Car Collection, Review and News

At the Society of Automotive Analysts' (SAA) 2011 Automotive Outlook Conference in Detroit, J.D. Power released some statistics on U.S. light vehicle sales in 2010. The figures make an interesting reading.

The pre-facelift Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is the focus of MR Car Design's latest tune. The German firm starts off with the exterior styling of the large SUV, bringing it in line with the refreshed Q7. The kit includes a front bumper with LED daytime running lights, new headlamps and LED tail lights. There's also a new set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in 265/35-22 rubber, while interior improvements are limited to an available sports steering wheel sourced from the RS6.

Under the hood, MR Car Design's engineers managed to squeeze another 48-horses and 110Nm from the 4.2-liter turbocharged V8 diesel, lifting output from 326HP to 374HP, and peak torque from 760Nm to 870Nm. They also removed the electronic speed limiter.

Other available performance upgrades include an electronic module for the suspension that lowers the Q7's ride height.

The most environmentally friendly Skoda model to date, the new Fabia Estate Greenline II, goes on sale in the UK in the beginning of July with pricing set at £13,740.
The second generation Greenline models is powered by the VW Group's new three-cylinder turbocharged 1.2-liter common rail turbo diesel engine with 75-horsepower. To help improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions, the Greenline model also gets start & stop technology, a kinetic energy system for battery recharging, gear recommendation system, lowered and aerodynamically-covered chassis and low-rolling resistance tires.
The result is an impressive combined fuel economy figure of 83.1 mpg UK [69.2 mpg US or 3.4lt/100km] and exceptionally low CO2 emissions of only 89g/km. Skoda claims that the Fabia Estate Greenline II can cover a distance of 932 miles or 1,499 km on a single tank of fuel.
The Fabia Estate Greenline II will be followed by a five-door hatchback model featuring the same engine and fuel-saving technologies in October 2010.

GM's UK division Vauxhall is expanding the Insignia's range (yes, that's the new Buick Regal in the States) with its first-ever passenger car to combine all-wheel-drive and diesel, the new CDTi 4x4 model that will hit British showrooms in September in four-door saloon, five-door fastback and Sports Tourer versions.

[Carscoop]


Borrowing a trim-level name frequently used here in the U.S. by Chevrolet, the Captiva LTZ is the new range-topper in the SUV's UK range. Powered by a 150-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine matted to either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Captiva LTZ is available for both private and fleet users.