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Paris 2008: In love with Kia's funky Soul

The Scion xB may have written the book on small-and-boxy, but it appears that Kia may add another volume to the work with the Soul. We have no idea how the new Soul will go on the road, or how it will hold up – either materially or financially – but taking a seat in the giant shoe on wheels was a revelation. For a car that isn't expected to cost too much, the details alone would almost have to be worth the price: the chunky moldings around the grille and bumper, the contrasting surrounds for the headlights and contrasting panels for the doors, the gearshift knob housing a ball within a plexiglass ball, the court jester seats. And when we put the driver's seat all the way back, we could sit in the back seat without our legs touching anything else. And we're not short. If the Soul can mind its manners on the road, there's no reason it shouldn't go straight to sales heaven.
posted : 10/5/2008 @6:11:12 PM
Paris 2008: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart and Colt five-door

Even for utilitarian transport, the Colt is a fine looking vehicle – Mitsu's new grille is a one-size-fits-all beautifier, and there are some nice details around the car. The dip in the headlights isn't original, but it's executed with a flavor of its own. Inside it's plastic city and several bolts of cloth, but again, while there's nothing exactly special about it, there's nothing that would make you go "Ugh." The Colt Ralliart edition (above), however, is a treat. The details outside don't change much save for a wheel finish and a larger tailpipe, but the massively bolstered leather seats completely remake the interior. Check out the press release on the new Colts after the jump, and the galleries below: one of live shots, the other a massive folder of press shots that even includes some vintage Colt rally action.
posted : 10/5/2008 @5:21:51 PM
Fiat creates special edition Fiat 500 Lupin III

If the song is true that "to everything, turn turn turn, there is a season, turn turn turn," then we're going to need a lot more seasons for the Fiat 500. In addition to versions by StudioTorino, Diesel and Abarth, not to mention a convertible and an F1-themed run of 12, Fiat is making a special edition 500 to celebrate the car's appearance in the movie Lupin III: Green vs Red. The Japanese anime film itself celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Lupin III series of movies, which began in 1979 when gentleman thief Lupin III used a yellow Fiat 500. While the film is out now on DVD, the special edition Fiat 500 in yellow livery and graced with Lupin's image won't come around until the latter half of 2009, and probably only in Japan. If Fiat keeps this up, it might just challenge the Ford Mustang for the title of Most Gratuitous Special Editions Differentiated by Inconsequential Details.
posted : 10/5/2008 @3:02:34 PM
Volvo developing 300-hp C30 with AWD

Rumors of a new Volvo hot hatch have gotten hot again with talk of a new 300-horsepower C30 for Europe. According to reports, the new model would be powered by the same 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder turbo engine that powers the new Ford Focus RS. One difference between the two cars, which share a similar platform, is that the Swedish beauty would be offered with a Haldex all-wheel drive system in contrast to the Blue Oval's torque-steer inducing front-engine, front-drive layout. Larger 20-inch wheels ought to fill out the arches quite nicely, and a special body kit should bring the whole look closer to the tarmac. To keep demand high, Volvo may limit the new model to 4,500 units worldwide, though we have no idea where it will offer the hatch besides the U.K. Considering that the Swedish automaker has diluted its R-nameplate, we're also not certain what this performance-minded C30 will be called, but we're sure it'll be the most fun we've had in a Volvo for quite a long time.
posted : 10/5/2008 @2:38:24 PM
EU patent office reveals production Renault Megane Coupe

Recent snooping at the EU patent office yielded an application revealing the 2010 Renault Megane 3-door Coupe. The images (most likely shot of a clay model) show a much tamer production version when compared to the Renault Megan Coupe concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Sleeker than the 5-door Megane shots leaked a couple weeks ago, the coupe's C-pillar differs most noticeably as the window glass sweeps to a clean point as it meets the rear hatch. The best guess is that the coupe will see a range of engines from 1.4-liters up to 2.0-liters rated between 100 and 160 hp, depending on the model. Look for it on sale next year, but sadly not on our shores.
posted : 10/2/2008 @5:11:21 PM
VIDEO: New Citroen C4 actually a dancing robot

