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According to most car experts, silver is the number one color choice for new cars today. It is also believed that silver cars have better resale values due to its ability in hiding dirt. The buying public however, does not totally agree, some think the color silver is dull. Fortunately for us, the SEAT Leon FR TDI would be anything but dull with its Crono yellow finish.

The paintjob of the FR TDI remarkably complements the Leon’s lines and highlights its aggressive nose and high waistline. However, the optional body kit seems to make the FR a little bloated and provides a slight aftermarket feel specially those gaping gill-like false vents- you would probably think twice of paying £2,500 for it. Fortunately, the larger £350 18-inch alloy wheels make up for it’s the FR’s shortcomings in design but unfortunately again, what has proven to be an advantage later on proves to be a disaster especially when you are to have the FR washed in some pull-through washes.

But overall SEAT has done a pretty good job with the FR. They also have a pretty good after sales service. The power of any vehicle can be traced under its hood. The SEAT FR TDI is equipped with a 2.0 liter T-FSI petrol unit which is shared with the VW Golf GTI and Audi TT. The 2.0 litre oil-burner is also present in the Passat and Skoda Octavia vRS but functions better in the lighter Leon. Its highly tuned nature means that driving in traffic can be a chore especially since you have to wait for the turbo to spin up and a short first gear just doesn’t help.

But once out on the road you can use the 350Nm of torque for effortless cruising. Another downside of the FR TDI is its firm ride qualities which are expected from a performance hatch. The FR can also be bumpy and annoying especially when driving on country lanes.

But setting all the negatives aside, the FR TDI can prove to be an excellent companion on the road even if it means covering a thousand miles drive. And because SEAT Leon FR TDI is a subsidiary of Volkswagen you can expect only for best quality parts to be used for its production. Europe’s largest automaker has always maintained quality in all its creation even for some of its models that are no longer in production like its famous supermini the Volkswagen Fox. Until now quality Volkswagen Fox parts are still manufactured to provide loyal owners with genuine parts that they need.

When Power Ranger becomes the subject of a tête-à-tête, what first comes to mind is the long-running children’s television show that lasted for three seasons. With the introduction of the new Ranger from Ford Motor Co., the automaker is giving people one good reason to push Mighty Morphin Power Rangers behind to pave way for a valiant uphill warrior.

Ford Australia launched the 2007 Ranger as a replacement for the Courier, an old American pickup. "Setting new standards in the light commercial sector, the all-new Ford Ranger is a no-compromise, powerful vehicle offering the style, comfort and refinement of a passenger car," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman.

"The new Ranger is more powerful compared with Courier, offers improved functionality, significantly increased three-tonne towing ability (when using a 3.0-litre manual transmission model fitted with a genuine Ford towpack and load leveling kit), and maintains a one-tonne plus payload across the range. Ford engineers have built on the company’s vast experience in trucks to deliver the ultimate one-tonne vehicle with the performance and power to get the job done.”

Gorman added, "At the same time, we recognized that Ranger had to be versatile enough to adapt to the changing needs of the light commercial owner in the 21st century. It needs to be a combination of reliable work mate, family vehicle, lifestyle statement and an adventure vehicle. We engineered Ranger to deliver on all these expectations. It’s the can do truck – a truck that means business."

Gorman noted that the change of name was resorted to after numerous hours of exhaustive customer research and brainstorming. “It was a tough decision to change a name that has been part of the Ford Australia family since 1978, but the research was overwhelming. The light commercial vehicle sector has changed dramatically in recent years, with customers wanting more from their truck than just a reliable work vehicle. Today's light truck owner wants the best of both worlds – a dependable, genuine truck for the industrious worker and a great family vehicle with the quality, comfort, safety and modern conveniences they demand. Ranger researched well as a brand name that exemplified all these attributes,” said Gorman.

Ford’s Ranger brand is used by the automaker around the globe. According to the company, this is the ideal time to introduce in Australia a new light truck with a bold new name. Ranger is designed to radiate a bolder and more aggressive charisma with a modern car-like interior. The pickup is equipped with two new common-rail turbo-diesel engines featuring direct injection, enhanced ride and handling and appreciably higher towing capacity.

The pickup was designed by the automaker’s pool of engineers to appear tough and rugged to stand the most demanding truck applications. “We listened to the market and focused our improvements on Ranger’s classic rugged exterior, its refined and comfortable interior, exceptional diesel performance, great driving feel and fantastic ability both on and off-road," added Gorman.

