Paul Tan's Automotive News » 2006 Paris Motor Show

Toyota Auris Concept Video

Paul Tan — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 09:29:10 +0000

Been a long time since I’ve posted videos here. Following the standard car video concept of “hot chick checks out car driving by in deserted volcanic or forest area” (which Proton also used for the Satria Neo TVC), this is Toyota’s video showing off the Toyota Auris Space Concept. The Toyota Auris Concept gives us a preview on Toyota’s next generation European hatchback, which will replace the current Toyota Corolla hatch. More details on the Toyota Auris here. Check out the video after the jump.

Video: Toyota Auris Concept

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2007 Daihatsu Materia

Paul Tan — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 08:24:56 +0000

What’s this then, a mini Chrysler PT Cruiser? Daihatsu introduced the 2007 Daihatsu Materia at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, a little boxy mini-MPV-like wagon vehicle which is also known as the Daihatsu Coo or the Toyota bB in other parts of the world. The bB Concept was introduced as a preview to the successor to the Scion xB, a popular wagon sold in the US under Toyota’s Scion arm. While it might look terribly boxy and Gundam-ish to us, the Scion xB has proven to be quite popular in the US.

While the first generation Scion xB used Toyota’s 2NZ-FE 1.3 litre and 1NZ-FE 1.5 litre, power for this successor comes from either a 1.3 litre K3-VE engine, or a 1.5 litre 3SZ-VE, the same Daihatsu-based engines being offered in our local Toyota Avanza. This shows Toyota is moving towards using Daihatsu engines for it’s low displacement models across the board, whether the model is Daihatsu or Toyota originated.

Some models of the Daihatsu Coo in Japan has four wheel drive options, but it’s not clear to me right now whether the European Daihatsu Materia will have 4WD or not. Daihatsu expects to build about 1,000 units per month.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show: 2007 Kia Magentis

Paul Tan — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 07:49:46 +0000

Yet another Kia display at the 2006 Paris Motor Show was the new 2007 Kia Magentis, with an entirely new platform different from the previous model. The new Kia Magentis based on the same platform as the Sonata NF, except for some differences like different suspension systems – the Sonata NF uses double wishbones while the Magentis uses McPherson struts and multi-link at the rear.

This particular model shown is a turbodiesel model, which can be identified by the CRDi badge on the boot – a 2.0 litre CRDi with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger, similiar to the one found in the Porsche 911 Turbo. Of course, VGT has been around in turbodiesels for quite some time already. Performance stats are 138hp at 4,000rpm and 305Nm of torque between 1,800rpm to 2,500rpm. The turbodiesel is also equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter for better emissions. If you prefer petrol, the UK market has a 2.0 I4 CVVT and 2.7 litre V6, but in other markets there is also a 2.4 litre I4 CVVT.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show: 2007 Honda CR-V

Paul Tan — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 20:48:55 +0000

Here are some photos of the new 2007 Honda CR-V in the flesh, on display at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, snapped by Ben Corley. Not many photos in this set, there are only three, so sorry for that! For more details on the 2007 Honda CR-V, check out my previous post here. Two more photos after the jump, for a total of 3 with enlarged versions available.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show: Kia pro_cee’d

Paul Tan — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 13:24:03 +0000

Here are some live shots of Kia’s sporty 3-door hatch, the Kia pro_cee’d, based on it’s new range of cee’d European cars. More photos after the jump, with enlarged versions thanks to contributor Ben Corley. For more details on the Kia pro_cee’d, refer here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show: SEAT Leon WTCC

Paul Tan — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:17:40 +0000

This is the SEAT’s entry into the FIA World Touring Car Championship, based on the SEAT Leon. The SEAT Leon WTCC was on display at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, letting us check out what inspired the recently announced 240 horsepower SEAT Leon Cupra.

The SEAT Leon WTCC was introduced in 2005, and unlike it’s 2.0 TFSI road-going Leon Cupra brother, it is powered by a 2.0 litre normally aspirated engine (a high revving unit, likely) as per WTCC rules. Power goes to the front wheels via a 6-speed DSG gearbox.

