New Hyundai Sonata sSdan

...fully undisguised



These pictures show what appears to be the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

2010 Kia Sorento

On sale: February 2010; Price: From $36,095; Seven seats and a strong diesel engine


Kia's reputation for building stylish, well-built and great value cars looks set to continue with the 2010 launch of the Sorento.

This latest models is longer and lower than the existing model that was launched in 2003, meaning there is more room for passengers inside with Kia claiming the interior will be much more luxurious too. On the outside the changes include the new more aggressive front grille that can also be seen on the latest version of the Kia Ceed.

The most popular engine is expected to be the new 2.2-litre diesel which will replace the current 2.5-litre diesel engine but will produce more power with 197bhp compared to the existing 168bhp. Ths new engine will be available with either the six-speed manual gearbox or an all-new six-speed automatic on offer.
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Volvo S60 Could Arrive In India In 2010

Volvo Car is considering plans to bring their S60 luxury sedan to India sometime next year.

This model is expected to be relaunched in the European markets in 2010.

They are also considering setting up a local manufacturing unit once they start meeting the target of 2000 cars sold every year.

Volvo India said in a statement: “We will be launching the S60 in the Indian market after it is rolled out in Europe in the middle of next year. We hope to have it in India before the end of 2010.”

Finally, Volkswagen Generates Operating Profit in First Half of '09

In the first half of 2009, the Volkswagen Group extended its global competitive position and strengthened its financial base. In the first six months of the year, Europe’s largest automobile manufacturer delivered 3.1 million (H1 2008: 3.3 million) vehicles worldwide. Although the overall market contracted by around 18 percent, group deliveries decreased by only 4.4 percent. Consequently, its share of the global passenger car market rose to 12.0 percent (9.9 percent). Sales revenue declined by 9.4 percent to €51.2 billion (€56.5 billion) in the first six months due to volume-related factors. Operating profit amounted to €1.2 billion (€3.4 billion), of which €928 million is attributable to the seasonally strong second quarter. The Group generated profit after tax of €494 million (€2.6 billion).

The Automotive Division’s net cash flow in the first six months rose substantially to €4.3 billion (€2.3 billion). Volkswagen also increased net liquidity in the Automotive Division by €4.3 billion compared with the end of 2008 to €12.3 billion as of June 30, 2009.
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Mercedes Benz Forthree

Recent patent filings by Mercedes-Benz indicate that a three-seater Smart may be in the works.

According to Autocar:

"Nothing's official at this stage, but Mercedes-Benz insiders contacted by Autocar suggest the new car could take the name 'Forthree' into showrooms by 2014 as part of plans to extend the Smart lineup into a complete range of models by the middle of the next decade."

Smart Forthree?