Official hi-res pictures: BMW Vision ConnectedDrive



BMW Vision ConnectedDrive (click to enlarge)

Here is BMW's latest concept car, the Vision ConnectedDrive. To be unveiled at the Geneva auto show early next month, the new two seat roadster previews the sort of exterior styling, interior detailing and driver interface systems BMW plans to adopt of future production models. Details to follow . . .

Official pictures: De Tomaso concept car headed to Geneva

The De Tomaso name will return to the world automotive stage at the Geneva auto show next month on a Pininfarina-designed concept car revealed here in official teaser pictures and set to be produced at Pininfarina's old Grugliasco factory near Turin, Italy from 2012 onwards .

Called the SLC (sport luxury car), the BMW 5-series GT rivalling liftback is the first in what De Tomaso describes as a series of new models, including a mechanical identical coupe, also planned for introduction by the middle of the decade.

The revival of De Tomaso is being overseen by former Fiat executive, Gian Mario Rossignolo. The former supercar maker founded by in 1959 by Alejandro de Tomaso in Modena, Italy, filed for bankrupcy in 2004. Rossignolo and a group of backers purchased it from a bankruptcy court in 2009.

The Italian has reached a deal to rent Pininfarina's Grugliasco factory, following an aborted attempt to purchase Bertone's nearby production facilities. The SLC, which will be renamed for produciton, will be largely handbuilt at Grugliasco, with Rossignolo hinting at annual production of around 3000 units.
The SLC is based on an aluminium chassis that will be constructed using a process De Tomaso calls Univis, details of which Rossignolo plans to make public at the car's unveiling in Geneva. Power will come from the choice of either 300bhp V6 and 550 V8 gasoline engine and a 250bhp V7 diesel unit.

Nissan Esflow concept sketched ahead of Geneva unveiling

Nissan has released three sketches of its new Esflow concept car. The rear wheel drive coupe runs the same electric driveline as the Japanese car maker's European Car Of The Year award winning Leaf. More details to follow . . .

Ssangyong lives! New pick up concept destined for Geneva



Ssangyong SUT1 pick-up concept

Ssangyong lives thanks to the US$463 million coughed up by Mahindra in 2010 to purchase a controlling 70 per cent stake in the ailing Korean car maker.

That big wad of money has apparently done wonders for Ssangyong's development budget, as confirmed by this rugged looking truck, the SUT 1 concept pick-up.

Planned to roll into Geneva early next month, the new double cab pick-up, easily the best looking Ssangyong in years, is being developed for sale in selected world markets in little changed form in early 2012.





More sketches of the Ssangyong SUT 1 concept after the jump

Who ya goin to call? Opel Zafira revealed . . . as a ghost

Competing for the most corny public relations move of the year award, Opel has revealed the third generation Zafira as a ghostly hologram in a photograph that also features the European General Motors subsidiary's smiling design boss, Mark Adams, holding an iPad.

The hologram . . . opps, no, the Zafira Tourer Concept to be revealed at the Geneva auto show provides a clear hint at what the production version of the new Opel MPV will look like when it goes on sale across Europe in late 2011.

The Zafira's front end styling is clearly influenced by that of the Opel Ampera - the European version of the Chevrolet Volt, with boomarang shaped headlamps and front air ducts. It also appears to get four conventional front hinged doors, unlike the new Ford C-Max which adopts the sliding variety at the rear.


Corntastic! Adams and the ghost of Zafira

Even more corny than presenting a car as a hologram, Opel describes the new Zafira as a “Lounge On Wheels”, claiming it takes "on-board flexibility to a new level of sophistication and comfort."

“We’ve applied the lounge concept to a motor vehicle,” profers Adams. “A lounge is a place you want to escape to and relax, a place where you really want to be. We wanted to offer the same feeling in a monocab and make it the lounge you want to spend time in.”

Lounge? That'd be where you lay back and watch the Packers winning the Superbowl on a mammoth flat screen TV in HD with a six pack in one hand and a bowl of crisps in the other. Not a Zafira. No way!

Who's the boss?

Fiat's sweater loving boss, Sergio Marchionne, has put his foot down and reiterated that he isn't keen on selling Alfa Romeo to the Volkswagen Group, or any car maker with a big wad of cash for that matter.

Speaking at the J.D. Power and Associates International Automotive roundtable in San Francisco this week, Marchionne, who heads up both Fiat and Chrysler, said: “As long as I am CEO of Chrysler and Fiat, Mr. Piech (read the Volkswagen Group) will never have Alfa Romeo. It's hands-off. I told him. I will call him and I will email him”, Marchionne said.

Official: New Ford Territory revealed

Ford Australia has issued official pictures of its heavily updated Territory. The Falcon based crossover, more a major facelift of the existing seven year old Territory than an all-new model, is planned to go on sale Downunder in May.

Alongside existing gasoline engines, the restyled and reworked Territory is also set to get a new turbocharged 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine option for the first time. The common rail unit is sourced from former Ford subsidiary Land Rover.

For further details see our earlier story here:
http://theautoinsider.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-ford-territory-shapes-up.html

Infiniti bringing new entry level model to Geneva

Nissan's upscale brand Infiniti is set to reveal a new entry level model conceived primarily for Europe markets at the upcoming Geneva auto show. All we've got to go on at this stage is this rather obscure line drawing. Our best guess is a hatchback to rival the recently introduced Lexus CT, although rumours have been doing the rounds that Infiniti is planning to produce a small entry level SUV off the same underpinnings as the Nissan Qashqai . . . or Rogue as we know it in the US.

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.