Scheduled to be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, we have a sneak peak at the Ford Kuga concept. Based on the Iosis X Concept, introduced at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the Kuga follows Ford’s current ‘kinetic’ line-up. Set to debut next year the crossover will feature the established 2.0-litre, 136 PS Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. One thing I’m afraid is that Kuga will follow Opel Antara’s example, which after a brilliant concept car, followed a not-so-spectacular SUV, but we’ll wait and see. Meanwhile, see more pics after the jump.
Read More: “Ford Kuga concept crossover revealed”
We’re all waiting to see the new BMW X6, which will debut at Frankfurt, but until then, enjoy these 2 teaser videos released today by BMW.
Usually we find concepts very cool and even though we know that they’ll never see daylight, we are addicted. But this creation from Seat is really strange. Probably based on a shorter Tiguan platform, with the same AWD train, the Seat Tribu concept previews a compact-size 3door crossover. Click to see more pics of this concept.
Read More: “Seat Tribu concept debut at Frankfurt”
We know that the new Mazda6 will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but we’ve got something really nice for you. We got an official teaser photo released some time ago, but now we have the real thing. Leaked official photos of the all new 2008 Mazda 6 and it is HOT!.
No official info, but we know the Mazda 6 will be offered with a 3.5 liter V6 engine and will feature xenon headlights, LED detailing, heated seats and an engine starter button. We have no clue on the pricing, but if Mazda will be able to offer the car at a reasonable price, it will sure be one tough competitor in the compact sedan market.
View more pics after the jump.
Read More: “Leaked photos of the new Mazda6”
Starting January 2008 the Smart ForTwo will also be available in the United States and we also know for what kind of money. The entry-level Smart, the “Pure” version, will go on at $11,590 and will come with a five-speed transmission, remote locks, a leather steering wheel and a console designed to be ready for radio installation. The next level version, “Passion”, will cost $13,590 and will get alloy wheels, a panorama roof, A/C, power windows, power mirrors, and an AM/FM/CD player.
The top level Smart will be the “Passion Cabrio” will come with a power soft top and a premium sound system and will wear a $16,590 price tag.
The Smarts will be available with a 1.0-liter 71 hp three-cylinder engine and four airbags. A comfort package for the top passion models will include leather seats, power steering, and auto headlamps for $850. Read More: “SMART ForTwo US pricing announced”
Some time ago we presented the Volvo C30 Efficiency, a model which presented Volvo’s new fuel-saving and emissions reducing technologies, the Swedish producer will come up with the ReCharge concept at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The technology behind this concept combines a 1.6L flexible-fuel engine connected to an auxiliary power unit (APU), and the batteries (which will take about 3 hours to recharge) will last for about 100km.
“This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable transportation. A person driving less than 100 kilometres a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of drivers,” says Magnus Jonsson, Senior VP Research and Development at Volvo Cars.
Read More: “Volvo to present ReCharge Plug-In hybrid concept”
I wasn’t so keen about writing about this car, but I thought maybe some of our readers would be interested. Volkswagen will bring the Caddy Maxi Life at the Frankfurt Motor Show which will start next week. The Volkswagen Caddy Maxi has 47 centimeters more than the regular Caddy and now fits 7 people and their luggage The Caddy Maxi Life measures 4875mm in length and allows 380 liters of luggage while seating 7 people. If you fold down the rear seats, the cargo area grows to 1350 liters. The utility version, with panel door has 4200 liters of storage space.
The customers will be able to choose between a petrol engine (developing 102 hp) and two diesel, a 1.9 liter TDI (103 hp) and a 2.0 liter TDI (141 hp).
Read More: “Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life to come at Frankfurt”
Today we got the official press release from Audi, presenting the new Audi RS6 Avant which will debut at Frankfurt. Scheduled to hit showrooms in April 2008, this car is definitely one of Audi’s most impressive vehicles, especially considering what’s its performances. Powered by a new V10 FSI TwinTurbo engine which produces a whooping 580 hp (426 kW), the car takes only 4.6 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) and 14.9 seconds from 0 to 125 mph (200 km/h) and to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250km/h). A six-speed tiptronic is putting all that power to the road through Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system.
