Automobiles Review

Author: autoview

  • Astra-Nomical Ecoflex is Vauxhall’s New Fuel-Miser

    With CO2 emissions of just 109g/km and combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg, the new Astra ecoFLEX brings even greater efficiency to Vauxhall’s recently launched compact hatch range, which has already seen a 13.3 per cent average improvement over the previous model.

    A raft of mechanical and aero improvements have resulted in the latest Astra ecoFLEX achieving a 12.1 per cent improvement in emissions over the 1.7 CDTi model, currently the new range’s most efficient model. Better still, the ecoFLEX’s added tax benefits – VED down to £35.00, and BIK down to 13 per cent – take effect from the new tax year in April, when the car will hit UK showrooms with a starting price of £17,920. (more…)

  • Fiat Punto Evo – Evolution Of The Species

    Think small cars and a string of super-successful Fiats should spring to mind: the ground-breaking 600, the trend-setting 127, the innovative Uno, and progressive Punto.

    The Fiat 127, first of the ‘superminis’, was voted Car of the Year 1972 and was destined to become Europe’s best-selling car, continuing in production until the introduction of the Fiat Uno in 1983, by which time a total of 5.6 million had been built.

    Compared with the 127, the Uno was some 6cm shorter and a similar amount taller. Voted Car of the Year 1984, it was also destined to be Europe’s best-seller, with no less than 2.5 million sold in just four years, and a total production run of more than six million. (more…)

  • Toyota Announces Auris 2010

    Toyota has launched its new Auris 2010, with a sharper appearance inside and out, higher quality materials throughout the cabin and a suspension system tweaked for extra ride comfort and stability. As well as packing much more visual appeal, the range of three and five-door hatchbacks continues to deliver a class leading combination of performance, fuel economy and low CO2 emissions from its line-up of Toyota Optimal Drive powertrains. (more…)

  • Lexus LFA is the “Must Have” supercar

    In the three months since it was unveiled to the public at the Tokyo motor show, the Lexus LFA has been greeted by critical and public acclaim worldwide. Even though it is one of the most exclusive supercars money can buy, the number of formal expressions of interest in purchase received by Lexus is already greater than the limited production run of just 500 examples.

    This does not mean that anyone wanting to own an LFA has missed their chance, as they can still register their interest up to mid-March and the end of the Geneva motor show. It is at this point that the 500 cars will be allocated across the 56 countries where they are on sale, with confirmed orders with deposits to be invited from the end of May. (more…)

  • Mitsubishi to debut ASX Compact Crossover at Geneva 2010

    Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will premiere its ASX all-new compact crossover from Tuesday March 2, 2010 to Sunday March 14, 2010 at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show held at the Geneva Palexpo in Switzerland.

    The ASX is the European-spec version of the Japanese RVR, which is slated to go on sale in Japan from February 2010.  MMC’s new compact crossover will seat 5 and will be sequentially introduced in European countries from late spring 2010, aimed at expanding MMC’s passenger car footprint in the region, following in the footsteps of the larger and recently redesigned Outlander mid-size crossover. (more…)

  • Fiat 500 Gets In The Pink

    It’s the limited edition Fiat 500 that customers have been asking for ever since the popular city car was launched in 2008 – the 500 Pink has arrived. Just 500 examples of the super-stylish supermini will be available when it goes on sale from today (19 January) – and customers will only be able to order one online. Appealing mainly to young women, the 500 Pink looks set to become 2010’s ‘must-have’ motoring fashion item, and is the first of several exciting Fiat 500 limited editions that will be introduced during this year. Based on the 1.2 Lounge specification, the Fiat 500 Pink features: (more…)

  • 2011 Lincoln MKX packs more technologies and exclusive features

    In addition to the launch of MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology, the 2011 Lincoln MKX adds a suite of other convenience features and technologies, several of which are not available anywhere else in the midsize luxury crossover segment.

    “The 2011 Lincoln MKX is the perfect vehicle to launch MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology simply because the original version of this luxury midsize crossover already is brimming with consumer-focused features,” said Jason Mase, crossover marketing manager. “The new model offers more of the conveniences and features our customers expect and demand, including ones our competitors can’t match at any price.” (more…)

  • 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li Sedans Pricing Announced

    As an exciting example of its EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy, BMW announced the North American debut of the 7 Series with a twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine. Featuring BMW’s award-winning inline-6 engine that produces V-8 power on six-cylinder fuel consumption, the new BMW 740i and BMW 740Li achieve a remarkable balance of power, efficiency, and sporty driving dynamics. Both models will go on sale in the United States as 2011 models in Spring 2010. The M.S.R.P. of the 740i is $71,025 and the long wheelbase 740Li will retail for $75,425 (prices Include $875 Destination and Handling charge). (more…)

  • Audi Flicks Switch On Second Electric Show Car In Detroit

    Audi is showing an uncompromising purist compact sports car with all-electric drive at the first major auto show of 2010. The Detroit showcar Audi e-tron is the name of this 3.93 metre long and 1.78 metre wide but just 1.22 metre tall two-seater; just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, this is now the second electric concept vehicle from the brand with the four rings.

    Coupled with the Detroit showcar Audi e-tron’s low gross weight of around only 1,350 kilograms, high-torque power units driving the rear wheels guarantee commensurate road performance. Two electric motors with a combined output of 204PS and 2,650 Nm (1954.54 lb-ft) accelerate the coupe with ASF-design aluminium body from 0 to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds. The Audi e-tron accomplishes the sprint from 37mph to 75mph (60 to 120 km/h) in a mere 5.1 seconds. (more…)

  • Renault Announces its Lowest CO2 Emitting Production Car

    Behind the scenes, the development of several of Renault’s electric vehicles continues relentlessly ahead of their launch in 2011. Meanwhile, in the pursuit of some purer air before then, the forward-thinking French brand has announced its cleanest production car yet with the new dCi 86-powered Clio, emitting just 98 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

    Set to be available in three- and five-door guise, the new versions offer not just reduced guilt driving, but also the promise of lower fuel consumption, at 76.3 mpg (combined cycle, an increase of 12.1 mpg) and a theoretical range of 923 miles between fill-ups. (more…)

  • Bentley shows Muslanne and Series 51 Continental GTC at NAIAS

    Bentley MulsanneBentley Motors, the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, pulled the wraps off the all-new Bentley Mulsanne flagship sedan and ‘Series 51’ designer edition of the Continental GTC convertible during the vehicles’ first motor show debut in The Americas. (more…)

  • Citroen C-Zero To Premiere At Brussels Motor Show

    C-ZERO, Citroën’s new all-electric four-seater city car, is to make its world show premiere at the 88th European Motor Show in Brussels later this month – alongside 25 other models from Citroën’s award-winning range.

    Zero fuel consumption, zero CO2 emissions and zero engine noise – the aptly named C-ZERO is Citroën’s 100% electric solution to meet the demands of modern day urban driving. With compact dimensions, rapid charge and generous range for day-to-day car journeys, C-ZERO is a perfect city companion. (more…)