The FIRST big release of Summer, we have the new VOLVO XC90

The all-new Volvo XC90 has officially been let out of the bag. Full details on specs, price and on sale date here.

The first Volvo XC90 was launched way back in 2002 but now Volvo has finally taken the wraps off the all-new XC90 model. The large premium SUV is due on sale in the UK during Spring 2015 with a starting price of £45,785 for the D5 AWD Momentum model.

Set to debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October, the second-generation SUV is dripping with the Swedish manufacturer’s technological know-how and will become of one the safest, most hi-tech and most economical SUVs on the market when first customer deliveries begin in April.    

With longer, taller and lower dimensions than the current model, the new Volvo XC90 will be the first all-new car to emerge under the brand’s current Chinese ownership. It faces off against rival premium SUVs like the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg and Mercedes M-Class.

Volvo XC90 2015: design details 

As well as gaining new owners, Volvo has also embarked on a new design direction with its flagship SUV. Wrapped in sophisticated new metalwork, the XC90’s styling cues adopted from the Volvo Coupe Concept are clear.

The prominent chrome trimmed grille is a first from Volvo and will become a trademark feature on future models, as too will the T-shaped LED daytime running lights. An elongated but chiseled bonnet cuts back into the car’s shoulder line, stretching all the way to the tapered rear lights, exaggerating the XC90’s broad stance.

New Volvo XC90 interior design revealed

The bold redesign extends to cabin, too. A new tablet-like touchscreen is the centerpiece, replacing a multitude of buttons and dials with a clean, clutter-free dash. Elsewhere, there are swathes of wood and leather throughout the cabin with handcrafted highlights such as the crystal-glass gear level and diamond cut designs for the starter button and volume controls.

2015 Volvo XC90: new SPA platform technology

The reveal of the second-gen XC90 isn’t just the re-launch of the SUV it also signifies the rebirth of Volvo. Key to the SUV’s new footprint is the adoption of the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which will underpin a whole new portfolio of models currently under development from Volvo.

It’s lighter, stronger and therefore safer than the platform employed by the current XC90 and also significantly increases passenger space in the second and third row of seats. Volvo claims the rearmost seats will comfortably accommodate adult passengers as tall as 5ft 6in. 

Volvo XC90 advanced new engine tech

The innovative XC90 running gear brings with it a lineup of new and efficient petrol and diesel engines. All will be 2.0-litre four-cylinder units and part of the new Drive-E family. 

The 316bhp T6 petrol is both turbo- and super-charged, while the 222bhp D5 diesel is twin-turbocharged, with both engines mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

A new 390bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain will also be offered in the XC90, which combines the 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. Despite being the most powerful variant it’s also the most efficient thanks to CO2 emission of only 60g/km. Its closest rival, the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, only manages 79g/km.

Only all-wheel drive XC90s will be available form launch in April 2015, with a front-wheel drive 187bhp D4 diesel offering arriving September next year.

World first safety technology in the new XC90

Alongside the huge leaps forward Volvo has made with efficiency of the XC90, the SUV also boasts two world first safety technologies.

A run-off road protection package tightens seatbelts and activates energy-absorbing technology in the seats when the car detects challenging terrain ahead.

Another system is the auto-braking feature, which cuts in if a driver pulls out in front of on coming traffic. Both safety systems bring Volvo closer to its vision of nobody being seriously injured or killed in any of its vehicles by 2020.

The brand is so confident in its latest product it claims the new XC90 is not only one of the safest cars ever made but also the world’s first SUV built without compromise.

Following its debut in Paris, customers will be able to place orders before the end of the year with a price tag of around £40,000 expected.   

Special Volvo XC90 First Edition models

Although the new XC90 won’t arrive in showrooms until April, Volvo has announced 1,927 First Edition models will be available to order exclusively online from 3 September 2014. Prices will start at £68,785 with every available option included.

The limited production run number represents the year the Swedish brand was launched, with each model fitted with uniquely numbered tread plates and a distinctive rear mounted badge. 

Customers can spec the XC90 First Editions with either the 316bhp petrol or 222bhp diesel engine, both of which being 2.0-litre, four-cylinder motors. The eight-speed automatic transmission also is fitted as standard.

All 1,927 of the First Edition models will be finished in Onyx Black and ride on 21-inch alloy wheels.  Inside, amber coloured nappa leather seats and charcoal leather dash with walnut inlays differentiate it from the standard model.

