Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has developed an innovative “pop-up engine hood” to help reduce head impact injuries in the event of a pedestrian collision. The new safety feature will debut on the new Skyline coupe, set for release in Japan later this year.

The concept of the pop-up hood is based on a very simple principle: to help minimize serious head injury by creating more space to avoid collision with hard objects. In the case of a car-pedestrian collision, the engine hood is designed to pop-up instantly to help create a protective buffer space between the hood and the engine components underneath.
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With turbo-diesel power widely available across its range of luxury passenger sedans and Sports Activity Vehicle models - including the 120d, 320d, 530d, X3 2.0d and 3.0d, and the X5 3.0d - BMW clearly leads the premium diesel market in Australia.

Now, BMW firmly stamps its mark on the luxury segment with the arrival in November of the new 520d turbo-diesel sedan.

Joining the recently announced X3 2.0d Sports Activity Vehicle, the 520d uses the same all-alloy 2.0-litre engine, adding another turbo-diesel option to the range and supplementing the six-cylinder 530d.
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The inventor of BLUETEC technology is entering a new era with the new E 300 BLUETEC. On the back of positive experiences gained in the American market since October 2006, the environmentally-compatible BLUETEC diesel engine system is now also available in a passenger car model in the European market. Mercedes-Benz has achieved a massive reduction in emissions and compliance with the EU 5 standard whilst retaining the same favourable consumption figures. Thanks to the intelligent BLUETEC technology, this compression-ignition engine is one of the world’s cleanest and most efficient drive trains.

Environmental compatibility, driving pleasure and comfort are among the strengths of the new E 300 BLUETEC, with which Mercedes-Benz is launching its BLUETEC initiative in Europe.
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Subaru’s All-Wheel Drive Liberty and Outback ranges are refreshed with the addition of new engine technology, safety features and variants in the just-released Model Year 2008 line-up.

Liberty and Outback 2.5 litre normally aspirated engine power is up 5.0 per cent to 127 Kilowatts at 6000 rpm.

The 2.5 litre normally aspirated engines also add Variable Valve Lift, ensuring optimum power and torque output, fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions.
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The 207 GTi will write the next chapter in Peugeot’s history of small performance cars, such as the legendary 205 GTi of the 1980s and more recently, the 206 GTi 180.

The 207 GTi, however, is the modern evolution of the eighties “hot hatchback”. It is a very multi-talented car which is easy to live with on a day to day basis, equally at home in town or out on the open road. It has the interior space to carry both passengers and luggage, but still able to provide a driving experience to satisfy the “enthusiast” in everyone. Bridgestone Potenza 205/45R17W tyres mounted on new 17” nine-spoke “Pitlane” alloy wheels, a rear spoiler to optimise aerodynamic efficiency at high speed, a trapezoid twin chrome exhaust, “satin black” finish of the door B-post trims and hi-tech satin chrome door mirror covers, all confirm the 207 GTi’s sporty credentials.
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As NASA engineers prepared to launch the Space Shuttle Endeavour last week, BMW of North America and NASA announced the successful completion of an eight-week test period of the BMW Hydrogen 7 – the first-ever hydrogen-powered luxury sedan.

The test period, which was initiated under a Space Act Agreement between NASA and BMW, underscores the organisations’ shared commitment to advancing hydrogen technologies and to exploring innovative transportation concepts and alternative energy sources.
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Mercedes-Benz today confirmed that the S 63 AMG saloon will be available in Australian showrooms from September this year.

This high-performance luxury sedan continues the time-honoured Mercedes-AMG tradition of bringing motorsport-derived engineering and driving dynamics to the most luxurious cars in the Mercedes-Benz stable. It partners the superlative 6.2-litre Mercedes-AMG V8 to the award-winning S-Class, the highest selling model in its prestigious segment so far this year (according to VFACTS).

“The S 63 AMG is the perfect offer for customers seeking a dynamic and sporting drive without sacrificing any of the luxury the three-pointed star is famous for,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director for the Mercedes Car Group in Australia.
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Suzuki will present an eye-catching stand with a number of world premieres at the 62nd International Motor Show in Frankfurt from September 13 – 23.

