Renault-Nissan e-moves into Lombardy, Italy
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault
Renault-Nissan Alliance EV in Lombardy – Click above for high-res image
“E-Moving.” That’s the name of a pilot project from Renault-Nissan and the utility A2A that starts this June in Lombardy, Italy, including the cities of Milan and Brescia. With a name like that and the connection to Renault-Nissan, is it a surprise that this partnership involves electric vehicles (EVs)? We didn’t think so.
There have been some attempts to get electric vehicles into Italy, but Renault says E-Moving is, “the first electric vehicle experimentation in Italy.” At the very least, this is the biggest: 60 all-electric vehicles – the Kangoo Express Z.E. and the Renault Fluence Z.E. – will make up the fleet. Both models will be available to rent by the month. The one-year program will look at all the usual data points: impact of EVs on the grid, management of the vehicle batteries, ways to sell or rent EVs, etc. The project will install 270 charge points, setting the stage for more EVs in the future.
[Source: Renault]
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Vauxhall introduces entry-level Corsa, Astra, Zafira & Insignia (UK)
Vauxhall has launched cheaper versions of many of its models. The new Expression and ES models are up to £3,675 less expensive than the previous cheapest version. The maximum headline saving is with the Zafira Expression, which now costs from £14,995 – a saving of £3,675.
Most of the new variants come with less equipment. You don’t even get air-conditioning in the Zafira, however, the only exception to this is the Insignia ES, which is £1,700 cheaper but comes with upgraded wheels and MP3 compatible stereo system.
The Corsa Expression starts at £9,995 and you don’t even get electric front windows or central locking, however, the entry-level Fiesta Studio starts at £11,536 with similar features.
For £13,995, the Astra Sport Hatch and Astra 5dr Expression doesn’t get cruise control, dusk & rain sensor, leather steering wheel and the latter makes do with a 86bhp, 1.4 litre petrol engine. The Astra Twin-Top, from £17,995 doesn’t differ from the 1.6 litre Air variant.
The Zafira Expression, from £14,995 has no air conditioning or roof-rails, but you do get steel wheels and body-coloured door mirrors.
Spy Shots: 2011 Ford Fiesta EcoBoost
Filed under: SEMA Show, Spy Photos, Hatchback, Ford
2011 Ford Fiesta Ecoboost – Click above for high-res image gallery
The EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 found in the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO has quickly become one of our favorite mills on the market. But what we’ve really been hankering for from FoMoCo is its smaller displacement offerings, specifically the 1.6- and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines slated to arrive next year.
Along with the Fusion, the all-new Fiesta is set to get a boosted mill sometime in 2011, and these newest spy shots reveal that a high-performance version of Ford’s diminutive hatch is in the works.
Tucked behind a modified version of the Euro-market Fiesta’s Titanium Trim front fascia is a slim intercooler matched with blacked-out trim, a subtle body kit and a prototype rear diffuser modified to fit the European-spec rear bumper and dual exhausts. A set of 17-inch anthracite Speedline wheels complete the package, which poses two questions.
One, is this a prototype of a production vehicle or something that’s planned for this November’s SEMA Show? Either way, Ford’s got big plans for its new three-door and showing off its aftermarket potential is sure to be high on the priority list.
Two, which EcoBoosted engine is powering the mule? The smart money’s on Ford’s new 1.6-liter inline four, which should be good for around 170 horsepower and a similar amount of torque in turbo’d form. The less-than-plausible, yet far more compelling, option is the Fusion’s forthcoming turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot, which is good for between 230 and 250 hp and 240 pound-feet of twist. Obviously, we’re hoping for the latter, but we’d be just as content with the 1.6-liter option and the possibility of future models turning up the wick even further.
Mazda MX-5 Matte and Black Special Edition is darkened hotness
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Mazda, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style
Mazda MX-5 Matte and Black Special Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
We make no effort to hide the fact that we love the Mazda Miata just the way it is. In fact, it’s always been just about perfect in our eyes, as evidenced by our most recent road test of the sporty little Japanese runabout. But if bright schoolbus yellow just isn’t your bag, baby, may we suggest something a little more subtle?
Mazda has just rolled out the MX-5 Matte and Black Special Edition at the 21st annual Salon du Cabriolet, Coupé & SUV in Paris. Ostensibly to celebrate the Miata’s 20th birthday in France, we kinda think Mazda just wanted to prove that its sportscar looks pretty darn good in the automotive equivalent of the little black dress. And boy, does it ever.
There’s nothing special underhood, so the 2.0-liter four still puts out an adequate 167 horsepower. We can’t say that we see them in the photos ourselves (fortunately), but design label LK by Laure Kczekotowska Paris has reportedly decked the MX-5 out in rhinestones, gems, and crystals. Ah well, nothing can be perfect. See for yourself in the image gallery below.
Spy Shots: Updated Mercedes-Benz C-Class wagon spotted touring about
Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury
Mercedes-Benz C-Class wagon spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
Last week, the forthcoming revised Mercedes C-Class sedan was caught on a field trip, and this week it’s the C-Class wagon.
Naturally, the same changes spotted in that last round of photos – new hood, headlights and bumpers, a more upright grille, LED taillamps, and altered rear fascia – have taken the small step over to this car as well. The spy shooters at CarPix also suggest that noticeable interior changes might be on the way, since “test drivers are always very keen on covering the dash up.” We expect a few modest material changes and maybe some COMAND updates, but not a full-on interior redo. Either way, you can check out high-res exterior shots in the gallery of photos below.
Gallery: Spy Shots: Mercedes C-Class wagon
Incoming search terms:
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Report: Volvo XC30 compact crossover coming in 2012
Filed under: Crossover, Volvo, Rumormill
2010 Volvo C30 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Much like the 3 Series-based BMW X1, Volvo is reportedly hard at work on its own diminutive soft-roader, modeled on the C30 hatchback. The new small crossover, said to be dubbed XC30 (natch), will ride on a slightly taller version of the C30′s chassis, and while the drivetrain and powerplants are likely to be straight out of the three-door hatch, it’s been reported that the styling will be more akin to that of the larger XC60 CUV.
The addition of a small(er) crossover to Volvo’s lineup doesn’t shock us, especially since other European luxury marques have discussed the possibility of creating crossovers in this segment as well. Audi is supposedly working on a Q3 to slot below the hot-selling Q5, and Mercedes-Benz has been rumored to be creating a crossover based on the next-generation B-Class, possibly called BLK.
Volvo is also said to be working on a five-door wagon-like version of the C30 (possibly called V30), but that supposed project remains in murkier parts of the rumormill for now. Look for the XC30 crossover to bow sometime in 2012.
Incoming search terms:
- future crossover 2012
- volvo c30 crossover
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Tata Nano that hits 200kmph and costs $2,20,000
Every one of us likes Nano, at least for the design, but those who have driven it might have a different thought. Nano has a small engine and does the job assigned to it, but if you are a petro head and wants to zip at high speed, naaaa Nano is not the vehicle you should be driving. Is it? Well give a second thought again.
India’s ace designer Dilip Chhabria has announced plans to create a modified Nano that will have a top speed of 200kmph, that is almost twice that of the original. This increase in performance would nonly cost you a couple of thousand dollars, $ 220,000 Oops…
Source: AFP via worldcarfans
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- cars cars tata are 2 dollars
