Also expected at the top of the charts at this year’s event will be Canadian rally Ace Antoine L’Estage along with his Co-Driver and fiance’ Nathalie Richard driving their John Buffum-prepared & Rockstar Energy-backed Mitsubishi Evolution X.  A former overall winner of the New England Forest Rally, L’Estage is a very technical driver as well as a multi-time Canadian Rally Champion who can’t be overlooked regarding the overall victory in Maine.

New to this year’s New England Forest Rally will be a large contingent of Regional rally teams from across the Northeastern United Sates and Eastern Canada.  These teams will be competing for their share of $15,000 in prize money as the Maine-based rally will be just one of three rally events in the United States that make up the 3-round MaxAttack! Championship for Regional rally teams for 2009 – the other two rally events include Rally Idaho and the Ojibwe Forests Rally in Minnesota.

Although the New England Forest Rally will be contested over two days and 125 plus miles of gravel and forest stages for the National competitors, the Regional rally teams will compete on the very same roads as the National teams, but in two separate 1-day Regional rally events run simultaneously with the National rally.

Friday’s Regional rally will be known at the “Drive Your Future Rally” presented by the National Guard and will be highlighted by a “Super Special” in the town of Mexico, Maine.  Taking place at the Mexico Recreational Area located just off Rt. 17 in Mexico, spectators will be have the opportunity to watch their favorite rally driver or team complete an entire gravel rally stage, complete with a jump, from start to finish right in front of them.  Fans will also have the chance for an up-close look at the service crews as they take care of their rally cars at the Service Park which will also be based at the Mexico Recreation Area.  As a special attraction for fans of all ages, National Guard units from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont will be on hand at the Mexico Recreation Area with a large display of state-of-the-art military vehicles to check out.

On Saturday, July 18, 2009, the rally action moves west along Route 2 to Coos County and the city of Berlin in Northern New Hampshire where rally teams will compete on a series of gravel and forest stages from Berlin north along the Androscoggin River to the sleepy village of Errol and beyond.  A number of scenic spectator areas will be available along the competition stages where fans will be able to watch their favorite drivers compete.  They will also be treated to a “Super Special” in Berlin on Saturday morning where teams will test their skills on a half-mile course that winds its way in and around the old Berlin paper mill site located on the north side of the city.

Also available throughout the 2-day New England Forest Rally will be a number of spectator buses provided by the Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine.  The busses will depart from a variety of locations and take interested spectators out to the designated viewing areas along the rally course.  Tickets for the spectator busses can be purchased the day of the event and will cost just $5.00 per person!

Amateur photographers will again have the opportunity to participate in Rally America’s popular photo contest where they can submit their best shots from the New England Forest Rally for a chance to win great prizes – visit http://www.rally-america.com for all the details.

For ongoing live updates through out the New England Forest Rally or for more information regarding a detailed event schedule, lodging and an on-line Spectator Guide, please visit the official Rally America web site at http://www.rally-america.com.

Sponsors for this year’s New England Forest Rally include Subaru of America; DC Shoes; Endless Brakes; Exedy Racing Clutches; Q Racing Oil; the Army National Guard; Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine; the Team O’Neil Rally School from Dalton, NH and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Rally car racing is considered the extreme sport of automobile racing and is often described simply as “real cars, real roads, real fast.” This all-season motorsport sees drivers and their co-drivers taking modified road cars to the limit as they achieve blistering speeds over courses that cover more than 100 miles of gravel, dirt or snow-covered roads known as stages.

The 2009 Rally America National Championship series consists of nine exciting events that take place throughout the United States in many different weather and road conditions.  Top teams in the Rally America Championship are also invited to compete in ESPN’s Summer X Games, the leading action sports event broadcast live on ABC and ESPN. Eight top teams have already been invited to this August’s contest.  Among the marquees typically represented in Rally America events are Subaru, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Ford and Volkswagen.

