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Fiat Americanizes its 500, complete with cupholders

The Fiat 500 subcompact might be Italian through and through, but the U.S. version that arrives in dealerships late this year will cater to American tastes. The American car will have a more powerful engine than the European version, a slightly softer ride and--most important--more substantial, American-style cupholders.

SEMA 2008 show report: Ford F-150, Mustang and Flex

By Phil McNamara Motor Shows 06 November 2008 09:30 Ford's stand was dominated by four models: the Flex, a slammed, seven-seat SUV with Range Rover-styling cues; the iconic F-150 pick up; the Focus; and, of course, the Mustang. With an ear-splitting V8 roar, Ford unveiled a 50-edition run of the Cobra Jet Mustang, and the F-150 SVT Raptor, a go-anywhere extreme version of the pick-up, which will bounce across sand dunes in the Baja California race later this month before going on sale next year. But tucked away in a corner was a less environmentally destructive F-150, shaped by British engineering firm PML.

Volvo Concept Estate previews upcoming V90 wagon

We flipped over the Volvo Concept Coupe at Frankfurt. We praised the XC Concept Coupe at Detroit. But the Volvo Concept Estate is the member of Volvo's recent show trio that finally reduced us to a large petri dish's worth of gibberish-spouting goo.