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Italian automaker Fiat today finally launched the long awaited Fiat Bravo. The 2007 Fiat Bravo is replacing the company’s big flop, the Stilo. The car is a five-door hatchback with various engine sizes. The 1.9 liter Multijet produces 120 and 150 horsepower, the 1.4 liter produces 90 horsepower and the 1.4 liter turbocharged T-JET engine produces 120 and 150 horsepower as well. The new Fiat Bravo aims to become the benchmark for what is the most important segment of the European market, which accounted for over 3,400,000 cars sold in 2006, or little more than one fifth of the total market. The 2007 Fiat Bravo will be built at the plant in Piedimonte S. Germano (Frosinone) and its 3500 employees are preparing themselves enthusiastically to turn out an average of 120,000 cars a year, which will be marketed in 55 countries around the world, starting in 2007. Video: Fiat Bravo Exterior: Video: Fiat Bravo in Action: Press Release 31/01/2007 Fiat Bravo The model in brief When B...

Volkswagen’s 50-state-compliant Jetta TDI will be among the cleanest diesels in the U.S. Previews Amid the looming hordes of European luxury automakers planning a North American compression-ignition invasion in the next couple years, humble Volkswagen has announced its plans to return the Jetta TDI to the diesel dogpile in the spring of 2008. Powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, and either a six-speed manual or DSG automated manual transmission, the 2008 Jetta TDI will be cleared for sale in all fifty states. Some of the earlier diesels to make it to our shores over the next few years will only be available in 45 states; California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont have all adopted stricter emissions regulations for diesels that bar some vehicles from entry. Using technology developed under the BlueTec cooperative formed by Mercedes-Benz and Vo...

Best in low defect rate category/Other Opel models climb in rankings in 2007 Opel Managing Director Demant: “Our quality initiative is clearly reaping rewards” The Opel Meriva debuts in TÜV report as favorite among TÜV engineers. The Opel bestseller has by far the lowest defect rate. The Opel Meriva has achieved the lowest defect rate in the TÜV report 2007. Introduced in 2003 and now tested for the first time (first general inspection is three years after initial registration), the minivan immediately established itself as the top performer in this quality check. 113 different models with ages up to three years are indexed. Faults were only found in 1.8 percent of the bestselling Opel Merivas that were checked; the industry average was 5.9 percent. “Our comprehensive quality initiative is clearly paying off,” says Hans H. Demant, Opel Managing Director. “There is hardly a better indicator than this success achieved by one of our newest models. And the overall results for the Opel mode...

(from Audi Press Release) Audi R8 Audi has incorporated the name and the genes of the five-time Le Mans winner, the Audi R8 , into a spectacular sports car. Three years after the unveiling of the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, the production version will be making its debut at the Paris Motor Show in the guise of the new Audi R8 mid-engined sports model. It is a fascinating driving machine and the sporty pinnacle of the Audi brand. The mid-mounted 420 bhp V8 FSI engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and Audi Space Frame aluminium body form the basis for truly outstanding driving dynamics. The Audi R8 will be available to order from 28 September 2006; first deliveries will be made in the first half of 2007. The exterior Even at first glance, the calibre of the car is plain to see. The Audi R8 sits broad and squat on the road, the strongly accentuated rear end appearing to flex its muscles like a sprinter ready for the off. The characteristic proportions of the vehicle are ...

The Lumma Design CLR 500 RS is based on the BMW M5 , and features: carbon fiber hood, roof, and trunk; a widebody kit with notable fender flares; new front and rear aprons; side skirts, and more. The engine features a power output of 552 hp.

Automotive pioneer ZAP announced plans to display Lotus Engineering''s advanced APX concept car at the North American Dealers Association annual meeting and exhibition, February 3 to 6, 2007, confirming their choice to move ahead using Lotus'' revolutionary platform and body structure design as the basis for the development of the high performance electric ZAP-X. ZAP and Lotus Engineering will begin the first phase of an engineering project to use the British consultancy''s APX ("Aluminum Performance Crossover") as a basis for designing a production-ready electric all-wheel drive crossover high performance vehicle for ZAP in the USA market. A combination of the lightweight aluminum vehicle architecture, a new efficient drive and advanced battery management systems is intended to enable a range of up to 350 miles between charges, with a rapid 10-minute recharging time. An auxiliary power unit is planned to support longer distance journeys. Lotus'...

