Motorshow: 2010 Paris Motor Show

This years Paris Motor Show saw the debuts of numerous all-new cars like the 2011 Volkswagen Passat, Hyundai ix20, Peugeot 508, Toyota Verso S, Honda Jazz Hybrid, Mercedes CLS, Renault Laguna facelift, Lexus CT200h, Hyundai i10 facelift and more.

Lotus showed six new concepts; a city-car, Elan, Elite, Esprit, Eterne and Elise. Check out the pictures after the jump.

Ford Start concept due for production in 2014

Ford is looking to replace its immensely popular Ka city-car in 2014 with an all-new model. Ford is set to take the all-new Ka back to its roots, with added charm and a sportier drive. The production model of the quirky Start concept, which debuted at this year’s Beijing motor show, will replace the long-lived Ka in international markets.

The Start’s 1.0 litre 3-cylinder petrol EcoBoost engine will also head for production. It features turbocharging, direct injection and stop/start technology. The engine will produce between 80bhp - 120bhp, with sub-100g/km and more than 61mpg combined.

The Ka replacement is likely to go on sale in 2014, primarily in emerging markets such as India, China and South America. In due course, Europe and around the world. The 4-seat Start concept was penned at Ford's California advanced studio, under Freeman Thomas, taking its styling inspiration from the Porsche 356 Speedster and others.

Ford described the Start as "an aspirational automobile designed for urban transportation in emerging markets."

The Start comes with click-on, pre-coloured body panels mounted on an aluminum/steel space frame. Ford aid that the 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine "will go into production in the near future."

Customisable interior and exterior will be available to make sure every model is unique. Prices are expected to start from £8,000.

News in brief

JLR saving third plant:


Jaguar-Land Rover is abandoning plans to close one of its UK plants after obtaining "a landmark pay and conditions deal" with the unions.

Tata announced last year that it planned to close-down one of two plants in the West Midlands. Jaguar-Land Rover signed a contract with the unions that will allow it to keep all three plants in action, but also gain an extra 2,000 staff.

While employees still need to approve the deal, existing workers receive a 5% pay-rise next month with another 3% pay-rise in November 2011. Performance related pay will also be extended.

"Our parent company Tata supported us through the recession and our employees also made sacrifices but now we are seeing a great turnaround for the business. Everyone involved - our employees, our customers and our Tata shareholders - will benefit from this agreement. This is truly the beginning of a new era for Jaguar Land Rover."

Nissan re-brands itself (U.S):

Nissan Motor Co. is in the middle of a marketing makeover. Despite sales success, better dealership profits, dwindling incentives and corporate profits, Nissan has been seen as a premium Japanese product brand.

“At our core,” says Carlos Tavares, Nissan’s leader for the Americas, “we didn’t know what we stood for.”

Nissan’s reputation, Tavares says, is simply too diffuse. Brian Carolin, Nissan North America’s sales and marketing executive, said the answer is to use the LEAF EV to portray the brand’s marketing message.

“Potentially, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Carolin says of the chance to rebrand. A national advertisement campaign reminds customers that the brand is all about innovation.

“I’m not advertising the Leaf to sell Leafs. We’re sold out. I’m doing it to build the brand.”

Nissan sketches out next-gen Tiida/Versa:

Nissan compact family car, the Tiida/Versa is getting on now. Launched back in 2003, 2007 for North America and parts of Europe, the bland compact car is due for a much needed redesign.

The 2012 Tiida/Versa will major on style if this sketch is anything to go by. Nissan’s trademark grille, smooth, plump body, large wheel and sleek roof-line will make sure Nissan follows the need for premium looking small cars.

The car will underpin the current Nissan Qashqai/Dualis/Renault Megane platform. A turbo-charged 4-cylinder petrol engine and a heavily revised interior are likely. While the sketch shows a sedan for the Asian, North & South American and Eastern European market, a 5dr hatchback is being developed for Europe.

2011 Audi A1 S-Line

VAG plans Audi S1 and VW Polo R:

VAG is manufacturing its PQ25 platform for AWD. This platform will allow Audi to create a genuine S1 variant, after deciding not to use the name on the current flagship A1 – powered by a 1.4 TSFI petrol engine – as it’s front-wheel drive.

Volkswagen will use the platform to create two new derivatives; a sportier Polo R, that will sit above the Polo GTI and a CrossPolo, which is current available in 2WD. The Polo R is understood to be at a very advanced stage but like the Audi S1, has been delayed due to all-wheel drive.

Both the Audi S1 and Volkswagen Polo R will definitely be offered in the UK, however, the CrossPolo may arrive if the sub-compact SUV market catches on.

Saab ogles developing markets, keen on RWD with BMW:

Saab is currently eyeing up developing markets like China, Mexico, Russia, Brazil and India. In 2011, Saab has big plans to expand the market in which it sells cars. Saab said it wants to break into the Indian market by Summer 2011 with the current 9-3 compact executive sedan. In 2012, Saab wants to return to profitability. Saab pulled from the Russian and Chinese market under GM, as the firm was struggling to sell cars.

