Cadillac to axe turbocharged SRX (U.S)

Cadillac is looking to ditch its SRX 2.8T due to flaccid sales.

While the 2.8T makes a very good case for its self, producing 300bhp and 302Nm (295lb-ft) of torque, it didn’t attract many customers. A mere 10% of consumers plucked for the 2.8T, while the remainder chose the 3.0 litre 265bhp petrol engine.

One possibility may be the 2.8T’s starting price of $49,915. Cadillac is looking to pull the engine as the 2012 model year comes into season.

Kia Picanto/Morning spied undisgused on a commercial shoot

2011 Kia Morning shown here

Our spies have caught up with the forthcoming Kia Picanto (Morning in South Korea) completely free of camouflage whilst on a commercial in south-western United States. The car will be longer and wider than the outgoing model, while retaining the same height.

Like previous spy photos and sketches reveal, the new Picanto will look like a miniature Venga; muscular shoulders with rising window line, lower roofline, larger wheel arches, large headlights with oversized foglamps housings and a protruding bumper will all contribute to a sporty, lean look. Kia's trademark "tiger nose" will mimic that of the Soul.

At the rear, LED-esque tail-lights that imitate the number seven jut while the Kia badge, which doubles up as a door handle to give access to the boot, dominates the bootlid. Reversing lights and reflectors are now positioned on the edges of the rear bumper.

On the inside, the Picanto is likely to bare resemblance to the Venga and Soul and will sport substantially better interior materials and more space as engineers use every centimetre of space available.

While the 5dr (pictured here) is the only body-style currently available, KIA is reported into looking at a 3dr variant to help lower the base price. Expect the Picanto to be even more practical than the outgoing model.

Hyundai-KIA’s all-new 1.0 litre petrol engine will live under the bonnet, alongside a 3-cylinder 1.1 CRDi and a naturally-aspirated 1.2 litre petrol. The 1.0 litre petrol will emit 99g/km and return upto 65mpg. A turbo-charged 1.2 litre petrol engine, developing anything upto 150bhp may be in the pipeline and is likely to replace the regular 1.2 litre.

Like the current line-up, value for money is key here. So we expect electric front windows, air-conditioning, x4 airbags, MP3 compatible radio/CD player, and electrically adjustable door mirrors to be standard. South Korean models are likely to feature luxuries like electric sunroof, auto-dimming rear-view mirror w/reversing camera, heated front seats, chrome exterior door handles, climate control, electric folding door mirrors, and rear electric windows. The all-new Picanto will premier at the Geneva motor show in March, before going on sale in Spring.

We anticipate a modest price increase compared to the outgoing model; an entry-level price of £7k is suggested, before topping out around £9,000. Automatics will add anything upto £800 on top of manual models. European prices may start at €8,000.

Kia to start production of unnamed model in 2012 (SK)

Kia apparently wants to start production of a new car at its Slovakian plant in 2012.

“We launched two new models this year and we want to launch a new model in 2012”, In-Kyu Bae, head of Kia Motors Slovakia said, following a meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister, Iveta Radicova.

In northern Slovakia, by Zilina, Kia’s assembly plant has a yearly production space of 300,000 units, in which it produces three models there; the Sportage, Cee’d and the Hyundai ix35. Kia will be expanding capacity this year as the SUV’s receive the highest demand.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Jeep Compass facelift

Jeep has released prices of its restyled Compass compact SUV, which receives more standard equipment and a substantially higher price.

The entry-level Compass Base starts from $19,295, nearly $3,930 more than the 2010 Compass, excluding a $700 destination fee. Standard features include electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, remote central locking, x4 electric windows, air-conditioning, roof rails, front fog lamps, cruise control, 60/40 split folding rear seats, 17” aluminium wheels, LED boot torch, and tinted glass.

New mid-spec Latitude features heated front seats, 115v auxiliary socket, leather steering wheel, and a fold-flat front passenger seat. This comes with a price-tag of $21,595, saving $255 over the 2010 Compass.

Flagship Limited trim-level has 18” aluminium wheels, 6CD autochanger, climate control, leather interior w/driver’s electrically adjustable seat, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The Limited will cost you $910 over the 2010 model, at $24,295.

All Compass’ are fitted with an upgraded 2.4 litre World Engine that develops 172bhp. A 2.0 litre 158bhp petrol engine is available on the base and Latitude. Excluding the entry-level model, the Compass is fitted with a CVT. A 5 speed manual is fitted elsewhere.

A host of optional extra are available, some cheaper than the 2010 Compass. These include a CVT transmission for the Base at $1,100. A satellite navigation system is offered at $685 and four-wheel drive will set you back $1,700.

• Continuously variable automatic transmission (base only): $1,100

• Four-wheel drive: $1,700

• Security Group Package: Curtain airbags, USB port, remote start, Bluetooth, alarm, auto-dimming rearview mirror: $1,195

• Sun and Sound Package: nine-speaker stereo, powered sunroof: $1,295

• Media Center Package: 30GB hard drive, touch-screen display: $640 (base, Latitude), $290 (Limited)

• Navigation System: $685

• Trail Rated Package: 140 amp alternator, four-wheel drive off-road mode, brake lock differential, engine oil cooler, fuel tank skid plate shield, full-size spare tyre, hill descent control, hill start assist, tow hooks, trailer tow wiring harness: $500 (four-wheel drive needed)

Kia Pro_cee'd facelift leaked

Official photos of the restyled Kia Pro_cee’d have leaked onto the web, prior to its worldwide premier at the forthcoming Geneva motor show.

