Fiat launches new Diesel edition 500C in Japan

The Fiat 500C by Diesel makes its formal debut in Japan on April 12.


All engine choices will have five or six-speed manual tranmissions while for the exterior customers are able to choose three body and top colour combinations for their Fiat 500 by Diesel.

The interior also gets denim-like upholstery with yellow top-stitching. Yellow brake calipers peer out from behind the 16" alloys finished in dark satin like the rest of the muted brightwork.

The Fiat 500 by Diesel price starts at 18,000 Euro and Italy will be the first to ge the limite-edition cabriolet starting from May. The automaker says they have allready sold 6,500 exemplars Fiat 500 by Diesel ans the car will be marketed worldwide.





Press Release:

Fiat 500C by Diesel debuts in Japan

Fiat 500C by Diesel, the new cabriolet version of the model jointly created in 2008 by Fiat and Diesel, the famous clothing and lifestyle brand, will debut in Japan on 12 April. The Fiat Café in Aoyama (Tokyo) – an exclusive location, which has become a byword for sociability and Italian style – has been chosen for the prestigious event, which will be attended by representatives of the establishment, the world of culture and the press, in addition to Diesel founder Renzo Rosso and the top managers of Fiat Group Automobiles Japan. The car will then make its European debut on 15 April at the Milan Furniture Fair in front of the splendid Diesel flagship store in the renowned Piazza S. Babila.

The Fiat 500C by Diesel will be marketed worldwide - in Italy from May, with an on-road price starting from 18,000 euros. Nearly 6,500 units of the already available limited-edition saloon version have already been sold. The new cabriolet "by Diesel" confirms the extraordinary capacity of the "500 Project" to continuously evolve with the addition of new versions. This is precisely one of the secrets of the undisputed success of the Fiat 500, a genuine pop icon and expression of the concept of "massexclusivity" ("non-exclusive exclusiveness"), which a few days ago reached the target of 500,000 units produced in only 31 months after having been launched.

In detail, the 500 by Diesel is distinguished by some bold aesthetic features, starting with the exterior. Everything is exclusive for this version, the result of the creativity of two teams of designers: the aggressive 16" alloy wheels, the rear trim with imitation air intake where one of the most famous logos of Italian fashion is set, the yellow brake calipers (only on the 1.4 100 HP version) and the satin finish chrome painted details, including the mouldings which with their bosses evoke the atmosphere of the Diesel fashion world. The interiors are also highly customised, sporting a dark denim style fabric with yellow stitching, a fifth pocket with the unmistakable Diesel brand, the head of the famous "Mohican" on the gear lever knob and the special satin chrome coloured dashboard.

Just like the saloon, theFiat 500C by Diesel also combines two apparently distant worlds: fashion and motoring. In fact, they have some important concepts in common, such as talent, creativity, charm and innovation, the winning ingredients of Italian style, which is famous worldwide.

Finally, according to markets, the Fiat 500C by Diesel range comes with four Euro 5 engine versions (1.2 69 HP, 1.4 16v 100 HP, 1.3 Multijet 75 HP with DPF and 1.3 Multijet II 95 HP); manual 5 or 6 speed gearboxes (petrol engines can be fitted with a Dualogic 5 speed robotised gearbox); and three body and top colour combinations: the distinctive green with black top, the elegant black with black or red top and the original "Midnight indigo" blue with ivory top. The latest two innovations of the Fiat 500 by Diesel stand out: a second-generation 1.3 Multijet II 95 HP (Euro5) turbo diesel with Start&Stop system as standard, with emissions of just 104 g/km of CO2 and "Midnight indigo" blue, an intriguing metal-flake body colour which - with a finer paint texture and almost 3D effect - is reminiscent of the look of stone-washed fabrics.

Turin, 9 April 2010

Cargraphic - Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Diesel cars are good for consumption, but usually their appearance is left on second place. This is where tuners come along and change it. And this is the case with the Porsche Cayenne Diesel, a good looking car, for sure, but not as good looking as, lets say a Turbo version.


