Source: Winding Road

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Mazda Develops New Naturally-Aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle Engine
The new MZR 1.3L engine powers the all-new Mazda Demio to achieve a fuel economy of 23.0 km/L and qualify for Japan’s Green Tax exemptions
HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new, naturally aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine, which will power the all-new Demio (known as the all-new Mazda2 in overseas markets) when it goes on sale in Japan in July 2007. In combination with Mazda’s first continuously variable transmission (CVT), the engine will assist the new Demio to achieve a 10-15 mode fuel economy of 23.0 km/L, an improvement of approximately 20 percent over the 19.2 km/L rating of the current model.
Newly developed from the current MZR 1.3L DOHC aluminum engine, the naturally-aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine employs delayed closing of the intake valves in order to reduce pumping losses and improve thermal efficiency through a higher expansion ratio. Intake valve timing is optimized by the Sequential Valve Timing System to provide improved fuel efficiency over the current MZR 1.3L engine when cruising and accelerating. In conjunction with the CVT, which transfers torque at low speeds without power loss and eliminates gear-shift shock, the setup achieves excellent fuel efficiency as well as a smooth and exhilarating ride.
In addition to this new, highly efficient powertrain, the all-new Demio has been made approximately 100 kg lighter than its predecessor through weight reduction techniques, which have resulted in nimble handling and significantly improved fuel economy.
The Demio model with the naturally aspirated MZR 1.3L Miller-cycle engine combined with the CVT transmission achieves a fuel economy that is rated as 20 percent or better than the level specified by Japan’s 2010 fuel economy standards. Exhaust emissions are also at least 75 percent lower than 2005 standards, which conforms to Japan’s Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SU-LEV) standard and qualifies the Demio for Green Tax exemptions.
Through its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom plan that was announced in March 2007, Mazda declared its intention to pursue the harmony felt between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, and its quest for an advanced Zoom-Zoom world. This includes the ongoing desire to create captivating design, to provide our customers with continual driving pleasure and to develop improved safety and environmental technologies.

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SEAT TO EXPAND RANGE WITH NEW B-SEGMENT MODEL
SEAT’s intention to continue its growth and offer ‘auto emoción’ in yet more market sectors has been demonstrated once again, with the announcement that it will produce two new models in the B-segment.
The B-segment, still one of Western Europe’s largest market sectors with annual sales last year of 1,147,200 (source: AID), includes competitors such as the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 407 and Toyota Avensis. SEAT S.A. President Erich Schmitt has confirmed that the company will enter into this market in 2009 with two variants: a saloon and an estate.
As with all SEAT models (with the exception of the seven-seat Alhambra, which is manufactured in Portugal), the new models will be built at the Spanish firm’s ultra-modern Martorell plant, located close to Barcelona. The company also has a substantial research and development facility at this location – the Martorell Technical Centre – employing around 1,250 highly qualified staff. No other car manufacturer based in Spain has the capacity to design, develop and produce its own vehicles in the country.
Commenting to Spanish media representatives in Martorell, at the announcement of the new models, Erich Schmitt said: ‘The assignment of these two new models to the plant in Martorell is an historic step for SEAT. By these means, we enlarge our current product range, which not only gives our clients the possibility to grow with the brand, but also enables us to increase the profitability of our dealer network thanks to the availability of these new models.’

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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

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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-Davidsonâ„¢ Super Crew 4×2 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-Davidsonâ„¢ 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-Davidsonâ„¢ to market in rapid fashion.”
The supercharged F-150 Harley Davidsonâ„¢ 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-Davidsonâ„¢ truck is the ninth model to emerge from a Ford/Harley-Davidsonâ„¢ 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-Davidsonsâ„¢ 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-Davidsonâ„¢
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

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