Buick has today announced that their next mid-size sedan will be none other than the Regal. You may be familiar with the name Regal in relation to Buick as Autoblog reports around 6 years ago they had a model with the same name.

The 2010 Buick Regal for the North American market will be based on the Chinese sedan of the same name but other than that we have no information regarding what will be under the hood or what cosmetic changes, if any, will apply.

We’ll keep you posted.

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Trouble afoot for TagAZ as GM’s South Korean manufacturer Daewoo (whose name I literally cannot hear without thinking of the Tank sketches from Mad TV–see what I mean below) is bringing suit against the Russian firm for allegedly copying the Lacetti sedan.

Here’s the interesting part–two TagAZ engineers who used to work for Daewoo were arrested in connection with taking roughly six thousand computer files with them to their new company.  Plus there was a Daewoo executive, former, who left notes proclaiming his innocense in  the matter…just before he killed himself.

It sounds like a pretty straightforward case of industrial espionage from here, especially given the sheer amount of documents the former employees were accused of taking with them.  That and the suicide who died proclaiming his innocence in the matter certainly suggests that something’s going on at some level, at the very least.  No one knows how it’ll turn out, but I personally look for a nice out of court settlement featuring some mediators and wrangling.

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Audi has recently let us in on the official pricing for their forthcoming 2010 S4. As it goes, the S4 sedan will having a starting price of $45,900 with manual transmission and $47,300 with S tronic transmission. Make note that these prices do not include the $825 destination charge, taxes, dealer fees, etc.

Audi says that the S4 will feature a 3G Multimedia Interface with 3D maps and SIRIUS traffic information. Under the hood the call will feature a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine capable of 333hp and 325 pound-ft of torque. And finally, the S4 with manual transmission will sprint from 0-60MPH in just 4.9 seconds, a .4 improvement over last years model.

Expect the 2010 Audi S4 to hit dealerships in the coming months.

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Volkswagen Passat CC

Volkswagen’s newest luxury sedan, the CC (or the Passat CC), has done it again. This graceful four-door coupe, brought out only recently, has already won the prestigious iF Product Design Award as well as the Australian International Design Award. And now Volkswagen can add the Red Dot Design Award to its list of achievements.

One of the most sought after design awards, the Red Dot prize has been presented annually since 1955 by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen on the best designs in the world, and was received this year by Volkswagen designer Martin Kropp on behalf of his whole team.

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Toyota Special Edition Crown Hybrid

Most of us think of a ‘Special Edition’ vehicle being one that is furnished with extra features beyond the standard, however Toyota has decided to release an entry-level, bargain-priced domestic version of its Crown Hybrid model called the ‘Special Edition’ to help the company boost sales. When compared to the standard Crown Hybrid introduced in Japan in early 2008, the Special Edition version has done away with much of the comfort, convenience and even some safety features such as Toyota’s Pre-Crash Safety System, automatic wipers and leather upholstery, to name a few.

The result is a price reduction of about 10 percent, to 5.4 million Yen or approximately $56,100 US. This full-size, rear-wheel drive Crown Hybrid sedan is powered by a 292HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and a 48HP electric motor producing a maximum combined output of 340HP. As submitted by Toyota, the Crown Hybrid achieves a fuel efficiency of 14.0 km/l (US equivalent of 32.9 mpg) according to the Japanese test cycle.

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Despite being killed off late last month Pontiac has managed to outfit 35,038 G8 2008 and 2009 sedans with faulty engineering. All 35,058 G8s are being recalled for following two reasons.

First of all, Pontiac says that the brake pedal position switch may have been incorrectly programmed potentially leaving the brake lamps lit up even when the brake pedal isn’t pressed. All sorts of chaos could have ensued had the problem not been found.

Second, Pontiac points towards the tire pressure monitoring systems which could have also been improperly programmed. In a nut shell, the improper programming could potentially lead the system unable to identify under inflated tires leading to all sorts of problems.

Pontiac says that G8 owners should head to their local dealerships starting on June 8th to remedy the problem.

Read (Autoblog)

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Hyundai Equus

Hyundai has developed a new large luxury sedan called the Equus, which it is selling in its home market of South Korea as well as a few choice markets around the world. Latest reports suggest that the car could eventually be sold in the U.S. as a rival to the Mercedes Benz S-Class and Lexus LS however, the Hyundai is expected to be priced around $50,000. This information comes from a Hyundai insider, who disclosed that the Equus will almost certainly arrive in U.S. showrooms within the next “two or three years”.

Hyundai used last month’s New York Auto Show to help gage the public’s reaction. Apparently the event proved so successful that Hyundai now plans to bring 100 examples to showcase in dealerships all around the country. The first cars should arrive by the middle of the year, Hyundai spokesman Oles Gadacz told USA Today.

