Sacre blue! Mercedes-Benz to revive Vaneo . . . on Renault Kangoo underpinnings

Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled a new advertising slogan across Europe: the best or nothing. Perhaps that should read: cheap and rudimentry. Because the latest word out of Stuttgart is that Mercedes-Benz has decided to revive its notoriously slow selling Vaneo commerical van. And the surprise news is that it's not basing the second-generation model on the new third generation A-class's MFA platform but the rudimentry underpinnings of the second-generation Renault Kangoo.

First-generation Vaneo was a "real"
Mercedes-Benz. The second-generation model is
set to be a Renault Kangoo in "drag:

Furthermore, it's planning to let Renault build the new five seater, which will also come in civilian guise to provide the best-or-nothing touting Germans with a rival to the popular (in Europe at least) Volkswagen Caddy.

Oh, and that's not the end of the story! The new Vaneo will also come with Renault engines and gearboxes.

UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz C-class coupe official pictures (full engine spec)

Mercedes-Benz's favorite motoring magazine, AutoBild, has published the first official pictures of the new C-class coupe.

The weekly German publication was given the pictures of the new BMW 3-series rivalling coupe on an exclusive basis ahead of other motoring medium.

The car featured wears an optional AMG bodykit and runs Mercedes-Benz's latest 3.5-litre V6 engine developing 306bhp in the C350 Coupe.

It is good for 0-62mph (100km/h) in 6.0sec, a limited 155mph (250km/h) top speed and average fuel consumption (on the European cycle) of 34.5mpg (6.8L/100km) . . . the equivalent of 98g/mile (159/km) of CO2 emissions.

Spec on other engines below.


















C180 CGI Coupe BlueEfficiency
1796cm3
156bhp at 5000rpm
0-62mph (100km/h): 9.0sec
Top speed: 140mph (225km/h)
Consumption: 35.1mpg (US), 42.2mpg (UK), 6.7L/100km
CO2 emissions: 97.5g/mile (157g/km)

C250 CGI Coupe BlueEfficiency
1796cm3
204bhp at 5500rpm
0-62mph (100km/h): 7.2sec
Top speed: 149mph (240km/h)
Consumption: 36.2mpg (US), 43.5mpg (UK), 6.5L/100km
CO2 emissions: 94.5g/mile (152g/km)

C220 CDI Coupe BlueEfficiency
2143cm3
170bhp at 3000rpm
0-62mph (100km/h): 8.4sec
Top speed: 144mph (232km/h)
Consumption: 53.5mpg (US), 64.2mpg (UK), 4.4L/100km
CO2 emissions: 72.7g/mile (117g/km)

C250 CDI Coupe BlueEfficiency
2143cm3
204bhp at 4200rpm
0-62mph (100km/h): 7.0sec
Top speed: 149mph (240km/h)
Consumption: 48.0mpg (US), 57.6mpg (UK), 4.9L/100km
CO2 emissions: 79.6g/mile (128g/km)

Official hi-res pictures: Volkswagen Tiguan facelift

Volkswagen has decided to issue official pictures of the facelifted Tiguan a week earlier than planned following its premature reveal on the German car maker's official website earlier today. Details to follow . . .

Lotus Evora to get dramatic re-style





That's more like it! Evora set to receive more modern design in keeping
with other new, upcoming Lotus models.

The two-and-a-half year-old Lotus Evora is set to get a dramatic make-over with styling changes that bring it into line with the five new models - Esprit, Elan, Elite, Eterne and Elise - the British sportscar maker plans to begin introducing from 2013 onwards.

This low quality picture, thought to have been leaked by Lotus in a bid to gauge early reaction to its reworked two seater, reveals the look former Ferrari designer, Donato Coco, is planning for the new Evora, which is set to go on sale before the end of 2011.

Along with the more aggressive exterior, Lotus is also said to be planning to provide the Evora with a higher quality interior and greater levels of standard equipment.

Pictures of existing Evora and new Lotus models, in order, Esprit, Elan, Elite, Eterne and Elise, after the jump.

Volkswagen Tiguan facelift - leaked ad shows visual changes



Facelifted Tiguan leaked on Volkswagen's
own website (click to enlarge). Chinese market
version below (click to enlarge)

Here's the facelifted Volkswagen Tiguan sporting a new look similar to that of long wheelbase Chinese versions of the popular five seater, complete with the company's latest grille treatment, angular new headlights with an LED daytime running function and an edgier front bumper among other styling changes.

The reworked SUV, due to get a public airing at the upcoming Geneva auto show, has been revealed via a screen shot erroneously placed on the German car maker's official website a week. before it intended issuing official pictures.

More info as it becomes available . . .

Mini Countryman S2000 rally car

Mini has revealed a more definitive version of its S2000 rally car with competition bodywork at an event coinciding with the  Monte Carlo Historic Rally, where former winner Rauno Aaltonen drove an original Cooper S to 109th place. The new Countryman based rally car is planned to get its first outing at the the Rally of Portugal in March in the hands of Daniel Oliveira. A full blown WRC version of the new Mini boasting widened bodywork and more powerful engine is then planned to contest the Rally d'Italia in May with Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo at the wheel.

New Alfa Romeo coupe set for Geneva reveal

Alfa Romeo is fast tracking development of a new mid-engined coupe model as part of a hastily prepared image building initiative for the struggling Italian car maker prior to a return to the US market in 2013.