While full details are scares, obvious revisions will include remodelled headlamps, front bumper, and grille. Engines will be altered too, to give lower emissions, better performance and fuel economy.

The 1.6 CRDi will now produce 128bhp (130PS), up from 89bhp (90PS), and torque has been increased from 235Nm (173lb-ft) to 255Nm (188lb-ft). Expect CO2 emissions of under 119g/km and combined fuel economy of 60mpg.

Nissan X-Trail 2WD pricing announced (AU)

Nissan has released prices of the 2011 X-Trail 2WD in effort to sway customers to the compact SUV market and away from mid-sized sedans and SUV’s.

The base ST 2WD with a manual transmission has a price tag of $27,990, making it the cheapest X-Trail to hit the Australian market. This comes equipped with 17” alloy wheels, x6 airbags, Bluetooth, ESP, cruise control, MP3 input w/steering wheel audio controls & 6CD auto-changer and heated and cooled cup holders. A CVT can be mated to the 2WD and a higher-specification model, named ST-L. The ST-L adds leather interior w/electric driver’s seat, heated front seats, front fog lamps, climate control, and privacy glass.

All 2WD X-Trails are powered by a 2.0 litre petrol engine. The 4WD variants will continue to home the same engines but the ST 4WD will be liable for a $500 price increase. This now features leather steering wheel & handbrake, chrome exterior door handles, and 17” alloy wheels.

Nissan Australia CEO, Dan Thompson, said he anticipated the revised X-Trail to make a “significant impact” on the compact SUV segment, with the entry-level X-Trail 2WD to be popular among families and couples.

“We are sending a strong message to the market that we are serious about improving our market share and sales position still further in 2011,” Thompson said.

The X-Trail is outsold by the Subaru Forester.

ST:

Manual 2WD – $28,490

CVT 2WD – $30,990

Manual 4WD – $32,490

CVT 4WD – $34,990

X-Trail ST-L:

CVT 2WD – $34,990

CVT 4WD – $38,490

X-Trail TS:

Manual 4WD – $35,990

Automatic 4WD – $38,240

X-Trail Ti:

CVT 4WD – $44,490

X-Trail TL:

Manual 4WD – $42,490

Automatic 4WD – $45,240

Volvo to employ 200 more workers to meet demand

Volvo is increasing its recruiting an additional 200 employees in Sweden, to meet likely demand in the New Year.

The assembly plant that’s receiving the boost in employment will be Volvo’s Gothenburg factory, which employs around 3,200 people. The additional 200 workers will increase the current production rate from 48 units to 52 units per hour.

A Volvo spokesperson said over the telephone: “We want to be prepared as we expect higher demand next year.”

BAIC bidding for Pininfarina

BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp.) is allegedly making a bid to acquire Italian design company Pininfarina, which has been on the market for a few months now.

BAIC formerly brought the tooling, powertrain technology and intellectual property associated with the outgoing Saab 9-3. The Chinese car manufacture is developing new models centred on the 9-3 that it plans to sell under the Beijing Auto brand name, and Pininfarina is apparently caught up in the design of that car.

According to Chinese auto-media, a nameless BAIC executive reportedly returned from Italy, where he spoke with Pininfarina about the firm’s joint venture on a bespoke adaptation of the Saab 9-3 that would premier at the 2011 Beijing motor show.

Other potential bidders include Anhui Jiangling, Mahindra and Baja, Brilliance Auto and Magna International.

Four-wheel-drive Fiat 500 spied in Italy

Here’s prove that Fiat is developing a 4x4 variant of the 500. Spied by an eagle-eyed reader in Catania, Sicily, Italy, this mule was attracting attention left, right and centre.

The 500 4x4 will target those who want a compact, fashionable 4x4 without the associated running costs and price-tag. The newcomer will likely to be sold with 5-doors and will underpin the current Panda 4x4, giving the 500 4x4 genuine off-road ability.

Shaft and rear differential

All engines, transmissions and 4x4 hardware will be taken off the current Panda 4x4, although, Fiat will be launching the all-new Panda in 2012, itself with new engines, transmissions and a new platform. That said, we can expect the 500 4x4 to sport the all-new 0.9 litre TwinAir (both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged), 1.2 69bhp, and the 1.3 litre 90bhp turbo-diesel MultiJet. Both 5 speed, 6 speed manual and 6 speed automated Dualogic transmissions will be offered. Prices may start around £13,000 for the entry-level model, rising to £16,000 for the range-topping models with the turbocharged TwinAir engines.

According to plans submitted to unions and the Government, Fiat is looking to launch the 500 4x4 sometime in 2012, alongside the restyled 500 and all-new Panda city-car.

Via Alvolante

Ford recalls 2011 F-Series, Edge and Lincoln MKX (U.S)

Ford is recalling 14,737 F-Series, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles due to a faulty body control module. The glitch might cause to an electrical short, resulting to overheating and a fire, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The module, assembled by Lear Corporation in Mexico, is faulty on some vehicles manufactured in late October to mid-November.

Ford reportedly informed the NHTSA that two 2011 F-150s caught fire outside its Dearborn, Michigan, manufacturing plant.

Neither Ford nor the NHTSA reported of any injuries or deaths. Ford will recall the vehicles on 1st January to fix the body control module for free.