The minimalist dash remains, as does the tablet-like touchscreen, which gives customers access to a range of Internet based services. Like the standard XC90 models, the First Editions will also feature the run-off road and auto-braking safety systems. 

ORIGINAL REPORT HERE

Louisville Assembly Plant, All-New 2015 Lincoln MKC

• Louisville Assembly Plant adds new jobs and investment to help support production of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC
• Ford Motor Company maintains its strong commitment to the commonwealth of Kentucky and the city of Louisville through production of the new Lincoln crossover
• MKC gives Lincoln a strong entry in the small premium utility segment, the fastest-growing segment in the luxury automotive market

Today, Ford Motor Company announced the hiring of 300 new employees and a $129 million investment in Louisville Assembly Plant to support production of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC.

Production of Lincoln’s newest vehicle began in May. MKC is the second of four all-new Lincoln vehicles being introduced by 2016, and will go on sale in China, along with the MKZ sedan, when the Lincoln brand debuts there later this year.

“Lincoln MKC is an important part of Lincoln as it attracts a new luxury customer,” said Daryl Sykes, plant manager, Louisville Assembly Plant. “To have the opportunity to build an all-new vehicle – the first small utility ever from Lincoln – is very exciting for the hardworking men and women at Louisville Assembly Plant.”

Lincoln Luxury Validation Center

To ensure the highest commitment to quality, the Lincoln Luxury Validation Center, with locations in each plant, includes inspection team members who take a “white-glove” approach to each vehicle.

At Louisville Assembly Plant, each MKC receives an enhanced inspection at five separate points by a two-person team to ensure fit-and-finish, craftsmanship and functional elements meet premium customer expectations. This attention helps to deliver a vehicle that is as close to perfection as possible so dealers can then provide a true luxury experience in the showroom.

Lincoln MKC, a blend of performance, quality and technology

The all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC is performance-minded, luxuriously crafted and technologically savvy to meet the expectations of luxury buyers who want a more personal car-owning experience.

The first small vehicle ever from Lincoln, MKC is the brand’s initial entry in the small premium utility segment.

Small premium utility vehicles make up the fastest-growing luxury segment, with more than 600 percent growth since 2008 and nearly 300 percent growth projected between now and 2018.

With a powerful, efficient all-EcoBoost^® engine lineup, complemented by an array of premium amenities and technologies that prioritize comfort and convenience, Lincoln MKC targets the growing audience of luxury consumers.

Ford’s commitment

In 2010, Ford invested $600 million in Louisville Assembly Plant to transform it into a modern, flexible facility with tooling and facility upgrades in its final assembly area and body shop. This transformation allows for the production of multiple vehicle models at the same time, without requiring downtime for tooling changeover – making Louisville Assembly Plant one of the company’s most flexible plants in the world.

Because Louisville can build various vehicles at the same time, Ford Motor Company can more quickly meet demand should changing economic conditions or other events result in shifting customer preferences.

“The UAW and Ford remain steadfast in our commitment to Louisville with the addition of Lincoln MKC to Louisville Assembly Plant’s production line,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department. “The 300 new jobs add to the plant’s 4,600 UAW team members – a fantastic feat enabled through the collective bargaining between the UAW and Ford to support U.S. manufacturing.”

With the addition of the 300 employees, Ford is more than 75 percent of the way toward its goal of creating 12,000 hourly jobs in the United States by 2015.

The new $129 million investment is also helping to support more than 110 suppliers across the United States including 17 in the commonwealth of Kentucky.

Lincoln MKC went on sale in May; through July, 2,895 vehicles have been sold.

Storming Nissan 370Z NISMO get a raft of upgrades.

• New 370Z NISMO features a host of design and engineering updates
• Incorporates new features developed for GT-R NISMO flagship
• Improved refinement, seating and equipment levels across the 370Z range
• On sale in Europe from September 2014

Nissan has strengthened its NISMO road car range with the release of a comprehensively updated 370Z NISMO. Following hot in the wheel-tracks of the flagship GT-R NISMO, the new 370Z incorporates a host of design and engineering improvements and is the sportiest and most focused 370Z to date.

In keeping with all Nissan NISMO models, the new 370Z NISMO encapsulates the essence of performance motoring, placing the driver at the heart of the action. Harnessing 30 years of NISMO spirit and engineering knowledge, the new 370Z NISMO has been extensively reworked to deliver a sharper and more engaging driving experience.

