New 2013 Skoda Octavia revealed

Today in Prague, Skoda unveiled the third generation Octavia, the most important model in its range. Skoda itself proclaims the Octavia as "the heart of the brand", no less.

It's the first Skoda to utilise the modular MQB platform that's found beneath the VW Golf, Audi A3 and SEAT Leon. With the introduction of the smaller Rapid model, Skoda was keen to make the Octavia a little bigger, edging it closer to the Superb – not only in size, but also in quality. No Skoda Octavia price information has been announced yet, but expect it to undercut the Volkswagen Golf, which starts at £16k.

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New 2013 Skoda Octavia revealed

Honda's Jazz-based compact SUV has its sights set on the Juke, Mokka and 2008

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New 2013 Skoda Octavia revealed

Today in Prague, Skoda unveiled the third generation Octavia, the most important model in its range. Skoda itself proclaims the Octavia as "the heart of the brand", no less.

It's the first Skoda to utilise the modular MQB platform that's found beneath the VW Golf, Audi A3 and SEAT Leon. With the introduction of the smaller Rapid model, Skoda was keen to make the Octavia a little bigger, edging it closer to the Superb – not only in size, but also in quality. No Skoda Octavia price information has been announced yet, but expect it to undercut the Volkswagen Golf, which starts at £16k.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-class Revealed

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-class Photos and Info – News – Car and Driver #pallet {margin:0;}#echoice li.category {margin:0;}Car and DriverIntelligence. Independence. Irreverence. VehiclesReviewsNewsFeaturesBuyer's GuideFollow UsSubscribeSearch Car and DriverHome › News › 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-class / ML350 4MATIC / ML350 BlueTec...

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-class / ML350 4MATIC / ML350 BlueTec - Car NewsThe next Mercedes-Benz ML looks a lot like the old ML, but a lot better, too.BY DAVID GLUCKMAN
June 2011

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Photos (57)Visit Our Buyer's Guide »Mercedes-Benz M-class› Overview› Specifications› Price with Options› Photos & 360° View› Get a Free QuoteNews & Reviews2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 / ML550 / ML63 AMG Spy Photos - Future Cars2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid - Quick Spin2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid - Auto Shows2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTec, ML350, ML550, ML63 AMG - Auto Shows2008 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Edition 10 - Car NewsMercedes-Benz ML63 AMG - Auto ShowsBig Makeover for the M-class - Car NewsMercedes-Benz M-Class - Auto ShowsBertrandt Competence Car - Auto ShowsTop CompetitorsAcura MDXAudi Q7BMW X5Infiniti FXPorsche Cayenne

Now in its third generation, the Mercedes-Benz M-class is refining the Mercedes SUV experience, rather than reinventing it. The 2012 ML is the same basic size and shape as before, but the platform—shared in part with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee—is new, and the vehicle gets significant upgrades in efficiency and style for 2012.

The exterior appears sleeker and more sculpted, while the most obvious difference in the interior is a switch from round air vents to rectangular, the former now reserved for Mercedes’ sports-car lineup. (It’s worth noting just how similar the instrument layout is to the Grand Cherokee’s.) A big increase in quality and design can be felt inside. A large swath of either wood or metal-look plastic sits before the front passenger, while the driver gets a meaty-feeling steering wheel flanked by new stalks for the transmission, wipers, and cruise control. (The cruise-control stalk, thankfully, has been moved from M-B’s usual placement on the upper-left of the steering column to a lower, more-conventional position.) Attractive open-pore wood is on the options sheet.

At launch, Mercedes will offer two familiar six-cylinders, while the new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8 will follow later. Both V-6 models will be badged ML350. The direct-injection 3.5-liter gas engine produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, increases of 34 and 15 over the outgoing gas V-6; while the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel in the BlueTec is now good for 240 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque, up 30 hp and 55 lb-ft. A switch from pressed-in cylinder liners to a spray-on coating in the diesel reduces both weight and friction. Both engines come coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

Look Out, Porsche 911 GT3

Diesel models also get new adjustable engine mounts. Similar in principle to the dynamic engine mounts Porsche installs in some 911 models, Mercedes’ pieces are said to improve comfort by allowing for greater isolation of the engine. While VW and Porsche are pulling off-road content out of the new Touareg and Cayenne to cut weight, Mercedes will offer an off-road package on the new M-class with a six-mode selector for different types of driving—towing, sport, winter, trailering, and two different off-road settings—as well as a two-speed transfer case, a skid plate, and extra functionality for the optional air suspension, which will also be available as a standalone option. Customers will be able to further add to their M-class’s rock-hopping abilities with a decoupling anti-roll-bar system that disconnects the bar in off-road situations—as well as normal straight-ahead driving—but reconnects it during cornering. A whole suite of driver-assistance systems, the same ones offered on the S-class, either will be included or available: lane-keep assist, blind-spot assist, radar cruise control, and attention assist.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-class will go on sale here in September. Pricing will be announced in August; we expect that it, like the shape of Mercedes’ SUV, will remain largely unchanged. That means about $50,000 for an ML350 4MATIC and around $52,000 for a BlueTec.

 


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Opel’s Handsome New Astra GTC Revealed, Taunts Us from Abroad

May 2, 2011 at 12:37pm by Jens Meiners

GM’s European Opel division has unveiled the sharp new three-door version of its compact Astra hatch, dubbed the Astra GTC. The latest Astra’s predecessor was sold in the U.S. as the three-door Saturn Astra, and while that was a nice looking car, it had nothing on this racy little number. The new generation positions the GTC between traditional three-door hatches like the Volkswagen Golf and more coupe-like models, from the Hyundai Veloster to the not-for-us Volkswagen Scirocco.

The new GTC shares its underpinnings with the upcoming Buick Verano (and therefore much with the Chevy Cruze). Specs should be announced as we get closer to the GTC’s June 7 launch date, and we will get time behind the wheel shortly thereafter. At some point, Opel will build a hot OPC version of the GTC, likely packing 240 hp or more from a turbocharged four-banger.

While we’d love to see the GTC come to the States, the odds are slimmer than a celebutant. Chevy even said recently that a Cruze SS is off the table, leaving the Buick Verano‘s eventual 220-hp turbocharged GS model as one of our few hopes for a sporty compact from GM on these shores.

Tags: Opel, Opel Astra GTC |

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