The Demo Site

Fiat said that it has lined up three financial institutions to help it create a group that will combine its majority stake in Chrysler with GM’s European and Latin American Operations. It was reported yesterday that Fiat submitted two bids for GM’s Opel brand, one that includes GM’s Latin American Operations and one that doesn’t.

“Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit Group and Goldman Sachs have been selected as global coordinators and will assist and guide Fiat in all the required operations in the months to come,” Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a statement.

Fiat said that it plans to put all of these new operations into a new company that would be listed and traded on the European stock exchange.

The company, seeing as everything goes to plan and GM sells Opel and its Latin Operation, would create the world’s largest auto group with sales of 6 million vehicles annually and revenues that would exceed $100 billion.

Source: Detroit News

Mini is celebrating its 50th birthday with two special-edition models including the Mini 50 Mayfair and the Mini 50 Camden. Mini says that the two models convey the great spirit of Mini through their design and features. Both models will go into production and will be available with two gasoline and one diesel option in September 2009.

The gasoline line kicks off with a 120-hp engine, which helps the Mini 50 Mayfiar and the Mini 50 Camden return an average fuel-economy of 44 mpg. Stepping up a notch is the 4-cylinder with twin-scroll turbochargers and direct gasoline injection for the Mini Cooper S 50 Mayfair and the Mini Cooper S 50 Camden. Output comes in at 175-hp while fuel-economy is estimated at 38 mpg. Last but not least, is the 110-hp 4-cylinder diesel Mini Cooper D 50 Mayfair and the Mini Cooper D 50 Camden - both return an average fuel-economy of 60 mpg.

Check out the press release after the jump for more details.

Mini Cooper 50 Mayfair / Mini Cooper 50 Camden:

Press Release:

Looking Back, Looking Ahead. MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden

The worldwide MINI Community is celebrating the 50th birthday of the brand on the occasion of the MINI United Festival at the legendary British race track in Silverstone from 22-24 May 2009.

Two special models also on the starter grid in Silverstone are the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden, two cars which will most certainly convey the great spirit at the anniversary party into lasting driving pleasure on the road. For through their characteristic design and exclusive features alone, these two models live out both the great tradition and the visionary power of the MINI brand.

Both the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden are available with two petrol engines and one diesel. They will be launched into the market in September 2009, production of the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden starting exactly fifty years after the official presentation of the classic Mini and being limited to just one year.

The modern drivetrain and suspension technology featured by the MINI also gives these two anniversary models truly fascinating agility in combination with exemplary fuel economy and emission management. Particularly the 128 kW/175 hp four-cylinder with its twin-scroll turbocharger and direct gasoline injection powering the MINI Cooper S 50 Mayfair and the MINI Cooper S 50 Camden offers truly outstanding performance on the road. And all this comes with combined cycle fuel consumption to the EU standard of just 6.2 litres/100 km (equal to 45.6 mpg imp) and a CO2 rating of just 149 grams per kilometre.

Featuring fully variable valve control and offering engine output of 88 kW/120 hp, the power unit of the MINI Cooper 50 Mayfair and the MINI Cooper 50 Camden likewise has everything it takes for truly sporting performance. Average fuel consumption of just 5.4 litres/100 km or 52.3 mpg imp in the EU test cycle, in turn, as well as a CO2 rating of 129 grams per kilometre, set new standards in terms of efficient motoring pleasure.

Last but certainly not least, the 80 kW/110 hp four-cylinder diesel in the MINI Cooper D 50 Mayfair and the MINI Cooper D 50 Camden combines supreme economy with impressive torque and pulling power. And here average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 3.9 litres/100 km, equal to 72.4 mpg imp, and a CO2 rating of 104 grams per kilometre, mark unparalleled records in the premium segment.
The MINI anniversary: looking back and looking forward.

For the first time since its market launch in 2006, the latest generation of the MINI offers the opportunity in the car’s anniversary year to enjoy supreme driving pleasure in particularly exclusive style. Hence, the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden follow the principle already applied by the classic Mini to accentuate individual highlights in the character of this highly successful performer from Great Britain. The anniversary of the brand therefore offers an ideal opportunity to look back at the fascinating tradition of the car and to look forward at the unique future and outlook of the MINI.

Both of these perspectives are expressed by the names of the new models. As in the past, the two anniversary models are named after boroughs of London also very popular and well-known far away from the British capital. Mayfair is lauded the world over for its exclusivity growing so significantly over the years and decades, while Camden is the home of a trendy and culturally versatile urban lifestyle.

Setting their respective standards, both models represent those values so typical of MINI that have grown over five decades as well as the car’s potential for ongoing development.

Characteristic design, exclusive features.
Both in their design and their features the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden stand out clearly from the current, “regular” production models. Numerous features helping to make these two cars truly unmistakable are indeed reserved to these individual anniversary models, making each version truly unique in its own right. Special body paintwork, light-alloy rims tailored to the car, special materials and surfaces within the interior as well as a range of colours tailored specifically to the MINI 50 Mayfair and, respectively, the MINI 50 Camden underline the exclusivity of these special models available only for a limited period.

