2008 Volvo S40 2.4i

2008 Volvo S40 2.4i

Almost ten years ago, the first generation of the S40 was introduced as the entry-level model which would bring people into the Volvo family (hopefully, for life).At that time, Volvo was still an independent company (its plan to tie up with Renault never materialised) and R&D funds were limited. So it decided to team up with Mitsubishi Motors to develop a model, sharing resources as well as a production facility in Holland.

The new Volvo S40 and new Volvo V50 are making a joint entry onto the market with considerably refined design. A range of new features further sharpens their competitive edge in the hunt for discerning young car buyers.

So today, the concept has changed to shared technologies and the various companies get together to develop the technologies needed and then utilise these technologies as appropriate for their model. In the case of the new S40, Ford decreed that given its position, it should share technologies with the new Ford Focus and also the new Mazda3. This led to the development of C1 Shared Technologies for the three models and engineers from all three companies participated.

2008 Volvo S40 2.4i

One new feature is that the T5 engine gets a performance hike of 10 horsepower, giving an output of 230 hp. There are also five other petrol engine versions available, plus a bio-ethanol Flexifuel variant:

* 1.6 100 hp
* 1.8 125 hp
* 1.8F 125 hp (Flexifuel)
* 2.0 145 hp
* 2.4 140 hp
* 2.4i 170 hp

Diesel engines, which account for 55 percent of S40 and V50 sales in Europe and 25 percent in total, are available in three versions:

* 1.6D 109 hp
* 2.0D 136 hp
* D5 180 hp

One change here is that during the second half of 2007 the D5 engine will also be available with a manual gearbox, offering the driver no less than 400 Nm of torque compared with the automatic transmission's 350 Nm. This engine is one of the first to meet the expected Euro 5 European exhaust emission levels.

The E85-powered (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent petrol) Flexifuel variant producing 125 hp is becoming increasingly competitive. The Volvo S40 and V50 Flexifuel are sold in nine European countries and in 2007 account for 8 percent of these models' total sales.

Land Rover fully reveals 5-Door Range Rover Evoque before LA Show debut [20 Photos]

After teasing us at the end of September with a single photo, Land Rover today came out with more details and a full image gallery of the 5-door version of the Range Rover Evoque ahead of its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, on November 17.

The Evoque Coupe's five-door sibling combines the same bold design, first seen on the Land Rover Concept Car, with increased space and more practicality.

"While retaining everything that's great about the Range Rover Evoque coupé, this new 5-Door bodystyle will offer customers even more choice, greater practicality, versatility and flexibility" said Land Rover's Managing Director Phil Popham.

Design-wise, the rising beltline and muscular look are still there, but the 5-door has a slightly higher roof, as it's 30 mm taller than the coupe. Even though the overall length and width remained the same, Land Rover's designers managed to offer 50mm (2 inches) more shoulder room for the rear seat passengers, alongside ample headroom.

Opting for a full-sized glass panoramic roof, which lets plenty of natural light through, can further enhance the sensation of space.

The Evoque will offer customers the ability to specify premium leather packages, which can cover almost any surface of the interior. Furthermore, it gets 60/40 folding seat squabs with ISOFIX child seat mounts and, when required, luggage capacity can be expanded to a decent 1,445 liters.

Most of the SUV's functions can be controlled by using an intuitive touch-screen display, available with dual-view technology, so that driver and passenger can access separate functions or content at the same time. Integrated Bluetooth and a range of USB and auxiliary inputs are also available.

There's also a new, high-end sound system from Meridian, which offers 17 speakers for a total of 825 W of surround-sound performance.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the Evoque can be equipped with the optional Adaptive Dynamics System with MagneRide that promises to offer a better balance between handling and ride quality, while the company's signature Terrain Response manages the full-time four-wheel-drive system in off-road conditions. The Evoque is also the first Range Rover to offer a front-wheel drive option.

The turbocharged powertrain line-up is shared with the Coupe and consists of modern petrol and diesel engines, said to offer "four-cylinder efficiency with six-cylinder refinement and power".

Diesel variants will make up the bulk of sales in Europe, so it's no surprise that the 2.2-liter unit has two derivatives, with 150 hp (112 kW) and 190 hp (142 kW).

The lonely 2.0-liter petrol unit combines turbocharging with direct fuel injection and twin variable valve timing to produce a very respectable 240 hp or 179 kW.

The 5-door Range Rover Evoque will go on sale in more than 160 countries starting from summer 2011 with a base price of £30,000 in the UK, and from US$45,000 in the US. More details (performance figures, photos, etc.) are likely to emerge during next week's LA Auto Show.

By Auto Cars

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Bentley Releases New Photo Gallery of 2011 Continental GT Facelift

We first saw the refreshed and re-powered 2011 Bentley Continental GT at last month's Paris International Motor Show, but today, the British automaker released a new batch of images. Judging by the Continental GT's license plates and the surroundings, the photo shoot appears to have taken place somewhere in the Middle East.

In the Continental GT's most comprehensive facelift since its introduction in 2003, the luxury sports coupe has received a cosmetic makeover, heavily inspired by the new Mulsanne flagship. While signature styling cues remain, the 2011MY features a crispier design throughout, most noticeably at the front with the new grille and gemstone headlights.

Inside, the facelift brought a reshaped dashboard with a updated instrument panel and a new touch-screen interface for the audio and navigation systems.

The new Continental GT also benefits from changes under the hood, including a more potent version of the firm's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 delivering 575-horsepower and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of peak torque. More importantly, in late 2011, Bentley will enhance the Continental GT's range with an all-new 8-cylinder engine, details of which will be released closer to the launch date.

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