More photos with enlarged versions available after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show: 2007 Dodge Caliber

Paul Tan — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:13:39 +0000

Among concept vehicles like the Avenger at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, Dodge also displayed it’s production models, like this 2007 Dodge Caliber crossover. The car is a 4-door hatch similiar to the likes of the Toyota Matrix – somewhat like a crossover between a sporty hatchback and a station wagon?! It was introduced this year to replace the Dodge Neon, and was based on the DCX/Mitsubishi GS platform which also spawned the likes of the new Mitsubishi Outlander and the next generation Lancer.

Engine options are a 1.8 litre, 2.0 litre and a 2.4 litre, and you can mix these with choices of a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic – either front wheel drive or all wheel drive traction is available. There is also a Dodge Caliber SRT-4, featuring a turbocharged 2.4 litre engine making 300 horsepower mated to a 6-speed manual. In the European market, the Dodge Caliber is also available with a 138hp, 310Nm 2.0 litre turbodiesel sourced from Volkswagen AG.

One more photo after the jump, thanks to Ben Corley, and as usual enlarged versions are also available.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show Gallery: Peugeot 207 RCup

Paul Tan — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 08:53:43 +0000

The Peugeot 207 RCup Concept was first shown at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in March, but Peugeot has it on display again at the Paris Motor Show. The Peugeot 207 RCup Concept Car was a teaser for Peugeot’s WRC entry – the Peugeot 207 Super 2000.

The Peugeot 207 RCup has wider front and rear tracks, and larger wheel arches, giving it a much stronger look than the original Peugeot 207. Ground clearance is 10cm, and it’s wheel arches are filled up by big 18″ wheels wrapped with 235/40/R18 tyres. Under the hood of the Peugeot 207 RCup is the same engine that will be powering the Super 2000 rally contender, a 2.0 litre normally aspirated engine tuned to produce 280hp at a sky high 8,500rpm!

More photos with clickable enlarged versions after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Subaru says turbodiesel boxer nearly complete

Paul Tan — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 06:24:29 +0000

Subaru Europe President Hiroyuki Ikeda announced at the 2006 Paris Motor Show that the upcoming horizontally opposed 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine by Subaru is almost complete, with development at final stages now.

Subaru’s gasoline boxer won the top spot for the 2.5 litre category in this year’s International Engine of the Year Awards, and the new turbodiesel boxer will be the first oil burning boxer in the world.

The new turbodiesel boxer engine by Subaru is expected to be unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show Gallery: Peugeot 908RC

Paul Tan — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 04:39:02 +0000

Here are some shots of the Peugeot 908RC at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, again courtesy of Ben Corley. Peugeot calls the Peugeot 908RC a stylish four-door four-seater limousine which combined power, comfort, and green performance. The Peugeot 908RC is powered by a 5.5 litre V12 HDi DPFS turbodiesel engine mounted in the rear behind the passengers.

The 5.5 litre V12 HDi DPFS turbodiesel engine mounted transversely in the rear was designed by Peugeot to take part in the Le Mans Race Series in 2007, with it’s racing 908 car. The engine makes over 700bhp and produces a very nice 1200Nm of torque. Because of the engine’s 100 degrees V angle, it has a pretty low center of gravity. This engine is mated to a 6-speed electronicaly controlled sequential shift gearbox, specially designed to handle the massive 1200Nm being put through it.

More photos after the jump. Click photos for enlarged version.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show Gallery: Volvo C30 SE Sport

Paul Tan — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 15:42:09 +0000

Volvo exhibited the Volvo C30 SportsCoupe at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The Volvo C30 will be available in 5 trim levels – the S, SE, SE Sport and SE Lux. This set of photos show the Volvo C30 in SE Sport trim level, which includes 18 inch alloy wheels and a full bodykit with the body painted in a two tone finish.

More photos after the jump, courtesy of Volvo Media. Click here for more details and specifications related to the Volvo C30 SportsCoupe.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show Gallery: Shoemobile

Paul Tan — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 20:00:18 +0000

This little oddball spotted at the 2006 Paris Motor Show is the Tang Hua Xiao Ya, looking quite sesat in the middle of all the other displays. It’s booth doesn’t even have any banners of any form, only a little oriental-style umbrella next to it, and a small dalmation toy in the car.

