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Kia Soul ahead of schedule
Kia has just unveiled its Kia Soul concept cars at Geneva that pictures of the production version are emerging on the Internet.
The Korean carmaker planned to unveil the production version at the next Paris Motor Show in October, but pictures of the upcoming model have emerged on the Internet. As planned, the production version is close to the three concept cars seen at Geneva. The design tries to combine the best of two worlds, minivan and SUV, but the result looks like more of a combination of a Saab concept car and a Scion xB. At least, Kia tries to innovate.
Due to be sold in the US, the Soul will compete with the Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix. In Europe, the Kia’s crossover will fight with the upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Nissan Qashqai.
March 17, 2008
Next-generation Z4 to feature a folding roof
According to company sources, BMW will unveil the next-generation Z4 next year. The next Z4 will be larger and more expensive than the current model.
The second-generation will be BMW’s serious attempt to increase its market share on the roadster segment as the current Z4 sales result suffers from a fierce competition. Like the MX-5 did two years ago, the next Z4 will replace its soft top a folding roof. The security and reliability offered by the folding roof achieved to convince the company’s executive to adopt it despite disadvantages such as increased weight and reduced storage space.
The future Z4 will grow in size and in price, leaving room for a a rumoured smaller roadster, called Z5 and based on the 1-series compact model. It is rumoured that a M version will be offered but like the former Z3M, it won’t get the latest M3 engine. Instead, the Z4 M will likely be powered by the twin-turbcharged 3.0-litre inline six from the 335i. The engine’s power output would be boosted to 350bhp.
March 17, 2008
Nissan 370Z rendering
Here is a rendering of the next-generation Z which will be called 370Z in Europe.
The Japanese car magazine Best Car has published a rendering of the expected 370Z in its latest issue. Codenamed C53D, the next-generation Z is expected to feature the 3.7-litre engine seen in the Infiniti G37 which as a power output of 330bhp. Under the Z bonnet, it will likely deliver more than 330bhp. Between the 330bhp of the Infiniti G37 and the 473bhp of the GT-R, there would be room for a 390-400bhp powered Z coupé. It would definitely help the carmaker to haunt the Porsche Cayman.
In December of 2006, Nissan product planning VP Larry Dominique said the next-generation Z would "have considerably more performance than the current model and give a visual stimulus beyond today’s Z." The car is expected to be launched at the next Paris Motor Show. However, Los Angeles Auto Show might also be preferred.
March 17, 2008
Mercedes unveils facelifted ML
Media attention has been focused on the V12-diesel-powered Q7 for the last two weeks. Mercedes has counter attacked by unveiling a revamped ML less than three years after its launch.
The facelift was less than expected and no spy photographers had spotted the SUV during testing. The main changes are on the outside with a new bumper as well as headlamps with a pronounced step in the lower edge. The lower-set radiator also grows in size. The new radiator grille is more aggressive with its three black louvres and its chrome highlights and can feature a silver look with chrome highlights as an option. At the rear, The bumper with integrated reflectors has also been restyled.On the inside, the main visual change will be the new four-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel. The seats are redesigned to be sportier.
The facelifted ML gets an equipment upgrade. The German SUV features hands-free system based on Bluetooth technology, and an aux-in connection for mobile audio devices such as an iPod. On request there is also a new Media Interface, which can connect an external music device with the SUV’s onboard electronics and control system, enabling music tracks to be shown in the instrument cluster and the colour display in the centre console, and conveniently accessed using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel. At the same time, the audio device’s battery is also charged. Rear-seat passengers also have the option of a new entertainment system with two large 8-inch screens, a centrally integrated DVD player, two sets of wireless headphones for greater freedom of movement as well as two remote controls.
The ML keeps its current engines, V6 and V8, ranging from 190 to 388bhp, but gets new alloy wheels. 19-inch alloy wheels are now standard on the V8 versions.
Sold apart in the range, the ML 63 AMG also evolves and gets the new front and rear bumpers. There is also a new AMG-specific radiator grille with high-gloss black painted louvres. The engine is the 507bhp 6.3-litre V8 unit. If you’re not happy with the 295/40 R 20 tyres, you can still choose 295/35 R 21 units with 21-inch wheels in the option list.
March 17, 2008
Skoda announces 2007 results
2007 was a good year for Skoda which announced record-breaking results thanks to the success met by the Fabia launched last year.
The carmaker delivered a total of 630,032 vehicles in 2007. The Skoda Octavia is the company’s best-selling model with 237,422 vehicles, up by 18.1% on the prior year. The Fabia recorded 232,890 deliveries while the derived Roomster scored good results with 65,727 vehicles. The outgoing Superb was delivered to 20,530 customers. With the new Superb unveiled at Geneva and the Fabia available on all European markets, Skoda will likely announce a record year for 2008.
Globally, the carmaker remains a small player in Europe as it owns a 2.2% market share despite a 8.9% increase on a stagnated market. The carmaker sold a total of 327,322 vehicles in Western Europe. Germany is its first market with 112,452 delivered vehicles in 2007 while the Czech Republic was delivered 66,806 vehicles. Eastern Europe grew by 33.9% to 95,032 vehicles while the Asia/Pacific region grew by an astonishing 78.7 % to 65,295 vehicles.
March 17, 2008
2007, best year ever for Audi
Audi has announced record 2007 results Tuesday and said it aimed to sell more than one million vehicles this year.
The German carmaker sold 964,151 in 2007 compare to 905,188 in the prior year. Audi sold 254,014 cars in Germany . With a record market share of 7.9 percent, the company achieved its best level in the German competitive market in its history.
