Seat unveiled at the Paris Auto Show the Exeo, a new middle class sedan. Seat calls the car a "limousine" but more in the sense of long-wheel base and less in the "Jeeves bring the car around" idea. The Europe only Exeo will go on sale in spring of 2009 at a price of €22,000.
Seat is part of the Volkswagen group, and like the rest of its offerings, the Exeo will be based on other designs in the Family. But for the first time the Exeo will spawn from a premium platform, the Audi A4. The new Exeo will be launched with three gas engines (from 102 HP to 200 HP) and three common rail Diesel engines of latest generation (from 120 HP to 170 HP). Five of these six engines are turbo engines. All six Exeo engines fulfil the future Euro 5 emissions standard.
Press release after the jump.
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Infiniti unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show the second-generation FX performance luxury crossover. The 2009 FX will be offered in three models, including a new 5.0-liter V8-equipped Infiniti FX50. The 2009 FX is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti dealers in the United States and Canada in June 2008.
The Infiniti FX50 features a new powerplant, which makes it debut on this model – an advanced 5.0-liter V8 that is mounted low in the chassis to help lower the FX50’s center of gravity. The engine design includes twin symmetrical air intakes, microfinished crankshaft, lightweight pistons, super-silent cam drive chains and an electrically driven cooling fan to help optimize performance.
The goals for the development of the FX50’s all-new VK50VE V8 started with outstanding power output – 390 horsepower (287kw) and 500 Nm of torque – a high rev limit, a powerful engine sound from a specially tuned exhaust and improved fuel economy versus the previous generation FX45.
Press release after jump.
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Ford Europe will unveil at the Geneva Motor Show the 2009 Kuga, the first ever crossover designed and built by Ford in Europe. Kuga was first presented as the Iosis X Concept in 2006 at the Paris Motor Show and then as a prototype version at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new Ford Kuga is based unashamedly on Ford’s acclaimed C-car architecture – well proven in both the Ford Focus and the Ford C-MAX. Available with a proven powertrain and two series levels the full-time Haldex intelligent AWD system is complemented by a front-wheel-drive (FWD) version that is perfect for those drivers that are attracted by the style and presence of Kuga but do not require AWD capability.
The Ford Kuga is available in a choice of two distinct series levels with further options available that enable the driver to personalise the car exactly to their needs. The standard Electronic Stability Programme ( ESP) with combined Anti Rollover Mitigation (ARM), and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) are just two of the significant driver assistance technologies of the new Kuga.
The Kuga will be made available with a 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi 136 PS 100kW engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Applicable to both FWD and intelligent AWD derivatives the torque, performance and pulling power under all engine and vehicle load conditions have been perfectly calibrated to the new Ford Kuga. This engine provides high levels of torque – 320 Nm at 2,000rpm and 340 Nm in transient overboost. FWD and intelligent AWD variants return favourable fuel economy figures of 6.3 and 6.4 litres of fuel per 100 km respectively, using the combined fuel consumption figures. The intelligent AWD figure of 169 g/km of CO 2 is class-leading.
Press release after the jump.
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Volkswagen is opening the year 2008 with the world premiere of the Passat CC. Its identifying characteristics: coupé design, yet with four doors; impressive comfort, yet pure dynamics; sporty interior, yet space without compromises. The interplay of these contrasts has resulted in a car whose concept and design set a new course beyond the mainstream.
The CC features a masculine shoulder line, which visually connects the front wheel wells to the taillights, providing the emotional and expressive stance of a sports coupe with all the convenience of a sedan.
The CC Sport and Luxury models are equipped with Volkswagen’s 2.0T inline four-cylinder engine carrying a turbocharger with intercooler and double overhead camshafts. The advanced four-valve per cylinder powerplant also is equipped with variable valve timing and a direct-injection fuel delivery system, both of which contribute to optimum fuel efficiency.
