By Christopher Tan

LEXUS HYBRID SUV ROLLS INTO TOWN

The Lexus RX450h is the latest petrol-electric hybrid to arrive.

Starting at $188,000, the new luxury SUV is more powerful and yet more fuel-efficient than the previous model.

One of the main differences is a bigger V6 (3.5 versus 3.3 previously) with a higher compression ratio (12.5 versus 10.8:1).

More than 30 units were snapped up before the official launch on Wednesday.

NEW SHOWROOM FOR CITROEN

Citroen, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, will have a new showroom.

Agent Cycle & Carriage is refurbishing its 239 Alexandra Road facility to accommodate the French marque.

When it opens in July, it will be the first in South-east Asia to adhere to Citroen's international architecture guidelines.

It will also be the first in the region to have the new Citroen emblem.

With a floor area of 415 sq m, the new showroom will accommodate seven cars.

There will be amenities such as Internet kiosks with Apple iMacs and waiting areas with refreshments.

JAZZ UP YOUR AUDI OR VOLKSWAGEN

Just bought yourself an Audi and want to make it stand out?

One option is to dress it up with kit from ABT, the German tuner which specialises in Volkswagen and Audi cars.

Local ABT agent Autovox has a list of packages for new models such as the VW Eos, Audi TT and the recently launched Audi Q5.

A package for the TT Coupe costs $16,800.

It includes spoiler and skirts, quad-pipe rear muffler, lowered springs, 19-inch wheels and engine tuning (to 240bhp).

The cosmetic changes do not void the car's factory warranty but damage arising from a power upgrade might.

But Autovox says it has never had a claim on any ABT Stage 1 ECU tuning, "as we always tune the car within the tolerance levels indicated by VW and Audi".

VW TO ASSEMBLE CARS IN INDONESIA

Volkswagen will assemble cars in Indonesia soon.

The German manufacturer has tied up with Indonesian assembler Indomobil and will roll out the first few hundred Touran MPVs later this year.

Other models will be added from 2012.

GUINNESS RECORD FOR AUDI A4 ON CNG

An Audi A4 running on compressed natural gas is poised to enter the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest CNG car.

Boasting 700bhp, the A4 showed off its prowess on the Nurburgring circuit in Germany on April 29.

It clocked 364.6kmh.

Other CNG cars were also present at the demonstration, including an Opel Zafira Turbo CNG, Volkswagen Passat TSI EcoFuel and Ford Focus ST CNG.

ALL-NEW OPEL ASTRA COMING NEXT YEAR

This is the new Opel Astra, due to arrive in the first quarter of next year.

This sixth-generation Astra is the best-looking by far.

Not only that, it has an all-new powertrain line-up.

This includes a 1.4-litre 140bhp turbo mated to a six-speed autobox.

Three other petrol versions will be available, with the most powerful producing 180bhp.

The new Astra complies with Euro V emission standard.

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