The company sold a record number of cars in Western Europe, at 650,407, a 3 per cent increase over 2006. The United Kingdom achieved the highest growth, with 100,712 cars sold, up by 17.1 percent. In Eastern Europe, vehicle sales increased by one-third to 36,073 units.
The biggest single foreign market in 2007 was China, including Hong Kong, with 101,996 cars sold, up by 24.8 percent. In China, Audi remains the market leader by some distance in the premium segment. The carmaker sold 93,506 cars in the USA (90,116, up 3.8 percent).
The subsidiary Lamborghini recorded 15 percent growth, selling 2,406 supercars during 2007.
"We are on the path this year to surpassing the level of one million deliveries," Audi chairman Rupert Stadler said.
March 13, 2008
Chevrolet to delay the Camaro
Chevrolet has announced it will delay the launch by a few months. When it debuts, the eagerly-awaited Camaro will be a 2010 model.
The carmaker hasn’t given any formal reasons for the delay. The car will be officially unveiled at Detroit next year but won’t hit showrooms before spring and will be sold as 2010 model. Later a convertible will be launched also as a 2010 model.
With the ubiquitous Mustang and the expected Challenger, GM might miss an opportunity to sell its pony-car. Indeed, Ford is expected to launch the next-generation Mustang in 2010.
The Camaro will be be powered by V6 and V8 petrol engines.
March 13, 2008
Audi to launch an A5 convertible in 2009
Audi plans to launch a convertible variant of the A5 coupé at the next Detroit Motor Show in January 2009
This doesn’t come as a surprise. Audi has set an ambitious plan to boost its sales top 1.5 million vehicles by 2018. Expanding its lineup its the main path chosen by the carmaker and the A5 naturally deserved a convertible variant.
Unlike the BMW 3-series, the Audi A5 will go traditional and will feature a fabric roof which will be, of course, electrically operated and will offer a good comfort with the help of a multi-layered construction.
The Audi A5 convertible will likely feature the same engine range as the coupé, a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine and two diesel engines, a 2.7-litre unit and 3.0-litre unit, both TDI. The range will be topped by the 4.2-litre V8 engine seen on the S5
March 13, 2008
Opel releases a new teaser of the future Insignia
Opel has released a new teaser under the form of the front fascia. Indeed, the Insignia will feature an all-new intelligent lighting system.
Developed in partnership with Hella, the new Adaptive Forward Lighting, AFL in short, automatically adjusts headlamp beam distribution to the prevailing road profile and visibility conditions. The system features nine lighting functions:
– A Town Light mode that provides, at speeds under 30mph, a wider, beam with reduced range. This helps the driver see pedestrians at the edge of the road better.
– A Pedestrian Area Light mode that is for zones where the driver must exercise extreme caution. It is activated at speeds between 2 and 20mph, and adjusts the cone of light for both headlamps by eight degrees toward each roadside. This function helps the driver see children playing next to the road earlier.
– A Country Road Light mode that provides a brighter and more wide-ranging beam to the sides of the road than a conventional low beam. It is activated between 30 and 62mph.
– A Highway Light that creates a cone of light that illuminates the road ahead and the left-hand roadside better. The Highway Light activates automatically above62mph, but only when the steering angle sensor indicates that the road’s curve radii do not match that of a country road.
– An Adverse Weather Light mode that is activated during rain or snow when the rain sensor recognizes rain or the windshield wipers are switched on. This light function varies both the headlamp beams’ distribution pattern and its various outputs. The headlamp beam distribution is directed more toward the roadsides (slightly less to the left) to make the guiding lines easier to see. As the left headlamp beam output is reduced from 35 to 32 watts, the risk of blinding oncoming traffic is also minimized. Conventional headlamp beams are often irritating to oncoming traffic in such weather conditions, as the beams reflect off the wet road surface. The right headlamp beam output is increased from 35 to 38 watts to further improve the driver’s visibility.
– A Static Cornering Lightmode that illuminates an area to the right or left of the vehicle up to an angle of 90 degrees, making maneuvering easier in poorly illuminated areas, such as on dark access roads. It is activated at speeds below 25mph either by a large steering angle or by the turn indicators.
– A Dynamic Curve Light that ensures improved illumination in curves. Curve Light’s bi-xenon headlamps shine at up to 15° right and left of the vehicle into the oncoming curve. The Curve Light angle is determined by the car’s speed and steering angle.
– A High Beam Light that provides maximum headlamp beam output and range. Rather than beam asymmetrically, the High Beam Light optimally illuminates the full width of the road. The headlamps’ output also increases from 35 to 38 watts.
– A High Beam Light Assistant mode, which is both an innovation in this segment and offers a considerable safety advantage when driving in darkness. The Assistant automatically activates the High Beam Light for better road illumination and therefore improved visibility. The system’s camera recognizes the headlamps or tail lights of other vehicles and automatically switches the headlamps to low beam when required to prevent blinding other road users.
The Insignia will be officially unveiled at the British Motor Show this summer.
March 13, 2008
A new British supercar on St George’s Day
A new Bristish supercar will be launched on 23rd April after eight years of development.
The manufacturer, Keating, claims the car broke the world speed record held at the time by Bugatti during private testing.
The supercar will be available in two versions, the TKR and the SKR. The latter will be the entry-level want will have 400bhp under the bonnet. The TKR is said to come with more power than an F1.
Details remain scarce and no engine has been mentioned at this stage. Will the TKR and SKR use their own engine or a production-derived engine like small manufacturers generally do.
March 13, 2008