Chevrolet Mi-ray Concept at Seoul Motor Show

The Chevrolet Mi-ray Concept has been unveiled at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show, celebrating the bow-tie brand’s 1960s sports car heritage.

Designed at the General Motors Advanced Design Studio in Seoul, the Mi-ray (Korean for ‘future’) pays homage to the 1963 Monza SS and the 1962 Covair Super Spyder.

GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone said the Mi-ray balances iconic Chevrolet design cues with its future design vision.

“As GM rolls out Chevrolet across Korea, the Mi-ray concept offers an exploration of future possibilities for the brand,” Mr Arcamone said.
“It strengthens the bond between car and driver, creating a fresh look at what sports cars of the future might be.”

The Mi-ray is powered by a new hybrid propulsion system from Chevrolet that aims to maximise performance and fuel efficiency.

Two 15kW front-mounted electric motors provide increased acceleration speed and zero emission urban driving. The electric motors are powered by a 1.6kWh lithium-ion battery that is recharged by the vehicle’s regenerative braking system.

Adding to the performance is a mid-mounted 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives the rear wheels. The Mi-ray can be driven in either front- or all-wheel drive mode.

A start-stop system has been integrated into the concept’s dual-clutch transmission, which has been tuned for optimised top speed performance.

“The propulsion concept fits perfectly with the rest of the vehicle, delivering big performance in a small footprint, on the road and in the environment,” Mr Arcamone said.
“By combining GM propulsion technology and visionary design, the Mi-ray points to the future of Chevrolets around the globe – expressive, youthful and entertaining.”

The body of the Mi-ray is made of carbon fibre and CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic). Chevrolet says the LED daytime running light design is a new styling signature for the brand.

Aluminium/carbon fibre 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted to the front, with 21s gripping the tarmac at the rear.

The interior combines a range of textures, including brushed aluminium, natural leather, white fabric and liquid metal surfaces.

The driver’s instrument display is prioritised into three zones, with vehicle performance in the centre, flanked by navigation and fuel consumption information.

The centre touchscreen and start button are said to be inspired by a fighter jet. Retractable rear-view cameras extend automatically from the glass, replacing traditional mirrors, while in the city the forward-facing camera links with the GPS and the real-time navigation system.

There are no plans for a production version of the Mi-ray, but many of technology, powertrain and styling features will influence future products from Chevrolet and GM.-caradvice.com.au

Hyundai Introduces Sonata Hybrid to Korean Market

The 2011 Seoul Motor Show has kicked off under the theme of ‘Evolution, Green Revolution on Wheels,’ and South Korea’s largest automaker has brought a new Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powered concept, 
the Blue2, as well as the Sonata Hybrid, which is being introduced the the carmaker’s domestic market.

“We will ceaselessly introduce world-class products of the best quality to overcome the difficult market environment and turn it into an opportunity, while modestly listening to the voice of the customer,” said Steve S. Yang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor. In particular, Hyundai's new goals are to focus on “improving quality, creating new values through new thinking, and developing advanced eco-friendly technologies to contribute to a greener society,” 

The hybrid was first unveiled at last year’s New York show and also encompasses Hyundai’s new thinking. It comes with a Nu 2.0-liter engine, a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a 30kW hard type electric motor. The Korean market version of the car will develop a peak output of 188 hp (petrol engine: 148hp, electric motor: 40hp) and offers the best fuel economy in its class at 21.0 km/l. (all specs limited to Korean market)

Esthetically, the Sonata Hybrid differs from the standard mid-sized sedan through its dynamic 'hexagonal grille’. It also comes with an 'Eco Guide Gauge’ on its cluster to help drivers build more economical driving habits. There’s also a unique interior color choice and a few different seat patterns available.