Customers who purchase a Honda natural gas-powered vehicle continue to be eligible for single-occupant use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOVs) lanes in California. The 2007 Honda Civic GX is the only new vehicle that is eligible for consumers to register for single occupant HOV permits (AB 2628), now that the maximum number of 85,000 hybrid vehicle HOV permits have been issued. Consumers should refer to the California Air Resources Board''s website www.arb.ca.gov for further information. "The single-occupant HOV permits reward consumers who purchase vehicles that achieve the highest levels of environmental performance," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda continues to be a leader in producing vehicles that set the standard for low emissions and fuel economy." This leadership is underscored by the fact that Honda is the most fuel efficient car company in America according to EPA fuel economy ratings(1). High fuel econ...

Previews The BMW 3-series is without question one of our favorite cars, reigning on our yearly 10Best Cars list for the past 16 years. The current and much-praised, fifth-generation E90 version is no doubt the best, and is among the most rewarding cars to drive at any price. For 2008, and to no one’s surprise, BMW is adding a convertible version, just as the company has for the past 20 years. But, this is BMW’s first foray into the expanding, hardtop-convertible parade. Other notable features are a much-improved, rapid-shifting six-speed automatic; special reflective leather to keep the seats cool (up to 30 degrees cooler than conventional leather) when the top is down; and, of course, the spectacular 300-hp twin-turbo inline-six that was introduced in last year’s 335i coupe. In the U.S., the convertible will be offered as the aforementioned 300-hp 335i—the model we got an early drive in—as well as a 230-hp 328i when it goes on-sale at the end of March. Pricing isn’t yet finalized, but...

(from Gemballa Press Release) High-end-Tuning for the Carrera GT : Racing-look GEMBALLA Mirage GT with more power. Around 1500 of Porsche 's prestige product, the Carrera GT , have been built, all of which have now been sold. Owners worried about the individuality of their vehicle, in spite of its rareness, would be well-advised to make an appointment with GEMBALLA. Thanks to its expertise, as the only Porsche tuner GEMBALLA has comprehensively modified the high-tech car from Weissach, while at the same time adding an individual touch. In addition, performance addicts can obtain even more of what they want. The spectacular end product answers to the name of GEMBALLA Mirage GT and outshines its production-line counterpart in every respect. The Carrera GT engine is a dream. A meaty 5.7-litre V10 boasting 612 horsepower. What more could one want? More power of course! GEMBALLA operates on the same principle as racing drivers: "You can never have too much power". By mo...

(from STRUT Press Release) The 2007 Mercedes S550 - Munich Collection offers owners of this high style and performance vehicle the ultimate in personalization. Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield.

(from STRUT Press Release) The 2007 Cadillac Escalade Vail Collection has been designed for Escalade devotees who desire to customize their vehicle with a distinctive look that showcases the owner's flair for style. Included in this collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield.

With compact coupes becoming so popular and the 2008 BMW 1-Series making so much noise in the auto industry, it seems like a lot of auto manufacturers are busy working on developing a compact coupe for 2010 releases. AutoBild has the full info and the and photo renderings of what we can see by 2010. Let’s take a look at the list by manufacturer. Volkswagen Scirocco: Scheduled to hit showrooms sometime in late 2008 or early 2009 the Volkswagen Scirocco will be a front-wheel drive compact coupe powered by a 210 horsepower TSI engine along with a top of the line all-wheel-drive 3.6-liter V6. Audi A1 or Audi R4: Now we’re not sure what Audi will lean towards here but the company has already confirmed production of an A1 which is expected to start in 2009. For the top of the line compact coupe speculations have been toward an Audi R4 (pictured above) which will have a 3.2 liter V6 engine producing up to 340 horsepower. BMW 1-Series and M1: BMW has already been making a lot of no...