All-new Ranger was redesigned to give it a longer wheelbase and cab. To raise its capabilities to the maximum, the twin I-beam front suspension was replaced by a wishbone-style system. In addition, the new Ranger is offered with a 143 horsepower 2.3 L I4, a 148 horsepower 3.0 L V6, and a 207 horsepower 4.0 L V6 engines. All transmissions are 5-speed and come with a choice of manual or automatic. Adding an APC Cold Air Intake would also help boost the performance of the vehicle.

"The light commercial segment is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing in the Australian market," concluded Gorman. "The new Ranger, with its impressive list of features, gives Ford Australia a fantastic vehicle to enhance our well earned light truck reputation."

Volvo Car’s new XC70 all-wheel drive estate offers significantly improved levels of an all-road-all-season ability and an appealing drive feel that is mated to outstanding safety features, superb versatility and sophisticated comfort to lure more fanatics to experience its lasting enigma.

Enthusiasts say they have finally found the vehicle that could withstand different seasons. Now, everyone can enjoy the free-spitted driving any time of the year. This is the solid fact that the Volvo XC70 has retained its magnetic appeal. The current generation of the vehicle has reached around 40,000 sales in its best year. "We had a winning concept from the very outset and we have continuously refined it," said Fredrik Arp, the president and CEO of Volvo Car Corp. "The all-new XC70 maintains its tough, capable attitude while at the same time growing more comfortable. Additionally, our design team has given the vehicle a more elegant, more luxurious look."

Arp added, "This segment has been our specialty ever since we invented it back in the 1950s. Our competitors can count on us remaining number one in the future, too. In the all-new V70, rear passengers and luggage both ride in first class." Volvo is now aiming to introduce the Volvo XC70 in China to reach third place in the model’s sales statistics. Arp noted, "There is a considerable appetite for cars with pronounced attitude on the fast-growing Chinese market. The Volvo XC90 is already very popular and we are convinced the all-new XC70 will play a significant role in our plans for continued fast sales growth in China."

"Our successful XC range will soon be expanded with the new XC60. With three exciting XC models, we will cover even more of the growing number of car buyers who want the very best of two worlds - capable muscles and luxurious, comfortable passenger-car comfort,” added Arp. “And it all began with the XC70, which has now become even more attractive than before."

Volvo made the XC70 sportier, bolder and more functional because it was engineered to accommodate weather changes and season transitions. The pool of Volvo engineers significantly upgraded the levels of road capability and refinement to pave way for a more appealing vehicle that ensures unmatched levels of athleticism, versatility and safety which are characteristically Volvos.

The all-new Volvo XC70 is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.2-litre straight six-cylinder petrol engine and a 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel engine. “With an active chassis, the car’s driving properties improve in all situations,” said Volvo Cars XC70 Project Director, Tomas Ahlborg. “It becomes both safer and more entertaining to drive.” To boost the performance of the engines and the chassis, the estate is equipped with a Volvo fan clutch. Other remarkable features include the dynamic stability and traction control (DSTC), which improves stability; the power parking brake (PPB) that automatically disengages when the accelerator is pressed; and the digital signal processing (DSP) audio system.

The all-new Volvo XC70 is also equipped with dynamic styling emphasized by a catchy sporty design, a raked windscreen, tailgate angles, C30-inspired taillights and blacked-out side pillars mated to the usual off-road body kit. “The dark-coloured plastic panels at the bottom are less obvious than on the current model. But as with exclusive outdoor clothing, the protection is placed exactly where it needs to be to withstand the rough stuff,” said Volvo Cars Design Director, Steve Mattin.

The South Africa market of Audi—luxury unit of Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker and producer of quality Volkswagen Scrirocco parts --- is currently offering a comprehensive range with an almost complete choice of fine cars starting from the most basic A3 up to the selection of flagship models which includes A8 and Q7. Petrol and turbo-diesel options are also available throughout the range including manual, tiptronic auto, multitronic constantly variable and revolutionary double-clutch gearboxes, Quattro drive, S and RS sports models--- are just some of the models that are being offered and will increased further with the coming of other Audi models.

The V8 powered A8 4.2 TDI, the RS4 Avant and the new Audi S3 are all scheduled to hit South Africa in the coming months. Just what would car buyers in South Africa expect from these three new Audi models?

