Golf motor vehicle

The sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf will be released in 2009. The Golf VI will be offered with four gas engines and two diesels, and the superlative 6- and 7-speed DSG transmissions will replace automatic trannies in all but the entry-level models.

Electronic nannies will include DCC adaptive chassis control, park assist, a rear-view camera and the Park Pilot with a visual display.

New boxer diesel engine from Subaru

Subaru has built a first-of-its-kind 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder diesel engine.

This engine will be placed in the Impreza 5-door hatchback and Forester SUV. Both the Forester and Impreza Boxer Diesels feature new six-speed manual gearboxes.

Subaru is claiming that the Forester 2.0D will return a class-leading fuel economy with 44.8 mpg .

The Forester 2.0D produces 147 PS at 3600rpm and 258 lb ft at 1800rpm torque and the Impreza 150 PS at 3600rpm and 258 lb ft at 1800rpm.

Audi revs diesel SUV

Audi has now produced the world's most powerful diesel SUV by putting a 6.0-litre V12 engine in its Q7 TDI.

The engine is producing 500hp and 737lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 62mph in 5.5 seconds, its fuel economy is rated at a frugal 20 mpg. For an SUV of this size, weight and power, it's quite good.

The price of this Q7 is €130,000. The world's most powerful diesel-engine SUV will make its way to dealers towards the end of 2008.

Japanese tunersgo bankrupt

One of the world's largest performance parts makers has now declared bankruptcy.

The Thrust Company from Japan, along with its United States counterpart, Greddy, is approximately US$60 million in debt. After a serious decline in sales since February 2008, and amassing US$43 million in loan payments, the companies filed for bankruptcy in Tokyo District Court.

The decrease in demand in Japan and abroad for performance products and the rising production rates of Chinese knock-offs and other inexpensive (and dubiously built) components have driven the popular tuner companies to the brink of financial collapse.

1.6D DRIVe Efficiency

Volvo has been known for making cars that is well built and does very well in government standard crash test, but it has now joined the car bandwagon in making fuel-sipping vehicles.

Volvo has come out with the Volvo C30 Efficiency which comes with a 1.6-litre diesel engine. Under the 1.6D DRIVe designation, the efficiency-enhancing features include increased aerodynamics for reduced air resistance, low-rolling resistance tyres, taller gear ratios and optimised driveline.

The fuel consumption is 4.4 litres per 100km, and at highway speeds fuel consumption can go as low as 3.7 l/100 km. the car is to be released later this year at the Paris auto show.

Subaru considerscar racing

Subaru is know for its 4x4 drive trains, its horizontal opposed engines and its rally-prepared cars, but now they are now considering entering the world of racing.

Subaru will be considering racing in the World Touring Car Championships. This might just give Subaru the chance of proving themselves with the new diesel engine that they have released in the Impreza.

Execs from Fuji Heavy and Subaru Tecnica International are expected to visit the touring car championship when it visits Japan on October 24.

So, could we see the likes of Richie Rerrie switch from the dirt track to the tarmac of Dover?

Subaru ... into racing?