Mated with either a six-speed manual (Sport only) or six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, the 2.0T delivers 200hp at 5100 rpm, and 207 lb.- ft. of torque between 1800 and 5000 rpm. The 2.0T delivers on its promise of performance with efficiency by achieving fuel economy of 21-mpg in the city, and 31- mpg on the highway with the manual, and 19-city/29-highway with the automatic – corresponding estimated 0-to-60-mph performance is a very capable 6.9- and 7.4-seconds respectively.
The VR6 Sport and VR6 4Motion models are powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that delivers 280hp at 6200 rpm and 265 lb.-ft of torque at 2750 rpm. Zero-to-60-mph performance is estimated at an exceptional 6.6-seconds; and fuel efficiency is 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the
highway.
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The new generation Megane made in world debut in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show. Sales started from November 2008. The new Megane is being offered with a choice of two petrol engines and six Diesel engines. There are five different versions on the market: Authentique, Expression, Carminat, Dynamique and Privilège. New Mégane Hatch prices will range from €18,400 to €25,600.
New Renault Mégane exudes a sense of robustness and perceived quality. This impression is heightened by the generous surface area and curvaceous forms of the body panels. Seen from the side, the feature line extends the crease of the slightly prominent front wings rearward to emphasize the car’s broad, solid shoulders. The wide track dimensions (1.55m) ensure that the car sits squarely on the road, and this sense of stability is underlined by the steeply-raked rear screen and, indeed, by the entire rearend design. New Renault Mégane’s proportions, the form of the beltline and the large door panels exude a feeling of protection.
Renault New Mégane’s interior is extensively equipped with practical, comfort-enhancing features. These include combined analogue/digital instruments incorporating a new, easier to read colour-coded cruise control/speed limiter interface. The list continues with a host of equipment normally associated with the next segment up, such as hands-free entry and ignition, automatic locking as the driver walks away from the car, a Carminat Bluetooth® DVD navigation system and a custom-developed audio system (3D Sound by Arkamys®).
Press release after the jump.
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The new Golf inspires respect with its clear design styling – its appearance is dominated by perfect build quality and precise lines. The front end has an impressively sporty look, thanks to both the striking radiator grille and the elegant shape of the headlights. The prominent tornado line gives it a lower and more extended appearance, from the headlights to the characteristic rear lights.
The 2009 Golf VI will be offered at the launch with two 2.0 liter TDI engines; they output of 110 hp and 140 hp. The 110 hp strong entry-level diesel is satisfied with 4.5 liters of fuel (119 g/km CO2) per 100 kilometers – that represents a 0.6 liter reduction! Even the 140 hp version only requires 4.9 liters of diesel (129 g/km CO2), which is 0.6 liters less.
There will also be four gasoline versions with output 80 hp, 102 hp, 122 hp and 160 hp. Engines will be mated to either a 6-speed or 7-speed DSG transmission.
The sixth Golf has a sportier and more distinctive appearance than any previous generation of the model series. The roof section now rests – similar to the new Scirocco – on a dominant filled out shoulder section. Responsible for this is a prominent curving line that – like a muscle trained down to the last fiber – extends from the headlights back to the taillights. All body surfaces are generally more relaxed, more athletic. In front the new car takes up the horizontally aligned radiator grille trim strip between the headlights of the first Golf generation; the grille itself is high-gloss black.
In the rear too is characterized by a dominance of horizontal lines. The taillights – very wide now – are identified among other things by an unmistakably unique night design. Stylistically – with their crystal-clear lines for the turn signal and backup lamps – they bear a resemblance to the taillights of the Touareg.
Overall, the image of the new Golf – in the interplay of all of its design characteristics – is one of a significantly wider, flatter and even more high-end car.
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The 2009 Insignia made its world debut in July 2008 at the London Motor Show. The Insignia offers three centimeters more kneeroom than the Vectra. The car also proves to be particularly efficientaerodynamically with a spectacular Cd of 0.27 which positively influences theeconomic, dynamic and acoustic qualities of the car. Both body variants haveidentical 4.830 mm length and share the same wheelbase of 2,737 mm.