Set to be previewed as a concept at the Geneva auto show in early March, the new two door is planned to be placed into limited production at an as yet undisclosed factory in Italy.


Nothing is official at this early stage, but rumours suggest the new Alfa Romeo will be much more affordable than the company’s last limited edition model, the 8C, with suggestions pointing towards a €40,000 price tag in Europe.


The new coupe, tipped to wear the name 4C, is expected to be based around a new mid-engined chassis and tubular space frame originally developed by parent company Fiat for a proposed Abarth roadster.

One Alfa Romeo made earlier - the 8C

Earlier speculation that pointed to it using a modified version of the KTM X-Bow’s carbon fibre platform and chassis have been denied by Alfa Romeo officials.


Along with the coupe to be revealed in Geneva, Alfa Romeo is also reported to be working on a roadster version of the new car, which will use engine and chassis components from the Guiletta.

Facelifted Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz has issued official pictures of a mildly facelifted C63 AMG prior to its public premiere at the Geneva auto show in early March.

Typically, the German car maker is making much of the mid-life changes to what is currently its most affordable AMG model. But get beyond all the PR hype contained in the official press release and there’s really precious little to report.

As with standard versions of the facelifted C-class upon which the C63 AMG is based, the styling changes are mostly concentrated on soft parts like the bumpers, headlamps and tail lamps. One exception is the new hood with its more pronounced power domes. Beside this, all the existing body panels remain untouched.

It’s a different story inside, though, where the C63 AMG, which is sold in both sedan and wagon bodystyles in many markets, receives a new dashboard and the same three-spoke steering wheel as the new second-generation CLS63 AMG as part of an effort to improve the overall perception of quality.

Unlike other recently introduced AMG models which have adopted the company’s new twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 engine – S63, CL63 and all-new CLS63 included, the facelifted C63 AMG retains its naturally aspirated 6.2-litre unit, which develops 457bhp in standard form and a more potent 487bhp when combined with AMG’s so-called Performance Package, which introduces a larger variable inlet manifold for added combustion efficiency and greater power.

 But while the C63 AMG used to channel its impressive reserves though a beefed up version of Mercedes-Benz’s 7G-Tronic seven speed automatic , it now runs AMG’s MCT (multi clutch transmission) as standard.

The seven speed unit is a development of the 7G-Tronic, but instead of a conventional torque converter it uses a series of wet clutches to do the shifting. It also provides the driver with four different modes: C (comfort), S (sport), S+ (sport plus) and m (manual). There’s also a launch control function denoted by the letters RS (race start).

Despite the new gearbox the facelifted C63 AMG is no faster than before. Mercedes-Benz claims 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 4.5sec for the sedan and 4.6sec for the wagon. With the Performance Package option, the times are lowered to 4.4sec and 4.5sec. Top speed is limited to 155mph (250km/h), although customers can specify an optional driver’s package that bumps Vmax up to 174mph (280km/h).

AMG says it has reduced the C63 AMG’s fuel consumption by 10 per cent though the adoption of a new steering pump. Official figures have the sedan at 19.6mpg (USand the wagon at 19.1mpg (US) – or for those used to metric measurement 12.0L/100km and 12.3L/100km respectively. Despite it’s added 30bhp, Mercedes-Benz says the consumption of the C63 AMG with the option Performance Package is the same as that running the standard engine.

While automatic stop/start now comes as standard on AMG models running the new twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8, it has not been developed for the older naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8.

Mitsubishi Global Small concept

Following the teaser sketch generated last month, Mitsubishi has now released the first official picture of its Concept Global Small Vehicle.

The compact hatchback previews a new low cost Mitsubishi model planned to head into production at the company’s new factory in Thailand in March 2012.

Mazda Minagi concept previews new CX-5

Mazda has released sketches of its new Minagi concept ahead of the new compact SUV's public debut at the Geneva auto show.

The new five door, styled under Mazda design boss Ikeo Maeda, previews a Kia Sportage rivalling SUV set to carry the name CX-5 into production later this year.

Hyundai Curb concept sketched ahead of Detroit debut

Hyundai has released a teaser sketch of its new Curb concept. The compact SUV, which was styled at Hyundai’s Californian studio and is described as sharing the “fluidic sculpture” design first seen on the Sonata, is set to share space with the Korean car maker’s new Veloster coupe at next week’s Detroit auto show.  

Official pictures: Kia Picanto revealed ahead of Geneva auto show

Kia has revealed its new Picanto prior to its planned public debut at the Geneva auto show in early March. More details soon . . .

Ford Focus Electric teased ahead of CES debut

Ford has posted a teaser image of the upcoming Focus Electric on its Facebook page ahead of this week's CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.


There are no hard and fast technical details on the new car just yet, but the following statement accompanies the picture, which reveals the Focus Electric's charging port mounted in the front left hand fender:

"On Friday at 11 AM PST, CEO Alan Mulally will have big news from the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas. We'll broadcast his keynote address on a Livestream tab on this page and have exclusive technology news every hour leading up to his address."

The Focus Electric is planned to go on sale in the US in late 2011, with European sales likely to follow in early 2012. Production is planned to take place at Ford's recently refurbished Michigan Assembly Plant.

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 . . .