Shortly after the market launch of the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz is also offering the world’s most successful business saloon as a specially protected E-Guard model. (more…)
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New E-Guard models from Mercedes-Benz
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Hyundai To Reveal Suv Concept At Geneva Motor Show
Hyundai is to unveil an all-new concept car at this year’s Salon International de L’Automobile in Geneva on March 3rd. This innovative concept portrays a dramatic new look for compact SUVs and was styled at the company’s European Design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany. (more…) -
Audi Tradition Displays the Family Silver
Audi Tradition’s annual programme for 2009 is centred on the Audi centenary. More than 50 events have been planned. (more…) -
Lexus Announces Pricing for All-New 2010 RX 350
Lexus today announced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the all-new 2010 RX 350 luxury utility vehicle. (more…) -
LEGACY CONCEPT in Geneva
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the maker of Subaru automobiles, today announced that it will exhibit the LEGACY CONCEPT as an European premiere at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show slated for March in Geneva, Switzerland (Press days: March 3 and 4; Open to the public from March 5 through 15). (more…) -
Audi sets 2009 model-year prices for all-new Q5 crossover
Audi set the base price for its all-new and segment-redefining 2009 Audi Q5 crossover vehicle at $37,200. The Audi Q5 will begin to arrive in U.S. dealerships next week and will be offered in three equipment levels. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the 2009 model-year Audi Q5 Premium starts at $37,200. Pricing for the Audi Q5 Premium Plus starts at $41,500, and the Audi Q5 Prestige starts at $48,200. Prices do not include a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges.
With the new Q5, Audi will have its first crossover vehicle for luxury car buyers who otherwise might have considered buying the Lexus RX, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLK.
The launch of this new vehicle allows Audi its first opportunity to surpass those, and other, contenders in the popular luxury crossover vehicle segment. The new Audi Q5, with its combination of head-turning exterior and interior design, comprehensive safety features expected of a premium luxury vehicle, technological innovation and responsive Audi performance, more than achieves that goal.
“Luxury crossover vehicles appeal to a wide audience seeking both practicality and performance,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “But monotony has developed in that segment – sameness we’re certain the Audi Q5 now disrupts with its array of distinctive styling cues and forward-thinking features.”
The Q5 indeed offers plenty of unique features that give it a balance of functionality, luxury and performance. The Q5 will be the only vehicle in its segment with three-zone climate control, which lets drivers and passengers select their own comfort levels. It is the only vehicle in its segment with 40/20/40 rear seats that recline and offer fore-aft adjustment for the comfort of passengers and for balancing cargo-carrying capabilities.
Audi is also equipping the Q5 with its signature LED tail lights as standard equipment, including running lights, brake lights and turn signals. The Audi Q5 will offer standard hitch preparation for 4,400-pounds of towing capacity, which puts it at the head of its class. Also standard are roof rails with aluminum cross bars that sync with the Audi ESP system to adapt accordingly.
Audi has a strong reputation for outstanding automotive interiors and that tradition carries through in the Q5 with standard twelve-way power front seats, leather seating surfaces throughout and genuine wood or brushed aluminum inlays. Available exclusive luxury touches on the Audi Q5 include the Bang & Olufsen Sound System and the exclusive Audi drive select system that allows motorists to choose among four distinctive driving configurations.
The Audi Q5 will be the first model sold in the U.S. with available MMI Navigation plus, the third generation of Audi’s acclaimed MMI (Multi-Media Interface) system, which manages entertainment, communications and navigational information.
The new MMI Navigation plus offers a high-capacity hard disk with 40 gigabytes of memory (including 10 GB for media storage), DVD drive and an automotive grade NVIDIA™ chip for graphics processing. The added processing power allows MMI Navigation plus to render 3D maps of the entire U.S., including branded points of interest, and detailed images of buildings while offering real-time traffic information. The system also features a new, larger screen that measures seven inches from corner to corner, a vocal command recognition system that understands complete words in a variety of languages and improved joystick controls.
The Audi Q5 is derived from the same Audi-exclusive platform first developed for the A4 model range. The versatility of that vehicle platform gives the Q5 the driving comfort and performance characteristics of a luxury performance automobile and the longest wheelbase in its class. The efficient engineering and design of the Q5 also translated into shorter front and rear overhangs for better weight distribution to help stability. Audi also widened the vehicle platform to increase shoulder room inside the Q5 and to optimize the driver’s seating position for a more commanding view of the road.
The Audi Q5 will also lead the segment of AWD, gasoline-powertrain crossover vehicles in fuel economy. According to the U.S. EPA, the Audi Q5 achieves 18 mpg city mileage and 20 mpg combined – both tops in the category – along with 23 mpg highway mileage.
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S Tronic Sports Transmission Now For Audi A4 And A5
Shifting into a higher gear in Audi A4 and A5 models could take as little as 0.2 seconds from this month as the latest performance-oriented S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission makes the transition to 2.0 TFSI quattro versions of the acclaimed compact Saloon, Avant and Coupe. The new S tronic option adds £1,420 to the prices of A4 2.0 TFSI quattro and A5 2.0 TFSI quattro models, taking them to £27,170 OTR and £31,065 respectively.
Despite its rapidity, the latest incarnation of the twin-clutch gearbox also acts responsibly, maintaining fuel economy and CO2 output at the same level, or below, manual equivalents.
Launched to critical acclaim in the first generation TT, the advanced transmission added a new string to its bow during 2008 when it was further upgraded to enable installation in Audi models with longitudinal, ‘North-South’ engine installations. The new addition made its debut in the Q5 SUV, and soon after in the latest supercharged S4 Saloon and Avant.
