Beijing 2010: BAIC (Saab) C60 and C71 and swappable batteries

It didn't take long for Beijing Automotive Industries Company (BAIC) to start making use of the old 9-3 and 9-5 tooling it bought from Saab last fall. After grafting on a new nose and taillights, both have been reborn as the C60 and C71.It's not clear what's propelling the regular versions of these two reworked Saabs, however, there was a second ex-9-5 on display dubbed the C71EV. That version had a battery pack inserted into the floor and featured...

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Beijing 2010: Honda Li Nisn Everus sedan concept

The Beijing Motor Show is well under way, and Honda is showing off a new concept slated for the Chinese market. Called the Li Nian Everus, the car is the fruit of a partnership between the Japanese automaker and its Chinese partner, Guangqi Honda Automobile. We don't have too many details on the sedan other than the fact that at this point, it's nothing more than a concept.Judging by the renderings, we're tempted to guess this thing has more than...

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Beijing 2010: 2011 Audi A8 L W12 stretches onto the stage

Measuring approximately 17.5 feet long, the 2011 Audi A8 L W12 is certainly quite grandioso. And while the 500-horsepower 12-cylinder engine and new eight-speed automatic transmission are certainly nothing to sneeze at, what's most impressive about the long-wheelbase A8 is the rear seat accommodations. Holy mackerel.You want gobs of leather, a full-length center console, heated and cooled seats that massage you as well as a folding ottoman for premium...

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Beijing 2010: 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton ups the luxe

As impressive of a vehicle as the seminal Volkswagen Phaeton may have been, the uber-luxe German sedan was an unqualified flop of an experiment here in the United States. In some other parts of the world, though, VW's BMW and Mercedes-Benz (not to mention VW-owned Audi) competitor is still going strong.Hence, VW has seen fit to give the Phaeton a mild update for the 2011 model year, and it tellingly used the Beijing Motor Show as the platform to...

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Beijing 2010: MG Zero Concept

MG has its eyes set on the juicy Chinese small hatch segment, and the company's first crack at the market debuted in the form of Zero Concept at this year's Beijing Motor Show. At shave over 13 feet long, the pint-sized five-door is designed to offer up more style than space. MG says the vehicle was penned by Anthony Williams, the brand's British director of design, and offers drivers a unique interior loaded with your standard concept-tech. The...

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Beijing 2010: Geely's London Taxi-aping Englon TXN

As promised, Geely brought its Englon TXN to this year's Beijing Motor Show. In the flesh, the intended successor to London's black cab throne looks more than capable of hauling drunken tourists from place to place. The car appears to have stuck pretty close to the renderings we saw earlier this month, though we have to say the exterior looks quite a bit better under the show lights than it did photoshopped among England's various landmarks.The company...

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Beijing 2010: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break concept is the four-door coupe of wagons

The shooting break (yes, it's 'break,' not 'brake', according to M-B's marketers) design isn't something new � we've seen it before in smaller vehicles like the original BMW Z3 M Coupe. Today, though, Mercedes-Benz takes the shooting break concept one step further with the addition of two rear doors and a healthy dose of next-generation style. It's the CLS Shooting Break Concept, folks. Think of this as the four-door coupe for the wagon segment.The...

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Beijing 2010: Chevrolet Volt MPV5 concept, HHR goes future tech

While Chrysler has failed to find a way to update or replace the retro-styled PT Cruiser, we can definitely see this as a forthcoming replacement to the Chevrolet HHR. The Volt MPV5 is slightly larger than HHR, but fills a similar market niche. While Chevrolet hasn't announced a firm production commitment, it wouldn't be surprising to see the MPV5 built in both conventional and ER-EV forms to help jack up GM's light truck CAFE numbers. The roomy...

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Beijing 2010: Ford Start concept

As we were checking out the new Ford Start concept at the Beijing Motor Show, we ran into the head of Ford's advanced studio in California, Freeman Thomas, and the mini car's lead exterior designer, Jeff Nield.According to Nield, he wanted to create a vehicle that retained elements of Ford's "Kinetic Design" language while at the same time create something more subdued, able to stand apart from the noise surrounding the show. Thus the Start has a...

