Chevrolet Epica pricing announced (UK)

On the 26th April, the Chevrolet Epica (which is almost as long as the BMW 5 Series sedan) will go on sale in the UK.

This front-driven four-door - which comes with a six-cylinder engine, air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows, an MP3 CD player, six airbags and 16in alloy wheels will be priced from just £13,595. That’s not just less than a Skoda Superb, it’s even less than the cheapest diesel-engined Ford Focus.

The Epica 2.0 LS will become the cheapest new six-cylinder car on the UK market. With just 143bhp under the hood, it won’t be the most powerful but it should be smooth-driving and comes with the option of an automatic gearbox. A 148bhp, 2.0-litre diesel option will also be available at £14,595 which could become popular amongst taxi drivers and families with a budget.

The Epica is built in Korea, and will be imported to Britain by Chevrolet UK alongside the Captiva 4x4.

TATA Nano to go on sale in 2012 (EU)

In four years time, the TATA Nano will reach European showrooms. During that time, TATA will alter the Nano to make it cleaner and safer for Europeans because the engines have to meet Euro 5 emission standards and the most stringent crash standards. The problem is that the car consumes alot of petrol, which is leading to high emissions and the fact it doesn't have any airbags.

"We will develop a successor model in four years time, which will meet the Euro 5 emission regulations and the crash standards in Europe," Girish Wagh, head of Tata’s compact car division. The cheapest car in the world will have a production total of 250,000 units yearly.

FIAT 500 sold out (UK)

The United Kingdom had an initial allocation of 4,500 units when sales began two weeks ago, but already Fiat dealers are struggling to replenish stocks of the popular modern-retro car.

Originally, 16,000 units were planned for the UK but due to demand, it looks as if that figure could rise to 25,000 units annually. Fiat executives, who have hit the proverbial jackpot with the 500, can not wipe the smiles off their faces because of 500. The growing waiting list is evidence of this 500 madness that hasn’t been seen since the launch of the new MINI in 2001. So bad/good is the situation – depending on who’s asking – that certain buyers are taking advantage and seeing the investment opportunity presented by the shortage of cars.

They are offering their cars for sale on auction on websites like eBay, some at ridiculous prices because they know the waiting list is long and people with the cash aren’t willing to wait. Fiat South Africa is also saying better order your 500 tomorrow, otherwise you may have to wait until the end of July for delivery. One Fiat dealer claims he can’t believe the number of MINIs that park outside his dealership where owners want to check out the 500, which is priced at €1200 less than MINI.

The phenomenal success of the 500 comes at a time when the Fiat Group has recorded its largest ever trading profit – €3.2 billion based on a turnover of €59 billion – in its 2007 Annual Results. These figures are up 12.9 percent on 2006 with a 66 percent increase in trading profit, and the Automobiles sector almost doubled its profit over 2006, to €1.1 billion.

The 500 has won heaps of awards including Car Of The Year 2008 and the Gay Car Of 2008.

When the 500 came out on the 21st January, I immediately went to my local dealer to see the car myself. I was told a 6 - 12 weeks waiting list is in order after I ask about the demand.

As for the sportier models, they are likely to be powered by a 1.4 litre petrol engine developing around 155bhp & 180bhp for the Abarth which is due in late 2008 and 200bhp for the Abarth SS which is due early '09.

I sat in the 1.4 100bhp Sport model. I didn't really like the chrome exterior pack which chromes the door handles, parts of the front and rear bumpers, exhuast pipe and window line etc. The interior is surprisingly spacious for such a small car and headroom is great. Trunk room seemed fairly reasonable for a car this size but fold the rear seats and you'll have more space than you can handle. So, my mini verdict:

Pros - Spacious cabin especially with glass roof, great front head/leg room, fashionable and chic and funky interior

Cons - Rear headroom made me feel claustrophobic, rear legroom is poor and my knees dug into the driver’s seat and the centre console looks empty.

What else is in the pipeline? As I said above, 2 sports models are currently testing around Europe. The Abarth will take on the Mini Cooper S and the Abarth SS is currently class-less. A cabrio is due next year alongside a wagon which will rival the Mini Clubman. A wagon based SUV could even reach showroom in 2010 and the 500 itself should get facelifted aswell.

Related links:

FIAT 500 at 2008 F1 Grand Prix
FIAT 500 UK pricing
FIAT 500 production expands again
FIAT 500 crash test results
Private importers import FIAT 500 in UK
FIAT 500 production expands
FIAT 500 goes off-road
FIAT 500 Abarth expected in Tokyo
FIAT 500 goes on sale in France & Italy
FIAT 500 commercial shoot pictures

Hyundai Sonata pricing announced (U.S)

Hyundai Motor America announced pricing for the refreshed 2009 Sonata. The 2009 Sonata features an all-new interior, enhanced suspensions and revised powertrains boasting even more horsepower and improved fuel economy. The 2009 Sonata is now on sale at Hyundai dealerships.