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It was recently announced that due to the poor state of the economy, GM is being forced to cancel the 2010 Cobalt SS Sedan.

To sooth the wounds, GM tells consumers that the Cobalt SS coupe is still on board for release featuring a 260hp turbocharged 2.0 liter engine.

I personally share the same opinion with John Neff over at AutoBlog as I prefer the sedan over the coupe anyday.

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Thanks to its continuous development and offering of new vehicles in the market, Ford has made great headway in improving its retail market share since December 2006. Ford estimates its retail share performance from October 2008 through March 2009 was the strongest of any major manufacturer compared with the same period a year ago.

Ford’s newest products drove the company’s retail share performance: the new F-150 pickup, Escape small utility, Flex full-size crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan. The sell-down of the previous-generation Fusion mid-size sedan also contributed to the company’s strong retail showing.

Growing awareness and consideration of Ford and its high-quality, fuel-efficient products are starting to take hold. Plus, through June 1, Ford is offering consumers additional reasons to “Drive one.”

The Ford Advantage Plan is effective on vehicles delivered from March 31 through June 1. The Plan offers payment protection up to 12 months for up to $700 per month on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if a customer loses his or her job. Plus, 0 percent financing from Ford Motor Credit is available on select vehicles.

(Source) Press

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For sure many of us have heard by now that Fisker Automotive is scheduled to unveil its own version of plug-in hybrid vehicles and give the Tesla a run for its money. While these were all verbal some weeks back, today it has been made official as Fisker has announced that it has appointed its first group of North American retailers to market and service its luxury plug-in hybrid vehicles, beginning with the $87,900, 100mpg Karma sedan later this year.

Thirty-two award-winning retailers have confirmed their intent to carry the Fisker marquee. The number puts the carmaker close to its goal of having 40 locations across the country by the end of June 2009.

By keeping startup costs low and not requiring floor-planning beyond demonstrator and display cars, Fisker is able to attract new franchises even in tough economic times. President Obama’s recent pledge of $2.4B to support development of plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery technology is added incentive.

Fisker showrooms will reflect the company’s concern for the environment and their vehicles’ emission free capabilities. “They will be Eco-facilities, not Ego-facilities,” Doolan said. Architecture calls for natural and sustainable materials like wood and textiles. An available solar-powered car port can keep demonstrator vehicles clean, dry, fully charged and ready to go.

(Source) Azo Clean Tech

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It seems an Oklahoma City resident was unhappy with the current offerings of fully electric cars and decided to take matters into his own hands.

What you see in the above video is what he calls the DC Cruiser. The DC Cruiser is a 1936 Chevy Sedan stripped bare and redone with a 10-inch electric motor attached to the transmission.

How far can you go in this baby? Around 20 miles on a single charge.

Read (AutoBlogGreen)

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It seems Mike Hanley from Cars.com has taken time to fully review the all new 2010 Kia Forte. What’s the verdict? Well, according to the video, the Kia Forte will go up against models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3. 

Taking some design hints from the other models, the Kia Forte is sure to be a competitive compact sedan when it hits the market.

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Zap Xebra Sedan

The rumor that electric cars have been killed only applies to the GM variety. Other manufacturers are doing quite well with them, thank you very much, and the Zap Car is a good example of a quiet ride that is alive and well. With a top speed of 40 MPH and a range of 25 miles per charge, the Zap Xebra Sedan goes farther and faster than you might expect.

Even after factoring in the emissions created by coal-fueled electrical power plants, the Xebra Sedan still produces 98% fewer pollutants than a comparable gasoline-powered car. The single front wheel will get you lots of attention from curious onlookers, and even more so when four comfortable passengers exit your tiny Xebra without problem. The Zap has no tailpipe, just a place to plug in and recharge at any standard electrical outlet. The Zap Xebra sedan is as affordable as it is environmentally chic. MSRP starts at $11,700.

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The picture here shows a Ford Fiesta Sedan doing some testing in little old China. The Fiesta Sedan will look like the Verve Concept you might have seen at last year’s Detroit Auto Show. Mazda 2 will appear to be similar but hey, certain cars happen to end up looking the same all the time. Well then will we see the new Fiesta at next year’s Detroit Auto Show and then we’ll talk some more. Do we like it so far? Well no we don’t! Not with all those clothes on it!

via ChinaCarTimes

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Volkswagen seems ready to get new midsize sedan out of the Chattanooga plant. We don’t know what it is but the new car will be made for the U.S. market.

The new car’s codename is NMS. Wow that’s like so cool considering it’s the acronym for New Midsize Sedan. The NMW will get a TDI diesel and a double clutch transmission. The car will get a large trunk and a spacious legroom. Well I’d be interested in more features so we’re waiting for a benevolent leak.

via WRCB

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