Design changes and new aero package

The 370Z NISMO has always been a head-turner, and with the introduction of a bolder, more powerful new look, it has even greater kerb appeal. The front bumper has been completely redesigned and features a larger air intake, additional air inlets ahead of the wheel arch and new LED daytime running lights. Other updates include the introduction of black headlamp bezels, special red NISMO trim at the base of the bumper, redesigned side sill and door mirror and special NISMO badging.  The revised 370Z NISMO also features new 19-inch Rays alloy wheels finished in black and silver.

At the rear, Nissan has introduced a new bumper and spoiler design that typifies the brand's approach to design and engineering. As part of a complete rework of the 370Z NISMO's aero package, the new version features a smaller rear spoiler that works in tandem with the new front bumper to create significantly more downforce when driving at speed. What's more, the force is now more evenly distributed over the front and rear axles, giving a more balanced feeling on the road. Nissan's calculations confirm that the new aerodynamic system introduced on the 370Z NISMO gives it more downforce than any of its sector rivals.

Racing-inspired interior

Nissan knows that NISMO drivers have a passion for performance driving. To meet the demands of owners who like to fully exploit the 370Z performance and chassis, the new model features new Recaro seats that offer significant improvements in support and comfort.

Based on the acclaimed Recaro Sportster, the new seats have been tailored specifically for use in the 370Z NISMO and feature a host of detail changes to deliver maximum support for drivers. Every aspect of the seat and its position within the car has been analysed by Nissan to create the perfect driving position.

By adopting a new shell-based construction in preference over a traditional tubular frame seat, Nissan has also been able to improve rigidity and reduce weight at the same time. To complete the interior makeover, the seats are trimmed in red and black leather and Alcantara to match the steering wheel.

Incredible performance and improved chassis

The new 370Z NISMO is powered by a 344PS, 3.7-litre six-cylinder engine that delivers a raw and unforgettable driving experience. With exceptional torque at low revs and a broad power band, the 370Z NISMO can sprint from 0-100kph in just 5.2 seconds. Breathing through a NISMO dual exhaust system, the 370Z NISMO also delivers the perfect sporting soundtrack.

Available only as a coupe with a six-speed manual gearbox, the new 370Z NISMO features a number of suspension enhancements introduced as part of the 2015 MY updates (see section below for more details). To improve ride comfort, the rear spring and damper rates have been altered, while changes to the carpets and inner rear wheel arch protector have further reduced road noise.

Enhancements across the whole 370Z range

In addition to introducing a significant update package to the flagship NISMO model, Nissan has also made a raft of design and engineering improvements to the rest of the 370Z range - enhancing the driving experience and offering customers even better value for money.

Among the many detail changes for the 2015 Model Year are 18-inch wheels finished in Gun Metallic. Fitted as standard on standard and Pack models, they further improve the sporty appearance of the 370Z, giving it even more standout appeal.

Another significant improvement is the introduction of new seats. Designed to offer improved support and rigidity, the new Spinal seats use a shell construction that is both stronger and lighter than the previous metal frame units. The result is an improved driving position, enhanced comfort through high-speed corners and a sportier look.

Completing the 370Z's update package is a revised suspension set-up that delivers improved ride quality and reduced cabin noise. Introduced across the range (including NISMO), the changes include revised rear spring and damper rates, a new inner wheel arch and new carpets. Combined, these improvements allow the driver to enjoy the 370Z's strong performance without compromise.

Naturally, the 370Z retains all the features that have helped it become one of the strongest contenders in its sector. Power is supplied by a 328PS, 3.7-litre V6 engine that drives the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. The 370Z also remains the only car in the sector to offer Syncro Rev Control - the world's first fully synchronised down/up shift rev control system.

Individual market prices and specifications will be announced closer to the launch later this year.

After the reveal of the new Fabia last week, we get the first interior shots, ewww, Bland.

• New ŠKODA Fabia: functional and full of emotion; compact outer dimensions, generous interior
• Perfect everyday companion: spacious, practical, clever and nimble
• Largest boot capacity within its class: 330 litres; 17 ‘Simply Clever’ features

The new ŠKODA Fabia not only impresses with its emotionally-charged design; the car is also cleverer and more practical than ever before. The new model has enough space for 5 occupants and their luggage, yet thanks to its compact footprint, it is extremely agile and nimble. The boot is the largest within the small car segment.In typical ŠKODA style, the new Fabia has a total of 17 ‘Simply Clever’ features, nine of which are new.

