2008

Elegance And Seductive Appeal

Renault will shortly be releasing a new three-box model which features expressive, flowing lines. New Renault Symbol exudes an elegance that is underpinned by the status-enhancing design of its front end, as well as by its harmonious styling which is worthy of that of a prestigious saloon. Inside, the driver and passengers will appreciate the comfortable, carefully-appointed cabin.

2008 Renault Symbol

The range of sprightly petrol and diesel engine is at the market's leading edge when it comes to low fuel consumption, while the suspension and running gear have been engineered for comfort and efficiency.

Five-Door LX Model Added to Kia’s Subcompact Segment Leader

IRVINE, Calif. – Since being redesigned for 2006, Kia’s Rio sedan and Rio5 five-door have been awarded accolade upon accolade. Considered “Most Fun to Drive” by the Wall Street Journal (2006) and being voted a “Most Wanted” sedan and wagon by Edmunds.com (2007), editors highlight the entry-level vehicle’s exciting handling and performance spunk. Proof of its superior build and utmost quality lay in back-to-back “Highest Ranking” finishes in J.D. Power and Associates’ Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) in 2006 and 2007.

2008 Kia Rio

Kia’s Compact Entry Offers Class-Leading Safety, Spaciousness and a Host of Standard Features

IRVINE, Calif. – In an ever-growing and increasingly competitive segment, the Kia Spectra and Spectra5 continue to prove their mettle and gain ground on long-standing class leaders such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. Style, substance and class-leading safety features combined with exceptional value have garnered the Spectra model line numerous awards since being redesigned in 2006.

2008 Kia Spectra - front

2008 Kia Optima Brings Kia’s Commitment to Safety and Value to the Midsize Segment

IRVINE, Calif. – Redesigned as a 2006.5 model, the current-generation Kia Optima returns to the midsize sedan segment in 2008 as a leader in safety, comfort and convenience. A recipient of a “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star crash rating in frontal and side impact tests from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Optima continues to offer consumers the highest level of safety in the midsize sedan segment.

2008 Kia Optima

Premium Midsize Sedan Offers Luxury, Performance, and Safety as Standard at a Non-Premium Price

IRVINE, Calif. – The flagship of the Kia Motors America vehicle line-up, the 2008 Amanti provides luxury, style and performance as standard features in a value-minded package. Earning a J.D. Power and Associates APEAL Award in 2005 and recently awarded a “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in side impact crash tests, the Amanti was refreshed last year, benefiting from a lighter platform and modified suspension. The interior and exterior also were adorned with styling upgrades, but the most notable change was under the hood in the shape of a new 3.8-liter engine with an output of 264 horsepower.

Kia’s Youngest Vehicle Returns to the Line-up and Crossover Segment With Class, "Safety All-Overness" and "Giddyupidness"

IRVINE, Calif. – Returning to the Kia line-up after its North American introduction in 2007, the Rondo crossover utility vehicle (CUV) combines comfort and convenience with utility, value and a little bit of "stylatude," offering consumers a unique vehicle that is capable of seating five or seven passengers, depending on their needs.

2008 Kia Rondo

Combining Performance, Comfort and Safety, Kia’s Compact SUV Maintains Class-Leading Value

IRVINE, Calif. – The Kia Sportage has won a number of awards and fans since its introduction to the Kia line-up in 1993, and will continue to offer the same combination of comfort, convenience and safety features for 2008. A Consumer Guide “Recommended Compact SUV” and named a “Best Bet” by Car Book, Sportage has established itself as the value standard in the compact SUV category.

2008 Kia Sportage

Award-winning Minivan Returns to the Segment With Class-leading Safety and Value

IRVINE, Calif. – A recipient of numerous awards in 2007, including a “Good” rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), being named “Best Minivan” by MotorWeek and topping Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index (TQI) survey, the Kia Sedona minivan, available in Long Wheelbase (LWB) and Short Wheelbase (SWB) models, returns to its segment as a class-leader in safety and value.

2008 Kia Sedona - side

Abarth design

Just over one year has gone by since the announcement and, as planned in the brand relaunch plan, Abarth & C. S.p.A. has kept its promise to resume and bring up to date all the activities that have made its name go down in history. To emphasise the authenticity of the project, brand activities have immediately focused on resuming and bringing up to date all the activities carried out in the past by Abarth & C., beginning with direct participation in Italian and international races, the organisation of single-brand trophies and the preparation of the cars for customers - moving through road cars and conversion kits to accessories and garments reflecting Abarth style.

2008 Abarth 500

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 13, 2008 – The Ford Mustang, America’s best-selling sports car for 22 years, has been honored with the 2008 Motorist Choice Award in the Sporty Car segment by car buying information Web site IntelliChoice.com and automotive consulting firm AutoPacific.

2008 Ford Mustang

Highlights:
* The Ford Mustang is the winner of the 2008 Motorist Choice Award, Sporty Car segment. The awards are based on cost of ownership data from IntelliChoice.com and vehicle owner satisfaction information from AutoPacific.

