Update: 2009 Toyota Avensis High-Res Photo

As we told you last Friday, Toyota will perform the global debut of its new D-Segment sedan, the 2009 Avensis on 2 October at the Paris International Motor show. The new Avensis is the third generation of the model to be built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, UK. The Japanese automaker has yet to reveal any specific information on its new European sedan, but Toyota did say that the 2009 Avensis will features a new range of engines that are both more powerful and emit less CO2. The new Avensis is due to go sale in Europe in January 2009, with full details and pricing to be announced later in the year. -Continued

Toyota iQ to be Fully Revealed at Paris Auto Show

Following the iQ concept car at the Frankfurt show in 2007 and the production design version at this year’s Geneva Salon in March, Toyota will fully reveal its new micro car at the Paris Motor Show on October 2. Since we already know what the iQ will look like, what we’re waiting to find out is all the technical details on Toyota’s new micro car that will go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year - early 2009 (depending on the market). At 2,985mm long and 1,500mm high, the iQ is only slightly larger than Mercedes’ Smart Fortwo, but thanks to its comparatively long, 2,000mm wheelbase and smart interior packaging, Toyota says that it can fit three adults plus a child or luggage in comfort. -Continued

According to the Japanese automaker, the iQ has been designed to meet five-star Euro NCAP crash test safety standards. In an earlier announcement, Toyota said that the iQ will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel. Full production of the iQ will start during late 2008, with 100,000 units expected worldwide in the microcar’s first full year in the market.

New SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive with Low Emissions and Reduced Consumption

After the unveiling of the top-of-the-range Cupra model –see here, SEAT introduced its most frugal and eco-friendly version of the new Ibiza. Available in both 5-door and SportCoupe (3-door) forms, the Ibiza Ecomotive is equipped with VW Group’s 80 HP 1.4 TDI turbo diesel engine with a DPF particulate filter. According to the Spanish carmaker, the Ibiza Ecomotive features a reduced CO2 emissions figure of only 99 g/km while consumption is also low; however, SEAT hasn’t released any official figures yet. -Continued

Along with the updated engine software, the Ibiza Ecomotive also features revisions to the gearbox and the gear ratios, low resistant 175/70 R14 tires and improved aerodynamics through the new closed front grille and new rear spoiler that reduce resistance to movement and therefore decrease mechanical effort as well as fuel consumption and emissions.

Opening picture edited by Auto Cars 2011

BMW to Present X1 SUV Concept at Paris, Z4 Roadster at Detroit Show

Updating our previous report on BMW’s forthcoming presentations –see what we said in June by clicking here, we’ve received official confirmation that the Bavarian automaker will indeed present an X1 SUV Concept at the Paris Auto Show in October. The prototype model will give us an idea of how the production version of BMW’s 1-Series based SUV/Crossover will look like when it enters the market at the end of 2009 or early 2011. -Continued

Although we knew that BMW was getting ready to present the Z4 roadster’s successor, up until now, we weren’t sure where the unveiling would take place and if it would be a concept or the production model.

Now we can reveal to you that BMW will take the wraps off the actual production version at next January’s 2009 Detroit Auto Show. However, from what we learnt, we won’t have to wait until January as BMW will give us a sneak-peek of its new roadster just before the end of the year. Unlike the current Z4 that is built in the U.S., BMW’s new two-seater will be manufactured in the company’s German plant in Regensburg.

2009 Toyota Avensis – First Official Image!

The first official photo of the next-generation Toyota Avensis has been leaked into the internet well before the mid-size sedan’s scheduled debut at the 2008 Paris International Motor Show on October 2. The Avensis, which you could call Toyota’s European equivalent of the American Camry (the two models share nothing in common), has been fully redesigned featuring a crispier and more dynamic styling than the outgoing model. We don’t have all the details in our hands yet, but in previous talks we had with Toyota Europe’s people, the new Avensis will get a new line-up of engines with lower consumption and reduced CO2 figures.

