Hyundai targets Chinese mid-sized car market (CN)

Following its extraordinary success in the U.S, according to a senior executive, Hyundai is aiming for its long lasting growth to come from China.

“It is time to strengthen our brand’s premium image in China to pave the way for our long-term growth there,” Jung Myung-Chae, GM at Beijing Hyundai Motor’s brand strategy division said.

Despite Hyundai arriving late in the Chinese market, it’s the 4th largest manufacture in the country. The line-up consists of a mixture of vehicles from emerging markets and the North American market, however, the most popular model was the Elantra compact sedan.

2010 saw Hyundai drop off 700,000 cars, with a majority of vehicles being compact sedans with a small engine displacement.

Myung-Chae said Hyundai will now concentrate on larger vehicles and in order to keep up with local demand, the brand has assembled its third Chinese plant.

“As part of our global brand strategy, we want to focus more on the mid-sized sedan segment this year,” Jung said.

New Car: 2011 Ferrari FF

Ferrari has released photographs of its first ever four seat, four-wheel drive model, the FF – hence the model’s acronym.

The FF replaces the 612 2+2 coupé and aims to draw a new kind of “all-roads, all-weathers” Ferrari customer and is designed by Pininfarina with assistance of Ferrari’s chief designer, Flavio Manzoni. Ferrari anticipates the FF will attract customers who normally purchase all-wheel-drive saloons or SUVs for winter driving.

An all-new, longer wheelbase, independent suspension w/magnetically adjustable dampers and Brembo carbon ceramic disc brakes will feature, alongside stop/start. The four-wheel drive system, alleged to be approximately 50% lighter than similar applications. Ferrari's exclusive, patented 4RM (four-wheel drive) maintains the perfect weight distribution (53% over the rear axle). Completely integrated with the car's electronic dynamic control systems, the four-wheel drive technology delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and in all conditions via continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels.

At 4,907mm long, the FF is similar in size to the outgoing 612. With the rear seats erected, there’s a compact-family sized luggage space of 450 litres. Flip the rear seats down, 800 litres of space is on offer.

The front 6.2 litre V12 mounted engine will be linked to a 7 speed double-clutch gearbox. This allows the car to produce 650bhp (659PS/485kW), 683Nm (504lb-ft) of torque, and emit 360g/km, while returning 18.3mpg (15.4l/100km).

The FF will debut at the upcoming Geneva motor sow and will go on sale shortly after.

Renault introduces short-term entry-level 'Bizu' range (UK)

Renault has introduced a provisional budget line-up, called Bizu.

Bizu was intended "to tempt customers looking for greater value for money", and flows from the entry-level Twingo city-car to the Scénic compact MPV (excluding the Wind roadster).

Available until June, the Bizu models can offer savings of upto £3,870 can when compared with entry-level models. The base Twingo 1.2 16v 75bhp Bizu starts at £6,595, rising to £12,595 for the Scénic 1.6 VVT 110bhp.

All Bizu models feature ABS, brake assist, electric front windows and Bluetooth connectivity w/AUX input as standard.

The Clio Bizu is equipped with body-coloured rear spoiler and brushed chrome effect fog-light surrounds.

The Mégane and Scénic models have ESC, electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors, air-conditioning and keyless entry.

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S-Line pricing announced (UK)

Audi has given its hottest A1 yet a sticker price of £20,705.

The A1 1.4 TFSI utilises a twincharged (supercharger & turbocharger) 1.4 litre petrol engine that kicks out 182bhp (185PS/136kW) and 250Nm (184lb-ft) of torque. This is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission, giving a 0-60mph (97km/h) time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 141mph (227km/h).

Combined fuel economy is 47.9mpg (5.8l/100km), with carbon emissions of 139g/km.

Standard features will include 17” alloy wheels, part leather/fabric sport seats, ESP w/ESD, remote central locking, air conditioning, Bluetooth, 6 speaker audio system w/iPod & MP3 compatibility, and electric front windows and door mirrors.

Order books are open now.

