Top Nice Cars: Diesel

Showing posts with label Diesel. Show all posts

BMW Introduces New M Performance Parts Program, Includes Engine Upgrades

There's a lot to see from many automakers at this year's Geneva Auto Show, including a raft of new models from the BMW brand, which will introduce the new 6-Series Grand Coupe, the facelifted X6 and X6M, the new M6 Coupe, X5 M50d, X6 M50d M550d xDrive sedan and Touring along with several new engines for the 1-Series, 3-Series and X3.

That's quite a handful but we're not done yet. The Bavarian firm will also showcase the latest 3-Series sedan, the i3 hatchback and i8 sports coupe concepts (all of which we've already seen before) and in a world premiere, the new BMW M Performance accessory program, which brings us to this post.

While the all-new B-MAX will be introduced to the automotive world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 6, its actual world premiere will take place at a very different event at the end of this month.

Ford revealed today that the company's executive chairman Bill Ford will unveil the sub-compact MPV on February 27 at the 2012 Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain.

The Blue Oval notes that it is the first automaker ever to present a new car at the leading mobile industry event, and all for good reason – or so it claims – as the B-MAX will debut feature several mobile technologies.

Following its launch in several markets around the world, the new Mazda CX-5 is now available for pre-order in Britain with first deliveries to take place this spring.

The compact crossover model, which is Mazda's first production model embody its SKYACTIV technology, will be offered with a choice of three engines including a 2.0-liter petrol producing 165PS (163bhp), and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel with either 150PS (148bhp) or 175PS (173bhp).

At last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, SsangYong displayed the XIV-1 Concept for a compact crossover in the likes of the Range Rover Evoque.

Now, the South Korean automaker has announced plans to showcase a second body style of the study called the XIV-2 ‘convertible’ concept at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon in March.

Whereas the XIV-1 was a five-door model with "suicide style" rear doors, the XIV-2, (which stands for eXciting User Interface Vehicle 2), is a three-door crossover featuring a one-touch automatic opening soft-top roof that incorporates the rear window and rolls back in a similar way to Fiat's 500C.

We saw the new Mazda Takeri concept for the first time at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon last December and now the mid-size sedan will be making its European debut at at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show.

What's special about the Takeri is that it isn't one of those fantasy concept models that will go away after hitting the motor show scene as it previews the styling of the next Mazda6 range, expected in 2013.

The Takeri is the latest Mazda concept to adopt the Japanese firm's "KODO – Soul of Motion’ design theme after the production CX-5 SUV and the Shinari sports sedan study showcased at Geneva last year.

With the fourth generation of the Opel Corsa entering its sixth year in the market, the German automaker is trying to beef up interest in the supermini with the release of another special edition version.

This one is called "Kaleidoscope" and it affords a more individualized look to the Corsa.

The Kaleidoscope is available with a choice of two special metallic exterior colors called "pepperdust" and "technical grey", which are combined with glossy black roof, black mirror housings and for the first time, a black grille frame. It also rides on dark 17-inch wheels and gets chrome exhaust pipes.

Ford continues the slow strip tease of its all-new B-MAX small MPV prior to the production model's grand premier at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon in the beginning of March.

This time we get a full-blown photo of the B-MAX's innovative hinged front doors and sliding rear doors that integrate the central body pillars, which Ford called "Easy Access Doors".

The design allows for 1.5-metre (close to 5 feet) wide unobstructed openings on either side of the B-segment multi-activity vehicle.

The latest generation of the Fiat Doblo van has the fairly unique (but not sole) distinction of being offered more or less unchanged by several different auto brands. These include Opel and its sister company in the UK, Vauxhall, and starting from early 2013, the Chrysler Group's Ram Truck division will also offer the van in North America.

For the time being though, Vauxhall has launched sales of the New Combo in Britain. The light commercial vehicle is available with a choice of four diesel units ranging from a 1.3-liter CDTi with 89bhp (90PS) to a 2.0-liter CDTi delivering 133bhp (135PS).

We first saw the mildly updated for 2012, Seat Exeo, at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show and now both the sedan and ST station wagon variants of the previous generation Audi A4-based model are available for order in the United Kingdom.

