Ford iosis MAX Concept

Ford Ranger interior

2011-05-12T01:16:00.000-07:00

Higher-specification Ranger models will be equipped with Ford’s global Bluetooth Voice Control system shared with the current Focus and Mondeo models. It allows drivers to operate audio, mobile phone, climate control and satellite navigation functions without taking their hands off the steering wheel.
The vehicle’s audio system incorporates USB connectivity for iPod, iPhone and other media players, as well as wireless audio streaming.

The phone integration system can record voice tags for favourite numbers, make or receive phone calls, and access the mobile’s phone book and dialling history.

The sat-nav is displayed in the five-inch colour screen, and its maps can be updated with an SD card.

Other features to be included in pricier models of the new Ranger include cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, emergency braking hazard lights and a reversing camera with rear-view mirror display.

Ford Asia Pacific and Africa electrical integration manager, Con Papadomanolakis, said the upgrades would put the new Ranger on par with many premium passenger cars.
“Customers who are used to these convenience features from their passenger cars will be delighted to find the same – if not higher – level of comfort in Ranger,” Mr Papadomanolakis said.

Nissan Juke SL

2011-05-02T00:33:00.000-07:00

INNOVATIVE I-CON SYSTEM CUTS CLUTTER, UPS FUN

Making it even more enjoyable is the Sport button on the I-CON (Integrated Control) system that firms up both the steering and throttle response, requiring just the slightest tip-in to bring on plentiful amounts of torque. Expect a 0-60 mph time in just about 7.0 seconds from a stop, with some tests dropping that into the six-second range. Plus, there’s even a built-in G-meter to tempt you into juvenile displays of speed.
If, however, you do find yourself stuck in traffic, or you’re just feeling green, press the Eco button with a throttle so stiff and unresponsive you’d think it was a Prius. Using both turbocharging and direct-injection, fuel economy is much better than you’d expect considering the fun-quotient it delivers. Rated at a best of 27/32-mpg for the front-drive model with the CVT automatic, the manual offers a 24/31-mpg rating, while AWD versions (available only with a CVT) come in at 25/30-mpg.
More than just a drive-mode selector, the optional I-CON system is as innovative as the car itself. Touch the Climate mode button and instantly the buttons and screen change from the drive controls to climate controls. A bit of a gimmick, it will have you scratching your head for a second or two, but it’s also a solid idea, significantly reducing the number of buttons on the dash. Only mid-level SV trim and up models come equipped with it though.

Ford Mustang 2011

2011-03-29T21:18:00.000-07:00

Ford Mustang 2011 The base model receives an all-new 3.7L Duratec V6 making 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque in place of last year's 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6.Ford Mustang 2011 models see the return of a 5.0L V8, a displacement all too familiar to Mustang fans. It has been completely redesigned however, and features 32 valves, variable camshaft timing and an output of 412 horsepower. Both models now offer either a standard 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Joining the lineup this year is a repowered version of the Shelby Ford Mustang 2011, a high-performance variant of the Mustang that will now offer 550 horsepower from its new all-aluminum supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine. As before, it will only be available with a heavy-duty Tremec 6-speed manual transmission-and as before the GT500 is distinguished by its twin racing stripes running the length of the vehicle. Tuned suspension, improved steering feel and, for coupes, high-speed-rated Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires are also standard, helping to get more out of the tremendous engine.

The sheetmetal of all the Ford Mustang 2011 models returns unchanged from the 2010 model, although new side mirrors with an integrated spotter mirror have been added, aiding in rear visibility and cutting down on blind spots.

Chevrolet Volt

2010-10-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Body
Wheelbase 105.7 / 2685
Frame
Four-wheel disc brakes to maximize energy capture fully regenerative
Training
Electric power steering assistance system
Suspension (R) torsion axle torsion
Suspension (F) independent McPherson
Engine and transmission
PS (kW) at rpm: 111 / 150
Nm of torque (Nm) at rpm: 273 / 370
Exterior
Length 177 / 4404
Width 70.8 / 1798
Height 56.3 / 1430
Performance
Top Speed 100
2011 Chevrolet Volt Pictures
national launch of the Chevrolet Volt, with other major markets in California are beginning to follow
[Source: Volt Media Portal]

LOS ANGELES - Chevrolet announced today at Los Angeles International Auto Show, the Volt electric car with a capacity expansion is the end of next year in California - are appointed to other major markets at a later date - the largest market for new cars.

Chevrolet is partnering with utilities in California three and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) through a scope, the true demonstration and research program for customers on the import of electric vehicles, before the electrification of vehicles and set up programs in vehicles to pave the way to consumers. General Motors leads the program with a grant administered by the United States dollar over $ 30 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Initiative funds for the electrification of transportation by S. U. Department of Energy.

"It 's natural that California is the leading marketplace for volts. It is not only the largest car market in California are known, state government and the adoption of advanced technologies," said Brent Dewar, vice president of GM's Chevrolet a global brand.

Volt will start production in late 2010. Prices were not announced. The market introduction in early times, including California, has a crucial role in the validation of the retail market for electric vehicles ready to play. GM and the major utilities in North America in all regional markets ahead of the retail market to prepare for deployment.

Three power companies in California to participate in the demonstration project, Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison and Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Close EPRI, a non-profit independent research in Palo Alto, California and seven other utilities in the project. EPRI utility members represent over 90 percent of electricity generated and delivered to the United States.

As part of the research program and demonstration, Chevrolet is planning more than 100 volts to provide participants in the fleet of two years of use. Chevrolet will use the OnStar telematics technology for vehicle performance and driver feedback that DOE will be presented and used to collect to improve the customer experience with new technology.

Because the Volt is easily anywhere for free, the program also includes the installation of more than 500 charging stations for the residential, commercial and public. The charging stations are used to better understand the installation, save the car and charge the guest experience.

The Chevrolet Volt is to produce for the ride to 40 miles on electric power without fuel or exhaust gas. If the battery voltage lithium-ion battery is low, the extension of a motor / generator seamlessly with the full range of driving over 300 miles before refueling or recharging the battery.

The Volt is its advanced electric drive system. With battery technology, the Volt personalization, feedback and interaction is at a new level.

