Until the Land Rover Defender gets its overhaul in 2013, it appears it will have problems conforming to Euro 5 norms in the meantime. On the Italian market, the Defender will only be homologated as a truck or lorry model in the future as its 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine with 122 hp won’t conform to Euro 5 anti-pollution regulations.

The small lorry classification for the Defender does mean that Italians can make some tax savings on the model in the meantime, paying less on the annual tax for vehicles than if it were a car model. Previous reports on the new Land Rover Defender suggest that it will be based on the Range Rover Sport platform and will have a 2.7-litre diesel engine in Europe. With its illustrious career and serious, off-road capabilities for hard core fans, any new model will be exciting news.

Source | Autoblog.it

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Volkswagen has released details of its BlueMotion range of cars, stating that the Bluemotion Golf, Polo and Passat are the most fuel-efficient vehicles in their respective classes. The range will be present at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show this month, and while they show no sparkling new looks, eco-friendly options are important among consumers, particularly with the new Euro 5 norms.

The Polo BlueMotion with its 3.3-litre engine produces just 87 g/km of CO2 emissions, while the Golf with its 3.8-litre produces 99 g/km. The Passat continues the trend with 114 g/km of CO2 emissions for its 4.4-litre engine.

All engine models are the new common rail TDI engines, and will also feature start-stop technology and energy regeneration. The range will have its world premiere at Frankfurt, after which they are ready for purchase from this autumn in Europe.

Continue reading: Volkswagen BlueMotion: Golf, Passat and Polo most fuel-efficient cars

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Europe’s stricter Euro 5 emissions standards start today, with a few changes from the previous Euro 4 legislation. The new laws seem to target diesel cars and engines in particular, focussing on significant reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions from 250 mg/km to 180 mg/km. Petrol engines also see a reduction of 25 percent from 80 to 60 mg/km. Euro 4 norms regarding CO2 emissions will remain the same.

Many of Europe’s car manufacturers have already pre-empted the new emission standards legislation, with Mercedes, for example, already offering 13 vehicles in its line-up that comply with the new norms. Volkswagen and Opel have eight vehicles that comply, followed by BMW with seven.

Toyota and Fiat both have five models each that meet Euro 5 norms. Some of the most popular models in Europe that comply with Euro 5 include the Fiat 500, the new Volkswagen Golf, the Audi A4 and the Alfa MiTo.

While vehicles that comply with Euro 4 norms can still circulate freely on days when traffic restrictions might be in place for pollution reduction measures, we can be assured that this trend to cleaner and more efficient cars will only continue.

Source | Autoblog.it

Photo | Flickr

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Fiat has released these new pics of the Punto Evo before its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new version of the Grande Punto hatch has a few updates, including a revamped interior and the new Multiair engine also featured on the Alfa MiTo.

With new Euro 5 laws being released today (more on that later) the Multiair joins a range of engines that comply with the new norms, including methane and LPG fuel, and a 1.3-litre Multijet with 95 hp. All the Euro 5 versions will have Start&Stop technology. We’ll have some live pics from the Frankfurt Motor Show, and below you can read all the details in the press release.

Continue reading: Fiat Punto Evo preview pics

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