The designers at the Centre of Competence for Interiors have undertaken a thorough makeover of the dashboard, for example: a wide trim in aluminium or optionally in wood spans the entire width of the dashboard. The new round vents and additional trim elements in silver shadow also catch the eye. A high-end colour display is optionally available for the instrument cluster.

A three-spoke sports steering wheel, new upholstery colours and seat designs plus indirect ambient lighting featuring LED fibre-optic technology, which is available on the GLK for the first time, further enhance the feel-good atmosphere inside the car.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1473059-1-1490352-1-0-0-0-0-1-11702-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1337403536900

The vehicles and the ranch that inspired them share some key characteristics:

Uncompromising quality, strong heritage, and bold ruggedness. As rugged as the birthplace of American ranching. King Ranch was founded in 1853 in Mexico by Richard King, who purchased 15,500-acres of land to start a cattle operation he’d dreamed of for years. The ranch started with cattle but has also successfully bred thoroughbred stallions for the Belmont stakes and the Kentucky Derby.

Built on the backbone of 158 years of ranching history, the first King Ranch edition of Ford trucks was built in 2001. “The quality of the leather and craftsmanship, along with what Ford stands for-that’s who King Ranch is,” says King Ranch CEO Robert Underbrink of the relationship.The latest line of Ford trucks to carry the “Running W” badging are the 2012 F-150, Super Duty and Expedition.

The 2012 King Ranch F-150 is equipped with an EcoBoost engine that harnesses the power of 365 horses. The King Ranch Super Duty looks tough and is made to work. The available 6.7-liter PowerStroke engine’s 400 horsepower is a big reason why. And the 2012 King Ranch Expedition isn’t your average SUV. Underneath the hood, a standard 5.4-liter V-8 churns out 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque.

Source: http://www.ford.com/newsevents/news/newsdetail/?id=364

Chevrolet has a long history of using the SS (Super Sport) designation on high-performance models of some of its most enduring nameplates. The SS designation first appeared in 1957 on a Corvette prototype race car built under the guidance of Zora Arkus-Duntov with the plan to enter it in the Le Mans 24-hour race.

The first production vehicle offered with an SS option was the 1961 Impala – 453 were built with the performance upgrades which included a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer and unique wheels and tires. The latest SS model in the Chevrolet lineup is the fifth-generation Camaro, which debuted in 2010.

The Chevrolet SS will be a derivative of the award-winning global rear-wheel-drive architecture that spawns performance vehicles like Chevrolet Camaro and Holden’s upcoming VF Commodore. The much anticipated Australian-built car will benefit from significant technology advances which enhance overall performance.

“As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it.”

Chevrolet was America’s best-selling performance car brand in 2011 with Camaro and Corvette accounting for one out of every three sports cars sold in the United States. The addition of the SS should strengthen Chevrolet’s position as a leading performance brand. Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Source: http://media.gmchina.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/May/0517_chevyss

Acura is announcing this recall to encourage owners of all affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Acura. Mailed notification to customers will begin in mid-June 2012. In addition to contacting customers by mail, in mid-June, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to www.recalls.acura.com or by calling (800) 382-2238, and selecting option 4.

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=6677-en

On certain early 2013 model year GS 350 F-Sport RWD vehicles, the ECU for the VGRS system could cause the steering wheel to become off-centered when restarting the vehicle immediately after the vehicle is parked with the steering wheel turned. Dealers will update the VGRS ECU calibration to address the condition.

Owners of the involved vehicles will receive a safety recall notification by first-class mail beginning in early June 2012.

Any authorized Lexus dealer will perform this update at no charge to the vehicle owner. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes depending on the dealer’s schedule.

Source: http://www.lexus.com/about/news/index.html#/view-0/model-0/page-1/article-Lexus_Announces_Voluntary_Safety_Recall_of_Certain

Availability of high torque at relatively low engine revolutions means the Swift diesel is extremely responsive at mid-range and medium road speeds. The DDiS boasts 46 per cent more torque than the 1.4-litre petrol Swift, has a maximum speed of 166 km/h and reaches New Zealand’s open road speed limit of 100 km/h in less than 13 seconds. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard and the gear ratios and final drive gearing are unique to the Swift DDiS. In the official Combined fuel cycle test simulating both urban and open road driving the diesel Swift averages 4.2 litres/100 km (67.3 miles per gallon).

The Suzuki delivers an outstanding 3.6 litres/100 km (78.5 mpg) in the Extra Urban highway only cycle and 5.1 litres/100 km (55.4 mpg) in the Urban city and suburban street cycle. A recent independent fuel test from Auckland to Wellington produced even better economy than the Extra Urban fuel test cycle, with an average of 3.27 litres/100 km (85.5 mpg). “We originally estimated the Swift DDiS would have a driving range of around 800 kilometres, but in open road running, it has since been found the 42-litre fuel tank is good for up to 1,000 kilometres,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. The standard fit 12-spoke aluminium alloy wheels are shod with 185/55 R16 tyres and the engine complies with the latest Euro 5 emission standards.

