New Car: 2008 Renault Modus/Grand Modus

GRAND MODUS - THE MONOSPACE FAMILY GROWS IN SIZE:

Renault takes the wraps of two new, complementary B-segment models: Grand Modus and New Modus. Grand Modus features status-enhancing appeal and harmonious, distinctive looks that elegantly exploit its longer wheelbase (+93mm) and larger quarter-lights, while its overall length of 4,034mm ensures that it packs all the benefits of an MPV. Its boot is amongst the biggest of its category (410dm3 VDA) and its permanent three-seat, sliding, forward-tipping, 60-40 split, rear benchseat, plus its bright, functional cabin and plethora of smart stowage spaces permit Grand Modus to pave the way for a host of family uses. New Modus (3,874mm) combines perfectly-mastered compact dimensions and city car agility with an elegant new design and benchmark comfort. Grand Modus and New Modus will be produced at Valladolid, Spain and will go on sale from early 2008.

Grand Modus; a genuine Renault MPV:

Renault has put all its expertise as a pioneer of the monospace into Grand Modus. With an overall length of 4,034mm, a wheelbase of 2,575mm and its slightly raked rear screen, the new model features expressive, appealing looks redolent of Renault's approach to the MPV. Its expressive headlamps, front bumpers with broader beading and reinforced rear-end protection that blends harmoniously with the bodywork position Grand Modus firmly in the world of MPVs. The chrome beading that runs between the rear lights underpins the width of the hatch, while the larger quarter-lights contribute to the vehicle's large glazed surface area and accentuate the sensation of space when sitting inside the car. Meanwhile, Grand Modus user-friendly drive station combines the advantages of a saloon with those of an MPV and features centrally-positioned instruments that are easy to read for all passengers.

The emphasis on comfort and practicality:

Grand Modus features one of the most generous boot volumes of its category (410dm3 VDA) and represents a gain in this area of practically 50% over Modus (+136dm3). Its modular interior layout is simple to transform thanks to its easy-to-use, sliding, 60-40 split rear benchseat which can be tipped entirely forward, enabling Grand Modus to pave the way for a host of new uses, such as family holidays or a weekend break with friends. Special care has also gone into passenger comfort thanks to its three permanent rear seats and generous cabin space. A large number of stowage spaces are within easy reach of occupants, including under-floor lockers, drawers, aviation-style stowage and an object retention system built into the front passenger seat cushion. Last but by no means least, the availability of top-performing, fuel-efficient powerplants ensures that Grand Modus has all the credentials to become a household's principal car.

New Modus: compact and complementary:

New Modus' perfectly-mastered compact dimensions (length: 3,873mm) and city car agility position New Modus as an ingenious and complementary alternative to the traditional city car. This “minispace” is aimed at customers looking for a vehicle with a high driving position and an effective compromise between exterior dimensions and cabin space. New Modus features elegant new lines and continues to stand out as a benchmark in terms of comfort and practicality, two areas that have made the model so popular with existing Modus owners. Based on the Renault- and Nissan-shared B platform, Grand Modus and New Modus will be produced at Valladolid, Spain and will go on sale from early 2008.

I see the new i10

Hyundai is preparing the replacement for the Atos which has been on the market since 1997 namely the i10. The prototype shown in these photos is still under disguise however although we can see glimpses of the all new styling. The i10 will offer a choice of three engines, a 1.1 litre engine producing 65 HP, a 1.1 litre diesel producing 75 HP and later on a 1.2 litre engine delivering 80 HP is going to join in. The i10 will be facing a huge battle in what has become a very competitve market with the introduction of the new KIA Picanto.

Mercedes & Smart achieve highest sales in September (UK)

The new C-Class has helped Mercedes achieve its highest ever September sales figure in the UK. Of the 16,265 new Mercs registered last month, 3,855 were the C-Class saloon. The new Smart Fortwo also sold well: more than 1,000 orders were placed in its first week on sale, which Mercedes says is the best performance it's ever had from a Smart. The S-Class also had a good month, particularly the S320 CDI. The diesel accounted for all but 102 of the 766 S-Classes sold in September and with a wider choice of engines for the C-Class currently being rolled out, Mercedes expects its sales boom to continue.

