The German variant of General Motors, Opel, has already released a green version of their popular four door Insignia model wearing the ecoFLEX badge, but that was it. Well now there is good news for fans of environmentally friendly wagons and estates, because Opel has just announced that their ecoFLEX Insignia will soon be available as a Sports Tourer.
The green five door is powered by a 2.0 Liter CDTI engine with the Clean Tech System producing 160 HP and an impressive 280 lb-ft of torque. The fuel efficient diesel burning drive train is complimented by a six speed manual transmission, complete with a higher final drive to allow highway cruising at lower engine speeds. The result is a Sports Tourer that can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 9.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 133.5 MPH, if those numbers don’t seem too impressive, than consider the vehicle’s fuel mileage of 44 MPG.
If only drivers here in the U.S. could learn to appreciate different things like sports wagons and diesel burning power plants. If we hadn’t attached such a lasting stigma to either of those two items then maybe we could enjoy a spirited ride in an ecoFLEX Insignia Sports Tourer, try getting that kind of performance and economy from a gasoline powered vehicle.
Top Speed recently received Toyota’s latest response to a multi-people mover, the Venza. This MPV is perfect for any consumer who needs the space and practicality of a minivan, but wants the attitude and style traditionally associated with a fun to drive vehicle. Overall it looks like a chopped and stretched Lexus RX SUV. Starting off, our Barcelona Red Venza came with options like leather, wood grain, high intensity discharge headlamps, AM/FM/MP3 radio as well as a DVD entertainment system.
One of the first things that you will notice when you get behind the wheel of most modern Toyota’s is the dual LCD displays on the dash. There is the traditional large screen incorporated into the center stack as well as a smaller 3.5 inch display that shows the settings for the dual zone climate control, fuel economy and a few other helpful facts for the driver. Meanwhile the larger LCD displays everything from audio settings to navigation.
The Venza offers seating for 5 and has more than enough cup holders to allow a few passengers to enjoy multiple beverages. There are also plenty of rather large storage compartments that conveniently let you stow away your goods. The Venza shines when it comes to cargo capacity, offering over 30 cubic feet of available space behind the rear seats and over 70 cubic feet when they are laid flat; there is even a 110 Volt outlet and audio/video inputs so you can play some video games while camped out in back of the Toyota.
Over 50 years after it hit the streets of America, this 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon looks like it just rolled out of the plant two weeks ago. That’s what happens when people go to great lengths in preserving priceless vehicles like this one. Not only do they look better than most cars out on the streets these days, but the ride is equally – if not better – than its contemporaries.
This ’55 Nomad has been around for half a century yet is still considered by many as one of the finely restored Nomads in existence. Even before it was restored, the car was deemed as spotless: no scratches, no benders, and no rust. Such was the care for this car that only a few reproduction items were ever used on it, meaning that most of its parts – including the original 265ci V8 and power glide transmission – remain intact and, better yet, fully operational. The car’s underside remains coated with the same brown/red oxide primer it has had since 1955 with no undercoating and the rear cargo area still has its original linoleum – which if you know your cars, has been obsolete for the longest time.
One of the few things done to this car was repainting it with its original Gypsy Red and Polo White colors, and even after doing so, you’d be remiss to think that it actually had a paint job. This Nomad is as near to flawless as any other restored car you can ever find in the world today.
The German automaker Mercedes Benz has just unveiled a new special edition of their entry level model, the C Class, in both sedan and wagon versions. The special edition baby Benz can be recognized by the tinted headlamps surrounded by a dark bezel, unique Indium Grey paintwork and 17 inch 5-spoke lightweight alloy wheels. The special edition C Class will also be offered in obsidian black, palladium silver or calcite white.
The celebratory C Class was designed to attract raw admiring glances due to the vehicle’s sporty, elegant nature combined with an outstanding interior along with a few technological highlights standard. The body features a healthy amount of chrome and aluminum trim pieces to accessorize the exterior, while the interior is based on Mercedes Benz’s AVANTGARDE philosophy, combining future technologies like ARTICO man made leather with classic design characteristics to create a timeless look and feel. The interior also features creature comforts like a leather wrapped luxury steering wheel, leather wrapped gear selector, heated seats and a 4.5 inch multifunction display. All standard.
There’s nothing like the power of viral marketing to create a buzz these days. It builds a sense of mystique, which if done correctly, leads to a following, which, in turn, builds excitement about the brand.
That’s probably what the bigwigs back in Korea were thinking about when they dreamed up this online ad for the all-new 2010 Kia Soul. The viral video involves a pack of Soul’s driving around a pier of some sort while creating a number of ‘moving stills’ making a number of very unique stop-frame action sequences.
