A round-up of the motoring news in brief
Golf gets prize at NY show
THE NEW Volkswagen Golf has been awarded the 2009 World Car of the Year prize at the New York auto show.
“It is a tremendous honour for Volkswagen to have its global best-selling model, the Golf, named the 2009 World Car of the Year,” said Stefan Jacoby, president of Volkswagen in America.
“This is a great way to kick off the new Golf in America. We’re excited for the arrival of the sixth generation Golf. Simply put, we believe this is the best Golf ever.”
Peugeot 3008 Crossover on the way
PEUGEOT HAS unveiled more details on its new 3008 Crossover, the latest model aimed at stealing sales from the popular Nissan Qashqai.
Arriving next year, prices have yet to be confirmed but are expected to be in the region of €26,000. The new model will feature a 1.6-litre 100bhp diesel engine that will make 1.6 110bhp diesel, according to David McConnell, managing director of Gowan Distributors, importers of Peugeot in Ireland.
With an emissions rating of just 139g/km, that will put it into the second-lowest tax band, with an annual motor tax of €156.
New features in the 3008, which Peugeot claim are a first for this class of vehicle, include a heads-up display that allows information such as the current speed to be reflected on the lower part of the windscreen, and distance alert, which helps the driver to keep a safe distance between the vehicle in front according to speed.
There will be a full FirstDrive report on the Peugeot 3008 in next week'sMotors
New Renault design vice president
RENAULT HAS appointed former Mazda designer Laurens van den Acker as vice president of corporate design.
The 43 year old recently resigned from his post at Mazda, where he had been since 2006. He previously worked for Ford and Audi. He will replace Patrick le Quement, who is retiring after 22 years.
Le Quement led Renault to distinctive and eye-catching designs over the years, in particular with quirkier models such as the Avantime and Vel Satis, along with more traditional looks like the Mégane.
Aston Martin’s four-door coupé
ASTON MARTIN has released the first images of its new four-door coupé, the car that will take on the likes of the new Porsche Panamera.
The Rapide is due to be officially unveiled later this year. According to the firm’s chief executive, Dr Ulrich Bez, “in 2010 there will be an Aston Martin for every type of sports car customer, regardless of the demands of their lifestyle.”
Powered by a version of Aston Martins 6.0-litre V12, producing 470bhp and 600Nm of torque the Rapide’s rear wheels are driven through a highly responsive Touchtronic gearbox. Performance figures have yet to be revealed, although some reports say it will have a 0-100km/h time of less than five seconds.