Today, the Auto Unleashed team will be leaving for Geneva, where we’ll be attending the 78th edition of the Geneva Motor Show. We probably won’t post as much as usual, but we’ll be coming with a lot of information and photos from the show, because we’ll be there at the press days, on March 4 an 5. Meanwhile, you can check out all our posts about the Geneva Motor Show HERE.
But that’s not all, because we also have some other great news. We’ll be going to Geneva with the new Audi A4, given to us by Audi Romania. So, we’ll also make a complete drive test of the car, as we’ll be going through Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and maybe France and Italy. We’d like to thank Porsche Bucuresti Nord, the Audi dealership which helped us get the A4 and Cohn & Jansen, the advertising agency which handled the campaign Generatia4 (it means Generation A4 and the website is in Romanian).
We took the car yesterday and our first imperssion was great. But, after our European trip we will come up with a complete review of the car. So, wish us luck and don’t forget to keep your eyes on Auto Unleashed, because next week we’ll be posting a lot of cool articles.
With less than a week left until the Geneva Motor Show premiere, Opel made a press release today in which announced the new Opel Meriva Concept. The concept’s main attraction is the FlexDoors system, which consists of rear-hinged rear doors that swing open toward the back of the car and the front and rear doors can also be opened independently of each other. This makes access to the car interior much easier and also enhances comfort and functionality, as the highest point of the roof ? just behind the B-pillars ? is exactly where the passengers enter and exit the vehicle.
Another feature is the U-shaped windshield, which stretches up and back over the rear passengers? heads ? echoing the Astra GTC?s panorama windshield, while the slim A-pillars and windshield pulled far down ensure plenty of light in the interior. Both elements contribute to the all-round visibility for the occupants.
Just the other day we showed you the first photos of the Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype-S and now here’s a cool video of the next high performance hatchback from Mitsubishi. Enjoy!
Though the Ford Kuga will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Ford announced that the production already started, yesterday, at the Ford plant in Saarlouis, Germany. They plan to build around 45,000 Kugas each year, which is about 10% of the factory’s production volume.
Also, Ford plans to export around 84% of the produced Kugas in 32 countries, the largest markets being Germany, Italy, UK, France and Spain. We remind you that the Ford Kuga sales will start soon after the Geneva debut.
We’ce already seen the Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype-S Concept drawings and now we’ve got the first photos of the car, which is not actually a concept, but more of a pre-production version of the upcoming Lancer Ralliart, Mitsubishi hatchback competitor for the Subaru Impreza WRX. Scheduled to make world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the car is powered by EVO X’s 2.0 liter Turbo engine, delivering 240 hp and 343 Nm of torque mated to a Twin Clutch SST gearbox and a full-time 4 wheel drive featuring Mitsubishi Motors’ Active Center Differential.
But, though the numbers look good, we can’t really say we love the car. I mean, the front part is superb, but what’s with that rear part? Not cool. What do you think?
The Chrysler 300C was quite a success for Chrysler and, to spice it up even more, they’ve decide to release a new revised version for the UK, where the 300C did good, with 6000 units sold so far. The two engines which will be available are a 3.0 litre V6 engine that develops 215 hp at 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque at 1600 rpm, and the 6.1 litre V8 Hemi SRT-8 petrol engine that produces 425 bhp at 6,200 rpm and 420 lb.-ft of torque at 4800 rpm.
The exterior features new rear fascia and rear light clusters, new boot lid with integrated spoiler and high-mounted stop light. There’s also going to be a SRT line available for the diesel version, with SRT 20-inch alloy wheels, wheel arch spats and a chrome mesh grille. The interior features new instrument panel and centre console design, highlighted with satin silver bezels, soft touch surfaces on arm rests and door panels, new ignition key with one-touch start-up, fully adjustable steering wheel as well as LED lighting in the front cup holders and door pockets plus the MyGIG infotainment system.
No, Alfa isn’t planning releasing a new crossover, but, looking at these pics, we’re starting to feel bad they won’t. Because these drawings look amazing. These were made for an article posted by InfoMotori, in which they asked opinions about how people would feel about a 149 crossover. If you ask us, we’d definitely like to see this car, someday, rolling off the production line. And Alfa should also consider it as an option, because look at the Nissan Qashqai, for example, which is a big hit. So, how would you feel about it?
Ugur Sahin Design is definitely one of the coolest design studios out there, the Audi Locus Concept being a proof of that. And here is the Dutch company’s latest work, the Corvette Z03 Concept. They’ve created this concept starting from the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, but it’s almost a new car, because every part of the car has been redesigned.
And what’s more interesting is that these are not just some renderings, because the company plans on producing a limited run of 100 units, which will be available with a modified version of the LS7 V8 turbocharged engine, that can deliver up to 750 hp. The Corvette Z03 Concept is scheduled to go into production by the end of this year and, even though we’re skeptical, we really hope to see this car on the streets some day.
Check out a complete photo gallery after the jump.
Besides the Fiat 500 Abarth, the Italian car maker will also show the Fiat 500 Aria Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The car is an eco-friendly concept powered by a 1.3 liter 16v Multijet Euro 5 turbodiesel unit (with anti-particulate DPF filter) mated to a robotic Dualogic shift transmission.
