Gasoline prices are on the rise

Gasoline prices are on the rise. And as surely as we can say that more Americans will start putting half-tanks into their cars and complaining loudly about the extra $20 or so a month they'll need to shell out—and schemes like drilling into fuel tanks emerge—let the rush on small cars resume.

According to the U.S. average retail price is about $3.53—that's up nearly 40 cents from a month ago—and they've already climbed nearly 35 cents in March due to the political turmoil.

And in this almost farcical, yet predictable turn—yes, it does seem that U.S. motorists have a very short-sighted take on the energy market—small cars and hybrids are suddenly looking like the stars of the showroom again. Even though hundreds or thousands might be lost in the trade.

2011 Audi TT & TTS

Bold, aggressive styling sends a clear message of performance and dynamic handling, while a complement of turbocharged engines delivers class-leading power and efficiency.

Inside, occupants are treated to an interior built with the same high quality materials found in the A8 flagship. In 2011, the Audi TT receives a boost in output, to 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. As before, the Audi TTS boasts a 265 hp version of the 2.0 TFSI® engine alongside a sharper suspension.

The 2011 Audi TT retains the muscular proportions of its predecessors but benefits from a redesigned fascia dominated by Audi’s characteristic Singleframe® grille. A more aggressive front bumper is fitted with a high-gloss black lattice on the Audi TT, and larger, lower intakes that increase airflow to the engine. Horizontal chrome cross braces adorn the trapezoidal grille on the Audi TTS, while new honeycomb-style air intakes flank the sides. The fog lights on the Audi TT are mounted in a set of chrome rings, and high-intensity headlights are standard on the Audi TT quattro® Coupe, Audi TT quattro Roadster, TTS quattro Coupe and TTS quattro Roadster. All models feature 12 LEDs at the lower edge of the headlamps to serve as daytime running lights.

2012 Audi Tts Coupe

Audi TT is always a fashion model as an athlete. With inspiration Bauhaus-style facade and grow with aluminum and leather upholstery are available with gloveler Baseball stitching, drawing approval, notification TT for over a decade. But really there is the potential that lies hidden beneath the skin a beautiful sport. improved detection, witness 2011 Audi TTS, high-performance version 2 +2 Coupe and Roadster little Audi TT sports car in the area. With the late model V6-powered TT, TTS is the only option for those who have more power than standard TT 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder. And more power with a 2.0-liter inline-4 the same with turbocharger and intercooler bigger, production increased to 265 hp and 258 Nm of torque. Starting from zero to 60 mph in a hair over five seconds faster than his audacious style crossword suggested.

2012 Audi TTS Specifications

Audi's adorable little TT has a bit of an identity crisis. It's so cute that you sort of expect it to be a Hyundai Tiburon for chic, gorgeous women with impeccable taste and generous budgets. Nothing against those kinds of customers -- in fact, any such woman gains ten points for driving a hot Audi like that -- but the TT has never really been taken seriously by the testosterone-laden enthusiast crowd.

Making matters worse was a product lineup that was a little too densely populated for such a low-volume car. Choices are a good thing, but when so many different TTs are on the lot - front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive; turbocharged four-cylinder, VR6; dual-clutch automatic, stick shift; coupe, convertible - it tends to overwhelm customers and work against forming a clear image of what a car is about.

A while back, Audi started cleaning up the TT lineup, dropping the narrow-angle V-6 and leaving the base 200-hp turbo four that we know and love. And then the TTS dropped, with a 265-hp version of the 2.0T and -- what's this? -- a dual-clutch automatic only? Suddenly, having too many choices didn't seem like such a bad thing.

Mercedes-Benz is in the process of updating the AMG side of the family

Mercedes-Benz is in the process of updating the AMG side of the family, including the replacement of its 6.2-liter engines with the more efficient 5.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V8. One of the models set to receive the new mill is the 2012 M-Class, and photogs posted outside the Nürburgring have caught the revised SUV getting ready to push its prodigious weight around the circuit.
The current generation ML63 AMG churns out 503 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, but with the twin-turbo 5.5-liter mill bolted in, the reworked high-po ML could see at least 544 hp and close to 600 lb-ft of twist. In addition to the upgraded engine, the camo-clad mule also benefits from a more aggressive lower-front fascia, a new character line running across the side and an assortment of other revised body mods, all of which should make their way to the new model when it goes on sale early next year.

