Motor Authority - blog Category: MPV

General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas. Now it looks like GM is also considering using its Volt plug-in hybrid technology in the Orlando.

Bob Lutz, speaking with GM-Volt today re-confirmed what other GM officials have previously suggested: that the Voltec powertrain found in the Volt could be applied to the Orlando.

"I would point out that the Chevrolet Orlando is built on the same basic vehicle architecture and component set as the Chevrolet Volt," GM's vice... General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas. Now it looks like GM is also considering using its Volt plug-in hybrid technology in the Orlando. Bob Lutz, speaking with GM-Volt today re-confirmed what other GM officials have previously suggested: that the Voltec powertrain found in the Volt could be applied to the Orlando. "I would point out that the Chevrolet Orlando is built on the same basic vehicle architecture and component set as the Chevrolet Volt," GM's vice president of global program management, Jon Lauckner, revealed to Automotive News back in January. "So if it makes sense, it's certainly something we can take a look at." Furthermore, GM's president of North America, Troy Clarke, said the Orlando’s platform was "very adaptable" to sharing the Volt technology. Even without any hybrid technology, Chevrolet promises highway fuel economy of around 40mpg (5.88L/100km) for a gasoline-powered Orlando, and a more efficient diesel version is thought to be on the table for U.S. sale as well. Sitting on the same platform as the recently revealed Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, the Orlando will be able to seat up to seven adults and will be powered by a range of engines displacing between 1.6 and 2.0L. The most powerful model will be a 2.0L turbodiesel with 150hp (112kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque. The Orlando will likely be built at GM’s Hamtramck plant in Michigan, however there is still a chance that a cheaper imported version may be sourced from South Korea.Chevrolet Orlando Concept Official photos Read More

The next-generation Opel Meriva compact MPV has been caught undergoing testing on several occasions, but so far prototypes have always been heavily camouflaged. Many details, however, were still discernible, including the overall shape, which remains close to the original Meriva concept from last year's Geneva Motor Show.

This computer generated rendering gives us a good indication as to what the final version will look like. The simple and attractive front fascia, minimalist outlines, and overall configuration remain very close to the concept’s design, however. Small detail differences include the addition of a tailpipe (hidden on... The next-generation Opel Meriva compact MPV has been caught undergoing testing on several occasions, but so far prototypes have always been heavily camouflaged. Many details, however, were still discernible, including the overall shape, which remains close to the original Meriva concept from last year's Geneva Motor Show. This computer generated rendering gives us a good indication as to what the final version will look like. The simple and attractive front fascia, minimalist outlines, and overall configuration remain very close to the concept’s design, however. Small detail differences include the addition of a tailpipe (hidden on the concept) and the removal of the rear roof spoiler and addition of an antenna in its place. Looking once again at the spy shots, the treatment of the rear windows and rear hatch area seem to indicate both the angular upsweep before the C-pillar and the hourglass-shaped rear hatch will carry over into production. The tail lights, though heavily camouflaged, carry a hint of the outline of the concept’s large and stylistic units as well. A very carefully placed extra segment of cladding appears to be hiding one of the most controversial elements of the concept’s design: the rear-window ‘kink’. The front door’s handle and the general construction of the doors and rubber strips indicate the rear-opening rear doors of the concept are gone. The suicide door configuration makes for better display in a car show booth, but is both inconvenient and hard to get past the legal department in the real world. The new Meriva is expected to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and should be sale across Europe by the end of the year.2010 Opel Meriva spy shotsOpel Meriva 2008 Geneva Concept2010 Opel Meriva preview rendering Read More

GM’s next-generation Opel Meriva compact MPV has been caught undergoing testing once gain. Though it remains in full camouflage, many details are still discernible, including the overall shape, which remains close to the original Meriva concept from last year's Geneva Motor Show.

A very carefully placed extra segment of cladding appears to be hiding one of the most controversial lements of the concept’s design: the rear-window ‘kink’. The front door’s handle and the general construction of the doors and rubber strips indicate the rear-opening rear doors of the concept are gone. The suicide door configuration... GM’s next-generation Opel Meriva compact MPV has been caught undergoing testing once gain. Though it remains in full camouflage, many details are still discernible, including the overall shape, which remains close to the original Meriva concept from last year's Geneva Motor Show. A very carefully placed extra segment of cladding appears to be hiding one of the most controversial lements of the concept’s design: the rear-window ‘kink’. The front door’s handle and the general construction of the doors and rubber strips indicate the rear-opening rear doors of the concept are gone. The suicide door configuration makes for better display in a car show booth, but is both inconvenient and hard to get past the legal department in the real world. The simple and attractive front fascia, minimalist outlines, and overall configuration remain very close to the concept’s design, however. Small detail differences include the addition of a tailpipe (hidden on the concept) and the removal of the rear roof spoiler and addition of an antenna in its place. The treatment of the rear windows and rear hatch area seem to indicate both the angular upsweep before the C-pillar and the hourglass-shaped rear hatch will carry over into production. The tail lights, though heavily camouflaged, carry a hint of the outline of the concept’s large and stylistic units as well. The new Meriva is expected to make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and should be sale across Europe by the end of the year.2010 Opel Meriva spy shotsOpel Meriva 2008 Geneva Concept Read More

Kia presented its new No 3 mini MPV concept back at March’s Geneva Motor Show, and within weeks the production version of this concept had been spotted testing around Europe. In fact, prototypes for the vehicle were first sighted late last year but were originally thought to be a new MPV variant of the Kia Cee’d hatchback.

