BMW ships, prices first US-market diesels in 20 years

It's been a long while since BMW sold a diesel car in the US market.

Since 1988, when the 524d and 524td sedans left our shores in a cloud of their own soot, the Soviet Union fell apart and Germany reunified. We've had two Bushes and a Clinton in the White House and watched oil prices surge to dizzying heights.

Now, even as crude oil prices continue to fall in the dour economy, BMW has returned with a pair of oil-burners. Starting next year, the German automaker will offer the 335d, a diesel version of the 3-series sedan and the X5 xDrive35d, a diesel variant of the popular X5 SUV.

Both are powered by 3-liter, twin-turbocharged diesel inline-six rated at 265 horsepower and a tarmac-wrinkling 425 pound feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is the only option for both models. BMW has yet to develop a manual gearbox that can handle the immense torque output, so neither US or European customers will be able to row the gears themselves.

Like the new Mercedes-Benz diesels, the oil-burning BMWs will use a particulate filter and urea injection to eliminate soot and reduce emissions. The urea solution - called AdBlue - is carried in a 5.5 gallon tank on both the 335d and X5 diesel. BMW expects a tankful of AdBlue to last for about 15,000 miles.

As a part of the automaker's five-year / 40,000 mile complimentary maintenance program, BMW will refill each car's AdBlue tank at no extra cost at 10,000 miles.

At the pump, the 335d is rated at 23 mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway, with a range of about 560 miles. The X5 diesel carries a 22 gallon tank which translates to 585 miles with a 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway EPA rating.

The 335d will sell for $44,725 and the X5 xDrive35d will go for MSRP of $52,025, including destination and handling.

Both will be eligible for a federal tax credit. The IRS will kick back $900 for each 335d, while X5 xDrive35d customers will qualify for the maximum federal tax credit of $1,550.

[BMW]

Volvo and Orrefors team up on S60 Concept for Detroit Motor Show

No matter how you slice it, Volvo has not been having a good sales year.

The brief bump in sales of the C30 hatchback and C70 convertible this spring have been offset by an awful third quarter. Last month, sales were down more than 50 percent compared to a year ago.

In an effort to spark some interest in their mid-size S60 sedan, Volvo has teamed up with Orrefors Crystal — the famous Swedish glassworks known best for high-end glassware — to build a customized S60 sedan for the Detroit Motor Show next January.

Today, we have the first teaser pics of the concept car's interior centerpiece.

Cast in three pieces, the S60 concept will feature a center console topped by a crystal glass panel stretching from the instrument panel all the way to the rear seat backrest in a graceful flowing arch. The panel is backlit by color LCD lights which can be adjusted to suit the driver's mood.

"If you want to explore the full scope of Scandinavian design, Sweden's glassworks are a natural source of inspiration. Large glass areas are also very much part of modern Swedish architecture, creating the special, light transparency," said design director Steve Mattin.

"The undulating, slightly twisted shape and the precise dimensional requirements were two exciting challenges we had to face." 'explained Orrefors design manager Gunilla Arvidsson.

In an homage to tradition, Orrefors craftsmen used hand-carved lengths of alderwood to create the molds for each of the three large panels. After casting, each panel was hand-polished before being delivered to Volvo's concept car workshops where they were joined into one panel.

Mattin said that the crystal panels were unlikely to make it into full-scale production, but that Volvo designers are looking for ways to include crystal glass on a smaller scale for future production models.

Hints of an S60 coupe?
With the recent introduction of the four-seat Passat CC, the trend of slinky, coupe-like sedans has begun to trickle down to more affordable cars. Volvo desperately needs a hit to help counter weakening sales figures and the S60 is due for a clean sheet redesign.

If the four-seat layout adopted by the S60 concept is any indication, I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that Volvo may be planning a four-door coupe of their own. Such a car would be the perfect shot in the arm for a sedan range that has become almost too homogenized.

[Volvo, ABG]

2010 Mazda3 pictures leaked ahead of Los Angeles Auto Show debut

The launch of the new Mazda3 has become the worst kept secret in the industry. As NMM reported earlier, the new Mazda3 will make its official debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show on November 19.

