Volkswagen unveils VR6-powered Passat sedan

Volkswagen's worldwide debut for its redesigned Passat was held at Detroit's Meadow Brook Concours d' Elegance-the Alpha debutante being VW's 280hp 3.6-liter VR6 version. It was a fitting venue for the 2006 Passat, the most up-market version in the model's six-generation history, though the company announced the Passat's starting price will remain under $23,000. The first 2.0-liter Passat will be delivered this month, with the V6 model deliveries coming soon.

Honda unveils 2006 Civic hatchback in Europe

The first images of the European-edition Honda Civic five-door hatchback have been released, and indicate a faithful following of the concept unveiled at Geneva earlier this year. The range of engines will include a diesel as well as a new i-VTEC 1.8L engine worth 140 hp. A 160 hp version is also expected. The four-door sedan and two-door coupe come later, and the Si coupe will get a 197 hp inline-4.

Volvo unveils C70 hardtop convertible

The all new Volvo C70 convertible is about the same size as its predecessor, and remains a full four-seater, but with a sleek design whether the roof's up or down, and is immediately recognisable as a modern Volvo. The all new Volvo C70's carefully designed body structure not only contributes to the car's safety, it also gives the body higher torsional rigidity - and with the roof up, torsional rigidity increases further. The C70 will initially be offered with two in-line, five-cylinder engines - the range-topping, turbocharged T5 producing 220 hp and torque of 320 Nm, plus a normally aspirated, 2.4-litre unit producing 170 hp. In addition, a five-cylinder, 180 hp diesel engine is due to join the range during 2006. The development and manufacture of the all new Volvo C70 is a joint venture with Italian design company Pininfarina and the car will be built in Sweden. Full details, including prices and specification of the all new Volvo C70, will be released at its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September.

Lamborghini gives limited green light to Concept S

Lamborghini will be building a new vehicle based on its Concept S, but will limit numbers to no more than 80 or 90. Though intended more as a demonstration of what could be done with the upcoming roadster version of the Gallardo, the Concept S proved to be such a hit with Lambo enthusiasts the company has decided to put the vehicle into production. The company is still going forward with a separate Gallardo Roadster, which could be named "Spyder" when it debuts at the Frankfurt auto show in September.

Mercedes-Benz introduces new S-Class for 2006

Mercedes-Benz has released the first photos and details of the new S-Class. A dozen technical innovations are entering series production for the first time on board the new S-Class - from Brake Assist PLUS with radar sensors to seats with an extended massage function, from the night view assist system with the latest infra-red technology to the new COMAND system, and from preventive PRE-SAFE® occupant protection with additional functions to Parking Assist. Models available worldwide will include the 272 hp V6-powered S350, the 388 hp V8-powered S500 and the 517 hp V12-powered S600.

Chrysler facelifts PT Cruiser for 2006

New for 2006, the Chrysler PT Cruiser gets updated front and rear fascias, including a new front grille with the Chrysler winged badge and chrome accents, new headlamps that feature a scallop along the bottom edge and new round fog lamps. A new body-color spoiler on the liftgate provides improved aerodynamics. Chrysler also pumps up the power on the PT Cruiser, giving the available High-Output Turbo engine a power boost for 2006, now rated at 230 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque, up from the previous 220 horsepower. In addition to the exterior updates and more power, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser gets an all-new interior. Included are new seat trims and fabric choices.

Lamborghini Gallardo convertible exposed

The upcoming Gallardo Spider has been secretly photographed at its own photo shoot. The new model should be powered by the same 5.0L V10 that pumps out 500 hp in the hard-top Gallardo. The Spider is expected to have a cloth top similar to the one implemented in the larger Murcielago, as a folding hard top is impossible given the mid-engine nature of the car.

Bugatti Veyron sets new record as fastest car

The Bugatti Veyron prototype recently made a success of a test of homologation by exceeding the 250 mph. The test took place with the measurements repeated at Volkswagen's test track and was approved by the "TUV", the technical authority supervising Germany. Bugatti had announced last November to have already received about fifty orders for its future Veyron. The first models must be delivered by the second half of 2005, to rich customers who paid 300,000 Euros as an installment. Each car will be invoiced at 1 million Euros. The car, which is said to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds, will be produced on order, at a rate of about fifty per year.

Kumho launches smoking-red drift tires

KUMHO has introduced a tire that produces red smoke. This special version of KUMHO's ECSTA MX ultra high performance street tire, dubbed the ECSTA MX-C, made its public debut with Enjuku Racing at the Formula Drift event at Road Atlanta. The ECSTA MX-C was developed at the KUMHO Technical Center in Akron, OH. They developed the right mix of chemicals and now have a patent pending for their colorful compound. They've also developed a compound that produces blue tire smoke. Following successful testing, KUMHO produced a limited number of the tires. Kumho does not intend to sell the ECSTA MX-C to the general public, but rather demonstrates their technical capabilities.

Mercedes-Benz CLK gets facelift