The jubilee placard proudly surrounded by chrome trim on the radiator grille provides clear testimony to the tradition of the brand now going back fifty years, bearing the number “50″ in typical MINI design and boasting the colours of the Union Jack - red, white, and blue.

In addition to the wide range of regular features already provided on the respective engine variant, each MINI 50 Mayfair and each MINI 50 Camden comes not only with sophisticated paintwork, seat upholstery and trim, but also with a wide range of other comfort features. Apart from air conditioning, seats adjustable for height and with electric heating, the Lights Package as well as the on-board computer, these features include the Storage Package, additional storage options, a 12 V power socket in the luggage compartment and angle adjustment on the rear-seat backrests.

MINI 50 Mayfair: noblesse oblige - dedicated to extravagant style.
Back in 1982 the classic Mini already came as a special Mayfair model combining supreme comfort and an extravagant look. Today the new MINI 50 Mayfair interprets this style of sophisticated understatement in a new, modern way. High-quality materials, stylish details and a colour scheme offering classic elements throughout determine both the outer and the inner looks of this very special car.

For the first time and only on this anniversary model the body of a MINI Hatch is finished in the special Hot Chocolate metallic paintwork colour so far available exclusively on the MINI Clubman and the MINI Convertible, combined with a white roof. On request the body is also available in Pepper White or Midnight Black paintwork as an alternative to this highly attractive brown colour.

The MINI 50 Mayfair comes on 17-inch, white-painted 12-spoke light-alloy wheels in Infinity Stream Spoke Design exclusive to this particular model. In their design, the wheels follow the classic multi-spoke look, with the spokes themselves being slightly concave to give the car a truly powerful appearance. The white paintwork on the wheels, finally, interacts with the white contrasting colour of the roof.

Yet another new feature is the engine compartment lid with almost three-dimensional stripes in light-brown Toffy metallic and white pinstripes at the edges. Additional headlights on the radiator grille, mirror caps with paintwork changing from brown to black on the way up, and a discreet “Mayfair” logo on the direction indicators at the side round off the exterior design of this anniversary model.

The combination of Toffy paintwork with white highlights is also to be admired within the interior of the MINI 50 Mayfair again absolutely exclusive in its character. The seats demonstrate their unique style through their finish in Lounge leather complete with piping round the edges, Toffy colour, and additional white piping.

A further highly attractive effect is provided by double-cap seams on the seats finished in the same, modern and technically appealing turquoise-green colour as the frame around the “Mayfair” logo to be admired not only next to the direction indicators at the side, but also on discreet seat trim adorning the inner surfaces of the front-seat backrests.

The gearshift lever knob on the manual gearbox likewise comes with turquoise-green double-cap seams providing a visual link to the seats.

As yet a further highlight, the Carbon Black interior colour is combined with special trim on the dashboard finished in brownish black to reflect the colour of the mirror caps. The trim bar finished in Toffy at the bottom becomes black as it moves further up, providing a perfect transition to the dashboard likewise finished in black.
The Colour Line at the bottom of the instrument panel and the armrests on the door linings as well as the gearshift lever knob are likewise finished in Toffy, while the trim panels on the doors are in Piano Black.

All this is further embellished by a Toffy Brown inlay in the lower half of the steering wheel rim, footmats with white piping, the Chrome Package also available on other MINI models, as well as door entry trim proudly bearing the “MINI 50″ model designation and the “Mayfair” logo.

MINI 50 Camden: dynamic and progressive all in one.
With its dominating colours Silver, White and Black, the MINI 50 Camden even at very first sight highlights its technical clarity and sporting character. Body paint in White Silver metallic is combined with a white roof, and the MINI 50 Camden is also available in Midnight Black metallic or Horizon Blue metallic.

The 17-inch light-alloy rims likewise exclusive to this model stand out in particular through the contrast between their silver inner surfaces and the matt, polished contour lines around the rim hump and on the outer edges of the spokes, thus characterising the futuristic impression of this likewise very special model.

With its lines extending towards the A-pillars, the sporting, almost three-dimensional silver stripe trim on the side shoulders of the engine compartment lid accentuate the sporting and dynamic character of the MINI 50 Camden.

Like on the MINI 50 Mayfair, the mirror caps come in twin-tone stripes extending upwards on the MINI 50 Camden merging from silver into pure white. In combination with the xenon headlights featured as standard on the MINI Cooper S 50 Camden, the headlights themselves boast black-tinted lenses as a particularly progressive highlight forming a clear contrast to the rest of the exterior in its brighter colour.

The side indicator frames house the Union Jack in black-and-white and the “Camden” model designation forming the logo of this special anniversary model also to be admired, together with the designation “MINI 50″, on the door entry trim.

The interior of the MINI 50 Camden comes in an equally contrasting colour scheme combining the Carbon Black interior colour with special trim on the instrument panel interchanging from white to silver, like the caps on the exterior mirrors.

The trim panels on the doors, in turn, come in Fluid Silver, while the sports seats in cloth/Ray leather boast leather surfaces, just like the bottom edge of the instrument panel and the armrests in the door linings, finished in Tech White.

