Hyundai ix35: First Official Teaser Shots of Tucson's Replacement

The above photo along with three more shots that were published on the automaker's Korean website are Hyundai's teasers for the Tucson replacement that will be officially unveiled at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. As speculated, the Tucson's successor will be called ix35 in Europe while the Korean-market model will bear the 'Tucson ix' moniker. No word yet on Hyundai's naming plans for the North American model.

While the cryptic teasers don't reveal anything about the new compact SUV's design, a set of spy photos depicting the ix35 totally undisguised (click here) confirm the company's claims that the production model carries over much of the sweeping styling of the 2009 Geneva Salon ix-onic concept study.

The Korean automaker said that the ix35, which will rival the Toyota RAV-4 and VW Tiguan, represents a major step forward for Hyundai in Europe as it is the firm's first SUV to be conceived and engineered in Europe at the company's Frankfurt-based design and technical centres.

The ix35 will be joined in Frankfurt by the facelifted Santa-Fe that benefits from a series of engineering and cosmetic enhancements. Detailed information on both models are to be announced by Hyundai closer to the Frankfurt Show opening.

Via: Hyundai , KDM Shots: Hyundai-blog

Honda Introduces New Sportier Si Trim for Civic 5-Door

Beginning from September, British buyers interested in the 5-door version of the Honda Civic will have one more grade to choose from as the Japanese automaker announced the launch of a new Si trim level. Available across the entire 5-door Civic range, in all engine variants and transmissions, the Si grade package includes colour-coded bumpers, front fog lights, a Type R-style mesh front grille and dark chrome door handles and fuel cap.

Furthermore, the 1.4-litre Si model gets Graphite colored 16-inch alloy wheels while the higher-powered 1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel Si Civics will ride on 17-inch Graphite colored alloy rims.

Interior treats include half leather upholstery along with a USB port for iPod connectivity.

According to Honda, the Si variants of the Civic priced at £850 over the equivalent SE grade models.

Pricing

Civic Si 1.4 i-VTEC Manual - £15,800 OTR

Civic Si 1.4 i-VTEC i-SHIFT - £16,600 OTR

Civic Si 1.8 i-VTEC Manual - £16,835 OTR

Civic Si 1.8 i-VTEC Automatic - £18,160 OTR

Civic Si 2.2 i-CTDi Manual - £18,305 OTR

Bugatti Veyron Sang Bleu: One-Off Special Commemorates Brand's 100th Anniversary

Lately, it seems like wherever there's a show, there's a special edition version of the Veyron. Launched at this past weekend's annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegeance in California, the Sang Blue is an exclusive, one-off Grand Sport that once again honors the marque's 100th anniversary. What's special about the open-top Veyron Sang Blue is that even though the vehicle might look like it features a simple two-tone paint job, the blue colored parts are actually made out of carbon fibre while the shiny silver is polished aluminum.

In addition, the rear airscoops of the Gran Sport are tinted in a nightblue hue while the alloy-wheels are highlighted in a Midnight Blue and Diamond Cut two tone finish. Finally, the Sang Blue's interior is trimmed in a newly developed Gaucho leather.

Other than that, the one-off special retains the same mechanicals as the standard Grand Sport meaning that it's powered by an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine producing a mind-blowing 1,001 horsepower good enough to offer the supercar a top speed of 253 mph or 406 km/h.