World car info dec 2011

WORLD CAR INFO 

NEW CARS OF THE WORLD 

DECEMBER 2011 

IMPRINT 

Editor: Pal Negyesi, Phone: +36 30 230 8010. E-mail: pnegyesi@ceauto.co.hu 

Lei Xing, Phone: + 86 10 8468 2079. E-mail lxing@cbuauto.com 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ASIAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS 4 

Ashok Leyland Stile 5 

Bajaj RE60 6 

DC Avanti 7 

ICML Oyster, Windy 8 

Luxgen 5 9 

CHINESE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS 10 

Geely Gleagle GC7 11 

EUROPEAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS 12 

Dacia Lodgy 13 

F&M Evantra 14 

Kaipan 16 15 

Mercedes-Benz SL 16 

Opel Mokka 17 

JAPANESE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS 18 

Acura RDX 19 

Suzuki Ertiga 20 

Toyota Aqua 21 

NORTH AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS 22 

Buick Encore 23 

Cadillac ATS 24 

Dodge Dart 25 

Ford Ecosport 26 

Ford Fusion 27 

CONCEPT CARS OF THE MONTH 28 

DETROIT AUTO SHOW CONCEPTS 29–35 

Acura ILX 29 

Acura NSX Concept 29 

Chevrolet Code 130R Concept 30 

Chevrolet Tru140S Concept 30 

Chrysler 700C 31 

Honda Accord Concept Coupe 31 

Lexus LF-LC 32 

Lincoln MKZ 32 

Nissan e-NV200 33 

Nissan Pathfinder Concept 33 

Smart For_Us 34 

Toyota NS4 Concept 34 

Volkswagen E-Bugste 35 

NEW DELHI AUTO EXPO CONCEPTS 36–38 

Chevrolet MPV Concept (India) 36 

Hyundai HND-7 Hexa Spac 36 

Maruti Suzuki A-Star Cabriolet 37 

Maruti Suzuki Concept XA α 37 

Rajah Creeper 38 

Tata Indigo Manza Hybrid Concept 38

ASIAN 

Automobile 

Manufacturers

Ashok Leyland Stile 

Introduced: Auto Expo, New Delhi, India 

Production Plant: Hosur, India 

Production start: early 2013 

Export countries: – 

Segment: MPV 

• Ashok Leyland is a leading commercial vehicle producer in India, which cooperates with 

Nissan on various light commercial vehicles 

• Stile was introduced paralelly to its donor, the Nissan Evalia at the Auto Expo. While Evalia 

will be more of a lifestyle offering, Stile will be targeted at the fleet and taxi segments 

• Stile will be offered with a Renault/Nissan-sourced 1.5-litre engine in diesel and CNG variants 

• Two- and three-row seating, dual-tone interior and sliding doors are among the convenience 

features

Bajaj RE60 


Production Plant: Aurangabad, India 

Production start: 2012 


Segment: Moped 

• Bajaj Auto is a leading motorcycle and auto rickshaw manufacturer in India, which first 

unveiled a concept passenger car in 2008. Called Lite, it was an „ultra low cost” car, but 

eventually Bajaj dropped the idea 

• Though it is a four-wheeler, RE60 is not a passenger car, rather a more upscale auto rickshaw 

• Power comes from a 200 cc rear-mounted petrol engine. Company targets CO2 emission of 

just 60 g/km 

• Bajaj makes about half-a-million three-wheelers a year, most of which are exported. RE60 

may follow the same route

DC Avanti 


Production Plant: India 



Segment: Sports 

• Dilip Chhabria, a leading Indian automotive designer and customizer, whose clientele includes 

Aston Martin introduced its first production-ready model at the 2012 Auto Expo 

• DC Design has always been renowned for its quirky styling and Avanti is no exception 

• Avanti was unveiled by Amitabh Bachchan, a famous actor from Bollywood 

• Avanti will be powered by a four-cylinder, turbocharged Ford 2.0-litre Ecoboost engine 

• Major dimensions: length: 4623 mm (182.0 in.), width: 1967 mm (77.4 in.), height: 1213 mm 

(47.7 in.) 

