Opel / Vauxhall Announce New Small Car below the Corsa, Confirm Sporty Coupe and Small SUV

Speaking at a press conference in Eisenach on Thursday, Opel/Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly revealed plans to build an all-new small car below the Corsa, with production set to start in 2013 at the firm's Eisenach plant in the east German state of Thuringia. "This new product will be an important element in our growth strategy" said Reilly.

The car is expected to go up against Ford's Fiat 500-based Ka and the forthcoming Volkswagen Up mini. According to an official statement from Opel, the as of yet unnamed city car will be geared towards customers who need "a small-sized fuel-efficient car in urban areas, but who do not want to compromise on technology, design or convenience".

The company added that the mini may also form the base for an all-electric, battery-powered version at a later stage.

GM's European unit said it will invest €90 million (approximately US$120 million) to manufacturer the small car on an existing production line alongside the Corsa at its Eisenach factory. According to the automaker, the decision to build the small car in Eisenach also benefits the Opel/Vauxhall's manufacturing plant in Zaragoza, Spain as it will receive additional Corsa production volume.

In addition to the announcement on Opel's future small car, Reilly also confirmed the automaker's plans to introduce a sporty coupe and small SUV to the firm's vehicle lineup.

"Along with other new vehicles, such as the upcoming electric Ampera [see here], a sporty coupe and a small SUV, we will significantly expand our product lineup in the future and offer customer choices in several more segments," said Reilly without getting into specifics.

2009 Ford KA: 42 High-Res Photos

Ford is the latest brand to release a mega image gallery of one of its products that premiered at the Paris Motor Show. At launch, the second-generation KA will be offered in Europe with a choice of two engines, a 1.3-liter turbo diesel and a 1.2-liter gasoline unit. Once you’ve finished looking at the new photos you may also want to click here to watch the first official video of Ford's Fiat 500 based city car. -Continued

First Video of Ford’s New KA

The all-new second generation KA made its world debut in Paris giving us a chance to see Ford’s Fiat 500 based city car in person. Simultaneously, Ford’s European arm released the first video of the funky looking 2009 KA that will be available at launch with a choice of two engines, a 1.2-liter gasoline and a 1.3-liter turbo diesel unit. Follow the jump to see the video that includes scenes from the Paris motorshow presentation as well as driving footage. -Continued

Ford Reveals Ka Digital, Tattoo and Grand Prix in Paris

Attempting to reach out to customers that like to really stand out from the crowd, Ford performed the debut of three special factory-fitted packs called Digital, Tatoo and Grand Prix for its all-new Ka minicar at the Paris motorshow. The most vibrant package of them all is without doubt the ‘Digital’ that uses a high-contrast green as the base color for the interior and exterior of the car. -Continued

If you’re looking to add o sportier touch there’s the Grand Prix theme with a chequered flag motif based on either a red or white exterior colour scheme while the less funky Tatoo package adds tribal-style tattoo designs (with a heart in the center...) on various parts of the outer body as wells as in the interior. Ford said that all three option packs are available only on the standard Zetec trim and that prices will be announced closer to the Ka’s official launch date. Read more about the new 2009 Ka by clicking here.

Ka Digital – A ‘street fashion’ style, using a high-contrast green as the base colour. The exterior pack features patterned body stripes and solid green grille surround and door mirror cappings. The interior pack includes seats with patterned inserts and green headrests, green door panels, and a solid green finish to the centre console bezel, door pulls, instrument cluster shroud, steering wheel and the rings around the air vents. Finishing touches include a gear knob and handbrake handle combining green leather with an aluminum finish, and velour floor mats with green stitching.

Ka Grand Prix – A motorsports theme with a chequered flag motif based on either a red or white exterior colour scheme. The exterior pack comprises patterned body stripes with solid colour grille surround and door mirror cappings, and can be combined with a rear spoiler and white alloy wheels. The interior pack features red seats with an embossed white pattern and white headrests, red door panels and red leather trim on the steering wheel. A gear knob and handbrake combining red leather with an aluminium finish, and velour floor mats with red stitching complete the package.

Ka Tattoo – A tattoo design with a heart at its centre, created in bold metallic colours. The exterior pack includes a large decal of the tattoo logo on the roof and a smaller decal on the fender. The interior pack features seats with silver-grey fabric inserts and the tattoo logo embossed on the backrest, silver-grey headrests and door panels, and anthracite leather trim on the steering wheel. Velour floor mats with silver stitching and embroidered tattoo emblem round things off, along with a gear knob and handbrake combining anthracite leather with an aluminium finish. There is also a unique leather seat option which has a special metallic finish on the insert panels and an embossed tattoo emblem.