On the outside, the Dacia Sandero Story and the Dacia Logan Story will get some badges claiming the car’s limited edition status whereas the interiors will feature a light grey trim on the back of the front seats. Dacia is offering side airbags, but as an option only.

Powering the Story limited edition cars will be two petrol engines – a 1.2-liter engine generating 75hp and a 1.6-liter producing 85hp, and one diesel engine – a 1.5-liter dCi with an output of 75hp. The Story edition will be equipped with ABS and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), two front airbags, air conditioner, Radio, CD and MP3 played with steering controls, AUX and USB connectivity, Bluetooth and remote locking system.

The prices of the Dacia Sandero Story will start at 8,800 Euros (US$ 11.5k) and goes upto 10,450 Euros (US$ 13.7k) (VAT included), whereas the Logan Story starts at 7,900 Euros (US$ 10.3k) and goes as high as 9,550 Euros (US$ 12.5k), depending on the engine.

[Source - 0-100.hotnews.ro]

The A6L is stretched by 15 centimeters providing even more space in the back.

The 2012 Audi A6L is the most famous limousine amongst government officials and executives. When this car is launched, the price will range from around 330,000 Yuan (US$ 57k) to 700,000 Yuan (Rs. US$110k).

The current Audi A6L gets an option of 4 gasoline engines i.e. 2.0 TFSI, 2.4 MPI, 2.8 FSI and an all-new 3.0 TFSI, and one diesel engine i.e. a 2.7 TDI. This could be replaced by the new 3.0TDI.

The A6L spotted in China has a new name-suffix, and the reason still remains unclear for the same. The 3.0 TFSI becomes 50 TFSI, the 2.5 TFSI becomes 30 TFSI and the 2.8 FSI becomes 35 FSI. The upcoming models, including the imported A8, will observe the same changes.

[Source - Drive.xcar.com.cn]

Dacia Lodgy dimensions

The Lodgy measures 4.5 metres long and is 1.75 in wide. It can comfortably seat seven occupants. The third row has class-leading space in terms of knee and head room (144mm and 866mm respectively).

The rearmost seats’s armrests are equipped with Isofix fittings for the attachments of child seats and booster cushions. The third row can be detached fully from the car or folded against the front seat backs.

The boot volume ranges from 2,617 liters in the two-seat configuration, to 827 liters as a five-seater and 207 liters when all seven seats are up. This is not counting the 30 liter storage space around the cabin through cubby holes and map pockets.

Electronic and Electrical features

A new multimedia system debuts on the Lodgy known as MEDIA NAV. Priced at €430 it has a radio unit, auxiliary ports, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation (has 2D and 3D displays) via a seven-inch (18cm) touch-sensitive display.

The main menu has the following controls – radio, media, telephone, route map, satellite navigation and settings.

Drivers can make phone calls using the Bluetooth control and audio stream tracks from their phone to play it through the car’s speakers. iPhone or smartphones can be connected to the system using the auxiliary port. Furthermore steering mounted remote controls can control the audio system.

Dacia has installed a speed limiter on the top-end model. The device permits the driver to limit his top speed to complete journeys with less stress and fear of a crash. Rear parking sensor is also available on higher variants, handy for a vehicle of such dimensions.

Lodgy’s Engine and Transmission

A selection of petrol and diesel engines has been provided on the Lodgy to suit customers in different parts of the world.

The petrols, 1.6 MPI 105PS and the new, turbocharged 1.2 TCe 115PS with direct fuel injection join the 1.5 dCi diesel that produces 90PS and 110PS depending on the variant.

Renault states that the Lodgy clocked an equivalent of 1.9 million kilometers in testing through demanding climates and conditions.

Dacia Lodgy Videos

Dacia Lodgy Image Gallery

The powertrains will be identical to that of the V40 with the power output ranging from 115 to 254bhp. We expect it to get all fuel saving features like the start-stop system as well as the City Safety system.

The engine options include a 1.6-liter petrol T3 turbo with an output of 150hp and 240Nm of torque mated to a six-speed automatic transmission followed by the T4 1.6-liter engine with an output of 180hp and 240Nm of torque. The top of the line petrol will be a 2.5-liter T5 engine with an output of 250hp and 360Nm of torque.

