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Ford has released new pictures and video of the new Explorer hot-weather testing in Dubai desert. With a 50 percent humidity factor and midday temperatures pushing over 125 degrees Fahrenheit, the desert climate provides “an ideal environment to test and validate vehicle performance in some of the world’s most extreme conditions.”

Chief Engineer for Vehicle Engineering Don Ufford adds one more reason to the list as to why Ford’s trying out the new 7-seater Explorer SUV in desert, and that is to listen to what local customers have to say about the SUV model.
“We regularly sell close to 10,000 Explorers per year in the Middle East market,” Ufford says. “SUV drivers in this part of the world regularly use the broad range of capabilities these vehicles offer. Our rationale for testing in Dubai is simple: If we can perform well here, we can do well anywhere.”
Along with numerous other tests, including for the effectiveness of the air conditioning system, Ford claims Dubai also offers unique terrain characteristics to validate the Explorer’s four-wheel drive capabilities.
The new 2011 Ford Explorer will be offered in the United States with a choice of two engines, either a 290HP 3.5-liter V6 or a 235HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo four-pot. Sales will begin later this year.

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Peugeot has published today photos and detailed specs on it’s new 508 model that replaces the 407 and 607, and will go on sale in Europe from the beginning of 2011.
The 2011 Peugeot 508 is based on the same platform that the Citroen C5 and C6 models and will be offered with a variety of petrol and diesel engines. Available gasoline engines will include a 1.6-liter VTi with 120HP linked to an electronically-controlled 6-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.6-liter THP turbo with 156HP mated to either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Available diesel engines will include a 112HP 1.6-liter e-HDi model with an electronically-controlled 6-speed manual transmission; a 112HP 1.6-liter HDi with a -speed manual gearbox; a 140HP 2.0-liter HDi hooked up to a 6-speed manual; a 163HP 2.0-liter HDi mated to a 6-speed automatic and a range-topping 204HP 2.2-liter HDi with a 6-speed automatic also.
Later, Peugeot will add diesel-electric hybrid version. It will employ the PSA Group’s 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine allied to an electric motor driving the rear wheels, which offers a potential combined output of 200-horsepower and “by wire” 4-wheel drive.

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On 28 August there was held 2010 Moscow International Motor Show. Look at the most gorgeous and beautiful babes that were snapshotted at Moscow. Click on thumbs after the jump and you will be shocked to see so many beautiful young ladies live in Moscow.

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The 2011 Buick Regal has been examined by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and the results have netted “Good” ratings for front, side, rear and rollover impact protection.
The 2011 Buick Regal is the seventh vehicle from General Motors to earn a Top Safety Pick award, which includes the aforementioned rollover test where the Regal excelled. Buick’s Euro-born sedan (known as Opel Insignia in Europe) was able to withstand almost five-times its weight - up from the federally-mandated standard of 1.5 times.

The Regal joins its Buick sibling, the LaCrosse, along with the 2011 BMW 5 Series, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Avalon and Volvo S80 as a Top Safety Pick in the large car segment.

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The all-new Citroen DS4 was unveiled online today ahead of its public debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. The DS4 is based on the recently revealed C4 hatchback.
Citroen describes the DS4 as “a unique and attractive blend of creativity, dynamism, exclusivity and versatility”. Inside, the Citroen’s designers spiffed up the cabin with higher-class materials and decorative trim than the standard C4 hatch, while also offering more personalization options such as a choice of five leather combinations, including two-tone colors.

The new Citroen measures 4.27 metres long, 1.81 metres wide and 1.53 metres high, making it shorter, wider and taller than the regular C4. It features a 370-litre boot capacity, which is 38 liters less than the C4s.
The Citroen DS4 will come with a choice of five engines. There are two diesels, a 110HP 1.6-liter HDi that can be specified with stop/start tech and regenerative braking technology, and a 160HP 2.0-liter HDi. The petrol line-up consists of three 1.6-liter engines that were co-developed with the German BMW and include a naturally aspirated version with 120HP, and two turbocharged variants with 155HP and 200HP.
All units are available with manual or robotized EGS six-speed gearboxes.
The new Citroen DS4 will go on sale in Europe in 2011.

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The first official photos and specs of lightly facelifted 2011 Lexus IS were published today in Europe. The styling changes on the sedan and coupe-convertible cars include tweaked headlamps that gain LED daytime running lights, reworked rear light clusters, a revised front grille design, new exterior colors and alloy wheel designs.

The 2011 F-Sport trim level gets a new deep front spoiler with faired-in fog lights, new grille design and a rear spoiler with integrated stop light plus new 18-inch alloy wheels. Interior revisions are limited to extra touches of titanium-effect trim and a new dark, anthracite roof liner.
Other revisions to the IS range include improvements to the SE-I specification with the addition of rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and new leather upholstery with heated front seats.
2011 Lexus IS powered by a 150-horsepower version of the 2.2-litre diesel engine of the 177HP IS 220d. In the UK, the IS 200d replaces the more potent IS 220d, but in other European markets the two diesel models will be sold together.
The IS 200d can accelerate from nought to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 205km/h (127mph). Combined cycle fuel consumption is 5.1lt/100km (55.4mpg UK or 46.1mog US) and CO2 emissions are 134g/km compared to 148g/km for the IS 220d.
The 2011 Lexus IS will meke a official debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

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2011 Toyota Highlander made its world premiere yesterday at the Moscow International Motor Show. The 2011 Toyota Highlander’s exterior benefits significantly from a much more crisp, defined nose and headlights, along with restyled tail lamps and new bumper trim at the back. The rest of the crossover appears to go on mostly unchanged for the new model year.
Russian and Ukrainian buyers get a single engine option, the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit pumping out 273HP, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.

