Motor Authority - blog Tag: minicar

Many in the U.S. have been hoping to receive the wildly popular Fiat 500 minicar for the past couple of years but a lack of interest in small cars has largely held it back. Now, with Fiat's alliance with Chrysler in place the Italian auto giant has a gateway to the lucrative U.S. market and the first model to arrive under the new alliance will be the 500, and according to latest reports it won’t be the ordinary model that’s coming first but rather, the high performance Abarth.

The 500 is scheduled to hit showrooms in 2011 and it’s set to be the only Fiat-badged model coming here. According to Ward's Auto, Chrysler dealers...

Many in the U.S. have been hoping to receive the wildly popular Fiat 500 minicar for the past couple of years but a lack of interest in small cars has largely held it back. Now, with Fiat's alliance with Chrysler in place the Italian auto giant has a gateway to the lucrative U.S. market and the first model to arrive under the new alliance will be the 500, and according to latest reports it won’t be the ordinary model that’s coming first but rather, the high performance Abarth. The 500 is scheduled to hit showrooms in 2011 and it’s set to be the only Fiat-badged model coming here. According to Ward's Auto, Chrysler dealers have been advised that the first batch of 500s will be the Abarth. To differentiate the Abarth 500 from the standard version, the new car comes with a sporty bodykit with larger air intakes, side skirts, a rear diffuser, pumped fenders, Abarth decals and new alloys plus the famed scorpion logo on the grille. Up back is an integrated rear diffuser and dual exhaust tips finished in chrome. The interior continues the sporty theme with new bucket seats, alloy pedals, leather trim and 16 inch wheels. Power comes from Fiat’s turbocharged T-Jet petrol engine, developing a peak 135 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 132 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels and 0-60 mph times should fall in the low 7 second range. Mileage rates in around 25-33 mpg. Fiat forecasts first-year sales of 20,000-25,000 Abarth 500s in the U.S., with pricing coming in around the $18,000-$19,000 mark. [Ward's Auto] Read More

The next couple of years are very important for Aston Martin as the company continues to execute an ambitious model roll-out during one of the worst periods in the entire history of the automotive industry. The global economic recession has made a dent on Aston Martin but the company is still planning three all-new models, as well as several important updates for its current range.

The most controversial introduction is the Cygnet, a bespoke minicar based around the Toyota iQ that’s due next year. The new model is being introduced to help Aston Martin meet tough new carbon emissions standards planned for Europe by 2012.

As such, the...

The next couple of years are very important for Aston Martin as the company continues to execute an ambitious model roll-out during one of the worst periods in the entire history of the automotive industry. The global economic recession has made a dent on Aston Martin but the company is still planning three all-new models, as well as several important updates for its current range. The most controversial introduction is the Cygnet, a bespoke minicar based around the Toyota iQ that’s due next year. The new model is being introduced to help Aston Martin meet tough new carbon emissions standards planned for Europe by 2012. As such, the Cygnet is expected to be sold in Europe only and will possibly be sold to existing Aston Martin customers only. Taking a Toyota iQ, Aston Martin will totally refurbish the minicar’s interior and add several trademark external elements including a new grille and side vents. Pricing is expected to start around $32,000--double that of the iQ. At the end of this year Aston Martin will start production of its One-77 supercar, which the company has already confirmed will be built in a limited run of just 77 cars and retail for about $2 million each. Customers will be able to customize almost every element of the car though each will come with a 7.3-liter V-12 engine churning out 740-horsepower. The third model introduction is the recently revealed Rapide, which goes on sale in early 2010 and will be available globally through Aston Martin’s 125 strong dealership network. Pricing is expected to be announced closer to launch but expect it to slot somewhere between the DB9 and DBS at around $200,000. As for Aston Martin’s existing lineup, the Vantage range will be updated with the introduction of the limited-edition V-12 Vantage next year. The DB9 and DBS, meanwhile, don’t have any planned updates. It doesn’t end there as Aston Martin may also relaunch its Lagonda brand with a production version of its crossover concept from this year’s Geneva auto show. If approved for production, the earliest it would appear is 2012 although its chances of being sold in North America are slim. [AutoNews, sub req'd] Read More

Many in the U.S. have been hoping to receive the wildly popular Fiat 500 minicar for the past couple of years but a lack of interest in small cars has largely held it back. Now, with Fiat's alliance with Chrysler in place the Italian auto giant has a gateway to the lucrative U.S. market and the first model to arrive under the new alliance will be the 500, though it’s launch is still more than a year away.