“You’d expect that all of these changes and new content would lead to startling new price points for the Sonata,” said John Krafcik, vice president, Product Development and Strategic Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “But that’s not Hyundai’s business model. With a starting price of just $18,795, including delivery, the 2009 Sonata is very well equipped to compete with the best mid-size sedans on quality, craftsmanship, capability…and of course, value.” The Sonata combines refined design, proven dependability, spirited performance and an extensive list of standard features to increase its appeal to a broader range of customers. For 2009, Sonata raises the bar for value and standard safety technology in the mid-size segment.

Hyundai’s sales leader boasts new features ranging from standard USB/iPod auxiliary inputs to available navigation and sport-tuned suspension. Combined with Sonata’s continued leadership in safety – it remains the only mid-size sedan under $20,000 with standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – the 2009 American-made Sonata is the smartest choice in the competitive mid-size sedan segment. The new, second-generation Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine delivers more horsepower and quicker acceleration. Fuel economy numbers are 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway with the standard five-speed manual transmission or the newly available five-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC®.

The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine now features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better engine breathing. Sonata’s 3.3-liter V6 engine now pumps out 15 more horsepower and three more pound-feet of torque (249 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 229 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm). This newly refined powerplant features all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, CVVT on both camshafts and stiffer hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. A variable intake system is added for 2009, which further broadens its power curve, improving off-the-line acceleration and passing performance. New mileage figures for V6-powered Sonatas are 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

All V6-powered Sonatas use Hyundai's five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, which features an overdrive lock-up torque converter for improved highway fuel economy. The automatic transmission has a new reducing valve and solenoid valve for smoother shift quality while the manual transmission has been refined for more precise shifts. The pleasant surprises continue inside where Hyundai designers have thoroughly revamped the cockpit to create the ambiance of an upscale, premium sedan.

The sophisticated look is achieved thanks to a completely new center console and instrument panel, which borrows design cues and rich materials from the premium Hyundai Veracruz. The Sonata continues to be classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Large Car, truly a “class above” Camry, Altima, Fusion and Malibu (all are categorized as mid-size cars). Music lovers will welcome the 2009 Sonata’s inclusion of standard auxiliary input jacks (3.5 mm mini-jack and USB input) to accommodate and charge audio devices such as iPods®. Other refinements include dual-zone climate controls for the driver and front-seat passenger and two-stage front seat warmers. A new factory-installed touch screen navigation system is now available as well.

The design team added a more refined touch to Sonata’s exterior design, with new bumpers, lamps, wheels and grille creating a more elegant, dynamic and taut stance. The unibody design crafted of high-tensile steel features a concave hood design, distinctive rear-door cut lines, strong Z-lined body-to-bumper interfaces and four-barrel jeweled projector lens headlights. New chrome bodyside and bumper moldings match the chrome grille and chrome-accented exterior door handles on Limited models. On the safety side, 2009 Sonata’s front collision performance has been improved by tweaking the design of the engine subframe. Every Sonata also has lifesaving ESC as standard equipment along with six standard airbags. The braking technology package includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).

Sonata GLS 2.4-literI4 5-speed manual $18,795
Sonata GLS 2.4-liter I4 5-speed automatic $19,995
Sonata GLS 2.4-liter I4 PZEV 5-speed automatic $19,995
Sonata GLS 3.3-liter V6 5-speed automatic $22,245

Sonata SE 2.4-liter I4 5-speed manual $21,195
Sonata SE 3.3-liter V6 5-speed automatic $23,845

Sonata Limited 2.4-liter I4 5-speed automatic $24,645
Sonata Limited 2.4-liter I4 PZEV 5-speed automatic $24,645
Sonata Limited 3.3-liter V6 5-speed automatic $26,345

Related links:

New Car: 2008 Hyundai i40/Sonata
Hyundai Sonata hot-weather testing

Nissan GT-R makes European debut at Geneva

The much anticipated Nissan GT-R will make its European debut a the Geneva motorhow in March alongside the revised Nissan Murano and the eco-friendly Pivo 2.

The supercar will go on sale in Europe in 2009 whilst the popular Murano crossover, will go on sale in October.

The GT-R has already reached pre-order status in the U.S ahead of a June date for the first deliveries to customers. With its 480-horsepower 3.8-litre biturbo V6 engine, Nissan says the GT-R recently made a lap of the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany in 7 minutes, 38 seconds.

