10Oct
Volvo released photos of the new XC60 Concept, a car they intend to produce in 2009 to compete in the growing “premium utility vehicle” in the market. Designed to be the next popular style for the Volvo buyer after the C30, it combines all the sporty nature of the C30 with added practicality.
20Aug
Image source: www.thetorquereport.com
Way back in the 1970’s, the first Volkswagen Scirocco was introduced and just a racy skin draped over the framework of the then-new Rabbit S er, Golf. This year Volkswagen repeated that same method with the introduction of a new front-drive Scirocco that, under the skin, is basically a Golf S er, Rabbit.
The new Scirocco is currently VW’s only coupe and, thanks to an aggressively sculpted body and a particularly wide-looking nose, it’s a truly stunning machine. It backs up those looks with engines culled from the Golf range < a 197-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four is the most powerful option and a 138-hp common rail 2.0-liter turbodiesel, the most economical. Transmission choices are a conventional six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch “DSG” paddle-shifted, automated manual. Even the sportiest Scirocco is reported to get somewhere near 37 mpg while topping out at 146 mph.
26Apr
The retro-ish Fiat 500 takes the trophy as Car of the Year (2008). The reason the jury chose the car because of nostalgia and charm. Besides being a practical urban car, it also had great public appeal.
“This cute car copies the aesthetics of the legendary 500 of half a century ago, but it is a modern vehicle in functionality and safety features, reasonably roomy for its size and shape, and with efficient engines that provide performance and economy.”
First runner up went to Mazda2 (finished with just 60 points shy) and Second runner up went to the Ford Mondeo.
Source
