Author: yoann besnard

First pictures of the Seat Bocanegra
Here are the first pictures of the Seat SportCoupe Bocanegra that previews the eagerly-awaited next-gen Ibiza.
As explained yesterday, the Ibiza will feature the company’s DNA for the next-generation models. On the menu, a German design with ‘Mediterranean’ flavor. The Bocanegra illustrates the new styling direction. The overall design has still some German influences,but the concept car comes with a unique aggressive look. Without a doubt, the next Ibiza will likely be one serious competitor on the small car segment.
Sharing its inner structure with the Skoda Fabia, the Bocanegra is powered by the 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine whose power output is between 170bhp and 200bhp. The future Ibiza will spearhead a revival of the Spanish brand in Europe after the failure encountered by the Leon/Altea/Toledo trio. Several options have been considered for the brand’s future including the possibility of selling it. If the next-generation Ibiza fails, the future of Seat is more than uncertain.
March 4, 2008
Castagna unveils the 500 WoodyWagon
Italian coachbuilder Castagna has unveiled the Fiat 500 WoodyWagon at Geneva which is a stretched Fiat 500 mimicking the famous Mini Clubman.
The Fiat 500 has been stretched by 50-60mm at the rear overhang as the wheelbase keeps its dimension. The C-pillar has been moved back, of course, and is also more vertical featuring a new rear side window. The 500 by Castagna comes with a two-color painting emphasized by the external wood frames.
Aside the exterior changes, the 500 WoodyWagon is powered by the 1.4-litre petrol unit on which the coachbuilder added a supercharger. The power output jumps from 100bhp to 155bhp and the 500 WoodyWagon can reahc a top sped of 124mph. No price has been given.
The 500 WoodyWagon is appealing lengthened 500 and one does hope that Fiat will consult the coachbuilder to design the future 500 estate due to appear in 2010.
March 4, 2008
SAIC in talks with Karmann to build the Roewe 550
SAIC has entered into talks with Karmann to build the European Roewe 550.
SAIC is holding talks with the german coachbuilder Karmann, in order to build the future Roewe 550 set to compete on the European market. This comes a surprise as the SAIC owns the Longbridge since the company has bought the other Chinese carmaker NAC MG.
It is true that Longbridge encounters serious difficulty to put into production the MG TF which has been delayed for months, but calling Karmann for help is the sign British workers didn’t really expect form SAIC.
The Roewe 550 will spearhead the launch of the carmaker in Europe. The carmaker might also bring the rumoured SUV which will likely be a re-badged Ssangyong model.
March 4, 2008
Audi unveils the Q7 Coastline concept
Along the new Q7 V12 TDI, Audi will also reveal a special Q7 called Coastline that takes its inspiration from the boating industry. Gossip mongers will say the massive Audi Q7 goes back to its roots.
Compared to the new Q7 diesel, the Coastline edition features a special pearl white painting, called Inuit, and slight exterior changes with a white casing for the side mirrors and dark High Gloss Steel for the single-frame radiator grill and the side air intake slots. Based on the Q7 V12, it also features the large wheelarches and the new bumpers
On the inside, the changes are more obvious as the interior is dominated by alabaster white, a color popular on luxury yachts. All the equipment such as the carpet, the floor mats made of fine wool, the pillar trim, the roof lining, the seat upholstery, the seatbelts, the steering wheel, the front of the cockpit and the door trim come in white. The only contrasting color is provided by American walnut panels and by nut brown piping on the seats as well as fine brown piping on the instrument panel and the door.
Sharing its inner structure and powertrain with the new V12 TDI, the Coastline can run the 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and reach the usual limited speed of 155mph.
March 4, 2008
Chrysler to go 100% hybrid
Chrysler President Jim Press, former head of Toyota in the US, wants the carmaker to make a big jump into the hybrid market.
At a recent seminar, Jim Press said that the carmaker would like to offer every future models with a hybrid solution to comply with the tougher new CAFE regulations. However, he didn’t give any timeline. As the future CAFE law promoting a fuel efficiency of 35mpg won’t enter into effect before 2020, Chrysler has still enough time to develop hybrid-powerd vehicles. Chrysler follows Toyota which expects its lineup to be only powered by hybrid solution by 2020.
