Toyota is adding a five-door Liftback, to its popular, fuel-efficient Yaris subcompact model line for 2009.
The versatile new five-door Yaris joins the three-door Liftback and four-door Sedan, making Yaris the only model line in its segment to offer a full complement of three body styles. Toyota projects 130,000 Yaris sales for calendar year 2009, with the new five-door accounting for about a third of those. Yaris five-door will begin arriving in dealerships in August. (more…)
Category: Auto News
Auto news – automobile industry news. Articles about all the latest car models and concepts. Breaking news, uncovered secrets.
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Toyota Expands Yaris Line for 2009 with Third Model and New Safety Features
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Eleven Minutes, 58 Seconds And Zero Emissions
Lap runs on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany’s Eifel region are often cancelled due to rain. But the wet weather didn’t stop Nissan from taking its X-TRAIL fuel cell vehicle for a spin on the course recently, making Nissan the first automaker to record an FCV lap on the famous race track. (more…) -
Employees Celebrate Nissan Americas Opening
Nissan today celebrated the dedication of Nissan Americas in Franklin, Tenn. The new center serves as regional headquarters for the United States, Canada and Mexico. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander joined Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn for opening ceremonies. The day-long event included more than 1,500 employees and members of the community. (more…) -
Cooper Tire bolts on to Lightning GT for Motor Show debut
Cooper Tire will be unveiled as the official OE tyre supplier for one of the stars of this year’s British International Motor Show – the Lightning GT, a new electric sportscar.The firm’s ultra-high performance Cooper Zeon 2XS will be fitted in 20 inch rim size as standard equipment on every Lightning GT built, and its superb cornering ability and steering response is a perfect fit for the 700bhp, 130mph sportscar. (more…)
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Evora – Beautiful, functional and fun; the new green sportscar from Lotus
The Lotus Evora is sleek, sophisticated and socially aware. Coupling stunning looks and agile performance its impressive green credentials, prove that Evora is a cool and eco-friendly alternative to gas-guzzling 4×4’s. Emissions for the brand-new sportscar are on target to beat the 225 grams of CO2 per kilometre threshold above which UK road tax rapidly increases. (more…) -
“Travolution” promotes eco-friendly driving
A wave of “green” is washing over Ingolstadt: after two years of research, the “Travolution” team has developed a trend-setting concept to improve traffic infrastructure. Investment amounts to a total of about €1.2 million. AUDI AG and its venture partners presented the results today, with further joint pilot projects to follow. (more…) -
Don’t miss the Beat!
The Camaro Convertible might be hugging the limelight, but an equally important star of Chevrolet’s motorshow stand will be the baby Beat… (more…) -
US Muscle comes to London!
Among the hustle and the bustle, make sure you check out the muscle!
Chevrolet’s iconic concept car, the Camaro Convertible, will be making its first UK appearance at the British International Motorshow at Excel, London, alongside the Beat minicar concept. (more…) -
SEAT is displaying the new Ibiza SportCoupe at the London Motor Show
The London Motor Show is the first car showcase where SEAT is publicly displaying the new Ibiza SportCoupé, the vehicle that completes the Spanish brand’s range of this successful model after the launch last May of the five-door version, and whose new exterior design and compact coupé styling greatly increase its sporty appeal. (more…) -
Low Emission Honda Roadster Breaks Cover
Two-seat design study unveiled at British International Motor Show
Honda’s low-emission sportscar study model has been revealed at the British International Motor Show, at ExCel, London. (more…) -
Ford Fiesta Econetic
Bringing style and new levels of low-CO2 efficiency, Ford of Europe’s most frugal car ever – the new Fiesta ECOnetic – makes its world premiere today at the British International Motor Show in London.
Powered by a specially-calibrated version of the 90 PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi, combined with coated Diesel Particulate Filter, Ford’s most economical Fiesta can travel 100 kilometres using just 3.7 litres of fuel, on the EC Combined Cycle. This impressive fuel economy is matched with a class-leading CO2 output of 98 grams per kilometre – making Fiesta ECOnetic the lowest CO2 vehicle in both its segment and Ford’s European range.
Compared to previous-generation Fiesta 1.6-litre TDCi, Fiesta ECOnetic will use 160 litres less fuel over 20.000 km, offering genuine savings in daily driving, at a time when saving fuel means saving even more money.
Extra-urban highway fuel economy is even better – Fiesta ECOnetic requires just 3.2 litres to cover 100 kilometres. Yet this efficiency is not at the expense of driving quality or performance, with Fiesta ECOnetic reaching 0-100 km/h in 12,3 seconds and a top speed of 178 kph.
This is because Fiesta boasts the same attention to detail as earlier ECOnetic models, with improved aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres and enhanced lubrication to achieve best possible CO2 and fuel consumption. Lowered ride height and aerodynamic details such as wheel covers and wheel deflectors build on Fiesta’s already streamlined drag co-efficient (Cd) of 0.33.
At the same time, low rolling resistance tyres in an economical 175/65 R14 profile, a longer final drive gear ratio and special lubricants drive efficient powertrain performance, especially in highway cruising. In conjunction with energy partner BP, Ford has developed low-viscosity transmission and low-friction engine oils for ECOnetic models.
Such modifications create Fiesta ECOnetic’s class-leading efficiency, without sacrificing the driving quality, style or practicality of the core Fiesta range.
Fiesta ECOnetic’s London debut is no coincidence – its ultra-low CO2 rating will also exempt it from UK road taxes.
It is not just the ECOnetic version of new Fiesta that benefits from Ford of Europe’s sustainability efforts – all new Fiestas feature Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), using far less fuel and engine power than a standard hydraulic power assist system, without compromising driving dynamics or steering feedback.
Extensive use of high strength steels and a focus on weight saving has also reduced the mass of new Fiesta by 40 kilogrammes versus the previous model, despite improved safety equipment and sound insulation.
Sustainability has influenced not only new Fiesta’s development, but also the facilities behind its manufacture. Ford’s Dagenham Diesel Centre in Britain produces Duratorq TDCi engines for new Fiesta and derives all its electricity from renewable sources, with two dedicated wind turbines and plans for a third.
Ford is also sourcing renewable electricity to cover the full electric power demand of its Fiesta manufacturing and engineering facilities in Cologne, Germany. Through this initiative, the company will reduce its CO2 emissions by 190.000 tonnes per year.
Dr Wolfgang Schneider, Ford of Europe Vice President, Legal, Governmental and Environmental Affairs said: “The new Fiesta is the strongest example yet of Ford of Europe’s commitment to and investment in sustainable mobility. Fiesta ECOnetic is a compelling, stylish yet no-compromise choice for customers, offering class-leading low CO2 and genuine savings, while also benefitting from our investment in efficient production facilities.”
New Fiesta ECOnetic will be on sale across Europe later this year and completes an initial trilogy of models in the company’s European vehicle range that also includes a 139 g/km Ford Mondeo ECOnetic and a 115 g/km Ford Focus ECOnetic.
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Renault unveils Megane Renaultsport R26.R
The Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 was launched in November 2006 and has enjoyed a great success. Using this base, Renaultsport launch an extreme version, the Mégane Renaultsport R26.R. Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, the Mégane R26.R joins the family that also comprises the Clio Renaultsport 197, Mégane Renaultsport 225, Mégane Renaultsport dCi 175 and, from September, the Twingo Renaultsport 133. Since the launch in April 2004, the family of Mégane Renaultsport has sold more than 20,000 units in almost 30 countries. (more…)
