Volvo C50 coming at the end of 2008

The C50 is a five-doors version of the Volvo C30. It will be unveiled at the end of 2008 and will compete with BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 Sportback. The C59 will go on sale in early 2009, costing around £500 more than the three-door version.

It will have the same wheelbase as the three-door, so there won’t be much more room inside. However, improved back access and versatility will appeal to families, while the extended rear overhang will provide a little more load space. At the front, a modified bumper and grille will further differentiate the C50.

Under the hood there will be the same engines as in the C30: an entry-level 100bhp 1.6-litre petrol and a range-topping 217bhp 2.5 five-cylinder turbo T5.

Cadillac CTS - Motor Trend’s 2008 Car of the Year

The editors at Motor Trend, one of the world’s premiere automotive authorities, announced today that they have chosen the Cadillac CTS as the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

"Cadillac is truly honored to receive one of the world’s most coveted automotive awards," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "This is a very meaningful reward for our team that created the all-new 2008 CTS, and a powerful statement to consumers everywhere about Cadillac’s product renaissance."

The Motor Trend Car of the Year honor highlights the wide acclaim the 2008 CTS sport sedan has earned around the world and with consumers since its launch earlier this fall. Luxury cars buyers are responding similarly, with CTS U.S. sales jumping 75% in October.

2009 Audi S4 to be launched at New York Auto Show

After the A4 unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show, an S version is set to be unveiled next year at the New York Auto Show. It will go on sale in the States alongside the B8 A4 in fall 2008.

The B8 S4 will debut with a brand new 3.0-liter TFSI bi-turbo producing 330-hp. With this powerplant Audi can nearly match the B7’s 340-hp output while providing even better performance figures. The 0 to 60 mph sprint will be made in less than 5 seconds and the fuel economy will be raised from 17 mpg to over 20 mpg.

The B8 S4 will mark the debut of Audi’s vectoring quattro system which will allow the dynamic allocation of torque to all four wheels. Audi’s already improved driving dynamics thanks to its recent rearward bias will improve even further as the S4 gets the most neutral driving characteristics ever found in a performance sedan.

Lamborghini CEO says no SUV

In an interview at Los Angeles Auto Show, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann denied any rumors about a future SUV. Winkelmann said the company will focus on the Gallardo and the Murcielago, and also a new model will come every year, but none of this will be an SUV.

In the interview, Lamborghini also said that the Reventon was created to celebrate the Lamborghin’s success. It will be limited to 20 units all over the world, and 11 of those are coming to USA.

Stephan Winkelmann said that the Audi R8 is a "wonderful car", but is not a a threat for Lamborghini.

Toyota Celica to be replaced in 2009

The current generation Celica was taken out of production in 2005. But Toyota has good news for European sports car lovers: a replacement is under development and will be unveiled in 2009.

The new car is part of a plan for sportier models. The Lexus IS-F, which will be introduced in March 2008, will become the company’s flagship model.
The 2009 Celica will have a top speed of 270km/h rather than the traditional 250km/h. Lexus also will introduce a new sports car in 2009 based on the LF-A concept.

Acura RL to get a makeover in 2008

Acura has announced that the RL will get a makeover in summer 2008. Dealers do not have many details on changes coming for the brand’s flagship model, but they believe the changes will be dramatic. "I hear it will be a major facelift in the front and back — new sheet metal," says Jim Smail, an Acura dealer in Pittsburgh.

The redesigned RL was introduced in October 2004 and has sold poorly. Sales through October were down 47.5 percent from the same period last year.

A chief complaint is that the all-wheel-drive vehicle powered by a V-6 is not desired by luxury buyers, who may choose from a slew of rear-wheel-drive V-8s.

John Hawkins, an Acura dealer in the Los Angeles area said: "Dealers have said they want three things: They don’t like the styling, there is not enough rear-seat legroom and it needs a turbocharger or V-8."

MTM Audi A5 V6 TDI

MTM prefers the subtle art of visual understatement and maximum impact from the engineering within. With the Audi A5 3.0 V6 TDi, the technicians at Wettstetten have produced a tough rival for the near peerless S5. Independently tested at Hockenheim, MTM’s Thunderbolt smashed the S5 lap time by a clear second!