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7:19 PM
Admin
Frankfurt is playing host to the world's largest and most important motor show of the year and this here is our list of the production models and conceptual studies that are making their debut in Germany.
The 64th IAA International Auto Show, more commonly referred to as the Frankfurt Motor Show, runs for the media from September 13 to 14, and for the public, from September 15 to 25.
And while journalists and visitors alike may complain after walking around the enormous Frankfurt complex, they certainly won’t have something to say about the number of world debuts.
So read on and stay tuned, as we will regularly refresh our list whenever we get our hands on new information, photos and videos.
7:37 PM
Admin
We first brought you news on the European version of third generation Yaris hatchback on Wednesday, but today, Toyota followed up with initial details on its VW Polo and Ford Fiesta rival. Toyota’s newcomer in the European supermini segment will manufactured at the Japanese firm’s Valenciennes factory in France with sales to start before the end of this summer.
At launch, the 2012 Yaris will be offered with three different engines, two of which run on gasoline, the 1.0-litre VVT-i and 1.33-litre dual VVT-I, and the other, a 1.4-litre D-4D, on diesel. A hybrid version based on the 2011 Geneva Motor Show concept car has been confirmed for next year with more details to be released at a later date.
The Japanese automaker said the new Yaris will offer affordable multimedia connectivity with the introduction of Toyota Touch & Go featuring a rather large 6.1-inch display with touch screen technology. According to the company, it will be standard equipment on 95 per cent of sales.
Commenting on the introduction of the new Yaris, Didier Leroy, President and CEO Toyota Motor Europe, said: “[The] New Yaris represents Toyota’s strongest offer yet in the important supermini segment. With its new levels of ingenuity, efficiency and quality, we are confident it can build upon Yaris’s previous success and help Toyota rejuvenate its presence in Europe and move towards one million annual sales in the region in the medium term.”
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7:33 PM
Admin
Not that the 2012 Beetle needs it, but Volkswagen wants to keep its newcomer in the headlines until it launches into the market this fall starting with the U.S. in September, followed by Germany in October, the rest of Europe in November, the UK in January 2012, Asia in February 2012 and finally South America by the beginning of 2013. To do so, the German automaker came out today with a fresh batch of images as well some new info explaining some of the thinking behind the creation of the 2012 Beetle.
Although the latest two generations of the Beetle have very few in common with the original model other than the shape and styling details, that’s something to be expected given that the first model was created back in the 1930s. According to VW’s own words, the Beetle’s shape is a classic, like the Coke bottle, the iPhone, the Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses and the Leica M9 camera.
This is a blessing, but also a curse: how do you replace one of the most successful cars of all time, bringing it up to date but at the same time preserving its unique character? The answer to this question, according to VW Group’s design chief Walter de Silva and VW’s Klaus Bischoff, lies in the fact that they both understand what this icon stands for, and set this as their objective: design “a new original”.
Surely, the shape of the new Beetle resembles its predecessors and if you put the original 1938 model next to the new one you’ll see that there are quite a lot of similarities, like the lines of the rear end.
Compared to the 1998 New Beetle, the 2001 Beetle has a 12 mm lower roofline, is substantially wider (by 84 mm) and also longer (by 152 mm). The wheelbase has also grown by 22 mm, to 2,537 mm. The aim was to create a bolder, more masculine car than its predecessor while retaining the Beetle’s character.
A rather unique characteristic of the new model will be the (optional) country-specific badging in the rear according to its nickname in each market: Käfer, Beetle, Vocho, Coccinelle, Fusca, Maggiolino or 甲壳虫. Or, if you prefer something more discreet, just Volkswagen.
The interior also resembles that of the first Beetle, updated of course with carbon look and color-painted surfaces. Also, like the original, the new Beetle has an extra glovebox whose lid folds upward and auxiliary instruments for oil temperature, chronometer function and boost pressure above the audio or navigation system.
Of course the modern interpretation of the cult icon has to conform to today’s norms. Therefore it is offered with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, with output between 105 and 200 PS, while economy is also a factor: In Europe the most economical Beetle is the 1.6 TDI with an average consumption of just 4.4 lt/100 km and in the US the 2.0 TDI with 33 mpg.
VW Beetle Key Facts
Market launch, North America: September / October 2011
Market launch, Germany: October 2011
Market launch, Europe: November 2011 (right-hand steering version: January 2012)
Market launch, Asia: February 2012
Market launch, South America: end of 2012 / beginning of 2013
Equipment lines: "Beetle", "Design", "Sport"
Power range: 77 kW / 105 PS to 147 kW / 200 PS
Combined minimum fuel consumption, Europe: 4.3 l/100 km (1.6 TDI)
Combined fuel economy, USA: 33 mpg (2.0 TDI)
Engine specifications: Petrol engines: TSI (petrol direct injection engines, except 2.5-litre engine for USA). Diesel: TDI (common rail engines). All EU engines fulfill Euro-5 emissions standard; all US engines fulfil BIN5 / ULEV PZEV
Debut of original Beetle:1938
Debut of New Beetle:1998
Total units built to date:> 22.5 million
Designers:Walter de Silva (Group), Klaus Bischoff (Brand). Exterior: Marc Lichte (team leader), Chris Lesmana, Nisan Kucam. Interior: Tomasz Bachorski (team leader), Ingo Brückmann. Colour and Trim: Oona Scheepers (team leader), Susanne Gerken
Dimensions:4,278 mm length, 1,808 mm width, 1,486 mm height, 2,537 mm wheelbase, 310 to 905 litres cargo capacity
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