The black centre strips on the doors, in turn, come in a discreet pattern with interrupted white stripes, while the seat panels on the inner half of the backrests bear the “Camden” logo.

Twin-tone double-cap seams - black on the outside, turquoise-green on the inside - visually combine the leather and cloth surfaces on the seats. Green and white seams also provide additional colour highlights on the black gaiters around the handbrake and gearshift levers, and on the gearshift lever knob.

The rim on the leather steering wheel is highlighted additionally by a white seam, while turquoise-green colour highlights as well as design lines on the mirror caps and the trim surfaces to be admired on both the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden come as a common feature shared by both anniversary models.

Highly exclusive but featured as standard: HiFi system and Mission Control.
In addition to the particularly wide range of standard features on the two anniversary models, the MINI 50 Camden also features a top-end audio system. This new HiFi system from car audio specialist Harman Kardon sets standards for enjoying music in a MINI. The high-performance digital amplifier, for example, just like the loudspeaker units, is perfectly tailored to the MINI.

An optional feature is a USB port for connecting external audio sources and a special interface for an Apple iPod. And last but not least, the customer also has the choice of an interface for integrated control of the car’s audio and telephone functions on the latest Smartphones such as the Apple iPhone.

The market launch of the new MINI 50 Camden also marks the debut of a new generation of in-car entertainment systems. Referred to as “Mission Control”, this entertainment system processes and evaluates a wide range of vehicle, driving and ambient signals, providing the driver with relevant information and instructions in that unique style so typical of MINI.

Mission Control underlines the status of the MINI as a genuine personality in the world of motoring and intensifies the driver’s feeling and impression of interacting directly with the car, the signals coming from the car itself being used to generate new, situation-based dialogues time and again.

These dialogues are based, among other things, on information regarding safety and comfort settings, requesting the driver and passengers, say, to buckle up their seat belts and use the air conditioning, and incorporate current information on driving conditions such as the current status of the vehicle, with the focus on criteria such as outside temperatures or the level of fuel in the tank.

In addition to the entertainment aspect, the system offers a functional aspect supporting the driver over and above existing functions in properly interpreting all kinds of information and using data for appropriate action.

Mission Control in the MINI 50 Camden is the first step into a brand-new world of interactive in-car entertainment, offering a driving experience never seen before.

MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden: ambassadors for the character of the brand.
Fifty years of MINI - this great anniversary offers the opportunity, looking back and into the future, to highlight some significant highlights of the brand and its character.

The origin of the brand in Great Britain and the style of MINI both timeless and unmistakable are just as significant in this context as the sophisticated, future-oriented technology and sporting potential of this small premium car. Both the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden highlight precisely these qualities through their design and equipment concepts precisely tailored in a specific direction.

The harmonious configuration of the two anniversary models also provides ample room for customisation. Following the usual MINI standard, each MINI 50 Mayfair and each MINI 50 Camden is built exactly to the customer’s order. Additional options for personal comfort are provided, for example, by the MINI navigation system, automatic air conditioning, the Vision Package made up of a heated windscreen, a rain sensor, the interior mirrors with an automatic anti-dazzle function and automatic headlight control, as well as Comfort Access. Further options are foglamps, Park Distance Control, and a glass sliding/vent roof.

Six-speed automatic transmission together with shift paddles on the steering wheel are available as an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard. The optional Sports Button varying the control maps of the gas pedal and the steering as well as, where fitted, the shift times of the automatic transmission, ensures further enhancement of driving pleasure in both the MINI 50 Mayfair and the MINI 50 Camden.

Tata Nano

The troubles that Tata Motors has had in getting its Nano microcar off the ground have been well documented. After a series of protests turned violent over a land dispute between local farmers in West Bengal and the Indian automaker,, production was moved to Tata's Pantnagar facility. Despite the massive setback (Tata had almost completed construction of the main plant before moving), the Indian automaker reportedly believes that it can assemble 80,000 Nanos by March of 2010. By that time, a second plant in Sanand should be ready to go, and that would quickly become the main facility for the inexpensive car (though Pantnagar would still supplement the larger operation).
What's next for the ongoing saga that is The World's Cheapest Car? By the end of 2011, the Nano's will get a diesel engine option in addition to the standard 33-horsepower 625 cc twin-cylinder gas unit that will be powering all Nanos at launch. Also on the future menu will be such sybaritic options as air conditioning and an automatic gearbox. Thanks for the tip, Shrawan!

By: Jeremy Korzeniewski

Even brands with overtly sporty pretensions must be concerned with their fuel economy and emissions, a point that is further evidenced by Mazda's intent to launch start-stop technology in the U.K. on its newest 3, which has proven to be the Japanese brand's most popular model. Before the end of 2009, Mazda plans to add the eco-friendly tech to both the 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter gas-burning four-cylinder engines. Oddly, the car's optional diesels, which are significantly more fuel efficient than their petrol counterparts, will miss out on this bit of tech. It's interesting to note, however, that the 2.0-liter MZR four is the only powerplant is available in Japan, Europe and America, so it seems possible all three markets could benefit from stop-start if Mazda were so inclined.
Those that care little of fuel savings will be happy to welcome the Mazdaspeed (MPS across the pond) version of the 3 hatchback that is slated for release in March at the Geneva Motor Show. A twin-clutch DSG transmission is also reportedly in the works for the 2010 model year, so there's certainly plenty to look forward to from the Zoom Zoom company.

