New and Used Car Reviews and Car Specifications Centre

The 80th Geneva Motor Show will serve as the backdrop for several spectacular Audi premieres. International star Justin Timberlake will be unveiling the new Audi A1 during the press conference starting at 1:30 p.m. (CET) at the Audi stand. In addition, Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, will be presenting the Audi RS 5, the near-production Audi A8 Hybrid show car and an additional concept car.

Audi Press Conference
Tuesday, March 2, 2010,
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. (CET)
Palexpo Geneva, Hall 1, Stand No. 1061

Justin Timberlake presents Audi A1

Opportunities for individual interviews will begin on Monday, March 1, following VW Group Night. Please let us know which Audi board members you would be interested in speaking to.

On Tuesday, March 2, Rupert Stadler will be available for individual interviews after the press conference. In consultation with management, it will also be possible to interview Justin Timberlake.

If you are interested, please contact Florian Otto (florian.otto@audi.de / phone: +49 (0)841/89 47562). If you require technical support for your TV, web TV or radio productions (camera teams, editing stations, etc.), please remember to contact us well in advance.

Mitsubishi the Japanese automobile company reported today will introduce the new Compact Crossover ASX model at the 80th edition of the Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd.

The ASX Compact Crossover is the European version of the RVR, which goes on sale in Japan next February.

2011 Mitsubishi ASX Compact Crossover

In a press release, the Japanese manufacturer said it expects to begin introducing the ASX model in Europe from middle of the year.

Among the technical performance of the new model, Mitsubishi has developed an engine that has adapted to the new rules of consumption and emissions Euro5, 1.8-liter engine with turbocharger and direct diesel injection system, a gearbox six-speed manual technology “stop & go” (automatic start / stop the engine).

cross over cars suv crossover cars

Lotus today unveiled the 2010 Lotus Evora at London Motor Show. It will be built and assembled by hand at a new plant in Hethel, East of England. The model will be limited to just 2000 units a year, ensuring that new sports car is an exclusive.

The Evora is powered by a DOHC V6 engine alloy 2GR-FE 3.5-liter Toyota system with dual VVT-i (intelligent variable valve timing). The engine generates an output of 280 PS at 6400 rpm, while generating a maximum torque of 342 Nm at 4700 rpm (estimated number). The 2GR-FE V6 engine is mated to a six-speed manual, Toyota home again are developing a shorter gearbox for drivers who want a more sporty orientation. The time it takes to make the 0 to 60 mph will be less than 5 seconds.

Designed by Lotus Design, athletic form uses fluid forms and smooth and twitchy to convey a sense, agility and sophistication. Low and wide with a position of the cabin with proportions more delayed, more muscular rear air intakes and a more muscular give it a sporty look to this amazing ability to hide 2 +2.

2010 Lotus Evora

Press release

With its stunning visual impact, exhilarating all-round dynamic performance, innovative chassis technology and high levels of luxury, packaging and convenience, the Evora heralds an exciting new era for Lotus.
The first all-new Lotus since the iconic Elise made its debut in 1995, The Evora enters the sports car market as currently the world’s only mid-engined 2+2. Powered by a Lotus-tuned 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 PS, and weighing just 1350 kg (prototype specification), the Evora promises breathtaking performance. During preliminary testing around the famous Nürburgring, the Lotus chassis engineers report that it is extremely agile and great fun to drive – even when clad with the full development disguise that hid the beautiful lines from the prying motor-industry paparazzi.

In addition to its excellent performance and exemplary handling, the Evora offers a more refined ownership experience than Lotus’s existing smaller four-cylinder models. Its elegantly styled cabin is elegantly trimmed and its equipment list includes contemporary features such as an advanced touch-screen multi-media system and electric power-fold door mirrors.