Consisting of a rear valence and a stainless steel exhaust system, the package (€2,495) evokes the rear-end of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Of course, to complete the Diesel to Turbo transformation, you'll also need the front valance and side skirts.


The Cargraphic upgrade kit for the Porsche Cayenne 3 litre Diesel The Cayenne Diesel is a real alternative to the petrol-driven models, especially for long-distance motoring. Diesel drivers can really get their money's worth...


And of course the engine’s power was also upgraded: from a standard 240 hp, the tuner raised it to 290 hp and 630 NM of torque.
via:topspeed


Press Release


The Cargraphic upgrade kit for the Porsche Cayenne 3 litre Diesel
The Cayenne Diesel is a real alternative to the petrol-driven models, especially for long-distance motoring. Diesel drivers can really get their money's worth, not just in economic terms, and this is down to the V6 unit's high torque of 550 Nm at 176 kW / 240 PS. The only issue is the look, which does come across as somewhat tame, compared with the top Cayenne models. Yet even this is now no longer a major shortcoming, as Cargraphic, the traditional customizing company from Germany, has now included in its range a conversion kit for Cayenne Turbo look.

What the vehicle enhancement specialists, with their reputation for attention to detail, can offer the customer is a matching rear valence along with sports exhaust, heat shield and end pipes, all for 2,495 euros (plus VAT). The exhaust systems are produced in England by Cargraphic's own manufacturers, working to the highest standards of craftmanship. Only high-grade stainless steel is used, good enough to satisfy even the quality standards demanded in the aviation industry.

All that remains, then, is the "moral" issue of whether a diesel model should actually even be allowed to bear the Turbo insignia. Michael Schnarr, who heads the company along with his brother Thomas, has got the answer: "Technically, the diesel engine used in the Cayenne is actually a turbo engine." And on the subject of performance, he points to another of the company's products. Thanks to an upgrade via software, the engine power soars to 290 PS (213 kW) and the top speed rises to 133 mph (221 km/h). In terms of torque - now up to 630 Nm - the diesel model is now getting dangerously close to the "real" Turbo Cayenne, with its 700 Nm. The price of the software performance upgrade runs to 995 euros (plus VAT).

2010 Volkswagens Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

Three All-New Special Edition Volkswagens Now Available in Dealer Showrooms

The 2010 CC R-Line, 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition, And 2010 New Beetle Red Rock Edition add performance and individuality

HERNDON, Va., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that three all-new 2010 special edition models are now available in dealer showrooms. The CC R-Line, Jetta TDI® Cup Street Edition, and New Beetle Red Rock Edition all build on the already great features of their standard versions, with unique elements and design cues exclusive to these special models.

"Volkswagen constantly looks for ways of providing our customers special limited edition models that provide the opportunity of owning something unique," said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "The CC R-Line, Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition, and Red Rock Edition New Beetle demonstrate our brands ability to provide our customers something truly special."


The 2010 CC R-Line

Volkswagen's CC is one of the most stylish and sporty coupe sedans currently available in the market today. For drivers who want a more aggressive look to match, the new CC R-Line comes outfitted with a number of visual enhancements for a decidedly sporty look. A body kit with side skirts and a new front bumper, including an integrated chin spoiler, give a more aggressive appearance. Special 18-inch "Mallory" wheels, R-Line badges on the front fenders, and smoked taillamps complete the exterior upgrades. Brushed aluminum door sills are added to the interior. The CC R-Line is powered by the highly acclaimed, performance-bred 2.0T engine, mated to either a six-speed manual transmission, or a six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG®) equipped with paddle shifters.


