The French company Peugeot has decided to present the new model 408, which will replace the current 407, not well at home in faraway China. This move, however, it is not accidental but was part of the offensive brand of the largest automobile market in the world. The presentation of the Peugeot 408 in Beijing attended a private company’s general manager Jean-Marc Gal, the event was covered by nearly 300 Chinese journalists. The segment of the 408 sedan is the largest in China, occupying 45% of the total market, so that by Peugeot gamble so much on this model to increase repeat sales in the country. In 2009 the French company sold 44% more cars than the previous year. Peugeot 408 is designed by the company’s design teams in Europe and China as they were intended to both car modernism embodies the brand, ensuring maximum safety and offers unprecedented interior space. For the moment no further details are known about 408, or when we will see the car in Europe, he is expected to make a debut on the Old Continent after little more than a month, the exhibition in Geneva.
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Ten of the 15-member jury classified the French car in the first place in the developing countries. The new Renault Symbol won AUTOBEST 2009 with a total of 879 points in the competition, organized by a jury of automotive journalists from Bulgaria, Czechia, Cyprus, Croatia, Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. Symbol, known to some of the markets such as Thalia, had among worthy competitors of the rank of Chevrolet Aveo, Dacia Sandero, Ford Fiesta and Mitsubishi Lancer, the final qualifying rounds of the competition. Symbol attract sympathy with his big rack, cheap maintenance, comfort and road behavior. Ten of the 15-member jury were classified car first. Moreover, the car is very economical and in September during a special test in Turkey has made impressive result of rank 3,1 l/100 km at an average speed of 63.6 kilometers per hour Within the same test proved Symbol and extremely eco-friendly cars.
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BMW Group will launch a new marketing of MINI Convertible in January 2008. In January 2009 BMW Group will launch a new model MINI Convertible, for the highly successful four-car from Oxford, whose global sales exceeded the figure of 164 000. MINI Convertible enters the market with a new-generation four-engine turbo gasoline-type Twin-Scroll and full control during the intake valves. Two offered unit: 1.598 kub.cm volume and max. power of 88 kW/120 hp MINI Cooper Convertible in and 128 kW/175 hp MINI Cooper S in the convertible. They have a wide range of functions, part of the concept MINIMALISM to reduce both fuel consumption and the levels of harmful emissions such as: Auto Start / Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, an indicator of changing gears and others. The new MINI convertible has front-wheel drive, iconic brand go-kart feeling and refined suspension designed specifically for MINI Convertible. Standard equipment includes a number of features for ease of driving, such as: electromechanical power steering (EPS); anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic System Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), brake control in a turn (CBC) with Brake Assist, plus Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Assistant starting. As an option offered Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), including electronic differential lock. Is optimized protection against collision of passenger seats. MINI Convertible has a new floor pan and front pillars and side skirts, a special effort to Cabriolet models; more stable body compared with the previous model, and the weight was reduced by 10 kg. afety systems include: three-point inertia belts for all seats, front seat belts with tensioners and stop the effort, front airbags, airbag head / thorax, integrated into seat-back sensors, the guidance system against rollover. Limiters and airbags effort is further developed. MINI Convertible is also equipped with tires Runflat, as well as an indicator of defects in tires.
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The new Fiat Bravo impresses with its dynamic lines and certainly is a delight to the eye. The car is very elegant, and sleek front with its elongated headlamps, the bottom line of windows and reminiscent of the old Bravo stops contributing to sports broadcasting. The design of Italian cars has always been leading in this case also no exception. Inside the passenger compartment space is large, the front is quite wide, the rear seats also have enough space in height. This feeling of width is influenced by the lateral line of windows, and rear are much smaller than before and this creates a sense of narrow, but that does not in any way affect the comfort. There is ample room for greater passenger and head and knee, but with the proviso that the front seats must be in the most extreme positions. Boot with its 400 liters is a guarantee for a relaxing trip. The materials used are high in the cockpit, the dashboard design is superb. Construction does not surrender the leaders in the class, such as assembly shows no weaknesses. Bravo is the engine of a 120 hp, the working volume is 1368 cc Of course, as probably guess where this power comes to turbocharging. Amazing feeling but in no case for such a small engine, more so with its approximately 1300 kg dry weight Fiat Bravo is not at all easy. As we have said engine has a turbo, but everything is very different from the old turbine.