• DC Design plans to produce 300 units of the Avanti in 2013–2014 and then ramp up production 

to over 2000 units – if there’s enough demand

ICML Oyster, Windy 


Production Plant: Amb, Himachal Pradesh, 

India 

Production start: 1Q 2012 


Segment: LCV 

• International Cars & Motor Ltd (Sonalika Group) is one of the biggest tractor manufacturers in 

India, which ventured into the popular MUV (Multi Utility Vehicle) segment in 2006 

• Rhino SUV was developed with assistance from British MG-Rover before it collapsed 

• New pick-up truck variants were unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo: Windy is a single-cab, Oyster 

is a double-cab pick-up 

• Both versions are powered by a GM-sourced 2.0-litre CRDi engine

Luxgen 5 

Introduced: Taiwan 

Production Plant: Sanyi, Maioli, Taiwan 


Export countries: Worldwide 

Segment: C 

• Yulon Motor, local partner of Nissan and General Motors has set up Luxgen Motor in 2008 as 

its first independent brand 

• „5” is first passenger car from the brand, following the succesful launch of the 7 MPV and the 

Luxgen SUV 

• Luxgen sold 12,800 cars between January and November, 2011, mostly in Taiwan. Luxgen SUV 

appeared in China in September 

• Luxgen 5 is based on Neora sedan concept, but electric powertrain has been ditched in favor 

of turbocharged petrol engines 

• 1.8 and 2.0 litre variants will be available coupled with an Aisin-supplied six-speed automatic 

gearbox 

• Luxgen5 has been developed to comply with the latest European safety standards 

• Roomy interior with wrap-around dashboard

CHINESE 

Automobile 

Manufacturers

Geely Gleagle GC7 

Introduced: Guangzhou Auto Show, China 

Production location: Xiangtan, China 

Production start: 4Q 2011 

• A revamped and updated version of the Geely Vision (FC-1), GC7 was officially launched on 15 

December, 2011 priced between RMB 66,900 and RMB 89,900 

• First concept version was shown at 2010 Beijing Auto Show 


Segment: C 

• Smooth lines hide the fact that GC7 is still based on old Toyota Corolla mechanical bits 

• GC7 comes with a 1.8-litre petrol engine and this is the first Geely sedan which can be equipped 

with an optional six-speed automatic gearbox

EUROPEAN 

Automobile 

Manufacturers

Dacia Lodgy 

Introduced: Geneva Motor Show, 

Switzerland 

Production Plant: Tangier, Morocco 

• New Dacia MPV will be unveiled at forthcoming Geneva Motor Show 

• Previewed by Lodgy „Glace” ice racer, driven by Alain Prost at the Andros Trophy 

• Lodgy names comes from „lodge” and it refers to the „model’s ability to comfortably 

accommodate a family and its luggage” 

• Both five- and seven-seater variants will be offered 

• Overall length is 4.5-meters (177.1 in.) 

• First Dacia model to be built in Morocco 



Segment: MPV

F&M Evantra 

Introduced: Italy 

Production Plant: Gello di Pontedera, Italy 

Production start: Summer, 2012 

• Faralli&Mazzanti is a renowned classic car restoration company in Tuscany, which introduced 

its first self-developed car in 2003 

• Evantra is the company’s first modern-looking supercar. It was penned by Zsolt Tárnok, 

a Hungarian designer who was also responsible for the F&M Vulca 

• Evantra comes from ancient Eturscan language and refers to the goddess of immortality 

• Power comes from a six-cylinder, 4,5 litre engine. In normal guise it is capable of 403-hp, 

but there’s also a twin turbo version with 603-hp 

• Body panels will either be produced from composite materials or alloy 

• There will be just five units produced in 2012 


Segment: Sports

Kaipan 16 

Introduced: Czech Republic 

Production Plant: Smrozvka, Czech 

Republic 

• Kaipan is a small Czech workshop, producing a handful of cars each year 

• In addition to Lotus 7 replicas, the company introduced a modern looking roadster, called the 

15 in 2008 

• New Kaipan 16 is a modernised version of the 15, based around Skoda Fabia parts, including 

headlights 

• Developed in cooperation with Technical University of Ostrava 

• Kaipan 16 weighs just 825 kg (1818 lbs.) so its turbocharged, 1.2-litre 105-hp engine makes its 

quite zippy 

• Priced at CZK 499,000 (EUR 19,534 or US$ 25,000) 


Export countries: Europe 

Segment: Sports

Mercedes-Benz SL 

Introduced: Detroit Auto Show 

Production location: Bremen, Germany 

Production start: 1Q, 2012 

• Sixth-generation SL is more quick and nimble, than its predecessor 

• Styling is influenced by new SLK and SLS 


Segment: Sports 

• Roof frame is made of magnesium alloy. Two roof options are available: glass roof is 

standard, Magic Vision Control with electrochromic glass roof is optional 

• Twin-turbocharged 320 kW (435 PS), 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) 4.7-litre V8 engine is lifted from 