The Volt is "counter efficiency" in the Digital Dashboard provides a real-time feedback the effectiveness of each pilot. The heating and cooling has three modes, efficiency and enable the Volt "Green Leaf" button allows access to an RSS feed of vehicles, loaded with energy and information. The driver can access the calendar collection in all vehicles or remotely, depending on time of day or cost. And people, including audio and visual signals to alert the driver when the car of a monitor is turned on, and when the load.

The Volt has a great reputation in and around Los Angeles in the days before the show is auto. It is characterized Los Angeles restaurants visited the West Lake Mall in Century City West Los Angeles and a meeting of the National School of Harvard-Westlake prep school was presented. Chevrolet Volt, a new song, designed to educate and entertain consumers at the auto show in the days open to the public.

Kia recalling Soul

2010-09-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

2010 Kia Soul and 2011 Kia Sorento – Click on either image for high-res gallery
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall on two Kia vehicles – the 2010 Soul and 2011 Sorento – to replace interior lighting wiring harnesses. These faulty units, supplied by JCI, can apparently cause an electrical short resulting in a fire. This recall affects 35,185 vehicles manufactured between September 7, 2009 and July 30, 2010.

In the Soul, the wiring harnesses in question are located in the front doors and control the funky accent illumination in the speakers. The Sorento has similar problems, but these wires power the lighting in both the front and rear door trim panels.

The full recall is expected to begin within the coming weeks and dealers will inspect and fix the faulty wiring harnesses free of charge. Hit the jump for the full information from NHTSA.

Review: 2010 Kia Soul

Review: 2011 Kia Sorento

Photos Copyright ©2010 John Neff and Drew Phillips / AOL

Show full PR text Vehicle Make / Model: KIA / SORENTO, KIA MOTOR / SOUL
Model Year(s): 2011, 2010
Manufacturer: HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER INC
Mfr's Report Date: AUG 31, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V388000
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 35185

Summary

HYUNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SOUL AND MODEL YEAR 2011 SORENTO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 7, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. A LIMITED NUMBER OF WIRING HARNESSES SUPPLIED BY JCI AND USED FOR THE LIGHTING IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE¿S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, LOCATED IN THE FRONT DOOR TRIM PANELS, AND THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE¿S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION, LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND REAR DOOR TRIM PANELS, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SOLDERED.

Consequence

WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY OCCUR THAT CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESSES FOR THE LIGHTS IN THE KIA SOUL VEHICLE'S ADVANCED LIGHTING SPEAKERS, AND THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE KIA SORENTO VEHICLE'S INTERIOR ACCENT ILLUMINATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Notes

KIA'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS SC083. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

BMW stretches design form with the Gran

2010-06-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

Character lines that flow unbroken from front to back and a long, curved roofline are the hallmarks of BMW's Gran Coupe concept that the automaker unveiled at a private setting in Beijing but won't be putting on the floor of the Beijing motor show.

And even though the concept's name includes coupe, the car has four doors.

The Gran Coupe concept is long and low. It measures nearly 196 inches long--five inches longer than a 5-series sedan--and stands 55 inches tall, about four inches shorter than a 5-series. Even BMW's trademark twin-kidney grille design is stretched wide for this concept.

BMW didn't give us any info on what might be under the concept's hood. But based on the pictures, we don't see what could be standing in the way of this car reaching production.

Lexus IS-C F-Sport

2010-05-11T15:25:00.000-07:00

Lexus IS-C F-Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus is having a spring sale on several of the F-Sport accessory packages that offers for the IS and GS models. The packages include a $1,450 suspension lowering kit and a $4,495 kit that adds new wheels and tires to the package. For those who want to go all out, the top package runs $8,995 and adds in a brake upgrade with six-piston front calipers and cross-drilled 14-inch rotors. A set of four-pot calipers and 13.6-inch discs are provided for the rear corners.

The sale price on that top package is a savings of $1,479. All three packages are discounted from June 1 to July 31 and installation is included in the price. Want to know more? See all the details after the break.
Lexus F-Sport Accessories

In addition to Ford Explorer-like Lincoln grille arrested in Los Angeles?

2010-03-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

2011 Lincoln Grill Ford Explorer spy shot

Although these are not the clearest spy photos in September you will see this week. Regardless, are interesting when they show what looks like a next-gen-2011 Ford Explorer the familiar face of the current line up in Lincoln City will be perfected. Sure, it is not very surprising that indicates, for a luxury Lincoln, a product of Ford pedestrian - happens all the time - but why the Explorer?

Note that Lincoln has a bit 'of links to other Ford models namely, the MKX and MKT. Also, remember that the next Explorer will be the migration of a minor car-based cross-platform ... CUVs and ask how they can support the brand Lincoln.

So, just what we see is camo'd vehicle on the roads? It would be a new browser (or a rebound in ex-Explorer) based Aviator, but a mule put together by the parties, not the intention of the production, or something completely new? Beats us. Take a closer look at the pictures and evaluate for themselves. Thanks for the photos, George!

Unichip Upgrades Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo Diesel to 168HP

2010-03-09T20:21:00.000-08:00

The diesel version of the European market Subaru Impreza has caught the tuning attention of Unichip, a firm that as its name implies, fiddles around with ECUs. The company claims that thanks to some subtle electronic tweaks to the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine's fuelling and boost settings, output is raised by 18HP and torque by 33 lb-ft for a total of 168-horsepower and 291lb.ft of torque.

No performance or economy figures were released, but Unichip vaguely states that "drivers reported a 5-10% consumption improvement compared to standard".

In the UK, the Unichip U-Connect upgrade is priced at £465.30 including 17.5% VAT.

Chevrolet Beat for India Segment-Leading Size and a Dynamic Exterior

2010-01-11T00:51:00.000-08:00

2010 Chevrolet Beat for India - Click above to enlarge

The question of whether or not General Motors will bring its diminutive Chevrolet Spark to the United States still doesn't have a definitive answer. Thanks to a GM of India press release, however, we now know that the little urban runabout will be coming to North America, although that geography obviously also includes Mexico and Canada.