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Citroen presented an updated version of its model C1, which has an attractive new design front, better quality interior and a new level of luxury furniture. After 3 years in sales, Citroen introduced its renewed sub-compact model C1. From the smallest car in the range of Citroen sold 310 000 copies, and for three years on the market car received many prestigious awards. C1 reserves all the upgraded qualities that have made the model so popular among customers, while there is much more attractive design and improved equipment in the interior. The car has received more armor and more pronounced front grille. So it kind fits into the new design style that started to impose Citroen with C3 Picasso. Pretty improved equipment of the interior of C1, using higher quality materials and upholstery. Citroen range and added a new top-level equipment.
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Since Nissan has revealed details about its new “V-platform”, on which will be built next generation of popular model Micra. Furthermore, it will be used for new small sedan and the compact crossover whose weight does not exceed 1 600 kg. And the maximum torque of their engines will be more than 200Nm. The platform was developed over four years, according to Nissan precisely because of its fuel consumption in the new Micra will be 50% lower compared with that of the current model. The company’s engineers have reduced by as much as 18 percent of car parts. For example the board will be composed of 28 elements, and the seats – 50, while the current Micra parts are respectively 56 and 80. Thanks to optimized production costs, and that the majority of production facilities will be moved to China, India and Thailand, the new Micra will reach the final customers at a lower price than the current model.
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Subaru spread of some pictures and information about their new concept car Hybrid Tourer. It will be presented at the exhibition in Tokyo, which will be held this month. The car is driven a total of 3 engine – an internal combustion engine and two electric motors. The internal combustion engine is a 2-liter four-cylinder, type “Boxer” and is equipped with a turbo. Situated across. The model is equipped with a continuously variable gearbox Lineartronis. Under the hood of the car is located an electric motor. He has a power 10 kW and is used primarily as a generator that charges the battery. Its activity is combined with that of the motor, mounted at the rear of the car and used at lower speeds. Set is a modern lithium-ion batteries used also STELLA electric car of Subaru, which began sales this summer in Japan. Bodywork of the car features enough space for passengers and ensure the necessary comfort. Using multiple glass in formulating the design of the car creates a feeling of riding more contact with the outside world. Part of the dashboard can be adjusted in height. The seats are upholstered in high-quality leather and fitted with ventilation function.
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The South Korean company Hyundai introduced at Frankfurt complete all-electric version of the i10, which in 2010 will begin to sell in the local market. Hyundai i10 Electric is equipped with 49-kW (65 h.p.) electric motor and the latest generation Li-Polymer Battery 16kWh. Pipsqueak is capable of traveling 160 kilometers per hour without refueling, to accelerate from 0-100km/h for 15sec and a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour. Despite batteries, which are generally quite heavy, electric car has kept her weight around one tonne, thanks to some modifications which are made by Hyundai engineers it. As you probably made an impression, South Koreans have used lithium-polymer batteries that are 40 percent smaller, 30% lighter and 12 percent more efficient than Nickel-Metal Hydride, and on top of a load quickly and withstand much lower temperatures. Batteries can be loaded as a standard household outlet, in which the procedure takes 5 hours and in special high-voltage stations, where 85 percent of the energy is recovered only 15min.
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The Czech car-maker Skoda Auto uses the exhibition in Frankfurt to present the wagon version of the new Superb, which the company demonstrated its desire to continuously develop and introduce new models. The length and breadth of the Skoda Superb Combi are identical to those of the sedan (respectively 4 838 mm And 1 817 mm), But the height of the car is 1 510 mm (1462 mm of Sedan). In front two versions did not differ, but the structure of the rear has been changed due to the specificity of this type of car. Like all wagon models and Superb Combi provides excellent space for cargo. The volume of baggage is 633l. But prolapse of the back seats, it increased to 1 865l. As additional equipment is available and a panoramic roof, creating a feeling of even greater spaciousness in the interior. Skoda Superb Combi will be the company’s first model equipped with the system no-key access to the interior and start the engine “KESSY”, as well as electronic technology opens the door of the trunk, where even his veil is withdrawn.
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Hyundai spread from a few pictures and details of an alternate model of Tucson, which for Europe has received the name ix35, while other markets will be sold as Tucson ix. Gauges on ix35 are 4,410 mm length and 1,820 mm width and wheelbase is 2,640 mm. This means that they are greater than those of old Tucson, respectively 85, 20 and 10 millimeters. Despite the fact that the height is reduced by 20 millimeters to 1,660 mm from Hyundai said that the new SUV is comfortable and spacious than its predecessor. The European version of the car differs from South Korea only a few small details, but it will be available with a wide range of engines. At the start of its sales in the early 2010th, ix35 will be available two-liters of petrol and diesel units, generating respectively 166 and 184 h.p. In November 2010. To those engines will join 1.6-liter petrol, with power 140 h.p., and 1.7-liter diesel generating 115 h.p. power, which will be available only in version with the transmission to the front wheels.
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