Ford Said to Move Production of Kuga SUV from Europe to the USA

The continuing decline of the dollar that has fallen 18 percent against the Euro this year has lead Ford to the decision to move production of its Kuga compact SUV from Europe to the U.S., or at least that is what Bloomberg reported citing three people familiar (but not named) with the plan. The news site claims that Ford will shift production of the Kuga from its factory in Saarlouis, Germany to Louisville, Kentucky in the U.S. starting from October 2011.

One of the 'insiders' told Bloomberg that as many as 80,000 examples of the Kuga a year will be exported to Europe.

Aside from making the members of the United Auto Workers union extremely happy (and the opposite for those working in Germany), Ford's move would also mean that the cool looking compact SUV would finally make its way to North American dealerships.

In Europe, Ford's VW Tiguan challenger is offered with a 200HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five gasoline engine (with both automatic and manual gearbox options), and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel with 136 horsepower. However, it is very likely that Ford will add new powertrain options in the very near future as the company has already announced a http://cars-mania9500.blogspot.com/http://cars-mania9500.blogspot.com/new family of of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol units.

Via: Bloomberg

AVUS Performance Launches 450HP Audi TT RS "Ur Quattro"

Named after the legendary, original Audi Quattro coupe of the late 1980s, AVUS Performance's take on the new TT RS Coupe sees the car's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five receive a 110 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque bump thanks to the modified turbo, reprogrammed ECU and a new exhaust system. This brings the five-cylinder engine's output to a total of 450HP and 472 lb-ft. Avus did not disclose prices for the engine mods.

The German tuners says that acceleration from zero to 60 mph (96km/h) is trimmed from Audi's 4.6-second claim for the stock TT RS to 3.8 seconds on the TT RS "Ur Quattro" while top speed is increased from 174mph (280km/h) to 194mph (312 km/h).

Avus also modified the coupe's suspension with adjustable coil-over shocks (priced at €1,299) that lower the ride height and help the RS handle the corners.

The TT-RS' exterior has been upgraded with a flat-black finish (vinyl wrap) that costs €1,999 and a set of 20-inch Sportec Mono alloy wheels in a glossy black finish shod in 255/30/20 Hankook S1 Evo tires priced at €6,400 but only until December 15, as Avus currently offers a 25 per cent discount on the tire/alloy combos.

Buyers can also opt for a pair of Recaro bucket seats and various accessories for the interior.

2010 Opel Meriva MPV First Photographs - Snapped Completely Undisguised

Just last week, we brought you a set of photos showing the new Opel Meriva small MPV with its rear-hinged back doors wide open. Now this time, our man with the long lens has really outdone himself snagging a 2010 Meriva test car without a single trace of camouflage! These new pictures give us our best look at the five-seater minivan that's clearly inspired by the 2008 Meriva concept while sharing many styling cues with both the Insignia and the new Astra hatchback.

Aside from suicide rear doors with the front-mounted handles that are said to open to a 90-degree angle to the body, another distinguishing feature of the new Meriva is its unusual glasshouse design that incorporates a downward kink at the back doors just behind the B-pillar.

Although we don't have any photos of the Meriva's front end, previous spy shots suggest a similar treatment to the latest Astra with wing-shaped headlights and Opel's family grille.

In other aspects, the new Meriva will be slightly longer than the current model while engine choices at launch will include 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline units with outputs of 100HP and 115HP respectively as well as GM's new 140HP 1.4-liter turbo. The diesel lineup will most likely comprise of 1.3-liter, 1.7-liter and 2.0-liter CDTIs.

Designed to compete against small MPVs like the Citroen C3 Picasso and Kia Venga, the Opel / Vauxhall Meriva is expected to make its world premiere at next March's Geneva Salon with European sales following shortly after.