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Peugeot 301 Makes its World Debut in 2012 Paris Auto Show

Dev S — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:50:54 PDT

The new Peugeot 301 sedan will mark its world debut in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. It also makes a significant step by changing the naming scheme for French Automakers. The modern, crisply styled and well-equipped compact designed sedan for emerging markets will be out for sale starting from November, this year. Built in Spain, the Peugeot 301 won’t be sold in most major Western European countries. Rather, it will appear for sale in markets such as Turkey, Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Greece, Russia, the Middle East, several Gulf and African states, and certain Latin American countries.

The 301 will be adorned with a range of small, economical gasoline and diesel engines, starting with a 71-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine. Peugeot announces this new compact “in time is expected to become one of the marque’s best-selling vehicles worldwide.”

A long-held three-digit naming policy that dates to 1929 and the Peugeot 201 will be revised with the car’s arrival this fall. The traditional system used zero as a central digit, with the first digit representing the relative size and segment of the vehicle and the last digit indicating the generation of the car. Peugeot says the new models will also retain their initial names for the life of the vehicle, with zero remaining as the central digit and the first digit continuing to represent relative size and segment.

But for the last digit, Peugeot says new global models with high volume potential, such as the upcoming 301, will use the number 1 at the end. It adds, “Designed specifically to fulfill new customer expectations, these new models will offer value for money and status and will supplement the range of models that from now on will remain with the end digit 8.”

The new strategy of introducing the car to markets other than major Western Countries seem to bring a new change in the sales. Let’s watch how this new wave is going to work for Peugeot.

via Insideline

BMW M135i Gets a New Rival —Audi S3

S Buchanon — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:56:35 PDT

Once the next Audi S3 gets released, BMW will have to face tough competition as the vehicle is expected to be a perfect rival for the latest M135i hatchback. The Audi S3 is a brand new model powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 5-cylinder engine, which is expected to generate 276-horse power and 280 lb-ft of torque. Besides, the new model would be an alternate for the last S3’s ten-year old ‘EA113’ motor.

The major significance of this new vehicle is that it will be the first model to be powered by the modified ‘EA888’ engine. Apart from these features, it will also have a newly designed turbo, Audi Valve Lift system to enhance low-end response, and an estimated improvement of 15 hp and 22 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, length of the S3 will also get bigger. The new model will be 22mm in length and 201 mm in width alongside 21mm in height. Despite these additions, the car will weigh approximately 176 lbs. less than its forerunner’s weight as it uses aluminum for select parts.

If the reports are to be believed, the 2.0l-liter five-cylinder engine will be combined with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, with a seven-speed transmission named DQ500 as an option. Audi assures that the Audi S3 will sprint from 0-62 mph in just 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 155mph while its previous version completes it in 5.7 seconds.

via Egmcartech

Kia Sorento to Get New Styling Tweaks: Goes On Sale This Year

S Buchanon — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:16:11 PDT

Images of the upgraded version Kia Sorento, which is set to go on sale later this year, have been leaked while testing its prototype at the Nurburgring, in Germany. Reportedly, the new model will get an all-new platform and a few styling tweaks and it include the lights, grille, and front and rear bumpers. These are the major tweaks included to the facelifted model of Kia Sorento. But majority of the changes will be under the skin as the new and modified Sorento shares the same platform with the forthcoming Hyundai Santa Fe, which was revealed at the 2012 New York Motor Show in April.

Even though, the chassis has been upgraded, the updated Sorento will probably keep the current engine specifications, with some minor upgrades to boost its power and fuel efficiency. Engine choices of the new Kia Sorento include a 2.4-liter four-cylinder MPI engine, which generates 175 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque, along with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder GDI engine producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque and a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 276 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. The refreshed Kia Sorento will also get some minor upgrades to interior design and technology.

via Caradvice

Lexus USA Releases SportDesign Package for GX 460

Venus V — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:11:54 PDT

Lexus USA has quietly released a “Sport Design‘ package for the customers of the GX 460. The upgrade enlivens the SUV promisingly, thus keeping it pretty fresh until the new style refurbishing a year later.

Priced at $2000, the optional package adds to the Lexus GX 460 a new F sport grille, 18 inch cast alloy wheels with a liquid silver high gloss finish and 12% lighter than the stock wheels and bright chrome exhaust tip carved out of double walled stainless steel. Upping the ante for the midsize luxury SUV are black or brown carpet floor mats with the front mats adorned with F Sport logo. The package is already available at the dealerships.