The 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition

Born from the popularity of Volkswagen's groundbreaking Jetta TDI Cup race series – now entering its 3rd season – and enthusiast demand for a race-inspired version of the popular Jetta TDI, comes the 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition. Various modifications inside and out ensure the Street Edition is instantly connected to the TDI Cup cars racing on tracks throughout North America. The Street Edition offers the same full body kit found on the TDI Cup race cars with an aerodynamic front bumper, side skirts, and rear valance. Also included are 18-inch "Charleston" wheels with high-performance tires, larger GLI brakes with red painted calipers, and the European-tuned sport suspension from the GLI. Sport seats with Interlagos cloth, a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel, and brushed aluminum door sills mark the interior. Volkswagen's proven 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel engine makes 140 horsepower and 236 lbs.-ft. of torque, sent through either a six-speed manual, or a six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG®) transmission.


The 2010 New Beetle Red Rock Edition

The charm and passion of Volkswagen's iconic New Beetle, which was unveiled at the 1998 North American International Auto Show, continues with the 2010 New Beetle Red Rock Edition. Only 750 of the custom coupes will be available, each with a unique, two-toned exterior comprised of Red Rock metallic paint and a painted black roof. An all black interior complements the overall color scheme, while select 17-inch wheels and a full sport suspension improve driving excitement out on the open road.

The 2010 CC R-Line (starting at $29,590), the 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition (starting at $24,990), and the 2010 New Beetle Red Rock Edition ($20,390) are all available now.

To learn more about these and other Volkswagen models, please visit www.vw.com.


About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Golf, GTI, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Eos, Passat, Passat Wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2010 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.

SOURCE Volkswagen of America, Inc.
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The Diesel-Hybrid Bandwagon Builds

In the ongoing search for the optimal combination of low emissions and high fuel economy, more automakers are looking toward diesel-electric hybrid powertrains as a potential solution. The latest to test diesel-hybrid systems are Mercedes-Benz and the U.S. Army.

The problem with diesel-electric hybrids is one of cost, particularly with ever-tighter emissions standards requiring the use of more expensive exhaust-control technology on diesels, which generally emit more pollutants than gasoline engines.

But since diesels generally are more efficient and provide better fuel economy, automakers and suppliers continue to push technology frontiers in an effort to bring the hardware costs down.

Mercedes-Benz said it will unveil a diesel-electric hybrid prototype of its Citaro articulated city bus later year. With the diesel engine acting as a generator to charge the roof-mounted lithium-ion batteries, the prototype bus runs in pure electric mode and has the potential to offer fuel-economy gains of as much as 30 percent. The company expects production to begin in 2009.

In the U.S., supplier Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide said it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to develop a diesel-electric hybrid version of its Aggressor alternative mobility vehicle (AMV).

The diesel-hybrid version follows the original fuel-cell hybrid Aggressor that was developed for the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), National Automotive Center (NAC).

The diesel-electric AMV is intended to be a second-generation high-performance light-duty off-road vehicle for the Army. Quantum will develop and build pre-production prototypes for testing by various Army units. Targets include high-performance acceleration, extended range and exportable power. The Army said the AMV could be suitable for a variety of commercial uses, including homeland security, border patrol and park service operations.

© Source: insideline
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2010 diesel Nissan Maxima

In a move that signals a major commitment to diesel as an alternative-fuel powertrain, Nissan on Wednesday said it will launch its first clean-diesel engine in the U.S. in 2010 in the Maxima sedan.

Speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn laid out an ambitious plan for expanding clean-diesel technology into the product lineup in the near future. "You can expect to see more diesel engines in our product lineup in Europe, Japan, North America and China by fiscal year 2010," Ghosn said.

He did not provide any powertrain specifications for the 2010 Maxima. In a statement, Nissan said further details about the car, including its launch date, will be announced later. Nissan currently has diesel offerings in its cars sold in Europe.

Ghosn lauded the "potential benefits" of diesel, noting that there is growing demand in the U.S. for increased fuel economy and CO2 emissions reduction.

© Source: article on insideline
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