Auto News archives

Smooth Powershift gearbox cuts fuel consumption by 8 percent in the Volvo C30, S40 and V50

The two-litre turbodiesel version of the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 is now also available with a fully-automatic transmission. This new Powershift transmission is a six-speed unit and it significantly cuts fuel consumption compared with a conventional automatic transmission. "According to our calculations, Powershift contributes to a fuel consumption saving of about eight percent compared with a conventional automatic transmission," says Magnus

New Ferrari California revealed

The first official photographs have been published of the Ferrari California, the latest addition to the new generation of Ferraris launched in 2004 with the 612 Scaglietti and added to more recently with the 430 Scuderia. The Ferrari California joins the Prancing Horse's 8-cylinder family which has always been defined by power and performance. It also flanks the flagship 612 Scaglietti in the prestige sporty Grand Tourer segment. The new Ferrari California will satisfy even the most deman

200 hp Flexifuel Volvo V70 and S80 - environmental responsibility with spice

The Volvo V70 and S80 are now also available with a five-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbocharged Flexifuel engine with a power output of 200 hp (147 kW) and 300 Nm of torque. "The 2.5-litre version adds spice to our environmental offer. It emphasises our aim to offer our buyers the possibility of combining performance with environmental responsibility. With 200 hp on tap, the driver gets a dynamic drive without compromising fuel economy," says Fredrik

Mazda design world

Mazda’s design DNA To come up with a new design identity for Mazda, Laurens van den Acker and his design team had to condense and refine important heritage and brand identifiers into future design DNA. But what is design DNA? As its name would suggest, it’s not so different from a human genome. Design DNA is a name for the basic building blocks that makes a car recognisable. It’s a design element that ensures a car shares visual characteristics with other vehicles in the same family, w

Chrysler Celebrates Production of All-New 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Chrysler LLC today celebrated the production launch of one of the industry's most highly anticipated vehicles—the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8®. Dodge Challenger is back in Chrysler's line-up as a modern muscle car with a new SRT8 model. A full line-up will follow in the 2009 model-year. Consumer interest in the Dodge Challenger has been some of the highest seen at Chrysler. The all-new Dodge Challenger is built at Chrysler's Brampton Ass

The New Audi A4

Sporty and superlative, progressive and emotive – the A4 takes Audi into a new dimension in the midsize car segment. The two FSI direct injection gasoline engines provide supreme performance with fuel consumption that is more than 10 percent lower than the previous model. The highly efficient engines are clear evidence of Audi’s outstanding technical expertise. The dynamic suspension and many other technologies have been adopted directly from the large luxury class. The Audi A4 reaches the U.S.

Volvo V70 R-DESIGN - loaded with refined options

The best-selling Volvo V70 becomes the fifth Volvo model to be offered with the sporty factory-fitted R-Design option pack. This further cements Volvo Cars' aim to offer unique products to particularly discerning customers. The Volvo V70 estate car is for many people the very essence of Volvo: practical, safe and exuding Scandinavian elegance. The R-Design pack spotlights a new dimension: impassioned, extrovert and challenging. "Increasing numbers of customers want cars that express individual taste and style.

Audi 2.0 TFSI wins “International Engine of the Year” Award for 2008

A specialist jury made up of 65 respected automotive journalists from 32 countries has voted the 2.0 TFSI winner of the 1.8-litre to 2-litre category at the International Engine of the Year Awards for the fourth year in a row. International Engine of the Year jury members felt that the Audi-developed 2.0 TFSI engine is „the benchmark for efficiency and performance in its category” and “a great example of an engine that’s so flexible it can del

SL 63 AMG Edition IWC

The AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO has developed a new limited edition vehicle, the exclusive SL 63 AMG Edition IWC. Limited to a total of 200 units, the new roadster features an eye-catching designo magno Kashmir white finish as well as an AMG Exterior Carbon package with a matte surface. In keeping with the exterior appearance, the vehicle’s interior is fitted with Carbon matte trim as well as Tobago Brown nappa leather upholstery that creates additional visual and tactile highlights. In addition, the

HAMANN sportivo - The lively tuning programme for the Fiat 500

Normally HAMANN-Motorsport is renowned as a tuning company for BMW and for refining sinfully expensive luxury cars. But sometimes the Laupheim-based technicians move off the beaten tracks and devote themselves to something completely unexpected – in this case the Fiat 500. The HAMANN-technicians started with a lot of joy and enthusiasm for the cool little retro sports car and developed the extensive HAMANN sportivo–tuning programme. Striking 1

Carlsson CK50 Roadster

For the newly-arrived, comprehensively reworked Mercedes SL, Carlsson Autotechnik GmbH in Merzig can already offer an individualisation programme – transforming the SL 500 into the Carlsson CK50. Coming on strong: the Carlsson CK50 engine kit Specially developed by Carlsson for the current 5.5 Litre V8, the CK50 engine kit, which includes the adaptation of the electronic control unit, allows the elegant roadster to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Following their boost by Carlss

Audi: Successful start to 2008

Following a very successful 2007, Audi is on course to achieve top figures once again in 2008. “We will continue to pursue our course of profitable growth,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, today at the company’s 119th Annual General Meeting in Ingolstadt. “We produce cars in such a customer-orientated and individualized way that they are like "made-to-measure" suits. In this sense we will deliver a million "made-to-measure" cars to customers in 2008. The new