Porsche Improves Cayenne’s V6 Diesel and Introduces 540HP Powerkit for Turbo Model

Less than a year after the market launch of the second iteration of the Cayenne, Porsche has introduced a revised version of the SUV’s diesel engine while also improving and adding new options to the rest of the range. Beginning with the Cayenne Diesel, the 3.0-liter V6 oil-burner has been reworked by Porsche engineers and features a new turbocharger with improved response and greater efficiency, increased direct injection pressure to 2000 bar and a lighter crankshaft.

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Diesel-only Renault Laguna Coupe Monaco GP Launched in France

Revealed for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show along with the similarly trimmed Megane, the second iteration of the Renault Laguna Coupe Monaco GP special edition is now available for order in France. Renault took the decision to build a second run of the Monaco GP to satisfy customer demand after all 400 units of the previous version were quickly sold out.

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Alfa Romeo UK Introduces 2011MY 159 with New 2.0 JTDM and Revised Features

After its introduction at last year’s Paris Motor Show, Alfa Romeo is finally launching its 2011 model year 159 saloon and Sportwagon range onto the UK market. The updated 159 lineup is enhanced with a new 136 bhp 2.0 JTDM diesel engine, as well as with new interior trim and equipment.

The 2.0-liter JTDM is a Euro-5 diesel unit equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger delivering 136 bhp at 4,000 rpm and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque at 1,750 rpm. Linked to a 6-speed manual gearbox, it allows the sedan to complete the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 9.9 seconds (SW: 10.1 sec) and to reach a top speed of 126 mph (202km/h).

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2012 Volvo V70, XC70 and S80 get Revised Diesel Engines and New Features

Volvo announced that it will offer a number of upgrades for its new model year V70, XC70 and S80, including the introduction of the latest iteration of its infotainment system as well as refined D5 and D3 diesel engines with increased performance and lower fuel consumption.

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New ECO Start/Stop System Lowers Mercedes S 350 BlueTEC's Fuel Consumption to 6.2 lt/100 km (37.9MPG)

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the S 350 BlueTEC will be offered from now on with a standard ECO start/stop function. As a result, average fuel economy is rated at 6.2 liters/100 km (37.93 mpg US), down 9 percent from an already impressive –for the size and type of car- 6.8 liters/100 km (34.59 mpg US). Read more »

Kia Adds Some Luxury to Facelifted Pro_Cee’d with New UK Market Version

A new high-grade version of Kia’s recently facelifted Pro_Cee’d model has been introduced in the UK. The three-door Pro_Cee’d ‘4’ comes with added standard features and is powered by the latest version of Kia’s 1.6-liter turbo diesel producing 126bhp or 13bhp more than the previous engine for a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint time of a little over 10 seconds and a top speed of 122 mph (196 km/h).

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Jeep Compass Priced from £16,995 in UK, Sales to Start on April 15

The refreshed Jeep Compass SUV will go on sale in the UK on April 15 with prices ranging from £16,995 ($27,783) for the base model to £23,995 ($39,227). Available in 2WD versions as well as 4WD, the Compass is offered with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty.

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2011 Infiniti FX Updated with New Features in Europe

Infiniti has rolled out the 2011 FX in Europe. For the new model year, the Japanese firm’s SUV gains new convenience and safety features along with new color and trim combinations, while keeping the same engine range, which includes two petrol units and a diesel option. Read more »

New European Market Ford Focus ECOnetic Expected to Return 3.5 lt/100 km or 67.2MPG

A new variant of the latest Focus with the ECOnetic moniker and a segment leading fuel efficiency will soon be added to Ford’s European lineup. According to the company, the diesel-powered Focus ECONetic is expected to use less than 3.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (equal to 80 mpg UK or 67.2 mpg US) and return ultra-low CO2 emissions of less than 95g/km when final certification is completed later this year.

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New Opel Astra 2.0 CDTI with EcoFLEX Package Delivers 4.5lt/100km or 52.26 MPG

A new, more fuel efficient model has been added to the Opel Astra’s European lineup. The Astra 2.0 CDTI 160HP comes equipped the ecoFLEX package, which includes Start/Stop functionality. Already available for the Astra 1.3 CDTI, the package is offered as an optional extra for the 2.0-liter diesel hatchback and Sports Tourer models in combination with the six-speed manual transmission.

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Alfa Romeo Launches 2011MY MiTo in Europe

This week marks the commercial debut of the 2011 model year Alfa Romeo MiTo in Italy and on other major European markets. First shown at the 2011 Geneva Salon, the modestly updated MiTo comes with a fresh batch of exterior colors, different seat upholsteries, new optional equipment and Euro 5 compliant engines all fitted as standard with a Start&Stop system. Read more »

Land Rover Celebrates Production Milestone of 250,000th Freelander 2

Today, Land Rover celebrates a new milestone in the life of its Freelander 2 as the 250,000th vehicle rolled off the production line at the Company's Halewood manufacturing plant in Merseyside. The 250,000th Freelander 2 is a 2.2 litre TD4 Diesel GS in Fuji White and is destined for a customer who lives in Scotland.

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Loder1899 Gives the New Ford C-Max More Attitude and Power

It’s been a while since we last heard of Loder1899, but the German tuning house is back with a new proposal, this time for Ford’s new C-Max compact minivan. The tuner’s offerings include both performance tweaks and aerodynamic bits.

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Audi's Green Super Troopers

"The Green Police is, in many ways, a representation of the impact every day choices have on the environment- from choosing paper or plastic bags at the grocery store and drinking bottled water to the type of car we drive," said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. "The star of our ad is the Audi A3 TDI, awarded the Green Car Journal's 2010 'Green Car of the Year' award, and clearly a great option for customers who want to be greener without sacrificing the thrill of driving."

So is the Audi Diesel campaign not making traction? Or is this just some really obscure experiment that is acceptable during Super Bowl commercial folly? I get the make better “green” decisions to better the planet, but I don’t know how watching a bunch of fake cops talk about how many napkins I’m supposed to take when eating a burrito will increase interest in Audi’s A3 TDI. Perhaps that is coming on Super Bowl Sunday.


I get that it is supposed to be satirical, but it’s really boring. It lacks the fun and good writing of Audi’s other recent viral video concept “Meet the Beckers.”

But who cares what I think: How is the response from those who have checked out the YouTube videos? Apparently the green one napkin per sandwich routine isn’t resonating. A few of many representative comments I pulled from YouTube:

“trying to save the planet with recycling and saving napkins is like bringing a dustpan and brush to an earthquake”

“Aren't napkins compostiable [sic], recycleable [sic] and most are made from recycled material? Sometimes environmentalists need to pick their battles. Stupid stuff like this is a waste.”

“wouldn't it be better if places just switched to cloth napkins if dining in?”

“Manbearpig approves of this message!”

The other issue is the use of “Green Police” for the campaign. The phrase "Gruene Polizei" is well known as the name used for the Nazi police force due to the green uniforms they wore. Fortunately for Audi it is well known by history buffs and not the general U.S. population; though, some articles are already getting published discussing this as a potential public relations snafu for Audi’s otherwise innocuous campaign.

Sure the Green Police title will get some negative buzz but I doubt it will have much impact on the campaign. The bigger issue is around whether this police parody will have any impact on getting U.S. consumers interested in Audi Diesels.

Visit the campaign's YouTube Channel for more: http://www.youtube.com/user/greenpolice