In the past, GM spokespeople have suggested that it might be possible for the Spark (A.K.A. "Beat," or that unbearably irritating robot from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen) to be imported Stateside and that the automaker had kept U.S. regulations in mind when designing the car. Regardless, with gas as cheap as it currently is and a new Aveo just around the corner, we're certainly not holding our breath for a U.S. launch any time soon, and we feel that seeing the Beat in Mexican and/or Canadian showrooms is more likely.

That said, feel free to hit the jump to read GM of India's press release on the introduction of the Beat, which made its production-ready debut earlier in the week in New Delhi.

[Source: General Motors]

Show full PR text

GM India Launches much awaited Chevrolet Beat

Sexy, Smart & Tough - New Global mini car to be key pillar of Chevrolet's growth strategy in India

New Delhi: GM India today launched the much awaited Chevrolet Beat, the next offering from the 300 series after the Cruze, at a ceremony presided over by its President & Managing Director, Mr. Karl Slym. Based on GM's global mini-vehicle architecture, the experts took 27 months to develop the Beat. Chevrolet Beat will be launched in over 150 markets around the world including those in Europe, other parts of Asia and North America in the coming days.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Slym said "with its best-in-segment design, performance and safety, the Beat is destined to become an industry benchmark and a winner among consumers in India. Aimed at meeting the highest quality and performance standards in the most sophisticated markets in a competitive environment, the global vehicle was put through over 1 million kilometers of intensive durability tests in extreme weather conditions and crash tests both in India and abroad. It has high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel over key areas of the body to ensure segment-leading occupant protection. And with a revolutionary design, advanced technology, unique features and benchmark safety, the Beat offers much more than an ordinary mini, Mr. Slym added.

The Beat comes in three trim levels of 1.2, 1.2LS and 1.2LT. In addition, an Option pack is available on the LT variant which consists of ABS, Alloy wheels, Dual Airbags and Seatbelts with Load limiters.

Sexy Beat:

Segment-Leading Size and a Dynamic Exterior

The Beat is a car that is ideal for those with a modern lifestyle. With the styling of a sporty hatchback, it showcases the new direction of Chevrolet design and a new trend in the design of mini-cars. The clear goal from the very beginning was to create a revolution in size and design despite the restrictions of the mini segment. The vehicle is destined to make a statement with an innovative design that would go far beyond a typical mini-vehicle and set new standards for the segment.

The Beat's roomy proportions and dynamic styling are courtesy of its segment-leading length of 3,595 mm, height of 1,520 mm, wheelbase of 2,375 mm, and width of 1,595 mm combined with its "body-in/wheels-out" stance. Dramatically sized headlamps that literally stretch from the front fascia to the back of the hood, with clear polycarbonate lenses and chrome-coated bezels, resemble diamonds, adding an upscale appearance and glamour.

A window line that is slanted dynamically upward, an arching roofline and sharp sidelines bring a sporty yet edgy look, a rarity in the segment. Secret vertical rear door handles located in the C-pillar are another unusual feature in this car. They give the Beat a unique, sporty three-door coupe appearance without sacrificing five-door utility.

A first-in-segment offering of an integrated rear spoiler as standard equipment essentially extends the rear roofline, for enhanced aerodynamic performance and provides a stable stance in high-speed driving as well as increased fuel efficiency. Round tail-lamps with clear polycarbonate lenses add to the Beat's strong rear impression.

A chrome-coated radiator grille and fog lamps, outside mirrors with two-tone color, and a refined-looking roof rail are other design cues that transport the Beat's styling beyond that of a conventional mini.

Beat buyers have a larger palette of exterior colours to choose from. They may select one of the seven colours - Olympic White, Linen Beige, Caviar Black, Misty Lake, Moroccan Blue, Green Cocktail and Super Red.

Unique Interior Defined By Fun, Fashion and Functionality

The design revolution continues inside the Beat. While pursuing a harmonious theme with the dynamic exterior, the interior is more about functionality. With its wider track and longer wheelbase, the Beat provides best-in-segment front legroom, rear legroom, front headroom and rear hip-room, resulting in generous space and comfortable accommodation for five adults.

The flowing interior weaves together the instrument panel, front seats and door trims, creating an environment that is harmonious, uninterrupted and inviting to the senses.

The most striking design element in the interior is a Steering Column mounted motorcycle-inspired dynamic meter cluster which is also a first-in-segment and combines analog and digital systems, contributing fun and unique styling as well as enhanced visibility and convenience. Adding to the refined look is an integrated center stack design that eliminates the traditional "picture framing" layout and results in a contemporary stylish relationship. LED-lit ice blue illumination which is a signature Chevrolet adds to the urban, edgy styling.

Pattern-printed semi-bucket seats provide a stable feeling when cornering. With high-quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship, they also enhance the luxurious interior atmosphere.

SMART Beat

Segment leading fuel efficiency with high power output engine

Newly developed for the next-generation global mini, the S-TEC II engine – a 4-cylinder, 16-valve 1199cc DOHC engine delivers a best in class mileage of 18.6 kmpl. The Beat is Smart because it does no compromise on performance as it delivers an excellent peak power of 80.5ps. The S-TEC II engine includes a series of advanced features that enhance performance. The first-in-segment application of the PDA (Port De-Activation) system ensures high exhaust gas recirculation, resulting in combustion stability at low speeds and optimal performance at high speeds together with improved fuel efficiency. In addition, the PDA system contributes to a reduction in emissions, making the Beat a truly eco-friendly vehicle.

Another first-in-segment application is an automatic temperature controller inside the engine, which helps improve fuel efficiency by reducing unnecessary heat loss. A dome-type long-skirt cylinder block narrows the space between intake valves while the application of four resonators reduces engine noise. Mated with the efficient S-TEC-II engine is a 5-speed manual transmission tuned to GM's global standards that provides enhanced shifts for an outstanding ride.

