Lexus unveiled today at the Paris Auto Show the Convertible version of its IS250. Sales across Europe will begin in the summer of 2009. U.S. sales have not been announced yet (likely because it is right now being shown in Europe) but it should be around the same time as Europe.
The IS250C is powered by the same engine as the sedan version: the 2.5-liter V6 delivering 205 hp. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The IS 250C also uses the front double wishbone and multink rear suspension format from the IS sedan range to give, which means it should have the same spirited drive as the sedan. Lexus says there are significant chassis revisions to handle the structural differences that comes with the loss of the roof.
The 2010 IS250C will have a MSRP of $38,490 when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission; the IS250C with a six-speed automatic transmission will be $39,660. The IS350C will have a MSRP of $43,940.
Press release after the jump.
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Ferrari revealed today the first images and official details of the 2009 California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia.
The California will be powered by a new V8 engine mounted for the first time in the marque’s history in the mid-front position. The engine develops 460 CV at 7,500 rpm with a torque curve that enhances vehicle dynamics and provides maximum driving pleasure which is typical for Ferrari.
As per the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout, the engine, which allows the Ferrari California to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 4.0 seconds, will be coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that boosts the car’s performance while enhancing the driving pleasure, improves ride comfort and reduces fuel consumption and emissions (c.310 g/km CO2).
California will make its world debut this autumn at the Paris Motor Show, but more details will be unveiled in the upcoming weeks.
Press release after the jump.
Pics via Automobilismo.it
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BMW 7-Series made its world debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. In USA it went on sale this spring with the following prices:750i is $81,125 and the 750Li is $85,025.
The new BMW 7 Series is entering the market with a V8 and a straight-six gasoline engine both featuring Twin Turbo technology and direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection) as well as the first representative of a new generation of six-cylinder diesel engines.
The eight-cylinder developing maximum output of 407 hp between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm in the BMW 750i, for example, is the most efficient engine in its performance class and the only engine of its kind worldwide with the turbochargers fitted in the V-space between the two rows of cylinders.
For the BMW 740i, output of the six-cylinder Twin Turbo has been raised to 240 kW/326 hp at 5,800 rpm. The newly developed six-cylinder diesel in the BMW 730d, in turn, develops maximum output of 180 kW/ 245 hp at 4,000 rpm. And it goes without saying that all engines comply in full with the strict EU 5 emission standard.
Press release after the jump.
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Renault has chosen the glamorous weekend which sees the Cannes Film Festival coincide with the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix to take the wraps off Laguna Coupe. The flowing lines of the newcomer’s elegant, uncluttered design express timeless beauty and the promise of sheer motoring enjoyment.
Its performance provides unprecedented pleasure behind the wheel thanks to the combination of its Active Drive chassis equipped with four-wheel steering – which has been acclaimed by the media across Europe on the GT version of Renault Laguna – and the two new V6 powerplants which have been introduced at the same time as this image-forging vehicle. The brand new V6 dCi, which is poised to become a benchmark in terms of performance and pleasure, delivers 235hp (173kW), while the new 3.5-litre petrolpowered V6 offers 240hp (175kW). Laguna Coupe stands out as an inspiring, fourseater with genuine sensual appeal and will be shown in further detail at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show in October.
Renault Laguna Coupe bears a close resemblance to the racy concept car revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, while its elegant styling and proportions boast all the hallmarks associated with truly exceptional coupes. Its distinctive front end suggests the presence under the bonnet of the finest Renault-Nissan Alliance engines which have been designed and developed to ensure supreme driving enjoyment. Indeed, Renault Laguna Coupe is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100kph in less than seven seconds, and this upper-range performance combines with the Active Drive chassis and four-wheel steering to deliver optimum pleasure at the wheel.
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First unveiled in 1996, the Ford Ka has finally officially entered the second generation. The new generation Ka made its world debut at the 2008 Paris Auto Show and comes with new exterior design, new interior and engines.
Ford designers have given the new Ka a fashionable, modern appearance based around the company’s ’kinetic design’ form language. A number of visual cues provide a connection to the original Ka, but with its distinctive face and chunky proportions the new model has its own unique character.
The affordable new Ford Ka is designed to be both cheap to run and kind to the environment. It uses two economical, low emission engines: a 1.2-litre 69 PS Duratec petrol engine and, for the first time on Ka, a 1.3-litre 75 PS Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel.
Both petrol and diesel models are available with sub-120g/km CO2 emissions. The 1.2-litre petrol model, which is expected to be the largest seller in the new range, has cut fuel consumption by 21 per cent compared to the previous 1.3-litre Ka. The diesel model – available on the Ka for the first time – improves economy still further, achieving a combined fuel consumption of 4.2 litres/100km.
Press release after the jump.
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Since the first generation was launched and until now, Volkswagen sold more than 1.7 million GTI worldwide. Now this success history will go even further with the debut of the sixth generation GTI at the Paris Auto Show. Sales will begin in spring 2009.
With a top speed of 148 mph and 207 hp turbo engine, the new GTI offers even more fun to drive, but with a fuel consumption of only 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers.
The Golf GTI comes with an unique combination of agile and athletic engine. At 1800 rpm the engine develops a maximum torque of 280 Nm. After only 7,2 seconds the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) is completed.
