Skoda Unveils Eco-Friendly Greenline Versions of Facelifted Fabia and Roomster

Following on from the launch of the refreshed Fabia and Roomster models at Geneva Motor Show this past March, Skoda has now released the environmentally-friendly GreenLine versions of the two models.

Leaving aside the subtle aesthetic changes that are the same as on the standard Fabia hatch and Roomster MPV, the most important innovation on both GreenLine II models concerns the introduction of the VW Group's new 1.2-liter three-cylinder supercharged diesel engine that produces 75-horsepower.

The new diesel unit is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox with identical ratios as the one fitted on the ordinary Fabia and Roomster models with the same engine.

Both Fabia and Roomster GreenLine II models feature the usual roster of environmentally friendly touches.

These include stop-start technology, a new energy recuperation system that utilizes the vehicle's kinetic energy for battery recharging, a lowered and aerodynamically-covered chassis, low rolling resistance tires and a gear recommendation light on the dashboard.

These measures result in a combined fuel consumption of just 3.4lt/100km (equal to 69.2 mpg US and 83.1mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 89 g/km for the Fabia GreenLine II, and 4.2lt/100km (equal to 67.3mpg UK and 55.9 mpg US) and 109 g/km for the Roomster GreenLine II.

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Infiniti Confirms UK Pricing for its First Diesel Model, the FX30d

The first-ever diesel-powered Infiniti, the new FX30d is orderable now in Britain from £45,150, or £200 more than the equivalent FX37 petrol model, with deliveries set to start from July.

The FX30d uses a new 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine co-developed in Europe with other engineers from the Renault - Nissan Alliance. The diesel unit delivers 238-horsepower and 550Nm (406 lb ft) of pulling power, available at just 1750rpm.

Paired with the standard 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel powers the FX30d from 0-62 mph (100km/h) in 8.3 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 31.4 mpg UK (equal to 9.0lt/100km and 26.1 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 238 g/km.

The FX30d is offered in four three trim levels, GT (£45,150), GT Premium (£49,680), S (£47,200) and S Premium (£51,730).

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Infiniti Confirms UK Pricing for its First Diesel Model, the FX30d

The first-ever diesel-powered Infiniti, the new FX30d is orderable now in Britain from £45,150, or £200 more than the equivalent FX37 petrol model, with deliveries set to start from July.

The FX30d uses a new 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine co-developed in Europe with other engineers from the Renault - Nissan Alliance. The diesel unit delivers 238-horsepower and 550Nm (406 lb ft) of pulling power, available at just 1750rpm.

Paired with the standard 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel powers the FX30d from 0-62 mph (100km/h) in 8.3 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 31.4 mpg UK (equal to 9.0lt/100km and 26.1 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 238 g/km.

The FX30d is offered in four three trim levels, GT (£45,150), GT Premium (£49,680), S (£47,200) and S Premium (£51,730).

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2011 Audi TT Coupe and Roadster with 170HP 2.0-liter Diesel to go on Sale this Summer

The refreshed Audi TT Coupe and Roadster (click here for details and photos on the rest of the range) with the 2.0 TDI diesel will go on sale in Europe this summer with prices in Germany starting from €34,850 and €35,900 respectively. The company said that since its market launch, the diesel engine's share in the TT has grown steadily and is now above 11 percent.

Aside from the styling upgrades, there are no mechanical changes to the 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit which continues to produce 170HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Permanent all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission are standard on both models.

According to Audi, the TT Coupe 2.0 TDI completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 226 km/h (140mph), while returning 5.3 liters per 100 km (equal to 44.38 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km or 223.70 g/mile.

From what we gather, Audi has no plans to bring the TT TDI to the States at this time.

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2011 Audi TT Coupe and Roadster with 170HP 2.0-liter Diesel to go on Sale this Summer

The refreshed Audi TT Coupe and Roadster (click here for details and photos on the rest of the range) with the 2.0 TDI diesel will go on sale in Europe this summer with prices in Germany starting from €34,850 and €35,900 respectively. The company said that since its market launch, the diesel engine's share in the TT has grown steadily and is now above 11 percent.

Aside from the styling upgrades, there are no mechanical changes to the 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit which continues to produce 170HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Permanent all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission are standard on both models.

According to Audi, the TT Coupe 2.0 TDI completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 226 km/h (140mph), while returning 5.3 liters per 100 km (equal to 44.38 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km or 223.70 g/mile.

