KW enters the WTCC as serial partner

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KW starts as serial partner of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). The world-wide successful running gear manufacturer supports the entire championship and its logo will be represented on the number plates of all race cars.

On its stony path, the WTCC has developed into on of the most successful and renowned championships in motor sports history. Meanwhile, the FIA touring car championship attracts the attention of more than 400 million spectators world-wide. At the WTCC, the drivers are not allowed to use any electronic assistance systems and therefore have to prove their driving skills in every bend.

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The WTCC motto “Real Cars, Real Racing” also perfectly matches the internationally successful running gear specialist KW. With its extensive programme for sport running gears, coilover kits, stabilisers, dampers and much more, KW makes serial cars more sporty. Once more, KW transfers this engagement as a WTCC partner from the road to the race track.

“The WTCC is very attractive for us, as the participating cars are enhanced serial vehicles and no fancy, uniquely built race cars, that hardly have a technical connection to street models”, says KW chairman Klaus Wohlfahrt concerning the KW engagement. “Here, real cars are driven in real races. There is no series world-wide which is closer to the racing fan than the WTCC.”

The next race will take place in the little Pyrenees town Pau on Sunday, May 17th. This is the third consecutive time that the WTCC starts there. The town in south-western France offers a 2,760 metre long urban track which has not been modified since 1935. The narrow roads and the close proximity to the spectators turn the 19 rounds into a special race event.

For more information about the wide variety of products by KW automotive GmbH including running gear springs, dampers, sport running gears, coilovers as well as application lists, please visit the web site www.KWsuspensions.com

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BMW reduces the fuel consumption

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By far the most efficient premium-class vehicles on the
German automobile market are built by BMW and MINI. The official calculation of
fleet consumption initiated by the BMW Group and carried out by the Federal
Motor Transport Authority is certified confirmation of this exceptional
position held by BMW Group brands. Current statistics calculated by the
Flensburg-based authority show that BMW and MINI brand vehicles newly
registered in Germany during 2008 have an average fuel consumption of 5.9
litres/100 km and average emission levels of 158 grams per km. Both levels lie
well below the average of all newly registered vehicles manufactured in
Germany, which is at 165 grams.

The brand BMW reduces fuel consumption by 16% within two years.

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At brand level, too, BMW does better than its main competitors in the premium
segment by significantly more than half a litre of fuel consumption with an
average level of 160 g CO2/km. The vehicles of the next best competitor have a
CO2 emissions level of 16 grams more than the models of the brand BMW, with the
next competitor after this at a level which is as much as 28 g higher than the
brand BMW – equal to a whole litre of diesel. Between 2006 and 2008, the brand
BMW achieved a reduction in fuel consumption of 16%, more than doubling the
reduction attained by the next best premium segment competitor. At the same,
BMW vehicles are still well ahead of their competitors in terms of average
engine output – clear evidence of the success of BMW EfficientDynamics.

The positive situation of the BMW Group is complemented by the brand MINI,
which attained a reduction of CO2 emission levels of 20% between 2006 and 2008,
with an average level of 139 g/km.
“This success is impressive affirmation of our ability for innovation and
sustainability,” explained Dr. Klaus Draeger, head of development at BMW. “With
the employed measures as well as a multitude of further technologies about to
be launched, the BMW Group is excellently prepared for the challenges of the
future. Draeger: “With EfficientDynamics we will comply with with the future EU
C02-Targets for new cars. The payment of fines is not an option for us.”
BMW and MINI fuel consumption and CO2 emissions considerably better than those
achieved by the average German automobile.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority statistics initiated by the BMW Group
show not only a significant superiority of BMW EfficientDynamics compared with
similar measures implemented by other premium vehicle manufacturers, but also
the BMW Group’s outstanding position within the overall market. On statistic
average a BMW or a MINI brand vehicle burns significantly less fuel than the
average new car produced in Germany. Moreover, with regard to fleet consumption
determined by the FMTA, the BMW Group also beats Europe’s largest high-volume
manufacturer, taking it to level peg with a number of car builders whose
product portfolio includes a considerably higher percentage of small cars.
The BMW Group has also attained comparable results in other European automotive
markets. In the UK, the brand BMW has successfully reduced the CO2 emissions
of its models to a level averaging 158 grams per kilometre. The BMW Group has
also clearly improved on the respective levels of other premium car builders in
these countries.
Fleet consumption reduced by more than 25 percent:
BMW Group exceeds ACEA requirements.
Consequently, also at an EU level BMW and MINI achieve fuel consumption and
emission levels below the overall average of all European car manufacturers.
Between 1995 and the end of 2008 the BMW Group cut fuel consumption of its
vehicles sold in Europe by more than 25 percent, even exceeding the respective
requirements for their brands stipulated by the ACEA commitment (ACEA =
Association of European Automobile Manufacturers).
Consequently, the BMW Group is better prepared than other car builders for the
even more stringent regulations planned for 2012 and 2015 respectively, these
resulting from the fact that not all manufacturers have been able to achieve
the aspired reduction in fuel consumption. Therefore, as far as the BMW Group
is concerned, the payment of penalties as compensation for excessive CO2 levels
is not under discussion.