Suzuki launches 4WD Swift and Kizashi (DE)

Suzuki is expanding the Swift and Kizashi line-up with the addition of four-wheel drive for 2011.

The four-wheel drive Swift is exclusively available in 5dr and with a 94bhp (95PS/70kW) 1.2 litre petrol engine that’s mated to a 5 speed manual. Combined fuel economy stands at 51.3mpg (5.5l/100km) with emissions of 129g/km.

It carries a price tag of €14,490 (£12,280) and includes including air conditioning, leather steering wheel, electric door mirrors, MP3/CD/radio w/USB port and audio controls.

The Kizashi sedan is equipped with Suzuki's intelligent all-wheel drive system (i-AWD), which allows the driver to switch from front- to four-wheel drive at a push of a button. The Kizashi sports a 2.4 litre 178bhp (180PS/133kW) petrol engine that is linked to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). With combined fuel economy of 34 mpg (8.3l/100km), CO2 emissions stand at 191g/km.

Starting at €29,900 (£25,380), standard features include xenon headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic climate control, 10 way electrically adjustable heated driver’s seat w/memory, and rain-sensing wipers w/dusk sensor.

Porsche 911 prototype caught jammed in a snowbank

Our spy photographers have caught up with the next-generation Porsche 911, flexing its muscles in the Swedish countryside. While the winter testing regime is tough, one Porsche engineer took it to another level.

While driving towards an ice track, the driver lost control and ploughed the 911 prototype one metre into a snowbank. Good news is that no one was injured; the bad news (from an engineer’s point of view) is that spies got up-close and personal with the vehicle.

A few little things have caught our eye; firstly the side vent look fake and may be a sticker, and secondly, the rear lights have the disguised with a set of faux tail-lights. The production model will feature glitzy LED’s.

The 911 will now measure at 4.49 metres long (56mm longer with 10mm going to the wheelbase) and 11mm shorter. It’ll also be 20kg lighter than the outgoing model, with 19” alloy wheels expected to be standard.

The entry-level 911 will be powered by a 3.4 litre Boxer engine, developing 345bhp (350PS/257kW) with a top speed of 180mph (289km/h). The Carrera S will be using a revised 3.8 litre that pushes power to 395bhp (400PS/294kW). Top speed is also increased to 188mph (302km/h).

The new 911 will be revealed later at the Frankfurt motor show.

Via WorldCarFans

Aston Martin Cygnet pricing announced (UK)

Aston Martin will launch a duo of special editions of its new Cygnet city-car. The special editions will be called White and Black, the brand confirmed.

On the White version, “Snow White” paintwork, white diamond alloy wheels, chrome highlights, and white leather seats will dominate, while on the Black edition, matte black louvers, “Magic Black” paintwork, black leather seats, and dark chrome accents will feature.

Transmission wise, a 6 speed manual will be standard, while a CVT can be obtain optionally. Powering the car will be a Toyota-sourced 1.33 VVT-i petrol engine, developing 97bhp (98PS/72kW) and 123Nm (92lb-ft) of torque.

The Cygnet can reach 62mph (99km/h) from 0mph in 11.8 seconds and return 56.5mpg (4.9l/100km) when linked to the manual, although the CVT is 0.2 seconds quicker at 11.6 seconds, but not so fuel efficient at 54.3mpg (5.2l/100km). Carbon emissions are roughly at 116g/km for the manual and 120g/km for the CVT.

Huge importance is being placed on the interior, hence why Aston Martin will imprint ‘Handcrafted in England’ on the door sill plates. The roof lining is finished in Alcantara to give a sense of quality.

The special editions will arrive with a specially made Bill Amberg five-piece luggage set, including a glove box bag, removable door pocket bag, holdall, garment bag and collapsible tote bag. Other standard features will consist of a satellite navigation system, x9 airbags, ESP, electrically adjustable/heated/folding door mirrors, keyless entry & start, heated front seats, and HomeLink w/auto dimming rear-view mirror.

With order books already wide open, the special editions will cost from £30,995 (€36,500). Production of the Cygnet White and Black will start in April.