Prices start from £19,480 RRP (recommended price on the road) for the base sedan model fitted with an 118bhp (120PS) 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Other engine options include two more 2.0-liter TDI diesels with 141bhp (143PS) or 168bhp (170PS) and a 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged petrol with 208bhp (211PS).

We've been hearing rumors about the possibility of GM adding a third body style to the range of its Chevrolet Cruze for quite some time now.

Well, there's no need to speculate any longer as this morning, the Detroit automaker officially revealed the all-new Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon ahead of its global premiere at the 82nd International Geneva Motor Show early next month.

Since we are getting closer to next month's Geneva Motor Show, Ford wanted to share more details on its all-new B-MAX, and more specifically to brag about its fuel consumption and CO2 emission ratings, which the Blue Oval says bring it to the top of its class.

When equipped with the 1.6-liter TDI diesel that produces 95PS (94hp), the new B-MAX delivers 4.0 lt/100km (70.6mpg UK or 58.8mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 104g/km. This compares to between 109 and 119 g/km CO2 and between 4.1 and 4.6 lt/100km for the Ford model's chief (diesel-powered) rivals, which include the Opel Meriva, Citroen C3 Picasso and Renault Modus.

One of the Fiat Group's most important new cars of 2012 has arrived in the UK. The first deliveries of the third generation Fiat Panda will begin at the end of this month with on-the-road prices starting from £8,900 for the base petrol model rising to £12,250 for the top-of-the-range diesel variant.

The new Panda is available at launch with a choice of three Euro 5-specification engines including a 69bhp 1.2-litre petrol, an 85bhp 0.9-litre TwinAir turbocharged two-cylinder petrol, and a 75bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet 2 turbodiesel.

Honda today revealed its line-up for the Geneva Motor Show that takes place in March. The highlight of the Japanese firm's display will be the NSX Concept that features a mid-mounted V6 and a hybrid all-wheel drive system. The production version will arrive within the next three years.

The second Honda concept that will make its European debut in Geneva will be the EV-STER, an electric roadster, akin to a 21st century version of the early ‘90s Beat Kei-car.

Much closer to production, and of bigger interest to a most customers, is the European version of the all-new CR-V crossover. Although it will be displayed as a prototype, the new CR-V, which is already available in the U.S., will effectively preview the European model that is set to go on sale this autumn.

We've seen this play before and before that and before that, but it never gets old: Chinese automakers replicating vehicles from western automakers. One brand that keeps popping up on our cloning radar is Jianghuai Automobile, more commonly known as JAC Motors.

It's latest accomplishment is the JAC 4R3 pickup truck that makes no attempt to hide the fact that it's a styling copy of the Ford F-150. Of course, as with other Chinese doppelgangers, the similarities begin and end with the appearance as it's too costly for automakers to extend the cloning to the mechanical hardware.

The 4R3 will reportedly make its debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April and will then go on sale in China where it will be offered with a 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine pushing out 108-horsepower and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of peak torque.

These are the first official sketches of Mercedes-Benz's all-new Citan, which the German automaker describes as an 'urban delivery van'. The Citan will make its world premiere at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover this September and go on sale before the end of the year.

In spite of the fact that Mercedes-Benz does not mention it in its press release, the automaker had previously revealed that the small van was developed in partnership with the Renault-Nissan alliance as part of their strategic collaboration, which includes several more projects such as the Twingo/Smart platform and powertrain cross-supply.

The Citan broadens Mercedes-Benz's offerings in in the lower weight classes of the van market, which include the Vito (2.77 to 3.2 tons), Sprinter (3.0 to 5.0 tons) and Vario (6.0 to 8.2 tons).

The German company said that the small van segment has picked up in sales these past couple of decades and has now grown to around 700,000 units in Europe alone. It added that it plans to gain a market share of four to five percent in this segment with the Citan, which equals to 28,000 to 35,000 units a year in Europe.

Leave it to Mini to present a special edition model every two weeks. After the "Baker Street" and "Bayswater" hatchbacks, it's the convertible model's turn to gain a new moniker.

