About 100 Volvo V70 and XC70 cars, equipped with cameras and computers are included in a huge European field test project. (more…)
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Volvo Cars maps driver behaviour in advanced research project
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Four Wheeler names HUMMER H3T 2009 Pickup Truck of the Year
Four Wheeler magazine, America’s oldest and most prestigious four-wheel drive enthusiast magazine, has named the 2009 HUMMER H3T the winner of its coveted Pickup Truck of the Year award. The in-depth competition has been held annually since 1989, and this year marks HUMMER’s first-ever win.
The 2009 competitors’ list included four new four-wheel-drive pickup trucks: The H3T, the Dodge Ram, the Ford F-150, and the Suzuki Equator. To qualify, each vehicle had to be entirely new, or sport substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year, in addition to using a two-speed transfer case.
“The competition this year was fierce, with any of the four competitors capable of taking home the trophy, but in the end, it was the HUMMER H3T that emerged from the dust as our 2009 Pickup Truck of the Year,” said Four Wheeler Technical Editor, Sean P. Holman. “Not only was the Hummer highly competent and the staff favorite on the trail, it also has the added pluses of on-road comfort, distinctive looks, and a usable pickup bed. HUMMER has done its research to provide the four-wheeling enthusiast with a vehicle that has been designed around their needs from the beginning, rather than offering an off-road version of an existing product and it shows in the final product. Congratulations to HUMMER’s 2009 H3T, our Pickup Truck of the Year.”
“The new H3T is perfect for the person who has to have a pickup to tow and haul, but can’t live without above average off-highway capability,” added Senior Editor Ken Brubaker. “The H3T is the Alpha male in its segment. Nothing else comes close.”
The HUMMER won the competition’s prestigious Off Highway Performance category, and performed strongly in all other scoring categories. The week-long Pickup Truck of the Year test consisted of a 1.500 km curriculum on streets, highways, rocky trails, desert sand dunes and steep hills. Elevations ranged from sea level to over 2.000 meter, and the H3T excelled in virtually every type of driving environment.
Two powertrains are offered for the new H3T. The GM Vortec 3.7L, inline five-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing delivers 180 kW (245 hp) at 5,600 rpm and 328 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. A new 5.3L V8 engine adds an extra dimension in performance and towing capability, performing 224kW (305hp) at 5,200 rpm and 432 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. During 2009, this V8 engine will become E85 bio-ethanol capable.
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New Mazda6 prices to start from just £14,891 on-the-road
When the expanded 26-strong line-up of 2009 new Mazda6 models goes on sale in January, prices will start at just £14,891 (OTR). Mazda is taking the opportunity presented by the arrival of its all-new MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine, with a choice of three power outputs, to also introduce some specification upgrades and one additional diesel model – offering both the low power (125ps) and mid power (163ps) engines in the TS hatchback. (more…) -
7-Seater Qashqai+2 Now Starts At Less Than £15,500
Qashqai+2 ownership has just become even more affordable with the introduction of two new wallet-friendly engines to the range. Nissan’s award-winning seven-seater crossover can now be specified with 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel power, in addition to the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units already available.
Starting at £15,495 for the 1.6 Visia, and £16,995 for the 1.5 dCi Visia, the new models deliver the same winning combination of SUV-influenced styling, ‘command’ seating position and genuine driving enjoyment that ticks all the right boxes for families seeking great practicality and plenty of style.
Punchy performance and strong economy make them all the more cost-effective. The 103 PS 1.5-litre dCi models, complete with diesel particulate filter and six-speed manual transmission, are capable of an attractive 49.6 mpg combined, while 149 g/km CO2 means annual VED of just £120 – not bad for a car capable of transporting seven and clocking a 0 to 62mph time of 13.3 seconds while delivering driving flexibility in spades, thanks to 240 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm.
Those who prefer petrol power can instead opt for the feisty 115 PS 1.6-litre unit with five-speed manual which sees 62 mph coming up in a crisp 12.9 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph. It still achieves 40.4 mpg combined and 165 g/km CO2 places it in tax band D for annual VED of £145.
The top notch equipment levels of these latest Qashqai+2s are virtually identical to 2.0-litre models. In Visia spec that means a huge fixed panoramic glass roof complete with powered sunshade, privacy glass and roof bars plus power windows, air conditioning, drive computer, Bluetooth hands-free, four-speaker CD audio system, six airbags and front seat active headrests. 16 inch alloys are fitted in place of the 17 inch items of 2.0-litre Qashqai+2s.
Acenta models gain 17 inch alloys, a leather trimmed steering wheel and manual gear knob, a centre rear armrest and a choice of interior trim colours. The audio system is upgraded to an in-dash six-disc autochanger, six speakers and steering wheel controls and the air con becomes dual zone and climate controlled. Automatic wipers and headlamps, cruise control and rear parking sensors complete the package.
