Seat Announces Geneva Auto Salon-Bound Mii Ecofuel

If the Seat-badged counterpart of the Volkswagen Up!, the ultra-compact Mii, isn't frugal enough for you, the Spanish manufacturer has now announced an even cleaner and cheaper to run version called the Ecofuel.

However, don't expect a hybrid system, or a small fuel-sipping diesel, as they have gone the way of the Up! eco and modified the car to run on cheaper and more environmentally-friendly compressed natural gas (CNG or LPG).

The engine is the same as in the regular Mii, a 1.0-liter three-pot unit, which makes 68 hp and 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) of torque. Furthermore, if you happen to not find a CNG filling station, you won't have to worry, as it can also run on regular gasoline just fine.

According to Seat, the Mii Ecofuel is easily their most efficient model, using up 2.9 kg of CNG per 100 km, while emitting a measly 79 g/km of CO2. The car will also feature a Stop-Start system, low rolling resistance tires and a Brake Energy Recovery system. The very low CO2 figure will make it tax-exempt in some European countries, a big selling point in its own right.

The car is expected to cost from €12,050 in Germany, but prices will differ slightly depending on the market. Still, it is some €900 cheaper than the Up! eco, and considering the fact that it is basically the same car, it is probably the better buy.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Kahn's Fuji White RS250 Evoque to go on Show in Geneva

The Geneva Auto Salon has the unique distinction among major international motor of attracting a significant number of premium car tuners. A. Kahn Design is one of them and will be displaying the Fuji White RS250 Evoque at its stand.

Kahn's Range Rover Evoque-based model blends the tuner's basic offerings for the compact crossover as seen many times over the past year, with custom detailing inside and out.

The visual transformation begins with a two-tone body and a styling package with a custom front grille, new front and rear bumpers, LED daytime running lights, rocker panels, a rear diffuser with twin central exhausts, roof and tailgate spoilers, colored brake calipers and 22-inch wheels shod in 265x35x22 tires.

A combination of Alcantara, quilted leather, and carbon trims are employed inside, along with custom instrument gauges, a diamond gear selector and vented foot pedals in machined aluminum.

Kahn says it will offer this particular vehicle for sale after it shows in Switzerland for £46,875 (about US$70,300 / €53,800).

Articles Source : Carscoop

Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept is an Audi A5 Sportback-Sized Sports Sedan, Debuts in Geneva

The second most problematic child in the Fiat-Chrysler Group after Lancia, is also the one with the greatest prospects for future growth – just as long as the Italians get their cards right and finally begin investing in products.

Of course, we're talking about Alfa Romeo, which is trying to tell the world that it's slowly getting back on its feet with the presentation of a new concept model for a sharply styled sports sedan that will join the highly-anticipated production version of the 4C mid-engine coupe at next month's Geneva Auto Salon.

Named 'Gloria', the study is the work of the European Design Institute (IED) of Turin in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Style Centre. It might break cover in Switzerland, but the Gloria was designed to appeal to consumers in the North American and Asian markets.

"In effect, the saloon remains a symbol of elegance and prestige for these markets, associated with the idea of comfortable space both at the front and the rear, expressed by the length of the model," said Alfa Romeo in a statement.

At 4,700mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1320mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,900mm, the four-door Gloria is very close in dimensions to the Audi A5 Sportback. Alfa said that the car was designed to be propelled by "a state-of-the-art V6 or V8 biturbo engine", by which it means the new powerplants introduced in the Maserati Quattroporte.

“We asked the students in the Master programme to give us their completely independent interpretation of a new Alfa Romeo saloon,” said Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of Fiat & Chrysler Design. “During development, we commented, discussed and guided the projects in order to get the most from their spontaneous expressions of creativity. The result was stimulating and marked by professional and creative excellence.”

More information about the Gloria will be released at the Geneva Auto Salon.

Articles Source : Carscoop

New BMW Alpina B3 Bi-Turbo Racing to the Geneva Auto Salon

BMW has a very close relationship with Alpina, even offering the latter's special models through its own dealers and with full warranty. At least for now, the only Alpina model available through official channels in North America is the 7-Series-based B7 flagship, even though the German specialty brand has its own proposal for most BMW models.

At the Geneva Auto Salon in March, Alpina will welcome another member in its family, the next generation of the B3 Bi-Turbo, based on the F30 3-Series sedan.

Alpina itself released only a single, partially blocked-out picture of the new B3 Bi-Turbo without any details, but the crew from the BMWBlog got their hands on a full blown image and preliminary specifications.

According to the report, the new B3 Bi-Turbo will use an upgraded version of the 335i's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 404hp (410PS), linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels, for a 0-100km/h run in just 4.0 seconds. The car is said to return a combined fuel economy of 7.9lt/100km (29.8mpg US / 35.8mpg UK).

Articles Source : Carscoop