2012 Toyota Yaris Price

Toyota today announced prices for its next generation Yaris hatchback in Europe including the UK where the supermini is available for order now with first customer deliveries to take place in September.

The new Yaris is available in three- and five-door body styles with British buyers offered a choice of four grades (T2, TR, SR and T Spirit) and three engines including 1.0 and 1.33-litre petrol units and a 1.4-litre D-4D turbodiesel. On-the-road prices start from £11,700.

The entry-level engine for the range is Toyota’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol that generates 68bhp at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 93Nm at 3,600rpm. Toyota says fuel consumption has been improved by four per cent over the outgoing model to 58.9mpg UK (4.8 lt/100km or 49mpg US), while CO2 emissions are down by seven per cent to 111g/km.

Those looking for a bit more oomph can opt for the 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine rated at 98bhp at 6,000rpm and 125Nm at 4,000rpm. When linked to the firm’s latest Multidrive S (CVT) transmission, fuel economy is 56.5mpg UK (5.0lt/100km or 47mpg US) and CO2 emissions are 118g/km.

Diesel options are limited to the 1.4-litre D-4D engine fitted as standard with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and matched to a six-speed manual gearbox. The four-pot delivers an output of 89bhp at 3,800rpm and maximum torque of 205Nm between 1,800 and 2,800rpm.

According to Toyota, the diesel-powered Yaris’ combined cycle fuel economy has been improved by seven per cent to 72.4mpg UK (3.9lt/100km or 60.2mpg US) and CO2 emissions are six per cent lower at 104g/km.

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The New Mercedes-Benz 2012 B-Class

We’ll know all the ins and outs of the new 2012 B-Class in about two months time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Mercedes today provided us with the first official teaser photos and initial specifications of its small MPV that will go on sale in Europe in November.

While the shape and styling of the new B-Class won’t surprise anyone given the close proximity to the current model, there’s more than meets the eye about the Mercedes-Benz model.

"No model change in the history of Mercedes-Benz has ever seen so many new developments introduced in one fell swoop," argues Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Development, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

First of all, Stuttgart’s newcomer is longer at 4,359mm (+86mm), wider at 1,786 (+9m) but surprisingly, has a lower height at 1,557mm (-43mm). It also features an impressive drag coefficient of cd=0.26 which drops to an outstanding cd=0.24 when equipped with the optional ECO Technology package, which will be available at a later date. For comparison, the current Toyota Prius has a cd figure of 0.25.

The latest B-Class introduces a brand-new range of petrol and diesel engines as well as new manual and automatic transmissions, all of which were developed in-house.

Starting with the new four-cylinder gasoline engines, codenamed M270, all come equipped with the third-generation Mercedes-Benz direct injection system that was introduced last year with the BlueDIRECT V6 and V8 engines.

Designed for both transverse and longitudinal installation, the four-cylinder units are initially available in the B-Class with a displacement of 1.6-liters, as the B 180 rated 122HP and 200Nm and the B 200 with an output 156HP and 250Nm.

The B-Class’ new four-cylinder diesel is a further development of the OM651 deployed in the C- to the S-Class, a common rail direct-injection engine of the third generation. It’s displacement is scaled down to 1.8-liters as the B 180 CDI generating 109HP and 250Nm, and the B 200 CDI rated at 136HP and 300Nm.

Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and the firm’s new 7G-DCT dual clutch gearbox.

Even though it was initially believed that the new B-Class would share the same platform with the upcoming 2012 A-Class, that’s not the case as Mercedes opted to update the current model’s sandwich floor.

The German company said the 2012 B-Class’ updated chassis has a lower center of gravity and comes with newly designed four-link rear axle, an upgraded ESP Electronic Stability Programme and a redesigned electromechanical steering.

It also claims that the new chassis offers “enhanced dynamic performance in comparison to its predecessor” without any compromises on comfort. A sports package featuring with a lowered suspension (-20mm) featuring different dampers with amplitude-selective damping and a Direct-Steer system will be optionally available.

Other technological highlights include a new radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist that will come as standard on all models.

From what we know up until now, Mercedes-Benz has no plans to bring the B-Class to the States.

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New Peugeot 508 RXH with AWD Diesel-Electric Hybrid

Only a week after we brought you spy shots of Peugeot’s high-riding 508 SW, and the French carmaker released the first official photos of the production model that will carry the RXH moniker, ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September of 2011.

The new nameplate isn’t the only thing that differentiates Peugeot’s new crossover from the rest of the brand’s Outdoor models as the 508 RXH comes with all-wheel drive, courtesy of the Hybrid4 diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain.

It is the same hybrid setup found on the 3008 Hybrid4 featuring a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine with 163HP turbo that drives the front wheels and a 37HP electric motor driving the rear wheels for a combined maximum output of 200-horses and 450Nm (331.9 lb-ft).

