Cadillac recalls 2009 - '10 CTS AWD and CTS-V (U.S)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a call-back regarding 20,224 the 2009 and 2010 Cadillac CTS all-wheel-drive and CTS-V sedans.

The problem comes from the passenger knee airbag which may cause the front passenger injury. To repair the issue, dealers will change the glove box compartment assembly, and in various cars may also have to alter the instrument panel structure itself.

"In the event of a frontal vehicle crash, if a 5th percentile female is in the front passenger seat and is not wearing a safety belt, and the seat is adjusted full forward, the risk of injury to the thigh bone (femur) is higher than permitted under federal law," said GM's customer car and after-sales department. "In a crash test conducted by the NHTSA, the passenger dummy's knee hit the glove box door, resulting in a femur load 3 percent more severe than allowed by the safety standard."

The recall is likely to begin on 20th October. Owners can contact Cadillac on (866) 982-2339.

Peugeot 206 production terminated (EU)

Peugeot will see the production of the 206 end next year in Europe after 13 of service.

EU legislation will ultimately axe it, but it’s likely to continue to be made in Iran, South America and China.

It was first introduced in 1998 as a late replacement for the 205 which Peugeot had originally tried to avoid refreshing as they hoped the 106 and 306 models would fill the market suitably.

The 206 went on to become Peugeot’s best selling car, exceeding 5m units in 2005 before its replacement – the 207 – was introduced in 2006. The only other Peugeot to sell that amount was the 205, although this took significantly longer than the 8 years the 206 took to attain that milestone.

Land Rover Defender sales become sluggish

The Land Rover Defender sales aren’t bouncing back as well as its siblings. Land Rover sales nose-dived in 2008 with sales slow improving in 2009. Excluding the Defender, the rest of the line-up saw sales soar.

Defender figures depend on Government sales and these are the areas that are receiving new cutbacks, slowing the sales figure.

Land Rover sales for August 2010 were 12,432, a year-on-year increase of 28%. This has taken the swelling sales for the economic year to date (April 2010 to August 2010) to 67,840, an increase on 2009 of 52%. UK sales for the first five months of 2010 were up 60% year-on-year and rose by 64% year-on-year in May.

Sales of the Range Rover saw the biggest boost, up 121% on May 2009 with Discovery sales up 87%, Range Rover Sport sales were up 58%, Freelander sales rose 60% and Defender sales were up 32%.

Diesel engines unlikely to power Bentleys

For those who were hoping Bentley will sell one of their cars with a diesel engine will be disappointed, according to the company’s chairman.

Chairman and CEO, Franz-Josef Paefgen owned up some time ago that Bentley had tried out diesel engines and found them remarkable, but unfavourable market conditions make the move unlikely, Bentley claims.

Markets like Japan, U.S and China don’t seem to be too keen on the idea of a diesel-powered Bentley.

“The forthcoming Euro 6 clean-air regulations are likely to pile some big costs on to diesels,” says Bentley powertrain manager Brian Gush.

“And there’s a strong prejudice against them in the U.S and Japan, which are key markets for us. The attitude of Chinese buyers is going to have a big effect on cars like ours in future, too, and they are none too keen.

“Those of us who know diesels can see the benefits, but in large parts of the world the cars just wouldn’t sell."

PSA Peugeot, Citroen & Mitsubishi mid-sized SUV production launched (RU)

PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Mitsubishi have started production of their mid-sized SUV’s – 4007, C-Crosser & Outlander – for the Russian car market.

The Kaluga plant, located around 110 miles south-west Moscow, began production of the Peugeot 308 in April and of the Citroen C4 in July.

U.S market '07 Mitsubishi Outlander

PSA and Mitsubishi have spent over $600 million on the Russian plant, which will be fully operational by 2012.

KIA Sportage full-line-up pricing announced (UK)

KIA has announced full pricing and specifications for the all-new Sportage compact SUV, with prices starting at £16,645 for the entry-level 1.6 GDI ‘1’ 2WD, rising to a eye-opening £26,170 for the flagship 2.0 CRDi KX-3 AWD automatic.

A 2.0 CRDi diesel 'First Edition' special edition model went on sale last month for £20,777, with all of the 800 cars allocate for the UK already sold.

The full line-up comprises of a 1.6 GDI (gasoline direct-injection) and 2.0 litre petrol engines and a 1.7 and 2.0 litre CRDi diesels. The smaller engines are available with 2WD, while the 2.0 litre engines come with four-wheel-drive. The Sportage is available in 1, 2 and 3 trims with ‘KX’ regarding models with 4WD.

Entry-level ‘1’ models come with 16” alloy wheels w/ locking wheel nuts, front fog lights, LED day-time running lights, tinted glass, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, rear spoiler, body-coloured door handles, black side and wheel-arch mouldings, 6 speakers w/RDS radio/CD player/USB port/AUX-in and iPod cable, Bluetooth, tilt/telescopic leather steering wheel w/ audio controls, leather gearknob, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, 60/40 split folding rear seats, height adjustable driver’s seat, front & rear electric windows, rear centre armrest w/cupholders, metallic dash trim, silver-effect interior door handles, rain sensor, x2 cupholders, x2 12v power outlets (front & luggage compartment), x6 airbags, ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go), alarm and ESP w/hill start assist.

In addition to the ‘1’ spec, mid-spec ‘2’ and KX-2 feature 17” alloy wheels, chrome front grille, privacy glass, roof-rails, electric folding door mirrors w/integrated LED indicators, chrome exterior door handles, rear parking sensors, part cloth/part leather interior, panoramic glass sunroof, drivers lumbar support, leather door armrests, trip computer, illuminated vanity mirrors, luggage net and Intelligent all-wheel-drive (KX-2), ISG (‘2’).

Flagship ‘3’, KX-3, acquire 18” alloy wheels, xenon headlamps w/headlight washers, front-wiper de-icer, black leather interior w/heated front & rear seats, climate control w/cooled glove box, headlight sensor, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and premium vision instrument cluster. In addition to the ‘3’ trim-level, ‘3 Sat-Nav’ and KX-3 Sat-Nav receive an external amp & subwoofer and 7” touch-screen satellite navigation system w/reversing camera.

Combined fuel economy range from 34.4mpg (8.2l/100km) to 54.3mpg (5.2l/100km) with CO2 emissions varying from 135g/km to 188g/km. Optional metallic/mica paint adds £435 while the automatic transmission has an average price premium of £2,000 over the manual models.

Kia replaces Cee'd Strike special edition with VR-7 edition (UK)

Kia UK will replace the 3dr & 5dr Cee’d Strike special edition with the all-new VR-7 edition. The cars will be powered by a Euro5 compliant 1.4 litre petrol engine linked to a manual gearbox.

Equipment such as 16” alloy wheels, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, air conditioning, ESP, HAS (Hill Assist Control), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), front electric windows, Bluetooth, 6 speaker sound system w/iPod cable, remote central locking, and leather steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake will come as standard.

Four colours are obtainable; Arctic White, Silver Storm, Phantom Black and Tempest Grey, with metallic colours costing £415.

Prices start from £11,695 for the Pro_Cee’d 1.4 VR-7 and £11,995 for the Cee’d 1.4 VR-7.