2012 Kia Picanto

Kia has released the details and images of the new generation, 2012 Kia Picanto which will have its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show.

Designed by the company's European design team in Germany, the 2012 Kia Picanto will be available with four engine choices, ranging from 1.0-litre to 1.2-litres in capacity, among which a new three-cylinder turbo diesel. 

Under the hood, power will be provided by "four all-new powertrains in 1.0- and 1.2-liter displacements." Details are limited, but Kia says they will all deliver "class leading CO2 emissions levels."

Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer shared: “In profile, new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance.”

Source: Kia




Press Release

Next generation Kia Picanto - a design that's small but grown-up

• Kia releases first official photos of 'mature' and 'sculpted' new model
• Next generation offered in two body styles with four all-new powertrains
• Production vehicle to be revealed at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

(SEOUL) January 4, 2011 - Kia Motors Corporation has released the first official photos of the next generation Picanto city car, which now offers a bolder, more mature and more self confident look.

Completely redesigned and re-engineered, the new car has grown in overall length and wheelbase and is set to redefine its position as one of the most competitive vehicles in its segment.

Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, said, "In profile, new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance."

Picanto has never been sold in Australia but Kia Motors Australia has not shut the door on the latest generation.

"While there are no immediate plans to bring Picanto to Australia we have been, and will continue, to look at opportunities in areas in which we do not currently compete," Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Mr Tony Barlow, said. "The Picanto now has the advantage of being an all-new car and if it makes sense as a business case then it is certainly not off the agenda."

While the current Picanto is available only as a five-door hatchback, the new generation version will be offered as a five-door globally while a sportier three-door body style will also be marketed in Europe.

The new Picanto will feature four all-new powertrains in 1.0- and 1.2-litre displacements, all boasting class leading CO2 emissions levels. In addition to petrol engines, LPG bi-fuel and flex fuel variations will be available depending on market.

The next generation Picanto will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March when further technical specifications will be available.

BYD Bringing Two Battery Cars To Detroit Show

BYD has announced plans to introduce two new vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

BYD will stage two world premieres, including the unveiling of a pure battery-electric crossover, the e6Premier, as well as the S6DM plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle.

The BYD e6Premier, equipped with an iron-phosphate "FE" battery, has a 186-mile range on city roads and a top speed of 87 miles per hour. It takes 40 minutes to fully charge the e6 using a 100-kilowatt fast-charger and six hours on a standard outlet.

BYD's S6DM SUV can travel 38 miles on electric power alone and more than 310 miles when engaging a 2-litre gas engine. A 10-kilowatt electric motor is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission propelling the front wheels, while a powerful 75-kilowatt electric motor powers the rear wheels.

BYD also will display the F3DM hybrid, featuring a solar panel sunroof to help charge the iron-phosphate battery, and an all-electric K9 e-Bus with in-wheel electric drive. It can travel 155 miles on a single charge.

via: thedetroitbureau


Press Release

BYD to Announce Green Vision at NAIAS on January 10th

BYD's "Three Green Dreams" focuses on renewable energy generation, environmentally-friendly energy storage and efficient energy consumption, covering solar power, Iron-phosphate energy storage and electric vehicles. BYD will present their short and long term "Green City Solutions" which includes plans to help cities electrify all public transportation, and reduce air pollution and carbon emissions at a low cost.

BYD's pure-electric vehicle -- the e6 Premier (2012 Year Model) and the brand-new dual mode electric SUV -- the S6DM will make their world premieres on the main floor exhibit space at the COBO Center at the 2011 NAIAS. The World's first mass-produced F3DM sedan low-carbon version and the core drive technology of the pure-electric bus, shown at EVS25 recently, will also be showcased.

The new 5-seat crossover -- the BYD e6 Premier (2012 Year Model) has a more dynamic and sporty exterior design. Equipped with BYD Iron-phosphate "FE" battery, the e6 Premier has an expected range of 300km (or 186.4 miles) on urban roads, while its projected top speed is 140km/h (or 87 mph). It only takes 40 minutes to fully charge the e6 on the 100kW fast charging cabinet and 6 hours to overnight-charge the e6 on the 10kW standard charging pole. These characteristics make the e6 ideal for daily commuters and in-town driving.

