Special Edition New Citroen C3 Picasso Blackcherry

Article about new Citroen C3 Picasso Blackcherry special edition.

The Citroën C3 Picasso Blackcherry is based on the VTR+ specification, and comes with a frugal 1.6-litre HDi 90 turbodiesel engine.

In addition to the usual VTR+ equipment list – which includes air conditioning, six airbags, cruise control, remote locking and scented air freshener system – the C3 Picasso Blackcherry has been visually upgraded inside and out.

The main bodywork is finished in metallic black paint, but accented with ‘cherry red’ wing mirrors, rubbing strips and diamond-tipped 17-inch alloys. The black and red theme continues inside, where you’ll also find the addition of Bluetooth and a USB connector for mp3 players – which becomes standard on all VTR+ models and above.

The 88bhp diesel engine returns a claimed 61.4mpg while emitting 119g/km CO2, has a 108mph top speed and a 0-62mph time of 14.7 seconds.

The Citroën C3 Picasso Blackcherry costs £15,195 – £300 more than a regular VTR+ with the same engine – and is available to order now.

Engine updates reduce emissions

In other C3 Picasso news there is a trio of engine updates across the range.

Most significant is the new Euro 5 emissions compliant HDi 110 turbodiesel. Also 1.6-litres in capacity, this 108bhp unit is combined with a six-speed gearbox to reduce CO2 by 4g/km to 125g/km and returns a claimed 58.8mpg.

Elsewhere the 93bhp 1.4-litre VTi petrol and 88bhp 1.6-litre HDi fitted to the entry-level VT specification C3 Picasso have become more efficient. Combined fuel economy rises from 42.8mpg to 44.1mpg for the petrol and 60.1mpg to 61.4mpg for the diesel.

CO2 falls 4g/km for both models, meaning a reduction in road tax band in both cases, and a two-band Benefit-In-Kind company car tax drop.

The entire Citroën C3 Picasso line up is now fitted with Michelin Energy Saver tyres from the factory, further helping to maximise fuel economy. Prices start at £12,695.

New ix20 MPV

Article about new ix20 MPV.

Hyundai's all-new ix20 will carry a starting price of £11,595 when it goes on sale in the UK on November 18. The South Korean firm's small MPV, which made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show earlier this month, will be available with three drivetrain options and three trim levels (Classic, Active and Style.

The engine range includes two petrols, a 90HP 1.4-liter linked to a manual gearbox and a 125HP 1.6-liter hooked up to an automatic transmission, and a 1.4-liter diesel with 90HP.

The entry-level Classic includes a height adjustable driver's seat, ESP, air conditioning, six airbags, active head restraints, radio/CD audio system with six speakers, plus CD, MP3, RDS and USB-/AUX-/iPOD-input capabilities. Prices for the Classic models start at £11,595 for the 1.4L petrol and £12,995 for the 1.4L diesel.

The mid-range Active adds 16-inch alloy wheels, body colored door handles and mirrors (electrically adjustable and heated), reversing sensors, Bluetooth phone connectivity, electric rear windows and audio controls on the leather-trimmed steering wheel

The Active costs £1,100 more than the Classic, starting at £12,695 for the 1.4-litre petrol, £14,095 for the diesel and £14,095 for the 1.6-litre petrol auto.

Finally, moving up to the range-topping Style specification adds a dual-panel panoramic glass sunroof with UV filter, front fog lights and door mirrors that fold electrically and are fitted with integrated side repeater indicators.

The Style range starts at £13,695 for the 1.4-litre petrol, £15,095 for the diesel and £15,095 for the 1.6-litre petrol auto.

New Sharan Price

About VW puts a price on new Sharan.

VW has opened the order books for its all-new Sharan MPV. Prices for the newcomer start from £22,980 for the entry-level S 1.4-litre TSI petrol model. The 1.4-litre model replaces the previous 2.0-litre S, and costs £1,550 more than the outgoing car. The cheapest diesel model starts at £24,320, rising right up to the £30,580 Executive model
There are two petrol and two diesel models to choose from, and all except the DSG-only 2.0-litre petrol come with a choice of manual or DSG twin clutch gearboxes. There are four trim levels available: S, SE, SEL and Executive.  All feature seven seats as standard except for Executive which has six individual, leather-trimmed seats.
The Sharan also features EasyFold seating, which allows the individual seats of the second and third rows to be stowed in the vehicle floor, rather than having to be removed from the car when not needed. All models also get twin rear sliding doors
Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/258577/vw_puts_a_price_on_new_sharan.html#ixzz134HhjVwE

Showed It All The Billboard

Article about The Billboard.'