The Insignia is offered from the start with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The “Adaptive 4X4” system’s proactive, instantaneous torque distribution not only ensures optimal traction but also enhances driving stability and dynamic handling performance. In the all-wheel drive Insignia, the FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with its Adaptive Stability Technology helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions and allows the driver to select settings to match his mood. FlexRide is also available in the front-wheel version.
The Insignia will launch with an exceptionally broad range of seven engines. All meet Euro 5 emissions standards and come with either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. The three new direct-injection diesels feature a displacement of 2.0 liter and outputs spanning from 110 to 160 hp. Subsequently the Insignia engine line-up will be expanded with an EcoFLEX version offering very low CO2 emissions in addition to other, more powerful variants.
The entry-level model – the four-door sedan with the 115 hp 1.6 ECOTEC gasoline engine – costs just 22,700 euros. Compared to the competition, pricing for the diesels is also extremely reasonable in Germany, with the 110 hp 2.0 CDTI starting at 24,300 euros. Standard equipment is extensive, with the entry-level models boasting air conditioning, CD-radio, on-board computer, electric height adjustment for the driver’s seat, as well as ESP and traction control.
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The 2009 Kia SOUL urban crossover made its world debut in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show. Sales will begin in early of 2009 and Kia hopes to sell around 136,000 examples annually. Customers will have to choose from 15 different versions and 11 exterior colors and four interior color-schemes, plus a wide range of option packs, optional extras and accessories.
The 4.1-metre long Kia Soul urban crossover has an unusually long (2550 mm) wheelbase, but the key dimensions behind the Soul’s striking appearance are vertical measurements. Overall height is 1610 mm, the base of the windscreen is 135 mm higher than a typical compact car, the ‘hip point’ is 120 mm higher and the ground clearance is raised by 45 mm to 165 mm.
The SOUL will be offered with a choice of 126 hp diesel and 126 hp gasoline engines. In Europe the most popular choice will be a 1.6-litre CRDi 16-valve diesel engine that delivers 126 hp and a peak torque of 255 NM. The gasoline one, a 1.6-litre Gamma, will deliver 126 hp at 6,300 rpm and 156 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. Standard transmission for Kia Soul will be an upgraded five-speed manual with improved shift quality and lower weight, the 1.6-litre diesel will be available with an automatic transmission as an extra-cost option.
Benefiting from a modest kerb weight, the Kia Soul accelerates briskly, delivering acceleration times (to 100 kph) from 10.4 to 11.3 seconds and going on to reach top speeds in excess of 175 kph (109 mph). Fuel consumption figures range over a 5.1 to 6.6 liters/100 km span, while CO2 figures vary between 137 and 159 g/km.
Full details after the jump.
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Toyota revealed at the Detroit Auto Show the FT-EV concept, a preview version of the future urban commuter battery-electric vehicle (BEV) by set to be revealed 2012.
The FT-Ev is build on the same platform as the iQ and according to the company will be used for driving up to 50 miles. Toyota did not released any details on the concept’s specifications.
The iQ and the future BEV will be a key component of Toyota’s sustainable mobility strategy, and the conventional gas-electric hybrid, like the all new third-generation Prius, is considered Toyota’s long-term core powertrain technology.
Press release after the jump.
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Last month, we reported that Ford will unveil a new version of the 2010 Mustang at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The latest spy shot makes us think that it will be the 2010 Shelby GT500. Jalopnik was able to catch this on the streets of downtown Detroit, the home of January’s auto show as well as Ford.
Just like the regular version of the 2010 Mustang, there isn’t a whole lot new to see on this car. It gets the same minor upgrades as the standard car. Probably the biggest visual element spied on this car was the better integrated spoiler (not even worth showing.)
Ford must have been looking to get attention with this car. It’s black with cow spots and electric blue stripes (that say "GT 500"). This was more of a pimpmobile than an undercover test mule.
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