Citroën stretches eco-busters to ten models

Three new versions of the Citroën C3 have taken the brand’s sub 100g/km range to ten models.

All three C3 variants use Citroën’s e-HDi 90 engine and are fitted with green measures including Stop and Start technology.

As a result one of the newcomers offers CO2 emissions of just 93g/km, the other two 98g/km. As for fuel consumption, the figures are 78.5 and 76.3mpg.

Other Citroën models have seen their emissions and economy improved. The C3 HDi 70 manual VT has shaved its CO2 from 112g/km to 99g/km, and now stretches a gallon almost nine miles further, up to 74.3 from 65.7mpg.

Michelin Energy Saver tyres and a new aerodynamic pack have been fitted to the concisely-named e-HDI 110 Airdream EGS6 VTR+ version of the latest C4. This results in the emissions dropping from 109 to 98g/km making it one of the most eco-friendly family cars around.

Chrysler is recalling more than 242,000 Ram pickups

Chrysler is recalling more than 242,000 Ram pickups because of a problem in the steering system.

The recall affects certain Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2008-11 model years. The Ram is Chrysler's best-selling vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a part near the left wheel can fracture and cause a loss of steering control, leading to crashes.

The problem happens mainly at low speeds when drivers are making tight turns. Chrysler says only a few minor crashes and one minor injury have been reported.

The problem also can affect 2003-08 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty models in which the same part was replaced by mechanics.

Chrysler dealers will inspect the trucks and fix the defect for free if necessary.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is the first fully competitive compact sedan Chevy has ever fielded, and in some areas it outshines the perennial class leaders, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

For one, the model with the highest gas mileage—the Cruze Eco with six-speed manual transmission—is rated at 28 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, for a combined EPA rating of 33 mpg. In real-world driving, the manual Cruze Eco proved to equal or exceed that combined number, which is as good or better than the competition.

Note, though, that ratings for the automatic Cruze Eco fall to 26 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, producing a lower combined rating of 30 mpg.

The base powertrain is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, but most Cruze models (including the high-mileage Eco) will be fitted with a smaller, turbocharged 1.4-liter four that produces equal power on less fuel. Transmission choices are a six-speed automatic, which works flawlessly, or a six-speed manual for those (few) customers who like to shift their own gears.

The base 1.8-liter model with the manual is rated at 30 mpg, but only 27 mpg with the automatic, and the non-Eco 1.4-liter with automatic betters that slightly, at 28 mpg combined.

The Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 S Saloon has caused a major row.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Red from Front Side View Picture

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Silver from Front View Picture

The Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 S Saloon has caused a major row. My friend insists that this medium-size car is simply a glamorised Lacetti – but I believe it is far more complete. Let us consider the evidence. For starters, the Cruze is surprisingly nice to drive. There is plenty of traction, it corners with confidence, and the ride is comfortable. The only issue is the steering feels lighter than a stick-thin supermodel. Despite this, one point to the Cruze.

The Chevrolet Cruze earns further plaudits for it nice specification. Standard features include the: air-con system, electric front windows, MP3 capability, alarm, immobiliser, electric mirrors, CD player, and the electronic stability programme. Excellent for a vehicle that only costs £13,805. Two more points to the Cruze, one for value and one for gadgets.

Cadillac flagship sedan approved

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According to sources familiar with GM product planning, General Motors fully approved the development of the Cadillac flagship sedan within the last couple of weeks.

Cadillac XTS Concept

We should expect Caddy’s future flagship to benefit from extensive use of lightweight materials such as aluminum, and will ride on a rear-drive platform dubbed Omega. A full hybrid powertrain is supposedly also under consideration.

The car will appear sometime between 2015 and 2017, which potentially means it would replace the full-size, front-drive XTS that’s due for 2012.

2012 Buick LaCrosse e-Assist sedan moves into the Green zone

One will be hard-pressed to notice that Buick's 2012 LaCrosse will soon be powered by a modified four-cylinder engine featuring a "light electrification" system. There are no markings anywhere on the car that indicate the presence under the hood of the latest evolution of GM's mild hybrid system, which was initially developed for the Chevrolet Malibu hybrid.

Dubbed e-Assist, this latest evolution pairs an electric motor supplied by a 115-volt lithium ion battery pack (good for a maximum output of 15 horsepower and 79 pound-feet of torque) with the 182-hp 2.4-litre four-cylinder Ecotec engine.

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

The liquid-cooled induction electric motor-generator is mounted at the front of the engine -- where it replaces the conventional alternator -- and is hooked up by way of a new engine belt drive. The battery pack and inverter module are located in a compartment between the rear seat and trunk, reducing cargo capacity to 10.8 cubic feet and blocking part of the pass-through opening between the trunk and the cabin.

2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist

Bugatti could talk

When it comes to a storied provenance, this vintage Bugatti’s eight-decade journey through time, which has taken it from track racer to boulevardier and back again – twice – has to be one of the most remarkable.