Ads may be the most important tools and powerful at the expense of business. They can spread the spirit of the old mark of success, or, in the case of Toyota's recent announcement, customers can be entered with the vibration in the case of new products. Last weekend, the tenth anniversary of the Prius, posters have appeared attractive new member of a family of Prius, Prius is now known as Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). Appeared under the title "Family Prius get a lot more," Prius enthusiasts looking for more opportunities and what looks like a van will be pleased to know that the Prius MPV, certainly a real possibility.

Toyota MPV makes it’s forst appearance on this billboard

A hybrid Prius van is something that many Toyota consumers have been wishing for. When it hits showroom floors, the MPV is expected to get around 40ish mpg, although that estimate is highly speculative. What is really new and important about this development is that it carries the name and style of the Prius.

This definitely shows that the company is taking a new direction with the Prius. It would seem that instead of just releasing hybrid versions of their already exciting vehicles, Toyota will be releasing all around new automobiles that share similar style and efficiency of their already wildly popular Prius. The main goal of Toyota with its hybrid lines, as is the goal with any automobile manufacturing company, is to ensure their vehicles and Toyota Parts are integrated into the mainstream of today’s “smart” consumer.

Toyota Prius MPV to Debut

Talks about Toyota Prius.

The Toyota Prius was once the uncontested, bestselling hybrid in the American market but with the negative impact of Toyota’s recall and safety issues combined with the influx of new hybrid competition, the mighty Prius has become a face in the crowd – but perhaps that will change at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Toyota will use the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit to debut the new supersized Prius hybrid, offering a great deal more room than the current Prius along with an extra row of seating for more passengers. In addition to the extra space, the Toyota Prius MPV is expected to come with a more powerful hybrid system to help maintain the excellent fuel economy associated with the Prius name in the larger vehicle.

Can the 2012 Toyota Prius MPV give the company the hybrid edge?

For quite some time we were facing rumors that Toyota might launch an entire Prius-based brand but those rumors have faded with company execs denying this new brand (that would be similar to the Scion brand with very specific marketing). Toyota has offered nothing but a subtle teaser showing the Prius MPV tucked shyly behind the current production Prius but from the looks of things, we can expect a vehicle similar in size to the Mazda5.

Click here for a look at the YouTube video of the teaser billboard going up with the help of some Prius enthusiasts. In the near ground of the billboard is a standard modern Toyota Prius and in the background hides the upcoming Prius MPV.

Aria Been Export

Article about Tata Motors to export Aria.

Tata Motors newest product, the crossover MPV Aria might be exported to foreign countries soon. Mr S. G. Saxena, Head of Business Unit of Passenger cars, Tata Motors, said, “Normally for any manufacturer it would take about six months after introducing the car in the domestic market to commence exports. We do have plans for exporting the Aria range of SUVs in the overseas market.”

Meanwhile Tata Motors is registering increase in their monthly sales, month after month. In the month of September 2010, Tata registered an increase in sales by 77%, when compared to sales figures of September 2009. Seeing this positive growth, Mr Saxena suggested that Aria might be ready for export in six months.

He added, “Most of the products introduced in domestic (markets) are usually taken to overseas market after six months. There are host of other features (before exporting) which needs to be taken care of, which will take time. We do have plans to export it to European and SAARC countries after six months.” Tata Aria was launched in 11th October in 22 Indian cities.

Renault Vel Satis

Above article about Renault Vel Satis MPV’s.

Renault Vel Satis Phil satisfactory, Renault is an executive car produced by French manufacturer Renault. This institution was established in 2001 to replace the Geneva Motor Safran had stopped, and nothing in common with the 1990s concept car of the same name.

Renault Vel Satis Marked by high satisfaction Phil unusual, which benefits interior space but results in percentages rather stiff. Integrity five-star EuroNCAP rating and are available with different engines:

* 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.0-liter diesel
* April 24 source valve, 3.5 – liter V6 (which is also used in various models including the Nissan Altima, Murano, 350Z/Fairlady, and Infiniti, QX series m))
* 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 2.2-liter turbodiesel direct injection
Source * Perkins, 24-valve 3.0-liter direct-injection turbodiesel

Satisfaction and Phil share a “platform” (chassis, powertrain, and the assembly process) with Laguna Espace IV and manufactured on the assembly line at the same Sandouville, France.

In October 2004, while their truck at 130 km / h (81 mph) in the context of Cruise Control, Auto 3.0 Diesel Phil alleged acceleration own satisfaction for more than 190 km / h (120 mph) on the part of the highway A71 motorway ( highway) in central France, and remains on pace for more than an hour despite the efforts made by the alleged driver to stop. The police, notified by cell phone call from the driver, and cleared the way for car and track it until it stopped near the toll booth. According to the driver, the accident occurred because Cruise is damaged, in conjunction with an electronic card that replaces the conventional ignition key and do not allow to start or stop the electronic machines without a middleman.

