Car performance

Hyundai Motor Company has announced that it has received over 5,000 pre-orders for the all-new, Avante/Elantra compact sedan in South Korea.

Hyundai began taking orders on the 21st June and has since gained remarkable popularity for the newest addition to its line-up. The new Avante made its public debut at the Busan International Motor Show in April.

For the South Korean market, the Avante is available with a single engine; a 1.6 litre GDI (gasoline direct-injection) Gamma 4 cylinder petrol engine that produces 138bhp/140PS and 167Nm (133 lb.ft) of torque. It is linked to either a standard 6 speed manual transmission or a 6 speed automatic.

The new Avante is feature packed with numerous standard features such as 6 airbags, rear parking sensors heated front seats, ambient lighting, colour TFT LCD information display. Optional items include HID headlamps w/ LED tail-lamps, heated rear seats and a 10 way electrcially adjustable driver seat.

Since its launch back in 1990, the Avante/Elantra sold in excess of 6m units worldwide. Expect to see the redesigned Avante to make its North American debut early next year.

Bosch has designed and developed a new steering-wheel sensor that should make fitting stability control cheaper and more widely available in small cars. The system uses technology to establish the angle of the steering wheel, something that is increasingly used in stability control systems.

It's cheaper than previous systems, which, Bosh says, makes it particularly suitable for small cars where standard fitment of stability control is less common.

It is estimated that it costs £200 for car manufacturers to fit stability control and that if it were standard on every car it would reduce road deaths by 30%. According to motor industry research centre Thatcham, which monitors fitment rates and tests effectiveness, only 63% of new cars in the UK have stability control fitted as standard – one of the lowest figures in Europe.

The 2008 Fiat 500 has ESP as standard, while the 2009 Citroen C1 has ESP as an option.

Two Malaysian princes have finally achieved an out-of-court settlement, finishing a row over who had the right to use the Bentley owned by their father.

The dispute between the sons of Sultan Tengku Ismail Petra has humiliated the royal household of Malaysia's eastern Kelantan state and wound up a recent power struggle among palace figures while the sultan was stricken by a heart-related illness.

Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, the sultan's third son, took his eldest brother, Tengku Muhammad Faris, to court last September to seek an order that he had the right to use the Bentley Brooklands uber-coupe worth £330,000.

Fakhry assumed he had paid for the car in 2008 for his father's and own use, even though the sultan was registered as the official owner. In July, representatives of Faris took away the car while Fakhry was abroad and refused to give it back to him.

Fakhry's lawyer, Haaziq Pillay, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that Fakhry was withdrawing his action on the wishes of his father, who will determine who gets to use the car. Mr Haaziq said Fakhry managed to use the car recently and has no objections if his brother also wants to drive it.

Faris did not explain why he apprehended the car, but insisted in a court statement earlier this year that Fakhry's lawsuit was "frivolous".

Sultan Ismail's illness over the past year has resulted in a scuffle between his sons and their allies for influence over palace decisions and, potentially, succession to the throne. The feud dribbled into the public eye, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of royal households that generally enjoy immense privacy and privilege.

Lamborghini has announced that the 10,000th Gallardo has rolled off the assembly line in Sant'Agata Bolognese.

The car, in Midas yellow LP 560-4, will be delivered to its Chinese owner.

Initially launched in 2003, the Gallardo rapidly became one of the most popular supercars in the world. Over the years, Lamborghini expanded the model range by introducing variants like the LP 560-4 Spyder, the LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, and the LP 570-4 Superleggera.

According to Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, "The Lamborghini brand is extreme, uncompromising and Italian, and the Lamborghini Gallardo has played an exemplary role in defining and delivering our brand reputation into our worldwide markets. Today Lamborghini is represented in 45 countries by over 120 dealers, with the strength and presence of the Gallardo product playing a significant role in the growth and recognition of our brand."

Honda has announced prices and specification information for the 2011 CR-Z sport coupe.

The CR-Z goes on sale 24th August and the hybrid coupe will be priced from $19,200 (excluding destination and handling charge of $750). The entry-level model is equipped with an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system, automatic climate control, electric front windows, remote central locking w/keyless entry, steering-wheel paddle shifters (CVT only) and cruise control.

The range-topping EX comes in at an extra $1,560, and adds a 360 watt premium sound system (with 7 speakers and a subwoofer), Bluetooth connectivity, and leather steering wheel. At $22,560, the CR-Z EX with Navigation features all the aforementioned equipment as well as a satellite navigation system with voice recognition. Amazingly, UK cars come with bi-xenon headlamps w/ LED day-time running lights, panoramic glass sunroof and electric folding door mirrors, which all seem to be absent from U.S bound cars.

Under the bonnet, all CR-Z's feature a 1.5 litre petrol engine with 122bhp (124PS) and 174Nm (128 lb-ft) of torque. This is linked to a 6 speed manual transmission or an optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which costs an extra $650.

Honda estimates the CR-Z manual will achieve an EPA rating of 31mpg city/37mpg hwy/34mpg combined, while the CR-Z CVT will likely return 35mpg city/39mpg hwy/37mpg combined.

BMW has announced that the limited edition M3 Frozen Gray Coupe was sold out in 12 minutes.

The FGC (Frozen Gray Coupe) was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the M3. It features exclusive Frozen Gray matte paint, Competition Package (19” alloy wheels and lowered ride height), Electronic Damping Control, and an M Double Clutch Transmission, Fox Red/Black Novillo leather interior, "carbon leather" trim, heated front seats, premium sound system, satellite navigation, Comfort Access, and a one-day enrolment at the BMW Performance Driving School in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Priced at $77,600 – $19,200 more than a regular M3 coupe, the FGC is powered by a 4.0 litre V8 with 414bhp (420PS) with 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

According to Larry Koch, M Brand Manager for BMW North America, "I'm personally thrilled to see that our customers are as excited about it as we are. We filled the thirty reservation slots within twelve minutes and took the names of at least fifty alternates in the first hour. The 2011 Frozen Gray M3 Coupe will be one of the most unique BMW vehicles ever imported to the U.S."

