2012 Honda Civic Hatchback At Frankfurt Motor Show

The new generation of the European market 2012 Honda Civic hatchback will make its world premiere tomorrow at the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt, but the Japanese company is giving us our first view of the car with the release of the official photographs.The first thing you will notice about the 5-door Civic is of course its exterior styling. While Honda's designers kept the shape of the outgoing model intact, the devil is in the details, and whereas the previous Civic sported a futuristic styling with many creases and edges, its successor is frumpier with a lot more curves.
According to Honda, its designers "wanted to keep the sporty and advanced elements of the car's character but tailor them to express the new model's even more elegant yet dynamic feel", while the company adds that sources of inspiration included a "blended wing body" aeroplane (see picture below) in which the fuselage and wings blend into a single body.
Inside, the styling is very similar to the outgoing Civic 5d with a double layered dashboard combining both analogue and digital displays. Honda says it has improved interior quality as well as passenger space.
Under the sheetmetal, the ninth generation of the Civic sports a heavily revised version of the previous model's suspension system, which means it retains a rear torsion beam. Nevertheless, Honda's engineers claim that the reworked parts will improve the car's ride quality, comfort as well as handling and body control.
We're still waiting for more information on the available powertrains, but Honda previously disclosed that the 2012 Civic 5d will be offered with a revised 2.2-liter i-DTEC engine delivering 150HP, 10 more than the outgoing model's 2.2L CDTi unit. At the same time, CO2 emissions are down 29g/km to 110 g/km, 29 g/km.
Production of the European market hatchback will take place exclusively at Honda’s Swindon plant in the United Kingdom, with sales to start early next year.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

IAA 2011: 2012 Hyundai i30

Hyundai has released some new chatter regarding the second generation of its i30compact hatchback that will make its grand debut at next week's 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt
The South Korean car manufacturer's Ford Focus and VW Golf challenger will go on sale in Europe as a five-door hatchback in the Spring of 2012.
Buyers will have a choice of two direct-injection gasoline engines with a displacement of 1.4-liters and 1.6-liters, and two CRDi turbo diesels, again with a displacement of 1.4-liters and 1.6-liters.
All the available engines are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, while in the case of stronger gasoline and diesel versions Hyundai will also offer an optional six-speed automatic transmission.
For the first time in a Hyundai car of this size, the i30 will be available with a knee airbag for the driver, adaptive headlights, instruments with a high-resolution TFT LCD display and an electric parking brake.
Other available options will include a large panoramic sunroof and an integrated navigation system with a 7-inch color monitor and a rearview camera.
Like its predecessor, the new i30 has been designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
The i30's styling represents a further evolution of Hyundai's ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language with both the exterior and interior design modeled closely after the i40 sedan / estate series.
Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre, commented: “The new-generation i30 is recognisable thanks to the Hyundai family face with its signature hexagonal-shaped front grille and the jewel-like design of the headlamps, together with distinctive daytime running lights. These lights present an angular shape within a more softly-edged recess, adding a strong personality to the vehicle, as well as a sense of refinement and luxury.”
“Through the profile of the new generation i30, a strong character line runs over the front and rear wheelarches all the way to the tail lamps. A softer, lower character line rises up the car’s flank creating a play of light and shadow – a fundamental feature of fluidic sculpture,” Thomas Bürkle concluded.
The South Korean automaker said more body styles will be added to the i30's range in the near future, without, however, disclosing any specific details.
The only version of the outgoing i30 that is sold in the United States, is the i30 Tourer marketed as the Elantra Tourer. 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Video: 2012 Ford Focus ST Hot Hatch

Unless Ford is preparing an even bigger surprise for us, the company's recent announcement on the unveiling of the "next performance Focus" at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show strongly suggests that we will see the final production version of the Focus ST in Germany.
But until then, Ford has unleashed yet another media campaign on the internet that marks the final (or at least we hope it’s the final…) countdown for the release of the new Focus ST, which we saw in showcar form in Paris last year.
The campaign, which will also run on social media sites like facebook, will see Ford sharing both exclusive video and photography guiding us through the development of the model.
"This is Ford’s first truly global performance vehicle, and social media gives us a rare opportunity to show enthusiasts how this car is progressing, gives insight into its technologies and builds excitement in this community as we finalize Focus ST’s technical specifications,” said Jost Capito, Director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport
The front-wheel drive-only 2012 Focus ST is equipped with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine churning out approximately 250-horsepower.
“We are determined that the new Focus ST will meet the very high expectations of our fans around the world,” said Capito. “Focus ST will deliver on the promise of great technology, exciting driving dynamics and high levels of refinement – making it as enjoyable to use for everyday driving as it will be on exciting and challenging roads we performance enthusiasts deliberately seek out," he added.

VIDEO

Read more In Cars

2012 Toyota Camry Appears in Different Form in Ukraine

After this week's world premiere of the North American market 2012 Camry, Toyota is now preparing the debuts of its mid-size sedan in other regions of the world. First up is the Ukrainian version, which will most likely be offered in the same form in other surrounding markets including Russia.

While both iterations of the 2012 Toyota Camry share the same body and platform, the Ukrainian model sports a different and more prominent front-end design with bespoke headlamp units, bumper, hood, grille and front fenders.

The profile remains the same while at the rear Toyota's designers extended the tail lamps and restyled the deck lid that now features a subtle lip.

Inside, the changes seem to be limited to the region-specific trim and color options plus a different glove box design.