We can confirm today that the 500 will be sold in Chrysler dealerships and it will be the only Fiat-badged model in the U.S. market. It will come in four different versions, all of which will be manufactured at a Chrysler plant...

Many in the U.S. have been hoping to receive the wildly popular Fiat 500 minicar for the past couple of years but a lack of interest in small cars has largely held it back. Now, with Fiat's alliance with Chrysler in place the Italian auto giant has a gateway to the lucrative U.S. market and the first model to arrive under the new alliance will be the 500, though it’s launch is still more than a year away. We can confirm today that the 500 will be sold in Chrysler dealerships and it will be the only Fiat-badged model in the U.S. market. It will come in four different versions, all of which will be manufactured at a Chrysler plant either in the U.S. or in Toluca, Mexico in late 2010 or early 2011. Mexico is the preferred choice by Fiat because of a free-trade agreement with Brazil. Annual production is expected to top 100,000 units. The four models that will eventually make their way to the U.S., meanwhile, include the regular hatchback, the new 500C convertible, a ‘Giardinetta' wagon, and a high-performance model--possibly the Abarth version currently on sale in Europe. There is also a strong chance that a fifth, AWD SUV version will be launched further down the track. According to Chrysler brand CEO and head of sales for all Chrysler Group brands, Peter Fong, the 500 will likely have a dedicated corner in Chrysler-brand showrooms rather than its own retail network like Mini--the 500’s expected nearest rival. With news of Fiat bringing the 500 to U.S. shores, other automakers may feel compelled to compete with the little hatch. This could mean that we'll be seeing Ford's Ka coming to the States around the same time as the two cars share the same platform. [AutoNews, sub req'd] Read More

Whatever you make of Aston Martin's wacky plan to take the Toyota iQ city car and turn it into a swan of its own, you have to credit the British luxury automaker. Not only will it take on the green movement with a four-seat, 1.0-liter car badge engineered from the Toyota - it will do it with the bespoke ordering customary to all Aston Martin owners.

Britain's AutoExpress magazine reports that Aston Martin Cygnet owners will be able to outfit their very, very small Astons with as much special trim as any other of the company's models, from the new Rapide to the stunning Vantage roadster.

Aston guru Dr. Ulrich Bez says there will be "no... Whatever you make of Aston Martin's wacky plan to take the Toyota iQ city car and turn it into a swan of its own, you have to credit the British luxury automaker. Not only will it take on the green movement with a four-seat, 1.0-liter car badge engineered from the Toyota - it will do it with the bespoke ordering customary to all Aston Martin owners. Britain's AutoExpress magazine reports that Aston Martin Cygnet owners will be able to outfit their very, very small Astons with as much special trim as any other of the company's models, from the new Rapide to the stunning Vantage roadster. Aston guru Dr. Ulrich Bez says there will be "no compromise" for buyers interested in the ultra-luxury urban commuter, which Toyota introduced last year to European consumers. By no compromise Bez said that would mean everything from wood, leather and carbon-fiber trim for the interior of the new vehicle. Still, under the hood, the Aston Cygnet will sport the same 1.0-liter engine and 60-mpg capability that's a stark contrast to the usual V-8 and V-12 engines that charge the performance of other Astons. The key to the Cygnet, though, won't be the performance angle--a somewhat astonishing statement from a brand that's known for sheer performance, not to mention the gadgetry of the James Bond cars. Bez says instead, the Cygnet will be an "intelligent purchase for people concerned about the environment." And based on that, he expects to sell 4,,000 copies of the Cygnet each year.Aston Martin Cygnet Read More

This is not a joke. Aston Martin has joined forces with Toyota to develop a new minicar model called the Cygnet and this is the first official image of the bespoke hatch, taken as designers at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters refine its final shape. The Cygnet is based on Toyota’s iQ minicar and although it’s still in the concept stage, the green light for production is expected to be given before the end of the year.