In the U.S., powertrains and accessories should carry over from the 2010 model year, which means choosing an I4, V6, or hybrid and front- or all-wheel drive.

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The first official photos and specs of all-new Chevrolet Orlando MPV was published today ahead of its official debut at the at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris on September 30. The GM’s first entrant in the European MPV segment, which will compete with minivans such as the Opel Zafira and Mazda5, will enter production in October with European sales to start in early 2011.

There are no images of the interior but the GM said it features the latest design cues from Chevrolet “such as the Corvette inspired dual cockpit and ambient blue backlighting to the centre console”.
The new Chevrolet Orlando will be able to seat seven passengers in three rows of seats and offer a variety of seating configurations as well as a range of storage compartments.
2011 Chevrolet Orlando MPV is based on the Delta platform, also used on the Chevrolet Cruze and the Opel Astra family. European customers will be able to choose from three different powertrains - a 1.8-liter gasoline four-cylinder that produces 141 horsepower, and two 2.0-liter diesel units that offer 131 and 163 horsepower.
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Nissan released photos and specs of the facelifted 2011 Murano crossover, designed for the North American customers.
The North American model gains a more aggressive front fascia with a refreshed grille design and a more sculpted front bumper with different pockets around the fog-lamps, along with new tail lights and new 18-inch alloy wheel designs.

Inside improvements are limited to the white backlight for the instrument gauges and added content to various trim levels including driver’s seat with power lumbar support, RearView Monitor, 7.0-inch color monitor, auto dimming rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink Universal Transceiver and heated steering wheel.
Nissan will add two new models to the Murano’s lineup, SV FWD and SV AWD. All Murano models are powered by 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with 260-horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission.
The facelifted 2011 Nissan Murano will go on sale in mid-October with pricing to be announced later.

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Citroen has released full details on its limited edition DS3 Racing hot hatch. Only 1,000 cars will be produced (200 right-hand drive models announced for the UK). Despite the hefty £23,100 price tag, Citroen UK says it has already received more than 1,500 inquires for the DS3 through its website. UK buyers can place their order from September 1 to start with first deliveries planned for early 2011.

The DS3 Racing has been developed by Citroen’s Racing division. Essentially a pumped up version of the DS3 DSport with the 150HP 1.6 THP, the Racing model features a tweaked engine and chassis as well as a sportier look inside and out.
The Citroen DS3 Racing gets a specially tuned 1.6-litre THP engine is an output of 207-horsepower and maximum torque of 275Nm. That’s good enough for a top speed of 235km/h (146mph) and a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.5 seconds.
The Citroen’s Racing division also modified the suspension settings, fitted new dampers, lowered the car’s ride height by 15mm, and widened the front and rear tracks by 30mm.
On the styling front, the Citroen DS3 Racing features a new bodykit with many carbon fibre components such as the rear diffuser, front bumper, side rubbing strips and wheel arch extensions. Inside, there’s a set of body-hugging bucket seats up front and decorative carbon fiber trim.
The Citroen DS3 Racing will be available only in two color schemes, one with an Obsidian Black body and a Sport Orange roof, the other with a Polar White body and a Carbon Grey roof.

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Look at the first official photos of the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS that hit the web. The new Mercedes CLS is more of an evolution of the current model than a completely new take on the four-door sports saloon theme. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS will be a direct rival for the all-new Audi A7 Sportback, Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera.
The new Mercedes CLS will be offered with a variety of new engines including the freshly released 3.5 liter V6 producing 306HP and 4.7-liter bi-turbocharged V8 with 429HP.

The lineup will also include diesel options while the range will top out with an AMG version powered by new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 making at least 536-hp. 2011 CLS will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September.

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Chrysler has published a press release and first official photos of its facelift for the 2011 model year, Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4×4s. Facelifted Wrangler include a much-needed redesign of the interior with improved materials and a fresh styling, plus an all-new body-color hard top for the Sahara model and equipment upgrades that include a USB slot for the audio system.
JEEP PRESS RELEASE:

Chrysler Group LLC released images today of the new 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. Jeep continues to refine the successful Wrangler formula by combining its legendary, benchmark capability with an all-new interior that delivers rich styling with significantly upgraded touch surfaces, occupant comfort and versatility, and a premium appearance courtesy of an all-new body-color hard top for the popular Sahara model.
“The iconic Jeep Wrangler keeps getting better,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “While retaining unmatched, legendary capability, the 2011 Jeep Wrangler boasts an all-new interior that delivers a host of comfort, convenience and versatility features. In addition, Sahara models now feature a stunning, all-new body-color hard top, for customers looking for a Jeep Wrangler with a more premium appearance.”
New 2011 Jeep Wrangler interior highlights include a redesigned instrument panel and new storage areas with improved ergonomics and upgraded materials. A new lockable console and upgraded door armrest areas boast comfortable touch points, while a redesigned center stack is easier to reach and operate. Heated, power mirrors are now available, and drivers and passengers will enjoy enhanced visibility courtesy of larger rear windows.
All-new steering-wheel controls allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping hands on the wheel. A new USB device interface connects to storage devices for use with the vehicle’s Media Center, which now includes streaming Bluetooth audio. Twelve-volt accessory outlets have been added and a new 110-volt outlet is available to provide power similar to AC outlets in the home.
In line with traditional Jeep design, hex-head bolts are utilized throughout the interior, and are used to mount a “Jeep, Since 1941″ inlay onto the new passenger grab handle.
Jeep engineers increased acoustical treatment in the 2011 Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, resulting in significantly reduced interior noise.
To provide a more premium appearance, the 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Sahara models boast an all-new, premium, body-color hard top.
Several new Jeep Wrangler colors are available for 2011, including Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue and Bright White.
Production of the new 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited began earlier this week at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio.

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