Ford Fiesta ST on the way



Fiesta S to get more powerful ST sibling



Ford Europe bosses have signed off on a new Fiesta ST.

The junior hot hatch is planned to get an airing at the Frankfurt auto show in September alongside a facelifted version of the standard Fiesta.

Powering the new car is Ford’s new turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine, also planned for the new Focus among other models from the Blue Oval stable.

With 182bhp and 199lb ft (270Nm) of torque it provides the Fiesta ST with 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration in seven seconds and a top speed of 143mph – enough to give the Volkswagen Polo GTi a fright.

Along with the boost in performance, Ford Europe designers have also given the range topping Fiesta a more aggressive appearance. Included is a larger grille, beefed up front bumper, blackened headlight graphics, wider sills, lower rear bumper and a pair of chromed tail pipes.

There’s no official word yet on whether the Fiesta ST will be sold in North America but Ford officials in Dearborn are said to be pushing for its inclusion in the US line-up. "It's a simple matter of profitability. If we can get the numbers to stack up, we'll look to bring it in."

Smart patents design of new roadster. CrossBlade the sequel?

Mercedes-Benz's struggling Smart division has patented the design of a new roadster.

Similar in style to the earlier CrossBlade with a cut down windcreen and no provision for a roof of any kind, the new two seater is based on the rear-engined underpinnings of the ForTwo.

New detailing, including distinctive round head- and tail lights possibly points to the look of the third-generation version of the diminuitive city car due out in 2012.

There's no official word just yet as to if and when we'll see get to see the new Smart roadster. However, speculation doing the rounds of the German media suggest it may appear in concept car form at the upcoming Geneva auto show before going on sale during the European summer.




Further pictures after the jump . . .

Update: BAW BC301Z official pictures . . .

Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation has now released official pictures of its Mercedes-Benz copy, the BC301Z.

Below is a previous post.

Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) has revealed its new BC301Z - the controversial copy of the Mercedes-Benz B-class to be sold in China from early 2011.

We’re not exactly sure what Mercedes-Benz makes of the BAIC BC301Z. Requests for an official comment on the new five seat MPV, which mirrors the appearance of the B-class down to the finest of details – both in terms of its exterior and interior styling, have gone unanswered.

BAIC and Mercedes-Benz operate a successful joint venture out of a plant in Beijing, producing the C-class and a long-wheel base version of the E-class. But Mercedes-Benz says the BC301Z is not part of any deal with BAIC.

Despite the obvious visual similarities, the BC301Z is a good deal smaller than the B-class. Measuring 4038mm in length, 1720mm in width and 1500mm in height, the new BAIC model is 232mm shorter, 55mm narrower and stands 105mm closer to the ground than the six-year-old Mercedes-Benz. It also rides on a 280mm shorter wheelbase at 2500mm.

The BC301Z comes with the choice of two four-cylinder gasoline engines produced under licence from Mitsubishi. Included is a 1.3-litre unit with 99bhp and a 1.5-litre with 113bhp.

Along with the MPV version seen here, BAIC is also planning a sedan called the BC302Z and wagon set to get the name BC303Z.

Saudi Arabia gets its first ever car maker



Gazal 1

The King Saud University (KSU) has announced a $US500 Million deal with South Korean based Digm Automotive Technologies (DAT) to establish Saudi Arabia’s first fully fledged car company.

The new joint venture, financed by KSU’s investment off-shoot Wadi al-Riyadh, DAT and a group of private investors, will produce a range of new models, the first of which will be an economical five-passenger sedan set go on sale in 2013 at prices between $US9300 and $US12,000.

“The move comes as part of the university’s efforts to transfer technology and establish a knowledge-based economy, said KSU President Abdullah Al-Othman, at a signing ceremony with Y.K Jeon, president of DAT.

At this stage it is unclear whether KSU’s earlier Mercedes-Benz G-class based Gazal 1 will be part of the new line-up of models, although an announcement by King Abdullah back in June indicated the big off-roader, designed by KSU students and Italy’s StudioTorino had already been granted a production greenlight.