Nissan UK will not allow any private imports but pricing and other details for European customers will be announced at the Geneva show.

Related links:

Nissan dealers rip off potential GT-R buyers
Nissan GT-R in high demand
New Car: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Nissan dealers rips off potential GT-R buyers

A curious automotive writer called 15 dealerships throughout California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Virginia and Washington to find out how much they would charge for a 2009 GT-R. Nissan dealers were charging anything from $20,000 - $60,000 in excess for the GT-R supercar. The GT-R has a sticker price of $69,000 and only 1,500 will available in the first year which could get you a Sentra and a 350Z.

Nissan is also threatening legal action against grey importers if they import new Japanese spec GT-R's into the UK. The GT-R went on sale in Japan in December 2007 with a price tag of £36,000. Nissan’s lawyers have written to grey importers warning that shipping in Japanese-spec models and selling them for a profit infringes trademark rights.

In other news, the first GT-R crash has happened in Hong Kong. Not much is known about the incident but the nose has been crumpled severely. Pictures can be viewed here and here

[b]Related links[b]:

Nissan GT-R in high demand
New Car: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Next Cerato/Spectra caught cold

KIA engineers have started testing on the next Cerato/Spectra. Frozen spy photographers have caught a couple of prototypes undergoing cold-weather testing in temperatures of -25°C. The current Cerato received a slight refresh in 2006 and was axed in the UK line-up due to dismal sales. The next Cerato is expected to take styling hints of the current Elantra and what gives this away is the thick c-pillar by the rear-side window and the overall wedginess of the cars styling. It’ll also be larger than its predecessor.

Described by Kia Motors America President Len Hunt as an offshoot of the Spectra, the concept should have a more sporty and aggressive styling than its real-world counterpart. KIA is rumoured is unveil a concept car at the upcoming New York motorshow.

Power is likely to come from a 2.0 Beta 138bhp 4-cylinder mated with a 6 speed manual. A 5 door variant isn't confirmed yet but it is likely.

Top 10 cars sold in Europe in 2007

According to figures from industry data firm JATO Dynamics, the overall European market grew by just under 1% which, while it doesn't sound like much, is "a significant achievement" according to a JATO spokesman.

So much of the industry waffle, what about the figures? Well, VW remains at the top of the brand leaderboard, having sold just over 1.6 million cars on the European market. GM comes in second with 1.3 million, Ford just 36,000 sales behind in third. Of the top 10 manufacturers only Renault and Peugeot recorded overall falls in sales, although they maintained their respective rankings of fourth and fifth. And the cars? Well, GM, Volkswagen and Peugeot are going to be happy but don't expect the same cheer at Renault. The results as follow:

1st: Peugeot 207

Sales: 437,505, +105.5%

The Fiesta and Corsa both sell considerably more than the baby Peugeot here in the UK, the 207 coming 6th in the sales charts and selling more than 35,000 fewer than the ever popular Ford. But Europe wide the 207 is king, posting a remarkable level of growth, despite Peugeot posting an overall dip in sales of 1.4%. This pales against the 105.5% expansion in 207 sales though, a victory that must come as particularly sweet considering the Clio's poor performance over the same period. If the new 308 can match its baby brother's success and do the same in the C-segment Peugeot could be set for an amazing year.

2nd: Volkswagen Golf

Sales: 435,055, +4.5%

It's hard to argue with the Golf and even against stiff competition VW's star performer recorded a 4.5% boost to its European sales. Volkswagen has further reason to be proud of 2007's results, having sold 118,322 more cars overall than it did in 2006. And given the general doom and gloom about the world economic situation that has to be seen as a positive result. The current fifth generation Golf was due to be replaced this year with a more profitable (cheaper to produce) version this year but it looks like this won't happen before 2009. It doesn't look like there's any need to rush.

3rd: Ford Focus

Sales: 406,557, -7.5%

Britain's most popular car, the Focus has similar popularity Europe wide, even if sales have dropped off a bit during 2007. Ford is unlikely to be concerned though, thanks to the mid life facelift and reinvigorated 'kinetic design' updates revealed late last year. This, combined with a brand new dual-clutch automated gearbox plus a whole range of sub 120g/km diesels and the even greener Econetic model, should ensure continued dominance for the mid-range Ford. Here in the UK the Focus retained its number one spot, a position it has occupied every year since 1999, selling 1.2 million examples in Britain alone.

