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Audi unveils new A3 interior at 2012 CES

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

11 January 2012 12:59

Audi has revealed the interior of the next Audi A3 at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas...

And what should I know about the insides of the new Audi A3?

The interior of the A3 was unveiled at the Consumer Electronic Shows (CES) in Las Vegas, where there was lot of technical talk about plug-in modules and dual-core processors, but what you need to know is that the new A3 ushers in Audi’s next-gen modular infotainment platform.

Which means the A3 finally has Audi’s MMI infotainment system. But it’s also the first to have a ‘touchwheel’, which integrates the MMI rotary dial and the touch pad that features in the A6, A7 and A8. The top of the dial is now touch sensitive, with a handwriting recognition system, so the driver and passenger can scrawl characters rather than twiddling the knob. Rocker switches ahead of the dial operate the telephone/navigation and media/radio functions, and it’s all viewed on a pop-up 7in screen that's just 11mm thick.

Other new tech includes the Audi Phone Box. Pop your mobile into the centre armrest and the A3’s in-built antenna connects up to boost signal. You still have to plug your phone in to charge it, but Audi is working on contactless charging. Other changes to the A3 include a new electromechanical handbrake to free up cabin space, and a freely assignable button on the steering wheel.

The MMI system means the interior of the new A3 is much more minimalist than ever before, and more sporting with TT-inspired circular air vents. The rest of the Audi A3 will be revealed in full at the 2012 Geneva motor show in March, but the exterior of the new 1-series and Golf rival is visible on some of the MMI screen images (right).

Anything else?

Audi also revealed a new head-up display system at the CES. It can project an arrow on the windscreen that becomes larger as you approach a junction, show which way the road will go over a hill, and when the night vision system is active, display warnings when pedestrians are detected, plus show how far they are from the car and which direction they have come from.

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Infiniti previews new sports car concept for Geneva 2012

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

11 January 2012 14:59

This is our second glimpse of a new range-extender sports car concept that Infiniti will unveil at the 2012 Geneva motor show in March; it's already been teased once before.

So presumably the engine that's part of electrified powertrain isn't the company's big 3.7-litre V6?

You're right there. Infiniti hasn’t released much information about its new sports car concept, but we do know it’ll have a 1.2-litre petrol engine. The car will usually run on electric power, but when the batteries are out of juice the engine will start up to charge them.

And the powertrain is mounted in the middle of the concept car. ‘It is the best, most rational way to distribute the weight, and achieve a high level of handling and performance,’ said Infiniti’s advanced product planning boss Francois Bancon.

What else?

Besides the powertrain, the concept car is also previewing Infiniti's future design direction. Expect something as gorgeous as the Essence concept, with trick doors and a few extra slats and vents to help cool the batteries.

‘This sports car is about exploring what we think is next,’ said Infiniti’s vice president Andy Palmer. ‘At the Geneva show we will present our vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car. With an all-electric sedan on the way, the natural next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment intersect’. Infiniti's first EV is based on Nissan's Leaf EV. 

Watch Infiniti's vice president Andy Palmer discuss the company's new sports car concept 

Watch Infiniti's head of advanced product planning Francois Bancon discuss the company's new sports car concept 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqtTpFuDuyE&feature=player_embedded

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Porsche Boxster (2012) first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

12 January 2012 08:00

Porsche only pulled the covers off the new 911 Cabriolet at the 2012 Detroit motor show three days ago, but it’s already unveiling another convertible: the new Porsche Boxster. Faster, lighter, cleaner, more economical, and (most importantly) better looking than its predecessor, it will be officially revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, before going on sale in the UK on 28 April 2012.cars forum
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Let’s start with the new Porsche Boxster’s looks then…

It’s still recognisably a Boxster, but the headlights are now more vertically stacked, the doors are scalloped to flow into the bigger side intakes, a strong crease runs between the tail lamps and integrates with the pop-up rear spoiler, and every line and angle is just a little bit sharper and more dynamic. 

