The first official photos and specs of lightly facelifted 2011 Lexus IS were published today in Europe. The styling changes on the sedan and coupe-convertible cars include tweaked headlamps that gain LED daytime running lights, reworked rear light clusters, a revised front grille design, new exterior colors and alloy wheel designs.
2011 Toyota Highlander made its world premiere yesterday at the Moscow International Motor Show. The 2011 Toyota Highlander’s exterior benefits significantly from a much more crisp, defined nose and headlights, along with restyled tail lamps and new bumper trim at the back. The rest of the crossover appears to go on mostly unchanged for the new model year.
Russian and Ukrainian> buyers get a single engine option, the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit pumping out 273HP, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.
The first official photos and specs of all-new Chevrolet Orlando MPV were published today ahead of its official debut at the at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris on September 30. The GM’s first entrant in the European MPV segment, which will compete with minivans such as the Opel Zafira and Mazda5, will enter production in October with European sales to start in early 2011.
2011 Opel Zafira MPV prototype in full camo has been caught on film out and about at the Nurburgring track in Germany. Opel Zafira is an MPV version of its C-segment model for euro market that will replace the current Zafira.
The styling of this disguised test car has been hidden well, it’s obvious that the new Zafira takes its styling cues from the Astra and Insignia incorporating features such as the creased swoop behind the front wheels and the wing-shaped head lamps.
Nissan released photos and specs of the facelifted 2011 Murano crossover, designed for the North American customers.
The North American model gains a more aggressive front fascia with a refreshed grille design and a more sculpted front bumper with different pockets around the fog-lamps, along with new tail lights and new 18-inch alloy wheel designs.
Citroen has released full details on its limited edition DS3 Racing hot hatch. Only 1,000 cars will be produced (200 right-hand drive models announced for the UK). Despite the hefty £23,100 price tag, Citroen UK says it has already received more than 1,500 inquires for the DS3 through its website. UK buyers can place their order from September 1 to start with first deliveries planned for early 2011.
Look at the first official photos of the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS that hit the web. The new Mercedes CLS is more of an evolution of the current model than a completely new take on the four-door sports saloon theme. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS will be a direct rival for the all-new Audi A7 Sportback, Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche Panamera.
The new Mercedes CLS will be offered with a variety of new engines including the freshly released 3.5 liter V6 producing 306HP and 4.7-liter bi-turbocharged V8 with 429HP.
Chrysler has published a press release and first official photos of its facelift for the 2011 model year, Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4x4s. Facelifted Wrangler include a much-needed redesign of the interior with improved materials and a fresh styling, plus an all-new body-color hard top for the Sahara model and equipment upgrades that include a USB slot for the audio system.
JEEP PRESS RELEASE:
Mazda is recalling more than 300,000 Mazda3 and Mazda5 cars in U.S., Mexico and Canada to repair problems with the power-steering system that could lead to crashes. This problem the automaker already dealt with in Japan a year ago.
Mazda told the government the recall involved model year 2007-2009 Mazda3 and Mazda5 cars built from April 2007 through November 2008. The recall involves 215,000 vehicles in the States and an additional 100,000 cars in Canada and Mexico.
