Blog

Peugeot introduces sport pack for the 4007 SE
A new Sport Pack option is being introduced on the 4007 SUV to spice it up.
French carmaker Peugeot and German tuner Irmscher teamed up to create a range of tuning kit for Peugeot models. After the 407 SW, the 4007 SUV is the second model to be tuned by Irmscher. The Sport Pack includes 19in wheels, a front lip spoiler and twin tailpipe finishers. The 407 SE sits on Pirelli 235/45 x R19 tires. it is availabel with four metallic paints: Pearl Black, Arctic Silver, Pilbara Grey and Istria Blue.
The Sport Pack cost £600. Purchased individually all the parts would total £2,950.
May 13, 2008
Kia Soul in the US and China next year
Kia has announced that the future Soul model will be launched in the US and in China next year. Europe wasn’t mentioned.
Kia had previewed the Soul at the Geneva Motor Show. Unfortunately, the carmaker seems to have no plan to bring the car to Europe soon as American and Chinese markets will be a priority for the carmaker. A front-wheel drive, the Kia Soul is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine hooked up to a five-speed automatic gearbox with manual shift mode.
The Soul is part of a plan to revamp the carmaker’s brand image on the American market. The Korean brand wants to appeal to trendy American buyers. In addition to the Soul, Kia will launch the Borrego SUV which will be powred by the first carmaker’s V8 engine. In Europe, the carmaker will launch a coupé at the last year Frankfurt Motor Show based on the Cee’d model that takes its styling cues from the Kee concept car.
May 13, 2008
Spyshot: future Suzuki Kizashi
The car you see on the spyshot is the future Suzuki’s model called Kizashi under one of the three planned bodystyles, the saloon.
The Kizashi represents Suzuki’s future attempt to move upmarket by unveiling a larger car than usual. Set to compete with the successful Toyota Camy and Chevrolet Malibu, the Kizashi will be a smaller model, while providing an interior as roomy as the two other cars according to the carmaker. The Kizashi will be available with three bodystyles, all previewed over the last 12 months: The Kizashi concept car previewed the future wagon, the Kizashi 2 previewed athe crossover and the Kizashi 3 previewwd the saloon.
Technical details remain secret although some observers believe that the Kizashi will be powered by two petrol engines, a 150bhp 2.3-litre 4 cylinder unit and a 280-300bhp 3.6-litre V6 unit hooked up to a six speed automatic gearbox.
Built in the Sagara, Japan, the Kizashi will hit the showrooms in 2010.
Click here to see the pictures
May 13, 2008
Spyshot: Fisker Karma
The first Fisker Karma prototype has been spotted during testing. Unfortunately for the young carmaker, the spyshots generated a controversy.
According to some reports, the camouflaged Karma hasn’t been caught by surprise as Fisker would have made two cars intended to be spotted by spy photographers. Some journalists seem to be goody-goody about it. We prefer laughing at it. The Karma is rumoured to be powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine generating energy for the lithium-ion batteries which drive the rear wheels. Fisker announces a 300-mile range. The Karma will also be able to use only electricity and offer a lower 50-mile range, enough for daily commuting.
The Karma is expected to cost around £63,000 and will be built at 15,000 units. Half of the production will be sold overseas. Europe will be a major outlet for the young carmaker which has just appointed its first European importer in Italy. 99% of the cars have already been sold according to Fisker.
Click here to see the pictures
May 13, 2008
Chevrolet unveils a ‘sporty’ Lacetti
Chevrolet has unveiled a new range-topping Lacetti dubbed Sport powered by a small 119bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine.
The Lacetti Sport comes with the traditional body styling kit, 15in alloy wheels, lowered suspension and integrated front fog lamps. On the inside, there is a full charcoal grey leather upholstery, a leather-covered steering wheel and gear knob, and metallic-effect inserts on the doors and central console.
Power comes from a 119bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine, which gives the Sport the ability to run the 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds, with a top speed of 121mph.
The Lacetti Sport costs £12,495.
May 13, 2008
Volkswagen announces pricing For The Passat CC
Volkswagen has announced prices for the Passat CC. The The entry-level powered by the 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine will cost £21,040, while the range-topping 3.6-litre version will cost £31,120.
The Passat CC will offer two trim levels: standard CC and GT. Standard models include sports suspension, 17in alloy wheels, two zone air conditioning, touchscreen CD stereo system with six-disc autochanger, six-way electrically adjustable sports seats, a multifunction leather steering wheel, six airbags and ESP. The GT adds 18in wheels, ‘silversprint’ upholstery, tinted windows and front foglights as well as, for the first time on a Volkswagen, Adaptive Chassis Control, ACC in short.