Apparently there's a sizable group of people out there allergic to chrome. This is different than a normal enthusiast's aversion to chrome trim, mind you. While we might gag at the overuse of the bling, someone with a chromium allergy can actually develop an itchy rash if they touch it. While most automakers reserve chrome for the exterior and some interior accents, a little known fact is that chromium is often used in the leather-tanning process. That means that most leather interiors are off limits to those unfortunate souls who have this problem. Until now. Volvo has just announced that all of its leather interiors will forthwith feature only chrome-free leather. Instead, all of the leather used in Volvo car interiors will be tanned using either natural or synthetic tanning materials. The switch is said to benefit both man and nature because it also reduces the environmental impact of the tanning process.
[Source: Volvo]

Looks like green might replace red as the most popular color at Ferrari. The supercar manufacturer just added a whole roof-full of photovoltaics atop its Engine Mechanical Machining facility in Maranello. Those solar panels should cut Ferrari's outside power needs, reducing the amount of energy the company draws from the grid by about 210,000 kWh a year and could result in a 25-30% reduction in CO2 emissions.
The solar cells are the latest move in Ferrari's plan to improve environmental sustainability. They've already increased the natural ecological areas inside and outside the production and management facilities. Ferrari has also added an additional 200 trees to the 165,000 square meters of green space on campus in just the past six months. The system uses 1,075 Mitsubishi solar modules, but that doesn't mean you can tease Ferrari owners by saying that they drive something powered by a Mitsubishi motor.

Take a Hyundai Genesis, put it in a giant taffy machine and give it a serious stretch out, add some details like a reshaped rear three-quarter and some Lexus LS exhaust tips, then call it the Hyundai Equus. Oh, and give it a price of 130,000,000 South Korean won (about $93,471 USD). That's about thirty million won more than the current generation - but have no fear, it looks like you'll be getting your money's worth.
Compared to the Genesis, the Equus is about 7 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider, and it sports a wheelbase about 4.5 inches greater. Motivational choices will begin with the 3.8-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 currently found in the Genesis. By mid-year, a 5.0-liter V8 with 420+ horsepower - which would be at least 45 hp up on the Genesis - will be added to the menu, hauling the horse to 60 miles-per-hour in under six seconds.
While we didn't originally think that the Equus was bound for America, the folks at Ward's Auto are now suggesting the car will come to the U.S., albeit hopefully with a much lower price tag. With solid signs from early Genesis sales, who knows? Perhaps it will. Thanks for the tips, everyone!

The SEAT Leon Ecomotive was a Leon that had been picked over and removed of many inefficiencies in order to deliver a frugal 3.7 liters/100 kilometers (63 miles-per-gallon) as well as lower CO2 emissions. The SEAT Twin Drive Leon Prototype takes that idea a giant leap further by making the car a plug-in hybrid, adding a 35kW electric engine to the car that handles all of the motivation on the urban cycle.
Almost all of the car's running gear was massaged in the drive to become a hybrid. A lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor, and it is said to propel the car to a range of 50 km and a maximum speed of 100 km (62 miles-per-hour). For the moment, the 1.9-liter TDI engine remains to handle extra-urban duties. However, SEAT is looking at completely phasing out the internal combustion engine on future Ecomotive models.

After investing a few hundred million dollars into alternative powertrain research, China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) says that it's finally ready to produce its first hybrid car. Nothing too fancy, just a mild hybrid with an electric motor that isn't capable of powering the vehicle without the assistance of the gas-powered engine. The battery pack, at least, is a suitably high-tech lithium ion unit that will be supplied by Johnson Controls, which has a joint venture with battery-maker SAFT to produce automotive packs. SAIC expects a fuel savings of about 20%. The platform for SAIC's first hybrid will be the old Rover 75, which was renamed the Roewe 750 after being bought out by its Chinese owners. Assuming all goes to plan with this first hybrid step, SAIC plans to branch further into the alternative propulsion world with an all-electric model.
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Mitsubishi is talking to Saturn dealers to supply them with vehicles if the brand and its dealership network are sold this year. GM, which plans to phase out Saturn by the end of this year, said the brand could be supplied with vehicles on a contract basis after 2009.

If a deal with Saturn is approved, Mitsubishi will increase its presence in the U.S. by tapping into the GM brands 380 dealership network. No word on whether the vehicles sold under the agreement will carry a Mitsubishi or Saturn badge.

Mitsubishi was recently working on a small electric-car with Chrysler called the “Peapod Mobility.” However, talks have been suspended while Chrysler is in bankruptcy court.

Mitsubishi has one assembly plant in North America in Normal, Ill., and has about 430 dealers in North America. Last month, Mitsubishi sold 3,919 vehicles, down 55.9 percent from 2008.

Source: Detroit News

So you may think the government is going to run GM and Chrysler… you may be right.