Segment first & Premium Features Go "Beyond Mini"

The Beat features an array of premium comfort and convenience amenities that one would expect in more expensive vehicles, including:

* l Automatic Climate Control
*
* Integrated Center Stack Audio with USB and Aux-in Port
* Tilt steering
* Steering Column mounted LED back-lit speedometer & LCD digital tachometer
* 60:40 Split folding seats
* Tubeless Tyres
* Satin Silver Roof rails

TOUGH Beat

Solid Structure and Advanced Chassis Ensure Pleasurable Ride and Handling

The ride and handling of the Beat also set it apart from any other vehicle in its segment. Adopting the body-frame integral (BFI) system, the upper body structure and frame are engineered as a single unit, resulting in better feel of the road along with a heightened sense of firmness and stability, and enhanced connectivity between the driver and vehicle. A McPherson strut front suspension combined with a four-point mounted long engine cradle and a width power reduction spring enhances the solidity of the entire chassis, for improved crash safety and driving performance. A rear compound crank torsion beam incorporates a tubular V-beam for more effective tuning and dynamic performance.

A first-in-segment triple acoustic absorbent structure and special underbody structure prevent noise inflow from outside for optimal quietness. Wind noise is minimized through the Beat's aerodynamic body line and detailed door sealing structure.

Class-Transcending Use of High-Strength Steel

A host of structural enhancements combined with a full offering of active and passive safety systems make the Beat a segment leader in its class.

Its body is the stiffest and toughest in the mini segment; 66.5 percent of its body is constructed of high-strength steel and over 16 percent is made of ultra-high-strength steel. This ensures the highest level of protection in the segment. The solid structure played a key role in securing EuroNCAP rating in crash tests.

In addition, ultra-high-strength steel applied to the side structure minimizes the chance of the structure deforming in the event of a crash. High-strength steel is also used in the rear body structure to protect passengers as well as the fuel tank, minimizing the possibility of fuel leakage during a collision. The four-point mounted long engine cradle protects passengers in the event of a head-on collision by optimally dispersing crash loads. The collapsible steering column helps protect driver's chest in frontal collisions

The use of H-spider type ultra-high-strength steel bars in the underbody prevents severe deformation caused by a side crash. The tailor-welded blanking method used in the B-pillar ensures maximum protection of passengers' upper bodies. High-strength steel in the rear and rear crash boxes minimize the impact of whiplash.

The roof is especially stiff, for maximum rollover protection. The Beat has been developed to withstand up to four times its weight – which goes far beyond industry regulations. Safety features include driver and front passenger air bags a 4-channel/4-sensor EBD-ABS system and seatbelt with load limiter.

The Beat comes with a high localization content and the parts have been very competitively priced in line with Chevrolet's philosophy to provide low cost of ownership experience to the owners. It also comes with a segment best warranty of 3 years or 100,000 kms (whichever is earlier).

The Sang Bleu was supposed to be the last special edition Bugatti Veyron

2010-01-11T00:28:00.000-08:00

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Blanc Noir Edition – Click above for image gallery

You didn't really think it was over, did you? The Sang Bleu was supposed to be the last special edition Bugatti Veyron, but word (and pictures) on the street suggest otherwise. Exhibit Z: the Grand Sport Blanc Noir edition, which follows the trio of Dubai specials into the Veyron special sunset.

Apparently created for a high-end clothier, the Veyron Blanc Noir appears to be a one-off (like the Pegaso) rather than a limited-production run (like the Fbg par Hermes). Based on the targa-roofed Grand Sport, the Black Noir edition – spotted in California – is all done up, as the name suggests, in black and white: a matte white body with glossy black hood, wheels, spoiler, fuel filler cap and more. And of course, there's the requisite nameplate on the lower front corner of the door. Check it out in the gallery below for all the angles.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Blanc Noir Edition

Delahaye, Voisin, Bugatti, Talbot-Lago (including the high-water mark Figoni et Falaschi "Tear Drop" cars)

2010-01-11T00:04:00.000-08:00

Hope for France: Left to right, Gilles Vidal, Jean-Pierre Ploué and Thierry Metroz

There was a time when "France" and "design" were nearly synonymous, at least in the automotive sphere. Delahaye, Voisin, Bugatti, Talbot-Lago (including the high-water mark Figoni et Falaschi "Tear Drop" cars), etc. Prewar, no one had anything on the French. Even Peugeot and Citroën were in on the action; the former producing the elegant 402 and the latter building the glorious Traction Avant.

However, after the Great Depression and post-WW2 auto shakeout, the scenery changed. Sure, Citroën still had a few design masterpieces left in the tank - the 2CV, the DS and SM. Peugeot made some excellent cars (205, 404) but they certainly weren't lookers. Then a few years back, Peugeot bought Citroën. Since that time, Peugeots have become wildly bizarre-looking, while Citroën has produced exactly one beauty, the C6. Point being, France's automotive designs are a far cry from their prewar glory days.

PSA Peugeot Citroën wants to change that trajectory. Under PSA design leadership of Jean-Pierre Ploué, Gilles Vidal has taken over design of Peugeot and Thierry Metroz is now in charge of how Citroëns look. Metroz might have an easy time of it, as Ploué has to some degree set Citroën on a halfway righteous path. Again, we're big fans of the big C6 and in truth, the C3 and DS3 are pretty much OK-looking as well. Monsieur Gilles, however, has his work cut out for him. Have you looked at a 3008 or an 807 lately? Not so hot.

has been unveiled as part of a crackdown on dodgy HGV drivers

2010-01-07T22:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a police vehicle guaranteed to make you move out of the fast lane pretty quick! This liveried lorry, complete with flashing blue lights, has been unveiled as part of a crackdown on dodgy HGV drivers.

The aim is to give cops some much-needed height so they can see directly into lorry cabs. It allows them to catch drivers using mobile phones, watching DVDs on laptops or committing other offences.

The initiative is the first of its kind in the UK, and is being run by the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG). This is part of the West Midlands force, which looks after 450 miles of road between Cheshire and South Wales. A spokesman said: “One officer drives the truck while another sits in the passenger seat armed with a hand-held video camera, ready to film into the lorry’s cab as we overtake.” If an offence is being committed, or the driver’s behaviour arouses suspicion, the officer will radio an unmarked police car following behind, which pulls it over. If the driver disputes the reason for being stopped, the video footage can be used as evidence in court.

The liveried HGV was created for the launch of the scheme, but isn’t actually taking part. Unmarked lorries supplied by local hauliers will be used instead.

