Leak:2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon

The goodfellas over at Jalopnik have unearthed what appears to be the first image of the the CTS wagon which is set to have its official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show. Additionally the leaked image also contains some details about the first wagon variant in CTS history although we have our reservations on how accurate this information is.style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">According to the leaked image the 3.6L direct-injection V-6 VVT engine used in the sedan will also find its way to the wagon, but the 2.8L V-6 will be replaced with a 3.0 liter version and they will be available with either rear or all-wheel drive. Pricing is reported to start at $37,500 – that's over €5K more than the sedan and will go up to $42,500 for the top of the line mode.

See below for full details from the leaked image.

Leaked Information

Specifications

• Available Drive Types: AWD,RWD.
• Engine: 6 Cylinders, 3.0L (260hp) or 3.6L (304hp) direct injection engines.
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic.
• Fuel Economy: 27MPG highway.
• Price Range: $37,500 - $42,500.

Equipment & Features

• Full-time traction control.
• Electronic Stability Control.
• Driver, front passenger & side curtain airbags.
• UltraView double-size sunroof.
• 8-Speaker Bose sound system.
• Available 5.1 Surround sound with hard drive for music storage and live radio pause/re-play.
• Available pop-up “touch” navigation system.
• Power lift-gate and rear modular storage solutions – including split fold-rear seat.
• OnStar equipped – including “directions and corrections” and bluetooth.

Size and Dimensions

• Total Passenger Capacity: Seating for 5, with 2 rows of seats.
• Cargo Space: 58 cubic feet with 2^nd row folded flat, 25 cubic feet with rear seats up.

Source: Jalopnik


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BMW 6-series with a striking red livery and once again sporting the super

A couple of days a go we presented the extravagantly styled AG Excalibur- a quite unique vehicle created by Lithuanian Audronis Gestautas which amazed us even further when we found the Mercedes CL-class hiding underneath. There were those that liked it, there were those that hated it, but either way it was a car you just couldn't ignore, so we are more than happy to find that Audronis has not limited his skills to just one vehicle.

The latest project pictured here shows a much more modestly styled BMW 6-series with a striking red livery and once again sporting the super-sized 30inch wheels. As you can see this project is instantly recognisable as a 6-series based body kit and one that could possibly satisfy even the most fiercest critic of Audronis.
Source: autoblog

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Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger recall (U.S)

Chrysler has announced a recall of 181,000 Chrysler Sebrings and Dodge Avengers built between 2007/08. The recall is due to an electrical defect that can prevent the cars from running.

If an unused electrical connector in the tyre pressure monitoring system corrodes and shorts out, it can cause the engine to stall or not start, batteries to go dead and cause other electrical components to fail, such as the cruise control or navigation system. U.S models are only affected.

No accidents or injuries have been linked to the defect.

UK diesel is cheapest in Europe

Until the government tax is added, then its the most expensive. According to Government figures, the UK's diesel costs an average of 48.8 pence a litre before tax is added.

However, that leaps to an average 116.6p or £1.06 a litre once the Government's 58% tax has been added, making it the most expensive diesel in Europe.

Unleaded petrol prices are the third-lowest in Europe before tax, 62% tax, the third highest in Europe meaning it is the fifth highest-priced.

The Conservative Party slammed the revelations. Shadow Treasury minister Philip Hammond said: 'Gordon Brown’s claim that world oil prices are the cause of the soaring costs is exposed as a sham.

Diesel tax rates in Europe:

UK 58%

Sweden 52%

Germany 51%

France 50%

Austria 48%

Denmark 48%

Ireland 48%

Audi R8 waiting list grows to several months

The Audi R8 is defiantly a good-looking supercar but now theres a large demand for it.. Nevertheless, a new sales report from Audi says the car "is sold out for months."

If demand remains strong for the car then it's fair to assume the backlog will continue to grow.. According to chairman Rupert Stadler, the R8 isn't the only Audi with strong demand. The top executive said the large Q7 SUV has taken the A4's place as Audi's most popular model in the U.S.

What's more, Stadler said he expects to see Audi's overall sales exceed one million units this year globally. Last month, the manufacture had sold 86,700 vehicles and sales could increase even more into the second half of 2008. In 2007, Audi sold 964,000 vehicles worldwide.

Toyota recalls 90,000 Highlander SUV's (U.S)

Toyota has announced that it will recall 90,000 Highlander SUVs in the U.S due to a defect in the Highlander's third-row seat belts, which could prevent rear-facing child seats from being secured properly.

The Japanese automaker has also issued a stop of sale on all 2008 Highlanders equipped with third-row seating.

The recall impacts Highlander models built between May 2007 and March 2008. Owners will be informed of the recall in June. No injuries or accidents have been linked to the defect.

KIA Morning receives 6 month waiting list (KR)

The Kia Morning (known as Picanto in Europe and South Africa) has a 6 month waiting list in Korea. This is due to the rising fuel prices which has now made city cars in the country ever more popular.

Throughout April this year, Kia Motors has sold over 33,000 units of the Picanto/Morning. That’s a growth of 30 percent from the same period last year.

Kia says the fuel-efficient city car has been so popular that it has over 32,000 units on back order, meaning a wait of upto 6 months for many buyers throughout the world.

GM Chevrolet/Daewoo’s Matiz has also seen a steady rise in sales with more than 5,000 of the cars sold since March and another 5,000 on back order. The two models are currently the only city cars made by Korean automakers for domestic sale, putting demand far above supply.