Compact car is a largely North American term denoting an automobile smaller than a midsize car, but larger than a subcompact car. Compact cars usually have wheelbases between 2.54 metres (100 inches) and 2.67 metres (105 inches). Another definition specifies between 100 ft³ (2800 L) and 109 ft³ (3000 L) of interior volume.
In the early-1980s, Nissan Motor Co. underwent a rather awkward changing process, as it dropped the well-known “Datsun” name in favor of its parent company’s name “Nissan.” Nissan added to the confusion by dragging the changeover process out for several years. For those present during the changeover, you will remember the confusing "Datsun by Nissan" days (i.e. Datsun by Nissan Pulsar, Datsun by Nissan 280ZX, etc.). Over the course of a few years, The Datsun name disappeared and it has stayed that way for three decades.
Surprise, surprise, Nissan has chosen to dig up the old “Datsun” name and breathe life into it, come the 2014 model year. Now, before you classic Datsun fans get too excited for the return of the 280ZX or the compact B210, for now the re-introduction of the lineup is only going to take place in developing markets, including: India, Indonesia and Russia. Given the recent trend of automobile companies experimenting in smaller markets before expanding to the U.S. market; don’t be surprised if a Datsun dealership opens up on U.S. soil in the next 5 to 10 years. Much like Fiat hung around in the European market for nearly three decades before reemerging in the U.S. with the subcompact 500.
From the looks of it, Datsun is going to be a big time competitor to the likes of Hyundai and Kia, as executives are claiming that the Datsun brand will feature vehicles in the $5,000 to $6,000 dollar range, which is a what we call "scary cheap." To date, there is no information on upcoming models, engines, design or any other specifics, but I think it’s safe to say that a revived 280ZX is not in the cards, at least initially.
Here’s to hoping two things happen. First, let’s see Datsun make a full comeback and make its way back to its fans in the U.S. Secondly, avoid conjoining two different names with "by," it’s really confusing guys…
Ford unveiled the Fiesta Mark VI back in 2008 and with some creative marketing, it has became one of the most successful models on the market - including here in the US. Now, after four years, the car is preparing to receive its first facelift - nothing big, but just enough to keep it fresh.
The facelift Fiesta will have new head lights with LED day-driving lights, new bumpers, and a new shaped engine hood. A few small changes will also be made under the hood where Ford will place a new 1.0 liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine that will deliver about 80 HP next to its usual engine line-up. This engine was first seen in the small MPV, the B-Max. On the US market, the car will be offered with the usual 1.6 liter four cylinder engine that delivers 119 HP and 109 lb-ft of torque.
The new Ford Fiesta facelift is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2012. Sales will begin in early 2013.
The 2012 Geneva Motor Show press days are officially over, which would typically mean that the debuts have also come to an end, but Renault has chosen to go against the grain by unveiling a very cool Clio special edition after the fact. The new Clio R.S. Red Bull Racing RB7 was built as a tribute to Renault Sport Technologies and Renault Sport F1, and will be offered in limited edition to just five European countries. It will be priced at €27,900 (about $36,600 at the current exchange rates).
The new Clio R.S. Red Bull Racing RB7 is painted in a very cool Profond Black combined with Sirius Yellow F1-style blade, door mirror housings, and a diffuser. It has also been equipped with a set of 18" black Interlagos wheels wrapped around Bridgestone RE050A tires, the same as those fitted on the Megane R.S. Trophy which established a new lap record round the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife in June 2011. Under the hood of the special edition Clio is a 2.0 liter engine that delivers a total of 203 HP - or more than 100 Hp per liter.
The list of standard equipment includes: automatic climate control, automatic headlight activation, a hands-free card, yellow fabric Recaro bucket seats, a Renault Sport-badged gear lever knob, a personalized numbered plaque, and an audio connection box.
It’s been a while since we last heard anything about the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but a tuning firm has picked it up anyway with the intention of jazzing it up a but. Italian tuning firm, Auto Avio Costruzioni - under the coordination of Laurent Miller - has developed a very impressive tuning kit for the Italian hatchback. In fact, this a one-off kit priced at €40,000 or about $53,000 at the current exchange rates. Guess even hatchback owners have to pay for exclusivity.
The first thing the tuning company did was douse the subcompact car with a unique two-tone paint job that combines dark-grey for the lower body with a Lamborghini-sourced "White Ballon" pearl paint for the upper part of the body, as well as the wheels.
Under the hood, the car’s standard 1750 TBi turbocharged four-cylinder engine has been tuned to deliver a total of 270 HP and 284 lb-ft of torque (up from the standard 235 HP and 250 lb-ft). The Giulietta was also fixed up with a KW suspension that allows the driver to choose between multiple settings.
Concept cars have always been an integral part of any major auto show. These events give automakers an opportunity to showcase some of the most outlandish and over-the-top vehicles we’ll ever see.
Now that doesn’t mean that these concepts will translate to production. Actually, very few do with most of them forgotten long after the auto show ends.
At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, we saw a lot of concept cars that piqued our curiosities one way or the other. Some were fancy, some were strange, and some just completely blew us away.
In the end, the concept cars at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show delivered on the promise of providing some edge and flavor to the proceedings. On the list below, we’ll show you all of the concepts that caught our eye, and if we do say so ourselves, some of those are just too awesome to not be sent to the production line.