“The new ŠKODA Fabia is a real champion in terms of practicality, offering a wide variety of opportunities for use – it is the ideal car for modern yet practical urban mobility and also possesses the perfect combination of functionality and emotionally-rich design,” says Dr Frank Welsch, ŠKODA Board Member for Technical Development.

The ŠKODA Fabia provides lots of space for occupants and their luggage. The interior passenger space is slightly longer and larger than in the previous model and at the same time provides the driver and passengers with increased headroom. Although the new ŠKODA Fabia is 8 mm shorter than its predecessor, its interior length has increased by around 8 mm to 1,674 mm. Elbow room is also greater at 1,401 mm (21 mm longer) at the front and 1,386 mm (2 mm longer) at the rear.

The boot is the largest within the car’s segment. The luggage compartment in the new ŠKODA Fabia has a capacity of 330 litres, which is 15 litres more than the previous model and is considerably bigger than comparable competitors’ models. With the rear seats folded down, loading capacity increases to up to 1,150 litres. A spacious rear access width of 1,098 mm, a tailgate that swings open to 1,915 mm and a low sill height make loading easier. The loading area is 960 mm wide, which is 2 cm wider than the previous generation.

‘Simply Clever’ – the new ŠKODA Fabia fits the bill perfectly. Depending on spec, up to nine new ‘Simply Clever’ features are available for the new ŠKODA Fabia.

The new Fabia is the first ŠKODA to feature MirrorLink™ technology. It allows smartphone apps to be displayed on the screen of the infotainment system which, amongst other things, takes the use of navigation software or personal music files to a new level. Connection is quick and easy. Just connect the smartphone to the Bolero system via a USB cable, select and activate MirrorLink™ mode on the radio and MirrorLink™-certified apps will be mirrored on the infotainment system’s display.

The new Fabia now features an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap. The new multimedia device cradle in the centre console is the perfect place to store a mobile phone, smartphone or an iPod. The high-vis vest, now mandatory in many countries, has a convenient dedicated storage compartment in the driver’s door. A rubbish bin is available for the side door. Storage nets on the inside edges of the front seats will hold miscellaneous small items. The new ŠKODA Fabia also provides more space for drinks bottles. Both rear doors will now hold a 0.5-litre bottle and a 1.0-litre bottle will fit in the glove compartment. Therefore, the ŠKODA Fabia now offers space for up to seven bottles: one bottle in each of the front and rear doors, the glove compartment and two bottles in the centre console.

The new ŠKODA Fabia also offers further ‘Simply Clever’ features that proved valuable in the car’s second generation, including the standard parking ticket holder on the inside of the left-hand A-pillar and the two optional bag hooks in the boot. Two storage nets are also available as an option for the boot to keep the area tidy. The hat shelf can be left in its normal position, but can also serve as horizontal partition or be stored vertically behind the rear seats. In addition, an optional flexible storage compartment for the boot will hold miscellaneous objects in place. Another ‘Simply Clever’ feature is the corner light function of the fog lamps.

Oops, new Discovery diecast model launched ahead of the real car.

A photo showing scale models of the upcoming Land Rover Discovery Sport has surfaced on the web.

After several spy photo sessions and teasers, this is the first time we can look at the model with no camouflage. Already confirmed for production in 2015 inHalewood, UK, it can be seen in two different color schemes, both with glass roof.

The Discovery Sport, described as an "all-new premium compact SUV", will become the first member of the new Discovery family. Set to be revealed in its full glory on September 3rd, it will act as a replacement for the aging Freelander.

It is believed to be based on an extended LR-MS platform of the five door Range Rover Evoque and to be available with a wide variety of four-cylinder Ingenium gasoline and diesel engines. A range-topping SVR variant could be also in the works and it will likely use an uprated V6 3.0-liter supercharged engine.

With the Germans faltering, it leaves the rest to take advantage.

Berlin-based PR executive Herbert Franz should be a soft target for German luxury automakers - his last car was a BMW X3 - but he can't wait to leave them behind.

"This car is hip," said Franz, 52, at the city's biggest Jaguar Land Rover showroom, while eyeing a British-built Range Rover Evoque SUV that he fully intended to purchase.