The little Tang Hua Xiao Ya is actually an electric car made in China, and features a 7 hour charge time, a 45 km/h top speed in normal mode which can be boosted to 64km/h in performance mode. It’s cheap though, at around US$5,000.

This must be what the old woman who lives in a shoe drives – a yellow shoe-mobile. One more photo after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2006 Paris Motor Show Gallery: Audi R8

Paul Tan — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 19:01:53 +0000

Here are more photos of the Audi R8, straight from the 2006 Paris Motor Show, thanks to paultan.org correspondent Ben Corley. As with the previous post with details of the 2007 Audi R8, click each photo for an enlarged version. For all the photos, check out the full post after the jump.

This particular Audi R8 has the sideblade painted. There are 3 differnet colours options which vary for each of the 4 body colours.

The Audi R8, side profile, with an unpainted side section.

Audi R8, from a rear 3/4 section view.

Rear view, note the nice quad tailpipes integrated into the bumper.

Audi R8, from a rear 3/4 section view.

A skeleton view of the Audi R8, showing off the Audi Space Frame construction.

Notice how the suspension strut is mounted at the firewall, eliminating the need for special strut towers, which are conspicuously missing.

Engine is visible through a transparent glass engine cover.

Spokes of feathery spiderweb-like aluminium show off dinner-plate sized brake rotors and massive calipers.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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2007 Toyota Yaris TS 1.8 Dual VVT-i

Paul Tan — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 11:26:43 +0000

Toyota has revaled the new flagship Toyota Yaris model called the Toyota Yaris TS at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The new Toyota Yaris TS is powered by Toyota’s new flagship Dual VVT-i 1.8 litre engine which makes 130bhp at 6,000rpm and max torque of 173Nm at 4,400rpm, compared to the Yaris 1.5 litre‘s 109hp at 6,000rpm and 142Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. With the new Dual VVT-i engine, Valve timing is adjusted on both intake and exhaust valves. This engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The little hatch goes from 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds.

Other enhancements to the Toyota Yaris TS over the base model include suspension improvements – the front suspension has been reinforced, gains a thicker anti-roll bar and a linking rod has been introduced between the rear suspension members. The ride is also lowered by 8mm.

Other than ride height, further external differences include a new black mesh grille with a TS badge, darkened headlamps, a deeper bumper with integrated foglights, a new rear bumper with integrated exhaust tailpipes and fog lights, as well as new LED rear lamp clusters. Look from the side and you will see nice 17 inch alloy wheels that fill up the wheel arches as well as deep side skirts. There is also a roof spoiler for the rear.

Both three-door and five-door versions of the Toyota Yaris TS will be on sale from February 2007. More photos after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Toyota Auris Space Concept

Paul Tan — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 10:51:36 +0000

After a few artist’s impressions mostly from Japanese auto magazines, Toyota has revealed to the world the Toyota Auris space concept, which will be the base design for the future Toyota Auris hatchback, the replacement for the Toyota Corolla hatchback in the European market.

â€œThe Auris space concept is tall and spacious. The high waistline, short overhangs and forward balance of the cabin architecture ensure it retains a sense of dynamism and agility, a quality we call perfect imbalance,â€ says Wahei Hirai, Toyota Global Design Managing Officer, explaining the rationale behind Toyota’s latest interpretation of it’s Vibrant Clarity design philosophy.

The Toyota Auris space concept is equipped with a panoramic glass roof, which helps increase the overall feel of interior space and lighting. The Latin word for gold is Aurum, which is similiar to the Auris name, hence the new Toyota Auris space concept is painted in gold.

More photos after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Audi debuts new 2.8 FSI V6, 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI

Paul Tan — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 17:01:14 +0000

Audi launched three new engines at the 2006 Paris Motor Show – one being a new 2.8 litre V6 FSI engine with Audi’s new valvelift system, a new 1.8 litre Turbo FSI engine and a new more powerful variant of the venerable 2.0 litre Turbo FSI engine that will find it’s way into the new Audi S3 hot hatch.

