McLaren P1: radical F1-inspired supercar revealed

The McLaren P1 has been designed to be “the best driver’s car in the world on road and track”, says the Formula One team turned supercar builder.

McLaren has unveiled its new road-going flagship ahead of its debut at the 2012 Paris motor show, the company’s first ever presence at such an event.

The McLaren P1 is described as a design study, though much of the concept’s styling is expected to remain intact for the production version that will be released in 2013.

McLaren is throwing its vast F1 engineering and aerodynamic experience and expertise at the P1, which as its name suggest is aiming for pole position among the world’s supercars.

“Our aim is not necessarily to be the fastest in absolute top speed but to be the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit,” said Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive’s managing director.

“It is the true test of a supercar’s all round ability and a much more important technical statement. Our goal is to make the McLaren P1 the most exciting, most capable, most technologically advanced and most dynamically accomplished supercar ever made.”

McLaren is not releasing more details about the P1 until its Paris reveal on Thursday 27th September.

An uprated version of the MP4-12C’s twin-turbo V8, rather than a V12 like the original McLaren F1, is widely tipped for the mid-engined P1, with an F1-style KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) capable of boosting power beyond 600kW and potentially past 700kW.

Acceleration of 0-100km/h in less than three seconds is anticipated.

The styling of the McLaren P1 should guarantee it doesn’t come in for the same criticism as the MP4-12C, which many labelled as overly conservative.

McLaren has no doubt honed the shape of the P1 in the same wind tunnel used for its F1 cars, and there are multiple aerodynamic touches.

There’s a roof-mounted airbox feeding air to the engine that nods not only to the F1 supercar of the 1990s – as does the P1’s overall silhouette – but also the McLaren Formula One cars.

The radical rear end features a dramatic diffuser with two large tunnels that will help suck the P1 to the bitumen. Above sits a large, high-mounted exhaust outlet that’s housed in a wide section of black bodywork with fancy LED bordering.

A front splitter and leading edge sill design hints at a flat underfloor, while the P1 is likely to feature a version of the carbon fibre monocoque used for the MP4-12C coupe and convertible.

The McLaren P1 will go on sale to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the company, which was founded by Kiwi racer Bruce McLaren in 1963.

“The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage,” said Ron Dennis, McLaren Automotive’s executive chairman. “Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again.”

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BMW 3 Series and 5 Series diesels gain M Performance boost

BMW has announced the availability of an optional upgrade for its four-cylinder diesel engine to boost the performance of specific variants in the 1 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series model lines.

Set to launch at next week’s 2012 Paris motor show, the BMW M Performance Power Kit brings a number of software and hardware upgrades to the 2.0-litre diesel engine fitted to the 120d, 320d and 520d variants.

The Power Kit, which introduces a larger intercooler and modified ECU mapping, boosts power from 135kW to 147kW and torque from 380Nm to 420Nm.

The extra oomph sees 0-100km/h acceleration times for the three variants fall by up to 1.0 second, yet has no impact on the cars’ combined cycle fuel consumption ratings.

BMW Australia’s Scott Croaker said the M Performance Power Kit is currently awaiting Australian Design Rule compliance approval and is expected to be available in the 320d and 520d from early 2013. (The 120d is not available locally and BMW Australia has no plans to offer it here.)

Croaker said it was too early to give exact pricing of the Power Kit but confirmed it would be “competitive with other performance upgrades on the market” – suggesting an approximate price in the region of $2000.

BMW says it will extend the M Performance Power Kit to vehicles equipped with its four-cylinder petrol engines in the future.

Joining the Power Kit cars on the stand in Paris will be a BMW 335i sedan showcasing a range of features from the brand’s M Performance accessories program.

Building on the already available M Sports package, the highly customised 335i adds 20-inch light alloy wheels, M Performance suspension and brake packages, carbon mirror caps and rear spoiler, and a high-gloss black radiator grille.

The cabin gets its own special touches, including an M Performance steering wheel with Race Display (an OLED display integrated into the upper section of the steering wheel showing a range of technical data such as oil and water temperatures and a shift point indicator), stainless steel pedals, Alcantara trim strips with open-pore carbon, and an Alcantara-bound gear knob and handbrake lever.

