Hot Cars

Volvo Adds More Power And Models To Flexifuel Range

Volvo is continuing its long standing commitment to environmental care by adding two new engines and models to its FlexiFuel bio-ethanol range. To power the all new Volvo V70 estate and the new Volvo S80 executive saloon, a two-litre FlexiFuel unit will arrive later this year and will be joined by a five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine in 2008.

The new four-cylinder 2.0F produces 145PS and 185Nm of torque and offers fuel consumption of 24.4mpg in the Volvo V70 and 25mpg in the S801. The 2.5F five-cylinder turbocharged FlexiFuel will deliver a power output of 200 PS2 .

These new FlexiFuel models join the 125PS 1.8F, which is currently available in the Volvo C30, S40 and V50. With five models now available in FlexiFuel guise, Volvo offers the broadest bio-ethanol range in the UK and expects 10,000 global sales this year.

“Flexifuel has considerable potential in larger models too. That is why we plan to continuously expand the implementation of this technology over the coming years. It’s a move that is being driven by the extended availability of biofuels throughout Europe. Biofuel standardisation and guidelines for sustainable production within the EU would make the fuel’s development even smoother,” says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars.

The FlexiFuel engines run on renewable E85 bio-ethanol fuel which emits up to 80% less fossil carbon dioxide emissions than petrol3. Running a FlexiFuel vehicle is simple, should E85 not be available, the car can also be powered by petrol – both fuels can go into the same tank in any mixture thanks to the car’s innovative engine management system which monitors the blend and automatically modifies the injection and ignition timings to optimise performance.

“No single renewable fuel can replace petrol and diesel by itself. We believe in a multi-energy society where many different fuels and technologies are developed in parallel. E85 is a strong alternative that reduces dependency on fossil fuels, and our Flexifuel programme is an important part of our strategy to contribute to sustainable personal mobility,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp.

KIA cee’d Three Door Revealed

Kia Motors Corporation has released the first preview image of its exciting new Kia three-door hatchback model which will make its World Premiere at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show on 11 September.

The new model will be named Pro-cee’d. Based closely on the earlier ‘pro_cee’d’ concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the new production model has been developed by Kia’s design team in Europe under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

“Longer, lower and lighter than its five-door sister car, the new Kia Pro-cee’d is going to be a great drive,” enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe. “Combining real style and genuine practicality, our new three-door cee’d is sure to delight existing Kia customers and attract a new group of European consumers who have not yet considered our brand.”

Manufactured in Slovakia, Pro-cee’d will be the third member of the Kia cee’d family, joining the popular cee’d five-door and the soon to be released cee’d SW models to make Kia an especially strong challenger for C-segment sales in Europe.

Production of the Pro-cee’d model range is scheduled to begin in November with first customer sales during the early months of 2008.

2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan Set for Fall Release

A factory-prepared 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan will debut in mid-October, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The Civic MUGEN Si Sedan is equipped with a high-performance suspension, forged aluminum wheels, aerodynamic body styling and a sport-tuned exhaust system.

“Honda enthusiasts have long been asking for factory-installed MUGEN performance products similar to what the company offers in Japan,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “We’re enthusiasts, too, and the ultra-premium Civic MUGEN Si Sedan offers exclusive style and elevated handling performance with legendary Honda refinement.”

The track-tuned suspension, tested at the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches with aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance while still maintaining a high level of ride comfort. Compared to the conventional Civic Si Sedan, front and rear damping force (both bump and rebound) was increased between 8- and 24-percent.

Lightweight 16.98-pound 18×7.5-inch forged aluminum wheels (27 percent lighter than the stock 17×7 alloy wheel) and high-grip BFGoodrich® g-Force KDW 215/40ZR18 summer tires help to create MUGEN’s unique, rewarding and well-balanced handling performance character. The full-vehicle aero-package adds a front spoiler with a sports grille, side spoilers, a rear bumper diffuser and a rear wing.

The sport exhaust system reduces back pressure from the catalytic converter back. The Civic MUGEN Si Sedan will be available exclusively in Fiji Blue Pearl and include front and rear MUGEN emblems. Inside, a MUGEN Limited Edition placard is located on the center console along with a spherical 50 mm MUGEN aluminum shift knob.

The name MUGEN symbolizes Honda performance throughout Asia and around the globe. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for more than three decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium aftermarket performance products.

The limited-production vehicle (maximum of 1,000 units for the 2008 model year) will have a retail price of less than $30,000 when it goes on sale and include a full factory warranty. A prototype of the Honda Civic MUGEN Si was shown at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in fall 2006.

