Honda's advertisement aeroplane crashes

The plane used for Honda’s live television commercial, in which a team of sky divers formed each letter in the company’s name during their drop, has crashed in an unrelated incident.

The Swiss-built Pilatus PC-6 was carrying 10 sky divers and one crew member when it lost a wing and crashed near Lillo airfield in Southern Madrid, Spain. The pilot and one sky diver were killed in the crash and four other passengers were injured.

Honda has published a statement saying “No one in the plane was in any way connected with Honda or with the company’s advertising shoot. Honda extends its sincerest condolences to the families of the two people killed.”

There are no reports yet on what caused the plane’s wing to come loose.

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Difficult is worth doing TV advert

Audi R8 Supercar

Like the Audi RS4, it has 4.2 l V8 engine with FSI petrol direct injection and 414 horsepower. Audi R8 has a six-speed manual transmission best suited for the streets - estimated at $109 000 - and a R-Tronic paddle-shift gearbox designed for the track – estimated at $118 000. This 2-seat coupe is available in Europe and will also be available in the U.S. in the summer of 2008. Many reviewers have nominated the Audi R8 the best sports car, even though it has been placed in tight competition with Porsche Carrera 4S, regarding their performance, price and specification.

Mercedes C-Class sells in excess of 300,000 units

In the year since Mercedes-Benz launched the new C-Class into the market on March 31, 2007, more than 300,000 customers have purchased either a sedan or wagon variant of the new model.

“The sedan got off to an excellent start, and since its premiere at dealerships at the end of last year, the new C-Class station wagon has also been enjoying high popularity,” said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz.

As expected, the C-Class’ largest market is Germany which accounts for 25% of total sales, followed by the U.S., UK, Italy and South Africa. A total of 290,000 C-Class sedans have been sold worldwide since market launch in the spring of 2007, and 25,000 customers have taken delivery of a new C-Class station wagon since that model variant was introduced in December 07.

In terms of powertrains, about one-third of the sedan model’s customers worldwide have opted for the C220 CDI (diesel), while 20% have purchased a C200 Kompressor (petrol). The C220 CDI is also the vehicle of choice for around half of the station wagon model’s customers. 75% of all C-Class station wagons sold around the world are diesel engine versions.

9 month waiting list for eco-friendly models (UK)

If you want a fuel efficient and low-emission car, prepared for a huge wait. 1 VW dealer said it had no Polo BlueMotions in stock and that we would be lucky to see a car within 36 weeks of placing an order. But a VW spokeswoman claimed: “The national average is closer to 27 weeks, and there are 124 in stock in the UK for immediate delivery.” A Honda garage said that while base ES-spec Civic IMA models were readily available, there was a 20-week delay for the in-demand EX.

One Skoda dealer said the standard Fabia with a 1.4-litre TDI, which was in stock would be a better choice as a supermini than the new Green-Line model, as it didn’t have a power-reducing diesel particulate filter.

Thanks to Toyota, the Prius hybrid can’t be specified with options and delivery takes around three weeks at present.

Waiting list:

Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion - 36 weeks/Passat 2.0 TDI 12 weeks

Honda Civic IMA Hybrid EX - 20 weeks/Legend 3.5 V6 EX - 2 weeks

Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI GreenLine - 12 weeks/Octavia 2.0 TDI - 6 weeks

Toyota Prius T4 1.5 VVT-i - 3 weeks/RAV4 2.2 D-4D XT4 - 5 weeks

Vauxhall/Opel Astra spied: best spy photos yet

Updated: 07/08/08

These are the best spy photos yet of the new Astra. After the cold-weather testing season ended, engineers descended upon the Austrian Alps and the Nurburgring race-track in Germany.

Caught testing alongside these 6 prototypes (see 12th picture) were the Toyota Auris, Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus. The new Astra is set to storm the European market in 2009 with a freshly designed exterior and interior. U.S sales should being in 2011 but badged as a Saturn.