The new 2.8 litre V6 FSI engine which will debut in the Audi A6 makes 210hp at 5,500rpm as well as a constant peak torque wave of 280Nm between 3,000rpm and 5,000rpm. The new engine is a shorter stroke version of it’s 3.2 litre big brother, 82.4mm instead of 92.8mm, and retains the same bore of 84.5mm, making it a slightly oversquare configuration. The engine uses an alloy crankcase which gives it a weight of only 165kg. Precise 100 bar pressure FSI direct injection allows a high compression ratio of 12.0:1.

New to the engine is Audi’s valvelift system which gives the engine two valve lift profiles on the intake cam. The higher cam profile opens valve through 11mm, while the other cam opens the intake valves at two different lifts – one at 5.7mm and the other at 2mm. This is deliberately done for a swirl and tumble flow effect for intake air. The transition between the two cam profiles is smoothened out via a combination of tricks like temporary retardation of ignition, adjustment of camshafts and closing of throttle valves.

A slightly different style of how an engine is built is shown in the form of the new 1.8 Turbo FSI engine. The new 1.8 TFSI engine has higher pressure six-hole injectors – up to 150 bar. A watercooled Borg Warner K03 turbocharger gives the 1.8 TFSI engine a good torque figure of 165Nm at just 1,000rpm, and this peaks at 250Nm slightly further up in the rev range at 1,500rpm – this figure stretches all the way up to 4,200rpm. Peak horsepower is 160hp from 5,000rpm to 6,200rpm. Compression ratio is lower than the 2.0 TFSI though, at only 9.6:1 compression.

The final engine is the new motor that goes into the Audi S3 hot hatch, an updated 2.0 TFSI with a higher power of 265bhp at 6,000rpm and a stronger peak torque of 320Nm constant up to 5,000rpm. To keep up with the stronger boost, the engine features pistons with stronger pins, stronger conrods and a reinforced cylinder block made of a new highly heat-resistant alloy.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Kia cee’d Sport Wagon

Paul Tan — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:16:23 +0000

This is the third in the line of the new Kia cee’d based C-segment vehicles that Kia has in store for the European market. Following the 5-door hatch and the 3-door hatch variants, Kia will also introduce the 5-door Kia cee’d Sport Wagon at the 2006 Paris Motor Show later this month.

The Kia cee’d Sport Wagon is a station wagon that measures 4470 mm long, 1490 mm high, and has the same 650 mm wheelbase as it’s other two siblings, the Kia cee’d 5-door hatch and the Kia pro-cee’d sporty 3-door hatch.

Production is expected to start in mid-2007, and full sales across Europe is expected to begin in September 2007, following the 5-door hatch‘s introduction in December 2006.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Å koda Joyster Concept

Paul Tan — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:09:25 +0000

This is the Å koda Joyster Concept, Å koda’s vision for a new B-segment compact car that might make it into production as the new Å koda Fabia hatchback in the year 2007. The current Å koda Fabia is based on the Volkswagen Polo platform – watch out for a test drive report soon on the Fabia 1.4 hatch.

Skoda is a company that has pretty much filled up the market segment where Volkswagen used to be – as Volkswagen has moved up a notch in the market, no longer concentrating on making cheap basic cars that everyone can afford.

The Skoda Joyster Concept design study will be presented alongside other innovations from Å koda Auto at the Paris Motor Show on Thursday 28th September, 2006.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Kia pro_cee’d Concept at Paris

Paul Tan — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 11:45:04 +0000

We’ve seen the Kia cee’d five-door hatchback, Kia’s C-segment competitor for the European market. Kia announced that soon after the 5-door hatch is launched, a station wagon version as well as a sporty 3-door version will be launched. This is the Kia pro_cee’d hatchback, to be shown at the Paris Motor Show later this month alongside it’s production 5-door cee’d brother.

The Kia pro_cee’d concept was developed by Kia’s team in Russelsheim under it’s design chief Gegory Guillaume. The concept comes in a colour Kia called Cashew – which is somewhat like a flat brown but with a small percentage of metal flakes to give it a little sparkle. The pro_cee’d has a roofline 25mm lower compared to the production 5-door cee’d, to give it a sportier image. Further enhancing it’s sporty image is the huge 19 inch wheels that fill up the wheel arches, wrapped with 265/30/R19 tyres.

