Mazda is considering another crossover that will slot in beneath the CX-7, according to U.K.’s Auto Express. The new compact crossover, likely to be called the CX-5, will be inspired by the Hakaze that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show.

Featuring a distinctive grille and sporty profile inspired by Hakaze, the CX-5 will include RX-8 like rear suicide doors to improve access to the back seats. The CX-5 could also feature the removable roof panels that were seen on the Hakaze concept.

The CX-5 has not yet been approved for production, but Mazda’s U.K. execs would like to see a compact crossover on the road by the end of the decade.

## Source: Auto Express ##

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Ford will unveil the production version of its Fairlane people mover concept (shown) at the New York Auto Show. The production model will be called the Flex, when it makes its debut on April 4th. The Flex is designed to help replace Ford’s minivans that were discontinued last year.

The Flex joins Ford’s other crossovers, which includes the seven seat Taurus X and five seat Edge. The Flex features three-row seating and conventional five-door layout. The Flex is expected to sport similarly boxy styling as the Fairlane and will likely feature a chrome three-bar grille and a prominent Blue Oval badge.

Ford is targeting to sell about 100,000 Flexes annually.

Ford will also build a Lincoln version of the Flex people mover, but the curvy styling of the Lincoln model will look little like the boxy Flex.

## Source: The Detroit News ##

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Bob Lutz, General Motors product guru, has confirmed plans for a new Cadillac V12-powered flagship sedan. The new sedan is expected to be inspired by the popular Cadillac Sixteen coupe car, and will compete with the Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS.

Lutz said in an interview that GM’s Holden division is working on the new V12 for the new flagship. The new V12 is built from two 3.6L V6 engines mated to a common crankshaft. The 7.2L V12 will feature direct-injection, and deliver around 600-hp.

Early test mules for the flagship Cadillac are reportedly riding on the new rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform. The Zeta platform may underpin more than the test mules, with the production model also derived from the Zeta.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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Last month, we saw the first spy shots of Ford’s all-new lifestyle crossover, which is inspired by the Iosis X concept. Spy photographers have again caught the crossover during cold weather testing, and have even put together an illustration of what the crossover could look like.

Inspired by the Iosis X, which debuted at the last fall’s Paris Motor Show, the production crossover will feature Ford of Europe’s “kinetic design” language also seen on the Mondeo, and S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs. The new lifestyle crossover will be based on the Euro Focus C1 platform

Ford’s new crossover is scheduled to debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and will enter a growing yet crowded market, including vehicles like the BMW X3, Opel Antara, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai, and other new entries like the Audi Q5, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Mercedes GLK.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

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Kia is preparing a new concept that the automaker will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. According to Auto Express, the new concept will go head-to-head with the Audi TT. The car’s designer is none other than Kia’s new European design head, Peter Schreyer, who was responsible for the original TT (Schreyer’s ex_cee’d cabrio concept shown). The new concept is being worked on under the codename Project Snowflake — a play on the TT’s Raindrop codename.

“The name shows the link between the cars, but hints that ours will be even cooler,” a Kia insider revealed. “It will shock the world when it’s unveiled this autumn.”

The front-wheel drive concept will be powered by a new, turbocharged 2.0L, which is being developed with Hyundai and will be seen in a new hot-hatch model of the Cee’d. If production plans move forward, the concept could be seen in dealer showrooms as soon as 2009.

## Source: Auto Express ##

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Hyundai has dropped a few teaser sketches of its Concept Genesis that it will debut at the 2007 New York Auto Show. The Concept Genesis previews Hyundai’s large, V8-powered, rear-wheel drive sedan that we’ve seen plenty of spy shots. The new sedan, which we have called “Equus”, will mark two firsts for Hyundai in the U.S. — V8-power and rear-wheel drive.

The Concept Genesis will sit above Hyundai’s current range-topping Azera. While derivative, with its Camry-like grille, Hofmiester kink and Bangle-like rear, the Concept Genesis has a classy appearance.

No word on displacement and output figures of what’s under the hood, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out.

High-resolution photos after the jump.

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BMW unveiled a thinly-disguised concept version of its highly-anticipated M3 coupe at last week’s 2007 Geneva Motor Show. Based on the basic design of the standard 3-Series Coupe, the M3 concept features a more muscular sheetmetal and a high-revving 420-hp 4.0L V8.

Video after the jump.

## Source: BMW ##

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Mazda unveiled its Hakaze Concept at last week’s Geneva Motor Show. The Hakaze (pronounced ‘hah-kah-zay’) is the brand’s third concept in its “Nagare” design study, which was inspired by flow and movement of nature’s elements. The Hakaze Concept is a compact crossover coupe sporting styling cues pulled from three different segments — roadsters, hatchbacks and SUVs.

The previous concepts in the “Nagare” design study were the original Nagare Concept that debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show and the Ryuga Concept, which was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show.

Video of the concept’s unveiling after the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

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BMW unveiled a concept version of its forthcoming M3 coupe at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. The concept is based on the basic design of the standard 3-Series Coupe, but features a unique design and almost all new sheetmetal.