Judging by the outside, the new Astra is considerably longer (check out the a-pillar window by the door mirrors), wider and taller than the outgoing model, thus creating more interior space. On these vehicles, the turn-indicators are located on the corners of the front bumper unlike being integrated into the headlamp cluster like the current model. It'll be interesting to see where the front fog lamps go...

Going to the rear, it looks like the newcomer will feature bootlid mounted lights and these will be influenced by the Insignia. The '09 Astra will be based on General Motor’s new global Delta platform, which also underpins the electric-hybrid Chevrolet Volt.

The interior will also be influenced by the new Insignia. There are 4 deep dials right in front of the driver and an array of switchgear; the current Astra is let down by a baffling sea of switches and the latest model’s cabin appears to be button-heavy again. The prototypes have basic spec; urethane steering wheel and gear shift lever, steel wheels and halogen headlamps. Better equipped trim levels will be available along with optional adaptive front lighting (AFL) bi-xenon headlamps, leather trim, electrically adjustable front seats and electrically operated sunroof etc.

Key innovations inside include an electronic parking brake, incredibly thin, upright air vents and a split, twin digital read-out.

In the pipeline will be a sleeker three-door variant that is claimed by insiders to be ‘very stylish’ and the estate will also be available from launch. Expect the Twintop coupe-cabriolet 12 months later alongside the VXR/OPC sport variant. Under the bonnet will be GM’s all-new 1.4 litre turbo to a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine developing at least 250bhp in the VXR/OPC model. The 1.4 litre turbocharged engine will be offered in 2010 with outputs ranging from 120bhp - 140bhp and torque values of 175 to 200 Nm. It is estimated that this unit will deliver an approximate 8% improvement in fuel consumption compared to the naturally aspirated 1.6 and 1.8 litre engine that it will replace.

Related link:

Vauxhall/Opel Astra spied in Finland

More Dacia/Renault Sandero variants?

Now, we know for a fact that there will be an faux SUV version of the Dacia/Renault Sandero but latest speculation is suggesting a Sport Tourer. We could say it will derive from the Logan but the renderings have clearly show that Logan is no longer the visual reference to be followed in what relates to Dacia. That can be confirmed by the notchback version of Sandero.

Although it would possibly be a new Logan, Renault in Brazil has sworn Logan will remain in its place. The recent restyling of the sedan, caught in Romania, gives Renault’s statement some credit and the possibility of yet another product to the B0 family. If that applies to Logan, it could as well be the case for Logan MCV.

Sandero was sure to inspire a restyling of Logan’s station, but it may also be the base for the creation of a new station wagon. The question is: would there be space for two station wagons in Dacia’s range? In Europe, it is very likely, but not in emerging countries such as Brazil. This is surely the cause for Renault’s denials on producing Logan MCV in South America, although there is a huge market for compact station wagons in this side of the globe. This would only make sense if Renault did not want to make money or if it had another product to offer, such as a Sandero Grand Tour.

In Europe, the seven-seater MCV could be destined to a working public, while the five-seater Sandero Grand Tour would appeal to small families. If it does go into production, expect the Sandero Sports Tourer to rival the Skoda Fabia estate, Peugeot 207 SW, Dacia Logan MCV and Renault Clio Sports Tourer.

Via WorldCarFans > Sandero Sports Tourer

Related links:

Dacia Sandero launched in France

New Car: 2008 Dacia Sandero

Dacia Sandero testing in Southern Italy

Renault Sandero video

Renault Sandero launches in Brazil

New Car: 2008 Renault Sandero

Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger recall (U.S)

Chrysler has announced a recall of 181,000 Chrysler Sebrings and Dodge Avengers built between 2007/08. The recall is due to an electrical defect that can prevent the cars from running.

If an unused electrical connector in the tyre pressure monitoring system corrodes and shorts out, it can cause the engine to stall or not start, batteries to go dead and cause other electrical components to fail, such as the cruise control or navigation system. U.S models are only affected.

No accidents or injuries have been linked to the defect.