Croaker said with the exception of some suspension and exhaust systems, most of the M Performance accessories available overseas for the 1 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series would be made available in Australia.

BMW will also launch the 114d in Paris, which will become the new entry-level diesel in the premium hatchback line-up. The new variant is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 70kW and 235Nm. It sips fuel at a rate of 4.1-4.3L/100km combined and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 12.2 seconds.

Croaker said the 114d was not on the agenda for BMW Australia, as the local division does not see demand for the model locally.

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Porsche Boxster ad shows off roadsters old and new

If there was any downside to owning the new Porsche Boxster it would have to be that you’re restricted to fine days for open-air motoring.

Porsche USA makes that point abundantly clear in a wonderful new commercial entitled ‘Porsche Boxster: Anticipation’, which shows the latest edition of the Boxster joined on track by a collection of celebrated Porsches including the 550 Spyder, 914 and Carrera GT after waiting out the rain.

Porsche Boxster: Anticipation

Apart from teasing us with such marvelous footage of the classic Porsche cars, the ad also gives us a tantalising taste of the various exhaust note

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Ford Territory accelerator pedal recall affects police fleet

Ford Australia is recalling roughly 300 Ford Territory models employed by police forces nationwide due to an accelerator pedal issue.

The 302 current-generation SZ Ford Territory models built between April 11, 2011 and May 24, 2012 fitted with Ford’s Police Equipment Pack are at risk of having their accelerator pedals interfered with by an incorrectly fitted driver’s side footwell trim panel.

The official recall notice published on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) website explains:

“Interference with the accelerator pedal travel could result in the engine not returning to idle, posing a potential crash hazard.”

As per normal, Ford Australia says letters have been sent to owners notifying them of the recall and recommending vehicles be brought into Ford service centres to be inspected and, if required, repaired. The repair should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Despite the recall affecting the entire fleet of Police Pack Territorys built in the given time period, Ford’s Sinead Phipps told CarAdvice that while a small number of reports of the issue initiated the recall, there have been no reports of any injuries.

In August 2011, 3681 Ford Territory SZ models were recalled for a fuel line return hose fault that had the potential to lead to a fuel leak.

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Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 GZ8 Editione Limitata for China only

Lamborghini has taken the wraps off the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 GZ8 Edizione Limitata, confirming that just eight will be sold exclusively in China.

It’s the third such special edition Lamborghini Gallardo for China after the Gallardo HK20 and Gallardo Gold Edition.

The ‘GZ’ stands for the city of Guangzhou while ’8′ is a lucky number in China and represents the total number of Gallardo GZ8s that will be produced.

Lamborghini developed the GZ8 in conjunction with the local Lamborghini dealer in Guangzhou, China’s third largest city with a population larger than 13 million.

Buyers of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 GZ8 will need to hand over a cool 3.88 million yuan ($587,000) for the privilege.

The special edition Gallardo GZ8 is powered by the 550hp (410kW) version of Lamborghini’s 5.2-litre V10, with drive sent to the rear wheels only.

The large rear wing, engine cover and side skirts are all constructed from carbonfibre, while the car also gets ‘Callisto’ (orange) winglets on the rear wing and matching alloy wheels and stripes down the side panels.

Images courtesy of AutoV.com.cn

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2013 Mazda CX-9 unveiled: global debut in Australia

A new-look Mazda CX-9 has been revealed, with the Japanese brand announcing the redesigned seven-seater SUV will make its global debut at the 2012 Sydney motor show.

The styling of the big SUV has been brought into line with the rest of the Mazda family and isn’t a new-generation model like the smaller Mazda CX-5 released earlier in 2012. Design changes are focused on the front and rear ends, with the headlights and grille familiar from the CX-5.

The revised Mazda CX-9 remains on the same platform as the original launched in 2007 and shared with the Ford Edge. It also carries over the same 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 204kW of power and 366Nm of torque, mated to the same six-speed auto.

There are no SkyActiv technologies featured on the revised Mazda CX-9, such as the lighter-weight chassis or i-Eloop brake energy regeneration system found on all-new models such as the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6 that are aimed at improving fuel efficiency.

The result is no change in consumption for the CX-9, which is currently 11.0L/100km for the front-wheel-drive version and 11.3L/100km for the model equipped with all-wheel drive.

