Kia unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Optima, a model that offers a completely modified exterior, which offers a more aggressive, dynamic style than previous models, and is outfitted with a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy. The 2009 Optima will go on sale in early fall.
For 2009. Optima is being offered in three different versions: LX, EX and the new sporty SX trim. Along with a sport-tuned suspension, SX upgrades include: a black-bezeled front grille and headlamps, LED outside-mirror turning signals, fog lights and hyper-silver-finished 17-inch wheels. EX and LX V6 models are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, and are fitted with Goodyear tires.
The 2009 Optima is available in two powerplants – a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6 engine – and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model only). The four-cylinder engine delivers 161 hp and the 2.7-liter V6 delivers190 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed, gated automatic transmission. All automatics feature Sportmatic clutchless shifting.
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Peugeot is working on a replacement for the current 607. Peugeot will inspire the 608’s design from the 908RC concept car’s shown at 2006 Paris Auto Show. The frontal shape of the 908 should give you some ideas of the new Peugeot 608. The 608 will be developed from the Citroen C6 platform. It will debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
The 607 is suffering from a deficit of notoriety and also from a lack of top-of-the-range motorizations. The new top-of-the-range from the french carmaker will use a lengthened platform of 407 and should also have the same traveling trains.
The 608 will be slightly longer than the 607, but it will remain under the 5 m length bar. The design will be an evolution of the 607 following several themes presented in recent concept cars. The front design of the next 608 is not accurate but the side profile is representative of a subtle approximation to the 4-door coupe class pioneered by Mercedes in the CLS model.
The gasoline versions will be animated by a 2.2 engine with 16 valves and 163bhp and the V6 with 215bhp. A revised version of the 2.7 HDi V6 will also make an appearance but with power boosted above the current 200bhp as well as an all new petrol V6. You can also expect an AWD model. The diesel engines will be: a 2.2 HDI biturbo delivering 170 hp and a V6 HDI with an output of 207 hp. There is also a possibility that Peugeot will add a V8 engine under the hood of this car. The car will feature a six-speed automatic transmission.
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Technology- thats the one word answer you can expect from an engineer in Mercedes Benz if asked about the cars his company makes. And the same answer is what keeps them ahead of the rest. They make these epic cars and when nobody is complaining, they make better ones. They were the first ones to develop, test and implement stability control, traction control, brake assist, seat belt tensioners, airbags, ABS etc. Every time a new car is unveiled in one of those auto shows, it sports a handful of fascinating and unseen technology. Jeremy Clarkson commented after driving the Mercedes-Benz S Class’s that "It’s more than just a car, its a glimpse into the future, its a showcase of everything that can be done and everything that everyone else will be doing very soon". A brief examination of the popular models reveal how different and colorful they are.
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Mercedes Benz has planned a $100 million advertising campaign in the U.S. The promos will focus on the C-Class and M-Class models in an attempt to improve sales figures. This is a new initiative taken up by Mercedes to increase awareness and also to promote the brand.
Mercedes will divert the advertising money to pay for nationwide TV spots instead of making local ad buys.
"There is just so much TV advertising out there, and we have to tell our story in compelling ways," stated Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA.
Competitor BMW, has another way of going about it. It will allocate not more than a quarter of its advertising dollars on TV spots and will focus on Internet advertising, interactive marketing and newspaper ads.
It will be interesting to see if there are any new promos made specially for the U.S audience. The extent to which these ads will effect sales remains to be seen.
Hyundai announced today at the Chicago Auto Show the pricing for the all new 2009 Sonata. With an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting even more horsepower and improved fuel economy, the new Sonata is now on sale at Hyundai dealerships. Pricing start at $18,795 for the Sonata GLS and go up to $26,345 for the Sonata Limited.
For 2009, Sonata raises the bar for value and standard safety technology in the mid-size segment. Hyundai’s sales leader boasts new features ranging from standard USB/iPod auxiliary inputs to available navigation and sport-tuned suspension. Combined with Sonata’s continued leadership in safety – it remains the only mid-size sedan under $20,000 with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – the 2009 American-made Sonata is the smartest choice in the competitive mid-size sedan segment.
