Photo Gallery: 2011 Volvo V60

The Volvo V60 makes its entry onto the car market with its sights firmly set on giving the all-new S60 sedan model a tough match over the title of "The Most Dynamic Volvo Model Ever".

"Many of the customers who had an advance look at the new V60 during the development process feel that its attitude is at least as sporty as that of the all-new S60," says Volvo Cars Design Director Peter Horbury.

No less than 90% of the annual Volvo V60 production of 50,000 cars will find European buyers with the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, UK and Sweden being the largest markets.

The V60 is available with four inline-4 petrol engines, including two 1.6 litre GTDi units that produce up to 240Nm of torque and either 150nhp or 180bhp, and two 2.0 litre GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) models that produce either 203bhp and 300Nm or 240bhp and 320Nm.

Range-leading 3.0 litre inline-6 kicks out 304bhp and 440Nm of torque. This powerful engine has an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.

Diesel offerings include an 115bhp, 270Nm 1.6 litre inline-4, and two inline-5 engines. The first is a 2.0 litre model that kicks out 163bhp and up to 400Nm, while the D5l model churns out 205bhp and up to 420Nm.

"The typical sports wagon customer is an S60 buyer who would like some extra space and flexibility, but without the slightest compromise on sporty design and exciting driving properties," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell, and adds:

"The competition is razor-sharp and the customers in this segment know exactly what they want. That is why we have further boosted the interior's sense of exclusive quality and packed the car with safety- and comfort-related technical innovations. The result is a truly unique sports wagon, in total harmony with its sporty attitude."

Luggage capacity is rated at 430 litres behind the rear seats. The new Volvo V60 is built at the production plant in Torslanda, Sweden. The first cars will be delivered to customers in Autumn 2010.

New Car: 2011 Chrysler 200

Chrysler has taken the wraps off their new compact executive sedan; the 200. The 200 replaces the unloved Sebring and will be offered with two petrol engines; a 173bhp (175PS) 2.4 litre 4-cylinder, linked to either a 4 speed or 6 speed automatic transmission, and a 283bhp (287PS) 3.6 litre V6 with the 6 speed automatic.

The 200 debuts Chrysler's new fascia, which is conquered by a large, multi-slat chrome grille. A reworked chassis over the Sebring means a softer ride and improved NVH (noise, vibration and harshness).

Internally, Chrysler has ditched the Sebring’s hard, plastic, poor-quality interior in favour for more upscale, soft touch materials and a new instrument and centre console design is featured.

Unlike the Sebring, the 200 won’t reach European shores because Chrysler say it believes that the larger 300C covers the market well enough.

The 200 will hit dealerships late this year.

Press Release:
 
Offering consumers exceptional craftsmanship inside and out, a refined and spirited driving experience, innovative technology, an abundance of standard safety features and an extraordinary level of standard content, the 2011 Chrysler 200 is an exciting alternative for customers that want style and substance, all at a surprising value.

Virtually every system in the sedan is new or upgraded for 2011, giving the Chrysler 200 its own identity and space in the highly competitive mid-size sedan segment. Exterior and sheet metal upgrades include: front and rear fascias and fenders, grille featuring the new Chrysler brand winged badge, hood, rear decklid and exterior mirrors, new projector headlamps and fog lamps, new LED taillamps and a LED center high-mounted stop light.

The Chrysler 200 gets a new powertrain lineup featuring the 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine mated to either a four-speed or six-speed automatic transaxle, or the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle; improved ride and handling tuning which includes stiffened body mounts and softer ride rate, improved suspension geometry with a raised roll center, a new rear sway bar, and new tires and an extensively upgraded treatment for the reduction of noise, vibration and harshness including acoustic laminated glass for the windshield and front door windows.

Quality materials abound in the beautifully updated new interior for 2011. Updates include a new instrument panel, bezels and gauge face, upgraded seats with a new design that incorporates more cushion material and revised spring geometry as well as new leather and cloth seating materials, new "soft touch" armrests and dash, and new heating and cooling outlets in the instrument panel with improved design and functionality.