Decked out in bright red blazer and canary yellow trousers, Franz might not be the typical customer in Germany's conservative premium market. But his shifting taste in cars foreshadows less comfortable times ahead for global leader BMW, as well as Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

The German premium brands have long been on a roll, producing an export-driven sales explosion and huge returns while mass carmakers struggled through Europe's crisis.

But in a headlong sales race, second-placed Audi and No. 3-ranked Mercedes have both vowed to depose BMW, giving rise to heavy discounting, which sullies luxury brands and creates opportunities for the growing competition, observers say.

Now a host of younger or revived premium marques are poised to follow JLR by pitching dozens of new models against the big three, whose very ubiquity is taking the shine off their prestige.

"The German premiums have sacrificed some of their exclusivity by entering smaller, volume segments like compacts," said Bernd Hoennighausen, an automotive consultant.

"They've pushed volume with fleet discounts of around 20 percent," said Hoennighausen, who previously managed corporate fleets for Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas. "This may open the door to newer players like Jaguar, who are starting to offer fleet-relevant products."

New offensives

Among others waging or planning new offensives are Fiat-owned Maserati and Alfa Romeo, Nissan's Infiniti, and Volvo, a unit of China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding.

"Our theory is that there's room for something visibly different that is styled in a more provocative manner," said Andy Palmer, the senior Nissan executive charged with achieving a breakthrough for the 25-year-old Infiniti brand. "It's particularly true for China," Palmer told Reuters. "Chinese consumers will cross-shop -- and Audi only has the market to lose because they've been so dominant."

For now, the Germans remain firmly on top. Their combined sales amounted to 4.7 million vehicles last year, almost 60 percent of the global luxury car market, according to consultancy IHS Automotive.

That represents a 38 percent gain since 2007, the eve of the financial crisis, when the big three claimed just over half of the market. Global car sales grew 21 percent overall, while European demand shrank by a quarter over the period.

Superior scale also brings cost advantages -- from research to production and marketing -- that are not going away. BMW has led the charge into new niches, launching dozens of models including SUVs in every size category, with Audi close behind.

Turning tide

Nonetheless, some analysts believe the tide is beginning to turn against the Germans.

UBS expects the same group of challengers, plus Tesla's zippy electric cars and DS models from PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, to grab 30 percent of global premium sales growth in 2014-2018, raising their current 12.5 percent market share.

Pressured by the increasing competition, the Germans' return on invested capital will continue falling away from historic peaks of about 30 percent in 2010-2012, the bank predicts.

"There's also an inherent contradiction between premium and concentration," UBS analyst Philippe Houchois said. "Buyers of premium-branded cars are looking for some degree of exclusivity that will set them apart from less fortunate car owners."

The resulting market fragmentation is "bringing the curtain down on the unprecedented growth ... that enabled premium auto manufacturers to generate outsized returns," he said.

Maserati, Alfa push

A Maserati push is making headway, with first-half shipments quadrupling on new models launched under Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne, who hopes a revived Alfa can also use its pedigree to outrun upstarts such as Infiniti and DS.

"Unless you've got history, you're not going to create the brand," Marchionne told reporters recently.

Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover recorded 19 percent sales growth last year, thanks in large part to the compact Range Rover Evoque coveted by Franz, and aims to follow up with the imminent Jaguar XE sports sedan and a later SUV.

Land Rover has proved that the Germans can be challenged, said Eric Neubauer, joint-CEO of France's Neubauer Group, whose Paris-area dealerships sell 19 car brands from Kia to Ferrari.

The Evoque poaches clients "from BMW, Mini and everywhere else in the premium universe," Neubauer said. "The strength of Land Rover is that we win new customers who then become loyal."

Luxury automakers must sell more smaller cars to meet ever-tightening carbon-dioxide emissions targets and avoid fines. Driven by this imperative and their bitter rivalry, BMW, Audi and Mercedes have been discounting as hard as many mass-market carmakers.

"No other group of manufacturers has increased incentives more than the Germans," said Arndt Ellinghorst, a London-based analyst with ISI Group.

BMW rebates have grown as big as 25 percent in the UK, according to data compiled by the brokerage, and price-slashing has cost the big three about 6 billion euros ($8 billion).

"Steep discounts and attractive financing show how non-exclusive premium cars have become," Ellinghorst said. Left unchecked, "the race to sell more vehicles will eventually damage brand equity and profitability".

