Stiff competition from Volkswagen and Toyota failed to unseat BMW's 5-liter V10 engine as the best engine in the world for the second year in a row, according to the judges presenting at the International Engine of the Year Awards 2006 held at Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. The powerplant also beat out other entrants to win in the categories of Best Performance Engine and Best Above 4.0-liters. BMW also received kudos for the Z4 M's 3.2-liter and twin-turbodiesel 3

For Alan Greenspan, inflation is something to be met with resistance. But for Toyota's redesigned third-generation RAV4--now available for the first time with a V-6 engine--inflation may be just the ticket. While SUV buyers are shedding mega-'utes at the horror of $120 refuelings, the RAV4's expanded new size--a whopping 14 inches in length--converts what's been a compact SUV into a flexible alternative

Last week, the Wonderbranding blog took GM to task for not effectively marketing to women and not producing cars that women want  We have a different view. Women are an important and influential group to GM. We very deliberately design, develop and produce cars with the quality, safety, technology and fuel efficiency women want and need for their daily lives, their careers, their families and their communities

EPA, Department of Energy recognize New Beetle, Golf and Jetta as fuel economy leader Travel season is quickly approaching – a time when millions of people will take to their cars for the annual family vacation and trips to the beach. This summer, however, recent spikes in fuel prices have many people canceling their plans and keeping the car in the garage

The 2007 Volvo XC90 received a number of enhancements for the 2007 MY, including an ever-so-slight refreshening and a new six-cylinder inline engine. Volvo is introducing a range-topping Executive model that adds chrome and silver trim on the exterior along with large 19-inch wheels, contrasting color stitching and edging in the interior with walnut panel inlays, and an optional cooler for the center console. It doesn't appear we'll get the XC90 Executive in the U.S

With all the talk of impending doom in Detroit, Car and Driver decided to ease the tension in its current June 2006 issue with a mock review of the 2006 Ford Futura Sprint GT/A Wagon. The facts, figures and specs surrounding the Futura Sprint are written with such a straight face that at times author John Phillips has us believing this punchline exists

The new Mercury Milan VOGA is being introduced right now during Miami Fashion Week in order to help the Ford brand attract the Hispanic dollar. Camilo Pardo, who designed another car you might remember – the Ford GT, designed the Milan VOGA. While the Milan VOGA lacks the 500 horses of the GT, it does add a nice dose of style to the Milan. Unfortunately Mercury is only going to produce one VOGA, which will be auctioned off on eBay in June at www.eBay.com/Milan

Auto Motor und Sport is postulating that the resurrected VW Scirocco will be here by 2008 and cost approximately 22,000 Euro, or around $28,000 US. At that price the Scirroco's main competition in Europe will be the beautiful Alfa Brera. The near future will be bring both these cars to the U.S., as well. The Scirocco's price also reveals that it will slot right between the Golf and new Eos hardtop convertible

In what is sure to be the blockbuster hit of the summer of 2006, the Lamborghini Gallardo makes a dazzling on-screen appearance in the highly anticipated Mission:Impossible III (Paramount Pictures). Italian moviegoers were treated to an extra performance, when the cast arrived in 10 Lamborghinis at the movie’s spectacular world premiere in Rome. Under the direction of J.J

Say “Chevrolet” in the United States, and people think of everything from a turquoise and white 1957 Bel Air to a 2006 Corvette Z06; from a heavy duty Silverado to an Aveo. What most people don’t think of is Chevrolet’s global expansion: in China (up 180 percent in first-quarter 2006), Venezuela (up 57 percent), Italy (up 33 percent) and Brazil (up 26.8 percent)