Other new exterior design elements include:

• Headlights and taillights
• Aerodynamic bumper fascias
• Aerodynamic rocker panels
• Bold hexagonal grille
• Eco-spoke wheels
• Air dam and aero side sills
• Hybrid Blue Drive badging
• Exclusive hybrid paint color

The carmaker revealed the car will go on sale in the Korean market starting the first half of this year.-autoevolution.com

2012 Kia Rio sedan confirmed for New York Auto Show

Our man Jeremy Korzeniewski is attending a Kia event in Phoenix, Arizona this week, and during a press briefing this morning, JK learned that the Korean automaker will be unveiling its 2012 Rio sedan at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The four-door Rio will complement the hatchback bodystyle that bowed at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Four powertrains will be available on the Rio overseas – two gas and two diesel – and while mum's the word on which engine(s) will be available here in the United States, we're putting our money on the 1.4-liter gasoline four. This mill produces 108 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed(!) automatic transmission.

In other news, Kia also let slip that the KV7 concept from this year's Detroit Auto Show previews what's in store for the next-generation Sedona minivan. We hinted at this after a conversation with Michael Sprague, Kia's vice president of marketing, though it's still unclear exactly what elements from the KV7 will be incorporated into the next-gen Sedona. The concept focused on a more traditional conversion van setup rather than the family-centric Sedona that currently graces our streets.-autoblog.com

PROTON considers third car for IRC

Chris Mellors has welcomed the addition of Giandomenico Basso to the PROTON Motorsports team and revealed that the Anglo-Malaysian squad could add a third Satria Neo Super 2000 to its line-up on Intercontinental Rally Challenge events later this season.

Basso, a winner of four IRC rallies with Abarth in the past, was confirmed as a PROTON driver last weekend and will contest a number of all-asphalt IRC rounds starting with next month’s Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Ingles where he will join existing PROTON driver PG Andersson. However, Mellors said PROTON’s attack could be expanded on selected events.

“We’re delighted to have Giandomenico joining us for the IRC programme,” said PROTON team principal Mellors. “He comes with a wealth of experience of the sport at this level and there’s no doubt he’s going to give us an extra edge on the rallies where he’s competing. This is an exciting time for PROTON Motorsports. Not only have we finalised the IRC programme with this exciting development, we have the potential for a third car on some IRC rounds.”

Basso said: “When I tested the car in Italy, I felt two things: I felt the car was good and I felt a warmth in the team. The car was easy to drive, which is really important, especially when you have events, which can have changeable conditions. Everything is very positive and it’s great to be back working with a manufacturer.”-rallybuzz.com

Buick Teases Envision Concept Ahead Of Auto Shanghai

Turning heads and changing minds has not been Buick's strong suit until recently, but with cars like the LaCrosse and Regal on the road, credibility as a legitimate option for those not yet part of the golf-and-managed-care-facility set is growing. The newest concept from the company may push Buick even farther toward the limelight: a plug-in hybrid SUV/crossover called Envision.

So far all we have is a teaser of the vehicle to be shown at the Shanghai Auto Show, which overlaps the New York Auto Show this year--a problem the planners of each show are already working to avoid for 2012--but from that teaser sketch, we get what Buick says previews "the future of Buick products."

The design is global, with "local aesthetics for the China market," meaning we'll probably be seeing a slightly tweaked version of the car for U.S. consumption.

As for what's underneath the as-yet-hidden skin? We're not sure, butGreenCarReports' John Voelcker has some educated guesses. Check out his report to read more about the inner workings of the upcoming Envision concept.-motorauthority.com

2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S to Debut at New York Auto Show

Porsche will use this year’s New York auto show to unveil the 2012 Panamera Turbo S, the most powerful factory version yet of the company’s luxury sedan. Building on the 500-horsepower Panamera Turbo, the new car trumps its non-S stablemate with an infusion of 50 more horsepower and 37 extra pound-feet of torque.

While the engine is the same 4.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 currently found in the Panamera Turbo, new turbochargers and a reprogrammed engine computer give the Turbo S outputs of 550 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. When “Sport” or “Sport Plus” modes are engaged, an engine overboost function can briefly provide up to 590 pound-feet of torque.

Porsche says the Turbo S can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, 0.3 second quicker than the regular Panamera Turbo, and reach a top speed of 190 mph — a two-mph improvement over the stock Turbo.

The power upgrades resemble those provided by a Porsche-issued Turbo Powerkit, which can be fitted on the Panamera Turbo to raise output to 540 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That kit costs $21,730.

