MERCEDES-BENZ has released an entry-level version of its fifth-generation E-class wagon, lowering the admission price of the large German seven-seater in Australia by more than $32,000, to a still-pricey $105,500 plus on-road costs. On sale now, the E250 CDI Estate BlueEfficiency diesel is also more fuel-efficient than the existing V6 petrol-engined E350 Estate ($138,100), which went on sale here in January, with average fuel consumption reducing from 9.9 litres per 100km to just 6.3L/100km.   Read more

VOLKSWAGEN has released a 2011 model year version of its popular Tiguan compact SUV with an upgraded seven-speed DSG transmission that improves the performance and efficiency of automatic models for no extra cost. The German maker?s latest dual-clutch automated manual transmission ? featuring the same wet-plate clutch design that debuted in the new Transporter, Caravelle and Multivan range - replaces the current six-speed automatic option.   Read more

HOLDEN has revealed a small Australian-designed hatchback that will have a big global future following its worldwide debut at the Paris motor show on September 30. Designed and built by GM Holden?s Victorian design studio, the five-door Cruze hatch concept car will wear Chevrolet badges in Paris before the production version ? also designed at Port Melbourne ? is built in several countries, including Australia from late 2011.   Read more

BMW Australia has announced ?Pure Edition? versions of its fire-breathing M3 sedan and coupe, priced at up to $17,300 lower than the models upon which they are based. Production of both Pure M3s will be limited to just 100 vehicles for Australia ? including 50 coupes and 50 convertibles ? before first local deliveries take place in early 2011.   Read more

FURTHER proof of Hyundai?s unabated pursuit of Toyota?s global automotive market dominance has arrived in the shape of the all-new ix20 mini people-mover. Revealed in sketch form yesterday ? precisely 48 hours after Toyota issued first images of its all-new Verso-S micro-MPV ? the ix20 will make its world debut alongside the conceptually identical Verso-S at the Paris motor show on September 30.   Read more

CHRYSLER?S historic Dodge brand has revealed a daring new Durango in Detroit and, just when it looked like Dodge?s product pipeline had dried up Down Under, there?s a good chance the big new seven-seat SUV could be sold here for the first time. As we?ve reported, Dodge?s slow-selling Avenger sedan was discontinued in Australia last month following the rationalisation of both its entry-level Caliber hatch and mid-size Nitro SUV model ranges in July.   Read more

NEW-CAR buyers shrugged off the distractions of a federal election in August, pushing the market up 12.1 per cent as they continued to snap up sport utility vehicles (SUVs) at a rapid rate. The result was a good one given that history suggests an election always results in people putting major purchases on hold. Not this time.   Read more

PEUGEOT'S curvacious RCZ sports coupe will sit in a niche of its own with a one-price-fits-all price across its three-powertrain range when it arrives in Austalian showrooms at $54,990 on October 1. That price undercuts the 2+2 Peugeot's nearest natural rival, the entry-level ($63,900) 1.8-litre turbo-petrol version of Audi's conceptually similar TT coupe, by more than $8000.   Read more

CHEVROLET BRASIL sales and marketing boss Gustavo Colossi has poured cold water on speculation that Holden may export more than one variety of VE Commodore to Brazil in the foreseeable future. This is despite the confirmation that at least 200 of the 600 initial dealer orders for the VE Series II-based 'Omega Fittipaldi' (named after Brazil?s national motor racing hero of the '70s and ethanol industry ambassador) will be sold by the end of December, with the remainder expected to disappear within three months of the model?s public debut in November.   Read more

VOLVO is the latest car-maker to offer a downsized turbocharged petrol engine in the interests of fuel economy, announcing a pair of new 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol four-cylinder engines armed with its DRIVe fuel-saving technologies. The all-aluminium engines will debut in the new mid-sized S60 sedan and its wagon variant, the V60, in Europe this year, alongside existing five-cylinder petrol and diesel powertrains.   Read more