As previously reported, the concept M3 — as well as the production model — is powered by a high-revving V8 delivering in the neighborhood of 420-hp.

Video of the unveiling after the jump.

## Source: BMW ##

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Now that the deal for Aston Martin has been finalized, the British sports carmaker announced that it is committed to the expansion of the brand. Aston Martin plans to expand production by more than a quarter in the next three years, including the production version of the four-door Rapide concept, which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006.

Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin CEO, said the Rapide will add another 1,000-2,000 units to its current annual production of 7,000 units. The Aston Martin factory at Gaydon in Oxfordshire will need to be expanded with a new assembly line as well as other improvements.

The Rapide will be the second new model launched under Aston Martin’s new owners. Later this year, Aston Martin will kick off production of the DBS, its successor to the line-topping Vanquish S. The DBS debuted in Casino Royale, the latest Bond film.

The DBS and Rapide will expand Aston Martin’s range to six cars, including the current DB9, DB9 Volante V8 Vantage, and V8 Vantage Roadster.

## Sources: Aston Martin and TimesOnline ##

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General Motors Vice Chairman and global product chief Bob Lutz told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show that the automaker is targeting a production version of its Chevrolet Volt electric concept car in 2010.

“We have set an internal target of production in 2010. Whether we can make that or not, this is still kind of an unpredictable program for us,” Lutz said, according to Reuters. He said the one of the major challenges facing the Chevrolet Volt was development of lithium-ion batteries, and whether they can be developed to run the car safely and affordably. A running Volt prototype is expected to be ready for testing by the end of this year. Lutz also said GM would open much of its development process to the media.

Critics have questioned if GM is simply to capitalizing on the favorable attention of its concept car. However, Lutz said that GM is serious about its efforts, “Competitors who write this off as a PR exercise are going to be brutally surprised.”

Lutz was typically candid about the difficulties of the project, “I would say there is still a 10 percent chance this will fail.”

## Source: Reuters ##

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Toyota staged the world premiere of its Hybrid X concept at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The Hybrid X offers hints at Toyota’s new design DNA for its hybrid vehicles, as well as showcasing future hybrid technology.

With a similar, one-box shape to the current Prius, the Hybrid X concept could be previewing styling cues that will be seen in the next-generation of Toyota’s successful Prius, expected next year, and other future Toyota hybrid vehicles. The four-door four-seat concept features two ‘U’ shapes created by the upper glass frame area and the A- and C-pillars. Viewed from above, the two ‘U’ shapes gives the impression of an ‘X’ — and thus the ‘X’ in the ‘Hybrid X’ name.

Toyota offers little information for the hybrid powertrain of the Hybrid X other than stating it “further extends the use of Hybrid Synergy Drive” and is “a step closer to zero emissions,” which hints at a plug-in capability.

Full press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Toyota ##

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Opel officially unveiled its Gran Turismo Coupe (GTC) Concept at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The sexy GTC previews the future design language of Opel, and, with the twining of Saturn, it also previews future styling of Saturn’s in the States.

“The GTC Concept importantly signals the next chapter in Opel’s design identity,” says Bryan Nesbitt, Executive Director, GM Europe Design. “Our team strategized to envision the new essence of Opel — more confident, relevant and distinctive — in a high-performance, yet versatile, four-seat coupe. This style is what to expect of future Opel products.

While the GTC Concept is not radical design, this is probably a good thing as it is increases the production possiblities. The four-seat GTC is powered by a turbocharged 300-hp 2.8L V6 engine mated to all-wheel drive. The GTC features an innovative “Flex4″ system with the backs of both rear seats can be folded separately by remote control, creating a spacious three or two-seater with flat load floor and plenty of cargo capacity.

More from Geneva during the day. Full press release and high resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: Opel ##

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Opel unveiled its Gran Turismo Coupe (GTC) Concept at the 77th Geneva Motor Show. The GTC Concept offers insight into Opel’s new design language, and how future Opel’s will look. As Opel and Saturn has grown together, the GTC also is a preview of the U.S. brand’s future design.

“This concept car demonstrates the new interpretation of the Opel brand,” said Alain Visser, Executive Director, European Opel Marketing. “The GTC Concept embodies the confident, emotional direction we’re taking with Opel. Its exciting lines combined with its high driving dynamics and interior flexibility reflect what the Opel brand trademark characteristics will be in the future.”

Video after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

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Frank Rinderknecht and the folks over at Rinspeed will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a drivable “glass” car with a completely transparent body and floor made from plastic. The Rinspeed eXasis was developed in collaboration with Bayer MaterialScience AG, one of the largest plastics producers in the world, and will debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

In addition to celebrating Rinspeed’s 30th anniversary, the plastic eXasis will a honor the 40th anniversary of Bayer’s first “all-plastic car” at the K67 Plastics Fair in Germany in 1967.

Video after the jump.

## Source: Rinspeed via World Car Fans ##

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