Adrian Hallmark, executive director of Saab, said the manufacture is in the middle of looking for distribution partners in four major countries via a telephone interview.

“In the next two years the new markets will not materially change our performance volume-wise, but in the next five years I believe they will fundamentally change our performance,” said Hallmark.

Saab is considering whether it wants to import vehicles into certain markets, or form local partnerships to start localised production. In China, Hallmark said that they would likely only sell two to 5,000 vehicles if they import cars into China, where as forming a local partnership would likely result in yearly sales of 50,000 vehicles. Other key markets for Saab include Mexico, Brazil, India and Russia. Hallmark said Saab is in talks with four possible partners in Russia, and 15 possible partners between Mexico and Brazil.

Meanwhile, Saab is in negotiations with BMW about licensing its new front-drive platform for the firm forthcoming 92 supermini.

Victor Muller, Saab CEO said he was in talks with other manufacturers over acquiring their underpinnings for the 92, but has implied his choice is BMW after Saab/BMW engine alliance.

“Clearly we have a preference, but whether it's BMW, I can't tell you," he said, "BMW would make a wonderful partner.”

The latest BMW platform will be used to underline a new range of front-wheel-drive BMWs, as well as the next-generation Mini.

Porsche fears social-network spying:

Porsche has blocked workers from accessing social networking sites such as Facebook and Xing, panicking about manufacturing espionage.

Porsche believes that unknown intelligence services are accessing employees' profiles on social networking sites and becoming face-to-face with "confidential" information, claimed Porsche spokesperson, Dirk Erat in a telephone interview.

"These services imply a certain threat potential," said Erat. Porsche has also added eBay to the block-list.

Lexus to replace SC model with all-new hybrid:

The unloved and slow-selling Lexus SC430 never shocked the upmarket sports-car market to the core. It was insipid to say the least, hugely expensive, and had high running costs.

However, Lexus is working on a descendant of the SC430, uncertainly named ‘LC 600h’. As the name entails, the forthcoming SC will use Lexus’ hybrid system.

The LC will continue to be a convertible, with a folding hardtop. Lexus engineers are aiming on making the LC a genuine Mercedes SL challenger, with class leading performance and economy, however, the 2012 SL could arrive with a diesel engine. With combined fuel economy of 30mpg and CO2 emissions of under 200g/km, Lexus engineers certainly have their work cut-out.

The LC will underpin the 2014 LS sedan and will use a 5.0 litre VVT-i V8 petrol engine, mated to a hybrid system. Total output is expected to be 500bhp while the LC 600h is still in the early stages of development, and isn’t expected to hit the market until 2015, a year behind the next LS.

BYD loses several factories and face heavy fine (CN):

BYD (Build Your Dreams) has been smacked with a hefty fine and the hurt of losing seven factories in central China after the Government discovered BYD was unlawfully using land.

The Chinese government is making BYD to pay a $443,000 fine for the infringement, and has also detained seven factories in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. BYD is expected to lose its rights to the factories everlastingly.

“This will affect their capacity expansion in the medium to long term,” said Yu Bing, an auto analyst with Pingan Securities Co. in Shanghai. “If you consider their production requirements in the next two to three years, they will need to bolster their capacity now.”

BYD now has the capacity to manufacture 700,000 vehicles, but it’s doubtful it will even need that much factory space. Sales fell by 25% last month, and the Chinese manufacture has already cut its 2010 outlook by 25% to 600,000 units.

2011 Hyundai Accent given as ransom to pastor who didn't burn the Qur'an (U.S)

A Hyundai dealership from New Jersey said they will promise to give a 2011 Accent supermini to pastor Terry Jones for not burning the Qur'an.

The pastor, from Gainesville, FL had warned that he would burn the holy Islamic book to object to plans to build a mosque and community centre near the New York City site of the 11th September 2001 terrorist attack.

Brad Benson Mitsubishi-Hyundai offered the car on a radio advertisement in September in which he gave his "International Idiot" award to Jones.

Benson said: "I'm sure book burning is gonna have those terrorists quaking.... If you stop all this Koran-burning nonsense for good and go back to handling snakes or whatever it is you do down there, I'll give you a brand-new Hyundai to use for a whole year, you idiot."

Even though Benson had only offered the use of a car, he is giving Jones the car instead because he doesn't care "to be involved in the politics of that."

Jones proposed to give the car to "an organisation that helps abused Muslim women," without naming that group. Benson's radio ad said Jones plans to donate the car to "another Christian organisation."

Benson asked on his dealerships Facebook page whether he should give the car or not. "What should I do? Give this guy a car or blow him off?" His Facebook page has gotten 2,600 responses, with the majority saying he should come through on his promise.

New Car: 2011 Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50

Ford and Mazda have debuted their 2011 Ranger and BT-50 pick-up trucks at the Australian International Motor Show.