The new, second-generation Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine delivers more horsepower and quicker acceleration. Fuel economy numbers are 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the newly available five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better engine breathing.
Sonata’s 3.3-liter V6 engine now pumps out 15 more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque (249 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm). This newly refined powerplant features all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, CVVT on both camshafts and stiffer hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. A variable intake system is added for 2009, which further broadens its power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New mileage figures for V6-powered Sonatas are 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway.
Click to see the full-line pricing.
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Mitsubishi will unveil at the Chicago Auto Show the 2009 Galant mid-size sedan. Sales will begin in February with prices starting at $21,099 for the Galant ES and Galant Sport Edition; $23,099 for the Galant Sport-V6 and $27,299 for the Galant Ralliart.
The 2009 Galant line offers four distinct trim levels and three performance levels: ES, Sport Edition, V6 Sport and Galant Ralliart. All Galant models come standard with a Sportronic® automatic transmission - a 4-speed with the 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed with the two V-6 engines.
The Ralliart model is powered by a 258-hp 3.8-liter MIVEC V-6 engine and equipped with a 5-speed Sportronic automatic transmission, plus special Ralliart-tuned sport suspension, new 18-inch alloy wheels and exclusive exterior styling.
The Galant ES and Sport Edition are powered by a 160-hp 2.4-liter MIVEC 4-cylinder engine, teamed to a four-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic. The new Sport V-6 model exclusively features a smooth, responsive 230-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine.
Press release after the jump.
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Hyundai will unveil at the Chicago Auto Show the 2009 Sonata that features an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting both improved fuel economy and horsepower. It will be available in three different trims: GLS, SE and Limited. Sales will begin later this month.
The 2009 Sonata will be powered by Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine that delivers more horsepower and quicker acceleration, while also improving fuel economy. The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque.
The V6 engine has also been improved: it now pumps out 15 more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque (249 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm).
For 2009, Sonata raises the bar for value and standard safety technology in the mid-size segment. Hyundai’s sales leader boasts new features ranging from standard USB/iPod auxiliary inputs to available navigation and sport-tuned suspension. Combined with Sonata’s continued leadership in safety - it remains the only mid-size sedan under $20,000 with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - the 2009 American-made Sonata is the smartest choice in the competitive mid-size sedan segment.
Press release after jump.
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Chinese love Beemers. They gobble up all the BMW’s produced in no time, leaving the manufacturer gasping for breath.
To feed the BMW-hungry market, the German manufacturer has planned to step on the gas and produce 45% more cars in the following months which is roughly about 44,000 extra cars a year. BMW’s sales and marketing chief Stefan Krause, said the company experienced a 37 percent rise in 2007 sales to more than 61,000 cars.
BMW is partnered by Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd to make 3 and 5 Series cars in the Chinese plant situated in Shenyang.
"It is our clear goal to strengthen our lead as the most successful premium provider in Asia," Krause said.
BMW aims to sell more than 2 million cars worldwide by 2020, and raise the operating margin to 8-10 percent by 2012 from 5.5 percent for the first nine months of 2007.
With fresh design accents and three additional engines, the new
Opel Zafira will be available at dealerships from February 2008. The Zafira’s striking looks communicate dynamics and self-confidence. Its 1.6-liter gasoline and two 1.7-liter CDTI engines embody the current trends: powerful, economical and affordable. This all puts the Opel compact van in an excellent position to continue the success story of the world’s first fully versatile seven-seater, which will see its two millionth unit rolling off the assembly line early next year. Following the introduction of the second generation in mid-2005, this Zafira also belongs to the top of its vehicle class with over 450,000 units sold and around ten percent market share in Europe. The new edition of the bestseller makes its world premiere at the Bologna Motor Show (December 7 - 16, 2007)
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When it comes to the lifestyle of active women today, the watchword is balance. Job, fitness, shopping, meeting friends and getting around – a car makes everything easier to manage, and preferably one that is as versatile as its owner. This is precisely what designers and engineers had in mind when developing the latest generation Opel Agila.
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