Dermot Kelly, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said 'To have both our newest models beating all previous records shows how well customers have received the new C-Class saloon and the new Fortwo". Both ranges have performed exceptionally well, despite not yet being available in all variants. 'The results for S-Class are particularly interesting. They show that our customers are buying intelligently - and that they recognise that cars with modern, state-of-the art efficient diesel engines, like our S320 CDI, are more popular than ever before. The diesel S-Class offers excellent fuel consumption with unmatched real-world comfort and performance - it's clearly a very attractive proposition for private and business customers alike.

Ford Fusion gets electric power

This is no ordinary Ford Fusion. It’s actually a prototype for the 2009 Fusion hybrid and will likely be powered by a 2.5-liter I4 HEV with a horsepower rating around 200hp, as well as an anticipated 15-20% boost in fuel economy – similar to that of the Escape’s setup. Before it comes out for the 2009 model year, new front and rear styling is expected including the headlamps, a bold three-bar grille and tail lights. Upgrades to the interior are also expected but its not present on this prototype.

Mazda UK wants Mazda2 MPS

Mazda UK is lobbying its Japanese parent company for a hot version of the new 2 supermini.

Officially there are no plans for a 2 MPS, though Mazda admits such a car could be made that will most likely be based on the three-door when that arrives in March 2008.

Knowing that the UK has a big appetite for small, fast cars, Mazda UK marketing director Mark Cameron is trying to persuade the Japanese firm to build one.

If the car does get built, it would be at least two years before we’d get it, but that doesn’t make it any less enticing. The 2’s light weight means it wouldn’t need a huge amount of power to make it quick. A turbocharged 170bhp version of the 2’s 1.5-litre four-pot would do the trick. “Because the 2 is lighter than most superminis, that kind of output would be enough to make it one of the best performing hot hatches on the road,” said Cameron.

For the moment, however, we’ll just have to imagine the possibilities. Or make do with the standard 1.3 or 1.5-litre petrols, which are joined by a 1.4 diesel in December.

Citroen C5 & Berlingo uncovered

Information on the new Berlingo (right) is sketchier. But today's car-van hybrid has been around since 2000, so a newcomer is well overdue. It will repeat the high-roof formula that's made today's Berlingo such a hit with lovers of functionality over posing.

This spy shot reveals Citroen's latest iteration of its front-end for all to see, with a subtler twin-chevron grille bleeding into more shapely headlights on both models.

Mercedes SL Facelift undisguised

Mercedes caused quite a stir when curious onlookers stopped by to check out the 2009 Mercedes SL facelift whilst it was on a commercial shoot in Southern Italy.

Despite the car cover covering the face we can just about see the SL’s CLS- inspired headlights, which sweep up around the front fenders and the new chiseled front bumper and bold grille design. Tweaked tail-lights, a revised rear bumper, and new exhaust ports round out the changes at the rear.

The production car was with another Mercedes SL and SLK facelift.

A whole new car is expected around 2013.

Oil-burning Cadillac CTS captured

No, this isn't a half clapped-out Cadillac CTS. Infact, it's a new diesel version of the CTS undergoing testing on European soil. The oil-burning CTS is being tested on the European continent due to its abundance of engineers with experience of diesel technology and has been thought up to tackle the increasing diesel-powered segment in the States, as well as to offer a viable alternative to petrol CTS models in world markets.

Despite Cadillac trying to get back into the UK market with the BLS which failed, Cadillac could have a good chance with the new diesel powered CTS. The current CTS came in its hundreds into the UK through private importers.

Our source suggests that the 1.9-litre turbodiesel unit used in the BLS is likely not to make the Stateside CTS line-up, with the introduction of Opel's 184 hp 3.0-litre V6 being the preferred powertrain. However, capable of 56 mpg on the combined cycle, the 1.9-litre unit may make a late range entry should the V6 take initial preference. Opel's 3.0 V6 as featured in the Vectra range provides a 41 mpg combined figure.

