Hot Cars

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.

GM Daewoo Matiz Wins Energy Grand Prix Award

The GM Daewoo Matiz mini-car has won the Energy Grand Prix award presented by Consumers Korea. Founded in 1983, Consumers Korea is a non-profit organization that helps protect the interests of local consumers.

Since 1997, it has annually presented the Energy Winner Awards, honoring products and organizations that contribute to the saving of energy. The three most energy-efficient products and activities are honored with the Energy Grand Prix award.

During this year’s 11th Energy Winner Awards, winners were selected in five categories: Green Equipment, Green Lighting, Green Building/Architecture, Energy-Efficient Vehicle and Energy-Saving Activity. GM Daewoo was presented its award during an official ceremony today

“The Energy Grand Prix award proves once again the outstanding value offered by the Matiz,” said GM Daewoo Vice President of Engineering Steve Clarke. “The Matiz epitomizes GM Daewoo’s engineering capability and accumulated technology in developing fuel-efficient, practical mini vehicles, which have been awarded by GM appointing GM Daewoo to be the global base for the development of its mini cars.”

Since its launch in 1998, more than 2 million Matiz cars have been sold around the world. The best-selling mini-car in Korea and abroad, the Matiz has received numerous awards. They include the Auto Design Award from IBCAM and Best Mini-Car from Italy’s Automobile. The Matiz also has finished first in its segment in surveys carried out by J.D. Power & Associates in Mexico, China and India.

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology was established in 2002. It has five manufacturing facilities in Korea as well as an assembly facility in Vietnam. In addition, GM Daewoo provides market and brand-specific vehicle kits for assembly at GM facilities in China, Thailand, India, Colombia and Venezuela. In 2006, GM Daewoo sold in Korea and exported more than 1.5 million vehicles.

GM Daewoo vehicles are now offered in more than 150 markets on six continents under several GM Group brands. Imported GM products from the Cadillac and Saab premium brands are sold in Korea through GM AutoWorld retailers.

Volkswagen EOS Named One Of The Sexiest Cars Of 2007

Volkswagen of America, Inc. has announced that ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine has named the Eos convertible one of the top 10 sexiest cars for 2007. In the 11th annual Sexy Car Buyer’s Guide, ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine (RTM) cites the Eos, with its coupe-sunroof-convertible (CSC)TM and price under $30,000, as “the best of all worlds.

A road runner with simple, elegant lines [and] just enough trim in the right places.” Open top motoring, combined with the powerful 2.0T, 200 horsepower four-cylinder engine or a 3.6 L 250 hp V6 engine mated to the dual-clutch, DSG® six-speed transmission makes the Eos an exciting vehicle and fun to drive.

“We’re very proud of the Eos and the recent accolades it has received from the automotive industry, including a strong showing in the J.D. Power APEAL study and now from ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine,” said Susan Kelke, North American launch and model manager. “It has become a strong halo vehicle for Volkswagen, representing the best of German engineering and styling and a fun-to-drive quotient for consumers.”

“The July ‘Romance Issue’ (http://www.roadandtravel.com/) provides a full review of the top ten vehicles and what makes each specific automobile sizzle and satisfy,” said Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief, ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine. “Test driven by RTM editors, these revved-up roadsters are sure to leave drivers (and readers) reeling and writhing for more.”

ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine, established in 1989, is a comprehensive online, in-market lifestyle magazine specializing in a wide variety of automotive and travel topics.

Primarily geared towards women, RTM was the first publication to specifically address women’s automotive needs and concerns, providing a resource from which they could make informed decisions regarding purchases and personal safety.

Porsche: 100,000 Units Of The Latest 911 Generation Built

Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is enjoying another high in the success story of its 911: a little over three years since production started in April 2004, the 100,000th vehicle in the current Eleven series (Type 997) has rolled off the production line at the company’s main plant in Zuffenhausen.

Porsche has been manufacturing the 911 since 1963, but never in all that time have so many of these sports cars been produced so quickly as with the sixth generation. The “record” Eleven, a guards red Carrera S with manual gearbox, is to be delivered to a customer in the Frankfurt/Main area within the next few days.

Over the past 40 years or so, the 911 has become the quintessential sports car. From fall 2007, a total of 16 different Eleven models will leave the production line in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen alongside the newly unveiled 911 Turbo Cabriolet and the racing derivatives, the 911 GT3 Cup and the 911 GT3 RSR. By July 31, the end of the 2006/2007 fiscal year, Porsche will have placed around 36,000 units from the 911 series on the global market – yet another record in the history of the Eleven.

Renault Announces 2007 Megane E85 Launch

Renault UK will launch its first bioethanol car into the UK market when the Mégane Hatch E85 goes on sale at the end of 2007. This will be Renault’s first bioethanol vehicle to be sold in the UK and is in line with eCO2, the company’s commitment to producing environmentally-friendly vehicles for the whole life cycle of the vehicle, from design to their eventual recycling.

With eCO2, Renault provides customers with a choice of vehicles across its range, both kind to the environment and motorists’ pockets, including the new Mégane E85.

The new Mégane E85 uses the 1.6 16V 105 engine. The existing 1.6 16V petrol engine has undergone a number of modifications so that it adapts automatically to bioethanol fuel. The main upgrades have been made to the fuel tank, injection system and combustion chambers.

The new vehicles were developed with input from expertise developed in Brazil, where Renault has been selling FlexFuel versions of Clio and Mégane running on bioethanol E100 since 2004.

The benefits of E85 fuel are widespread and are particularly relevant for the Fleet market. A new tax incentive sees a 2% discount on employees’ taxable car benefits where the car is capable of running on E85 fuel, an ethanol fuel based on a mix of at least 85% ethanol with conventional petrol.

The introduction of the Mégane E85 will offer fleets an innovative, modern, comfortable, spacious and Euro NCAP five-star safety-rated car perfect for user-choosers and larger fleets.

Renault considers biofuels to be one of the most effective solutions in the long-term quest for control over CO2 emissions. Biofuels are ecologically effective, as a diversified, renewable, plant-based energy source.

And they are economically effective because the cost of developing compatible engines is reasonable, and the cars are therefore affordable. Biofuels will also be helping to cut down energy dependency on fossil fuels.

The crops used to produce biofuels absorb CO2 from the atmosphere as they grow (part of the process of photosynthesis). E85 bioethanol can achieve CO2 gains of up to 70% over the so-called well-to-wheel cycle compared to the same model powered by a conventional petrol engine. The figure is about 20% for B30 biodiesel.

Biofuel-compatibility is one of the criteria behind the Renault eCO2 signature. With a Mégane running on bioethanol (E85) alongside other vehicles running on biodiesel, such as B30 powered Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) which are currently being evaluated for the British market and will be tested with some fleet operators, Renault confirms its commitment to this technology, as one of the few carmakers to offer its European customers cars running on both types of biofuel.

Bioethanol is made by distilling fermented vegetable matter, typically in the form of wheat or beet in Europe, sugarcane in Brazil, or maize in the USA. The resulting fuel is then mixed with petrol in varying proportions: 5% for E5, 10% for E10, 85% for E85 and up to 100% for E100.

Prices and full information will be announced when Mégane E85 goes on sale at the end of 2007.