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 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 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]

The slightly larger 2013 Volkswagen Golf mule caught is cloaked to create optical discontinuity. Even with the arresting camouflage, we are able to determine that the outline of the vehicle will not differ from the current model. The new Golf is bodied on the company’s future Polo-to-Passat Modularer Querbaukasten (or MQB) platform. New construction techniques could make a lighter car.

Powered starting with the 1.2 TSI and until the 2.0 TSI four-pot petrol engine, Volkswagen could have either electric or hybrid powertrain in store for the new Golf. Body styles such as 3- and 5-door hatchback, minivan (Golf+), crossover (CrossGolf), stationwagon (Jetta Variant) and soft-top cabriolet are said to be in the works.

[Source - CarScoop.Blogspot.com]

The body panels of the Twingo are dirt cheap and thanks to its compact dimensions and light weight, it’s highly fuel economical.

Sales of the Twingo are falling behind along with Renault’s market share in Western Europe dipping from 10.7% in 2002 to 8.4% last year. To revive sales and get back to a reasonable position, Renault has planned to give the Twingo a quick facelift. This will be the Twingo’s first major overhaul in its four year life.

The new Twingo will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will go on sale shortly after. Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s chief designer describes the makeover as “quick and dirty.” He said the facelift was to keep costs down (a model change would cost a bomb) and changes to the front fascia and the rear aims to lend a new personality to the car to form a strong connection between it and the buyer.

The facelift will keep the interest in the Twingo alive till the next generation model (built in partnership with Daimler on the next generation Smart ForFour’s chassis) is ready in 2013-14. The 2012 Twingo will continue to use the same powertrain, but minor changes could improve its performance.

Development sourced from Bloomberg.com

Rendering Source – Autointernationaal.nl

You must have recently seen spy shots of the 2012 Mercedes Benz A and B Class. Talking about the B Class, Mercedes is developing the next generation model alongside the new A-Clas with slightly larger dimensions, though based on the same MFA (FWD) platform. The car would be available in a host of diesel and gasoline engines and would be highly space and fuel efficient.

Given Stuttgart is busy at work, it is time rivals at Bavaria start developing their own hatchback/MPV to stay in the same page as the competition (Remember, ‘Wherever you go, we follow’?)

Spy shots of the BMW mini car under development have emerged and the dimensions are said to be close to the Mercedes B Class. The car will seat 4 in comfort and will be developed in both 2 and 4 wheel drive versions. Interior shots have still not emerged as the test mule was completely camouflaged.

The BMW mini car will share its platform with the 2013 MINI Cooper and is expected to hit the international market in the last quarter of 2013.

Source – WorldCarFans.com

This will be Dacia’s first shot at the MPV market.

There will be commercial and passenger editions of the low cost van. The J92 will be offered to traders as well as families. The latter will have beige interiors, climate control, electrically operated seats, automatic transmission, etc.

The 7 seat MPV everyone knows better as “Popster” will be similar to the Toyota Innova and Mahindra Xylo. These are ready examples of region-specific passenger movers. The J92, like the Duster and Logan will be branded as a Renault product for emerging markets.

[Spyshot Source - Gmotors.co.uk]

The roofline, doors and the flared wheel arches are reminiscent of the Novo Uno which turned out to be a success story in South America.

Under the hood of the 2012 Fiat Panda, the current 1.2-liter petrol engine is expected making 69hp and the 1.3-liter diesel generating 75hp will be its partner.

There is also a talk of the highly efficient 900cc twin-air petrol engine in naturally aspirated and turbocharged formats. We are likely to see the 4×4 variant along with alternate fuels like LPG and CNG offered on international markets by the end of 2012.

Source – Alvolante.it

The Cruze is the global Optra/Lacetti replacement which comes with interior styling inspired by the Camaro. The Cruze platform has given birth to a hatchback model and there could be a station wagon joining the ranks shortly.

Introduced in America last year with fuel-efficient petrol engines, almost all European countries have the Cruze on sale now. In India, it is offered only with a 2.0-liter diesel engine marketed as a “Diesel Rocket.”

It is Brazil’ turn to get the Cruze after almost three years since the Paris debut. Testing with scanty camouflage, CarPoint News writes GM will begin assembling the Cruze this year for an August debut. Available in LT and LTZ trims, the 1.8-liter 16v 140bhp petrol engine is their guess. CarPoint is also expecting the hatchback model to be introduced during the end of 2011.

Source – CarPointNews.blogspot.com

This is one the best interiors (leave alone the best of Hyundai) we have seen in an mid-size sedan.

The present Azera is slightly wider and longer than the Sonata and its  interiors are well appointed. Based on the Sonata’s platform, the top-end variant comes with a 3.8-liter V6 petrol engine.

The shifter is derived from a manual transmission's cabin, while the buttons have grown in size

One can also buy the Azera with a 2.2-liter CRDI engine also found on the Sonata.

2012 Hyundai Azera Interior shots recall the Sonata YF

The 2012 Azera features an extremely wide grill which will probably be chrome plated and a more coupe like body. The 2012 Azera is expected to be powered by 2 different V6s – a 263-hp 3.8-liter or a 234-hp 3.3-liter mated to a 6 speed automatic.

Steering mounted controls, a chunky steering wheel and futuristic twin dial cockpit is good

Now we can certainly wait no more for the final announcement. Bring it on Hyundai!

Source – Noticias Automotivas