The Volvo Car Corporation is extending the engine range in the Volvo C70 with a 2-litre turbodiesel - making this the first four-cylinder engine in the convertible.

"The four-cylinder turbodiesel will be a very popular choice, especially in Europe where it will account for 20 percent of total C70 sales. The engine offers a very attractive combination of fuel economy and driving pleasure," says Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo Cars expects sales of the Volvo C70 2.0D to reach about 2,000 units a year - which means that one out of ten C70s sold worldwide will have the four-cylinder turbodiesel. The first cars will reach the showrooms during autumn 2007.

The performance of a gasoline engine, the high torque and fuel economy of a state-of-the-art diesel together with extremely clean emissions: Mercedes-Benz has combined all the advantages of both engine types in its DiesOtto powertrain. The new technology package, which stands for the future of the gasoline engine, includes features such as direct gasoline injection, turbocharging and a variable compression.

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that it has begun mixed-model production at its Ujina engine plant near Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima. The newly redesigned production line now produces both the new 3.7L V6 and the current in-line four-cylinder engines (1.8L-2.3L MZR engines). The 3.7L V6 will be used in the new 2008 CX-9, scheduled to go on sale in North America later this summer.

2008 Mazda CX-9

Toyota announced today that they have developed a new fuel-saving engine valve mechanism, Valvematic, created by combining VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent), with a new device that continuously regulates the intake valve lift volume.