It has been quite some time since we last saw a Ford Capri. In fact, it has almost been 30 years or so. But if rumors persist, we may yet see the return of the Capri in a smaller version like a 3-door hatchback. The new Ford Capri aims to compete against the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco, offering a coupe-like hatchback with a heavy appearance on the rear.

Design will be influenced by the Ford iosis Max Concept that was shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The iosis Max Concept will also set the stage for the rest of the next-generation Focus lineup along with the next C-Max.

Power will come from the 1.6L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that made its first debut in the Lincoln Concept C – it was also featured on the iosis Max Concept. The engine produces up to 180-hp while providing fuel-economy that is 20 percent better than the conventional gasoline engines.

Would the Ford Capri become a hit once again? Only time will tell. But at the rate that some cars are slowly coming back, it may just have its share of customers though more buildup may be in order to really make an impact for its return to the automotive scene.

(Source) EGM Car Tech

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You can just imagine how many Toyota cars are roaming around Turkey right now as the company has announced the production of their 1 millionth vehicle, a milestone that coincides with the start of production for the new third generation Toyota Verso.

The Adapazari-based Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) plant has produced over 430,000 Verso models since 2004 and plans to manufacture 55,000 units of the new model in its first full year of sales.

Launched at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, new Verso is a no-compromise MPV that offers more space, comfort and practicality, and benefits from the latest occupant and pedestrian safety features. Ride quality, acoustic comfort and dynamic abilities match those of conventional passenger cars.

Introducing Toyota Optimal Drive throughout the Verso range has returned increases in engine power of up to 20 per cent, while fuel economy and CO2 emissions show improvements of up to 12 per cent, compared to the current model.

(Source) Paddock

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One car that many people have overlooked from the previous Geneva Motor Show was the Opel Meriva Concept car. Among the highlights of this car was the much criticized design, particularly the suicide doors.

The latest prototype caught out has a fake set of door handles at the back of the rear door. However, there are shots of the sheetmetal from the inside, and you can plainly see the recessed hinge mounting areas at the rear of the panels.

General Motors calls the arrangement FlexDoors, and evidently unlike other such setups, the rear doors will be able to open independently of one another (most such setups require that the front door be opened first). GM says the design will make the new Meriva safer and more convenient.

(Source) Autoblog

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A new kind of car may be headed your way and it may not be the usual alluring vehicle you see today. Known as the MDI AirPod, the design is something that certainly needs a lot of improvement but it is really the concept that matters for now.

The MDI AirPod is a three-seat vehicle that runs on compressed air and was originally displayed last autumn. It has a range of 137 miles on a 46-gallon tank and will be priced around $7,500 when it rolls off the production line in the next two years.

What makes this vehicle unique of course is that it doesn’t rely on electricity or hydrogen to fulfil its claim of being a “zero emission” car – instead it uses air. However, much of this air would be produced from the energy from coal or gas fired power plans unless more renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal powers can be used. The compressors could then use this “clean air” to fill the AirPod and drivers could claim to have zero impact on the environment.

No official release information has yet been announced, but the MDI Airpod is expected to be rolled out in select European cities where high speeds are not an issue within 24 months.

(Source) The Green Car Website

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Ferrari recently, officially, unveiled the Ferrari 599xx at the Geneva Motor Show and let me tell you, this thing is an absolute beast.

Packing a V12 engine, capable of 700hp, the 599xx is capable of a top speed of 185 mph and a red-line of 9,000rpms. That’s not all though, the 599xx also has carbon ceramic breaks coupled with aluminum calipers.

There is no word on pricing but considering this thing’s specs, expect it to be a lot.

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Lamborghini has recently revealed their latest, greatest creation, the LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, at the Geneva Motor Show and man is it fast.

Packing a full 670 horspower and the capability to go from 0-60 in a mere 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph. Producing these extreme power is a 6.5-liter V12.

If you’re goign to get one of these, you better do it fast because only 350 of them are being produced and word has it they will be going for upwards of $300,000.

Read (Autopia)

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Who doesn’t like Ferraris? I mean honestly, the name Ferrari is pretty mcuh always associated with high class, money, good looks, and most importantly, speed.

What you see above is the Ferrari 599XX, a picture taken by Asphalte.ch at the Geneva Motor Show. 

Not much more information has been released on this car but be sure to check back tomorrow when the Geneva Motor Show officially starts.

Read (Asphalte.ch)

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The DBD Volante from Aston Martin makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. This new drop-top will line up alongside the V12 Vantage and new Lagonda luxury saloon, giving show goers a triple treat of fresh metal.

Described by Aston Martin as the “the ultimate open air motoring experience”, the DBS Volante gets the same mighty 6.0-litre V12 as the coupe and stunning looks with a fabric hood that closely follows the silhouette of the coupe.

Capable of dropping at the touch of a button in just 14 seconds and at up to speeds of 30mph, the roof automatically stows under a re–sculpted tonneau cover, which maintains the slick look of the coupe. And as you can see, all the styling cues from the storming DBS coupe are carried across.

(Source) Auto Racing Daily

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The new Lexus RX 450H will officially make its European Debut at the Geneva Motor Show which will reportedly become available this summer. The Lexus RX 450h has made headlines for its impressive fuel economy and reduced environmental impact as it possesses the performance figures that outpace the majority of other SUV/crossovers within its segment.

The RX 450h emits just 0.53 lbs of CO2 emissions per mile driven, which remains significantly lower than many other vehicles. Combined fuel economy stands at 44.8 mpg, which is a 28% increase over the older RX 400h.

