Car Chute

By Thomas Geiger, dpa

Stuttgart (dpa) – Only 50 years after the invention of the motor car, the very first diesel-engined automobile, the Mercedes 260 D, took to the road with the qualities that still apply today – low fuel consumption and durability.

The diesel engine itself is much older and first made its appearance at the end of the 19th century, mainly in trucks, ships and locomotives. It was a long road from there for Mercedes in persuading motorists to switch to diesel. Read more…

Los Angeles (dpa) – Celebrating its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show this month is an updated version of the Volkswagen CC with an extended range of features including bi-xenon headlights, static cornering lights and a new LED taillight design.

Standard features are fatigue detection, stainless steel door sill plates and safety head restraints with additional longitudinal front seat adjustments. New assistance systems include optional technologies such as Side Assist Plus with integrated Lane Assist and a camera-based traffic sign detection system. Read more…

By Christoph Walter, dpa

Berlin (dpa) – Many a motorist has jumped at the chance to boost the car engine with so-called chip tuning, but chip tuning is not without risk and should only be carried out by experts.

It sounds quite simple. The software used by the manufacturer for engine management is adapted or replaced, providing up to 20 per cent more horsepower.
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Seoul (dpa) – The new Kia Soul crossover vehicle has been given a thorough makeover, with improvements to its design, technology and equipment.

Modifications to the front and rear emphasize the car’s individual character. The front has been extended by 15 millimetres, giving it a more bullish look.
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Munich (dpa) – BMW has launched the sixth generation of its bestselling 3-Series with design modifications including a refreshed front grille, wider dimensions and a more wedge-shaped look with most of the big changes found beneath the bonnet.

Compared to its predecessor, the new 3 Series has a wider track, increased length and augmented wheelbase with noticeably more interior space. However, overall weight is down 40 kilogrammes compared to the previous model.

Customers will initially have the choice of four more economical engines, all fitted with new TwinPower Turbo technology. Two further optimised diesel power plants and a six-cylinder petrol unit will become available later.

Apart from Auto Start-Stop function that comes as standard, other fuel-saving measures include Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Shift Indicator and need-based operation of ancillary components such as an air conditioning compressor that can be disengaged.

An ECO PRO mode helps the driver maximise fuel economy. The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition with an output of 120 kW/163 hp is listed with an average fuel consumption of 4.1 litres per 100 kilometres which translates to an average carbon dioxide emission figure of 109 grammes per kilometre. An even more fuel-efficient BMW ActiveHybrid 3-Series is scheduled for later next year.

Optional extras include a Head-up-Display and Surround View with Side View and Top View, giving a bird’s-eye perspective of the vehicle and the area around it.

JAKARTA (Xinhua) — The Indonesian government plans to implement a subsidized fuel restriction policy next year, which bans private vehicles from consuming subsidized fuel, local media quoted a minister as saying on Tuesday.

The new policy was being introduced first in January or April in two main islands of Java and Bali in which more than half of the such fuel consumption was there, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh said.
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LONDON, August 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

Honda will launch the new Civic at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Developed specifically for the European market, the Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.
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Infiniti today provided an advanced look at the all-new 2011 Infiniti M performance luxury sedan at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This is the third generation of Infiniti’s popular M and the first to be sold across all of Infiniti’s 32 markets around the world, including Western Europe.

Like the current Infiniti M, the next-generation design will be offered with V8 and V6 engines. The 2011 M models will be designated the Infiniti M56 and Infiniti M37 respectively, reflecting their more powerful, larger displacement engines. The M56 V8 is expected to offer more than 400 horsepower. For Western Europe, the M56 will be replaced by a V6 performance diesel.

The 2011 Infiniti M also features a completely redesigned body, with authentic sports sedan proportions and evocative new styling with a low front end and deeply sculpted fenders inspired by the Infiniti Essence concept car. The new M interior promises to be pure Infiniti, highlighted by the use of innovative materials, an advanced climate control system, superior audio and an enhanced quality feel. Despite improved performance from the new engine lineup, fuel consumption will be reduced.

In addition, the 2011 M will continue Infiniti’s technology innovation leadership with a blind spot intervention system. This industry-first system is designed to help alert the driver if another vehicle is detected in an adjacent lane during an intended lane change, and then help assist the driver in returning the vehicle toward the center of the original lane of travel.

The 2011 Infiniti M, which is scheduled to go on sale across the world starting from spring 2010, was revealed through a unique “video mapping” process — in which a “virtual M” was created on a 3D form. It is the world’s first “virtual only” (no physical vehicle) automotive application of this cutting-edge technology. The 2011 Infiniti M will make its official public debut later this year.