More images after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Audi Q7 6.0 V12 TDI at Paris Motor Show

Paul Tan — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:19:37 +0000

The Audi Q7 is built on a stretched version of the Touareg platform and has a new model in it’s line-up – the Audi Q7 6.0 litre V12 turbodiesel.

This massive oil burner is based on the Audi R10 Le Mans turbodiesel engine and makes a nice 500 horses and ONE THOUSAND newton meters of torque at a low 1,750rpm. Can you imagine that? 1000Nm at 1,750rpm? The Audi A4′s 280Nm at 1,800rpm was already impressive to me, I cannot possibly imagine how much push this engine has, and I would love to try it out one day. Simply COLOSSAL!

0 to 100km/h takes only 5.5 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited at 250km/h. The engine uses an advanced common rail direct injection system – a Bosch 29,000 psi pressure system which is a first in the world! Power delivery is channeled through a 6-speed slushbox that drives all four wheels – Audi’s trademark quattro system.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Daihatsu D-Compact X-Over to debut at Paris

Paul Tan — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 12:56:29 +0000

The previous D-Compact concept series from Daihatsu was the Daihatsu D-Compact 4X4 which ended up as the production Daihatsu Be-Go/Toyota Rush. Following the current crossover craze, this is the latest in the D-Compact series – the Daihatsu D-Compact X-Over, where X-Over means crossover.

Designed together with Italy’s Italdesign led by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the rugged but sporty crossover with flared wheel arches features a glass roof that extends from the edge of the windshield to over the rear seats. The front headlamps remind me abit of Perodua’s take on the Passo/Boon/Myvi front end styling.

If it goes into production, the B-segment car is expected to replace the Daihatsu YRV and will be pitched against the likes of the Mazda 2. This concept car will join many other concepts to be unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show from the 30th September to 15th October 2006. One more photo after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Hyundai Arnejs Concept at Paris 2006

Paul Tan — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 20:52:18 +0000

Hyundai will be showing it’s Hyundai Arnejs Concept at the Paris Motor Show end of this month. The Hyundai Arnejs, pronounced Ar-nez, will give us a preview on how Hyundai’s new European C-segment contender will look like when it is launched in Summer 2007 for the UK market.

The Hyundai Arnejs Concept is designed at Hyundai’s European Research and Design centre in RÃ¼sselsheim, Germany and takes certain design cues from it’s previous concept car, the Hyundai Genus Concept. The production version will likely share similiar parts or even the whole platform with the recently announced Kia cee’d, which will also make it’s debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

More photos after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Peugeot 207 EPURE points to possible 207CC

Paul Tan — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 01:24:15 +0000

There will be alot of exciting unveilings at the 2006 Paris Motor Show the end of this month, and this is yet another one – the Peugeot 207 EPURE Concept car. From the looks of it, this will likely be the concept that a Peugeot 207CC will be based on. The concept car for the 206CC called the Peugeot 20CC was unveiled at Geneva 1998, and the real production Peugeot 206CC was launched in 2001. Since then, it has been the best selling convertible car from 2002 to 2004 as well as the best selling Coupe Cabriolet in 2005. Over 350,000 Peugeot 206CC cars have been built since it’s launch.

The Peugeot 207 EPURE adorn in a nice pearl white colour is not all looks and an automatic folding roof though – this little baby has a fuel cell motor under it’s hood. The EPURE has an electric motor (40kW normal power, 70kW max power, 180Nm torque) combined with a Peugoet GENEPEC 20 experimental fuel cell (20kw), designed by Peugeot in partnership with the French Atomic Energy Commission. This futuristic powertrain gives the Peugeot a 350km range, a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 15 seconds and a 130km/h top speed.

More photos after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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4th Gen Mitsubishi Pajero to be unveiled

Paul Tan — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 20:50:47 +0000

The next generation Mitsubishi Pajero will be unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show to be held from September 28 2006 to October 15 2006. The new Mitsubishi Pajero – fourth in it’s generation – will continue the SUV’s legacy since it was first launched 25 years ago in 1982. The Mitsubishi Pajero was sold in 170 countries and regions, also known as the Mitsubishi Montero or Shogun in different markets.