Renault investigation immediately in the car and found fault with it, even though the electronic interference from external sources such as random (in this case, more than trucks), while highly improbable, can not be completely ruled out. Tests have proven over and over under judicial supervision, by car and others of the same model that the driver can always override Cruise, and provide a vehicle to stop at least two independent means, even if the traditional methods used in applying the brakes to disengage failure Cruise :

* Specific actions automatic transmission from drive to neutral
* Click on the cruise control on / off five times in rapid sequence, in accordance with the instruction manual car

In March 2005, Renault in the UK to not develop the right engine version of the facelifted elephant satisfaction, and sales of the model is poor in the UK since its launch. Although sales are expected to 3500, and reached only one third of this.

Opel’s Redesigned MPV

Article about Opel’s redesigned MPV is a roomie beauty.

Details about the Opel 2012 Zafira have started surfacing of late. The redesigned version of the MPV has a cabin that is more spacious than the previous one, with the third and fourth rows being roomier. Accommodating the roominess of the new version, the vehicle is bigger in size – 4690mm long, 1820mm wide, and 1690mm tall.

The seating in the back is a Flex-7 seating system. This ensures that the rear seats can be folded individually in one move.

Opel will be offering several engines – petrol engines are likely to have an output of 120 hp (89 kW / 122 PS) to 180 hp (134 kW / 183 PS); the diesel engines are estimated to produce 110 hp (82 kW / 112 PS) to 160 hp (119 kW / 162 PS) – both options will have standard transmission choices, with the possibility of a dual clutch box being included in the future.

As for improvements on the style front – a sporty profile and an anterior that resembles the Ampera are likely to emerge. Interior design will be similar to that of the Insignia and the Astra, say sources.

The MPV is set to make its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011.

Chevrolet Orlando At The Paris Motor Show

Article about Chevrolet first entrant into the European MPV. Read, and try product from the bottom of this blog under sponsor links. ^_^

Chevrolet's first entrant into the European MPV/family van segment, the Orlando, is one of the star attractions at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris, where the full production model makes its world debut. It is one of four Chevrolet world premieres at the show.

Function with attitude: striking crossover look combined with 7-seater versatility
Chevrolet brings great value entry to compact van segment.
World premiere at Paris Motor Show, start of sale in early 2011.
One of four Chevrolet world premieres in Paris Motor Show.
Based on the show car concept first seen at Paris in 2008, the Chevrolet Orlando is a true family car for the times, combining 7-seater practicality and interior flexibility with striking crossover style design.

Chevrolet's new compact MPV eschews the bland designs sometimes seen in the segment, and instead adopts a bolder look with its low roofline and crossover inspired silhouette, while retaining the distinctive and recognizable Chevrolet 'face' depicted by the split radiator grille and bow-tie badge.

The Orlando's low swept roof line is complemented by the muscular, protruding wheel-arches, housing 16, 17 or 18 inch wheels.
The new Orlando MPV has a key role to play in Chevrolet's continued product offensive in Europe, as Wayne Brannon, president and managing director for Chevrolet Europe explains. "The new Orlando MPV kicks off an ambitious seven-product launch program over the next 15 months.

"We're confident the Orlando not only brings great value for money to the MPV class but also something fresh - function with attitude if you like - and the opportunity for us to continue building our volume across Europe. I believe it will also bring more new customers to the Chevrolet brand."

While the exterior of the new Orlando is sure to draw plenty of attention, the interior too features the latest design cues from Chevrolet such as the Corvette inspired dual cockpit and ambient blue backlighting to the center console. However, it's the theatre style seating arrangement of the Orlando's three rows of seats, the generous load area and the numerous storage solutions that will also grab the attention of family motorists.

In spite of the sweeping roof-line, the designers have succeeded in raising the second and third row of seats, which means Orlando's occupants get an even better view both forwards and to the side. And with a wide variety of seating configurations possible, the Orlando can be quickly transformed into one of the most voluminous vans in the class when it comes to carrying loads.

THe Elgrand Versatile MPV

Above thought about the Elgrand.

Versatile MPVs usually are the most popular imports from Japan because such vehicles aren't that readily available in the European car camp. The Toyota Alphard, for example, proved so popular in the grey market that it eventually caught the attention of Toyota Motor Thailand.

There are other Japanese brands that offer an alternative to the Alphard - now on sale officially in 2.4- and 3.5-litre forms - like the Honda Elysion, Mazda MPV and Nissan Elgrand - all dubbed full-sized MPVs with the ability to seat 7-8 people.

But the only model today that can really match the Alphard in terms of freshness is the Elgrand launched in Japan a few months ago. And you won't need to guess where this sample, driven by Motoring this week, comes from since Nissan Motor Thailand has yet to follow into Toyota's footsteps by starting sales of the Elgrand.