Sadly, there isn’t any upgrade to the performance of the SUV. The 2012 Lexus GX 460 thus carries under its hood a 4.6-liter V8 generates 301 horses (up from 263) and 329 lb-ft. of torque (up from 323 lb-ft.). The engine is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission and an off road-oriented two-speed four-wheel-drive system. As for the fuel economy figures the SUV returns 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

Alfa Romeo’s New Roadster to be Produced in Japan

S Buchanon — Thu, 31 May 2012 08:02:06 PDT

According to latest reports, Alfa Romeo‘s next roadster, which is based on the upcoming Mazda MX-5/Miata, will be built by the Japanese automaker. Fiat announced the news regarding the production of the new roadster. If reports are to be believed, Mazda and Fiat signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the development and manufacture of two new roadsters in Japan.

The final official procedures are due to be signed in the second half of 2012, with the first cars rolling off the assembly line in 2015. It seems nobody were interested in the next roadster as folks raised questions against this idea. But, who designs a car or where it is built are not at all a matter and not guarantees of success. As per the MoU, the new Alfa roadster will offer something new as Mazda has included few styling tweaks to differentiate it from its predecessor.

Mazda, in a statement said it calls for each carmaker to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive. Even though both the cars would be developed in Mazda’s Hiroshima plant, the new roadster won’t just be a badge-engineered MX-5. “The Mazda and Alfa Romeo variants will each be powered by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand,” Mazda said in the statement.

The previous Alfa Spider styled by the famous designer Giorgio Giugiaro and built by Pininfarina, was prematurely killed partly because of its poor quality. Only 12,488 vehicles were sold during its five years of production. However, let us expect the new roadster would overcome all such flaws.

via Autonews

First Images of 2013 Toyota Corolla Leaked

S Buchanon — Thu, 31 May 2012 07:57:16 PDT

The first images of Toyota’s all-new 2013 Toyota Corolla have been leaked on to the internet by the Portuguese publication Noticias Automotivas. The vehicle, which was sold as the Auris Compact in Europe is 30mm longer, with a roof 50mm lower than the existing model. An Auris-badged hatch, the images of the new Corolla draws a lot from the new Yaris light car and the Camry medium sedan. The new Toyota Corolla will be unveiled this July.

The vehicle shown in the scanned pages features sportier lines, a deep grille design, a central intake, slender and sleeker headlights along with fog lights reminiscent of the existing Toyota Prius C. It also features modified tail-lights. A long windscreen, contributing to a longer and more streamlined profile than the existing model is another major feature included in the new Corolla.

Moving to its interior, it has been renovated with quality materials including an uninterrupted top level and circular air vents. Splashes of silver can be seen on the door trims alongside steering wheel, gear selector and stereo surrounds.

The new Corolla is expected to be powered by 1.5- and 1.8-liter four-cylinder petrol engines. Even if the details of diesel engines are not yet revealed, we could expect to see a version of the 1.6 and 2.0 liter diesel engines, which were sourced from BMW. Besides, the leaked images also show that the new Corolla will be available in both manual and continuously variable transmissions (CVT). Stay tuned for more.

2013 Toyota Venza Priced $275 Higher, Starts at $27,700

Venus V — Thu, 31 May 2012 07:56:21 PDT

Toyota has revealed the pricing details for the 2013 model year Venza. The refreshed crossover is priced $275 higher than its predecessor thus amounting to a total of $27,700, excluding the $810 destination charges.

The base 2013 Toyota Venza LE comes equipped with a 2.7 liter 4 cylinder front-wheel-drive (FWD) drivetrain. Toyota has priced its mid-range 2013 Venza XLE based on its version thus increasing the price hike range between $1,580 and $1,585. Thus the four-cylinder FWD XLE starts at $31,360 while Toyota offers $34,630 for the V6 AWD. The range-topping 2013 Venza Limited FWD is priced at $37,420 while the AWD model will start from $38,870. That said, Venza Limited grade gets a price increase of $955. Not to mention, all the price tags do not reflect the destination charge of $810.

The new Toyota Venza flaunts enhanced exterior styling along with several standard features and optional packages. Some of the highlights include the 19-inch wheel design and three new exterior colors , dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter, 3.5-inch LCD multi-information display; a tilt/telescopic adjustable wheel with integrated audio controls and Entune Multi-media System.

The 2013 Toyota Venza has already arrived at the Toyota dealerships and is on sale.

