VizualBusiness

Kia to Add Third Shift at Slovak and US Plants Due to High Demand

Kia to Add Third Shift at Slovak and US Plants Due to High Demand:

To keep up with rising demand for Kia models in Europe, the South Korean has decided to introduce a third shift at its Zilina plant in Slovakia and hire another 1,000 new employees. The company expects the recruitment process to be completed by December and have the three-shifts operational in the first quarter of 2012. Read more »

New BMW M5 gets an Acoustic System that Replicates the Engine Sounds in the Cabin

New BMW M5 gets an Acoustic System that Replicates the Engine Sounds in the Cabin:

As with any new BMW, the latest V8-powered M5 F10 comes packed with an array of gadgets and gimmicky features, some of which you may like, some of which you may not.

One of the sports saloon's new features that may dismay purists is the Active Sound Design. To explain, this system is designed to –according to BMW- "accurately replicate" the sounds of the bi-turbocharged V8 engines inside the cabin through the vehicle's audio system.

Land Rover Scores 54% of the Vote in MSN Cars’ Poll of Best 4x4 Brands

Land Rover Scores 54% of the Vote in MSN Cars’ Poll of Best 4x4 Brands:

In a recent online poll, MSN Cars asked its readers a simple question: “Which firm makes the best '4x4' type cars?” The winner, with an astonishing 54% of the 39,663 votes is ~~Indian~~ British automaker Land Rover.

The brand’s winning combination of aggressive yet attractive styling, “go anywhere” off-road ability, ruggedness and comfort have made Land Rover the powerhouse brand it is today – and a deserved winner. Land Rover UK managing director Colin Green is understandably over the moon:

First Drive: New Peugeot 508 GT 2.2-liter HDi Sedan

First Drive: New Peugeot 508 GT 2.2-liter HDi Sedan:

It’s been a long time since Peugeot had a serious contender in the hotly contested sub-premium segment. The 407 was unloved and lacking in style; a “307 with a boot” purchased exclusively by the brand faithful. It was a bit bland and outdated compared to its major European competitor: the Mk 4 Ford Mondeo.

With the 508, Peugeot hopes to change all that. A carbon copy of the Peugeot 5 Concept that premiered at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the 2011 Peugeot 508 puts the verve – that oh-so-important French flair – back into Peugeot’s line-up.

We take the wheel of Peugeot’s flagship, AU$52,990 508 GT with a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel and a 6-speed automatic for a week-long road test and review.

ACEA Wants Carmakers to Adopt Standardized Charging Plugs for EVs

ACEA Wants Carmakers to Adopt Standardized Charging Plugs for EVs:

The European Union has already agreed with cell phone manufacturers to adopt a common charger format for their new phones. Therefore, consumers we will be able to buy a new phone without a charger, which up until now, was different to the one used by their old cellphone.

Now ACEA, the European car manufacturers association, is following the example and wants carmakers to adopt a common standard concerning chargers for their plug-in electric vehicles. To that end, it has already compiled a set of recommendations that stipulates the use of a uniform type of plug regardless of the country or power provider.

Formula 1: 2011 Singapore Grand Prix Results Are In

Formula 1: 2011 Singapore Grand Prix Results Are In:

And then they were two… Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are now officially out of the race for the world championship. After the end of the Singapore Grand Prix, only Jenson Button can, mathematically at least, challenge the reigning Formula 1 world champion, Sebastian Vettel in the remaining races. Read more »