Because one of the roles of the Evora is to attract new customers to the Lotus brand, much attention has been paid to its ease of use. Wider, taller door apertures and narrower sills make getting in and out of the cabin a less athletic undertaking than it is in Lotus’s smaller sports cars (the Elise, Exige, Europa and 2-Eleven), while the design of the cabin itself will accommodate two 99th percentile (6ft 5in tall) American males in the front seats.

The ‘convenience factor’ of the Evora extends to less obvious areas of the car. For instance, beneath the skin the entire front-end structure is a high tech aluminium sacrificial modular unit, attached to the main extruded aluminium tub. This modular unit is designed to deform for maximum safety, and to reduce repair costs in the event of a frontal impact.

The Evora has been designed with global automotive regulations in mind, and future derivatives are planed, these including amongst others, a convertible.

The Evora will be hand crafted and built on a dedicated new assembly line within Lotus’s advanced manufacturing facility at Hethel in the east of England; capacity limitations will restrict production to approximately 2000 cars a year, ensuring the dynamic new sports car’s rarity and exclusivity.

Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc, has this to say about the exciting new model: “The Evora is the biggest milestone Lotus has achieved since the Elise was born 13 years ago and is part of our bold five year strategic plan, which includes the introduction of new cars and technologies to many more markets around the world. The Evora also represents Lotus core values of performance through light weight and efficiency and proves that you can have phenomenal performance, fuel efficiency elegant design and practicality all in a class leading mid-engine 2+2 sportscar, which will meet global safety and homologation standards”

Mike Kimberley continues, “Looking to the future, we will continue to research, develop and produce lighter, more efficient vehicles which are linked to our extensive and well-regarded work on all aspects of future fuels, alternative engines and electric and hybrid vehicle solutions for the future. We all have an environmental responsibility to future generations and the Evora is another example where Lotus is seen to make significant steps towards improving the efficiency and sustainability of the motorcar keeping Britain at the forefront of the high technology motor industry.”

Alfa Romeo announced that the next Geneva Motor Show offered a preview of the new Giulietta. Developed at the Central Stile of the company, the model is sporty, agile, with great rooms and good driving comfort. It goes on sale shortly after its presentation.

The Giulietta is a design based on the latest trend that the company won the 8C Competition. In the front is the famous trident with chrome which hosts the brand logo and LED lights. Its body is 4.35 meters long, 1.80 m wide and 1.46 high, while its wheelbase is 2.63 meters.

The interior has light lines, such as the dashboard of horizontal development, with elements of aluminum and commands that are clearly inspired by the 8C Competition.

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

As for engines, initially Turbo will have four options that meet the Euro 5 and have set the Start & Stop system. It will offer two petrol engines, 1.4-liter with outputs of 120 or 170 hp, and two diesels, a 1.6-liter with an output of 105 hp and a 2.0-liter 170 horsepower.

The company announced its intention to maximize the EuroNCAP score for what is expected full safety equipment. This model will also have series with more sophisticated electronic devices to control the dynamic behavior: the VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), DST (Dynamic Steering Torque), the electronic differential switch Q2 and Alfa DNA.

We bring you more information shortly, so stay tuned!

Volkswagen presented at the Geneva Motor Show the new version CrossGolf. The model will go on sale in mid-April.

The new Volkswagen CrossGolf has a new look and adds a variety of TDI and TSI engines. The company also reported that this model will broaden the range of Golf and will join the Golf, Golf Plus, Golf Variant, the Golf GTI and the Golf R, which in turn, will incorporate a wide range of equipment.

2010 Volkswagen CrossGolf

As for the visual appearance, the second generation of CrossGolf follows, like all new models, Volkswagen design DNA.

Compared with the first generation of CrossGolf, details of the model terrain are more elegantly tailored and stylish design. In the same manner as with the CrossPolo, the frontal design was heavily modified, with integrated fog lights, a skirt protector that is integrated into the design. On the sides, the new CrossGolf has some extensions on the wheel arches and rear, the bumper has the same protective in the front.