Ford and State Farm Collaborate to Offer Lower Auto Insurance Premiums

priyankanair8 — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:32:54 PDT

Ford, the nation’s No.2 automaker and the country’s leading insurer of cars, State Farm have joined hands to offer lower insurance premiums for drivers. State Farm insurance is expanding its Drive Safe and Save program using Ford SYNC technology. “We’re excited to have Ford as a partner in this effort,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Mike Wey. “State Farm is always looking for better ways to serve our customers.” The program allows State Farm customers with select SYNC-equipped Ford Motor company vehicles to reduce their auto insurance premiums by using the Vehicle Health Report feature to report their mileage.

The magnitude of savings depends on the number of miles driven. Customers interested in joining the program will initially save about 5 percent on their auto insurance coverage. The amount of premium savings will be determined at each renewal date based on the number of miles driven during that period. A national average of 1,000 miles per month will typically save around 10 percent but that could change depending on actual mileage driven, with low mileage drivers saving up to 40 percent. Ford SYNC is the leading industry in car connectivity system that provides drivers the ability to voice commands and control their mobile devices and provides services like 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report. Vehicle Health Report is a feature that allows owners to get a diagnostic report about the vehicle’s performance and maintenance needs.

“We’re very pleased to be working with State Farm to lower the cost of vehicle ownership for the three million Ford SYNC owners who are driving vehicles with the Vehicle Health Report feature,” said Doug VanDagens, Ford Connected Services global director. “SYNC Vehicle Health Report is free for the life of the vehicle, so our customers can qualify for insurance discounts without having to pay a monthly subscription.” State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program for Ford SYNC will initially launch in Utah, then roll out to other states.

Volkswagen Scirocco GTS Revealed at AMI Leipzig

priyankanair8 — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:53:09 PDT

Images and details surrounding a retro sports version of the Volkswagen Scirocco, called the Scirocco GTS have been revealed ahead of the car’s world premiere at the Auto Mobil International Show in Leipzig, Germany. The car is in honor of the Mark II Scirocco GTS from 30 years ago.

The exterior of the GTS include prominent black dual roof stripes with red borders, red accenting for the wing mirrors and brake calipers, GTS badges on the fenders, body-color side moldings, flared side skirts and a rear diffuser. The glossy 18-inch “Thunder” alloy wheels are suspended on a lowered and stiffened suspension set-up. The rear diffuser and the roof spoiler are taken directly from the more powerful Scirocco R. The interior features a number of sporty touches including a golf-ball style shifter, red stitching and GTS logos on the front seat.

The Scirocco GTS is powered by a 2.0-L turbo engine that produces 210 hp and 220 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and an electronic differential lock. It recalls the sporty racing style of the 70s and 80s. The GTS will make its official debut at the Auto Mobil International Show (AMI) in Leipzig, Germany on June 2.

via WorldCarFans

Lexus Adds a New Performance Coupe for 2013

S Buchanon — Wed, 30 May 2012 09:49:06 PDT

If reports are to be believed, Lexus — a vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corp will be adding a new performance coupe to its lineup for the 2014 model year. A GS- based performance coupe, the new vehicle will be the successor of SC 430 coupe that was discontinued in 2010. The company is indeed in demand of a high-end coupe and the officials inside the firm have publicly disclosed they would love to see a performance coupe to boost the brand name of the company.

For instance, Karl Schlicht — head of global product planning for Lexus once said that the Lexus brand needs a sporty coupe to catch-up with its renewed lineup of sedans and crossovers. Not only Karl Schlicht, but Mark Templin— the U.S. head of Lexus, also said that he wants a sport coupe in a price range of $60,000-$70,000.

The two-door version of the GS-based coupe would come to that range that everyone expects. As it features a rear-wheel-drive layout and midsize proportions, it will be perfect rival for the competing luxury coupes like the Audi A5/S5, BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. The price of existing top-ranging GS sedan starts at around $60,000. The engine specifications to use in the new model have not yet decided and it seems it would be the only major hurdle that the automaker has to face. In the GS 450h, it uses a hybrid V6 engine while the GS 350 gets a V6 only.

Both will not be used in the new model and it would be better that the coupe could arrive as a GS-F model with a unique drivetrain and tuning. Given the heavy rollout of new Lexus models in 2012, don’t expect the introduction of the GS coupe until the first quarter of 2013. The sales will probably begin later in the year.

via Insideline