New Car Collection Blog's

Hyundai has unveiled the latest revisions to its Korean-market Verna, better known here as the Accent. The freshened looks, clearly derived from the new Genesis Coupe, are expected to reach our shores for the 2010 model year.

For now, all the big updates appear to be cosmetic, with the most notable changes coming to the front and rear. Up front, the Verna Transform/2010 Accent sports a new grille reminiscent of the snout found on the Genesis Coupe, which could become something of a corporate grille, at least in shape. Sleeker headlights and a more aggressive lower fascia turn the rather plain-looking accent into a much more stylish and aggressive vehicle, even if it is slightly odd by U.S. standards. A new bumper, chrome exhaust and new taillights liven things up out back.

Inside, the new Verna/Accent will get new gauges, a stylish new center stack, Aux and USB jacks for the stereo, a standard subwoofer and an "ECO Assist" system that will show a green light on the dash when driving efficiently and a red lamp when driving inefficiently.The new Verna Transform will hit Korean showrooms later this month and while international distribution hasn't been finalized yet, we expect to see the revised Accent visit our shores within the next year as a 2010 model. What do you think? Would you buy one?

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Qatar is still considering taking a stake in Porsche, according to the Gulf state's finance minister.
Porsche is currently struggling to service its £7.8 billion of debt, which it ran up in a failed bid to gain a majority stake in rival Volkswagen. Recent reports had suggested that VW would now absorb Porsche in a merger deal.

"Our government is interested in acquiring a stake in Porsche. When and how much, I don't know. We are always looking for opportunities in the car market," Youssef Kamal told a conference in Russia.
Qatar's prime minister had previously said Qatar was considering taking a stake in a German car company, and specifically named Porsche as a potential target.
Abu Dhabi's state-controlled IPIC company recently purchased a 9.1 per cent stake in Daimler for almost two billion Euros (£1.7 billion), via exchange-listed investment vehicle Aabar.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hummer has said the Chinese manufacturer planning to buy it has indicated it will push ahead with plans to expand the brand, including introducing alternative powertrains.
Speaking following the announcement that parent company GM was in talks to sell Hummer to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Hummer CEO Jim Taylor said: "The Hummer brand lives another day.
"We've been in talks with these guys for over six months. The reality is in China you have folks that are willing to make investments all over the world and they go on a world search for a business that would be complementary for them.
"They see a lot of growth potential with this brand both inside and outside of China."
Based in the Chinese province of Sichuan, Tengzhong makes special-use vehicles, highway and bridge structural components, construction machinery, and energy facilities.

Thanks to: Autocar

Fiat could make a new bid to buy Vauxhall/Opel, according to German newspaper reports.
Fiat has declined to comment on the speculation, which was made in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. The report quoted sources at Fiat as saying that if the GM-Magna talks were to fail, Fiat would resume negotiations over Opel.

The newspaper also says that China's BAIC, which made a late offer for Vauxhall/Opel and which makes Mercedes-Benz cars in Beijing in a joint venture with Daimler, could also bid again.
BAIC officials are reported to have held talks with GM and the german government this week, despite Magna having been chosen as the preferred bidder.
The news follows comments by German government officials saying that it would also consider increased offers from rival bidders.
Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi also said that his government would be willing to intervene with Germany to support another Fiat bid if the automaker wanted.

Thanks to: Autocar

It’s a fascinating discovery! Our sources have revealed that Mercedes is readying a production version of the Fascination Concept, first seen at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
The three-door estate, or shooting brake as the body style is known, will expand Mercedes’ range even further. It stretches the E-Class family to a total of five derivatives, joining the saloon, coupé, convertible and estate when it arrives in showrooms in 2011.
With its distinctive wheelarches and angular front end, the Paris concept was originally a preview of the E-Class Coupé. But latest reports suggest that it could become a standalone model. Mercedes is crossing its fingers that the originality of a sports estate will match the success currently enjoyed by the CLS four-door coupé.
The engine line-up will be shared with the E-Class Coupé, which means a choice of frugal four-cylinder and V6 diesels. Mercedes’ BlueEFFICIENCY technology will be available, while four-cylinder petrol engines will be fitted with stop-start. At the top end of the range, an E500 complete with a 5.5-litre V8 will be offered, as well as a storming AMG variant.
While this sporty E-Class wagon is a few years away, the standard estate is set to appear at the Frankfurt show in September. The convertible version will follow soon after. For more details click here.