Mazda MX-5 Hits Showrooms

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• 2009 Mazda MX-5, available in showrooms now, offers improved specification and
updated styling priced from £16,340 to £21,690 (on-the-road)
• Fuel economy improvements of up to 8 percent delivering up to 40.4mpg
• CO2 emissions reduced by up to 7 percent
• New ‘PowerShift‘ six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission with full auto mode

The 2009 Mazda MX-5 range is now available in showrooms ready for the rush of open-top
sports car fans this Spring.  Both the soft-top and Roadster Coupe bodystyles have been
updated for 2009 to echo the design language seen on the all-new Mazda3, on sale from
May, the Mazda RX-8 R3 and the award-winning Mazda2 supermini.

Thanks to enhanced chassis modifications, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 remains unrivalled both as
a rewarding driver’s car and an open-top roadster that can be used for everyday motoring all
year round.

Fine-tuning of the engines coupled to aerodynamic drag reduction have achieved significant
reductions in CO2 emissions down to 167 g/km for the 1.8i SE model, from 174 g/km. Add to
that improved fuel consumption – just 40.4 mpg for the 1.8i SE, up from 38.7 mpg – all
contributing to reduced  running costs over the outgoing model.  In addition, the whole sports
car ownership experience is supported by Mazda’s renowned reliability and durability.

“The latest exterior, interior and technical upgrades to the 2009 Mazda MX-5 range will
ensure that the soft-top will continue to offer pure, fun-to-drive, open-top motoring thrills,
while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe offers both open-top motoring as well as a  more
coupe-like, premium experience,” commented Mark Cameron, Sales & Marketing Director,
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The sportscar driving experience of the Mazda MX-5 2.0i with manual transmission is further
enhanced by raising its rev-limit by 500rpm to 7,500rpm and retuning the engine to develop
peak power (160ps) at 7,000rpm (up 300rpm).  For models with the six-speed gearbox, the
engine is fitted with a new Induction Sound Enhancer (ISE) which gives the power unit an
even sportier sound.

Prices for the 2009 Mazda MX-5 soft-top range start from £16,340 (on-the-road) for the
126ps, 1.8i SE with a five-speed manual gearbox.  Every Mazda MX-5 now comes with
leather trimmed steering wheel, gear knob and hand-brake, alloy wheels, plus an
MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxiliary (AUX) input jack for
MP3 and iPod connection.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class in 2009

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After four years in production and sales of 270,000 units, Mercedes-Benz is now presenting the 2009 S-Class. With an even more dynamic design, even more comfort and pathfinding innovations, this extensively updated new series of the world’s most successful luxury saloon is reiterating its claim to be the standard for automotive progress. Technological highlights include the world’s first series-production hybrid drive system with a lithium-ion battery in the S 400 HYBRID, which makes this flagship Mercedes-Benz model the world’s most economical luxury saloon with a petrol engine. Its fuel consumption of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres corresponds to carbon dioxide emissions of just 186 grams per kilometre. This makes the new S 400 HYBRID the “CO2 champion in the luxury class”

In addition the engine range includes eight up-to-date petrol and diesel units, which generate the same, high output as in the preceding series but require up to seven percent less fuel. The high safety standard typical of the S-Class is further improved by a unique combination of new camera and radar based driver assistance systems, with innovations such as Speed Limit Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. More agility and driving enjoyment is ensured by Direct-Steer and modified Active Body Control with crosswind stabilisation for the eight and twelve-cylinder models. The new luxury saloon will be in the showrooms of Mercedes-Benz’s own-retail outlets and authorised dealerships from June 2009.

With 270,000 units sold since its market launch in autumn 2005, the W 221-series S-Class is the world’s most successful luxury saloon. Since 1951, when the Model 220 founded the lineage of the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has sold around 3.3 million units of this model series. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “The S-Class is the worldwide market leader. Thanks to innovative technology, first-class comfort and trailblazing safety systems, the flagship model from Mercedes-Benz is seen as a pioneer in automotive development.”

S 500 4matic mit AMG Sportpaket