Powering the RX 450h is a series/parallel hybrid system which links a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with two powerful electric motors. The RX 450h uses an “intelligent” four-wheel drive system, and total power output is rated at 295 hp. The 0 to 62 mph time measures at 7.8 seconds, and the top speed registers at 124 mph.

(Source) Truck Trend

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Among the thing to watch out at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show is this new engine concept from Lotus. Lotus will be unveiling its Omnivore Flex-Fuel Engine concept engine that will run quite happily on standard petrol or alcohol-based fuels.

Lotus will display the single-cylinder mono-block unit at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Among its claims, Lotus says that the engine has been designed for high thermal efficiency regardless of fuel type used. This is an important aspect to note as much of the energy a combustion engine produces is lost as heat.

A variable compression rate also means the two-stroke mill can operate at peak efficiency throughout the rev range. The absence of poppet valves allows the variable compression system to be implemented with greater ease than on a conventional two-stroke engine. The design of the block is such that no cylinder-head gasket is required, meaning less weight and greater durability.

(Source) The Motor Report

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Among the highlights of the 79th International Motor Show in Geneva include the unveiling of a 1.5 L MCE-5 VCRi engine integrated into a car prototype with two-stage Turbocharger – 420 Nm and 160 kW.

MCE-5 technology already has a 12 year lead on what should be a fundamental stage in the development of IC engines: an “intelligent” variable compression ratio. VCRi heralds the renewal of car engine technology.

The Peugeot 407 type demonstration vehicle presented on the MCE-5 DEVELOPMENT stand (No 3000 in the Green Pavilion) is powered by a 1.5L MCE-5 VCRi engine that develops 220 hp, equal to that of a 3.0L V6 engine, and 420 Nm of torque as of 1500 rpm, comparable to that of a V8 gasoline engine.

A 2010 version of MCE-5 VCRi engine will be equipped with GDI, optimized combustion chambers as well as the advanced management of engine temperature, of the cylinder head, pistons and exhaust manifold.

The power and torque will respectively be ramped up to 270 hp and 460 Nm, while average consumption on the NDEC will drop under the 6.0 L / 100 km mark (less than 140 g of CO2/km). With this type of engine, reaching the target of 120 g of CO2/km seems realistic by 2012-2013 for high-performance vehicles, with a strong reduction in fuel consumption for the whole vehicle range.

This proposal makes even more sense in the current economic, energy and environmental context, by addressing the main factor that will condition the automotive industry for the next 20 to 30 years: gasoline engine efficiency.

(Source) Press

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Don’t be surprised to see a small van the next time you pay a visit to a Nissan showroom. Chances are this is their latest vehicle line, the NV200. Nissan is preparing a move into the global small van market with the introduction of its all new spacious yet compact NV200 small van.

Designed from the outset as both a commercial and a passenger vehicle, the Nissan NV200 brings new levels of space, comfort and practicality to the small van market, both in Europe and other global markets.

NV200 will be available in three different versions:

Highlights:

(Source) Press

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This 2 seater coupe is armed with a beautiful skin lovingly crafted by Zagato and a 6.2-liter V8 Corvette engine under the hood. The Perana Z-one is the first fruits of a collaboration between Milanese coachbuilders Zagato and a newly formed South African Vehicle Manufacturer called Perana Performance Group.

It’ll be built in South Africa as a 999-unit limited-run (as opposed to Zagato’s normal 99-unit run) 2-seater coupe. Thanks to a Corvette LS3 under the hood, it’ll also be fast — with a 0-to-62 time of under four seconds.

The Perana Z-One will be revealed officially at the Geneva Motor Show next month, so for the moment, we’ll have to make due with the renderings and sketches above. Frankly, if it’s this sexy rendered, we can’t wait to see what it’ll look like in the real-life sheet metal.

Price: $75,000.00

(Source) Jalopnik

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For the Lamborghini lovers, brace yourselves for the Lamborghini Mucielago LP650-4 Roadster. This is the new limited edition offering of Lambroghini which will reportedly be limited to only 50 units.

The car’s powertrain is still under wraps, but it’s expected to get a 650hp (485kW) V12 mill like that found in the Reventon. Typically ridiculous acceleration figures (about 3.4 seconds 0-62mph) are expected from the AWD platform.

The exterior is a special flat gray with bright orange accents on the side skirts and front lip, as well as in strategic locations inside the cabin. Dark alloy wheels finish off the dramatic exterior.

Inside, the car gets an asymmetric dashboard, acres of Alcantara and leather, and a few other unique touches. More information and photography is expected as the Geneva Motor Show draws nearer, though with the Superveloce already tipped for a Swiss debut, the Roadster may get pushed back to later in the year.

(Source) Motor Authority

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You can add another car manufacturing company set to unveil its latest model, the Leon hatchback 2009 SEAT Leon FR. This new car model is expected to be at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Owners of the current car or SEAT aficionados might spot the changed side mirrors, new rear window, revised air intakes and a smaller front grille. The taillights are smaller. It’s a bunch of minor changes but together they do improve the styling.

Additionally, there is a new common rail diesel technology. The petrol Leon FR gets a new engine in the shape of the new 208bhp 2-litre TSI which is the same engine as in the new VW Golf GTI. There’s also a 158bhp 1.8-litre TSI petrol if you want performance from the next rung down the Leon ladder.

The new Leon will be on show at Geneva next month alongside a similarly updated Altea mini MPV. Expect sales to start later in the year with prices for the Leon FR and Cupra hot hatches costing approx. £17,500 and £19K respectively.

(Source) Evo

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