We already know that locally produced Falcon will someday include high output four-cylinder engine under its EcoBoost program to satisfy even the noisiest critics with its small car like fuel consumption. What we didn’t know was that Ford was going to introduce it sooner than expected. Customers looking for big car with small economy will no longer have to wait for the four-cylinder alternative to hit the showrooms following the release of 2012 Ford Falcon FG MKII EcoBoost and its quite remarkable 8.1L/100km fuel consumption. This makes the EcoBoost Falcon the cleanest on the lot, undercutting its closest rivals by up to 20%. The four-cylinder powered Falcon high output figure provide yet another proof that Ford Engineers didn’t just agreed to four-cylinder power for the sake of economy but were looking to maintain reasonable performance. And who would disagree? With 179kW/353Nm of power the 2012 Ford Falcon FG MKII EcoBoost is said to cover the 100km/h distance in 7.2s or 0.2 slower than standard six-cylinder version. 2012 Ford Falcon FG MKII EcoBoost will go on sale in April this year.

Article added by Lenka Bezekova

Audi is introducing what is currently described as the most powerful version of TDI, sorry, BiTDI with 235kW and truck-like 650Nm of torque from its latest 3.0L turbo diesel. Whilst not readily available just yet, Audi newest Diesel monster will kick off its Diesel dominance in Europe to power current A6 version with other models expected to follow suit. According to its maker the all new 3.0L BiTDI will be capable of 5.5s sprint whilst keeping the wallet intact with claimed 5.7l/100km fuel consumption.  On the innovative front, Audi engineers come up with a unique way to give its newest Diesel hero a voice to be recon with thanks to internally fitted exhaust actuator to amplify its re-tuned roar with only the badge to reveal its true oiler identity. The all new BiTDI is expected to hit the showrooms in February with A6 to be the first in line followed by Audi Allraod and A7 Sportsback later in the year with Australian delivery yet to be confirmed.

Follow the link to listen to Audi’s 3.0L BiTDI exhaust tune.

Well not exactly, with very limited visualisation from recently released SRT Viper teaser we are left with only the imagination to interpret what the next generation Viper may look like, just ahead of its New York debut in April this year. Apart from the obvious, Chrysler intents to change more than just its exterior with rumoured abandonment of the “Dodge” name with reports that suggest the all new Viper will simply be called 2013 SRT Viper. Whilst still unconfirmed, 2013 SRT Viper is said to receive brand new V10 powerplant as part of its major upgrade. Stay tuned for more information on 2013 SRT Viper.

Article added by Lenka Bezekova

Skoda expending line-up is about to introduce yet another variant to its range, this time with the preliminary unveil of Citigo five-door version of its smaller three-door variant, just in time before its official Geneva International Motor Show debut. Derived from Volkswagen Up! the Czech version will be offered with two 1.0L three-cylinder petrol engines, one offering 45kW of power whilst the other and slightly more powerful version will add 10kW extra to bring the maximum output to 55kW whilst both engines will produce identical  95Nm of torque. Safety wise, the Skoda Citigo five-door hatch rated highly after scoring five star rating from European New Car Assessment Programme after Skoda advised of identical safety equipment levels as in Volkswagen Up! that is also rated with the same five-star Euro NCAP rating. Whilst still unconfirmed for Australia, Skoda Citigo five-door hatch will make its official debut in Geneva in March this year.

Article added by Lenka Bezekova

One of the most popular US TV spots for 2012 are clearing up pretty fast with Honda joining the list of manufacturers to promote its recently introduced all new 2012 Honda CR-V, this time recruiting one of highly recognisable faces of Hollywood Matthew Broderick to create “Matthew’s Day Off” TV commercial. Most of us probably don’t remember but the role Matthew Broderick has signed up for is a shorter interpretation of 1986 John Hughes film ‘ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ with Matthew in the leading role. This latest Super Bowl commercial is targeted at younger audience that “encourages the active, hip Gen-Y audience transitioning between their carefree twenties and their more focused thirties to conquer their aspirations by completing their own ‘Leap List’.”

Click on the image to view the commercial.

Article added by Mark Prchal

As previously reported Tesla Motors has promised its next instalment in all electric mobility will be officially unveiled in February this year with the scheduled release of Tesla Model X Crossover at Tesla’s Los Angeles headquarters to specially selected audience that have been given the privilege to attend this ‘limited viewing’ experience. Whilst most of us are quite eager to receive more information on the upcoming electric crossover Tesla Motors is not releasing too much information at this stage apart from this single teaser below. Stay tuned for detailed update in February.

Article added by Lenka Bezekova

Lexus recently debuted LF-LC concept vehicle managed to do one thing rather well and that was to attract plenty of attention at recently hosted Detroit Motor Show. Now that the show is over Lexus USA decided to give us exclusive inside view supported by its New Port Beach Calty design studios crew of designers and engineers that gave the LF-LC its life through recently posted U-Tube “Lexus LF-LC – an Inside look”. “A big part of LF-LC was really to bring technology into the vehicle in a new way. We try to really to delight the customer with something new, something different. Something exotic, expressive and sexy.” Kevin Hunter, Lexus Calty President.

Click on the image to view the Inside Look video.

Article added by Lenka Bezekova

According to recent reports from Germany, Volkswagen is supposedly considering entering Formula 1 racing through development and later supply of high performance high revving engines to Formula 1 Toro Rosso Red Bull team according to Wirtschaftswoche recent publication also quoting that Volkswagen own Wolfgang Durheimer had prepared business case that includes VW’s future expansion (including F1) into areas of Motor Sport where VW is not currently represented or represented well enough that Wolfgang will be submitting to the VW elite for review. We hope that VW will eventually agree to get involved and with that introduce yet another variation to otherwise dominating (selected few) motorsport category.

Article added by Lenka Bezekova

Toyota’s newest Super Bowl TV commercial is, well kind of inventive. If you are going to spend zillions of dollars on 30 seconds spot during one the most popular TV slot in the US then little creativity is almost always high on the agenda and that’s what Toyota intended to do when it come up with reinvented Camry commercial. Don’t believe us? See it for yourself and be surprise what little creativity can do especially when attracting millions of viewers is at stake. So here it is, just follow the link below (image).

Article added by Mark Prchal

Subaru latest in compact SUVs the 2012 Subaru XV is now available for sale right here in Australia. Whilst sharing some mechanical and structural components with Subaru Impreza the XV is anything but Impreza derivative with intent to target entirely different and relatively new vehicle segment that Subaru was unable to compete in before. As Subaru puts is ” The distillation of the best Subaru technologies, smartest thinking and rich Subaru heritage – the best things we’ve ever done, in the best thing we’ve ever done” is probably the best way to describe Subaru latest compact SUV packed with Subaru know how such as Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Boxer engine that XV will share with upcoming Impreza. Intended to provide some off-road capability its Impreza derived platform has been given additional ground clearance to provide just enough protection against unexpected surprised during off-road adventures. Subaru XV 2.0L four-cylinder boxer engine with 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque should be adequate enough to provide reasonable performance and economy with claimed 7.2L/100km average. XV range will consists of $28,490 entry model 2.0i manual, $31,990 2.0i-L manual and $34,990 2.0i-S manual. Automatic transmission is also available right across the range for a $2.500 premium. See your participating Subaru dealership outlet form more information on availability, specification and pricing.

Article added by Mark Prchal