While the transplanting of the GM stablemate's 3.0 V6 into the CTS is likely, the in-house engineered unit of choice for the firm may very well be a 2.9-litre V6 turbodiesel, premiered at this year's Geneva Motor Show. It was however maintained in an announcement at the show that the 250 hp unit was likely to be sold only in European-spec Cadillacs, taking on Europe's finest with the all-new engine.

Speculation is sure to be rife ahead of the oil-burning CTS' debut, so stay with us for further details.

Please note that the test car pictured above does not have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) which will be standard when the car goes on sale next year

Cold start for Seat

We obtained the first spy photos of the next Ibiza which was caught in the cold undergoing early winter-testing and braking tests. The Ibiza is due to be launched next summer. Following the unveiling of SEAT's Tribu Concept Frankfurt Show star the new Ibiza will be the first production model to adopt the concept's evolutionary styling and begin the shift towards a new design direction for the brand.

Visible through the relatively thinly-applied disguising is the evolutionary new front end of the Tribu in Ibiza form, its trapezoidial layout of grille, headlights and bumper being evident behind the tape. The front lamps are very much the new SEAT's 'eyes', styled straight from the Tribu, while in true marketing speak, the start of its sideline remains its 'eyebrows' all the way to production. The dynamism extends to the rear, but first via a window line side panel crease which rises steeply at the rear door.

The Tribu concept car's rear lamps and hatch arrangement are ditched in favour of conventional, but stylish belt-line lights and hatch door. The new Ibiza gets the characteristic side-flank like its range siblings the Altea, Leon and Toledo although it appears a less prominent re-interpretation of the design feature.

Seen here in five-door guise the next Ibiza like its predecessor will also come in a three-door guise, sedan which will be called "Codobra" and a possibly a cabrio in late 2009. FR and Cupra versions will be available, powered by petrol units offering 150bhp and 180bhp respectively, with diesel units being on offer with 130bhp for the FR and 160bhp for the Cupra. Standard model engines are likely to include options ranging from 70 to 110bhp, with diesel units of 70, 80 or 100bhp being available.

New Automotive & Motorsports Directory

The webmaster at Syd's Eastside Auto Parts has been working pretty hard to establish a new automotive & motorsports related dedicated directory for the past few weeks. Its finally ready! The Automotive SEARCH Directory not only functions as a means of submitting your automotive and/or motorsports related websites, blogs and directories as a static directory listing advertising your business, but also functions as a means for the public to submit any auto/motorsport related URL as a resource candidate for the Automotive SEARCH Network volunteer editors to consider as an authorized link resource for our URL pool of automotive/motorsports from which our search engine draws its results.

Although the directory only represents a smaller part of the Automotive SEARCH Network, it is a significant one because it will allow any user to suggest an automotive or motorsport related web resource. Previously, the only way to submit such a web resource to use in the search results was to become an authorized editor for the Automotive SEARCH Network. Now, automotive enthusiasts and businesses from all over can submit their website and if accepted, can enjoy the targeted traffic that the Automotive SEARCH Network was designed to provide.

Although we are still accepting requests for becoming a volunteer editor, the Automotive SEARCH Network Directory allows us to expand our resource pool of automotive & motorsports URLs without requiring site owners and webmasters to take on any significant obligations as a volunteer editor.

In fact, the Automotive SEARCH Directory now provides a high profile directory platform from which to provide targeted advertising to the automotive industry, auto entusiasts, car clubs and motorsports professionals. Listings are very reasonably priced although a free reciprocal link exchange is also available.

However, the directory does allow visitors to submit listings into multiple categories, as long as the submitted resource is relevant to that category. The directory software and its administration also takes significant steps to avoid spam submissions.

We expect great things for and from the Automotive SEARCH Network in the future. Keep your eyes open on this domain by bookmarking the website once you get there! Be sure to submit your automotive/motorsport/motorcycle/truck web resource(s) while you are there, too.

The Automotive SEARCH Directory is brought to you as a joint sponsorship cooperative between Syd's Eastside Auto Parts and Diesel Rebuild Parts.com.