The GTI features an electronic limited-slip differential called XDS and the Scirocco’s adaptive chassis. At the exterior the new GTi is inspired by the Golf GTI W12 concept, there’s a wide, one-piece lower-grille which is far more aggressive than the three-piece design on the fifth-generation GTI. It features foglights, a narrow upper-grille featuring red-banding and a rear diffuser which features twin exhausts.
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Seat unveiled at the Paris Auto Show the Exeo, a new middle class sedan. Seat calls the car a "limousine" but more in the sense of long-wheel base and less in the "Jeeves bring the car around" idea. The Europe only Exeo will go on sale in spring of 2009 at a price of €22,000.
Seat is part of the Volkswagen group, and like the rest of its offerings, the Exeo will be based on other designs in the Family. But for the first time the Exeo will spawn from a premium platform, the Audi A4. The new Exeo will be launched with three gas engines (from 102 HP to 200 HP) and three common rail Diesel engines of latest generation (from 120 HP to 170 HP). Five of these six engines are turbo engines. All six Exeo engines fulfil the future Euro 5 emissions standard.
Press release after the jump.
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The new generation Megane made in world debut in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show. Sales started from November 2008. The new Megane is being offered with a choice of two petrol engines and six Diesel engines. There are five different versions on the market: Authentique, Expression, Carminat, Dynamique and Privilège. New Mégane Hatch prices will range from €18,400 to €25,600.
New Renault Mégane exudes a sense of robustness and perceived quality. This impression is heightened by the generous surface area and curvaceous forms of the body panels. Seen from the side, the feature line extends the crease of the slightly prominent front wings rearward to emphasize the car’s broad, solid shoulders. The wide track dimensions (1.55m) ensure that the car sits squarely on the road, and this sense of stability is underlined by the steeply-raked rear screen and, indeed, by the entire rearend design. New Renault Mégane’s proportions, the form of the beltline and the large door panels exude a feeling of protection.
Renault New Mégane’s interior is extensively equipped with practical, comfort-enhancing features. These include combined analogue/digital instruments incorporating a new, easier to read colour-coded cruise control/speed limiter interface. The list continues with a host of equipment normally associated with the next segment up, such as hands-free entry and ignition, automatic locking as the driver walks away from the car, a Carminat Bluetooth® DVD navigation system and a custom-developed audio system (3D Sound by Arkamys®).
Press release after the jump.
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The new Golf inspires respect with its clear design styling – its appearance is dominated by perfect build quality and precise lines. The front end has an impressively sporty look, thanks to both the striking radiator grille and the elegant shape of the headlights. The prominent tornado line gives it a lower and more extended appearance, from the headlights to the characteristic rear lights.
The 2009 Golf VI will be offered at the launch with two 2.0 liter TDI engines; they output of 110 hp and 140 hp. The 110 hp strong entry-level diesel is satisfied with 4.5 liters of fuel (119 g/km CO2) per 100 kilometers – that represents a 0.6 liter reduction! Even the 140 hp version only requires 4.9 liters of diesel (129 g/km CO2), which is 0.6 liters less.
There will also be four gasoline versions with output 80 hp, 102 hp, 122 hp and 160 hp. Engines will be mated to either a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG transmission.
The sixth Golf has a sportier and more distinctive appearance than any previous generation of the model series. The roof section now rests – similar to the new Scirocco – on a dominant filled out shoulder section. Responsible for this is a prominent curving line that – like a muscle trained down to the last fiber – extends from the headlights back to the taillights. All body surfaces are generally more relaxed, more athletic. In front the new car takes up the horizontally aligned radiator grille trim strip between the headlights of the first Golf generation; the grille itself is high-gloss black.
In the rear too is characterized by a dominance of horizontal lines. The taillights – very wide now – are identified among other things by an unmistakably unique night design. Stylistically – with their crystal-clear lines for the turn signal and backup lamps – they bear a resemblance to the taillights of the Touareg.
Overall, the image of the new Golf – in the interplay of all of its design characteristics – is one of a significantly wider, flatter and even more high-end car.
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The 2009 Kia SOUL urban crossover made its world debut in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show. Sales will begin in early of 2009 and Kia hopes to sell around 136,000 examples annually. Customers will have to choose from 15 different versions and 11 exterior colors and four interior color-schemes, plus a wide range of option packs, optional extras and accessories.
The 4.1-metre long Kia Soul urban crossover has an unusually long (2550 mm) wheelbase, but the key dimensions behind the Soul’s striking appearance are vertical measurements. Overall height is 1610 mm, the base of the windscreen is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the ‘hip point’ is 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is raised by 45 mm to 165 mm.
The SOUL will be offered with a choice of 126 hp diesel and 126 hp gasoline engines. In Europe the most popular choice will be a 1.6-litre CRDi 16-valve diesel engine that delivers 126 hp and a peak torque of 255 NM. The gasoline one, a 1.6-litre Gamma, will deliver 126 hp at 6,300 rpm and 156 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. Standard transmission for Kia Soul will be an upgraded five-speed manual with improved shift quality and lower weight, the 1.6-litre diesel will be available with an automatic transmission as an extra-cost option.
Benefiting from a modest kerb weight, the Kia Soul accelerates briskly, delivering acceleration times (to 100 kph) from 10.4 to 11.3 seconds and going on to reach top speeds in excess of 175 kph (109 mph). Fuel consumption figures range over a 5.1 to 6.6 liters/100 km span, while CO2 figures vary between 137 and 159 g/km.
Full details after the jump.
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