The core technology of the pure-electric K9 e - B us is another BYD breakthrough in the field of electrified transportation. The specially designed in-wheel electric drive and the electronically-controlled air suspension allows this 12-meter-long e-Bus to have ample space and a low-floor for easy passenger loading and unloading. The K9 is able to run 250+ km (155+ miles) on a single charge.

The BYD S6DM SUV is the world's first independent 4WD dual-mode electric SUV. Traveling over 60km (38 miles) purely on electric power and over 310 miles extended range when engaging the environmentally friendly 2.0L gasoline engine, this SUV sports a 10kW electric motor (M1) paired with a smooth 6-speed dual-clutch transmission propelling the front wheels while a powerful 75kW electric motor (M2) powers the rear wheels.

The F3DM low-carbon version also features the BYD Fe battery together with a BYD 371QA 1.0-liter gasoline engine. This vehicle is equipped standard with a solar panel sunroof to parallel charge the Fe battery. Powered by the Fe battery pack alone, the F3DM can travel over 60km (38+ miles). The extended range HEV mode allows the car to achieve another 500 km (or 313 miles) with a maximum speed of 150km/h (about 93.2 mph).

Hyundai Super Bowl Commercials Debut Early!

Being the experts on Super Bowl car commercials, we can do things like bring you the ads before they even air as part of our Super Bowl Ad Watch. Below we have the five advertisements Hyundai will show during and before the big game. Three of the ads will run during pre-show, also sponsored by Hyundai, and "Bosses" and "Contract" will run during the second and third quarters. Our perspective on these new advertisements below.

Title: Contract
Grade: C
Message: Hyundai has your back if you lose your job or income.
Our Take: For people who are freaked out about the economy the message may hit home, but it's just so boring.

Title: Commitment
Grade: C+
Message: If you're willing to commit to Hyundai, they're willing to commit to you.
Our Take: The 'commitment isn't scary' approach of this commercial for the Hyundai Assurance program works better than the "Contract" commercial because it implies we're all in the economic mess together. Still, it's rather boring.

Title: Columns
Grade: B
Message: The Hyundai Genesis won the 2009 North American Car Of The Year, something the automaker is obviously proud of as evidenced by the bragging.
Our Take: The commercial is good and, given Hyundai can afford multiple Super Bowl spots, there's nothing wrong with a little boastfullness. What really sells it, though, is the clip of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

Grade: B+
Message: By winning the 2009 North American Car Of The Year award we've put BMW and Lexus on notice.
Our Take: Because everyone may not be cool with the idea of buying Korean while the American economy is hurting, Hyundai is smart enough to take aim at the Germans and the Japanese. The portrayals of the two "axis powers" is a bit over the top, but it makes the ad work.

Title: Epic Lap
Grade: A-
Message: You want the Genesis Coupe so badly you'll go to EditYourOwn.com and re-edit your own commercial, which isn't up yet.
Our Take: Yeooooowww! Much like the 2010 Hyundai Genesis reveal, this car is all about power slides and burnouts. What does Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins have to do with driving an epic lap? We have no idea. But we give the 1990s alternarock icon credit for mixing together a sweet commercial.
Source: jalopnik



Other article:

Hyundai Genesis Coupe to Star in Race-Inspired Super Bowl Ads
SEMA 2008: Hyundai Reveals Three Genesis Coupe Projects
Hyundai Announces Genesis Coupe Performance Specs
Hyundais has seized in the high elevation test
First Look: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe
Hyundai RWD Genesis Sports Coupe UNCOVERED
Spied:All-New Hyundai Portico
Hyundai i800 Launched in Europe
Hyundai Genesis Coupe Revealed in NY
Photos Leaked:Hyundai Genesis Coupe

BYD release F3DM hybrid and E6 electric vehicles for U.S. market in 2011

Chinese automaker BYD Auto has announced it is planning to enter the US market in 2011 and will be then launching a product line of plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles.


BYD claims its Fe battery technology has a quick-charge capacity to 50 percent power in only 10 minutes. The battery also has a life cycle of more than 10 years.


The first two models BYD plans on introducing are the F3DM, the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid sedan and the e6, a battery-powered mid-sized crossover with a single-charge range of 250 miles (400 km).