“The CX-9 is our flagship and while not a volume seller it does very well for our brand,” says Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver. “It’s well regarded for its driving dynamics. We have said that SkyActiv technologies will be adopted across the entire Mazda range but there’s no announcement for this [CX-9] yet.”

The update also brings some upgrades to the CX-9′s infotainment system and there are additional active safety features including lane departure warning, forward obstruction warning and high beam control.

Mazda says it has sold more than 210,000 CX-9s in 74 countries since the SUV first hit the road in 2007.

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Mercedes-Benz B-Class goes all-electric for Paris

The battery-powered Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive will make its debut at next week’s 2012 Paris motor show, demonstrating Daimler’s continuing pursuit towards its ultimate objective of zero-emission driving.

The company says the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is “almost ready for series production”, with a 2014 launch already planned.

The concept car will be one of the first models to have ‘Electric Drive’ in its model designation before future battery-powered models from Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Smart follow suit.

The B-Class Electric Drive’s ‘Energy Space’ houses the car’s lithium-ion battery pack – likely to be sourced from Tesla Motors – low in the floor of the vehicle, in front of the rear axle, to provide the same interior space as the current B-Class production models (pictured below) as well as improving the vehicle’s centre of gravity.

Equipped with a 100kW/310Nm electric motor, Mercedes-Benz says the B-Class Electric Drive has a range of 200km with the battery able to be charged from any standard domestic 230-volt power outlet or with a rapid charge 400-volt terminal.

Joining the B-Class Electric Drive at Paris on September 27 will be the production versions of theMercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive and the Smart Brabus Electric Drive – both world premieres.

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Volkswagen Up! priced from $13,990

The all-new Volkswagen Up! compact city car will be priced from just $13,990 when it goes on sale in Australia on October 6.

The $13,990 before on-road costs price applies to the three-door variant of the sub-light Volkswagen Up!, while the identically equipped five-door model will cost $1000 more at $14,990 before on-roads.

The sharp pricing means the pint-sized Up! will undercut the entry-level version of the brand’s larger city car, the Volkswagen Polo, by up to $3000, allowing it to compete directly with some of the cheapest vehicles on the market, including the Holden Barina Spark (from $12,490), Nissan Micra (from $12,990),Proton S16 FLX (from $13,990) and the Suzuki Alto ($11,790).

Unlike some of its competitors, however, the Up! will only be available with a five-speed manual transmission from launch. A self-shifting automated manual gearbox is available overseas but Volkswagen Australia has not announced any plans to introduce it as an option at this stage.

The Volkswagen Up! breaks new ground in the city-car class, becoming the first vehicle of its size in the world to come standard with an autonomous braking system. The City Emergency Braking function scans the road ahead at speeds between 5km/h and 30km/h and brakes automatically to avoid a crash or reduce its severity if the driver fails to do so.

Other standard features in the four-seat-only Up! include four airbags (dual front and sides), electronic stability control, 14-inch steel wheels and a full-size spare, manual air conditioning, cloth upholstery, and a six-speaker AM/FM radio with CD player and AUX input.

For $500, the Up! can also equipped with an innovative portable infotainment unit called Maps + More. The five-inch touchscreen module incorporates satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity with text-to-speech and audio streaming functions, multi-function trip computer and a micro SD card slot for media player and picture viewer options.

Likely to be popular is the $600 Comfort drive package, which adds cruise control, rear parking sensors and a multi-function display trip computer with outside temperature, trip time and length, speed warning, average and current fuel consumption and distance till empty measures.

Those wanting a more upmarket look and feel from their Up! can option in the Comfort style package which, for $2500, includes 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, front and rear carpet floor mats, heated front seats, leatherette seat upholstery with white stitching, and a leather-bound steering wheel, handbrake lever and gearknob.

Driving the Volkswagen Up! is a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 55kW of power (at 6200rpm) and 95Nm of torque (at 3000-4300rpm). With a five-speed manual sending drive to the front wheels, the Up! accelerates from 0-100km/h in a far-than-blistering 13.2 seconds.

Fuel economy is more impressive, with the Up! consuming just 4.9 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle, although its requirement to be refuelled with premium unleaded petrol will increase the cost of filling its 35-litre tank.

