Photo Gallery : 2009 Suzuki alto at 2008 Paris motor show
October 19th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, suzuki
Chika electric car concept from china
October 7th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, electric vehicle
The Chinese were largely noticeable by their absence at the Paris Show this year but there may well have been a Chinese vehicle of significance—it’s a very cute electric city car named the “Chika”.
Chika is the work of well known Chinese car stylist Li Shi Guang Ming, who is working on a range of original designs for China Automobile. The designer believes the Chika represents the first steps toward an original Chinese automotive design language—and this could help China Automobile quickly shake off the “bootleg” image.
New smaller cars attract full attention of Paris show
October 5th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show
Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally jumped into the passenger seat of the tiny Ka city car his company had just unveiled at the Paris Auto Show.
“The future of the auto industry is on display at the Paris Auto Show, and the future is now,” he said, gesturing to nearby vehicles so enthusiastically that he threatened to knock a window out of the little two-door Ka.
“The requirements of customers around the world are coalescing,” Mulally said. “They want quality and fuel efficiency with no compromise on comfort and performance.
“That’s the world we live in.”
Mulally speaks for an entire industry that believes Americans are ready to buy more small cars — and pay more for them — than ever before.
For decades, American and European automotive tastes have diverged. Americans reveled in cheap gas prices and big vehicles with big engines. Europeans, who have lived with $4-a-gallon gas for years — at times paying twice that much — built stylish, fuel-efficient little cars that offered more comfort and features than those the Detroit Three derided as econoboxes.
Striking a balance
But even in the face of rising gas prices and fuel-economy requirements, some analysts question how big Americans’ taste for small cars will be. Simply put: Demand may not grow as much as the automakers expect.
Venturi Volage Concept
October 5th, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show
The result of close technological collaboration between Venturi Automobiles and Michelin, the Venturi Volage, presented for the first time at the “Mondial 2008″ (Paris Motor Show), marks a major step forward in the evolution of the Automobile.
This new Venturi incorporates innovations which have enabled radical changes in terms of the vehicle’s architecture, style, dynamic behaviour and, more generally, the design of a modern vehicle.
All these changes constitute several world premières which, with the presentation of the Venturi Volage, reinforce Venturi’s capability for constant innovation, as well as its position as the most advanced company in the field of electric vehicles.
POWER TRANSMISSION & ACTIVE SUSPENSION
With 4 drive wheels with active suspension, the Venturi Volage has no equivalent. “Michelin Active Wheel” technology in fact incorporates 2 electric motors per wheel (1 for suspension and 1 for drive), ie. a total of 8 electric motors piloted in real time by spearhead electronics.
Like the mechanism of a watch, all the components, motors, gear reduction units and suspensions, are miniaturized and built into the wheels.
The active electric shock absorber system allows for total adaptation to the type of road surface and driving. Combining Michelin’s experience in the area of surface liaison with that of Venturi for the chassis, the Venturi Volage represents in its road holding, drivability and silent functioning, the summum of today’s automotive technology.
2009 Mazda MX-5 minorchange
October 3rd, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, mazda
Evolution focused on pure Jinba Ittai Enjoyment
The facelift MX-5 embodies the purest form of Zoom-Zoom. With evolved sensory qualities, it continues to deliver the unchanging value of “Jinba-Ittai” (oneness between driver and car) despite the changing world. Marking its 20th anniversary next year, the new MX-5 offers a “lots of fun” driving experience underpinned by the untiring passion of Mazda’s engineers since 1989.
Updates at a Glance
Newly evolved look that’s functional and instantly recognizable, as Mazda, and as MX-5
• Exterior styling with greater dynamism & athleticism, which contributes to superior aerodynamics
• Strongly emphasized a premium identity in the look and feel of the Roadster Coupe
Enhanced engineering to enable the driver to enjoy the full potential of the engine performance
• 500 rpm higher rev limit and the raised engine speed at max power
• Introduced a forged crankshaft, fully floating pistons and newly designed valve springs
Sportier engine sound that responds more crisply to accelerator inputs
• Surge tank rigidity optimization, new forged crankshaft and ISE , Induction Sound Enhancer (for 6MT)
Smoother shifting feel with brisk and high-quality steering feel
• With 6MT, the meshing surfaces of the 1st–4th triple-cone synchronizers are now carbon coated, and the 3rd–4th synchronizer diameter has been increased.
• Linear & sporty 6AT that’s newly available for Europe incorporates two new control technologies, Direct Activematic (DAM) and Active Adaptive Shift (AAS).
• A lower front roll centre and retuned suspension make the car’s response to steering inputs more linear and enable the driver to precisely trace desired lines. The yaw and roll also feel more natural, producing a higher-quality ride
Improved quietness
• Roadster Coupe cockpit road noise with the roof closed is 2.1dB lower than before. Improvements include urethane filling in the front suspension member and damping material in the front roof section.
