LEAKED! - Opel Zafira also makes its first appearance on the internet

Opel Zafira uses the same platform applied to Astra with minor changes. This must be why the minivan decided to start appearing as much as the hatchback and here we have the first sketch of the new generation of the people mover.



Considering the platform is the same, we can expect for the same engines, or else, petrol engines from 75 bhp to 240 bhp (for the OPC version) and diesel units from 90 bhp up to 150 bhp. The new Zafira may only show up in 2011, if Opel manages to survive until there. We hope Astra and Insignia help it live much more. With such good-looking products, that's what the company deserves.

Source: World Car Fans

LEAKED! - See new pictures of the next generation of Opel Astra

Opel may still intend to present the next generation of Opel Astra at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was expected to do so at Geneva Motor Show, but the star there was a Volkswagen, the fifth generation Polo. The fact is this car has already been widely presented by leaked images and these ones are the best so far. Have a look.



Opel really lost a great opportunity to attract all eyes to its stand in Switzerland, but it probably thought Astra would drive much more attention in Germany. If only they could keep a secret...

The new car now appears in station wagon and OPC versions and both look as good as Insignia has already looked. And still does.

The new car is expected to use the same engines from the current Astra, or else, petrol engines from 75 bhp to 240 bhp (for the OPC version) and diesel units from 90 bhp up to 150 bhp. VW Golf, which has been elected the World Car of the Year, should start to get concerned...






Source: CarScoop

Kia reveals the new Forte Koup at the New York Auto Show

When Kia revealed the new Forte, also known as Cerato, its striking looks proved Peter Schreyer has been a hell of a good hire. Now Kia has presented its first coupe and, guess what, it is based on the good-looking Forte.



The new car, which is 4.48 m long, 1.77 m wide and only 1.34 m tall, with a wheelbase of 2.65 m, will not deny its sport appearance promises.

It will be sold in two trim levels. The entry-level will be EX. Besides 16-inch alloy wheels that wear 205/55 R16 tyres, this car will also have a 2-litre DOHC four-cylindre powerplant able to deliver 156 bhp and 195 Nm, guided by a five-speed manual gearbox or by a four-speed automatic transmission.

The SX, of course, will be much more interesting. It will have dual exhaust pipes, but no V6 or V8, only a 2.4-litre four-cylindre engine, but not an ordinary one. In such a small car, the 173 bhp and 228 Nm will be very interesting, especially with its 17-inch alloy wheels and 215/45 R17 tyres. Optionally, you can have a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic gearbox. Depending on its price, we may be in front of a new cult car, such as Datsun Z.





Source: Kia

Mercedes-Benz releases official sketches and interior shots of SLS AMG

If car fans could choose to buy a classic car in modern shape, most would certainly name Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. The German company must have thought about that and decided to create a new version of that beauty, already named SLS AMG. Lots of spy shots have been taken from it, some renderings came out and some of them proved to be very true when compared to the real deal, or else, to the first official images of the car, which you can see below.



Ok, they are not the real real deal, as some are only sketches, but do not forget to have a look at the images of the interior of the car, down below. These are very real and present, as most would expect, an incredibly refined trim level. Surely with advantages: this car must not heat up so much as the original, specially because of the air-conditioning.

SLS AMG will be equipped with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine that will produce 571 bhp, mounted behind the front axle. In other words, this will be a front-mid-engined sportscar, with 48% of the weight on the front axle and 52% on the rear axle, the one that will be in charge of propelling the car ahead. Considering it weighs 1,620 kg, that will be enough for a top speed of 315 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.8 s.

The new dream car from Mercedes-Benz will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is expected to cost 150,000 euros. Most would consider that cheap for a car that promises to revive a legend.

















Source: World Car Fans

Jeep presents the 2011 model for Grand Cherokee in New York

It is quite unusual to see a car be presented in a model year that is two years in advance of the current. In fact, we have never seen such a thing before the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, presented today at the New York Auto Show.



A plausible explanation on that is the fact that Chrysler is facing hard times and it must gather all support it can get from customers and mainly from the government. It must show it is capable of developing and selling competitive and attractive products, even if they are still a lot ahead of its sales period. If customers feel inclined to keep on buying Chrysler cars or to buy them in a higher quantity, the company will get back into profitability and can walk with its own legs. Again.

While it fights for it, let's have a look at the new SUV. New is not only an expression. The new 2011 Grand Cherokee is entirely different from the currently available. It is 4.82 m long, 1.94 m wide, 1.76 m tall and counts on a wheelbase of 2.92 m. There will only be five places, although a seven-seater version may be presented in the future. The luggage compartment is able to carry 1,030 l.

Its platform is not the same one used by Mercedes-Benz ML, but will be the same one ML's next generation will have. Modern and stiffer than the one used by BMW X5, the new body is 146% more rigid than the one used by the current model. This remarkable improvement has been achieved with 5,400 additional weld points.

There will be two engine options in the USA, the already known 5.7-litre V8 Hemi and the brand-new 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar flex fuel engine, also known as Phoenix. It develops 212 bhp at 6,400 rpm and 353 Nm at 4,800 rpm with petrol. Chrysler does not inform how much power the engine delivers using E85, but it must not be more than with petrol, considering the low compression ration of 10.2;1. In Brazil, the leading country in flex fuel engines use and production, the best engines work with at least 15:1, what gives ethanol great advantage in output.

Besides the perfected looks and enhanced space, Grand Cherokee also presents luxury features such as power adjustment for the steering column both in distance and height, keyless entry and start, heated seats (all the five) and steering wheel, ventilated front seats, rear camera for parking and leather and real wood in the interior. Safety is also included with 45 safety equipments

Since any Jeep is expected to perform well in the Rubicon trail, the new Grand Cherokee uses a pneumatic suspension, called Quadra Lift, able to adjust its height to different conditions which you can choose. There are five options: Auto, Sand/Mud, Sport, Snow and Rock. Chrysler, of course, expects the new Jeep Grand Cherokee to rock a lot. In all terrains it is destined to cross, including financial ones.
















Source: Chrysler

LEAKED! - SAIC presents the new MG MG6 Concept

Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 and the pioneer Mercedes-Benz CLS will not be the only four-door coupes for long. SAIC, the Chinese company that has bought Rover and turned it into Roewe (bettter Roewe than Rover in history pages), will present at the Shangai Auto Show the new MG6 Concept, a car from another important British company, MG.



In both cases the change of ownership has proved to be very good. It not only has kept two important companies alive, but it has also improved their looks. The new concept will be based on the Roewe 550, a gorgeous sedan, and there are big possibilities for it to reach production lines. If it does, the MG6 may be the first MG brand new vehicle since SAIC has bough the company.




Source: China Car Times

Ugur Sahin Design and Mallett present the new Z03

Most people would never change a Chevrolet Corvette, especially in countries where this is a rare car. In the USA, this automotive icon may seem a lot more common, what makes some gorgeous creations with a Corvette base possible. The most recent example for that is the new Z03, a car designed by Ugur Sahin Design, or simply USD, and powered by Mallett Cars.



Since it is not a new car, but a conversion based on the Corvette C6, anyone interested in having a Z03 will have to buy the donor car first, what will not be cheap by any means. After that, you will have to pay US$ 69,000 for the carbon fibre bodywork. If you want the Mallett power touch, include in that bill US$ 32,700 for a 700 bhp supercharged LS7 V8 or US$ 35,795 for the biturbo version of the same engine, able to produce 999 bhp.













Source: Autoblog