What better way to start or, end the day – depending on which side of the world you’re reading us from – than pictures of the beautiful girls from the Auto Mobil International (AMI) Show in Leipzig, Germany? So what does it take to compete at this level? For starters, you need to be physically perfect. No bad breast implants, liposuction or collagen enhanced lips allowed; if you didn’t leave the womb as a solid 9.5, look for work elsewhere. You’ve got to be smart, because you’re expected to answer questions on the vehicles and manufacturers you represent. Want to work in Europe? Better speak four or five languages at a minimum. Well, there are some things, but this is a car site and you need to get your mind out of the gutter.

Apr 13, 2010

Volkswagen will use the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2010) which will be held in Beijing China International Exhibition Center from April 25 – May 2, 2010, exposing to the Chinese audience Phaeton sedan in facelift surgery. It will take new design philosophy as well as new engines. In the middle of this month, Volkswagen will exhibit at the Beijing Motor Show a new facelift surgery in range.This time it’s flagship Phaeton, who came to join the new design philosophy of the German manufacturer. The Reviewed model comes eight years after it was first launched in the premium limousines market and is designed to make a Phaeton a luxury sedan capable of displaying the brilliance of the first years of life. Production model for which Volkswagen has built a new factory in Dresden, will take front appearance found on all copies of the German manufacturer, with a prominent grille with a discreet rear spoiler and bonnet contour perfectly aligned optical...

The new Kia Sportage is celebrating at the AMI Leipzig (public days 10.-18.4.2010), Germany‘s premiere. The third generation model of the popular compact SUV was developed primarily by Kia design teams in Frankfurt and California, led by chief designer Peter Schreyer. The vehicle carries many elements shown in the 2007 Kia Kue concept. The 4.40-meter-wheel, which is offered with front-wheel drive is more aerodynamic and lighter than its predecessor. At its market launch in the summer of 2010, the Sportage initially will be available with two 2-liter engines, a 100 kW / 136 hp diesel and a gasoline engine with 120 kW / 163 PS.

The Ford  Focus RS is with its 224 kW / 305 PS already considered the strongest Series car front-wheel drive in the world. Now, Ford is at the AMI in Leipzig (until 18/4/2010) 15 percent power on it and presenting a world premiere of the Focus RS 500 before. The 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine delivers in the special edition of 257 kW / 350 hp at 6000 rpm. The increased torque of 440 Nm to 460 Nm, the min over a wide speed range of 2500 rpm and 4500 rpm are available. The number in the model designation stands for the limited edition of only 500 vehicles, which will each receive a plaque Edition with individual production number. Most characteristic feature of the Ford Focus RS 500 is the foliation in matte-black in color, including then matched 19-inch alloy wheels. The Focus RS 500 accelerates in 5.6 seconds from zero to 100 km/h and 265 km/h maximum speed achieved. It costs 46 050 euros. ...

Apr 11, 2010

A handful of world premieres and a few dozen  debuts at the auto show in Germany – Auto Mobil International (AMI) started in Leipzig. But after Denm first press is clear: premieres are not everything. Obviously, especially the German manufacturers are trying to bring the AMI air under their  wings. They are well represented, better than last year’s fair. The apocalyptic visions of the past year, driven by the auto and economic crisis, but also by the many cancellations among the exhibitors, in the air a slight optimism is rising. At the end of the day we will know whether the optimism was justified. And yet, Leipzig is important for the auto-market. Bernhard Mattes, Ford‘s boss in Germany, has a clear opinion on the role of AMI. He holds the catchment area of the fair in eastern Germany bordering regions of interest, welcomes the opportunity to show what’s new this spring and sees the appointment as another starting point for the annual recurrent revival of...

Another new model is about to make its world debut today at the 2010 Leipzig Auto Show: the new BMW 530d Touring. The 3.0 liter engine on the 2011 BMW 530d Touring takes out 245 horsepower and remains the top model in the diesel range. Also, thanks to BMW BluePerformance technology it fulfills the EU6 emission standard. All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring also fully comply with the EU5 requirement. The new BMW 5 Series Touring comes with pneumatic suspension on the rear axle, including automatic self-leveling. The options Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are also available. When it comes to the interior the luggage capacity of the new 5 Series Touring is 560 liters, on par with the Audi A6 Avant. If desired, an increase in capacity to a maximum of 1,670 liters is guaranteed by 40:20:40 split folding the rear seats, feature that is unique in this segment. The backrest angle is variable by up to 11 degrees. The backrest can be folded down using two control levers...