Range Rover Evoque readies for Dakar with BMW power

The Land Rover Evoque is headed to participate in the next running of the Dakar Rally with a few necessary modifications. The British Excite Rally Raid Team is planning to take to the sands of South America with three cars shelled in the body of an Evoque.

Made by RaBe Race Cars, the purpose-built vehicles feature a tubular chassis, a Range Rover Evoque body and a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter diesel engine with 275 hp (205 kW / 271 PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. Other highlights include a ZF transmission, a Reiger coil-over suspension and 16-inch wheels with BF Goodrich desert racing tires.

Each machine will be built by RaBe Race Cars, which has a long history of churning out Dakar-ready hardware for other teams. All three Evoque bruisers will be campaigned by a fully British crew that includes names like Martin Rowe, Andrew Coley and John Hardy. The 2012 Dakar Rally Raid kicks off on January 1, 2012.





Press Release

BRITAIN'S ALL-PROFESSIONAL DAKAR RALLY TEAM IS BACK ON TRACK(S)...

The Excite Rallye Raid Team has announced its driver and equipment line up for 2012 and also for the 2013 Dakar Rally: the team will be running 3 vehicles specially commissioned from RaBe Race Cars, driven by Martin Rowe, John Hardy and Andrew Coley. (Driver biographies are detailed below in Editor's notes).

Poole-based Excite Rallye Raid is the only professional, all-British Dakar Rally team to beentering the gruelling Dakar Rally in 2013.

In fact, Excite Rallye Raid Team is the first professional, all-British team to ever set itssights on the Dakar Rally.

The team combines world class drivers with an experienced management, marketing and support crew, working with the tough and reliable RaBe Race Cars vehicle to fly the flag for Great Britain in the spirit of all the great British explorers and adventurers from history.

Business Manager David Jones says: "We've been working on this project for a long time; we haven't disappeared, but we have had to change our approach due to the economic climate everyone is working in. We looked at the level of media coverage for rally raid events, and recognised that if we wanted to secure the necessary backing, we first needed to secure the coverage, across all forms of media - and with some really unique ideas, we're confident we've now done that.

We were approached by a manufacturer, RaBe Race Cars, whose staff have been around the sport for a long time. They've been monitoring our progress for a couple of years and on seeing our professional approach, they asked if we could work together. We have goals that we would like to achieve which we can each assist the other with, so we have now set our sights a bit higher. Of course, this fits perfectly with our other goal of achieving the right level of financial backing."

Mike Jones of RaBe Race Cars says: "RaBe Race Cars has years of off-road motorsport experience at every level, from club to International works teams. In fact we have a family motorsport tree that is celebrating its 100th Anniversary of continuous motorsport involvement in 2012. The last 15 years have been devoted to Desert racing and achieving not just a finish but top honours at Dakar. Little known outside of the bivouac of Dakar, we have built cars for many other teams who race under their own colours and logos.

The partnership with the Excite Rally Raid Team is part of our desire to push our skills to the top of our sport.

The road to developing a serious car has been as tough as the race itself. After 4 years of testing and development, we now have a car that can stand up against any of its peers. The five prototypes have already competed at three different Dakars, achieving a mechanical finish reliability rate of 100%. With this reliability and the knowledge gained from testing in Morocco, we will be able to focus on the fine tuning of the D4_WN5 production version to leap into the world rally raid spotlight. This is a very serious Dakar car, and we are very pleased to combine our skills with the Excite Rally Raid Team for a serious attempt at Dakar.

The Excite rally team bring all the extra pieces together to help us move forward and have a serious all-British attempt at a podium finish and ultimately a world championship crown. We very much like the skills that the Excite team are bringing from a wide range of other motorsports and all the key members of the combined effort bring something very unique to the wider team. The 2012 season will be a great year for the Excite rally team and UK motorsport fans will see a lot more of a massive global sport that they all know and love.... the Dakar Rally."