Limited-edition timepiece for sports car enthusiasts “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” automatic chronograph with five-row steel-link strap The latest product of a long and fruitful partnership between Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH and the Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer, the new “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” automatic chronograph combines the classical art of watchmaking with superior technology and exclusivity. The third chronograph to emerge from this collaboration will be available as from the summer in a limited edition of 3,500 pieces. The special hallmarks of this high-tech timepiece include the arrangement of the chronograph's buttons beside the dial, echoing the layout of the shift buttons on the automatic transmission selector lever in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren super sports car. The “TAG Heuer SLR for Mercedes-Benz” mechanical automatic chronograph is perfectly matched to the needs and wishes of the sports car enthusiast. Its unique styling features afford this except...

The Hollywood Extra brings us a minute-long video of what will certainly be my next vehicle purchase; the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe. When I wrote how it’s going to be at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, I noted how I’ll get the choice of a 270 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 or a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower. Each is offered with either a 6-speed manual transmission or Nissan’s advanced Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT.) Also offered is a long list of user-friendly technology features, including Intelligent Key with Push Start Ignition, RearView Monitor and an advanced touch-screen navigation system. I’m so excited! Oh yeah, here’s the video: source: automoblog

The new flagship model in the Maybach line-up is the Maybach 62 S. The engineers in the Manufaktur workshops in Sindelfingen have built the high-end Saloon for the most discerning requirements. And it’s a philosophy shared by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. “You shouldn’t take small steps if you want to achieve something great”, says the world’s fourth-richest man. For him luxury is an important aspect of his lifestyle. The streets and bazaars of the rich desert city therefore provide the perfect backdrop to experience first-hand the new Maybach 62 S and its characteristics. The "S" in the model designation stands for "Special" and draws attention to the fact that Maybach has incorporated many features requested by their highly discerning customers into the 62 S model. The result is a new dimension in travelling comfort, especially for the passengers in the generously proportioned rear compartment of the new high-end luxury saloon. Not to ...

Individuality and practical use plus driving pleasure in pure culture. Its bold design, a thus far unequalled interior style in combination with the classic Honda virtues such as guaranteed driving pleasure together with brilliantly low fuel consumption – these are the factors that have made the hatch-back of the eighth Civic generation into the compact class success model. "It is now time, " explained Yasuhisa Maekawa, Honda R & D Europe Chairman, and Vice-Chairman of Honda Motor Europe, "to expand the family again with the sporting Type S and Type R variants." And he promised: "Their names are in the program: S for Sport and R for Racing." Both the new 3-doors differ from the 5-door by their own design, special driving settings, and in the case of the Honda Type R a brilliant sporty engine – and guarantees an intoxicating blend of exhilarating driving pleasure accompanied by exemplary everyday usability. "The expansion of the product range,...

It was in the 1930s that Peugeot started the innovative concept of the coupé cabriolet, with the 601, 401 and 402 “Eclipse”. This concept was to become one of Peugeot’s trademark features and make the marque the No1 producer of coupé cabriolets, with today more than 500,000 vehicles sold worldwide. The car that changed the UK convertible car market forever was the Peugeot 206 CC. Launched in the UK in January 2001, the 206 CC broke new ground with regards to technology, manufacturing and entry price. It brought a coupé cabriolet with an electric folding roof into the price range of everyone, not justthe preserve of the luxury car market segment. Its introduction saw it transform the UK market for convertible cars and become the best-selling convertible car in the UK for three consecutive years. Its success, however, is worldwide and with more than 360,000 units produced it is the world’s best selling small coupé cabriolet. With the launch of the Peugeot 207 CC in March 2007, it will...

The new Mazda3 MPS, the fastest, best handling, best braking model in the hugely popular Mazda3 range, is now on sale in the UK, priced from just £18,995 on‑the‑road. Reaching the same heights of handling prowess as the Mazda6 MPS, Mazda RX-8 PZ special edition and the iconic Mazda MX-5, the Mazda3 MPS is being marketed in the UK as a single, fully specified and lavishly equipped model. Highly sophisticated and remarkably refined, the Mazda3 MPS combines sensationally spirited performance – top speed is 155mph and 0-60mph takes just 6.1 seconds – with remarkable everyday practicality. Encompassing the true spirit of the UK’s favourite sportscar brand, theMazda3 MPS appeals to both the heart and the head and will be the perfect flagship for the Mazda3 range and the Mazda brand in the C-segment. Each Mazda3 MPS is mechanically identical, while inside there are MPS-branded sports seats with black leather side bolsters and centre sections in black sports cloth. In addition, customers...