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In recognition of excellence displayed consistently throughout the year, Motorline BMW and Jeff Tracy BMW have been announced as exclusive winners of the prestigious BMW Dealer of the Year Award for 2009.

Acknowledged as the pinnacle of BMW awards amongst the dealer network, the coveted BMW trophy is underpinned by exemplary customer service, professionalism and all-round performance.

This is the second time in 3 years Motorline BMW has been awarded Metropolitan Dealer of the Year, previously winning the accolade in 2007. The South East Queensland dealer opened its doors over 12 years ago and offers an impressive facility spread over three separate buildings, including its own BMW Accredited Bodyshop and fully licensed bistro.

Jeff Tracy BMW, located in Shepparton Victoria, was recognised as the nations best Rural Dealer, adding its fifth BMW Dealer of the Year Award.

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America is in the midst of a two-front war – on one hand there is a strong push for smaller, more fuel efficient cars, and on the other there is a resurgence of high-powered muscle cars. Americans haven’t enjoyed such a strong selection of high-horsepower engines since the muscle car wars of the mid-to-late 1960s.

The table was set

2009 was a year to rejoice for muscle car fans as America watched the return of the Camaro re-ignite the passionate debate between Chevy and Ford fans of whose muscle car reigned supreme. Of course, Dodge was not to be forgotten as its Challenger jumped into the ring with the most horsepower in the class.
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Honda’s desperate-to-be-sporty hybrid, the CR-Z (or Compact Renaissance Zero… what?) will be going on sale, Friday, February 26th in its domestic market with a local sales goal of 1000 units per month. For those not in the know, that would be Japan, aka the JDM.

Just a recap: according to Honda, this the CR-Z will be the world’s first hybrid vehicle with a 6-speed manual transmission, and it’s also the manufacturer’s first vehicle to feature a three-mode system which allows the drive to choose among Sport, Normal, or Econ settings.

It is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 102 horsepower and an electric motor generating an additional 20HP for a combined output of 122bhp and 128lb ft of torque that arrives at just 1500rpm. The CR-Z will go on sale in Europe and North America this summer.

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With it’s February 2010 introduction of the new A4 2.0 TDI e model, as well as two new models with Start-Stop, energy recuperation and a new Driver Efficiency Program, Audi Australia has once again shown it’s commitment to employing Progressive Performance for sustainable motoring in Australia.

With a clear focus on fully-electric powertrains for future sustainable motoring, Audi Australia’s mid-term strategy focuses on progressiveness – namely it’s extremely efficient combustion engines, as well as the introduction of consumption-reducing technology from it’s modular efficiency platform.

With Audi TDI as a particular highlight, the company was the first premium manufacturer to offer a TDI engine in every major model line in Australia, as well as the first to market with 22 vehicles with an average fuel consumption of 7 litres/100km or less.

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After a little teaser and some leaked images, the 2011 Lexus CT 200h has finally made its official debut. Lexus said that production will start in late 2010 and is set for sale worldwide, meaning previous report of the model not coming to the stateside may not be true.

The five-door compact CT 200h’s Lexus Hybrid System consists of a 1.8L VVT-i gasoline engine mated to a powerful electric-motor fueled by nickel-metal hydride batteries. Drivers also have the choice selecting between four drive modes including, EV, ECO, Normal and Sport mode.

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