Check out the concept cars from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show after the jump.
Renault usually has an impressive presence at the Geneva Motor Show, but this year, they decided to lay low and focus on the other major shows of the year; like the 2012 Paris Car Show in October where the all-new fourth generation Renault Clio is set to make its world debut. The company is busy preparing the hatchback, and they’ve sent the upcoming Clio 4 out again for some winter testing.
The new Clio will be the first Renault model to feature the company’s new design previewed by the DeZir Concept. Renault will only be offering = a five-door version, but due to the hidden rear door handles, it will still look sporty. It will also be lower, wider, and more distinctive than the current Clio.
Rumors state that the car will be about 220 lbs lighter than the current generation, which will help out the list of engines customers will be able to choose from. Among them are a 1.5 liter dCi diesel engine with 74 HP or 89 HP, and petrol engines starting with a new three cylinder 900 cc turbo producing 89 HP and going up to a four cylinder engine producing up to 200 HP. Judging from the bigger brakes and the two exhaust pipes, this prototype may be carrying the 200 HP four cylinder engine.
Upscale automakers are turning to personalization programs as their new novelty offering to customers. Now it appears that Aston Martin wants a piece of the action.
The British automaker is jumping into the bandwagon with the introduction of the "Q by Aston Martin" personalization program at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. According to Aston, the program is being started as a way to offer premium service that "goes beyond the standard palette of paint, leather and trim finishes."
Mostly covering exterior and interior styling, the Q by Aston Martin program is offering a grocery list of modifications that allows customers the opportunity to design their Aston Martins according to their preferences.
To give the audience at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show a preview of their program, Aston Martin will use an Aston Martin Virage and an Aston Martin Cygnet to showcase the customizable potential of the Q by Aston Martin program.
The Virage, in particular, will be finished in a bespoke Mariana Blue satin paint finish to go with an interior that comes giddy with blue carbon fiber, saddle leather floor mats, yellow detailing, a header-mounted track-day HD video camera, a luggage rack, and a forged, diamond turned wheel.
Similarly, the Cygnet will come dressed with its own unique styling, highlighted by a Cherry Tree raspberry paint with a Kestrel Tan interior. The little hatch will also have a specially developed photographic leather headlining, a tailor-made color-matched three piece luggage set, brogue leather detailing on the seats, and, of course, the token color-matched Brompton bicycle.
After first introducing the concept version at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, Ford has now brought out the full production version of the new Ford Fiesta ST to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, almost a year before European sales will actually begin.
Ford last offered a Fiesta ST back in 2008, but the new model will take the Fiesta ST performance to a new level. Compared to a standard Fiesta model, the ST’s ride is lowered by about 15 mm and the company has opted for a new, more aggressive exterior. The model will also be offered with standard Recaro sports - a first for the Fiesta ST.
Under the hood, Ford has placed a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers a total of 180 HP and a peak torque of 177 lb-ft. The car will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds, and will hit a top speed of more than 136mph.
"We’re delighted to be bringing a new generation Fiesta ST to our European enthusiasts in 2013 and we’ll have more to say about our plans for other markets in the near future," said Jost Capito, Ford’s director of Global Performance Vehicles. "With the Fiesta ST joining the new Focus ST, we will again be able to deliver a choice of affordable small performance cars that are designed to deliver a unique blend of stand-out styling and dynamic on-road performance with true practicality for everyday use."
Of the four special edition Volkswagen Up! models that are headed to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, it can be argued that the least glamorous of the four is the Volkswagen Cargo Up!.
In building the Cargo Up!, Volkswagen intended it to be a "delivery van" of sorts. As such, it’s got plenty of rear space - 1,400 liters worth - it has front and rear underbody protection, side sill trim panels, and just like the rest of its brethren, there’s a roof railing that we imagine will carry all those pizza deliveries.
Inside, the Cargo Up! is pretty bare with the driver seat and the cockpit the only that’s left from the standard Cross Up!. In place of everything that was removed, the Cargo Up! has a flat cargo floor both on the passenger’s side and in the boot. There’s also a fastening system for tools and shipping crates, standard storage bins in the centre console, doors and rear side trim, and a dash pad that’s been painted in ‘Tornado Red’, providing a color contrast to the black metallic color ‘Nano’ trim on the loading areas and black artificial leather with neoprene on the seats.
To ensure safety, the Cargo Up! comes with baggage protection just behind the driver with a safety mesh beside the seat as well as lashing points on the floor and in the side walls.
For those that enjoy the winter outdoors, Volkswagen has prepared a special edition Up! concept vehicle, which you’ll be able to see in all its pristine glory at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
This sparkling white and blue Up! is called the Winter Up! and is based on the four-door Cross Up! Concept Volkswagen first presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. As its name suggests, the Winter Up! is designed specifically for winter purposes, no more evident in the fact that it has a snowboard carrier on the roof rails. Aesthetically, the Winter Up! is painted in a two-tone paint finish, Pure White and Malibu Blue, with the former being used on the body surface while the latter getting used on the bumpers, door mirror housings, and on the seams that runs parallel to the side windows.
Since it’s a model that has been built for a specific weather condition, the Winter Up! comes with ESP with differential locks to tackle all the with road conditions. It also has underbody protection on the front and rear, and the aforementioned roof rail-mounted holder that can stow up to four snowboards or six skis.