At 3540mm long, 1641mm wide, 1476mm tall and riding on a 2407mm wheelbase, the Volkswagen Up! is more than half a metre shorter than the Polo (although its wheelbase is just 49mm shorter), as well as 41mm narrower and 24mm lower.

There’s 251 litres of cargo space with the back seats in place (30 litres less than the Polo) and 951 litres with the 60/40 split backrests folded forwards (one litre shy of the Polo).

Seven paint colours are available: white, red, black, light blue, dark blue, light silver and dark silver.

Read: Volkswagen Up Review

Volkswagen Up! manufacturer’s list prices:

• Three-door manual – $13,990
• Five-door manual – $14,990

Options:

• Metallic/Pearl effect paint – $500
• Maps + More portable infotainment device – $500
• Panoramic electric glass roof – $1400
• Comfort drive package – $600
• Comfort style package – $2500

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Suzuki S-Cross concept shows off its rear

Suzuki has released a second teaser image of the Suzuki S-Cross concept ahead of its world premiere at next week’s 2012 Paris motor show.

The latest shadowy teaser image gives us a glimpse at the rear of the S-Cross concept, which Suzuki says showcases an all-new ‘Emotion x Quality x Aerodynamics’ design theme for the brand.

The rear-end image follows a similar preview from August teasing the front-end, which revealed the headlight design, an LED daytime running light strip and a section of the grille, which sits upright and wears a large Suzuki ‘S’ badge.

A sketch of the S-Cross, also released last month, hints at hatchback-style proportions for the concept, with five doors, a low, wide body and a road-hugging stance.

Suzuki describes the S-Cross as a “concept car heralding a C-segment crossover model”, potentially giving us an early preview of the next-generation SX4 crossover.

The full details of the Suzuki S-Cross concept will be revealed at Paris on September 27.

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Land Rover Discovery 5 could lose half a tonne

The next-generation Land Rover Discovery 4WD could lose nearly half a tonne in weight, according to a company insider.

The new ‘Disco’ is due in 2014 and will be third model to be constructed from aluminium following the just-unveiled fourth-generation Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport that will be released in 2013.

Land Rover engineers managed to reduce the new Range Rover’s mass by a stunning 420kg for the entry-level TDV6 model.

Yet as remarkable as that figure is, a Land Rover source told CarAdvice at the recent Range Rover unveiling event in England that number is set to be beaten by the fifth-generation Discovery.

“The Disco 4 already weighs 2.7 tonnes so it’s got more to lose [than the Range Rover], so we think it will lose more weight [than the 420kg],” our insider revealed.

The last two generations of the vehicle have been badged Discover 3 and Discovery 4, but our source says the next version could possibly revert to simply ‘Discovery’ rather than being called Discovery 5.

There will also be a 2013 model year update for the current Discovery in early 2013, though changes will be mild – with no exterior styling revisions and a key mechanical change in the form of a new eight-speed ZF automatic transmission for the range.

The 2013 Range Rover reaches Australia in January, priced from $168,900.

The two Range Rovers – including the Sport – and the Discovery will be built at Land Rover’s Solihull, England, aluminium body shop the company says is the largest in the world.

Land Rover has invested A$573 million in the facility that will be able to produce up to 100,000 units per year.

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Lexus LF-CC concept previews 2013 IS sedan and coupe

The Lexus LF-CC concept has been unveiled to preview the Japanese luxury brand’s next-generation BMW 3 Series rival.

Lexus has used the reveal of the two-door show car to confirm its intention to build a mid-sized luxury coupe to join the new IS250 and IS350 replacement that launches in 2013.

The Lexus LF-CC – standing for Lexus Future Coupe Concept – is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain that the company says will also go into production. It combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine featuring both direct and port injection with an electric motor that has target emissions of less than 100g/km.

The drivetrain can be expected to make it a hybrid first for the Lexus IS, which unlike the CT200h small car is likely to offer petrol engine variants as alternatives.

Lexus claims the hybrid drivetrain “will achieve class-leading energy efficiency, with more than 1.47kW of power produced per gram of CO2″.

The concept’s design is said to take inspiration from the the Lexus LFA supercar and Lexus LF-LC concept from the 2012 Detroit motor show. It clearly relates the upcoming IS range to the family styling of other Lexus models such as the GS large car, RX SUV and LS limo - notably the huge ‘spindle’ grille.

