More often than not, when automakers perform a facelift on one of their vehicles prices tend to go up, but that logic doesn’t apply on the UK market 2009 IS. Depending on the model, Lexus has cut prices between £702 and £1,057. For the 2009 IS range Lexus introduces a new three-grade structure (SE, SE-I and SE-L trims) with enhanced specifications across the board. The most important upgrade is the provision of the firm’s Vehicle Integrated Dynamics Management (VDIM) as standard on all models.
It seems like SEAT’s marketing team is on rampage lately. After the Cupra, FR, Cupra R, FR550, FR1 and who knows how many other versions, the Spanish firm is launching yet another trim level for the Leon hatchback called the ‘Linea R’. It is available with the 170HP 2.0-liter TDI diesel and the 160HP 1.8-liter TSI and the 200HP 2.0-liter TSI petrol units. Compared to the FR, the Linea R stands out thanks to the more aggressively styled front and rear bumpers that feature oversized faux air-vents, new tailpipes and 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with 225 /40 R18 tires.
Efficiency combined with performance is what BMW promises to offer U.S. consumers with the new 335d and the awkwardly named X5 xDrive35d. Both vehicles are fitted with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 diesel engine that generates a healthy 265HP and an even more impressive 425 pound-feet of torque at just 1,750 rpm - for comparison, the Corvette Z06’s LS3 V8 makes 423 lb-ft. BMW claims that the 335d goes from naught to 60mph in 6.0 seconds while delivering 36mpg on the highway. The heavier X5 diesel hits the 60mph mark in 6.8 seconds and offers an average fuel economy on the highway of 26mpg.
It can’t get any worse for Ford Motor Company - or can it? The American automaker today announced a third quarter net loss of $129 million which is actually smaller than the same period a year ago when FoMoCo lost $390 million. However, the company also posted a third quarter pre-tax operating loss from continuing operations (excluding special items) of $2.7 billion, down from a $194 million profit a year ago.
What’s even more worrying is the fact that FoMoCo burnt $7.7 billion of its $26.6 billion cash reserves during the July - September period, or about $2.6 billion a month from an average of $1 billion a month over the prior 6 months. If Ford continues to burn its reserves at the same rate, it will be out of cash in about 7 months or until April 2009…
GM’s German subsidiary Opel has announced that it registered the 500,000th new Corsa since the B-Segment hatch went on sale in Europe around 14 months ago. According to Opel, the new Corsa’s registrations across Europe in the first 11 months of 2007 were increased by around 50 percent compared to the same last-year period. Since the launch of the first Corsa 25 years ago, almost ten million units have been sold in Europe. The ten-millionth model will probably be produced toward the end of January 2008.
Audi is expanding its A5 Coupe line-up in the U.K. with the introduction of a new 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine option. The A5 2.0 TDI is available to order now in front-wheel-drive and quattro four-wheel-drive configurations priced from £28,485 and £30,010 OTR respectively with first customer deliveries due in March 2009. The 2.0 TDI diesel engine produces 170HP and 350Nm of torque available from 1,750rpm. Combined with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox, the front-wheel-drive A5 2.0 TDI goes from naught to 62mph (100km/h) in 8.3 seconds while its four-wheel-drive sibling is slightly faster at 8.2 seconds
The most eco-friendly model in the Superb line-up will go on sale in the U.K. on Monday, October 13th. Priced at £16,710 OTR, the new Superb Greenline features a 105HP 1.9-liter TDI diesel engine, fitted with a particulate filter, and comes with a five speed manual gearbox. The Czech automaker’s engineers have adopted a number of fuel saving measures that include reducing the weight of the car, making the gearing longer and re-mapping the engine for greater efficiency.