The Porschephiles amongst you would have also spotted that the folding fabric roof no longer has a panel to drop behind; instead the roof itself now doubles as the cover when the hood is stowed.

The Carrera GT is claimed as the inspiration for the interior, but to most it’ll just been seen as aping the latest 911, with only a different air vent design differentiating the two.cars forum
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What about this cleaner and greener stuff?

A lower weight (reckon on a 30-50kg saving), standard stop/start technology, new electo-mechanical steering, and thermal management for the direct injection engines help make the new Boxster up to 15% more fuel efficient than before.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard (the Boxster doesn't get the 911's seven-speed stick shift), and a seven-speed double-clutch PDK gearbox is an option. The Sport Chrono Package (with active engine mounts) and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear diff are also optional extras.

A basic Boxster comes with an Alcantara-trimmed interior, 18in wheels, Porsche's 7in PCM multimedia system, MP3 connectivity, a Sport button, and electric operation for the roof. Besides more power and torque, the Boxster S has 19in wheels, twin exhausts, bi-xenon lights and and a 'partial' leather interior. All buyers also get a complimentary course at Porsche's Experience Centre at Silverstone.  

	New Porsche Boxster	Old Porsche Boxster	New Porsche Boxster S	Old Porsche Boxster S
PRICE	£37,589	£36,572	£45,384	£43,800
ENGINE	2.7-litre flat-six	2.9-litre flat-six	3.4-litre flat-six	3.4-litre flat-six
POWER	261bhp	252bhp	311bhp	306bhp
TORQUE	n/a	214lb ft	n/a	266lb ft
CONSUMPTION	36.7mpg (with PDK)	31.0mpg (with PDK)	35.3mpg (with PDK)	30.1mpg (with PDK)
0-62MPH	5.7sec (with PDK)	5.8sec (with PDK)	5.0sec (with PDK)	5.2sec (with PDK)

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Kia Ceed (2012) first official pictures

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By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

13 January 2012 16:50

The first Kia Ceed, launched in 2006, signalled a step change for the Korean car company. Not only was it designed and built in Europe (in Germany and Slovakia respectively) but it was also good enough to be considered a worthy rival for the Focus, Golf, Astra et al.

From Soul to Optima, from Picanto to Rio, nearly everything that's followed has been good or great. And now there’s a new Kia Ceed - and the Koreans have issued two new photos of the Ceed today.

Will the new Kia Ceed be a game changer like the first Kia Ceed?

We don’t know if the second-generation Ceed will be as significant as the first, but judging by the current form of Kia (and sister company Hyundai) this new family hatchback will once again be a worthy rival for the established European names.

Details are still scant, but we’ll know more when the car is officially unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March 2012. Kia has only released this solitary image of the Mk2 Ceed, with design boss Peter Schreyer’s tiger-inspired corporate nose – and as per the Optima saloon the badge moves from the grille to the bonnet in an attempt to give the new car a more premium appearance. With chrome highlights and a cohesive looks, it seems to be working. 

Expect two petrol and one diesel engine (the latter available in low emission EcoDynamics guise) and Kia’s customer-pleasing seven year warranty, while inside there's the promise of ‘an ergonomic, driver oriented dashboard and refined interior, with a strong focus on quality of
materials’.

What else?

Alongside the five-door Ceed hatchback, the SW estate will also be unveiled at Geneva, and we hear the sportier, coupe-esque Proceed will be revealed at the 2012 Paris motor show this autumn. They’ll also be a hot hatch version of both the Ceed and Proceed, with the same 1.6-litre turbocharger engine that’s just been shown in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo in Detroit.

UK sales of the Ceed start in June 2012, the SW follows in September, and the Proceed should be on our shores by early 2013.
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Mitsubishi teases its Geneva motor show 2012 debut

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

19 January 2012 09:29

Mitsubishi has issued this teaser photo of its new car destined for a debut at the 2012 Geneva motor show in March. It's the first time the Japanese company has launched an all-new global vehicle at Geneva.

