SsangYong Believes Actyon Sports is Popular Enough to Spawn a Successor, Concept Model Coming to Geneva

SsangYong, the ailing South Korean automaker that will soon pass into the control of India's Mahindra & Mahindra, will present a new concept model of its Actyon Sports at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. To be precise, SsangYong said in a statement that it will show "a stylish new concept of its popular Actyon Sports" called the SUT 1. You can see a selection of pictures of the current "popular" Actyon Sports as well as its precursor, the unforgettable Musso SUT after the jump.

The SUT 1 previews a production model that will go on sale across Europe and other markets from early 2012. As with both of its predecessors, the concept study is a hybrid of an SUV and a pickup truck - something like Subaru's Baja. The Geneva Show concept model is said to be similar in size to the current Actyon Sports measuring 4,985mm long, 1,910mm wide, 1,755mm high, and with a 3,060mm wheelbase.

It is powered by a new Euro 5 compliant 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine delivering 155-horses and a maximum torque of 360 Nm or 266 lb-ft. The production model will offer buyers the choice of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission in either 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive configurations.

 

Hyundai Releases First Real Life Photo of the New i40 Mid-Size Model

Hyundai today gave us a new sneak peek of its upcoming i40 mid-size model with the release of the first real life image of the car, which is scheduled to receive its world premiere at the Geneva Salon on the 1st of March. The new i40 will replace the older generation Sonata in Europe competing in the D-Segment with the likes of the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. At Geneva, we'll see the estate version of the model (probably named i40 CW) with the four-door sedan variant to follow before the end of the year.

Up until now, South Korea's largest automaker had only released a set of illustrations of the i40 CW (CrossWagon). The new photo shows off the interior of the i40, and in particular the dashboard with its sculpted shapes.

There's a big screen display mounted high up on the middle of the dash flanked by a pair of small air vents, underneath which nestle a bank of push buttons for ventilation and minor controls.

The company claims that new i40 "will move the company towards a �modern premium� positioning that will bring high-end features and vehicle quality to Hyundai customers at accessible prices."

Hyundai has not released any details on the engine line-up, but it is believed that at launch, the i40 will be offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with direct injection and an output of around 170-horsepower, plus two variants of the a 1.7-liter turbo-diesel with 115 HP and 136 HP.

Volkswagen Officially Reveals 2012 Tiguan SUV Facelift Prior to Geneva Motor Show

Volkswagen has dropped the first official photos of its refreshed Tiguan following the leak of a single picture of the compact SUV that appeared on the automaker's public website on Thursday. But while we got more than half a dozen of photos, VW did not release any info on the 2012 Tiguan other than that it will make its world premiere at next month's Geneva Motor Show and that the base price of the new model in Germany remains the same as before at �24,175 (US$33,000) for the entry-level Trend and Fun with the 122HP 1.4-liter TSI petrol.

The company added that it accelerated the presentation and the start of advance sales of the "technically and visually refined" Tiguan several weeks because "sustained high demand for the previous model has resulted in it being sold out."

Looking at the photos we can see that the exterior changes have shades of the new VW design language seen across the Eos, Passat and Touareg. There's a new face up front with a wider but more plain grille flanked by redesigned headlamps incorporating LED daytime running lights and a restyled bumper. The changes at the rear are also inspired by latest VW models as the Tiguan's tail lamps have been squared off, while the bumper has also been re-designed.

The only visible change inside the cabin appears to be the newly designed steering wheel.

Ferrari Unleashes Fresh Batch of Photos of FF Four-Seat GT Playing Around in the Snow

Citing "outstanding interest" and "numerous requests", Ferrari has unleashed a handful of additional photos of its new flagship four-seat GT, the FF. This is the second time after the initial presentation of the supercar in late January that the Italian firm has published pictures of its first-ever all-wheel drive model, yet somehow we still haven't seen the car in its entire form. In this latest batch, we get to see a very lightly camouflaged black prototype and a final model in Ferrari's traditional red color, both fooling around in the snow.

