A higher-spec trim-level has been added to the Volkswagen Passat and Passat Estate range in the UK. Building on the standard Highline model, the Highline Plus adds chrome grille surround and louvres, Bluetooth telephone connectivity with touchscreen adaptor, as well as Volkswagen's RNS 310 satellite navigation unit with integrated radio and MP3-compatible CD player.

This version also includes all the features of the standard Passat Highline including ABS and ESP, six airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, semi-automatic climate control, cruise control and leather upholstery

The new Passat Highline Plus models carry a premium of £750 over the standard Highline with prices starting at £20,515 RRP 'on the road' for the 2.0-litre TDI 110 PS sedan and £21,715 for the Estate.

Suzuki has announced detailed pricing on its all-new Kizashi mid-size sedan that will begin arriving in dealer showrooms in the States in December 2009. Prices will range from $19,734 for the based Kizashi S with a manual gearbox to $27,484 for the top-of-the-line SLS with an automatic transmission (CVT) and AWD. All Kizashi sedans are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 185 HP with the six-speed manual gearbox and 178HP when mated to the CVT.

The Kizashi S comes equipped with 8 airbags (front/rear side and curtain), pushbutton keyless start, dual-zone climate control, 9-speaker audio with steering controls, stability control and ABS and, power windows, doors and mirrors as standard.

The better equipped SE model that costs $2,500 more than the automatic version of the S model adds a CVT, 215/55R17 tires on alloy wheels, power driver's seat with 10-way adjustment, 3-position memory driver's seat, and leather wrapped parking brake handle and steering wheel with cruise control.

Next up is the GTS model which is available in six-speed manual or a performance tuned CVT with steering wheel paddle shifters. Priced at $23,234, the SE gets various equipment upgrades over the SE including a 425 watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with 10 speakers, Bluetooth streaming audio capability (with compatible MP3 and iPod connectivity) and hands-free calling with voice command, 235/45R18 tires, fog lights and power moon roof.

Finally, the SLS adds leather seats, power passenger seat, heated front seats, auto dimming rear view mirror with Homelink Universal garage door opener, heated outside mirrors, automatic rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and rear parking sensors.

Chrysler intends to sell all three available versions of the Fiat 500 in the USA, including the base hatchback, the rag-top convertible and the sporty Abarth, according to the Detroit automaker's five-year business plan that was revealed to the press on Wednesday. As was the case with BMW and the launch of its MINI brand in the turn of the 21st century, the Italian mini will be sold in the States (as a Fiat) at Chrysler's dealerships.

But not all dealers will get the 500, as the company's Vice President of Network Development & Fleet, Peter M. Grady revealed. The Italian mini will be sold mainly in metro areas at select dealers that house all Chrysler Group LLC brands and will include a dedicated salon inside the dealership.

First up will be the North American version of the basic three-door model that will be powered by Fiat's new 1.4-liter Multiair 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Sales of this model will start in the U.S. in fourth quarter of 2010.

The three-door hatchback will be followed in 2011 by the partially drop-top 500 Convertible that features a rather simple rollback canvas retaining the car's roofline and C-pillar. The range will be completed in 2012 with the North American launch of the sporty 500 Abarth powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

While neither Fiat or Chrysler disclosed any other details on the North American 500s, buyers should expect to see many special and limited edition versions of all three models making their way to showrooms.

Fiat plans to build the North American Fiat 500 at a Chrysler plant in Mexico.

The beginning of the month sees Kia's UK division launching yet another limited edition version of the Soul, the 'Tempest', which replaces the outgoing 'Samba' model. Part of Kia's Original Collection models, the Tempest comes in a Titanium Silver finish with black high-gloss bumper inserts and door mirrors, and is fitted with specific black 18-inch alloy wheels. As for the interior, the Tempest gets 'Soul-Shine' black seat trim with metallic centre fascia and chrome accents on the dashboard and instrument clusters.

Other key features of the limited edition model include a reversing camera system with electrochromic rearview mirror and an upgraded audio system featuring a dash-top centre speaker, rear sub-woofer and external amplifier.

The Soul Tempest is available with 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines with prices starting from £12,845.

Source Carscoop

Unveiled for the first time at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the Lexus GS 450h hybrid has received a minor cosmetic facelift as well some added features for 2010 while it's gasoline-only siblings, the GS 350 and GS460 that are powered by a 303HP 3.5-liter V6 and a 342HP 4.6-liter V8 respectively, get new colors and technology enhancements for the new model year. Despite the upgrades, Lexus has not increased prices over the 2009MY GS models.

The 2010 GS 450h benefits from a few exterior enhancements that were made to distinguish it from the gas-only models, including a revised front grille, clear tail lamp covers and unique 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear-wheel drive hybrid model combines a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with a compact electric motor that collectively produce an output of 340 horsepower.