4th: Vauxhall/Opel Corsa

Sales: 402,173, +41.7%

The lippy woollen puppets are going to be shouting even louder with a 41.7% boost in sales for Vauxhall's critically acclaimed Corsa. Buyers obviously appreciate the car's refinement and quality, strong pricing and a wide range of engines, even if the less powerful ones struggle with the car's added heft. Vauxhall has expanded the range of hot Corsas too, with a new SRI complementing the red hot VXR version - the latter officially the fastest supermini around the Nürburgring's Nordschleife. The Corsa's fourth place in Europe matched its position in the UK sales chart too, with just over 94,000 registrations in 2007.

5th: Vauxhall/Opel Astra

Sales: 402,044, -7.9%

Sales may be on the wane for the Astra but Vauxhall can't feel too upset, even posting a modest increase in overall sales for 2007. Against its arch rival, the Focus, the Astra fared well, selling just 4,513 fewer examples in Europe. It was a similar story here in the UK too, with the Astra's tally of 113,894 registrations putting it in second place on the overall sales charts, 13,034 fewer than the Focus. A good result, but Vauxhall has no time to rest on its laurels, especially with a refreshed Focus reaching showrooms this month.

6th: Renault Clio

Sales: 382,041, -11.5%

An apparently strong result for the Clio masks concerns for Renault, with sales of the crucial supermini falling by over 10%. Relatively fresh and with a strong engine line up packed with clean diesels and efficient turbocharged petrol engines, the Clio deserves to do better than this and Renault must be wondering where it went wrong. It gets worse too - overall sales are down by 8.3%, the biggest fall of any of the manufacturers in the top 10. Here's hoping the new Laguna and forthcoming Laguna coupe can inject a bit of va-va-voom into the sales figures this year.

7th: FIAT Grande Punto

Sales: 377,989, -5.9%

OK, so a fall of nearly 6% for Punto sales isn't great. But they'll still be beaming over in Turin. Why's that? An overall growth for 2007 of 7.7% and sales just shy of a million mean Fiat wins the prize for most improved results of the year and for that you can thank the Punto's baby brother, the new 500. It's only just launched in right-hand drive but it's been on sale in Europe since September and FIAT's Polish factory can't build them fast enough and with huge excitement here in the UK about the new model you can expect even greater success for 2008, with a 6 - 12 week waiting list.

8th: Ford Fiesta

Sales: 300,566, +0.6%

Given that it's due for replacement, 2007 isn't bad for the Fiesta sales, even posting a tiny increase. And with this level of popularity should Ford really start afresh and ditch the Fiesta name in favour of Verve? There will be some sleepless nights among Ford execs as they wrestle with the decision but with this, the new Kuga and the facelifted Focus Ford's line up for 2008 looks very strong indeed. It needs to be too, given the sale of premium brands like Jaguar and Land Rover and the continued appalling losses in its US homeland.

9th: Volkswagen Passat

Sales: 300,566, -9.4%

Sales are down by nearly 10% but the Passat nonetheless leads the family segment. It's going to have its work cut out this year, as it fends off sharp new rivals from all corners. Ford's Mondeo has been a huge critical success and the recently launched Mazda 6 has also been very well received. Honda will launch its new Accord this year and Vauxhall will have its Insignia too and let's not forget the french firms: the new Laguna is now making its presence felt and a resurgent Citroen will also be weighing in with a brand new C5.

10th: BMW 3 Series

Sales: 295,312, +2%

If you ever doubted that premium was the new mainstream it's time to sit up and pay attention! The fact that BMW only sold 5,000 fewer 3-Series than Ford did Fiestas is proof of the aspirational appeal of ever popular compact BMW. Growth of 2% is impressive by any stretch but the more so when you consider the current E90 model has now been around for nearly three years. With Mini sales climbing by 26.8% and BMW's ever expanding range, the blue propellor's domination of the European market looks set to continue.

Ford Edge heads to Brazil (BR)

North American cars are hugely popular in South America, particularly in Brazil were the Fusion sedan outsold its rivals.

Ford hopes the new Edge crossover will continue the trend. Power will come from a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine which will be mated with a 6 speed automatic transmission.

Ford will also invest $1 billion dollars in the next 4 years, much of it to renew its locally built products

Audi RS6 pricing announced (UK)

I'm starting February with the official pricing of the new Audi RS6. It will cost more than the Mercedes E63 AMG by £7k and BMW M5 Touring by £9,500 with a sticker price of £76,625.

What do you get for your money? Parking sensors, 20 inch alloy wheels, leather interior including heated front and rear seats, 6-disc CD changer, sat-nav, DAB radio and BOSE sound system and not to forget the extra 70bhp the RS6 has over the BMW and 46bhp over the Mercedes.

Related Link:

Audi RS6 Avant UK pricing