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]

The Hyundai i40 sedan reserved exclusively for the European market

This is the first time the Koreans pipped the Japanese car maker since they entered Germany back in 1999. By doing so they have secured the title of the 10th most popular car brand. Hyundai was helped along by Toyota’s misfortunes as the Japanese company had to grapple with recalls and the ecological disasters that shut down part of its operations in Japan early last year.

Hyundai will hope to repeat this in 2012 with the help of new dealerships selling the latest generation i30 and i40 models.

[Source - English.yonhapnews.co.kr]

You can read more about the exteriors and engine options here- http://indianautosblog.com/2011/12/hyundai-hb

What we have found meanwhile is the first rendering of HB’s interiors.

One can see traces of the Verna and Avante in this dashboard

First thing that catches the eye is funky layout of the dash. As we have seen in the new Verna, i20 or even the low-budget Eon, Hyundai’s strive for quality interiors has taken a massive leap ahead. They are much nicer place to be in than the competition at same price band. With the HB’s interiors (though a rendering) it seems the designers have only bettered it.

The 4-spoke steering wheel looks chunkier along with the very handy steering-mounted controls. Faux aluminum/titanium inserts with black theme surely add sportiness to the dash. Swanky shaped air-vents on either sides are a very nice-touch indeed. The protruding centre air-vents is stylish yet subtle. Two-pod instrument console with a LCD display in between looks neat and well-spaced.

The whole dash is flowing towards the centre, providing the passenger side storage bin more space (note the bulge) for knick-knacks. Thanks to the designing team there aren’t much control knobs/buttons on the dash causing overkill.

What really drew my attention at first is the gear lever; it’s an auto-tranny. And then when you check the tachometer you find the red-line at around 4.5k rpm – That’s the only slip up in this rendering!

[Source - RevistaAutoEsporte.globo.com]

The SUV could come out in the next two years with a W12 petrol engine. Bentley is keen on a petrol engine as China and USA, two biggest markets for Bentley, have a higher demand for a petrol. The diesel engine could come from the VW Group’s wide selection. The Audi Q7′s V12 TDI could make the cut, but it seems to early to predict any outcome. A smaller petrol engine, perhaps the 4-liter V8, is also said to be in the race. Prices are expected to start at a steep 140k UK pounds.

It isn’t just Bentley who is working on a SUV. Fiat Group’s Maserati brand is also working on a crossover-SUV. A four-door sedan and a SUV are interesting options for Lamborghini considering they have been to those zipcodes (LM001 and the Estoque concepts).

Our friends at WorldCarFans.com guess a giant V12 engine displacing 6.3-liters lurks under the bonnet producing a lofty 700hp to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Unlike competitor models, the replacement to the 599 uses an aluminum body.Supercar bodies are synonymous with carbon fiber but Ferrari cites high cost and only a marginal performance benefit for the switch.

The 599 replacement, tentatively referred to as F620, is expected to arrive at the Geneva Motor Show in March.