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Will the 2010 Mustang turn Ford’s fortunes?

Ford are hoping that the new 2010 Mustang will be able to turn the automakers fortunes, but that is a tall order as we enter a very unstable time in the market. It does not matter how much promotion Ford do with the release of their new vehicle, one thing still remains, there is not as much money to go around and the first thing that consumers will tighten their belts on are purchases of new cars. Read more

Ford’s 2009 Fiesta ECOnetic does 65mpg: But US can’t have it

The new Ford Fiesta ECOnetic will do 65 miles to the gallon which is good news for people in Europe but what about stateside? Unfortunately the new Ford Fiesta will not be available in the U.S.

The reason the Fiesta ECOnetic will not be available in the U.S. is because it runs on diesel according to Business Week. Ok, we know that in America Diesel has a bad reputation but nowadays new diesel vehicles have anti-pollution technology that makes them as clean as petrol vehicles, but there is one other snag the current exchange rate would mean the ECOnetic would cost about $25,700 in America, when the Prius will only set you back $24,000 in comparison.

So for the European readers the New Ford Fiesta ECOnetic will go on sale from November.

Read the full article in nydailynews

Toyota and EDF launching plug-in hybrid Prius

When it comes to the environment we all know that hybrid cars are the way forward, well it seems that Toyota and EDF are launching a new and what is to be UK’s first ever plug-in hybrid car today (September 10).

The launch event is happening at Hyde Park, the Toyota Plug-in Prius UK trial will determine the vehicles performance, driver behaviour and expectations and of course what customers will think of the plug-in hybrid.

I believe this new Toyota Plug-in Prius is the way forward, the question is “Will this vehicle be something special or just a flash in a pan product?

Source – Smart Planet

2009 Mazda 6: Giving you a lot more

Now we all know that Mazda produce pretty impressive cars and that the first-generation Mazda 6 was produced some 6-years ago. A few models we can talk about briefly may turn some heads.

First up is the 4-cylinder engine 2.5-litre which produces 170 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque which is slightly different to that of the 2.3-liter motor producing just 156 horses and 154 pound-feet.

There is a more powerful model with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine with 272HP with 269 pound-feet of torque, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission seems pretty ordinary but still exciting.

The one we like has to be the 6 Sport which costs $20,920 or you can have the V-6 for $24,800. The top-line model from Mazda is the Grand Touring, for more information in detail please read more here.

New Honda Insight: cheapest hybrid car to battle Toyota Prius

Honda has launched the world’s cheapest hybrid car, the Insight. Honda hopes that the cheap price will be enough to win motorists because of the high price of fuel. Honda hopes to sell the new insight between £13,000 and £15,000. This will undercut the Toyota Prius by £3,000.

Honda expects to sell about 200,000 Insights a year around the world; this is a lot more than the 280,000 that they sold over ten years. The new model will be unveiled officially at next month’s Paris motor show.

The five door family hatchback should be able to deliver 60 miles to the gallon. The new Honda Insight will go on sale around the world in the spring and forms part of the four new hybrid cars from Honda.

Source – The Telegraph

Citroen previews Hypnos Hybrid CUV concept in Paris

You have to admit that in recent years Citroen have lost their way when it comes to the design of their cars. Well over the past couple of years it seems as if their designers have fallen in love with the French auto brand again.

This can certainly be seen with the Hypnos Hybrid CUV, the concept which is on show at the Paris Auto Show. This Citroen utility vehicle is a crossover that is trying to compete with the likes of the BMW X6 as well as the Infiniti FX models.

With the vehicle powered by a standard engine as well as an electric motor, it will produce 200 horsepower. Citroen say that the Hypnos Hybrid CUV can achieve 50 MPG, but as this is a concept we will just have to wait and see.

Source - Carscoop

Ford EcoBoost-powered Fusion GT delayed to 2012

There are reports that Ford is to delay the production of their EcoBoost-powered Fusion GT until 2012. The new sedan which was to produce 340 horsepower was all set to arrive at the end of the current Fusion’s product cycle.

Motor Trend report that, Ford has delayed the Fusion GT is because they are planning a big roll-out of their EcoBoost engine. They plan to use these new engines across the range means that there was no spare time for the Fusion GT.

