On the outside the so-called Lifestyle model adds roof rails and a rear bumper protect, plus front and rear under-run plates. Interior features of the package include a tough boot liner, claimed to be designed to cope with muddy boots, and a warm / cold storage box.
Lexus says that if these features were to specified individually, it would cost buyers up to £1,500, but brought together for the new RX 450h SE-I Lifestyle they add just £499 to the on-the-road price of the crossover for a total of £48,899.
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“We will be looking to really grow, particularly in the compact SUV segment”, VW's U.S. chief Jonathan Browning told Bloomberg news. “Over time, I think there's also scope for growth in terms of a larger SUV within the portfolio”.
Volkswagen sold 20,946 Tiguans and 4,713 Touaregs in the U.S. last year, which is insignificant compared to the total of 3.3 million SUVs delivered in the country.
“VW is simply not a player in the American SUV segment”, said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany. “Their models aren't being recognized as sufficiently competitive”.
The automaker is exploring other means to increase its sales as well, one of them being the all-new New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS), which is set to debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show.
The yet to be named model will be assembled at the company’s new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with deliveries programmed to start in the third quarter of 2011.
By Csaba Daradics
Source: Bloomberg
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Hyundai opened the European facility at the end of 2008. It produces the i30, i30cw, and newly launched ix20 and exports to 50 countries across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
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"First Press Conference at Detroit Auto Show Is World Premiere of New Porsche Concept
German Car Company Returns to Motor City with Highly Anticipated Concept Vehicle
In a world premiere, Porsche will take the wraps off a new car that promises to be one of the most intriguing and talked-about debuts at the show. This marks the automaker's first appearance at the Detroit Auto Show in four years."
We'll remind you that earlier this week, Bloomberg news said that Porsche's surprise will be a racing coupe version of the 918 Spyder hybrid concept, citing inside company sources.
*Photo: Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid
Finished in a unique "Grabber Blue" paintjob, this Boss 302 Laguna Seca was specifically built by Ford for the auction and features a series of extra modifications over the stock model, which should increase its value at the auction.
The company's designers added distinctive black accents to various body parts (mirrors, roof and spoiler) and Citic Dicastal 10-spoke wheels, also painted black. Inside, Recaro buckets with embroidered Grabber Blue “Boss 302” inscriptions and other chromatic touches set this car apart.
The Laguna Seca package comes with upgraded suspension, chassis and aerodynamic kit, turning the 2012 Mustang Boss 302 into a ready-to-race muscle car. According to Ford, the Laguna Seca can easily reach 1.03 lateral Gs, while also featuring shorter stopping distances and faster acceleration times compared to the regular Boss 302.
Racing legend Parnelli Jones, who won the 1970 Trans-Am season opener in a Boss 302, will provide commentary from the auction stage with Ford’s Mustang team.
“I am very excited to see that Ford is carrying on the tradition of the Boss Mustang,” said Jones. “Ford had the right ingredients to bring back this legendary car and it’s a great addition to the Mustang lineup”.
During the last four years, Ford has raised nearly US $2.5 million for charity through similar events.
By Csaba Daradics
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The front end of the car doesn't appear to differ from the sedan and estate models, but from the A-pillars and back, the Coupe gets its own unique styling with a more rakish roofline, a very Hoffmeister-like kink on the rear window and a redesigned rear end.
Not surprisingly, the interior is based off the one found in the rest of the C-Class models sporting the same revised dashboard.
We don't have any official information on the powertrain options, but the engine range will mirror that of the C-Class including force-fed four-cylinders and the latest 302HP V6. A V8-powered AMG model to rival BMW's M3 Coupe is also believed to be in the cards.
Kudos for the tip Michaël!
Via: Automobile
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Now, following the announcement on the completely redesigned Picanto city car that will break cover at the Geneva Show, our spy photographers snapped the next new model to be added to Kia's range, the 2012 Rio subcompact, while testing in Germany.
The prototype seen in these scoop photos is the five-door hatchback model, but the range will also include a four-door sedan. Although disguised, it's not hard to see that the new Rio 5d will be a more stylish proposal than the current model. From what's visible, the roofline looks more sloped while the front-end appears to feature a similar styling to the European market Picanto and Venga.
Underneath the skin, the new Rio will most likely share its platform with the latest Hyundai Accent, while powertrain options will depend on the market. In Europe, buyers should expect a similar engine lineup to the Kia Venga and Hyundai ix20, including a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter diesel and gasoline units.
Look out for an auto show debut later in the year, with sales kicking off in most markets before the end of 2011.
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GM also took the opportunity to re-confirm Johnny O’Connell and Andy Pilgrim as the pilots of the two cars that will be entered in the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge GT series for the 2011 season. The first track tests are scheduled to begin in late January, at Sebring International Raceway, while the season will kick off on March 25-27 in St. Petersburg, Florida. No tech specs have been released.
By Csaba Daradics
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