But that’s not all. The Zenith windscreen makes the new C3 unique. As well as drenching the cabin in light and
expanding visibility, this windscreen introduces passengers of our Visiodrive to a new driving experience. “With the
new C3, Citroën is opening up a new automobile universe. A universe where reason and responsibility leave room
for new driving pleasure. And new sensations,” says Vincent Besson, Products and Markets, Citroën.
These quality features are confirmed in the design and manufacturing of the new Citroën C3. Made in France, on
the industrial sites of Aulnay and Poissy, the new vehicle meets high quality standards, both new and over time. To
guarantee optimum reliability, and iron out the last imperfections, it will be put through more than 2 million
kilometres of on-road testing before the market release.

CITROËN FRANCE - SERVICE PRESSE
Immeuble Colisée III - CC: LI041 - 12 rue Fructidor 75835 Paris Cedex 17 - TÉL.: +33(0) 1 58 79 75 87 - FAX: +33(0) 1 58 79 74 03 -
service_presse@citroen.com – http://www.citroen-presse.com – http://www.citroen.com
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A UNIQUE, ALLURING PERSONALITY
The new C3 is asserting its personality. The recognisable protective roundness of its predecessor is given a sportier
edge with tauter, smoother lines. Exciting with a gentle touch: the essence of seduction.
The styling and refinement of the new C3 are seductive. The materials are high class, such as the thermo-coated
dash, highlighted by a cross strip in satin grey or gloss brushed aluminium, and chrome detailing. The new C3
takes trim level and quality to a new dimension. This is illustrated perfectly by care with gap and flush, attention to
every detail and robust design.

INTELLIGENT ARCHITECTURE
The new C3 is one of the most compact vehicles in its segment. With a length of 3.94 m, a width of 1.71 m and
a 10.2 m turning circle, it is perfect for the city.
A compact exterior, without compromising on interior space. The new C3 has the roominess it needs to assert its
new status as the main family car or core fleet vehicle. This can been seen in the generous 300 litres of optimised
boot capacity, numerous storage spaces (console, glovebox, central armrest…), medium-height seats facilitating
access and visibility, and optimised interior space offering more knee room. The new Citroën C3 is more spacious,
but still compact. It’s a “real” car, with upper-segment features.
A NEW DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The new experience goes further and gets better with the Zenith windscreen, a technological feat. This exceptionally
long windscreen expands the front occupants’ field of vision by 80° upwards. Combined with slimmer pillars, the
Zenith gives all occupants a sense of unlimited, high-definition vision. Total immersion. As a world first, the
progressive glass smoothes the transition from the strong sun protection above the front passengers to the standard
clear glass for looking forwards. The saloon with the biggest windscreen and the smallest roof on the market delivers
more new driving sensations! The new C3 offers more visibility and light, for more safety and driving pleasure.
Speaking of pleasure, our Visiodrive naturally benefits from the Marque’s know-how in comfort. Everyone will be
extremely comfortable on board the new Citroën C3 for all the senses: not just low noise and low vibration, but
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fragrant and nice to look at, with the many windows and air freshener. A relaxing atmosphere. A great car to drive
and be driven in.
The new C3 is a “connected” car. In addition to the RD4 mp3 audio system, the USB Box (USB slot + jack, full
iPod compatibility, Bluetooth® hands-free kit) and MyWay navigation, the new Hifi System® surrounds passengers
with sound, as if they were in a concert hall. The system offers not only exceptional sound quality, but comes with a
competitive price tag.
IMPRESSIVE AND REASONABLE DYNAMIC FEATURES
The new Citroën C3 will make others green with envy… with more dynamic road handling, it is as comfortable on
the open road as in the city, and has managed to keep a slim figure by not putting on any weight! An exceptional
achievement given the convincing increase in comfort and interior space. This weight control, combined with
optimised aerodynamics (a Cx of 0.30), the new C3 manages its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
intelligently. Right from launch, it will come in a version emitting 99 g/km de CO2, with the HDi 90 DPFS
engine.
That expertise in managing fuel consumption will reach a new stage with the arrival of new powerplants in 2011,
incorporating second-generation Stop & Start. Coupled with five- and six-speed electronic gearboxes, they will equip
diesel versions emitting only 95 and 90 g/km de CO2. In short, the new generation of three-cylinder engines will
enable versions emitting less than 100 g/km de CO2.