The Ford Fusion GT will debut around 2012 which is when the sedan debuts on the European platform.

Ford Bobcat: next-gen, ethanol-boosted engines

Although Ford has not yet introduced their EcoBoost engines, the automaker is already hard at work developing the next phase of the technology. The new engine technology is rumored to be called Bobcat.

The next-gen engine will use small amounts of ethanol injection; this will not only improve power but also reduce emissions. As we know ethanol has a high octane rating, as a result an engine can be tuned to produce more power.

When an engine runs with ethanol injection, it can run at a much higher compression ratio as well as a small turbo charger. The ethanol would be injected directly into the engine’s combustion chamber; as a result precompression is eliminated.

Read the full article from Autoblog

More Ford news

Stephen Odell Appointed Volvo President, CEO by Ford

Ford has appointed Stephen Odell as President and Chief Executive Officer of Volvo Car Corporation; he replaces Fredrik Arp, who chose to part with the company. Odell will take charge of Volvo on October 1; he will then be responsible of the global operations of Volvo.

He will take charge from their headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. Ford hope that Stephen Odell is the man who can drive Volvo to a sustained profit, as well as restructuring and growth of the company.

Stephen Odell, has played a key part to the success that Ford is having in Europe, it seems that the oval badge is seeing a resurgence in Europe. Ford hope that Odell will be able to do the same for Volvo.

Read more on the story from Market Watch

Ferrari California Video: designed for women

Ferrari have been teasing us with computer animations of their new California car. We have never seen any real images of the most anticipated car that is until now.

Well the guys from Auto magazine have been over to Maranello with a video camera, and have recorded some footage of the Ferrari California. It is great to now see this car up close and personal.

The video shows you all angles of the car, as well as an interview with product development director Roberto Corradi. He tells us that the new Ferrari has been made easier to drive as well as being softly styled to accommodate female customers

Source

Aston Martin Lagonda: Revived for 100th anniversary

Aston Martin is all set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lagonda. Enthusiasts of the much loved car will be there to celebrate, but Aston Martin has something special planned for the event.

To commemorate the long-dormant marque, the car maker is to revive the Lagonda. One thing that I do not understand, Lagonda celebrated their 100th anniversary two years ago, so why is Aston Martin celebrating it next year.

Lagonda was produced independently until 1947, after which Aston Martin bought them out. Aston Martin will show of the new Lagonda next year at the Geneva Motor Show.

Source

Bosch: Lithium-ion Batteries, future for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Bosch is now pursuing their long-term strategy so that they are able to increase use of electric motors in drivetrains. Bosch believes that lithium-ion batteries are the future for automotive hybrid and electrical drives.

Bosch believe that Hybrid and Electric Vehicles will add up to more than three percent of the auto market by 2015, which is why they are taking this time to develop better systems.

Bosch is working closely with Samsung SDI; the two companies are to invest 300 to 400 million dollars over the next five years. For the full report visit The Bosch Group

Lamborghini Reventon similar to Murcielago

The Lamborghini Reventon is very similar to the Murcielago; one of the main differences is 10Hp, that’s it. However; the brakes in the Reventon do feel a lot more capable, this is a good thing considering how fast this car can go.

When you open the car up it will frighten you, so those brakes will come in handy. When driving the car around a town or city you will have to put up with people looking at you, so you will be going under 10mph a lot of the time.

The Lamborghini Reventon produces 650hp to all four wheels; this means that this Lambo has the best handling in the range. For more details and images visit Auto Friends.

Other news on Lamborghini

Spyker C8 LM 85: hardcore exotic sportscar

Spyker, that troubled Dutch carmaker is working on building a hardcore exotic sportscar. The car will be a limited-edition road-going version of their C8 GTR2 race car.

The new car will be named C8 LM 85 and will produce 450HP. The car looks every much the racer and will have the handling to match. The Spyker C8 LM 85 is expected to make its debut by the end of the year.

The Spyker C8 LM 85 Sports car will have a top speed of 186mph (300km/h). For a detailed review of this car, visit Motor Authority.