CL500 (CL550 in North America). Other engine option is a 3.5-litre V6 

• Extensive use of aluminum makes the new model 125–140 kg (275–308 lb.) lighter than the 

cars they replace 

• New SL is already available for pre-order in Germany. North American sales will commence 

this Spring

Opel Mokka 

Introduced: Geneva Show, Switzerland 

Production Plant: Bupyeong-gu, South 

Korea 

• Sister model to the Buick Encore, this is a global SUV from General Motors which shares its 

mechanical bits with the Opel Corsa 

• 4.28 meter (168.5-in.) long and seats five passengers 



Segment: SUV 

• The Mokka will use the same 1.4-litre turbocharged engine as the Encore, but it will also 

get a 1.7-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol engine too. Both six-speed manual and automatic 

transmissions will be available 

• Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions will be on offer 

• Just like its bigger sibling, the Antara, it will also be built at the GM-Daewoo plant in South Korea

JAPANESE 

Automobile 

Manufacturers

Acura RDX 

Introduced: Detroit Auto Show, USA 

Production Plant: Marysville, Ohio, USA 


• Second-generation RDX is based on the underpinnings of the latest Honda CR-V 

• Wheelbase has been stretched by 3.5 cm (1.4 in.). RDX is also longer then its predecessor and 

its base vehicle as well 

• Powered by 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, capable of 273 hp 


Segment: SUV 

• Features will include multi-view rear camera, Pandora internet radio and voice texting 

• Officially a prototype, production version will be launched during Spring, 2012

Suzuki Ertiga 


Production Plant: Gurgaon, India 


• Previewed by the 2010 R-III concept, this is a new, seven-seater MPV from Suzuki, which will 

be exclusively manufactured by Maruti-Suzuki in India 

• Based on Swift platform, which has been stretched to 2740 mm (107.9 in.). Overall length is 

4265 mm (167.9 in.) 

• Flexible seating layout with foldable last row bench and individually foldable seats in the 

middle row 

• Engine line-up includes a new, 94-hp 1.4-litre petrol and a 89-hp, 1.3-litre diesel 

• Pricing to be announced at market launch in late March 


Segment: MPV

Toyota Aqua 

Introduced: Tokyo Motor Show 

Production Plant: Iwate, Japan 

Production start: December, 2011 

• Previewed at the Tokyo Motor Show 

• Aqua will be called Prius C outside Japan. It uses the renowned hybrid powertrain from the 

Prius which combines a 72-hp 1.5-litre gasoline engine and a 45 kW electric motor 

• Aqua has a listed fuel efficiency of 35.4 km/litre (83.3 mpg) 

• With a length of 3995 mm (157.3 in.), it is about 100 mm (10 in.) longer than the current Yaris/Vitz 

• Priced from JPY 1.69 million (about US$ 21,600) 

• Toyota plans to sell 12,000 cars per month in Japan 


Segment: MPV

NORTH AMERICAN 

Automobile 

Manufacturers

Buick Encore 


Production Plant: Bupyeong-gu, South 

Korea 

• General Motors is downsizing and the Encore continues this trend 

• Encore is a sister model to the Opel Mokka, and it!s based on GM’s Gamma-platform which 

also underpins the Opel Corsa and the Chevrolet Sonic 

• With a length of 4.28 meters (168.5-in.), this new SUV is extremely compact and seats 

five-passengers 

• Powered by 1.4-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, coupled with six-speed 

automatic 

• Sales will commence in early 2013 



Segment: SUV

Cadillac ATS 


Production Plant: Lansing, MI, USA 


• New entry level Cadillac, to battle BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-class 

• Sleek styling with CTS overtones 

• ATS is the first GM model to get the new 2.0-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine, 

which churns out 270 hp and 350 Nm (260 lb-ft). Other powertrain options include a 3.6-litre 

V6 and a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine 

• All-wheel drive will be optional 


Segment: D 

• Production will start in Summer, 2012 at the Lansing Grand River assembly plant, which 

General Motors upgraded with a US$ 190 million investment

Dodge Dart 


Production Plant: Belvedere 

Production start: Q2, 2012 


Segment: C 

• One of the most anticipated new models at the Detroit Auto Show, Dodge Dart is the first fruit 

of the Dodge-Alfa Romeo cooperation 

• Based on a stretched Alfa Romeo Guilietta floorpan, its styling mixes Italian flair and 

American muscle 

• Entry-level models get a 160-hp, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. Turbocharged 1.4 and 2.4-litre 

variants will be equipped with Fiat’s Multiair variable valve timing system 

• Gearbox options include six-speed manual, six-speed automatic and a dual-clutch automated 

manual gearbox 

• Original Dart (1960–1976) was also a compact car 

• Priced from US$ 15,995 latest Dart will compete with the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, 

Chevrolet Cruze and the like

Ford Ecosport 


Production Plant: Camaçari, Brazil; 

Chennai, India 



Segment: SUV 

• First-generation EcoSport was introduced in Brazil in 2003. Latest version was also 

engineered in Brazil 

• Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company unveiled the EcoSport, which underlined 

the importance of this new model 

• New EcoSport is based on Ford’s new global B-segment platform, which will underpin a host 

of new models by 2015 

• New EcoSport is the first model to use the newly developed, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. 

