Video : Opel Meriva Behind the scenes on design – Exterior & Interior 3D Design Tour

2011 Arrives Early for BMW – MY2011: Enhanced Performance and Efficiency, Value Packages and No Price Increase.

MY2011: Enhanced Performance and Efficiency, Value Packages and No Price Increase.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 25, 2010… BMW has announced an early, exciting start to its 2011 model year in the United States. Most BMW vehicles receive minor changes for MY2011 in the form of options and new or revised packages, but some models are either all-new (for example, the new BMW 5 Series sedan and BMW ALPINA B7) or substantially updated (3 Series Coupe and Convertible). For existing models, what will not change for the start of the MY2011 are base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices.

Highlight: Expansion of “Value Packages” for 1 and 3 Series Models
In 2009, BMW introduced a “Value Package” – a $0.00 (No Charge) option that included leather upholstery and the integrated iPod adapter on the 5 Series and 328i/xi Sedans. As expected, the Value Package proved to be very popular, and as such, the concept is being extended to additional models. The $0.00 Value Package again includes leather upholstery and the iPod adapter as its key components but may also include several additional options, depending on the model.
(Journalist note: Details are listed in Appendix i)

Highlight: New “Convenience Package” Available for 1 and 3 Series
Throughout 2009 BMW spent time talking to Dealers and Client Advisors about possible ways to improve our option offering and the value of our package structure. Based on this feedback from Dealers and Client Advisors on, BMW has developed “Convenience Package” for the 1 and 3 Series for MY 2011. This package brings considerable value to a number of options that share the theme of Convenience and are typically ordered together anyway. The Convenience Package content varies depending on the model but always includes the Alarm System, Comfort Access (keyless entry) and Park Distance Control. It retails for as low as $1,000 on the 135i Coupe and Convertible.
(Journalist note: Details are listed in Appendix ii)

Ken Block goes flat out in his Rally Fiesta on ice during Sno*Drift testing

Volvo launches an energy-efficient 2-litre GTDi engine with unique turbo system

Volvo Car Corporation is introducing an all-new four-cylinder 2-litre GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine in the Volvo S80, V70 and XC60, offering great performance and efficiency all in one.
New Volvo-developed turbocharging technology, direct injection and twin variable camshafts give a unique combination of low fuel consumption, low emissions and high performance across a wide rev range – all in a particularly compact format.

The new petrol engine, the 2.0 GTDi, produces no less than 203 hp despite its compact size and cylinder capacity. It pumps out 300 Nm of torque already from 1750 rpm thus securing a refined driving experience.
“We’ve succeeded in making a four-cylinder engine that is as powerful as a 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and it’s also much more energy-efficient. This is a very welcome both for those customers who want high performance as well as supreme driveability and for the environment that benefits from the improved fuel efficiency. One of the most important reasons behind the results is our new, patented turbo system that has been tailor-made for smaller energy-efficient engines,” says Magnus Jonsson, head of Product Development at Volvo Cars.

Valentino Rossi tries a F1 car

At the end of the two days of the test sessions with Valentino Rossi on the Montmelò circuit, he had more than 600 kilometers on the clock. After today’s wet opening, just like yesterday, which complicated the start, the test dedicated to the Champion from Tavullia with the F2008, provided by Maranello’s F1 Clienti department, was concluded with great results to the utmost satisfaction of the team.

Valentino was extremely happy with his lap time of 1.21.900, clocked on the penultimate lap, almost over the time limit the team was allowed to use the Catalan track: “We kept the last three quarters of an hour to try a ‘time attack’ with little petrol and fresh tyres. I would have given anything for such a lap time.” Rossi said that he had much more fun compared to his last experience in Mugello in November 2008. “It’s more fun here, because it’s a little bit easier. It’s more effort in Mugello, but this track here is really wonderful, with motorbikes and cars, although I have to say that turn 10 is a little tight (the one with the spins) and you’re braking much later.”

Luca Baldisserri commented on the “Doctor’s” adventure positively: “We tried different set ups and he improved a lot: this means that the driver learns quickly and has room for improvement.” Before Valentino left the track he wanted to thank the whole team: “I want to thank Ferrari, but especially Domenicali and Montezemolo, for giving me this present.”

McLaren launches the MP4-25

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team today revealed its brand new MP4-25 chassis – the car in which reigning world champion Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton will contest the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

Unveiled at Vodafone UK’s stunning headquarters in Newbury, the 2010 car looks noticeably different from last year’s race-winning MP4-24. MP4-25 features a radical aerodynamic overhaul and a significantly larger fuel tank to take full advantage of this year’s new regulations, and its design team is confident it has explored every possible avenue to maximise the car’s performance.

Horsepower once again comes from our friends in Stuttgart. Mercedes-Benz’s FO 108X V8 subtly improves upon an engine which has become the benchmark in Formula 1, winning the last two drivers’ world championships.

The team kicks off its 2010 campaign with a stunning driver pairing: 2009 world champion Jenson Button and 2008 title winner Lewis Hamilton. It is the first time since 1989 – when it ran Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna – that the team has fielded a joint-world champion driver line-up, and marks the first time in Formula 1 history that the sport’s two most recent world champions have been partnered together.

However, the driver line-up represents only a fraction of the team’s remarkable strength in depth. Members of the design team who contributed to the development of MP4-25 can also trace their involvement back through an incredible seven drivers’ world championships, five of the team’s eight constructors’ world championships and 112 of the team’s 164 grand prix victories.

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team begins pre-season testing with MP4-25 at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo on Monday.

New driver trio for the Audi R15 TDI

* Audi extends driver line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans
* Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Treluyer new to the team
* Joint test run in the 1000-kilometer race at Spa

Audi Sport leaves nothing to chance in its endeavor to bring the prestigious Le Mans trophy back to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Not only the technology of the Audi R15 TDI is being subjected to further development. The drivers’ line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) has been extended as well.

For the world’s most famous endurance race, Audi has signed three new drivers, the Swiss Marcel Fässler (33), German André Lotterer (28) and Frenchman Benoît Treluyer (33), who will be sharing the cockpit of one of three Audi R15 TDI cars on June 12/13, 2010.

“In view of our strong competitors, we want to – and have to – be perfectly positioned in terms of drivers too,” explained Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Therefore, we decided to extend our driver line-up. Marcel, Andre and Benoît attracted our attention during the past two years in a particularly positive way. They are used to handling fast prototypes and know each other extremely well. The three of them, and we too, are convinced that they are a very good combination for Le Mans.”