As revealed by the teaser image, the Cygnet will adopt some very distinct Aston Martin trademarks to differentiate it from its Toyota sibling. The vehicle is being designed for Europe but other details such... This is not a joke. Aston Martin has joined forces with Toyota to develop a new minicar model called the Cygnet and this is the first official image of the bespoke hatch, taken as designers at Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters refine its final shape. The Cygnet is based on Toyota’s iQ minicar and although it’s still in the concept stage, the green light for production is expected to be given before the end of the year. As revealed by the teaser image, the Cygnet will adopt some very distinct Aston Martin trademarks to differentiate it from its Toyota sibling. The vehicle is being designed for Europe but other details such as the launch date, price and production volumes have not been decided. The car on which it is based, the iQ, measures just three meters in length, is powered by a three-cylinder engine and has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The Cygnet is expected to keep most of these attributes, but its interior is expected to be as luxurious as that found in any other Aston Martin model. In an official statement, Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez said: "Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not-too-distant future." The reasoning behind the partnership is to enable Aston Martin to comply with tough new fuel economy and emissions regulations coming into effect in Europe by 2012. The biggest hurdle for automakers will be to meet a target for fleet average CO2 emissions from new vehicles of 120g/km by 2012. Low volume automakers such as Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lamborghini, which only sell powerful vehicles with high CO2 emissions will be hit hardest. Unlike Aston Martin, however, rivals like Ferrari and Lamborghini can group their CO2 emissions levels with their respective parent companies, in this case the Fiat and Volkswagen groups. However, not just anyone will be able to buy a Cygnet. In order to be eligible to buy one, customers must already own an Aston Martin. The luxury automaker has identified that around 30% of existing customers have small cars such as a Mini or Smart ForTwo in their garages for city traffic.2010 Toyota iQ minicarAston Martin Cygnet Read More

Volkswagen's upcoming up! minicar project is destined to go electric but the first examples won’t be around until 2013. Currently, the up! is being developed with conventional petrol and diesel options and will be sold under various guises through the VW, Seat and Skoda brands by 2011.

The reported 2013 launch date for the electric up! means the car will arrive to market a little slower than some of its competitors, such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which is slated for a 2011 release. This disadvantage will have to be made up by VW with either better pricing or a superior product, reports AutoTelegraaf.

VW has already previewed its... Volkswagen's upcoming up! minicar project is destined to go electric but the first examples won’t be around until 2013. Currently, the up! is being developed with conventional petrol and diesel options and will be sold under various guises through the VW, Seat and Skoda brands by 2011. The reported 2013 launch date for the electric up! means the car will arrive to market a little slower than some of its competitors, such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which is slated for a 2011 release. This disadvantage will have to be made up by VW with either better pricing or a superior product, reports AutoTelegraaf. VW has already previewed its electric minicar in the form of 2007’s up! blue plug-in hybrid concept vehicle. The advanced concept featured a hydrogen fuel cell mated to an electric motor and lithium-ion battery array. Driving on electric power alone, the 60hp (45kW) electric motor could carry the vehicle over a distance of 65 miles, more than enough for most inner city trips. The production version is likely to feature an electric motor as its sole power source. Before the arrival of the electric up!, however, VW will launch several other versions including a petrol-electric hybrid, MPV model and possibly even a sporty cabrio. In total, VW is hoping to sell close to 500,000 units of the up! annually. Whether or not the car will be coming Stateside is another matter, and VW is still pondering the advantages of such a move.Volkswagen Lupo minicar family renderingsspace up! blue Read More