Lending confidence to BYD's prospects in the US market is legendary billionaire investor Warren Buffett. Last year the energy division of his investment firm Berkshire Hathaway, MidAmerican Energy Holdings, acquired a 10 percent stake in BYD Auto.


The Fe battery will also be used in BYD's mid-size F6DM sedan, a plug-in hybrid. Plug-in hybrids can run on pure electrical power until the battery runs out when a gasoline engine kicks in and acts as a generator to create more power for the battery.


Speaking ambitiously on the floor of the Detroit auto show, Wang Chuanfu, President and Chariman of BYD Auto, said that the company would also be setting up manufacturing in the US "when it is appropriate".
More Photos



Other article:
Detroit auto show highlights energy saving amid economic downturn

Detroit Auto Show: Kia Soulster Concept leaks ahead

The image reveals that the Soulster has much in common with the production Soul, including its basic front end, though the rear shows a glass segment and tray in place of the Soul's stout C-pillar.


Kia's Soul hatch just made its debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, but already Kia is teasing a new Soul-based concept to be unveiled at next week's Detroit Auto Show. The first official image of the new concept, called the Soulster, has leaked onto the internet, revealing a compact SUV based on the new hatch.


A thick B-pillar, absent on the Soul, also makes an appearance on the Soulster. This is necessary to accommodate a large glass roof and rear hatch area.



via:motorauthority



Other article:
Paris Debuts _ Kia Cee'd and Soul Hybrid Concepts
2010 Kia Sorento Sheds a Little Disguise
LA Show Photo Galore: Hummer, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda and Mercedes-Benz

Video & Photos: Roewe 550 Receives 5 Stars in Chinese-NCAP Crash Tests

Here you can see video of the Roewe 550 being tested in front of journalists and photographers. Within one minute and 14 seconds, you see the Roewe 550 smashed up in three different tests, with a normal speed and slow-motion shot of each impact.


The SAIC Roewe 550 has received a five-star crash rating from the Chinese arm of the European New Car Assessment Programme (EuroNCAP). C-NCAP, in conjunction with the China Automotive Technology and Research Center in Tianjin, China, gave the rating on six-star scale.


This ties the mark for the safest rated Chinese car. The Chinese-made Chery A3 and a car by Hongqi have also been awarded the ranking. Foreign autos Mercedes-Benz C200, produced by a joint venture called Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive, and the FAW-Volkswagen Bora have also received rankings at that level, according to an English-language newspaper in China.


Such dramatic increases leads one to speculate on the integrity of the tests. Still, over thirty percent of models tested in 2008 got two- or three-star rankings, according to the China Daily. The China Daily is a state-run newspaper in the People's Republic of China.

C-NCAP tested 28 cars this year, in four batches of seven models. The safety rankings have drastically improved over the last two years, with 46 percent of vehicles receiving a five-star rating in 2008. That is an increase of 10 percent on 2007 figures, and a 38 percent increase over 2006.

The Roewe 550 is based on the Rover 75, using a chassis with reduced length.
via:World Car Fans

Hyundai Genesis Coupe to Star in Race-Inspired Super Bowl Ads

Hyundai will air its first two television advertisements for the new 2010 Genesis Coupe during the Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday, February 1, 2009. The two distinct 30-second spots will see race driver Rhys Millen getting behind the wheel of the 306HP Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6. Millen will navigate the rear-wheel drive sports car around the 2.54-mile, 12-turn race track at Road Atlanta in Northeast Georgia to show off the Genesis Coupe's capabilities.
Read More



Other article:
SEMA 2008: Hyundai Reveals Three Genesis Coupe Projects
Hyundai Announces Genesis Coupe Performance Specs
Hyundais has seized in the high elevation test
First Look: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe
Hyundai RWD Genesis Sports Coupe UNCOVERED
Spied:All-New Hyundai Portico
Hyundai i800 Launched in Europe
Hyundai Genesis Coupe Revealed in NY
Photos Leaked:Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2008 L.A. Auto Show: Kia Soul Pics Leak Ahead of L.A. Debut

Below, you can see exclusive US-specs Soul pictures. In addition, I have enclosed a Canadian Soul accessory brochure, that first appeared at Canadian National Kia dealer meeting a few months ago. As you know, Soul crossover will be available with a range of exterior customizations. Many of them you can see here and possibly several others will not only reach Canadian, but US market as well.


