Author: yoann besnard

Toyota to revive the Celica?

In an interview given to Automobilwoche, Markus Schrick, vice president of Toyota Deutschland, said that Toyota will launch a new sports coupé in Europe. Due to be unveiled within two years, the coupé would replace the Celica, which was discontinued in 2005.
It is not a secret that the Japanese car maker is currently working on a new sports car in collaboration with Subaru. Destined for the Japanese market, this sports car would be only sold under the Toyota marque. Secrecy continues to surround the exact spec of the final car, although it is understood that it will feature a 2 litre engine and a Subaru’s four-wheel drive. But, while the European sports coupé might arrive in showrooms in 2009, the Japanese sports car will arrive in 2010. So, at this stage, we can not say how the future European sports coupé will look like.
Source: Automobilwoche
November 22, 2007
VW Scirocco will stay in Europe

In an interview with Car and Driver, VW of America CEO Stefan Jacob declared that the future four-passenger coupé will not cross the Atlantic Ocean to join the American range. He justified this choice by explaining that VW needed to focus on the current range. At this moment, Volkswagen offers the Golf, dubbed Rabbit there, the Jetta, the Passat and soon the Tiguan.
Surprisingly, he also said that the Phaeton might come back on the American market, but with a diesel engine. The luxury saloon went on sale in 2003, but its sales have suffered as a result of poor brand image. VW ceased to sell it in 2006. It was rumoured that the next generation would likely come back. At a time where petrol prices are sky rocketing, a diesel Phaeton might a smart move to convince potential buyers.
November 21, 2007
Subaru might offer non-AWD and non-boxer powered models

We all know how the Subaru concept typically works: a car with four-wheel drive, a boxer engine and a dull design. Hopefully, it is a winsome combination, but remove the four-wheel drive and the boxer engine and you have a Toyota. It is a scary thought and it might become true.
In an interview given to the Australian website goauto, Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said that ever-tightening emission standards and a desire to cut fuel consumption could force Subaru to reconsider its position on AWD and boxer engines, but “Those core technologies are a key part of the brand” and “That is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.” The Subaru Australia chairman, Trevor Amery, also confirmed this statement.
Subaru would likely offer both layouts, two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. It is not said whether Subaru would offer non-boxer petrol engines or not. Mr Senior explained that the bigger model would keep their current architecture while smaller models than the Impreza might abandon four-wheel drive layout and adopt an electric engine. At the last Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese carmaker unveiled the G4e concept car an company sources said that Subaru aimed to build an all-electric vehicle by 2012. Already in Japan, Subaru sells Kei cars without boxer engines, but with an inline 0.6 litre four-cylinder engine.
In Europe, Subaru will make its own revolution by selling a diesel engine. Due to be on sale next year, it will be the world’s first diesel flat four engine. A 2.0 litre unit with common rail injection, it produces 160 bhp and 250 lb-ft. With this new offer, Subaru wants to propel sales to 100,000 vehicles per year by 2009, an increase of 40 per cent.
November 21, 2007
Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept

Here is the third Chrysler concept car for the next Detroit Motor Show. While the two other concept cars focus on sport and adventure, the Chrysler’s concept is destined for families. That’s the way it has to be as the American brand has a strong expertise with MPVs.

Perhaps the sketch does not render it properly, but the ecoVoyager is 191.2 inches long. At 63 inches high, it is 5.9 inches lower than the current Voyager. Despite its dimension, the ecoVoyager only seats 4 passengers. Like the Dodge Zeo Conpept, the ecoVoyager is equipped with an electric engine, which delivers an impressive 300 miles range thanks to its lithium-ion battery pack. It also features a small hydrogen fuel cell that serves as a range extender.
November 21, 2007
Dodge Zeo Concept

The sketch you see here is the second concept car which will be revealed by Chrysler LLC at the next Detroit Motor Show. It is a 2+2 sport wagon labeled Dodge Zeo concept.

