After all the spy shots, photo renderings and photo leaks, Mercedes-Benz has finally released the official press release and images on the new 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. The new SL gets a new updated front end with more emphasis on sportiness.

New addition this year to the SL lineup is the entry level SL 280 which is powered by a 231hp 6-cylinder engine that accelerates the SL from 0 to 62mph in 7.8 seconds. The SL 350 is now powered by a high-revving 6-cylinder engine that produces 231hp and improves fuel-consumpution over the previous model. SL 500 will carry the same V8 and the top-of-the-line SL 600 with its V12.

Mercedes has also added a new feature on the SL this year called the AIRSCARF. The system provides neck-level heating for the driver while he/she is driving with the roof down.

The new 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class will make its public debut the Geneva Motor Show in March and will go on sale in Europe on April 5th, 2008. U.S. launch details will be announced at a later date.

Click through for the press release and images.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Gallery:

   

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Volvo has been found guilty of manslaughter after a court ruled the faulty brakes were to blame for a car accident in France. Catherine Kohtz lost control while driving her Volvo 850 TDI vehicle and killed two children in 1999.

While Volvo was fined 200,000 euros ($296,950), Kohtz received a six-month suspended jail term, a 300 euro fine and her license was suspended for a year. 

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While we think the new Mercedes-Benz CLC Sports Coupe is a lot better looking than its predecessor, we’re still not that thrilled about the car.

The CLC Sports Coupe line up will include four 4-cylinder engines and two 6-cylinder engines, without out ranging from a lousy 122hp to a range-topper with 272hp. The car comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard with an optional 5-speed automatic and a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission for the V6 models.

Check out this new promo video from Mercedes-Benz to see the CLC in action.

Click through for the video.

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Afla Romeo will be coming back to the North American market in 2009 with the 8C Competizione. Until that relaunch is complete, select Maserati dealerships will start selling the 100 units of the 8C Competizione that are headed to our highways.

But when Alfa launches its other models, it will be looking to GM to use Cadillac’s Sigma platform for its new cars.

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It’s understandable that Ford execs might level some criticism at the Ford Five-Hundred for looking dopey and overly conservative now that they’ve refreshed it and reintroduced it as the Taurus. But apparently two of them have compared the current Taurus to Homer Simpson.

Head of Global Product Development, Derrick Kuzak made the comparison in the process of talking up the styling direction of the 2010 Ford Taurus. The thing is, the current Taurus will still be around for two years, and while Homer does truly love his family, he’s not the most polished, svelte, intelligent or talented individual. Comparing the Taurus to the fatso, balding Homer isn’t the most complimentary thing they could have said. CEO Alan Mulally added, “The new Taurus that you’re going to see in the next year or so is the one we should have made originally.”

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Honestly we were pretty disappointed to learn that NBC will be debuting its own version of Top Gear with a completely new cast. I mean what is Top Gear without Clarkson’s wit, Hammond’s excitement and May’s… May’s… umm well just May? But now rumor has it that NBC could be taking the American version of Top Gear in a more “celebrity direction,” and we’re pretty excited about who they may have in mind.

Originally BBC had started calling several automotive writers and on-camera automotive journalist to give the new show a more “journalist credibility.” NBC then decided to they’d rather have more celebrity presence on the show.

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In August of 2004, Thomas Delgado, killed 17-year-old Enaitz Irondo, after hitting him with his Audi A8. Entaiz was riding his bike home when Delgado’s car, struck and killed him.

A traffic report stated that Delgado was traveling 70mph in an area where the speed limit was 55mph. However, an independent expert hired by Irondo’s family said Delgado was actually travelling at 107mph, which resulted in criminal charges being filed against Delgado. Shortly after, a judge dismissed criminal charges and Delgado’s insurance company ended up cashing out $48,500 to Irondo’s family.

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Isuzu said Thursday that they will be ending SUV sales in a year. Isuzu sales, as high as 100,000 in 1999 thanks to the popular Trooper topped only 7,000 last year.

The total cost for exiting North America will cost Isuzu $37 million. Isuzu plans to continue parts and maintenance in order not to leave current customers high and dry. Commercial vehicle sales will continue.

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BRABUS has announced their latest performance kit for the new Mercedes-Benz E300 BLUETEC called the BRABUS PowerXtra D6 BLUE. The kit boosts horsepower by 47 for the cleanest diesel car on the market, still meeting the EURO V exhaust limits which go into effect in 2011.

Producing a total of 258hp, the BRABUS PowerXtra D6 BLUE also increases torque to 450 lb-ft. 0-62 comes in just 6.8 seconds with a top speed electronicall limited to 155mph.

The BRABUS PowerXtra D6 BLUE power kit is available for 1,790 Euros. BRBAUS will also offer the kit for the E320 BLUETEC model in the U.S., pricing will be announced at a later date.

Click through for the images and press release.

BRABUS PowerXtra D6 BLUE for E300 BLUETEC:

   

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Supposedly the car that we’ve all come to known as the next-generation Mazda 6, or the new Atenza in Japan, does not hint at what the 2009 Mazda 6 will look in the U.S.

“The Mazda 6 will be designed and engineered for the U.S.” Jeremy Barnes, Mazda North American Operations spokesman, told Inside Line. “It will be on sale later this year as an ‘09 model.” He said that the Atenza, which was unveiled in Japan on Tuesday, “doesn’t hint at what we’ll get in the U.S.”

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Okay, maybe not beg, but at least satisfied if circumstances put you in such a position to own a minivan. Today’s automakers are looking to add technology and luxury features to retain minivan owners and maybe, just maybe, lure in those who run after SUVs or Crossover.

Take the Honda Odyssey Touring for example. In there you’ll find a satellite navigation system that operates with voice recognition responding to over 630 commands, a full-color rear view backup camera, a DVD entertainment package system and, of course, leather seating.

According to Stephanie Brinley, senior manager of a market research firm covering the auto industry, while “the minivan market is not dead, sales have slowed, the market has matured, and there’s some shrinkage.”

Still, she says, “it is really the best space for hauling people and stuff.”

Click through for the list of 9 Minivans You’ll Beg to Drive.

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According to AutoExpress, Jaguar is working to resurrect the Jaguar E-Type in hopes of taking on the Porsche 911 and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. With the sale of Jaguar to be completed within the next couple of weeks, Tata motors has its first major decision coming its way.

Jaguar came very close to producing a version of the E-Type back in 2000 based on the F-Type Concept, but the vehicle was shot down by Ford bosses. FoMoCo executives believed that Jaguar should concentrate on a new X-Type and diesel power.

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BMW has announced a list of vehicles that it will be showing at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show next month. We already know and have seen the X6, 125i (UK version of the 128i) and the M3 Convertible with M Double Clutch Transmission. What we’re excited about is the new 320d Convertible.

The BMW 320d will be powered by a 2 liter single-turbocharged diesel engine producing 177hp with a peak torque of 258 lb-ft. BMW has also added EfficientDynamics with stop-start technology on manual models and a second-generation common-rail injection engine. With these technologies the 320d gets an average combined fuel-economy of 44.4mpg.

Available in both SE and M Sports trim level, the BMW 320d is priced at £33,110 OTR and £35,735 OTR respectively. Both models go on sale in March 2008.

BMW 3-Series Convertible Gallery:

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