Other features of the package include 18-inch rallye wheels, racing stripes and body colored spoiler. The whole package starts from $26,490, and is a small price to pay to look like it’s got a Hemi in it.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger delivers the best of modern American muscle-car characteristics—unmistakable design, world-class handling, powerful engines and technology. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye adds even more pony car excitement with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission and bold accented exterior enhancements. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye starts at $26,490 (including $725 destination) and is available for ordering now at Dodge dealerships nationwide.

“Featuring the transmission from our HEMI-powered Challenger models, the new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye earns its stripes with a five-speed automatic delivering an exhilarating driving experience and 25 miles per gallon fuel-efficiency,” said Mike Accavitti, Director—Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC. “And with eye-grabbing details including 18-inch wheels with black painted pockets, deck lid spoiler, and heritage-inspired chromed ‘FUEL’ filler door—Dodge Challenger SE shows off its pony car bloodlines.”

Dodge Challenger SE Rallye is a unique breed and offers more than head-turning good looks. With its throw-back hood and deck lid dual stripes with accent color outer stripes, chromed ‘FUEL’ filler door, 18-inch rallye wheels with all-season performance tires, body-color deck lid spoiler and Micro Carbon interior accents—the new Challenger SE Rallye builds on the Dodge DNA.

The all-new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye is the first six-cylinder Challenger model to offer accented dual stripes, and the first Challenger model to offer deck lid stripes. With seven exterior paint colors and two-color stripe combinations, Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers even more muscle-car excitement to the Challenger lineup.

Exterior paint colors and dual-stripe combinations on the Dodge Challenger SE Rallye include:

* Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl — with Dark Gray dual stripes and Red accent stripes
* Bright Silver Metallic — with Dark Gray dual stripes and Red accent stripes
* Deep Water Blue Metallic — with White dual stripes and Red accent stripes
* Inferno Red Crystal Pearl — with Black and Dark Gray accent stripes
* TorRed — with Black dual stripes and Dark Gray accent stripes
* Dark Titanium Metallic — with Black dual stripes and Red accent stripes
* Stone White — with Black dual stripes and Red accent stripes

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye model features an aluminum block 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivering 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. With 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 250 lb.-ft. of torque (339 N•m), this 24-valve engine delivers efficiency and performance.

The all-new Dodge Challenger SE Rallye marks the introduction of the five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick for all Dodge Challenger SE models. With more responsiveness than the previous four-speed transmission, and an aggressive first-gear ratio, the five-speed automatic transmission provides outstanding launch performance and smoothness at any speed.

On the interior, the trapezoidal theme of the door-panel cove and gauge cluster, dark headliner and slanted shifter console are inspired by the original Dodge Challenger. Inspiration from the past continues with a “four bomb” gauge cluster with deep easy-to-read white faces. Premium cloth bucket seats are well bolstered. For a more comforting and luxurious feel, heated leather seats finished with French-seamed stitching are available. The advanced uconnect gps with voice recognition, navigation with real-time traffic and Universal Customer Interface (UCI) for iPod connectivity is available on the Dodge Challenger SE Rallye.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers exceptional rear seating for a two-door coupe, achieving best-in-class rear head (37.4 inches) and leg (32.6 inches) room compared with the competition. Coupled with best-in-class cargo space (16.2 cu. ft.)—equal to the Dodge Charger—the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye offers comfort and functionality.

2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye Production
Production of the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye will start in April of 2009 at the Brampton Assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. It will be built on the same assembly line as the award-winning and quality-proven Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.

Japan’s No.3 automaker said its line-up of fuel-efficient vehicles eligible for the tax breaks would expand to 13 from six starting in late April, in a move that it hoped would help its domestic sales grow in the new business year from Wednesday.

Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co have 28 and nine models, respectively, that qualify for the varying degrees of preferential tax treatment.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association has said the new measures should add about 310,000 vehicles in sales in the 2009/10 fiscal year, when it expects domestic sales to fall 8 percent to 4,297,600 units — a 32-year low.

Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said he was hopeful the incentives would nudge Japanese consumers toward purchasing a car.

He added that he expected global production at Nissan to be about 10 percent higher in April-September compared with the second half of the business year ended on Tuesday.

Nissan lags Toyota and Honda in the gasoline-electric hybrid segment, which it plans to enter in 2010.

Instead, it said it had made incremental improvements in about 50 different areas and components of conventional internal combustion engines to achieve greater fuel economy at low cost.

Nissan said it had the highest ratio of cars eligible for a 75 percent tax reduction on fuel-economy standards in Japan.

It is scheduled to begin mass-marketing pure-electric cars globally in 2012.

(Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

To us, it looks like an oversized hatchback, but BMW arrogantly insists the 5-series GT is “a new concept not just for BMW, but for the entire automotive world.” To corroborate this theory, the company points out some unique elements, of which two stand out. One of them is the split tailgate, which you can partly or fully open. The partial opening is not the window, as on some station wagons, but the lower part. The trunk then opens as it would on a conventional sedan. The point of this complex and heavy tailgate, according to BMW, is that the trunk can be opened without creating a draft on rear passengers’ necks. Really.

The other notable feature is a partition between the passenger compartment and the trunk, about an inch thick. Even when you fold down the rear seats, the loading area ends at the partition, although it can fold as well if you require more space. BMW says that decoupling the loading area from the passenger compartment increases acoustic comfort. We can think of a similar idea from the late 1980s, when the Citroën XM was launched with a glass partition behind the rear seats. That “feature” was eventually discontinued.

The rear seats of the 5-series Gran Turismo can be moved forward to allow for a reclining backrest, and even then legroom still remains impressive. The concept car is equipped with two individual rear seats, which will be an option in the production version. A rear bench will be standard, making the car an honest five-seater.The interior oozes quality and contemporary styling. “It is a premium experience,” says outgoing BMW design chief Chris Bangle. “Especially in the rear, you get the entire flow.” The cockpit is a well-executed evolution of the new 7-series design, and the shifter is located on the center console where it belongs. Seating is higher than in a regular car, but entering the Gran Turismo doesn’t require mountaineering experience.

People Want This! We Swear!

BMW executives say they conducted extensive market research for the 5-series Gran Turismo, although they still feel compelled to justify the concept. “A typical sedan doesn’t have any flexibility,” according to BMW board member Klaus Draeger. He goes on to say that most station wagons have “much more the character of utility. Sports activity vehicles”—what BMW calls SUVs—“have come under criticism because of their environmentally critical situation. This is exactly where the new vehicle concept fits in perfectly.” Let’s just say that we are surprised by this forthright assessment of BMW’s other offerings.The new model’s exterior is imposing. The front end interprets the BMW face in a novel way, but Bangle points out a “slight touch of the shark nose of the past.” Frameless windows add a premium touch, and the exhaust is clearly visible. “We have efficient engines, and we are proud of that fact.”This raises the bothersome question of social acceptability. Large cars and SUVs have come under fire in Europe and elsewhere. BMW hopes the 5-series Gran Turismo won’t be targeted. Says Bangle: “The car has sexiness and sportiness, but it shows responsibility as well. It has function.” Cue eye-rolling.

Uses 7-series, Next-Gen 5-series Underpinnings

The 5-series GT is loosely based on the next-generation 5-series architecture, although it has a longer wheelbase and uses components from the 7-series as well. The doors are aluminum, but the overall weight is considerable.

BMW will offer four engines: Two 3.0-liter turbo-diesels with different power ratings, as well as two gasoline engines. The latter will include a completely new 3.0-liter single-turbo inline-six with around 300 hp and the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 currently offered in the X6 and 750Li. Expect the two gas engines to make it to the U.S., with one of the diesels being a remote possibility. Rear-drive 5-series Gran Turismos will be badged sDrive. All-wheel drive, optional with all engines, is designated xDrive. Four-wheel steering will be available as well. All engines are exclusively coupled to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic—no manual transmission will be offered. Prices will be a few thousand dollars above corresponding 5-series models.