Team Principal and Driver John Hardy says: "This is the best chance an independent manufacturer team has had to perform at the top level in a long time. We hope that we may be able to work towards a very good result on the Dakar in 2013 and then, next time around, why not shoot for overall honours?! We have always intended, and still intend, to give it our very best shot!"

The Excite team's preparations and training programme are ongoing at the present time and the next significant target is to participate in several off-road rallies in 2012 to help with the car's development and to build up time in the new vehicle before taking on the Dakar Rally in 2013.

Excite Rallye Raid is currently in partnership talks with several global brands, but the team would love to be backed by a British sponsor to round off the all-British package.

All in all, it's a very exciting time for Team Excite!

Notes:

The Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally is internationally recognised as the world's most challenging motorsport event, followed by millions globally on TV and throughout the media.

On the event, hundreds of competitors cover in excess of 9,000 km in 14 days over some of the most hostile environmental conditions found anywhere in the world.

Many of the leading vehicle manufacturers enter the event as it is a unique opportunity to market their products to a global audience. Equally, a large number of entries come from private, entrepreneurial teams who are driven to compete in this prestigious event.

Driver profiles: Martin Rowe, Andrew Coley and John Hardy

Martin Rowe
Ex British, Chinese and World Rally Championship winning driver, Martin Rowe, brings a wealth of success and experience only comparable to a few other �works' FIA Off Road Championship/Dakar teams. Martin's list of achievements is impressive, with works drives for Peugeot, Renault, Ford and Porsche. Plus testing and development roles within both the Ford and Subaru works teams just add to his profile.

Career highlights:
1991 Manx Stage Rally Champion
1992 British 1.6 Peugeot Challenge Champion
1994 British Gp N Champion
1998 British Rally Champion
2001 British Formula Rally Champion
2002 6th World Production cup
2003 World Production Cup Champion
2004 Driver coaching/various testing roles
2005 Drove in 4 rounds of the China Rally Championship winning 2 rounds with Team KST Ralliart China.
2006 Chinese Rally Champions with Team KST Ralliart China.
Represented Porsche Cars GB in the Transsyberia Rallye.
2011 / 2012 / 2013 Representing Excite Rallye Raid.

Andrew Coley
A National champion rally driver, Andrew has experience on tar, gravel, snow, ice and sand dunes! Andrew has over ten years' experience in the motorsport industry, providing TV Commentary and presenting on major international channels / motorsport events including Eurosport (Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), The Race of Champions, Asian Le Mans Series and FiA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and Rally Raid amongst others) and Superleague Formula. He has hosted and presented at events on behalf of several major vehicle manufacturers and has acted as Sponsor Host for the SEAT team in the British Touring Car Championship. In addition, he has provided specialised vehicle product training for the car industry and worked on industry DVDs.

Career highlights
1998 Started rallying, participating in 3 events, with 3 mechanical retirements! (He knew nothing about cars but learnt fast!).
1999 Won SE region tar championship 1600 class.
2000 Selected by the UK MSA to be one of 20 young drivers on the �Fit to be Champion' scheme (the first MSA elite scheme) and also entered the Roger Clark Award.
2001 Roger Clark Award manager Richard Stoodley secured Andrew a drive with 22 Motorsport (meeting John Hardy on the same team) in the ANCRO National Championship. Andrew finished 2nd in class A7 at the end of his first year in forests.
2002 - 2004 testing for 22 Motorsport, working as a motorsport instructor.
2005 Andrew was selected from 200 European entries to represent the UK in the final 10, for the Dakar Challenge, a competition run by Eurosport, NISMO and BFGoodrich to win a drive on the Dakar Rally. The Semi finals were held at Clermont Ferrand in France, Michelin's test venue. Made the final 5, knocking out JWRC regulars, despite not competing for several years. Final was in Morocco, where Andrew finished a very close 2nd to the Ford WRC team's test driver. Stayed in Morocco for a week to complete NISMO's Dakar training programme and was appointed reserve driver for Dakar 2006.
2007 Andrew could resist the draw of rallying no more, bought a 206 Cup Car, returned to the forests and entered 2 events to get back up to speed.
2008 Entered the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship and won class A6 after a season long battle with a Super1600 car.
2009 Change of career from motorsport instruction to motorsport commentary and TV / event presenting. Currently commentating on IRC Rally and Superleague Formula. Andrew has featured on ESPN, Eurosport, Motors and Bloomberg as a commentator. He has also appeared on BBC3, GMTV, Channel 5, Sky Sports and Eurosport during his rally career.
2011 / 2012 / 2013 Representing Excite Rallye Raid.