We can now confirm that the new car will be based on the same platform as the Kia Soul, which means it will likely be available with a family of compact petrol and diesel powertrains ranging from 1.6 to 2.0L in size. Power outputs will range from about 126hp (94kW) to 142hp (106kW). There could even be a mild ... Kia presented its new No 3 mini MPV concept back at March’s Geneva Motor Show, and within weeks the production version of this concept had been spotted testing around Europe. In fact, prototypes for the vehicle were first sighted late last year but were originally thought to be a new MPV variant of the Kia Cee’d hatchback. We can now confirm that the new car will be based on the same platform as the Kia Soul, which means it will likely be available with a family of compact petrol and diesel powertrains ranging from 1.6 to 2.0L in size. Power outputs will range from about 126hp (94kW) to 142hp (106kW). There could even be a mild hybrid model added to the lineup further down the track. Competition for the new Kia MPV will likely come primarily in the form of the Volkswagen Golf Plus, as well as the Opel Meriva and Renault Modus – the latter vehicle was even seen testing alongside the Kia prototype at one stage. Some of its features will include a glass panoramic roof, sporty alloy wheels, and Kia’s new H-pattern grille. First sales should start in Europe at the end of the year, which means the latest Kia MPV will be a 2010 model.2010 Kia Cee'd Plus MPV spy shots2009 Kia No3 Concept at Geneva Motor Show Read More

While the likes of Audi and Daimler are surging forward with their product development, cash-strapped companies such as General Motors are having to abandon certain market segments and cut back on new model launches just to stay in business. The latest product cuts reportedly taking place at GM surround a pair of compact MPV models that were to be built at a plant in Detroit and go on sale by 2011.

The vehicles in question include the production version of the 2008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept, a compact van based on the same platform as the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze sedan, as well as an Opel badged version to be exported to Europe. Referred... While the likes of Audi and Daimler are surging forward with their product development, cash-strapped companies such as General Motors are having to abandon certain market segments and cut back on new model launches just to stay in business. The latest product cuts reportedly taking place at GM surround a pair of compact MPV models that were to be built at a plant in Detroit and go on sale by 2011. The vehicles in question include the production version of the 2008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept, a compact van based on the same platform as the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze sedan, as well as an Opel badged version to be exported to Europe. Referred to as the Delta MPV7, the upcoming seven-seater MPV was originally slated to enter production later this year. The Delta MPV7 was to be built on the same FWD ‘Delta’ platform as the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze sedans, all of which were to be built at GM’s Hamtramck plant in Detroit. In an interview with Automotive News, the president of UAW Local 22, George McGregor, revealed that the project has been put on hold indefinitely. McGregor explained that tooling for the MPV7 had not been installed and no other preparations have been made. GM is yet to say whether the MPV7 vehicle program would be restarted or whether a different vehicle program was scheduled for the plant, he said. The latest news brings into question the role that the future seven-seat MPV will play for GM’s North American division. Spy shots of prototypes testing in Europe confirm the car is in development, but now it appears production will likely be relegated to plants in Europe and South Korea.Chevrolet Tacuma spy shotsChevrolet Orlando Concept Official photos Read More

Toyota will be updating its European lineup with the debut of the all-new Verso MPV at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle is loosely based on the U.S. market Matrix but offers more space, comfort and practicality, and benefits from the latest occupant and pedestrian safety features.

Changes to the outgoing model include a 20% increase in power and torque for most engines, as well as a 12% reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions and fuel-consumption. The powertrain lineup includes 1.6 and 1.8L Valvematic petrol units, mated to either a six-speed manual or new Multidrive S CVT, as well as the 2.0L D-4D turbodiesel - all three... Toyota will be updating its European lineup with the debut of the all-new Verso MPV at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle is loosely based on the U.S. market Matrix but offers more space, comfort and practicality, and benefits from the latest occupant and pedestrian safety features. Changes to the outgoing model include a 20% increase in power and torque for most engines, as well as a 12% reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions and fuel-consumption. The powertrain lineup includes 1.6 and 1.8L Valvematic petrol units, mated to either a six-speed manual or new Multidrive S CVT, as well as the 2.0L D-4D turbodiesel - all three available at launch. Later in the year a 2.2L D-CAT turbodiesel with a new six-speed automatic transmission will join the lineup. To improve interior space, the new Verso has been stretched up to 70mm in length and 20mm between the axles. Aerodynamic enhancements ensure the bigger Verso maintains a relatively slippery 0.29Cd coefficient of drag. Styling follows what Toyota terms, "Smart Wave Dynamism," a wave-inspired theme that mates organic elements with a clear division of the cockpit into driver and passenger areas. Titanium-look inserts are featured on the door handles, steering wheel and center console with a blend of soft-touch technical grain plastic for the upper dashboard, with leather grain effect on the darker, lower section, which Toyota claims 'accentuates the sense of space inside the cabin.' Other features and options that will be available according to trim package include Bluetooth, manual or climate control air conditioning, a cooled glovebox, cruise control, 16in or 17in alloy wheels, rain and dusk sensors for the wipers and headlights, full map satellite navigation with a 10Gb hard disk drive and rear parking monitor and panoramic sunroof. The Verso has also been designed to accommodate up to seven adults, with three row-seating and Toyota’s new ‘Easy Flat-7’ storage system. Easy Flat-7 is essentially a folding seat system that allows each of the five seats in the last two rows to be lowered individually to increase storage space. The vast array of possible seat configurations (32 in all) offers a flexibility not found in typical seat arrangements. With all seats laid down to maximize storage capacity, a total of 178L of space is available. Despite being small and budget-conscious, the Verso is also keenly aware of safety requirements. Standard equipment includes ABS, VSC and brake assist, plus seven airbags including third-row passenger protection. The goal is a five-star EuroNCAP crash test rating - a goal that should be well within reach, considering the strong showing of the iQ in the latest round of tests under the new EuroNCAP standard.2009 Toyota Verso MPV2009 Toyota Verso Read More