New Ford C-Max car model

The Ford C-Max (2010-on) sees the outgoing Ford C-Max (2003-2010) divide into two new models.

The largest change sees the new car now offered as a seven-seater in the form of the Grand C-Max.

This has enabled the standard C-Max to build up a much sportier look as it caters for people who like the Focus but want a bit more space.

The C-Max has been designed to fit in with Ford’s present look, one which can by now be seen on UK roads in the shape of the new Fiesta and Mondeo.

Hallmarked by a big four-sided grille and a more dynamic look, the overall package is an evolution of Ford’s “kinetic design” which ensures the new C-Max has a far less traditional appearance than its predecessor.

This is somewhat appreciation to what Ford describes as a coupe-style finish to the rear, which builds it look more hatchback than people carrier.

The new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-MAX, on sale in the UK next month, will accomplish savings of up to £800 a year compared with today's model.

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Lotus to reveal four new models next week

Lotus Group International Ltd, a completely owned subsidiary of Proton Holdings Bhd, will unveil four fresh sports car models at the 2010 Paris Motor Show next week.

Lotus will expose four new models, two of which are prelaunch models called the Lotus Elite and the Esprit and it is an important models for lotus, at the car show in France.

The models will propel Lotus into the upper segment of the sports car market, and assist the company tap into a new group of buyers who choose more contented and practical sports cars that can be used for everyday driving in its place of the current line-up of sports cars that are designed for track racing.

For example, the Lotus Elite is a four-seater instead of the present sports cars by Lotus which are two-seaters and which are not extremely practical for everyday use.

The new models are part of Lotus’ turnaround plan to provide a lift to its brand and image. Its management also hopes that the unveiling of the new models at the Paris Motor Show will allay criticism of Proton investing a lot in Lotus.

However, automotive analysts told The Edge Financial Daily that they would rather wait for Lotus to create results in terms of sales before building any predictions on the impact of its latest move on Proton.

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South Korea's Hyundai initiates Saint Petersburg plant

South Korea's Hyundai Motor on Tuesday initiated its first plant in Russia, joining a rush of foreign automakers to Saint Petersburg in spite of a sharp drop in sales during crisis-hit 2009.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin applauded Hyundai's 500-million-dollar (380-million-euro) investment in the Russian plant since the begin of its construction ahead of the crisis in 2008.

"This happened throughout the heat of the financial crisis, but Hyundai did not limit its plans, on the contrary," Putin said.

Hyundai said it expected to begin production in January 2011 and to reach an annual capacity of 105,000 units by the end of that year and 150,000 units in 2012.

Hyundai "plans to produce 5,300 jobs by 2012 in Saint Petersburg... and furthermore, add to the advancement of Russians automotive industry by developing and supporting local automotive parts manufacturers," company chairman Chung Mong-koo said in a statement.

Hyundai is the newest of a slew of foreign auto companies to start plants in Saint Petersburg in recent years, as well as Japan's Toyota, Nissan and Suzuki as well as US companies Ford and General Motors.

Russian car sales increased for the first time since October 2008 this summer, according to the Association of European Businesses (AEB), a lobby group that compiles monthly information.

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Paris Motor Show: Maserati GranTurismo Stradale exposed

The 2010 Paris Motor Show later this month will see the lightest, fastest and the most influential car that Maserati has ever offered folks. Built taking in motivation from the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport models, the car will slickly surpass the 300 km/h speed limit.

A 4.7 -L V8 engine kicks in at 444 hp in the new model called the GranTurismo MC Stradale at the same fuel efficiency as the earlier GranTurismo S gave at 433 hp. It mixes the needs of a racing experience with a street openness and in a way, reminds us of the classic Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale. Good thing Maserati decided to obtain associated with Ferrari, we conclude.

The MC Stradale currently features an upgraded front end, which relates a sharper grille and lower bumper. New side skirts and lightweight permit wheels add to the sports-car look. Among the stuff that Maserati determined to hold on to was the six-speed robotized manual gearbox.

Scheduled for a spring 2011 commence in the UK, the car will be yours for about £105,000, a 20 per cent trek on what the S commanded.

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New Nissan Micra a major affair for car industry

It’s improbable to be the big seller it once was – but a new Micra from Nissan is still a main event for the car industry.

The curvy supermini has been a big triumph for Nissan, and the Sunderland plant where it has been construct for the past two decades.

Almost a million Micras, spanning three model generations, have been sold in the UK alone since the car was first introduced 27 years ago.

And it has been so consistent that Nissan estimates that 350,000 are still on the road.

However when fourth generation cars arrive in UK showrooms in mid-November, priced from £8,995 on the road, the Sunderland link will be severed.

Nissan has opted to build the new car in countries where labour is moderately cheap, like Thailand, Mexico and China. Micras for the European market will in the prospect come from Chennai in India.

The new Micra range is limited to five-door hatchbacks, with just one engine and a choice of five-speed manual or constantly variable automatic transmission.

Fascinatingly, there will be no diesel as Nissan believes its new three-cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine is so efficient that there’s no require for an oil burner in the range.

Nissan has become renowned for producing cars with radical looks in recent years – the latest Micra is not one of them.

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Electric vehicle support scheme declared

A new customer support scheme is being commenced for drivers of electric vehicles in the north-east.

The regional development agency One North East has created the Charge Your Car scheme, which will educate motorists about where they can accuse their electric vehicles in their local area.

Due to launch on October 1st, the initiative will give drivers with tags to access charging points, as well as free parking while charging takes place.

Elektromotive, which has supplied 200 of the 1,300 points due to be installed in the region, is sustaining the scheme.

Dr Colin Herron, manufacturing and productivity manager at One North East, said: "To make sure this dynamic new industry can develop to its full potential it is very important that we make sure there are no barriers preventing drivers from making the switch to low carbon transport."

Earlier this year, it was announced that the government is supporting the electric car industry in the UK with a £20 million grant for Nissan.

The Japanese car manufacturer will be making parts for its electric vehicles in its plant in Sunderland.

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EcoBoost upcoming to Entire Ford Lineup, 247-hp 2012 Ford Focus ST Airs

Ford's EcoBoost packages existing engine developments into a cohesive package for fuel economy and power.

Turbocharging and gasoline direct injection (GDI) have been around for some time currently, but periodically included on various models. Ford took these technologies and other engine refinements and created the EcoBoost brand name which it relates to its new forced induction gasoline engines.

Ford this week let slip a few details on one of the upcoming models that will receive EcoBoost -- the Ford Focus. The EcoBoost-packing variant will be showcased at the Paris Motor Show, which is available on this month.

As the 2012 Ford Focus Electric (a battery-electric-vehicle) is stealing most of the headlines these days, the EcoBoost-ed 2012 Ford Focus ST is certain to turn some heads as well. The vehicle is the successor to the recent international model and will put back the current North American-exclusive model, part of Ford phase-out its North American-exclusive designs.

It packs an EcoBoost 2.0 L inline-four cylinder engine that makes 247 hp. When the car is officially revealed in Paris we should hear more about the torque and target gas mileage.

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