From what we gather, Audi has no plans to bring the TT TDI to the States at this time.

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Volvo Introduces New 2.0-liter Five-Cylinder Diesel, Upgraded Six-Cylinder petrol engines

For the 2011 model year, Volvo is introducing a new five-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo diesel that will be available throughout its range while the Swedish automaker also upgraded the six-cylinder petrol engines offered on the S80, V70, XC70 and XC60.

The new five-cylinder diesel unit is in principle the same engine as the 2.4-litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced (with a shorter stroke) to 2.0-liters. It will be offered in three different variants in terms of output.

In the S80, V70, XC70 and XC60, the newly developed 2.0-litre diesel produces 163HP and 400 Nm of torque. In these models the engine is badged the D3.

In the smaller C30 hatchback, S40 sedan, V50 estate and C70 coupe cabriolet, the new 2.0L unit is available in two flavors, the D3 with 150HP and 350 Nm of torque and the D4 with 177HP and 400 Nm of torque.

All the variants of the new 2.0-liter turbodiesel can be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox.

In addition, Volvo updated its 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged petrol T6 that now offers 304HP and 440 Nm of torque.

The six-cylinder 3.2-litre naturally aspirated engine has also been upgraded and features an improved crankshaft and less internal friction. It now produces 243HP and maximum torque is 320 Nm.

In order to meet US legislative requirements, Volvo also offers a PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) variant of the same engine that produces 231HP and 300 Nm of peak torque.

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Ford Mondeo Gains New 203HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo and Updated Diesel Line-up

Following its introduction on the facelifted S-MAX and Galaxy people carriers, Ford's European division is expanding the availability of the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost petrol engine that combines turbocharging and direct fuel injection on the Mondeo.

The 2.0-litre SCTi unit, which comes as standard with a six-speed PowerShift wet double-clutch gearbox, produces 203 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm.

It propels the Mondeo saloon from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds (Station Wagon: 8.2 sec) and on to a top speed of 232 km/h or 144mph (Station Wagon: 227 km/h), while returning a combined fuel economy of 7.7lt/100km, equal to 30.6mpg US or 36.7mpg UK.

In addition, for the 2010MY, the Mondeo benefits from an upgraded 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine that has been reworked to match Stage V emission regulations.

The diesel unit is offered in three flavors with 115HP, 140HP and a new variant with 163 horsepower. The two most powerful engines are also available with the optional PowerShift six-speed double-clutch transmission.

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BMW Adds xDrive AWD Option on all 5-Series GTs and the 740d

BMW is completing the range of the new 5-Series Gran Turimso with the introduction of its so-called "intelligent" xDrive all-wheel-drive technology that will be offered on all engine variants of the crossover model.

Beginning from June 2010, 5-Series GT customers will have the choice of two versions of the car featuring xDrive, the 530d with a 245HP inline-six diesel, and the 550i with a 407HP 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 petrol.

According to the German firm, the 550i GT xDrive accelerates to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.4 seconds while top speed is cut off by the engine's electronic control unit at 250 km/h or 155 mph. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 11.8 lt/100 km, equal to 23.9 mpg imp, with CO2 emissions amounting to 275 g/km

The 530d xDrive GT accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 235 km/h or 146 mph. It returns an average fuel consumption of 6.9 lt/100 km, equal to 40.9 mpg imp, in the EU test cycle. The CO2 rating, finally, is 183g/km.

In September, the xDrive range will be rounded off with the 535d xDrive GT and the 306HP 535i xDrive GT. Performance and fuel economy figures for these two models will be released at a later date.

Finally, the same all-wheel drive system will also make it appearance on the 740d limo that's powered by a 306HP turbo-diesel unit in autumn of 2010.

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AMI 2010: Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher Edition with 186HP

Chevrolet and its European tuning partner Irmscher presented a humbly beefed up version of the Cruze compact sedan with cosmetic and performance upgrades at this week's AMI motorshow in Leipzig, Germany.

Dubbed the Cruze Irmscher Edition, the car gets an optional boot lid spoiler along with 18-inch alloy wheels shod in beefier 225 sport tires and aluminum door sills.

Irmscher's performance modifications include a 25mm suspension drop and exhaust silencers with elliptical twin exits along with a 36HP and 146Nm boost for the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine increasing total output to 186HP and 466Nm at 2,300 rpm.

According to the tuner, the diesel version accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.0 seconds.

The Cruze Irmscher Edition is available for order at Chevrolet's German dealerships.

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