2010 Opel Astra, 2010 Vauxhall Astra Before the Frankfurt Auto Show -- Spied!

After a little leak yesterday, GM has finally released all the details, images and a video of the 2010 Opel Astra (known as the 2010 Vauxhall Astra in the UK). The slightly longer (71mm wheelbase) Opel Astra will make its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in Sept. as a five-door hatchback.

Opel says that the powertrain lineup will feature eight Euro 5 compliant engines including four gasoline engines and four diesel engines.

The gasoline engines range from a 1.4L to a 1.6L with outputs ranging from 100-hp to 180-hp. A new downsized 140-hp 1.4L Turbo replaces the 1.8L.


Read More at eGMcarTech.com

2009 Ford F150 just one prize for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Winner

DEARBORN, Mich., May 11, 2009 – Ford and ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” are looking for the ultimate community hero. The deadline is May 31.

Under the “Heroes F-150 Campaign,” Ford will award a 2009 Ford F-150 and $250,000 to “makeover” a portion of his or her community. The makeover project will be announced in late summer.

Students, parents, community members, school staff, military staff, police staff and firefighting staff are asked to nominate their community hero for the Heroes F-150 contest at www.TheHeroesF150.com now through May 31.

In 250 words or less, entrants will describe ‘an individual who is dependable, family and/or community oriented, with a strong work ethic and commitment to his/her family, and/or co-workers and/or community.’ They will also describe a “makeover” project that the hero will direct, using the $250,000 and 2009 Ford F-150.

The winner will be announced in June, and the makeover will be completed in late summer. In addition to the Heroes F-150 contest, contestants can enter to win a new 2009 Ford F-150 in the Heroes F-150 sweepstakes.

“The Heroes F-150 program demonstrates Ford’s continued commitment to building communities around the country through its partnership with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” said Eric Peterson, manager of Ford Truck and SUV Communications. “This program will not only help a community in need, but also inspire people to think about how they can lend a hand during difficult times.”

The $250,000 will go toward the construction of a new public or non-profit project or improvements to an existing building or structure that would improve the community its residents’ quality of life.

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About “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
The Emmy award winning reality program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is now in its sixth season on ABC. The program, which airs Sunday nights at 8 p.m. EST, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Anthony Dominici is the executive producer and David Goldberg is chairman, Endemol North America.



Source: Ford

New Audi A8 - Arriving in Showrooms Next Year, First Look in November

The current Audi A8 has been on sale since 2003 and since that time has only received a minor facelift to keep it fresh alongside the updated Mercedes Benz S-Class, Lexus LS and new BMW 7-series. The minor styling changes implemented during the recent facelift will have to soldier on for at least another year as the next-generation ‘D4’ A8, according to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, won’t arrive until the second half of next year as a 2011 model.

Details (Audi's 7-Series-fighter is on the way! We love Bimmers, dearly, but we have always had much respect for the big Audi. In the states, lacking marketing efforts over the years have made the BMW 7-Series and S-Class Benz (not quite the Lexus LS though) carry more prestige than Audi's offering, to be sure, but that doesn't at all mean they are better. In Europe, the A8 has always been very highly-regarded. As it should. We might not be Europeans, but we're still stoked!)

2012 T6 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck First Look - Spied!

Ford hasn’t said officially what, if anything, will replace the U.S.-built Ford Ranger when production ends in 2011 but recent spy photos captured half a world apart point to a brand new, globally produced small pickup taking its place by 2012.

The engineering mules seen in these pictures might look like facelifted, double-cab versions of the Mazda BT-50 that’s sold outside the U.S. and shares a common platform with the Thai-built overseas Ford Ranger, but sources say their duct tape and cobbled bodies hide the mechanicals and running gear of Ford’s next-generation global small truck. That new pickup will likely mean all Ford Ranger models would be built on a single global platform, codenamed "T6" that's being designed in Australia. The current overseas Ford Ranger shares only its name with the Ranger built for North America.


Read More at PickupTrucks.com

2010 Ford Fiesta Van Headed for Europe - Fact or Fiction?

About once or twice I week, I meander over to the OE press sites to see what the latest & greatest is in the automotive world. Most of the time, it's usually some feel-good PR about planting trees in inner-city neighborhoods, or giving scholarship money to underprivileged kids, or some self-congratulatory award they've received from some assorted environmental organization.

However, once in a while, you come across something interesting. I found an interesting tidbit on the Ford media site a few months ago. Since there seems to be a renewed interest in vans on truckinweb.com, I though I'd blog about it here. It seems Ford has added the Fiesta "Van" to it's commercial vehicle lineup in Europe.

I'm curious as to exactly what criteria Ford is using to consider the Fiesta a van. Now, the Transit Connect is unmistakably a van, with its tall interior and billboard-ready sides. Regardless of whether you like it or not, or think the wrong wheels are being driven, is beside the point. Packaging-wise, it's a van.


Read More inside Truckin'

2010 Peugeot Electric Vehicle (EV) to be based on 2009 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Peugeot are to jump on the electric bandwagon, by rebadging the i-MiEV by Mitsubishi.

The two manufacturers have had an agreement since June last year to work together on electric cars, but nothing had been made official until now. The partnership will mean you can see the prancing Peugeot lion logo sitting on the nose of the Japanese i MiEV fairly soon.

It will save Peugeot waiting to develop the technology which has proved increasingly popular. The UK road tax scheme favours those using eco-friendly cars, but until now the french carmaker had no green badge


Read More at Auto Express

Chevrolet Recall - 2009 Chevy Traverse SUVs have a Defective Parking Brake

General Motors is recalling about 15,000 2009 Chevrolet Traverse SUVS in order to correct a parking brake defect that could lead to what the automaker calls "unintended vehicle movement."

In a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM explains, "These vehicles may have a park brake cable link (connector) that is not to specification. The connector may fracture when the park brake cable is depressed." According to GM's filing, "If the transmission shift lever is in the park position, there will be no unintended vehicle movement. However, if the keys are left in the ignition, the transmission shift lever is in any position other than park, and the vehicle is parked on a sufficient slop, it could result in unintended vehicle movement," which "could result in a crash without prior warning."

Chevrolet dealers will replace the connector at no charge to owners. Dealers will begin contacting owners in June, but those who wish to make their own repair arrangements may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

Read More at USnews.com