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TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 |

It's time for the U.S. to meet the seventh generation of the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, as the German carmaker just confirmed plans to reveal the compact model at the 2013 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) at the end of March.VW will show the regular hatchback versions of the Golf, including the entry level TSI model powered by a new 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline unit with direct injection that replaces the 2.5-liter inline-five, and the TDI with a four-cylinder turbo diesel.
Also on display will be the new Golf GTI hot hatch powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol producing 217hp (220PS) in base trim and 227hp (230PS) with the performance package.
The new Golf, which recently won the prestigious European Car of the Year Award and is already available in Europe and other regions around the world, will go on sale in the States in the first half of next year as a 2015 model. It will be manufactured at Volkswagen's Puebla factory in Mexico.

EUROPEAN MARKET VW GOLF 7

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THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013 |

At the New York International Auto Show, Volvo revealed that it will add the V60 wagon to its U.S. lineup in early 2014. The announcement was made by Doug Speck, Volvo Cars’ senior vice president marketing, who added that pricing and specifications will be announced at a later date.

"The V60 builds upon our wagon heritage, and it's a beautiful evolution in design and direction forVolvo," said Volvo Cars of North America President and CEO John Maloney. "Many consumers will be glad to see the addition of this exciting sports wagon to the Volvo lineup in America. And this time, we've added sophistication with the dynamic driving performance of a sedan."

In New York, Volvo is displaying the V60 R-Design, which is a world debut for the design package, also available for the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover. All three models were restyledearlier this year, receiving a more understated front fascia that drops the auxiliary lights positioned between the headlamps and grille, both of which have been redesigned.

There are also newly sculpted front and rear bumpers, different exhaust pipes, optionally available 19- and 20-inch wheels, and revised tail lamp graphics.

In Europe, the Volvo V60 is available with four diesel engines, ranging from 115 PS to 215 PS, and four gasoline units, ranging from 150 PS to 304 PS (T6 engine). When fitted with the R-Design package and the Polestar performance option, the T6 engine develops 329 PS.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

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TUESDAY, APRIL 09, 2013 |

As we suspected, the photos of the brand-new 2014 Maserati Ghibli sedan that surfaced online Monday night were indeed real, as the Italian automaker came out with an official announcement containing some initial details and a batch of higher-resolution images that allow us to get a closer look at the luxury sports sedan.

Built on a shortened version of the platform that underpins the also-new Quattroporte, the more compact-sized Ghibli is expected to measure less than 5 meters in length or roughly the same as a BMW 5-Series sedan, with which it will compete. Other rivals will include the high-powered versions of the Audi A6 and A7 Sportback, BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS, Jaguar XF and possibly even the 2014 Cadillac CTS.

The Italian carmaker said the new Ghibli will be available with two turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engines, with the most powerful version to likely have the same output it does on the Quattroporte (404hp / 410PS), an eight-speed automatic transmission and both rear-wheel drive and the new “Q4” all-wheel drive system.

Maserati also confirmed that the Ghibli will become the first production car in the brand's history to be powered by a diesel engine, which in this case will be a 3.0-litter V6 turbo-diesel, though, no other details were released.

"The Ghibli will have a sportier character compared to the larger Quattroporte," said Maserati in a statement. "It is Maserati’s first saloon in this segment and reflects the company’s belief that a growing number of premium executive car buyers are looking to make an individual statement through a car that is distinctive, elegant and luxurious."

The new Maserati sports sedan will make its first public appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show this month and go on sale later this year, possibly as early as late summer in certain markets.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013 |

Ford just announced that it will launch a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine which will power the 2014 Fusion in the U.S., among other models. Contrary to a report earlier this week from the website Fordinsidenews, the engine will not be a 3-cylinder, but a more conventional inline-four unit.

Production of the new engine will begin later this month initially at Ford’s facility in Craiova, Romania, which also makes the 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine and the B-Max small MPV. In the future, the 1.5-liter unit will be made in other Ford plants as well.

In a previous release, Ford had said in the China-market Mondeo, this engine will deliver a maximum output of 177hp (132 kW) at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 177 lb-ft (240Nm) from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. The Blue Oval said it expects the new gasoline engine to provide similar performance to its current 1.6-liter EcoBoost, “while delivering improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.” The 1.6-liter EcoBoost produces 178 horsepower and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque.

Ford added that the new powerplant has a new aluminum block and will include “some of the innovative features introduced on the award-winning 1.0-liter EcoBoost such as an integrated exhaust manifold.” The 1.5-liter EcoBoost is the first engine from Ford to incorporate a computer-controlled clutch on the belt-drive water pump, which Ford says improves efficiencies by reducing warm-up time.

Another advantage of the 1.5-liter EcoBoost is that it will strengthen Ford’s position on those markets that offer tax relief to consumers purchasing vehicles with engines of 1.5-liter capacity or less.

The new engine will be first introduced in China in the all-new Ford Mondeo, set to debut next week at the Shanghai Auto Show, and will also power the Fusion sedan in North America this year and later on, the European version of the Mondeo.

By Dan Mihalascu

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