The New Lexus 600h Now On Sale
The LS 600h, the new hybrid powered flagship of the Lexus brand officially goes on sale today, Monday 1 October. Demand is very high and order leadtimes are now extending into next spring. Lexus GB has confirmed orders for 230 cars to date of which over 60 per cent are for the top of the range LS 600h L (long wheel base) with Rear Seat Relaxation Package.
Equipped with a more advanced powertrain and more sophisticated array of preventive, active and passive features than any car in its class, the LS 600h sets new standards in luxury motoring, ensuring owners enjoy supreme comfort, convenience and on-board entertainment.
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The LS 600h features the world’s first full-time, all-wheel drive full hybrid V8 powertrain, combining a technically peerless 5.0-litre engine with a powerful, high-output electric motor. The result is performance that rivals a standard V12 petrol engine (nought to 62mph in 6.3 seconds) with fuel consumption and emissions that are on a par with the segment’s best performing – and substantially lower powered – diesels (30.4mpg and 219g/km in combined cycle driving).
Mercedes M-Class Edition 10 Is On Sale US
Mercedes announced the launch of the anniversary Mercedes M-Class Edition 10 in the U.S. The Mercedes ML350 Edition 10 marks a decade of M-Class presence on the U.S. market.
This September marks the ten-year anniversary of the M-Class, the first SUV built by Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. To help celebrate this important milestone, Mercedes-Benz is launching a special limited edition of its popular M-Class sport utility that’s appropriately badged Edition 10. The V6-powered ML350 Edition 10 model features a unique Birch Wood and Macadamia and Black leather interior with an aluminum instrument cluster and sport pedals. With 1,000 vehicles scheduled to be offered in the U.S., the limited-production Edition 10 comes in a choice of Obsidian Black or Arctic White paint with eye-catching black headlight surrounds, tinted tail lights and a chrome shadow finish on the grille as well as the front and rear skid plates. Its exterior and interior are finished with aluminum “Edition 10” badging and floor mats.
In addition to its exclusive exterior and interior finish, the Edition 10 comes with an enhanced list of standard equipment. A rear-view camera, GPS navigation, power liftgate, rain-sensor wipers and heated front seats are all standard, along with a harman/kardon premium audio system with six-disc CD changer, rear audio controls, Sirius satellite radio and an integrated hands-free phone system.
The new ML350 Edition 10 is part of the 2008 M-Class family that includes the fuel-efficient ML320 CDI diesel with a 215-hp V-6 engine, the ML350 (the most popular M-Class model) with a 268-hp V-6, the powerful new ML550 with a 382-hp V-8, and the high-performance ML63 AMG with a 503-hp V-8. The M-Class line features a sleek exterior with a unibody platform and four-wheel independent suspension that deliver impressive on-road driving performance and comfort. Useful technology abounds in the M-Class, including a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel-drive and four-wheel traction control.
Porsche 911
The final addition to the current 911 Turbo line-up has just been launched. But that doesn’t mean Porsche’s engineers can rest. As you can see, they’re already working on the model’s successor.
These images reveal the facelifted 911 undergoing final tests, ahead of its launch at next March’s Geneva Motor Show. It will replace the current Turbo model when it goes on sale in the summer of 2008.
As with previous evolutions of the 911, this mid-life makeover is not a total redesign. Instead, the changes improve some of the car’s detailing and are expected to have a subtle impact on its specification and performance. The biggest visual difference is the new rear lights. These are sharper and have LED-style bulbs. Up front, the headlamps get more distinctive lenses and there are revised foglights, too.
The car pictured has yellow brake calipers, which signifies that it’s fitted with Porsche’s PCCB ceramic discs. These help drivers make the most of the spectacular performance.
With a projected 500bhp from its 3.6-litre twin-turbo engine, the new 911 is expected to sprint from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 193mph. A cabrio version – which could cost more than ?100,000 – is also being developed.
BMW opens first showroom in Vietnam
Euro Auto Corp., the official importer of BMW vehicles in HCMC, opened the German automaker’s first showroom in the city late last week, with the launch of the new BMW X5 SUV with a price tag of ˆ106,500 headlining the event.
The 500-square meters showroom at 165 Pasteur Street in District 3 costing $200,000 showcases BMW’s 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and the all-new BMW X5. Huynh Du An, general director of Euro Auto Corp., said that the showroom would introduce and sell new cars imported from the US and Germany. Euro Auto will also provide BMW maintenance and repair services, and supply genuine BMW parts as well. Prior to opening the new show-room, Euro Auto operated an interim service facility at 392 Kinh Duong Vuong Street in Binh Tan District.
Euro Auto will commission a new retail and service facility at Phu My Hung valued at $3.5mil next year. Covering 8,800 square meter, this center will be Euro Auto’s premier outlet for BMW vehicles in the city. The upcoming showroom will be a one-stop shop for a wide range of BMW automobiles, service, parts, accessories and lifestyle products. Euro Auto expects to sell some 250 cars this year and 500-600 cars next year. Since becoming the official importer of BMW vehicles nearly two months ago, 80 customers have placed orders with Euro Auto.
BMW is a leading manufacturer of luxury cars in the world. However, the German company was unsuccessful in a car assembly joint venture in Vietnam; it withdrew from the joint venture with a local company in 2005.