The Obama administration is preparing to send GM into bankruptcy as soon as next week (May 25^th- 29^th). Under the plan it would include an additional injection of $30 billion in capital. What’s another $30 billion compared to the billions already spent to bailout other companies right?

Once this takes place, the government will own about 50% of GM while the UAW (United Auto Works union) will control about 39% of GM. The remaining portion of General Motors’s stake would probably be split by the government and Canadian bondholders. Funny because the bondholders have yet to accept GM’s proposed debt to equity offer that is still on the table.

Is this any surprise to you? Didn’t you expect the GM bankruptcy to happen so soon? I think I may have to save up some cash to purchase a new GM from one of these closing General Motor dealerships!

[source: Washington Post]

R56 MINI Cooper

Since being revived back in 2001, the MINI brand has been nothing short of a design icon. But, as is the case with many slaves to fashion, it turns out that the brand's latest models may have a serious case of function following form, at least according to a set of "User Experience Specialists" from the folks over at User Centric.
The team's gripes center around the Cooper's interior design, which famously places its gigantic speedometer front and center in the dashboard. That central gauge holds many of the user interface controls, and the entire cluster gets low marks on their usability scale for its slew of tiny poorly-labeled buttons and counter-intuitive audio controls. A second set of controls exists directly in front of the driver on the tachometer, and it, too, gets low marks for its poorly labeled controls which are mounted on a stalk to the left of the steering wheel.
For a few more takes on the current car's ergonomic shortcomings, be sure to check out of past reviews of the 2007 MINI Cooper S and its slightly larger stablemate, the 2008 MINI Cooper Clubman, or check out our captioned gallery below. No matter, the MINI still manages to win friends thanks to its amusingly tossable nature, its impeccable driving dynamics, and its irrepressible cuteness.

Gallery: R56 MINI Cooper interior shots

Scion just announced their latest Release Series car - the xB RS 6.0. Scion has been well known for their Release Series vehicles, which are specialized, limited edition runs of an existing model. There will only be a total of 2,500 of this latest edition made.

The 2009 Scion xB Release Series 6.0 comes exclusively in Absolutely Red, which is that almost matte-finish bright red you see above. Changes start with the black-finish front grille sans Scion logo, special Release Series wheel covers, red-accented interior trim, illuminated door sills, and a numbered holographic badge.

Other changes include a touch-screen integrated navigation unit with flash memory, voice recognition, MSN Direct, DVD, and Bluetooth capabilities with iPod and USB or SD connectivity. You can customize the 5.8-inch display with your choice of 32,000 colors, and get your choice of red, blue, purple, and amber interior lighting.

The xB RS 6.0 starts at $17,493 (manual transmission,) $18,443 for automatic - $1,743 over the xB base price. As you can see, the only real changes come in the form of aesthetic differences and some extra tech included, so the extra cost isn’t all that bad. Considering only 2,500 will be made, it’s a decent deal for the price. Expect the xB RS 6.0 to be in showrooms next month.

More pictures below:

2010 Pontiac G8 ST

Remember when the Pontiac G8 ST had just been announced for production and General Motors had not yet chosen a name for its new not-a-camino? A contest was held, a winner was chosen and the Poncho sport truck got the ST suffix officially added to its base G8-derived name. Joseph Warren, the winner of the naming contest, was granted a G8 ST as his prize for picking the right (and seemingly rather obvious) name, but since that particular piece of sport-truckery has now officially been scrapped, he had to pick something else. His choice? A fresh new Pontiac Torrent GXP. Really, we're not making that up. His only direction was that it had to be priced equal to or less than what the ST would have sold for. He could be parking a desirable G8 GT in his driveway, but perhaps the Torrent's CUV bodystyle is a better fit for Mr. Warren's life. Your mileage may vary.

Joining General Motors, Chrysler and Ford, Volvo is the latest automaker (a division of Ford) to drop out of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show in October.

“We have evaluated our participation at motor shows for 2009 to see how we can make the most out of our resources, and this year we decided not to participate at Tokyo,” said Volvo spokeswoman Maria Bohlin in an e-mail to Automotive News.

With the number of automakers pulling out of the show as global auto sales have slowed down, Tokyo Motor Show organizers are debating whether or not the show will take place later this year.

The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association will decide by next month whether to postpone the show or cancel it altogether. If canceled, the Tokyo Motor Show will not return until 2011

Citroen just made their Berlingo Multispace seven-seater, official in UK. The petrol or diesel powered Multispace VTR features either the 1.5i 110 hp engine or the very unimpressive 1.6 HDi 90 hp model (that’s a heavy vehicle, don’t you think?). Since that’s the perfect vehicle for a family with kids we don’t really think anyone will buy it for the power, but more like the 3,000 liter trunk that you can host everything you need for a 2 weeks vacation. And if we’re talking about “back” room, the last two seats fold down and there’s an additional 650 liter space. As for the looks of the seven seater Citroen Berlingo Multispace, we’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

