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Saab Launches Anniversary Edition Models To Celebrate 60 Years Of Making Cars

Saab will celebrate its 60th anniversary by launching special editions of its 9-5 and 9-3 model lines, featuring unique exterior and interior detailing, worth up to £3,000, all at no extra cost to the customer. The Anniversary Editions will go on sale from January 2007.

Initially founded as a manufacturer of military aircraft, Saab surprised the automotive world in June 1947 when it revealed the prototype for its first production car, the Saab 92. With streamlined bodywork, unitary construction and front wheel drive, it owed little to the conventional design wisdoms of the time, establishing a tradition for innovative and independent thinking that has characterised the Saab brand ever since. In 2007, 60 years on from the unveiling of the timeless Saab 92, Saab’s clean bold lines testify to a Swedish design ethic which is as apparent today as it ever was.

Anniversary Editions of the Saab 9-3 range will all feature DVD Satellite Navigation and Bluetooth phone systems as standard (with a value of £2,580), whilst externally they are available with a choice of colours, including a unique optional Ice Blue Metallic paint finish, colour-keyed door handles and special Anniversary five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels, all at no additional cost. Internally, features will include black sports seats with grey inserts, contrast stitching and the word ‘Saab’ embossed on the front seat facings.

The Saab 9-5 Anniversary Edition models will benefit from an equally attractive package. Externally, the cars will be offered with a choice of six metallic colours plus the unique optional Ice Blue metallic paint finish and special five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels. Estate models also include optional roof rails finished in matt chrome.

Inside, all Anniversary Edition 9-5s will come with a DVD Satellite Navigation system, worth up to £2,200. The 9-5 Anniversary Edition trim includes black sports leather front seats with a Saab logo embossed on the upper backrest. All seats include contrasting inserts in grey leather, together with grey contrast stitching, which is also adopted for the door armrests. The Saab 9-5 Estate also features a chromed aircraft-shaped handle in the cargo floor and chromed air vent control knobs, similar to that on the 9-3.

The introduction of the 2007 Saab 60th Anniversary Edition models is the first step in a series of initiatives that Saab is planning in recognition of a rich heritage founded in aircraft design, Scandinavian culture and a tradition for independent, forward thinking.

Chevy Prices The HHR Panel

Chevrolet announced that pricing for the new, segment-exclusive HHR Panel will begin at $16,750 (including destination) for a well-equipped LS model. Orders for the HHR Panel will begin in early January.

“Priced at only $200 more than an HHR passenger model, the HHR Panel demonstrates tremendous value to business customers,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The HHR Panel is a model unlike anything else in the segment, offering commercial customers and expressive enthusiasts a bold, functional and different vehicle – and one that delivers more than 30 mpg on the highway.”

The HHR Panel features windowless side panels and rear cargo doors in place of conventional rear doors. A flat load floor provides more than 57 cubic feet (1,614 L) of cargo space, along with approximately 5 cubic feet (141 L) of additional covered, under-floor storage. Inside, the HHR Panel has seating for two and a large, flat cargo floor. Tie-down points are located strategically on the floor.

The LS model comes with a fuel-efficient 2.2L engine rated at 149 horsepower (111 kW). The LT model is equipped with a 2.4L engine rated at 175 horsepower (130 kW). With either engine, the HHR is rated at 30 mph in highway driving and can provide up to 450 miles of cruising range on a tank of gas.

Power front seats, a family of radios with MP3 capability and OnStar are available on LS and LT models. LT models also offer XM Satellite Radio, 17-inch wheels and leather-appointed seating. There is also a rear power plug connector with available 40-amp service, for a variety of specialty equipment needs. This feature answers the call of upfitters, who asked for an additional power source to suit their specialty vehicles.

OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available on the HHR Panel, enhancing its value as a courier or delivery-type vehicle. OnStar Turn-by-Turn provides verbal instructions to assist the driver with right- and left-hand turn directions; and it establishes a new route if the driver needs to get back on track; for example, if a freeway exit is missed.