John Hardy
With over 20 years' British National Rally Championship experience behind him, John Hardy will provide reliable and highly important support to both Martin and Andrew, while being equally competitive. John has also spent many years working as a rally driving instructor, helping many British Championship drivers with car setup and driver training.

Career Highlights
1988 John took part in his first Rally as a co-driver at Festival Rally Exeter, aged 16.
1989 1st National event as co-driver in the Mazda Winter Rally.
1991 Started driving Auto cross and Rally.
1993 1st National Rally as a Driver.
1994 ACSMC Rounds - John achieved a number of top 3 finishes in class.
1999 Testing in EVO 6 for K sport and ACSMC Events.
2000 Landed a drive with K-Sport on Rallye Sunseeker in a Evo 6. This was John's first rally in 4wd turbo car. John's co-driver was a journalist. John was placed 19th overall.
2001 Drove for 22 Motorsport in a Seat Cupra Sport, with Andrew Coley as team mate.
2003 British National Rally Championship competitor. Came 3rd in class in the championship. Worked at a rally school.
2004 Competed in several National rallies and worked at the rally school at Castle Combe.
2005 Drove the 2CR FM rally car with a DJ as co-driver.
2006 Started thinking about doing the Dakar and established Excite team, recruiting a solid core of drivers, co-drivers, motorsport mechanics and support staff.
2009 Worked with TV guys on Rallye Sunseeker.
2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 Representing Excite Rallye Raid.

The Car
RaBe Race Cars D4 WN5 - Built for T3 world championship
Engine: BMW diesel N57 3.0 ltr 275 Hp 650Nm with FIA restrictor.
Transmission: ZF 6 speed / two speed transfer case.
Dampers: 8 x Reiger coil overs.
Wheels: Compomotive Atacama RallyRaid wheel 16".
Tyres: BF Goodrich desert race G series.
Fuel Tank: 260 Litre.
Length: 3.8 m.
Width: 2.0 m.
Height: 1.9 m.
Wheel Base: 2.8 m.
Weight: 1900 Kg.

24-karat Gold Ferrari 250 GTO Sculpture

Swiss artist Dante will unveil his 24-Karat Ferrari 250 GTO sculpture at next month�s Pebble Beach Concours d�Elegance 2011 in California.

Based artist Dante Rubli is a veteran sculptor who has wowed the world with awe-inspiring pieces. His sculptures include scale models of iconic sports cars which are crafted in luxury finishes, like gold, white gold, and silver.

The sculpture will be displayed alongside a tribute to the Ferrari 250 GTO featuring several rare units of the model.




Press Release

Swiss Artist Dante to Bring Iconic Sports Car Series of Sculptures to United States

"24-Karat Ferrari 250 GTO to be Unveiled during World Famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Weekend"

BERN, Switzerland, July 25, 2011 - Award winning artist Dante has announced that the United States debut of his newest sculpture will take place next month in Pebble Beach, California. "I am delighted to have the chance to come to Pebble Beach to experience the finest Concours event in the world and exhibit my sculptures," said the artist. The highly anticipated third piece in Dante's Iconic Sports Car series will be unveiled during the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance weekend which gathers significant collectors and the finest examples of automobiles from around the globe.