Toyota Ukraine said the new 2012 Camry will be offered locally with a choice of 2.5-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter six-cylinder gasoline engines, and prices starting from US$33,050, with more details to be available before the end of the year.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

Audi Reveals New A8 Hybrid At 2012

A little over a year after the presentation of its A8 Hybrid Concept at the 2010 edition of the Geneva Salon, Audi is introducing the final production version of its frugal four-cylinder limousine, which goes on sale in 2012.Confirming our suspicions that the concept label was misleading, Audi made very few changes to the production model such as the smaller (18" instead of 21") but same design alloy wheels and the more conventional looking engine cover.
There are no changes under the hood with the car featuring a parallel hybrid powertrain that combines a modified 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI gasoline engine delivering 211HP and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque, with a disc-shaped electric motor that develops 40 kW (54HP) and 210 Nm (154.89 lb-ft).
Audi says the short-term system output is rated at 245-horsepower and 480 Nm (345.03 lb-ft) of torque.
The electric motor is mounted in the space usually occupied by the torque converter in front of the modified eight-speed tiptronic transmission, which guides power to the front wheels. Electric energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery, which weighs 36.7 kilograms (80.9 lb) and is located in a crash-proof area in the trunk.
In terms of performance, the A8 Hybrid goes from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.7 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph).
Its fuel consumption in the EU cycle is said to be under 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.8mpg US or 44.1mpg UK), and CO2 emissions below 148 grams per km (238.2 g/mile).
In addition, the A8 Hybrid can travel on electric power alone at speeds of up to 100km/h (62mph) and for a distance of up to three kilometers or 1.86 miles at a constant 60km/h (37 mph).
The driver can choose from three different modes including "EV", in which priority is given to the electric drive, "D" where the system controls both the engine and the electric motor, and finally the "S" mode for a sportier driving style.
Visually, the A8 Hybrid sports some subtle differences over the standard model including the turbine rotor-style alloy wheels (18-inch standard, 19-inch optional), special badges on the outside, an available, exclusive Arctic Silver finish and a bespoke instrument panel.
Pricing and availability are expected to be announced at next month's 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

2012 Toyota Camry

It is finally here; the car many Americans love to hate buying, the brand-new, seventh-generation Toyota Camry, which was officially unveiled today ahead of its sales launch in States in the beginning of October.If we wanted to highlight the most important features of the new 2012 Camry here's what we would go with: it's more powerful yet delivers better fuel efficiency, has a more upscale interior with higher quality materials, its styling is sharper but continues to be bland and will definitely not excite (on the other hand, it won't offend either), and finally, in some cases its priced lower than the outgoing model.
In more detail and starting from the engine range, the 2012 Camry will be offered with a choice of three powerplants. The base engine is a revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit delivering 178-horsepower, an increase of 9HP, and 170 lb.-ft. of peak torque. Toyota says EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are 25 mpg city/35 highway, and 28 mpg combined, an increase of 2mpg over the previous generation Camry.
Next up is a subtly refined 3.5-liter V6 that generates 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,700 rpm. According to the Japanese carmaker, it returns EPA-estimated ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway (previous model: 20mpg/29mpg respectively).
Both the four- and six-cylinder engines are offered with a six-speed automatic transmission that offers a sequential manual shift mode using the console shifter.


The third option is the 2012 Camry Hybrid that gains a overhauled version of the brand’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, including a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson engine that replaces the 2.4-liter unit.
Together, the gasoline and electric motors produce a combined output of 200 horsepower allowing the Camry to accelerate from 0-to-60mph (96km/h) in 7.6-seconds, which places it between the four-cylinder and V6 models.
Toyota says the new Camry Hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated 43 mpg city/39 mpg highway/41 mpg combined, which accounts to a more-than-30 percent boost in fuel economy in the EPA city and combined driving cycles, compared to the previous model.
According to Toyota, the improved fuel economy can be attributed largely to the new hybrid powertrain, but also due to lighter vehicle weight and optimized aerodynamics.
Also new for the 2012 Camry Hybrid is the EV Drive mode that allows the driver to operate the car on the electric motor alone for up to 1.6 miles at lower speeds (below approximately 25 mph or 40km/h).
The Hybrid version is identified by select exterior features such as the blue-hued Toyota logos and the model-specific alloy wheels and lower grille, while inside, there's exclusive trim and upholsteries along with a three-dial Optitron gauge panel.
While similar in size with the outgoing model, Toyota says that thanks to some changes including but not limited to, moving the accelerator pedal and front seats forward, repositioning the rear-seat hip point rearward, and reshaping the front seatbacks, rear-knee room has been increased by 1.8-inch while rear middle seat legroom has grown by two inches.
The company also claims to have reduced noise throughout the entire cabin.
The new Camry features a more rigid body structure, revised front suspension and redesigned rear suspension, while it's also the first Toyota to feature the firm's latest electric power steering (EPS) control system. The automaker says these changes instill the new Camry with "greater straight-line stability and crisper steering response, while also enhancing overall ride comfort".
For the 2012 model year, the new Camry and Camry Hybrid will be offered with six-different grades. Tech highlights include the introduction of Toyota's new Entune multimedia system that debuts support for mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports.
Surprisingly, Toyota has dropped pricing of some trim grades to lower levels than its predecessor.
“Despite all of the enhancements to the all-new Camry, prices for all popular models have been reduced with dramatic repositioning on SE, XLE and Hybrid models, representing the best value in the segment,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager.
The base Camry L with the 2.4-liter engine, however, is priced from $21,955, or $710 more than the previous model.
The Hybrid LE carries an MSRP of $25,900, decrease of $1,150 or 4.3 percent compared to the 2011 model. For more details on pricing, check out the list below. 

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY

2012 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID

Read more In Cars