This one is called is called "Highgate" and is offered with four engine variants including the 122HP Cooper, 184HP Cooper S, and for those markets that get diesel versions, the 112HP Cooper D and 143HP Cooper SD.

These days, downsizing doesn't occur only to engine displacement but also to engine outputs. Case in point, the introduction of two new entry-level diesel engines for Audi's A5 Sportback and A5 Coupe models.

The new 136PS (134bhp) and 163PS (161bhp) 2.0-liter TDIe diesels will be offered in parallel to the existing 143PS (141bhp) and 177PS (175bhp) 2.0-liter TDI units, the difference being that the 'e' engines are less powerful but more fuel-efficient.

The 2.0-litre TDIe 163PS is available on both the A5 models, linked exclusively to six-speed manual transmission.

At the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, Volkswagen will reveal the most fuel-efficient version of the new Beetle in the States, the TDI, which is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine producing 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of peak torque. The same powerplant is offered on the North American Jetta and Passat TDI models.

The diesel engine can be mated to either a six-speed manual gearbox or VW’s dual-clutch DSG six-speed automatic, with the German automaker predicting a fuel economy of 29 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.

That's a significant improvement over the base 170HP 2.5-liter gasoline engine that returns an estimated 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with a five-speed manual, and 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with the optional six-speed auto.

Citroën has revealed the facelifted versions of its Berlingo and Jumpy (called Dispatch in Britain) minivans. Depending on the market, the Berlingo and the larger Jumpy/Dispatch are offered in both passenger and commercial variants.

In Britain, Citroën has provided initial details on the Berlingo Multispace and the Dispatch Combi, which are the passenger models of the series.

Starting with the smaller Berlingo Multispace, which is available in five- and seven-seat variants, the French firm's minivan gains a wider and more defined grille, a new chevron badge and a new headlight arrangement that can optionally include LEDs.

Fiat couldn't wait until the Geneva Motor Show to reveal its all-new 500L so it is giving us an early preview of its all-new sub-compact model. As you may have already guessed, the "L" in the name stands for "Large", with the 500L being the latest addition to the 500 range after the three-door hatch, the Cabrio and the Abarth models.

While the name and the styling (to some extent) refer to the 500 mini, the five-door 500L is based on the platform of the B-segment Punto measuring 4,140mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,660mm tall. It is 594mm longer, 153mm wider and 175mm taller than the three-door 500.

The Italian company says the 500L offers "MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road and the restrained dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car" and that it's an alternative to the traditional B and C segments.

Top Nice Cars

BMW Introduces New M Performance Parts Program, Includes Engine Upgrades

Ford Drops Another Picture of B-MAX, Says it will Debut the MPV at the Mobile World Congress

Mazda Releases UK Pricing and Specifications on New CX-5

New SsangYong XIV-2 Convertible Concept Crossover Heading to Geneva

Mazda Takeri Concept to Make European Debut in Geneva – New Mega Gallery with 82 Photos

Opel Launches New Corsa “Kaleidoscope” Edition in Europe

New 2012 Ford B-MAX Opens Up to Us, Shows its Sliding Doors

New Vauxhall Combo Goes on Sale in the UK, will Come to North America as a Ram

Facelifted 2012 Seat Exeo Sedan and ST Arrive in the UK

This is it: The New Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon

Ford Says New B-MAX is Best In-Class when it Comes to Fuel Economy and CO2 Emissions

Fiat Panda Arrives in the UK with a Starting Price of £8,900

Honda to Display NSX and European CR-V Concept Plus New 1.6L Diesel at the Geneva Salon

China's JAC Does it Again with Ford F-150 Pickup Truck Clone

Mercedes-Benz Sketches New Citan Deliver Van Co-Developed with Renault-Nissan

MINI Introduces New Convertible Highgate Special Edition

Audi Expands A5 Range with 134HP and 161HP TDIe Diesel Engines in Europe

New VW Beetle gets a 39mpg Diesel Variant in the States

Citroën Facelifts Berlingo and Jumpy/Dispatch Vans for 2012

Official: Fiat Unveils Larger and More Versatile 500L Ahead of its Geneva Debut