Chevrolet is America’s No. 1-selling automotive brand. With the largest dealer network in the United States , Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more than expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $78,175. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.

Mazda Introduces Special Edition RX-8

Mazda is introducing a third special edition model of its Mazda RX-8 rotary powered four-door sports coupe. Called the ‘Mazda RX-8 Nemesis’ the latest model builds on the success of the earlier Mazda RX-8 Evolve and Mazda RX-8 PZ.

The ‘Nemesis’ features unique paint colors and interior trim, plus an exclusive accessory package, all at the extremely attractive price of £22,995 (on-the-road), £330 less than the model on which it is based – when similarly specified.

Taking the standard 192 bhp version of Mazda RX-8 with leather and a five-speed transmission as its foundation, the Nemesis has several unique exterior and interior features.

A choice of two exclusive colors (Copper Red Mica and Stormy Blue Mica) is offered, and each Nemesis comes with a polished aluminum Rotary crest on the front air dam, polished aluminum side air-outlet trims behind the front wheel arches, special B-pillar trims with a Rotary crest and ‘Nemesis’ badging.

Inside, these special edition models feature unique stone leather seat trim, plus Nemesis branded luxury carpet mats and Mazda RX-8 branded aluminum door scuff plates.

Like other standard 192 bhp RX-8s, the Nemesis has front fog lights, heated front seats, electrically-operated driver’s seat, climate control air-conditioning, nine-speaker BOSE premium audio system with 6-CD auto-changer, plus a black leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake lever. Every Mazda RX-8 is fitted with six airbags.

The comprehensive active safety package on RX-8 ensures that the Nemesis is equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS) and a Limited-Slip Differential (LSD).

The revolutionary design of the Mazda RX-8 – with its rare blend of high performance, rotary engine power, sports car dynamics with rear-wheel drive and generous interior space – make it a truly practical four-seater, four-door sports coupe. The Nemesis has a top speed of 139 mph and accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.

Customer benefits encompass the interior upgrade, free Mica paint (worth £325), plus £620 worth of accessories – at no extra cost. Each Nemesis buyer will also qualify for a complimentary Prodrive experience day to learn how to get maximum enjoyment from their new car, while driving safely and responsibly.

As well as delivering great performance and top value, the Mazda RX-8 Nemesis also brings customers a touch of exclusivity. Just 350 examples (200 in Copper Red and 150 in Stormy Blue) of this special edition will be available in the UK.

The Mazda RX-8 Nemesis is powered by a twin 1.3-litre 192 bhp rotary engine providing Zoom-Zoom performance to complement the stylish look of this special edition. RX-8 Nemesis is set to build on the tremendous success of the Mazda RX-8, voted ‘Best Coupe 2006’ by the influential What Car? magazine for the third consecutive year. Since launch, more than 20,000 RX-8s have been delivered to customers in the UK.

Note: this special edition RX-8 will not be offered on the North American market.

Chrysler To Launch 300C SRT-8 Estate In Right Hand

Chrysler will start 2007 with a bang by launching the Touring version of the sensational 425 horsepower 300C SRT-8.

The SRT-8 Touring boasts the same 6.1-litre HEMI V8 engine as the SRT-8 saloon and delivers the same impressive levels of performance - 0 to 60 in 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 168mph.

Peter Lambert, Managing Director for Chrysler Group in the UK said: “Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division has taken the already great looking 300C Touring and added their unique blend of performance car handling and braking, performance-orientated exterior and interior together with the HEMI engine to create the stunning Chrysler 300C Touring SRT-8.”

The SRT-8 features a body kit designed to reduce lift and drag, unique air intake ducts that help cool the front brakes, two large diameter exhaust tail pipes and five spoke 20-inch forged aluminium wheels.

A racing-style Brembo braking system together with tuned Bilstein dampers, specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings and larger-diameter anti-roll bars, together with 13mm lower ride height and a re-tuned ESP system all help deliver outstanding ride and handling.

