2010 Hyundai Tucson

Designed and engineered by Hyundai's European Studio in Frankfurt, the 2010 Tucson CUV (Compact Utility Crossover) combines a sporty and sculpted exterior design with practical features and an efficient 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine.

The Tucson compact crossover combines dynamic, sculpted, performance-oriented styling with everyday utility .

With an overall length of 173.2 inches, a width of 71.7 inches and a height of 66.3 inches (with roof rails), Hyundai Tucson has a great stance and road presence.

The Tucson is powered by the Theta II 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and Variable Induction System (VIS). It delivers 176 hp, 168 lb-ft of torqueup to 31 mpg on the highway. For the 2011 model year, Hyundai will introduce a high-mileage Blue model.

The Tucson arrives at showrooms this month, with prices ranging between $19k and $24k.

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Aston Martin Carbon Black Special Editions

Aston Martin has unveiled two top-of-the-range special editions: the DBS and V12 Vantage Carbon Black, characterized by a special metallic paint, carbon details, black interior trims and a premium hi-fi audio system. Deliveries will start in March 2010.

Each car will undergo 50 man-hours of hand painting followed by stringent quality checks.

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The new Citroen C3

The new 2010 Citroen C3 is a 5-door supermini for the B-segment targeted to modern families, with premium features inspired by the DS3 model and a focus on low CO2 emissions.

One of the biggest novelty is the unique panoramic Zenith windscreen, increases the upward field of vision by 80 degrees.

The Zenith windscreen is a major innovation with its exceptional length of 1.350mm feat increases front passengers' upward field of vision 80º by removing the upper beam.

The design of the body is much more dynamic, with smooth lines flowing over chrome-trimmed surfaces.

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Aston Martin Cygnet Concept

The first official images of the Cygnet, which was first previewed by Aston Martin in June, showcase many similitarities with theToyota iQ, on which the luxury commuter is based. The most distinctive zone is the front end, characterized by the "face" typical of all Aston Martin's sportscars.

According to the British carmaker the concept is currently under development and during 2010 it could become a production reality initially available to Aston Martin customers in the UK and Europe.

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Mini Beachcomber Concept

The MINI Beachcomber Concept is a four-seater concept with an open body and focused on versatiliy and open air activities. It is based on the MINI Crossover and inspired by the Mini Moke from the 1960s. It will make its dubut at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show.

Among the feature are a new all-wheel drive system, ALL4, advanced suspension technology, an elevated seating position and a flexible interior.

It is designed without doors or a conventional roof, and all other body elements that could limit the intensity of the occupants’ encounter with their surrounding world.

This allows the driver and up to three passengers to connect with their surroundings and to enjoy an emotional driving experience. The ground clearance is high thanks to the generous spring travel and extra-large light-alloy wheels raise the entire car to a higher level.

The body of the Mini Moke, as it was called, was made up of little more than a floorpan, wide sills at the side, an engine compartment lid and a windshield.

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Donato Coco appointed Lotus Director of Design

Group Lotus has announced the appointment of Donato Coco as Director of Design for the Group, effective 4 January 2010. In this new role, Coco, who is currently Design Chief at Ferrari, will lead all the design activities. Head of Lotus Design Russell Carr will maintain his position.

MG6

MG has unveiled the firs official photos of the production MG6 model, a five seat sporting fastback aimed at capturing the character of the brand with a dynamic design. It will go on sale in China and Europe during 2010.

Knowing that satisfying the hunger of global demand will need more resources than the existing UK operation has lead to the development of a new manufacturing facility in Lingang, China.

The MG6, aims to capture the character of the brand, with a dynamic front end and surfacing that sweeps out from the modernised octagon MG badge.

Energy in the interior is much harder to come by with a considerably more formal arrangement to the design, especially around the dashboard and instrument panel. Only the subtle flashes of aluminium trim and sports seats suggest the car is ascribed with performance merit.

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Audi A1 preview

The first information and design sketches revealed by Audi on its upcoming A1 production model, a premium subcompact car inspired by the recent A1 project quattro and A1 Sportback concept cars. It will debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

Stefan Sielaff, Head of Design at AUDI AG, has commented on the design: “The new A1 has Audi design in its genes. Like all Audi models, the ratio of greenhouse to body is between 1:3 and 2:3.

The Audi A1 will also have a distinctive C-pillar, and a coup�-like silhouette clearly different from that of the A3.

“Audi is renowned for taking a lot of features of its showcars into series production. The roof arch is a unique characteristic of the Tokyo showcar; there is a certain dynamism in the flow of the A- and C-pillars. An important detail for customization; that much I can tell you,” said Sielaff.

The single-frame grille – a central Audi design feature – will identify the A1 as an Audi. On this regard Sielaff commented “We’ll do something here, maybe with the corners and the width of the grille,”. This will affect the headlights.

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Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta

Ferrari has unveiled the P540 Superfast Aperta, a one-off commissioned by Edward Walson and created by the Special Projects program. The car is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano and takes inspiration from a Fantuzzi-bodied model created for a 1968 Fellini film.

The P540 was built for American client Edward Walson, son of John Walson, the inventor of cable TV, who approached Ferrari in 2008 to produce a modern reinterpretation of the gold-coloured car featured in Fellini's "Toby Dammit", a 40 minute episode from the movie "Histoires Extraordinaires" / "Spirits of the Dead", released in 1968.

