Auto News archives

Tenth-Generation Toyota Corolla Offers Standout Performance, Quality, Economy And Safety

Forty years after Toyota introduced the first Corolla to American drivers, the all-new, 10th-generation Corolla introduced for the 2009 model year again provides customers with a high-quality, high-MPG choice. Corolla has long been synonymous with Toyota quality, style and value, earning a distinction as one of the most trusted cars in America. Virtually every aspect of the Corolla has been improved in the new model, offering more safety fea

Sense and sensuousness – a compelling interpretation of a coupé concept

Mercedes-Benz builds the world’s most desirable coupés – a claim which the Stuttgart-based car maker is underlining at the 2008 Paris Motor Show with its ConceptFASCINATION design study. This unique vehicle, whose innovative and unconventional proportions interpret the emotional appeal of a coupé in a new way, represent an exciting and intelligent combination of sporty and elegant design with stylish practicality. Wood, aluminium and smoked glass

Škoda Octavia vRS specification upgrade

Škoda is upping the ante in the hot hatch market by increasing its standard specification on the sporty Octavia vRS. From 1 September all Octavia vRS ordered will be fitted with the following items as standard: 18” Zenith Alloys Dual Zone Climate Control Jumbo box central armrest with 3.5mm auxiliary in socket Rear electric windows Cruise control The upgrade means that over £1,100 worth of equipment will be available on both petrol and diesel models as standard. This gives t

Toyota FJ Cruiser Adds Safety Features And New Colors For 2009

The Toyota FJ Cruiser, which melds the brand's off-road legacy with distinct heritage design in a modern SUV, gains new safety features and three new colors for 2009. The 2009 FJ Cruiser gains a roll sensing side curtain airbags, as well as active headrests for the front seats. In certain rear collisions, a cable-actuated mechanism in the active headrest moves the headrest upward and forward to help limit the movement of the occupant's hea

Volkswagen Launches Campaign for All-New Routan

Volkswagen of America announced today the launch of its campaign for the Routan, the only minivan in America with German engineering. Part of the global brand platform Das Auto, the advertising and marketing campaign rolls out today and includes TV, radio, print and online components and features Brooke Shields as spokesperson. "This campaign challenges traditional conventions surrounding the minivan category,” says Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing for Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Throughout the multi-laye

C3 PICASSO: Citroen’s “magic box”

The new-generation C3 Picasso MPV will be making its public debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show and appearing in showrooms in first-quarter 2009. The C3 Picasso bears all the hallmark creativity of Citroen and stands out with its bold styling and innovative architecture. Its cabin is astonishingly airy and spacious considering its compact exterior dimensions. And the newcomer’s modular design is as intuitive as it is easy to use, making it tremendously versatile for all lifestyles a

Chrysler Improves Fuel Economy By 8 Percent on 2009 Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan

New 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan models equipped with a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine now deliver EPA fuel efficiency in the city of 17 mpg and 25 mpg on the highway, a label unbeaten among minivans. “Chrysler and Dodge minivans continue to lead the segment,” said Larry Lyons, Vice President – Car and Minivan Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "With an improved 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine and a minivan-first six-speed tr

HUMMER H2 E85 from October this year

The iconic HUMMER H2 is known for going where no other four wheel drive will venture. The model breaks new boundaries for 2009 with standard E85 Flexpower capability on every H2 sold, making it the only model of its kind with can run on E85 ethanol, gasoline or any combination of the two fuels.E85, which consists of up to 85 percent ethanol mixed with gasoline, is a cleaner-burning, higher-octane fuel that can help offset rising demand for oil. GM is the global leader in producing flexible-fu

World premiere for Lexus IS 250 convertible at paris motor show

Lexus will reveal the new IS 250 Convertible during its press conference at the Paris Motor Show on 2 October. Following the launch earlier this year of the ultra-high performance IS F, this will be the third derivative in the IS range. Also on display at Paris will be the LF-Xh hybrid concept vehicle, the new LS 460 AWD with permanent all-wheel drive and a full-line up of Lexus Hybrid Drive models. Lexus remains the first — and only

Mercedes-Benz C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition: Efficiency and driving pleasure on a new plane

Mercedes-Benz is set to launch a completely new diesel engine generation starting in the autumn of 2008. For its world premiere, the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer will unveil a C-Class model with this new four-cylinder engine. In the C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Prime Edition, this engine produces, with its 2.2 litres of displacement, 150 kW / 204 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The premiere model can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.0

The Citroen C3 Picasso: when opposites attract

Citroën’s new baby-MPV, the C3 Picasso, will be making its first public debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show, before a UK launch in 2009. The C3 Picasso will be the third Citroën to join the Company’s award-winning Picasso family. Far from the average MPV, the C3 Picasso’s ‘magic box’ charm lies in the way it is both compact and spacious and also brings together many other opposing qualities - strength and comfort, quality and affordability, performance and economy, contemporary and retro design, square shapes

Golf Collectors Edition – One of a Kind

Golf concept car is equipped with highly exclusive natural leather. Collectors Edition underscores Golf’s class-independent image. “Trendline”, “Comfortline” and “Highline” are the names of the three official equipment lines on the new Golf. Yet there is a fourth version. An unofficial version, since it is not mentioned in any brochure or price list: the “Collectors Edition”. It shows how impressively Volkswagen has mastered the art of upgrading. And it underscores how the Golf is right at home in all classes – a