It appears the 370Z-inspired rear boomerang lights will also make production

2010-01-07T22:00:00.000-08:00

Nissan has named the latest addition to its line up of quirky crossovers, as well as releasing the gloomy teaser shot you see here. Inspired by the Qazana concept shown in Geneva last year, and following in the footsteps of the hugely successful Qashqai, the 'Juke' is designed to offer customers a funky alternative to the traditional small hatchback.

From this dimly-lit photo it's clear that the concept car's swollen wheels arches have been carried over, along with the narrow, elongated headlights and oversize fog lights underneath. It appears the 370Z-inspired rear boomerang lights will also make production, while the windscreen and roofline have taken on a more angular profile.

Slotting in between the Note and Qashqai, the Juke will expand Nissan's broad range even further. And when it goes on sale in October, it should provide a welcome boost for the UK car industry too - it will be built alongside the Qashqai and Qashqai+2 at Nissan's Sunderland plant.

Full details on the newcomer will be realeaed at the global media unveiling on February 10th, but it's public debut won't be until the Geneva Motor Show in March.

This just in from Hard Numbers News

2010-01-03T22:42:00.000-08:00

This just in from Hard Numbers News: From 2000 to 2007, an average of 16.8 million vehicles were sold in the States. In 2008, that figure dropped to 13.2 million. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the tally for 2009 is expected to put the sales needle somewhere around 10.4 million. According to Bloomberg, that would make last year the worst for new car sales since 1982, when there was not only a recession but also 25 percent fewer Americans.

The good news: sales began to rise at the end of 2009, having sustained themselves nicely after the revelry of cash-for-clunkers. The final data isn't in yet, but Bloomberg's survey of analysts suggests two months of gains in November and December. Predictions estimate that Ford, Toyota, Honda and Nissan saw increases, with General Motors and Chrysler looking at slipping sales.

The silver lining? Meager sales could "indicate significant pent-up demand." That kettle of demand is going to take some time to boil, but a rise in household spending is penciled in for late 2010, along with greater availability of credit, and a drop in unemployment numbers is in the forecast as well. The road to recovery will be a slow one, but hopefully with the turn of the calendar year will come a turn in fortunes for the U.S. economy.

The most powerful variant can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h

2010-01-03T22:14:00.000-08:00

At this year’s Dubai Motor Show Audi tuner PPI Automotive Design revealed a new edition of their Razor GTR based on Audi R8, in which every panel of the body is made of unpainted carbon fiber , just like Mansory’s Aston Martin Cyrus. This feature alone is super cool, and now with the Razor Widebody kit, it’s just outstanding.

Razor’s kit includes a new front bumper, front spoiler, front bonnet, front fenders, sideskirts, sideblades (or as PPI now calls them, Aeroblades), rear fenders, rear bumper, rear diffuser, rear spoiler, and a new rear engine cover with air channels that can be fitted with a Polycarbonate, scratch-resistant and UV coated glass in solid or slotted form. The best thing about is that due to use of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials, the car becomes much lighter (250 Kg) than the standard R8.

PPI also offers various performance upgrades for both V8 and V10 models. As for the V8s, there are two stages which add either 40 or 200 hp. And for the V10 engine, they can increase 60 or 80hp in stage 1 and 2, but there’s also a stage 3 in which they have no boundaries and will extract as much horsepower as you want out of that engine!

The most powerful variant can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of over 323 km/h.

They also offer a bespoke package for the interior. You get very fine black leather upholstery with sport seats, sport steering wheel and lots of carbon fiber on hand-brake lever, door sill protectors, driver and radio console surround, door trim, center console inserts, kneepad trim.

The car also comes with with 9 x 19 and 11 x 20 forged aluminum wheels, with 265/35 19, and 335/30 20 Michelin Pilot Sport 2, but you may as well order special carbon fiber wheels (9 x 19″ and 12 x 20″) which are custom-tailed to drivers driving-style!

2011 Ford Mustang also comes with a few styling tweak

2010-01-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

So the all-new Mustang five-point-oh is revealed in its full glory! Using a new and sophisticated V8 engine, this car brings back the “5.0″ badge which means a lot to ‘Stang fans. And of course it won’t disappoint them when it comes to action, as it’s got 412 hp and 390 pound-feet of torque. And it’s efficient as well, sort of!

This new 5.o liter aluminum block V8 has four-valves per cylinder and comes with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) technology. This system results in increased volumetric and thermal efficiency, and that results in faster response across a broad range of engine speeds. It also has specially designed tubular exhaust headers. Ford has announced any performance figures yet.

The 2011 Mustang 5.0 can be had with either a six-speed automatic transmission which returns 25 mpg highway and 17 in the city, or a six-speedmanual transmission with 24 mpg highway and 16 city. These are great numbers considering the class of the car.

Apparently Ford was determined to make the new Mustang a proper handling car, because they went to enormous length tuning the chassis and suspension. The car comes as standard with Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), 11.5-inch front and 11.8-inch rear vented disc brakes, and an enhanced suspension featuring an improved rear lower control arm and stiffened rear stabilizer bushings. Stabilizer bar diameters, spring rates and dampers all have been tuned for improved dynamics.

As an optional package, you may order the Brembo braking system with 14-inch vented front discs from the GT500, unique 19-inch alloy wheels and summer performance tires. Ford says these features are for serious enthusiasts!

2011 Ford Mustang also comes with a few styling tweaks, new 160 mph speedometer and the tachometer redline which now begins from 7,000 rpm instead of 6500! But the main feature is the “5.0″ badge on the fenders. There’s also three new colors available including Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat, Race Red and Ingot Silver. Other new convenience technologies include:

Standard message center
Integrated blind spot mirrors
MyKey programmable vehicle key
Illuminated visors
Universal garage door opener
Sun visor storage

Design Miami reveal of the 2011 A8 luxury cruiser

2009-12-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

2011 Audi A8 – Click above for high-res image gallery

At last week's tony Design Miami reveal of the 2011 A8 luxury cruiser, we were able to corner Johan de Nysschen, Audi's executive vice president in North America, and ask him for some tasty tibits on the brand's upcoming products, including the A8's sexier derivative, the A7.