Update: BAIC reveals the BC301Z. Mercedes' IP lawyers set to pounce . . .



No, not the Mercedes-Benz B-class.
It's the BAIC BC301Z . . .

Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC) has revealed its new BC301Z - the controversial copy of the Mercedes-Benz B-class to be sold in China from early 2011.

We’re not exactly sure what Mercedes-Benz makes of the BAIC BC301Z.

Earlier requests for an official comment on the new five seat MPV, which mirrors the appearance of the B-class down to the finest of details – both in terms of its exterior and interior styling, have gone unanswered.

BAIC and Mercedes-Benz operate a successful joint venture out of a plant in Beijing, producing the C-class and a long-wheel base version of the E-class. But Mercedes-Benz says the BC301Z is not part of any deal with BAIC.

Despite the obvious visual similarities, the BC301Z is a good deal smaller than the B-class. Measuring 4038mm in length, 1720mm in width and 1500mm in height, the new BAIC model is 232mm shorter, 55mm narrower and stands 105mm closer to the ground than the six-year-old Mercedes-Benz. It also rides on a 280mm shorter wheelbase at 2500mm.

The BC301Z comes with the choice of two four-cylinder gasoline engines produced under licence from Mitsubishi. Included is a 1.3-litre unit with 99bhp and a 1.5-litre with 113bhp. Along with the MPV version seen here, BAIC is also planning a sedan called the BC302Z and an as yet uncorfirmed third body style that is set to get the name BC303Z.

Further pictures after the jump . . .

Forster: Jaguar SUV, hybrid and new "small" model plans

Jaguar plans new SUV, hybrid and small model

Jaguar’s global brand director, Adrian Hallmark, recently told British media his company “needs a crossover and needs to stop being a saloon (sedan) based company” – a comment that signaled the British car maker’s intent to use a four wheel drive platform from sister company Land Rover as the basis for a luxury class SUV to rival the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-class.

Now Carl Peter Forster, the boss of Jaguar parent company Tata, has revealed a further piece of Jaguar’s future new model plans, saying, “We are developing an architecture that will be used by both Jaguar and Land Rover.” The new architecture, or platform as it is more commonly known, is set to provide the basis for the new Jaguar SUV and second-generation Range Rover Sport.

Forster’s comments are part of an interview published in the latest issue of the German publication Auto Motor und Sport. In it, the former General Motors’ Europe boss also lets slip on Jaguar’s hybrid plans. “Hybrid technology is best developed in partnership with big component suppliers,” says Forster. “Lots of Europe’s car maker’s go to the same south German partner.”

All of which clearly hints that Jaguar is planning to equip its new SUV with gasoline, diesel and hybrid drive, with the latter likely to be supplied by ZF, which is based in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Jaguar already relies on ZF for the supply of automatic gearboxes and other key components for the XF, XJ and XK.

Meanwhile, Forster also elaborated in Jaguar’s plans for a new entry level to slot into the position in its line-up vacated by the X-type. When pressed on plans for a new small Jaguar, Forster said: “We are thinking very seriously about it. Technically we can do it. If we can get it to stand up financially we’ll do it. The small (model) will also get a four-cylinder. But it has to be special in character, not mainstream.”

On what effect the introduction of a smaller model might do to Jaguar’s image, Forster had these words: “There’s a C-class from Mercedes-Benz. No one is forcing us into the volume market. We’re in a comfortable situation. We can choose the market, segment, model and engines.”

• Jaguar planning new SUV to rival the BMW X5
• New four wheel drive to share platform with a Land Rover model
• Possible hybrid variant of new SUV alongside traditional gasoline and diesel variants. Hybrid technology to be developed in partnership with ZF
• Jaguar “thinking seriously” on new “small” model. Parent company boss, Carl Peter Forster, compares it to Mercedes-Benz C-class. Four-cylinder engines in the pipeline.

