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Special Edition 'Mazda Mx-5 Icon' zooms into summer
• Just 875 MX-5 1.8i Icon and 375 MX-5 2.0i Icon will be available in the UK
• Mazda MX-5 Icon, based on the MX-5 1.8i and 2.0i Option Pack models, offers up to £1,500 worth of additional features Celebrating its status as 'Britain's favourite sports car brand' – delivering one in every four sports cars sold in the UK this year – Mazda is introducing a new 'Special Edition' MX-5 soft-top model to its product line-up this summer, finished in a patriotic choice of red, white or blue paint.
The appropriately named 'Mazda MX-5 Icon' is the latest edition of the world's best-selling roadster and is specially designed to appeal to British drivers looking to purchase their very first soft-top roadster this summer. A true sports car, the rear-wheel drive MX-5 delivers unrivalled handling, driving dynamics and wind-in-the-hair motoring.
Representing extremely competitive value for money, the Mazda MX-5 Icon is available in two versions – the 'entry-level' 1.8i Icon features a 126ps engine and a five-speed transmission and is priced at £16,825 on-the-road. Customers in search of higher performance can choose the 2.0i Icon powered by a 160ps engine mated to a six-speed transmission and costing £17,825.
Both Icon models offer fantastic value with up to £1,500 worth of additional extras. Special features of the Icon include climate control air-conditioning, Icon-branded black Medici leather seats and unique Icon-branded luxury interior mats.
Exterior features include Icon badging and chrome style bar trims and the cars can be ordered in one of three exterior colours – Copper Red Mica, unique Marble White (solid) and Stormy Blue Mica.
"Since the demise of the MG TF and Toyota MR2, there is no longer a defined 'roadster' segment within the non-premium sports car market," commented Mazda UK's Managing Director Rob Lindley.
"Today, a section of the public perceives competitors to the Mazda MX-5 to include other open-top cars like the Mini Convertible, Vauxhall Tigra and Peugeot 207CC – all non-sports car segment vehicles.
Now, the Mazda MX-5 Icon aims to attract those customers by offering an irresistible combination of a uniquely sporty rear‑ wheel drive, wind-in-the-hair experience, high specification and excellent value. We are sure that this new model is an Icon by name and the MX-5 is certainly iconic by nature!" concluded Lindley.
As well as adding the special Icon features, generous standard equipment of the MX-5 ensures that buyers can enjoy: leather wrapped steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, six-speaker audio system, electric windows, premium black cloth soft-top, 16-inch alloy wheels, twin chrome exhaust tail pipes and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.
Icon owners will also enjoy a degree of exclusivity as production of this latest Mazda MX-5 model will be restricted. Just 875 examples of the MX-5 1.8i Icon and 375 units of the MX-5 2.0i Icon will be available in the UK.
Despite all of the additional specification, both Mazda MX-5 Icon special editions remain in the same insurance groups as their standard counterparts – 11E (1.8i) and 13E (2.0i).
Source: Mazda UK
PRESS RELEASE:
SUPERCHARGED 2007 FORD F-150 HARLEY-DAVIDSON PACKS A POWERFUL PUNCH
• Ford F-150 supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission delivers 450 horsepower and 500 pounds-feet of torque.
• Ford responds to customer demand bringing F-150 performance concept to market in eight months.
• Ford-Harley co-branding partnership flourishes – with 60,000 pickups sold since 1999.
• America's best-selling, most capable full-size pickup now delivers the horsepower to make it one of the most powerful half-ton pickups on the market. The 450 horsepower supercharged Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson™ Super Crew 4x2 hits the road this summer.
Born from tremendous customer reaction to the F-150 performance truck concept that was on display at the November 2006 SEMA show, the supercharged F-150 Harley-Davidson™ packs the extra power punch that Ford truck enthusiasts have been demanding.
"Ford is the truck leader because we pay attention to what our customers want and move quickly to meet their needs," said Ben Poore, Ford Truck group marketing manager. "They told us they wanted a performance equipped truck so we worked with Saleen to bring the supercharged F-150 Harley-Davidson™ to market in rapid fashion."
The supercharged F-150 Harley Davidson™ is available in ebony black or dark amethyst with plenty of gleaming chrome, 22-inch oversized wheels and tires and a custom scalloped stripe that runs along the beltline that creates a glued-to-the-ground appearance. "Harley-Davidson" script runs along the bedside in three-dimensional chrome letters. Blacked-out headlamps and a unique chrome billet grille give it a distinctive, bold front-end.
Among other highlights:
• The SALEEN supercharger option is available through Ford dealers for $6500 MSRP. Base F-150 Harley-Davidson™ pricing starts at $37,210 MSRP including $925 destination and delivery.
• The twin-screw supercharger is the same style as the one in the Shelby GT-500.
• A dual-stage water-to-air intercooler increases the supercharger's efficiency and adds performance by cooling the intake air.
• The volume from the exhaust is cranked up into a sustained growl.
• An available gauge pod with boost (PSI) and air-charge temperature (ACT) gauges monitors the system's performance.
The 2007 F-150 Harley-Davidson™ truck is the ninth model to emerge from a Ford/Harley-Davidson™ partnership that began in 1999. The co-branding of the two storied 104-year-old companies has proven to be a successful formula with total sales of Ford F-Series Harley-Davidsons™ of nearly 60,000 units.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products.
About Harley-Davidson™
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight street, custom and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. As a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers.