MINI E models will be on UK roads for a twelve-month field trial that will evaluate the technical and social aspects of living with an all-electric vehicle in a real world environment. This year-long project will play an important part in informing future strategic and technological decisions.

BMW Group is bringing together an energy infrastructure provider and an academic partner, with the support of a regional development agency and local authorities, to make the MINI E research project a reality in the UK.

The MINI E UK Research Consortium
The MINI E UK Research Consortium, of which BMW Group is the lead partner, comprises several organisations which are based around Oxford and the South-East of England. All will play important roles in the collaborative field trial.

In addition to the BMW Group, the consortium includes an electric energy and infrastructure provider (Scottish and Southern Energy), an academic partner (Oxford Brookes University’s Sustainable Vehicle Engineering Centre) and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) as well as Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.

Scottish and Southern Energy, the UK’s leading generator of energy from renewable sources, will be responsible for providing the infrastructure in and around Oxford and other locations in the South-East of England by installing the private and public charging points that will be required to recharge the batteries in the MINI E test vehicles.

Oxford Brookes University, under the direction of Professor Allan Hutchinson who leads its Sustainable Vehicle Engineering Centre, will be responsible for undertaking scientific data analysis as well as conducting customer surveys to capture the subjective feedback from users of the MINI E test vehicles.

At the end of the trial, a comprehensive report documenting the main findings of the MINI E research project will be published. This will help inform those bodies seeking to create the political, technical and commercial framework necessary to enable sustainable mobility in a low carbon future to become reality.

Electric mobility is just one of the low carbon technology options being investigated by BMW Group. The company aims to begin series production of all-electric vehicles before the middle of the next decade as part of the company’s Strategy Number ONE.

The passion to provide sustainable individual mobility for its customers is at the heart of BMW’s long-term strategy and has been for many years. Since 1995, the average CO2 emissions from its cars has reduced by 25 per cent through a variety of technological innovations, most recently encompassed by the Efficient Dynamics programme.

The company and its products have won many awards for this work, including World Green Car of the Year in 2008 for the BMW 118d. The development of all-electric vehicles is a vital element of the future plans for the company.

Andy Hearn, General Manager at MINI UK, said: “It makes perfect sense for us to undertake a research project in MINI’s home country and I’m delighted that the Technology Strategy Board will be supporting our investment and the collaborative activities of our consortium members.”

“The research results we obtain will help inform those bodies seeking to create the political, technical and commercial framework necessary to enable sustainable mobility in a low carbon future to become reality. They will also give our own engineers a clearer picture of customers’ requirements and aspirations as they develop an electric vehicle for series production.”

With 12-month research projects already underway in North America and Germany, BMW Group will be trialling the MINI E in its three largest markets by bringing the vehicle to the UK for similar test purposes.

MINI E technology highlights
The MINI E’s electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Nm, and power is delivered to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox. This unique engine and transmission arrangement powers the MINI E seamlessly to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 95 mph.

Based on the current MINI Hatch, the car is available as a two-seater. With 204 hp at the driver’s disposal, performance is close to that of the MINI John Cooper Works.

The space normally inhabited by rear passengers is reserved for a lithium-ion battery. The heavy-duty battery delivers its power to an electric motor which is mounted transversely under the MINI E’s bonnet. This power unit is able to unleash its full thrust from a dead standstill and is complemented by its dynamic deceleration potential, which is directly coupled to the accelerator pedal.

The MINI E’s lithium-ion battery can be plugged into all standard power outlets. Its charge time is strongly dependent on the voltage and amperage of the electricity flowing through the grid. As with existing research projects in the USA and Berlin, users will be able to recharge a battery that has been completely drained within a very short period of time using a wallbox that will be supplied as standard with every MINI E. With 240V/32A, charging time for the car will be around four hours. There is also an intention to establish a network of public charging stations.