AUDI could soon be giving the phrase ‘electrifying performance’ new meaning! Insiders at the German firm have told Auto Express that it is planning to reveal an electric version of its R8 supercar at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It’s likely to take the form of a dramatic concept car, similar in design to the head-turning Audi RSQ, which previewed the R8 in the sci-fi film I, Robot back in 2004. In the Will Smith movie, the RSQ was powered by electricity – and it seems that it could be rather prophetic. Audi bosses are known to be keen on the idea of alternative power for the R8, having already planned a V12 TDI diesel-engined version, before having to can it as a result of the current economic downturn, as reported by Auto Express in Issue 1,062.
And that’s where a zero-emissions model could step in. The VW Group’s electric powertrains are already highly advanced – VW itself will take the wraps off a plug-in family car concept at Frankfurt (see Issue 1,065) – and the R8 would be an ideal showcase for a performance version, rivalling Tesla’s Roadster. While Audi is keeping tight-lipped about the idea, it has confirmed that it will take the wraps off a drop-top R8 Spyder version at Frankfurt. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

BMW has dropped a limited-run version of its smoking M3 Coupe. Known as the 'Edition Models', the fettled Coupes are available in a choice of four exterior colours with colour coded design cues inside and out, as well as a lower chassis.
Buyers can choose between Alpine White (pictured), Black, Dakar Yellow or a Monte Carlo Blue paint job, while exterior features such as dark-chrome side gills and quad exhaust pipes mark the Edition Models out. The 19-inch M-light alloys can be also ordered in Black, silver or white depending on individual taste. On the inside, black leather seats are lifted by contrast stitching to match the exterior colour scheme.
But it's the new suspension with 10 millimetre lower spring settings, for even flater cornering, that will have M3 fans licking their lips. Elsewhere, the M3's 414bhp 4.0-litre V8 remains untouched.The M3 Edition goes on sale in July and will only be in production for a strict period of six months. Prices are yet to be confirmed. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

BMW has Mercedes' monstrously powerful S63 AMG in its sights! These are the pictures that prove BMW is ready to launch a incredible M7 version of its flagship luxury saloon.
As you can clearly see in our close-up images, the front spoiler has been completely reworked for a more dynamic look, and to provide better cooling to the engine and brakes. An M3-style bonnet bulge has also been added in order to accomodate the larger engine. The hood will also be made from alumimium to take some weight away from the nose and help to ensure perfect 50-50 weight distribution.
The most likely candiadate for providing the M7's power is the 550bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 fitted to the X6M and X5M - that's more horsepower than the S63 AMG and the most powerful Porsche Panamera. A 0-60mph time of under 4.5 seconds means performance should be well within the supercar bracket, too. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

THERE’S some shady business going on at VW. It has released official images of this new special-edition Eos White Night. As the name suggests, the coupé-cabriolet is finished in white, but it gets a contrasting black roof, door mirrors and front grille surround. Even the 18-inch alloy wheels are partially painted black, before being polished to a shine. The light and dark theme continues inside, with black Nappa leather seats, trim and steering wheel. Each is detailed with contrasting white stitching, while the White Night name is embossed on the door sills. The special is one of a range of variants produced as part of the Volkswagen Individual programme – but the bad news for fans of the brand is that it won’t be offered in the UK. Nevertheless, Eos buyers here will be able to buy the Azuro wheels as an accessory from their local main dealer. They’re priced at £200 each.Also soon to be sold in showrooms is a new aerodynamic enhancement kit for the Eos. A spokesman for VW told Auto Express: “We plan to release this in the UK, although it’s likely to be a special order item from our retailers. “No prices have been released yet, but we would expect the complete kit to cost around £1,500.” For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

THE Jazz is getting a little brother! Honda is planning a city car version of its popular supermini (above) – and it will rival Toyota’s iQ and Smart’s ForTwo. Being developed in Japan, the new model could go on sale as early as 2011, giving Honda a vital presence in an ever-expanding market. With a stop-start-equipped super-efficient petrol engine, and potentially a hybrid, too, it will be marketed as a penny-pinching urban runabout and help Honda to cut its overall CO2 emissions. Based around the current Honda Life – a city car sold mainly in Japan – the new model would initially be offered in developing markets such as China and India, but Honda has not ruled out bringing it to Europe. It is expectedto be built at the firm’s plant in China. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

