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 ##

General Motors has announced the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid will have a starting base price of $22,695, including destination, which just makes it the lowest-priced hybrid on the market for 2007, undercutting the Toyota Prius by $100 and the Honda Civic Hybrid by $500. The IRS has certified that Aura Green Line buyers will qualify for a tax credit of $1,300, which makes the difference even larger as the tax credit for the Prius will drop to $787. While the Aura Green Line is less-expensive than the other hybrids, it is a “mild” hybrid and can not be driven on electric power alone.

“The Aura Green Line is a great value among the hybrids in the mid-size car segment,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak.

The Aura Green Line’s hybrid system in the Aura mates 2.4L four-cylinder to an electric motor/generator, which captures electrical energy during regenerative braking. The hybrid system in the Green Line improves fuel economy by providing electric assist during acceleration, by cutting fuel during deceleration, and by shutting the engine off at idle.

The Aura Green Line EPA fuel economy rating of 28 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway represents up to a 30 percent improvement in EPA combined fuel economy compared to the non-hybrid Aura XE.

The 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line is arriving in dealerships now.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: General Motors ##

Continue: Saturn prices 2007 Aura Green Line hybrid »

Last week, Hyundai announced it would add a second engine plant at its assembly facility in Montgomery, Alabama, but there was no announcement what the engine plant would produce. With the current engine plant in Montgomery building Hyundai’s V6 used in the Sonata and Santa Fe, we figured the plant would produce four-cylinder engines. Sixty to 70 percent of the Sonata sedans being built in Alabama are powered by four-cylinder engines that have been imported from Korea.

The new engine plant will build the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) 2.4L four-cylinder engine, which will be used in the Sonata and for use at Kia’s new assembly plant in Georgia. The GEMA is an alliance of DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, with the engines being used in various vehicles from each automaker, including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Dodge Caliber and Avenger, and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer.

The plant will be able to build 300,000 engines annually — 200,000 a year in the first phase and another 100,000 annually at full production — and will employ 522 workers. Production is scheduled to begin in September 2008.

## Source: Automotive News ##

We’ve seen several shots of BMW’s mystery roadster that has sparked much debate among auto spies as to this car’s identity. While many thought this was BMW’s SL-challenging Z9 (or Z6) roadster, there are others that think this is the next-generation Z4. The next Z4 is expected to grow to make room for a 1-Series-based Z2 entry-level roadster.

Based on the last set of photos, many changed their minds and got behind the idea that this is the next-generation Z4. While doubts are likely to remain for some time, as we don’t expect to see the camouflage stripped off the car for a while yet, we are jumping on the Z4 bandwagon — but we reserve the right to change our minds at any time.

Whatever it is, we have another set of photos of what we are saying is the Z4 roadster with its top down.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

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 ##

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.

Continue: New York Preview: Hyundai’s Concept Genesis V8, RWD »

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor and Renault, will give up some control at the automaker’s American operations. Ghosn will no longer have direct oversight of Nissan’s operations in North and South America, and will turn his focus to Nissan’s and Renault’s global operations. Effective April 1, Hiroto Saikawa will replace Ghosn as Nissan’s chairman for the Americas. Saikawa currently is Nissan’s executive vice president for purchasing.

“The priority for our new management team is to act decisively on the multiple challenges facing Nissan and to boost our overall performance in 2007,” Ghosn said in a statement.

The changes will free up time for Ghosn to focus on global operations, while Saikawa will focus on Nissan’s North American troubles. Nissan has fallen short of its predictions of double-digit monthly sales growth since October.

Full press release after the jump.

## Source: Nissan ##

Continue: Carlos Ghosn gives up control of Nissan’s American operations »

BMW continues testing its forthcoming M3, and spy photographers have caught a camouflaged prototype of its M3 sedan. The next-generation M3 will launch this fall with the M3 coupe, followed in the spring by the M3 cabriolet and finally the sedan version next fall. This will be the first M3 sedan in 13 years.

Under the camo, the M3 sedan is expected to feature a similar (if not identical) rear fascia and muscular fender flares as the M3 coupe. The M3 sedan will also share its aggressive front fascia will the M3 coupe, including the headlamps and grille coming from the 3-Series coupe. All M3 models will be powered by a 420-hp 4.0L V8 derived from the M5/M6’s V10.

The BMW M3 Coupe will have its official debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. No word on when the M3 sedan will debut.

## Source: World Car Fans ##

Cerberus Capital Management, one of the two leading contenders to buy the Chrysler Group, has hired former Chrysler COO Wolfgang Bernhard as a consultant. Cerberus and private equity firm Blackstone Group have emerged as front runners in the bids for Chrysler.

As a former executive at Chrysler, Bernhard was one of the primary architects of Chrysler’s short-lived rebound earlier this decade. He could be an asset to Cerberus’ potential bid with his knowledge of Chrysler’s strengths and weaknesses.

Bernhard was most recently at Volkswagen before leaving during the automaker’s management shake-up. Bernhard joined VW after he was dropped at DaimlerChrysler in 2004 just before he was about to take over the Mercedes Car Group. Don’t be surprised to see Bernhard running the Chrysler Group if Cerberus ends up as the next owner of the automaker.

## Source: Automotive News ##

When Honda’s new assembly plant in Greensburg, Indiana, begins production in 2009, the first product rolling off the line will be the Civic, according to a company source. Initially, the plant is expected to only build Civic models, but other models will be added later. The Civic is currently built in North America at Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio and Alliston, Ontario, No. 1 plants, and will soon be added to the Alliston No. 2 plant.

Honda will break ground on the new assembly plant on Monday, March 19. The Greensburg plant will be able to build about 200,000 units annually, and will employee about 2,000 workers.

Company spokesman David Iida declined to comment.

## Source: Automotive News ##