Toyota Goes Into Depth with the All-New Auris and Auris Hybrid Compact Hatchbacks

About month ago, Toyota unveiled its brand-new 2013 MY Auris ahead of its Paris Auto Show world premiere on September 27.
Now, Japan’s biggest carmaker has shed more light on the latest iteration of what it claims to be the most popular C-segment model series (including the Corolla nameplate) in the world, having sold 39 million units in more than 140 countries since the introduction of the Corolla in 1966.
Toyota says that the second generation of the Auris was specifically designed for Europe, which will be its biggest market. It will be manufactured alongside the Avensis in Toyota’s UK plant in Burnaston, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.
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New Audi A3 Sportback Grows in Size, Shrinks in Weight [50 Photos and Video]

Audi will showcase a new addition to its redesigned A3 series at the 2012 Paris motor show from 27 September. The 2013 A3 Sportback is the more practical and versatile five-door version of Audi's premium compact model.
The evolutionary (according to Audi, stale according to others) styling language of the A3 can be found on the Sportback variant as well, with the five-door variant employing the use of three side windows and a sloping tailgate design. For a sportier look, buyers will be able to opt for Audi's S-Line package that adds different bumpers, spoilers and larger alloy wheels.
While the car's exterior dimensions at 4,310mm (169.7 inches) long, 1,780mm (70.1 inches) and 1,425mm (56.1 inches) tall are only slightly greater than on the previous Sportback, the new model now rides on a 2,636 millimeters (103.8 inches), an increase of 58 millimeters (2.28 in).
The five-door model is also 35 millimeters (1.38 in) longer between the axles than the three-door version, resulting in an increase in rear passenger legroom. The luggage compartment offers 380 liters (13.42 cu ft) of space in the basic configuration and can be expanded to 1,220 liters (43.08 cu ft) with the rear seats (60:40 split) folded down.
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BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Records 103MPG UK – 2.7lt/100km in RAC Challenge

A latest generation BMW 116d EfficientDynamics hatch driven by the team at Green-Car-Guide at the RAC Future Car Challenge 2012 achieved an average fuel economy of 103 mpg UK (equal to 85.8 mpg US and 2.7lt/100km) over the 64-mile Brighton to London route, recording a 39 per cent improvement over the manufacturer's official 74.3mpg UK combined economy figure. Read more »

VW Introduces 2013 Amarok with More Powerful 2.0L BiTDI and Available BlueMotion Tech in the UK

The 2013 model year Amarok that was first announced in August is now available for order in Britain with on-the-road prices starting at £23,536 for the base 2.0 TDI 120hp (122PS) 4Motion and topping out at £31,098 for the new 2.0 BiTDI 178hp (180PS) 4Motion Permanent with BlueMotion Technology and an 8-speed auto.
Before we get into more details about the changes and upgrades on the 2013 Amarok, it should be noted that from now on, all models for the UK and the rest of Europe are produced at VW's Hanover factory in Germany, instead of being imported from the brand's Argentina plant.
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New 78.5 MPG Honda Civic 1.6-litre i-DTEC Diesel Priced from £19,400 in Britain

There's a new fuel-efficient model joining the European market Honda Civic hatchback's range, one which is equipped with the Japanese brand's freshly revealed 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel engine.
Following its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September and before it goes on sale in January of 2013, Honda announced pricing for the 1.6 i-DTEC Civic that starts from £19,400 (equal to US$31,100 or €24,200) for the base SE model, rising to £20,595 for the ES and £23,175 for the top-of-the-range EX.
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Renault Transforms New Dacia Logan Into the 2013 Symbol Sedan [w/Video]

In markets where Dacia isn't active, the Renault Group offers the Romanian brand's products under its own nameplate, which is the case with the new Renault Symbol that will be given its first public airing on Friday at the Istanbul Motor Show in Turkey alongside the revamped 2013 Fluence that we told you about earlier today.
Unlike the current Symbol that is based on the body and chassis of the second generation Renault Clio, the new model shifts to the Dacia Logan architecture.
The differences between the second generation of the Logan small sedan that made its world premiere in Paris at the end of September and the 2013 Renault Symbol are skin deep, or to be more precise, face deep.

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2013 Renault Fluence Sedan Goes Under the Knife, Gains a Clio-Like Fascia

As it turns out, Renault had slightly different plans for the facelifted version of the European market Fluence sedan that will make its world premiere on November 2 at the 2012 Istanbul Motor Show in Turkey.
Whereas the Mexican market specification Fluence gained the same front end treatment as the car's Korean twin, the Samsung SM3, the European (though, it is likely to be sold in other regions as well) model has been graced with a face that features Renault's latest styling identity, as seen on the new Clio Mk4.
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Revised 2013 Audi Q5 gest Some Tuning Love from ABT Sportsline

Every time the Volkswagen and Audi brands come out with a new model or even a limited edition, ABT Sportsline is sure to follow up with its own tuning take.
The facelifted Audi Q5 is no exception with the German tuning firm releasing a package for the compact crossover that increases output and gives its exterior a different look.
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Mazda Brings 3 Concept Versions of CX-5 Crossover to SEMA Including a Diesel Variant