In addition to giving us the first official confirmation of the A7's existence, de Nysschen revealed that the four-door coupe model will slot in "a little bit below" the new A8 in terms of pricing, just as we expected. Of course, it's worth noting that the 2011 A8 faces a price bump due to substantial increases in content and technology, so when the A7 finally comes to the States, the average model is likely to sticker at around $82,000-$83,000, which de Nysschen says is about the price for a typically equipped 2010 A8 (pricing starts at $74,550 plus delivery).

Based on Audi's new longitudinal modular platform technology, the A7 will be clearly related to the A8 (and the A6 replacement that will follow it), and de Nysschen says that the 2009 Detroit Auto Show Sportback concept car serves as a "very reliable indicator" of what the production model will look like. Judging by recent spy shots from our friends at KGP, that very much appears to be the case. While parts commonality will be "substantial," de Nysschen says that the A7 will not use the full aluminum spaceframe design of the A8, although it will have aluminum elements.

As expected, the A8 will launch Stateside in both standard and long-wheelbase formats, with the latter predicted to make up the lion's share of the volume (the A8L presently accounts for about 80 percent of the model's sales).

We asked De Nysschen about how the two models will interact in the full-size luxury sedan segment, and he noted that:

"This top end segment is characterized by more conservative people, and we need to clearly take lower levels of risk with a flagship model [the A8]. But we recognize too that there is a sizable enough cluster of customers in that same segment who are ready for a more avant-garde design [the A7]. So we will essentially be positioning two cars into the same segment, which means that independently, the volume each attains is not that significant, but when you put them together, it will mean that our share of that segment will grow quite dramatically."

All-in De Nysschen thinks that the A8 will account for about 4,000 to 5,000 sales per year in the U.S., and the less costly A7 could clear 7,000-8,000 additional units.

And what of a high-performance S8 to take on Mercedes-Benz's AMG lineup, or the A5 Sportback? Click through to the jump for more details.

2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami

Mid-engined Ghepardo is one part Corvette, one part Camaro

2009-11-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

Caccia Custom Cars Ghepardo - click above image for high-res gallery

Here's what we know: Caccia Custom Cars took a 2002 Chevy Camaro and a 2002 Chevy Corvette and created the Ghepardo. The car uses the Camaro's frame and the Corvette's motor and suspension. The motor is mounted amidships, albeit backwards (note the throttle body). And the House of Kolor paint is called Pagan Gold. Also, you should not confuse this SEMA all-star Ghepardo with the 2006 Bizzarrini Ghepardo concept.

As for this Ghepadro... it's not that bad looking. In fact, the longer we stare at the exterior, the more we like what we see. Obviously we can't get past the gaudy chainmail armor covering up every single vent and opening. And we'd prefer if the five-slot wheels weren't chromed. That said, in profile, it's a nice looking mid-engine coupe and the rear is quite muscular. The front even has a touch of new Lexus, which while sacriligious for a Chevy-on-Chevy mashup like this, ain't bad at all.

The interior, on the other hand, is a house of horrors. Everything is covered over in prison-grade Alcantara or carbon fiber-look fiberglass. Even the fire extinguisher!! Also, we're pretty sure a 15/16" cutting tool isn't the smartest Dremel attachment to use for a show car. In fact, in this Autoblogger's mind, the Ghepardo is now in the running neck-and-neck with the Masonry Vitesse Rose for having the worst interior ever – quite a distinction! Additionally, the Ghepardo fills our minds with the delightful image of Corvette and Camaro fans/owners beating each other to pulps with giant oversized cartoon hammers. Perhaps that's just the food around here talking...

Ghepardo by Caccia Custom Cars

Toyota execs deny cover-up after feds rebuke automaker over runaway car investigation

2009-11-06T15:58:00.000-08:00

Remember Toyota's massive 3.8 million unit unintended acceleration recall that was attributed to pesky floor mats? It appears defective floor mats doesn't tell the whole story, as the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared in a statement that "this (unintended acceleration) matter is not closed," adding "removal of the floor mats is simply an interim measure, not a remedy of the underlying defect in the vehicles."

Up to 2,000 Toyota customers claim to have experienced a sudden surge of acceleration, and some reportedly told ABC News that they didn't even have the recalled floor mats in their vehicles. Even more disturbing are the results of an ABC News investigation that reportedly found "hundreds" of accidents and up to 16 deaths as a result of unintended acceleration.

Four of those deaths occurred in August when an off-duty California Highway Patrol Officer, traveling with his wife, daughter and brother in-law, were killed after their Lexus accelerated uncontrollably. The driver's brother in-law called 911 and said that the brakes didn't work before the vehicle reached an intersection, struck another car, went into a ditch and caught fire. Some Toyota owners feel there is an electronic glitch in the system that controls the throttle and the ABC report shows that there is some anecdotal evidence which illustrates that incidents rose after the system was put into place in 2002, but so far, NHTSA has found no evidence to support those claims after six investigations.

ABC News caught up with Toyota Vice President Yukitoshi Funo (pictured second from left) and asked him if Toyota was covering anything up. Funo replied "It is not part of the Toyota culture and Toyota way to cover up anything," adding that the Japanese automaker is working with NHTSA to come up with an agreement on how to proceed going forward.

If you own a Toyota or Lexus and you are concerned about this issue, it appears that there is little that will be done in the short term other than tie down or remove the floor mats. If you do experience the acceleration issue, Consumer Reports suggests shifting your vehicle into neutral, pressing the brake and holding it down in an effort to bring your vehicle to a stop. This post and video from CR demonstrates how to effectively resolve the situation, and the risks of pumping the brakes. Turning off your vehicle could be a bad idea, as turning off the engine will also result in the loss of power steering and power brakes.

Rev for iPhone reaches 2.0, includes data-logging [w/ VIDEO]

2009-11-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

Since there are approximately one trillion iPhones in the world and about ten-times as many apps, it's not hard to find a program to suit your needs. But in the automotive sphere, there aren't nearly as many quality applications and even fewer that can deliver the information most gearheads crave. Thankfully, DevToaster has answered the call with Rev, and putting out the 2.0 release of its popular diagnostic and performance program.

In addition to offering code-reading and clearing features, along with OBD metrics for everything from coolant temp to throttle position (full features here), Rev includes built-in metrics for lateral and forward acceleration to calculate horsepower and torque, saved vehicles, GPS tracking and data-logging. In a bid to make the program more user friendly on the fly, it's reworked its interface to make it easier to edit the visual representations for the virtual (and customizable) gauges and graphs.

