Cabrio can be on the look like. While its competitors opt for retractable hard-tops, the convertible A5 and S5 are possible to use a more effortless (and lighter-weight) soft-top, surrounded by a chrome strip to superiority it up a little. Power could going carry within the duration of for the fixed-roof version when the new convertible hits the world the first part of then year.

[Source: Autoblog.nl via CarScoop]

Ford has taken up the automotive product placement mantle in all Bond movies for the foreseeable future. Unlike the Mondeo, that Bond picked up of a Caribbean rental car counter, the Ka, that shares a platform in the Fiat 500, would apparently be tossed accessible by the super spy’s feminine counterpart. Ford hasn’t looking at any sign which it might shoot the Ka to the US market, but supplied newly drafted announcements approximately globalizing its products, a Stateside Ka unquestionably can not be counted out. In the meantime, we can see if the Ka can fly covet an Aston Martin DBS when Quantum of Solace hits theaters in November.

[Source: Ford]

Expect the new Alto to attain its record cash in on in India, along provided limited sells within the duration of Europe. For an industry car, it is a rather healthy looker based on how we can notify based on data from the two shots Suzuki’s released in the future of the show, and we imagine it serves to forward oodles of lendees appearing for a quite inexpensive way to get around.

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The carry on to unnamed hybrid hatch is just recently one piece of Honda’s large intention of affecting 500k hybrids a year by 2012. Honda is too planning a battery-assisted Fit sub-compact, a new Civic hybrid, and a creation version of the CR-Z coupe concept. We’re excited to see Honda’s dedicated hybrid, that will be able to be the principally true competition to the Prius and an honest to goodness non&wshyp;traditional for the American consumer.

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A few cycles ago we advised making our produce regarding Mattel leaking severe Ferrari revelation surrounded by a big grain of salt. But as which renowned toy maker has continued well&wshyp;known to do in the previous (remember the 1969 Corvette?), Mattel was indeed making an effort on a 1:18th balance ideal of a new, minute Ferrari. As we know, however, it can not be identified Dino.

A Mattel insider and Autoblog fan has tipped us off which a 1:18 balance Hot Wheels Ferrari California might be out there in “late 2008.” With the official unveiling of the Ferrari California supposedly constructued for the Paris Motor Show in October, we could be able to take one for a, uh, pitiful test impel before the car is a great deal unveiled.

Like other modern Ferraris, this one is fabricated from aluminum to keep mass under control. The 460 hp 4.3L V8 is the first from Maranello to use direct injection while following the racing tradition of using a flat-plane crankshaft. This car of firsts also debuts the production application of a dual clutch gearbox from Ferrari. The 7-speed unit is mounted in a rear transaxle configuration and should provide smoother shifting and even better performance than the existing hydraulically-actuated units that Ferrari currently uses. Acceleration to 60 mph should come in under 4.0 seconds.

[Source: Ferrari]

After a report yesterday that the next S4 would be benefiting from a supercharger, Volkswagen AG’s powertrain head, Wolfgan Hatz, presented the automaker’s new 3.0-liter TFSI engine at the Vienna Motor Symposium. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the new engine will be fitted with a blower and putting out around 350 hp when fitted to the next generation S4. The supercharged six is expected to return better fuel mileage than its V8 counterpart and will also be fitted to the refreshed A6, due out towards the end of this year, although output will be reduced to 290 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. Additionally, both models will benefit from a Magna-sourced sports differential that will migrate to the Q5 and S5 down the line. No timeframe was provided about the release of the S4, but we’d expect to see the A6 replacement in Paris, with the S4 debuting at the LA Auto Show in November.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via MotiveMag]

The Mazda Performance Series, or MPS, is what we’ve come to know in the U.S. as “Mazdaspeed.” It’s quickly becoming one of the defining characteristics of modern-day Mazdas, and with the releases of the new Mazda6 and its baby brother, the Mazda2, we’ve been anxiously awaiting Mazdaspeed’s tweaked versions of both vehicles.

In addition to getting the scoop on the new Evo MR and STI Spec C, AutoExpress has got the goods on Mazda’s two new hot offerings. A concept version of the Mazda6 MPS will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October, complete with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four, sending 280 hp to all four wheels, and sprinting to 60 in six seconds. Naturally, the Mazda6 MPS (or Mazdaspeed6 when it makes the trek to U.S. shores) will be sporting an aggressive front clip, spoiler, side skirts, bigger wheels, a stiffer suspension and upgraded brakes when it goes on sale in 2010.

Less information is available about the Mazda2 MPS, but expect a turbo’d 1.5-liter mill sending around 170 hp to the front wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and some exterior and interior tweaks to bring it up to Mazda Performance standards. If and when the Mazda2 makes it to the States, we’d expect the Mazdaspeed2 version to follow shortly thereafter.
[Source: AutoExpress]