The key question is: should the Thai Nissan office sell the Elgrand? To cut the chase, the answer is definitely yes because if Toyota finds it feasible to sell the Alphard, then there should be no reason why Nissan shouldn't do likewise.

The Elgrand, after all, is a comfort-oriented people-carrier that well-off Thais like. It should even sell in higher numbers, as you might suspect, than the 370Z sports car that's officially sold by Thai Nissan.

Here are a couple of good reasons why the Elgrand looks cool against the Alphard, despite sharing so many similarities like a similarly conceived package, engine range, driving manners, specification and price.

Go into detail and you would note the Elgrand's marginally superior packaging. Against the Alphard, the Elgrand sits on a longer wheelbase length of three metres (50mm more) and is fractionally longer overall (65mm) and broader (20mm).

Such MPVs usually have more than enough headroom for passengers, so Nissan seemingly wasn't too bothered about the Elgrand's 75mm lower height. Such a thinking works in styling terms, for that gives the Elgrand a sturdier appearance than the Alphard's somehow clumsier proportions.

Premium MPV ‘R’ Class

Here’s thought about premium MPV ‘R’ Class.

Festive season is upon us and the automobile sector wants to drive the wave of optimism with the flurry of new launches. The industry expects the biggest-ever festive season with sales growing by 1.3-1.5 times.

With just a day to go for the festive season, Mercedes Benz has already launched its premium MPV 'R' Class for the luxury car lovers. Within a span of just one week, three more new launches are in the offing across categories.

Fiat will launch the variant of its sedan Linea, Tata Motors is launching its much awaited cross over Aria and Czech carmaker Skoda, too, would be launching a refreshed Fabia to hot up the hatchback space.
On the two wheeler front, the likes of Hero Honda, Mahindra Two wheelers, Yamaha and Suzuki have already launched products which will be available in the showrooms now.

"Everything is going great guns for the industry. We have already exceeded our annual sales targets in the first nine months itself. And with festive season around, we expect to sales to grow in the range of 1.2-1.3 times," said Debashish Mitra, director (sales & marketing), Mercedes Benz.

"All the OEMs want to make the most of the festive season. In fact, we do expect that since the demand is good, almost all OEM's would withdraw their discounts and boost their profits," said Amol Bhutada, Auto Analyst, Elara Capital.

There is already a waiting period of a few week of at least one or two models for each of the auto makers, who on their part are building capacities so that their customers don’t shift loyalties. But they are also hoping that component suppliers gear up to meet the demand.

Read more at: http://profit.ndtv.com/news/show/automakers-line-up-new-launches-for-festive-season-106048?cp

Toyota Prius MPV 2012

Here’s thought about Toyota Prius MPV.

From the looks of things, the Prius MPV/crossover/mini-minivan thing will look exactly like, well, a Prius with a flatter, higher roof and an upright rear window. It appears to be sized somewhere between a Toyota Matrix and a Mazda 5, and to feature forward-hinged rear doors. Through the camouflage, it’s easy to see Prius-esque graphics on the front end and in the taillamps, as well as the Prius’s characteristic triangular D-pillar. The wheels are remarkably large for a Prius (the base sedan rides on puny 15-inchers); the rollers here are either 18s or really big–looking 17s. Inside, the MPV features center-mounted gauges like those in the regular Prius. Maximum seating capacity is unknown as of now, but squeezing in a third row, as Kia did on its diminutive Rondo, is a possibility.

Beneath the skin, expect to see the next generation of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, although not necessarily one using pricey lithium-ion battery technology; the company has pledged to stick with nickel-metal hydride batteries for a long time to come. (As demand for plug-in hybrids increases, however, we expect Toyota could release a Prius MPV variant with the lithium-ion-powered setup from the plug-in Prius, which is due for the 2012 model year.) The MPV may, however, get a larger four-cylinder engine displacing 2.5 liters or so. Just how high Toyota can stretch this vehicle’s fuel economy remains to be seen, but hitting the sedan’s vaunted 50-mpg EPA combined mileage mark will be tough, given the MPV’s presumed weight gain, its taller profile, and the internal-combustion engine’s potential displacement increase.

Mark Hall appointed marketing director in Europe

These about Hyundai Europe brings in Lexus marketing director

Based in Germany, Hall will be responsible for implementing an "intensive" product launch program, with a view to positioning the South Korean automotive giant as a leading European manufacturer.

The first four products, including the B-segment MPV challenger ix20, will be launched at the 2010 Paris Motor Show on 2 October. The manufacturer plans to launch a further eight models in 2011.

Hyundai Motors, bought by South Korean car manufacturer Kia Motors in 1998, had a market share of 2.6% for the first eight months of 2010, representing an increase on the 2.4% recorded for the same period last year.

The company employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and sold approximately 3.1 million vehicles in 2009, posting sales of US$41.8bn.