See related story here:

http://theautoinsider.blogspot.com/2010/12/jaguar-boss-we-need-crossover.html

Kia KV7 concept sketch

Kia KV7

Kia is planning to preview a replacement for the aging Sedona at the upcoming Detroit auto show with this bold new concept, the KV7. The multi-seat MPV picks up design cues from the Kia Soul, hinting at a family look for the Korean car maker’s crossover models.

The first official rendering reveals the KV7 concept, which was designed at Kia’s Irvine studio in California, will boast at least one gullwing door and an interior with individual swiveling seats and a wooden floor – features
that are not expected to make it into
production. More information when it
becomes available . . .

Alfa workers support Volkswagen's move to buy into the Italian car maker

Unionized workers at Alfa Romeo are openly supporting moves by the Volkswagen Group to buy into the ailing Italian car maker.

The workers, concerned at  parent company Fiat Auto’s decision to more closely link future Alfa Romeo models with those from Fiat, Lancia, Chrysler and Jeep, have delivered a letter of support for Volkswagen to the German consulate in Milan.

"Alfa Romeo doesn't have future under Fiat," union workers are quoted as saying during a demonstration in Milan, adding. "We want Volkswagen."

At a media dinner at the Paris auto show in late September the head of the Volkswagen Group’s supervisory board,  Ferdinand Piech, openly spoke about his desire to purchase Alfa Romeo, suggesting the Italian car maker would compliment the company’s existing portfolio of brands which include Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen.

Despite the Volkswagen Group's keen interest, Fiat Auto boss, Sergio Marchionne, has denied any interest in selling Alfa Romeo, saying it "forms a central part of the company's future expansion plans".
     

Official images: Mercedes-Benz C-class facelift

2011 model year C-class

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a facelifted version of the third generation C-class.

The new-for-2011 sedan and wagon, which will be shown to media representatives at a presentation in Detroit in early January but isn’t planned to make it into the Cobo Hall for a public appearance at the Detroit auto show, gains a series of subtle styling changes together with higher quality interior fittings, a longer list of hi-end options together with revised engine and gearbox combinations – all aimed at raising its appeal against more contemporary luxury car competition.

Among the styling changes Mercedes-Benz designers have brought to the three year old C-class are edgier looking bumpers, reshaped headlamps, a more contoured aluminium hood, revised tail lamps graphics and a new choice of optional alloy wheels.

It’s a mild but effective re-style that not only serves to freshen the appearance of the mid-range Mercedes-Benz model but also helps improve its aerodynamic properties, with new front end sealing credited with lowering the co-efficient of drag to a class leading 0.26.

Inside, the new C-class sports a new dashboard with a more angular instrument binnacle, a redesigned steering wheel in selected models, new controls and the latest version of the German car maker’s Command system, which groups the navigation, communication and entertainment functions together.

Mercedes-Benz has also provided the C-class with many of its latest safety features as optional equipment. Included is its fatigue detecting AttentionAssist, Pre-Safe brakes that automatically provide braking force to pull the car up when an imminent collision is detected and radar controlled Distronic Plus cruise control.

In Europe, the new C-class retains the same line-up of four-cylinder engines. On the gasoline side there’s three turbocharged 1.8-litre direct injection units. It develops 156bhp (115kW) in the C180, 184bhp (135kW) in the C200 and 204bhp (150kW) in the C250.

Among the diesels are five turbocharged 2.0-litre common rail diesels. It produces 120bhp (88kW) in the C180 CDI, 136bhp (100kW) in the C200 CDI, 170bhp (125kW) in the C220 CDI and 204bhp (150kW in the C250 CDI – the latter of which is claimed to return an excellent 49mpg (4.8L/100km) on the combined European consumption cycle, a figure which translates to a CO2 emission rating of just 78g/mile (125g/km).

New to the new C-class line-up is Mercedes-Benz’s recently unveiled M276 engine in the C350. The 3.5-litre V6 direct injection unit delivers 306bhp (225kW) - an increase of 14bhp (10kW) on the older M272 engine it replaces. At the same time it is claimed to a combined average of 34.6 mpg (6.8L/100km), better its predecessor by 11.4mpg (3.3L/100km).