Aside from offering a four-wheel drive mode, the hybrid setup also allows the 508 RXH to run on pure electric mode with zero emissions. Peugeot says the high-riding estate model returns a combined fuel economy of 4.2 lt/100km (55.9mpg US or 67.2 mpg UK) with emissions of 109 g/km of CO2. More details on fuel consumption and performance specs will be released closer to the Frankfurt Show.

Peugeot did not say when or if it will offer more powertrain choices for the RXH.

The 508 RXH is based on the estate version of Peugeot’s mid-size model, which was presented last year and is also available as a four-door sedan.

In a similar fashion to Audi’s A4 Allroad quattro model, the 508 RXH rides on a jacked-up suspension, and also comes with distinct styling features including a new front bumper with vertical LED lights on either side, chrome roof rails, bigger 18-inch wheels and wheelarch extensions and sill mouldings to give it something of an off-road look.

Other standard features include an Open & Go system, electric front seats, head up display, panoramic glass roof, dark-tinted side windows, latest generation audio and satellite navigation unit.

The 508 RXH will go on sale across Europe in spring of 2012.

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Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe Black Series

*Regular Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Pictured Above

At the press launch of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, selected members of the media got a sneak preview of the all-new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series. And some of them, managed to capture a few photographs of the car but the pictures were hastily removed on most sites after Mercedes’ intervened.

This was supposed to be a secret preview, since the car isn’t scheduled to be unveiled before the German Grand Prix at Nurburgring at the 24th of July. Therefore, you can guess that Mercedes’ people aren’t too happy about the leak.

Anyway, since the beans have already been spilled, here we go: the new C63 Coupe Black Series will be powered by AMG’s 6.2-liter V8, with 510 –horses and no less than 639 Nm of torque. Thus, performance shouldn’t be an issue, while the handling has been taken care of thanks to new suspension settings.

But the C63 Black Series likes to show off its power, therefore its bodywork is like that of a regular C-Class Coupe on (lots of) steroids. There is a body kit, new alloy wheels, quad exhausts and red brake calipers, while on the inside its hardcore nature is evident by the racing-style bucket seats and an alcantara-trimmed sports steering wheel.

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Kia to Unveil V8 RWD Sports Car Concept at Frankfurt Motor Show

During the past few years, Kia has completely transformed its image from a manufacturer of affordable, but rather unexceptional, cars to that of an automaker that offers a stylish and coherent range, thanks in no small part to the hiring of ex-VW Group designer Peter Schreyer. Now, however, it is moving in uncharted waters if a recent report from What Car is accurate.

According to the British magazine, the Korean automaker wants to further improve its image with a halo car that will signal the firm’s intent to make sportier vehicles. And it plans to do so by unveiling a V8-powered, rear-wheel drive sports coupe at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Kia’s boss Hank Lee said that that the V8 coupe to be shown in Frankfurt is just the first of a series of concepts, as another study is being prepared for the NAIAS show in January. Both concepts will be based on Kia’s upcoming large sedan for the North American market.

One of the two concepts is rumored to spawn a production model that could make it into the market as early as 2015.

The magazine added that Kia is also mulling a smaller and more affordable sports car to rival models like the VW Scirocco, the Mazda MX-5 and Renault's Megane Coupe.

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Renault Reimagines Kangoo with Frendzy Concept

After the sporty DeZir rear-wheel drive coupe, the funky Captur three-door crossover and more recently, the practical R-Space minivan, Renault is ready to share its latest concept model with the Frendzy, which was unveiled today ahead of its world premiere at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show later this fall.

The Frendzy is a fresh take on the small van segment where Renault is currently represented by the Kangoo series that is available in both leisure and commercial versions.

Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s head of design, said: “[The] Frendzy is the fourth vehicle to illustrate Renault’s new design strategy, a series which started with DeZir. It takes an original and innovative stance on the world of light commercial vehicles - a key part of Renault’s activities”.

Reflecting its dual role as a vehicle for both pleasure and commercial activities, the Frendzy sports an asymmetric body style.

The passenger’s side is for work as there’s no glazing or centre pillar, just one conventional door and one sliding side door that incorporates a 37-inch widescreen display, which is used to display messages or adverts. The driver’s side is for the family and comes complete with side windows, still no centre pillar, but with centre opening doors.

At the back, there’s a split tailgate with the interior offering as much as 2,250 liters of load space if the rear seats are unoccupied.

On the inside, Renault made extensive use of wood and metal with the cockpit designed around a futuristic theme with plenty of lights that change color depending on the use of the vehicle.

On the more practical side, the Frendzy features a fabric roof that adapts itself to the shape of bulky objects. According to Renault, there are magnetic fixings that allow the load to be secured to the floor while the front seat folds forward in order to free up space.

The concept model is 4,091mm long, 1,872mm wide and 1,743mm tall. Power comes from an electric motor delivering 40kW or 60HP and 226Nm of torque that offers the Frendzy a top speed of 130km/h (81mph).

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