Car News
Short Review: 2012 Kia Optima
The latest short review published by Autocar involves the 2012 Kia Optima, a sedan that is only available with a 1.7-litre diesel in the UK.
The 1.7 CRDI 2 Tech variant tested by them costs 21,695 GBP and with the 4-cylinder 1685cc turbodiesel unit from under the bonnet delivering 134 bhp at 4,000 rpm and 239 lb-ft of peak torque at 2,500 rpm.
This engine is coupled to a 6-speed manual and it enables the Korean sedan to accelerate from nought to 62 mph in 10.2 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 125 mph.
2012 Renault Twingo RS and Gordini RS
Renault Sport has presented the latest Twingo RS and Gordini RS variants for the facelift version Renault Twingo.
These sportier models will become available this spring (February 20th, 2012 in France) with prices starting at 16,900 Euro for the Twingo RS and at 18,100 Euro for the Gordini RS.
Some of the features that make the Twingo RS appear more dynamic include a new front bumper incorporating the F1 style blade, the hallmark Sirius Yellow body finish, a tailgate mounted lip spoiler, a rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser and aerodynamic extensions on the rear wheel arches.
Mazda CX-5 UK Price
Mazda’s all-new compact crossover, the CX-5, is going on sale in the UK in Spring. The company’s small SUV will be offered offered with four equipment grades (SE-L, SE-L Nav, Sport and Sport Nav), with 2-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, manual an automatic transmissions and a choice between two engines.
The engines embody the SKYACTIV technology and include a 2.0-litre petrol rated at 165 PS and a 2.2-litre diesel capable of producing either 150 or 175 PS.
Infiniti Emerg-E Revealed in Patent Designs
Infiniti’s plan of gradually revealing the Emerg E sports car concept until its public debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show has failed.
We say that because everyone is now able to see what the Emerg E Concept looks like in this set of patent design images which surfaced online through the guys at Autoblog.nl.
The car promises to deliver high performance with low CO2 emissions with certain voices claiming that its range-extender drivetrain will contain a 1.2-litre engine from Nissan. The Emerg E will also contain a set of batteries which will enable it to be driven with zero tailpipe emissions, batteries which will most likely be placed at the rear and cooled via the roof scoop that can be seen in some of the patents.
Promo Videos: 2013 BMW M6 Coupe and Convertible
A few days after it unveiled the 2013 BMW M6, the Bavarian car maker has also released promo videos that show driving scenes with both the coupe and the convertible version.
In case you missed our coverage of the new M6, this new generation model comes with a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 under its metal sheets, which delivers 560 HP and 680 Nm of torque to the wheels via a 7-speed M Double Clutch (M DCT) transmission.
The Coupe takes 4.2 seconds to sprint from nought to 62 mph while the convertible is 0.1 seconds slower. Their top speed is 155 mph but can be increased to 189 mph if the cars are fitted with the M Driver’s Package.
Morgan Plus 8 Heading to Geneva
Morgan will be unveiling the Plus 8 next month in Geneva, a machine which their creators claim it is the lightest V8 powered passenger car in the world.
The Plus 8 tips the scale at just 1,100 Kg (2,425 lbs) and it is a convertible roadster that also claims to have the world’s stiffest chassis.
Its power comes from the same BMW 4.8-litre V8 engine found in the Aero Coupe, so we are talking about output levels that reach 367 HP (390 HP with a sports exhaust) and 490 Nm of torque. The engine will spin the wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, with the automatic offering the possibility to chose between two driving modes – Sport and Auto.
SsangYong XIV 2 Concept
Korean automaker Ssangyong has introduced the XIV 1 Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September and now they announce that they will use the Geneva Motor Show as the venue for the unveiling of its successor – the XIV 2.
This ‘eXciting User Interface Vehicle 2’ (XIV 2) is a convertible concept which represents a new interpretation of a premium CUV, with Sssangyon vaguely stating that this is a ‘strategic model for the global market’ which blends the characteristics of a powerful SUV with the style of an open top sports coupe.
Opel Corsa Kaleidoscope Edition for Europe
Opel is introducing the Corsa Kaleidoscope Edition for “drivers who are seeking striking, unique looks”.
Exclusively available in Europe, the Kaleidoscope Edition which can be ordered in both 3-door and 5-door body styles comes equipped with sporty looking double spoke design alloy wheels (17 inch), a black glossy roof, black exterior mirror casings, a black grille bracket and two metallic colour options (pepperdust and technical grey).
On the inside the Kaleidoscope features uniquely patterned seat fabric enhanced by the silver or aztek gold stitching, matching color air vents and door accents, a stealth-black colored center console and rear seats that can now be folded down 1/3 to 2/3 for enhanced versatility.
Bertone Nuccio Concept Announced
These two sketches that were published by Bertone last week announce the unveiling of the Nuccio Concept at the 82nd Edition Geneva International Auto Show.
The concept which is named after the company’s founder’s son, Giuseppe “Nuccio” Bertone will celebrate the Italian design house’s 100th anniversary and promises to create a “strong emotional impact” in Geneva.
Some of this concept’s most striking features are the single-bar headlights and taillights, the narrow windscreen which could suggest a centrally positioned driver’s seat, the twin rear windows, the massive rear diffuser and the triangular exhaust pipes.
Euro Spec BRZ and 5 Door Impreza Heading to Geneva
Subaru announced they will use the 82nd Edition Geneva Motor Show as the place for the unveiling of the Euro spec Subaru BRZ and the 5-door version Impreza.
The new BRZ which is going to become available at dealerships across the US in Spring, is scheduled to go on sale in Europe this summer but we’ll have information about its pricing and the features that differentiate it from the US version after its debut in the Swiss capital.
As you may know the Subaru BRZ is a RWD sports coupe co-developed with Toyota which uses a 2.0-litre boxer engine to produce 200 HP.