New Car: 2012 Daihatsu Mira e:S

Daihatsu has thrown its latest Kei car contender into the fray, with the introduction of the Mira e:S in Japan. The minicar, which reinterpretates the three-door e:S Concept of two years ago into a five-door form, is available in both two- and four-wheel drive guise domestically, with four level variants (G, X, L and D) for the former and two (Gf and Xf) for the latter.

All versions wear the same KF transverse three-cylinder twin-cam 658 cc mill, offering 52 PS at 6,800 rpm and 60 Nm at 5,200 rpm, mated to a CVT transmission. The company is touting the car’s fuel economy as its biggest selling point – claimed figures for the 2WD version on the new JC08 mode test cycle is a healthy 30km per litre (and on the older 10-15 mode, 32 km per litre), close to hybrid territory.

Features on the 730 kg vehicle (790 kg for the 4WD versions), which is 60 kg lighter than the old Mira, include a pre-stop idle reduction system, and all the models wear 14-inch wheels and 155/65 profile rubbers; there are optional Sporty and Premium interior/exterior dress-up packs available for the car, as well as what is tagged an “earth colour interior.”

Domestically, Daihatsu is ambitiously aiming at moving 10,000 units of the Mira e:S per month in the first year, according to reports, and says that it will apply the technology used for the e:S to other models and vehicles produced overseas, including that in Indonesia, which was where the Daihatsu A-Concept was introduced in July, at the IIMS.
Thanks to: Paultan

Spied: 2013 Hyundai i20

Hyundai’s i20 light car is in line for an update and these Carparazzi spy pix show the Korean company is on track to bring a freshened-up version to market in 2012.

The heavily-clad prototype caught here on test in southern Europe shows the little Hyundai will get an entirely new face that almost seems to turn back the clock with a new restraint evident in the design of the headlights, which are arranged more horizontally than the upswept teardrops of the current model.

It appears these will blend into the upper grille, which itself will be underwritten by an ovalised lower air intake incorporating horizontal slats, similar to the recently introduced Accent model that slots between the i20 and i30...

Likewise, the tail lights also appear to adopt a more restrained form contrasting with the curvy, wraparound lenses used in today’s model. The i20’s profile appears pretty unchanged, right down to the external rearview mirrors and the well defined upper and lower body creases.

As for the interior, the Carparazzi photographers weren’t able to sidle in for a closer, through-the-window look, but we would have to assume any changes there would be minimal and focussed only on small details.

The i20 was introduced locally earlier this year and in the month of August was sitting on second sales spot for Hyundai, behind the i30. The updated Hyundai i20 is expected to go on sale during 2012.

Thanks to: Car Point

Hot News: BMW to Produce X4

BMW will build a sporting version of the X3 to be known as the X4, company CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed.

Plans for the car were predicted by Autocar last year, but Reithofer gave the first official indication that the four-seater SUV will be built when he said, "Yes, we will position a BMW X4 above the X3".

The car, depicted here in Autocar’s exclusive computer-generated rendering, will extend BMW’s already strong presence within the toughly fought premium SUV market.

Smaller and more agile than the X3, the new four-seater is expected to be badged X4 when it goes on sale in 2014. And in keeping with the new four-wheel-drive’s sporting brief, BMW’s plans also call for a range-topping X4 M version, previewed in our rendering.

Thanks to: Autocar

Unofficial Picture: 2013 Honda CR-V

The design of the new Honda CR-V will remain faithful to the concept version shown off earlier this year, as these leaked patent images show.

The manufacturer released the first official picture of the Honda CR-V SUV in the summer, and these new drawings show that many of the styling changes – designed to give the car a more aggressive stance – have been retained from the concept.

The CR-V is based on an all-new platform. The most prominent changes are at the front, where the CR-V features a wraparound lower front bumper that is better integrated into the rest of the front fascia than on the current car.

The three-bar horizontal front grille is also much more dominant than the current CR-V’s, with slimmed-down headlights flanking it on either side. Honda claims the front-end styling changes result in much improved aerodynamics over the current car.

