Car Inovation 201X: March 2011

Honda Civic Ti selling fast (UK)

2011 EUR Honda Civic grille

Before it even goes on sale, Honda UK has allegedly sold a fifth of its special-edition Civic Ti. The Civic Ti is based upon the SE trim-level and is loaded with £3,700 worth of features and is priced £355 less than the regular Civic SE.

A total of 500 units will be produced; 300 with the 1.8 i-VTEC and 200 with the 1.4 i-VTEC. First customer deliveries are expected on the 20th April.

Priced from £15,995 for the 1.4 i-VTEC, 1.8 i-VTEC adds £1,000 more, standard equipment includes 17” alloy wheels, bodykit, and a touch-screen 3D satellite navigation system w/Bluetooth.

Pagani Huayra Roadster confirmed for production

Pagani has announced that it will release a drop-top variant of the Huayra supercar. CEO Horacio Pagani informed the media in Argentina that there “will be a Huayra roadster in approximately three years”.

In addition, the brand wanted to called the Huayra ‘Da Vinci’, but realised the named had already been registered. The Huayra nameplate was suggested by a marketing company, according to Pagani.

Geneva motor show saw Pagani launch the Huayra, however, the company has already received 60 orders despite its €1m price tag.

Concept Car: Chevrolet Miray

Debuting at the 2011 Seoul motor show is the Chevrolet Miray (pronounced Mi-ray) mid-electric hybrid sports car.

The Miray (meaning 'future' in Korean) was made to celebrate Chevrolet's centenary anniversary this year. The showcar sits on 20” alloy wheels up front and 21” alloys at the rear.

The chassis supports twin electric motors – that produce 20bhp (20PS/15kW) – that power the front wheels, while a 1.5 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, mounted mid-rear power the rear wheels, thus giving all-wheel-drive ability. The electric motors get recharged from a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack via regenerative braking.

The Miray concept can run on EV mode and when extra power is needed, a turbocharged petrol with its dual-clutch gearbox kicks in.

The 'future' design is also instant in the interior with its centre console-mounted start button, ambient lighting and dual-cockpit design for both the driver and front passenger.

Concept Car: Hyundai Blue2

At the 2011 Seoul Motor Show Hyundai Motor staged a world premiere of the Hyundai Blue2 concept car (codenamed HND-6), a mid-size FCEV which shows a blueprint for future sedans. The name 'Blue2' is a combination of Hyundai's sub eco-brand 'Blue Drive' and the number `2' from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.

Aiming at gaining early leadership of the FCEV market, Hyundai Blue2 concept is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers a stack power of 121bhp (122PS/90kW) (1.65kW/L) and fuel economy of 100mpg (34.9km/l). The Blue2 is materialized in a sporty and luxurious style, a combination of futuristic, flowing designs and eco-friendly features. The Hyundai Blue2 concept is equipped with low-resistance tires and alloy wheels which are designed to improve aerodynamic performance, while the car's interior design encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials.

Hyundai's concept keywords for the exterior design are 'Intersected Flow,' featuring innovative and dynamic designs. The vehicle's condition is visible via unique and futuristic images on the exterior of the car through outside LED screen panels, which are located on both the front and rear of the car. Blue2 also features a welcome system which recognizes the driver, while an automatic opening door system enhances the driver's convenience. Conventional side mirrors are replaced by side cameras and a roof camera, offering a state-of-the-art driving environment.

The exterior designs flow inside the vehicle, with asymmetrically-designed dashboards and doors to optimize a driver's convenience and add emotional value. Wider seats enable people to get in and out of the vehicle more comfortably.

Hyundai combined the cluster and center fascia, applying an advanced Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor and ultra-light tempered glass, called Gorilla® Glass, providing more accurate and vivid graphic information. The infotainment system is operated by a Motion Sensor Moustick, a haptic wheel and motion sensor that respond to the driver's touch and hand movements, respectively, giving drivers a new experience.

Hyundai Blue2 concept aims to satisfy all the senses of future drivers, including the air they breathe: A cluster ionizer freshens the air inside the vehicle, while antibacterial genuine leather with leaf-shaped patterns, called 'eco-graphic perforation,' enhances an eco-friendly look and feel.

Ford to launch Fiesta ST in 2012

2011 Ford Fiesta S1600

The long-awaited Ford Fiesta ST will go on sale in the last quarter of next year, featuring 180bhp (178PS/134kW).

Previously, Ford has struggled to warrant the investment of the Fiesta ST as it's likely to arrive with a high price tag. Power for the front-wheel-drive Fiesta ST will come from a 1.6 litre EcoBoost petrol engine that will develop 180bhp (178PS/134kW). Revised gear ratios for the 6 speed manual will result in a sportier drive.

The launch of the ST variant will concur with the facelifted Fiesta. Expect a sticker price of £16,500, and that's before any options are fitted.

Citroën DS3 celebrates its first birthday

The Citroën DS3 is celebrating its first birthday as owners come together on Saturday 2nd April. The special event will be held at the Ferté Gaucher circuit near Paris.

