Opel’s revelation of a new driver-aid system comes a day after we found a new application for classmate Distonic plus present on the Mercedes S-Class. This technology would support rather than irritate buyers looking for a mid-size car with extra safety features.
Some of the S-Class’s customers complained the Distronic plus along with other safety allies, snatched most of their effort while driving. A group of onboard computers were found guilty for this problem of turning drivers into merely passengers. A car which can brake and accelerate on its own is not a driver’s car after all, is it?
What a driver’s car needs is a device or a group of electronic gizmos to promote driving and not monotony. Opel’s answer couldn’t have come at a much better time.
Opel’s technology uses a camera fixed to the front windshield behind the mirrors, which detects road signs on the go. By clicking and analyzing 30 pictures every single second, the system can detect road signs displaying speed limits. Instead of applying the brakes or setting a constant speed, it will alert the driver by displaying the speed limit on the instrument cluster. If the speed limit changes, the driver is alerted again.
2009 Opel Insignia Picture Gallery
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There are award categories for cars with the best engine, best design and even security. Here’s another you can add to that list. The car with the best towing ability.
In this year’s Towcar awards, contestants were put through a series of challenges to ultimately decide which car was the best for camping trips that involved towing caravans. It not only included towing ability but practicality, driving ability otherwise, safety etc.
The evaluating panel were specialists in this field. It included industry experts, motoring journalists and caravanning enthusiasts who watched closely at the ability and performance of all cars.
The judges chose the XJ Diesel as the champion because: "Stability and ride comfort don’t always go together. Cars with rear suspension that’s firm almost to a fault in normal driving are often the most composed when towing. But the XJ combines unflappable stability with limousine comfort. The suspension’s alchemy was worth its weight in gold through the lane-change test. The XJ changed direction quickly, gripping hard and holding the intended line. However much the caravan slid behind it, the Jag wouldn’t budge. Data from the ATC shows how much G-force was generated in the van, but the smooth curve of the graph speaks volumes as to how undramatic the Jaguar made this manoeuvre."
The body of the Jaguar XJ is built out of Aluminium and notably in the past it played a special role as that of an armored vehicle, which demonstrated its rugged attribute. So if you are on the lookout for a vehicle to haul your caravan, we have an answer- Jaguar XJ diesel.
2008 Jaguar XJ Picture Gallery
Since its launch, the elegant, distinctive and dynamic 407 Saloon and SW have become a benchmark in their segment due to their high levels of road holding. They also introduced a touch of style into a segment based around traditional yet conventional saloon and estates, designed with just volume and practicality in mind. Peugeot based the design of the 407 around a number of core motoring values identified from its customers: appearance and technology, driving enjoyment in both the Saloon and SW models, with the SW particularly ideal, due to its versatile for leisure pursuits, for both families and individuals or for business activities.
The New 407 enhances the core aspects that are the key sources of enjoyment experienced by its users.
It is available with a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines featuring cutting edge technology, particularly on the HDi Diesel versions, the most popular engine option in the 407.
These include an updated 2.0-litre HDi engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox which develops a power of 103 kW (140 bhp), an increase of 3 kW. It also benefits from a fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100km and CO2 emissions reduced to 150 g/km.
>> read 2008 Peugeot 407 Picture Gallery
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Suzuki is planning to gave big head aches to models like Toyota Camry and Honda Accord starting early next year when they will unveil a new mid-size sedan based on the Kizashi 3 concept. Set to be a 2010 model, the future sedan will be priced between $21000 and up to $28,000 for the top-of-the-line model.
The design will be inspired by the aggressive sleek looks of the Kizashi 3 concept, and most of the elements from the concept will also be kept for the production version.
For the entry-level version of the production Kizashi 3, power is expected to come from a 2.5 liter inline 4-cylinder engine while the range-topper will carry a 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 that will produce 260-hp. The latter is said to be derived from GM’s V6 found in the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu.
The future model will be produced at Suzuki’s new factory that is currently under construction in Sagara, Japan.
2008 Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept
Kia unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Optima, a model that offers a completely modified exterior, which offers a more aggressive, dynamic style than previous models, and is outfitted with a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy. The 2009 Optima will go on sale in early fall.
For 2009. Optima is being offered in three different versions: LX, EX and the new sporty SX trim. Along with a sport-tuned suspension, SX upgrades include: a black-bezeled front grille and headlamps, LED outside-mirror turning signals, fog lights and hyper-silver-finished 17-inch wheels. EX and LX V6 models are equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, and are fitted with Goodyear tires.
The 2009 Optima is available in two powerplants – a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6 engine – and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model only). The four-cylinder engine delivers 161 hp and the 2.7-liter V6 delivers190 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is mated to a five-speed, gated automatic transmission. All automatics feature Sportmatic clutchless shifting.
