Porsche launched its new 911s with classic rear-wheel drive, the all-wheel-drive versions ‘Carrera 4′ and ‘Carrera 4S’ in both Coupe and Cabriolet guise in Korea market.

Depending on the model, the new all-wheel-drive Carrera offers up to 8.5 per cent more power, up to 12.9 per cent more fuel economy, and 15.4 per cent lower CO2 emissions. Specifically, output of the 3.6-litre power unit is up by 20 to 345 bhp. At the same time a Carrera 4 Coupé with PDK, to take just one example, consumes a mere 10.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, equal to 28.0 mpg imp. The improvements on the 911 Carrera 4S with its 3.8-litre power unit are equally significant, with maximum output up by 30 to 385 bhp on overall fuel consumption down in the case of Carrera 4S Cabriolet with PDK to 10.7 litres/100 km, equal to 26.4 mpg imp.

The new generation of the 911 model series stands out clearly through the discreet but striking modification of the front end and new lights technology. The new Carrera models come in all cases with bi-xenon headlights and new LED daytime driving lights.

The newly designed rear light clusters also feature LED technology and for the first time Porsche offers Dynamic Bending Lights as an option. It almost goes without saying that all Carrera 4 models come as before with their muscular rear end 44 millimetres or 1.73-inch wider than on the two-wheel-drive versions. And a new reflector trim bar between the LED rear lights gives the typical rear end of the car even more dynamic character.

Reports are swirling the Mercedes has plans to switch its entire car fleet over to alternate fuels by 2015. At first blush that sounds impossible, although when you realize that they are throwing in biofuel and hybrid cars along with the more radical electric and hydrogen options, it becomes clear that biodiesel is their real backup plan. The key point being that any engine designed for biodiesel, will also run just fine on fossil fuel based pump diesel.

While the rest of the world has already figured out the benefits of diesel, this would be a much more difficult transition in the US, where it seems they are still firing salvos in the horsepower race with arch rivals Audi and BMW. Perhaps $4+ gas is finally making people reconsider their priorities.

The other problem with this story is that the original source appears to be The Sun, which is kind of like Britain’s answer to the New York Post. So I’m not sure how literally we can take the claims.

Audi’s new 2.0L TFSI engine will be added to the A5’s repertoire, giving the four-ringed automaker a vehicle capable of a reported 42.8 Imperial mpg (36 mpg US) in mixed driving. The little powerplant also has a fun side, with 208 hp at 4300 rpm and 258 lb-ft at 1500 rpm, which helps the A5 hit 62 mph in a respectable 6.9 seconds when equipped with the six-speed manual. The engine was derived from the 1.8L TFSI, but it includes Audi valvelift technology, which ueses sliding cam units mounted on the intake camshaft to allow for more valve lift variation to maximize performance and efficiency. The good news is that the frugal petrol motor will be available beginning this August for a respectable £28,760.

Ferrari has been very stingy when it comes to information on the new California coupe-convertible, leaving it to German Autobild to be the first to release new images other than the few studio shots. But at least there is now photographic proof that production of the new front-engined Ferrari has started.

Manufacturing is taking place at Ferrari’s brand new production line, the latest phase in Ferrari’s Formula Uomo program which started in 1997 to improve production, safety and employee happiness. “Excellence is the driving force behind all of Ferrari’s activities,” says President Luca di Montezemolo. “We intend to create a working environment unlike any other anywhere in the world.” In 2007 the Maranello factory took home the European ‘Best place to work’ award.

Via worldcarfans.com

The AC/Shelby Cobra was born in the 1960s combining American engineering with British finesse. It all started when Surrey based British sportscar company AC created the Ace roadster which made a small production run before it was rumoured the company went to the very edge of bankruptcy. That is when Carroll Shelby came along and asked the British firm to modify the chassis to accept a V8 and thus the AC Cobra was born providing some competition for the Chevy Corvette.