The 2011 Ranger is bigger than before and features a three-bar grille, distinctive front bumper and numerous chrome accents (on mid-spec to range-topping models).

While the cabin is basic and robust, it is also ergonomically designed too. As Debbie Pascoe, Ford's colour and trim manager, describes "The typical pickup driver needs space and we designed an interior that is comfortable, easy to slide in and out of, with controls that are larger to accommodate work gloves, for example. When you design a truck interior, special considerations have to be taken to ensure the cabin will be just as durable as the rest of the vehicle."

Living under the bonnet are three new engines. The 2.2 litre Duratorq TDCi I4 produces 148bhp (150PS) and 375Nm (277 lb-ft) of torque. Next up is a 3.2 litre Duratorq TDCi I5 with 197bhp (200PS) and 470Nm (347 lb-ft) of torque. Only one petrol engine is available; a 164bhp (166PS) 2.5 litre Duratec I4 which can be configured for E100 flex-fuel capability as well as CNG and LPG.

Three transmissions are available too; a 6 speed automatic, 6 speed manual and 5 speed manual. Four-wheel drive models have an electronically controlled transfer case that allows drivers to shift from 4x2 to 4x4 as needed. Furthermore, an electric locking differential is aids off-road adventures.

New equipment such as Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Sway Control, Voice Control and rear-view camera will be optional. Features like ESP, x6 airbags, electric door mirrors, steel wheels, black door mirrors and handles will be standard on UK base-spec models. The UK will only receive diesel engines as petrol off-roaders don’t sell well.

Production for the global compact truck will begin Summer 2011 in Rayong, Thailand, for the Asia Pacific region, while Ford prepares plants in Argentina and South Africa to serve Latin America and Europe. Eventually the new Ranger will be sold in 180 countries, excluding the United States and Canada.

European sales will start in 2012. Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, said: "The new Ranger is an exciting and dynamic vehicle that will undoubtedly raise the bar in the pickup market. The scope of its capability and technology are further evidence of how powerful the One Ford initiative is in helping us globally to develop a whole range of all-new class-leading vehicles. We look forward to bringing new Ranger to European customers by 2012 and I am confident it will exceed their expectations."

The BT-50 is based on the Ford Ranger, and features a typical front fascia, bulging wheel-arches, and wrap-around taillights. Overall, it remains loyal to Mazda's outgoing Nagare design language.

Whereas the Ranger cabin is robust and simple, the BT-50’s is sporty and elegant. The same engines used in the Ranger will feature in the BT-50.

The BT-50 won’t be sold in the UK due the very poor sales of the outgoing model, the current model only sold a few hundred units before getting axed in 2008. European sales will start mid-2011.

Kia POP EV may hint at forthcoming models

Peter Schreyer, head of automotive design at Kia said the POP EV concept could offer design cues for forthcoming models.

While the city-car wasn’t produced to preview any future models, Schreyer believes that some of its design may evolve for Kia’s production cars.

“There were two proposals. The other one was more conventional or realistic, but we went for the different one. The management said, ‘Are you sure?’ But when they saw it, everyone loved it.”

The Pop is a 3m city-car. While it’s a smidge longer than the Toyota iQ, it’s half a metre shorter than the outgoing Picanto.

Powered by a 67bhp electric motor, which produces 150Nm of torque, it draws its energy from an innovative lithium polymer gel battery made by LG Chem. This gives the same performance as standard lithium ion batteries but with significantly lower weight and development cost.

Volvo Out For New Generation Of Hometown Heroes

All-New Volvo XC70, the next generation of Volvo's segment defining

For the fifth year in a row, the Volvo Cars of North America is out on a hunt. They are not looking for a particular place or spot to bury a new and uniquely themed vehicle like the Volvo XC90 Pirate Themed Search. This time around, they are on the search for a hometown hero which they would be awarding as part of the company's Volvo For Life Awards.

The Volvo For Life Awards has been done for five years already, with this year counting as the fifth. It is a national public service program and what it does is it actually recognizes and honors those hometown people who have become heroes in their own ways and scopes of work. Of course, the company is not just looking for anybody. They would like to honor a person who has become a hero through his or her efforts at making moves to improve the safety and quality of life in their community. Or these new set of heroes may have been working towards a better quality of the environment. If you know one, you can nominate him or her and celebrate this person's everyday heroism.

The new model strengthens Volvo's position in the premium estate

Volvo would be selecting the overall winner. There would only be one winner, of course, and he or she would be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero." Not only would his or her efforts be given much recognition and praise. The winner would not just be given a set of Volvo P1800 parts or accessories. The hometown hero winner would be given one new Volvo car every three years – for the entire duration of his life. All these just because of his or her efforts at trying to change the environment or his or her community to make it better.

With the new Volkswagen Golf now out and in showrooms across the globe

According to the company, they continually recognize these hometown heroes because they do believe that such heroic contributions that individuals could do to the environment and the community are exemplary. In fact, these heroes also are great inspirations for many other people