Some of the concept’s design details, such as the triple-projector-beam headlights and sculpted side mirrors, and some of the more flamboyant aerodynamic bodywork are unlikely to make it into production, though the LF-CC’s general shape provides a strong guide to the look of the new Lexus IS coupe.

A convertible variant would be a natural extension, too, considering the current IS250 drop-top.

The interior of the Lexus LF-CC concept is also equal parts wishful thinking and production reality.

Glowing-blue steering wheel controls and display screens are pie in the sky but the two-part dash is similar to the design found in the latest Lexus GS. Lexus says the upper section is for ‘at a glance’ information such as the central display screen while the lower section is an ‘operating zone’ that encompasses features such as the gearshift lever and so-called Touch Tracer menu control system.

High-quality materials and finishes promise a step up in luxury for the next-generation Lexus IS, though the company has aimed for a sporty cockpit that includes a low-set driving position.

The Lexus LF-CC concept will debut at the 2012 Paris motor show starting Thursday 27th September.

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Bentley appoints new design director ahead of SUV production

Bentley has named a new design director to take the German-owned British brand into the future with new models that include the controversial Bentley EXP 9F SUV.

Luc Donckerwolke will take over from Dirk van Braeckel, who shifts within the Volkswagen Group to take up a new post with Volkswagen Group design, currently directed by Walter de Silva.

Donckerwolke’s first priority is certain to be the Bentley SUV that polarised opinions at the 2012 Geneva motor show.

Donckerwolke comes to Bentley from his previous position as head of advanced design for the Volkswagen Group, but his career within the umbrella organisation goes back as far as 1992, when he joined the ranks at Audi as an exterior designer.

Moving to Skoda in 1994 and Lamborghini in 1998 – where he was appointed head of design in 2003 and was involved with designing the Murcielago (pictured below) and Gallardo – Donckerwolke became director of design at Seat in 2005.

De Silva said Donckerwolke would bring a wealth of design talent to Bentley.

“His extensive experience makes him the ideal person to take forward Bentley’s future design language, at a time when the company has significant plans for new models,” he said.

Van Braeckel oversaw the development of the new generations of Bentley Continental and Mulsanne, and the polarising Bentley EXP 9F SUV first seen in March at the 2012 Geneva motor show where he told CarAdvice: “I’m sure people will like it, [but] people will [also] find it controversial in certain areas. And that’s a reason why the vehicle has already been a success.”

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Lamborghini Aventador LP900 by DMC

High-end German tuner DMC has applied its know-how to Sant’Agata Bolognese’s latest supercar to create the Lamborghini Aventador LP900.

The “Molto Veloce” styling and performance kit marries a more aggressive visual appearance for the Lamborghini Avenatador with a number of mechanical modifications that claim to raise the power output from the standard 700PS (514kW) to an almighty 900PS (660kW).

The redesigned front fascia includes a new spoiler sword and front splitter lip made entirely from carbonfibre that fit onto the stock bumper. The new side skirts act as diffusers and are said to improve the car’s aerodynamic stability.

DMC claims the new carbonfibre rear diffuser and added tunnel system further improve downforce at the rear axle, along with the rear wing spoiler.

On the performance side of things, DMC has replaced the combined overhead throttle valves with 12 unique single-intake throttle plates, one per cylinder. DMC-developed parts have also replaced other components, such as fuel pumps and fuel lines, injection nozzles and pressure modulators.

The LP900’s engine mapping has also been optimised, while an electronic load pressure control system and new wiring has been added.

The power gains are further supported by an all-new titanium exhaust system weighing just 3.45kg instead of the 34kg weight of the standard system.

DMC suggests you fly your Lamborghini Aventador LP700 to the company’s facilities in either Germany or Switzerland for the mechanical work.

DMC hasn’t released any details on the actual on-road performance gains, but the additional power should see the LP900 challenge the Bugatti Veyron, at least in terms of its 0-100km/h ability, which will dip from the production car’s 2.9-second benchmark.

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2013 Honda CR-Z: fresh face for sporty hybrid

The fresh new face of the Honda CR-Z has been revealed online ahead of the updated sports hybrid’s international debut at the 2012 Paris motor show later this month.

