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Stuttgart. Today Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, and his daughter Stephanie ‘christened’ two imperial eagle chicks in Stuttgart, naming them Asta and Artus. The two young birds of the species aquila heliaca, which is threatened worldwide with extinction, hatched six weeks ago in Greifvogelpark Hellenthal, falconer Horst Niesters’ sanctuary park for birds of prey in the Eifel region. This successful hatching is regarded as a sensation in expert circles.

Dr. Porsche was chosen as ‘godparent’ to the imperial eagle babies on the initiative of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC). “With this gesture, we should like to say ‘thank you’ to Dr. Porsche for his many years of great personal commitment to the international protection of species and to the sustainable use of nature”, said Dieter Schramm, President of the CIC.

“If we wish to bequeath an intact ecological heritage to following generations, we must be more careful with nature and our environment. A reckless or indifferent attitude to flora and fauna leads to damage which can never be made good. This is why the protection of endangered species is especially close to my heart”, said Dr. Wolfgang Porsche.

The young imperial eagles, who as adult birds will attain a wingspan of two meters, will continue to live in the Hellenthal sanctuary park in future

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for 2009 Tacoma pickup trucks, which range from $15,170 to $27,075.

Tacoma greatly enhances its overall value with the addition of several new features. All Tacoma models will now feature Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and Traction Control (TRAC) as standard equipment, making Tacoma the latest model to feature Toyota’s STAR Safety system consisting of Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, VSC, and TRAC. Additional new standard features include an automatic limited slip differential, roll-sensing curtain and seat side airbags, and front active headrests.

Exterior styling has been freshened with an argent painted grille, LED taillamps and four new colors that include Magnetic Gray, Barcelona Red, Pyrite, and Timberland. Smoked headlamp trim is featured on X-Runner and models with the optional TRD Offroad and TRD Sport packages.

Inside, Tacoma features a new and enhanced standard equipment audio system. All Tacoma audio head units feature AM/FM radio, an auxiliary audio input, an MP3-capable CD player, and satellite radio capability. Standard audio on Access and Double Cab models have been upgraded to two ceiling mounted speakers for a total of six and will be satellite radio ready. An optional JBL six-disc CD changer with satellite radio that includes a three-month free subscription to XM Satellite Radio and Bluetooth™ is available for Tacoma Double Cab models.

Additional interior enhancements include a new front door trim panel on all Tacoma models. Access Cab models receive power windows and door locks as standard equipment and a new rear seat design that features a center storage area and under seat storage. Other enhancements include a stylish new seat fabric pattern for models equipped with the optional SR5 package, and all Regular Cab models are equipped with bench seats. A new backup monitor is offered as an option on Access and Double Cab models.

2009 Tacoma 4×2 models carry a base MSRP that ranges from $15,170 for the Regular Cab with a four cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $25,285 for the X-Runner Access Cab V6 with a six-speed manual transmission. For PreRunner models, base MSRP ranges from $16,055 for the Regular Cab with a four cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $24,000 for the Double Cab Long Bed V6 with 5-speed automatic transmission.

The base MSRP for Tacoma 4×4 models range from $19,130 for the Regular Cab with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $27,075 for the Double Cab Long Bed V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission. The overall average MSRP for all Tacoma models increases $1,104, or 5.1 percent.

The 2009 Tacoma is available now at Toyota dealerships

The new Opel Insignia will be the first to try out General Motors’ new Global Mid-Size architecture. This new platform is likely to be the base for the larger Saturn model in the next few years. Presented at Opel’s Design Centre in Rsselheim, Germany, the new model is a lot more convincing than the other European GM designs. The new Insignia is sized to compete with the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat.
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from http://www.easycarblog.com

Ward’s AutoWorld magazine once again acknowledged Volvo for superior car interior design. The Volvo C30 earned Ward’s Interior Design Award for Best Brand Reflection. Last year, Ward’s named the Volvo S80 winner of the Best Interior Design of the Year Award.

According to Eric Mayne, Ward’s Editor of News Operations, “Marked by simplicity, grace and functionality, the C30’s interior exemplifies this heritage. They not only defy the industry convention that mass ensures comfort, they contribute to a futuristic ambience usually reserved for concept cars.” Volvo interiors have always been ergonomically designed to bring forward in materials all that is reflected in Scandinavian design: where form and function combine to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand. In a complicated world, Volvo brings a sense of harmony and peace to the daily grind of driving.

“With the C30, our goal was to bring a more youthful spirit and a refined Scandinavian flair to the interior,” Steve Mattin, SVP Design, Volvo Cars said. “We wanted the best of our cultural design heritage in this car. Our design vision was to create an interior that could only be branded Volvo. We shied away from chrome, kept controls intuitive without adding more buttons or switches and looked for ways to express our feeling about harmony and softness. Our center stack console has become a signature element for all Volvo car models. Its outline brings a natural rhythm and functionality expressed in clean lines and soft curves.”

Volvo’s legendary anatomically designed seats are upholstered in the unique T-Tec fabric specially developed for Volvo Cars and inspired by sportswear and modern travel accessories. T-Tec is soft, supple, elastic and comfortable. The contrast between T-Tec and textile - along with seams of a different, yet coordinating color - reinforces the dynamic appeal of the car.

“We are pushing the edge with materials, visual sensations and tactile feelings,” Steve Mattin said. “C30 is a reflection of our Scandinavian culture, feelings about our environment and our heritage.”