Also available is a 3.0-litre V6 common rail diesel in the four-wheel drive C300 CDI. It develops the same 231bhp as the discontinued C3550 CDI with 231bhp (170kW).

An across the board improvement in fuel consumption can be traced to the Mercedes-Benz’s decision to equip European versions of the C-class with an automatic stop/start system. Four-cylinder models also receive an optional seven-speed automatic gearbox in place of the older five-speed unit offered up to now.

In the US, the new C-class will come with just three engines: a 201bhp turbocharged 1.8-litre in the C250, a 3.5-litre V6 with 228bhp in the four-wheel drive C300 4Matic and new 302bhp 3.5-litre V6 with direct injection in the C350.

The facelifted C-class is planned to go on sale in Europe in March. North American sales aren’t likely to get underway until July.

Official (hi res) images: New 2011 Toyota Echo/Yaris/Vitz

New Toyota Echo/Yaris/Vitz

Toyota has revealed its third generation Echo – the Yaris as it is called in Europe or Vitz as is known in the domestic Japanese market where the compact hatchback is planned to go on sale in early 2011.

Flaunting edgier exterior styling than its  predecessor, with distinctive exposed headlamps, larger bumpers and tauter surfacing treatment – all reminiscent of the larger Prius, Toyota says it has placed less emphasis on woman buyers with the design of the new car. Instead, the new Echo has been styled to appeal to a broader market, in particular younger car buyers who have traditionally shunned the small Toyota.

In a bid to improve packaging the new five door supermini has grown by 3.9 inches (100mm) with a length of 152 inches (3885mm) in hatchback form – some 2.0 inche (50mm) of that coming from a longer 98.8 inch (2510mm) wheelbase. Width remains the same at 66.7 inches (1695mm) but height has dropped by 1.2 inches (30mm) on versions running standard suspension settings to 59.1 inches (1500mm). Inside, there’s a completely new interior boasting higher grade materials and an added 1.4 inches (35mm) of rear seat legroom.

When it goes on sale in Japan buyers will get the choice of three four-cylinder gasoline engines: a 68bhp 1.0-litre, 93bhp 1.3-litre and 107bhp 1.5-litre – the latter of which is also set to underpin sales of a new sedan version of the Echo planned to reach North America in late 2011.

 Also expected to appear in Europe is a 100bhp version of the 1.3-litre engine together with a 147bhp 1.8 in a sporty TS model and a 90bhp 1.4-litre diesel – all likely to come with automatic stop start for improved fuel economy.

Also under development is a hybrid version of the Echo, although at this early stage it remains unclear whether Toyota intends offering the gasoline-electric version of its new small hatchback/sedan outside of Japan.

Ford Australia eyes exports of the Falcon . . . again

Ford Falcon GT

Word at Ford’s Australian outpost suggests the Ford Falcon GT is once again being groomed for export, possibly to the US, as part of the Blue Oval’s renewed plans to build global cars.

The rapid four-door sedan, rival to the Holden Commodore GTS, was developed entirely Downunder by a team at Ford Performance Vehicles. Centerpiece for the fastest Falcon model ever is supercharged version of Ford's 5.0-litre V8 Coyote engine that puts out 449bhp (335kW) and 420lb ft (570Nm) of torque.

A report on possible export plans for the Falcon GT posted on the Sydney Morning Herald’s website quotes Ford Australia spokesperson, Sinead McAlary, who says: “The team at Ford Performance Vehicles is on the record about their desire to potentially use the supercharged V8 elsewhere in the Ford world,” adding, “It’s no surprise to us that others would love to experience what we have on offer down here.”

McAlary’s comments come after Ford’s US-based vice president of global marketing, Jim Farley, publically acknowledged that Ford has reworked its worldwide production strategy to build what he calls “global cars”.

Farley recently confirmed Ford’s plans call for a more performance based focus to its global line-up, including possible new rear wheel drive models for the US market.

