The Audi Q5 coming on April 19

With its world debut scheduled for the Beijing Auto Show, which will start on April 20, the new Audi Q5 will be revealed for the first time on April 19, on the Audi Q5 microsite. The special website was launched a few weeks ago and offers you the possibility to register for the newsletter and be the first ones to find out all the details about the new Audi Q5. For now there are only some wallpapers on the site, but all you Audi fans would better hurry and register because, besides the info on the Q5, you’ll also get the chance to win a test drive in Audi’s new competitor for the BMW X3, the Mercedes Benz GLK or the recently introduced Volvo VX60.

Lexus luncurkan edisi spesial IS 250X

Lexus memperkenalkan edisi khusus IS 250 yaitu IS 250 X di Australia. Hanya ada 450 unit dan diposisikan sebagai kendaraan dengan value for money yang menaik untuk pembeli mobil prestisius seperti diungkapkan Lexus Australia chief executive, John Roca.

Model ini dilengkapi sports suspension, sistem stereo Mark Levinson dengan 14 speaker, sunroof, satellite navigation, rear view camera with rear guide assist, Bluetooth™ handsfree telephone system, hingga alloy wheel 18inch. Ada warna spesial yaitu Arctic Blue and Vermilion, dan Onyx Black yang dipasangkan dengan interior kulit berwarna hitam.

"Tahun lalu Lexus memperkenalkan limited edition IS250 yang terjual habis dalam enam minggu, dua kali lebih cepat dari perkiraan. IS250 X diperkirakan juga seperti itu," kata John Roca.

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