New Ford Mondeo Named Car Of The Year

Troubled car giant Ford has been given a welcome boost by the news that the new Mondeo has been named Car of the Year.

The Mondeo was voted the best new car by experts at Auto Express, Britain’s biggest-selling weekly motoring magazine. And it was also named best in the family car class and best estate car too in the magazine’s annual New Car Honours.

“The new Mondeo is Ford’s finest ever car,” said Auto Express editor in chief, David Johns. “Each and every model, whether hatchback, saloon or estate, has been designed and engineered to the highest standards.

The car oozes quality, especially in the cabin which has levels of equipment and comfort which sets new standards for the class.”

Ford - which is struggling with huge debts and facing having to sell-off Land Rover and Jaguar from its empire - beat rivals including prestige German makes, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and Audi to the overall Car of the Year title.

Other major winners included:
- Vauxhall Corsa - Best Supermini
- Honda Civic - Best Compact Family Car, and Best Hot Hatch (for the Type R)
- Citroen C4 Picasso - Best MPV
- Kia - for its industry-leading seven-year warranty

The Auto Express New Car Honours are the result of the biggest new car assessment programme carried out by any UK motoring magazine - with over 1,100 new cars independently tested each year on a wide range of key buying criteria, including practicality, value for money, performance, handling and safety. Uniquely, Auto Express also gives every car tested a green rating for environmental impact.

This year’s winners were selected in 19 classes covering every size and class of car.

Subaru Impreza WRX

Subaru Impreza WRX enthusiasts are expected to turn out in force to be the first to drive the new performance model at a special Consumer Ride and Drive event on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Attendees will have the chance to drive the legend themselves or ride shotgun with a professional driver on a closed course. In addition, there will be an Impreza WRX festival including a tuner car salon, live DJs, games, and much more.

The event will feature two driving courses; the first is a dynamic driving course that highlights the acceleration, handling, and braking capabilities of the all-new Impreza WRX; the other course promises the ultimate thrill ride as attendees co-pilot the car on a Rally Stage and experience the new Impreza WRX driven to its limits by a professional driver.

There will also be a complete Impreza WRX festival. Festival activities will include:

- Tuner Car Salon hosted by NASIOC
- Live Blender DJ’s
- A Video Gaming Lounge
- RC Car Track
- Subaru Rally Team USA Traveling Trailer
- SPT Performance Parts Display
- Product Walk Arounds
- Subaru Gear Merchandise
- 2008 Subaru Model Lineup

The new 2008 Impreza WRX comes with a 224-hp 2.5-liter boxer four and reaches 60 mph from rest in just 5.9 seconds. With new, more sophisticated styling and two new body styles, a 4-door sedan and a 5-door model, the Impreza 2.5i and Impreza WRX breathe new life into the compact performance market.

The new Impreza models deliver significant improvements in comfort and utility, while delivering the handling, performance and Subaru Symmetrical AWD that made the original Impreza such a success. Also new for 2008, is the availability of Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) on both the Impreza 2.5i and Impreza WRX.

In 2002, Subaru changed the face of the performance market with the introduction of the original WRX, a car that could deliver turbocharged, rally-bred performance in any driving condition.

The all-new 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX follows that lead with an all-new breed of AWD performance car. Larger than its predecessor, the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX now rides on a 3.7 inch longer wheelbase (103.1 inches) that improves ride, interior space and utility.

Rolls-Royce Opens For Business In Dresden

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has opened a new showroom in Dresden, Saxony/Germany. The authorised dealer Thomas Exclusive Cars GmbH, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dresden, celebrated the opening of its new facilities in Radebeul near Dresden, by unveiling the new Phantom Drophead Coupé.

This latest Rolls-Royce model was making its official German debut, following motor show appearances at Detroit and Geneva.

Sibylle Thomas-Göbelbecker, dealer principal of Thomas Exclusive Cars said, “We are proud to represent the most luxurious automotive brand here in Saxony – and we are pleased to host the German debut of the new Rolls-Royce convertible.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Managing Director for Europe and the Middle East, Axel Obermüller, said, “We see Dresden as an ideal location for the extension of our European dealer network, based on the fact that Germany is our strongest market in Continental Europe. Our experience here over the past months has proven that Saxony is not only founded on a strong history in terms of culture and cars but as well on a remarkable business development.”

In Continental Europe there are now 19 Rolls-Royce showrooms.

This year the brand will have a three model line-up, as the new Drophead Coupé joins the Phantom and Phantom Extended Wheelbase. First deliveries of the Phantom Drophead Coupé to German customers will start in August.