This 1.0-litre powertrain is capable of 120-hp and offers the power of a „conventional 1.6-litre 

engine” 

• Chennai plant will be used to produce the new SUV for export markets

Ford Fusion 


Production Plant: Hermosillo, Mexico; 

Flat Rock, MI, USA 

Production start: January, 2012 


Segment: D 

• Outgoing Fusion is a hot seller in its segment – it was second only to the Toyota Camry. With 

the redesigned model, Ford hopes to become market leader 

• „Kinetic 2.0” styling was previewed by 2011 Evos concept. Wheelbase has been stretched by 

12.7 cm (5 in.), while overall length and width has increased only marginally 

• There will be three four-cylinder engines and two different hybrid powetrains in the line-up 

• MacPherson strut front suspension is accompanied by new multi-link set-up at the rear 

• Sync voice recognition is standard 

• Will be launched in North America in mid-2012. In 2013 it will appear in Europe and Asia as the 

new Ford Mondeo 

• EcoBoost and hybrid versions will go on sale this summer, with the Energi plug-in hybrid 

following this autumn

DETROIT AUTO SHOW 

CONCEPTS 

Acura ILX 

• Preview of new, Honda Civic-based entry model. Production version set to debut this Spring 

• A huge improvement on Canada-only Acura CSX, which was esentially a rebadged Civic 

• In addition to two petrol engines a hybrid version will complement the line-up 

• Features will include text-to-speech SMS voice texting, keyless entry and pushbutton start 

• Pricing will start below US$ 30,000 

• Acura hopes to sell up to 40,000 ILX models in North America 

Acura NSX Concept 

• Original NSX was killed off in 2005 and Honda has been struggling to make a business case for 

a successor since then 

• Latest concept features similar proportions to the last NSX 

• Powertrain claimed to be a mid-mounted, direct-injection V6 engine assisted by an electric motor 

• All-wheel-drive 

• Acura officials promised a production version within three years, to be assembled at one of 

Honda’s Ohio plants


CONCEPTS 

Chevrolet Code 130R Concept 

• One of two Chevrolet concepts at the Detroit Show, rear-wheel-drive Code 130R tries to woo 

the Fast’n’Furious crowd 

• Striking red concept features numerous Chevrolet styling cues 

• 150-hp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine has been combined with eAssist, which means an electric 

motor and lithium-ion battery pack 

• May be developed further, if reaction is good 

Chevrolet Tru140S Concept 

• One of two Chevrolet concepts at the Detroit Show, Tru140S hints at a sporty coupe version 

of the Cruze 

• Tru140S is based on the Cruze and is powered by its 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine 

• Power has been hiked up to 150 hp 

• While Code 130R is rear-wheel-drive, Tru140S sticks to FWD


CONCEPTS 

Chrysler 700C 

• One of the best kept secrets of the Detroit Auto Show, the 700C is a styling exercise to 

gather feedback on the future direction of the popular minivan theme 

• There was no press conference or media release on this concept, which polarised opinions 

• Front-wheel-drive powertrain, electric sliding doors on each side, plenty of chrome 

Honda Accord Concept Coupe 

• Behind the show glitz lies the brand-new, ninth-generation Accord, which will go on sale in 

North America this autumn 

• New Accord will receive a new, 2.4-litre, direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine, which 

produces more than 181 hp and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque 

• The 2013 Honda Accord will also have a hybrid version. Called the Accord Plug-In it features a 

2.0-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a 120 kW electric motor with a 6 kWh lithiumion 

battery pack 

• Honda promises „more responsive handling” and „improved driving dynamics”


CONCEPTS 

Lexus LF-LC 

• Lexus found its groove with the LFA and now it would like to extend its sporty line-up 

• LF-LC was penned at Toyota’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California 

• 2+2 seater concept features a bold interpretation of the Lexus spindle grille 

• Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide information and navigation display 

• Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration with hybrid powertrain 

