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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Jeremy Clarkson has hinted that the famous British automotive TV show Top Gear may be finished. Over the weekend, Clarkson closed the season’s final episode saying that, “We don’t know when we’ll be back.”

“After last week’s Top Gear, the TV announcer said it would be back in the summer,” Clarkson wrote in his column in the Sun. “Can I just say, it won’t be.”

The BBC claims Top Gear will be back and that Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will all return. “Top Gear will come back. A summer special is planned and Top Gear will return in the autumn,” said a BBC spokesman.

Clarkson, Hammond and May are rumored to be at odds with management over the future of the show. The show has departed from its original purpose, now focusing less on cars and more on celebrity appearances and crazy stunts (like the Shuttle project.

## Source: BBC ##

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Ford today announced prices for the new C-MAX at the Geneva Motor Show. The restyled C-MAX features a redesigned front end which includes Ford’s ‘kinetic design’ elements also seen on larger S-MAX. The C-MAX also features an available panorama roof, blue tinted glass, Bluetooth, Keyless entry and MP3 connectivity.

The new Ford C-MAX will start at £12,995 (on the road) for the C-MAX Studio with a 98-hp 1.6L engine, with prices climbing to £19,045 for the top-of-the-range Titanium with 132-hp 2.0TDCi diesel.

The C-MAX will be available in the U.K. beginning in April. Press release after the jump.

## Source: Ford ##

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Ford of Europe today announced at the Geneva Motor Show that it will add three new flex-fuel models to its line up to reduce CO2 emissions. Ford said that its all-new Mondeo, and Galaxy and S-MAX MPVs will be available with flex-fuel powertrains from early 2008.

“Flexifuel technology offers us a real opportunity to make personal mobility more sustainable right now,” said John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe. “This efficient, environmentally advanced technology is one easy way in which we all can do something positive to combat climate change without giving up basic needs such as personal car use.”

Ford currently offers its Focus and C-MAX with flex-fuel powertrains, and has sold more flex-fuel vehicles in Europe than any other automaker.

Press release after the jump.

## Source: Ford ##

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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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Official images of the Mazda2 have found there way on line just ahead of its debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The platform of the Mazda2 will also underpin the European Ford Fiesta and Ford’s new U.S. B-segment car.

The styling of the Mazda2 is sportier than the outgoing version and borrows much from the brand’s current design language. The Mazda2 (shown) with the “Sports Appearance Package” has an even sportier appearance with a unique grille, more aggressive bumper with a larger trapezoidal air intake, side skirts, and rear spoiler.

The Mazda2 will be offered with three new engines: a 75-hp and 84-hp 1.3L, and a 103-hp 1.5L.

The Mazda2 expected to arrive this summer in European markets and will likely arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2008.

High resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: Mazda ##

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Ford has announced U.K. pricing for the all-new Mondeo. The new Mondeo starts at £14,995 for an Edge 1.6L and rises to £24,195 for the 2.5T Titanium X estate. On average the new Mondeo is priced £300 below the outgoing equivalent models, while also coming from £700 in additional equipment. The new Mondeo will be available in three bodystyles: saloon, hatchback and estate, and four specifications: Edge, Zetec, Ghia, Titanium X.

The new Mondeo is available with a full range of gas and diesels engines from a 1.6L with 110-hp to the range-topping 2.5T with 220-hp.

Ford will officially debut the Mondeo in Geneva. The all-new Mondeo will available for later this month ahead of its launch in order from March - three months ahead of its launch date.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Ford ##

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Nissan’s latest commercial for its Qashqai compact crossover, builds on the Qashqai Cargames extreme sports viral videos. Instead of performing extreme stunts while driving the compact crossover, this time the Qashqai is used as a skateboard for a giant.

Video after the jump.

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Fiat will announce the return of its Abarth inhouse tuning and racing division at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. Fiat will revive the Abarth name for use on a new factory tuned car and a racing version that will be entered in the 2007 Italian Rally Championship and Intercontinental Rally Challenge. But this is just the first step in an initiative which will later involve other models.

Fiat will unveil the Grande Punto Abarth Preview in Geneva, a concept version of the car that will enter production in September. The Grande Punto Abarth will is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L gas engine producing 150 bhp — 155-hp on 98 RON gas. At a later date, Fiat will release a version with 180 bhp, twice as much as the base Grande Punto, which also revives of the traditional power increase.