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Beijing 2010: BMW surprises with Concept Gran Coup�

Four-door coupes are nothing new these days, what with vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Volkswagen CC proving that these stylish sedans do, in fact, have a place in the automotive world. What's more, Audi's swoopy A7 is nearing its final stages of development, and higher-end coupe-sedans like the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera have indeed caught our attention in recent months. BMW is now jumping on that train, and the automaker has...

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Beijing 2010: 2011 Hyundai Accent debuts as Verna across the Pacific

Hyundai's fluidic sculpture design language has now spread to the smallest vehicle in its lineup, and the new sub-compact slated to take the place of the aging Accent was unwrapped on the floor of the Beijing Motor Show. We've been seeing spy shots of the next generation Accent for some time and it very clearly follows the same design path as its big brother the Sonata.The little sedan, badged the Verna outside the U.S., has the same rounded coupe-like...

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Beijing 2010: Chevrolet Volt MPV5 crossover revealed

The rumored extended range electric crossover we saw revealed in General Motors' design patent drawings is now a reality. The Chevrolet Volt MPV5 concept will make its debut tomorrow at the Beijing Motor Show, and just as we suspected from seeing Volt design chief Bob Boniface's name on the patent, this five-passenger crossover rides on the same Voltec architecture as the Volt.The new Chevrolet concept integrates design elements from the Volt, including...

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Beijing 2010: 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO, glorious front-engined prancing horse

The fact that Ferrari chose Beijing as the official coming out party for its fastest ever front-engined road car is a clear signal of the importance of this market to the crew from Maranello. Whatever the reasons, we're always happy to finally get our first glimpse of the new 599 GTO, a proper Ferrari if there ever was one.Only 599 GTOs are scheduled to be built and the entire run is reported to be sold out. However, we're pretty sure that anyone...

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Chrysler posts financial results, loses $197 million in first quarter

Chrysler just released its first financial report since emerging from bankruptcy last year. The company announced that while it's still operating at a net loss of around $197 million, it somehow managed to create $1.5 billion in cash during the first three months of 2010. That cash, along with an additional $7.4 billion from past cash reserves, went toward putting a dent in the company's remaining debt. The smallest of the Big Three also managed...

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Kia Forte awarded IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'

Much like parent company Hyundai, Kia has been working hard to revive its brand image. New products like the Soul and Forte have been relatively well received so far, and with new stunners like the 2011 Sportage and Optima on the way, Kia should benefit from a healthy boost in sales. But strip away the sleek new designs and clever interior packaging, and you'll find that Kia's core value of crafting extremely safe vehicles is still holding strong,...

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Why It's Not Coming Here: VW Amarok priced at $35k in Europe

One of the last details concerning the Volkswagen Amarok, its price in euros, has been filled in: �26,203, or $35,260 U.S. in the ever misleading straight-up conversion from euros to dollars. Subtracting the 19 percent duty folded into that price in Germany, you're still left spending �21,224, or $28,555 U.S. That's what you call "Holy smokes!"If we want to make the admittedly difficult attempt to put some context around that without diving into...

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DetNews: Toyota recalling Lexus GX to address rollover concern [*UPDATED*]

The moment Lexus GX owners have been waiting for since Consumer Reports first blacklisted the SUV last week has finally arrived � Toyota has recalled the vehicle. According to The Detroit News, the Japanese manufacturer will announce the move later this afternoon, and the recall is expected to cover around 5,000 vehicles currently on the road. As expected, Lexus dealers will install new traction control software to correct potentially dangerous handling...

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Zagato teases Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa ahead of Villa d'Este

A couple of weeks ago, we reported that Zagato was planning to unveil a new Alfa Romeo at the upcoming Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Now the stoic Italian carrozzeria has released the first teaser image (above) and initial details of what it has in store for us.The TZ3 Corsa follows in the footsteps of the original Alfa TZ and TZ2, drawing on some 90 years of collaboration between the two companies and commemorating Alfa's centenary. It's based...

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2011 Audi A8 L arrives with 500-hp W12, seating for a king-maker

Audi is pulling out its biggest gun yet for the Beijing Motor Show, and while the big news for the A8 L might be the 6.3-liter W12 and the sedan's longer wheelbase, it's the rear seat accommodations that have us frothing at the mouth.Seriously, just look at it.With an overall length of nearly 17 and a half feet, the A8 L is almost a half-foot longer than its standard sibling, with a wheelbase of 10.24 feet. Those extra inches are put to good effect,...

