Volkswagen Recalling 410,000 Passats in the U.S.

German carmaker Volkswagen has announced a voluntary recall of all gasoline powered Passat models from 1999 through 2005. In particular, some Passat vehicles with an automatic transmission may have an underbody heat shield that could be subject to damage. If the damaged heat shield comes in contact with the vehicle’s exhaust system, it could create a potential safety risk.

Additionally, some Passats equipped with 1.8T engines have a fuel line that requires inspection and potential replacement. A small number of vehicles equipped with 4Motion all-wheel-drive will be inspected for potential damage to a fuel tank ventilation valve. According to VW, no accidents or injuries have been recorded. Owner notification is scheduled to begin by May 30, 2008.

Ford’s US Sales Free-Fall By 14% in March

While many at Ford would wish this were an April fool’s day joke, it isn’t; in March, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totalled 213,074 units, down 14 percent compared with a year ago. Total Ford Motor Company sales, including Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, totalled 227,143, again down 14 percent versus March 2007.
The American carmaker blamed its poor March results to the crumbling SUV and truck sales. In March Ford Motor Company sold 146,228 SUVs and trucks, down from 175,491 last March (-16.7%). In terms of car sales, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar and Volvo sold 80,915 vehicles, down from 89,484 last year (-9,6%).

Feast For Your Eyes: Italian Tuning Show Babes

“My Special Car Show” is an automotive customisation exhibition that took place at Rimini Fiera in Italy from 28 to 30 March, 2008. As with all tuning salons, there was no shortage of babes at “My Special Car Show”. Luckily for us, our fellow blogger-buddies at Autoblog.it were kind enough to capture many of the babes on film so we can get a taste of what we missed out on. Did we mention that there were a lot of poles at the exhibition centre in Rimini?

Kia KEE_wii Concept

While most of us thought that we had seen the last of the poorly received KEE Concept Coupe that made its debut in Frankfurt last year, Kia announced today the introduction of a unique development of its Peter Schreyer-designed sports coupe concept - the KEE_wii. The latest upgrade to KEE involves the addition of high-tech drive system that removes the need for a steering wheel and pedals

Franz Josef-Hicks, head of the Advanced Propulsion Research Institute and Laboratory at Kia Motors New Zealand, explained; ‘We have taken inspiration from current computer gaming technology to create a completely new steering and pedal system called Dynamic On-Road Kinetics. The traditional driving controls are replaced by a small ‘controller’ which fits comfortably into two hands. Making steering motions with the small controller will turn the car in whichever direction the driver likes whilst accelerator and brakes are button operated. It is a very simple and intuitive system.’ added Mr Josef-Hicks.

According to Carscoop sources, the KEE_wii dynamic control system will be available on new Kia cars on April 1 2009 and will then be optional on forthcoming generations of models as they are updated or replaced.

Toyota UK Launches Auris SR Versions

Following the launch of the flagship Auris SR180, Toyota UK is introducing a new sporty trim named SR. Available with the 1.6 Dual VVT-i petrol and 2.0 D-4D 130 diesel engines, the new SR grade benefits from lowered sports suspension and riding on 17-inch alloy wheels, both from Toyota Motorsport. Other unique features provided as standard include a Toyota Motorsport rear spoiler and dark-tinted privacy glass – items shared with the SR180. The SR is on sale now in the UK, in three and five-door body styles priced from £14,495

SEAT Introduces High Tech Electro-Reflective Paint

Forget about Candy White and Matte Black; the color we’re all going to be hearing about over the next few hours is SEAT’s innovative 'electro reflective' exterior panel finish. The unique paint has been developed in-house by an elite team of technicians at the Spanish manufacturer's Martorell HQ, near Barcelona. Using complex principles similar to those through which electrochromic (auto dimming) rear view mirrors work, the experts have developed the patented electro reflective finish which constantly adapts to mimic the car's surroundings. Even though SEAT has not disclosed any more information, Carscoop’s sources state that the new electro-reflective paint will be available for order in a year’s time, on April 1, 2009.

Audi TT: New 1.4 TFSI 140 Hp Coming to Leipzig

Downsizing is the name, and VW Group is the one who’s playing the game. Following yesterday’s announcement on the TT 1.8TFSI, Audi revealed that it will introduce an even smaller engine for its sport model, the 1.4-liter TFSI unit that combines a supercharger and a turbocharger generating 140 Hp.
The 1.4 TFSI unit is already available in wide number of VW Group models including the Audi A3, VW Golf and SEAT Leon. The reason that Audi decided to fit the TT with this unit is partially due to the stricter European emission and fuel consumption rules, but most importantly to attract a wider audience as a lot European countries calculate vehicle taxes based on engine size so the new smaller engine will reduce owners registration fees without sacrificing much of the cars performance. The TT 1.4TFSI will make its world debut at the Leipzig Auto Show in Germany this month alongside the TT 1.8TFSI. Euro-wide sales will follow shortly after.