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Nissan will unveil the saloon version of the Micra at the Guangzhou show in December this year. Nissan will christen this new compact saloon the "Sunny". This name holds a very strong heritage in Nissan’s history; this moniker was used by Nissan for its small saloon since 1966 for many decades. However, it is not clear if the Sunny moniker will be used for India as Bajaj has rights to the name (The Bajaj Sunny is a scooterette launched in the 1990s but is now discontinued).

The Sunny is based on the same architecture as the Micra hatcback and the interiors are likely to be similar too. The ‘V-platform’ on which it is based has been designed primarily to make financial sense in emerging markets, while being sophisticated enough for Western Europe. Engineered by Nissan in Japan, the V-platform project focuses on reductions in both weight and in the number of components that make up the future models. The Sunny will come with two engine options for India; a 1.5 litre four-cylindr motor producing around 100bhp and the 1.5 litre diesel that will be shared with the Micra hatchback.

The Sunny will compete with the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire, Volkswagen Vento, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Verna and Chevrolet Aveo. Apart from engines, the new saloon may share interior panels with the Micra Hatch as parts sharing will help Nissan price the saloon competitively. According to sources the Micra saloon will be launched in the second half of 2011.

Thanks to: Autocar India

Audi is working on an engineering plan that will allow it to turn its spectacular Paris show-stopping Quattro Concept into a production vehicle.

A dedicated team of engineers at Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt is advancing plans that, if approved, will see the evocatively styled coupé assembled in limited numbers on a dedicated line at the company’s newly acquired sister firm, ItalDesign, near Milan.

Describing the new two-door as more than just a one-off show car, Stefan Reil, head of development at Audi’s Quattro Gmbh division, confirmed plans for a limited production run were fairly advanced. “We are rethinking standard processes to make it possible,” he said. “We know how to engineer it already.”

Although ItalDesign has no existing assembly operations, the Italian design house has a background in low-volume production, as it was responsible for the assembly of the BMW M1. It is also used regularly by Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, to construct various concept cars, including the still-born Nardo supercar and Tarek off-roader.

Conceived to embody the rally-bred spirit and technological flair of Audi’s iconic Sport Quattro launched in 1984, the modern-day version is clothed in a uniquely styled aluminium and carbonfibre body. This sits on a modified steel floorpan and four-wheel drive underpinnings from the RS5.

The combination is claimed to provide it with an impressively low 1300kg kerb weight, roughly the same as that of the original Sport Quattro used to homologate Audi’s storming Group B rally cars. Outlining plans for the Quattro’s possible production, Reil said, “We need feedback to see if it is possible. Audi has no heritage in building 200-500 cars that are really exotic. But it won’t be over €100,000 [£86,000].”

Hinting about a technical tie-up with sister firm Lamborghini, whose expertise in carbonfibre is set to play a big role in the Quattro’s lightweight body, Reil told Autocar, “This car and Lamborghini are in the same exotic corner.”

While Audi remains tight-lipped on the Quattro’s longitudinally mounted, turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, Reil suggests it will be tuned beyond the level used in the TT RS. “A really good turbocharged petrol engine has around 140bhp [per litre]. We’re a little under that now. But with a larger turbocharger something around 350bhp is possible.”

The use of a five-pot engine harks back to the Sport Quattro that took on rivals from Peugeot and Lancia at the height of the Group B era. It featured a 2.1-litre turbo in-line five that developed 306bhp in road trim and up to 444bhp in competition guise.

In a move that hinted at a possible return to Pikes Peak, Audi also revealed a scale model of the Quattro Concept. It had a body styled on the Sport Quattro S1 E2, complete with a deep front spoiler, flared wheel arches, towering rear wing and Audi Sport livery.

Thanks to: Autocar

Jaguar is planning production feasibility studies of up to 2000 cars a year for its new 780bhp C-X75 supercar, according to sources.

Jag is remaining coy about firm production plans for the elegant mid-engined C-X75, but Autocar sources say that two levels of production are under consideration. The higher one is up to 2000 cars a year, the lower one up to 1000 cars a year.

Each needs to be explored independently because they demand different production methods — the lower number with more hand assembly and lower tooling costs, the higher one with more automation, but higher tooling costs.

A production version faithful to the gas turbine-powered C-X75 will also have to wait between five-and-seven years while Jaguar proves and productionises the Bladon Jets micro gas-turbines at the heart of the hybrid-electric powertrain.

“We’re talking two-to-three years for implementation of the gas turbine technology, then another three-to-four years to integrate into a vehicle,” says Jag’s head of advanced powertrain Tony Harper.

The cost of developing the gas turbines for production could be in the C-X75’s favour, being significantly less than an equivalent IC engine, running into the “tens of millions”.