The diesel counterparts include a 1.6-liter D2 engine with 115hp and 270Nm of torque, followed by a 2.0-liter D3 with 150hp and 350Nm of torque available on tap. The highest variant could derive power from a 2.0-liter D4 engine churning out 174hp and 400Nm of torque.

Since the next generation S40 shares the platform with the V40, the proportions has to be close to the V40′s which is 4369mm long, 2041mm wide (with mirrors) and 1445mm tall with the wheelbase of 2647mm.

[Rendering Source - TheophilusChin.com]

The dimensions

The new Cee’d is longer (+50mm) and sits even lower (-10mm) than its predecessor, making the profile even more sporty. The new Cee’d is tailor made for Europe and sits on an entirely new platform yet the 2,650mm wheelbase remains the same. The overall bodyshell is narrower (-10mm) and the front and rear track has been increased by 17mm and 32mm respectively.

Kia Cee’d's new engines

The new Cee’d gets enhanced powertrains with even better fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing engine response or power output. The engine options offered depend from place to place. In the Western Europe, there will be two petrol – 1.4 MPI and a 1.6 GDI producing 100 and 135 PS respectively – plus two diesels – a 1.4 WGT with an output of 90 PS and a 1.6 VGT will be offered in two states of tune (110 and 128 PS). Some of the lucky markets in Europe will get a 1.6 MPI petrol unit churning out 130 PS.

The most popular engine option will be the 1.6-liter variable geometry unit generating 128 PS and 260 Nm torque mated to a 6-speed manual or a brand new dual-clutch automatic transmission pushing the car to 100 kph in less than 11 seconds. The transmissions will depend on the engine option one chooses. The Cee’d also gets technologies like the start-stop, EcoDynamics – a sub-brand to optimize efficiency and lower emissions, an alternator management system and low-rolling resistance tyres to further enhance the fuel economy.

Safety

The new Cee’d gets hugely increased torsional rigidity with the new bodyshell (45% stiffer than the original model) and the improvements to the suspension improve the stability, handling and ride quality. Front passengers get 12mm more headroom and 21mm more legroom while rear passengers gain 5 mm of shoulder room. Use of higher quality cabin materials, better sound insulation, use of black single-tone and stone beige two-tone interior color scheme makes the insides a better and more comfortable place to spend time in. The boot gets a 12% increase in the capacity pushing it to 380-liters.

Driver assistance systems

Driving aids include Fixed cornering lamps and advanced HID headlamps, Parallel Park Assist (PPAS). A list of safety feature to ensure the safety of the driver and the passengers include ESP, ABS, BAS (Emergency Brake Assist System), HAC (hill climb assist), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) which flashes the brake lights when the driver makes an emergency stop. Door beams are 50% thicker improving the safety in side impact and gets 6 airbags as standard ensuring maximum safety.

The new series see a lot of upgrades and improvements which would be carried over to the Coupe and the Drophead versions.

The new front end of the Phantom see a restyled grill and bumper with full-LED headlamps as standard, (first on a production car) designed in a sleek rectangular shape. The lights come with Adaptive-lightning technology which makes driving at night safer.

The rear bumpers and alloys have also been tweaked to give a freshness to the car.

One of the major upgrades is inclusion of an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, which takes the place of the old six-speed unit. Although it is said that the output figures of the monstrous 6.75L V12 engine are unchanged the makers claim a 10% increase in the fuel economy.

Upgrades have also been made to the lightweight aluminium space frame and the suspension setup to provide better handling and driving characteristics.

Inside too, the customers get plenty of new inclusions like the new 8.8-inch satellite navigation system with 3D maps and guided tours with landscape topography. A rotary chrome dial makes, similar to BMW’s i-Drive provides access too all the features.

Camera systems which shows front, top and rear view to make sure that the huge car can be parked in the tightest spaces without any problem. Also, it comes with smartphone connectivity and a hard-drive to store data like movies and music.

With a timeless design and advanced technologies, the Rolls Royce Phantom continues to be the object of everyone’s desire in the Ultra-Luxury market.

To everyone’s surprise, Nissan has not released a press release documenting the technology or features of the Invitation Concept. Instead, the release looks into the financial aspects to its production in Sunderland.