Three engines are available at launch – two petrol and one diesel. Petrol options are a 1.8-litre TSI unit delivering 157bhp and 184 lbs ft of torque linked to a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox plus the flagship 3.6-litre V6 FSI with 296bhp and 258 lbs ft of torque channelled via 4Motion four-wheel drive and DSG gearbox. A common rail 2.0-litre TDI with 138bhp is also offered at launch, and will be joined in September by a 168bhp version of the same powertrain. An additional 2.0-litre petrol unit, with 197bhp, will also become available at this time.
CC 1.8-litre TSI 158bhp 6 speed manual: £21,040
CC 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 speed manual: £21,870
CC 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 spd DSG: £23,140
CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 spd manual: £22,770
CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 spd DSG: £24,040
CC GT 3.6-litre V6 4MOTION 6 spd DSG: £31,120
May 12, 2008
Fiat interested in Mexico for a plant
In addition to discussing with Chrysler to build Alfa Romeo models in the US, Fiat is also considering building an all-new factory in Mexico.
The Italian group is seriously looking at all opportunities to find a solution to the weak dollar which might be a stumbling block to sell Alfa Romeo models in the US. While Chrysler has been announced as a potential partner, Fiat considers building a Mexican factory to supply North and South America.
A Mexican factory has the advantage to be close to the US market where FIat wants to introduce Alfa Romeo model and the future 500 and close to the South American market which recorded a strong growth last year. Aware of the potential of emerging markets such as Brazil, the Italian group doesn’t want the French carmakers to take the lead. Renault-Nissan CEO has previously announced that the group will focus on increasing its sales there.
May 12, 2008
Mazda unveils the Biante
Mazda makes the most appealing models, but still needs to stick with the specific demand of its domestic market. The carmaker has unveiled a new people-carrier called Biante.
This isn’t the first people-carrier in the company’s lineup as Mazda sells the MPV recently facelifted. However the MPV model is a bit too upmarket compared to the best selling Toyota Noah and Voxy, and Nissan Serena. The Biante will be able to carry up to seven people.
Like the competition, the Biante will likely be based on a compact model platform. Mazda hasn’t confirmed if the Biante will be sportier than the competing models. Engine lineup remains unknown although the carmaker might fit the 2.3-litre petrol unit already seen on the MPV.
May 12, 2008
More details about the mercedes-Benz SLC
After the McLaren P11 and P12, here are more information about the upcoming Mercedes SLC due to be launched in 2010.
Codenamed C197, the future supercar will be available as a coupé and a roadster. Unlike the SLR, the future SLC will adopt a retro-design that will feature gullwing doors, an ‘Arrow’ profile and rear-engined spoiler. Despite taking its styling cues from the past, the C197 won’t be sold as a Mercedes model, but under the AMG moniker. The German carmaker has learnt from its mistakes and engineers focus on weight reduction. At 4,650 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and 1,250 mm high, the C197 will be lighter than a SLR. However, a Mercedes-Benz remains a luxury vehicle and the C197 is rumoured to weigh around 3,200 lbs.
As predicted, the future supercar will be a rear-wheel drive which will use a transaxle architecture with the engine at the front and the gearbox at the bag enabling a better weight distribution of 48/52. The C197 will be powered by the 6.2-litre V8 engine which will deliver 550bhp. The SLR will likely be faster than the SLR thanks to its reduced weight. The SLR is said to reach a top speed above 190mph and to shuttle from 0 to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
The supercar will sit on 19in wheels which can be upgraded to 20in wheels. Surprisingly, it will share its electric equipment with the E-Class. Maybe Mercedes-Benz is readying a new generation of electric equipments for the next E-Class which will be launched next year.
Expected to hit the showrooms in 2010, the SLC will have a lifecycle limited to three years. Mercedes-Benz plans to build 6,000 units.
May 12, 2008
Next Prius to come in two models
In a previous post, Petrol-Head reported that Toyota was rumoured to develop several bodystyles for the next-generation Prius. A new report reveals more details.
Toyota was reported to seriously consider building an eco-friendly brand around the ‘Prius’ moniker, but company’s executives hadn’t given the green light. According to the latest information, the company will build the Prius under several forms in an attempt to surf on the ‘Prius’ awareness in the world. There will likely be two different models, a hatchback and a smaller MPV. As reported two weeks ago, the hatchback will grow in size and will be powered by a bigger engine delivering a power output of 160bhp. Details about the smaller MPV remain scarce although some observers believe that it will take its styling cues from the rear-engined 1/X Concept(pictured) seen at the last year Tokyo Motor Show.
With the next generation, Toyota engineers focus on the fuel efficiency which is regularly criticised by the press when the Prius is compared to a diesel-powered model. The two Prius are also expected to be lighter than the current model.
With the two future models, the Japanese carmaker hopes to increase production of its hybrid vehicles by 60%.
May 12, 2008