New Seat Mii: Volkswagen Up! City Car Spawns Third Derivative

The world premiere of the VW Up! at last month's 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show last month was only the beginning for the German group as after the recent presentation of the Skoda Citigo, Seat is next in line to gain its version of the small city car with the Mii.

The new Mii is the Spanish firm's first offering in the segment after the termination of the Arosa mini in 2004, which was also based on a VW model, the Lupo.

As is the case with the Skoda Citigo, the only visible differences between the Seat Mii and the VW Up! are their front end styling, alloy wheel designs, tail lamp graphics and the interior trim colors and options.

The same goes for the powertrain choices as the 3.56m-long Mii, which tips the scales at just 854kg (1,883 pounds), will be offered with the VW Group's new 1.0-litre petrol engines with either 60HP (40kW) or 75HP (60kW).

The 60HP model is good for a top speed of 160km/h (99mph) and a combined fuel efficiency of 4.5lt/100km (52.3mpg US or 62.8mpg UK), while the 75HP variant reaches a top speed of 170km/h (106mph) and returns 4.7lt/100km (50mpg US or 60.1mpg UK).

Seat said it will also offer an Ecomotive variant featuring a Start/Stop system that will return a CO2 figure of just 97 g/km as well as a gasoline/CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) derivative that will emit a mere 86 grams of CO2/km making it one of the cleanest cars in the world.

The Mii will first launch as a three-door model in Spain this November, with sales to start in the rest of Europe in Spring of 2012. A five-door model will be added to the range before the end of next year.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Honda CEO Confirms New NSX and “Hot” 2012 Civic Type R

[2003 Honda HSC Concept pictured above]

Last April, we told you about Honda CEO Takanobu Ito's plans for a successor to the much-missed NSX supercar. Ito had then hinted that the “new NSX” would be more environmentally friendly, possibly using a hybrid powertrain like the Japanese firm's new small coupe, the CR-Z.

On the sidelines of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Ito-San reaffirmed the company's commitment to build an NSX successor.

“I spent part of my early career at Honda developing the NSX, and specifically the aluminium body," Ito told reporters from UK's Autocar. "I really enjoyed the experience and learned much, so my wish is that Honda engineers have the experience of developing a sportscar like the NSX in the future. Within Honda, our engineers are already looking at developing such a car,” he added.

Ito was not willing to give away any information other than that the new model would be quite different compared to the old NSX.

“The original NSX was about high power but also about good driving experience. Today power-to-weight is what we have to focus on. The NSX was known for its aluminium body, so when we develop our new sportcar we don’t want to copy Ferrari for power, but to also chase efficiency as well," Ito said.

This is the second coming of the NSX successor: in 2003, Honda displayed the HSC concept pictured here at the Tokyo Motor Show, hinting at a production model. Indeed the company was scheduling a 2010 launch, but the plan was cancelled by then-Honda CEO Takeo Fukui in the middle of the economic crisis.

The high-tech supercar isn’t the only performance model that Honda is developing at the moment. The 2012 Civic's chief engineer, Mitsuru Kariya said that a hot version is also under development.

It seems like Honda’s management changed its mind because it initially denied planning such a version as it didn’t fit in its new, “green” image.

“The performance version is already under discussion”, said Kariya. “We know the Type R was a big success, and we are looking for a car developed in that direction. Whether it will be called Type R is not certain though.”

It’s OK, Mr. Kariya, as long as you stay true to the hardcore character of the original. After all, a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.

Story sources: Autocar

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Ford Says New 2014 Mustang will be Less Retro, More Modern

In 2014, Ford will celebrate the Mustang’s 50th anniversary and it will do so by launching a brand new model. The revelation comes from the company’s design chief, J Mays, who spoke to journalist during the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt.

According to Mays, the design of the next-generation Mustang has already “locked down” three years ahead of its launch. The real surprise, though, is that Mays states that the new version of Ford’s iconic pony car will look more into the future than in to its past.

"Both redesigns introduced in 2005 and 2010 are retro vehicles," Mays told journalist on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show. "The challenge with the 50th anniversary car is to not just look back over your shoulder, but to try to win all of the Mustang faithful yet bring the brand forward as well.”

That’s quite a high order, but Mays is more than confident that, even though the new Mustang will be different, it will still retain its character.

“It has to look like a Mustang, but you go down a list of things than might or might not be necessary to make the car look like a Mustang," said Mays.

Ford really needs the new Mustang to succeed, as the current model is lagging behind its arch enemy/rival, GM's Chevrolet Camaro. In the first eight months of the year, Chevrolet's pony car has outsold the Mustang by more than 10,000 units – and that’s not counting the convertible version that recently hit the market.

Story source: Automotive News [sub.req.]

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series with Aero and Track Packages

We first gave you a taste of the new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series fitted with the special track and aerodynamic packages back in August when we spied a prototype testing at the Nürburgring, but Mercedes-Benz showed the production model at this week's Frankfurt Auto Show.

Available as separate options on the limited edition C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, which is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 pushing out 517-horses, the AMG Track and Aerodynamic Packages were designed to further enhance the two-door model's driving dynamics.

The Track package adds 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear sports tires from Dunlop with or without matt black alloys wheels, and an ative rear-axle transmission cooling that is said to improves performance in harsh race-track conditions.

The AMG Aerodynamics package comprises of carbon fibre front flics located on the front apron, carbon fibre front lip spoiler and a fixed carbon-fibre rear wing with an adjustable blade, all of which are designed to increase the lift at the front and rear axles.

Buyers willing to dig deeper into their bank accounts can further enhance the coupe with numerous carbon fibre bits such as exterior mirror housings, inserts on the side sill panel, diffuser insert, spoiler lip, and interior trim parts, plus a keyless-go system, Intelligent Light System ILS, a fire extinguisher and tinted side and rear windows.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Miniature Lamborghini Aventador to Sell for at Least $4.2 Million or More Than 12 Times the Price of the Real Car!

Just when you think you have heard it all, something like this comes along and leaves you speechless. Former Mercedes-Benz engineer and German model maker Robert Gulpen used the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to reveal an amazing miniature replica of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4.

Leaving aside the tiresome work that went into building the 1:8 scale model, what makes this creation stand out from the crowd is its ridonkulous price tag of at least €3.5 million or about US$4.83 million at the current exchange rates.

Given that the actual Aventador LP-700 costs around US$379,000, the miniature model will be auctioned off for at least 12 times the price of the real car it replicates!

The insanely high price can partially be attributed to the precious materials used for the construction of the model. For example, Gulpen wrapped a 1/1000mm thin thread of solid gold around the carbon fibres that form the body of the car, while the rims and the entire interior were cast from solid gold and platinum.

Furthermore, the Lamborghini logo adorning the bulletproof (!) glass showcase background is made from gold, platinum and precious gems.

All in all, Gulpen says that the materials used for the construction cost €2 million (about US$2.8 million), while he spent around 500 hours to complete the build.

Gulpen says on his website that the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 will go up for auction at Sotherby's or Chrystie's in New York or Dubai with a starting bid of €3.5 million (US$4.83 million) adding that at least half a million euros (US$690,000) will be given to charity.

Story sources: Robert Gulpen , Youtube via Jalopnik

VIDEO

Read More