India turns the screw on luxury car makers

Land Rover will still be sending CKD to India despite the rise in import duty India’s economy is growing almost exponentially, as a result of which it has a big, rising middle-class with much the same aspirations as the middle-class in the West. Those aspirations include the accumulation of status symbols considered worthy of representing their success and new wealth, none more so than a good set of wheels. So it’s no surprise that the mainstream luxury car makers – Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, Audi and BMW – are ready, willing and able to provide exactly what India’s middles classes are looking for.

Saab's new 9-5 (2009) leaks early: the first photos

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 23 July 2009 09:00 Breaking news: early shots of the new Saab 9-5 have leaked out early in Germany. These low-res photos of the new 9-5 were published online today – revealing an exec that trades on the style that has made Saab's greatest hits so distinctive.There's a hint of old 900 around the C-pillar, lending a dash of coupé style to what remains a defiantly four-door saloon to rival the Audi A6 and other execs. Note also how the side glass graphic slopes rearwards, in Saab's true cockpit style.The face of the new Saab 9-5 is distinguished by a much more dominant grille, with a pair of headlamps ringed with chrome (it works much better than on the current geriatric 9-5, don't worry!) and a prominent Saab name.

Mini Rolls Out Hot Concept Ahead Of Detroit Motor Show

AHEAD of the influential Detroit Motor Show next month, Mini is stepping up its new product offensive with the unveiling of a new concept. The John Cooper Works Concept is, in reality, closer to production-ready status than you think. Aimed at showcasing the hot version of the firm’s latest generation three-door hatch, itself treated to a global reveal in November, at this stage the focus is on cosmetic changes.