New Car: 2008 Fiat 500

Launch on July 4th 2007:

On July 4, 1957, in Turin, Fiat presented the Nuova Fiat 500, a real icon of our times, with which Fiat concluded a revival that had begun straight after the Second World War. On July 4, 2007*, exactly 50 years later, again in Turin, Fiat will present the new Fiat 500 which will be marketed immediately after the launch and the new car will conclude an equally important cycle of revival for Fiat Automobiles SpA.

Developed by the Fiat Style Centre and manufactured in the plant in Tychy (Poland), the new 500 is a 3-door model with very compact measurements: it is 355 cm long, 165 cm wide, 149 cm tall and has a wheelbase of 230 cm. The car is extremely entertaining to drive, due to its three engines: a 75 bhp 1.3 16v Multijet turbodiesel unit and two petrol engines, the 69 bhp 1.2 8v and the 100 bhp 1.4 16v, all of which are available with five or six speed mechanical gearboxes.

The model confirms Fiat Automobiles SpA’s undisputed leadership in this category - a result of its extraordinary heritage of technical, design and human experience accumulated in over a century - and it takes a quality leap forward in terms of comfort and safety, technology and equipment for this segment. The new 500 is the most up-to-date solution for the motorist who ‘enjoys’ his car in complete freedom, appreciates it for day-to-day use, but also wishes to drive a car that is entertaining and practical, environmentally-friendly and accessible, but also appealing and full of fun.

Although, the UK market will be given special higher spec models which will be available in right-hand drive form in 2008. More variants are expected in the pipeline.

* 4th July 2007 launch is for mainland Europe. The 500 will arrive in UK dealers in summer 2008 due to high demand

Vauxhall/Opel Agila swings into view

Vauxhall/Opel is currently testing the next generation Agila. This prototype was caught testing in Germany with very heavy disguise.

The Wagon R and Agila share the same platform. Suzuki showed a concept car at the Paris motor show 2006 called the Splash which would hint at the next Wagon R.

Suzuki Wagon R prototypes have smaller, straighter headlamps unlike the Aglia in these images. The Opel Trixx concept was rumoured to hint at the next generation Agila. Both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drives prototypes are undergoing testing throughout Europe.

Mechanicals are still unknown but it's safe to guess both petrol, diesel engines, manual and automatic transmissions will be offered.

Fiat 500 Caught Undisguised!

Well nearly undisguised. These pictures show a 2007 Fiat 500 with moderate disguise. This is the first time its ever been covered lightly with camoflague. Normal things that were covered were the rear window screen corners, roof, mirrors, lights, rear side windows, fuel cap, bumper and bonnet lines etc.

Most details can be seen like the front lights, door mirrors, indicator lights etc. After the prototype was caught in the Turin factory, it went for some testing in the mountains of Turin.

The 500 shares its underpinning with the 2008 Frod Ka. Interior pictures were also taken showing cream coulored steering wheel, gearbox and stick etc and cream coulored plastic interior air vents. Prices are expected to start around £6,500 and going upto £10,000 for the top of the range model.

Abarth:

One of the first photos of the 500 Abarth in Turin with heavy camoflague around the front end and rear side windows. Sporty front lower grille and alloy wheels indicate that this is a sports model.

Prices are yet to be rumoured or announced for this sports model but £12,000 sounds reasonable at the moment.

Upcoming models will include a Abarth, Cabrio, possibly a Abarth Cabrio and even a diesel.

BMW 1 Series Coupe Caught Cold!

BMW are currently testing what seems to be a 1 series Cabriolet.....if you take a closer look you will find a hardtop and not a soft top.

Dubbed as the 2 Series this coupe will be an alternative to the regular BMW 1 Series coupe.

There are a few diffences between the two, this prototype will have horizontal lights witch could be placed on the bootlid. Another is the roofline and the way the rear end is shaped. The squared off rear end on this prototype should give more luggage space than the regular 1 Series Coupe and the roofline seems straighter than normal almost making it look like a sedan.

3 photos showing a test car undergoing cold weather testing in Sweden.

Winter Testing For Mercedes GLK

We brought you the first pictures of the pre-production prototype of Mercedes GLK which is scheduled for a 2008 released.

For the first time we can exclusively reveal the engines, drive tarrains and pirces.

Engines:

The entry-level option is a 2.1-litre diesel with 2wd and 205bhp, and there are a further three petrol engines and a V6 diesel on the spec list. Among these is a hefty 400bhp-plus V8, which should make for some interesting trips to the school gates and petrol station, if nothing else.

The full range is:

• GLK 280

• GLK 350

• GLK 63 AMG

• GLK 220 CDI

• GLK 320 CDI

Drive Tarrains:

2WD will be offered on the base model but the 4WD will be offered throughout the range.

Prices:

For the basic 2008 Mercedes GLK will set you back at £28,500 with prices rising around £40,000 for the AMG model. The GLK will be taking on small luxury SUV's like the Land Rover Freelander, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Porsche Compact SUV etc

2008 Mercedes C-Class Estate Undisguised!

Seen here barely clothed in camouflage for the first time is the all-new Mercedes C-Class wagon.
The sedan version of the C-Class will be introduced next month at the Geneva Motor Show, but we don't expect the wagon to be shown for another six months or so, possibly at the Frankfurt auto show.

This test car was part of a larger group that we caught just days ago in the northern part of Sweden. Like the upcoming sedan, buyers will have the option between the four-cylinder C180 (156 hp, supercharged) or C200 (184 hp, supercharged), and the six-cylinder C230 (204 hp), C280 (231 hp), or C350 (272 hp). Diesel enthusiasts in some markets will have the choice between the C200 CDI (136 hp), C220 CDI (170 hp), or C320 (V-6, 224 hp).

2007 Fiat Bravo Out In The Wild

Despite Fiat revealing the Bravo a few months ago, Fiat are still testing the Focus fighter.

This picture shows a production model undisguised in Italy. The small family car is offically revealed but is still undergoing some testing in Italy and Austria.

The Bravo will go on sale this summer in the UK with prices expected to start at around £12,500 for the base model although pricing for Europe and the UK hasn't yet been announced.

The engine line up will be as followed: 1.4i 16v, 1.9 JTD MultiJet 8v & 1.9 JTD Multijet 16v but more engines could be offered. More information will be given nearer to launch date. DIMENSIONS, WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES:

Length: 4.34 meters

Width: 1.79 meters

Height: 1.50 meters

Fuel tank: 58 liters

Weight: 1205 to 1360 kgs.