Volkswagen R32: serous competition for BMW 1 and Mini Cooper

There is no getting away from the fact that the hottest hatch has always been the Volkswagen Golf, and the greatest version is the R32. The R32 offers the greatest performance than any other Golf has to offer, one that is enough to go head to head with the BMW 1 and the Mini Cooper.

The R23 has a 3.2 L naturally aspirated 15-degree narrow angle V6 engine, which produces 250 hp, considering the size of the car, the power to weight ratio is very high. The standard 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system transfers at least 75 percent of available torque to the rear wheels. The Volkswagen R32 has a 0-60 speed of 6.4 seconds. Read more

65,000 Hyundai Elantra’s recalled with fuel pump problems

The Hyundai Motor Co. is recalling 65,000 Elantra sedans in the United States because there is a problem with the fuel pumps. Hyundai have to replace these fuel pumps, as they may lose pressure which will then degrade the performance of the engine.

The voluntary recall of the Elantrs affects the 2008 model with the 2.0-liter Beta engine. Some of the fuel pumps in these cars from Nov. 5 to June 28 might lose pumping pressure. Read more

Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator takes-off for first time

This is the Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator, it’s a futuristic helicopter that’s not completely ready yet, but today it had its first flight. The single-engined fly-by-wire aircraft was in the air for around 30 minutes.

While the X2 Demonstrator was airborne it demonstrated a hover turn, forward flight and hover. The helicopter features a pusher propeller and coaxial rotors, Sikorsky said that they believe the X2 will revolutionize the helicopter world.

Current helicopters have cruise speeds of around 150 kts and a Westland Lynx holds the helicopter world speed record at 216.45 kts. The Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator will have cruise speeds of around to 250 kts.

To find out more about Sikorsky’s X2 and why current helicopters are limited by rotor aerodynamics, hit the read link below.

Read more on Aviation Week

Oil prices force Toyota to Cut 2009 Sales Forecast

Toyota Motor Corp. has had to make the decision to cut their sales figures for 2009. The have reduced the sales forecast by 6.7 percent as a result of current oil prices, as gasoline is nearing the $4 a gallon mark.

The biggest blow for Toyota, the world’s second-largest automaker, is that the demand for trucks has dropped massively. It seems that it is now smaller cars that Americans are wanting. Read more

Lexus unveils LS460 AWD at Moscow Auto Show

Moscow Auto Show 2008 has already got of to a great start with the launch of some great cars; one such car has to be the new Lexus LS460 AWD. This is the all-wheel-drive version of their popular saloon car.

Moscow have never been ones to embrace larger vehicles, you only have to look at their history with the BMW 7-series and the Mercedes S-Class. However Lexus are hoping that by offering the LS460 with an AWD version, then the Russians might embrace the vehicle. It seems as if the Japanese are taking the fight to the German’s in Russia.

Lexus have used the same four-wheel-drive system that they use in their LS600h, along with the eight-speed automatic transmission as well. The engine used will be the 4.6-liter V8, which is used in the standard model. This will produce 381 hp.

The LS460 AWD is fitted with a Torsen rear LSD. The torque is split 40/60 for normal driving conditions, but if you wish to drive the car harder then 70 percent of the power will go to the rear wheels. This allows for more speed and greater handling.

For more images click here

More news on Lexus

Mazda Kazamai concept unveiled at Moscow 2008

Mazda have unveiled their Kazamai concept at Moscow 2008, the unveiling was certainly a strange affair with four dancers along with guys in neon-pink shorts on roller skates all dancing around the new concept. Oh sorry I almost forgot about the 40 Russian singers all dressed in Soviet-style clothing.

If you were to read this article before hand, you would have thought that I was feeding you false information, but I have it on good authority from Autoblog that yhis really did happen.

Autoblog wanted to kick of their coverage of the 2008 Moscow International Auto Salon, so thought they would start with the Mazda Kazamai. There have been a number of concept cars over the past few months, but you have to admit that the Kazamai has to be one of the better ones.

The new concept is a two-door crossover, but has a more aerodynamic body than most CUV’s on the market today. What Mazda will finally call the production Kazamai is anyone’s guess, but Autoblog feel that it could be the new CX-7.

For more images of the unveiling click here