Motorshow: 2009 Geneva Auto-Salon

The Geneva Auto-Salon is amongst one of Europes most popular car shows, so it's not surprising to see virtually every single car manufacture there.

Toyota debuted the iQ city-car with the firms 100bhp, 1.33 litre, Lexus revealed the all-new RX SUV, Renault unveiled the all-new Scenic MPV's, Megane Sports Tourer and Megane RS.

Via Autobild.de

Related links:

Motorshow: 2009 Melbourne International Motorshow

Motorshow: 2009 NAIAS Motorshow

2008 Bologna Motorshow

Motorshow: 2008 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile

Motorshow: 2008 British International Motorshow

Press Photo: 2008 British Motorshow

Porsche produces 250,000th Cayenne SUV

Porsche has produced its 250,000th Cayenne SUV. The 250,000th model was a Cayenne diesel SUV finished in White and destined for a customer in Austria.

Who buys a white car? Americans for one, especially in California and they tend to show up more warmer climates like Spain or Italy.

The diesel engine in this Cayenne is a 3.0 litre V6 with 240bhp, supplied by VW Group and produced by Audi.

Dacia to offer a 1.2 litre petrol engine in the Sandero

According to sources, Dacia will be offering a 1.2 litre petrol engine in the Sandero supermini.

This news comes as Renault has announced that the budget Dacia brand won't be launched in the UK anytime soon. Originally, the Sandero hatchback was due to be launched in the UK in 2008 but unexpectedly strong sales in France and Germany meant there was no spare capacity to build RHD models at the Dacia plant at Pitesti, near Bucharest. This meant the launch was delayed to 2010 - but now it's been pushed back "indefinitely". By then, the Dacia range is likely to be revised with brand new models and facelifts.

The 1.2 litre petrol engine, will arrive in June for the Italian market. Since the Sandero will arrive in India in 2010, the engine will offer great benefits. The 16v and 75bhp means the car emits no more than 139g/km. Italian prices should start from €8,000.

Motorshow: 2009 Melbourne International Motorshow

With all the hype surrounding the Geneva motorshow, the 2009 Melbourne International Motorshow went pass quietly. The '09 Sydney autoshow will be cancelled, however, it will arrive in 2010. Even though there were a few absentees, it has been calculated that local and global brands on show represent 94.7% of Australia's total car sales. Among the new production and concept cars that are making their debut in Australia are the Holden Cruze, Chevrolet Volt EV, Hyundai's i20, BMW's M1 Homage Concept, Toyota's Camry Hybrid Study and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder.

Related links:

Motorshow: 2009 NAIAS Motorshow

2008 Bologna Motorshow

Motorshow: 2008 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile

Motorshow: 2008 British International Motorshow

Press Photo: 2008 British Motorshow

Kia Soul pricing announced (UK)

Kia UK has released pricing of the Soul crossover. Arriving in 5 trim-levels, the new Soul will start from £10,495 rising to £14,995.

Entry-level Soul 1 comes equipped with chrome grille, piano black high-gloss a-pillars, black front and rear bumper insert, black door handles & mirrors, tinted glass, RDS radio + CD player with MP3 capability and 6 speakers, USB & AUX ports, front variable intermittent wipers with rear single speed wiper, black bezel headlamps with headlamp levelling device, high mounted stop lamp, air conditioning, x4 electric windows w/auto down driver's side, external temperature display, x6 airbags (twin front, side and curtain), active front headrests, ABS, EBD & ESP w/ traction control and BAS, remote central locking with 3 button folding key, deadlocks, 15" front and 14" rear disc brakes, engine immobiliser, ISOFIX, 60/40 split folding rear seats, tilt adjustable steering wheel, black cloth upholstery, front cupholders and a glovebox.

Soul 2 adds body coloured door handles & mirrors, tinted windows with shadeband, leather steering wheel & gearshift w/ steering wheel mounted audio controls, front fog lamps, iPod cable, electrically adjustable door mirrors and seat back pockets.

Soul Samba adds piano black high-gloss bumper inserts (front & rear) & door mirrors with heated function, chrome door handles, privacy glass, rear spoiler, dash-top centre speaker with external amplifier, sub-woofer speaker (located in luggage area) w/ mood reflecting front speaker lamps (4 settings - On/Off/Mood/Music) and reversing sensors.

Soul Shaker adds body coloured door handles & mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror with reversing camera and electric sunroof.

Soul Burner adds chrome door handles, metallic paint, Torando Red door mirrors and roof rails (excluding auto-dimming rearview mirror with reversing camera and electric sunroof).

340 litres of luggage space is provided, going upto 800 litres with the rear seats folded. Souls with luggage underfloor tray have 222 litres with seats upright and 700 litres with seats folded. CO2 emissions are rated at 153g/km for the 1.6 litre CVVT petrol manual, 137g/km for the 1.6 CRDi manual and 155g/km with the latter and a automatic transmission.

Metallic paint is a £365 option. Kia aims to sell 3,500 units yearly. Sales start on Sunday 8th March.

Bentley hikes prices (UK)

Bentley is to increase its prices by 5% in response to the continued weakness of the British pound, thanks to cuts in interest rates.