Sculpted bodywork features on the sides, which also get more pronounced side sills. The large alloy wheels featured on the concept have been exchanged for more practical-looking variants.

At the rear, the CR-V will retain the vertical light design of the current car. The Japanese firm is also claiming an all-new, more spacious interior with a lower floor for improved load-carrying ability.

The Honda CR-V is one of the stars at the Orange County International Auto Show in California, which is taking place this week. The CR-V is set to reach UK showrooms in autumn 2012.

Engine details are still scarce, although improved efficiency and fuel economy is promised. The outgoing CR-V is available with a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engine, both of which produce 148bhp.

Thanks to: Autocar

New Car: 2012 Perodua Myvi Wofrace Design Concept

Malaysian manufacturer Perodua has collaborated with wheel brand Wolfrace to produce this Perodua Myvi Wolfrace Design Concept.

Additional kit featured on the Perodua Myvi Wolfrace Design Concept includes a leather and Alcantara interior, a Wolfrace graphics pack, contrasting red tailgate spoiler and mirrors, privacy glass in the rear windows, twin chrome exhausts and an upgraded, bass-heavy audio system.

It rides on black polished 16-inch Wolfrace Shark Alutec five-spoke alloys, low-profile Falken tyres and has lowered suspension featuring Eibach springs.

Standard kit featured on the five-door supermini includes aircon, power steering, four electric windows, electric door mirrors and an integrated radio/CD player.

There are no performance tweaks – the model features the same 1.3-litre, 86bhp petrol engine as other Myvi variants.

The Myvi Wolfrace Design Concept will be shown off at various exhibitions before going into a limited production run next month. The price has not been revealed, although the top model in the current range is the Myvi Sport+, which carries an on-the-road price of £8899.

Thanks to: Autocar

Spied: 2013 Porsche Panamera

The Panamera is getting a facelift to bring it more in line with the recently unveiled Porsche 991.

Camouflage hides small changes to the front bumper and headlights but, before it makes production, changes to the rear lights are also expected to give them more of a resemblance to the slimline units found on the 991.

Interestingly this mule also looks to be sporting cameras fitted to the bumper suggesting future Panamera’s will be fitted with Porsche’s ACC InnoDrive system. This works with the sat-nav to read curves and elevation in the road and allows the driver to take their feet completely off the pedals. It reportedly brings fuel consumption improvements of around 10 per cent too.

The engine line-up will be carried over as it is so expect to see basic models powered by a 296bhp 3.6-litre V6 and S models powered by a 394bhp 4.8-litre V8. Diesel, hybrid and turbocharged models will also be offered.

Expect to see the new Panamera arriving late in 2012 with a starting price-tag of around £60,000. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Spied: 2013 Renault Clio

Here’s a first chance to see the face of things to come from Renault. Although this prototype Clio looks like the third generation car from the rear, if you look closely at the front you’ll spot there are some dramatic differences.

That’s because this car has the fixtures and fittings of the new, fourth-generation Clio and is fitted with the same front bumper and bonnet arrangement that will appear on the production car when it goes on sale in 2012.

You can clearly see the large, V-shaped indentation into which designers are planning to insert a super sized Renault badge, as well as the outline of the boomerang shaped radiator grille.

The newcomer, which will make its world debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show is promising to be better to drive, more daring to look at and cheaper to run.

And while rivals like the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa continue to forge their way to become more sporty, and more upmarket, a Renault insider who spoke to Auto Express has promised the newcomer will not forget its supermini roots – focusing first on offering value for money.

We revealed last week that the new Clio will only be available in five-door trim, and our original scoop illustrations from August 2011 show what drivers can expect to see from the car.

Under the bonnet, the newcomer will offer a range of petrol and diesel engines carried over from the current mode, as well as a new 900cc three cylinder turbo engine from the original R-Space concept car.

With 109bhp and 160nm of torque it promises CO2 emissions of around 95g/km and fuel economy of 76mpg.

There’s still no official news on plans to replace the hugely popular RenaultSport Clio – though the French firm has not ruled out building a five door version of the car, powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express