Peter Lambert added: “The 300C range has enjoyed massive success in the UK this year and while the diesel version of both the saloon and Touring has proved to be the most popular, there will always be a place for a car like the HEMI-powered 300C SRT-8 with driving enthusiasts here in the UK.”

The Chrysler 300C Touring SRT-8 will be available in right-hand drive and will launch in February 2007, priced at £40,990.

2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

The Nissan Altima is a car on the move. With its next generation design for the 2007 model year, Nissan’s best-selling vehicle in the United States is poised for even greater success as it establishes segment leadership in style, design, performance and innovation. The next-generation Altima Coupe will go on sale as a 2008 model in summer 2007.

The Altima Coupe, which made its debut in the shadows of Hollywood at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, fills a desire among target customers for a more personal expression of style, individuality and fashionable appearance.

The Altima Coupe’s unique exterior design is intended to stand out in a crowd of sedan-based two-door models with magnetic, perfectly proportioned styling with a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan.

The Altima Coupe, as part of the fourth-generation Altima design, utilizes Nissan’s all-new, highly acclaimed “D” platform with increased body rigidity and a redesigned suspension. This new platform was developed with the objective of making Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive vehicles available globally.

The rear multi-link independent suspension design separates the rear shocks and springs for reduced friction and the shocks are in line with the center of the rear wheels, providing better damping and less harshness. Front and rear stabilizer bars are standard. The Altima suspension has been specially tuned for use with the Altima Coupe.

The new Altima Coupe is offered with a choice of two engines and two transmissions. The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 is the “next generation” version of the 12-time Ward’s “10 Best Engines” award-winning VQ-series V6. For use in the Altima Coupe, it is rated at 270 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and offers strong acceleration and refined sound quality. The V6 features reduced friction, improved cylinder head cooling and new twin knock sensors.

Also available with the new Altima Coupe is a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve QR25 inline 4-cylinder, producing 175 horsepower (170 bhp CAL) and 180 lb-ft of torque (175 lb-ft CAL).

Both the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter 4-cylinder models are available with Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmissions.

The Altima Coupe’s performance feeling is also enhanced by a driver-centered interior. Though sharing much of the design and features with the new Altima Sedan, the Coupe includes unique sport-style front seats with more side support, in-board release lever and front kangaroo pouches. All Altima Coupes also utilize a parking brake hand lever (versus foot release for Altima Sedans with CVT). The Coupe also includes a 60/40 split and flat
fold-down rear seat.

Like the Altima Sedan, the Altima Coupe’s instrument panel features a Fine Vision gauge display for enhanced readability and the L-shaped flow of the instrument panel to the center console adds to the driver-oriented cockpit feel.

The list of passenger amenities includes standard Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and available Bose-developed audio system with nine speakers, Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System, satellite radio and dual-zone automatic temperature control.

Available technology features include a RearView Monitor, which utilizes a small camera to help show the view behind the vehicle when in reverse gear, and Nissan Navigation System with a 6.5-inch color monitor.

High-Performance Flagship For The Vauxhall Signum

The 2.8-litre turbo, available in Design or Elite trim, is available from only £23,050, and now comes with an uprated V6 powerplant, developing 250bhp and an impressive 350Nm of torque. The new unit gives it an incredible 0-60mph time of just 6.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph for the manual version.

Design models feed the power to the road through a six-speed manual gearbox, while the more luxury-oriented Elite comes with a six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select facility.

Both models come with ESP-Plus as standard, while the Design gets lowered and uprated sports suspension.

As with all Signum models, standard equipment includes colour sat nav, 17-inch alloy wheels and electrically operated front and rear windows. The Design also has front fog lamps, dark-style head and tail lights, half-leather trim, automatic lighting control, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers and active head restraints, while Elite models get full leather trim and electronic climate control. To fit this equipment to some rivals would involve an expensive trip to the options list.

The new models join the range immediately, while buyers who don’t feel the need for 250bhp powerplant can still take advantage of Signum’s space, style and high levels of equipment with prices starting at just £18,150 for 1.8-litre Exclusiv.