A small production run and a successful racing career followed, but this was not enough for the AC Cobra to last as the model proved to be a financial failure and ultimately ended when Carroll Shelby discontinued the relationship.

Chevy’s Bob Lutz crushed some dreams this morning when he announced that the Volt hybrid electric vehicle will run closer to $40,000 as opposed to the $30,000 he originally implied. To make us feel a little better about that extra $10k, he offered the fact that Chevrolet would be losing money on the first-generation Volt and Congress may offer up at $7,000 tax credit for plug-in hybrids anyway. So, in other words, we should be happy that it’s as cheap as $40,000, right? As for the car’s release date, 2010 is still looking solid.

According to PTCruizer.com, the retro-style hatch from Chrysler is still alive, though perhaps on some sort of artificial life support. At least for the 2009 model year, the Cruiser is expected to be built alongside the Dodge Journey, though this could change in the blink of an eye. The plant in Toluca, Mexico where the two vehicles are built is capable of switching at a moments notice between the Journey and the Cruiser. So, if the Journey picks up sales or Chrysler does the unthinkable and launches its own version of the Dodge crossover, the PT could wave good bye for good.

GM Daewoo announced today the launch of its premium 5-passenger SUV ‘Winstorm MAXX’ in Korea market.

The Winstorm MAXX is powered by 2.0-liter I4 turbo-diesel engine with 150 horsepower and a five-speed transmission.

It comes with the price tag of between 28,330,000(KRW) and 29,960,000(KRW).

The new generation of  Renault Megane was surprised in testing britanicilor photos from AutoExpress. All English journalists were those who presented the first images of a prototype III Renault Megane coupe version in completely discovered. If the first pictures of the new Megane have been made in the factory where copies asambleaza pilot spion surprind new photos of the third generation of French model camuflata while it was tested by the engineers from Renault.

This time we see the version with five-door hatchback has covered with the banda of camuflaj. It seems that Touch of aggression imprumutata from Laguna new design is maintained by the manufacturer only for the French versions of top, as the coupe. Although Renault has tried to keep the new generation in mystery, have already been presented to the public two variants of the bodywork of the new Megane. Producatorului of Hexagon is not the only left us with the style surprinda other versions of equipment built after this model, as we used to. Thus, the variations are expected sedan, and cabrio estate, some sources even claiming that in the Megane range will be inserted a crossover version which will have a smaller body size than in the Scenic MPV.

The future generation Renault Megane platform is built on Nissan’s Qashqai and will be launched in the fall at the Auto Salon in Paris. It is expected that the new Megane to be a serious competitor for the Peugeot 308, Kia Cee’d and to the sixth generation of his Volkswagen Golf, which will be disclosed in the same auto event .

Mercedes-Benz USA reported its highest May on record with sales of 21,785 new vehicles, a 0.1 percent increase over last May. Sales for the month brought MBUSA’s year-to-date volume to 99,703 new vehicles, a 1.1 percent increase compared to the first five months of 2007.

Passenger car sales of 16,416 vehicles showed an increase of 4.6 percent over last May. Sales of the legendary SL roadster, one of MBUSA’s first 2009 models to hit dealer showrooms, increased by 60.4 percent (1,083 vs. 675 units). The volume leading C-Class also demonstrated impressive growth with an increase of 43.9 percent for the month (7,394 vs 5,139 units). In the light truck category, the award-winning M-Class SUV increased 4 percent (2,706 vs. 2,601 units), while sales of the G-Class rose 11.3 percent (79 vs. 71 units).

Year-to-date highlights include an overall increase in the C-Class model line of 39.2 percent (31,385 vs. 22,552) and in the M-Class with a 19.5 percent (14,795 vs. 12,384) increase.
Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program, MBUSA marked a 31.8 percent increase for May sales with 6,037 vehicles sold, bringing year-to-date sales to a total of 26,549 units, an increase of 24.3 percent over the same period in 2007.