It has been quite some time since we last saw a Ford Capri. In fact, it has almost been 30 years or so. But if rumors persist, we may yet see the return of the Capri in a smaller version like a 3-door hatchback. The new Ford Capri aims to compete against the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco, offering a coupe-like hatchback with a heavy appearance on the rear.

Design will be influenced by the Ford iosis Max Concept that was shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The iosis Max Concept will also set the stage for the rest of the next-generation Focus lineup along with the next C-Max.

Power will come from the 1.6L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that made its first debut in the Lincoln Concept C – it was also featured on the iosis Max Concept. The engine produces up to 180-hp while providing fuel-economy that is 20 percent better than the conventional gasoline engines.

Would the Ford Capri become a hit once again? Only time will tell. But at the rate that some cars are slowly coming back, it may just have its share of customers though more buildup may be in order to really make an impact for its return to the automotive scene.

(Source) EGM Car Tech

Tags: appearance, c max, car tech, concept c, conventional gasoline, debut, ford capri, ford iosis, fuel economy, gasoline engines, geneva motor show, Lincoln, lincoln concept, max power, new ford, next generation, volkswagen, volkswagen scirocco

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Audi has revealed today the prices for its 2009 Q7 TDI, the world’s cleanest SUV. The Q7 TDI is scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships later this month.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for the Audi Q7 TDI Premium start at $50,900. Prices do not include a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges. Buyers of the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI also qualify for a $1,150 Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, according to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

The clean diesel technology found in the 2009 Q7 TDI provides 30% better fuel economy than gasoline engines of similar size. That means the Q7 TDI offers the efficiency of 25 mpg in highway driving and a range of more than 600 miles on a full tank. The Q7 TDI also gets an EPA-rated 17 mpg in city driving and combined fuel economy of 20 mpg.

The advanced TDI clean diesel engine in the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI is significantly less intrusive on the environment than past diesel engines. The 3.0-liter V6 engine in the Audi Q7 TDI produces about 25% less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, than traditional gasoline engines. The advanced exhaust emission control system found in the Q7 TDI reduces smog-causing nitrogen oxides by up to 90% when compared with past generations of diesel technologies sold in the U.S.

The 2009 Audi Q7 TDI offers plenty of amenities to go with its technological advances. The exterior of the new Q7 TDI features sporty S line styling upgrades, including S line front and rear bumpers, S line badging, headlight washers and 19-inch five-spoke wheels.

Inside, the 2009 Q7 TDI includes power 12-way heated front seats with leather seating surfaces throughout, seven passenger seating, dual zone climate control, wood decorative inlays, power tailgate, Audi Multi Media Interface , Audi Music Interface with iPod cable, premium sound w/ 6-disc CD changer, garage door opener (HomeLink), Parktronic, preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth) and SIRIUS satellite radio.

(Source) Press

Tags: audi q7, clean diesel, diesel engine, diesel engines, diesel technologies, diesel technology, emission control system, garage door opener, gasoline engines, greenhouse gas, headlight washers, leather seating surfaces, nitrogen oxides, rear bumpers, traditional gasoline

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Motorists looking for efficient alternative fuels for their cars will be lauding this announcement from Shell U.S. Shell is introducing the all-new Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines, containing a unique, patented cleaning system designed to seek and destroy engine “gunk” (carbon deposits) in all three grades of gasoline. The new Nitrogen Enriched cleaning system protects and cleans up gunky build-up on intake valves and fuel injectors left by lower quality gasolines.

Nitrogen is a key element of the active cleaning molecule in the new fuel, making it significantly more stable at higher temperatures common in modern engines, such as direct fuel-injection gasoline engines. The increased stability ensures that the molecule can work under much tougher engine conditions by resisting thermal breakdown better than conventional cleaning additives.

In addition to developing the new fuel with the consumer in mind, Shell worked very closely with automotive manufacturers to gain insight into current and future engine technologies. These insights along with fuels technology leadership and a strong research and development program help Shell continually improve its products.

(Source) Press

Tags: additives, alternative fuels, automotive manufacturers, carbon deposits, cleaning system, fuel injection, fuel injectors, gasoline engines, grades of gasoline, motorists, nitrogen, quality gasolines, shell, technology leadership, thermal breakdown

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Toyota will be having its own vehicle for the foreign market that is expected to upstage the Bugatti Veyron Cenenaire Edition. The vehicle is the Toyota Verso MPV which will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Aside from being more boring than damp dirt, the Verso is a seven passenger mini-minivan based on the Corolla chassis and powered by a 1.6 and 1.8 liter gasoline engines or 2.0 and 2.4 liter diesels, all mated to a six-speed automatic gauranteed to strangle any pretense of driver involvement.

All dimensions have been increased and fold flat seats have been engineered to make storing large cargo easier. May God have mercy on your soul if you’re actually interested in this vehicle.

(Source) Channel 4

Tags: bugatti veyron, chassis, corolla, diesels, gasoline engines, geneva motor, god have mercy, Minivan, Toyota, toyota verso mpv

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Using its so-called “clean-diesel” as its carrying mark for marketing its 2009 Mercedes Benz ML320 Blue Tec, this classic car brand is certainly touting diesel power as a solution towards wiser motoring today. They claim that their BlueTEC diesel engines are the cleanest diesels ever produced for the passenger car market.

There’s nothing new about the usage of diesel engines in passenger cars, certainly not in Europe where they outnumber gasoline engines. What’s new and exciting in the Mercedes-Benz stable of oil burners is the trickle-down of BlueTEC diesel technology from their commercial truck line to select offerings in their passenger car/SUV field.

(Source) Auto 123

Tags: bluetec diesel, classic car, clean diesel, diesel engines, diesel power, diesel technology, diesels, gasoline engines, mercedes benz ml320, Mercedes-Benz, oil burners, passenger car market, passenger cars

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