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Jeep EV Concept, 2008

Jeep EV Concept, 2008The Jeep EV development vehicle is a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that provides a glimpse into the future of a "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" vehicle with renowned Jeep Wrangler capability.The Jeep EV combines Wrangler's unmatched off-road capability with the ultimate "Tread Lightly" mindset by providing nature ambassadors with the ability to roam the planet and take care of it at the same time.The Jeep EV Range-extended Electric...

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Jeep Cherokee, 2008

Jeep Cherokee, 2008The new Cherokee will launch in the UK in May 2008 with a choice of manual or automatic transmission and one equipment level - Jeep Cherokee Limited.Inside, the all-new Jeep Cherokee Limited will feature a Luxury Leather Package which includes supple leather-trimmed seats featuring French-seam stitching. The passenger grab handle, console-storage cover and front-door trim panels also receive the same leather treatment, complete...

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Proton Impian, 2006

Proton Impian, 2006From the initial design sketches, through prototyping and development to production of the Proton Impian, first passenger car to be created entirely in Malaysia, Proton engineers have set out to reward owners with a driving experience in the highly competitive D sector that is second to none.That they have succeeded is due in no small measure to a unique combination of engineering excellence and design flair. Proton's pragmatic...

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Proton GEN-2, 2004

Proton GEN-2, 2004Following Proton Berhad's acquisition of a 100 per cent controlling interest in Group Lotus Plc, personnel from the British sports car manufacturer's engineering division have been closely involved in the development programme of GEN-2; both at the Lotus headquarters in Hethel and at Proton's �62 million vehicle design and development centre in Malaysia.Proton GEN-2 has been styled to attract a wider customer base; the Lotus Design...

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Vauxhall VXR8, 2007

Vauxhall VXR8, 2007Motoring enthusiasts across Britain mourned the passing of the Monaro. The only Australian-built car to be sold in the UK offered raw and exciting performance thanks to its 6.0-litre V8 and rear-wheel drive set up.But the thunder from down under hasn't stopped yet - in fact it's only going to get louder. Vauxhall has announced the arrival of a new Aussie musclecar - the VXR8 - and it's more powerful and exciting than even the legendary...

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Vauxhall Corsa 5-door, 2007

Vauxhall Corsa 5-door, 2007Vauxhall Corsa 5-door, 2007The new version of the Gamma platform has been codeveloped by Fiat and Opel. It will be used by the 2006 Fiat Grande Punto (a stretched version of the Fiat Punto), 2007 Opel Corsa and future versions of Lancia Ypsilon and Fiat Idea. GM Daewoo will take responsibility for future development of the Gamma platform, so the production of the future Corsa might be outsourced to South Korea as well.The...

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Vauxhall Corsa 3-door, 2007

Vauxhall Corsa 3-door, 2007A new version of the Gamma platform has been codeveloped by Fiat and Opel. It will be used by the 2006 Fiat Grande Punto (a stretched version of the Fiat Punto), 2007 Opel Corsa and future versions of Lancia Ypsilon and Fiat Idea.GM Daewoo will take responsibility for future development of the Gamma platform, so the production of the future Corsa might be outsourced to South Korea as well. The first official pictures of...

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Vauxhall Antara, 2007

Vauxhall Antara, 2007The Opel Antara is a mid-size crossover SUV, which is based on General Motors' Theta platform. It is closely related to the Chevrolet Captiva (made in Korea by GM Daewoo, also sold as the Daewoo Winstorm), and shares the engine lineup with it, but has a different exterior and interior, as well as different exterior dimensions. The Antara is scheduled to be launched towards the end of 2006. In the UK, the model will be sold as...

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.Alfa Romeo Giulietta hits the European market

Ladies and Gents, say hello to the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Then say goodbye. Because although Alfa Romeo says this car is slated to reach "all major markets," apparently that doesn't include North America.Following its public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show last month, Alfa has finally released full details and a whole slew of photos of the new five-door sport-hatch. And whether it makes it Stateside or not, this stands to be a pivotal, make-it...

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