Engineered to accommodate an array of diesel and gasoline engines, the US-spec Soul model will only be available with a potent 2,0L in-line four engine. Developing 142 horsepower, the engine should provide plenty of punch, while still delivering a respectable gas mileage. When going on sale in US, the Soul will be available with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions.


Here we have the first official images of the 2010 US-spec Kia Soul model. The Soul urban crossover will make it’s official US premiere at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.


Out of 136,000 Souls that Kia intends to produce annually at it’s Gwangju manufacturing facility in South Korea, 50,000 units will be shipped to the North American market. The Soul is expected to reach US market early next year with sales commencing in April 2009.
Source: Kia-World




Other article:
Paris Debuts _ Kia Cee'd and Soul Hybrid Concepts
More Kia Soul Details & Images Released Ahead of Paris Unveiling
Kia Soul Pictures Surface, Real or Not?
Kia Three SOUL concepts
Leaked: Kia Soul Burner Concept

Spy Photos of Roewe SUV based on the SsangYong Kyron

While the chances of the new Roewe ever being sold in the United Stated are next to nil, there is a possibility that it could be sold in Europe branded as a MG. However, no official statement has been made yet and the people behind the rejuvenated MG brand, also owned by SAIC, is already having enough trouble getting the new TF LE500 Roadster into showrooms.


Engines are likely to be the same as in the Kyron, meaning a 2.0L diesel engine with 141hp and a 2.7L diesel with 165hp should be on offer. Both will be available with an automatic gearbox, as well as the option of either two-wheel or four-wheel-drive.







more detail. ...



Other article:
SsangYong Rexton R-Line available to buy
Paris Motor Show:Ssangyong Giugiaro Styled C200 SUV
Ssangyong Chairman W Revealed
SsangYong Chairman W Announced
Ssangyong C200 Concept: a Future Actyon in Paris?

SEMA 2008: Hyundai Reveals Three Genesis Coupe Projects

First, there's the Rhys Millen Racing Genesis Coupe, with a 2.0 liter 4-banger mated to a turbocharger and a HKS sequential transmission to manage the extra fly-wheel spin. Hyundai calls this a "fully functioning race car" that is track-ready, with a turbocharger courtesy of Turbonetics and all body panels replaced by carbon-fiber.


Second comes the Street Concepts take on the Genesis Coupe, with long-time Hyundai tuner Shawn Williams cloaking this 3.8 liter V6 with his Stealth Fighter conceptual design, which includes camouflage (black) paint.


Lastly (of the coupes, that is) there's the HKS. Another 2.0 liter turbo, this time with HKS's own turbocharger and its Hipermax III "fully adjustable" suspension.


Hyundai wants to add a little tuner zing to it's image and so it has offered up several models for the SEMA show. Those models include these three Genesis coupes, along with three other Genesis sedans (more on those in a separate story), which showcase the Korean brand's rear-wheel drive architecture.


Hyundai may be an Asian brand but it's obvious it's their US division putting out these press releases because they offer no details on engine or track performance on these race cars. Those, one has to assume, will be forthcoming. Or maybe these cars aren't real and just for show. More Photos
Source: Hyundai






Other article:
Hyundai Announces Genesis Coupe Performance Specs
Hyundais has seized in the high elevation test
First Look: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe
Hyundai RWD Genesis Sports Coupe UNCOVERED
Spied:All-New Hyundai Portico
Hyundai i800 Launched in Europe
Hyundai Genesis Coupe Revealed in NY
Photos Leaked:Hyundai Genesis Coupe

SsangYong Rexton R-Line available to buy

The SsangYong Rexton R-Line, as seen at this year’s British International Motor Show, is now available to buy from £29,995 on-the-road.

SsangYong reckons the SsangYong Rexton R-Line was so enthusiastically received by visitors to the show, that distributors Koelliker UK, have added it to the range.
more detail. ...




Other article:
Paris Motor Show:Ssangyong Giugiaro Styled C200 SUV
Ssangyong Chairman W Revealed
SsangYong Chairman W Announced
Ssangyong C200 Concept: a Future Actyon in Paris?