Like all Dodge cars, it features the brand’s grille, but the appear to be more stylish than usual. Described by the press release as a sport wagon model, we have some doubts concerning the boot capacity.
This four-seater is powered by an electric engine which provides a 250 miles range.
November 21, 2007
Jeep Renegade Concept

Chrysler will unveil a trio of concept cars at the next Detroit Motor Show. The Jeep Renegade Concept will be one of them and remind us the 2005 Hurricane concept car, but with better manner. Forget the two 5.7 litre HEMI engines featured in the Hurricane. The Renegade is powered by small diesel engine, which uses the Bluetec emissions technology. The catalytic converter is injected with urea to reduce nitrogen oxide levels by up to 90 per cent. Chrysler claims a 110 miles per gallon.

At 153 inches long, 62.9 inches wide and 56.3 inches high is longer, but narrower and lower than the Hurricane. The appealing design has almost no front and rear overhang. The doors appear to be minimalist while there is no roof.
We hope that this styling exercise previews a future production model. At least, it seems more realistic than the Hurricane.
November 21, 2007
Spyshots: Ford F-150

For its 60th birthday, the Ford’s cash cow will likely be renewed at the next Detroit Motor Show and spy photographers shot a prototype almost completely undisguised.
Surprisingly, the next generation features a lightly revised exterior. The goal is to adopt the Ford’s new design and reinforce the ties with the Edge and Flex models. The fascia gets the new three bar grille, new headlights, new taillights and new rear-view mirrors.
There is no information regarding the engines, although it is understood that the next F-150 will likely be powered by the new 6.2 litre Boss engine. This big V8 will replace the current V8 Modular engine. It is rumoured to develop around 425 bhp.
Source: TheCarConnection
November 21, 2007
Four door Ford Verve Concept unveiled

Ford has unveiled a Verve saloon concept car at the Guangzhou Motor Show in China. The production version is destined for Asian markets and will be introduced there next year. However, Ford might consider importing it in Europe if there is demand for a small saloon.

The four-door Verve is very similar to the three-door hatchback unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and features the Verve’s aggressive egg-crate grille, the radically raked windscreen, the coupe-like roofline and the fascia design. Like the future Fiesta, it is based on the Mazda 2 platform. Curiously, the Japanese subsidiary also unveiled a Mazda 2 saloon on Monday.

The Verve saloon concept car is the second of the three Fiesta concepts unveiled or to be unveiled. Ford will show a SUV variant at the next Detroit Motor Show. The SUV will be a larger five-door model destined for the American market. As Ford China COO said “Our future small car [Fiesta] is being developed as a global car. It will be designed in Europe, engineered in Germany and manufactured globally.” It was not mentioned if Ford plans to also import the SUV in Europe. The Fiesta’s main rival in the UK, the Peugeot 207, features estate, coupé/cabrio and soon a SUV in its range.
November 21, 2007
Spyshots: Hyundai i50

At the last New York Motor Show, the Korean manufacturer had unveiled Hyundai Genesis concept car to gauge public reaction to the idea of a Hyundai premium model. Almost everybody acclaimed the styling exercise that previewed the future Genesis saloon. Unfortunately, imagine a threesome between the Lexus LS460, the BMW 5-Series and a Toyota Crown, and you will get the car you see here. The production version is a disappointment.

Forget the slender lines of the concept car, the Genesis saloon uses styling clues from the LS 460 for the fascia. The rear end is similar to the Crown’s and the general shape takes inspiration from the BMW 5-Series.

Due to be unveiled at the next Detroit Motor Show, the Genesis will be based on the BH platform shared with the new Hyundai coupé. Secrecy continues to surround the exact spec of the future saloon, although it is known it will feature the new Theta V8 engine. According to various sources, it will produce more than 300 bhp.
The Genesis represents Hyundai’s serious attempt on the competitive American executive saloons. At around $30,000, it will be less expensive than the ubiquitous Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes.
November 21, 2007
Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart R ‘08

Do not expect to see this hot Mitsubishi as it is destined for the Japanese market. Launched in 2006, this sporty version gets an upgrade for 2008. Its 1.5 litre turbocharged engine has been tweaked to raise the output from 154 bhp to 163 bhp.

The new 2008 Colt also features a lightly revised interior with a new gearbox knob, new 16” wheels and a new seat trim.
November 21, 2007