A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Safety-enhanced Panda due in Frankfurt
WITH ONLY weeks to go to the opening of the Frankfurt motor show, car firms are busy offering sneak previews of the new metal that will be on display. Fiat will launch its new Panda and a facelifted Punto at the show. The new Panda has grown to boost safety standards and interior space. Four engines power it including the 85bhp TwinAir Turbo unit and a new, normally-aspirated, 65bhp TwinAir engine. The 69bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine and 75bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet II diesel engine are also offered. It will go on sale in spring next year, after the arrival of the revised Punto. Alongside some minor design tweaks the facelifted model gets two new engines: the 85bhp turbocharged unit with emissions of 98g/km and a new 85bhp version of the 1.3 MultiJet II engine with emissions of just 90g/km.
Elsewhere, Mercedes has released details on its new B-Class, aiming to challenge the premium hatchback market with a model based on a completely new platform. Honda is preparing for the introduction of its new Civic, with a more refined driving experience early next year.
Finally, Peugeot is set to showcase its upcoming hybrid diesel technology for the 508 estate, boasting emission figures of 109g/km and fuel consumption of 4.2 l/100km (67.2 mpg). It will also unveil a new six-seater diesel plug-in hybrid concept model (below).
Saab still struggling
TROUBLED SWEDISH car firm Saab is busy trying to secure more funds to survive over the next several days, while not ruling out filing for reorganisation to protect itself from creditors, a spokesman said.
The firm suspended production in late March amid a cash crunch, and the firm’s headquarters in Trollhättan, Sweden, has been quiet since early June. Saab delayed paying wages last week, the third consecutive postponement in as many months, prompting union leaders to start a process that may lead them to seek a bankruptcy declaration against the carmaker in two weeks.
The car firm has also reportedly withdrawn from next month’s Frankfurt motor show.