The 2009 World Car of the Year competition is back for its fifth run, and the jurors have determined their ten, no, 11 finalists. The WCotY is determined by the votes of over 50 journalists from countries the world over (none of which works for Autoblog). Some of the finalists include the award-hoarding Nissan GT-R and Jaguar XF, plus strong entries like the Ford Fiesta, Fiat 500, and Audi A4. Due to a tie for 10th place, there are 11 finalists this year. Judges will next narrow their choice to the top three vehicles by March 9, and the winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show on April 9. Hit the jump to view the the WCotY finalists, along with a short press release.
[Source: World Car of the Year]

General Motors and AM General have announced that 200 workers at the Mishawaka, Indiana, plant where the HUMMER H2 and military versions of the HMMWV are assembled will be temporarily laid off until at least March. All of the affected workers assemble civilian HUMMERS, though it's rumored that the company may move some of these displaced employees to the military side of the operation.
This round of cuts can be attributed to slow sales of large, fuel-thirsty SUVs in general and the aging H2 in particular. AM General spokesperson Craig Mac Nab was quoted as saying, "Nobody knows what's going to happen with the H2 plant." In fact, nobody at either company is talking about when these employees may be called back or when H2 production will resume, leading some of us to wonder if it will pick back up at all. Thanks for the tip, Brian!
[Source: Hummer Guy]

Land Rover first clambered onto our shores in March, 1987. It took almost ten-and-a-half years to sell the first 100,000 vehicles in the U.S., but it took only five more to move the next 150,000. And now with an expanded lineup and the Range Rover still stalking the countryside as the king of the luxury SUV pride, Land Rover North America has taken just two-and-a-half years to sell another 100,000 units. When a Range Rover Sport left the lot in Cerritos, California this month, that totaled 500,000 Land Rovers bought and paid for. And so to you Land Rover, on your 60th birthday, a tip of the hat and half a million kudos. Press release after the jump.
[Source: Land Rover]

Reports indicate that Land Rover is planning to facelift nearly its entire range later this year, including refreshed versions of the LR3, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Spy shots of the latter's test mules indicate that the updated luxury off-roaders will be distinguished by modest revisions to the bumpers, grille and headlamps, in addition to refreshed interiors.
The juicy news, however, is under the bonnet, where sources suggest the latest Jaguar engines will find their new home. In addition to Jaguar's 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel that is already confirmed to migrate to the Land Rovers, reports now indicate that the XF's 5.0-liter V8 will feature in the update SUVs, including a torque-tuned take on the supercharged version from the XFR for the most powerful Range Rovers. Considering that the engine propelled the XFR to a top speed of 225 mph at Bonneville, we could be looking at one wickedly fast Range Rover when all is said and done.
[Source: Auto Express]

Mitsubishi finally announced what we've known all along: the five-door Lancer Sportback is coming to the States for the 2010 model year and sales will begin this summer.
The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback builds on the already competent Lancer sedan, although the overall length is slightly longer to accommodate the new hatch. One-touch auto-folding rear seats split 60:40 to make room for "active lifestyle" parcels and Mitsubishi dropped the rear cargo area floor by three inches to create 52.7 cubic-feet of space when the rear thrones are folded flat.
The Sportback will be available in two trims, beginning in GTS form and equipped with Mitsubishi's 168 hp, 2.4-liter inline four mated to either a five-speed manual or CVT with six "virtual" ratios. More importantly, the Sportback will be offered in Ralliart guise, with the detuned Evolution X's turbocharged 4B11 2.0-liter four putting out 237 hp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. Power will be doled out to all four wheels through Mitsubishi's All-Wheel Control (AWC) system with Active Center Differential (ACD), and buyers can opt for either the six-speed Twin Clutch-Sportronic Shift transmission (TC-SST) or CVT gearbox, both of which are manipulated by a set of magnesium-alloy paddle shifters.
Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but once all the options boxes are ticked on the Ralliart, expect the price to still be under $30k. Make the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart

Chery, the Chinese automaker with a sweet-sounding name, is serious about entering the European market as quickly as possible.
Proof of such can be seen in the A6 Coupe (we're sure Audi's lawyers are keeping tabs on this one too), which has recently been spotted testing near Lotus' corporate headquarters in Norfolk, England. Might the Chinese upstart be getting some much needed know-how from the British brand that's known for its excellent chassis tuning? Seems likely.
Chery also received help on the A6's styling from none other than classic Italian styling house Bertone, and it's a pretty good looker in its two-door hatchback configuration. Future versions are said to include a sedan, a two-door shooting brake-style wagon and possibly a hardtop convertible. Power will come from either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder or a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6, both of which have reportedly been certified for sale in the U.K.
[Source: AutoCar]

Michigan is a state of contradictions. The authorities there are so worried about your focus on the road in front of you that it's illegal to hang anything on your rear-view mirror. Yet if you want to triple tow - that's pulling two trailers at one time, like an RV camper and a boat - you can do it after you pay $10 and take a 15-question test. And you just need to get 12 answers right.
The only caveat worth mentioning is that the total length of the tow vehicle and two trailers can't exceed 65 feet. That's about the length of a semi-trailer combo, the differences being that a semi-trailer has only one articulated point and the folks who drive them need expensive specialized training and commercial driver's licenses.
Incredibly, Michigan is not only not alone with this, it is not the most permissive: Wisconsin and other states allow 65-foot triple-towing combinations, South Dakota allows 75 feet, and Wyoming gives drivers a whopping 85-foot towable length. No wonder Wyoming is the state of The Bucking Horse and Rider...
[Source: Automobile]

