Every so often it is nice to see an MPV with a little flare. That is exactly what Honda’s factory affiliated tuners Mugen have done with the next generation Stream multi people mover. Drivers don’t always choose to drive vehicles that are more about we and less about me. At certain times we must sacrifice fun for things like fuel economy and cargo space, but those are sacrifices that new car buyers must face throughout their automotive life cycle. So it is nice to see that sports cars aren’t the only things that Mugen is interested in, bringing a sigh of relief to repressed MPV drivers looking for a little excitement in their ride.
The Japanese tuner does a good job of proving that the 2010 Honda Stream can be a pretty cool, as long as you add a few items in the right places. Mugen added a pair of front and rear lips that work with the side skirts to make the MPV look closer to the ground. A sporty looking grille, roof-mounted rear wing and stylish 17 inch alloy wheels to finish off the package. There are even more hardcore tuner bits being offered: like a performance brake setup, performance exhaust, sport suspension for better road holding and a performance air filter to let the gasoline direct injection engine breathe a little easier.
These kinds of modified mini cars are popular in Europe and Japan, both places where parking is tight and gas is expensive. Instead of investing lots of money with pricey turbo kits that are just going to burn more petrol; mini modifiers go as far as they can with outrageous looks and wild wheels to stand out from the rest of the road going public. There is already a trend in the automotive marketplace for smaller, lightweight vehicles. The way that things are looking, we might be seeing more and more MPVs like the Honda Stream here in the U.S. and it is nice to know that there will already be parts available for them.
Peugeot has added today a new model in its line-up: the new 5008, a model destined for the big families that want to enjoy the luxury and the comfort during the ride.
The new 5008 is a 7-seater compact MPV model with a length of 4.53 meters and a height of 1.64 m. It offers a total cargo volume of 2506 liters with the last two rows of seats down.
Standard equipment include: head-up display, a distance alert system,, Snow Motion system, two different navigation systems, a rear-passenger multi-media system.
Under the hood Peugeot placed two petrol engines: 1.6 litre VTi with 120 bhp and 156 hp; and four diesel engines: two versions of 1.6 litre HDi with 110 hp and 2.0 litre HDi with 150 and 163 hp.
The official debut will be made in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Press release after the jump.
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General Motors hopes to satisfy the needs and wants of both minivan and SUV buyers with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse CUV. The crossover that debuted last year at the Chicago Auto Show has 10 cup holders, seating for 7, a potent direct injected V6, optional 4 wheel drive, third row seating and promises return on average 20 miles per gallon. Starting at just under $30,000 the Traverse is an attractable package that offers the amenities of a minivan with the outward appearance of an SUV.
The large grill is the first thing that you see on the Traverse and it is distinctly Chevrolet. The opening is cut in half by a horizontal bar that displays a bowtie front and center. The piece is almost identical to the grill of the Chevrolet Malibu and hints at a possible design theme for the future.
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Toyota is finding a creative way to show off some of its helpful technology. The Ultimate NASCAR Fan Sienna Rampvan revealed at the SEMA Show highlights the same widespread vehicle improvements can be seen on other Sienna Rampvans offering remarkable wheelchair accessibility, together with a long list of fresh features perfect for the avid NASCAR enthusiast.
Created by BraunAbility, the Sienna NASCAR Fan Rampvan is fitted with detachable passenger seats with wheelchair tie-down points for up to three wheelchairs, a totally lowered floor, foldout ramp and an ground-breaking "kneeling" rear suspension, all created to offer access for wheelchair and scooter users.
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Hyundai believes that MPVs are the future, at least for Europe. Kun-Hee Ahn, chief Hyundai’s European operation said, "The world is currently a very unfriendly place for SUVs. For us the future has two directions. We will do more MPVs: our smaller B (supermini) and C (compact family) segment i20 and i30 will each have a people carrier version built on their platform."
The i30 MPV will be inspired by the i-Mode concept and will be revealed in 2010. After it the company will also unveil a MPV based on the i20. Hyundai is also to launch a replacement to its Sonata saloon, the i40, next year but hasn’t yet decided on its BMW 5-Series rival, the i50.
Although the new Honda Odyssey was launched just a week ago Mugen hurried and revealed its customization kit for the new Japanese minivan. The kit from the tuning company is available in two versions, one for Odyssey Absolute and one for the standard Odyssey.
The difference between the two kits is that the standard Honda Odyssey kit consists in a new front bumper without the fog lights, new front grille and a new rear lip spoiler, the other parts remaining the same. The Honda Odyssey Absolute features a re-designed front bumper, front camera cover, new HID fog lights, a new front grille, side sills, a re-designed rear bumper with new exhaust cutters, a rear roof spoiler and new brake pads micro mesh brake line.
The interior got also customized and includes new sport mats, door sign lights, rear mirror covers and new aluminium sport pedals. In order to add a plus of sportivity the Japanese tuning house also added a new set of R an XJ aluminium wheels available in 17 and 18 inch and 4 colors.
Honda sells a different version of the Odyssey in Japan than it does in the U.S. Although Honda calls it a minivan and it seats the same as the U.S. Odyssey, this car shares more in common with the first generation Odyssey that Honda sold in the U.S. from 1995 to 1998. The Japan Odyssey is shorter in all dimensions, it has four hinged passenger doors, and looks more like a wagon than a minivan.
On sale today, the new Odyssey is equipped with a 2.4l DOHC i-VTEC engine and torque converter-equipped CVT transmission. It is also equipped with advanced safety technologies, including the new Multi-view Camera System. A special mobility-assistive version equipped with a lift-up front passenger seat will go on sale in November.
Press release after the jump.
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Ford unveiled at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover the new Fiesta Van, a model based on the all-new Ford Fiesta car which is being launched in Europe from autumn 2008. The Van version will go on sale from early 2009.
The new Fiesta Van is available with a well balanced choice of engines to offering commercial customers excellent fuel economy and low cost of ownership.
Engines available include the 1.25-litre Duratec 16V petrol unit (82 PS/60 kW), a frugal 1.4-litre Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel (68 PS/50 kW), and a top-of the-range 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi (90 PS/66kW) turbo diesel with standard closed-loop coated DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).
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To show its commitment to social responsibility, the Mazda Motor Corporation will be participating in the 35th International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition (HCR) in Tokyo, Japan. The company will be showcasing its special needs cars at the event. Although the vehicles will initially be available in Japan, there is that possibility that they will eventually make it to American shores.
Three special needs vehicles by Mazda will be showcased at the event.
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Honda revealed the official web site at the future generation Odyssey, a web page that includes a teaser of the future wagon like family carrier.
The official unveiling will be made in October when we will also have more details about the car. So, stay tuned!
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