Talks About Cars

Well if you’ve been one of those guys waiting for Chrysler’s 2006 Imperial concept to show up in showroom floors – forget about it.

Looks like you won’t be able to give that girl a ride in this Bentleyesque vehicle as latest news say that the Chrysler Group has pulled the plug on its production version, thanks (or no thanks?) to escalating gas prices and the threat of higher CAFE standards.

"We felt it would have been irresponsible to bring a vehicle like that to the market at this time," Chrysler spokesman Dave Elshoff was quoted as saying. Elshoff said a production version of the Imperial concept "would have been substantially bigger than our largest sedan, the Chrysler 300C."

Industry observers are saying that the move to cancel the production of the controversial car is a smart move for the automaker, what with legislation currently expected to result in a 35-mpg fuel-efficiency average across the auto industry. The Imperial was supposed to bring a $700-million investment to Chrysler’s Ontario plant to provide proper tooling for its production. Chrysler still plans to use the plant for the next-generation 300, according to the Canadian Autoworkers union president.

Chrysler had reportedly planned to start building the Imperial in early 2009, using components from the rear-wheel-drive 300C and its siblings, the Dodge Challenger, Charger and Magnum.

The Imperial concept made its debut at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, drawing both cheers and jeers in later reviews.

The all-new Mazda2 will go on sale in the UK starting September 8 this year. Mazda’s all new five-door hatchback range will provide customers with a three-strong model lineup that include a choice of three powertrains as well as three equipment levels namely TS, TS2, and Sport.

The prices will start from £8,499 or $17,268 for the new Mazda2 TS model which is expected to compete head to head with other rival vehicles in its segment. The Mazda2 TS model boasts of excellent standard equipments that are not offered by rival brands but are offered as an option for the Mazda2.

The standard equipment included on the 1.3 liter, 75ps Mazda2 TS are the following: 15-inch alloy wheels, ABS with Brake Assist and EBD, driver and front passenger airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks, electric front windows, driver seat heigh adjust, CD ratio with AUX jack and two speakers, multi-function glovebox with magazine rack, Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobilizer and electric door mirrors.

Meanwhile the new Mazda2 TS2 with 1.3 liter, 86 PS petrol engine will have a price that will start from £9,999 or $20,317 and will have 12 additional equipment items that include: 15-inch alloy wheels, side and curtain airbags, electric folding door mirrors, four audio speakers, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather steering wheel and gear knob and air conditioning.

Leading the petrol launch range will be the new Mazda2 Sport equipped with a 1.5-liter 103PS Engine complete with a full sports styling kit price starting at £11,799 or $23,979. This model also offer 12 extra items such as: 16-inch alloy wheels, dynamic stability control, traction control, cruise control, fog lights, rain sensing wipers and auto lights, electric rear windows, trip computer, speed alarm, six audio speakers, and climate control air-conditioning.

After the release of the all new Mazda2 petrol range will be the launching of a 1.4 liter 68PS diesel engine models in the form of TS and TS2. The additional two new models will have the same specifications as the petrol models.

For a while there it looked like Mini will remain unrivaled as the cutest, uber-stylish, “baby” car on the road.

But that may soon change, what with Fiat’s startling resurrection in Europe, and all the rumors now circulating that it is currently making plans to mass-market its new 500 baby car in many more versions over the next several years.

At its launch on July 4, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne even called the new little car the automotive version of the iPod.

Various European press reports are citing that according to Fiat executives, the company already has given the green light for the introduction this fall of a high-performance Abarth edition of the 500.

The 500 Abarth, to be powered by a 135-horsepower turbo 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, is expected to make its world debut in October at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show, followed by a European launch in December at the Bologna show.

Fiat has also already confirmed plans to launch a 500 convertible in the summer of 2008, patterned after the old Fiat Jolly series. Apart from this, several other variants, including a three-door Giardiniera station wagon in 2009 and a four-wheel-drive crossover model that could use running gear from the Panda 4x4 are reportedly up in the works for the automaker.

Adding fire to the speculations are sketches of potential derivatives, drawn by Fiat 500 designer Roberto Giolito have been floating all over the automotive Web sites.

The three-door 500 hatchback was formally launched last week in Italy, with a choice of a 69-hp 1.2-liter or 100-hp 1.4-liter gas engine, as well as a 75-hp 1.3-liter diesel.

Fiat executives say plans now call for annual production of the car to reach 150,000 units next year, eventually rising to 200,000 a year when additional derivatives hit the market.

The all-new i30 Hyundai is specifically designed and developed for Europe, and will be on sale the UK beginning September. Korea’s leading car maker has produced a stylish model that will blend flawlessly into the UK’s C segment and a car that is capable of competing with the very best in its class.

It is made from exact engineering standards and superb build quality coupled with a well thought Euro-specific design and exceptional levels of equipment and finish. The i30 is all set to take the fight to the fully established European marques like Ford’s Focus, Renault’s Mégane, Citroën’s C4, Mazda’s 3 and Peugeot’s 307.

Hyundai has build a car capable of beating the best that Europe can offer in the SUV segment. A proof is its highly recognized and multi-award-winning Santa Fe.

Hyundai’ ESP, a safety system which is combined with electronic traction control, balances power and braking to help the driver maintain control over the direction of the vehicle at all times. The ESP is fitted as standard to all models in the i30 range.

Some important features across the range are: active front head restraints; passenger, driver and full length curtain airbags; passenger airbag deactivation switch; front and rear seatbelt reminder system; seatbelt pretensioners; and ISOfix childseat fixing points in the rear.

More range-wide comfort and equipment features comprise front fog lights, remote-locking folding key, glovebox cooling, electrically heated door mirrors and a trip computer.

The i30, like every new Hyundai sold in the UK, comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and 10-year anti perforation warranty, and a three-year RAC roadside assistance package (if the worst ever happen), which are all included as standard.

Tony Whitehorn, Managing Director Hyundai Motor UK Ltd, said that the i30 is not only the most important car that Hyundai has ever launched in the UK. According to him, it foreshadows a dramatic transformation in image and attitude that will give change in people’s perception of the whole Hyundai brand.