The new FF replaces the 612 Scaglietti in Ferrari's range, and is powered by a 660HP-strong V12. It will be unwrapped at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Facelift: Is this the first Official Photo?

The facelifted 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan has said to have made a brief stint on the automaker's German web site today before the company hastily removed it. We found the aforementioned page but now it redirects to a 404 error.

Unlike the supposedly leaked brochure of the refreshed Tiguan we showed you last summer, this photo showing the standard and possibly the more off-road capable Track & Field model, appears to be real. The most notable difference is of course the new front fascia styled in line with VW's latest family face. Word has it that the updated Tiguan SUV will make its world premiere at the Geneva motor show. We'll be sure to keep you updated on any new information that comes up.

New Saab 9-5 SportCombi Spotted Strolling Out in the Open

Saab recently gave us our first taste of the new 9-5 SportCombi with the release of a single teaser photo, but today, Saabsunited member Djup Strupe spotted the station wagon model out in the open, apparently somewhere near the firm's headquarters in Trollh�ttan, Sweden. The specific example is said to be an Aero TTiD model, which probably means it's powered by the same 190HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine found on the sedan version. The more practical and dare we say more Saab-ish version of the 9-5, which will also be known as the SportWagon in some markets, will receive its world premiere at next month's Geneva Salon before it arrives in dealerships this Fall.

Geneva Preshow: Renault's New Monaco GP Limited Editions

Apparently, last year's limited run Laguna Coupe Monaco GP special edition was a success as Renault has just announced three new models featuring the same styling recipe, including the Megane Coupe, Megane Coupe R.S. and the 2011MY Laguna Coupe. The new Monaco GP special editions will go on sale in Europe right after their world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

All three models share common styling treats such as a bespoke pearlescent white paint developed accentuated by Etoil� black body components including the side mirrors, rear diffuser and fog-lamp surrounds, black headlight masks and �Monaco GP� badge work on the sides. Inside, the Monaco GP treatment adds pearlescent white cabin details (console, strip, door handles), �Monaco GP� stitching on the seats, a numbered plate and �Monaco GP� protective mats.

The Megane Coupe Monaco GP model, which is available with a choice of five engines, including 110HP, 130HP and 160HP diesels, and 130HP and 180HP petrol units, also gets 17-inch gloss black rims, GT front and rear bumpers, fabric upholstery with special stitching, rear park assist and power-folding mirrors.

The 250HP Megane Coupe R.S. Monaco GP benefits from 18-inch Keza gloss black rims, leather upholstery with special stitching, plus gray overstitching on the steering wheel and gearstick handle.

Finally, the Laguna Coupe Monaco GP returns for 2011 and will be available with five engines, depending on the country (2.0 dCi with 150HP, 180HP and 175HP + Auto Box, and 2.0 Turbo with 205HP and 170HP +Auto Box). Aside from the exclusive pearlescent white body paint, buyers of the special edition will also be able to opt for a pearlescent black.

New Mini Cooper SD gets 2.0-liter Turbo Diesel with 143HP and up to 65.7 UK MPG

MINI has introduced the most power diesel variant yet in its line-up in the form of the new Cooper SD which is powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder oil-burner that makes 143-horses at 4,000 rpm and an impressive 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) of peak torque, available between 1,750 and 2,700 rpm. The Cooper SD trim is offered in the three-door hatch, the Clubman, the Convertible and the Countryman crossover.

The four-pot diesel is loosely based on the 1.6-litre units fitted in the MINI One D and Cooper D models, and is linked to a standard six-speed manual gearbox with a six speed automatic transmission being offered from launch as an option.

To improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions, all Cooper SD models will come fitted as standard with a Brake Energy Regeneration system, Auto Start/Stop function, Shift Point Display, Electric Power Steering and the need-based operation of ancillary components plus a diesel particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter.

In terms of performance, the three-door Cooper SD completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 seconds en route to a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph), while returning an average fuel consumption of 4.3 lt/100km (65.7 mpg UK or 54.7 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 114 g/km.