The preview image confirms the 2013 Honda CR-Z scores a revamped front-end with a honeycomb pattern grille and beefier fog lamp housings.

Honda says the car’s revised cabin will benefit from aesthetic enhancements and added equipment.

Both the petrol engine and the electric motor in the upgraded Honda CR-Z will get performance tweaks that will see the car’s total powertrain output climb beyond its current 91kW/174Nm peaks.

The extra power and torque promise to improve acceleration without having a negative affect on the car’s all-important fuel consumption, which is currently rated at 4.7 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.

The full details of the 2013 Honda CR-Z will be revealed at its Paris unveiling on September 27.

Honda Australia’a Melissa Cross told CarAdvice the updated model is set to land in local showrooms in the first half of 2013.

The Honda CR-Z remains a niche model for the Japanese manufacturer’s local division, with just 287 units sold across the country over the first eight months of 2012. The compact coupe, which launched in Australia in November 2011, ranges from $34,990 for the CR-Z Sport manual to $40,790 for the Luxury CVT.

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Hyundai i30 three-door: sleek looks for new small hatch

The sporty new Hyundai i30 three-door hatch has been unveiled in Europe ahead of its international debut at the 2012 Paris motor show later this month.

The three-door variant becomes the third body style in the second-generation Hyundai i30 range, joining the five-door hatch and the larger i30 Tourer wagon - although like the wagon, the three door isn’t headed our way, at least in the foreseeable future.

Hyundai Australia director of marketing Oliver Mann told CarAdvice there are “currently no plans to bring the three-door i30 to Australia”.

Like the wagon, the i30 three-door is only being produced at the company’s Nosovice plant in the Czech Republic. Hyundai Australia sources the five-door i30 hatch from South Korea.

The i30 three-door brings its own distinctive styling to the table, sporting a more heavily raked beltline and tapered roofline that combine to create a window-line similar to that of the uniquely styled Veloster‘three-door coupe’.

The front bumper is lower to the ground to create a sportier stance, while the black grille and foglight clusters feature a circular mesh pattern. LED daytime running lights add extra appeal to the three-door’s more purposeful front-end.

Longer doors and unique 16-inch alloy wheels contribute to the more dynamic side profile, while horizontal lower reflectors in the rear bumper create the impression of a wider rear-end stance.

Hyundai Europe senior vice president and chief operating officer Allan Rushforth says the i30 three-door is intended to strengthen the brand’s presence in the ultra-competitive small-car segment.

“Its sporty looks − offering a fresh interpretation of [Hyundai’s] fluidic sculpture [design language] − will generate greater brand awareness and enhance consumer perceptions of Hyundai in Europe,” Rushforth said.

The Hyundai i30 three-door matches the five-door under the bonnet, with European models to be offered with a full range of four engines and five power outputs.

The three-door also mirrors the five-door’s ride and handling dynamics, with an identical suspension set-up and the integration of the selectable ‘Flex Steer’ system, which allows the driver to switch between three steering weight settings.

Earlier this year, the Hyundai Australia admitted it was looking closely at adding a sportier variant to its i30 range with a more powerful engine, suspension tweaks and more emotional styling.

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Volkswagen Cross Caddy: compact MPV goes off-road

Volkswagen has released the first details and images of the new Volkswagen Cross Caddy ahead of its launch in Europe early in 2013.

The Cross Caddy will join other off-road-themed Volkswagen ‘Cross’ models in Europe including the Polo, Golf and Touran nameplates.

The beefed-up Caddy is based on the Volkswagen Caddy Edition 30 that launches at the Australian international motor show in Sydney next month.

Sporting a tougher look than the standard model, the Volkswagen Cross Caddy is armed with plastic protectors for the wheel arches, bumpers and side sills.

There are also front and rear metallic strips that add to the Cross Caddy’s cosmetic protection pack.

It’s a more an exercise in style than substance, although the Cross Caddy will also be available with Volkswagen’s 4Motion four-wheel drive system and a dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission for those determined to test it away from the bitumen.

Additional features include newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass and silver roof rails.

Inside there’s a two-tone green/grey front seat design, an adjustable central armrest and grey stitching for the leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake lever.

