New Leon Cupra R gets 265HP 2.0 TSI

Frankfurt Motor Show, being held from 17-27 September, will see Seat unveiling its most potent series production model to date, the new Leon Cupra R. Based on the 2009MY Leon Cupra facelift that was revealed at the Barcelona Show in April, the R replaces the standard model's 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot with a 265-horsepower direct injection 2.0 TSI.

It's not clear if the 2.0 TSI is the same engine found in the Audi S3, but Seat claims that the new four-banger features a new, high-pressure fuel pump injector to "satisfy its greater performance demands, while fully complying with strict EU5 emissions standards."S

The extra grunt allows the front-wheel drive only Leon Cupra R to slash the 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint from 6.4 seconds (standard Cupra) to 6.1 seconds and top speed climbs from 247 km/h (154mph) to 250 km/h (155mph). The standing kilometer takes 25.7 seconds while Seat announces a combined fuel economy of 8.1 lt / 100km or 29mpg US / 34.9mpg UK.

Aside from the 'R' logos on the central grille and at the lower right of the hatch, the right instrument dial and the remote control key, the range-topping Leon also gets 19 inch, five double-spoke wheels shod with 235/35 tyres. The larger wheel assembly allowed Seat's engineers to upgrade the braking system with 17 inch 345 x 30 mm discs at the front and 16 inch 286 x 12 mm at the rear.

Inside the Leon Cupra R gets a pair of racing-style bucket seats in grey alcantara upholstery, LED lighting on the instrument dials, a leather multi-functional steering wheel and an aluminum pedal arrangement.

Seat is expected to reveal further details including prices and the official launch of the Leon Cupra R date closer to the Frankfurt Show.

2011 Kia Sorento at its first U.S. Plant in Georgia

2011 Kia Sorento CUV will be produced at Kia's first U.S. plant in West Point, Georgia, making it the company's first domestically built vehicle, the Korean automaker announced today. The first examples of the new Sorento that has already been unveiled in its home market are scheduled to begin rolling off the assembly line before the end of the year.

"It will be a historic milestone when the first Sorento rolls off the assembly line at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia later this year," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing, KMA. "Our first domestically built vehicle, the all-new Sorento will be built by team members who have undergone rigorous training and who have great pride in their newly learned skills."



The 2011 Kia Sorento gets seating for seven while it also features a unibody design rather than the previous model's body-on-frame setup.

Volkswagen and Porsche become an Integrated Automotive Group

VW announced today that Volkswagen and Porsche will become an Integrated Automotive Group as the Supervisory Board approved a comprehensive agreement. The agreement says that both the solid financial base of Volkswagen and Porsche's independence will be preserved. both companies hope this agreement will result in high growth, earnings and synergy potential accompanied by job security.



Volkswagen and Porsche will total sales of 6.4 million vehicles and more than 400,000 employees.Under this agreement, Volkswagen will take a 42.0 percent stake in Porsche AG by the end of 2009. this process will end with the complete merger of Porsche SE with Volkswagen.

Honda Accord Type-S

European market Accord Type-S line-up with the addition of a petrol-engine model powered by the same 2.4-liter four-banger with 201 HP that we find in the other versions of the Accord, which by the way, is sold in the States as the Acura TSX. Up until now, the Accord Type S, which made its official debut at the Geneva Show earlier this year, was offered exclusively with Honda's 180-horsepower 2.2-liter turbo diesel.

Despite the promising logo, the Accord Type S does not feature any mechanical upgrades as changes are limited to a new aero kit with front and rear aprons, side skirts, smoke chrome finished grille and clear indicator covers along with newly styled 18-inch alloy wheels.

Complementing the suite of exterior changes, are aluminum sport pedals and footrest, sport seats in a combination of fabric and leather plus a aluminum and leather shift knob for the 6-speed manual gearbox (buyers can also opt for an automatic transmission).



In Germany, the Accord Type S 2.4 will be offered in a limited run of 900 units with prices starting from €32,000 (about $46,100 US at today's exchange rates).