At the last Detroit Auto Show, the company unveiled three hybrid-powerd concept cars: ZEO, EcoVoyager and Renegade. The three concept cars previewed the direction taken by Chrysler for its future models.
March 4, 2008
Land Rover unveils the LRX Concept “Black and Silver”
The British carmaker has unveiled a new iteration of the LRX concept car seen at Detroit.
As predicted, the LRX shown at Geneva comes with a two-tone paint scheme in black and silver. The Geneva iteration features a removable carbon composite roof panel which contrasts with the silver-coloured roof, and has integral anchor points for fixing snowboards and other sports equipment. The black roof bars provide another option for roof-top loads, and a compact step above the rear bumper provides for easy roof-top access.
The LRX hasn’t been confirmed for production yet and Land Rover claims the LRX was designed to gauge public reaction to the idea of a small Land Rover models. However, some observers believe the company is currently developing a small SUV intended to reach out young buyer and decrease the fleet average CO2 emissions.
March 4, 2008
Samsung under Renault’s influence in the future
Carlos Ghosn has revealed that Samsung will become the spearhead of Renault in Asia as the company’s models will switch to Renault platforms.
Until now Samsung models are derived from Nissan cars, but Renault-Nissan CEO has revealed in an interview with Automotive News that he wants the Asian subsidiary to use Renault platforms for the next-generation models. He told the newspaper he wanted Samsung to become “hub of Renault in Asia”.
Like the recent QM5 SUV, the future models will be close to Renault cars in term of styling and the company will offer slightly redesigned Megane II and Laguna III on the Korean market. The carmaker has no plan to follow Hyundai and Ssangyong on the executive saloon segment although the company is considering producing a Korean version of the next-gen Espace due to appear at the end of the decade.
March 4, 2008
Audi unveils the Q7 V12 TDI
Audi has taken the wraps off the most powerful diesel ever in production under its SUV, a V12 that has a power output close to 500bhp.
The new Q7’s flagship is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine which generates 493bhp and a massive torque output of 758lb ft. The Q7 V12 can shuttle the 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Despite those impressive figures, the V12 remains frugal and achieve 19.8mpg.
The V12 unit is hooked up to a six-speed tiptronic transmission specially designed to endure the massive torque. The driver can shoft gears either with the gear lever or with the shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Audi’s Quattro permanent four-wheel drive system is standard. It is capable of diverting 60 per cent of the power to the rear wheel and up to 40% to the front wheels.
On the outside, the V12 differs form normal versions by larger wheelarches, new 20in alloy wheels, aluminium caps on the side mirrors, revamped bumpers, darkened taillights and new door moldings. On the inside, there is a mix of carbon and aluminium panels.
The Q7 V12 TDi will hit the showrooms before the end of this year.
March 4, 2008
Seat to unveil a surprise at Geneva
According to insiders, Seat will unveil a surprise at the Geneva Motor Show under the form of a concept car that previews the eagerly-awaited next-generation Ibiza model.
The concept car will be very close to the production version and will take its styling cues from the Tribu concept car seen last year. Seat wants to move from its current German design to a more ‘Mediterranean’ inspired styling to increase its sales in Europe. The concept is likely to be named either Blackmouth or Bocanegra, the latter being the favourite.
The future Ibiza is expected to be officially unveiled under its final shape at the Madrid International Motor Show in May of this year.
March 3, 2008
Kia Soul Burner leaked picture
Until now, Kia had only unveiled a picture of the rear end of one of the three versions of its Soul concept car. Thanks to our Dutch friends, here is a picture of the car that Kia will unveil at Geneva.
As predicted, the Soul is intended to take on the Scion models and sports a similar design, boxy and unpleasant. As reported previously, this versions called Burner, is the naughty one of the three versions. Unfortunately, one does wonder where to see the boldness of the car. A bold car today wouldn’t be a model offering high personalization and tattoos but a car that would be aggressive, provocative…
The Soul Burner is a nice attempt from Kia to position its future Scion competitor, but being bold means more than offering tattoos. A bold design would be a good start.
Source: Autoweek.nl
March 3, 2008