The North American Car...
The North American Car of the Year was the Chrysler 300C, while the Truck award - which includes off-roaders as well as pick-ups - went to Ford"s Escape Hybrid. Speaking after collecting his gong at Detroit, blue oval boss Bill Ford said: "Four more hybrids are on the way. There will be a version of the Fusion saloon within three years, plus two Mercury models and a Mazda Tribute within two years."
The mag"s exclusive...
The mag"s exclusive pictures reveal that bosses have decided only the lightest of facelifts is necessary to keep the flagship 7-Series competitive.
After three years of criticism, BMW Group board member Professor Burkhard Gíƒá¶schel stands by the car"s look, but admitted: "Perhaps it would have been wise not to spread the new design language over a volume model (the 7-Series), but to prepare the market with one or two niche vehicles first."
The quote gives a rare insight into the firm"s thinking, and it"s clear that while bosses back design chief Chris Bangle"s work, there are some regrets over the way BMW"s current corporate style has been rolled out. The facelifted car will be unveiled in the metal at March"s Geneva Motor Show. Designers have been subtle in revising the 7"s lines. At the front, the aggression has been taken out of the saloon"s nose with sleeker headlamps, a restyled bumper and a more shapely grille. At the rear, the lights have been tidied up, with a new chrome strip across the boot. Inside, a similarly restrained make- over is likely, although the iDrive cabin control system could be simplified. UK models should appear next summer.