The new Mitsubishi Pajero will retain it’s precedessor’s SUV specifications like its approach angle, ground clearance, and other all-terrain performance specifications. New features will include a new 3.2 litre inline-4 common rail direct fuel injection turbodiesel, or a 3.8 litre V6 MIVEC petrol unit, likely the same award-winning 6G75 powerplant in the Mitsubishi 380. True to it’s off-roader nature, it will be equipped with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II transfer case with Active Stability & Traction Control (ASTC). In-car entertainment will be provided by a 12-speaker 860W Rockford Acoustic Design Premium Sound System.

The new fourth generation Mitsubishi Pajero will be produced at the Pajero Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Shipments to Europe will begin this month, followed by shipments within Japan as well as to Australia in October. We will also see a kitted up Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution based on the new Pajero at the Paris Motor Show, which will be used in the 2007 Dakar Rally.

The photo above is the long wheelbase version, for the short wheelbase 2-door version as well as some shots of the interior scanned from a magazine, look after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Paul Tan — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 20:11:23 +0000

This is the Citroen C-MÃ©tisse Concept car, to be shown at the Paris Motor Show later this month. The Citroen C-MÃ©tisse Concept combines the features of a high performance sports car together with environmental friendliness – this means a top speed of 250km/h but using only 5.2 litres of diesel per 100km. Classic Citroen design cues are kept – long bonnets and non-existant rear overhang, most Citroens like the C4, Xsara and Xantia look like notchbacks. More details after the jump.

The Citroen C-MÃ©tisse Concept car is a 4-seater, 4-door coupe powered by a Citroen HDi V6 turbodiesel engine equipped with a Diesel Particulate Filter System, as well as two electric motors powering of the rear wheels each. This gives the C-MÃ©tisse Concept 4WD capability. The HDi V6 turbodiesel engine makes 208bhp on it’s own, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Each of the electric motors powering the rear wheels put out 20hp and 400Nm of torque, which brings the total max torque output figures to over 1000Nm! Full torque is accessible immediately via an arcade-like boost function which activates under heavy acceleration.

The front doors are gull-wing doors, meaning they open upwards rather than outwardsm while the rear doors spin round to provide easier access. Getting into the car, you are greeted by an aircraft-style cockpit, with nice luxurious white leather seats. Check out the headrests which are anchored to the ceiling of the vehicle instead of the normal position on top of the seats.

The Citroen C-MÃ©tisse Concept car which weighs 1,400kg including batteries for the electric motors goes from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds. There is also a ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) mode, which lets you run on the electric motors only without the combustion engine.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Lancia Delta HPE Concept

Paul Tan — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 20:49:02 +0000

This is the new Lancia Delta HPE Concept, which will be shown to the public at the Paris Motor Show, with a production version to roll off the lines sometime in 2008. The Lancia Delta HPE Concept is 4.5 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and 1.5 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.7 meters. Trunk capacity is about 400 litres, which is not too bad. The Honda City has a 500 litre trunk while the Audi A4 has a 460 litre trunk.

The Lancia Delta HPE will be based on the new Fiat Bravo platform, and it’s expected that the car will come with a few engine options – 1.4 turbo with either 120PS or 150PS, a 1.8 turbo with 190PS, and two turbodiesels, a 1.6 oil burner with 120PS and a bigger 2.0 oil burner with 165PS.

The original Lancia Delta was a hatchback that was pretty successful, and it had a performance model called the Lancia Delta HF Integrale, fully geared up with a turbocharged engine and an AWD drivetrain. Some of you might be foreign to the name Lancia, an Italian automobile manufacturer which is somewhat less well known than it’s other Fiat Group siblings – Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. However, Lancia has clocked up the most WRC manufacturer’s championship victories so far in the history of the race. Lancia’s rally-equipped Delta HF Integrale was the car responsible for dominating the World Rally Championship, scoring 46 WRC victories overall and winning the Constructors Championship six times in a row from 1987 to 1992, a record.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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New 2007 Honda CR-V Revealed

Paul Tan — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 19:33:47 +0000

After a few spyshots including some showing the new CR-V fully undisguised, Honda has put out an official announcement that the car will make it’s debut this month at the 2006 Paris International Motor Show. For now, specifications and official photos from Honda have been released. Let’s take a look at the all-new 2007 Honda CR-V!

