GM may resume development of a range of RWD large cars.The plans were put on hold last month following fears that the Bush administration would raise corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards.To raise was by 4% a year on the original proposal. So fleets would have to average 34mpg by 2017 – 30% higher than today’s levels.
Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman has revealed that development will resume, even the cars will have to feature more fuel-efficient engine options. “I think (...) > More
Clio TomTom offers a TomTom ONE GB portable satellite navigation system worth £179 as standard and is available in three-door only. The Clio TomTom is well-suited to the style-conscious who also want comfort and practicality, as well as the latest technological advances.
TomTom, European market leader and the world’s largest navigation solutions provider, was Renault’s natural partnership choice for the special navigation edition of Clio. The system itself, TomTom ONE is the (...) > More
As if Renault’s ever popular chic supermini, Clio didn’t already offer the perfect range line-up, customers are now set to benefit even further from more choice with three new versions added to the list.
In three-door form, the Clio will now offer nine trim levels in its impressive line-up, with prices ranging from £7,485 for the entry-level Freeway 1.2 16V 75 to £13,480 for the Dynamique SX dCi 106 with air conditioning.
The nine trims available to order now in three-door are (...) > More
Audi is extending its highest-volume model series, the Audi A4, adding two new, particularly efficient models. With an output of 115 bhp, the A4 1.9 TDI e, available as a saloon and as an Avant, offers powerful propulsion and high efficiency. The A4 1.9 TDI e accelerates to 100 km/h in just 11.2 seconds and on up to a maximum speed of 201 km/h, which makes its fuel consumption data all the most astonishing. Indeed, the A4 1.9 TDI e saloon with a manual 6-speed gearbox requires just 5.2 (...) > More
Ford may launch a small-capacity petrol turbo engine instead of the 2.0 and 2.3-litre four-cylinder engines just launched in the new Mondeo.
“We can get similar power, torque and performance with much reduced carbon dioxide emissions,” said Jens Ludmann, Ford’s head of development.
The 128bhp 2.0-litre and the new 158bhp 2.3-litre will probable be replaced by a 1,6 turbo in the next couple of years. “We have learned from the old Mondeo that you need to keep bringing in something new (...) > More
Combining the interior space of an executive saloon with the agility of a conventional small hatchback, Nissan’s unconventional NOTE is designed to appeal to the head and the heart.
Emotional and practical appeal
NOTE, developed from the Tone show car shown at the 2004 Paris motor show, has been designed to appeal on both emotional and practical levels. As well as having the roomiest interior in its class – and a wealth of innovative storage opportunities – NOTE is also fun to drive. (...) > More
A passenger car with SUV attributes, QASHQAI really does bring unique qualities to one of the most conservative sectors of the new car market.Its distinctive styling is a marriage of the sleek shape of a passenger car with the strength of a 4x4 to create something fresh and different in the new car market.The advert that promotes the model couldn’t be less original.
Toyota and Subaru have swapped more than 100 engineers in order to explore possible synergies between the two auto makers. Toyota sent about 100-150 over to Subaru and vice versa, a couple months after Toyota purchased a stake in Fuji. The alliance also has opened doors for other opportunities, such as technology swapping, so Subaru may adapt Toyota’s hybrid technology for use in one of its vehicles.
“That exchange started a couple months after the agreement was reached for Toyota to (... > More
The New Ypsilon, recently introduced to the world at the 63rd International Venice Film Festival, marks the first step towards the future for Lancia. It is designed for demanding customers who are in a continuous quest for unique products. It has reinvented itself by building on an exterior look much appreciated by European motorists and an underlying nature that relies on innate good looks and style. The model has also evolved to offer more performance, more technology and more (...) > More
The Altea XL has been the most recent model to join the SEAT range, and it is also the first model equipped with the totally new 160 hp 1.8 TFSI engine.
This new and enhanced 1.8 litre engine uses turbo-charged petrol direct injection technology that has been tried and tested on other SEAT engines.
The more compact engine block takes up less space in the engine bay, and the new counter-rotating shaft arrangement results in reduced vibrations for lower noise levels.
The 1.8 TFSI also sets (...) > More