The car was designed by Pininfarina and built in Maranello, and the client was directly involved in each stage of its development.

As the 599 GTB Fiorano donor car is a coupé, considerable effort went into strengthening the chassis by using finite element analysis in development and the increase in weight was kept down to just 20 kg by employing carbon-fibreextensively.

From the initial sketches to the final, road-legal car took just 14 months.

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Audi Avatar Concept

The Audi Avatar Concept is a futuristic 3-seat electric supercar inspired by the modern racing videogames and by the 1937 Auto Union Type C Streamline with an aerodynamic exterior with three glass canopies. The author is Australian designer Edwin Conan.

The Audi Avatar Concept is a futuristic 3-seat electric supercar designed by Australian Edwin Conan to provide drivers of 2032 the joy of driving that they had playing racing games when they were kids.

The exterior design of the car is inspired by the form of fabric blown in the wind. The form also carries traces ofthe historical Auto Union Type C Streamline racer.

There are no conventional doors on the car, but instead, inspired by the jet fighters, there are three glass canopies. The main canopy opens forward together with the steering wheel and the dashboard; the two passengers’ canopies open backwards; and a side panel on the bodywork opens downwards to act as a step, making the event of getting in and out of the cockpit very special and easy.

The interior of the car is as simple and futuristic as the exterior.It consists of one continuous sheet, starting from the dashboard, then being folded and bended to create floor carpet and seats.

To see the full info Click Here!

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Kia K9 preview

The image was unveiled by Kia Design Director Peter Schreyer during a design conference held in Songdo, near Seoul, South Korea on last Friday, and first appeared on AboutCar.co.kr.

The model, codenamed K9, could preview the upcoming luxury sedan (BH), scheduled for launch in 2011, or the smaller CH.

Schreyer has compared the development process of the new premium model to that of the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8.

The sedan could be based on the Equus or Genesis platform, and the range of engines could include a V8 unit for the US market.

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Ferrari 458 Italia awarded by BBC Top Gear

The Ferrari 458 Italia has received two awards from BBC Top Gear Magazine, that nominated the V8-powered sportscar "Supercar of the Year" and also "Car of the Year", for its outstanding handling, roadholding and performance qualities.

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Cadillac CTS Coupe - An Up Close Look

Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled its new pickup, named Amarok, which will be launched worldwide in 2010. The model line-up will include a four-door double cab and a single cab version and will feature a VW Design DNA-inspired front end.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released the first official images and more details of its new pick-up, the Amarok, which will be available as a four-door double cab version from launch with a single cab model to follow in 2011.

The name "Amarok" means ‘wolf’ in the language of the Inuit, one of the Eskimo people who live in northern Canada and Greenland who highly regard the wolf as king of the wilderness and a figure of robustness, endurance and superiority. It translates into ‘he loves stones’ in the languages spoken in South America.

The official photos show the Amarok reflects the latest Volkswagen design DNA with frontal styling in line with the latest Transporter and Golf. It is 5.25 m long with a ladder frame chassis and will be offered with a choice of rear-wheel drive and switchable or permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive.

The Amarok has a generous payload capacity of up to 1.15 tonnes and maximum towing limit of 2.8 tonnes. Its 2.52 m² cargo area has the largest dimensions in its class at 1,555 mm long and 1,620 mm wide, plus a best in class width between the wheelarches of 1,222 mm, which means that for the first time on a mid-size pick-up, it is possible to load Euro pallets sideways, saving on space.

The switchable all-wheel drive is engaged by the push of a button, and also has low off-road gearing. The full-time all-wheel drive version is a rarity in the pick-up sector, and uses a Torsen differential to distribute drive at a 40:60 ratio to the front and rear axles for excellent vehicle dynamics and high traction, and also ensures that the wheel with the best traction always gets the most power. A rear differential lock is available.

The choice of engines includes two 2.0-litre fuel-efficient, Euro5 compliant, common rail TDI engines producing 163 PS, with torque of 400 Nm at a low 1,500 rpm, or 122 PS with maximum torque of 340 Nm from 2,000 rpm. Both engines have a six-speed manual transmission.

Production of the Amarok is about to start at the Volkswagen factory in Buenos Aires, Argentina ahead of its worldwide launch starting in its native South America in early 2010 and in Europe next summer, with first models expected to be in UK Volkswagen Van Centres in September 2010.

Key markets for the Amarok include South America, South Africa and Australia.

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Nissan V2G wins LA Design Challenge 2009

The Nissan V2G has been announced as the winner of the Los Angeles Auto Show's 2009 Design Challenge. The V2G (Vehicle to Grid) Concept was chosen for its holistic approach in answering the future's design questions raised by the theme "Youthmobile 2030".

The Nissan V2G (Vehicle to Grid) [UNLMTD] Concept was voted grand winner of the Los Angeles Auto Show's 2009 Design Challenge.

This year's theme, Youthmobile 2030, asked automotive design studios to envision what a new generation of drivers - raised with cell phones, online communities and webcams - will demand from their vehicles in the year 2030.

"The scope of this year's concepts and designs - from the initial sketches to the final presentations - were very impressive," saidChuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc.

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