All UK models will increase by 5% from 1st April 2009 but prices in other markets will remain unchanged.

The move means that the price of a new Bentley Continental GT will rise to £123,800 while the most expensive model, the Bentley Azure T will now cost £245,000.

Bentley has been hit hard by the fall in the value of sterling against the euro. Its value has depreciated by over 18% in the past 12 months, severely affecting the amount it pays for parts manufactured in Europe.

Press Release:

Bentley Announces Increase in UK Prices

Decision driven by the falling value of Sterling

The continued weakness of Sterling against the Euro, has forced Bentley Motors to increase the price of all its models within the UK by 5% from the start of April 2009. The price increase will apply to all new orders received after 31st March.

"We are reacting to the continued very low value of Sterling against the Euro", said Stuart McCullough, Board Member For Sales & Marketing. "As a UK business with much of our component costs based in Euros, we have to address the fact that our costs have increased significantly given Sterling's dramatic decline."

"A 5% price increase at a time of reduced demand and therefore reduced production may seem counter-intuitive", said McCullough, "but Sterling has depreciated by over 18% against the Euro over the last 12 months. It has therefore proved increasingly difficult to absorb the negative effect of these increased costs on our business."

"Sales to the Euro-zone provide us with a natural hedge against our Euro denominated costs, so we are able to avoid any price increases in other European markets."
Other overseas market pricing is unaffected.

UK Prices Applying From April 2009 RRP inc. 15% VAT:

Continental GT £123,800

Continental GT Speed £141,300

Continental Flying Spur £120,700

Continental Flying Spur Speed £137,000

Continental GTC £136,200

Continental GTC Speed £153,400

Arnage R £173,100

Arnage T £183,100

Arnage Final Series £200,400

Arnage RL £201,400

Azure T £245,000

Brooklands £236,400

Mercedes G-Class continues production until 2015

Contracts have been renewed for the continued production of Mercedes-Benz's G-Class at Magna Steyr's facilities in Graz, Austria until 2015. Currently producing the G-Class in 3, 5 door, convertible and all custom versions, the Magna International division in Graz has pushed out around 200,000 vehicles in its 30 years - satisfying consumers.

The renewal reinforces Daimler AG's commitment to and confidence in Magna, who developed Mercedes-Benz's 4MATIC technology and consequently assemble 4MATIC-equipped E-Class vehicles.

G-Class orders in the amount of 1,200 units from the Australian Army help Magna project itself as a long-term, reliable partner to its clients. Stability is however conveyed more clearly by a balance sheet totalling a net cash position of $1.5bn.

Thanking Daimler AG, Siegfried Wolf, Co-CEO of Magna International, stresses the importance of the news for the local automotive industry in the region of Styria, South Austria, at a time of job losses in the sector and congratulates his staff on their achievements.

To celebrate the G-Class' 30th anniversary, Mercedes recently launched two special editions of the off-roader called EDITION30 and EDITION30.PUR

Concept Car: Vauxhall/Opel Ampera

Following the leaked pictures of the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera, these are the first official images of the Ampera, a plug-in electric hatchback that will go on sale in the UK in 2011.

To be unveiled tomorrow at the Geneva show, the new model will sit between the Astra and Insignia in Vauxhall’s/Opel's line-up, have a range in excess of 300 miles and be capable of recharging from a standard 240V household plug socket.

The Ampera is the Chevrolet Volt European sister car and will be available in the UK in right-hand-drive form in 2011. The Vauxhall differs from the Volt with a new front end that features dramatic styling cues from the firm’s recent Flextreme and GTC concepts. The nose is dominated by twin air intakes either side of the grille. The headlights are also new, featuring what looks like LED technology.

At the rear, there’s a redesigned lower diffuser and bumper but apart from that, the Ampera’s 5 door body is identical to the 4 seater Volt. The technology that lies beneath, called Voltec, is also donated by the Chevrolet. The Ampera features more than 220 lithium-ion batteries arranged in a T-shaped pack under the rear seats. These power an electric motor that drives the Ampera’s wheels at all times.

For journeys up to 40 miles, electricity is supplied by energy stored in the 16kWh battery pack. When that runs out, a petrol or biofuel-powered engine – likely to be a small 1.4-litre unit from the current Corsa, which will run at low revs – kicks in. This acts as a generator, and provides electricity to power the wheels while simultaneously charging the battery. Vauxhall says this extends the range of the Ampera by another 200 miles, until the owner can recharge the battery via the mains.

The Ampera boasts performance figures similar to the average family car, with a 0-60mph time of around 9 seconds and a top speed of 100mph. According to GM bosses, it’s entertaining, too. “Driving electrically is not only about ecology, it’s also great fun,” said chief engineer Frank Weber. “Instantaneous torque of 370Nm means it feels like a sports car.” Dimensions of the new vehicle are; length - 4,404mm, wheelbase - 2,685mm, width - 1,798mm and height - 1,430mm. Cargo volume is around 301 litres.

