The largest convoy of Mercedes-Benz cars has driven into the Guinness Book of World Records when 153 C-Class sedans hit the roads of Dubai over the weekend.

“Usually, a new car would be revealed in a showroom,” said Julian Redman, Marketing Manager of Gargash Enterprises, the official Mercedes-Benz distributor in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates of the United Arab Emirates.

“You would pull off a cover, the guests would clap and that would be it. However, we wanted to give something back to our C-Class customers so we invited them to help us participate in a convoy to set a world record.”
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Audi’s second generation A6 allroad quattro has arrived in Australia.

Comfortable and capable on the road or off the beaten track, the new A6 allroad quattro keeps going when the bitumen ends. It offers the ultimate choice for customers wanting a spacious road-going vehicle with SUV-capabilities thanks to quattro permanent all-wheel drive and the variable ground clearance made possible by adaptive air suspension.

The new A6 allroad quattro is priced at $106,000. Capable of moving people literally and figuratively, the second generation of Audi’s successful all-terrain vehicle boasts 171 kilowatts of power and an impressive 450 Nm of torque.

Powered by a lusty 3.0 TDI engine and silky six-speed tiptronic transmission, this latest-generation diesel engine technology features a common-rail injection system and piezo injectors, and is united with a highly effective exhaust emission control, known as a diesel particulate filter DPF.
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Introducing the BMW Concept CS, Germany’s leading manufacturer of premium automobiles is presenting the vision of a unique four-door car which combines the exclusivity of a genuine luxury Gran Turismo with the fascinating thrill of a high-performance sports car. This unique combination never seen before offers the perspective to enjoy sheer driving pleasure in a dimension quite unprecedented in the world of motoring. Indeed, the BMW Concept CS is a new definition of design culture. Concentrating on powerful, expressive design, materials of the highest quality, and quality of finish in perfection, this unique new model offers a completely new understanding of premium quality. And within its interior, the BMW Concept CS combines stylish luxury with the most uncompromising ambience full of class and value.
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Hyundai Accessories has released Reverse Sensor kits for current Getz, Accent, Elantra, Sonata SLX, Tucson and Santa Fe models, a boon to ease parking in tight confines for drivers of these models as well as enhancing safety when reversing.

Each model’s four sensors (two for Getz) are coloured-matched to the rear bumper in which they are mounted and they audibly monitor the proximity of objects unseen from the driver seat.

The sensors have three warning tones, a slow repeating ‘beep’ as the car closes from around 1.5 metres to 90 cm from whatever object is behind it, a faster pulsing beep as it backs up to around 45cm and then a continuous buzz for any closer proximity. The volume of the warning tones is adjustable to the driver’s liking.
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The Compact Performance SUV

Audi Cross Coupé quattro

At the Shanghai Motor Show (20 - 28 April 2007) Audi will present a study that defines a new segment in the field of crossover vehicles. The Audi Cross Coupé quattro combines the design and dynamism of a compact premium sports car with the spaciousness and versatility of a four-seat sport utility vehicle (SUV). Innovative technical solutions show new ways of achieving efficiency, driving pleasure and comfort in a manner that is typical of Audi. The Audi Cross Coupé quattro: a car whose visual appearance clearly tells you what it is capable of and whose engineering matches this standard – on all roads, under all conditions.
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To better understand a new product, sometimes it helps to know what it is not. Take the all-new 2007 Dodge Nitro, for example.

Nitro is not another mid-size sport-utility vehicle with sleep-inducing styling. Instead, the bold styling and masculine swagger of Dodge (think Viper, Ram, Avenger and Caliber) is hot-wired into Nitro, inside and out.

The Dodge Nitro is not stuck on its handsome good looks. It’s also functional. Nitro’s spacious interior has room for five passengers, innovative cargo features, and the seating and storage flexibility to handle the needs of people and their gear.
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The Volkswagen Group’s Supervisory Board chairman celebrates his 70th birthday

Wolfsburg, April 16, 2007 - Prof. Dr. h.c. Ferdinand K. Piëch celebrates his 70th birthday on April 17, but his passion for cars rules out any thought of retirement. Following his career as a manager at Porsche, Audi and VW, the Vienna-born grandson of the world famous automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche is today still active as chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG and a member of the Supervisory Board of Porsche AG. In the words of the laudation at his induction into the “Manager-Magazin” Hall of Fame in 2002: “What singles him out is competence, genius, devotion, persistence and passion.”

Ferdinand Piëch, the son of Ferdinand Porsche’s daughter Louise and the attorney Dr. Anton Piëch was practically born into the world of cars in Vienna in 1937, and grew up in the Porsche-Piëch-family. The family not only owns the Stuttgart-based sports car maker Porsche and Porsche Holding, a vehicle distribution company based in Salzburg, but also recently became the owner of almost one third of the shares in the Volkswagen Group through Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.

As a child, Ferdinand Piëch was already a frequent visitor to present-day Wolfsburg during his holidays, as both his father and grandfather were managers at the “Volkswagen-Werk”. Ferdinand Porsche, who long ago entered the annals of automotive history as the inventor of the legendary “VW Beetle” and the creator of the Auto Union racing cars, was always a role model for his grandson. Cars therefore had a formative influence on Ferdinand Piëch from an early age.
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Renault has re-positioned its extremely well-equipped Mégane Sedan range with the six-speed manual Expression Sedan now retailing for $24,990, making it the best equipped European sedan available on the market.