[UPDATE: The new 2007 Honda CR-V has been launched in Malaysia! Click here to read my report on the launch!]

[UPDATE #2: Read my 2007 Honda CR-V Test Drive Report!]

The new 2007 Honda CR-V has taken on a somewhat crossover-like body profile with this new model, looking at the side window silhouette which gives the whole roof a slight coupe-ish look to it, even though it doesn’t really slope down like a coupe roof. The SUV has a cabin forward design. The new 2007 Honda CR-V has less ground clearance than before at 185mm unladen weight clearance, perhaps making it less feasible to go offroad now than before with the old CR-V which had 205mm ground clearance. The spare tyre has been moved into the car, while the previous 2nd generation CR-V had the option of putting it in the car or hanging it on the tailgate. The car is more car-like in character now, with a lower (by 35mm) center of gravity, a wider by 30mm track and larger 17 inch wheels, with 18 inch as an option.

The new 2007 Honda CR-V has Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) to help with towing stability, which is up from 1,500kg to 1,600kg on the petrol model, and from 1,500kg to 2,000kg on the turbodiesel model. In addition to TSA, you also have Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). Passive safety measures include dual SRS front airbags, dual side airbags for front seat passengers, full length curtain airbags, and optional active front headrests. The new 2007 Honda CR-V also has Active Front Lighting (AFS) which turns the low beam High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps in the direction the vehicle is turning, to enhance driver’s view of the road ahead at night. The new 2007 Honda CR-V also includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), a radar-controlled cruise control function which maintains a set distance to the vehicle in front and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), which predicts collisions and warns the driver, before applying strong braking and retracting the front seatbelts if the situation becomes critical. Both ACC and CMBS are optional depending on equipment trim level.

The chassis is a monocoque, which rides better as compared to a ladderframe, and now features up to 58% high tensile steel content. Honda estimates a Euro NCAP 5-star rating for occupant protection, 4-stars for child protection and a 3-star pedestrian rating through their own testing, but official tests have not been done yet.

One major change with this new model is the adoption of the new R-series engine instead of the 2nd generation K-series engine. From the B20, to the K20, and now the R20. The R20 engine is also featured in the new 2nd generation Honda Stream, and is basically a long stroke version of the R18 engine that made it’s debut in the 2006 Honda Civic 1.8 litre model. The R20 is a SOHC i-VTEC engine, making 150PS at 6,200 rpm and 190Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. The engine is particularly fuel saving at cruising speeds because of Honda’s use of a drive-by-wire throttle. During low load conditions, the pumping losses caused by the small throttle butterfly opening are avoided by letting the throttle butterfly open wider than it normally would. To offset the larger amount of air coming in, the intake valve timing is delayed. This reduces pumping losses up to 16 percent. More details on the Honda R-Series engines here. There is also a turbodiesel option – a 2.2 litre turbodiesel i-CTDi engine that makes 140PS. Transmission options are either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. There was a CVT option to pair with the R20 engine in the Stream, but it was for front wheel drive applications only.

We’ll get to see the new 2007 Honda CR-V at the 2006 Paris International Motor Show, and sales will begin in January 2007.

Click any of the photos in this post for a larger version.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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Kia cee’d to debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show

Paul Tan — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 11:19:20 +0000

I posted about the Kia ED previously, which was also shown as the cee’d concept at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Kia has announced that the production car based on the same concepts will also be called the Kia cee’d, pronounced “seed”. The car will go on sale in the European market in December 2006 and will be Kia’s latest contender in the European C-segment.

The Kia cee’d was conceived in Europe, is made in Kia’s European Slovakia facility and will be sold exclusively in Europe. The “CE” in cee’d symbolizes the European community, while the “ED” indicates it is an European Design. cee’d, pronounced as seed, represents Kia’s seed for growth in European sales beginning from the introduction of this car.

More photos after the jump, and for more detials on the car check out the related posts.

Related Posts:
Kia ED exclusively for Europe

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Tue, 14 Feb 12 14:01:58 +0000.

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