Fiat will also unveil its rally entry — the Grande Punto Abarth S2000. The four-wheel drive Grande Punto Abarth S2000 will be powered by a 2.0L engine developing 270 bhp.

Press release and high resolution gallery after the jump.

## Source: Fiat ##

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Just last week we reported that GM’s Australian arm Holden was looking at additional exports markets for its Commodore sedan. Today the U.K.’s Vauxhall announced its new VXR8, a rebadged Holden Commodore HSV Clubsport R8. Both are the product of Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), the officially designated performance vehicle division of Australian motor car manufacturer Holden.

The Vauxhall VXR8 is powered by a 6.0L V8 delivering 414-hp and 406 lbs-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed manual. A 6-speed automatic transmission is also available. The powertrain will deliver the VXR8 from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. With massive brakes will haul the VXR8 down from 60 mph to zero faster than a Lamborghini Murcielago or BMW M5.

Matching the “go,” the Vauxhall VXR8 gets the “show” with a new bodykit featuring unique front and rear fascias, and new 20-inch wheels. Could this be the car we see in the States as the Pontiac G6 GXP?

Press release and high resolution photo gallery after the jump.

## Source: Vauxhall ##

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Volkswagen is planning a rear-engined car to challenge BMW’s successful MINI, at least according to reports/speculation/wild-ass rumors by German auto magazine Autobild. While there aren’t many details of the VW’s MINI challenger, as would be expected from rumors, but it would go along with VW CEO’s Martin Winterkorn’s statement to expand into lucrative niche segments.

Could Autobild have gotten it wrong and this is actually VW’s ultra compact challenger to the smart? Dr. Winterkorn is planning for “an economical, everyday small car that looks attractive and is affordable.”

## Source: Autobild ##

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BMW will install French-built engines in its cars for the first time, according to German publication Der Spiegel.

BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen currently produce the 1.6L four-cylinder that is used in the BMW’s MINI Coopers and the Peugeot 207. The two companies will produce a new four-cylinder engine that is destined for BMW’s 1-Series. The new engines will be built at the PSA plant at Douvrin near Lille.

This will be the first time a foreign-made engine will go into a BMW. Apparently, BMW management doesn’t feel that the brand’s reputation will be hurt by using a French-built motor.

## Source: Der Spiegel ##

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The Mercedes-Benz Unimog was named cross-country vehicle of the year in the “Special vehicles” category by the readers of “Off Road” magazine. For a third time, the Unimog was voted “2007 cross-country vehicle of the year - Special vehicles category” by the Munich-based all-wheel-drive magazine.

Mercedes-Benz was winners in two of the eight categories: the Unimog was the top-scoring model among the “Special vehicles” with 59 percent of the votes, with the Mercedes G-Class took the “Classics” category.

## Source: DaimlerChrysler ##

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We came across the classic Honda “COG” commercial on YouTube. While it surprise you, there were no animated tricks used in its production, everything that you see is a real-time creation that took seven months of preparation, Every complex event took place in a single, uninterrupted two-minute sequence, which means it took 606 video takes.

The result is a mesmerizing chain reaction that will leave you scratching your head.

Video after the jump.

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The 2008 Porsche Cayenne will be available in German dealerships starting this Saturday, February 24th. All three Porsche Cayenne models receive new engines featuring direct injection, which leads to a significant bump in power. The base Cayenne features a 3.6L V6 with 290-hp (up 40-hp), the Cayenne S gets a 4.8 V8 with an additional 45-hp to 385-hp and the Turbo S with its twin-turbo V8 is up 50-hp to 500-hp. Porsche claims that each engine gets 15 percent better fuel economy and has lower CO2 emissions.

Typical of any Porsche vehicle, the changes for 2008 are evolutionary, not revolutionary. All 2008 Cayenne models get new headlights, more aggressive front fascias, and larger air intakes with horizontal slats. The Cayenne and Cayenne S sport vertical turn signal indicators on the outside edge of the side air intakes. On the Cayenne Turbo, the lights are horizontal mimicing the new 911 Turbo, which Porsche says will remain unique to turbo models. The Cayenne Turbo also features power streaks on the sides of the hood. Out back, all 2008 Cayennes get a restyled bumper with exhaust tips passing thru the fascia, and new taillamps.

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

## Source: Porsche ##

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