For 2010, the GS 350 and GS 460 receive two new exterior colors, Deep Sea Mica and Satin Cashmere Metallic, while Black Sapphire Pearl, Verdigris Mica, and Golden Almond Metallic are discontinued. Furthermore, the Parchment-colored interior replaces Cashmere.

The standard Lexus Premium Sound System on both the gas-only and hybrid GS models has been enhanced for 2010 with the addition of iPod/USB connectivity, streaming audio via Bluetooth and an integrated satellite radio receiver. Moreover, the optional Lexus Navigation system has been updated to a new hard disk drive based system with Voice Command casual-language voice recognition and Bluetooth phonebook download capability.

Prices for the 2010 GS range from $45,875 for the GS 350 to $57,425 for the GS 450h (both including a delivery, processing and handling fee of $875). Lexus said that the 2010 GS sedans will arrive at U.S. dealerships later in October.

Source carscoop

French automaker Peugeot today released detailed pricing on its all-new 5008 MPV that is due to go on sale in the UK in January 2010. Buyers can choose from three different trim levels - Active, Sport and Exclusive – all of which feature Peugeot's Multiflex interior with seven seats, the second row of which folds flat and the third row can be hidden below the floor. Engine options include two petrols with 120HP and 156HP and three diesels with 110HP, 150HP and 163HP.

Prices range from £16,895 for the base 5008 VTi 120 Active to £23,695 for the top-of-the-line 5008 HDi 163 Auto Exclusive.

All versions come equipped with standard ESP, (Electronic Stability Programme), automatic electric parking brake with Hill Assist, Energy Saver tires and air conditioning.

The 5008 Sport models are also equipped with 17-in. alloy wheels, an Aluminium package (trim for front grille, front fog lights and chrome detailing), cruise control with speed limiter, lighting pack with removable torch, Storage pack (under seat and footwell storage), color coded exterior and front fog lights.

The Excluisve trim adds more standard features such as the Cielo panoramic glass roof, a Visibility pack (automatic headlamps and wipers), Rear Vision pack (electric folding mirrors, electrochrome interior mirror), Head Up display, Distance Alert, rear parking aid, USB and Bluetooth handsfree equipment and climate control air conditioning.

Via Listcarworld

About a week before the first five-door examples of the new Polo are delivered to UK customers, Volkswagen has announced pricing for the three-door model that is available for order now with first deliveries set to take place in early January 2010. Both body styles share the same engine and trim levels, with the entry-level version of the three-door model, the 60HP 1.2 S starting at £9,435. According to Volkswagen, the same five-door Polo costs £10,035.

Current petrol engine options include a 1.2-liter unit with 60HP and 70HP and a 1.4-liter that makes 85HP, while the diesel range comprises of a .16-liter TDI with 75HP and 90HP.

Via listcarworld

Just one day after the presentation of the all-new 2010 4Runner, Toyota released pricing on its truck-based SUV model as well as on four more 2010 model year vehicles including the Land Cruiser, Venza, Prius and Tacoma pickup truck. MSRPs for the new 4Runner (including an $800 destination fee) range from $28,300 for the two-wheel drive SR5 grade with a 157HP 2.7-liter four pot to $40,600 for the Limited grade 4x4 with a 270HP 4.0-liter V6. Toyota said that the V6 4Runners will begin arriving at dealerships in late October or early November, while the 4-cylinder SR-5 will go on sale in early January 2010.

As for the rest of the range, the 2010MY Venza crossover-thingamajig, which will begin arriving at dealerships in early November, carries a base MSRP (including a $750 destination charge) that ranges from $27,025 for the four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive model to $29,550 for the all-wheel-drive V6. That comes to an increase of $300, or an average of 1.1 percent over the 2009MY cars.

For 2010, the Venza adds a USB port for iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology as standard equipment on all audio systems.

Expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late October, the 2010 Land Cruiser will start from $66,770 (including destination fees), an increase of $1,215, or 1.9 percent over the 2009MY. Changes for the 2010MY include an upgraded audio system that adds a standard USB port for iPod connectivity, Bluetooth wireless technology, grey factory privacy glass tint to the rear hatch and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

While the 2010MY doesn't bring any upgrades for the Tacoma pickup truck, Toyota has announced a price adjustment increase of $175, or an average of 0.8 percent effective on November 2, 2009. MSRP's (including destination charges) range from $16,145 for the Regular Cab four-cylinder 4x2 with a five-speed manual transmission to $28,050 for the Double Cab long bed 4x4 V6 with a five-speed automatic.

Finally, Toyota has increased the base MSRP on the 2010 Prius II, III, IV and IV models that will begin arriving in late October by $400, or an average of 1.6 percent. Prices, again including destination fees, range from $23,150 for the Prius I model to $28,420 for the range-topping Prius V.