Volkswagen will launch the Cross Caddy in Europe in both five- and seven-seat configurations with a range of petrol and diesel engines along with natural gas and LPG versions.

Volkswagen Australia told CarAdvice it has no plans to sell the Cross Caddy down under.

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Audi SQ5 exclusive concept to become limited edition reality

The Audi SQ5 TDI exclusive concept being readied for its unveiling at the 2012 Paris motor show in 10 days’ time will become a limited edition production model for the German car maker.

Based on the Audi SQ5 TDI - Audi’s top Q5 variant and also the company’s first S model SUV and its first diesel-powered car – the Audi SQ5 exclusive will be produced in a limited 50-car production run giving owners legitimate rarity to match the car’s title.

The SQ5 exclusive matches the base car’s performance figures of 230kW and 650Nm from the shared 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel engine, meaning 0-100km/h comes up in 5.1 seconds, top speed is electronically governed at 250km/h and fuel consumption reaches a combined
mark of 7.2 litres per 100km.

What sets the Audi SQ5 exclusive apart is its details: finished in a bespoke Aral Blue colour that contrasts against the signature S-model aluminium-look exterior mirrors, black Fine Nappa leather with ‘snow white’ stitching features throughout the interior including on the sports steering wheel, gear selector, centre armrest and instrument binnacle cover.

The theme continues for the seats, with woven leather centre sections an exclusive touch for the model and the first time Audi has used woven leather on a production vehicle.

‘Snow white’ Alcantara is used for the car’s headliner, sunroof blind and door trim inserts while the door trims and the entry sills wear Audi exclusive badges. Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and four exhaust pipes out the back complete the limited edition package.

The Audi SQ5 TDI exclusive is to start production in early 2013 before going on sale in Europe only, although Audi Australia has confirmed the Audi SQ5 TDI will be sold locally in the first half of next year, with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to its launch. A premium over the current $75,000 range-topping Audi Q5 30 TDI Quattro will be par for the course.

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Smart Forstars concept previews future design of Daimler city cars

The Smart Forstars concept can be a mobile cinema but it’s also a ‘coming soon’ preview of future models from the Daimler-backed city car brand.

Smart says the car’s “silhouette offers a look at the company’s future design idiom”, confirming the concept offers a glimpse of what we can expect from the third-generation Fortwo and the return of the Forfour.

Daimler is currently developing both models in conjunction with Renault-Nissan as part of an engine- and platform-sharing arrangement. The likes of the Renault Twingo will be built off the same rear-wheel-drive platform, with the cars using three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

The Forstars name is a “tongue in cheek reference” to the concept’s glass roof, which allows for a spot of star-gazing. It’s matched by a glass tailgate that lifts up to reveal a cargo area larger than that found in the current Fortwo.

The Smart Forstars concept is a further design development of the Forus concept show at the 2012 Detroit motor show.

It is a two-seater still, but noticeably longer than the current Fortwo at 3550mm, and with a 2470mm wheelbase that’s 603mm longer. It retains a wheel-at-each-corner stance, with those wheelarches filled by huge 21-inch tyres.

There’s a cheekiness to the styling that includes a ‘smiling’ face complete with ‘eyebrows’ above the headlights.

There are LED daytime running lights, and the tail-lights open – with the right tail-light concealing a charging socket for the 60kW/135Nm magneto-electric motor that powers the car.

The zero-emissions drivetrain is from the Brabus Fortwo electric car that can propel the Smart Forstars to a top speed of 129km/h.

Unlike the exterior, the shiny red and white interior – complete with bejewelled gearlever, foot pedals and instrument dials – looks pure concept.

There are hammock-style leather front seats, a U-shaped steering wheel and a rear-view camara is replaced by a windscreen-mounted smartphone with integrated video camera.

Smartphones come into play again with the “open air cinema” feature, where a media player is operated by iPhone Bluetooth to play movies onto a white wall via the projector that’s integrated into the bonnet.

Speakers for the sound system are embedded into vent openings behind the doors.

In addition to sharing some visual cues with the Forus, the Smart Forstars concept also features a lower tailgate section that opens electrically to reveal a retractable floor with a 900mm-long cargo space.

Click on the Photos tab for more images of the Smart Forstars.

The 2012 Paris motor show starts on Thursday 27th September.

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