In line with market demands, the well equipped Swift DDiS diesel is high on safety and equipment levels. It comes with ABS anti-lock and brake assist, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), foot protecting brake and clutch pedals, ISOFIX child seat anchorages and child seat tether anchorages. There are driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags (incorporated into the front seats), curtain airbags and a driver knee bag giving the Swift Diesel the highest possible 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating. This rating considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts as well as child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids.

Source: http://www.suzuki.co.nz/News/Automotive/2012/05/15/Swift+Diesel+Goes+on+Sale+in+New+Zealand/

Yaris helps protect its occupants with a reinforced cabin that integrates front and rear crumple zones and energy-absorbing materials in the roof and doors. All-five seating positions are equipped with height-adjustable head rests and three-point seatbelts. Also standard are driver and front passenger advanced dual-stage front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, driver- and front-passenger seat-cushion airbags and first and second row side-curtain airbags.

Toyota’s Star Safety System is standard on all models. It includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make these features standard on all vehicles.

The comfortable cabin provides rear seating for three with headrests in all positions. The interior also features easy-to-reach controls, high center-mounted instrument cluster for excellent on-road visibility, and an array of storage spaces and cup holders. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, rear-window defogger and intermittent wipers.

For an added measure of utility and luggage space, the rear seatback folds down to expand cargo capacity from 9.3 cubic feet to 25.7 cubic feet. A 60/40 split rear seatback is standard on LE and SE grades. Exterior styling is crisp and contemporary. The grill is accented by sharp character lines that flow into the sleek hood and windshield. To improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise, outer moldings on the windshield and door glass have been eliminated. In the rear, the tail lamps frame a wide trunk opening.

For those seeking a sportier look and driving experience, Yaris offers an SE model with five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic, 16-inch alloy wheels and tires, sport-tuned suspension, quicker-ratio steering and integrated fog lamps. All Yaris models come with complimentary Toyota Care, which covers normal factory maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Yaris is available at Toyota dealers nationwide with manufacturer’s suggested retail prices starting at $14,115.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2012+yaris+great+blend+convenience+mpg+safety.htm

With room for five passengers and class-leading cargo space, Trax will meet the needs of customers in more than 140 markets. Mexico and Canada will be the first markets to launch the crossover in the fourth quarter of this year. Because of the strong position of the Equinox, there are no plans to introduce the Trax in the U.S. market.

Chevrolet has recently introduced a new Malibu mid-sized sedan, Colorado pickup, TrailBlazer mid-sized SUV and Cruze station wagon. When it joins its siblings in the showroom, Trax will possess the same pioneering spirit and expressive design that defines each new Chevrolet.

Trax exhibits its SUV toughness and capability in a small package through a muscular exterior design and wide athletic stance. While its contemporary form evolves the global Chevrolet design aesthetic, Trax’s interior and details will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/May/0514_trax

Like its Sedan sibling, the new 3 Series Sports Wagon is slightly larger than its predecessor, most notably its wider track (front + 37 mm/1.46 in., rear + 48 mm/1.85 in.). The car’s length (+ 97 mm/3.66 in.) and wheelbase (+ 50 mm/1.96 in.) also accentuate its sporting promise. Inside the new BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon, rear passengers will appreciate the noticeable increase in space made possible by the larger dimensions. These larger dimensions also pay dividends in utility with nearly ten percent more cargo volume both with the rear seats up and when folded.

The new 3 Series Sports Wagon will be the next model to offer BMW Lines as a way to tailor the car to individual tastes, just as with the Sedan, by choosing from a trio of trim and equipment variants – the Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. Each presents its own individual take on the character of the Sports wagon, with exclusive, high-quality trim and material combinations. For the enthusiast who wants to go beyond even the Sport Line, the M Sport Line will also be offered because it is, after all, a BMW 3 Series at its heart.

Source: http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/experience/newsfeed/post/2012/05/14/All-New-BMW-3-Series-Sports-Wagon.aspx

The Subaru BRZ was crowned with the 2012 VDI Car of the Year award for its good balance of handling and stability along with excellent response and driving pleasure. The Dynamicist of the Year title was awarded in recognition for creating the new generation of affordable, stylish rear-wheel drive coupes.

The VDI Awards were first presented in 2008 to recognize the excellence of vehicle ride and handling technologies. In each of six categories (“Car of the Year”, “Dynamicist of the Year”, “Dynamics Team of the Year”, “Innovation of the Year”, “Development Tool of the Year”, and “Supplier of the Year”), a shortlist of nominations is drawn up from submissions by the readership and with the input of the VDI editorial team. The shortlist goes to an independent, international jury of vehicle dynamicists and expert jounalists for judging.

The Subaru BRZ was unveiled for the World Premiere at Tokyo Motor Show in November 2011 and recently presented to the European press and public at Geneva show in March this year. Developed under the theme of “Pure Handling Delight”, Subaru’s new sports car is a lightweight rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe featuring Subaru’s latest and most advanced Boxer engine.

Source: http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/contents/pdf_en_79424.pdf