Harper is also confident the gas turbines can be engineered and proven to rigorous car industry reliability and endurance standards: “There’s much less to go wrong; there’s about 100 times fewer parts in a gas turbine than an IC engine.”

The load duty-cycle of the gas turbine will also be less harsh over its lifetime, being characterised by steady running at 80,000 rpm, rather than the ever-changing rev pattern of an IC engine.

Replicating a production supercar faithful to the C-X75 design is largely dependent on these gas turbines, because they take up such little space in the engine bay that Jaguar has been able to position the cabin 300mm further back than typical in a conventionally-powered supercar.

The styling of the C-X75 is the work of a senior member of Jaguar's design team, Matt Beaven, whose credits include the R Coupé and RD6 concepts. A former VW designer, Beaven counts the original VW Touran and second-gen Audi A3 among his work.

Thanks to: Autocar

We’re the first to get up and get down when we hear that someone’s raising the roof. But we’re curbing our enthusiasm a bit in the case of the Toyota Prius MPV, which our spies just nabbed testing here on American roads. The words “Prius minivan” don’t exactly get our blood boiling.

From the looks of things, the Prius MPV/crossover/mini-minivan thing will look exactly like, well, a Prius with a flatter, higher roof and an upright rear window. It appears to be sized somewhere between a Toyota Matrix and a Mazda 5, and to feature forward-hinged rear doors. Through the camouflage, it’s easy to see Prius-esque graphics on the front end and in the taillamps, as well as the Prius’s characteristic triangular D-pillar. The wheels are remarkably large for a Prius (the base sedan rides on puny 15-inchers); the rollers here are either 18s or really big–looking 17s. Inside, the MPV features center-mounted gauges like those in the regular Prius. Maximum seating capacity is unknown as of now, but squeezing in a third row, as Kia did on its diminutive Rondo, is a possibility.

Beneath the skin, expect to see the next generation of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, although not necessarily one using pricey lithium-ion battery technology; the company has pledged to stick with nickel-metal hydride batteries for a long time to come. (As demand for plug-in hybrids increases, however, we expect Toyota could release a Prius MPV variant with the lithium-ion-powered setup from the plug-in Prius, which is due for the 2012 model year.) The MPV may, however, get a larger four-cylinder engine displacing 2.5 liters or so. Just how high Toyota can stretch this vehicle’s fuel economy remains to be seen, but hitting the sedan’s vaunted 50-mpg EPA combined mileage mark will be tough, given the MPV’s presumed weight gain, its taller profile, and the internal-combustion engine’s potential displacement increase.

We’re not terribly shocked to see this new body style emerge; it’s been an open secret that the Prius family would grow, even as the company has yet to officially confirm as much. Last year, Toyota told us that it is planning to launch no fewer than 10 new hybrids by 2012, and that an MPV was the vehicle most requested by current Prius owners. How much this version would cost relative to the current five-door is TBD, of course, but a starting point of around $25K wouldn’t be surprising.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

It’s been a long wait since we first caught a camouflaged 2011 Dodge Charger rolling around. But our desire for fresh sheetmetal and an interior devoid of hard plastics has finally been fulfilled, as Dodge released its first official images and a few sparse details on the next Charger. Who’da thunk the car could get any angrier?

Back in 2005, when the previous model made its debut, many decried the use of the Charger name on a sedan. If it was attitude the naysayers sought, they ought to be satisfied now. A larger crosshair grille is nicely accented by an enlarged lower intake and better integrated with the new hood—which is aluminum, and sports two scallops recalling Chargers of the late ’60s. The sharply creased hood lines and squinting headlights give the Charger a pissed-off, snorting-bull, I’m-going-to-destroy-you scowl.

Moving to the side, the eye is immediately drawn to a scallop that again recalls the late-’60s Charger. The line’s execution is very striking, creating a natural shoulder that looks much less forced than on the previous car. The greenhouse adds to the aggressive demeanor with a faster windshield angle and a skinnier A-pillar. The beltline stays flat—as opposed to the dramatic upkick on the last car—promising better outward visibility. Dodge says the wheel wells are tighter, and filling them with the available 19-inch rims only tightens them further.

Cues from the ’60s give the stern of this animal more personality as well. The taillight valance gets a recessed look, but is fully modern in its functionality: the lights themselves are composed of 164 LEDs. The exhaust finishers are no longer an afterthought, but instead are integrated into the lower fascia on all models.

Dodge has yet to furnish an interior image, but we’ve caught a glimpse before and we know the company is promising premium soft-touch materials. A new steering wheel and a full host of technologies are on the menu, including Uconnect and navigation. Customers will be offered their choice of four interior colors.