Although it's $39.99 App Store price seems like a deal considering its capabilities, the steep price of the company's wireless OBD-II controller ($149.99, pictured at right) is slightly harder to swallow. However, DevToaster is working on bringing the cost of the unit down in the near future and hopes to bring out both a series of "fun," "green" utilities and has talked with Google about developing a version for Android phones. Look for a full review of the 2.0 software soon.

Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions

2009-11-06T15:26:00.000-08:00

2009 Race of Champions – Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year, around the world, drivers compete wheel to wheel in all manner of racing series, from rally to F1, touring cars to Le Mans and everything in between. It gives racing fans plenty of varied action to follow, but it leaves one question ultimately unanswered: who is the world's best driver? That's where the Race of Champions comes in.

The event has been held every year since 1988 at the end of the regular racing season, giving the world's best from all manner of racing series the world over a chance to compete against one another on equal footing and common ground. And this year's Race of Champions was no less decisive. Follow the jump to read who claimed victory as the champion of champions.

Race of Champions 2009

Massa hasn't been in an F1 car since July's Hungarian Grand Prix

2009-10-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ferrari just announced that injured driver Felipe Massa could be back in the saddle as early as Monday. Massa hasn't been in an F1 car since July's Hungarian Grand Prix, when a spring from another car flew up and hit him above his eye, fracturing his skull.

The first time he has even been back on track was last week when he took the wheel of a kart. Because of testing bans in place this season in F1, Massa can't drive the current car he was running until Hungary. As he gets back up to speed, the FIA has granted him permission to drive a 2007-spec car fitted with GP2 tires.

Massa has also spent time on Ferrari's racing simulator. Word has it he's already mastered Barcelona and is working hard at beating the Interlagos circuit now. Before taking the wheel of the 2007 car, he still needs to pass an examination, but once he's cleared, he could be on track in Italy by Monday. This will be testing only as the driver isn't expected to compete for Ferrari any more this season.

Introduction to Karting - Part 2 2009

2009-10-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the second installment of our Introduction to Karting series. Hopefully the first piece piqued your interest with tales of tiny machines pulling 3 g in the corners then hitting 60 in under three seconds on their way up to over 140 MPH. (Well over, as it turns out; one commenter indicated he hit an indicated 156 this season.) That kind of performance is unequaled outside of top-level formula motorsport, yet is available to anyone with some disposable income and a passion for going quick.

However, karting isn't for everyone so suitably endowed. The physical demands placed on a kart racer are hard to comprehend until you're in a fast turn, holding your breath because you can't inhale, feeling like your head is going to fly off and land somewhere in the pits. Chances are it won't, but whether or not you can withstand that while maintaining a good racing line and keeping an eye on a swarm of opponents is an important thing to find out before breaking out the charge card. The best way is, of course, to try it, and given the big up-front cost to buy a kart, a rental is the way to go.

To get our first real experience we signed up for an afternoon's racing school. We walked the track, worked with multiple instructors, got a lot of advice, had an impromptu race, and stuck it out for way more seat time than was probably advisable for a newbie. How'd we do? Read on to find out, and see some videos of our on (and, occasionally, off) track antics.

GM marketing boss Mark LaNeve apparently unaware that diesel is now cheaper than gas 2009

2009-06-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

Over the last several years, we've heard a lot of excuses from many auto executives as to why their companies aren't offering diesel engines in their American market cars. Yesterday, General Motors' Mark LaNeve, the company's vice president of sales and marketing, made an appearance on C-SPAN's Washington Journal. The final question of the segment came from a viewer wondering why GM has failed to offer U.S. consumers the chance to buy some of the high-mileage diesel cars it offers in Europe.

It would appear that LaNeve might have done better to take a pass on the question. Instead of talking about the cost of making those diesels meet U.S. emissions regulations or the difficulty in helping Americans overcome the misconceptions about the fuel, he claimed that no one has successfully cracked the diesel passenger nut in the U.S. (which based on VW's May sales appears to be wrong). More startlingly, LaNeve went on to claim that diesel is $1.25 a gallon more expensive than gasoline. According to the Energy Information Agency, the national average for diesel this week is $2.35 / gallon while regular gas is $2.52 or $0.17 more than diesel. Admittedly, the fact that diesel is now cheaper than 87 octane gas is a recent development (a trend that nobody is sure how long it will last), but – going on national television and quoting outdated fuel prices as a reason for your bankrupt company's business decisions... well, that doesn't strike us as a terribly hot idea.

You can hear the question and response at 20:30 into the video replay over at C-SPAN.

Ford Iosis MAX Concept at 2009 Geneva Motor Show - KickingTires

2009-03-31T01:48:00.004-07:00

Click above for image gallery of the Ford Iosis Max concept

Take note North Americans: The Ford iosis MAX concept that will debut tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show features the evolution of Ford Europe's Kinetic styling language that will be featured on the next-gen Focus. Why should you care? Because Ford has officially stated that North America and Europe will once again be sold the same Focus when the next model debuts. While the front is all Focus, the rear of the iosis MAX, including the trick two-piece rear hatch, is supposedly previewing the next C-Max, a Euro-only MPV that could also be sold in the States sometime in the near future. The interior, meanwhile, features many elements not suitable for production like floating seats upholstered in see-through netting, but the general shape of the dash could be close to production form if past Ford concepts are anything to go by. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the iosis MAX concept is its engine: a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder that's turbocharged and features direct injection to produce an impressive 178bhp. Mated to a dual-clutch transmission that's tuned for green driving, the powerplant is said to be 20% more efficient than a similarly sized gas engine. This engine will likely debut in the next-gen Focus and may be the second EcoBoost powerplant to join the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 here in the U.S. We'll bring you live shots of the iosis MAX from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show as soon as Ford pulls off the covers, so stay tuned.

UPDATE: Official press release and complete gallery of official high-res images added.

