Inside the Industry

Three of eight Corvettes recovered from museum sinkhole

(March 5, 2014) BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Three of eight historic Corvettes that fell into a sinkhole under the National Corvette Museum last month are back on solid ground following delicate removal techniques on Monday and Tuesday. "The recovery of the first three cars went flawlessly, and the cars are in remarkably good shape," said John Spencer, manufacturing integration manager for Corvette.

World Car of the Year finalists announced

(March 5, 2014) GENEVA — At a press conference hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show at the Geneva International Motor Show, the top three finalists for the World Car of the Year, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year awards were announced Tuesday, March 4.

European SEAT Leon sets Nurburgring record for front-wheel drive cars

(March 5, 2014) GENEVA — The SEAT Leon Cupra 280 has smashed the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record in Germany for a front-wheel drive car. With an time of 7:58.4, it becomes the first FWD production model to dip below the eight-minute barrier.

The car used to set the amazing lap time was a production-specification Leon Cupra 280 DSG, equipped with an optional Performance Pack that includes Brembo high-performance brakes, specially designed 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

Jeep shows all-new compact Jeep Renegade; to be sold in 100 countries

(March 5, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The all-new 2015 Jeep Renegade, unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, expands the brand’s global vehicle lineup, entering the growing small SUV segment, while staying true to the adventurous lifestyle Jeep is known for.  The Renegade will be sold worldwide in more than 100 countries.

Rolls-Royce rolls out Ghost Series II

(March 4, 2014) GENEVA — Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveiled the Ghost Series II to the world. The Ghost Series II delivers the latest industry-leading technology from Rolls-Royce clad in a subtle re-design. The launch of Ghost Series II consolidates Ghost’s position as the most popular car in the $300,000 class, and as a cornerstone of Rolls-Royce’s continuing success.

Jaguar confirms plans for new compact sedan, the XE

(March 4, 2014) MAHWAH, N.J. — Today, Jaguar confirmed details of the brand's all-new compact sport sedan, the Jaguar XE which will launch globally in 2015 and comes to the United States in 2016. The Jaguar XE will be the first product built on the new advanced aluminum architecture, which was showcased in the C-X17 concept car in 2013.

Volkswagen shows its concept Multivan Alltrack in Geneva

(March 4, 2014) GENEVA — Supreme, effortless ease is the key to freedom. The Multivan Alltrack is an outstanding example of this, equipped for any task and any route, according to Volkswagen

"At the harbor, it stylishly tows a boat trailer.  In the city it proves a spacious, reliable partner that wouldn’t look out of place in front of the opera house. Thanks to its spacious interior it also provides room for any shopping trip. Featuring 4MOTION all-wheel drive and off-road technology — the Multivan Alltrack is just as much a master of winding roads as it is off-road terrain," Volkswagen says.

Kia rides away — On its electric bikes

(March 4, 2014) GENEVA — Kia has unveiled two prototype electric bikes at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show 70 years on from the vehicle manufacturer’s inception as Korea’s first mass producer of bicycles and coinciding with the European debut of the firm’s first globally-available electric vehicle — the Soul EV.

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge roars into life with 560 horsepower engine

(March 4, 2014) GENEVA — Infiniti has boosted excitement in the high-performance premium sports sedan segment at the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show by revealing a powerful engine for the Q50 Eau Rouge concept.  The beating heart of the Eau Rouge, a twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V6 gas engine, was revealed on the Infiniti show stand today.

Out of the sinkhole: ZR-1 'Blue Devil' drives in museum, only minor damage

(March, 2014) BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The recovery of the first of eight historic Corvettes that fell into a sinkhole under the National Corvette Museum last month began Monday with the successful extraction of the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 "Blue Devil." The car was in good enough condition to drive 20 feet to the doorway of the museum’s Skydome.