Ford Australia looked at exporting the current model Falcon, which has already been engineered for left-hand drive, to the US and other key world markets back in 2007. The move, which apparently had the blessing of Ford’s global product development boss Derrick Kuzak, was aimed mirroring Holden’s export of the Commodore SS to the US as the Pontiac G8. However, the downturn in the world’s economy and rising oil prices forced the plans to be shelved until now.

Along with go-fast versions of the Falcon, Ford Australia is also rumored to be eyeing exports of its new second-generation Territory, official sketches of which were issued recently, to selected markets, including the Middle East.

Click here to read more on the Ford Territory:
http://theautoinsider.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-ford-territory-shapes-up.html

Ford's possible export of the Falcon and Territory follows news that Holden is once again looking at bringing the Commodore SS to the US market badged as Chevrolet. See full story here: http://theautoinsider.blogspot.com/2010/11/holden-eyes-renewed-exports-to-us.html

Some perspective on Volkswagen’s new sedans

In the past year Volkswagen has launched two new sedans; the sixth-generation Jetta and seventh-generation Passat. A third new sedan in the form of the German car maker’s New Mid-size Sedan (NMS) is also planned to greet the public at next month’s Detroit auto show. Below is a guide to the length of each of Volkswagen’s new four-door models.

NMS: 194.1 inch (4930mm) length

Passat: 187.8 inch (4769mm) length



Jetta: 182.8 inches (4644mm) length



For further images of the NMS click here:
http://theautoinsider.blogspot.com/2010/12/volkswagen-nms-spills-out.html



Update: MG3 hi-res picture gallery



MG3 (click to enlarge)

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) stole the limelight on the opening day of the Guangzhou auto show with the unveiling of its highly anticipated MG3, featured here in a series of high resolution pictures.

The new five door hatchback, set to go on sale in China in March 2011, is the second all-new MG model to appear since SAIC purchased the rights to the MG name along with the intellectual property rights to existing MG models from Nanjing Automobile in December 2007, following on from the MG6 unveiled this time last year.

Measuring 175.4 inches (3999mm) in length, 68.0 inches (1728mm) in width and 59.7 inches (1517mm) in height, the front-wheel drive MG3 will provide Chinese car buyers with the choice of two four-cylinder gasoline engines: a 1.3-litre with 92bhp and a peppier 1.5-litre with 109bhp – either of which can be mated to a five-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

Further hi res pictures after the jump . . .

Alfa plans two pot Mito with double clutch gearbox

Alfa Romeo is preparing a new entry level version of the Mito powered by the top-of-the-line version of parent company Fiat’s 875cm3 two-cylinder Multi Air gasoline engine.

The new unit, which is claimed to kick out 105bhp, is one of three versions of the compact two-cylinder engine, which measures just 13.8 inches (350mm) in length, eventually planned for production.

According to sources at Fiat’s headquarters in Turin, Italy, there is also a naturally aspirated 65bhp version of the Multi Air engine under the final stages of development and earmarked to head into the new Fiat Panda, which is planned to get its first public airing at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show.

The new naturally aspirated 65bhp and turbocharged 105bhp engines will join the existing turbocharged 85bhp version of the two-cylinder Fiat engine already used in the 500.

Along with the compact new engines, Fiat is also close to signing off development on a new double clutch gearbox conceived specifically to work in combination with the two-cylinder engine at torque loads up to 140lb ft (190Nm).

The new gearbox is said to allow the Mito fitted with the 105bhp two-cylinder Multi Air engine to achieve combined cycle consumption of “around 4.0L/100km” – some 58.8mpg for those in North America. By comparison, the current entry level version of the Mito, which runs a 78bhp 1.4-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine, achieves a claimed 39.9mpg (5.9L/100km).

Kitted MG6 makes Guangzhou debut

MG has revealed a kitted version of the 6 fastback at the Guangzhou auto show. No details have been released on the new car's mechanical package but the exterior styling may provide a clue to the look of a possible Z version of the Chinese-built 6 to be launched prior to MG's planned entry into the 2012 BTCC (British Touring Car Championship.





Further images after the jump . . .