BMW has set modest sales targets of about 30,000 units annually. Most sales will be generated in the U.S. and in Europe, as BMW is not betting on Asia to grow fond of such ‘revolutionary’ new vehicle concepts any time soon.

“When I read it to our sales people, you would have thought we just knocked a home run,” said Jack Kain, a dealer in Versailles, Ky. “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

Weighed down by the lowest sales levels in 27 years and consumer confidence at historic lows, Ford and General Motors Corp. announced two programs that would cover buyers’ monthly car payments in the event they lose their jobs. All automakers report sales figures for March on Wednesday, which are expected to be just as dismal as February, when companies sold about 688,909 cars.

“It really attacks one of the key challenges in the market right now, and that’s confidence in the consumer’s ability to make their car payment,” said Tim Longnecker, automotive industry executive for Acxiom Automotive, a marketing consulting firm. “I think they’re good programs and I think they will spur demand.”

The announcements come a day after President Barack Obama said the government will back new car warranties issued by GM and Chrysler LLC, who have accepted federal assistance and are seeking more, to help boost consumer confidence about buying their vehicles.

Ford has not requested federal bailout funds. The company also said it would offer zero percent financing on its vehicles and partner with its dealers to introduce a program that would help local charities affected by the economic downturn.

Under Ford’s plan, customers that purchase a new car or truck between Tuesday and June 1 and subsequently lose their job through no fault of their own, will have Ford make their monthly payments for up to one year. The maximum monthly payment Ford will make is $700 — customers would have to make up the difference for payments exceeding that amount. That amount would cover the monthly payment of a $30,000 to $40,000 vehicle depending on interest rates, down payment and trade in value.

The company is offering the plan through a third-party underwriter.

“It’s having the ability to give customers peace of mind and protection at a time when they need it most,” said John Felice, general marketing manager for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury. “It comes at a good time. We’ve had a lot of momentum in the marketplace the last few months.”

GM’s program is similar, but comes with different terms. The company will make customer payments, up to $500, for nine months in the event of job loss. GM officials said that program would be offered to consumers purchasing cars in April.

“We’re still in the business of making cars and trucks,” said GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson during a press conference Monday. “It’s bold and unprecedented.”

The moves come a couple of months after South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co. launched a program that allows buyers to return a vehicle within a year if they can’t make the payments due to a job loss or disability. Hyundai expanded the plan in February, making payments for customers for up to three months should they get laid off.

Although virtually no one has taken Hyundai up on its Assurance Plus program, it has served as a successful marketing tool to raise people’s awareness of Hyundai, said spokesman Jim Trainor. There are no official figures of anyone returning their car or needing the automaker to make their payments.

“You have to own the car for two months before you’re eligible,” Trainor said. “It’s still kind of early.”

Chrysler, which has 30 days to restructure and reach a deal with Italian automaker Fiat SpA, said that it doesn’t have a protection or assurance program right now, and has yet to announce any kind of special discounts or savings for April.

“In working with our dealers, we have determined that they want to stay with employee pricing,” said Chrysler spokeswoman Carrie McElwee.

Kain, who also serves on the board of directors for the National Automobile Dealers Association, said that with the announcement of the Ford plan, his staffers began calling potential customers Tuesday that were previously on the fence about making a purchase.

“It’s already sold several cars today,” he said.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press.

Most likely, the new car will replace immediately the two models - rear wheel drive «classical» and front-wheel drive Samara. While reliable information about the new Lada is very little. We know that this car will receive the body of car, drive to the front, and under its hood will VAZ engines volume of 1.4 liters and 1.6 liters. The cost of such a car would be 180 000 RUB for standard equipment. Count on the fact that over 180 000 RUB, you buy a car with airbags and air conditioning is not worth it. The machine will be completely empty. But expensive versions will cost approximately 250 000 RUB. This is particularly notice - it is a «current rubles». Inflation is likely to increase this amount.