Despite their investment clout and model proliferation, a slow start in hybrids -- which combine a combustion engine and electric motor -- has left a chink in the German armor, especially in markets where gas guzzlers incur punitive taxes.

Failure to see the potential of electrification contributed to the ouster of Audi's last research and development chief, and BMW is only now rolling out its flagship i8 performance hybrid.

Infiniti 'more original' choice

Louis Alexandre de Froissard, a Bordeaux-based private wealth manager, gave up his Audi A8 for an Infiniti Q50 hybrid that delivers 364 hp while emitting 144 grams of CO2 per kilometer, comfortably below a 160g/km French tax threshold.

By comparison, BMW's 7-series hybrid gets 320 hp for 158g/km of CO2. Froissard also ruled out the Audi A6 Avant, which puffs a penalty-prone 190g/km for just 310 hp. "It wasn't powerful enough," he explained, and besides, "everybody's got an Audi or a BMW -- so Infiniti was a much more original choice."

BMW's sleek i8 is among belated German steps to plug the hybrid gap after a period of complacency. On the broader sales and pricing rivalry there are also some signs of circumspection.

"We have to find the right balance between volume and pricing," CEO Norbert Reithofer told analysts on Aug. 5. "We [realized] in December that if you reduce your volume, you can even have a better profit," he said on a conference call, adding that a "thinking process" was underway.

BMW CFO Friedrich Eichiner even described the new stance as a "message to the competition," but Audi and Mercedes may still be too intent on overtaking to take the hint.

"Volume is indispensable," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler told Reuters on July 8. "Only when you grow you have a chance to make gains on productivity."

With leadership successions due within two years at all three German luxury carmakers, any deeper tactical change may have to wait, ISI analyst Ellinghorst believes. "It may be easier for those in charge today to continue to ride the volume train," he said, "leaving the more difficult and political task of improving pricing to new management teams."

Lada owner AutoVaz cuts production for the rest of 2014 by 25,000 units due to Russian unrest.

Russia's AvtoVAZ said today it plans to cut production of its Lada cars in the next three months by 25,000 because of rapidly declining demand for new vehicles in the country.

The company, controlled by the Renault-Nissan alliance, said it produced 47,100 Ladas as well as 12,100 Renault and Nissan vehicles last month.

"Because of the decrease in sales of all cars in the Russian market, and in order to better manage inventory levels, AvtoVAZ made a decision to reduce production of Lada cars in September, October and November for a total amount of 25,000," the company said in a statement.

Sales of the country's best-selling brand fell 16 percent to 220,822 vehicles during the first seven months of the year, according to data from the Moscow-based Association of European Businesses (AEB).

AvtoVAZ said its workers would continue to receive their full salaries in the next three months.

General Motors also said last week it would reduce production at its plant near St. Petersburg and was reviewing its expansion plans in the country.

Car sales have faltered in Russia this year as economic growth has slowed, causing people to put off large purchases. Consumer sentiment has come under further pressure because of Western sanctions over the crisis in Ukraine.

The downturn in Russia's car market gathered pace in July, with overall sales sliding 23 percent year-on-year after a 17 percent decline in June, according to AEB data. Lada sales tumbled 25 percent to 28,014 in July, AEB figures show.

In 2013, AvtoVAZ produced 438,400 Ladas and 20,800 Renault and Nissan cars, while in the first seven months of 2014 production stood at 213,700 and 51,800 respectively, according to ASM-Holding.

Vokswagen Golf MK VIII to be launched in 2017 ?

Volkswagen plans to launch the eighth generation of its best-selling Golf compact in 2017, just five years after launching the present model, a German magazine reported.

Auto motor und sport said the new lower, wider Golf will look very different from the current seventh-generation hatchback with new design features including restyled front and rear lights.

Volkswagen will also offer new safety options in the Golf, including automatic parking and automatic braking with pedestrian recognition that will also be available in the new midsize Passat which will begin sales later this year, the report added.

Current Seventh Generation Volkswagen Golf.

Infotainment features carried over from the larger model will also include a heads-up display and Mirror-Link, which allows drivers to access and use smartphone apps via the car’s touchscreen display, the magazine said.

Like the current Golf, the new model will be based on VW Group’s generic MQB architecture that underpins models including the Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia and Audi A3.