The new pricing structure represents a reduction in the recommended retail price of up to $3,500 across the three models in the sedan range and is expected to increase sales of the good-looking sedan substantially.

“The repositioning of the Megane sedan range will add a great car to many shopping lists,” says Renault Australia Managing Director Rudi Koenig. “The Megane sedan is an excellent blend of European style, engineering and safety and starting from $24,990 it is also outstanding value for money.”

The standard equipment list on the Expression Sedan means it is now the best equipped European sedan for its price on the market by a significant margin.
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Readers of Europe’s most widely sold all-wheel drive car magazine have voted the BMW X3 victorious in the mid-size segment for off-road vehicles and SUVs.

“Auto Bild Alles Allrad” invited readers to choose their favourite vehicles out of nine categories.

With a 24.6 % share of the votes, the BMW X3 seized victory well ahead of the17 rivals competing in its class, thereby repeating its success achieved last year.

Only a few weeks ago the compact BMW Sports Activity Vehicle was voted “Off-road Vehicle of the Year” by readers of the car magazine “Offroad”.

The latest award will be presented to BMW during the motor show Auto Mobil International (AMI) 2007 in Leipzig.

“The BMW X3 continues to set the standard in the mid-size segment for off-roaders,” said BMW Group Australia, General Manager, Marketing, Tom Noble.

Last December, BMW refined and re-invigorated its performance-orientated X3 range, with improved ergonomics, extensively revised cabin and dashboard functions, as well as offering advanced new magnesium aluminium VALVETRONIC six-cylinder petrol engines.

More than 260,000 X3 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) have been sold worldwide in two and a half years and this impressive success story has enabled BMW to sell more all-wheel-drive cars worldwide last year than any other manufacturer in the premium segment.

Hyundai design and engineering expertise went on display at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show with the unveiling of two new passenger cars and some advanced technologies.

The edgier execution was the Veloster, a sporty coupé catering to the unique wants of the Y-generation. Joining the sporty concept car was the FD Elantra wagon, styled at the company’s European Design Centre in Russelsheim, Germany, marking Hyundai’s long-awaited return to this popular segment.
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Hyundai’s Sonata V6, the medium-large six cylinder car that in 2005 introduced family sedans to standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control (TCS), six airbags and active front head restraints, is extending that full safety menu to its 2.4 litre four cylinder Sonata variants.

Coinciding with these upgrades is a model name change which sees both four and six cylinder entry level Sonata variants badged ‘SLX’ on their front fenders and further identified by chrome rather than black window sill strips.
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Subaru’s potent MY07 Liberty GT spec.B range is getting the STI treatment with a very limited number being released this month.

Available as sedan and wagon in both manual and automatic transmission they will be priced from $65,990.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia said: “Our tuned by STI special edition vehicles have been very well received by customers. This is reflected in both initial sales and, later on, in resale values for these premium sports vehicles.

“We’ve created a niche for locally tuned performance vehicles. This has been made possible through continued support from Fuji Heavy Industries and our local engineers who spend months testing and perfecting these vehicles for Australian conditions.”

With a comprehensive list of mechanical and cosmetic enhancements, features include:

An upgraded ECU producing 194kW of power at 6000rpm, up 10kW.

Torque increased 11Nm to 350Nm, kicking in earlier at 2800rpm.
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Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton claimed a one-two for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team on Sunday at the Malaysian Grand Prix. This was the team’s first victory with Vodafone as a Title Partner and the team’s 41st one-two.

The result sees the team extending their lead in the Constructors’ Championship with a total of 32 points and Fernando topping the drivers’ battle with 18 points. Lewis is third with 14 points.

Both drivers were on two-stop strategies with Fernando pitting on laps 18 (8.1 seconds) and 40 (7.2 seconds) whilst Lewis pitted on laps 20 (7.4 seconds) and 38 (7.8 seconds). Lewis did the fastest lap of the race with 1m36.701 on lap 22. The team is now going straight to Bahrain to prepare for the race next weekend.
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The new Audi TT has been announced the 2007 World Car Design of the Year, eclipsing 28 other candidates to take the title.

A panel of renowned motoring journalists from 22 countries around the world has reached its verdict, announcing the award at the New York International Auto Show over the weekend.

The World Car of the Year jurors praised the new TT’s flared wheel arches, signature single frame grille and sleek silhouette. They commented that “while there is a clear connection to the original TT’s Bauhaus styling, the second-generation model evolves it into a more modern form”. The jurors also noted that Audi had worked hard to create “a more spacious, driver-focused cabin”.

“Audi’s elegant, concise design language was defined by the original TT coupe. The new TT takes it to an even more expressive level, while retaining the simplicity and strength which characterise the brand. The interior also fits the driver like a good sports car should, while the quality of materials, fit and finish is outstanding,” said Australian automotive journalist and World Car of the Year judge, Bill McKinnon.
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The Audi RS 4 has won the coveted 2007 World Performance Car of the Year award from 17 finalists.

A panel of renowned motoring journalists from 22 countries around the world voted the Audi RS 4 is the winning car, announcing the award at the New York International Auto Show.

According to the World Car of the Year jurors, the Audi RS 4 is “the virtual definition of a sports saloon“.

They praised the quattro permanent four wheel drive system, 420 PS engine and build quality that is “beyond reproach“. The jurors also thought that the very best part of the Audi RS 4 was “the wonderful roar it emits when you put your right foot down”.
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