Ford iosis MAX concept hints at next-gen Focus

2009-03-31T01:48:00.003-07:00

Click above for image gallery of the Ford iosis Max concept

We have to wait until tomorrow to actually see the Ford iosis MAX concept for ourselves (via out team at the Geneva Motor Show), but we do know what it'll look like and that it'll have a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that is 20 percent more efficient than other similar gas burners. Our friends at Autoblog say this is probably the same engine that will be in the next-gen Focus and just might be the second EcoBoost powerplant, joining the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. The iosis Max is the third in the iosis concept car series - the others being the iosis concept car back in 2005 that helped shape the Mondeo, and the iosis X that became the Kuga CUV. The iosis Max design will be used for future Ford global C-segment vehicles. The front half of the next-gen Focus, which will be coming to both North America and Europe, will probably look very much like the front of the iosis Max. Like?

Ford's Iosis MAX Is A CUV By A Different Name

2009-03-31T01:48:00.002-07:00

The third iteration of the Iosis that Ford brought to the Geneva Motor Show is a surprisingly stylish "multi-activity vehicle," and although it's just a concept, you'll see a lot of those styling cues on Ford's small cars.

Ford calls the styling of the four-seater "kinetic" and says the Iosis MAX shows how the style "is evolving and can be applied with stunning results to all vehicles in the Ford portfolio." The unique doors, extensive use of lightweight materials and aero tweaks could appear in other vehicles, and Ford says the fuel-saving tech under the hood will make its way to other cars beginning next year.

Slightly futuristic styling aside, this is another of the cars the Big Three has targeted specifically toward people with "active lifestyles."

Before the economy imploded and people stopped buying cars, SUVs were being pushed out by the more car-like crossover utility vehicles that Detroit discovered a couple of years ago. A lot of CUVs should be relegated to the "kill these cars now" list, but the vomit green (Ford calls it "limelight") Iosis MAX is cool because it's got some green cred. Think of it as an EcoUV.

The Iosis uses a four-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 180 horsepower. Ford claims the engine delivers 20 percent better fuel economy than conventional gasoline engines offering the same power. The engine features automatic start-stop technology and is mated to a six-speed dual clutch transmission. Ford says the setup delivers 40 mpg. EcoBoost engines will begin appearing in some North American models later this year. Europe will start seeing them next year, along with start-stop.

As for the styling, Ford gave the Iosis a coupe-like appearance by giving it a stubby hood and raked roofline with a massive windshield at the front and "flying buttress" C-pillars at the back. Ford says the C-pillars and cantilevered spoiler improve aerodynamic efficiency at the back of the car, increasing fuel economy. It's a pretty slick package, even if we don't like the LED headlights.

Getting in and out of the Iosis looks to be a snap, what with no B-pillar separating the front and rear doors. The rear doors slide open like those on a mini-van and a two-piece hatchback lets you open the whole hatch or just the glass.

The inside is, typical of all concepts, pretty wild. The dashboard is otherworldly, and the center console is made of plexiglass that "rolls down from the instrument panel like a ribbon and flows through to the rear." Whatever. We do like the carbon fiber Star Trek-like bucket seats. They're mounted to that flowing ribbon of plexiglass instead of the floor, creating the illusion they're floating on air.

Photos: Ford.

And here's a rendering of the interior:

Ford iosis MAX concept unveiled

2009-03-31T01:48:00.001-07:00

Ford previewed the latest iteration of its new global design language with the debut of the iosis MAX concept at the Geneva Motor Show today. The front-end styling of the concept is said to be a direct preview of the next-generation Focus range, while the rear portion of the car foreshadows the next C-Max.

14 IMAGES

Since the 2011 Focus will be identical in all markets, this should be of particular interest to North American consumers, considering Ford’s U.S.-spec Focus has traditionally been interior to its European counterpart. There are also rumors about eventual U.S. availability of the C-Max, so the iosis MAX is truly a global concept car.

The interior of the show car is mostly experimental, with “floating” bucket chairs, an exotic dash and center console, high-tech gauges, and stylish accelerator and brake pedals. The exterior also has a number of unique show-car touches, including sliding rear doors and uniquely hinged front doors. Frameless windows, the absence of a B-pillar, and a the panoramic glass roof are further touches that are unlikely to see production.

One production-intent feature of iosis MAX is its new 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost motor, which delivers 180 horsepower with 20 percent better fuel economy than conventional motors with similar power. The engines feature turbocharging and direct injection technology to achieve this goal. The 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit in the iosis MAX is further optimised through the use of a new Ford Auto-Start-Stop system, intelligent alternator and six-speed Ford PowerShift double-clutch automated manual gearbox.

Ford says the EcoBoost engines will be progressively introduced to Ford’s European product range from early 2010.

Ford Iosis MAX Concept at 2009 Geneva Motor Show

2009-03-31T01:48:00.000-07:00

Looks like: European styling is here to stay
Defining characteristics: Stubby front end and huge windshield
Ridiculous features: Gill-like headlights, sliding rear doors
Chance of being mass-produced: This is the design concept for Ford’s next global C-Car, which we know as the Focus

This year’s Geneva Motor Show holds even less interest for American consumers than usual, but Ford’s Iosis MAX concept is of vital importance to the company’s U.S. lineup. Ford says this is a look at the design it’s considering for its next global C-car. That’s the size of the Ford Focus here in the States. Ford has already said the next U.S. Focus will be the same model as what’s sold globally, unlike the current model, which is made strictly for the U.S. market.

Expect a new Focus to come in calendar year 201,1 and we’d expect a formal concept or even an early production version to be shown off at auto shows in 2010.

But what about this concept right here? It looks promising. The long, sloping windshield might seem fanciful and a bit impractical (imagine that morning commute sunshine), but Germany’s Opel sells a car with a similar windshield. It should translate to a very bright and airy cabin, at least.

The hatchback shape is a must for sales in Europe and will hopefully mark the return of a four-door Focus hatchback in the U.S. We’d still think Ford would add a sedan as well. The rear hatch features an opening glass panel, which is rarely seen on today’s cars and SUVs.

Unlikely to make it to production are the sliding rear doors, like a minivan’s, and glass roof. The engine is a four-cylinder turbo that Ford is rolling out in Europe now. It’s expected to return excellent mileage that Ford says is 20% better than the competition.

More photos below.

Ford iosis MAX Concept

2009-03-23T07:56:00.000-07:00