Toyota said that pricing for the Prius I model, which will be made available in limited numbers to fleet buyers, will remain unchanged at $21,750.

Following its European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Kia has now released details on the U.S. market 2011 Sorento that will be the first vehicle to be built at the firm's new plant in West Point, Georgia. The second generation Sorento that ditches the previous model's ladder-frame chassis for a unibody design has grown in size measuring 184.4 inches in length and 74.2 inches in width and can fit up to seven passengers in three rows of seats.

According to Kia, aside from the increased head and legroom, the 2011 Sorento also boasts nearly five cubic feet more in cargo capacity (9.1 cu.ft. with all seats up; 37.0 cu.ft. with the third row down; 72.5 cu.ft. with all rows down).

The U.S.-spec model will be offered with two gasoline engines that can be mated to either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations.

The line-up includes an entry-level 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine outputting 172 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 3,750 rpm that can coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, an electronically-controlled six-speed automatic transmission.

The FWD Sorento 2.4 returns 21mpg city and 28mpg highway with the manual gearbox and 21mpg / 29mpg with the automatic while the 4WD model with the auto box, 20mpg / 28mpg respectively.

The range-topping Sorento comes with a larger 3.5-liter V6 unit producing 273 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 247 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Offered exclusively with a six-speed auto, the Sorento 3.5 returns an estimated fuel economy of 20mpg city and 28mpg highway for the FWD model and 19mpg / 27mpg for the 4WD version.

The vehicle's standard equipment in the States will include an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service, auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting personal MP3 players, and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls.

Available options include push button-start ignition; voice-activated navigation; rear sonar back-up cameras; air ionization purification technology and a large panoramic sunroof.

Via Listcarworld

Nissan's luxury division Infiniti has released pricing on the 2010 EX35 that is on sale now at the firm's U.S. dealerships. The MSRP (excluding tax, title and license fees) for the base EX35 RWD and AWD is $33,800 and $36,000 respectively, and for the better equipped EX35 Journey RWD and AWD, $35,200 and $37,400 correspondingly. While there are no cosmetic or mechanical upgrades with the EX35 retaining its 297HP 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to a five-speed automatic transmission and an available all-wheel drive system, Infiniti enhanced the 2010 model year's standard equipment and revised the optional packages.

More specifically, the base EX35 is now offered with heated outside mirrors and auto on/off headlights, while the EX35 AWD also gains heated front seats. A standard Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System is added to EX35 Journey models, while all audio systems have been enhanced with a USB Connection Port for iPod and a 2GB Music Box hard drive to the Bose Premium Audio system - only on vehicles without Infiniti's nav system.

As for the option packages, along with the new Bose and Around View Monitor pack, which includes an Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with the so-called "Plasmacluster air purification", the Navigation Package has been upgraded with the addition of Bluetooth Streaming Audio, XM NavWeather™ and Zagat Restaurant Guide.

Nearly a year after making the announcement on the development of a new six-speed manual gearbox option for its 2010 Acura TL lineup, Honda has finally launched the vehicle onto the U.S. market. The new manual transmission is available exclusively on the range-topping SH-AWD model that pairs Acura's all-wheel drive system with a 3.7-liter V6 engine producing 305HP and 273 lb-ft of peak torque, instead of the entry-level, front-wheel drive model's 280HP 3.5-liter V6.

"The new manual transmission equipped TL SH-AWD allows the enthusiast driver to take full advantage of the performance of Acura's SH-AWD system," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales, "Not only is the new 6-speed manual transmission model the best performing Acura TL ever, it is the top handling performer among every vehicle in its class."

The newly developed close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox is said to be approximately 110 lbs lighter than the five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission.

And since the manual model is aimed at enthusiasts, Acura tweaked the TL SH-AWD's chassis by upgrading the suspension and steering wheel system.

Along with the specially tuned coil spring and shock absorber rates for flatter cornering with reduced pitching motions under acceleration and braking -or so Acura claims, the front dampers on the manual model incorporate 5-percent more compression damping to improve turn-in feel and generate 14-percent less high speed compression damping better ride quality.

Other improvements for the manual model include the modified Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and EPS system as well as the firmer engine and transmission bushings.

While Acura has yet to disclose performance figures, the automaker did announce that the TL SH-AWD with the 6-speed manual gearbox returns an EPA estimated 18mpg city and 26mpg highway, which is 1mpg better in both cases than the automatic version.

The manual model keeps the same pricing as the five-speed automatic SH-AWD at $42,385 when combined with the Technology Package and at $43,385 with the Technology pack and high performance tires. Just so you know, the above prices do not include taxes, license or an $810 destination and handling charge.