"The iconic car sculptures are my tribute to the men who made the original cars: they were artists," said Dante. As a Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance sponsor, a Design by Dante tent will be in position Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, August 21 on Peter Haye Hill adjacent to the Concours site in RetroAuto Plaza, amidst fellow Concours sponsors such as The Wall Street Journal, Porsche and Infinity to name a few. Dante will personally be on hand to meet with media and special guests.

Dante will reveal his newest sculpture, a Ferrari 250 GTO, coinciding with a special display of rare Ferrari 250 GTO cars which the Concours has assembled from all over the world. "One of the most important reasons for my coming to Pebble Beach is the celebration of the Ferrari 250 GTO and the number of original cars being shown. It is my favorite car of all time," said Dante.

About Dante

Dante Rubli is an artist based in Bern, Switzerland. He has been producing works of art for twenty-five years. Working with a variety of textiles ranging from wood and steel to gold and platinum, Dante has created custom furniture, sculptures and even automobiles for celebrities and collectors the world over. The Iconic Sports Car series delivers his most recent works in three scales, each of which can be supplied in traditional gold, white gold, silver and a selection of other luxury finishes. Each design in the series is limited to ten exceptional pieces. To date, the series includes the Aston-Martin DB5, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing and Ferrari 250 GTO. More

Audi A3 Sedan Concept

Audi has releases the A3 sedan concept that will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The Audi A3 sedan will be a notchback, as the company calls it and is based on the successor to the Audi A3. This means that the Audi A3 sedan concept will offer a preview of the next generation of the company's popular model.

Audi describes the A3 concept as a "four-seater notchback sedan" and measures in at 174.84-inches long � about six inches longer than the current five-door model. The front fascia is a further evolution of Audi's more aggressive snout, complete with full LED headlamps and new trapezoidal grille. The greenhouse is suitably squat, with an arching roofline that terminates in a thin, low-slung C-pillar to give it the de riguer "four-door coupe" shape.

Under the bonnet the Audi A3 Sedan Concept accommodates a 2.5-litre turbocharged 5-cylinder engine developing 408 bhp which spins all-four wheels through a 7-speed S tronic transmission. The production version of the Audi A3 Sedan Concept is expected to hit the market in 2012, with this new model intended to enhance the automaker's potential on markets where customers prefer sedans rather than hatchbacks.

In terms of design, the Audi A3 sedan features a single-frame grille with tapered upper corners, LED daytime running lights, obviously, and low, flowing roof dome with a coupe style C-pillar. The Audi A3 sedan will most probably spawn a production version in the near future.




Press Release

Audi presents A3 concept in Geneva

• Attractive concept car as a four-seater notchback sedan
• Five-cylinder, 300 kW (408 hp) turbocharged engine with quattro drive
• Based on the successor to the Audi A3

Audi will present an attractive technological concept car based on the coming generation of the Audi A3 at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show in early March 2011. The four-seater notchback sedan offers a glimpse of the future expansion of the A3 family.

The sporty yet elegant design of the Audi A3 concept integrates the single-frame grille with its tapered upper corners and headlights with the latest generation of LED technology. The low, flowing roof dome and a coupe-like, low C pillar are among the defining features of the side view.

The Audi A3 concept is 4.44 meters (14.57 feet) long, 1.84 meters (6.04 feet) wide and just 1.39 meters (4.56 feet) high. These proportions emphasize the dynamism of the car's appearance, as do the performance figures for the drive unit. The five-cylinder turbocharged engine has a power output of 300 kW (408 hp). It distributes its power to all four wheels through a seven-speed S tronic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive.

K-PAX Racing unveils Volvo S60 Race Car

Motorward K-PAX Racing released the first image of their new Volvo race car for the 2011 World Challenge GT based on the S60 model.

With the series set to get underway at St. Petersburg, Fla., in late March, the new cars won�t debut until April at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. Until then we�ll have to settle with a teaser of the 2011 S60 model.

