Kia Forte Koup pricing announced (U.S)

Kia USA has released full pricing on the Forte Koup. Kicking off at $17,290 ($16,595 + $695 destination fee) for the entry-level EX with a 156bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine coupled to a five speed manual gearbox.

Those looking for more power can opt for the Koup SX that comes with a 2.4-litre producing 174bhp which is mated to a 6 speed manual and has a sportier suspension set up. Prices for the SX begin from $18,390 including delivery fees.

If you prefer not to change gears manually, there's a five-speed automatic transmission that will cost you an extra $1,000 on both the EX and SX.

Mazda3 MPS pricing announced (UK)

Mazda UK has announced pricing for the all-new Mazda3 MPS that goes on sale Thursday 1st October. The hot hatch is being marketed in the UK in a single trim level with pricing set at £21,500 OTR including mica or metallic paint finish.

Based on the second generation Mazda3, the 3 MPS is powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-pot that makes 260bhp and 380Nm or 280 lb-ft of torque and drives the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The Japanese firm announces a 0 to 62mph sprint time of 6.1seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

Standard features include Bluetooth technology, surround-sound BOSE premium audio system with 10 speakers w/ steering wheel mounted audio controls, front bucket sports seats, electrically adjustable/heated and folding door mirrors, xenon headlamps, MID (multi information display) with a compact satellite navigation system that uses a high-resolution 11cm (4.1 inch) screen mounted in the dashboard's upper section and automatic dual zone climate control air conditioning.

GM - The Volt isn't a car for idiots

General Motors has responded to Audi of America’s boss Johan de Nysschen’s claims that the Chevrolet Volt was “a car for idiots”.

Speaking to veteran American journalist Lawrence Ulrich, de Nysschen said that few customers will be prepared to pay the estimated £24,500 asking price for the Volt, which will go on sale in Europe as the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera.

"No one is going to pay a $15,000 (£9,000) premium for a car that competes with a Toyota Corolla,” said de Nysschen. "So there are not enough idiots who will buy it."

In response, GM spokesman Rob Peterson claimed the firm was surprised he had chosen to insult fellow car enthusiasts.

“Very surprised Mr de Nysschen was so quick to insult the intelligence of electric vehicle and Volt enthusiasts,” he said. “Not so surprised that Audi is taking a bold stance given their entrenched diesel position. EVs will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and tailpipe emissions – if that's being "hoodwinked by our government" then count me in.”

De Nysschen has apologised if he had been "unclear" about the fact that he isn’t opposed to electric vehicles, and said he didn't remember specifically saying the Volt is a car "idiots". Audi will unveil its own electric car concept at the Frankfurt motor show next week.

In related news, the forthcoming Vauxhall/Opel Ampera is likely to cost around £24,500 when it goes on sale in the UK in the first quarter of 2012.

Opel’s managing director Hans Demant made the claims in an interview with a Swiss news outlet, Tages-Anzeiger. Demant claimed that for the Ampera to be a commercial success, it must not cost more than a fully-specced Vauxhall Zafira with automatic transmission. The range-topping Zafira SRi 1.9 CDTi costs just shy of £25,500 when equipped with an auto’ box in the UK. This gives a hint as to how much the Ampera will cost when it goes on sale.

Audi USA president; Johan de Nysschen - The Volt is for idiots (U.S)

Audi of America president, Johan de Nysschen has dismissed General Motors Chevrolet Volt as "a car for idiots".

Speaking to veteran American journalist Lawrence Ulrich, de Nysschen said that few customers will be prepared to pay the estimated £25,000 asking price for the Volt, which will go on sale in Europe as the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera.

"No one is going to pay a $15,000 (£9,000) premium for a car that competes with a Toyota Corolla,” said de Nysschen. "So there are not enough idiots who will buy it."

De Nysschen, a long-time advocate of diesel power, admitted that plug-in hybrids are good in concept and hold advantages over diesels in stop-and-go driving. However, he maintained that electric cars are more about making a statement at present.

“They’re for the intellectual elite who want to show what enlightened souls they are,” he said.

De Nysschen concluded by saying that the Volt will fail to sell and the Government will be forced to subsidise it and boost sales, having forced GM to develop electric cars.

However, De Nysschen said in his defence:

“Let me clearly state that in my opinion, electric vehicles will be part of the future transportation of society – but only if we go about it the right way. In fact, Audi is working on electric vehicles," he said."

De Nysschen also apologised if he had been "unclear" about the fact that he isn’t opposed to electric vehicles, and said he didn't remember specifically saying the Volt is a car "idiots".

Car sales rise, city-car sales rise by 253% (UK)

With car sales rising 2.4% in July, August car sales rose 6% compared with the same month last year. The increase is the second consecutive monthly rise, after more than a year of decline in vehicle sales. Industry figures revealed that 67,006 new cars were registered during August.

The scrappage scheme is widely accepted to have prompted the boost in sales since its introduction in May. However, the scheme is expected to run out of cash by the end of the year. Most buyers have been waiting out for the '59' plate change, which changes this month. September generally yields 5 times as many sales as August. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' (SMMT) chief executive Paul Everitt said: 'The scrappage incentive scheme is having a positive impact, but with consumer and business confidence still fragile, there remain significant risks ahead.

However, the figures from the SMMT also revealed that total sales for the year so far are still 21.5% lower than for the same period last year.

'It is essential that these early signs of recovery are sustained into 2010.'

The top 10 best-selling cars for August were as follows:

1) Ford Focus - 4,366

2) Ford Fiesta - 2,968

3) Hyundai i10 - 2,431

4) Vauxhall Corsa - 2,031

5) Volkswagen Golf - 1,832

6) Peugeot 207 - 1,558

7) BMW 3 Series - 1,482

8) Vauxhall Astra - 1,355

9) Vauxhall Insignia - 1,334

10) Toyota Yaris - 1,331

The worst performers in August were:

1) Saab -91.48%

2) Bentley -75.51%

3) Lotus -58.82%

4) Porsche -43.7%

5) Jeep -36.96%

Germany has ended its scrappage scheme, but is expected to offer tax incentives instead. France will extend it's scrappage scheme until 2011, to avoid plunging car sales. The UK Government has no intention of expanding, despite the fragile state of the car industry. However, pressure from automotive magazines, car manufactures and consumers could see it expanded.

Galileoscope: It Really Works!

I got my Galileoscope in the mail the other day, and I am really impressed. It has a large, heavy, real glass objective lens. The eyepiece lenses are plastic, but seem to work pretty well.

It was not too hard to assemble, and is solid when together. I took it out, screwed to a camera tripod, and I was able to see Jupiter and 4 of its moons!

I am not able to take a picture, but the image was similar to this, though not as magnified:



I can't wait to point it at Saturn!

Read Pete.

If you aren't reading Peter DeLorenzo, you should be. He's got a lot to say, and it is usually well said. http://www.autoextremist.com.

(No, he didn't pay me for that.)