Automobiles Review

Author: autoview

  • Renault launches new alliance v6 dCi engine

    The Renault-Nissan Alliance unveiled its brand-new V6 dCi diesel engine in the Laguna Coupé at the Paris Motor Show, in October. This engine is the first diesel V6 engine developed and produced by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. It will equip top of the range vehicles to meet the growing worldwide demand for engines that are powerful and yet fuel and CO2 efficient.   The Alliance cooperation has made it possible for both Renault and Nissan to offer a state-of-the art premium powertrain to their customers, all around the world. (more…)

  • Class-leading features for new Forester turbo diesel

    Subaru’s widely-acclaimed new Boxer Diesel engine is now available in the new Forester where it is expected to account for 80 per cent of sales and eventually turn it into Subaru’s best-selling model. (more…)

  • Toyota Auris gains the environmental edge

    The Toyota Auris gains a competitive advantage in the C-segment hatchback market with the introduction of a new engine that delivers lower emissions, better fuel economy and improved power and torque. And with the benefit of Toyota Stop&Start technology, environmental performance is further enhanced, with particular benefit in urban traffic. (more…)

  • The new BMW 7 Series – A technical ‘tour de force’ arrives in showrooms

    The launch of the new BMW 7 Series on 15 November heralded the arrival of a host of world-first driver and passenger-focussed technologies.  As the world’s best selling luxury car, the four previous generations of BMW 7 Series have consistently offered the highest levels of technology, with the first 750i of 1987 famously offering more computing power than NASA utilised to put man on the moon.  Now the latest BMW 7 Series has raised the technological benchmark again. (more…)

  • Micro smart generates huge improvements

    smart is set to clean up when it comes to environmental compatibility and driver enjoyment with the launch of a new model with micro hybrid drive (mhd) technology and enhanced equipment levels. (more…)

  • One car and its designer: Citroen’s Hypnos sees double honours at Autocar magazine awards

    Hypnos, Citroën’s spectacular crossover concept which wowed the crowds at the Paris Motor Show, has just been named ‘Concept Car of the Year 2008’ at the prestigious Autocar Magazine awards. One of the car’s interior designers, Briton, Leighanne Earley, was also named ‘Autocar Courland Automotive Leader of the Future’. (more…)

  • Caterham Drive Experience: The Ultimate Christmas Drift

    Forget socks, awful jumpers and smellies this Christmas and give a loved one a gift to remember by strapping them into one of the world’s best handling cars.

    Caterham Drive Experience (CDX) vouchers can be exchanged for an adrenaline-fuelled day, putting people in the seat of a legendary Seven sports car where they’ll learn how to burn rubber in style. (more…)

  • Toyota iQ: six degrees of innovation – No5

    Innovation No5: the Asymmetrical Dashboard

    The fifth cut-paste-and-print guide to the design and engineering innovations in the new Toyota iQ explains how an asymmetrical dashboard design made it possible to maximise interior space. (more…)

  • Vauxhall Insignia voted car of the year 2009

    In one of the hardest-fought contests in recent years, Vauxhall’s Insignia has taken the honours as 2009 European Car of the Year, polling an impressive 321 votes.

    The 59-strong jury of senior motoring journalists from 23 European countries voted the Insignia first, with the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf coming in second and third respectively. (more…)

  • Renault launches Clio Renaultsport 197 Lux

    Renault has the perfect solution for customers who like their hot hatch thrills with just a touch more refinement and extra comfort, with a new version of the much-acclaimed Clio Renaultsport 197, the ‘Lux’.

    The new Lux version comes packed with extra features such as leather upholstery and automatic climate control, worth £2,000 as individual options, yet at £16,995, Lux costs just £1,000 more than the standard version. (more…)

  • Long Load? Wide Load? Heavy Load? iLoad!

    For small and large businesses alike, cost-cutting is very much a focus in today’s financial climate.

    But if you wish to reduce your overheads without compromise, Hyundai’s new medium panel van could be just what you need. (more…)

  • Mass production officially launched at the new Hyundai plant in the Czech Republic

    Mass production was officially launched in the first European Hyundai automotive plant – Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech in Nosovice, the Czech Republic. “The Hyundai plant is such a large investment and important production influence on the GDP and will amount to around 1 percent a year and trade surplus will grow by around CZK 50 billion a year after the plant switches to full capacity,” said Martin Riman, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. He added: “The Czech Republic will then take over position of a European leader from Slovakia in terms of the number of cars produced – almost 130 units per 1,000 inhabitants.”

    Governor Evzen Tosenovsky mentioned the fact that the first talks about a location for the Hyundai – Kia plant were held six years ago; a decision was made then to go to Slovakia with the Kia plant but Hyundai followed three years later. “The most difficult part of the job for the regional government was the buy-out of the land from private owners,” he said. “I hope it is just history now, as well as a difficult period of construction for the plant and annoying the citizens with noise and dust. We are standing at the beginning of a new era – a good neighbourhood of Hyundai and local communities.”

    Production begins at Czech plant

    “Since the 1 November, when production was launched in our plant, Hyundai has become officially the European automobile brand. And although it will not be easy in the tough European climate, I believe that our cars will soon build up a strong position and the sales will grow rapidly,” said Kim Eok-Jo, President of HMMC. President Kim also touched on the current crisis of the automotive industry briefly: “We are not afraid as 65 per cent of Hyundai production is in segments of small and medium sized cars where the global demand is increasing fast. We have an advantage with modern technologies, high quality and with the new HMMC plant we can deliver a much faster and more flexible service to our European customers.”

    The i30 is the first vehicle to be built in the new plant and will take over the supply of i30s to the European market. The i30 was previously exported from the factory in Seoul.