All Panameras received minor updates last year to improve fuel economy, and Porsche predicts that even the 550-horsepower Turbo S will match the regular Panamera Turbo’s EPA ratings of 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

The Panamera Turbo S comes standard with several other performance packages that are optional on other trim levels, including Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDDC), which reduces body roll when cornering; Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), which can vary the amount of torque sent to each rear wheel; Sport Chrono Package Turbo, which alters engine and suspension response; Servotronic speed-sensitive steering; and a sport exhaust system.

Not wanting it to be confused with the lesser non-S model, Porsche endowed the Turbo S with 20-inch Turbo II wheels that widen the rear track (which are an $1820 option on the standard Turbo), Porsche Exclusive side skirts, and an active rear spoiler. Exclusive color options for the Panamera S consist of a new Agate Grey Metallic exterior paint, along with new black-and-cream or gray-and-cream leather interior combinations.

The Panamera Turbo S goes on sale this spring for $174,175 including destination and delivery, a premium of $37,900 over a base Panamera Turbo.-rumors.automobilemag.com

Chrysler S-Concept Models Revealed

 Chrysler didn’t wait for a major motorshow to reveal their new lineup of S-Conceptmodels and put them on display at the 2011 Spring Festival of LXs in Irvine, California.

The S-Concepts are based on the 200 and 300 models which are tarted-up with body kits, big wheels, and special colors. As Tim Kuniskis, Head of Chrysler Brand Marketing says while unveiling the 300 S-Concept to Eminem’s “I Need A Doctor” song , they want people to tell them whether or not they should make these vehicles. Nice gesture, but they probably will make it anyway.

Details of the upgraded S-Concepts are yet to be revealed but based on the pictures, the car’s get revised grilles, spoiler lip, side skirts, smoked lights, tinted windows, rear spoiler, new tailpipes, and 18-inch dark rims, plus a very nice dark chrome paint job. It’s fair to say they want to appeal to younger customers who otherwise wouldn’t go for a 300 because it looks too serious. The modifications have worked for the 300 and it looks really cool, but we’re not sure about the 200 because it is not a very nice car to begin with! They also had a tricked-out Town & Country on display. They shouldn’t bother with that one to be honest.-motorward.com

Hyundai Blue2 Concept: 2011 Seoul Motor Show

Hyundai’s ongoing commitment to a hydrogen-fueled future shows no sign of slowing following the unveiling today of the new Blue2 concept car at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show. The latest concept previews the design of the South Korean automaker’s next-generation sedan models and also picks up the latest in hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Like most fuel cell vehicles, the Hyundai Blue2 features a hydrogen-powered fuel cell stack, which uses the abundant gas to generate electricity, which in turn powers a fairly conventional electric drive system. Peak output of the fuel cell is around 120 horsepower and according to Hyundai its fuel economy is around 82 mpg--of hydrogen, that is.

To further boost fuel economy, the Blue2 also gets special aerodynamically shaped alloy wheels and low rolling resistant tires.

As for the vehicle body itself, Hyundai’s designers describe it as being a luxurysedan packed with the latest technology. Special features include LED screen panels located on the exterior designed to appeal to the visual sensors.

Inside, there’s a welcome system which recognizes the driver and can then operate a self-opening door. Conventional side mirrors are replaced by side cameras and a roof camera, and to keep things cool and calm inside the Blue2 also gets an air ionizing system that cleans the air circulating through the cabin.-motorauthority.com

Kia Naimo EV Revealed At Seoul Motor Show

Kia is quickly developing a name for itself as a developer of sometimes stylish,often bizarre concepts, and the Naimo EV revealed in Seoul this week is no exception.

The unique looking Naimo, named literally for the Korean word 'ne-mo' which means 'square shape', is powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor producing 80kW and 280Nm of torque.

With its electric heart and twin-pack 27kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, the Naimo offers a 200km driving range and a top speed of 150km/h.

Thanks to its 50kW quick recharging cycle, the Naimo can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes. Regular charging, at 3.3kW, a full recharge is accomplished in five and a half hours.