The Fiat 500 Aria is also equipped with a Stop&Start system which allows to control the temporary switch-off of the engine which, combined with the Dualogic shift, manages to reduce consumption by around 10% in the urban cycle and the CO2 emissions are 98 g/km. Also, recycled materials are used, like the recycled rubber used for the floor, which is composed by rubber granules deriving from used tyres, or the seates upholstered with recycled and woven leather.
After a few photos leaked on the Internet, Lancia made a press release yesterday in which it unveiled the new Lancia Delta which will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, in less than two weeks.
The car is designed by Centro Stile Lancia and, when it will go on sale this summer, it will be offered with three engines, two 1.4 litre petrol units, developing 120 hp and 150 hp and a 120 hp 1.6 litre MultiJet turbodiesel (Euro 5). Later, the Lancia Delta will be offered with an 165 hp 2.0 MultiJet, with a 190 hp 1.9 Twinturbo MultiJet and a new 1.8 Di TurboJet unit developing 200 hp and Euro 5 compliant.
The future Lancia Delta customers will be able to choose over a 1.000 personalizations, a range born by combining 3 outfittings, 4 different seat upholsteries, 3 interior colours, 5 types of alloy wheels, 12 chassis colours and 12 “two-tone” matchings.
Check out more photos and read the full press release after the jump.
Besides the Jaguar XJ Portfolio, the British car maker will show another special edition at the Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar XKR Portfolio. The car will have an all aluminum lightwieght body and will be powered by Jaguar’s 420 hp supercharged 4.2 liter V8 engine mated to a six-speed Jaguar Sequential Shift Transmission with paddleshift gear change.
The car is painted in an exclusive Shadow Grey metallic color and will feature 20 inch Selena alloy wheels, milled aluminum power vents, Portfolio trunk lid signature badge, plus a choice of dark grey or black hood colors for the convertible. On the interior soft-grain, contrast stitched leather covers the seats, instrument panel, center console, door inners, rear side panels and steering wheel, Rich Oak veneer or Engine Spin Aluminum fascia finish, alloy and leather gear selector, unique tread plates with Portfolio script and leather edged carpet mats plus Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, with 525W Premium audio, featuring low distortion Kevlar mid-range speakers and aluminum dome speakers.
Jaguar already started taking orders for the Jaguar XKR Portfolio and the first cars will be delivered in June 2008.
Check out more photos and the full press release after the jump.
At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot will present its latest additions to the 308 range, the sporty Peugeot 308 GT and the all new Peugeot 308 SW.
The 308 GT will be Peugeot’s new top of the range model and it will be powered by the 175 hp 1.6 litre turbocharged THP petrol engine mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox. This powertrain was used by the 207 GTi and it also powers the Mini Cooper S. The 308 GT goes from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 8.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). Besides the new engine, the car also fetures a lower front bumper, a rear spoiler and a reduced overall ride height, while on the interior the customers will have aluminium gear knob and foot pedals, plus a new steering wheel design.
The other Peugeot premiere, the 308 SW is based on the 308 SW Prologue Concept, presented last year at the Frankfurt show and it will have an increased wheelbase and overhang rear (by 100 mm and 124 mm), which allowed Peugeot to add a third passenger seats row. The 308 SW will be available with a wide range of engines, including the naturally aspirated 95 hp 1.4 liter and 120 HP 1.6 liter, plus the 1.6 liter turbocharged unit, available with 140 hp, 150 hp and 175 hp. The diesel engine offer include the 90 hp 1.4-liter, the 110 hp 1.6-liter and 136 hp 1.6-liter.
The 308 GT will be available starting this spring, while the 308 SW’s sales will start this summer.
After a lot of photos leaked on the net, Volvo decided to made an official announcement of the Volvo XC60 crossover which will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Fredrik Arp, Volvo Cars President and CEO said: “It’s not only the safest Volvo ever. If you ask me, it’s also the most stunning. Not a bad combination, is it?”. So, is he right or just talking big words?
As we already said, the car’s design is pretty cool, being close to the Volvo XC60 concept, presented last year at Detroit. Known as a producer that makes some of the safest cars out there, Volvo has equipped the XC60 with the latest safety technologies and the most important new feature is the City Safety system, which comes into action when the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.
As for the engines, the Volvo XC60 will be offered with three engines: the 285 hp turbocharged T6 and two versions of the D5 turbodiesel, producing 185 and 163 horsepower. All vehicles are fitted with All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) as standard. Next year, Volvo plans to introduce a front wheel version also, powered by a 163 hp Euro 5 diesel engine.
The Volvo XC60 will be built at the Volvo plant in Ghent, Belgium and sales will start during 2008′s second half (Europe) and early 2009 (US). Volvo hopes to sell over 50,000 units per year.
After the jump you can see more photos, a video of the XC60 and the full press release.
It’s not every day you get the chance to ride on the highway next to a Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang, so you’d better take out the camera and film it. Especially that is car is just superb. Oh, and one more thing, you have one try to guess where this video was taken. If you’ve answered UAE (United Arab Emirates), you have a beer from us. Enjoy the video!
Ford released these photos of the production ready Ford Kuga, two weeks before the car’s debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Coincidence or not, the photos were taken in the Swiss Alps. Ford didn’t release any other detail, just these photos, so enjoy it!
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