The new Cooper SD Clubman reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 8.6 seconds and also has a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). Its average fuel economy is 4.4 lt/100 km (64.2 mpg UK), while CO2 emissions stand at 115 g/km.

The respective numbers for the Cooper SD Convertible are: 8.7 seconds, 210 km/h (130 mph), 4.5lt/100 km (62.8 mpg UK) and 118g/km of CO2.

In the Countryman the new diesel can be teamed up either with front-wheel drive or the all-wheel-drive system MINI ALL4. The FWD Cooper SD Countryman sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.3 seconds, the AWD in 9.4 seconds, on the way to top speeds of 198 and 195 km/h (123/121 mph) respectively. The front-wheel-drive model has fuel economy of 4.6lt/100km, the all-wheel-drive variant achieves 4.9 lt/100 km. CO2 emissions are 122 and 130 g/km respectively.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: Production Model to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

Chevrolet today announced that the production version of the Cruze hatchback will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Considered to be a critical model for Chevrolet in Europe, the 5-door Cruze was first teased at last year�s Paris Motor Show with a pre-production study.

�Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets. The total compact segment in Europe represents over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume�, said Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe. �The new Cruze hatchback cements that Chevrolet's claim for a place among the mainstream brands in Europe, and it's a vehicle that will bring new levels of value against some of the more established competition�.

With its sweeping lines, short overhangs and, in our opinion, better looking rear quarter compared to the sedan, the hatchback is said to be �particularly well suited to European driver tastes�. To achieve this, it uses the same body-frame integral system (BFI) chassis complemented by some fine-tuning and the four-door model�s engine range, plus new additions, such as the Orlando MPV�s 163HP 2.0-liter diesel powerplant.

From a practical standpoint, the new model loses 50 liters of cargo space for a total of 400 liters, but the large liftgate and 60/40 split rear seating should compensate in terms of practicality.

The Cruze hatchback is due in Europe in mid 2011 and prices will be announced closer to the launch date. It will also be available as a Holden in Australia.

Geneva Preshow: New Renault Wind Receives the Gordini Touch

Renault's funky looking little coupe-convertible, the new Wind, is next up on the French automaker's list of models to receive the Gordini styling treatment. More of a posh version of the standard Wind than anything else, the Gordini-badged model bears the in-house tuner's traditional colors with a Malta blue bodywork and two white stripes. It also gets Glacier white door mirrors, grille trim and rear wing, and a glossy black roof, while the 17-inch diamond alloy wheels and a badge marked with a �G� completes the look.

Inside, the cabin features special �Gordini� black and blue leather upholstery, blue and white door straps, a blue leather steering wheel with white stripes at the top, and a gear lever with a leather gaiter and metal knob with the Gordini name.

There are no mechanical changes over the standard Wind models.

The Wind Gordini will receive its world premiere at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in early March, and go on sale across Europe shortly after.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: New Photos and Added Details

Last week, Mercedes-Benz accidentally dropped the ball on the refreshed C63 AMG, and even though the automaker quickly removed all photos and information, the damage was done and we got our first look at the Stuttgart firm's performance model. Today, the Germans came out with an official release and a new set of photos of both the sedan and Estate versions of the 2012MY C63 AMG.

In the styling department, the C63 AMG models receive similar exterior and interior revisions as the standard C-Class models including new headlamps and a pointier front grille, plus a new dashboard design with an integrated screen on the top part of the center console.

The AMG treatment adds a restyled bodykit, a new aluminium bonnet with modified powerdomes, and bespoke 18-inch alloys wrapped in 235/40 R 18 and 255/35 R 18 tires at front and rear respectively, along with a three-dimensional TFT display in the middle of the redesigned speedometer and a flat-bottom three-spoke AMG performance steering wheel trimmed in nappa leather and featuring a metallic trim.

Under the skin, the 6.2-liter V8 remains unchanged for the 2012MY, producing 457HP and 600Nm / 442 lb-ft of torque in standard trim and 487HP with the optional AMG Performance package.

