Smart ForTwo reaches 1 millionth milestone

The one millionth Smart ForTwo rolled off the production line at the plant in Hambach, France, a Passion micro hybrid drive (mhd). On the occasion of the production anniversary and the tenth birthday of the Smart brand, Daimler presented the new smart electric drive.

In Hambach Dr. Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said “The smart electric drive makes zero emission driving in an urban environment a reality.”

The anniversary vehicle, which celebrates the tenth birthday of the Hambach plant and is the one millionth ForTwo, rolled off the production line as an mhd passion with a 52 kW/71bhp engine in the metallic silver. The car will be donated to charity. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, congratulated the team at the Hambach plant on their work. “The continuing rising demand shows the success and the potential of the smart ForTwo from Hambach. This year we have already sold 90,000 cars, more than 16,000 of them in the USA. From mid 2009 the smart will also become a familiar sight on Chinese roads.”

The Smart ForTwo electric drive:

The new Smart ForTwo electric drive offers the brand additional growth opportunities: “From the end of 2009 we will produce a small series of the Smart ForTwo electric drive with a lithium-ion battery”, Dr. Dieter Zetsche said. The predecessor of the Smart ForTwo electric drive, the ForTwo EV (electric vehicle), celebrated its world premiere in 2006. Since 2007 a fleet with a total of 100 Smart ForTwo electric drives of the first generation has been tested in everyday service in London. With the ForTwo, the smart with electric drive is also being re-engineered. Whereas the first generation of the Smart ForTwo electric drive is equipped with a sodium-nickel-chloride battery, the second generation will be fitted with a lithium-ion battery. This battery combines higher performance with a long life and high reliability.

The Smart ForTwo has always been most popular among customers in Italy and Germany: approximately two thirds of drivers of the new ForTwo come from these two countries. One of the flagship “passion” grade is particularly popular and is chosen by two thirds of Smart customers worldwide. In Germany and Italy every 5th smart driver drives Smart ForTwo CDI. The economical diesel variant of the two-seater consumes just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the EU combined cycle and emits just 88g/km of CO2 – the lowest figure worldwide of any mainstream production car.

From October, both the 52 kW/71bhp and the 45 kW/61bhp models will be equipped with mhd technology as standard. These are also the most popular engine variants with customers. This reduces the NEDC consumption by approximately 8% to 4.3 litres per 100 km and in urban traffic a fuel saving of almost 20% can be achieved.

Hyundai India post August sales (IN)

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) reported a 33.91% jump in domestic passenger car sales during the month of August. Sales of Hyundai cars in India jumped at 21,610 units compared to 16,138 units the company sold in August last year.

Cumulative sales (including exports) during August were up 57.46% at 44,710 units compared to 28,394 units in the same month a year ago, Hyundai Motor India said in a statement.

Its exports for the month accounted for 23,100 units compared to 12,256 units during the same month previous year, a growth of 88.48%. HMIL sold 38,477 units of the Santro, Getz Prime and i10 hatchbacks combined, 6,193 units of the Accent and Verna, 37 units of Sonata Embera and 3 units of the Tucson SUV during August.

New Car: 2009 Renault Megane III

Due to be introduced at next month's Paris motorshow, the third-generation Megane will go on sale in the UK Spring 2009.

Separate three and five-door versions of the Megane are planned for this generation. You're looking at the five-door, and pictures of the coupe will emerge after the Paris show. According to company sources, only the bonnet, rear bumper and headlights are shared across the two cars, so prepare for something a little more radical.

We know that Renault's priorities during the development of the new Megane were to achieve improved quality, better value for money and better powertrain efficiency than the current Megane. Comfort and refinement are also thought to be a key part of the new Megane's brief.

The aesthetic is a far cry from the more adventurous spirit of its direct antecedent, and more in line with the more conservative-looking, fleet-targetted Laguna. There's no bustle-back hatch here, and a much more conventional silhouette. Flame-like headlights, a wave-like shoulder-line and a thick, tapered C-pillar are the highlights

SsangYong Chairman W introduced with entry-level 3.2 litre V6 (KR)

Ssangyong Motors has commenced sales of the 3.2 litre V6 variant of the company's flagship Chairman W sedan. Initially available with either a 3.6 litre V6 or a 5.0 litre V8, the Chairman W has been struggling in the sales charts, which triggered Ssangyong to broaden its potential market base.

While the 3.6 litre and 5.0 litre variants are badged as CW700, the 3.2 litre model will be tagged as CW600.

The CW600 will pack many luxurious amenities found on higher trim levels such as a Mercedes sourced 7-speed automatic transmission, Harman-Kardon sound system, Driver Information System (DIS), voice-activated navigation system with 8-inch touch screen, knee airbag, and touch-sensitive smart key.

The Chairman W CW600 competes with Hyundai's Genesis. The CW600 Luxury is priced at 51 million Won and the CW600 Prestige is priced at 54.9 million Won.

New Car: 2009 KIA Soul (part 2)

Kia has released more information on the forthcoming Soul hatchback, including more official pictures and the engine line-up.

The Korean automaker describes its new model as an ‘urban crossover’ but leaving the marketing hype aside, the Soul is essentially a tall 5-door supermini/pseudo-4x4 that manages to stand out thanks to its contemporary design that takes styling cues from crossover models.

The Soul’s overall length is 4,105mm - 5mm shorter than the Nissan Qashqai with a 2,550mm wheelbase, while the overall height is 1,610mm. Kia says that the base of the windscreen is 135mm higher than a typical compact car while the ground clearance is raised by 45mm. Despite its compact dimensions, the Korean automaker says that the Soul will ‘accommodate five large adults in genuine comfort’ thanks to its generous headroom (1020/1005mm front/rear), legroom (1070/990mm front/rear) and shoulder room (1403/1400mm front/rear). This interior and exterior design is the key selling point for the Soul, which Kia hopes will attract a younger audience to the brand.

Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer, Kia Motors Europe said, “Drivers and passengers will be treated to a very unique experience when sitting inside the Soul for the first time. The tall doors and high-mounted seats make for easy access, while the ‘laid-back’ dashboard design, triple dial instrument cluster and thick-rimmed steering wheel create a combination of spaciousness for passengers and tailored fit for the driver, generating a very special ambiance.”

Engine wise, the 2.0 litre petrol Beta engine will be the most powerful engine in the Soul. It will produce 142PS at 6,000rpm and 186Nm (137-lbs/ft) of torque at 4,600rpm. This engine can be mated with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. A smaller, 1.6 litre petrol engine generating 126PS at 6,300rpm and 156Nm (115-lbs/ft) of torque at 4,200rpm will be offered in most countries, while consumers in Europe and some other markets will also be able to order a 1.6 litre turbo-diesel engine delivering 126PS at 4,000rpm and 255Nm (188-lbs/ft) of torque at 2,000rpm. Kia notes that some markets will get a 115PS version of the diesel engine

The newcomer will debut on the 2nd October 2008 at the Paris motorshow. The Kia Soul's destined for the U.S, European and other markets will be manufactured at the Kia Gwangju facility in Korea starting in November 2008. The Soul will arrive in Spring 2009 with prices starting around £11,000 for the entry-level model.

Related links:

2009 Kia Soul production model spied

New Car: 2009 KIA Soul

Hyundai working on a Toyota iQ rival?

Hyundai is reportedly working on a new city-car that is smaller than the i10 and is set to rival the Smart ForTwo and forthcoming Toyota iQ, Mazda1, Fiat Topolino and Volkswagen Up!.

A 800cc engine is expect to power the newcomer when it arrives in three to four years time. It will be developed jointly by Hyundai engineers in Namyang (S. Korea) and Hyderabad (India) research centers. It will be built in India, where Hyundai produces the i10. The car will go on sale in South Korea and Europe, although an entry to the U.S market hasn't been ruled out.

Toyota producing iQ hybrid?

According to insider's behind the design of the Toyota iQ, they revealed that an ultra efficient petrol hybrid variant is being developed.

This would be powered by a 500cc engine and a small motor, and take inspiration from the next-generation Prius. That means drivers will have the option to plug in to an electricity supply to extend the car’s range.

With the hybrid’s total output divided 50:50 between the two power sources, the iQ will be able to travel at least 15 miles in electric-only mode, boosting its eco-credentials. The hybrid model is likely to appear in showrooms in 2010. Don't expect the hybrid to be cheap, the fossil fuelled iQ is expected to start from around £8,000.

Related link:

Comparison: Smart ForTwo vs Toyota iQ

Aston Martin to bring back Lagonda

Aston Martin is set to revive the Lagonda. A concept version of the new Aston is currently being developed at Aston HQ and is on schedule to be revealed at the Geneva motorshow next year in time to celebrate its 100th birthday in style.

Dr Ulrich Bez, boss of Aston Martin, said he plans to relaunch Lagonda as a sub-brand from 2012 in order "to develop cars which can have a different character to a sports car". It's a move that's meant to extend Aston Martin appeal beyond sports cars. According to inside sources the new Aston Lagonda will be unique, luxurious, dynamic and truly versatile and is set to rival the likes of Bentley and Rolls Royce.

Aston Martin currently sells cars in 32 countries, but CEO Bez believes the brand should launch new models that can appeal to more than 100 existing and emerging markets.

It's likely that Lagonda will offer a range of high performance, luxury saloons. A spokesperson admitted that the new models would be "more practical" than anything in the current Aston line-up, but he added that an SUV would be out of the question. Designs have yet to be finalised.

Honda Jazz pricing announced (UK)

Honda has announced UK prices for its new Jazz hatchback. Starting at £9,990 for the entry-level 1.2 litre S, the Jazz will be pitched against rival superminis like the new Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Renault Clio.

The 1.2 SE model will cost £10,990 and will feature air-conditioning and 15-inch alloy wheels. Honda is predicting that the majority of Jazz sales will be the entry-level 1.4 litre ES model that starts at £11,490.

The 1.4 ES is £180 more than the base 1.4-litre it replaces and comes generously equipped with a cooled glovebox, the double-trunk boot and Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). The top-spec, 1.4 EX gets 16-inch alloys, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, cruise control, climate control, leather steering wheel with audio-mounted controls, front fog-lights and a panoramic sunroof with a price tag of £12,790.

Both 1.4 variants can be specified with Honda’s I-Shift automatic manual transmission, but it’ll add £800 to the price.

60% of buyers of the current model went on to replace their Jazz with another one. The manual variant of the Jazz will hit UK showrooms on Friday 17th October 2008, while the i-Shift automatic variants arrive in January 2009.

Related link:

Honda Jazz specifications revealed (EU)

2010 Renault Megane Sports Tourer shows its face

The 2010 Megane Sports Tourer has been leaked onto the Internet. This black and white photo shows the newcomer's front end. Although it uses the same face as the Megane hatchback, at the rear, expect a clean finish. Unlike the outgoing model, lowered roofline and up-swept window-line creates a sleek coupe look. Rear-light clusters will be neatly styled underneath the rear-side window like the recent Clio and Laguna Sports Tourer.

Engines and options will be carried over from the hatchback variant. The Megane III hatchback will have its world premier in 5 weeks time at the Paris autoshow.

Related links:

Renault Megane Coupe caught undisguised

Renault takes a scenic route

'08 Renault Megane undisguised

2010 Renault SportMegane?

Via Worldscoop > 2010 Renault Megane Sports Tourer leaked