The new 2011 Chrysler 200 provides drivers a beautifully inspired sedan that doesn't compromise safety or practicality and offers the best value in its class. The Chrysler 200 will be built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. and will arrive in dealerships in the fourth quarter 2010.

Fiat launches revised Fiat Panda & Fiorino for 2011 (EU)

Fiat has altered the engines in the 2011 Panda and Fiorino to meet forthcoming Euro5 emissions regulations.

The Panda now comes with revised engines and new exterior & interior colours. All engines have been improved, with the 1.3 litre Multijet 16v 75bhp now available with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) as standard. Mated to a 5 speed manual transmission, combined fuel economy now stands at 67.2mpg (4.2l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 109g/km.

The entry-level 1.2 litre 8v 69bhp petrol engine now emits less carbon dioxide, 113g/km, and improves fuel economy to 65.6mpg (4.9l/100km).

Two new interior finishes are offered; grey/blue and grey/white. Externally, Flying Blue and Green Eccentric have been added to the existing range.

The Fiorino has also received engine updates. The 1.3 Multijet engine now produces 95bhp, up from 75bhp, and 200Nm of torque, while emitting 113g/km and combining 57.6mpg (4.3l/100km). This is due to the standard stop/start and second-generation diesel particulate filter (DPF). Cruise control is also standard. This gives the 1.3 Multijet a range of 652 miles (1,050km).

On the petrol front, a dual-fuel 1.4 Natural Power petrol/methane engine with 70bhp emits 114g/km with a methane driving range of 195 miles (314km).

New interior finishes will be fitted for the 2011 Fiorino. Options will include Blue&Me, 15” alloy wheels, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, air conditioning, Off Road Package (shown above), power outlet in luggage compartment and metallic paint.

Prices start at £9,950 (€11,300).

BSM dumps its Fiat 500 fleet (UK)

The UK’s biggest driving school, BSM (U.S equivalent would be Drivers Ed), has terminated its four-year contract with Fiat after 80% of instructors wanting the Corsa supermini back.

The main reason the Corsa will make a come-back is because instructors complained the 500 was “too small” for them.

The agreement with Fiat lasted 18 months and BSM (British School if Motoring) is now arranging to replace its 3,250 500s with five-door Corsas, restoring an 18-year association with Vauxhall.

A spokesman for BSM said that “a break clause in the Fiat contract” and “an excellent deal from Vauxhall”, along with the instructor feedback, marked a swift end for L-plated 500s.

BSM CEO, Nikolai Kesting said that it had “received a clear message” from its instructors and learners that the “Corsa is their car of choice”.

The switch over will begin in March 2011 and is set to be complete by the end of the year.

BYD M6 launched in China (CN)

BYD has launched it M6 large MPV in China. The M6 will rival the popular Honda Odyssey and Buick GL8.

The rebadged Toyota Previa M6, which has been extensively criticised in the Chinese media for looking like a Toyota Previa/Estima, will undercut its rivals. The BYD M6 will start at CNY ¥146,071 (£13,791), rising to CNY ¥240,118 (£22,671).

2009 Japanese-market Toyota Estima

The seven seater M6 comes with Toyota’s 4-cylinder, 2.0 litre VVT-i and 2.4 litre VVT-i petrol engines. Standard equipment includes a satellite navigation system, climate control, keyless entry and DVD multi-media system.



Honda revises 2011 Civic range (UK)

Honda UK has reworked the Civic range for 2011 with a series of subtle cosmetic styling changes, with the most obvious change of the Type R’s front grille fitted to the rest of the range.

With the radiator grille aside, new alloy wheel designs come as standard, including 16” alloy wheels for entry-level 1.4 Type S models. Body-coloured side skirts are also standard. The 1.8 i-VTEC Si 5dr wears 17” alloy wheels.

New colour options are available, while SE and ES models get half Alcantara interior. Si models obtain half leather/half Alcantara interior with heated front seats.

