Holden’s all-new Sportwagon outsold the leading models in the rival medium SUV category in August to help restore Commodore as the best selling car nameplate for 2008. In its first full month of sales, 1509 Sportwagons were sold driving a total of 4814 Commodore sales for August and 33,043 year to date. Month
The smart is celebrating its birthday: Ten years of the smart fortwo - an idea takes hold Ten years ago one of the world's most unusual production vehicles was launched on the market. It was new and excitingly different to conventional cars – the smart city coupé, now called the smart fortwo. This extremely compact vehicle had just two seats and measured slightly more than two and a half metres in length. It was also able to fit into parking spaces perpendicular to the flow of traffic and it
The new-generation M-Class has passed European NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) crash tests with flying colours and has been awarded the top mark of five stars for its very high level of occupant protection. The Mercedes off-roader has also achieved outstanding results in tests carried out by US rating organisations
SEAT scored a magnificent fourth place out of a total of 15 brands participating in the stringent service centre inspection carried out annually by the German automobile club ADAC. This result rates the Spanish company as one of the most highly qualified in the sector with respect to working efficiency and quality, as well as customer service throughout its extensive sales network. The five SEAT service centres examined stood out for their exc
Honda has announced competitive new pricing for its new Jazz, to appeal to the increasing number of cost conscious motorists, with value for money magnified by the car’s generous specification. For those customers considering downsizing from the sector above, the Jazz offers many features of a bigger car (load space, driving feel and high-spec equipment), but with the great fuel economy, low emissions and more affordable running costs of a small one. The entry level 1.2-litre S is available from £9,990 (OTR),
Subaru of America, Inc. this week announced pricing on the 2009 Impreza and the upgraded 2009 Tribeca Special Edition models. “Subaru is proud to announce these product enhancements that continue to create value for the Impreza, WRX and Tribeca vehicle lines,” said Tom Doll, executive vice president, Subaru of America, Inc. With the final rollout of the exceptional 2009 Subaru models complete, the company is poised to continue gaining greater
For the second consecutive year, the stunning Chevrolet Corvette has brushed aside all challengers to be named Middle East Car magazine’s “2008 Muscle Car of the Year”. Phillip Moore, Publishing Director of Middle East Car magazine explained: “The Corvette 2008 is saucy, powerful, and thrilling to drive. Everything about it is a treat, including, and we’ll come back to earth for a minute, the reasonable maintenance costs”. In its bid for the coveted award, the Corvette finished ahead of the Dodge Charger, and
Lexus has announced the addition of all-wheel drive (AWD) versions of its flagship luxury sedan, the LS 460 and long-wheelbase LS 460 L. The 2009 model year expands Lexus' AWD lineup, making the LS 460 the fourth luxury sedan to offer AWD performance following the IS 250, GS 350 and LS 600h L. The AWD versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L will utilize a drivetrain almost identical to their hybrid counterpart, the LS 600h L. The AWD system featur
Less than six months after its launch, the new Ibiza range has expanded with the arrival of two new versions that combine distinct sports character with the commitment to environmental sustainability. In the first, innovative design and technology join character and exclusivity in the Ibiza CUPRA, a vehicle whose adrenaline rush is provided by the 180 hp 1.4 TSI twin-turbo engine and the 7-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift-paddles. In t
LUMMA Design, known as “Master” of wide and massive body kits, now started to convert the BMW X 5 in a “slim” version. Starting with a carbon fibre front hood, a front spoiler lip, as well as massive 22” wheels, the Swabian refiner helps this SUV, to have its grand entrance. Racing front hood The probably most noticeable and complex part is the new designed full Carbon front hood. Besides a huge save in weight, the full carbon made hood has huge air ducts, specially made for high performance engines and h
Opel introduces new pro-environmental ecoFLEX variant of the Corsa for model year 2009. With CO2 emissions of just 109 (Corsa 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX), real fuel-efficiency star, requiring just 4.1 liters of diesel, respectively, per 100 km. The car is fitted with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter as standard. The automaker is pursuing an array of activities as part of its commitment to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions of cars with conventional combustion engines. “At Opel
South East Queensland is set to become one of Australia’s hotspots for carbon sequestration following the new partnership between South East Queensland Catchments (SEQC) and Australia’s leading not-for-profit carbon trading organisation, Landcare CarbonSMART. SEQ Catchments has appointed the state’s first ‘super assessor’, Farm Forestry Officer Paul Daly, who will be responsible for assessing and registering carbon sinks based on biodiverse landcare revegetation plantings on private land. SEQ Catchments is a