Features on the FGC are as follow:

BMW Individual Frozen Gray metallic paint, BMW Individual bi-colour (black with red) Novillo leather interior, M DCT transmission, competition package (Electronic Damping Control, 19” light-alloy wheels, lowered suspension, sport mapping for EDC and DSC), premium package (electric folding mirrors, universal garage door opener, auto-dimming rear-view mirror w/compass, BMW Assist with Bluetooth, Novillo leather, Carbon Leather trim), Technology Package (M Drive system, comfort access system, satellite navigation system w/voice command system, Real Time Traffic Information system), heated front seats, rear parking sensors, premium sound system, satellite radio with 1 year subscription and iPod and USB adaptor.

A previous Mazda employee supposedly murdered one and injured ten others after crashing his car into a group of people at Mazda's Hiroshima factory yesterday, according to reports. The 42 year old suspect, Toshiaki Hikiji, fled the scene, but was arrested an hour after the offence.

A 39 year old man, Hiroshi Hamada was pronounced dead at the scene. Another male employee is still in critical condition. The crash took place at the Mazda-owned Ujina plant near the Hiroshima port in south-western Japan.

"I pray for the spirit of the man who was killed, and pray for the recovery of the ten who were injured," said Mazda President Takashi Yamanouchi in a statement.

Mazda said that Hikiji left the firm for personal reasons, although, media in Japan report that Hikiji was sacked from the plant in April after working at the Ujina location for eight days, according to the wire service. Reporters also said Hikiji brought a knife with him, and planned to kill people at the plant.

The event sent chills down the spines of many in Tokyo, just two years after a fuming Toyota worker crashed his truck into a crowd in a busy Tokyo neighbourhood before continually stabbing bystanders.

Around 7,000 people work at Mazda's Ujina facility, which continued normal operations after the incident. The plant is responsible for the Mazda2/Demio, and the Mazda MX-5/Miata roadster.

The new Audi A5 combines a sporty and an unobtrusive design to a powerful, elegant and individual appearance. "A uniquely beautiful car and thus a real challenge for us," says Hans-Jürgen Abt. The managing director of Abt Sportsline raved about the new Coupe from Ingolstadt, but he emphasizes that "our designers and engineers were able to improve the outstanding base model even more". The character of the noble sportscar still maintains but after getting a special treatment in the Allgaeu it appears more dynamical. The body kit, especially tailor-made for the Abt AS5, is a spectacular package: a front skirt with a grid element which emphasizes the singel-frame grill and the fog lights, the slightly curved, laterally mounted body parts and the sleek gill-shaped air-inlets, as well as the well-proportioned rear. With the unobtrusive but striking rear spoiler and the rear skirt inset in diffuser optics, the design of the Abt AS5 is gracefully rounded off. The 4-pipe rear muffler is perfectly fitting and additionally recontoures the rear view. Needless to say that the car sounds as a real Abt car should.

Fixed speed cameras will no longer be funded by the Government.

Junior transport minister, Mike Penning announced that councils will have to use their own cash to install new cameras from now on. He added that local authorities will be encouraged to consider alternative safety measures before investing in new cameras.

"The public must be confident speed cameras are there for road safety – not as a cash cow. Under this Government it will not be so," said Penning.

"Central Government will not put any more money in."

Toyota Gosei's Tianjin plant in China has reopened after three days of strikes.

Unconfirmed sources suggest that the company - an official supplier to Toyota - has offered employees a pay rise if they meet performance targets.

However, it refused demands for an additional pay rise over a 20% increase previously offered.

Honda workers in southern Guangdong in China recently ended a strike after securing a pay rise.

The Dacia Duster might become a Nissan as well as a Renault - as long as the market conditions don't put the rebadged cars up against each other.

The Duster, a compact 4x4 may retail from £11,000 when it goes on sale in the UK in 2012 - has already been lined up to become a Renault in several markets. But a Renault-Nissan insider has confirmed that if the conditions were right, the Romanian-built SUV could also be badged as a Nissan.

"In a market where Nissan had a presence and Renault didn't, it would be a possibility," he said. "That's assuming we had the spare production capacity."

The most obvious region where Nissan is present and Renault is not is in the U.S - although the Duster could also be sold in some 'crossover' regions in Africa if individual Renault importers choose not to sell it.

Chinese manufacturer, Brilliance will return to Europe after setting up its own new distributor.

It was revealed that the firm would end exports of its BS4 and BS6 saloons to certain European markets after the cars were met with a tepid reception, while the firm also supposedly struggled to meet ever-changing European emissions regulations.

Brilliance has now created a new distributor, Shenhua Europe GmbH, who is responsible for operations, establishing dealerships, spare parts distribution and warranties of European Brilliance models. Its HQ will be in Ginsheim, Germany and the company will be led by ex- Hyundai Europe manager, Eberhard Niering.

Niering told German media, “Brilliance would like to establish itself in Europe with its products over the long term."

Between 2007 and 2009 Brilliance sold just 502 BS4s and BS6s across Europe, according to industry analyst Jato Dynamics. Brilliance is also BMW's partner in China.

was unveiled during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of KIA Motors’ global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined “EcoDynamics,” to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo DIESEL Kia Sorento Hybrid. Kia Ray features aerodynamic design, innovative technology and plug-in hybrid capabilities. Kia Ray utilizes roof top “cool-glazing” solar glass and a has a range of up to 746 miles.