In a move to cut fuel consumption, Volkswagen is working on new greener engines for the Golf and has cut the overall weight of the new hatchback by 50kgs (110 pounds), the report said. Additionally, the carmaker may also offer an economical three-cylinder unit currently fitted in the new Polo subcompact model, the magazine added.

Volkswagen declined to comment on the report.

The Golf is Europe’s best-selling car, with seven-month sales of 312,177, a rise of 14 percent, according to data from JATO Dynamics.

David Jolley

REPORT HERE

Bentley to restart development on Mulsanne convertible.

Bentley's Mulsanne Convertible Concept is back on track.

Shown by Bentley CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer to a select few customers at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2012, the stately convertible was intended for production. But after Duerheimer's departure in 2012, his successor, Wolfgang Schreiber, killed the project.

"We will not do that car," Schreiber said at the Geneva auto show in March 2013, citing "just regional demand" and the lack of a business case.

Duerheimer returned to the Volkswagen Group's Bentley and Bugatti brands in April after less than a year as Audi's r&d chief and a brief stretch coordinating VW's motorsports activities. In February 2011, he had taken the helm at both brands for 19 months before being replaced by Schreiber.

Now that Duerheimer is back at the helm of Bentley, he has wasted no time resurrecting the convertible project.

"When I returned, I was a bit irritated by the fact that no work had been done on this project in two years," he said in Pebble Beach this month. "It is back on track."

A Mulsanne-based convertible, which could be called Azure, would target the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost-based convertible and the upcoming convertible version of the Mercedes-Benz S class.

Jens Meiners

Bear Grylls (what a stupid name) becomes global ambassador for Land Rover.

• World-renowned adventurer partners with pioneering Land Rover brand
• Partnership announced ahead of Bear Grylls’ first collaboration with the brand to launch the New Discovery Sport on September 2, 2014
• Bear Grylls to support Land Rover activity at global level, including mentoring of young British Explorer

British adventurer Bear Grylls (real name Micheal) has been announced as a long-term global ambassador for Land Rover.

One of the world’s most recognized faces of survival and adventure, Bear embodies Land Rover’s ‘Above and Beyond’ spirit, having climbed Mount Everest and led ground-breaking expeditions from Antarctica to the Arctic.

He will support Land Rover’s activity at a global level and will play an integral part in the global launch of the New Discovery Sport, which will be revealed to the world on September 2 via Land Rover USA’s newly redesigned website: www.landroverusa.com, which now features a more premium design, optimized viewing on desktop, tablet or smartphone and increased shopping tools.

On the announcement of his collaboration with Land Rover, Bear Grylls said, “I’ve used Land Rover vehicles throughout my life, during my military career, on countless expeditions and then while filming. From deserts and jungles to the highest mountains; they always deliver a rugged reliability that you can always count on when the chips are down in hostile environments.”

Grylls continues, “Land Rover is all about adventure, and adventure has always been in my DNA. For the toughest challenges, a Land Rover is always my vehicle of choice, which is why I’m so proud to be associated with the brand.”

In one of his first projects with Land Rover, Bear appears in a short video that alludes to the ultimate adventure. The teaser film, released today, leads up to the reveal of the New Discovery Sport on September 2 at 7:01 pm E.T. Click here to watch the clip, to download visit http://newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com/en-us/land-rover/

Bear joins an esteemed list of Land Rover adventure ambassadors that have included explorers such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Ben Saunders.

As part of his ambassador role, Bear will mentor Land Rover’s next generation explorer, 22-year-old Alex Woodford, during a high-adrenalin adventure later this year. In February, Alex triumphed in the snow-laden Discovery Adventure Challenge where she competed against four other young explorers in a series of testing challenges including a technically demanding slalom drive on the slopes, a test of strength and technique with a 396lb sled pull, and a fast and furious kayak race across Lake Geneva.

Mark Cameron, Brand Experience Director at Land Rover, explains, “There are not many people out there that live and breathe the Above and Beyond spirit more than Bear Grylls. He regularly tackles the biggest adventures on this planet, which is why he’s such a good fit with Land Rover. We look forward to working with him and taking our customers on the adventure of a lifetime with Bear.”

Bear’s TV show Man Vs Wild and Born Survivor became one of the most watched programs in the world with an estimated audience of 1.2 billion. He also hosts the hit adventure show Running Wild on NBC in America, as well as The Island with Bear Grylls for Channel 4 in the UK. His social media following is prolific with over 1.16 million Twitter followers and more than 4.8 million likes on Facebook.