Range Rover ever made prices from £30,000

Finally – our first good look at the smallest, lightest and greenest Range Rover ever made! With order books opening in three months and prices from £30,000, has had exclusive access to the Evoque, and spoken to design boss Gerry McGovern about the most striking car the company has ever produced.

The Evoque retains the bulging arches, sweeping headlights and sleek profile of the LRX concept shown at the Detroit Motor Show in 2008. The bluff front end and wide stance give the car the same presence as its bigger relatives, but it’s 150mm shorter and 100mm lower than the Freelander on which it’s based.

But despite being shorter than its Land Rover sibling, the newcomer is no entry-level model. The interior is packed with technology, including the ‘dual-view’ screen on the dash, which allows the passenger to watch a DVD while the driver uses sat-nav on the same screen. A 17-speaker Meridian audio system is also an option.

What’s more, the small exterior hides a surprisingly spacious interior, with plenty of room for two adults in the plush leather rear seats. Thanks to clever design, the coupé-like roof offers more headroom than you might expect in the beautifully finished cabin.

As well as being a style statement, the Evoque shows how Range Rover has cleaned up its act. It will be the first Range Rover to be offered with two-wheel drive, further broadening its appeal. The option of front-wheel drive also means that – equipped with the new 2.2-litre eD4 diesel engine and stop-start – the Evoque will return close to 60mpg and CO2 figures below 130g/km.

Two other four-cylinder engines will complete the line-up – a more powerful 187bhp diesel, and a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit with 240bhp. But both will only be available with four-wheel drive.

Thanks to the use of materials such as aluminium and magnesium, the Evoque weighs over 100kg less, which should translate to agility previously unseen on the marque’s high-riding 4x4s.

There will be three different trims; Pure, Prestige and Dynamic. Each will look slightly different, with the sportier models getting body-coloured sills and skirts, and bespoke exhausts for a more muscular look.

The expected £30,000 entry price is for a front-wheel-drive Pure, while a fully loaded Dynamic rises to more than £40,000. Order books open in January, with deliveries starting at the end of May, while the five-door version will be unveiled in November.

For more on the Evoque, and the full interview with design boss Gerry McGovern, make sure you pick up a copy of the latest issue of Auto Express, on sale now at all good newsagents.

Suzuki FANtastic Sounds

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7-21-2010 07:50

official pan-European sponsor of the 2010 MTV EMAs – is offering young music artists the chance to kick-start their careers with Suzuki FANtastic Sounds, a new online competition. To tie in with the launch of its new Swift, the Japanese manufacturer is looking for a special sound tailored to the car.

The Suzuki FANtastic Sounds campaign is calling on the music loving target audience and offers artists a chance to present their musical creation not only to a pan-European online audience, but also to a professional jury including MTV International's Talent & Music team.

The music style needs to reflect Suzuki's "Way of Life!", a unique blend of the brand values "excitement", "straightforward", "value", "sporty" and "spirit". The only pre-requisites are that entrants must be above 18 and not have a record contract.

From the 15th to the 29th of July DJs, bands, solo artists or composers will find more info at www.fantastic-sounds.com.

A jury made up of music professionals – among them "Die Happy" singer Marta Jandova – will rate all entries and decide the winner based on originality and overall musicality. First prize is a trip to the 2010 MTV EMAs in Madrid on the 7th of November, including VIP ticket and after show party – but most of all the chance to start an international career, powered by Suzuki and MTV, two leaders in their fields. Suzuki FANtastic Sounds will be supported by a pan-European on-air campaign on MTV between the 15th and 29th of July. The winner will be announced in early August.

Production of the brand new Swift, world strategic model and latest member of Suzuki's internationally successful line of small cars, has just started and it goes on sale this autumn.