With more than 80,000 units sold since its launch last year, more than 200 DS3 owners are expected to gather from across Europe at the Ferté Gaucher circuit.

With skilled instructors at hand, the owners present will also have the opportunity to take to the track in the critically acclaimed DS3 Racing, developed by the same engineers who have created the World Rally Championship DS3 WRC.

Marc Raven, Communications Director at Citroën UK, commented; “DS3 has proven to be a landmark success for Citroën, and a celebration like this is richly deserved. The reception from owners across Europe has been emphatically positive, and this event will be a real reflection of the DS3 spirit.”

Fiat to produce third-generation Panda in November 2011

According to a top Fiat executive, the firm will produce the first units of the 2012 Panda III in November 2011 in Italy, after it takes the stands at the Frankfurt motor show during September.

"We are on track in refurbishing Pomigliano, which will become a truly state-of-the-art plant when it begins production in November," Fiat Group chief manufacturing officer Stefan Ketter said.

Sergio Marchionne said last year that the refreshed Pomigliano d'Arco plant in central Italy would build the new Panda as part of the brand’s “Fabbrica Italia” (Italian factory) plan to hike vehicle productiveness in Italy from around 650,000 units in 2010 to just about 1.4m cars in 2014.

The choice to shift production of the Panda from Tychy in Poland to Pomigliano came after Fiat S.p.A employees backed up a reorganisation plan to increase their productivity by approximately 70%, switching to a three-shift, 280 workday year from the current two shifts and 235 workdays. Fiat has invested €800 million to produce the new Panda in Pomigliano.

Volkswagen stops taking orders on current Beetle (UK)

The 2005 VW New Beetle was to femenine
for the male species, the 2012 model will
finally man up

Those who are looking to purchase a VW Beetle will only be able to order from present stock, as no more factory-built orders are being taken. This is because Volkswagen is making way for its new Beetle.

Volkswagen UK has said there are around 42 unsigned hatchbacks and 3 unsigned cabriolets. A further 222 hatchbacks and 87 cabriolets are sitting on dealer forecourts, unsold.

Sales of the new Beetle will commence in Winter 2011.

2012 Chevrolet Malibu to be unveiled in Shanghai and on Facebook

Updated - 09/04/11

Shanghai will see the launch of the upcoming Chevrolet Malibu, however, the firm will also present the finished product on Facebook.

The brand has released a teaser picture – showing the rear LED tail-lights - and video showing the exterior designer playing around with a hologram.

The Malibu will replace the ill-fated Epica in the
European and Australian market

The 2012 Malibu will be a global car, going on sale in Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and North America. Underpinning the Epsilon structure, U.S models will be powered by a 180bhp (178PS/134kW) 2.4 litre and a 3.0 litre V6, developing 260bhp (256PS/194kW). A mid-hybrid will also be offered. European models will be equipped with a range of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel units, linked to manual and automatic transmissions.

The interior will receive a major overhaul with more soft-touch materials being used.

Malibu exterior designer, Dan Gifford

Teaser video:

Teaser: 2011 Buick Envision concept

American car maker, Buick has slipped a teaser picture of the Envision concept, before its world premier at the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2011.

The concept was developed in alliance with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Centre. According to GM, the Envision is a crossover that features "an elegant and smooth exterior that emphasizes its modern styling and contemporary sportiness." The showcar is likely to avoid Buick's blimpish design language.

Power is likely to be sourced from an innovative plug-in hybrid system.

Concept car: Kia Naimo

Kia has revealed the Naimo electric crossover at today's Seoul motor show. Taking its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, (pronounced ‘Neh-mo’, meaning ‘square shape’), the Naimo was formed by Kia’s international design team in Seoul.

The concept features a wrap-around windscreen and a asymmetric sunroof, to emphasise the vehicles simple yet modern design. The design team at Kia also used advanced technology to give the Naimo an upmarket feel. For instance, there are no front windscreen wipers because a high-intensity air jet at the base of the windscreen performs as an ‘air wiper’ function. The door mirrors are replaced by cameras integrated into the A-pillars.

Inside, the interior was designed to with hand-crafted materials throughout, like Korean oak used to trim the interior door panels and the entire interior floor and Korean “Han-ji” paper is used for the head lining.

Measuring at 3,890mm in length, the Naimo’s generous wheelbase, width and height (2,647, 1,844 and 1,589mm respectively) guarantee that the cabin provides exceptional head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants. The concept has no B-pillars and features rear-hinged rear doors to increase access to the cabin, and a three-way split opening bootlid allows versatile access to the load bay for varying luggage sizes.

Power comes from a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with a maximum output of 108bhp (109PS/80kW) and maximum torque of 280Nm (206lb-ft), enables Naimo to reach a top speed of 93mph (150km/h).

A twin-pack 27kWh battery is located under the boot floor and uses innovative Lithium Ion Polymer technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types. Equipped with this battery, Naimo provides a driving range of 124 miles (200km) on a single charge. To enhance range, the showcar is fitted with special low-drag 20” alloy wheels.

Under the quick recharging cycle (50kW) the Naimo’s battery can be recharged to 80% of its capacity within 25 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100% power is attained after five and a half hours.