General automotive news

Dodge launched Caliber model production in Belvedere. The company hopes to convert this car into extremely mass popular and intends to sell it throughout the world without without any limitations as accentuation is staked at maximum sales. Caliber poses the symbiosis of average car, estate and off-roader. Depending on the market ethos Caliber will be set up with gasoline 1.8, 2.0, 2.4 4-cylinder engines with 148, 158 and 172 h/p correspondingly. As an option there is a 134 h/p 2.0 turbodiesel. Transmission type offered is V-belt variator only given it is cheaper and is more reliable compared to traditional hydro. This pleasant and universally friendly feature should come to taste of great majority of consumers, Dodge surmises. One more Caliber’s zest urged to attract and prepossess is full drive transmission with electronic torque distribution which in combination with Dodge big wheels endows Dodge Caliber with good passability on any pavement type and in any season. Those who prefers pared-down car without full drive Dodge provides front-drive Caliber for fewer sum. The alleged price for US market is $13985.

Nissan X-Trail two years on end won the “Want car?” magazine’s first rank in compact off-roader category left far behind itself Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. The jury of “What car?” pointed out that due to improved full drive control and high clearance X-Trail can confidently deal with average impassibility of roads; in addition among model’s merits was specially emphasized universal driveability abilities of the car meaning its perfect behavior on off-road and asphalt coat. X-Trail perfectly passes turns catering with its steering pure pleasure to driver and its suspension poses much fewer problems compared to its main competitors, as the jury announced. Though the main merit of Nissan X-Trail was named its price-quality correlation making it one of the best off-roaders in its class and quite necessary car for people living in constant adventures and prefering active sports.

Nissan Micra 1998-2002 model according to research held by Warranty Direct company was named the most reliable car in super-mini class. This fact is more important taking into consideration that this class makes currently one third of all new vehicles sold. The research focus on repairs costs including number of car service visits gave real information about vehicle exploiting expenses. There were 45 000 autos engaged in the tests. According the survey results Nissan Micra servicing will take one 129.5 euros a year while second ranked Ford Fiesta with its low cost repairing will make you visit car repair shops more often. Opel/Vauxhall Corsa was conferred 3rd rank with average 320 euros a year ratio. In first five were also placed Fiat Punto and Volkswagen Polo. General reviewing of super-mini class cars witnesses the most spread defects of this class are – suspension (50% vehicles), and mainly electronic system, transmission, braking system.

On Friday January, 27th Ray Hiutton, the chairman of “Automobile of the year” Jury, handed the reward and the title in to Carlos Ghon, Renault Company president for Clio III model.The ceremony was taking place in Albergati Palace, Italy, Bologna. It is the 6th model produced by French car manufacturers to gain this title since 1964 when this award was founded. In fact, entered European market in October, 2005 Clio III faced high demand and general recognition that resulted in 11% of sales in this segment in December, 2005. Specialists point out Clio III has rather high further incentives.

Next Saturday, February, 11 in Paris will take place scheduled Christie Auction with chic Jaguar C-Type 1952 model lot as the main zest. Experts estimate its price at $1.5-1.8 million given it’s one of the best creatures ever made by British Company and the confirmation of its prosperity peak of mid XX century.The greatness of Jaguar C-Type was proved when just in six weeks after its issuing from the plant Peter Whitehead won in this car 24-hour Le Mans race with serious advantage. The vehicle prepared for Christie Auction is colored dark blue metallic Flag Metallic Blue; the inner is trimmed with black leather, under the hood is arranged 6-cylinders engine and the steering is right-side. This C-Type is the former car of legendary racer Yan Stuart who had many important victories with this car. In 1970s the vehicle was returned to Britain, restored to perfect conditions and now is ready to find new owner.