The plant is part of the £125 million investment in the UK. It will carry out cylinder head casting, camshaft machining, engine assembly and axle production. The projected sales in the first year is 100,000 units. The arrival of the model gives rise to 2,000 new jobs at the facility and in the vendor circuit.

Dimensions and design features

• Sliding rear doors with a B-Pillar-less design and sliding doors to provide obstruction-free entry for rear seat passengers – the entry aperture is 1.55 meters, twice the competition’s offer.
• At 4 metres long, it is only 11cm longer than the Fiesta hatchback and 12cm taller for better head and leg room

On-board features

• Features on-board include voice-activated, in-car connectivity system, SYNC. The Emergency Assistance, discussed yesterday on the Ford Torneo Custom Concept, that assists occupants to call for help in the event of a crash, is also present on the B-Max
• Interiors are familiar territory for Fiesta owners. Slim, wing-like section of the upper instrument panel reaching out to the door panels and an optional full-size panoramic glass roof enhance the car’s spacious interiors
• The 60/40 split rear seats are folded using a ‘one-hand, one-motion’ mechanism. Flat folding of the front passenger seats and rear seats is possible to create a floor that can ingest loads measuring 2.35m in length
• Other optional features we can point out are Sony audio system, Keyless entry, Rear View Camera and full leather upholstery.

Safety and security

• Active City Stop system that prevents low speed crashes
• Boron steel is used in key load-bearing areas. 58% of the body is built using High-strength and ultra-high-strength steels

Ford B-Max Powertrains

• Power comes from the 1.0-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine, available in 100PS and 120PS forms. Auto-Start-Stop system is standard. Other petrol engines in the list are the 90PS 1.4-litre Duratec motor and the 105PS 1.6-litre Duratec engine coupled to the PowerShift dual-clutch, six-speed automatic transmission.
• The diesel lineup sees the debut of the 1.5-liter Duratorq for the first time in Europe alongside the 1.6-liter TDCI delivering near about 25kmpl.
• 1-liter Ecoboost engine uses 15% less fuel than its nearest rival
• Standard ECOnetic Technologies include Electric Power Assisted Steering, Gear Shift Indicator and Ford Eco Mode driver information system which aids the driver to adopt a more economical driving style and Regenerative Charging that charges the battery using the kinetic energy of the rolling wheels.

The Ford will introduce the B-Max in late 2012.

The EXP 9 F is a luxury off-roader is powered by a 6-liter twin turbocharged W12 engine paired to an 8-speed transmission. Bentley claims it will study carefully the feedback of customers and potential customers to refine the production model.

Why a Bentley SUV?

The EXP 9 is for the Bentley customer who now uses a SUV from another brand. With 160 dealerships spread over several continents, Bentley’s research revealed its customers are driving SUVs of another brand or make. Thus an all-wheel drive SUV with a commanding driving position along with space and Bentley traits could be a perfect choice for its clients.

What are its design features?

Bentley’s standard design language elements such as the matrix grille, round lamps and the strong power-line and haunch along each flank is present on the EXP 9 F. It stands on 23-inch alloy wheels and the day-time running lamp apertures act as air intakes for the twin-turbo W12 engine. The centrally mounted wheel nut is a visual reference to Bentley’s Le Mans racers of the 1920s. There’s some practicality at the back with the use of a split tailgate and twin exhausts echoing the design of the stop light clusters. The stop lights spread their glow outwards to look like jet engines.

What’s special to its interiors?

These are the materials used in building the interior -

Wood, aluminium, bronze, gunmetal, saddle leather, soft-touch leather, silk wool floormats that are reversible. A driver information TFT panel provides the option of viewing either the satellite navigation on the motorway or a ‘sump cam’ when negotiating a bumpy road.

How does it drive?

Drivers can choose from three modes – Comfort, Sport and Off-Road. It is powered by a W12 6.0 litre powertrain, that could develop 600bhp and 800 Nm of torque on the road-going model with benchmark-setting performance indicators like the top speed and 0-60mph acceleration time.

Bentley EXP 9 F Image Gallery

Ford spent six months and several volunteer kickers were used to perfect the system at Ford’s Human Machine Interface laboratory. It employs two sensors under the rear bumper that picks up the kicking/shin movement to swing open the tail gate. The system does not get accidentally activated when the car goes over a speed bump or an animal runs under the car.

This feature will debut on the Kuga in early 2013 for European customers.