In a surprise move coinciding with the Sydney Motor Show, Mazda released three pictures and a few tantalizing details on the all-new sporty compact sedan.

The new four-door sedan be the first to come to the US market, sometime in the first quarter of 2009. The five-door hatchback will follow some time later in the spring; Mazda will announce on-sale dates at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The pictures confirm much of what the rumor mill predicted earlier this year. The new trapezoidal grille that debuted on the refreshed RX-8 and MX-5 Miata dominates the front end, flanked by fender flares that recall the design of the newly redesigned Mazda6.

At the rear, new taillights fill out the flared fenders while the trunklid features Mazda's own take on the oft-critized "Bangle Butt."

While the changes sound radical on paper, the overall impression is an evolutionary design with a lot of Mazda design DNA. The changes build on the athletic character that has made the current model a sales success.

Since its launch in 2003, the Mazda3 has sold nearly 1.8 million vehicles worldwide; accounting for almost one third of Mazda's annual sales each year.

As far as engines go, we now know the 2010 Mazda3 will be sold in the US with a 2.0-liter and a 2.5-liter engine.

Horsepower and torque numbers weren't released. The safest bet is that the current MZR 2.0-liter 153 horsepower inline-four will be the standard engine, possibly with a minor bump in horsepower.

What the 2.5-liter engine will be is anyone's guess. It could mean a small bump in displacement for the 2.3-liter turbo direct-injection inline-four used in the current MazdaSpeed3. It could also mean that the next MazdaSpeed3 will inherit a version of the 2.5-liter turbo inline-five used in the Volvo S40 T5 and C30. Volvo is a corporate cousin of Mazda through their mutual ownership by Ford.

We'll know more as the Los Angeles Auto Show draws near. Stay tuned.

[Mazda]

Ford introduces MyKey electronic watchdog for parents of teen drivers

When handing over the keys to the family car, parents of teen drivers have every right to be worried.

Not only are teen drivers statistically the most likely to crash, they are also more likely to speed and less likely to wear seatbelts than older drivers.

In an effort to help parents curtail risky driving and promote safe driving habits, Ford has designed the MyKey system, which will debut on the 2010 Ford Focus.

The MyKey system allows parents to program any key through the Focus' vehicle message center and turn on a range of safety-concious settings. These settings are stored in the car and activated when the specific key is inserted into the ignition.

The MyKey system can be programmed to include a persistent reminder to buckle up — not only will a reminder beep continue to nag the driver, the stereo is muted until the driver's seat belt is fastened. A message center display “Buckle Up to Unmute Radio” also appears on the instrument cluster.


To combat the dreaded lead-footed teenager, the MyKey system can also be programmed to limit the car's top speed to 80 mph.

Parents can also limit the volume of the car's stereo, permanently activate the traction control system and set a speed alert chime to sound at 45, 55 or 65 mph.

The speed alert system has an added benefit: improved fuel economy. According to studies conducted by Ford, driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph consumes 15 percent less fuel.

By mastering other eco-driving habits such as avoiding jackrabbit starts and excessive idling, young drivers can help improve fuel economy by more than 30 percent, according to studies conducted by Ford.

Ultimately, the MyKey system is an innovative tool to promote safe driving, even if teens ultimately chafe at the system's electronic leash.

No doubt Ford is banking on the MyKey system to make the Ford Focus a popular choice for both parents and teens alike, the latter of which may be appeased by the optional SNYC multimedia system that is offered in the Focus and other Ford vehicles.

[Ford]

2010 Porsche Panamera teaser shot, hybrid model details released

Porsche's released the first official "teaser" shot of the Panamera sedan today, along with early details on a hybrid version.

The Panamera will likely go on sale immediately following its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009.

In addition to the photo, the German automaker has posted videos online of disguised Panamera prototypes running on various test drives.

Porsche will conduct a direct-mail marketing campaign this fall, targeting current Porsche owners as prospective buyers for the Panamera.