We often wonder why French wine, fashion and architecture make total sense to us, yet French commercials often make us go "Um, ok, all right...." Citroen's C4 dancing robot first appeared back in 2004 -- well before Optimus Prime and crew teamed up with film director Michael Bay -- and since then he's done four more commercials to showcase the car that is "alive with technology." With this latest clip, make that "staying alive with technology." Roaming the streets of New York, he's kitted out in chrome teeth and a glitter beret, jiving out to the Bee Gees while he performs style checks in any mirrored surface and poses for pictures. We have to admit his dance moves are hot, but Ironhide would probably shoot him if given the chance. As for his alter ego, the New Look Citroen C4, it gets a grille, curvier hood and headlight treatment to match the C5. In back, transparent crystal taillamps replace the previous units. Inside, Citroen's latest NaviDrive has a 7-inch translucent screen pre-programmed for all of Europe. Two new engines, developed with BMW, will provide the car with 120 hp or 150 hp. Most intriguing, the car comes with an integrated, scented air freshener -- because all that dancing can make a robot sweat.
more ...
posted : 9/26/2008 @7:29:04 AM
Rendered Speculation: Next Euro Civic will look like Scirocco?

Keeping track of who's cribbing whose automotive designs is about to get even more difficult once Honda brings its new Euro Civic to market. If this rendering from Auto Express is to be believed, the new hatch is a certifiable stunner. That is due in large part to the fact it looks almost exactly like another stunner: the new Volkswagen Scirocco. Swap out the grille and the rear lights, and that Honda is... practically a VW.The OSM concept at the British Auto Show was the appetizer for the next Euro Civic's looks -- there was simply more distance between it and That Other Hatch since the OSM had no top. Under the hood, though, Honda has vastly different plans: rumors include a 1.5-liter hybrid with 150 hp and a 2.0-liter for the Type R that could be assisted by an electric motor The 2-door hatch will be a different proposition than the 4-door and aimed at a different buyer just like the current models in Europe. Not that it will make a difference to American buyers, because just like the car it (kind of) plays doppelganger to, the Civic hatch isn't coming to the U.S.
posted : 9/2/2008 @1:55:26 PM
Rumormill: 350 hp Volvo C30 R in the works

Volvo gave its C30 hatchback a pretty aggressive look when it introduced the R-Design package, but unfortunately none of that sportiness made its way beneath the hood. Adding some show to the go, Volvo has reportedly created a C30 prototype fitted with a turbocharged inline-5 pumping out 350 horsepower using the Ford Focus RS engine block as a base. Best of all, it would be able fully put down all that power combined with Volvo's AWD system, unlike the FWD system on the Focus RS. Unfortunately, Volvo has no current plans to bring the car to production, and with high gas prices and upcoming fuel consumption regulations, it would be tough to convince them otherwise.
posted : 8/5/2008 @11:58:29 AM
Volvo planning more small models, more diesels

In the wake of rapidly diminishing sales of large and not-particularly fuel efficient cars, Volvo is doing what only seems rational: introducing smaller vehicles with more fuel efficient engines. The company reportedly has plans to introduce three new diesel powered vehicles by the fall. We are unclear on where Volvo intends to target with its little green men cars besides emerging markets such as China and Russia, but we'd love to see some more stylish and fuel efficient options in the U.S. It's too early to speculate on what vehicles Volvo is referring to, but that's never stopped us before. The C30 is currently the Swedish automakers smallest vehicle and at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Volvo showed off its C30 Efficiency concept. We'd say that the timing certainly appears right for a production version of just such a machine. After all, who wouldn't appreciate the 52.26 miles per gallon from its 105 horsepower 1.6L turbodiesel engine?
posted : 7/5/2008 @1:19:53 PM
Toyota adds 5-door Yaris to U.S. lineup

Small cars are back en vogue thanks to lofty fuel prices. As a result, Toyota is completing is Yaris lineup in the U.S. by finally adding the 5-door liftback to its list of offerings for the 2009 model year. Available in other markets (including Canada) since inception, the 5-door Yaris occupies roughly the same footprint as the 3-door, but is a lot more practical if you're going to be carrying backseat passengers frequently. Its powertrain will mirror the other Yaris offerings, and we're assuming it'll get the optional sport appearance package available on the 3- and 4-doors. Those sport models, by the way, get a new body kit and interior color schemes for MY09. Other '09 changes include the availability of cruise control on the hatch, as well as the addition of standard front side airbags and rear side curtains. Toyota hasn't released pricing or photos of the U.S. spec Yaris 5-door yet. We imagine the former won't stray too far off from the 3-door. In terms of photos, the gallery below shows you the base UK-market 5-door. Move the steering wheel over and you've pretty much got it. At least now when I catch the occasional episode of Psych, I won't be muttering that the blue 5-door Yaris the lead characters drive isn't available in the U.S.
posted : 7/3/2008 @1:47:44 PM
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