Alyoshin said that the project is located in the center of attention «AvtoVAZ», and that model is on the Russian market in the difficult conditions of economic crisis and declined purchasing power can be very useful.

ANother project is to release new models on the platform of Renault Logan. The price of the car ranging from 250 000 RUB to 350 000 RUB (it will replace the Lada Priora). In fact, the first will be 7-seat wagon.

In addition to the best car in the world in New York, «The best sports car in the world» (World Performance Car) will be shown. There are three candidates: Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Carrera and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

For the title «World Green Car» the Honda FCX Clarity, Toyota iQ and the Mitsubishi i MiEV will fight.

Will also be nominated and «best in the world automotive design» (World Car Design). Here in the finals came Fiat 500, Jaguar XF, and Citroen C5.

It should be noted that the contest World Car of the Year began only recently. The first winner was named only in 2005 (an Audi A6 won). In 2006, the best car in the world was the BMW 3-Series in 2007 - Lexus LS460. Well, last year the small Mazda2 celebrated the victory.

Changes in tax legislation is nothing in comparison with a total ban of… gasoline and diesel. Yes, Sweden in 2030 wants completely to ban the sale of conventional gasoline and diesel fuel. According to officials, over twenty years must come for new generation of cars who will work on alternative energy sources and replace the current model cars.

We must say that the Tata Nano, which waas showed for the first time about a year ago, should become the cheapest car in the world. In India, where sales of Nano will begin in spring, this model will cost only $ 2500. Paying buyer will receive for this money car, in which even five people can sit. Moreover, and this was really a shock, inside the Tata Nano is enough space - if you sit on the rear seat, the knees will not hang back in the front seat! However, in the car for $ 2500 there is nothing. Airbags, power steering, electric - all absent. In the cheapest car in the world there is no even the ventilation system. What they say - the doors do not have a striker.

«Self-closing» doors generally enjoyed by the journalists. Everyone wanted to see, how the car doors were closing by themselves. But these doors Tata left not only on the version for the Indian market, but also on the modification of Nano Europa. The latter model is intended for sale in the Old World. It already will have air conditioning (!), Airbag and radio cassette player.

But aftter careful study of Nano the mixed feelings aroused. On the one hand, the car turned out really very affordable (lets say, that Nano will cost in Germany around 4000-5000 euro). But the quality of the assembly of this car is “amazing”. It’s not only about the «self-closing» doors. In the car all hang out and loaf (and sun visors ), cover lever CPR had already been torn off, uncomfortable to sit behind the wheel … In general, Nano was even worse than «Chinese». Although there is one nuance - modern Chinese cars of this size are much more expensive than the Nano.

In addition, Jaguar will not need to develop their own off-road platform. Do not forget that Tata owns a company Land Rover, which focuses on off.

The car named Brabus GV 12 S is not just a good car. This is a really cool car. It united all: style and dignity, strength and wisdom, strength and calmness. And it expensive. Even so. Brabus GV 12 S in the so-called base worth 379 000 euros or about $ 470 000. A shown at an exhibition in Geneva, the machine had a different option type high-class multimedia system with DVD and two monitors. And most of these options increase the price of the car is already up to 498 419 euros and 60 cents! When converted to our favorite «bucks», it is slightly less than $ 630 000. Just think - $ 630 000!

And what will be the man who decided to give more than half a million dollars for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, whose construction was already 30 years old? And he will get a car with a truly unique aerodynamic false weight, as well as the sumptuously decorated interior. In addition, Brabus GV 12 S would be seriously altered the suspension, which is configured for fast driving.

But under the hood of the most expensive G-class will be a really powerful engine. This will be the V12 engine volume of 6.0 liters with double (!) Turbocharged, which delivers 700 hp at once A torque drive unit is 1320 Nm, which is achieved at 2100 rpm (with the Brabus engineers have artificially limited the time for the 1100 rpm).

You are interested in fuel consumption of 700-strong G-class aerodynamics which leaves much to be desired? But here nothing to brag Brabus. In the city, this monster zhret to 28.3 liters per hundred! And so with accurate driving. And if you continually show the power of V12, it will, probably, and 40 liters.