Top of the range Tekna gives you the luxury of heated, leather seats with contrasting stitching, the convenience of the Intelligent Key, and the added safety of xenon headlamps and an auto-dimming interior mirror. ESP is an option on all 1.5 and 1.6 models.
And of course Qashqai+2 – named MPV of the Year in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2008 – is all about family-friendly practicality. The ingenious third row seats are ideal for children or occasional use by adults and, when completely folded flat, open up 550 litres of luggage space.
The car’s extra length over the standard Qashqai means second row passengers enjoy increased knee room, while the centre ‘20’ portion of the backrest can be folded forward to act as a large multi-function armrest, complete with two cupholders, a lidded storage box and a power outlet.
QASHQAI+2
1.6 petrol 1.5dCi Visia £15,495.00 £16,995.00 Acenta £16,995.00 £18,495.00 Tekna £18,120.00 £19,620.00 
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Suzuki Splash To Make Greener Impact
Suzuki is introducing a new entry-level variant of the Splash GLS mini-MPV model which was launched earlier this year, as motorists increasingly face pressure to downsize and shift to models which offer low CO2 emissions and high fuel economy. The Splash GLS will feature a 68 bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 120 g/km of CO2, which makes it the third model in the Suzuki range to benefit from emissions of below 121 g/km, and annual road tax of only £35 as of April, 2009. (more…)
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Audi crowned year’s most improved brand
The trade magazine “Automobilwoche” has honored Audi as the year’s most improved brand; at the same time, the DEKRA testing company has rated the Audi A6 as the “Most Reliable of All Classes”: just two highlights in a long list of honors for the Audi brand in 2008. (more…) -
Vauxhall Offers The Most Low Emissions Models
The current financial situation means that fleet managers are scrutinising costs even more closely than usual, with concerns including high fuel prices and increasing environmental pressures. With this in mind, Vauxhall is offering fleet customers more choice than any other manufacturer to reduce their environmental impact, with more than 366 model variants to choose from with carbon dioxide emissions of less than 160g/km. (more…) -
The SEAT Ibiza, “2009 Car of the Year by the Readers”
The new SEAT Ibiza has received its second consecutive prize in Spain by being voted “2009 Car of the Year” by the readers of Publishing Group Prensa Ibérica publications, specialist magazine Autofácil and the La Vanguardia newspaper. This prize follows the one received by the Ibiza SC two weeks ago as “Young Car 2009”, by the readership of Car and Driver magazine.
The SEAT Ibiza was the overall winner, with 22.94% of the readers’ votes, followed by the Citroën C5, with 21.61%, and the Opel Insignia, with 20.95%. The three remaining models on the list of six finalists were the Lancia Delta, Renault Mégane and Ford Fiesta. Voting took place from November until 15 December 2008 by SMS messages, telephone calls.
Created in 2002, the Editorial Prensa Iberica’s “Car of the Year by the Readers” award rates the novelties appearing in the domestic market during the year. The award ceremony will take place in Madrid in February 2009.
This has been a brilliant way to end the year for the new generation SEAT Ibiza, which has also received significant prizes from countries such as Germany – “Golden Steering Wheel” and the Netherlands – “Compact Car of the Year”, as well as the prestigious “Ecobest 2008” to the new Ibiza ECOMOTIVE as most ecological vehicle of the year.
“2009 Car of the Year by the Readers” award results
Finalists Votes (%) SEAT Ibiza 22.94% Citroën C5 21.61% Opel Insignia 20.95% Lancia Delta 16.09% Renault Mégane 11.97% Ford Fiesta 6.44% -
Nissan Launches The All-New Infiniti G37 Coupe In China
Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (NCIC) today launched the all-new Infiniti G37 Coupe in China. Priced at RMB 660,000 (USD: 96,360), the all-new G37 is the first coupe from the Infiniti brand in China. (more…) -
Ford Galaxy And S-Max: No.1 For Reliability According To DEKRA
Ford of Europe’s latest generation of Multi-Activity Vehicles have convinced the German vehicle testing agency DEKRA e.V. In DEKRA’s latest ‘Failure Report 2009’, the Ford Galaxy and S-MAX models not only prove their reliability by winning in their group with up to 50,000 km mileage, but gain additional recognition for being vehicles with the lowest overall failure rate in the DEKRA vehicle certificate tests in Germany. (more…) -
Thousands vote on greatest ever racing car
Readers of one of Britain’s top motoring magazines and a group of legendary motor racing drivers are being asked to vote for the world’s greatest racing car.In a unique survey, readers of Octane magazine and visitors of its website as well as the famous drivers including: Sir Stirling Moss, Brian Redman, Damon Hill, Derek Bell, Carroll Shelby, Andy Wallace and Bobby Rahal have been asked to nominate the car. (more…)
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Special Edition Mazda Atenza Sedan Released in Japan
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced the launch of the ‘2.0 Style Edition’ Mazda Atenza (known as the Mazda6 overseas) sedan. This special edition model is equipped with sporty and high quality features and goes on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships throughout Japan. (more…)