Chevrolet has announced that the Camaro convertible will make its official debut at the Los Angeles auto show this November. It’s set to go on sale in February 2011, and will battle the Ford Mustang convertible for the dollars of sun-loving pony-car fans. Speaking of dollars, we also now know how many of them it will take to snag a ‘Maro droptop: $30,000, or about $6500 more than the base hardtop. It’s also about $2000 more than the cheapest Mustang convertible ($27,995). If the pricing gap holds true throughout the lineup, expect to pay at least $39,000 for the cloth-topped Camaro SS.

As we expected, the droptop will employ the same powertrain lineup as the Camaro coupe. The base engine is a direct-injected, 3.0-liter V-6 with 312 hp, while SS models score a 6.2-liter V-8 producing 426 hp. A six-speed manual remains the standard transmission, with a six-speed automatic optional for those who like their cruisin’ simple and their livin’ easy.

We also got another peek at the convertible, this time an SS model. Shot with its top down in an idyllic beach setting, it looks as handsome as the coupe, although we have yet to see the car with its fabric roof in place.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Volvo has unveiled the R-Design versions of its V60 and S60 models at the Paris motor show.

The new variants feature a specially developed chassis and new styling cues, including a redesigned front valance, a new diffuser housing twin exhaust tailpipes and five-spoke 18in Diamond cut wheels.

Interior changes include special leather/textile upholstery available in off-black and ceramic light, or there's an all-black variant, both with contrasting stitching. There are sport seats and an R-Design steering wheel, gear selector, sports pedals and floor-mats.

To improve body stiffness, a strut brace has been fitted under the bonnet and monotube dampers have been fitted at the rear, which feature compression and return damping via the same valve.

Volvo says this new damper system “gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which in turn means the damper responds more quickly”.

The bushings with which the rear dampers are attached to the body are 20 per cent stiffer compared with the standard chassis in the S60 and V60. The front and rear springs have been shortened by 15mm and spring stiffness is 15 per cent higher.

The R-Design variants are available across the entire V60 and S60 range from the 2.0-litre D3 to the high-performance T6.

Thanks to: Autocar

Volkswagen has revealed the seventh generation of its Passat at the Paris motor show, ahead of order books opening in mid-October.

The new model is based on the same underpinnings as the outgoing car, although every body panel has been changed. It’s just four millimetres longer than the old car, at 4769mm, but its width and height remain unchanged.

Styling changes include a fresh front grille and headlight treatment, and more chrome and new tail-lights at the rear. Inside there’s a revised fascia with new instrument dials and finishes, redesigned seats and a slightly revised centre console.

The line-up of petrol engines comprises a 1.4-litre 120bhp TSI, a 158bhp 1.8, and a 2.0-litre 207bhp TSI. The diesels are a 1.6-litre motor with 104bhp, offering 68.8mpg and 109g/km of CO2 in Bluemotion guise, and a 2.0 with either 138bhp or 168bhp.

Manual and DSG gearboxes will be offered. VW says the new Passat will offer safety features normally reserved for luxury vehicles, including a “city emergency braking” function that automatically slows the car at speeds below 18mph when it senses an impending collision.

A fatigue detection system will also be offered as standard on the majority of the range. VW says the first deliveries of the car to UK buyers should take place in January 2011.

Thanks to: Autocar

Volkswagen has revealed its new CrossTouran at the Paris motor show – but the model is unlikely to ever make it to the UK.

The jacked-up compact MPV follows the recent launch of CrossGolf and CrossPolo models (both of which are unlikely to make it to the UK, either). VW is calling this model a “more extrovert” version of the Touran.

The CrossTouran rides 20mm higher than the standard car and features 17-inch alloy wheels. Widened wheel arches and new side sills – plus front and rear bumpers finished in protective black plastic - give the car its jacked-up appearance.

Other additions include a matt aluminium roof rack, stainless steel exterior trim, new front seats in a different cloth trim and leather trim on the steering wheel and gear knob.

The same range of TSI petrol and TDI engines are offered for the CrossTouran that appear in the regular car’s range, while an EcoFuel natural gas engine has been added with 133g/km CO2 emissions.

It is available to order now in Germany, priced from 27,700 euros (£22,800).

A spokesman for VW UK said that there were no plans to bring the CrossTouran to the UK at present, although this decision would be reviewed if there proved to be sufficient demand for the car.

Thanks to: Autocar

Toyota has unveiled its Verso-S mini-MPV at the Paris motor show.

The new model will be launched in the UK in early 2011 and further details will be made available soon.

It is seen within Toyota as a niche model, like the Urban Cruiser, and therefore will carry a price premium over its closest rivals in the B-segment market, such as the Kia Venga.

The styling of the Verso-S has cues that will feature on the next Yaris.

Although the car is less than four metres long, Toyota claims it has a “practical, flexible interior [which has] maximised usable space, comfort and perceived quality”.

Thanks to: Autocar