Source: Ford
A distinctive new version of the Golf Plus is set to join the Volkswagen range later in the summer with the arrival of the Golf Plus Dune. Based on the versatile Golf Plus platform, the new Dune model’s styling is based on that of its ‘little brother’, the Polo Dune. As such it features a raised ride height, revised exterior styling and additional standard equipment.
Revised springs and dampers raise the ride height by 20 mm to improve ground clearance and give the Dune model a more purposeful stance. This is enhanced by a set of unique BBS 17-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in 225/45 R17 tyres.
The raised ride height is accentuated by a set of bespoke matt blistered wheel arches and tough, textured plastic front and rear. Set into the front bumper is a deep air dam framed by a set of fog lights, while the rear bumper is intersected by a contoured, silver panel. Completing the look are silver roof rails and durable plastic rubbing strips running down the side of the vehicle. Just three colours – Ice Silver and Steel Grey metallic as well as Blue Graphite pearl effect – will be offered.
Beneath the unique body styling is an efficient 1.9-litre TDI engine developing 105 PS and 184 lbs ft of torque. The engine is fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as standard to reduce emissions. As a result the Golf Plus Dune is capable of returning a combined economy figure of 50.4 mpg while emitting only 148 g/km of CO 2. These gains don’t come at the expense of performance. The Golf Plus Dune has a top speed of 121 mph and the ability to sprint from standstill to 62 mph in 12.1 seconds.
Along with the exterior changes, the Golf Plus Dune also comes with additional equipment inside the cabin. Unique interior trim is joined by a leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. In time for the summer, Climatic semi automatic air conditioning is fitted as standard along with automatic driving lights and windscreen wipers, electric front and rear windows, a multifunction computer and an eight-speaker CD stereo system. And like all Golf Plus models, the Dune also features six airbags, ABS and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP).
The Golf Plus Dune costs £18,495 (RRP on the road) and is available to order from Volkswagen UK retailers now. Production is limited to 400 vehicles.
source: Volkswagen AG
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Following modifications for the newly launched Leon FR, JE DESIGN German Leingarten tuners, well-known refiners for SEAT, now resolve to take on the Spanish in the completion of the "CUPRA". While the "old" Seat Leon Cupra R (Typ 1M) has differed through its sporty and independent front and rear aprons from the Leon-vesions with less power, the new "CUPRA" threatens the driver into danger of confusion.
The SEAT specialist JE DESIGN recognised this and offers help in form of an individualized grand entrance. Specially developed for the CUPRA from the Leingarten, Germany, based tuners, is a downforcer insert for the centre of the series-produced front apron and which at the same time minimizes buoyancy. The same function is fulfilled with a diffuser insert that is applied to the series-produced rear apron. More sportiness is procured through a new front grille minus Logo including grid insert. Headlight covers gives the Spanish car a serious glance.
Sporty front spoiler corners complete with additional air channels provide the JE DESIGNed Leon CUPRA with more passing-lane prestige. The sides are optimised with a side sills set through JE DESIGN. The tuners create another attractive addition through the rear apron set. Last but not least a rear wing provides more downforce on the rear axle especially during higher speeds. Furthermore, a self-adhering JE DESIGN roof fin "Shark attack" is available in black matt.
For an extra charge, JE DESIGN laminates individual parts for example the radiator grill or mirror cover in Carbon-Look.
The core of modification is the performance increase of the 2.0 T-FSI Motor . Instead of just 177 kW (240 HP), it now renders an attention getting value of 210 kW (285 HP). The torque increases from 85 to 385 Nm. The change in motor management creates a better driving performance: 261 km/h top speed (series-produced: 247 km/h) and 5,9 seconds from 0 to 100 (series-produced: 6,4) placing pressure on many other sports cars. For that reason, JE DESIGN Leon „CUPRA" with its 250 km/h easily shakes off the electronic regular BMW M5 and Audi RS4. The power enhancement comes with TÜV parts endorsement. Included in the price is a 1-year guarantee on motor, transmission and gearbox. On request for additional price is the possibility to add a further year of guarantee.
Whoever wants acustical improvement for their Leon CUPRA, can order a 4-pipe end exhaust made of stainless steel with chromed end pipes additionally. This promises not only a sonor sound, but also optimises the motor performance through optimized exhaust flow.
JE DESIGN's wheel expertise
Four wheel sets are provided for customer choice. A highpoint offered in 18 and 19-inch is the complete wheel set „Multispoke" in chrome-look with the sizes of 8.0 x 19 ET 45 with tires 225/35 R 19 Y.
Optionally, the complete wheel set „Multispoke" can be ordered in matt black with polished rim flange in dimensions 7.5 x 18" ET 45 or 8 x 19" ET 45.
The Leon CUPRA of this press release - please take a look at the provided pictures (on CD) - rolls on wheel rims in sporty matt black with lacquered nearly complete white ring having a small gap tha includes the JE DESIGN logo.
JE DESIGN concerns itself that the Seat Leon power doesn't toss itself from the street. For this reason, a sporty spring set brings the Leon CUPRA approx. 30mm closer to the street, lowering the center of gravity for clearly improved handling and driving ability. Alternatively, the tuners offer a sportier driving performance through a coilover suspension that alters the fiery Spaniard providing a freedom from street between 35 and 65 mm.
A further technical as well as optically pleasing configuration level of the CUPRA with over 300 HP in a wide body version is currently in preparation for a world exclusive presentation at the SEAT Event from 24 - 26 August 2007 at the Technik Museum in Speyer, Germany. Further event information can be found at www.seat-event.info.
Source: JE DESIGN
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