Fisker battles problems as the Karma finally lurches toward launch

All Henrik Fisker wants is to build his plug-in hybrid cars and deliver them to customers--some of whom have been waiting three years since plunking down $5,000 deposits. Instead, he has been fending off criticisms aimed at his green-car company as shipments of his $103,000 Karma plug-in hybrid sedan have been delayed by cash flow troubles, regulatory snarls and a recall. But when a startup such as Fisker Automotive accepts a Department of Energy loan in a down economy, having the company tossed around like a political football comes with the territory.

Jaguar E-Type celebrates 50 years

As the Geneva motor show opens its doors to the press, it is quite apt that the Jaguar E-Type be honored by a new exhibition at the Design Museum in London, UK. Commemorating the iconic vehicle's 50th anniversary since it was first unveiled at the Swiss motoring exposition, the 'Tank' installation at the Design Museum has played host to many cars in the past, from the Model T Ford through to the Citroen C6, but none seem quite as fitting as the E-Type Jaguar. Possibly the most infamous car to come from Coventry, the E-Type is revered as a design classic and is still admired in droves to this day.

Volvos to get twin-clutch gearbox

By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 14 May 2008 13:33 Volvo’s C30, S40 and V50 are now available with a new six-speed twin-clutch ‘box – dubbed Powershift – mated to the company’s 134bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The new twin-clutch gearbox has been developed with Getrag (and Volvo's parent company Ford), and is basically the same unit recently announced in the Focus and C-Max. Volvo claims the new gearbox offers an 8 percent improvement in fuel consumption over a conventional six-speed automatic.