14 May 2008, 03:30 PM
When customers take their new Ford Flex for its first spin this summer, they may be surprised by what's missing: the noise.
Flex delivers a quieter ride than competitors including the Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander and GMC Acadia, according to Ford tests. That's good news for customers, who tend to directly relate a vehicle's quietness with its quality, says Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "Quietness is a very good proxy for quality in a vehicle."
In fact, across all
14 May 2008, 01:28 PM
The Dodge brand is moving into top gear this summer with the launch of the all-new Journey crossover, which offers very competitive fuel economy, masses of interior space and value for money, without compromising its bold, good looks.
With 5+2 seating standard across the range, the front-wheel drive Dodge Journey will be available in the UK from August 2008 and will feature a 2.4-litre petrol engine or a 2.0-litre diesel engine. The diesel engine will be available with either a manual or dual-clutch automatic ge
14 May 2008, 10:21 AM
In 1999 BMW broke the four-wheel-drive mould when it launched the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle. With a bias towards excellent on-road performance combined with a dynamic design and a premium interior, the BMW X5 was an instant success. And it’s a winning formula that has, unlike most other models, led to increasing sales during its lifecycle with the biggest annual UK sales coming in its penultimate year. The timing of the BMW X5 was perfect and it reflected buyers’ lifestyles and their desire for
13 May 2008, 03:15 PM
The two-litre turbodiesel version of the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 is now also available with a fully-automatic transmission.
This new Powershift transmission is a six-speed unit and it significantly cuts fuel consumption compared with a conventional automatic transmission.
"According to our calculations, Powershift contributes to a fuel consumption saving of about eight percent compared with a conventional automatic transmission," says Magnus
13 May 2008, 03:00 PM
The first official photographs have been published of the Ferrari California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia.
The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse's 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment.
The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most deman
13 May 2008, 02:39 PM
The Volvo V70 and S80 are now also available with a five-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbocharged Flexifuel engine with a power output of 200 hp (147 kW) and 300 Nm of torque.
"The 2.5-litre version adds spice to our environmental offer. It emphasises our aim to offer our buyers the possibility of combining performance with environmental responsibility. With 200 hp on tap, the driver gets a dynamic drive without compromising fuel economy," says Fredrik
12 May 2008, 03:25 PM
Mazda’s design DNA
To come up with a new design identity for Mazda, Laurens van den Acker and his design team had to condense and refine important heritage and brand identifiers into future design DNA. But what is design DNA?
As its name would suggest, it’s not so different from a human genome. Design DNA is a name for the basic building blocks that makes a car recognisable. It’s a design element that ensures a car shares visual characteristics with other vehicles in the same family, w
09 May 2008, 03:26 PM
Chrysler LLC today celebrated the production launch of one of the industry's most highly anticipated vehicles—the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8®. Dodge Challenger is back in Chrysler's line-up as a modern muscle car with a new SRT8 model. A full line-up will follow in the 2009 model-year. Consumer interest in the Dodge Challenger has been some of the highest seen at Chrysler.
The all-new Dodge Challenger is built at Chrysler's Brampton Ass
09 May 2008, 03:13 PM
Sporty and superlative, progressive and emotive – the A4 takes Audi into a new dimension in the midsize car segment. The two FSI direct injection gasoline engines provide supreme performance with fuel consumption that is more than 10 percent lower than the previous model. The highly efficient engines are clear evidence of Audi’s outstanding technical expertise. The dynamic suspension and many other technologies have been adopted directly from the large luxury class. The Audi A4 reaches the U.S.
08 May 2008, 04:40 PM
The best-selling Volvo V70 becomes the fifth Volvo model to be offered with the sporty factory-fitted R-Design option pack. This further cements Volvo Cars' aim to offer unique products to particularly discerning customers.
The Volvo V70 estate car is for many people the very essence of Volvo: practical, safe and exuding Scandinavian elegance. The R-Design pack spotlights a new dimension: impassioned, extrovert and challenging.
"Increasing numbers of customers want cars that express individual taste and style.
08 May 2008, 03:27 PM
A specialist jury made up of 65 respected automotive journalists from 32 countries has voted the 2.0 TFSI winner of the 1.8-litre to 2-litre category at the International Engine of the Year Awards for the fourth year in a row.
International Engine of the Year jury members felt that the Audi-developed 2.0 TFSI engine is „the benchmark for efficiency and performance in its category” and “a great example of an engine that’s so flexible it can del
08 May 2008, 03:18 PM
The AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO has developed a new limited edition vehicle, the exclusive SL 63 AMG Edition IWC. Limited to a total of 200 units, the new roadster features an eye-catching designo magno Kashmir white finish as well as an AMG Exterior Carbon package with a matte surface. In keeping with the exterior appearance, the vehicle’s interior is fitted with Carbon matte trim as well as Tobago Brown nappa leather upholstery that creates additional visual and tactile highlights. In addition, the