The Volvo S60 that K-PAX will be competing with in the World Challenge was redesigned for 2011. A new model is being offered for 2012 � the T5 version. The standard model is a T6 with all-wheel drive. The new S60 T5, propelled by a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, puts out 250 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque available at just 1,800 rpm. Coupled with its lighter weight as a front-drive model, the T5 is capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.8 seconds, compared to 5.8 seconds for its more potent T6 sibling.

The S60 race machine will come with multiple aerodynamic tweaks, with the vehicle using elements such as an aggressive front apron, a new hood that uses a massive air intake and a generously-sized rear wing.





Press Release

K-PAX Racing to Campaign New Volvo S60 in World Challenge GT in 2011

Englewood, Colo. (Feb. 14, 2011) - K-PAX Racing, the World Challenge GT Manufacturers' and Drivers' champion in 2010, will return to defend its titles in 2011 with two new Volvo S60s that reflect the car's recent redesign.

The new all-wheel-drive Volvo S60s will be introduced at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, in late April for the fourth round of the World Challenge schedule.

"For the first three races, we'll run the body style that took us to last year's championships," said Jim Haughey, Team Owner of K-PAX Racing. "Once fans see the new cars, I think they'll be very impressed."

The 2011 World Challenge season begins with two races in St. Petersburg, Fla., the weekend of March 25-27. The World Challenge is North America's top production car-based racing series. Divided into three classes (World Challenge GT, World Challenge GTS, and World Challenge Touring Car), each race features a thrilling standing start, adrenaline-filled, door-to-door action and world-class drivers.

World Challenge features cars from the world's most popular manufacturers - race-prepped versions of the cars driven on the streets. Sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing, World Challenge races at North America's premier road and temporary street courses.

For more information about World Challenge, visit http://www.world-challenge.com/.

For more information on K-PAX Racing, visit http://www.kpaxracing.com/ and follow the team on Twitter @kpaxracing.

Mazda Minagi Concept

Mazda is primed and ready to go to the Geneva Motor Show with their latest concept, called Minagi.

The new model will be one of the first Mazdas to use the brand�s newest design language, Kodo, which was previewed on the Shinari concept. This new language means �soul of motion,� and should not be confused with the alien from The Simpsons, Kodos. (For starters, Kodo is Japanese, while Kodos is from Rigel VII.) The sketches show a nice evolution of Mazda�s basic crossover silhouette, as well as the disappearance of the controversial smiley-face grille.

The Minagi is a showcase of Mazda�s Skyactiv technologies, the brand�s designation for its new engine, transmission and safety packages. Mazda will show some Skyactiv hardware in Geneva, including a direct-injection gasoline engine, a clean turbocharged diesel and two transmissions.

Despite being labeled as a concept, the company hinted the Minagi "is the forerunner to the launch of Mazda's upcoming next-generation products." This seems to imply we could be looking at Mazda's version of the Ford Vertrek concept, which will go into production, possibly as the CX-5, to the replace the current Escape and Kuga.




Press Release

Mazda MINAGI Concept to Showcase Mazda's All-new SKYACTIV Technologies and KODO Design at the Geneva Motor Show

HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of its new MINAGI compact crossover SUV concept car during the press days of the 2011 Geneva motor show, which is being held from March 1-13, 2011. The Mazda MINAGI concept fully embraces Mazda's new SKYACTIV technologies and its new design theme, KODO - Soul of Motion. The exciting MINAGI concept is the forerunner to the launch of Mazda's upcoming next-generation products and symbolizes the evolution of the Mazda brand as it begins a new era.

The Mazda MINAGI is a compact crossover SUV concept that combines Mazda's SKYACTIV technologies - which represent the harmony between driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance - with emotional KODO design that communicates pent-up energy bursting with vitality as the vehicle nimbly navigates a sprawling urban cityscape. Fully introducing SKYACTIV technologies throughout, MINAGI is equipped with a SKYACTIV engine and SKYACTIV transmission fitted to a SKYACTIV-Body and chassis that merge comprehensive weight reduction with the assurance of ample safety features.