Although actually understand what the platform is built E Coupe is almost impossible. Indeed, much taken with large modifications of the C-class, and many of the larger E-Class. If you look at the dimensions of the situation as follows. E Coupe for more than 115 mm C-Class sedan, but it is 172 mm shorter than the E-class.

Pro design will not speak long. I will only say that «mug» cars is very similar to the E-Class, which is understandable (except for what all these games with the title). But the car looks much more interesting «eshki». This is especially clear when you see cars «live», rather than in the photos.

When you create a cabin designers Mercedes-Benz, as usual, were conservative. Fans will be pleased with brands. And not only the existence of one podrulevogo switch, which is excessively overloaded functions (strange, but all the studies the company Mercedes-Benz shows that buyers «Mercy» do not want to abandon it). Coupé will get a lot of e «наворотов». There will be an active cruise control and night-vision system.

And that we will have under the hood … The most modest coupe will get 4-cylinder unit volume of the entire 1.8 liters. Funny? It is only at first glance, because thanks to turbocharging and direct injection, it will give very decent 204 hp (the car will be called E Coupe 250 CGI). The same 204 «ponies» receive and diesel version - where the volume of the engine will be 2.1 liters (E Coupe 250 CDI). Moreover, diesel version of 204-strong E Coupe in Germany will cost is the same as gasoline - 44 684 euros. But a diesel engine not only has more torque (500 Nm to 310 Nm), but very modest fuel consumption. 2.1-liter diesel engine spends every 100 km in combined cycle just 5.3 liters, and the gasoline engine has 7.2 liters.

At step higher in the hierarchy are engines V6. Petrol volume 3,5 l gives 292 hp, a 3.0-liter diesel engine 231 hp Will and the volume of 5,5 liter V8 (388 hp). Such a car would have cost 66 045 euros.

Fans of fast Mercedes-Benz awaited version of AMG, however, it does not exist. It can be assumed that the car will get 6.3-liter V8 power of 525 hp

Let me just mention that at the Geneva Motor Show Rolls-Royce has shown no production model, a concept called 200EX. But this is quite enough to bring to the stand Rolls-Royce huge amount of audience - before, when Rolls-Royce brought to the exhibition, only the standard Phantom, people were much smaller.

What is a Rolls-Royce 200EX? Compared to the Phantom is really small cars (length - 5399 mm). 200EX is shorter than its «big brother» almost half a meter! However it is necessary to put the 200EX with the BMW 7-series, all will become clear. After all, the new «Rolls» noticeably larger «G».

Compare Rolls-Royce 200EX to the BMW 7-Series is made not only because of the Bavarian company owns the brand Rolls-Royce. In a 200EX, as it turns out, is the platform of the «G»! But soon it must be said that tupogo transferring new body on an old chassis was not the case. Rolls-Royce 200EX received only 20% of elements from the BMW 7-Series. Yes, and it mainly deals with pneumatic suspension and electronics. But the engine is new. He has a formula for V12, but its volume is 6.0 liters. How much he gives, in the company of Rolls-Royce has not yet spoken. Apparently there remember the old answer of British engineers on such silly journalistic questions about the number of «horse» - formerly the British always said «cars Rolls-Royce power sufficient».

Regarding the design, it is simply amazing. Believe me, this car must be seen «live», in order to understand all of its force. It is impossible to pass by and the company «chips» the latest Rolls-Royce - the rear doors are open toward the fly movement. This is done specifically to make it easier for passengers to sit in his place.

Manual Magna and Mercedes-Benz decided to continue to issue the famous G-Class at least until 2015. And 2015 is not the date of «death» of one of the best SUVs of today. If the demand for it will be stable, the G-Class will do and more.

Mercedes G

It should be noted that Mercedes-Benz G-Class this year is celebrating its anniversary. Models under 30 years. However, it still enjoys a good demand throughout the world. And this does not have to wonder - while this class of SUVs grow shallow with each passing day, G-Class is still the conqueror of this road.