Seat Exeo, revealed back in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show will get a new version: the ST (Sport Tourer). According to the company sales will begin before next summer with an engine range and equipment list that is identical to the for-door model. The only differences will be a longer body, at 4.666 metres in length, and a boot capacity of 442 litres.
The SEAT Exeo ST offer, as well as the sedan, includes six engine choices, three petrol and three Diesel equipped with common rail technology for the first time. The entire range complies with stringent EU5 emissions legislation, and is available in three trim levels – Reference, Style and Sport. Both versions will be manufactured at the company’s factory in Martorell, near Barcelona.
The new model features greater storage volume compared to the sedan by allowing objects to be loaded up to the ceiling. The Exeo ST is also equipped with an upper cargo net that increases safety by preventing objects from falling into the passenger compartment.
Renault added today a new version in its Megane line-up. It will join the current Hatchback, Coupé, Grand Scénic and Scénic and will go on sale at the end of this month.
The new Megane Estate is being offered with a choice of eight diesel engines and six petrol ones. Diesel line-up includes: 1.5 dCi with: 85, 90, 105 and 110 hp; dCi 130 engine that develops 130 hp, 2.0 dCi with 150 and 160 hp. Petrol line-up includes: TCe 130 with 1,8 liters and 130 hp, 1.6 16V with 100 and 110 hp, 2.0 16V 140 hp CVT and TCe 180. All the engines are mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
The new model features sporty, elegant lines, a longer wheelbase that ensure plenty of carrying capacity, low-profile windows, chrome longitudinal roofbars.
It also benefits from lots of the latest technologies: two fully-integrated, joystick-operated, centre console-mounted navigation systems: Carminat TomTom and Carminat Bluetooth DVD, a digital speedometer, Hands-free entry, 3D Sound by Arkamys.
The 407 has an elegance that truly stands out in its segment, in keeping with the 207 and 308. Its excellent resale value and reliability are combined with competitive running costs, as confi rmed by surveys carried out recently in Germany. In terms of handling it excels, combining active safety, driving involvement and comfort of a high level. Incorporating the very best technical solutions, this recognised expertise will be referred to as Peugeot Road Touch Tech in communications to the general public.
Subtle visual improvements updating a design that is just as dynamic and bold as before but now features more in terms of elegance, robustness and high quality, both externally and internally. New enhanced comfort equipment increasing the appeal of the different versions by offering even greater specification and well-being to its occupants, particularly onboard temperature control and new telematics systems.
It is available with a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines featuring the latest technology, particularly on the HDi diesel versions, the most popular engine specifi ed in the 407. These include an uprated 2.0-litre HDi engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox which develops a power of 103 kW (140bhp), an increase of 3 kW (4bhp). It also benefi ts from a fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100km (42.0mpg) and CO2 emissions reduced to 150g/km.
A few days ago Top Speed reported that Mercedes Benz was going to delay the production of the E-Class Convertible and Estate. However we have for you the first official images of one of those postponed vehicles. The Estate was originally scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but now on hold until 2012. This example is most likely a preproduction mule that was road tested driving the engineers’ children to soccer practice.
When the wagon does officially show up in showrooms, expect it to offer all of the same options as the sedan and be powered by a range of four, six and eight cylinder engines putting out anywhere from 136 to 525 HP. The new Merc Estate should make for one quick trip to the grocery store.
The Kia Soul is the Korean automaker’s answer to the rather bland boxcar marketplace. Competing for more juvenile car buyers against vehicles like the youth-targeted Scion xB, the New Nissan Cube and the aging Honda Element; the Kia Soul is an almost unexpectedly stylish, solid and even fun to drive option from that other car building country on the other side of the Pacific. With trim levels named “+”, “!” and Sport, featuring options like a Sound Sensitive Mood Lighting system, a place to hook up your iPod and optional 18 inch wheels is just what the kids are asking for. With its hearty 2.0 Liter four making 142 HP while getting an estimated 30 MPG on the highway, this Soul! is the Kia you will be proud to be seen in.
Starting at just over $13,000 the Kia Soul offers tons of options: like a factory body kit, Soul license plate frames, sport shift knobs, rear spoilers, interior lighting, remote start, touch up paint, first aid kit and all sorts of roof racks; perfect for an action sports inspired market. The Soul is the perfect option for a car buying public who like to feel unique when behind the wheel and don’t want to sacrifice performance or reliability for lots of style at a reasonable price.
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