Kia Sorento Facelift Recall (UK)

Kia is recalling all UK right-hand drive facelifted Sorentos, after a mix-up with the airbag wiring.
Because the wiring has simply been transposed, an impact on the left of the car would result in the airbags on the right-hand side of the vehicle going off, and vice versa.

Only vehicles built between 4 May 2006 and 28 March 2007 are affected; a total of 1561 cars.

Mercedes Goes Bluetec With GL And ML

2008 Mercedes GL 420 CDi Bluetec:

First one out will be the Bluetec version of the GL 420. Revealed as a concept at the Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes is now testing the real car in cold weather conditions. The production GL 420 Bluetec will keep the same big grille as on the concept, but the wider fender flares and the 21 inch wheels are not planned for the production.

With the GL 420 Bluetec Mercedes shows that even large high-performance SUVs can offer economical fuel consumption and extremely low emissions.

With its powerful V8 diesel delivering 290 bhp and 700 Nm of torque, the GL 420s anticipated fuel efficiency is just 9.8 litres per 100 km ( 24 mpg ). Seen here on these spy photos from Sweden, the bigger grille is disguised with some duct tape.

2009 Mercedes ML-Class Bluetec:

The model will combine advanced hybrid techno­logy with the brand's low-emission Bluetec diesel know-how. Likely to hit dealers in 2009, the 4x4 should emit less than 200g/km of CO2 and return 40mpg.

That puts it on a par with the latest C320 CDI.While there's no official confirma­tion yet, a senior source admitted: "It's a safe bet that our first move into hybrids will come with the M-Class, using a 3.2-litre V6 Bluetec diesel."By linking the two-mode hybrid system, developed with BMW and General Motors, Mercedes believes it can eclipse Lexus's trend-setting hybrid SUV, the RX400h.

The set-up uses an electric motor in the transmission to reduce weight, improve efficiency and absorb less power. BMW's M5 is also likely to get the green technology, while the Chevrolet Captiva and Vauxhall Antara are two of GM's candidates for the set-up.

4 New V10's Coming To Europe

German car manufactures are planning 4 new V10's for Europe. Porsche with the V10 Panamera which will be launched in 2008, BMW X6 V10 and two V10's belonging to the Audi RS8 and Audi RS6.

2008 Porsche Panamera V10:


Porsche is already undergoing high speed tests at the Nurburgring in Germany and undergoing cold-weather testing in Northern Sweden. The could be shown at the Frankfurt Motorshow later on this year. Prices are expected to start from £55,000 going to £84,000 for the range topping V10

2008 BMW X6 V10:


Theses test mules are sighted around the Nurburgring in Germany with huge roof spoilers. The test mules themselves are regular BMW X6's with a few modifications. The entry model will cost £40,000 with the V10 reaching around £70,000. Engines could possibly be a 6.0 litre petrol developing around 450bhp or so


2008 Audi RS8:


Prototype have been sighed at the Nurburgring only and a few have been burnt up on there. On the exterior parts of the prototypes are extended side air intakes, large front air intakes and the internal V10 which can't be seen

2008 Audi RS6:


Theses have been disguised in a checkerboard camouflage and are the the Nurburgring in Germany. These test mules tend to be 5 door hatchbacks with 4 tailpipes, twin exhaust pipes on each side. Expect a price tag of £55,000 to compete with the BMW M5

All prototype have 4 exhausts pipes with 2 on each side.

Photoshoot For The Peugeot 308

New pictures arise on the web of the 2008 Peugeot 308 Hatchback caught undisguised in South Africa on a photoshoot.

This specific photo was taken through an office window. The Peugeot team were all over South Africa taking pictures of their Ford Focus fighter.

Although there are only photos of the front end undisguised, in France, Peugeot had a production ready 308 in their HQ undisguised and we all know what Peugeot/Citroen and Renault's security is like....rubbish the rear end was uncovered for the first time.

Peugeot will officially reveal the new 308 in autumn at the Frankfurt Motorshow with sales expected to start in 2008. Also in the pipeline will be a 308 SW, 308 Coupe-Cabriolet, 308 SW based SUV and a 308 based MPV with sales beginning in 2009.

Dodge Challenger's The World

Like we say you don't have to be a member of the Barry Newman fan club to see that it's a dead ringer for the 1970 Challenger R/T.

From the dual headlights to the kicked-up shoulders in back, the Challenger concept is a heritage design from top to bottom. Not everything is early-'70s vintage. Take a good look at that grille. Dodge designers managed to cram the Dodge crosshairs in there without making it look quite as obvious, or as hard to swallow, as the same treatment on the Charger. There's more 21st-century hardware under the lightweight hood in the form of a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 hooked to a six-speed manual transmission. And yes, it does have a pistol-grip shifter.

Built on a shortened version of the rear-wheel-drive LX platform used for the Charger sedan and Magnum wagon, the Challenger concept is more than just a one-off design study. Dodge officials told us that if there's enough positive reaction to this coupe on the auto show circuit we could see production versions as early as the 2008 model year. We can't imagine a poor reaction to this modern-day Kowalski cruiser, so as far as we're concerned the Challenger is a done deal.

With production of the 2009 Dodge Challenger slated for next spring, it was only a matter of time before prototypes started showing up. What we have here isn't quite a full-blown prototype just yet, but our newest spy photos show what appears to be the front clip of a Challenger grafted onto the body of a Charger R/T. This is a common practice when engineers want to test airflow to the engine of a car that has a radically different grille design compared to existing models. Despite the heavy camouflage, it's clear the Challenger's front end will look almost identical to the prototype which should come as no surprise given that Dodge officials have already promised minimal styling changes for the production Challenger.

With an official unveiling scheduled for the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, we expect this will be the first of many Challenger spy photos to come.

Honda Runs About With The Next Accord

Honda unveiled the Accord Coupe Concept at the Detroit Autoshow couple of months ago and now a sharp eyed member of public captures 2 tset mules on the run abouts in America. The photos may not look clear because they were taken with a cellphone/mobile phone.

As you see the coupe is on test now and the testing of the sedan for the US market will being in late 2007.

Audi Charges Around The Nurburgring With The RS8

So, you think the R8 is all you need? Well think again, if you want to keep up with your neighbours Porsche Turbo you will need some more power. And for that case Audi is developing the R8 into a RS8. Let the R8 join the Carreras and Astons Vantage, but if you want to play with the big boys you will need something else.

The RS8 is your answer, the V10 comes from the Lamborghini Gallardo but probably detuned to 490-500 bhp but the speed and sound are there. The main visible difference to the R8 are the bigger air intakes on the sides and newly designed side skirts. Also the front brakes appear to be bigger.

Looking at it, driving high-speed test at the Nürburgring it really shows how well balanced the RS8 is. Smooth in and out through every curve, and very quick on the long straight. The RS8 is developed by Audi’s sport division, Quattro GmbH who also develop the RS6. Will it beat the Porsche Turbo? Well it got the looks and it got the speed, so I guess we just have to wait for the first duell between those two.