In what is probably the most realistic view yet of Kia's future production EV plants, the quirky Naimo features a wraparound glasshouse, along with dot-style LED lighting at the front and rear.

Inside, the concept features hand-crafted materials including a Korean oak-trimmed floor and door panels, and 'Han-ji' paper for the headlining. Kia says these materials were used to evoke "a sense of tranquility" in the cabin.

Kia hasn't revealed any plans for a production version of the Naimo, although the vehicle's technology forms part of Kia's development program for a range of production EVs in the future.-themotorreport.com.au

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Teased Ahead of Shanghai Launch (video)

The Malibu, previously a North American car only, will become GM’s latest global car in its eighth generation and the Chevrolet brand’s first global midsize sedan. Chevrolet says the next Malibu will be sold in 100 countries on six continents and built at multiple plants around the world. The Malibu, Chevrolet says, was designed for a global audience with “European-inspired driving characteristics,” which should mean sporty handling.

As you can see, this global influence also means sporty appearance. While you can see the evolution from the current-generation Malibu to the new car, the 2013 Malibu is less round and swoopy and more sharp and edgy. The general shape of the headlights and two-bar grille remain, but are bolder and protrude more from the body. Character lines along the hood and doors are more pronounced, as are the car’s hips and big wheels. The rear end draws clear influence from the Camaro with its squared taillights, rectangular fascia and dual exhaust tips. The car you see here is a Chinese-spec model, but Chevrolet says the differences between U.S. and Chinese cars are minimal.

Sporty as it may be, Chevrolet is quick to point out that this isn’t an M3-killer. The 2013 Malibu will come with “a global family of fuel-efficient and powerful four-cylinder engines,” a similar strategy to challengers like the Hyundai Sonata. This doesn’t necessarily rule out a V-6 option, but Chevrolet makes no mention of one. The plan also calls for six-speed transmissions, plural, but you can bet they’ll all be automatics. There’s an outside possibility, though, that the recently-discovered seven-speed dual-clutch transmission GM is working on could find its way in as well.

The Malibu is a hugely important car for Chevrolet and General Motors. The company says that the car’s intended global segment counted for nine percent of all vehicles sold globally in 2010. Here in the U.S., the admittedly aged seventh-generation Malibu sold over 200,000 copies and was both Chevrolet and General Motors’ best-selling passenger car.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will make its internationaldebut in China on Tuesday, April 19, which to those of us nearly a day behind in the U.S., will actually be Monday, April 18, at 8:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time. If you can’t make it out to China, don’t fret. Chevrolet will also debut the car on its Facebook page at the same time and will stream the reveal live on iPad and iPhone. Anyone watching is encouraged to send questions about the car to Chevrolet’s Twitter account at #MalibuReveal or to the Malibu tab on Chevy’s Facebook page. The Malibu show car will also be on display two days later at the New York Auto Show. As a 2013 model, we expect to see the production car debut within a year and go on-sale by mid-2012.-rumors.automobilemag.com

Spy Shots: 2014 Audi RS4 Avant Mule

Audi has been rolling more of its RS line of cars into U.S. showrooms as exchange rates improve and emissions regulations approach parity with Europe, with the RS3 a possibility, and the TT RS and RS5 models due late this year. Sometime after that, possibly in the 2013 calendar year as a 2014 model, the RS4 is expected to arrive--though we'll be luckier than ever if it comes across the pond in the Avant form shown here.

The car in the photos is actually not the final RS4 Avant, but a mule for powertrain and suspension development. It's riding on RS5 wheels which raise the ride height of the S4 Avant the mule is built from, and larger air intakes in the modified front bumper give us a clue to its high-performance nature. Large, RS-badged brakes further cement the car's non-standard status.

As for power, the next-gen Audi RS4 is expected to get a supercharaged V-6 in place of the high-strung V-8 found in the last model, though output will likely remain at least 400 horsepower. To do battle with the likes of BMW's M3 and Mercedes-Benz's new C63 AMG, power could even be closer to the 450-horse mark.

We'll know more as the car's development continues, and as always, we'll bring you the latest as we uncover it.-motorauthority.com