SEAT Ibiza Cupra with 180 HP 1.4-liter TSI and 7-Speed DSG

Just a few months after it launched the new Ibiza, Spanish automaker SEAT is expanding its supermini’s range with the reveal of the sporty Cupra model that is equipped with the latest version of the VW Group’s 1.4-liter TSI engine. The new twin-turbo engine now delivers 180 HP and is mated to a seven speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift-paddles. SEAT say that while developing the same output as the 1.8-liter turbo in the previous generation Ibiza Cupra, the new engine delivers a noteworthy reduction in emission levels and fuel consumption thanks to its smaller cylinder capacity. -Continued

Compared to the other Ibiza SportCoupe (3door) versions, the new Cupra gets a relatively aggressive bodykit with new a front bumper that features a lip spoiler and air intake vents surrounding the central grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and a newly designed rear bumper with an integrated difusser and a centrally placed trapezoid tailpipe. Oddly enough, and although the Cupra is the top-of-the-range model in the Ibiza line-up, it does not get side skirts. Apparently SEAT will charge a few hundred Euros extra for them…

According to the VW’s Spanish subsidiary, the Cupra will come equipped with standard ESP, ABS, TCS + EBA, driver and passenger airbag, head airbag, Hill Hold Control, tire pressure loss warning light, twin chrome headlights, fog lamps with cornering function, “easy entry” system on the passenger seat, CUPRA suspension, CUPRA sports seats and aluminum pedals. The Ibiza Cupra will make its worldwide debut at the forthcoming Paris Auto Show in October.

Video: 2009 Audi A6 Facelift

Featuring subtle exterior and interior styling changes and most importantly, Audi’s all new, direct-injection supercharged 3.0-liter V6 TFSI engine that produces an output of 290 HP and a maximum torque figure 420 Nm (309.78 lb-ft), the revamped A6 is set to go on sale in Europe this October with the North American market following in January 2009. Click here to check out a high-resolution image gallery of the 2009 A6 or just follow the jump to watch the official video. -Continued

Report: Audi Working on a Production Version of the Quattro Coupe Study

If you thought we'd had enough of 'malignant rumors' with our last article reporting that Jaguar was seriously considering putting the C-X75 hypercar into limited production, you were wrong.

British magazine Autocar reports that a team of engineers at Audi's Ingolstadt headquarters are advancing plans to put the Quattro Concept from the 2010 Paris Motor Show into limited production. If approved, this would see the nouvea-Quattro being built in limited numbers at ItalDesign's plant near Milan.

Stefan Reil, Head of Development at Audi's Quattro GmbH alludes that the Paris Show car was always intended as more than a one-off, and that limited production plans are already at an advanced stage: "We know how to engineer it already." he said.

Though the newly acquired subsidiary has no facilities for vehicle assembly at present, ItalDesign does have some experience with low volume production, having assembled the BMW M1 supercar in the late 1970s. The Italian design house also has a history of producing one-off concept cars for Audi's parent firm Volkswagen.

The Quattro Concept features an aluminium / carbonfibre body and the four-wheel-drive underpinnings of the RS5 coupe. The powerplant is the same 2.5-liter turbocharged five-pot unit used in the TT RS, though Mr. Reil suggests it could be tuned beyond its existing 340 bhp (254 kw):

"A really good turbocharged petrol engine has around 140bhp [/ 104 kw per litre]. We're a little under that now. But with a larger turbocharger something around 350bhp [261 kw] is possible."

Mr. Reil, however, remains cautious: "We need feedback to see if it is possible. Audi has no heritage in building 200-500 cars that are really exotic. But it won't be over €100,000 [£86,000 / US$139,000]."

Furthering the possibility of a limited production run, Audi's Paris Motor Show booth hosted a scale model of a Quattro Concept dressed in rally livery and featuring an ur-Quattro-emulating front spoiler, flared arches and rear wing hints at a return to Audi's glory days at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

We will have further updates as they come through.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Autocar

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Malignant Rumors: Jaguar Considering 2,000 Units a Year of Turbine-Powered C-X75 Halo Car

As Porsche begins development on the hybrid 918 Spyder, Jaguar is reportedly taking the idea of a limited-run production version of its Paris Motor Show C-X75 concept into consideration. Autoweek reports that the British luxury marque is discussing the possibility of building up to 2,000 units annually of its XJ220 successor. If you're thinking about getting the checkbook out anytime soon, though, hold it right there.

First, due to production methods and costs, a firm number has to be decided on in regards to the C-X75's volume. Then, over the next five to seven years, Jaguar will try to prove its futuristic micro gas turbines - which are actually cheaper to develop than an internal combustion engine - are feasible for a consumer vehicle.

Tony Harper, head of advanced powertrain development for Jaguar, says, "We're talking two to three years for implementation of the gas-turbine technology, then another three to four years to integrate into a vehicle."

Should this timeline be believed and the bookkeepers give Jag a green light, we could begin seeing mules of the futuristic turbine-powered supercar as early as 2012 or 2013. Don't worry; by 2017 the Matt Beaven-penned C-X75 should still be looking fresh.

By Phil Alex

Source: Autoweek

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