As General Motors seeks to streamline its production, the auto giant's medium-duty truck business is back on the block. This past summer a deal with Navistar fell through, leaving GM holding its hat, but a new deal could see the line transfer to Isuzu.
The Japanese automaker, which was due to withdraw from passenger car sales in North American as of a couple of days ago, is one of the world's largest producers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and has had a long history of collaboration with GM. The new arrangement, which was previously rejected, would have Isuzu take over production of the GMC TopKick and Chevrolet Kodiak trucks, also rebadged as the Isuzu H-Series (pictured above), currently produced alongside the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado pick-ups at GM's Flint, Michigan truck plant. The deal is far from finalized, with Isuzu spokesmen apparently unaware of the negotiations reportedly in progress, but UAW officials say this could be the best way to keep its truck assembly workers employed.
[Source: Michigan Online]

Skoda doesn't have any problems making decent cars anymore, which in itself might pose a problem.
With the pick of the VW parts bin, a loyal fan base and incredible value for money, the main concern over at Substation Volkswagen could be how not to steal sales from cars like the Polo, Golf, Passat, Audi A3 and A4.

If Skodas last as long, drive almost identically and use the same engines as these "rivals", who wouldn't want to save money to boot? Of course, the fact it is a Skoda is enough to put a lot of people off, but another issue must be the way all these cars look.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing particularly wrong with the styling of Skodas, but given the handsome, if a little bland, lines or most VW/Audi products why do they always look slightly awkward?
Read the Octavia 1.4 TSI first drive
It is almost as if someone at VW is kicking the table as the Skoda designers put the finishing touches to their designs. Perhaps there is a touch of planned ugliness that has been mapped out in a boardroom somewhere and engineered in?
The new Octavia looks alright, but from some angles it is gawky, the headlights making it look a little top heavy. The Fabia, too, has been given a funky Mini-esque roof but looks under-wheeled and ungainly. The Suberb is a huge car, and excellent value, but it looks a little slab-sided.
Dynamically there is little to fault Skodas, but visually there is still a bit more work to do to get them looking right. Or maybe there isn't. Perhaps that's exactly how they are meant to look.

Mitsubishi announced today that it will extend its seven-week shutdown at its Illinois plant by five weeks. According to Automotive News, the plant will be closed for a total of 12 weeks from Feb. 16 to May 11 in an effort to reduce inventory.

The plant is responsible for the production of the Mitsubishi Galant, Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder. It also produces the Mitsubishi Endeavor crossover.

The plant has 1,568 employees including more than 1,200 hourly UAW workers. Mitsubishi will keep all employees on the payroll but will shift their duties to non-production related work.

Mitsubishi kicked of 2009 with a 148 days supply in the U.S. - up from a 127-day supply on Dec. 1

If you've been looking to spec a new Astra like Autoblog reader ramirez8167, you may have noticed that you can't build or locate a 2009 model on Saturn's website. That's because there isn't one.
With plenty of dealer stock on-hand for the slow-moving Opel-based hatch, General Motors has simply decided to sell through their existing inventory of 2008s instead of creating a parking lot with additional 2009 model year stock. We spoke with Steve Janisse, group manager for Saturn communications this morning, and he confirmed that while there will be no 2009 model, a 2010 is scheduled and on track for a spring roll-out. Given this unfortunate economic environment and GM's rude poor health, of course, we'll wait to "call the ball" until 2010s are on dealer forecourts. In any case, no major changes are planned for the 2010 model, although minor items like the availability of new paint colors are expected.
Until then, Astra prospectives can still kit out a 2008 model of the tidy-handling hatchback on Saturn's website and probably get a solid deal on what they are looking for through dealer transfers.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Saturn Astra XR

With 738 lb-ft of torque, Bentley bestows an extra helping of excess upon its top-down testament to wretched excess.

Borrowing its powertrain from the Brooklands, this Azure T will hit 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

General Motors' Opel division has been hard at work on a performance version of its hot new Insignia, the reigning European Car of the Year, and the first spy shot - probably snapped on someone's camera phone - has surfaced online. To be sold as the Vauxhall Insignia VXR in the UK and as the Opel Insignia OPC in Europe, the car is reported to have lapped the vaunted Nürburgring Nordschleife in a hair over eight minutes, which is a blistering fast time for a relatively large hatch.
The hot Insignia evidently wears big 20-inch wheels with concave dark spokes and chrome accents, wrapped in 255/35 R20 rubber and capped by bulging wheel arches. All four contact patches are in use to put down the anticipate 320 horsepower from the twin-turbo V6, while big air vents borrowed from the sharp-lookin' Opel GTC Concept help the drivetrain get the wind it needs. Hatchback, sedan and wagon variants are all expected to be part of the mix. We're hoping to see this bad boy in pre-production preview form this March at the Geneva Motor Show, with the full production version to follow in the Spring at the Frankfurt Auto Show. But more than that, we're quietly hoping to see it Stateside as the successor to the V8-powered Buick LaCrosse Super (known as the Allure in Canada due to a certain unsavory Quebecois slang conflict). We can hope, can't we?
[Source: EVO via AutoExpress]