To start off, the huge A8 which is Audi’s aluminum-bodied Quattro AWD sedan flagship will introduce the first turbodiesel V8. The A8 possess the sophistication of an SUV and at the same time provides remarkable fuel savings that doesn’t hamper its powerful performance. The A8 4.2 TDI’s advanced V8 rides and feels just like it petrol siblings. Its monstrous torque pumps an imaginable amount of power but compared to its gas-burning rivals it is still by far more economical.

The arrival of the new S3 that would complete the current S range under the S4 and the new V10, S6 and S8 gives the Ingolstadt marque a powerful hatchback in the range. The development of the 2.0T with Quattro all-wheel-drive together with the S3’s fiery turbocharged fuel stratified direct injection inline four, revs up 195 kW which makes it one to fear contender against the likes of Astra OPC, Focus ST, the all-new Volvo S30 T5, the RenaultSport Megane, and Golf GTI.

The S3 is the only model in its class with AWD. It is distinguished by its made even bolder Audi grille, neat aero kit and stylish alloy wheels. For its interior it is equipped with fully-adjustable, leather-wrapped, solid-packed sport seats to protect the driver inside. The S3 is scheduled to hit dealerships in South Africa in May.

The RS4 Avant which is scheduled also for South Africa is a station wagon version of the RS4. Audi is hoping to bring back its tradition of the supreme station wagon with its RS4 Avant.

And lastly, with the addition of the three new Audi models, the automaker is hoping to further boost its sales in South Africa.

BMW Group Canada has announced that the BMW 1 Series Coupe will debut in Canada in 2008. The latest variant in the 1 Series is designed to sport striking styling cues and auto parts to make it the ultimate temptress for 2008.

The new BMW 128i and 135i Coupes will enter the premium compact segment in Canada. The BMW 128i Coupe will be powered by the Bavarian automaker’s latest generation 3.0-liter inline 6-cyinder Valvetronic engine producing 230 horsepower and 200 pound feet of torque. The lightweight magnesium/aluminum engine is designed to provide the BMW 128i Coupe with scintillating performance without uncompromising unmatched levels of fuel economy.

Meanwhile, the BMW 135i Coupe will sport a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with high-precision injection, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooler. The Coupes’ car parts are upgraded to produce better output compared with BMW E46 parts.

Winner of the 2007 International Engine of the Year award, the engine produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound feet of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm, to provide superb performance and high fuel efficiency. In European specification, the BMW 135i Coupe accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.

The latest variant in the successful BMW 1 Series model range features BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) includes a Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) function that offers electronic intervention to avoid loss of vehicle control, but at a higher threshold before activation. Active Steering, a variable ratio steering system exclusive to the Bavarian automaker, is available as an option.

BMW said the DSC system on the 135i Coupe is designed specifically for performance-oriented driving. The accelerator pedal has a quicker response rate and electronic rear brake management is used to simulate a differential lock for powerful acceleration in turns.

The Coupe also gets an iDrive control system like its larger siblings. This gives the driver control over secondary and comfort functions like communication, air conditioning, entertainment and navigation in one place. This latest version of iDrive is equipped with six programmable memory keys that allow the driver to manipulate functions that are often used.

The latest version of iDrive, optional on the BMW 1 Series Coupe, is equipped with six Programmable Memory Keys and touch-sensitive sensors. Keeping pace with modern audio and communication technology, the 1 Series Coupe is equipped with BMW Assist with Bluetooth Wireless Technology. For simple and straightforward connection of an MP3 player, an Auxiliary input jack is also standard, and a USB port for direct control of an Apple iPod or other MP3 player is available as an option.

The 1 Series Coupe gets more enticing rear end styling than the hatchback variant, which was introduced in 2004. The 135i Coupe offers breath-taking performance and a more arresting aura. Features include an Aero kit for extra downforce at speed, better brake cooling and improved aesthetics while the sports suspension delivers higher traction and decreased body roll with 18-inch wheels and performance tyres. The sports suspension is mated to a high-performance brake system incorporating six-piston fixed calipers on the front and two-piston fixed calipers at the rear.

Safety-wise, the Coupe features six airbags, Head Protection System (HPS), crash-optimized seats with specially padded headrests and backrests, and LATCH attachments for child seats as standard features.

The new model goes into production later this year and will be available with a range of gasoline and diesel engines. BMW said the new car will reinvent the niche that its 2002 model created in the mid-1960s. Canadian availability is expected in the first half of 2008. Detailed specifications and pricing will be announced prior to the market launch.