Linked to an all-new engine
It now brings its lightning fast changes to the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro with its brand new turbo charged and directly injected FSI engine enhanced by Audi valvelift technology for improved engine ‘breathing’. In Saloon form, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic can power to 62mph from rest in 6.5 seconds – a 0.1 second improvement over the manual version – reach a top speed of 150mph and return 38.2mpg according to the combined cycle test. In the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic, the sprint to 62mph can be completed 0.3 seconds more quickly than in the manual at 6.2 seconds, and a top speed of 150mph can be reached, while combined economy and CO2 output match the A4 at 38.2mpg and 172g/km.
These impressive economy figures are identical to manual A4 and A5 equivalents, and in terms of CO2 output the A5 S tronic actually shows a reduction versus the manual version’s 173g/km, highlighting the fact that in contrast to most automatic transmissions S tronic demands no compromise in return for added convenience.
Advanced electro-hydraulic controls and the alternate use of two clutches enable the S tronic gearbox to deliver lightning fast automatic or manual shifts via the gear lever or steering wheel-mounted paddle controls with no interruption of the engine’s power delivery across seven ratios.
The first of the two clutches serves the odd-numbered gears and reverse, and the second the even-numbered gears, so when the A4 or A5 are travelling in third gear, for instance, fourth is already pre-selected in anticipation. As soon as the shift command is given, the first clutch is disengaged and the second engaged in just a few hundredths of a second, virtually seamlessly.
The sporting credentials of both A4 and A5 2.0 TFSI quattro models can not only be enhanced by the new S tronic transmission, but also by the extra cost option of the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system. With its influence over throttle response, transmission points, steering weighting and damper control Audi drive select delivers the sharpest possible response and the highest degree of poise in all situations.
New Executive SE and Executive S line models
In A4 models it is also now possible to further enhance appeal through highly cost effective specification upgrades following the introduction of new Executive SE and Executive S line trim lines. In addition to the SE equipment list, which among its highlights features 17-inch 7-arm alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, an Audi Concert CD audio system and automatic headlight and wiper operation, Executive SE specification brings an upgrade to 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, an Audi Symphony audio system with six CD autochanger, cruise control and mobile phone preparation. The Executive SE trim line carries a premium of £635 over the SE model, representing a saving of £480 compared with the cost of adding each item individually.The more sporting S line option that is available at extra cost for all A4 Saloon and Avant models includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique S line front and rear bumper design, extended side skirts, xenon headlights flanked by distinctive LED daytime running lights and S line sports suspension lowered by 20mm. Inside, it adds leather and cloth combination sports seats, a 3-spoke S line sports steering wheel, matt brushed aluminium inlays and a perforated leather gear knob.
S line models can also be given the Executive treatment – the Executive S line models that are new for 2009 upgrade to Alcantara and leather combination sports seats, the Symphony audio system with CD changer, cruise control and mobile phone preparation. At £635, the Executive S line premium saves £650 over the cost of the individual items.
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Ferrari ‘Pontoon-Fender’ Testa Rossa Expected To Break World Auction Record
RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, will present one of the most historically significant and valuable Ferrari racing cars ever offered at auction, the legendary 1957 Ferrari 250 TR (chassis no. 0714TR), when the famed Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event returns to Maranello, May 17, 2009. Held during the final stretch of the famous Mille Miglia retrospective, the exclusive annual event will offer an unprecedented collection of historic Ferraris for auction. (more…) -
New 500 Start&Stop Gets Started
A new option on the Fiat 500, which will give the popular city car even better fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures, has just been introduced.Called Fiat 500 Start&Stop, the new technology is based on the most successful 500 version – the 1.2 Lounge – and benefits from the combined expertise of automotive parts specialist Bosch and Fiat Powertrain Technologies. (more…)
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New Bravo Diesel 2.0 Multijet: More Power, Less Fuel, Lower Emissions
A stylish new fleet challenger from Fiat will allow company car drivers to enjoy increased power and performance, while maintaining impressive fuel economy and low tax bills.Fiat’s stylish mid-size Bravo hatchback is now available with a new 165bhp 2.0-litre 16v MultiJet engine, which will replace the current 1.9 MultiJet. The new engine is ‘greener’ than its predecessor, thanks to Euro V compliance and a diesel particulate filter that reduces CO2 emissions to just 139g/km – resulting in low 18 per cent Benefit in Kind tax bills for company car drivers. (more…)
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Santa Pod’s ‘Podzilla’. The Ultimate Snow-mobile?
Arctic conditions may have ground the entire country to a halt, but staff at Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire came up with a unique solution to the problem. Their 12 foot tall Monster Truck, ‘Podzilla’!The impressive beast usually entertains the crowds at many of the venues exciting events, but when a lack of gritters made the entire 180 acre site inaccessible, General manager, David Lloyd-Jones decided to pull off the covers and have some fun in the snow. (more…)
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SEAT is presenting the new 2009 León and Altea models
Taking place from 5 to 15 March, 2009, the Geneva Motor Show is the backdrop chosen by SEAT to showcase the new 2009 León and Altea models for the first time. With these models, the Spanish brand’s intermediate range has undergone a considerable evolution, with their identity traits visible on the front and rear of all the body styles, and a completely updated engine range including common rail Diesel variants. All these novelties combine with an outstanding level of equipment, with special emphasis on comfort and safety elements. (more…)