Furthermore, the CrossGolf has a height higher, more exactly on 20 mm to facilitate passage through difficult terrain.

These facilities also include technologies aimed at reducing consumption and CO2 emissions, such as the system Star / Stop, BlueMotion system and a regeneration system of kinetic energy.

Among the engines new engines will have the 1.4-liter TSI, which will generate an output of 160 hp and able to achieve a top speed of 207 km / h, which offer a consumption of only 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emissions of 159 grams per kilometer. We also have some engines with outputs of 105 and 115 hp. for diesel engines, the power varies between 105 and 140 hp. It will have a 140 hp TDI engine, which will have a consumption of 5.3 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 138 grams per kilometer.

TORRANCE, Calif., February 24, 2010 – Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today announced that it would provide additional services for New York Toyota and Lexus customers who are affected by Toyota’s recent recalls.

These services are available to Toyota and Lexus owners in New York affected by current recalls involving sticking accelerator pedals, floor mat pedal entrapment, anti-lock brake system software updates, and Tacoma front drive shaft inspection. These services are provided for customers concerned about driving their vehicle before the repair is completed. These services will be tailored to the owner’s individual circumstances and may include:

• Expediting scheduling of the repair.
• Pick up and return of the vehicle by a dealership representative.
• Driving the customer to the dealership or to his or her place of work.
• Where necessary, providing other alternate transportation for the customer, such as a rental car, loaner vehicle, or taxi reimbursement for the reasonable period that the customer is unable or unwilling to use his or her car.

These services will be provided by Toyota through the dealers at no cost to either the owners of affected vehicles or the dealer. Reimbursement of these expenses is separate from the stipends of $7,500 to $75,000 that the company already has provided to dealers in connection with the recalls.

Toyota has taken this series of steps based upon discussions with the Attorney General of New York, to address the concerns of government regulators and consumers in New York.

Toyota dealers across the country are taking extra steps to complete the recall campaigns for customers as quickly as possible. Many dealers are offering extended service hours, and some are staying open 24 hours a day. Others are adding service and scheduling personnel, dedicating body shop capacity to expedite repairs, providing free car washes and oil changes, increasing owner communication, and providing complimentary maintenance service, among other customer-focused activities.

“Everyone at Toyota is focused on making the recent recalls as simple and trouble-free as possible for our customers, with dealers across the country making extraordinary efforts to take care of Toyota owners,” said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motors Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

“We are doing everything we can, as fast as we can, to make things right for our customers,” said Mr. Lentz.

As of February 20, 2010, more than 32,000 vehicles affected by the sticking accelerator pedal recall alone already have been modified in New York State. Nationally, some 750,000 of the 2.3 million vehicles subject to the sticking accelerator pedal recall have been modified since the modification became available.

Detailed information and answers to questions about issues related to these recalls are available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall and at the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

TORRANCE, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2010) – Lexus ranked highest in customer satisfaction among luxury brands in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Customer Service Index (CSI) StudySM. Lexus achieved an overall CSI score of 837 on a 1,000-point scale, 24 points above the segment average.

The Lexus brand also led in four of five measures in the CSI Study. Those areas include Service Initiation, Service Advisor, Service Facility and Service Quality.

“We’re grateful to be working with dealers who put such incredible effort into the entire Lexus ownership experience. They’ve helped us earn more J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction awards than any other luxury brand since Lexus was founded,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “This year our dealers have made Lexus highest in the customer service experience among luxury brands. This is the 13th time that Lexus has received a J.D. Power and Associates CSI award, the most of any brand.”*

The 2010 CSI Study is based on responses from owners and lessees of 2005 to 2009 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded from October through December 2009. Lexus ranked highest in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction with Dealer Service (CSI) Study in 2009, 2006, 2001-1997, 1995-1992 and 1991 (tie).

*Lexus ranked highest in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction with Dealer Service (CSI) Study in 2010, 2009, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991 (tie).