The interior of the new Audi RS6 Avant is also at the highest standards, with carbon fiber, aluminum, leather and Alcantara creates an ambiance that is unique even in the world of high-performance cars. Customers can choose between the multifunction sports steering wheel with a 3-spoke design and the particularly distinctive flat-bottomed RS sports steering wheel, which also has multifunction controls and shift paddles for the transmission.
This is crazy, but I’ve got one question. Why the hell do they put all that power and elegance on a wagon? I mean, I know the RS6 Avant is Audi history, but c’mon, it’s a wagon. Where you’re gonna see a family with two kids doing 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds or going crazy with 155 mph on the streets? Doesn’t really make sense. However, I must admit, it’s a pretty good looking car. Oh, and one more thing, US customers, stop dreaming, the Audi RS6 Avant won’t come to the US, at least not in the close future.
Read More: “580 hp Audi RS6 Avant is now official”
Starting today, we have some new colleagues in the blogosphere, the guys at Kia, who launched the company’s official blog, Kia-Buzz. Welcome, guys!
And here is an excerpt from the first post, written by Mr. Euisun Chung, the president and CEO of Kia Motors.
This is an especially exciting moment for me, and Kia Motors. I’m proud to be the first person to post on Kia’s new blog, Kia BUZZ. We want this blog to serve as another important way in which Kia can maintain open discussion and dialogue with people throughout the world: our customers, dealers, other automotive bloggers, and really anyone else who shares an active interest in the automotive world.
Read More: “Kia launches company blog”
For years it is known that Volvo gives special attention to passenger safety. After last week we announced Volvo’s Driver Alert Control (DAC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems, today we have another Volvo technology designed to prevent accidents. Called Alcoguard, the system is somehow similar with Nissan’s AntiDrunk Driving Technology. The system uses fuel-cell technology and features a hand-held breathalyzer which transmits the results via radio signal to the car’s electronic control system. If it detects traces of alcohol in your blood, then your Volvo won’t move an inch. The results are also shown through three LEDs in the hand-held unit.
The system will be introduced as an option on the Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 from the start of 2008 while in July it will be also be available on the S40, V50, C30 and C70.
Read More: “Volvo to prevent driving under influence with Alcoguard”
Here are some spy shots caught by Auto-Moto-und-Sport that confirms that BMW is in last stages of development of the new “not so sure what to call it” X6. Here is our previous post about the BMW X6.
Read More: “BMW X6 to be presented at Frankfurt”
The Jagura XF is not even out yet and the folks at Jaguar already started testing the Jaguar XF-R, which will be a high performance version of the XF. Here are some spy shots caught by AutoMedia, that reveal a sporty XF (even if they tried hiding it by using the back of the current S-Type) with four exhaust pipes, massive wheels with lo-profile tires and cross-drilled brake disks. The XF-R is expected to be launched in 2009, one year after the XF.
Read More: “Jaguar XF-R Spied”
Here is a couple more photos of the Hyundai i-Blue Concept which will make its debut at Frankfurt. As we said a couple of days ago, the concept is based on Hyundai’s third generation fuel cell technology and is built on a crossover platform. View more pics after the jump.
Read More: “Hyundai i-Blue Concept photo update”
Here are some shots taken on the set of Angelina Jolie’s next movie, Wanted and we can see Angelina doing some stunts on the front hood of a Dodge Viper. Scheduled to be released on March 28, 2008, the movie presents the story of a young man who tries to find out the reasons his father was murdered and track down the assassins. The movie also stars James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman.
Read More: “Angelina’s new movie partner, the Dodge Viper”
Here’s this fine Jaguar XF presentation video I found, featuring Jaguar latest car, plus some words from Jaguar’s head of Design Department, Ian Callum and Mike Cross, Chief Engineer. Enjoy!
Read More: “Jaguar XF presentation video”