The 1 Series sure doesn't feel old, but, come 2012, the coupe turns four. That's when you can expect the new version, shown above and to the left, to appear. BMW is preparing the new version already, and our spy photographers caught a mule undergoing testing

According to our photographers, the mule here is wider and longer than the current version, indicating that the new model has grown a bit. You can expect an increase in interior volume, too. Also, the nose will feature prominent "kidneys" akin to those of the 5 Series Gran Turismo.Drivetrains remain a mystery at this point, but if the M Division's plans are any indication, expect a slew of turbocharged engines ranging in displacement from 1.4L to 3.0L. An M version -- not named "M1" -- is on the way in 2014, as we've reported, with a turbocharged inline-four and hopes of evoking the fan-favorite E30 M3.
BMW is likely to reveal the five-door hatch above first, followed by a three-door version. No word on either hatch coming to the U.S., but you can safely expect the coupe and convertible to return.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Mini will unveil a new Roadster model in the form of a near-production concept car at this year’s Frankfurt show in September.
The new car will be a two-seater and will offer a more sporty-looking alternative to the Mini Cabriolet.
It will be based on the current-generation Mini, but will have a lower windscreen and a lower roofline.
Thanks to a lower centre of gravity the car should have even better handling than the standard Mini.
Engine line-up is not yet confirmed but expect the same units as in the rest of the range including the hot 208 bhp 1.6-litre turbo as seen in the Cooper JCW.
The Roadster will go on sale in 2010 as the fifth model in the Mini range, after the forthcoming Mini crossover. A sixth variant is also expected.

Thanks to: Autocar

The lid has been lifted on MINI’s hottest rival yet! Citroen unveiled its all-new DS at the Geneva Motor Show in March – but until now has managed to keep the interior under wraps.
These first official pictures reveal just how radical the new style-conscious line-up will look beneath the bodywork. And it’s the striking roof that will catch MINI fans’ eyes first. Made from treated leather, and embossed with the firm’s new DS logo, it shows just how much buyers will be able to customise their cars when the order books open next year.
In fact, the company claims there will be a whopping one million possible combinations on offer when the car launches, with the coloured roof decals topping the options list.
Inside, a sculpted, slimline dash creates extra legroom and gets the top’s cream leather finish. It’s complemented by soft-touch plastics and high-gloss trim, while well bolstered hide seats get an upmarket wrist-watch pattern. A heavy cowling over the instrument dials, plus a flat-bottomed steering wheel, plush carpet and plenty of DS badging – a clever rearrangement of the Citroen chevrons – add to the luxury, sports-car feel.
Much like the MINI, a small rear screen limits the amount of light in the cabin. But the DS3 shown here – a three-door hatch that will kick-start the new line-up – boasts a much bigger boot than its key rival, and more rear legroom, too. That is because it’s effectively the same length as MINI’s estate variant, the Clubman.
DS design chief Mark Lloyd admitted he’d put the MINI and the DS3 “back-to-back” when comparing key selling points. But he added: “The two have quite a different style. The MINI relies very much on heritage; the DS3 is 100 per cent modern.”
Citroen claims the newcomer will compete on ride and comfort and is set to undercut the MINI’s entry-level price tag, too. That means buyers can expect to pay around £12,000 when it goes on sale next March, powered by punchy diesel and petrol units. The production-ready DS3 will get its first public airing at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, alongside the all-new C3. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

It’s five alive! Peugeot is filling the gap in its line-up with the launch of a brand new people carrier, the 5008.
Available as both a five and seven-seater, the model is the spiritual successor to family favourites such as the 504 and 505 estate. It’s developed on the platform of the C4 Grand Picasso from sister firm Citroen, and will debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, before hitting dealers early next year.
At 4.5m long, it’s 20cm shorter than the 807 MPV and designed to be ultra-flexible. Each passenger seat folds flat, while those in the rear can slide forwards and backwards. With 2.76 metres from the dashboard to the hatchback, the car will easily accommodate longer loads. Cargo carrying is expected to be a key selling point for the 5008, and the capacity ranges from 758 to 2,506 litres.
There will be two 1.6-litre petrol engines, delivering 120bhp or 156bhp, and three diesels: a 110bhp 1.6, plus a 2.0-litre with 150bhp or 163bhp. Fuel economy ranges from 38.6mpg to 54.3mpg. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express