Based on the C-EVO platform it shares with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Fiat could hijack the Linea badge for the badge-engineered Dart.

Dubbed C-Medium, one cannot help but notice the Dart's taillights, bonnet rake and daylight opening

This does not mean the Fiat-branded Dart will take over as the successor to the Linea in markets where the car is already sold. Fiat is testing the Linea facelift in Europe and the current model is expected to live on for a few more years before the next generation model sees daylight. Steering News is told the Linea successor is unlikely to be bodied on the C-EVO platform.

Fiat's version of Dodge Dart speculatively rendered by Theophilus Chin

The Fiat C-Medium is likely to be out in market by July after the premiere in Beijing during April. Under the bonnet, a locally made 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine with two outputs 88KW/210nm and 110KW/230nm, mated to a 6-speed ‘DDCT-C635′ dual clutch transmission will provide locomotion.

[Spyshot from Playerschina.com; Rendering from TheophilusChin.com]

The Polo clocked 2,644 units while the older Vivo version snapped up 2,964 orders. These two vehicles put together captured 15% of South Africa’s passenger car marketshare. With an overall sale of 9,833 units, VW SA took 21% of the SA’s market share in January.

The Polo Vivo is the previous generation model that sports a 75bhp/84bhp 1.4-liter and 104bhp 1.6-liter petrol engines. It is available in hatch and sedan styles. The case is similar with the Polo (6th gen model) available in 3/5 door as well as a sedan style.

[Source - PoloDriver.com]

News now emerges from Chinese auto portals that Geely’s head honcho Shefu Li has managed to convince his employees that a flagship product, tentatively known as the S100, could be developed to compete with the German barges. Shefu Li, shortly after Volvo’s acquisition, said his company’s ambition was to compete with the Germans.

It is reported that Jacoby and Co was keen on strengthening existing carlines by introducing successor models and building up volumes before heading out in search of premium customers.

Volvo could show a more productionized Concept Universe under the name S100 at this year’s Beijing Auto Show in April, one of China’s most important automotive exhibitions.

[Source - Auto.Sina.com.cn; Concept Universe Images sourced from Facebook.com/Volvo]

Fiat 500 facelift inspired by the four-door 500L is a realistic possibility

There could be more drama on the front fascia with the introduction of symmetric fog lights and carved out, delicately detailed lower air intake.

Fiat recently introduced a 900cc twin-cylinder petrol engine that sips fuel. An electric version has been caught testing in California that could be manufactured in Mexico this year. Fiat sells a 1.3-liter Multi-jet variant and a host of petrol engine variants.

Fiat’s performance factory Abarth will be rolling their sleeves to do something more out-of-the-box with the facelift. Fiat has been running the 500 without cosmetic changes for five years now now and a plastic surgery could instill a bit more life into the car’s remaining lifetime.

[Source - CarPassion.it]

The new Lavida is a zoomed-out VW Passat

The Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture is behind the new Lavida that will replace its predecessor introduced back in 2008. The Lavida was developed by Chinese engineers with very little input from Wolfsburg. It is based on the “Neeza” concept car that was shown a year back in China.

If I parked a Passat next to it, would you be able to tell them apart?

Under the hood, Volkswagen is likely to carry over the powertrains from the previous generation model – 1.4TSI, 1.6L and 2.0L petrol engines coupled to 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed Tiptronic. The Lavida is a cheaper alternative to the Volkswagen Jetta. The model is likely to be an exhibit at the Beijing Auto Show in April and grace showroom floors in June/July 2012.

[Spyshot source - Auto.Sohu.com]

The C-Pillar execution and the rake of the rear windshield is very Nissan Jukeish

A substantial customization program is expected to be on offer to compete with the likes of the Fiat 500 and the Citroen DS3. A notable feature is an iPad-like infotainment system developed with TomTom that has downloadable applications.

At this stage we’re unable to determine the exact details on its platform and mechanicals. There are plenty of components Renault could borrow from cars such as the Micra and Juke. The Clio is Renault’s B-Segment hatchback for European countries.

The speculative rendering of the 2013 Clio has DeZir concept written all over it!

Under the hood a 0.9-liter three-cylinder engine turbocharged to provide higher outputs is complemented by 1.2- and 1.4-liter petrol engines. The well-known 1.5 dCI is expected to serve economy-seeking customers.

[Source - AutoWeek.nl]

The B-Max will be formally presented at the Geneva Motor Show next month, a year after the concept was seen.

Designers have not made a taller Fiesta and put down their tools - B-Max has a unique personality

Styling from last year’s concept car has been largely retained on the road-going version. The wide grille on the front fascia that is fast becoming a signature touch on Ford cars is seen on the B-Max too.

Production model Ford B-Max looks very similar to the concept shown at Geneva 2011

The B-Max will be powered by the 1L Ecoboost diesel engine shown at the Delhi Auto Expo last month for application on the EcoSport mini SUV. Ford is likely to use a newly developed 1.5L DuraTorq diesel engine for long distance customers.

Renault branded Lodgy is heading to Brazil

Dacia will officially show the Lodgy at the Geneva Motor Show in March. One of the company officials has reportedly admitted that the Lodgy could cannibalize sales of the Logan MCV (MPV on the Logan platform) but said the new model could attract new and more customers.

To be sold in Romania from June, Dacia will then hand over the project to its parent company.

The Renault-branded Lodgy models sporting a different front end are going to be manufactured in Brazil next year with 1.6L 108hp and 1.8L 128hp petrol engines.

The Lodgy sits on the Logan platform and is pitched to customers looking for an inexpensive minivan. Staying true to Dacia traditions, the Lodgy will offer the highest space-for-money proposition and compared to rivals cost less to run and maintain.

The Lodgy will be extended to customers in 5- and 7-seat variants. To give you an idea, we presented artist renderings of stripped-down as well as sporty Stepway variants last week.

[Source - AutoSegredos.com.br Actmedia.eu and Youtube.com]

The wheelbase has been extended (to about 2.5m) and the obvious addition is the boot adorned with redesigned tail lights and bumper. Interiors have been carried over from the Palio and they have been put together very well. The Siena will be positioned just above the Palio and is likely to be pitched at young families.

Fiat has taken the necessary measures to distinguish the Siena and the Palio. This is the tradition they usually follow, observed on the Punto and Linea siblings. The headlights, bumper and grille and squared off and the rear is adorned with tail lamps that will make certain generations of the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO blush (we’re yet to hear from Mitsubishi on Fiat’s use of EVO on the Punto brand!).

1.4, 1.6 and 1.8-liter engines paired to manual or a dual clutch gearbox (Dualogic) power the Siena successor. These images give us an indication that the launch is weeks away. Autos Segredos claims that the market launch is likely to be held in March and the previous generation model will not be phased out completely.

[More spyshots can be seen at AutosSegredos.com.br]

In case of looks, don’t expect something too different or flashy as VW designers have not made many changes to recipe. The Golf is Volkswagen’s biggest cash cow and there’s no reason to change an accepted design.

The Golf 7 is marginally bigger but design wise will not change by much

What’s entirely different is the platform it will be now based on – the brand new VW’s MQB platform – which will underpin almost 40 models in the Volkswagen group over the next 8 years. Expect a turbo-charged version of the VW Up’s three-cylinder engine on the base model, followed by a plug-in hybrid and a full electric version in 2013.

[Source - CarMagazine.co.uk]