Audi leads luxury automakers in number of 2008 IIHS Top Safety Pick awards as Audi’s commitment to safety goes beyond crash test safety ratings, includes range of preventive safety features

HERNDON, Va., Aug 12, 2008 - The 2008 Audi Q7, a luxury performance SUV, earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award for 2008. The Audi Q7 received a “good” rating in all three crash tests: side impact, offset frontal and rear impact seat tests.

2008 Audi Q7

Ford of Europe's Most Fuel Efficient Model Debuts in London

COLOGNE, 22 July 2008 – Bringing style and new levels of low-CO2 efficiency, Ford of Europe’s most frugal car ever – the new Fiesta ECOnetic – makes its world premiere today at the British International Motor Show in London.

2008 Ford Fiesta ECOnetic (UK)

Highlights:
* Official figures confirmed as combined 3.7l/ 100km (76.3mpg) and 98g/ km CO2
* 1.6-litre, 90 PS Duratorq TDCi with coated Diesel Particulate Filter
* Unique modifications, including improved aerodynamics package and low rolling resistance tyres

Action Van

BRENTWOOD, 2 July, 2008 - The new Ford Transit Connect SportVan will hit the streets this September priced at £15,325.

Highlights:
* New Transit Connect SportVan to be priced at £15,325
* Performance Blue with white "Le Mans" stripes
* Powered by 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi 110 PS engine
* On sale in September – limited edition of 300

Transit Connect SportVan is based on the SWB 200 van and is fitted with the acclaimed 1.8-litre Duratorq TDCi engine, delivering 110 PS and 250 Nm of torque, the most potent of the three engines available to Transit Connect customers.

New bulkhead means more flexibility for loadspace; Now available on all models as a £200 accessory

BRENTWOOD, 2 July, 2008 – Transporting crew and equipment between sites is a cost effective task with the 2008 Ford Transit Connect Crew Van, and now more flexible thanks to a moveable bulkhead.

Direct feedback from businesses led Ford to develop the new, moveable bulkhead for Transit Connect Crew Van. The securing catches allow the bulkhead to be adjusted easily and quickly to maximize convenience and flexibility.

Colorado - A New Name for Tough

GM Holden is taking the covers off its soon to be released, new light commercial vehicle, the 2008 Holden Colorado. This new powerful light truck promises to deliver high levels of performance and load carrying capability, all with the car-like interior comfort and value for money that Holden is renowned for.

2008 Holden Colorado LT-R

A three tonne braked towing capability** on Turbo Diesel 4x4 variants adds to the Colorado’s rugged appeal.

2008 Ford Explorer Maintains Leadership Among Midsize SUVs With Unmatched Features And Equipment

Since its introduction, the Ford Explorer has delivered confidence and customer-oriented design. It leads the mid-size SUV segment in sales, and remains the first choice when looking for a vehicle that will serve family adventures well. For 2008, Explorer adds new technology and safety features while still meeting the needs of SUV customers with its generous interior and capable towing performance.

2008 Ford Explorer

Highlights:

Sporty and full of emotion

The new 2008 SEAT Ibiza SportCoupé raises the bar of sportiness on SEAT's newest model, combining impressive, vanguard exterior design with exceptional dynamic qualities and a wide range of engine options, which now includes the efficient 80 hp 1.4 and 90 hp 1.9 diesel versions. In addition, with a seven-speed DSG transmission making its debut in this segment, the Ibiza range now features a technical innovation that provides it with greater response and excellent driving comfort.

2008 SEAT Ibiza SportCoupé

Highlights:
# New sportier coupé body
# New seven-speed DSG gearbox for the first time in this segment
# Five stars after stringent Euro NCAP testing

Ford Focus most improved model in the industry, besting last year’s score by 88 index points

DEARBORN, June 26, 2008 – The Ford Focus is the most improved vehicle in the industry’s top study measuring customer-pleasing design, content, and vehicle performance.

2008 Ford Focus

Highlights:
* Ford and Mercury posted solid improvements even as the industry average declined.
* Ford Escape (gas and hybrid versions combined) joins Focus in top 10 of most improved vehicles.

In J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM, Focus raised its score over last year by 88 index points – the biggest improvement in the industry.

Redesigned Car Receives 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Award from AutoPacific

CYPRESS, Calif., June 24, 2008 -- Adding to its impressive collection of industry awards and accolades, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has been recognized as the compact car with the highest owner satisfaction rating, after receiving the 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Award within the compact car category.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

An up-to-date and innovative car, a name redolent of history: With the Mi.To, Alfa Romeo wishes to offer a new generation of ‘Alfisti’ THE SPORTIEST MINI

19/06/2008 -- The name MiTo has great evocative resonance for Alfa Romeo for it was chosen to mark the deep-seated link between the past and future of the brand: between Milan, the city of design that brought to the car’s style into being, and Turin, which will be responsible for its industrial production A decision that highlights the brand’s strong desire to consolidate its Milanese roots.

2008 Alfa Romeo MiTo