The wallbox will be installed in the customer’s garage, enable higher amperage and thus ensure extremely short charging times. Wallboxes fully recharge batteries in just four-and-a-half hours. Only lockable garages or similar buildings will qualify as suitable power stations for the MINI E.

Besides the benefit of zero-emissions driving, the MINI E offers significant economic advantages over a vehicle powered by a conventional internal combustion engine. Fully re-charging the battery using off-peak electricity at current prices will cost around £1.50. Using higher-rate daytime electricity, the cost will still be less than £4.00.

The MINI E’s 1,465 kilograms is evenly distributed across the car. Modifications to the suspension system and the car’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), adapted to the car’s specific wheel loads, ensure safe and dynamic handling typical of MINI.

Production of all cars for the UK trial is underway at the company’s Oxford and Munich sites. MINI’s Plant Oxford will be responsible for manufacturing the entire vehicle on the standard production line, with the exception of the drive components and the lithium-ion battery. The vehicles will then be transferred to a specially equipped manufacturing facility situated on BMW plant premises in Munich where the electric motor, battery units, performance electronics and transmission will be integrated.

A launch date and pricing details for UK customers interested in participating in the MINI E UK research project will be announced shortly at http://www.mini.co.uk

Interior highlights of the Executive Appearance Package include:

* Available in Dark Charcoal or Cashmere color
* Luxury leather-trimmed seats
* Unique door trim with stitching
* Unique console armrest insert
* Genuine Swirl Walnut wood instrument panel accents
* Genuine Swirl Walnut wood console
* Premium front and rear floor mats with the Lincoln star

Exterior color choices with the Executive Appearance Package include:

* Tuxedo Black
* White Platinum
* Brilliant Silver
* Sterling Gray
* Sangria Red

Lincoln signature design
The new 2010 Lincoln MKZ was launched this past spring and features Lincoln signature design elements, including the split-wing grille and thinner wraparound headlamps for a wider, sportier look. The Lincoln MKZ’s presence is enhanced by available 17-inch machined aluminum or chrome wheels or 18-inch polished aluminum wheels which are included in the Sport Appearance Package with sport-tuned suspension.

Inside, MKZ’s cabin reflects an even more upscale look featuring genuine aluminum and wood depending on the trim package, an all-new instrument panel and detailed touches including new welcome lighting, chimes and tuxedo stitching on luxury Bridge of Weir leather-trimmed seats.

This world-renowned luxury leather from Scotland, pioneered on the classic Lincoln Continental Mark II and used on the Lincoln MKS, trims the MKZ seats. The MKZ leather is unembossed, allowing the natural beauty and character of the grain to shine through. The leather is milled for up to 12 hours to ensure a buttery soft feel.

Faster engine performance, strong fuel economy
The award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engine powers the 2010 Lincoln MKZ, delivering 263 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 249 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,500 rpm on regular gasoline while still remaining among the leaders in fuel economy in its segment with EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for the front-wheel drive MKZ.

The 3.5-liter uses a compact, lightweight dual-overhead cam valvetrain for peak power and smooth operation at high rpms. This engine also incorporates intake variable cam timing to optimize valve timing for a smooth idle and an impressively broad torque curve with good power. Powertrain performance is improved dramatically, with 0-60 mph times dropping from 7.7 to 7.1 seconds.

A high 10.3:1 compression ratio and aluminum cylinder heads designed for high air flow and optimized combustion help complete the package, supporting the engine’s ability to deliver great performance and fuel economy along with low emissions. The six-speed transmission is outfitted with lower early gears for better acceleration and taller high gears for better highway mileage.

The six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission comes available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Customers can select a manual mode for enhanced sportiness, with downshifts locked out to help protect the engine from over-revving. The “enhanced overdrive cancel” mode locks out the fifth and sixth gears, allows shifts at higher speed for more engine braking and downshifts for “grade assist” functionality.