• Quietness is further promoted in the Roadster Coupe and soft-top version by stiffer door modules and by newly added reinforcements on the No. 2 crossmember.
Environmental, safety and conformability
• More convenient features, ie., improved Bose®sound system, 5 step adjustable seat heater, etc.
• Average fuel consumption display and outside air temperature is equipped
• More models featuring DSC as standard equipment
Officially Next Generation of 2009 Mitsubishi Colt and Colt Ralliart
October 2nd, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, mitsubishi
Next Generation Colt
- Junior ! -
Hot on the heels of the all-new Lancer family, the next generation Colt – unveiled today at the Paris Motor Show - confirms Mitsubishi Motors Europe strategic expansion into the passenger car market with a full line-up of sharply designed quality products sporting its signature “Jet Fighter” grille.
Depending upon the market, the next generation Colt (except Clear Tec variants*) will be launched in Europe in October / November 2008.
As previously the case, all cars will be built at Mitsubishi Motors’ NedCar plant in Born (The Netherlands) with a start of production scheduled for this month.
Honda Insight Hybrid Concept unveiled in Paris
October 2nd, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, honda, hybrid vehicle
Honda has always intended Hybrid vehicles to be a bridge to a hydrogen powered future, the potential of which has already been demonstrated by the FCX Clarity. The Insight Concept has clear stylistic links to the world’s first production fuel cell car, with both vehicles’ forms shaped to maximise the efficiency of their respective drivetrains.
The Insight Concept is the stylistic inspiration for the production version which will go on sale in 2009. From this unique position in the marketplace, Insight will open hybrid technology to a new generation of customers.
The 1.3 litre Insight is powered by Honda’s acclaimed IMA system, which has been extensively modified to reduce its cost and weight. With careful engineering of key components and refinement of manufacturing processes, the cost of the hybrid system has been significantly reduced. This ensures that Insight can be sold at a very competitive price without compromising ability, quality, environmental performance or profitability.
Officially 2009 Nissan Pixo first A-segment in own brand of OEM suzuki deals and photo gallery
October 2nd, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, nissan
Against a backdrop of record oil prices, fears of a global recession and demand for ever lower greenhouse gas emissions, buyers are looking for an inexpensive and fuel-efficient car with a low CO2 output. They need look no further. The new Nissan Pixo, a four-seater producing 103 g/km of CO2, will offer genuinely environmentally-conscious motoring at an accessible price.
With oil prices fluctuating in a volatile global market and governments worldwide agreeing to set ever lower targets for emissions from all sources, the arrival of the Pixo underlines Nissan’s commitment to providing affordable, urban transport which is efficient in terms of consumption and emissions. Its arrival on the Nissan range complements the Micra and Note, giving the company a strong, diverse selection of compact, spacious and efficient cars which are well equipped for the reality of modern urban driving. And when it is launched in Europe, the Nissan Pixo will wear the newly announced Pure Drive badge, which will help car-buyers to identify the most efficient models in Nissan’s range.
Citreon GT Concept unveiled
October 2nd, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, citroen
The amazing GT by CITROËN is the first ever car to be specifically designed to bring the virtual and real worlds together. The car makes its global premiere at the Paris Motor Show where visitors can actually drive the car in a true to life simulator on the Citroën stand.
GT by CITROËN, a joint venture between Citroën and the makers of Gran Turismo, was created for the eagerly anticipated 5th game in the multi-million selling Playstation series.
At almost five metres long, GT by CITROËN packs the latest hi-tech racing equipment into an exaggerated sporty frame. Planted on 21-inch, diamond-effect, aluminium wheels, the car’s gullwing doors, over-sized rear end with mobile spoiler, gaping air intakes and flat underside exude the qualities of an accomplished racer.
Officially 2009 Suzuki Alto data and pictures gallery
October 2nd, 2008 — Auto show / Motor Show, suzuki
At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Suzuki has unveiled the all-new Suzuki Alto — the fifth and smallest member of its acclaimed lineup of world strategic models. The new Suzuki Alto combines eye-catching style and easy urban mobility with great performance in terms of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, thereby meeting the lifestyle needs of today’s motorists and the pressing global need for environmental compatibility. Plus, it is one of the most fun-to-drive city cars available — a great new example of Suzuki’s “Way of Life!” philosophy.
As the second model in the second phase of Suzuki’s world strategy (a phase that’s focused on user-friendliness and delivering expanded possibilities for family members), the new Suzuki Alto offers good levels of comfort and convenience within a modest overall length.
Plus, a design that combines sporty, European-inspired looks with great aerodynamics means the new Suzuki Alto is the most stylish car of its size.
