February 8th, 2010 by Car and SUV
For 2011, Renault is launching an all-new version of its Megane coupe-convertible at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show. Like the outgoing model and most of its European market competitors, the Megane gets a folding hardtop, but this one will let the sun shine in even when closed. The Megane receives an all-glass roof, which is great for seeing the stars but will do little to help the car’s center of gravity. The new Megane won’t be a totally high-performance machine, so the extra weight in the roof won’t bother many potential customers.
To its credit, Renault has managed to retain a surprisingly large boot on the Megane. The Megane has seven powertrain configurations available for its European launch with six gas and diesel engines combined with manual, dual clutch and continuously variable transmissions.
The new Megane coupe-convertible goes on sale in Europe around May.
Gallery
December 19th, 2009 by Car and SUV
Geneva Auto Show 2009 part 2
December 19th, 2009 by Car and SUV
Slideshow of cars you could see at the Geneva Auto Salon 2009
March 2nd, 2009 by Car and SUV
The 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo will join the B6 GT3 race car on the stand at the Geneva Motor Show, and thanks to leaked images and specs we can bring you an early taster of the tasty Alpina.
The B7 Bi-Turbo is essentially the M7 BMW chose not to build, packing a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-litre V8 putting out 507 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Alpina claims the B7 can run to 60 in 4.7 seconds and on to an electronically-limited 280 kph.
More details will be released during the Geneva Motor Show next week, but expect a host of upgrades to join the engine mods, including uprated brakes, suspension components and a reworked interior to compliment the B7’s new body kit.
February 24th, 2009 by Car and SUV
It seems that the upcoming Geneva Motor Show will be showing little regard for the whole global recession, as many automakers are using the Swiss show to debut exciting and expensive new vehicles and concepts.
Zagato popped up yesterday with its own surprise, the Perana Z-One. The Italian design company has partnered up with South Africa’s Perana Performance Group to build the Perana Z-One, of which 999 units will be produced.
A price hasn’t been announced yet, but it won’t be cheap, other specifications have been finalised. The Perana Z-One will be powered by a 6.2L LS3 V8 from GM producing at least 440 horsepower and a 0-100kph time for the car of less than four seconds. That icon of American mechanical engineering will be bodied in a sleek coupe shape that blends Italian flare with some sinister Shelby Cobra styling cues and a dash of Aston Martin aesthetic.
All that’s been released so far are these high-resolution renderings but more images and information will come from the Geneva Auto Show early next month.
Gallery
February 20th, 2009 by Car and SUV
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the mainstay of Mercedes’ 4WD line-up the G-Wagen is partying hard and has found a friend to celebrate with. Mercedes itself has released a pair of special-edition Geländewagens to mark the occasion (read news item). And now Brabus is preparing to storm the Geneva Motor Show with its own modified G-Class, and the figures are bordering on ridiculous.
Brabus has dropped in the twin-turbo V12 from the Mercedes S600, but bored it out from a massive 5.5 liters to a gargantuan 6.3. With the help of a new crankshaft, cylinder heads, custom exhaust, optimised intercooler and bigger turbos, the Brabus G V12 S Biturbo pumps out 700 horsepower and even more jaw-dropping 973 lb-ft of torque from just 2,100 rpm. Driving through a retuned five-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive, all that power is enough to propel the machine to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. And despite having the aerodynamic profile of two bricks the monster can reach 260kph. Custom aero kit, lighting, wheels and electronics round out the package for a price that may be the most ridiculous number of all: 379,000 Euros, or about $940,000 in our money.
February 20th, 2009 by Car and SUV
Alfa Romeo has stayed tight-lipped about its MiTo GTA in the lead-up to its unveiling at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but in addition to a couple of engine sketches, it’s finally released a full-on teaser shot of the new hot hatch. The styling continues to draw inspiration from the 8C Competizione, incorporating a few more elements of the supercar into the three-door’s front end, and the revised stance and upgraded wheels give it a considerably more sporting appearance.
With around 240 hp coming from the 1.8-litre turbocharged four, the MiTo GTA promises to be an interesting alternative to the MINI Cooper JCW at a competitive price and with Alfa’s trademark flair.
Check back for more updates and vehicles to be launched at next month’s Geneva Show
February 19th, 2009 by Car and SUV
We’re still just over a week away from the Geneva Motor Show, but the first official images of Hyundai’s HED-6 concept have been conveniently leaked out. The CG renderings stay true to the sketch released earlier, evolving the current Hyundai crossover design into a more edgy and sculpted package. Power comes from a 175 hp 1.6-liter GDi four-cylinder equipped with a turbo and direct injection, the new mill is expected to find its way into Hyundai’s future small and mid-size offerings, including the i30.
When the HED-6 makes it to production, the Crossover is likely to be called the iX35 moniker and be built along side the Kia Sportage at the automaker’s facility in Slovakia. The iX35 may find its way to New Zealand as the next Tucson, but more will be revealed in good time.
February 19th, 2009 by Car and SUV
BMW has announced that it will debut a BMW 335i and 135i Performance Kit at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The new BMW Performance Kit is available for all the models powered by the 3.0-litre straight six with Twin Turbo engine (the BMW 135i Coupe and Convertible and the BMW 335i Saloon, Touring, Coupe and the Convertible).
The BMW 335i and 135i Performance Kit offers a 15 kW/20 hp increase in power to 326 hp and includes upgrades for the drivetrain, suspension, aerodynamics and cockpit. The BMW 335i and 135i Performance Kit also increases the torque figure to 450 Nm which is 50 Nm more than standard.
With the power upgraded the BMW 335i and 135i Performance Kit can reach 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
February 19th, 2009 by Car and SUV
The first full design from the hands of Kia Motors design guru Peter Schreyer will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The Kia YN is a concept based on a compact people mover that is tipped to go into production later this year and its takes Kia’s new design-led prowess to the next level, following its recent success with the European cee’d, pro_cee’d and the upcoming Soul.
Schreyer, who left Audi and Volkswagen to take up the Chief Designer role at Kia Motors, says the concept will be unlike any other Kia to date. Although he has been with Kia Motors for more than two years, the YN is the first vehicle that has been completely developed under his guidance.
Schreyer has been provided with all the resources he requires to put Kia at the forefront in automotive design and the company has vowed not just to maintain its R&D spend into 2009 but to slightly increase its investment and maintain the momentum it has built up.
A three-quarter rear view of the YN has been released by Kia to give an idea of what the car will look like.
Although not seen in this photo, the Kia YN will sport the latest rendition of the new corporate “tiger” grille, which has been designed by Schreyer to help give Kia a more recognisable personality. Among the interesting design features to look out for at Geneva is the glass roof, which will help make the interior look much brighter and bigger.
The Kia YN is based on the same platform as the Kia Soul, which is due to arrive shortly in New Zealand and like that model it will showcase advanced design techniques that provide “astounding spaciousness in a compact package”.
No word on when the Kia YN might go into production and whether it would be available for sale in New Zealand, though Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand, says it would fit very comfortably into the model line-up if it did.
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