Mazda's stand at the Geneva show will also feature new SKYACTIV technology exhibits and the Mazda SHINARI design concept car, among a wide range of products.

Officially titled the 81e Salon International de l'Auto de Gen�ve, the show's press days are March 1 and 2, and the public days are March 3-13, 2011. Mazda will hold a press conference on Tuesday, March 1.

2012 Kia Rio

Kia has announced plans to unveil its all-new Rio light car at March's Geneva Motor Show, ahead of its mid-year Australian debut.

The new Rio will be longer and wider, as well as sit lower, than the current model - providing more room while sleeking out the design. According to Kia, the new look of the Rio is meant to "inject emotional appeal into the B-segment" and appeal to that crucial demographic of buyers, 25 to 49 year-olds.

The 2012 Kia Rio also has a character line which offers a sense of movement and fluidity, even when stationary. Kia also says the 2012 Kia Rio has a driver oriented interior and that it anticipates the new gen model will be even more popular than the current one.




Press Release

Next Generation Rio Marks Next Big Step in Kia's Design Revolution

The first official sketches of the next generation Kia Rio revealed today (Wednesday) show a powerful, bold design that marks "the next big step" in the company's ongoing design revolution. Longer, lower and wider than the existing Rio, the new model is designed to inject emotional appeal into the B-segment, targeting progressive, energetic consumers in the 25-to-49 age range. Described by Kia's Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, as 'sporty and elegant', the B-segment newcomer has a swept-back profile and a character line rising out of the front wheel which gives it a sense of movement and fluidity, even when stationary. Inside, new Rio will offer a feeling of quality typically associated with larger, more expensive models. The new Kia Rio will make its global debut at the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

Ciento Once by GWA

GWA Tuning, a North American firm, has revealed the images of the Ciento Once. The prototype is still under development and is a revival of a famous Mercedes Gullwing prototype from the 70s. GWA has created a modern take of the same vehicle.

The Ciento Once is built upon a tubular space frame chassis, but instead of the original Wankel diesel that powered the concept car it gets aMercedes V12 with with 408 HP mounted in the middle visible through the glass hood. It is backed by a 6-speed Cima H type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust.

Wheelbase is slightly shorter than the original at 103 inches (2616 mm) and weight is similar at 1,400 kg (3086 lbs). Brakes are the same as on the S55 Mercedes-Benz.

The interior of the GWA Tuning Ciento Once offers carbon fiber seats, brushed aluminum pedals and illuminated door sills. the car has the same wheel-tire setup as the Mercedes SLS AMG (19x9 wheels with 265/35/19 tires at the front and 20x11 wheels with 295/30/20 tires at the rear.)






Exterior and Interior

The Ciento Once will come with a body made out of high-grade aluminum and an electrically operated rear adjustable wing. Other elements that will be added to this one-off vehicle include a swooping front hood, front spoiler with large air intake, a rear diffusor, and of course, those gull wing doors.

Comparing it to the 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111 from which it was based on, the Ciento Once will come with a slightly shorter wheelbase at 103 inches while maintaining the same weight � around 1,400 kg � as its inspiration. The one-off car also runs on GWA Type A wheels, 19X9 front and 20X11 rears, with 265/35/19 and 295/30/20 rubber.

As for the interior, GWA Tuning gave the Ciento Once a modern take while also taking into account a vintage retro feel. Modern items include carbon fiber seats covered in plaid, an instrument panel that�s been modeled after a W120R MB, modern dashboard accents, illuminated door sills, and brushed AMG aluminum pedals.

Performance

GWA Tuning certainly made sure to give the Ciento Once an engine worthy of its one-off status. Housed in a tubular space frame chassis, the car�s power plant is derived from a M120 Mercedes V12 engine that produces a robust 408 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed Cima H-type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust. Even better, the car�s powerful engine can be seen through a glass on the rear deck, making for some nice �ooohing� and �aaahing� from passersby.