Sadly, Mitsu is remaining tight-lipped about its new model.

What do we know about Mitsubishi's Geneva 2012 debut?

A brief statement says: 'The Geneva motor show will see the world premiere of a strategic and innovative premium vehicle, to be retailed sequentially during 2012 – a car of substance that will reflect a gradual transformation in Mitsubishi’s design language.

'This unveiling will confirm the start of an all-new generation of global products for Mitsubishi Motors, consistent with the ambitions set in MMC’s “Jump 2013” business plan for a greener and more global Mitsubishi. Fittingly, this complete family of cars / crossovers / SUVs will see a gradual transition to a re-focused design language.'

What's this about an Outlander?

There is some speculation that this model could replace the Outlander crossover, which was itself teased by the PX-MiEV concept car.

Mitsubishi has one of the largest ranges of crossovers, but is seeking to broaden its appeal under the Jump 2013 strategy.

The new Mitsubishi Mirage is a look at the company's new gloabl small car, to be built in Thailand and set to replace the Colt globally. Mitsubishi also plans a new plug-in hybrid module, to be rolled out from 2013.

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Toyota Prius (2012) - a refresh for Toyota's hybrid

By Marcus Roberts

First Official Pictures

23 January 2012 12:10

Toyota has revealed a mainly aesthetic revamp of its bestselling Prius for 2012 - designed to improve ride and handling and usher in new gadgets for a more connected lifestyle.

Toyota hopes the 2012 refresh will cement the Prius's popularity; the current generation has notched up sales of more than 20,000 since its UK launch back in 2009.Click here to read CAR's long-term test of the Prius hybrid.

So what’s new on the 2012 Toyota Prius?

To align the Prius with Toyota’s new design approach, the company says there's a wider and lower look to the 2012 model. The front valance is wider and the newly enlarged air intake apes the look of modern Fords.

Still, you won't mistake this for anything other than a Prius. This is a modest facelift.

Inside the 2012 Prius

The headline feature inside the Prius is Toyota’s new Touch & Go Plus and Touch Pro navigation systems. Featuring new real-time traffic updates and the ability to use Google’s Local Search feature, it will be interesting to see how they manage to bring what has been a successful smartphone technology to work in a car. 

For the greener among you, there are new planet-saving features including a monthly fuel consumption record storing the previous five months of economy data. The ability to calculate how much is being saved on fuel costs might help justify why you bought a hybrid in the first place. 

Improved rigidity in the Prius’s chassis is claimed to allow for a softer suspension - which is supposed to improve the ride, whilst not sacrificing the handling.

When can I buy a new Prius?

The 2012 Prius goes on sale in March 2012, and will be priced from £21,350 in the UK.

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VW Up 5dr (2012) revealed - the Upsized one

By Marcus Roberts

First Official Pictures

23 January 2012 16:40

VW has revealed a new five-door version of the Up to broaden the appeal of its city car range.

The new five-door Up hatch will cost £397 more than the three-door Up on the Continent; UK prices have yet to be revealed, but the three-door will kick off at £7995 when sales start on 6 March 2012.

How much more practical is the VW Up five-door?

Rear access is the main beneficiary of those extra doors; the rear doors make it easier to clamber in and out, but there's the same 79cm of legroom and nearly a metre of headroom in the back. Although not vast, the Up is well packaged for such a short vehicle.

Rear boot space is no squeeze either, with 251 litres of space with the seats up and 951 if you decide to forgo any back-seat passengers. By comparison, a five-door Toyota Aygo has 139 litres. 

What about the engines in the VW Up?

Under the bonnet Volkswagen offers up the same engines as in the three-door Up: pick from with either 59 or 74 horses to propel the slightly heavier five-door to modest speeds.

What else do I need to know about the five-door Up?

The City Emergency Braking system automatically brakes the car should you get into any sticky situations at speeds between 3 and 20mph.

You can also spec the portable navigation system, allowing you to continue your journey on foot without fear of getting lost.

Wolfsburg expects half of all Ups sold to be the five-door.