Vintage Directional Gyro Gauge Aircraft Instrument Cessna Aviation on 2040-parts.com

Lexus IS (2013) more details of new 3-series rival

Lexus has pulled the cloth back on the all-new Lexus IS at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and announced more details of its new hybrid 3-series rival. This will be the first hybrid Lexus IS, and UK sales will start in summer 2013.  What do we know about the new hybrid Lexus IS?  The IS300h combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The torque output is yet to be confirmed, but there's 217bhp and Lexus is aiming for a sub-100g/km CO2 output and fuel consumption of at least 65mpg. Figures like that are likely to grab the attention of fleet managers, as Lexus hopes to close the gap on rivals like the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.  There's a non-hybrid model too, but this IS250 will be powered by a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine. It won't be a fleet favourite.  The IS250h has a six-speed automatic transmission, the IS300h has a CVT gearbox, and both cars are rear-wheel drive.

New Mazda CX-7 (2010) at Frankfurt

Mazda are bringing the new Mazda CX-7 to Frankfurt The new Mazda CX-7 gets a nose-job to bring it in with the family feel – as seen on the new Mazda 3 – but with a smattering of chrome detailing. But the big news is on the engine front. In comes a MZR-CD 2.2 litre Turbo-Diesel engine, which should offer much better economy without sacrificing much in the way of performance.

Press leaving Chrysler, report says

Chrysler Group Deputy CEO Jim Press is planning to leave the company before the end of the year, according to a report Friday by The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources. Press, 62, is expected to leave before December, one of the newspaper's sources said. Chrysler spokesman Gualberto Ranieri declined to comment on the paper's report.