With the 2012 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in full swing, Mazda lifted the wraps off three new concept versions of its CX-5 compact crossover to demonstrate the personalization choices owners have, and in one case, to highlight the diesel option that may soon be available in North America.
We will start with the latter that is named after actor and Mazda racecar driver Patrick Dempsey and which uses the Japanese brand's European-specification SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter clean diesel engine to power the all-wheel-drive system through a six-speed manual gearbox.
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Facelifted Ford Fiesta Van Gains Aston Martin-Esque Schnozzle

Joining the refreshed range of Fiesta hatchbacks in Europe is the facelifted, commercial version of the series aptly named the Fiesta Van, which is available to order now in Britain, with customer deliveries from early January 2013. Read more »

MG6 Finally Gets Much Needed Diesel Variants in the UK

It's no secret that diesel engine options are necessary for any carmaker looking to succeed in the European market, even more so in mainstream segments.

Chinese-owned MG has been building and selling its MG6 in the UK since last summer, but up until now, it only offered a petrol engine in a category that's dominated by diesels, which in some models, make up for more than 80 percent of sales.

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Dodge Cummins Drags Chevrolet Silverado Around a Parking Lot During Crazy Tug of War [NSFW]

Whoever said that watching pickup trucks isn't fun, hasn't obviously witnessed a mechanical tug-of-war.

A group of young Americans who didn’t have anything better to do on what we assume to be a Friday night since the video was uploaded on Saturday, Dec. 15, watched two of their peers stage a tugging war at a parking lot with their trucks, a Chevrolet Silverado and a diesel-powered Dodge Ram Cummins.

The Silverado not only lost hands down, but the overzealous driver of the diesel Dodge truck took the Chevy for a foolishly dangerous victory run around the parking lot. Naturally, all hell broke loose once he stopped…

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Land Rover Graces 2013 Freelander 2 with New Black & White Limited Edition Models

A new limited edition version named Black & White with extra content features and a handful of bespoke styling cues has been added to the range of the recently updated 2013 Land Rover Freelander 2 in Britain. Read more »

Clean Diesels are Experiencing a Renaissance in the U.S. as Sales Rise by 25.6 Percent

In contrast to Europe, where they account for more than half of new cars sold, diesel-powered models hadn’t really caught on with U.S. new car buyers. In the past two years, though, numbers show that more and more Americans recognize the benefits of the new generation of “clean” diesel engines.

That is, the advances in diesel technology have resulted in today’s diesels being nothing like their crude forebears of the ‘80s, while they are also up to 40 percent more fuel efficient that comparable gasoline-powered versions.

According to data from HybridCars.com and Baum and Associates, sales of diesel-powered cars in the States increased by 25.6 percent in 2012, almost double the total market’s 13.8 percent increase rate.

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Nissan UK Goes Backs to Basics with New Entry-Grade Navara Visia Fitted with 142hp Diesel

Nissan is widening the choices for Navara buyers in Britain with the presentation of a new and more affordable entry-level version of its double cab pick-up truck named the Visia.

The new model comes with a de-tuned 2.5-liter diesel engine and is available for order now priced from £17,995 CVOTR compared to £19,411 for the 187hp (190PS) Acenta Double-Cab, with deliveries beginning January 2013.

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2014 Ford Transit to Feature a New 3.2-liter Five-Cylinder Turbo Diesel

The upcoming 2014 Ford Transit full-size van will be offered with a new 3.2-liter Power Stroke five-cylinder turbo diesel engine when it goes on sale late next year, the Blue Oval announced on Monday.

The 3.2-liter unit will be Ford's second diesel unit in North America after the larger 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 offered in the F-Series Super Duty trucks.

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Suzuki Unwraps Refreshed Grand Vitara for the UK Market

Suzuki may have pulled the plug on its automotive operations in America, but in Europe, it's still alive (well, at least for now), thank you very much.

Following the release of the updated 2013 Jimny last month, Suzuki has now given a mild facelift to its aging Grand Vitara that goes on sale in the United Kingdom this month as a 2013 model with prices starting from £15,995 for SZ3 1.6 litre 3 door version.

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BMW Recalling Near 30,000 X5 Diesels Because They May Lose Steering Power

The latest automaker to join in on the recall dance is BMW, which fears that its 2009-2012 X5 xDrive 35d diesel-powered crossovers may suffer from a problem that could lead to a loss of power steering.

In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), BMW said an engine belt idler pulley bolt that could loosen and break over time causes the issue at hand.

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Hofele-Design Turns the 2013 Range Rover Into the Royster GT 500

German tuning house Hofele-Design has shared details of its upcoming take on the latest generation of the Range Rover premium SUV, which it has named the "Royster GT 500".

The comprehensive tune starts under the hood where Hofele-Design offers a power kit for all engines boosting output by around 20 percent over the stock units.

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Refreshed 2013 Toyota Verso Priced from £17,495 OTR in the UK

One by one, the new or updated vehicles from this year's Paris Motor Show are being launched across Europe. Toyota on its part has announced pricing for the facelifted 2013 Verso MPV that is available for to order now with customer deliveries from mid-January 2013. Read more »