The newly developed Splash compact car represents the fourth world strategic model from Suzuki in just three years. Like its predecessors, Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4, Splash is orientated strongly towards the European design style, which continues Suzuki’s worldwide strategy.
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Australia’s most powerful coupé, the Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG will be in Australian showrooms from October. The range-topping two door coupé completes the highly successful CL-Class model range, which was released in March this year.

This dream car, powered by the phenomenal AMG 6.0-litre V12 bi-turbo engine, familiar from the S 65 AMG and SL 65 AMG models, delivers a truly impressive driving experience in one of the world’s most beautiful coupé designs. Its maximum output of 450 kW and maximum torque of 1000 Newton metres are reflected in its outstanding performance data. The CL 65 AMG attains 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and reaches the 200-km/h mark in 13.3 seconds with a maximum speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited).
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Hyundai’s global best seller, the slick and stylish Elantra, has a special offer for buyers with free automatic upgrade.

This fantastic $2,000 saving is available on the SX, SLX and Elite. However, if the Elantra Elite S, which is only available in automatic, takes your fancy then you can expect to pay $2,000 off the original price. This deal is available in all states except South Australia and Northern Territory. This state and territory have their own exclusive drive away offer from $19,990 on the Elantra SX.
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A Subaru World Rally Car concept based on the new generation Impreza will be unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

New Impreza is due to go on sale in Australia in September, followed by the WRX STI version around February next year.

According to Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru vehicles, the concept “…conjures up images of future styling trends for a world rally car.”

Subaru Australia recently announced that the new Impreza range will feature three naturally aspirated variants plus the turbocharged WRX.

The WRC concept will be unveiled in Frankfurt by Subaru World Rally Team’s Petter Solberg.

The show’s public days run from 15-23 September.

The Pentastar, which for decades symbolised Chrysler Corporation, is back as the corporate mark for The New Chrysler.

After a nine-year hiatus, the five-pointed star within a pentagram returns with a bold, three-dimensional update.

“Having the Pentastar back – in its new form – serves as the perfect symbol for The New Chrysler,” said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President - North America Sales and Marketing, Service and Parts. “The Pentastar represents all the pride that employees feel for the 85-year history of Chrysler, and the confidence we have in our new direction.”
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Built to celebrate dual 2006 F1 World Championships, the latest Renaultsport Mégane hatch is also the most exciting yet. Available in a special “Victory Yellow’ exterior, with a slight increase in power, unique suspension settings and a limited-slip differential the new R26 is an enthusiasts dream.

“The R26 is a signature car for the Renaultsport brand,” says Renault Managing Director, Rudi Koenig. “The three-door, turbo-charged hatch is our latest F1 special edition and is simply our best hot-hatch yet.”

Based upon the Megane Renaultsport 225 three-door, the new R26 was designed by the engineers at Renaultsport, the Renault subsidiary where all performance road cars are developed. The result is the most potent and driver-focused Mégane yet.
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Renault has doubled the size of it‘s well-priced Megane Sedan range with the introduction of three diesel-powered models fitted with one of Europe’s most popular common-rail-injected diesel engines.

“The new 1.9 dCi Megane Sedan offers all the benefits of diesel-motoring in a refined European package along with the Renault’s outstanding levels of safety,” says Renault Australia Managing Director Rudi Koenig.

“Customers will also find the dCi Megane Sedan is extremely well equipped, making it one of the best-value European sedans available on the market today.”
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American consumers are increasingly turning to Honda’s Civic and Accord as high fuel prices begin to bite.

Figures released by American consumer leasing website LeaseCompare.com show that while American icons such as the Chevy Corvette remain popular, fuel efficient models from Honda are gaining ground.

In the list of most quoted models for the first half of 2007 — based on more than two million quotes — the Honda Accord and Civic are ranked 6th and 7th respectively, with the Chevrolet Corvette head of the list. The Honda CR-V sits in ninth place.
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