Spyshots : 2012 Opel Zafira

 The Third generation Opel Zafira is getting ready to put on the good clothes for the 2010 Paris Auto Show this fall. Until then, it roams European roads testing its testing and behavior.  Built on the same platform as the new Astra, the new MPV is rumored to import most of the Astra engines as well, with minor performance variations.

In such a stance the car has been spied by our photographers. Built on the same platform as the new Astra, the new MPV is rumored to import most of the Astra engines as well, with minor performance variations.

This means the Zafira will likely be offered with a wide choice of engines (the previous version comes with no less than 8 engines), including new 1.4- and 1.6l turbocharged petrol units and 1.3-, 1.7- and 2.0l turbocharged diesel powerplants, developing in between 95 and 160 horsepower.

Design wise, the new Zafira is nearly impossible to be distinguished from underneath all the heavy camo. Big changes are expected to be seen at the front and back, with the optical units to come with a new design.

If we are to trust a sketch released by Opel itself in April last year, the Zafira will have a more dynamic look, with pronounced side lines and the front grille borrowing the lines of the one on the new Astra and Insignia. The headlights will likely be drawn just like the ones on the Ampera. 

Spy Shots : Hyundai Sonata wagon

The stylish new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is just starting to hit roads all across the country but soon we’ll be seeing several other variants of the new four-door. We’re already seen the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that’s set to go on sale towards the end of the year and beyond that we’ll see an all new Sonata Wagon as well.

Due early next year as a 2012 model, the new Sonata Wagon has been spotted for the first time in prototype form testing in Germany. Featuring a rakish profile and sloping rear hatch, the Sonata Wagon will be more lifestyle-oriented rather than practical.

Like the sedan variant, the new Sonata Wagon will be available with a pair of gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engines, as well as an eventual gasoline-electric hybrid model.

The same car will go on sale in Europe labeled as the i40.

Spy Shots : Opel Astra Sports Tourer

The much-anticipated Opel Astra Sports Tourer is on its way and these spy shots with limited camouflage show what the new wagon will be like. Keeping the sports style of the Astra, the Sports Tourer also has the sloped look of the Opel Insignia with a chunky rear door.

The Astra Sports Tourer will debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and will be market-ready straight after. It’s main rival is the new Ford Focus Wagon, which was unveiled as a concept at the Geneva show but which is also ready to be presented, quite possibly at Paris as well.

2011 Citroen C4 Facelift Revealed

Citroen released the very first pictures and details of the all-new 2011 Citroen C4 ahead of its public debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show. The first thing you notice looking at the new C4 is that it’s no where near as crazy as the old gen. The designers have tried to make the new model more conservative and restrained, just like the new generation Ford Focus.

Some might like Citroen’s new approach and some might hate it, but if you are a fan of current C4’s styling, we have more bad news for you! They have also revamped the cabin and removed all those fancy toys you used to get in the old car. The steering wheel for instance is a normal wheel and its middle part is not stationary when you turn it, damn!

Of course it is still far from boring and you get the same feel of funkiness you get in all Citroens, the gear lever for example has a new placement which is kinda cool. But after all, that characteristic craziness was part of Citroen’s charm, and now it’s gone.

There used to be a time when Citroen’s were famous for poor quality and falling off trims! That’s no longer the case. They say the new models are made with a high level of quality that it gives you a sense of well-being every time you get in it! The new C4 is bigger and more spacious as well, 4.33m long, 1.79m wide and 1.49m high, which makes it  2cm wider and 3cm taller than the current model. It also offers 408 liter luggage space in the boot.

2011 Citroen C4 will get a range of optimized petrol and diesel engines, and a new micro-hybrid e-HDi which comes standard with Stop & Start system and Michelin Energy Saver tyres to be able to deliver CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km at launch – and 99g/km on future models.

The new car will also get high-tech stuff such as EGS (Electronic Gearbox System), hill start assist, automatic electric parking brake, Lane Departure Warning System and Xenon dual-function directional headlamps, as well as a new blind-spot monitoring system, a cornering light function, cruise control and speed-limiter with road speed memory settings, and an innovative new service called eTouch.

New 2011 Volkswagen Touran

In order to reduce their average fuel consumption and emissions even further, VW is now offering a BlueMotion variant for the new 2011 Touran MPV. Powered by a 1.6 liter TDI engine, the Touran BlueMotion manages to average 4.6 litres per 100km which is astonishing for a car of this size and function.

Of course this being an economy-minded model you don’t expect it to deliver very good performance, and well, it doesn’t! This engine only generates 77 kW / 105 PS, but in return it only emits 121 g/km CO_2.

VW also offers the new Touran with a 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged direct injection engine with the same 105 PS, but that averages 6.4 liter per 100 km and 149 g/km Co2.This engine, when equipped with BlueMotion Technology – together with the Start/Stop system and battery regeneration, does 5.9 l/100 km and 139 g/km.

Other powertrain options for the new Touran include a natural gas engine (TSI EcoFuel), three petrol ones (TSI) and four diesels (TDI), with performance ranging from 66 kW / 90 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS.