
The front spoiler of the Volvo XC60 is the first HEICO SPORTIV design element fulfilling the latest pedestrian protection guidelines. To fulfill this EG directive, the vehicle must undergo a crash test during the development process. “Compared to the conventional process, this involves considerably more effort, but it also represents a USP vis-à-vis cheaper suppliers,” explains project manager Alexander Lode. “With this, we are...

A full range of Duratec petrol and Duratorq diesel engines are available for the new Ford Focus Sedan. Depending on engine capacity and fuel type the new Ford Focus Sedan transmissions available include 5- and 6-speed manual transmissions and the new Ford PowerShift automatic which is standard on the 110 PS and optional on the136 PS power outputs of the 2.0-litre Duratorq engine. A number of new standard driver assistance features have been introduced...

The new engine has an additional 200cc that helps to give the new Honda Legend greater torque across the whole rev range. Complementing this increase in capacity the 3.7 litre V6 has VTEC added to the exhaust valves, joining the system already fitted on the inlet side. These realised a 20% increase in torque in the mid-range. The result is an enhancement to the feeling of power, as well as the improved acceleration. Coupled to this revised engine,...

The Williams-Toyota FW31, the team’s 2009 season race car, made its track debut at the Algarve Motor Park circuit in southern Portugal at the first official Formula One test of the year. The Williams-Toyota FW31 is the first major clean-sheet car design for perhaps 30 years, driven by a wholesale change in Sporting and Technical Regulations. The new Sporting Regulations are intended to increase car reliability and further reduce costs, while the...

The new Kia Picanto enjoys a whole range of updates and the model line-up is adjusted to take advantage of the changes in Vehicle Excise Duty regulations. Priced from £5,995 OTR, the revised 1.0-litre Kia Picanto is now eligible for band B VED at only £35 per year. This saving was made possible as the entry level model is a four-seat version with eco-friendly tyres and upgraded engine, producing an extra 2 PS. The major changes all happen externally...

The 2010 Hyundai Sonata is a midsize, front-engine, mainstream family sedan with a traditional notchback trunk. It is sold in eight iterations: GLS, GLS PZEV, SE, SE PZEV, Limited, Limited PZEV, Limited V-6. There are seats for five people. Luggage capacity is a very decent 16.3 cubic feet. The new Hyundai Sonata delivers powerful performance through its 2-liter Theta II MPi gasoline engine (Max output 165ps, Max torque of 20.2?·m). Delivering fuel...

German tuner VATH have released their latest program upgrade for the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Estate, the VÄTH V63RS Power-C-Class CLUBSPORT wagon. The VÄTH V63RS Power-C-Class CLUBSPORT wagon outputs 585 hp and 690 Nm of torque thanks to an optimized exhaust system and a re-programmed ECU. The top speed of the VÄTH V63RS Power-C-Class CLUBSPORT wagon is limited to 325 km/h. The VÄTH V63RS Power-C-Class CLUBSPORT wagon comes with a new differential,...

Caractere have released their latest Volkswagen Golf body kit for the sixth-generation model: Golf MkVI. The Caractere Volkswagen Golf MkVI kit includes a complete front end that can be offered with or without the fog lights, headlight washers, PDC and Park assist. The Caractere Volkswagen Golf MkVI kit also includes a pair of side skirts and a roof spoiler that comes in two versions, sport or classic. At the rear, The Caractere Volkswagen Golf MkVI...

The all-new 2009 Honda Fit Sport features a new 1.5-literi-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine connected to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, which includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Honda Fit Sport. The new engine is designed to offer the best balance of fuel economy and power, it produces 117 horsepower at 6600 rpm and 106 lb-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. Larger 15-inch and 16-inch (Honda...

ABT Sportsline has launched the ABT AS5 Cabrio based on Audi A5 Cabrio upgrade program. The ABT AS5 Cabrio Based on Audi A5 visual kit includes a new front grille, a 4-pipe exhaust unit, a new front apron and the side sills and 19 or 20 inc rims. There are currently four performance increase packages available: with ABT POWER, which is the optimisation of the electronic engine management system, the 2.0 TFSI receives a sporty 275HP (202kW) instead...