Saab’s first-ever SUV is flying to new heights with the 2007 9-7X Altitude Edition. Only 500 of these specially-outfitted SUVs will be available for the 2007 model year, making it a limited edition with very exclusive appeal. Beyond the extremely rich standard equipment of the 9-7X, the Altitude Edition includes 18″ alloy polished wheels, and side assist steps, a rear DVD player, and an exclusive carbon fiber gray metallic paint. Continue reading 2007 Saab 9-7X Altitude Edition: Very Limited Saab
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Well, the Paris Motor Show has begun and the initial reports are coming in from our team on the floor. Surprisingly, the first vehicle to come across the Atlantic is the decidedly un-European, 2008 Ford Super Duty F450 pickup. It’s big, real big and with reason. The new uber-truck boasts the highest towing capacity in its class, with the ability to pull 24,000 pounds or haul around 6,000 in payload. 
General Motors toughened its public stance on proposals that the U.S. carmaker join an alliance with Renault and its sister company, Nissan, adding to uncertainties weighing on the industry as the Paris Motor Show opens its doors Thursday. For the first time, Detroit-based GM said clearly that it was unhappy with the plan on the table, as chief executive Rick Wagoner met for talks with Renault and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn on the eve of the show. 
Spy photographers caught prototypes of both coupe and sedan versions of the new Ford Focus in testing this week. The two-door Coupe will be a new addition to the Focus family, reminiscent of the Escort ZX2. Both the sedan and coupe will get Ford’s new signature three-bar grille. 
AUDI pulled the wraps off its big gun in performance vehicles with the R8 revealed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and set for release here in Q2 2007. Australian buyers can expect to see the car at dealers in the second quarter of 2007. The car is also rumoured to be shown at the upcoming Australian International Motor Show however Audi Australia could not confirm. 
IF you want a new green machine, you have to pay a steep premium. It’s hard sell, but Lexus thinks it can convince enough buyers to move into its new 400h. The 400h is the hybrid version of the RX350 and commands a $10,000 premium over the Sports Luxury petrol RX or a tick under $20,000 for the entry Sports RX. 
BMW is expected to have its X1 mini-ute on the road by 2010. Based on the 1-Series, the X1 sets its targets on the popular Toyota Rav4. The X1 will use its slightly-bigger brother X3’s all-wheel drive system and the range of engines from the 1-Series, with four- and six-cylinder gas engines ranging between 145 and 220 hp and diesels producing 135-231 hp. 
Diesels are becoming dream cars for a growing number of Australians. They promise better economy, lower running costs and a much longer run between stops at the pumps. But diesel sales are still only a tiny fraction of the showroom action in Australia. Most of the mainstream brands, with the exception of GM Holden with its Astra, have not jumped on the bandwagon. Yet. 
Volga is known mostly for small Soviet-era sedans used by the KGB and as limos for the communist party central committee members – a little less so for customized German luxury cars. But in a revolution against Western propaganda, the Russian automaker has unveiled its second coachbuilt BMW. 
Though perhaps not as widely anticipated as the upcoming R8 sportscar, Audi’s impending A5 coupe is possibly closest to the hearts of the most ardent Audiphiles. Sure, Audi builds another coupe in the form of the TT, but those who lament the long-gone UrQuattro and Coupe quattro models yearn for a spiritual successor. Just such a successor will come as one of the first offerings to make use of Audi’s modular longitudinal vehicle architecture. 
The first generation Audi TT was one of the big automotive hits of the last few years – and with waiting lists for the new model already growing, it’s continued sales success looks pretty much assured. But does Audi’s sporting coupe deserve the plaudits that have been heaped upon it – does it have what it takes to enter at the top of its hard-fought segment? 
The biggest new-model push in decades is about to drive Volvo forward in Australia. The Swedish brand hit an all-time low of just 2600 sales in 2003 and has been rebuilding since, firstly with its Bloody Volvo Driver advertising push and now with new models. It has just updated its XC90 all-wheel-drive wagon, has the C70 coupe-convertible almost ready for Australia and is also preparing a new S80 flagship.