Production of the revised Civic range will start at the Swindon plant next month. Prices for the 2011 Civic range are unchanged, starting from £13,995 for the 1.4 Type S.

Ford Transit production safe (UK)

Ford has claimed the production of the Transit commercial van in Southampton is “unaffected” by new investment in Ford’s manufacturing plant in Turkey, where the Transit is also built.

Ford announced that it is investing $630m (£400m) in its factory at Kocaeli, where the long-wheelbase Transit and Transit Connect are produced. It says the investment is designed “to support future manufacturing initiatives for the Ford Transit”.

The outlook of the Southampton factory has been the subject matter of strong speculation for the past couple of years, as Ford has wanted to lower the costs of its iconic commercial van.
 

2010 Ford Transit Sapphire

A Ford spokesman said, “Southampton’s future hasn’t changed. It’ll still be making chassis cabs in 2011, as planned.”

Approximately half of the Southampton factory’s 500-strong workers were made redundant last year, but Ford said this summer that the plant would “directly benefit” from its £1.5bn investment in more environmentally friendly technology.

Fiat Panda postponed until 2012

The overdue Fiat Panda city-car will not be launched until 2012, following CEO Sergio Marchionne's latest investment stop. The new Panda will now not be launched until 2012.

Initially, the third-generation Panda would have arrived this Summer, after been delayed twice. It was first put back to September 2011 after Marchionne kicked off a 15 month expenditure freeze.

The first freeze ran from October 2008 to December 2009 and saw the setback of the new Panda, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the next-generation Lancia Ypsilon.

In a telephone meeting with financial analysts, Marchionne said introducing any major new models last year in the middle of the global downturn would have been a “waste”.

“That's the reason why I think we intelligently postponed a number of our programmes to make sure that it coincided with what I consider to be a structural recovery in demand in 2011 and later years,” he said.

The new-generation Lancia Ypsilon supermini will launch in 2012, however, the refresh for the Fiat Idea/Lancia Musa and Multipla MPVs have been delayed further.

No more Lexus CT200h variants

Lexus isn’t planning additional CT200h variants, according to Lexus insiders.

The all-new compact hybrid model will not be sold in adequate numbers to validate a coupé or estate model, according to Toyota Europe chairman Didier Leroy.

Although, engineers are currently considering a high performance CT200h and could be a plug-in hybrid version coming out after 2012.

Lexus is currently developing a compact luxury SUV, intended to rival the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

Toyota verifies four new eco-models

Toyota has confirmed four new eco-models within the next three years, one plug-in hybrid, one hybrid and two EVs. The models in question are the advanced 'plug-in' Prius, hybrid version of the forthcoming Yaris supermini, iQ city-car and RAV4 compact SUV EVs.

The plug-in Prius will be Toyota's initial lithium-ion powered hybrid, landing in 2012. Toyota said it will drink petrol at the rate of 2.6l/100km and emit a mere 59g/km of CO2 per kilometre.

The plug-in Prius won’t be advertised as a “range extender” because, like the current Prius, it won’t be a strict EV supported up by a generator. Though, it will be able to travel 12 miles on electric power alone.

In the same year, a nickel-metal-hydride hybrid Yaris will arrive on the market. It will be made in Valenciennes, France, alongside the regular Yaris, and is expected to use a smaller petrol engine – like the 1.0 VVT-i or 1.33 VVT-i – than the current Prius with CO2 emissions of 80g/km.

Toyota is also working to commercialise two low-volume EVs for 2012. The first will be a electric variant of the iQ city-car, competent of roughly maximum of 60mph and 60 miles of range. The car will be built in Japan, and Toyota GB has yet to decide if it will be obtainable in the UK.

The second EV is more likely to be sold in the UK; a RAV4 compact SUV EV built principally for the U.S market, and powered by a Tesla lithium-ion battery. It’s expected in the UK by 2013.

Hydrogen fuel cell models are still a out of off vision for Toyota, but its latest guess is that Toyota will be ready to make one by 2015, provided the refuelling infrastructure is in place to support it.