-Ons for BMW M3

Hartge Introduces New Aerodynamic Add-Ons for BMW M3

Being one of the top BMW tuners in Germany, Hartge constantly updates its offerings for the Bavarian cars. This time, the German tuner has released a new set of aerodynamic add-ons for the BMW M3 range that consists of sedan, coupe and convertible models. The list contains a carbon-fiber front spoiler lip, side sills for the front and rear, a rear diffuser for the coupe and convertible models, a subtle boot lid spoiler for the sedan and coupe M3 plus a set of carbon casings for the exterior mirrors.

Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione Recalled Along with Maseratis in the US

Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione Recalled Along with Maseratis in the US

A few dozens of extremely fortunate American owners of one of the world's hottest sports cars, the Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione, will have to return their Italian beauty for a quick fix after it was discovered that certain models were manufactured with incorrectly torqued front and rear suspension upper and lower ball joint nuts. The recall also affects MY 2008 Maserati Gran Turismo and Quattroporte which share the same platform with the Alfa.

Overall, 7,912 Maseratis and Alfa 8c Competiziones will be recalled in the States. While the Italian automaker did not reveal specific numbers, we do know for a fact that only 84 Alfas were allocated in the U.S.

Maserati said that the incorrectly torqued ball joint nuts may loosen with consequent steering wheel vibration, a growing metallic noise and progressive loss of driving precision in the transients. According to the Italian automaker, continued use of the vehicle in these conditions may lead to damage of the suspension lever, which in the long term and depending on vehicle usage, may cause the ball joint/suspension arm to break.

The firm's dealers will inspect the torque of the front/rear upper and lower ball joint nuts and, if necessary, replace the suspension arms and hub carrier. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009. Concerned U.S. owners may contact Maserati for more information at 1-201-816-2600.