>> read 2009 Kia Optima Picture Gallery
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Peugeot is working on a replacement for the current 607. Peugeot will inspire the 608’s design from the 908RC concept car’s shown at 2006 Paris Auto Show. The frontal shape of the 908 should give you some ideas of the new Peugeot 608. The 608 will be developed from the Citroen C6 platform. It will debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
The 607 is suffering from a deficit of notoriety and also from a lack of top-of-the-range motorizations. The new top-of-the-range from the french carmaker will use a lengthened platform of 407 and should also have the same traveling trains.
The 608 will be slightly longer than the 607, but it will remain under the 5 m length bar. The design will be an evolution of the 607 following several themes presented in recent concept cars. The front design of the next 608 is not accurate but the side profile is representative of a subtle approximation to the 4-door coupe class pioneered by Mercedes in the CLS model.
The gasoline versions will be animated by a 2.2 engine with 16 valves and 163bhp and the V6 with 215bhp. A revised version of the 2.7 HDi V6 will also make an appearance but with power boosted above the current 200bhp as well as an all new petrol V6. You can also expect an AWD model. The diesel engines will be: a 2.2 HDI biturbo delivering 170 hp and a V6 HDI with an output of 207 hp. There is also a possibility that Peugeot will add a V8 engine under the hood of this car. The car will feature a six-speed automatic transmission.
>> read 2008 Peugeot 608 Picture Gallery
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Technology- thats the one word answer you can expect from an engineer in Mercedes Benz if asked about the cars his company makes. And the same answer is what keeps them ahead of the rest. They make these epic cars and when nobody is complaining, they make better ones. They were the first ones to develop, test and implement stability control, traction control, brake assist, seat belt tensioners, airbags, ABS etc. Every time a new car is unveiled in one of those auto shows, it sports a handful of fascinating and unseen technology. Jeremy Clarkson commented after driving the Mercedes-Benz S Class’s that "It’s more than just a car, its a glimpse into the future, its a showcase of everything that can be done and everything that everyone else will be doing very soon". A brief examination of the popular models reveal how different and colorful they are.
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Mercedes Benz has planned a $100 million advertising campaign in the U.S. The promos will focus on the C-Class and M-Class models in an attempt to improve sales figures. This is a new initiative taken up by Mercedes to increase awareness and also to promote the brand.
Mercedes will divert the advertising money to pay for nationwide TV spots instead of making local ad buys.
"There is just so much TV advertising out there, and we have to tell our story in compelling ways," stated Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA.
Competitor BMW, has another way of going about it. It will allocate not more than a quarter of its advertising dollars on TV spots and will focus on Internet advertising, interactive marketing and newspaper ads.
It will be interesting to see if there are any new promos made specially for the U.S audience. The extent to which these ads will effect sales remains to be seen.
Hyundai announced today at the Chicago Auto Show the pricing for the all new 2009 Sonata. With an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting even more horsepower and improved fuel economy, the new Sonata is now on sale at Hyundai dealerships. Pricing start at $18,795 for the Sonata GLS and go up to $26,345 for the Sonata Limited.
For 2009, Sonata raises the bar for value and standard safety technology in the mid-size segment. Hyundai’s sales leader boasts new features ranging from standard USB/iPod auxiliary inputs to available navigation and sport-tuned suspension. Combined with Sonata’s continued leadership in safety – it remains the only mid-size sedan under $20,000 with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – the 2009 American-made Sonata is the smartest choice in the competitive mid-size sedan segment.
The new, second-generation Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine delivers more horsepower and quicker acceleration. Fuel economy numbers are 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the newly available five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®. The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better engine breathing.
Sonata’s 3.3-liter V6 engine now pumps out 15 more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque (249 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm). This newly refined powerplant features all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, CVVT on both camshafts and stiffer hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. A variable intake system is added for 2009, which further broadens its power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New mileage figures for V6-powered Sonatas are 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway.
Click to see the full-line pricing.
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Mitsubishi will unveil at the Chicago Auto Show the 2009 Galant mid-size sedan. Sales will begin in February with prices starting at $21,099 for the Galant ES and Galant Sport Edition; $23,099 for the Galant Sport-V6 and $27,299 for the Galant Ralliart.
The 2009 Galant line offers four distinct trim levels and three performance levels: ES, Sport Edition, V6 Sport and Galant Ralliart. All Galant models come standard with a Sportronic® automatic transmission - a 4-speed with the 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed with the two V-6 engines.
The Ralliart model is powered by a 258-hp 3.8-liter MIVEC V-6 engine and equipped with a 5-speed Sportronic automatic transmission, plus special Ralliart-tuned sport suspension, new 18-inch alloy wheels and exclusive exterior styling.
The Galant ES and Sport Edition are powered by a 160-hp 2.4-liter MIVEC 4-cylinder engine, teamed to a four-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic. The new Sport V-6 model exclusively features a smooth, responsive 230-hp 3.8-liter V-6 engine.
Press release after the jump.
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