Lincoln MKZ 

• Ford is trying to reinvigorate Lincoln brand. MKZ Concept hints at forthcoming new 2013 MKZ sedan 

• MKZ Concept is based on the sleek new Ford Focus 

• Panoramic glass roof, liquid crystal instruments, „responsibly harvested” poplar wood trim, 

LED lights at the front and rear 

• Production version set to debut later this year


CONCEPTS 

Nissan e-NV200 

• Nissan was chosen to supply vehicles for New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow program 

• E-NV200 is based on the regular NV200 van, but features an electric powertrain from the 

Nissan Leaf 

• Driving range is similar to the Nissan Leaf 

• Interior features advanced telematics and a flat C-cluster display that resembles and 

responds to user input like a tablet computer 

Nissan Pathfinder Concept 

• Labelled as „concept”, but the prototype aptly previews next-generation Pathfinder 

• Switch to unibody construction results in reduced weight 

• Technical details are vague, including „advanced” V6 engine and CVT transmission 

• Three rows of seats accomodates up to seven passengers 

• Production version will be unveiled later this year


CONCEPTS 

Smart For_Us 

• First pickup truck from Smart, two-seater For_Us rides on a lengthened Smart platform 

• Concept is 3547 mm (139.6 in) long; power comes from a 55 kW electric motor 

• Retractable tailboard and sliding cargo floor for easier access 

• Cargo bed has room for two Smart e-bikes 

Toyota NS4 Concept 

• NS4 Concept hints at next-generation Toyota Prius and future powetrain technologies 

• Elements of bold styling may appear on future models 

• Solar panel roof 

• NS4 is a plug-in hybrid 

• Concept features a next-generation pre-collision system to alert drivers to potential hazards


CONCEPTS 

Volkswagen E-Bugster 

• Unveiled alongside the new Jetta Hybrid, E-Bugster is based on the new Beetle 

• Two-seater E-Bugster is similar in concept to 2005 Ragster concept, which also featured a 

chopped roof 

• As its name suggests, the concept is powered by an electric motor, which is capable of 85 kW (114 hp) 

• Driving range is about 180 km (110 miles) 

• Lithium-ion batteries can be recharged at home from either 120V (America) or 220V (Europe) outlets

NEW DELHI AUTO EXPO 

CONCEPTS 

Chevrolet MPV Concept (India) 

• This is a preview of a forthcoming B-segment MPV, which will be produced locally 

• MPV Concept modified and badge-engineered version of the Chinese Wuling Hong Guang 

minivan, built by a General Motors-SAIC subsidiary 

• Chassis was fine tuned by Lotus Engineering in the United Kingdom 

Hyundai HND-7 Hexa Space 

• Based on Hyundai’s PB platform, which underpins the locally produced i20 sub-compact and 

the ix20 minivan as well 

• HND-7 uses „Fluidic Sculpture” design language, though end result lacks finesse 

• Powered by 1.2-litre turbocharged, direct injection petrol engine 

• 4300 mm (169.3 in.) long, eight-seater concept is strictly a concept


CONCEPTS 

Maruti Suzuki A-Star Cabriolet 

• Maruti-Suzuki rolled out an open-top version of the latest Alto also known as A-Star at the 

Delhi Auto Expo 

• Affordable open-top cars are lacking in India 

• Leather-covered bucket seats, alloy wheels, rear spoiler and dual exhaust pipes highlight 

sportiness of the prototype 

• The four-seater cabriolet is officially a concept, but if there’s sufficient interest, a production 

version may appear soon 

Maruti Suzuki Concept XA α 

• Suzuki Swift based SUV concept for the „younger generation in urban areas in India” 

• Less than 4 meter (160 in.) long and features massive, 19” wheels 

• According to rumours, production version will arrive in 2014 with optional four-wheel-drive


CONCEPTS 

Rajah Creeper 

• Rajah Motors is a subsidiary of Rajah Group, a beedi (Indian cigarette) manufacturer which 

had a short stint in the automotive industry in the 1990s 

• Creeper small car was originally scheduled to be put on the market in 2000 – it is late by 12 

years! 

• Creeper was designed by Motormind, a design company from Bangalore 

• Power comes from a 800 cc engine 

• If it ever comes to the market, it will be priced at around INR 175000 (US$ 3400) 

Tata Indigo Manza Hybrid Concept 

• Tata Indigo is a self-designed sedan suited for Indian conditions 

• Concept is powered by a 1.05-litre petrol engine, combined with a 45 kW electric motor 

• Features include stop-start, roof-mounted solar panel and regenerative braking 

• Styling previews next-generation Indigo Manza

World car info dec 2011

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