Pricing

No word yet on how much it�s going to cost, but considering it�s most likely going to be a one-off vehicle, there�s a very big chance that it�s going to come with a steep price tag. How steep? Well, we wouldn�t be surprised if it punches a number north of six digits.

Competition

Scoff if you want, but if you�re in the market for a one-of-a-kind Mercedes with gullwing doors to rival your neighbor�s SLS AMG, then GWA Tuning�s Ciento Once is the perfect candidate for that. Just make sure you call �dibs� on the car before everybody else.

Mitsubishi�s global small car to be launched in India

The new small car has a typical Mitsubishi design language except for the fighter jet grille. Guess, Mitsubishi might have skipped this fascia design owing to the car�s small size. Mitsubishi will launch the �close to production� car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show during March 3 � 13, 2011.

The car will be produced by Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) at the site where the new factory is to be built in at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province. Initially, the production capacity of this new factory will be around the 150,000-unit per year level, and in the future it can be boosted to the 200,000-unit per year level. The new factory is planned to hire around 3,000 new staffs.

Several pattern sketches give the strong denote of a direction Mitsubishi will take with the automobile, as well as Mitsubishi has pronounced the automobile will get an engine in between 1.0-liters as well as 1.2-liters. Production of the automobile is set to start next year at the brand new bureau in Thailand, that will trade cars to rising markets.

The sale price will be 400,000 baht in Thailand, Masuko said, adding that cars from the new plant would be sold in Japan.

Source: Mitsubishi




Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Conducts Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for New Factory at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand

Bangkok, December 9, 2010-Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today conducted a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for a new third factory of its Thailand producer and distributor, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) at the site where the new factory is to be built in at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Thailand's Minister of Industry Chaiwut Bannawat and MMC President Osamu Masuko.

The third factory will be built adjacent to the first and second factories, and is planned to start mass production in March 2012. It will produce the "global small" 1.0-1.2L class compact vehicle that MMC plans to launch in fiscal year 2011. Initially, the production capacity of this new factory will be around the 150,000-unit per year level, and in the future it can be boosted to the 200,000-unit per year level. The new factory is planned to hire around 3,000 new staffs.

The "global small" to be produced at the new factory will be a new vehicle based on a completely new platform currently being developed by MMC with "compact," "affordability," and "fuel efficiency" as the basic concepts for the vehicle. The "global small" will conform to Thailand's Eco-car Project, implemented by the Thai government with the objective of promoting investment in Thailand's automobile industry and reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. The "global small" will be positioned as an entry model in MMC's model lineup, and plans are to export the vehicle from Thailand to markets worldwide as a global strategic vehicle that corresponds to both market needs of emerging countries, for which demand for automobiles is expected to increase, and advanced nations, where vehicle downsizing is increasing in order to correspond to energy issues in addition to environmental awareness.

Minister Chaiwut Bannawat expressed his pleasure at the ceremony: "It's my great pleasure that Mitsubishi Motors Thailand's factory becomes a part of our Eco car Project. This Mitsubishi factory will bring to Thailand many technologies for automobile production and lead to improve labor skills for auto industry as well as related industries."

In addition, MMC President Masuko added "It's a great honor to have this memorable day for the construction of the third factory. From the beginning, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has strongly believed in Thailand's potential as the production hub for global markets; now Mitsubishi Motors Thailand became the production base of our 1- ton pickup. We share the Thai government's environmental concerns and we have made Thailand the global production hub for the "global small."

New (third) Factory Outline
Location Laem Chabang Industrial Estate, Chonburi, Thailand
Position About 100km southeast of Bangkok
Factory Summary Built-up vehicle factory (pressing, welding, painting, assembly)
Initial Producton Capacity Around 150,000 units/year
Vehicle Produced �Global small�
Start of Mass Production March 2012
Employees Approximately 3,000

2012 Kia Picanto

Kia has released the first teaser images of the 2012 Picanto, which offers a general view of the next generation model. The world debut of the 2012 Kia Picanto will take place next year, at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011.

Styled at the company's European design studio, the new Picanto promises "to stand out from the crowd" by "exuding self confidence, solidity and maturity." Furthermore, it will be�available�in three- and five-door configurations.

With an exterior that looks more confident and mature, the new Kia Picanto will go on sale across UK in Spring 2011, although no details regarding motorisation and pricing are available at this moment.




Press Release

Kia sketches out future with 'stand-out' newcomer

• Kia reveals first design sketches of stylish next generation Picanto city car
• Newcomer brings confidence, solidity and maturity to the A-segment
• Production vehicle to be unveiled at 2011 Geneva Motor Show
• On sale in the UK from late Spring 2011

Kia has today released the first official design sketches of the next generation Picanto city car designed to stand out from the crowd.

The new model has been styled by Kia's European design team based in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

Exuding self confidence, solidity and maturity, the next generation Picanto is designed to break the city car mould and will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011 and will be on sale in the UK from late spring.

Geneva Debut: Rinspeed BamBoo concept

Rinspeed has announced plans to introduce the BamBoo concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

The Rinspeed BamBoo is a 'grown-up golf cart' and as the name suggests, many of its interior components are made from bamboo fibers. However this is not some kind of weight saving measure, as the idea behind the Rinspeed BamBoo was to create an open top vehicle, light and easy to maneuver, reminiscent of the 70s for people who love the summer and the beach.

Since the vehicle is called BamBoo, it�s easy to guess that the material will be found somewhere in the workings of the car. Rinspeed states that bamboo fibers are a part of major components of the interior, but we�ll probably have to wait for Geneva to get more information. In fact, we�ll have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show in March to find out a lot about this open-top vehicle. The only other information we could pull from the press release is that, if produced, this vehicle will more than likely be electric for that little bit of modernization needed for this retro design.

These are about all the details released regarding the Rinspeed BamBoo concept, the manufacturer leaving room for speculation. We're sure the Rinspeed BamBoo will be completely revealed next year.





Press Release

"BamBoo" - the Pure Roots of Mobility

The names of the concept cars from Swiss car visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht are more than marketing-driven slick onomatopoeia that polls well with focus groups. At Rinspeed names often have a deeper meaning. That is also true for the latest creation from Rinderknecht. "BamBoo" is the name of his latest �baby' that resembles a grown-up golf cart and is bound to evokes plenty of admiration at the next Geneva Motor Show which runs from March 3rd through 13th, 2011.

Nomen est omen - the name says it all - is immediately apparent: Many interior components are made from bamboo fibers. But the four-seater "BamBoo" takes it to a whole new level - to the Meta level so to speak: This open-top vehicle awakens the longing for sun, summer, for lightness and easiness, the desire to be at the beach. It is a reminiscence of the Seventies, of the south of France and St. Tropez. And one would expect to find Brigitte Bardot behind the wheel with playboy Gunther Sachs at her side heading towards Tahiti beach..

Anyone who might think that this is simple retro design for nostalgia's sake underestimates the boss of the Swiss concept powerhouse. Yes, Rinderknecht incorporates the automobile references of the time. But he doesn't leave it at that. He reinterprets them and evolves them into the future. And he focuses in them the yearning to get back to the roots, paired with the absolute desire to be in harmony with creation. That makes electric drive, also for the onboard foldable two wheeler for the last "mile", a must.

Anyone not blinded by horsepower orgies, chrome tinsel and top-speed frenzy should take a closer look. "BamBoo" pushes the �reset' button, clears the mind for a new way of thinking. It sports simple, clean lines. No bells, no whistles. Nothing is superfluous. Plain aesthetics in their purest form. As stated before and even in a figurative sense: Nomen est omen. Simply bamboo.