However, the C63 AMG obtains a new 7-speed sports transmission with the "Controlled Efficiency" mode as standard along with a new speed-sensitive sports steering with a direct ratio (13.5 : 1) and a newly developed power-steering pump that help reduce the combined consumption by about ten percent to 12.0 lt/100 km or 19.6mpg US (Estate: 12.3 l/100 km).

In terms of performance, the standard 457HP C63 AMG sedan completes the 0-100km/h [62 mph] sprint in 4.5 seconds (Estate: 4.6 s), while the 487HP model in 4.4 seconds (Estate: 4.5 s). Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

According to Mercedes, over the past three and a half years it has sold more than 17,000 C63 AMGs worldwide, with 88 percent of buyers opting for the sedan and 12 percent for the Estate. The Performance Package has proven to be successful with more than 30 percent of all the C 63 AMG models delivered in 2010 specified with this option.

The latest iteration of the C63 AMG will have its world premiere at next month's Geneva Salon with sales set to start in July. Prices in Germany start at �71,340 for the sedan, and at �73,899 for the Estate, with the AMG Performance Package priced at �7166.20.

Volvo V60 Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid Returns 125 MPG, will Debut at Geneva Show

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a near production-ready model that is said to return a very impressive 125 mpg US (1.9 lt/100 km), with CO2 emissions under 50 g/km. In order to achieve this, engineers entered a new variable into the plug-in hybrid equation: a diesel engine.

The V60�s front wheels are driven by a 2.4-liter 5-cylinder turbo diesel powerplant capable of 215HP and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. At the back, there's a 70HP electric motor that powers the rear wheels and a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

According to Volvo, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid �features the very best properties from three different car types in one sports wagon�, including an all-electric driving mode with a range of up to 32 miles (52 km).

�In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we've done is to spice it up with spearhead technology�, said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

Jointly developed by Volvo and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is scheduled to enter series production in 2012.

 

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Sedan and Estate: First Official Photos

This is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the performance version of the facelifted C-Class, which will make its official show debut at the 2011 Geneva Salon in early March. Available in both sedan and estate body styles, the C63 AMG receives a styling makeover as well as a series mechanical and chassis tweaks.

On the outside, the C63 AMG sports the same design changes as the rest of the range including the new L-shaped headlamps, adding to the mix a new aluminum hood, restyled bumpers with LED day time lights up front, a revised grille and specific alloy wheel designs. We don't have any photos of the interior yet, but the cabin will feature the standard model's revised dashboard spruced up with AMG-specific trim.

For the 2012 model year, the C63 AMG keeps the pre-facelift's naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine with 457HP and 600Nm or 442 lb-ft of peak torque, but gets the firm's new AMG speed-shift MCT 7-speed sports transmission, which helps improve fuel consumption by around ten percent to 12lt/100km [19.6 mpg US] for the sedan and 12.3 lt/100km for the Estate. The four door model completes the 0-100km/h [62mph] sprint in 4.5 seconds, while its Estate sibling in 4.6 seconds.

An available performance package pushes output to 487HP, allowing the sedan to reach 100km/h [62mph] in 4.4 seconds and the estate in 4.5 seconds.

AMG engineers have also tweaked the suspension settings promising improved handling characteristics.

The revised C63 AMG is expected to go on sale this summer.

The Zonda is Dead. Long Live the New Pagani Huayra! Official Photos and Details of 700HP Supercar

After a series of leaked magazine shots hit the internet this past weekend, Pagani today officially released its new Huayra supercar model in a rather anticlimactic way. Designed to replace the much-hyped Zonda series, Horacio Pagano's newest creation is named after the Andean god of wind, Aymara Huayra Tata.

The Huayra has a somewhat softer styling and isn't as raw as the Zonda, but the two models do share a similar silhouette. As always, design is a matter of personal taste, so feel free to express your opinion about the car's styling in our comments section below.

Pagani's newcomer also gets a pair of swooping gullwing doors which introduce the driver and passenger to a truly bespoke interior with some impressive details such as the exposed gear selector.