1977-80 Ford Linc Merc Niehoff Rotor Ff-44a on 2040-parts.com

Only the top is soft in new Audi A5/S5 cabriolet

Audi is bucking the trend among luxury automakers who are churning out hardtop convertibles, as the new A5/S5 cabriolets that will reach these shores in October will be the old-fashioned, soft-top design. While other manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Volvo, among others, offer folding hard-tops, Audi says the compromise necessary to make room for the top and all its mechanical apparatus makes a soft-top the right choice for a small to mid-size convertible. The soft top is well insulated; even during a steady rain during our first drive of the car, the cabin was relatively quiet.

Chrysler races to upgrade its lineup

In a bid to improve its lineup before a fleet of new Fiat-based vehicles arrives in 2012, Chrysler Group is rushing new features and equipment into 15 reworked vehicles. The equipment, such as a Fiat dual-clutch, six-speed transmission and a new Chrysler V6, will boost fuel economy, improve driving dynamics and spiff up drab interiors, all areas in which Chrysler has fared poorly in consumer surveys. All the vehicles will be on sale by the first quarter of next year.

Chrysler ecoVoyager concept (2008): first official pictures

By James Foxall First Official Pictures 14 January 2008 20:46 As the only Detroit-based car maker to become privately owned and retain its market share last year, Chrysler was hoping its cars would deflect attention from rumoured warring among its new management team. And the ecoVoyager concept was certainly eye-catching, if arguably for the wrong reasons. In fact, it rather reminds us of an automotive push-me, pull-you.