Whether you love or loathe the idea of a Porsche sedan, here's what we know (or can safely assume) about the 2010 Panamera's specifications:

• The car is front engine, rear drive, measures nearly 5 meters long, about 2 meters wide and is estimated to weigh about 1700 kg.

• Three engines will be available at launch: a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, a 405-horsepower 4.8-liter V-8 and a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8 producing approximately 520 horsepower.

• According to Autobild, the base model is capable of 250 km/h; the 4.8 twin turbo Panamera should be able to manage 300 km/h. All Panamera models will offer the dopplekupplung seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox which recently debuted on the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera model range.

• The Panamera will be the first Porsche to offer a hybrid drivetrain option, combing the base 3.6-liter V-6 with a 110-horsepower electric motor. Autobild reports that the Panamera will be able to move under electric power alone at low speed.

A second teaser shot is due to be released on October 20. We've included a 1280 x 796 version of the press photo as well as a cropped detail shot for your downloading pleasure. As more information becomes available, we'll bring it to you first at NMM.

[Image Credit: Porsche NA]
[MotorAuthority]

Video Clip Friday: All-new 2010 Audi RS6

Last weekend, Audi released the first official images of the new RS6 sedan, shortly before the car makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. For this week's video clip, we're set to offer you a glimpse of Neckarsulm's newest überlimousine.

Audi's RS models have a long history with force-fed motors; this generation is no exception.Both the RS6 sedan and wagon will be powered by a 5-liter twin-turbocharged V-10 producing 580 horespower and 480 pound-feet of torque.

Mated to a six-speed automatic with manual shift control and Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, the RS6 will fling itself to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds. For US-bound models, top speed is limited to 155 mph. European customers will have the option of having the factory limiter raised to 175 mph.

But no matter the terminal velocity, the newest RS6 continues in the tradition set by its forebears; exceptional speed and handling matched only by style and versatility.



Lastly, a brief programming note: Since we're coming up on the Labor Day holiday here in the States, NMM will be making a three-day weekend of it. See you all Tuesday.


[Source - Audi AG via WCF]

Hyundai Genesis aces NHTSA crash tests

Ten years ago, the thought than Hyundai would produce a luxury car on an equal footing with the Japanese would've been deemed ludicrous.

At the time, the Korean automaker had just passed it's tenth year of sales on US shores. While competitive on price, product quality and level of execution continued to lag behind their Japanese rivals.

But what a difference a decade makes.

In the coming weeks, Hyundai will launch the Genesis, their first bona fide luxury sedan. Powered at the rear wheels by the company's first V-8 — a 375 horsepower, DOHC 32-valve motor with variable valve timing — Hyundai hopes to sell 50,000 units per year, once the coupe joins the model lineup early next year.

Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Hyundai Genesis a five-star test ratings for front and side-impact crashes -- the highest rankings possible in the New Car Assessment Program.

"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultrahigh-tensile steel, laser welding and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of strategic planning and product development at Hyundai Motor America.

"Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints, and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety," Krafcik said in a statement.

We will have more on the Genesis coupe as its launch date nears in early 2009.
In addition to the V-8 shared with it's sedan sibling, the Genesis coupe will likely offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, possibly with direct fuel injection.

Stay tuned.

Image Credit: Hyundai
[Source - AN]

All-new Mazda6 to hit showrooms in August

With the smaller Mazda3 flying out of showroom this year, the mid-size Mazda6 has become the wallflower of the brand.

Despite the shift to smaller sedans this year, Jim O'Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North American Operations, says the new Mazda6 is "the most important new vehicle Mazda has launched in a decade."

Mazda will price the four-cylinder version of the 2009 Mazda6 at $19,220; the V-6 version will start at $24,800. Both prices include shipping.

The new model will be available to dealers in August, the automaker said.

"Bringing any new car to market at a competitive price has always been critical, but seldom more so than today," CEO Jim O'Sullivan said in a statement. "Customers are looking for that rare combination of style, dynamics, economy and a great price, and the all-new 2009 Mazda6 delivers on all levels."

[Link]