Better ride comfort
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ was significantly revised and uniquely tuned for ride comfort. The rear suspension lower control arm attachment point was changed to move the roll center closer to the center of gravity, which improves ride-handling characteristics. The turning radius has been reduced as well. Also added is a new hydraulic variable-flow steering pump that changes the flow rate to give better response at higher speeds and ease parking efforts at low speeds.

The Lincoln MKZ’s available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system has been retuned for better traction and lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The system uses an electro-mechanical clutch and employs two basic modes of torque transfer – pre-emptive torque (before wheel slip) and slip-control torque (after wheel slip). This dual system helps give the driver confidence in a variety of situations, while the suspension has been specially tuned to be more neutral when cornering.

The AWD system works in harmony with brake traction control to deliver more confidence to Lincoln MKZ customers. Ford’s AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control – standard on every new Lincoln MKZ – helps keep drivers in command as well.

The MKZ sport version includes special sport suspension tuning with stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars, 18-inch Euroflange polished wheels, unique darkened grille, darkened headlamps and an interior with contrasting piping and special appliqués.

“The driving experience has been improved, delivering a better ride and vehicle control,” said J.D. Shanahan, chief engineer. “Ride enhancements, a new sport package, new technologies, the signature Lincoln design and a strong quality story help the new Lincoln MKZ set a new standard in midsize luxury sedans.”

Class-leading interior quietness
Refinements to the powertrain are complemented by improvements to cabin noise levels. Ford research shows the 2009 MKZ beats the 2009 model year Lexus ES350 and Acura TL in key interior quietness attributes such as road noise at 30 mph. For the 2010 model year, the Lincoln MKZ is even quieter.

NVH improvements include:

* A new acoustic laminated windshield featuring a layer of sound-absorbent vinyl sandwiched between two sheets of glass to soften noise levels
* Thicker rear backlight for improved wind noise
* Improved body/door sealing to reduce wind noise
* New expandable stuffers in the fenders and pillars
* Constrained layer damping material on the entire floor to reduce road noise
* An all-new acoustic headliner to further deaden interior noise

Technology and information at your fingertips
The new Lincoln MKZ is more than just a pretty face and striking new interior. New technology and convenience features help Lincoln’s new midsize sedan stand out, too. Available later this summer is the next generation of SYNC® with Traffic, Directions and Information.

This newest application provides personalized, real-time information to help drivers get to where they’re going with information they need – new services come with no monthly subscription fees for the first three years to the original vehicle owner.

Other standard or available technologies on the 2010 Lincoln MKZ include:

* Segment-exclusive, first-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), which can help make navigating traffic and parking lots easier
* Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS Travel Link™
* Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler
* Keyless Entry Keypad
* Reverse Camera System
* Ambient Lighting System
* THX® II Premium Certified Audio System with 5.1 Surround Sound
* Rain-sensing wipers
* Adaptive HID headlamps
* SOS Post Crash Alert System™

Top safety rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The new Lincoln MKZ recently received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To earn a Top Safety Pick rating, a vehicle must receive a rating of “good” in offset frontal impact, side impact and rear impact evaluations and offer electronic stability control. The structure of the Lincoln MKZ helps it withstand intrusion in many accidents, including the most common frontal and side impacts.

The tailor-welded B-pillars between the front and rear doorframes are designed to help channel energy below the level of the occupants. At the torso level and above, the structure helps prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Front and side-protection elements on the Lincoln MKZ include:

* First use on a Ford vehicle of dual-phase, high-strength steel rails on the front end;
* Two energy absorbing foam blocks between the inner door panels and interior trim, aligned with the occupants’ chest and hip;
* Side-intrusion beams inside the door, anchored at the hinge and latch areas;
* Tailor-welded steel in the B-pillar structure with extra thickness – nearly a quarter inch of solid steel – above the beltline; and
* Front-seat side air bags for front occupants and side-curtain air bags for head protection in both rows.

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ carries a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $34,965, including destination and delivery, excluding tax, title and license fees.