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Chinese-spec Buick Regal

GM might make a swap in its European production plans, shifting Buick assembly to Opel and Saab assembly to Sweden. Names of the models in question haven't been mentioned, but the Opel Insignia, Chinese-spec Buick Regal and coming Saab 9-5 are all built on GM's Epsilon II platform.
The original plan was to produce the Saab 9-5 in Sweden, and Saab has been studying the Trollhatten factory's viability for the task. Factory representatives at the Russelsheim plant have also been lobbying for more cars to produce, thinking the operation underutilized, and they would certainly be building more Buicks than Saabs. And if other rumors are correct, it would keep siblings that GM plans to bring closer together - Opel and Buick - under the same roof.
The swap, which would mean not building any new Saabs in Germany, would also send 9-3 production to Sweden. Sending 9-5 production there as well could also be seen as another step in extricating Saab from GM's web to assist in efforts to find a buyer for the brand.

Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal

We've seen the latest E-class coupe and sedan, but Mercedes-Benz hasn't revealed the latest iteration of its E-class wagon. No matter -- thanks to our fast-acting West Coast editor and his Blackberry, we have some photos of the latest Benz wagon.
Engineers applied some light camouflage to this test car, but to no avail. There's no mistaking that Mercedes-Benz grille, although we're more interested in what lies underneath those padded hind quarters. It may be slightly obscured, but the disguise doesn't hide the rising rocker trim and the curvaceous rear fenders, both cues first shown on the Concept Fascination from the 2008 Paris motor show.
That show car, however, was designed more as a shooting brake than a familial mode of transport. We're not surprised that the Fascination's racy roofline has been nixed in favor of a more traditional profile, creating more room for kids, pets, and other cargo.
Likewise, the Concept Fascination's powertrain - a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel I-4 also used in the E250 Bluetec concept shown in New York - won't appear in production cars destined for North America. Mercedes-Benz plans on offering the next E-class wagon only as an E350, meaning a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 will lurk underhood. While we wouldn't be surprised if a 4Matic model followed soon after, don't expect to see a diesel or AMG variant in the model mix.
Although we should see the final product in all its glory this fall (it's expected to debut at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show), the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon won't arrive stateside until the summer of 2010.
© Source: automobilemag

Jaguar have just announced that an all-new Jaguar XJ will make its public debut this July. And the rotten teases in the Gaydon press office have released just this one bird’s eye view of the new saloon. Speaking at Auto Shanghai 2009, Jaguar Cars Managing Director, Mike O’Driscoll confirmed that the all-new XJ will go on sale at the end of 2009 – but will officially be revealed on July 9th in London.
It will be the first car to feature the next-generation of Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture.
All of Jaguar’s XJ ultra-efficient Gen III petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new XJ, including the already acclaimed V6 diesel and 510 bhp supercharged V8. There will be a choice of standard or long wheelbase models – as well as a panoramic glass roof highlighted in the first picture.
With the success of the excellent XF, It’s difficult to see what space the XJ is going to occupy in the Jag Pantheon. We’ll just have to wait and see how the final release looks, feels and drives.
But can there really be room for two completely different mid size luxury saloons from Jaguar?
In our humble opinion, the loveliest Jag ever to grace our roads is the incomparable XK 120, that was produced way back in 1948. Now that’s what we call a panoramic roof.
© Source: carblogpost

Korea’s leading carmaker has shown great concept vehicles over the years, but the Hyundai ix-ionic concept (pronounced ““ik-sonic” and yes, written in lower case letters only) appears to be anything but far-fetched. In fact, it looks everything like the production-ready evolution of the i-mode concept (small letters again) that was unveiled in Geneva only last year.
The hexagonal front grille is quite similar but the profile and rear are definitely more realistic. Designed by Hyundai’s studio in Rüsselsheim, Germany, this stylish compact crossover is 4,400 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and stands 1,650 mm off the ground. All measures within a few whiskers of a BMW X3, a likely target and benchmark. The ix-ionic concept also splits the difference between Hyundai’s current Tucson and Sante Fe models in length and width. It is fashionably lower than the former by 8 cm, which is fine for a vehicle described by its makers as an “Urban Nomad”.
The ix-ionic seats five: save for the snazzy blue rear-lighting in the gauges, navi screen and radio display, as well as some bright magnesium accents, the interior is production grade too. Worthy of notice are speakers mounted much higher than usual in the doors for better sound quality. There’s also a ‘blind spot’ warning light in the rear-view mirror. And under the hood is a 1.6-litre, 168-horsepower, direct-injected four-cylinder gasoline engine with ‘stop-start’ mode, coupled to a dual automated clutch, six-speed gearbox and four-wheel-drive. Look for additional muscle if this one makes the trip over.
© Source: autoshow