Vauxhall claims that the Ampera will be ideal for most European buyers, as it estimates that the vast majority cover less than 30 miles a day. The firm also claims that unlike conventional battery-electric vehicles, the Ampera eliminates ‘range anxiety’, as the driver knows that he or she will not be left stranded by a flat battery.

“The Ampera demonstrates GM’s leadership in the electrification of the automobile,” said GM Europe president Carl-Peter Forster. “It uses the kind of technology the car industry needs to respond to energy and environmental challenges.” Vauxhall is aware that there are problems to overcome before the Ampera reaches customers.

It is currently working to ensure the lithium-ion batteries are fully developed and is consulting with energy companies, including Spanish concern Iberdrola, parent firm to Scottish Power, on a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars.

No prices have been rumored but the Ampera is set to cost significantly more than the forthcoming Astra.

News in brief

Before it's debut in Geneva, Nissan has revealed its new NV200. The NV200 will arrive in 3 variants; a commercial van and two 7 seat passenger versions - a combi for passengers and load carrying and a passenger only version. Nissan is presenting the NV200 to the world as a global product which has been tested under many different conditions to suit very different markets. Nissan is launching the NV200 in Japan before Summer, in Europe in Autumn 2009 and then in China and other markets. Engines are a 1.6 litre petrol with 108PS and 153Nm of torque. The second option is a 1.5 litre dCi, producing 86PS and 200Nm. Both use a 5 speed manual transmission.Optional equipment includes a rear view parking camera, ESP, ABS with EBD, driver and passenger airbags and side airbags on the options list.

Hyundai is likely to sell the Genesis Coupe in Europe. Prices should start around €25,000, undercutting the Nissan 350Z by €13,000 at €38,000. Sales should start in 2010 with EU cars limited to 1,000 units a year. Hyundai Genesis Coupe priced at €25k.

Ford reveals revised Ranger pick-up. Set to debut at next weeks Geneva motorshow, the Ranger is built in Thailand and will reach European showrooms in April. Engine wise, buyers can purchase 2 4-cylinder diesels; 2.5 litre, 143bhp and a 3.0 litre 156bhp unit both of which can be paired with either a 5 speed auto or manual.

Kia's new mini-MPV, referred to as the "YN" will be unveiled in Switzerland in concept form. The concept named, Kia No 3 Concept is designed by Peter Schreyer, who heads the Korean brand's European design studio. At 4,045 mm in length, the new MPV is a little longer than the Ford Fiesta. Underpinnings will be borrowed from the Soul.

Kia has released 2 more teaser images of the forthcoming Sorento SUV. The Korean market will get a 2.4 litre Theta II petrol, a 2.7 litre LPI and a 2.2 litre turbo-diesel R-engine, kindly donated by sister firm Hyundai. The 200bhp, 2.2 litre turbo-diesel R engine will achieve 33mpg UK whilst mated to a new 6 speed automatic transmission. CO2 emissions are likely to top 225g/km. A 175bhp, 2.4 litre Theta petrol engine will be offered in the UK alongside the 2.2 diesel. A 3.8 litre V6, expected to produce more than 270bhp won't be offered in the European market. The U.S will only get the petrol engines. The new Sorento goes on sale in South Korea in April. In Europe and North America, the model will be launched late in 2009.

The Skoda Fabia Scout will stand in Geneva next month. Based upon the Fabia, it receives cladding along the front, side and back. Sales start in May.

Rolls-Royce will show a concept version of the forthcoming "RR4". The 200EX will use the underpinning of the BMW 7 Series. Measuring at 5.4 metres, the baby Rolls is likely to start at £180,000. Power will come from a V12. The official product will premier at the Frankfurt motorshow with worldwide sales starting in 2010.

Courtesy of the European Office for Harmonization of the Internal Market (OHIM), where trademark records are kept and spy photographers, we can see the European Chevrolet Volt, named Vauxhall/Opel Ampera in all it's glory in Germany. Set to debut in Geneva next week, the 5 door hatchback will be on sale by 2011. It'll be built in Ellesmere Port, England and is claimed the Ampera will be capable of returning upto 176mpg with CO2 emissions of under 40g/km. It will use the same Voltec plug-in hybrid system as the Volt. GM says that Voltec system has a 40 mile range from a single charge. A small petrol engine in the car which powers the generator will increase the range to about 500 miles. Recharging from a European 230-volt outlet is expected to take 2-3 hours.

New face for Grande Punto

Fiat's hot-selling Grande Punto has been on the European market since 2005. Recently, the UK model (MY 2009) received some subtle changes to the exterior, interior and pricing. A few pre-production cars, caught in Sweden and Italy show that the newcomer will bring substantial changes to its mechanics, interior and exterior. On the outside of the prototypes, Fiat engineers have only covered the front radiator grille with tape. It seems that the facelift could be small, but who knows.

In a market where comfort, affordability/running costs and style are the most important factors, the G.Punto's interior is likely to be upto Alfa Romeo standards. Engines will remain the same.

Whilst one of the engineers were testing the 5dr mule in Sweden, our Norwegian spy photographer said the vehicle caught alight whilst in motion. The driver escaped unharmed and started filming the incident by our spy, instead of phoning the emergency services. Sales of the Grande Punto will start in Winter.